Part 13
It had been a long weekend for Kripa, not being able to stop her guilt. Whatever she did, she couldn't help but think about the misleading thoughts she had about Angad. She knew she had to apologise to him, no matter what. And she would, well, a soon as the weekend was over.
On Monday morning, Kripa took the bus alone to college, as Harshini had a free period first thing, and Shashank was still out of the country. She made her way through the college campus and walked near the main reception. Surprised, she turned to see the 'gang' sitting on their normal hang- out munching on some food. They hadn't spoke to her today, let alone whistle, like they normally did. She smiled happily, guessing this was due to Angad. He must have told them not to provoke her anymore. She looked at them curiously with the corner of her eyes as she walked in the building, Angad wasn't there. He always hung around with them whenever she saw him, so why was he not there… with them today?
'KRIPA?', she heard someone call behind her, and turned around only to find Prithvi. He smiled casually, 'Actually, I was waiting for you… wo mai…', he paused.
'…Tum Kya?', she signalled for him to carry on. 'Actually, mai maafi maangna chahta tha..'. Her eyes widened at once at his apology, well, if he was apologising for their ragging pranks, then it was quite late for that, wasn't it?
He continued when he got no response from her, 'Actually, Angad ne tumhare saath bohat bura kiya… he shouldn't have done that… to uss ki jaga mai maafi maang raha hu… it was just a joke, so no hard feelings', he offered his hand. She looked at him doubtfully, what did he mean Angad shouldn't have done it. Done what? But she ignored her thoughts and accepted his hand shake, thinking he must still be on about the ragging, and the fact that Angad shouldn't' have humiliated her continuously. Now, that she remembered, Prithvi had never involved himself in those stupid jokes. She smiled at him, 'Accha I have to go now, or I'd be late for my class', she excused. Prithvi nodded and pulled his hand back, 'Bye'.
Prithvi of course had been talking about the photos Manek had taken for Angad, and had come to apologise. Angad hadn't mentioned anything about them so he must have ditched the idea, he thought.
The day went really slow for Kripa, not being able to find Angad during her free period. She peeked in the senior's room and looked around the outdoor caf for Angad, he had been there last week on her first day of college, so where was he now?
'Tu kisse dhoond rahi hai', Harshini questioned impatiently after a long time, just standing in the middle of nowhere.
'Angad ko', Kripa answered back and turned around slowly, still looking for him.
'Oh!..... Par Kripa, agar usse aana hota to woh aa gaya hota na…he msut'nt be in college today… Come on, let's go.. mujhe to bohat bhook lag rahi hai', and she dragged Kripa to a corner bench.
They both sat silently, munching on their food when Kripa spotted Prithvi. 'Harshini, tu Prithvi se pooch na ke Angad kaha hai', she nudged her friend.
'Acha baba, I'll ask, pehle tu kha to le…'. Kripa smiled happily for the first time that day and nodded yes.
After lunch, they both got up and looked for Prithvi. Great! Kripa thought, he had gone. She looked at Harshini angrily, 'Maine kaha tha na, ke we should talk to him first, ab dekh, chala gya na…'.
'Don't worry yaar, we'll go after last class… I'm sure yahi kahi gunda mawali kar raha ho gaa….', she said as a matter of fact, leading Kripa to grin.
They both met outside the main college building, after their last class ended, and finally found Prithvi sitting on their usual hang –out, and, well, like Harshini said, doing nothing.
'Hi Prithvi', Harshini gave him a one sided- hug. 'Baaki sab kaha hai', she questioned when seeing no one there.
'Hi… haa, mai bhi abhi jaa hi raha tha, we've planned a night out, to sabh waha hai…kyu?', he questioned, 'Koi kaam tha?'.
'Haa… actually we- I was looking for Angad', Harshini answered.
'OH!…Angad? Yaar tujhe to pata hona chahiye tha… he's not in college today, he's on the tour to some hospital, par how come you not remember? He had been going on about this since past few months now?'
'Haa… bhool gayi… par wo waapas kab aaye ga?', she asked him again when looking at an impatient Kripa.
'They should be back in a couple of hours… par don't worry, Angad waapas yahi aaye ga, he left his car in the car park… par kyu? Tera kuch kaam tha usse?', he questioned and eyed Kripa curiously, 'Kripa.. tum ne kuch baat karni thi usse?'
'Er.. nahi… mai to… erm… Harshu ke saath aayi thi… isse hi kuch kaam ha', she lied and pleading Harshini with her eyes.
'Actually, Sapna ne ek massege diya hai, to who Angad ko dena tha', Harshini replied.
'Toh kal de dena… aur waisse bhi tum logo ko ab jaana chahiye.. I doubt they'll come this soon, as it is its getting dark….. (He started walking off, but stopped), waisse agar tum log chaho to I can give you a lift', he offered.
'umm… nahi, tum jaao, we'll take the bus'. Prithvi left after a few more insists, saying he'd drop them off, whilst the girls said otherwise.
'Kripa… tu kal usse baat kar lena … kal to aaye ga na college, Come on let's go..', Harshini said expectantly, after sitting on the stairs for a while, still waiting for him. Just as Kripa was about to answer, Harshini's cell ran.
…
'Kya hua… kaun tha?'
'Maa… Kripa mujhe ghar jaana hai.. kuch guests aaye hai, tu bhi chal na mere saath… it's getting really dark… teri mom ko bohat chinta hoye gi', Harshini said and lifted herself up from the uncomfortable position.
'Nahi Harshu.. tu jaa, I'll wait here until they all come… aur mai Angad se baat kar kar hi aao gi', she insisted. Harshini sighed and left after calling Gayitri and telling her that Kripa would come home late, due to some extra work she had to catch up on, in college.
It was now 6:30pm when Kripa heard a small coach being parked in the college car park. She smiled expectantly and got up, thinking now was her chance. She finally saw Angad getting out, and made her way closer to the coach. Angad, however, rushed inside the building as soon as he got out.
Kripa sighed helplessly and waited patiently for him thinking he might be going to collect something. She walked here and there, endlessly, annoyed, she should have just listened to Harhsini in the first place, rather than making a big deal out of nothing.
'Kripa…?' ,she quickly turned around when she felt his nearness, 'Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho? Itni raat ko?' he asked her genuinely curious. She walked towards him as he stood there somewhat shocked at seeing her there so late, by the looks of it, she was waiting for someone.
'Angad….Hi', she said softly and looked down awkwardly on receiving no response. 'Wo mujhe tum se kuch zarooro baat karni thi..'
He nodded silently, indicating for her to carry on. 'Who… mujhe…I-I mean I wanted to…' she waffled and played with her fingers.
He looked at her with an irritated look, 'Kya… jaldi bolo, mere paas time nahi hai… I have to go…'.
'Who, actually… mujhe tum se maafi maangni thi', she blurted, 'I mean, I know ki maine jo kiya who galat tha, aur mujhe wo sab nahi kehna chahiya tha,… jo mu mai aaya keh diya…aur mai—I'm sorry', she looked at him pleadingly. He wanted to smile, smile so bad at her nervousness, but his ego of course came in the way. Instead he stated casually, as if what she had said didn't matter to him, 'Listen, I have to go..I'm getting late…', saying this he walked past her, ignoring her presence.
But she called back at him once again, 'Angad…'.
He stopped and turned around, amused, as she continued, 'Angad.. mai tumhare liye itni der se- - do (2) ghanto se wait kar rahi hu aur tum ho ki ek minute bhi nahi ruk sakte?... you have to listen to me..', she demanded, quietly.
Angad covered a smile, 'Dekho Kripa.. I'm getting late, aur Prithvi mera intezaar kar raha hoga…kal baat kare ge..OK…', and arrogantly pushed his way pass her.
Kripa stood there shocked, hurt, annoyed, offended at his heartless words, as a lone tear escaped the borders of her eye. It started raining now. Harshly. She stood in the rain for quite some time until she heard Angad's car zooming pass her. She looked at him angrily; he had another thing coming if he expected her to run after him, asking for forgiveness from His Royal Highness. He was so rude, arrogant, and self-centred; she huffed to herself and made her way out the college campus and to the bus stop, which were a few yards away.
The roads were deserted at this time of the day; she could hardly see anyone there. And worse, it was raining. She walked self-consciously only to stop when she heard a wolf- whistle. She turned around angrily just to see a couple of men sitting against the wall smoking, when one of them made a loud comment, 'Kya maal hai yaar…' He hissed and got up declaring his right on her, 'Dekh tu.. isse maine pehle dekha hai, to yeh meri hui.. samjha kya?'. Kripa eyes widened at his cheap comment, and trying to ignore them, she began walking faster.
The other 'gali ka gunda' got up and they both began following her, 'Arre yaar, bharakta kyu hai?? Fifety-fifety kar lete hai na… aadhi teri…aur aadhi meri', he sneered and both did a high- five. 'Ai chikni, chalti hai kya no do gyaarah…', suddenly one of them gabbed her roughly by her arm and pulled her towards him, 'Arre… madam jee, bhagti kaha he (he handled her roughly)aakhir mai to hamare paas hi aana hai na… Vivek bhai aap iss ka haat pakro', the younger looking guy said. Vivek did as he was told, he grabbed her left hand and pinned her against the wall roughly. Kripa looked at them both, scared, frightened, shocked, 'Dekhiye, please mujhe jaane deejiye' she said finally finding her voice. They both burst into laughter, 'Chorna hota to pakarte hi kyun jaan-e-man?', they said gritting their teeth, happy at the fact they had caught a fresh maal. Vivek slid his hand around her face, inside her kameez and pulled her towards him; Kripa looked at him angrily and slapped him, Hard, with her free hand.
'Abbe ai…saali…teri itni himmat ke tu mujh pe haath uthae', he said and grabbed a bunch of her hair and pulled it back forcefully. Kripa screamed in pain, 'Bachao…' but all went in vain. There were a few people on that street, who heard her screaming and asking for help, but all of course were worried about their own safety, so didn't get involved, praying someone else would.
Vivek grinned, 'Time khotti mat kar…' saying so he pulled the sleeves of her shoulders sharply. Her bare, creamy shoulders came in view to their hungry eyes. Kripa struggled violently against the two, screaming and pleading to let her go at the same time. Vivek sniggered, 'Choru..aur tujhe… kaiko?... itni mast cheez haat mai aaya hai..aur aise hi chor du'. He brought his lips closer to hers, as she forcefully turned her head sideways, making it hard for him to capture them.
Suddenly a strong pair of hands grabbed his shoulder. He stopped mid-way and turned around slowly, freeing Kripa of his grip. She looked up weakly and smiled between her sobs, to see Angad. Angad looked at her, then at the two gundas, then back at her.
He demanded in a calm voice, 'Chor usse', his hands still digging into Vivek's shoulders. Abe ai… nahi chora to…', Vivek answered back, 'Aur dekh bahi… tu agar apni salaamti chahta hai, to phir phut le yaha se… warnaa', he clued.
Angad looked at him and said again, firmly, 'Maine kaha chod usse'. Vivek freed Kripa of his grip as she walked to Angad slowly, hiding behind his tall frame, like a mouse hiding from a cat.
Vivek grinned, 'lagta hai aaj kissi ki maut aayi hai… fokat mai pitte ga mere se, dekh tu—', before he could continue he was punched in the face, by a now very angry Angad. Angad kicked and punched him continuously and then the other guy, even more harshly, in rage.
He kicked them eternally, his every punch stronger and rougher than the previous. Both the loafers fell on the floor as Angad went up to them to hit them again, but stopped. 'Please… humme maaf kar deejiye bhai… aayinda aissa nahi hoga', they pleaded with red faces. Angad grabbed them both by the collar, 'Maafi maangni hai to in se maang', and threw them at Kripa's feet. Kripa took a step back, the two tappori's begged and pleaded, and then finally ran away from there.
Angad looked after them angrily, then turned around, remembering about Kripa. She stood there with her eyes lowered; he could easily tell she was crying, as well as the rain water, her shiny tears were clearly visible due to her red eyes. He cursed himself when he saw both the sleeves of her kameez ripped and many ripped edges on her neckline, showing off her bare shoulders and chest. He held his breath as his lips parted automatically, in desire, when he noticed her clothes sticking to her body like second skin, outlining each and every one of her feminine curves, gracefully. His throat went dry when he eyed her, she was even more curvaceous then he had thought she'd be, she had all the right curves, in the right places. He stopped his thoughts there, from wondering anywhere else, how could he think of something like that? For God sake, they were trying to molest her, and here he was thinking of having her to himself, in his arms, at this time. Angad… aisse khyaal, aur who bhi iss wakt?, he kicked himself mentally.
He slowly walked towards her as she folded her arms across her chest self-consciously, covering the exposed skin. He bent down and picked her dupatta up which had fallen when they handled her forcibly. He clenched his fist as anger rose within him, watching her silent tears as she bent her face, shifting uncomfortably in her position. Angad took of his jacket, slowly, and wrapped it around her shoulders. She looked up at him, her eyes hiding many tears as she whispered a soft, 'Thanks'. He nodded and returned her gaze, lifting his hand up to cup her face, but pulled back thinking it wouldn't be the right thing to do.
'Aao, mai tumhe ghar chor du' he spoke softly as she nodded and followed him to his car. He opened the door, and waited till she was seated in, then slamming it shut, made his way to the driver's seat. Sighing angrily, he thought of the consequences of what may have happened if he hadn't reached in time, cursing himself every now and then.
He started the car as she quietly told him her address. The journey was silent, neither one spoke, but then again, who would speak in a time like this. More importantly, what about? He watched her with the corner of his eye every from time to time, as silent tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, sensitively. He wanted to hug her, wanted to be the shoulder for her to cry on, wanted to comfort, sooth, and console her until she had calmed down.
He tightened his fist again, in anger and fury. He had felt guilty for what he had said to her earlier, when he drove off. She had been waiting for him for God knows how long, and there he was ignoring her presence. It was quite dark also, and he knew there wouldn't be any decent people in the buses at that time anyways for a young girl like her to travel alone. So he had come back to give her a lift only to find her screaming for help as the two jokers tried to rape her.
'Kripa…tumhara ghar aa gaya', he said gently as he parked outside her building. She looked at him jerking out of her thought and nodded, then slowly taking off her seat belt open the car door.
'Kripa…', he spoke again, once again the words hardly escaping his lips. She stopped and turned around slowly, 'Tum…theek to ho na..', he asked his voice full of concern. She gave him a slow smile and whispered, 'Thanks…Angad…', and got out the car making her way to the block of flats. He waited until she made her way in and drove off, un- wantingly.
Kripa unlocked the door softly, and peeked in making sure there was no sign of Gayitri. When she thought the coast was clear she rushed in and ran to her room only to be stopped by Gayitri's voive, from the kitchen.
'Kaun…?...Kripa… tu aa gayi beta?', Gayitri questioned.
'Haa Maa…Harshu ke ghar thi, bataya na pehle… accha mai abhi aayi, kapre badla kar', Kripa shouted back trying not to choke on her words and rushed to her room before Gayitri saw her in that state.
She buried her face in the pillow as she sobbed soundlessly, thinking of the consequences of what would have happened if Angad hadn't come back to help her.
She got up and changed into dry clothes after a while, when Gayitri called her once more to eat dinner. She realised she still had Angad's jacket wrapped around her, somehow this thought put a smile to her face. He was there for her today, he would never let anyone touch her, or harm her. She smiled when she remembered Angad punching them like a hero… Her Hero…
That night, as Angad layed in bed, he couldn't help but think about the last few days, think about Kripa to be precise. How can someone's presence matter so much to him, he thought? More importantly, how come HER presence matter so much to him? He had never felt this way about anyone before, thinking about them all the time, whether he's in a foul mood or a happy one. He remembered the scared look on her face...and the sudden emotions that had passed through her eyes at that time; she was greatly relieved when she saw him. Every time he looked at her, he couldn't help but admire her, let it be her petite frame, her big, bold and expressive eyes, or, of course, her rosy lips. But there was sure to be something more about her that pulled him towards her like a magnet. He remembered everything about her; let it be the smallest detail. He loved her small gestures; her smile, the angry looks she would have on her face when she talked to him, or the weird faces that she pulled behind his back, when he'd tease her. He WAS greatly attracted to her, he knew that, but it wasn't just lust, he finally concluded. He knew HE WANTED HER! But this couldn't be the only reason; there must be something else, a great force that pulled him towards her even after their arguments, as he wasn't just attracted to her body! So, what was it... he questioned himself several times that day. Why couldn't he see tears in her eyes? Why did he felt a pang in his heart when he saw her in that state? He wanted to protect her, wanted to be the shoulder for her to cry on at that time. Was this just mere attraction or something else? He questioned himself again and again. Is this love? Nah! Love doesn't happen this soon, plus just because he couldn't stop thinking about someone, it doesn't 'exactly' mean he loves them, right? He smiled when he thought about the many looonnggg lectures she had given him...what are they called?..Yeah, bhaashan's. Grinning, he closed his eyes and tried sleeping.
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Edited by Ravishing_gal - 17 years ago
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