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[SIZE=7>PART 18:
Kripa saw Kartik approaching her. There was something about Kartik, that made her uncomfortable- it was his eyes-they were dishonest-Kripa had sensed that about him during her early interactions with him. She had warned Prithvi on several occasions about Kartik, but each time he had turned a deaf ear to her advice. She figured Prithvi was an adult, and would have to figure it out himself. She was not going to baby sit him like Dilip and Angad had done. Her job as a good spouse was to help him make good decisions, but she could not force him to do what she thought was right.
"Hello Kripa….I did not know you were not only talented in the department of looks..," his gaze on her body made her a little queasy, "you are a great singer and dancer too….."
"Th…Thanks Kartik…." She stuttered.
"Can I have a dance with the beautiful lady too….after all I am your husband's partner in business just like Angad is…." He extended his hand and gave a sarcastic glance at Angad.
"Angad and Prithvi happen to be brothers too!" she snapped
"Thode din mein main bhi Prithvi ke bhai jaisa hi lagney lagoonga…." Kartik was persistent.
Angad, who was busy talking to someone, saw Kripa's discomfort as Kartik was standing a little too close to her.
"Excuse me.." Angad said and walked towards Kartik and Kripa. He patted Kartik's shoulder, "Hey Kartik!….tum yahan ho…..main kabsey tumhey dhoond raha tha…..I must say you have selected a nice location for the office….," Angad gestured to Kripa with his eyes to get away while he engaged Kartik in small talk.
"OH Angad tum….thanks yaar….I know we will kill the competition in no time…." Kartik gloated. Angad pretended to listen intently to Kartik, but kept an eye on Kripa till she was at a safe distance from Kartik. Kartik turned around, "Arre Angad…tumharey chakkar mein main Kripa ke saath dance karna bhool gaya….where did she go?"
"Hey Kartik….let me get you a drink….yeh dance-wance ke chakkar mein kyon padhtey ho……we have bigger plans ahead of us…." Angad put his arm around Kartik and took him away to the bar area.
Kripa glanced towards Angad and smiled to herself, "Angad….thanks again….jab bhi main mushkil mein hoti hoon…..tum mujhey bacha lete ho….Prithvi has no clue!"
"Hi Kripa…tum yahan akeli khadi ho…..wo Kartik wanted a dance with my lovely wife…."Prithvi came from behind and put his arm around her.
"Prithvi….I don't want to dance with Kartik…..tumney usey mere paas kyon bheja?"
"C'mon Kripa! Tumhey tho shauk hai in sab cheezon ka….just enjoy yourself…..Kartik is a good guy….trust me…."
Kripa muttered under her breathe, "wohi tho ab main nahin karti hoon!"
"Kuch kaha tumney?" Prithvi asked but then got distracted by Kartik gesturing him to join him again, "main abhi aaya Kripa….."
Prithvi and Kartik discussed something and then Kartik took over the microphone and asked the band to stop the music,
"Ladies and gentlemen……I , Kartik Agarwal, welcome all of you to the open house of our new company, Bose&Khanna enterprises. We are striving to make this company, one of the biggest software giants in India.Our goal is to make B&K grow very fast, so that in 2 years, we will be trading in the world stock markets…"
APPLAUSE!
"I would now like to announce our team to all of you….."
APPLAUSE
"My self, Kartik Agarwal will be the new Chief Financial Officer….CFO"
APPLAUSE
"Mr Prithvi Bose would be the Chief operating officer….COO…"
APPLAUSE
"And last but not the least….Mr Angad Khanna would be our Chief Executive Officer, our CEO!"
APPLAUSE
The investors and the press were happy with the announcement. The investors had faith in Angad's abilities and his name as the premier gave them confidence that their money they had invested would be used wisely. Everyone was happy with the announcements- the champagne bottles overflowed and the band resumed playing in full force.
There were two people in the room, who were not pleased at all- Angad and Kripa!
Kripa looked at Angad's face-he had turned pale after the announcement, even as everyone shook his hands in congratulations. She knew why he was unhappy-he had made it clear, he did not want to be a part of the operations at the new venture, he was kind enough to become a non-working partner at Dilip's insistence, but being a CEO was a big responsibility, especially in a company, he had no say in!
Angad pushed his way in the crowd and walked towards Prithvi, "PRITHVI! Yeh kya kiya tumney? Mujhsey poonchey bina mujhey itna bada khitaab de diya…"
"Congratulations Mr CEO!" Prithvi shook his hands
"PRITHVI! Answer my question damn it! Kis sey poonch kar tumney yeh kiya?" Angad was really angry. Prithvi had never seen his brother like that.
"Yeh mera idea tha." Kartik came forward, "Angad…..you should be glad ki tumharey bhai ney saari mehnat ki hai, aur tumhey wo CEO bana raha hai…..what is your problem?"
"Problem hai! I don't like to take credit for something I have not earned…..I am happy being a consulting partner, but not a CEO!"
Dilip saw the animated discussion from a distance, "Angad…beta itney emotional kyon ho rahey ho? Prithvi ney tumhey itna samman diya hai…wo tumhari itni respect karta hai…..is mey sab ka bhala hai….." he patted Angad's back.
"Theek hai…par main apna arrngement pehley jaisa hi rakhoonga…..CEO just on paper….I have very different views on how this company should work, so I unless I have complete autonomy, I will just be a CEO in name……Kartik and Prithvi would be the main players and would be responsible for all the profits and losses…..mujhey kuch nahin chahiye is company se…." Angad was very firm.
Kartik smiled his evil smile-that is exactly what he was hoping for-if Angad was the CEO on paper, their market value would be much higher due to Angad's reputation, but Kartik and Prithvi would control everything else. A CEO would still be held liable if there was a problem…..this would be a win-win situation…… "theek hai Angad…jaisa tum chaho…..after all ghar ka hi maamla hai…."
"OK Kartik, make sure you write that in the contract clearly….." Angad clenched his teeth and gave Kartik a cold stare. Angad made it clear that he was doing this as a favor to Prithvi and Dilip, he did not want anything in return.
Kripa overheard the discussions and had an idea. She went to Prithvi, "Prithvi…..tum kya kar rahey ho? Kaam tho tumney aur Kartik ney hi kiya hai….phir sabsey bada title bhi tumhi logo ko milna chahiye…..Angad ke saath kyon share karna chahtey ho….main chahti hoon yeh company sirf tumhari glory ho…..aakhir kitni mehnat ki hai tumney….jab profits aayengey tho sab CEO ko hi shabashi dengey….tumhey kaun poonchega?" she made it sound like she was Prithvi and Kartik's well wisher, but she was trying to get Angad out of their clutches.
Prithvi thought about it for a moment, "Kripa, you have a point….Hey Kartik…" he took him aside and told him what Kripa was saying.
"Prithvi…trust me….isi mein hamari bhalayee hai…..yadi company take off kar jaati hai tho baad mein titles badal dengey…..abhi shuroo mein Angad ka naam hamari company ke liye bahut zaroori hai…..maine sab socha hai…..lagta hai teri biwi tera bahut dhyaan rakhti hai…" Kartik smiled again
"Wo tho hai…" Prithvi put his arm around Kripa, but she just cringed. She was worried about Angad-there was a reason why he did not want to associate himself with B&K, and that was precisely the reason she did not want him there either-the reason was KARTIK!
The party became more boisterous after the announcements. Kartik and Prithvi hit the bar along with a few other people. Dilip and Suryabhan had already left. Angad had had enough of the party, and was ready to leave too, but hung around so that he could shield Kripa from Kartik.
Kripa went to Prithvi, "Prithvi….ab ghar chalein? Mujhey kal morning mein boutique ke silsilay mein kahin jaana hai…."
Kartik interrupted, "OH…Kripa jee aap tho boutique kholney jaa rahi hai na?….Aaiye…aaiya….idhar baithiye……mere US mein bahut contacts hain retail mein…..yadi apney designs mujhey dedo, tho main wahan bhej sakta hoon…..you can get a much better price for your work there….."
"No thanks, Kartik…..abhi mera koyi iraada nahin hai overseas market ko tap karney ka….pehley locally establish hona chahti hoon….." Kripa said firmly.
"Kripa…..I think Kartik has a brilliant idea!…Pehley dekh to lo, kya offer aata hai…..pehley se hi reject kyon karti ho?" Prithvi's speech was now getting slurred.
"Prithvi….I think we should go home….tumney kuch zyada pee li hai…." Kripa put her hand on Prithvi's arm.
"Arre Kripa…..let him enjoy this evening…..why are you becoming a nagging wife?….Yadi Prithvi thodi der yahan rehna chahta hai….tho rehney do….chalo hamara dance reh gaya tha na…..why don't we dance till Prithvi finishes his drink…." Kartik got up and tried to hold Kripa's hand. Kripa took a few steps back, "Kartik…I am not interested….excuse me…I need to use the restroom…." She slipped out from their company and ran towards the restroom.
Angad followed her, as he could tell, she was in distress. He knocked on the ladies' restroom, and opened the door gently. He saw Kripa standing in front of the mirror and sobbing. She saw him at the door, and could not help herself. She ran to him and hugged him tightly, "Angad…..please mujhey yahan se le chalo…..I don't want to stay here anymore….."
Angad felt really sorry for her and squeezed her tightly in his arms; he stroked her hair and her back, "Don't worry Kripa….main tumhey ghar le jaata hoon…..main neeche wait karta hoon tumhari….." He released her from his embrace, wiped her tears and looked at her with a smile, "did anyone ever tell you that you look pathetic when you cry…."
She was surprised at his comment and broke out into a smile through her tears, "I will see you downstairs in the lobby…."
Angad slipped out of the party and took the elevator down to the lobby. Kripa gathered her belongings and looked out into the party hall-people were starting to leave, but Kartik and Prithvi were still competing on who could drink more! Kripa had half a mind to inform Prithvi that she was leaving, but she decided against it- it did not seem that her presence or absence was making much difference to him tonight-she left without informing anyone.
Angad and Kripa left shortly. As they were driving, Angad realized his car was swaying off the road. He stopped the car and got off. He came back and informed Kripa, "tire puncture ho gaya hai…let me change it….."
Kripa got off too, in case he needed help. She knelt beside him, as he changed the tire. It started to drizzle, "Kripa tum andar baitho…..main abhi aata hoon…." Angad pointed her to go back inside.
Kripa refused to go in and insisted on helping him change the tire, so that it would be over with soon. As they changed the tire, their hands and heads met each other repeatedly. The rain was pouring incessantly now. They finished their job and ran inside the car. Angad must have barely driven a few blocks, when the car got stuck again. He got off and announced, "Kripa, lagta haim Mumbai ki baarish hamaari dushman hai…..chalo bahar aa jao…..thodi der mein nikaltey hain…..abhi baarish bahut tez hai….paas hi main ek shopping complex hai…..aao chalo" he opened the door to let Kripa out.
Kripa said, "Angad….yeh tho wohi area hai jahan maine boutique ke liye space rent ki hai…..chalo wahan chaltey hain….mujhey aaj hi possession mila hai….."
They treaded knee-deep water and reached the shopping area. As all the shops had been closed at this late hour, the whole area was dark except for a few street lights. Kripa and Angad were soaking wet by now. Kripa unlocked the door to her soon-to-be boutique and tried to switch on the lights, "arre….maine abhi bijli ka connection nahin liya….."
"Koyi baat nahin Kripa…..atleast we have a shelter," he locked the door as they stepped in. The streetlights in the corner illuminated the room enough, so they could at least get their bearings and see each other.
Kripa tried to dry her hair and shake the water off her beautiful, now ruined chiffon saree. Angad took off his jacket and tie, and loosened his collar.
He looked at Kripa, "Kripa…tumharey chehrey par car ke tires ki shayad grease lagi hai….," he came closer and placed his finger on her face.
"Mujhey dikh nahin raha….please ponch do…" she said
He took the corner of her saree palloo and started wiping her face, "Kripa have I ever mentioned that you are so beautiful," he whispered.
"Tumney apney hontho se tho kabhi nahin kaha, par aankhon se kayi baar kaha hai…." She whispered back. They were standing just inches from each other. Angad wiped the black grease off her beautiful face, and on an impulse kissed her forehead.
The kiss on her forehead acted as ignitor to a bundle of fire logs………there was no holding back now…..Angad kissed her eyes, then her cheeks and finally their lips met to release all the pent up passions……
Kripa could not control herself either; she circled her arms around his neck and kissed his lips with equal passion. Soon his lips were scorching the rest of her body……….she moaned as she felt her body getting bruised all over…….. "Angad…..I love you….."
Their bodies were soon warming up the empty cold floor of her boutique. Their wet clothes were spread all over the floor. Angad whispered back… "Kripa….I love you….I have always loved you……you are mine……tum sirf meri ho…." They forgot who they were….where they were…..the only thing that mattered then was their love for each other…..
Kripa just groaned, as this beautiful sensuous song from "Dastak"- "tumse kahoon ek baat" plays in the background (Mohd Rafi at his huskiest best!)
Tumse kahu, ek baat paro se, halki halki hm hm hm hm
Raat meri hai, chaanv tumhare hi aachal ki hm hm hm hm
Tumse kahu ek baat paro se, halki halki halki halki halki
Soyee galiyan, baah pasare aankhein meeche
Soyee galiyan, baah pasare aankhein meeche hmm hmm hmm hmm
Mai duniya se, door ghani palkon ke neeche hmm hmm hmm hmm
Dekhu chalte khwab, lakeeron par kaajal ki
Tumse kahu ek baat paro se, halki halki halki halki halki
Dhundhli dhundhli, rain milan ka beestar jaise
Dhundhli dhundhli, rain milan ka beestar jaise
Khulta chhupta, chand sej ke upar jaise hmm hmm hmm hmm
Chalti phirti khaat, hawaon par baadal ki hmm hmm hmm hmm
Tumse kahu ek baat paro se halki halki halki halki halki
Hai bheega sa, jism tumhara in haathon mein
Hai bheega sa, jism tumhara in haathon mein hmm hmm hmm hmm
Baahar neend, bhara panchhi bheegi shaakhon mein hmm hmm hmm hmm
Aur barkha ki boond, badan se dhalki dhalki
Tumse kahu ek baat paro se, halki halki hm hm hm hm
Raat meri hai chaanv tumhare hi aachal ki hm hm hm hm
Tumse kahu ek baat paro se, halki halki halki halki halki
Looks like even the rain gods wanted them to be one……. "baarish hamari dushman nahin Angad…….hamari sabsey achchi dost hai.." Kripa whispered in his ear, after they had finished making love.
……..to be continued……
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
Shiv Shakti
Anupamaa
