Part: 15
Kripa broke her sleep when Sur's tiny hands touched her cheeks. "Mom! Why are you crying? I love you!!" Kripa smiled and wiped her tears and took Sur in tight embrace. "I love you too! I just got a dream sweety! I'm fine. Sojao" She again put Sur in sleep asking about her day with grandparents. In five minutes Sur went to sleep again in Kripa's warm arms.
Kripa remembered depressive Angad in Anittah's house.. "Kitna daring step liya tha thumney, Angad! Tumhara jindagi ko tumhara haaton se hi barbaad kardala. Itna pyar karta tha magar kissi ko keh nahi paya. I wish you could tell your parents before committing this MISTAKE. Mere liye tum jindagi bhar adhura rehgaya. Why couldn't you move forward in life? Tum pehley se hi jaanta tha mein kissi aur ki amanat banchuki thi. I couldn't save myself from this marriage. I was committed to the relationship, Angad! I'm so sorry. I couldn't come into your life. I couldn't wait for you." She silently sobbed and pulled Sur more close and kissed her forehead. She went back into past again.
Past:
Kripa woke up and checked surroundings. Her heart is still beating fast. She felt sultry. Angad is sleeping over her. He is face down under the pillow besides her. His left hand around her waist and left leg tangled with her left leg. Both are uncovered, neither blanket nor their dresses seemed around them. Kripa became red and embarrassed to see herself naked with Angad and warm tears rolled over her corners of eyes. She wiped and slowly removed his hand and leg without disturbing him. She checked the time from Angad's wrist watch as 10 and covered him till waist with blanket. Angad is in deep sleep and couldn't even move an inch. She gathered her clothes and walked into bathroom. She quickly wore them and combed her tangled hair and washed face fast and came into the bed room. She walked to the closet and took his blue button down sweater and covered herself. All buttons of her kurtha were broke coz of Angad's rough handling. She covered her head with dupatta and bid bye to Angad silently in her mind and walked out to exit. She folded her red sari and put it in the bag. She once stared at Angad's bedroom with tearful eyes and walked out with all her packets locking the door behind her. She took a taxi and reached her apartment.
"Mama kya kehegi? Iss sweater ko lekey kitnay sawal karti hai. Hope she won't call Misthy to check about me. If so, Misthy kya kehti hogi? What would Misthy think about me and Angad? Why this happened? Why Angad carried away with his emotions? Why is he so scared to lose me? Couldn't he convince his parents? Can't convince them to approach mamma and papa? As a girl I couldn't tell mamma papa about us but kehti bhi kya? Mein toh ussey pyar toh nahin ki. I controlled my senses but why couldn't he? Yeh kya hogaya hai? How could I come over this now? Could I able to talk to Prithvi about this? Kya kahungi ussey? That I love Angad? I consummated the relationship? What will I tell him? Mamma, papa… kaisey muh dikhaoongi abb?"
"Madam kahan jaana hai?" Taxi driver yelled at Kripa and she startled at him. "Mein kabsey pukar raha hoon, madam! Aap toh kahin kho gayi thi? Kahan jaana hai aapko?"
Kripa recovered quickly and said the address. She postponed thinking about the situation and got down the taxi. She realized Angad money is still in her purse. She opened the door with her extra key and stepped inside with heavy heart praying her parents doesn't attack her. She slowly cat walked to her room and noticed a note on the center table. She read it and sighed loudly. Gayatri left a note saying she and Sarma are going out to Damini's house for dinner and will be back late night. She asked Kripa to finish her dinner and take a nice sleep as she has to get up early for 'Karva Chaut' on next day. Kripa locked her door and sat on the floor near the door. Her eyes started rolling tears out of relief about her parents. She rested her head into knees and recollected everything from Angad' visit till night. She cursed herself for going with him after shopping.
"Khaash mein mama ke saat gayi hoti. Why did I drawn towards Angad? Gayi toh bhi kyon wo sari dikhayi? Aakhir mujhey kyon wo sari kareedna tha? Why couldn't I stop the thought? Why did I allow him to kiss me? What happens to me in front of him? Why can't I bluntly refuse him? Why did I lose in front of him? How did I allow him to touch me. Kya hai uski baahon mein." Kripa's body became warm remembering his touch. She caressed her lips, cheeks, eyes, forehead, hair, thorat, neck and whole body. Her eyes are flowing tears constantly. "Kya hogaya tha mujhey? Kyon mein apni aap ko ussey somp di. Why couldn't I control my senses?" she started sobbing loudly. "Why couldn't I stop him?" she covered her face in her palms and cried out loudly cursing herself. She didn't realize when did she fell asleep.
Gayatri's continuous knock on the door wake her up. She opened her eyes with force as they are stick together. Her head is spinning and throat felt stuck. She tried to wet her dry lips and checked the surroundings. She fell asleep on the floor near the door. She recollected last night and checked the time now in the wall clock. It is showing 4:30. "Rotey Rotey yahin sogayi thi?" She heard again bang on the door and worried tone of Gayatri, "Kripa! Kripa! Utho beti!"
Kripa gathered her voice and slowly answered in husky and drowsy voice "haan, Maa!" Gayatri sounded happy "darwaja kholo beti!" Kripa got up and set herself and opened the door. Gayatri shocked to see swollen Kripa's eyes "Yeh kya haal banadi? Ye sweater kyon pehna? Yeh kiski hai? Bukar hogaya kya? Kal raat kab aayi thi? Misthy ke ghar itni deir tak kabhi nahin gayi thi. Aakhir gayi kyon? Kaisey raha kal raat? Tumhara packets kahan hai?"
Kripa sighed for her flow of enquiries and kept silent and handed the packets to her. "Jaldi taiyyar hokar neechey aaja. Meanwhile I will set your clothes. Wahan Naina aunty ke ghar mein sab log intezaar kartey hongey."Gayatri sounded excited for the festive.
Kripa walked into the bathroom silently after Gayatri left. She took her brush and stunned to see her reflection in the mirror before putting brush into mouth. Her eyes filled tears again. Her face is swollen near eyes coz of constant tears. Her lips are broken in some places and swollen a little with Angad's bites. She caressed her lips, tears escaped from eyes and cheeks reddened thinking about his touch. Goosebumps spread all over her body. She ran her fingers through her neck to touch the bruises. She removed his sweater and put aside on the counter and closed the bathroom door. She removed her kurtha and checked her body. Her upper chest, stomach, shoulders, biceps has his teeth marks. She caressed them with tearful eyes. Her body felt little shivers when a strange pain ran over her spine and goose bumps building over the body. She closed her eyes and felt his touch by cuddling herself "Angad!!" She muttered with sweet pain "Do I love him?"and couldn't stop sobbing. "Kyon aisa hua humaray saat? Why did you break like this? Kuch control karpata." She sat near the wall and sobbed for few minutes. She cried till lost energy to do anymore. She didn't eat anything after lunch yesterday. She felt hungry all of sudden and her stomach is growling.
Gayatri gave another call reminding the time. Kripa got up slowly gathering energy and took shower over head. While hot water going over she felt relieved and her tears also started flowing along with shower. "Main abb kya karoon? Where should I start? Shall I tell mom everything? Shall I take Misthy's help as she knows about us yesterday? Anittah sey kahoon? Aaliyah? Kya kahungi uss sey? I was very strong willed girl in their opinion and now besahara banker ussey madat maangoo? Yeh kahan khada diya mujhey, Angad?" she got anger, felt helpless, frustration, irritation everything mixed together. She would have killed Angad if he comes in front of her now.
Gayatri's another reminder brought her out. She wore black with red border south cotton silk chudidhar with high collar and three fourth sleeves to cover her bruises. She left hair open to dry it. She took milk from fridge and Gayatri warned her. "Yeh kya Kripa? Mein kal batayi thi na Damini wants you to observe vrat? Abb kuch mat kha. Chalo mere saat puja karo and we leave for Naina aunty's house by 8."
Kripa without uttering a word followed Gayatri till she reached Khanna house. Khanna house is filled with festive glow as Anittah, Aaliyah singing, dancing, and moving around busily with arrangements. They warmly welcomed Kripa and took inside "Kahan kho gayi maharani? You must have a mobile for your own now. We were missing you yesterday. We went to beauty parlor and ordered for mehendi today…" they constantly updating about the arrangements of present day's vrat.
Kripa slowly came out of her dismay with their company.
Angad woke up at 10 and checked for Kripa. He suddenly feared if she left. He dressed up, checked the whole house and confirmed she left. He called her home but no one responded. He thought to call Gayatri but changed his mind and decided to check her home in person. He got ready fast and went to his apartment by 11. He found no one responding him. He decided to ask the neighbor and he got call from Dilip fuming in the phone.
"Angad! How come you become so irresponsible? Yesterday whole day you were missing. Today till 11:30 you are not even turned up to office. What's going on? Do you know what crisis we are going through"
Angad who is already worrying about Kripa got irritated "Dad! I'm coming there right now. Okay!" he headed direct to work thinking about Kripa. He recollected last night union with Kripa. "Kripa! I love you. I won't keep quite now. Before late, I will tell mom about us. We should get married and I definitely don't let you go with Prithvi. You are mine, made for me."
Dilip gave order to him by lunch time, "You and Misthy are leaving by tomorrow early hour's flight. Here are the tickets. Ghar jaakar taiyyar hojaao and I'll call Shabbir for other arrangements."
Angad held his head and heaved his breathe out. Misthy surprised at his fallen face "Kya hua, Angad? Everyone excites to go to US and you are looking so dull?" she took the chair in front him "Lunch leliya?"
Angad shook his head 'no' and turned his eyes and covered his face in his hands to cover his feelings. He faintly looked at her "Where were you in the morning?"
She surprisingly looked at him "I was busy with work, and I was in my cabin only. Waisey tum kahan they? Aaj late aya hai?" Misthy expected something wrong. "Kya hua Angad? Kal bhi gayab tha. Kiskey saat raha? Aaj itna depressive kyon lag raha hai?"
Angad sadly looked at her "Subah sey Kripa ko contact karney ki khoshish kar raha hoon, pata nahin kahan gayi thi. I couldn't contact her." Misthy confused at his disappointment "Kripa? Ussey kya lena dena? Why do you worry about her all of sudden?" she paused and stared into his eyes "Don't tell me that you were with Kripa last night."
Angad gave faint look at her and shook his head and turned his eyes away from her. "I was with her. We were together." Misthy's breathe stopped and looking unbelievingly at him. He stared into her eyes "I ….I…We consummated our relationship." Misthy stopped gasp by covering her mouth and slowly walked to his side and dropped her hand on his shoulder "What were you saying, Angad? Are you crazy? Yeh kab, kasiey hua? When you both were started dating, I mean liking each other? I know you are crazy behind her but Kripa!! I don't believe she does this. What will she answer to Prithvi? Kya hogaya hai tum donon ko? I can't believe this? I can't believe Kripa aisi kar sakti hai!!"
Angad rubbed his forehead with fingers "Kripa ki galati nain hai, Misthy! I made her surrender, I seduced her, I forced her. I was scared to lose her and I confessed this way before I go. I want her to wait for me. I want her to break her engagement. I don't know, I can't think of anything else. I'm madly in love with her. I need her. I need her forever."
He paused and wiped his tears and looked at Misthy "Misthy! Can you call her mom and enquire about Kripa? I want to know if she is fine. I tried but I don't know where to search for her. I went to her house but it is locked. I didn't see Sarma ji also. Pata nahin, pura family ko kya hoagaya hai. I don't think Kripa could ever disclose this to her family. I only have to take initiative. Ek baar Kripa miljaay, mein ussey Mom ke paas lejaana chahta hoon. I want to tell mom everything."
Misthy patted his shoulder "You did a big blunder, Angad! You should have told me. Actually you showed your interest but I took it easy. I should have warned Prithvi or Kripa or Damini or Gayatri or atleast Naina ji or atleast Dilip. You really put the situation at the edge of everyone's prestige." She walked to her seat and suddenly asked, "Did you call Anittah?" Angad shook his head and Misthy enquired and found about the puja and Kripa.
Angad jumped in his seat "Oh God, Misthy! This totally slipped from my mind. Kal wo ek sari bhi kareedli mere pasand ki. I have to go now. Can you be with me tonight in my house? Please!!"
Misthy smiled "Friends hotey kiss liye?" Angad blushed "Chalo, hum chaltey hai. I can't wait to see Kripa now."
Misthy laughed and followed him. "Mein bhi December mein shadi ki date fix karney ki soch rahi hoon, Angad! Shabbir is not going to wait anymore."Misthy informed in the elevator about her future plans of her wedding.
Angad is in good mood and lifted Misthy and turned once and dropped her down "Hum donon ek hi saat shadi karengey. Nahin, I can't wait till December, I'll marry as early as possible, soon after returning from US, bus mom sey sab kuch aaj hi bata deta hoon."
Misty smiled and slapped his shoulder playfully, "khaash tum Kripa sey pehley hi miljata, humey ek haseen prem kahani sunney ko milta."
Angad blushed. Misthy bid bye "I'll pack my things and reach your house by 6."
Angad shook his head and hesitantly asked her "Misthy! I need a favour!" Misthy teasingly smiled at him "Abb kya hai? Tumhara ghar toh aarahi hoon na"
Angad nodded his head "wo baat nahin, I want to buy a gift for Kripa. Some gold ..Which store is good?"
Misthy showed one shop in the same complex "go there. They are reliable and reasonable. Waisey kya khareedna chahtey ho?"
Angad searched for words "wo….something" he blushed for Misthy's suspicious looks "mangal sutre…tum madat karogi?"
Misthy opened her mouth with shock "Angad! Lagta hai you directly going to tie the knot"
Angad nodded his head seriously "Haan, Misthy! Jo shadi ke baad karna tha wo darr ke maari pehley kardiya tha. I don't want her to embarrass in front of anyone. I don't want to leave her in depression while I'm in US. I want to tell everyone now immediately."
Misthy smiled "I'm glad you realized your mistake atleast immediately. You can buy and I'll help you for it. But I don't think you get opportunity to say anything now as there will be everyone around your family coz of Karva Chaut."
Angad agreed "Let me see, I want to take the first opportunity to disclose our relationship"
They both selected a two row black beads with mangalsutras engulfed in the middle of diamonds and rubies.
They both headed in different directions.
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