Part-11
K: Angad….lunch is ready…come and have lunch…
A: Yeah..I will come in a min..you go on…
Without saying any thing Kripa left………Angad and dadi joined after a few min…….Dadi was impressed and surprised….tasting Kripa's cooking……..She praised her….and told she was just like gayatri…….Angad…was also surprised…Kripa never used to go in Kitchen when they were in nainital….Not even to get her own milk………But now….it seems she has done a wonderful job…..Mishti…could never compete with Kripa at least in this section…..He frowned…as to why he is comparing Mishti and Kripa always…After the lunch...he helped Kripa clear their table ….She cleaned the table and bought some desert for dadi and Angad…They sat on the couch….and had there deserts…talking…….about Mumbai…Singapore…etc.etc…
Dadi excused herself as she was tired…and Angad had some urgent work…though he would like it more to spend some time with Kripa…he needed to do this work…..
Kripa went to her room and took out the book….She fell asleep reading it…Angad came after 2 hours and knocked at the door,,,…when there was no reply he opened it and saw kripa sleeping with the book in her hand….."LOVE STORY" He read…..He went inside and took the book from her hand and kept it aside…He stood there looking at her for a long time…Then he remembered some thing…...Then went to his room…He opened his cupboard…..There was a tiny package sent by Kripa a long time back…He never got time to open it……….He slowly opened the package…It was a book…"Childhood Love" by Kripa Sharma……….He stared at the book …He told her he will read the book…but never got chance………..He threw all the waste…and went and sat on the bed…….He opened the book and started reading……..One by one…..as he read the book…the incidents of their childhood together came in front of him….He knew…this book which Kripa wrote…was on her and his childhood……….He was so emerged in reading…that he did not know…it was already dinner time………He wanted to read and complete the book….So he skipped the dinner and sat …there..and read the book……..Kripa had done wonderful beautiful job….of putting those moments in words……….She described it so beautifully…about there togetherness that it bought tear's in his eyes….Never in the million years he could put those moments so beautifully as Kripa had put them………..It was a wonderful book …a book of their childhood….memories…..their togetherness……….And at the last page………He saw Kripa's signature…….and she wrote…to my best friend in the whole world………..This is my first copy…and this is just for u………Love Kripa…Angad was touched by her gesture…….Angad touched those words………felt her touch to it and closed his eyes….He slept peacefully the whole night……..
Next day Angad left for office and was busy for the whole day……..Kripa had gone out for some time…and still there was no sign of Angad…..She was going to her room…when she saw Angad 's room open………..She saw a teddy on the bed…and knew it was her gift to him….She felt happy that Angad had treasured it….and it was safe with him…….She slowly moved in his room…….and took the teddy…and looked at it….She smiled at it….trying to recollect the moments……..with her grand parents………….she closed her eyes and hugged the teddy………
Mishty knocked at the door from outside….She seemed a little upset…when she looked at Kripa……..Kripa…Put the teddy down….and went near Mishti….
K: Hi Mishty…
M: Hi Kripa….
K: How come u are here…?
M: This is my in laws house Kripa….Can't I come here whenever I wish…
K: Oh sure…I am sorry…
M; No…no its ok….but I want to tell u some thing…Kripa…I hope u wouldn't mind…and feel hurt…Kripa frowned….and looked at her…
K: Sure tell me…..any thing…
M: Look Kripa…This is Angad's bedroom….I know you both know each other for a long time…and shared a very nice friendship…But I don't feel very comfortable….u coming to his room…when I am not there…I know we are not married yet…But still…You know…I am sorry if I hurt u…but…Kripa was shocked…but recovered quickly……..
K: No…no…Mishty…you are right…I am sorry….I should have understood my self….I promise it will not happen again…and she hurried away….Mishti looked at Kripa departing…She did not feel good…but she felt threatened…by Kripa's presence…she knew…Angad…did not love her, but they were engaged and soon getting married….And Kripa's presence added to the insecurities…..
Angad was outside the room…when Kripa…came out…He had heard everything…..He felt hurt too…And saw the pain reflecting in Kripa's eyes…..She looked at him with tears in her eyes and ran away….He wanted to call her back…run after her and console her….but he stayed there with closed eyes…Kripa ran to her room and closed the door…….She fell on her bed and sat there for a long time……Pain was getting out of control…She could not bear it……No one was still home except Angad….So she called the servant…and asked him to take the luggage to out house….She went to dadi…and told her…she wanted to stay with her for 2-3 days as she was getting bored in the house…..Dadi was happy…..
In the evening after dinner…Kripa told Naina…that she had moved to dadi….as she had only 2 days left and then she will be going to Harshini's house…..and she wanted to stay with dadi too…Naina agreed and apologized for not able to spend more time with her due to marriage….Kripa told her she understood…and don't make her feel outsider…by apologizing…After dinner she started going to outhouse…when she met Angad…..He knew that she has shifted to outhouse…..His eyes reflected tears of pain…Kripa understood….she felt the pain too…without saying a word…she ran away……But before she could go in the house….Angad held her…..
K: Angad…I am tired…I want to go and sleep……
A: If I ask u for some thing….will u give me….for our friendship sake….
K: Yeah tell…me what u want….
A: Can we see a movie…in my room just like old times…..please….
Kripa looked away…and Mishti's words came back to her….But she could not say no to Angad…
K: Angad….why don't we go to a theater instead…It will be more fun….
Angad understood….she was not going to come in his room…at any cost…He could not force her….He hated the distance between them…hated that they can't spend time together…just like old times…They can't even talk freely with each other…...
But Angad agreed as he want to spend some time with her….any way
A: Ok….Kripa was surprised as he was expecting him to say no….after his hectic day…..
K: I will go bring my purse…..
A: I will wait for u in the car……..
They parted and met after some time near the car…
A: You ready….Kripa nodded and they drove away….
In the car….
K: Why did u ask to see the movie together….Angad….
A: Shrugging…for the old times sake…I wanted to spend time with u like we used to…
K: That's not possible now Angad…you are engaged…..and soon to be married…Mishti might feel bad…
A: I know…But still I do…I am sorry about morning…
K: No you don't need to apolozize….i am sorry for intruding….I should have not come there with out asking…I just saw the teddy on your bed ….and…
A: You don't have to explain to me….
K: Yes I do…it was not proper…I had no right…
A: No you don't …..have to explain…and you have every right….You are my childhood friend…and you can come in whenever u want…I and mishty are not married yet….
Kripa and Angad both knew that was not true….and their life has changed…They were not kids any more….And
Angad knew…that Kripa would stay in her limits….But he did not want her too…He wanted her to accept him as before as her best friend…and be friendly in the same way….but deep in the heart he knew that was not possible,,,,,
They went to see a english movie…:" I have got Mail" ….Then came out after the movie was over….
A: So how was it?
K:Good…Did u like it…
A: Yeah…
K: Shall we go home…
A: Na…you want to have some ice cream….
K: If it is :" strawberry " they said in union…
K: You remember….
A: How can I forget….Lets go….They had their ice cream and came out of the parlour…..After a little while…When they were going to the parking lot….2-3 drunk people came towards them…Kripa got scared and went near Angad……
Drunk Guy…: Well well Angad Khanna…..Business Man….got engaged to some one…….but see here he is with another girl at this time of night….May be she is on call….This rich guys….they are so lucky…Angad went forward to hit them….But Kripa held him back….Angad tightened his fist …but kept walking towards the car……But then the guys came running forward before them…
Another drunk guy…: Hey Mr.Khanna…..can you share her with us…..
At the same time….Other guy…..: went to Kripa and started touching her on her lips and shoulders……Angad lifted his fist…and started hitting the guys….Kripa tried to stop him…but he was so angry…that he was out of control……Kripa closed her eyes….and tears fell from her eyes….
K: Angad please stop…she begged him….But Angad wasn't listning……..Kripa shivered and folded her arms and stood at one side….tears flwing from her cheeks…her eyes closed…with fear………After some time….She felt a gentle arm on her shoulder and she shivered…Angad took his jacket off and put it around Kripa's shoulder….and took her by arm and walked towards the car…..
He made her sit in the car……and he came around and sat in the drivers seat…
He looked at Kripa…who had tears in her eyes……
A: Kripa…I am sorry about what happened back there….
K: Its ok…Angad…can u please take me home…I don't want to talk about it…..Angad sighed and they drove in silence….They reached home…and Kripa came out of the car…before Angad came to open her door…..
A: Kripa…..Before he could say….anything,…Kripa took out the jacket and gave it to him….
K: Thanks…..
A: you are welcome….He took the jacket from her and wore it….He smeled her perfume….lightly…..Look at me
Kripa…..He said in authoritative voice….Kripa looked at him…..and was shocked to see some blood on his
mouth……
K: Angad you are hurt…..She started to touch his wound….But he waved her off….
A: Its ok Kripa….I will be fine…don't worry…..Please…forgive me…for loosing control that way…I don't know what came over me…I am sorry….
K: Its ok Angad…I will go now..Bye…Good night…Angad could see tears in her eyes…..He took her in his arms and hugged her…He kissed her forehead
A: Good night…. And then went away….Kripa too went in side….Both were restless the whole night thinking about the incident….But morning chaos, etc….made them feel a little lighter….
Next day Mishti came to know that Kripa has shifted to outhouse…she felt ashamed….She went to say sorry to Kripa…But Kripa said she was right…Angad was hers and Kripa has no business…to interfere….like before…They were kids then…but now they are not…so they need to maintain there distance…They hugged each other and Mishti left……But Kripa knew from their little meeting…that Mishti did not like her meeting and spending time with Angad very much……So She tried to Avoid Angad…...Prithvi was as usual cheerful and called Kripa if she was free to come out for dinner in the evening with him…Kripa agreed and Prithvi took Kripa ….to a nice restaurant…..
P: Thanks Kripa…for accepting my invitation…
K: Hey..you told no thanks and no sorry ….remember…
P: Oh…sure….well what do u want to have…
K: Any thing is fine with me….I am easy to please….but only thing…I want is an ice-cream after dinner…
P: Ice cream?
K: Yeah….why…what happened?
P: Nothing….Laughing….
K: Hey don't laugh…..
P: Sure….
K: So…Prithvi bose…what are ur hobbies, ur interest…
P: Well…not so interesting…as u…but I am into foot balls..and I loved reading love story……you purchased…
K: Well…I did not…you did…
P: Ya…whatever….
K: How long have u been helping Damini Aunty in business…..and what about ur dad…I did not see him much except for the engagement.?
P: Well…My dad and Mom are divorced….He stays with his other wife….
K: Looked down…I am sorry…
P: Its ok….It was long time back…We accepted it…and are on friendly terms….I started with my mom almost 2 years back…after I did my masters…
K: Well that's good…….
Waiter bought there orders…..But then Kripa turned her head to look around the restaurant….Her eyes fell on Angad…deep in conversation….with some business associates…she guessed…She looked back….at Prithvi…but then Prithvi's hand lifted and he waved….She looked back…and Angad just waved and looked at her….They stared for a min or so and she waved back…and he was again talking to the people besides him…..Dinner was finished…and Pritvhi ordered her favorite strawberry ice cream ….Kripa was very much engrossed in eating…later…when she looked up…Prithvi was smiling at her…She raised her eye brow…and slowly he bought his hand to wipe little ice cream from her cheek…Kripa blushed….She was not used to such attention from any one…especially not in public places….
P: You are sweet…..
K: Stop it Prithvi…Are u not tired of flirting…..
P: Hey….I am not flirting…
K: Then what are u doing…
P: I am complimenting a friend…
K: Oh ok….and she smiled sweetly at him…..
Angad's eyes constantly were on them……He was getting more and more tensed by every min…..When prithvi touched Kripa's cheek…he was half up on his seat….But …sat down….again…when he thought about the business associates….After dinner…Prithvi and Kripa went out…They were about to go to their car…Angad came behind them….
A: Hey…how are u Prithvi? Hi Kripa….
K/P: Hi ….
P: Fine Angad….
A: I am going home…if u want I can give lift to Kripa…
P: Oh…sure….Though his sister was getting married to Angad, he knew that Angad and Kripa had some special bond….he was not sure of Angad Mishti marriage any more after seeing Angad….He had a feeling that they both were attracted to each other…or may be it was just his imagination…both way…he felt a little uncomfortable…..but he liked Kripa as a friend….very much…..She was fun, intelligent as well as well mannered….Unlike some of his college friends…….
K: Oh….but Prithvi…you promised to take me to the beach………
P: Prithvi looked at her….in surprise….I did?
K: Yeah…you did…and looked at him sternly….
P: Oh…yes…I am sorry…..It's ok…Angad…I will drop her….
A: Tightened his fists……Anger boling in…..but he controlled it…because Prithvi was Mishti's brother and creating a scene here will be inappropriate…But in reality he wanted to bash Prithvi…….Sure…Bye…..
K: Bye…Angad…
Angad looked in Kripa's eyes….staring at her in little bit anger…and some thing more…..He nodded at them and went away…Kripa looked at him with sadness…in her eyes…she sighed….Angad went inside and punched the wall in anger…..and paid for the dinner and went away….
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