Unwanted (AK & NP) (completed) - Page 2

Chapter Ten

Kripa's interview date had been issued. she would go to the embassy two days after her wedding to find out if she got the visa to her beloved, no, her horrendous husband's country, America, which she was wishing would be rejected because she knew one thing, no human would leave there job and that too a good job for a tatty job in India. That did definitely not mean India was bad, it was better than America, but for American Indians, it seemed they forgot how important there home country is.

For now, kripa sat in between the old ladies being smeared with the yellow haldi, oh it smelled bad kripa thought. How was she supposed to look beautiful if she was being covered with the orangey, yellow paste? Oh well, why would she want to look beautiful for Angad in the first place.

Angad sat directly in front of her grinning at her, if that habit of smirking did not go, then he would regret it. His smirk was the most noteworthy thing about him but then again it only infuriated kripa.

He sat in a White vest with his black jeans, everyone spreading the same paste on him. It suited him, well that is because he deserved everything horrible. But then why was he leering, don't tell me he likes that stuff, she thought.

"Oh kripa, you look great" Anjali squealed in excitement, seeing kripa in her Bridal attire.

Kripa couldn't help admire herself; she never thought she could look so beautiful. But why did she look beautiful. She didn't want to be beautiful. She wished she looked like an ugly hideous monster, so Angad would run away. But then again she had her own responsibilities.

She was dressed in poison katan silk, a jamawar lengha style in Midnight black and pink. Her clothes decorated with fine stones, beads, sequins, dabka and cut Dana work. Her blouse was short just below her midriff, with a wide neckline. Her lengha started below her navel, with her dupatta perfectly styled covering her exposed skin. The dupatta covered half her head, leaving the rest decorated with the heavy antique jewellery embellished with stones.

Her make up was preformed by professional artists. They highlighted her eyes with light colours beneath the heavy bridal shades. The black and silver colour blended making her eyes look magnificent, with the heavy top liner, her eyeliner slightly smudged, enhancing the beauty of her dark brown eyes. Her lips were tinted in a coral pink with a darker shade lip liner. Her blush coloured her cheeks perfectly, displaying the high cheekbones.

Anjali squealed in delight, hearing the sounds of drums and bangra. "The baarat has arrived, oh this is going to be fun" she exclaimed, looking over the balcony.

The wedding was to take place in a marriage hall. Kripa had protested but it went in futile, she didn't want her father to stress in such a condition.

Angad was back, he held onto kripa's hand, still remembering how beautiful, how unique she looked on their wedding day, she was ravishing. It was a memorable day for him, it was the day she became his soul mate, although only by name, but after all she was his soul mate legally.

He stood in front of his mother in law who rounded the silver tray in front of his face god knows how many times. She rubbed her thumb vertically across his forehead leaving the red mark of kum kum. Anjali stood next to her. Kripa's mother moved aside giving Angad space to walk in with his baarat. However, it seemed Anjali didn't want that.

She blocked the way. "What happened" Angad asked worried. Anjali moved forward reaching for his nose, when he jerked back. "What are you doing?" he exclaimed horrified.

Anjali laughed, "We won't let you have kripa that easily"

Neev interrupted "why, and what has this got to do with kripa" he asked confused

Angad's mother came forward, wearing a beautiful beaded work white sari "beta, this is Indian rituals, cope with it" she laughed, whilst Angad looked somewhat confused, when he felt his nose being pinched.

He let out a yelp, standing there embarrassed. "now you can come in" Anjali said giving him the way.

Kripa's father led Angad towards the mandap, where the wedding was to take place. Angad sat on a small stool in front of the sacred fire, whilst the priest babbled on something.

Minutes later, kripa was descended to the wedding hall, into the mandir, with her mother and Anjali by her side, whilst the guests whispered compliments on the arrival of the bride.

Angad stared at her in awe, she looked beautiful, the colour black and pink suited her. It made her fair complexion fairer, enhancing her beauty. Her eyes were lowered, and she wouldn't dare look up. If he knew her well, she wouldn't want to embarrass herself more; she knew all the eyes were on her.

She lifted her heavily embroidered lengha and sat on the stool next to Angad. She stole glances towards him which Angad caught and grinned. The priest placed there palms into each others as he read the wordings for the wedding, occasionally dropping flowers or something in there hands to drop in the fire.

As Angad was the only child of rajveer and saamia, prachi came forward, taking the place of his sister, tying a knot of the scarves of the bride and groom. Angad and kripa stood up, holding hands as told and took seven rounds of the fire, with kripa in front in four of the rounds.

They sat down again, whilst the priest spoke the sacred words of the wedding. Angad's mother handed him the mangalsutra. He took it and tied it around her neck, his arms brushing her arms, whilst he rounded her in his arms." You look beautiful" he whispered and moved back.

Maybe it was anger arising, she turned red. The priest gave Angad the sindoor; taking a pinch of it, he rubbed it on her upper forehead, lifting the tikka. The priest blabbered on for a while and then kripa's parents performed the kanyadan, soon announcing them man and wife.

Angad and kripa stood up. He held her hand, pressing it in his broad palm, whilst they took the blessings of the elders and hugged the younger.

Angad looked around for his shoes, while kripa's cousins giggled. "Does anyone know where my shoes are?"

Once again, Anjali came forward "I have them"

"Oh, not again" Angad groaned "what happened now?"

"Hmm, well, you see, we want some money if you want to take kripa home" she said carelessly

"Huh, well, no need, she's my wife and I have a right to take her" he answered, his hands circling her waist.

"Well" Anjali pulled kripa to her side "she's our cousin before your wife, so you can't take her, until, you pay us"

"Ok, how much?" he asked.

"Angad, come on fight for her, why give money" neev intervened"

"But—"

"Think about it, kripa or the money--"

After a sweet argument, Angad handed over the money, taking kripa by the waist. He wore his shoes, then headed towards the seating area. Angad and kripa were lawfully married, after the magistrate took there signatures. They were legally certified husband and wife with the marriage certificate.

There were a few pictures taken with the guests and soon the time for the departure arrived. Nothing was really organized in the departure style since kripa would be going home.

On the arrival of the newly wedded couple, Angad's mother did the same as his mother in law, then helped kripa tip over a bowl with rice and then kripa laid her feet in red liquid spreading it across the floor, in form of her foot prints.

Kripa's felt pain, but delight in her abdomen. She could feel the continuous kicking of the baby. It gave her a chilling sensation, the feel of motherhood, the feel of bonding.

It reminded her of the day she was legally bonded with Angad. How could she leave the night behind? She'd tried once again to win the battle in between her and her husband.

How could kripa forget her wedding night, the night she was restless for? Well all girls are restless but she had different reasons to be restless. She sat in the centre of the bed, with flower garlands draped around the bed.

She heard his footsteps and looked up at once. Knowing it was Angad; she crossed her legs, sitting with her arms folded across her chest. Angad sat next to her on the bed and spoke "you haven't changed yet, I was expecting you to be in bed by now".

This was kind of shocking for her, she expected him to be a little cheeky for a starter, but he wasn't. He spoke what she wanted, great, she thought, it wouldn't have to be discussed.

"I was waiting for you" she saw him look at her with hope " no, not because I'm excited its our first night, which I definitely am not excited about, I was just going to clear things up with you"

"Uhuh, go ahead" he replied intently

"You are not going to touch me and don't intrude my privacy. Now start talking, tell me about your hobbies, interests and all that, then I'll tell you mine" she demanded

"I wasn't going to either, I won't until you learn that not all men are the same" she pouted her lips "and why do we need to share all that stuff" he asked

"Simple, because we have our interviews at the embassy, so I need to know everything correctly so I can pass the interview and get the visa" she retorted

"Ya right" she heard him.

"Did you say something?" she questioned

"No, why don't we change first, you see this is kind of uncomfortable" he said unbuttoning the sherwani.

"Khanna, keep the clothes on in front of me" she exclaimed, stopping him from unbuttoning further "I'll go and change in the bathroom; give me a shout when your done changing" and she left.

Kripa took off the heavy jewellery, with the dupatta. Setting it aside she undressed herself feeling lighter. She slid into the night dress her mother had brought for her. To her bad luck, her mother had packed all her night dresses, leaving her night suits in her bedroom. She draped the black robe around her body, covering her short night dress, waiting for Angad to give her a shout.

She waited ten minutes, which turned into twenty, no sooner thirty. What the hell, she thought; she didn't have all day too wait for him. "What are you doing in there, strip dancing" she shouted sardonically.

He simply answered "no, you can come out"

She picked her accessories and dress, placing them safely in the cupboard "what the hell took so long, all you had to do was change" she asked turning around.

"I know, it took five minutes" he replied

"What, then why didn't you give me a shout" she asked angry.

"Oh" he opened his eyes and grinned sheepishly "I couldn't be bothered to call you so I lay down, relaxing myself"

"Ughh, you are so lazy" she snapped sitting in front of the mirror removing the heavy makeup on her skin.

"Thanks" the silence came in between the two as she sat in front of the mirror removing the makeup, with him simply watching.

"Quit the staring" she commanded.

"Hmm, not in the mood"

She walked over towards the bed and simply sat down. "Whatever. Now move, your sleeping on the floor" she stated.

"Who said that? I'm sleeping on the bed, and you can't stop me"

"You mean I'm going to sleep on the floor" she asked horrified

"I didn't say that either" he simply answered, she turned to get off the bed, grumpily, when Angad caught her hand, causing her to fall back to place. "Are you scared?"

"Scared, what would I be scared of" she vacillated

"Then you'll sleep right here, besides me, trust me, I wont do anything" he spoke ever so calmly

"Yeah, um shall we start, I need two days to memorise all about you" she said, changing the topic

The next morning, kripa's eyelids fluttered opened to the strong sunlight, filtering through the lavender curtains. She found Angad missing, he wasn't beside her. Maybe he wasn't that bad after all, but that does not mean she accepted him.

She lifted her body up lazily, leaning on the wooden headboard. Seconds later Angad came out of the bathroom, whistling, wearing blue jeans, with his white polo shirt. Oh it suited him so much, he looked so fresh, Snap it kripa, she thought, your not supposed to think like this.

"Good morning" he greeted casually, placing a quick kiss on her cheek

"Didn't I tell you to keep your hands off me" she said

"Well, it wont harm you in any way, this is for my satisfaction" he said and left out of the door.

That night the reception went well, with the theme being red, kripa had worn a red halter, knee length dress, with silver earrings and a simple bracelet. Whilst Angad wore his grey suit, with a silky red shirt to match with kripa.

The night went well for Angad, as he got to hold kripa close, but kripa was nothing more than grumpy, having to dance ever so close to him, with a fake smiled wiped on her face.

Angad looked down at Kripa's radiant face. It seemed much brighter today, with the rosy cheeks returning. It made him feel less guilty.

As gleaming as it looked, the more the dull she would be after her defeat.

He could still recall the day kripa went to the embassy for her visa. Oh boy, she was mad when rejection became confirmation.

Angad could still remember when kripa came out of the room after her interview, looking ever so satisfied. She was probably a hundred percent sure the visa was to be rejected, but Angad was no less. He silently went and gave his interview. Minutes later, they sat outside waiting patiently for the results.

The old man, Mr Luthra, came out with a smile on his face "congratulations Mr and Mrs Khanna, she got the visa". He said shaking their hands.

"What, but how's that possible" kripa barked, gaining unwanted attention.

Angad held onto kripa's arm as Mr Luthra looked confused "She's just a little excited, excuse me, umm, I'll come and collect the papers tonight then" Angad said

"Yes, before 10 pm please"

"Thank you" once again Angad shook hands with Mr Luthra, leaving with an ever so confused kripa.

"How is it possible" she mumbled, throughout the drive.

Angad stopped at a distance from the house, holding her face to face him, "Kripa, I know you too good, that's why I told you my likes as my dislikes and dislikes as likes, I knew you would screw it up, I cant trust you in this case so I tricked you"

"What" kripa pushed him back "you tricked me, but still, I told you everything falsely, then how—"

"Your diary was handy again, and well, so was your mother and Anjali" he replied cheekily.

"Oh you, I'll get you for this" she pouted her lips, leaning back into the seat, very fractious.

"well you can get back to me later" he replied, kissing her cheek " for now lets go and give the good news to our parents" he laughed watching her sulk as she rubbed the cheek, he kissed.

Chapter Eleven

Angad kissed kripa's forehead "I'm sorry kripa, It was because of me your in this state today, but I promise, I'll take care this time, I wont do anything to disappoint you, I promise" he whispered, tears falling from his eyes, landing on kripa's closed eyelids.

She shuddered with the feel of the warm tears. Tears reminded her of her tearful departure. The departure that hadn't become an arrival yet.

The day kripa didn't want to come, came. She was leaving for America; only her heart knew how she felt leaving her parents, leaving her home, leaving her country, to be with the man, she never wanted to be with. Infact, she never wanted to be with any man. She could live alone, but no one understood her perspective, even Anjali had changed.

After two weeks of Angad and kripa's marriage, kripa was to leave for America. Angad's parents had left a week before, due to business and other problems. Neev left with prachi two days ago. He may have loved his friend to bits, but his boss would have fired him if he didn't get back to work. However, on kripa's insistence, Angad stayed back another week, although he was supposed to be back at his own job.

There flight was at seven twenty in the evening. Kripa lay in her mother's lap crying, refusing to leave. "Mom, I'm not going, I don't want to leave, please, tell Angad he can go himself"

"Beta, even I don't want you to leave, but it's in a women's fate, they have to leave there parents one day to make their own family" her mother consoled, stroking her hair.

"Mom, Why can't Angad live here instead, I can't leave you" she sobbed "I'll miss you"

"I'll miss you too, beta, but as per traditions, women leave their houses and live with there husbands"

"Why mom, why? Don't women have the right to choose where they want to be"

"They do" she simply replied "they do, but a man does as well, and the man has always ruled"

"That's the problem mom, men have always ruled, no one lets the women take power" she raised her voice.

Maybe for the first time in so many years kripa's mother recognized kripa's certain hatred towards men "kripa, is this the way to talk to your elders" she asked holding her face, concerned but frustration was clearly heeded in her voice.

"I'm sorry mom" kripa's eyes at once lowered, "I'm, I'm just upset and depressed, I don't want to leave you" she spoke, going straight into her mothers arms.

Kripa hugged her father tightly at his waist, hiding her face into his chest, not wanting to leave. She hated Angad even more for this, because of him, she had to leave her parents, every man makes a women suffer, they make the women leave their parents, why couldn't men for once.

"Kripa, its time to go" Angad said placing his hand on her shoulder, as there flight number was announced for the third time.

"I'm not going anywhere" she said stuck to her father like glue.

Her father, vivek, lifted her face, his eyes brimmed with tears he had held back for so long, "kripa, you had to go one day, now listen to Angad"

"I don't want to go dad" she said tightening her grip.

"You love me, don't you?" he asked.

"Of course I do dad" she leaned her head on his chest sobbing silently.

"Then go, for my sake, I promise I'll come to meet you as soon as I can" he promised solemnly

"I'll miss you" she snivelled in between tears.

"Me too kripa, me too" he replied, with just as much of a cracky voice as hers.

He pulled her away, taking her by her shoulder and handled her to Angad, "I trust you Angad, Keep my daughter happy"

"I will dad, I'll love her as much as you have" the two men hugged, then kripa and Angad departed for America, a new place, new people, leaving behind her childhood memories. She looked back at her father pleadingly, not knowing if she would ever be able to see him again or not.

Neev and Angad's mother, saamia came to collect Angad and kripa. Kripa wasn't very excited on the plane; she simply stared out the window, cursing her destiny, hoping she would land back in India, her home country rather than America.

Saamia greeted kripa lovingly, with motherly gestures. She held kripa in her arms, as once again tears streamed out of kripa's eyes, in remembrance of her parents.

"Kripa, calm down, did Angad say anything to you? Are you alright?" saamia asked repeatedly as kripa broke into violent bawls in the car.

"Mom, I didn't do anything, I think she's missing her parents" Angad replied for kripa.

"Angad you're moving in with us"

"But Mom"

he was interrupted "Angad, look at the poor soul, now you're not only responsible for yourself, your responsible for her, give her a week or two and then you can go back, but for now she needs emotional support which you wont be able to give with your busy schedule" she retorted

Kripa lifted her tear stained face from her mother-in-laws shoulder "we live separately" she asked confused

"Yeah, I live separate, I stay down my parent's house on the weekends or maybe vacations, sorry, I forgot to tell you" he replied looking at her with puppy eyes.

"How irresponsible" his mother spoke strictly, "Angad your becoming careless day by day, you should have told kripa this long before"

"Sorry mom, I forgot, maybe because of all the excitement and all" he explained

"Ughh, ok, I'll let you off this time" she said hitting his head.

He wrapped his arms around his mother, "I love you mom" whilst kripa looked on, desperately wanting her mother.

Angad pulled his head up, as he heard his mobile beep. He must have fallen asleep. He looked down at kripa's face. She looked at peace now. Maybe she knew she wouldn't have to face him in her dreams. She wouldn't face the pain and misery she went through that night.

She was indeed a chatter box, but seeing her sound asleep made him feel bad. He'd discovered this habit after his marriage, especially after their return to his apartment.

"I hate you" Angad caught another pillow in his hands "It's all your fault" she threw another pillow "because of you I had to leave and now I'm living here, it's been three weeks since we're here and you just left me bored in the house for a whole week" she picked the candle stand on her side table "A whole week"

"Not that kripa" Angad came and held kripa's hands to stop her from throwing it. He took the candle stand, placing it at a safe distance, at least out of kripa's reach, for the time being. "Ok, I'm sorry, I know I've been unfair and I admit it, I gave you Prachi's number, why didn't you contact her?" he asked out of the blue, again.

She simply hit his head with her right hand "well, the day you give me anyone's number but yours, I'll surely call her" pushing him aside, she stood and walked in the direction of the kitchen. "I'm hungry and I'm not cooking, you've made me your servant since I've come, You were supposed to show me that men aren't all the way I think, but no your just making my belief stronger" she complained

"Sorry kripa, ok, how about I cook tonight and then we'll sit and discuss what you want to do on the week end, right?" he asked with a lifted brow.

"Fine, it better be good, or I'm going to be more than frustrated" and she walked out of the kitchen, into her bedroom to watch television in the warmth of her blanket.

"Dinners ready" Angad shouted, but there was no response. He went inside his room to find her engrossed into the television watching high school musical. Now that was a pathetic movie according to Angad. Absolutely pathetic, all they did was sing the story out; well that's what it seemed to him. But he wouldn't dare say that to kripa. He had already upset her.

Minutes later, he entered the room, with a tray of food, sitting besides kripa, placing the tray on her lap; She looked down to see cheese pasta mixed with broccoli, with a jug of fresh orange juice, beside it were two cups, with two plates.

"Not bad" she fixed the pasta into two plates decently and placed the tray besides her on the side table, handling one plate to Angad. They leaned back and ate there food serenely, whilst kripa stared at the screen with Angad trying to be attentive watching the boring movie.

All of sudden kripa spoke "why don't you cook everyday, instead of making me your servant?"

"Come on kripa, I work, I can't do this everyday" he explained

"Exactly, you work I don't, so you make me the slave, I'm a women so I have a responsibility of cooking for you as your wife, but a husband doesn't have the responsibility towards his wife"

"Kripa, listen I didn't--" he was cut off

"Yea, explanation, now you'll start with explanations trying to make me forget, but I'm not amongst the weak Angad—"

Here we go again, Angad thought. It had been a week they had moved into his apartment and not a single day had gone without kripa giving her big lectures on how selfish men are and all. Every small point, she would take, every small damn point. she was definitely a radical feminist. Oh, he was just glad she had decided to become a law lecturer, rather than a sociologist.

Once she was calm, he sat besides her, taking her hand. "Ok, I'm sorry kripa, this was all my fault, know don't take it over the head" he said

"I do not take it over the head, it's you, you always start it" she began again

"ok, ok, fine, I do it, alright, I'll cook as well, from now on, but to make it fair, we'll divide it up, One day you, then the next day me and then you, and then me , etc"

"Hmm, ok" she said much calmer "but that still doesn't bring a solution to my boredom" she yelled, getting up, folding her arms across her chest. It seemed a teacher stood teaching her students. Oh, her poor students, he thought.

"Ok, umm, how about we go down mom and dad's" he asked

"No, I want to do something else" she sat down besides him, absolutely annoyed.

"ok, this weekend, we'll call neev and prachi down, for dinner and some more of my colleagues, so you meet new people and get company, as it is, you seem to hate my company" he stated the last words with humour.

"that is so true" she replied seriously "you are so boring, you have no time, you make me your servant, making me do all your dirty work for you and you haven't even asked me since you've come back from work, kripa, how are you, or, are alright, or, do you want to go out, nothing"

"Oh please kripa, don't start again" he whined

"Start again, what do you mean, I never start anything, it's you and your lazy---"and she continued, whilst Angad held his head, hoping she would shut up anytime soon, but the anytime soon came no sooner than three hours later.

"Angad, how are you doing?" Armaan asked, sitting next to him

"How can a man be without his life" he replied short, but deep.

"Angad, don't be dejected, Juan even said she'll be fine" he rested his hands on his shoulder "come on, have lunch with me, I know you haven't eaten since last night" and he pulled him up, leaving a lonely kripa, on the hospital bed still quivering over her past.

Kripa stood greeting Angad's colleagues at the door of their apartment, oh, where was Angad, he was supposed to be here, and these are his colleagues not hers, ughh.

Mention the devil and here he comes, she thought. Behind him, she saw a man and a women fighting continuously, they were worse than her, she thought.

"Oh please, that patient complimented me not you, your not even worth it, I mean you don't even know how to treat a patient" the girl teased him

"Oh and you're the greatest doctor on earth, aren't you and what happened when we were in medical collage, who was the one who gave the diabetes patient a tetanus vaccination"

"Oh shut up Armaan, you say another word and that long nose of yours will be down the drain"

"Ridz, if you think you'll be able to do that then keep dreaming"

"Its not ridz, its ridimaa"

Angad interrupted "ok, ridimaa, can you quit with the boasting"

"Absolutely correct" Armaan replied, "That's all she does, boast. But does nothing to deserve to boast"

"Oh forget it" she went forward greeting kripa "you must be kripa, hi, I'm ridimaa, for friends, ridi" she pulled her hand.

"Oh, um, yea, I'm kripa, nice to meet you, ridi" she replied, taking her hand.

Angad slid besides kripa, sliding his arms around her shoulder "kripa, this is Armaan" he pointed towards Armaan "and ridimaa, they work with me, we went to medical collage together" he introduced. "Guys this is kripa, my wife and life, from India"

"You don't have to mention it again Angad, we know, you didn't want to invite us" Armaan taunted

"Oh come on guys, that's why, I called you to this small dinner of ours, I'm sure boss wouldn't give us all vacations at once" he reasoned

"Ok, we believe you. So kripa, where are you from in India?" Ridimaa asked, starting a conversation. Ridimaa and kripa became fast friends, maybe because ridimaa wasn't particularly keen of men either. They had much in common, reminding kripa of Anjali, oh Anjali, when would she arrive.

Just then neev and prachi arrived through the doors; kripa excused herself to attend them "you guys are late" she remarked. "And what is this prachi; you haven't contacted me since I've come here. Am I that bad?"

"No, no, not at all, just been busy"

"So kripa, how's it going?" neev asked

"Boring, that stupid friend of yours does nothing but keeps me locked in the house, I haven't been anywhere" she replied annoyed.

"Kripa, I'll take you somewhere, I promise, now stop complaining" Angad said, sliding his arm behind her neck.

"Ok, now take your hands off me, your going to strangle me" she said pushing his arms away, ever so annoyed with Angad continuously taking advantage of them being amongst his colleagues.

"Angad we need a favour" neev said

"What's the matter neev, where have you been? I haven't seen you for over a week now"

"Well, I've been trying to convince prachis father, but the old man doesn't understand, so we kind of need help. Will you help us?" he questioned, with hope and something near guilt.

Chapter Twelve

Angad and kripa sat in front of prachi and neev with serious expressions after everyone left. Why wouldn't they be serious, after all, what they heard was very serious. They had to convince Prachi's father without letting him know, and boy the old man was hard to handle.

"Neev, how could you, I mean, couldn't you two wait? when did this happen, I mean you two were at my wedding, with me in India, two whole months and you got her pregnant, disgusting!" Angad exclaimed appalled.

"I'm sorry" neev's eyes were lowered "I know I was wrong, but it all happened four months ago and circumstances were such, we couldn't control our urges"

"Neev, just tell me one thing" kripa asked "if your daughter was in this situation, what would you feel? Do you understand what humiliation it is to a women being pregnant before her marriage" she sighed and sat next to Angad on the sofa's arm "How many weeks prachi? "She asked

"Nine weeks" she answered feeling exposed.

"Nine weeks" kripa said horrified "when did you find out?" she asked sickened

"I found out after my return to America, I- I had my doubts, but they were confirmed on reaching here" tears spilled out of her eyes immediately. "What shall I do, I shouldn't have—"her voice cracked as she sobbed, pressing her hands to her face.

Kripa stood up and sat beside prachi, taking her into her embrace, rubbing her back to soothe her. "Kripa" she heard Angad say "take her to our room, its better if you talk to her alone" kripa obediently listened, taking her to her room understanding the situation.

Angad stared at kripa's face. Had there ever been a time she had listened to him? He questioned himself. Maybe if she had listened to him, let him explain, she wouldn't be lying here. But again, why was he blaming her, she did listen, she obeyed many times. He couldn't blame her. He remembered when she obeyed him, taking prachi into there room. Oh, he felt so shameful, seeing prachi at that time. She was like a sister to him.

"Neev, this is so wrong, how could you, now what are you two planning, what if her dad disagrees, we all know what he's like, he'll never agree unless he knows the truth"

"I know, but prachi doesn't want to tell her father, she's too ashamed…"

"Give me a reason why she shouldn't be ashamed, you've taken her dignity away" Angad yelled

Neev rubbed his palms on his face, feeling ever so mortified "I'll marry prachi, even if her fathers against it, Court marriage" he said straight "again, Prachi's the problem, she wants her fathers permission" he said helplessly. He pushed his hands through his hair, trying to release the tension.

Angad placed his hand on his shoulder "I'll help you, but we're going to talk to her father tomorrow, if he doesn't agree, we're going to have to convince prachi into marrying you against her fathers will" Angad explained, relaxing the atmosphere.

Prachi had always been a good friend of kripa's. She could still recollect the times she had cried in front of her, when she was unhappy, when she needed support, when she was in pain.

She only remembered her crying once in front of her. Only once, she had asked for help and she gave it.

Prachi's sobs had died out; she lay on the bed, whilst kripa stroked her head. "Prachi, what have you thought, what are you going to do?" she asked.

"Kripa, I can't tell my father, he'll be disappointed in me, but I need his permission, I can't marry neev without my fathers consent, but I have to marry neev soon. He'll never agree marrying me off to neev. He's already against me being friends, that's what my dad thinks, that we're friends, I haven't told him about our love and all, what shall I do?" she groaned weakly.

"Prachi, you should have told your father, he has a right to know, what about your mother, does she—"

"She's not in this world anymore; she died of cancer, seven years ago"

Not knowing what to say, kripa simply apologised "oh umm, I'm sorry"

"Sorry about what, it happened long ago, and now I'm over it, she would be so ashamed of me today" she began again. Kripa took her into her arms comforting her, whilst prachi cried fresh tears.

Angad's patience was flying away. It had been almost eighteen hours, since kripa's sudden movement. He stood up to ask Juan why she wasn't awake. Being a doctor, he had learnt to be patient, but seeing kripa's position, he couldn't help but be impatient.

He stopped in his steps, when he felt something pull back. He looked towards kripa with optimism, but it was useless. His shirt had been caught into the beds railing.

He sat down beside her, tears falling from his eyes, remembering their first argument after there marriage.

Angad and kripa lay in bed, thinking of how to help their friends. It was true, they were wrong, but they couldn't just leave them alone. "Angad" kripa said "neev is wrong, he needs to respect prachis feelings, he can't just marry her in court" she spoke lifting her body up, to lean against the head board.

"But kripa, there is no other solution. We all know prachis father will never agree. What do you expect, that prachi goes around without marriage pregnant?" he shifted beside her "that will only humiliate her more"

"It's all neev's fault, he, ughh, he probably seduced her, as all men do, all they ever want is the women's body. When it comes to responsibilities, it's a tension for them" she said sternly.

"For god sake kripa, don't start with your women and men theories, this is serious" Angad spoke, trying to suppress his arising anger.

"I know it's serious and I'm talking serious, it's all true, that's what men do, and that's what neev did" she argued.

"And what about prachi, huh, if women are so superior and altruistic then why is she tense?" He questioned

"Neev gave her the reason" kripa sat completely looking at Angad as anger flared in her eyes "because of neev she is in tension. He hasn't only undignified her but also made her feel inferior, he's made her feel ashamed in front of her parents"

"Forget it, you won't understand me kripa, all you ever care of is, finding a way of humiliating me in some way or the other, using the theories of bad men. For god sake, not all men are selfish, think about all the past saints, Gandhi, was he selfish too?" he questioned furiously.

"Yes he was, he was bad, he was selfish that's why his protests ended up in furious battles and bloodshed, of course he was selfish, because of him many lost there life" and she continued with her theories again, annoying Angad to hell. He sighed, she found a point in everything, couldn't she leave the theories aside for once, he thought, laying down, totally ignoring her presence, trying to fall asleep.

The next morning, Angad left without speaking a word to kripa, after all, how long was he supposed to listen to her taunts? she wouldn't even keep them aside for Neev and Prachi's problem. Yes, he may have forced her but why does she forget he gave her the chance to break the marriage. But he still loved her, she may be immature, but he wasn't. He would make sure she changed her views and he had to start working on that soon.

He entered his cabin, checked how many patients he had to attend. There were two on the list, Michael woods, case of severe food poisoning, he had been in the hospital for the past three days, hopefully he would be discharged today. The second was Laura Mitchell's. Now she was hell of an annoying patient, she had been in the hospital for the past ten days. She was seriously retarded flirting with her doctor, ughh, he hated handling such patients.

He attended his patients and to his relief he was free for the rest of the day, well unless he had an emergency. He headed straight to neev's apartment. Neev lived alone, well one of the reasons was because he was orphan, besides that, he didn't like to see the rest of his family; it reminded him of his lonely childhood.

"You ready" Angad asked, as neev breathed heavily, preparing for the upcoming situation.

"Yeah, I'm nervous" he rang the door bell once again, waiting for the old man to open the door.

"Hmm, just keep praying"

Neev was just about to reply, when the door opened, revealing a tall, round man. He had a small moustache with a light stubble displayed on his fleshy skin. He wore a white shirt and black tracksuits, which did nothing more than help him look rounder.

His eye's flared with anger upon seeing neev. Neev flinched back, loosing courage, but Prachi's teary eyes encouraged him to go forward "Uncle, I've come to ask for Prachi's hand in marriage" he said bravely

"How dare you?" they heard his roaring voice "how dare you even think like this after using my daughter?" Prachi tugged at her fathers arm.

"Dad, don't start here, please, lets go inside" she requested. Her father moved aside letting them in, then slamming the door, he moved towards them.

"How dare you, how could you get my daughter pregnant" he screamed, whilst neev and Angad stood there stunned.

"H—how do you know?" Neev questioned, shocked.

"I told him neev" he heard prachi.

"But you didn't want to, I mean, I--" he was interrupted.

"I told prachi to tell her father the truth" kripa said coming out of the living room. what was she doing here, Angad thought. "You being a man would never encourage her to tell the truth, but the truth is very important, what if Prachi's father agreed, tell me, wouldn't the relationship be almost based on a lie" she questioned.

"yeah" he lowered his eyes, then looked straight at Prachi's father "I'm sorry uncle, I know I'm probably the worst choice for a son in law" neev got onto his knees in front of Prachi's dad "but I love prachi, and cant live without her, I'm ready to take the responsibility, I can't see her in pain, I beg you please accept me and Prachi's relationship, please, it wont be only humiliating but heart broking if you see prachi being taunted by her neighbours for an unmarried pregnancy. I realise it's my mistake, its not prachis fault, but please give me prachi" he was almost in tears, begging for there happiness.

Prachi's father sat down on the sofa helplessly, "have you left me with a choice?" he questioned

Neev lowered his eyes, "I'm sorry uncle, I disgraced you"

"It's alright son, its destiny" he patted his back "I accept your and Prachi's relationship, but it's purely because I have no other choice" he said strictly

Neev out of joy embraced his to be father in law, but backed away, knowing his fierce behaviour. Prachi hugged her father, thanking him, whilst Angad and kripa stood to a side watching them.

Sorry was a word kripa could never say. Even if she did, it would never be for a man besides her father, of course. She remained in memories, recalling the time she apologized to Angad. Oh, it was so hard, but it was necessary.

Angad worked on his laptop, going threw reports whilst kripa fixed the already tidy bedroom. "Kripa, quit cleaning, the bedroom is clean" he finally said, shutting his laptop.

He watched her drop onto the bed, fumbling with her fingers, whilst her eyes were veiled behind her eyelids. He stood up, placing the laptop on the side table and sat besides her on the bed, holding her hands in his grip. "Do you want to say something?" he asked knowingly.

Kripa sighed, he knew her too well and she still had a grudge against him, why couldn't she just put it aside for once, she thought. "Umm, no, actually, yes, no, forget it"

"Kripa nothing of yours will go if you say what you want to?" he teased.

"Ok, fine, I'm sorry" she said stubbornly

"Sorry, am I hearing right, your apologizing" he asked surprised

"Angad now don't mock me, all I want to say is I'm sorry, I realized that I was wrong to shout at you, but I just can't control it Angad, it just comes out. I try my best to keep it out of mind but I can't seem to stop myself when such situations appear" she said in one breath.

Angad turned towards her completely, cupping her face in his large hands "kripa, I think its time you realize that not all men are like your mentality, I mean tell me, have you seen that in me" he paused "well, yea, but come on, everyone in this world is selfish, the way I had my selfish reason to have this marriage, you had your own selfish reasons to stop this marriage, you cant just blame it all on the me and your experiences. They do show the negative side, but look at the positive side of it, try to figure out the positive side and then you'll realize" he softly kissed her forehead, leaving her in a chain of thoughts. Maybe, just maybe it was time she realized how correct Angad was.

Chapter Thirteen

Kripa took two whole days thinking over her selfish behaviour. "Was she really that unfair she thought. But he was unfair, he forced her, but then again how unfair had she been to the proposals before Angad. All of them had a whole lot of demands before the alliance. Angad didn't" a side of her said. "But Angad hasn't said anything yet because he knows youu will do anything for your loved ones, you would never harm them" the other side Fought "Why do you always misunderstand Angad?" She thought, then again her thoughts debated, "you have never misunderstood, didn't you see how he supported neev" The other part fought back "it was the need of time". "Yeah right, Angad is being nice for his own reasons, he's a devil" "but then again, you were selfish kripa, didn't you try to push him away. When you couldn't refuse you merely refused to his soft hearted offer".

Kripa snapped out of her thoughts, when she heard Angad speak "kripa, tomorrow neev and prachi are getting married, so be ready for eleven in the morning. It's a court marriage; they don't want a flashy wedding". He sat beside her, holding her hands, looking straight into her eyes. "Are you upset with me" he asked.

"Uhh, no, should I be?"

"Well, no, but I thought you would be, but I was merely trying to get you to understand my point kripa, its not very pleasant knowing that your wife doesn't like you, but I've accepted it, but that does not mean I will stop trying. I'll try to my last breath, making sure our marriage works" he looked into her eyes briefly for a second, then kissed her forehead. For some strange reason, kripa admired that gesture; it showed his true love towards her, his affection, his care, everything, it was just so serene.

Prachi and neev looked perfect in there simple wedding gowns, sitting besides eachother, as the magistrate put the papers in front of them. Neev signed the papers, then eagerly watched prachi sign the papers with her delicate fingers. As soon as she signed the marriage certificate, he screamed out of joy, "yaaaaay" which fell short, seeing his father in law's stern stare.

Angad and kripa looked on amused, whilst it was hard to tell if prachi was blushing or flushed from embarrassment. "Boy, aren't you excited" the magistrate laughed, lightening the atmosphere. Thereafter, Angad and kripa signed as witnesses on there marriage certificate.

"Congratulations" Angad said embracing neev "congrats prachi" he hugged her in a brotherly manner, "and good luck, you'll have a hard time handling neev" he winked, laughing out loud.

"Ouch" neev commented frostily "that was so nice of you Angad"

Kripa came forward, embracing prachi "congratulations, have a happy life, and don't at all forget that I'm always there when you need help" she said Authorativly.

Prachi's eyes filled," I'll never forget you; you did me a big favour, helping me take a big burden off my heart"

Kripa wiped her tears,"ok, no tears, now you should be happy, come on smile" she said through tears herself.

The next thing they heard from neev's big mouth "women"

"Women, what about women?" prachi asked irritated.

"Oh, umm, nothing" neev said, a little scared, "just a little emotional"

"So, what's so wrong in that?" prachi blurted

"Nothing" he saw her fuming face "come on prachi, lets not start with a fight, I mean we just got married and--"

They were interrupted by Prachi's father, "now shall we move on" he asked irritated, causing everyone to shut up and proceed with the formalities.

Angad remembered kripa looking ever so beautiful at neev and Prachi's marriage. If he hadn't made that mistake, maybe, just maybe, she might have listened to him the second time, but she didn't. It was all his fault, why did he forget everything, when he made his first mistake?

Angad's eyes lingered onto kripa. For some reason he couldn't take his eyes off kripa, very much unnoticed by kripa, thanks to his occasional and quick glances. Kripa had dressed into a pretty, hot pink sari, with light antique work decorated on the ends, her pink sleeveless top, revealing her cleavage slightly, with a deep back, arousing hidden desires.

She stood in front of the dresser, removing her jewellery exposing her neck, her hands working swiftly removing the cold antique jewellery from her soft, warm skin.

Angad stared at her through the mirror; her creamy white skin looked brighter under the hot pink chiffon sari, intoxicating his mind, rather causing him to lose his senses. He got up, slowly crossing the distance between him and kripa.

How could kripa forget his first touch? It was the first time he had ever touched her so sensually, combining his love and lust in a ball of unnerving desire. The same hands that cared for her, touched for the first time, crating an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Kripa froze, as she felt his lips rub to the side of her neck, his hand sliding and caressing her stomach, whilst his other hand stroked her hip, his body completely pressing into hers. She looked up to witness the moments in the mirror, it was a horrendous moment. How could he touch her without her consent and that too knowing her opinion?

She felt his lips parting, sucking onto her skin, she spoke "Angad, leave me" there was no response, instead his hands slid upwards, whilst his lips moved towards her bare shoulder blade, biting into it, causing her to hiss in pain. "Angad, I said leave me" she said louder, struggling, but his lips wouldn't part from her skin.

She pushed him away with all her force, as soon as his roaming hands cupped her swell. She was fuming, but a part of her was hurt. Her heart ached for some reason; he tried to go against her will. Her eyes filled with unwanted tears, as she glared at Angad with anger and pain clearly evident in her eyes.

Angad remembered her reaction clearly. Why wouldn't she react in such a way? He had lost his senses, but she didn't. He could have controlled himself, but he was too lost. He remembered clearly how she responded.

Angad gawked back stupidly, registering what had just happened. When he registered, it was too late; kripa had locked herself in the bathroom. Angad cursed himself. How selfish of him. What would she be thinking about him now?

He knocked on the bathroom door, "I'm sorry kripa, I got carried away, I won't do it again, kripa open the door, please, I won't come near you, I promise" but his pleading went in vain. After an hour he stopped knowing exactly how stubborn his wife was. A little later Angad left to visit Armaan, maybe by then kripa would decide to get out the bathroom.

The memory of that incident encouraged her memory further. She felt so relieved, when she heard him leave. It gave her time to think and react.

Once kripa heard the front door click, she unlocked the door, peeping outside. The coast was clear. She fell on her bed letting the tears take over.

She didn't expect this from Angad; a part of her had started to believe him. She may have lectured him everyday, but even after five weeks of their marriage, he didn't do anything wrong. Her trust upon him was building, but his greed, she saw a minutes before, had that trust crumbling.

She sobbed quietly, feeling need of support, when the phone rang. She quickly wiped her tears and picked the phone up. "Hello"

"Hi kripa, this is ridimaa, remember me" she heard

"Oh, ya, how are you?"

"I'm fine, I was wondering, since Angad isn't giving you the time, me and Armaan got permission from the dean, he's let us off for five days, so we were wondering, you want to go camping and then with the spare three days, I'm going to California, to visit my cousin" she paused, "don't I talk a little too much?"

The last statement had kripa laughing, this girl sure was good company, "I'd love to, who's going?"

"Well, obviously, you and Angad" Angad, kripa thought, would she really want to face him for a few days, she was interrupted "me and Armaan, I invited my friends Troy and Gabriella, umm and my cousin kanan is coming along and I don't know who Armaan has invited"

"Yeah, can I come with you when you go to California" she asked.

"Sure" she beamed "I'm ready, just make sure Angad doesn't miss you too much, well unless he's coming as well" she added mischievously, whilst kripa felt tears burn at the back of her eyes, as she was reminded of his unpredictable behaviour.

"Angad, Angad, earth to Angad" neev interrupted

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was lost" he replied solemnly

"I understand, now come on, let's eat"

"I've eaten"

"And you think I'll believe you?" neev questioned, eyebrows raised.

"Ask Armaan" he answered, still looking down.

He remembered, when Armaan had told him about there small trip. It would have been much more fun if kripa wasn't upset, but he couldn't help it. Oh, how he wished, he could have fresh, joyful memories of his early married life.

Angad was updated by Armaan about their camping plans. He thanked Armaan for the proposal. "Thanks, man, but since when have you and ridimaa teamed up?" he winked

"Me and ridimaa" he laughed hysterically "you must be joking, I wanted my holidays and so did she and we all know that the dean would never give us a holiday if we say it once, so we decided to trouble him and you know what trouble we bring together"

"Yeah, yeah" he stood up "ok, I'll take a leave now, don't disturb neev and prachi, leave them alone for a few days, so their excluded from the camping"

"We don't mind excluding you, I mean after all, you and kripa haven't had the time" he grinned

"Well, we'll think about that later, for now, we're coming, even if you decide to drop us out" he joked, concerned about kripa's reaction.

When Angad came home, he found kripa sleeping. She had changed out of the sari into her black silk night suit. He could hear her breathing lightly. He came and sat close to her, his hand reaching to touch her cheek. He bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm sorry" he whispered "I'm very sorry, I promise to control next time, but I'm helpless, what can I do? How long is this going to happen? I love you kripa, I wont hurt you, please don't hurt me" he leaned down kissing her cheek, when her eyes opened to the feel of his wet lips on her skin.

As kripa felt, wet lips kiss her right cheek. It reminded her of the night of that incident. She was so glad he had woken her up, since she found a source of comfort, from the information she received.

She jerked up straight away, moving a distance from Angad. "Don't touch me, I don't want you anywhere near me, I almost started to trust you" she paused and looked into his eyes "but you broke it" her voice shivered with tears choking her.

"I'm sorry kripa, I know it's all my fault, I admit it but please forget it, I don't want to complicate things between us"

"Angad, just leave me alone I need time to think, I don't want to talk about it" she answered lowering her eyes.

"Ok, I'm sorry again, oh um, Anjali called" Angad informed

"Ok, I'll call her" kripa answered coldly.

"I'll sleep outside on the sofa, till you're comfortable" he stated walking into the bathroom, to change.

"Anju, you called" kripa said once Angad left to sleep.

"Yeah, guess what, I'm in California" she screamed in excitement.

"Really" kripa replied equally excited "give me your address I'm coming to meet you"

"Ok, ok, be patient" she replied, knowing kripa's eagerness.

"Ok, I will, I'm going to California after three days anyways, so I'll meet you"

"Really, with who?" Anjali questioned

"She's one of Angad's colleagues, but now my friend"

"Really, she better not be closer than me and—"and the girls continued gossiping for a while, with kripa excluding her scene with Angad today.

Chapter Fourteen

To Angad's fortune kripa had agreed to come to the camping trip with him. Well that was only because ridimaa had requested, she wasn't in the mood to listen to Angad, but of course, how could she leave her sharp tongued taunts behind.

Armaan had hired a mini bus, kanan accompanied Nishant, her fianc, whilst ridimaa sat towards the back chatting with kripa, troy and Gabriella. To kripa's relief, Angad sat with Armaan at the front, discussing there careers.

Troy entertained them all with his melodious voice, with Gabriella joining in between. Everyone appreciated his singing, whilst troy and Gabriella did nothing more than blossom out of gratitude.

"you sing so well" kripa exclaimed "but Gabriella has the better voice" she added, that was so like kripa, Angad thought, she'd appreciate the quality of the male, but she'd never leave females behind.

"Well, I agree, but I'm not that bad" he replied teasingly, and they all laughed.

Angad was cut out of his thoughts, with the voice of the doctor. "Will you excuse us for a while Doctor Khanna, I need to check the patient"

"Yea, sure, go ahead" and he left, to stand outside.

Meanwhile, kripa drifted back to dream land.

Kripa stepped onto the desiccated grass. The grass looked ever so dry, it needed rain, but then again it was tracking track, it was better off the way it was, Ughh, kripa thought, why couldn't she get Angad off her mind, that horrid moment off her mind. She was making these stupid comments about the grass to keep him off her mind and he still haunted her, why wouldn't he, after all She was standing in front of him.

She walked along with ridi, lost in her own world, when she was interrupted,"hey kripa, why are you so quiet, tell us about yourself, I mean, we hardly know you, how was it in India?"

"Oh um, yeah, India was a better living for me, since I had my daily routines there but then again , I haven't been given the chance to make a proper daily routine"

And the next thing she heard was "ooooaaaaah" now she should have not mentioned about 'not given a chance'.

She sighed, "What's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"Nothing, it just seems Angad doesn't give you the chance, as his always busy with you" ridimaa replied in a rather mischievous tone.

Kripa stayed silent, turning red in embarrassment, whilst everyone laughed at the petite figure turning red. Angad glanced at her, whilst kripa kept her eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze.

Soon ridimaa started complaining of her aching limbs. "Stop, I can't walk more, it's almost dawn let's take the tents out and stay here for the night"

"Aww, poor ridz, already tired, not a lot of exercise is there" Armaan teased

"Pul-leez, keep your comments to yourself, I'm a normal person and get tired after walking continuously for" she lifted her wrist to see the time on her silver Emporio Armani watch " three and a half hours, that too on the hill tracks"

"You mean to say all of us are abnormal" Armaan said sarcastically

"I did not say that" she exclaimed, standing up

"Oh please stop lying, you're the one that said a few moments ago, 'I'm a normal person and get tired after walking continuously three and a half hours, that too on the hill tracks', and here no one else is tired but you so your calling us abnormal" he said taking a step forward.

"well, mr Armaan for your information, I'm not the only one tired here, kanan and kripa are very much tired and we want to rest, now, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted" she said eyeing Armaan "guys, can we set up the tents and rest, I'm tired, there's lake down there" she pointed to the far right" and we'll get something to eat, my stomachs grumbling"

Kripa and Angad flowed out of earth, in remembrance of the first night of the camping trip. They both enjoyed to the most, but there still something depressing about it. They both thought in unison

Soon, two medium sized tents were set up with Armaan and Angad fixing one tent and troy and Nishant busy with the other. The men settled in the grey tent, whilst the girls settled in the green tent.

Shortly after, kanan and kripa were busy grilling the red meat and vegetables, whilst Angad, Gabriella and troy went to fetch water from the nearby lake. Armaan and ridimaa were too busy bothering each other, whereas Nishant took the time to rest.

Once everything was settled, everyone sat around the fire burnt in the middle, which thanks to Angad was lit, since no one remembered to bring the matches. He rubbed two stones together to light the fire, which was hard according to kripa.

Troy entertained the group with his musical voice, whilst Gabriella told everyone in between his songs, how they met and how they fell in love. Bull shit kripa thought, love is bull shit, no one loves, its all about lust.

"Hey troy, please sing you are the music in me" kanan requested "it's so romantic"

"More like noisy" Armaan interrupted
"Well, well, Armaan, if you've got a problem why don't you sing for us" ridimaa said sardonically "please troy, ignore him, he doesn't know how to appreciate talent"

"Ok, Gabriella, why don't you join me" he said cuddling her.

"Sure"

Na na na na
Na na na na yeah
You are the music in me
You know the words
"Once Upon A Time"
Make you listen?
There's a reason.

Angad eyes fell on kripa, she hadn't talked to him all day, it did frustrate him, but he knew kripa was stubborn, and no one could ever change that, when he heard the words 'once upon a time', he wondered, would there ever be a time when kripa would forget her so called theory and become his by heart and soul.

When you dream there's a chance you'll find
A little laughter
or happy ever after
your harmony to the melody
It's echoing inside my head
A single voice (Single voice)
Above the noise
And like a common thread
Hmm, you're pulling me

'happy ever after' kripa thought bitterly, there is no such word, no one can live happily ever after, with males dominating the world, causing nothing but corruption.

When I hear my favourite song
I know that we belong
Oh, you are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
Because you are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh)
Na na na na na
Yeah yeah yeah
You Are The Music In Me (Na na na na)
You are the music in me

Let alone music, Angad thought, kripa wouldn't ever become part of me, why cant she just understand that I wont harm her, all I did was I got a little tipsy, I mean, lost control, but, she would never understand.

It's like I knew you before we met (Before we met)
Can't explain it (Ohh ohh)
There's no name for it (No name for it)
I'm saying words I never said
And it was easy (So easy)
Because you see the real me (I see)
As I am You understand
And that's more than I've ever known
To hear your voice (Hear your voice)
Above the noise (Ohh ohh)
And no, I'm not alone
Oh you're singing to me (Ohh yeah)

Oh how I wish I was alone and single, she thought. Why did she have to get married in the first place, couldn't god see she was happy alone, without Angad, without male dominancy on her.

When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong (Yeah ohh)
You are the music in me
It's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
You are the music in me
Together we're gonna sing (Yeah)
We got the power to sing what we feel (What we feel)
Connected and real
Can't keep it all inside (Ohh)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah (Na na na na)
You are the music in me (In me)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me

I wish I had a connection with kripa, a heart to heart connection, I mean at least as friends, at least she would understand me, Like troy understands Gabriella and Nishant understands kanan. Angad sighed, listening to the remaining song.

When I hear my favorite song (Favorite song)
I know that we belong (We belong)
You are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
It's brought us here because (Here because)
You are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me (Yeah)

"Great, that was so good, a perfect song before going to sleep" ridimaa commented.

"Hey guys, looks like ridz loves to listen to lullaby's" Armaan teased. Everyone laughed whilst ridimaa fumed.

Kripa felt the doctor place the cold stethoscope against her skin. It bought back memories of the midnight incident. Oh, what a fool she made of her self, but it was fun, in the cold night.

In the darkness of the night, they all fell in a deep slumber, kripa's eyes crinkled, feeling something warm on her skin, moving up and down her skin. She pressed her hand down her shoulder to stop the movement, but to her dismay, she caught hold of something hairy. Opening her eyes, kripa screamed seeing a big hairy spider on her shoulder, waking everyone up from there deep sleep.

"Kripa, why are you screaming?" kanan asked half asleep

Kripa shoved her hand on her shoulder pushing the spider to the ground "sp-spi-spider" she pointed towards the ground snuggling to a corner, whilst the other girls jumped back calling for the boys.

Armaan cracked up; seeing the spider "you screamed because of that" he turned towards Angad "can you believe it? They disturbed our precious sleep for that" and he walked away to the other tent.

Nishant and troy being the big tough men for their life partners went forward to pick the spider up. All of a sudden the spider crawled, they jerked back, with the sudden movement. They all heard a giggle and looked behind to find Angad chuckling at the two men with there so called brave fronts.

"Move out of the way" Angad said, coming forward, he picked the spider by the leg and threw it outside "now are you at peace?" he asked kripa grinning.

Oh, he just had to grin, kripa thought. She nodded her head and went to sleep. Minutes later, she heard the roaring laughter of all the men from the other tent. They just can't help laughing at the weakness of women she thought, drifting off into a peaceful slumber with her bitter thoughts.

The three days in camping went well, it was enjoyable, making new friends, knowing new people. The men took advantage knowing the ladies fears. To an extent kripa was proud Angad didn't do any of that, but then again kripa and her stubborn mind, no one could convince her.

Angad saw kripa packing a small duffel bag. Confused, he went to their room "kripa, why are you packing your bag?"

"I'm going to California, to meet Anjali, I don't know when I'll be back, or if I even want to come back, so don't wait for me" she replied coldly

"Kripa listen" he held her arm, turning her around, her cold glare causing him to release her arm "I'm sorry about that day, I shouldn't have done it, but it's the limit kripa, your over reacting, every person has desires, anyone in my place would have done what I did and--"

"Please Angad, there's no need to give me an explanation, I don't want to hear anything, and I mean it"

Angad's anger rised, he caught hold of her shoulders "what the hell is your problem, I've been trying to convince you for the past four days, but no you and your stubborn mind come in between all the time, for once think about me from a normal persons view, not a women's, infact a feminists view, just, just" his fist tightened "listen kripa, if I want I can go and get a women who would respect me as much as I respect you, but I haven't because I know you need time to think about our relationship, to get over your hatred towards men, but kripa, why do you blame the whole race. Why don't you see each person as an individual?" He signed, he knew one thing, his lecture was going to go to waste. "Forget it; I'll drop you to the train station".

"I'm not going on train" kripa said quietly "I'm going with ridimaa"

Kripa enjoyed her first day in California with ridimaa, who showed her tourist's sites. In the evening she dropped kripa off at Anjali's address.

Kripa stood outside Anjali's house, waiting for someone to open the door. Anjali opened the door, with her sari tucked in; her hair was held up with a clip whilst she held a big wooden spoon in her hand.

"Kripa" she squealed in excitement, she moved forward to hug her, "I'm so happy to see you, come in" she gave the way.

Kripa walked in to see Kavya sitting on the sofa with ishaan sprawled all over him. "Hi" kripa greeted

"Oh, kripa, what a pleasant surprise, nice to see you" Kavya replied, he tried to get up, but ishaan yelled and sat back down "I'm sorry, umm, ishaans being a bit stubborn" he said.

"It's alright, Kavya" she replied sweetly.

It had been two weeks kripa was staying with Anjali, always avoiding to go back home, Angad had called her thrice, where she simply replied, not yet. Anjali noticed something wrong, she knew kripa more than herself, she would never stay down more than a week and now it had been two weeks. She was determined and she would find out tonight.

"Kripa, can I come in" Anjali asked after knocking on the door.

"Sure, you don't need to ask anju"

Anjali came in and sat down next to her on the bed, whilst kripa folded the page of her book, "kripa, is there something you want to tell me?" Anjali asked

She looked at Anjali and sighed, Anjali knew her too well "yea, actually I do"

"Ok, so I'm waiting, actually, you never stay more than a week even if I insist, what's wrong kripa? Did you fight with Angad?"

"Actually Anjali, Angad tried to force me?" she spat out, almost in tears.

"Tell me clearly, what do you mean, Angad wouldn't do that, I'm sure, I can recognize a person" she replied confused

"Anjali, now don't take his side, he tried to force me, and when I questioned him he apologized giving his stupid explanations "she exclaimed.

"Kripa, tell me everything from the start, I mean from when you moved to America"

Kripa briefly explained the incidents to Anjali, whilst Anjali listened intently.

"It's all your fault kripa; no man would tolerate your behaviour. How many times do I have to explain to you, not everyone is the way you think they are, quit misunderstanding him. Now your married, you have to spend the rest of your life with him and--"

She was cut off "please Anjali, don't give his side, are you my friend or his"

"Kripa, I'm your friend that's why I don't want you to do anything wrong before it's too late, come on, try to understand him—"

"Anjali, forget it, if you give his side I'll leave and go somewhere else, I don't want to live with him and I won't"

"Kripa, don't you dare say that, you wont leave, ok, but I'll still advise you, go to Angad, understand him, he's not what you think of him he's different and he loves you, he doesn't desire your body, he wants you, from heart, not physically, he wants you with him emotionally, please think about it, I mean, be friendly, you haven't even been friendly, what do you expect him to do?" and Anjali left kripa in a turmoil of thoughts.

Angad was lost in his own thoughts, as the doctor checked kripa. Those three weeks came to his mind. The three weeks kripa had left him, punishing him for his unintentional sin.

A few days past by, it had been almost three and a half weeks kripa had gone. She would avoid his calls whenever he called, she only answered it thrice. God she was stubborn, He had to bring her home.

He sat down in his car with a small back pack, when his phone rang "hello"

"Hello, Doctor Khanna, there's an emergency case, we need you"

"Isn't anyone else there?"

"There is but it's urgent, the other doctors are busy, please come quickly, these a lack of doctors today because of Christmas"

As a doctor, it was Angad's responsibility to fulfil his duty, "I'm coming nurse" he would see kripa after, this was important.

"You can go in Angad" Juan called

"Oh, umm thanks" he replied, breaking out of the train of thoughts.

Meanwhile, inside, kripa dreamt of her good moments with Angad. Those moments that she'd cherish for life, as well as he.

Angad joint his hands with kripa, as they both thought in harmony, about there perfect moments.

After so many days of Anjali explaining to kripa, she finally succeeded, kripa had started to understand and she was ready to go back to New York to give Angad a chance.

She bid goodbye to Anjali and left for New York on train. The streets were silent as it was Christmas, everyone was busy within there homes. As soon as kripa entered the house, she called for Angad. But there was no reply.

She settled down, unpacking, she cooked and cleaned up. It was quite late and Angad still hadn't arrived. Finally, at half eleven, the doors opened and an exhausted Angad entered his apartment.

He was surprised to find the lights on. He rushed to his room to find kripa lying in bed watching television. A smile spread across his face, finally she came back home.

Kripa noticed him and straightened up, "umm, you must be hungry, I'll warm the food up" and she left.

She returned to the room to find Angad had changed, sitting on the sofa, lost in his thoughts.

Sitting down with the tray in her lap, she spoke "I'm sorry Angad"

Angad turned towards her surprised, she had just apologized to him, was he dreaming "It's ok, I'm sorry as well, because of my behaviour you were away for so many days, I was meant to keep you happy, but gave you sorrow"

"No Angad, it's all my fault, I was being stubborn and didn't understand, I'm sorry. I didn't think once about you, I just thought about my self. It was me who was selfish, not you"

"Don't blame yourself kripa, it was me, I didn't prove myself to you, I was supposed to show you the straight path, instead I lead you farer, sorry"

"Stop apologizing, you weren't wrong. I made you suffer all along, I'm such a bad person, I'm sorry you have to spend your life with me, you could have got someone much better"

"Don't say that" he placed his finger on her lips "you do deserve me, Ok, now if we stop saying sorry we might get somewhere, I'm hungry" and to seal the moment, his stomach grumbled.

Since kripa's return from California, she hadn't let Angad touch the kitchen. She cooked herself, serving, enjoying her meals with him.

Surely Angad enjoyed it, but he saw it to be unfair. He didn't want her to serve him all the time. He should do that sometimes, after all, a husband had a duty towards his wife as well and he didn't want to give her another chance to complain.

Angad had a Sunday off, so he decided he would cook. He looked at kripa, oh how cute she looked; for now they were friends and he appreciated it. He wanted to give her all his happiness, never tears. He'd make sure she forgot what tears are. Slipping out of bed, he showered and set off to make breakfast.

Kripa woke up to the smell of food. Hmm, she thought. Then it hit her, who was making breakfast so early in the morning? Oh, it's Sunday, she reminded herself. Angad was home.

Lazily lifting her body, she got up, tying the pink robe around her. She walked to the kitchen to find Angad in front of the coffee machine, preparing coffee. She looked towards the oven, where cheese toast grilled. How sweet, she thought. "Angad" she called.

Startled he turned "oh, its you" he heaved, then frowned "I was going to surprise you"

Smiling, kripa walked towards his direction. She kissed his cheek "thank you, its very nice of you, by the way, what do you want to eat today?" she questioned

"Breakfast" he simply answered, turning towards the coffee maker

She hit his head lightly "no, duh, I'm talking about lunch" she spoke

"No need to worry madam" he replied, sliding his arm behind her nape "I'll cook"

"No you won't, you're probably tired, after breakfast go back to sleep. You only get one day free" she replied handling him the coffee mugs.

"Come on kripa, I'm cooking and its final and then we'll go out for dinner tonight" he took her hand "besides, I'm sure you can assist me, it'll be more fun"

"How about, you go to bed and I cook, perfect, thanks" she kissed his cheek again.

"Thanks, for what?" He questioned following her.

"For letting me cook, now hurry up, or we'll have burnt cheese toast for breakfast, which I don't fancy right now"

"Oh, I almost forgot" he walked towards the oven, taking each toast out, one by one "hey kripa, I'm still cooking, please"

"No" she replied, pouring the coffee

"Please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top, is that how you like it?"

"No, no and no, you're not cooking, I am. How about I cook lunch and then we go for dinner?" she gave him his coffee

He sighed "ok, you win, but next week I'm cooking"

"We'll see to that next week" she replied taking a bite of her breakfast "hmmm, tasty, thanks" and she finished breakfast with Angad stealing glances in between.

Days went by quite well, Angad was happy with the change in kripa, but at the same time his schedule became busier. He wasn't able to give her enough time.

Kripa also understood, but she was getting irritated with his busy schedule. She decided to pop in for lunch, one of the days. She went to the hospital, waiting in his cabin for him. Getting fed up; she asked the nurse where he was.

As she proceeded to the private ward, she heard gossiping about the new patient doctor Khanna was very attentive towards.

She was shocked to see her husband, Angad Khanna, taking a woman in his arms with a smile wiped across his face. She stood there a little longer in case it was a misunderstanding, but it wasn't, he kissed her cheek as she kissed his, then he leaned into her doing something, which some what looked like he was kissing her. She quickly changed her footsteps, when she bumped into a nurse.

"Oh Mrs Khanna, nice to see you, doctor Khanna is with a patient, he'll be out in a few minutes"

She hesitated but asked "who is he with?"

"Oh He's with Mrs Nandita Khanna" and she left for her duty, leaving kripa shocked.

hey sis am glad u wrote a new ff! umm i gotta go 2 sleep but i am surely gonna read it as soon as possible n im gona comment inshallah but rite now im goaasleep n ur chaps r loooong no imnot complaining about da lengthits perfect its just u no! but yh...
bye sis
tc
ps.i think u have exams rite? gd luck! 😃 😆

Chapter Fifteen

"Angad" he heard prachi "Juan's calling for you, to update kripa's recent performance" she informed

"Yea, umm, can you stay here, whilst I'm with him"

"Sure, you don't have to ask Angad, kripa's a good friend of mine, I wouldn't refuse"

In the meantime, Kripa dreamed of the start to all their problems. If only she hadn't been stubborn and gave him a chance, she wouldn't be here today. She wouldn't have gone through the hardship, the misery, the pain. If only she hadn't given him a chance

Kripa lay her back cuddled in the cushions, cuddling herself as tears streamed down her eyes onto her graceful cheeks, could it be that Angad had enough of her and he married again. His words flashed back to her 'if I want I can go and get a woman who would respect me as much as I respect you'. Did he really mean that?

Oh how wrong she was to believe him, she thought. How could she forget, he was a man. Men couldn't wait and nor would he, after all he belonged to the same race. How could she afford to forget that he was from those who did nothing but worked for what they wanted, and Angad wanted her love. He didn't have that much patience she thought. He could have waited. He's so selfish; if not me he should thought of our parents.

She pulled her knees to her chest, hiding her face in between, weeping. After the tears had dried out, she decided to become the way she was, the real her, according to her. Kripa Sharma, who knew the disgusting characteristics of men, the one who fought against men, the one who was against marriage, who was against slavery.

Kripa grabbed her coat and a small duffle bag and set out to Prachi's house, just three streets away. She knocked on the door to find an almost six month pregnant Prachi in front of her, with bulk on her stomach, with a box of ice-cream resting in her hands, the spoon deep inside the ice-cream spooning it.

"Hey Kripa, what a surprise, come in" she gave the way. They made themselves comfortable on the couch "what brings you here after so many day, you know I'm supposed to be angry, I haven't seen you for two weeks"

"Oh, umm I was a little---busy" she said

Prachi went forward, placing her hand on kripa's shoulder "are you alright?" she questioned.

Kripa couldn't hold back, she had to let it out. She had cried before coming to Prachi's house, but she needed a shoulder to cry on, a friend to console. She cried her heart out and prachi let her, rubbing her back to console. When kripa went still, prachi patted her back asking "what happened kripa?" but there was no reply "kripa, are you there?" she turned her face to the side , pulling kripa out of her embrace, to find her unconscious.

Angad watched kripa breathe evenly, her chest going up and down. Seeing her lay there unconscious, it reminded him of the time when there problems started, if only Kripa had never misunderstood him.

Prachi laid kripa on the couch, concerned, she touched her forehead, she picked the phone up, dialling Angad's number. "Hello"

"Hello, prachi, what a surprise, but sorry, I'm in a hurry, I have a meeting with the dean"

"Angad listen, it's an emergency" she said fast before he put the phone down.

"What happened prachi? Are you alright?" he questioned tense.

"I'm fine Angad, its kripa"

"Kripa, what happened to her? Is she alright? Wait I'm coming, where are you?"

"She's at my house" and then Prachi heard the line dead.

As Angad headed for his car, he bumped into the nurse "Oh, doctor Khanna, your wife was here a while ago"

"Really" he looked back at her surprised "you mean kripa"

"Yes doctor"

"Oh I didn't see her" confused, he headed for his car.

Minutes later, there was a thump on the door. Prachi rushed to the door, hitting her knee to the side table, but ignored the pain. She limped to the door, letting Angad in. Angad saw kripa lying on the couch, with a pillow beneath her head, and her body covered with a blanket.

He rushed to her, as prachi closed the door, limping back towards kripa. She looks at Angad's concerned face and asked "Did you two have a fight today?"

Angad turns towards "no, how did this happen?"

"I don't know" she looked towards kripa, caressing her forehead "she came after two weeks and then she just cried her heart out and when I asked what happened, I found her unconscious, that's why I asked if you had a fight" she looked at him again "check what happened to her?"

"Yeah" he opened his small doctor's bag, which he had bought with him, first checking her blood pressure, then checking her with his stethoscope.

"What happened" prachi asked worried

"Umm, yeah, she fainted due to stress, she should be up in a while, and then we'll ask her what happened" he leaned back on the sofa opposite the couch and suddenly questioned "why is she so stressed?"

"I don't know, has she told you anything lately, like, umm, lets see, missing her parents"

"No, she hasn't said anything, infact, the nurse told me she came to meet me as well, but she didn't, she went back without telling me" he rested his head in his hands "what could be wrong"

"Well, I know your going to think that I'm talking like neev but check her diary, you might just find out" she suggested.

"I'll talk to her first, she might just tell me"

"What happened about your meeting with the dean?"

"Oh shit" are the next words she heard "I forgot to inform dean about this"

Angad got up and walked to a corner to inform the dean about the sudden emergency. Whilst prachi went to open the door, as the bell rang. Neev stood at the door, with a grin on his face, handing prachi red roses, but was disappointed seeing they have company. He asked prachi about kripa, who briefly explained what happened.

Angad, neev and prachi were randomly talking, when suddenly Angad mentioned. "Hey guys, you remember nandita"

"Nandita. who nandita?" neev questioned.

"You know, Nandita Patel, she use to go to collage with us"

"Oh you mean the one that had a huge crush on you and always dreamed of being Mrs Khanna"

"Ughh, you don't have to mention that neev" prachi commented

"I agree" Angad said "well her dream did come true, she is Mrs Khanna now"

"What!" prachi and neev exclaimed in unison.

"How could you Angad, didn't you think of kripa once" prachi yelled

"Angad you were already married and what about your parents expectations" neev joined in.

"Oh, Angad your such a cheat"

"Yeah, why did you marry kripa?"

"Actually force into marrying you" prachi commented

Neev interrupted "When you were going to do this to her"

"I mean this proves all her theory right"

"Yea, you're giving a bad name to man hood" neev said angry

"Quit it guys" Angad said shouted "I didnt say she was Mrs Angad Khanna, I said she is Mrs Khanna" he sighed and leaned back "She's married to Aryan Khanna"

"Aryan Khanna!" neev exclaimed. "You mean that geek"

"For your information, he's no longer a geek; he's a well built man, who's an engineer"

"I'm sorry Angad, we doubted" prachi apologised

"It's alright, anyways as I was saying, I met nandita, she's my patient for now, she's pregnant"

"Oh my god, she use to hate children and she's pregnant" neev commented.

"Yea, I was shocked, infact what is even more shocking is she already has two children"

"Really, they must have really—"neev was cut off by the sound of kripa's groaning.

They all looked towards the couch, where kripa held her head groaning, coming back to conscious. Angad ran towards her, whilst neev simply stood up and prachi went to the kitchen to get a fresh glass of water.

Angad helped her up, pulling the pillow a little up, for her to sit. Prachi came with the glass of water and helped her drink it. She gulped down the glass instantly and looked up to find herself surrounded by Angad, neev and prachi.

"What happened kripa? Why are you so upset?" Angad asked

"You don't need to know" she replied sternly

Angad was surprised at the anger evident in her voice. What must have gone wrong? He didn't remember anything going wrong and she hadn't complained of anything lately. She was very sweet now a days. Since she'd come back from California, she was polite, she had change in her and she wasn't the same kripa that went to California. What happened all of a sudden? He decided to discuss it at home, since he didn't want to create a scene in front of prachi and neev.

Prachi and neev must have noticed it as well, since they looked straight at Angad after her answer, but all they found was confusion and concern.

That night after they got home, Angad waited patiently, but she hadn't talked to him since they had come home. In the evening, as she lay on the bed, Angad came and sat next to her. He took her hand in his hand, but she immediately pulled her hand back.

Angad looked up, suddenly feeling awkward and confused, but he ignored and questioned "Kripa, what's wrong, why are you so stressed?"

"I told you, you don't have to know, you have no right to know, I have my own private life" she replied austerely

"What's wrong with you, I've been noticing from the afternoon, your behaviour is different towards me" he said frustrated "what's wrong?" with a hand on her cheek, he asked questioned softly.

She pushed his hand away violently, exclaiming "don't touch me, what's wrong with you, I told you, I don't want to tell you, then why don't you just leave me alone" she said getting up.

Angad caught her hand, pulling her onto the bed "what's wrong with you, I'm being polite, you're not answering my question, what am I supposed to think, I'm worried like hell over here and you don't care. All of a sudden after so many days of being nice, you're all angry, what do you think of me, I'm a human, I cant take it" suddenly he realized tears brimming in kripa's eyes, anger evident on her face "I- I'm sorry kripa, I was taken aback, I didn't mean to say that, I'm sorry, please kripa, please tell me, what's wrong, what went wrong"

She said nothing and silently left the bedroom to living room, leaving Angad devastated, what could possibly have gone wrong after so many days.

Days went by, which turned into weeks and eventually months. Christmas and New years went down the drain. Even after two months, kripa hadn't said a word of why she was stressed, she didn't talk to him. When he did, she would simply ignore him or fight back. She had taken up practice for law to spend her time, but never would she look back and sit with Angad, talk to him like she did a few months back. It upset Angad further, as well as frustrated him. She wouldn't tell him anything, how was he supposed to find out. Then prachis words dawned to him. Her diary.

He quietly slipped her diary into his bag, when she was in the bathroom and set out for work, informing her, although it didn't make a difference to her.

Angad attended his queries for the day. He was free by two o clocks, so he sat in his office, had his lunch, then took out kripa's diary to see if he could get the answers to his questions, like he did once before. He opened the diary from the page from where he got married to kripa in India. He knew it was wrong of him to read all of her diary, but then again, the more he knew her, the more he would be able to understand her.

13/08/2005

Today, I got married to Angad, god he forced me. now he gave me the option of stopping the marriage, but I know he did this all on purpose, he knows I wouldn't be able to refuse, he knows how possessive I am for my parents and he used it. I cant believe it, he claims to love me, he claims he cares for me and what does he do, he went and used the most important thing in my life against me, is this what he calls love? Is love this selfish?

"No kripa, love isn't selfish, it never was, I really cared and still do, but you just don't seem to understand me" he spoke, grief clearly apparent in his eyes.

27/08/2005

I'm going to America tomorrow, I don't want to go, I'm going to miss my family, I'm going miss mom, dad, everyone. I was so close to staying back in my country, but he was too clever. I hate Angad even more for this, I hate him. It's because of him I have to leave my parents, my city, my country. Why couldn't he just leave, but then again he's a man, he's selfish; he'll never leave anything for me, huh, another example of love. If there is such an emotion such as love, then why is it that only the women sacrifices for there love and not the men? Its all bull shit, there is no such thing as love, it's just a word which leads you into the trap of being exploited by males.

Angad sighed "it's impossible to tell you anything. Love is true, but you won't understand, you have a reason for everything. No wonder you chose such a profession as law" he chuckled, which soon died out as he realized the amount of hatred she had developed within her heart for him.

17/09/2005

I can't believe this. How could neev do this? He got prachi pregnant, oh, that's why I hate men. Prachi still wants to be neev, I mean after all he's done, after he's partially disgraced her in society she still wants him. I don't understand her, she wants her fathers support and she wants neev as well. She knows her father will never allow neev to get married to her. Oh, well, it's her life; I can't really take her decisions can I. You know what, finally after two weeks of me complaining Angad had a small get-to-gather at home today. Aww, that was so sweet of him. I didn't just write he was sweet, right. Well, he is, but that doesn't change that he forced me into this marriage and I still hate him.

Angad smiled "at least she thought I was sweet, still my stubborn kripa, never accepting what she believes if it's in favour of man"

21/09/2005

Angad forced me today, he tried to force me. I thought maybe I'm misunderstanding Angad, maybe I'm wrong, maybe its me who's being selfish and not him, but he prove me wrong, he proved me wrong, he tried to force me today and he simply apologized and started his stupid explanation so I forgive him. It's not going to be easy. Infact I won't forgive him for this ever. How dare he even touch me? No one can touch me. How could he do this to me, just when I started to believe him, he shattered me.

His tears betrayed him and spilled out. He put the book on the desk, then pressed his hands to his face, trying to suppress his tears he hadn't let out for a long time. As tears trickled down his eyes, kissing his cheek, the memories of those three weeks came back. Those three weeks were one of the hardest weeks of his life. His tears represented his grief, sorrow. His pain. He buried his face in his arms, on the desk, crying his heart out.

He was interrupted by the buzzing of his intercom, quickly wiping his tears, he pressed the red button and the nurses voice buzzed through the intercom "Doctor Khanna, your patient in room number 364 needs your immediate attention"

"I'm coming" he left suppressing his distress to save another life.

Angad sighed, he saved the old women. She had no reason to live, she didn't wan to live, but he still saved her. It was his job to save lives, not take lives away, but he felt sorry for the lady, she'd lost her husband nineteen years ago, her sixteen year old daughter committed suicide after being continuously harassed seven years ago and three years ago her son died in an accident. She'd lost hope of life, but Angad being a doctor saved her life again.

He looked towards his desk, where kripa's diary lay. Just a while ago he was crying over his misery, his grief was so small in front of the old lady's sorrow. He was mourning over such a small thing. He could still make kripa believe him, still be with kripa, but the old lady couldn't, she'd have to wait for her death to be free of all her pain.

He picked her diary up and read further.

03/10/2005

Oh god, today I told Anjali about what Angad did to me and instead of soothing me, she gives Angad side. I can't believe this. She was supposed to be my friend, not Angad's, then why the hell is she supporting him. I hate him so much; he even took my best friend away from me. She's against me for that Angad, who tried to force me. She thinks it's my entire fault. How's it my fault, I'm not the one who forced him to do everything. It was him who forced me into this marriage, he's the one who brought me to America and now he's the one who tried to force me into, ughh, I'm disgusted. He's done black magic on Anjali, ok, I don't believe in superstitious things, but he's definitely done something to her.

Angad got angry and hit his fist onto the desk "damn it kripa, why didn't you understand, it was just a weak moment. Nothing more than that, I didn't have any bad intentions. Why are you so stubborn?"

Pushing his anger aside, he read on.

18/10/2005

I was wrong, I've always misunderstood Angad. He probably was weak in that moment, but I didn't understand. Why can't I just push my logic aside for once? Even before we got married, he offered to back out the marriage, but me, what did I do? I blamed him for that as well. I blamed him for all my mistakes. It was me who was being selfish, not him. He was just trying to make me happy, I'm bad, very bad, I don't deserve him. I'll go back tomorrow; I don't want him to suffer like this because of my mistakes.

"It wasnt your fault kripa, it was just fate, but what happened all of a sudden, why have you become so distant.

15/01/2006

How could he? I started to trust him, maybe I was even attracted towards him, but what did he give me in return, I can't believe Angad cheated on me. He's married. Even if he's not married to her, then why did he kiss her, I still remember his words before I left to go to California. He said he could get any girl he wanted and he did. He got that nandita. He cheated me behind my back. I miss mom and dad, I want to go back, but I have to wait. I know if I go back to Anjali, she's just going to disapprove and tell me I'm wrong again. But I'm not. He kissed that woman. I wouldn't believe that, but what about what I heard in the hospital, all the staff were gossiping about there close relationship, what am I supposed to believe. I made a mistake believing him; I won't make the same mistake again. Never.

Angad leaned back in his chair. His hand on his forehead "there's been a misunderstanding kripa. I haven't betrayed you and never would" he stood up, slipping the diary back into the brief case. He quickly informed the nurse he was leaving and left to talk to kripa. She hadn't talked to him because of a misunderstanding and he wouldn't let that happen.

Chapter Sixteen

Angad drove his car like a maniac. He opened the door with his keys to find silence. She must be at university, he thought. Taking off his coat, he leaned back on the sofa and thought, How can Kripa think I would ever cheat on her? She didn't even clear anything with me. Why can't she just let go of her ego and talk to me, rather than just predicting. God, this girl is so childish.

He decided to read the remaining diary. Taking out her diary, he continued reading the remaining, in hope that she still had a soft corner for him.

13/02/2006

God, Angad is getting on my nerves now. First he forced me into marriage, then he tries to force me, then he cheated on me and now he's just bothering me. Now this is totally not me, I really should have told him everything, questioned him, but I couldn't. I don't know, I'm scared. What if he's really married? I mean I don't even know if he's married or not, but I know he cheated on me. How could he, after all the proof I got at once. I know he will try to prove himself innocent if I tell him, but I don't want to be fooled again. I don't want my trust to break again. I started to respect him for his perfection, his tolerance and so much, but he destroyed it all. I can't punish my parents and his parents for his doings can I. He may not respect me or my parents, but I do. I love his parents. There like my parents. I still remember how his mother had consoled mean my arrival and then every weekend, when I go there, I'm so happy. It just makes me feel sorry for them, what did they do to have a son like Angad? Shame on him, he should have at least thought about his parents sentiments. I was still a stranger, but they were the ones who brought him to this world.

He was distracted by the sound of the door opening, followed with a gasp. Kripa stood in front of him furious. Her eyes narrowed her mouth slightly open and her nostrils flaring. She moved forward and snatched the diary from Angad's hands. "How dare you?" she growled "how dare you touch my diary? You have no right on me and my things. I thought you might have some shame left in you after what you did but no, you're the same, so shameless. Disgusting"

Pulling up the falling bag, she walked to the direction of the room, but was stopped by Angad's voice "we need to talk"

"There's nothing to talk about" she turned her face, showing her anger filled eyes, with the many capillaries speeding the process of blood circulation, making her eyes noticeably red. Her lips were quivering, with her nose going a shade of pink.

Angad got up, shouting "we need to talk and I mean it"

Equally angered, kripa shouted "and I don't want to talk, you cant force me to, the way you forced me into everything else"

Her tear brimmed eyes calmed him down, maybe he was speaking to harshly "listen kripa" he took her hand, gripping it tightly "we need to talk, its not just about you or me, its about us. Us kripa, what happened to us, we were so happy, but all of a sudden you decided to be back to your old self"

"Angad, your hurting me" she spoke as he squeezed her hand in between his "and I told you, I don't want to hear anything, no talking, no commands, no explanations, nothing"

"See, your being stubborn again, your being your old self" he loosened his grip, but still held her hand "Why kripa, why?"

"First of all Angad, if you loved me, you'd never want me to change, your supposed to accept a person the way they are, not make them the way you like them" then giving him a stern look, she said "and I'm sure you know the reason after reading my diary, I should have known. Now let go of me, I don't want to talk to you"

His hands left her hand to grip her arms "Why, because you know your wrong?" he questioned with evident anger.

"I know I'm right, after all the proof I got, I don't have a reason to be wrong" She gritted her teeth, using her hand, trying to release his grasp on her arms "leave me".

"No, not until you listen to me"

"You tell me, I'm stubborn, huh. You prove me right every time. You said not all men are selfish, your not selfish, but for your own selfish reasons your commanding me"

"Its need, your being stubborn, not listening to me. What am I supposed to do? Tell me an alternative" silence took over for a few minutes "you don't have one do you, neither do I. Now just listen to me, for which I have two options, you either listen to me, talk to me calmly or I'll have to force you"

"Yea, go ahead, force me again" she spoke in tears "that's all you've ever done, forced me"

"Look kripa, if you had ever done anything without me having no other option but forcing you, then I would never compel you" His hands slid down to hers, dragging her to the sofa "ok, now lets talk properly" he held her hand down to the leather of the brown right cornered sofa "you think I have an affair with nandita and basically I want to know exactly what made you think I could cheat on you"

"Correction, I know you have an affair with nandita and you don't need to know what proof I found" she responded mulishly.

Angad sighed "your starting again, cooperate, we might just get somewhere and how can you be so sure I have an affair. If I had an affair with nandita, I would never force you into marriage in the first place"

"Exactly, why did you force me, if you loved nandita?" she questioned angry

"I haven't got an affair with her, now tell me, how am I am I supposed to prove that?"

"Oh, stop lying, I know you have an affair, if not then what were you doing in the hospital that day with her, hugging her, kissing her" she snatched her hand away with all her power "What was all that I heard from the hospital staff?" she stood up, tears burning her eyes "Why was her name written as Mrs Nandita A Khanna?" she walked a distance and then turned around "What was all the stuff I heard from your class mates, when I enquired about your relationship?" She pressed her hands to her face "find the answer to my questions, then prove yourself" and she left to their room, locking it.

Angad dropped onto the brown leather. She didn't let him speak again. She didn't let him clear himself. She never did. Would she ever give him a chance? First he had to go and find proof and what was all that. Did A Khanna always mean Angad Khanna? Why couldn't she think like that? Why couldn't her brain process anything but a chance to prove him wrong?

Angad was cut out of his thoughts, with a hand on his shoulder. It was neev. "Angad, your parents are here with kripa's parents" he conveyed.

Angad looked down with shame and guilt falling all over again. His parents were absolutely ashamed of him. If they had a choice, they would abandon him, but parents are parents, they couldn't punish him to that extent. Kripa's parents had cursed him at the start. They had found him guilty and her father still did. He didn't want Angad anywhere near his daughter but Angad wouldn't move. He would stay by her side all the time. Whereas Kripa's mother, she blamed him, cursed him, but soon realized kripa's fault. Anjali and prachi had conveyed what had happened over the past years to her mother. She was a little shocked at first but believed; after all she had a hint of kripa's beliefs before she left for her in laws.

As they entered the room, Angad stood up, his hands sweating profusely. He rounded the bed and sat on the other side of kripa, his head bowed, whilst his hand held onto hers.

Kripa felt the wetness of his hands. He always reminded her of something or the other. Going back to her memories, she thought of the time after her argument with Angad.

Kripa leaned against the door. Her eyes closed, with tears spilling out of her tear glands. Why was she crying again? Hadn't she promised herself two months ago, she wouldn't cry for such a person? Then why? Why was she crying for him? For the person, who gave her nothing but tears? The few moments of laughter were fake. He was fake. He had disguised himself so she would believe him and then he would use her. Is that all he wanted? She thought.

Wiping her tears, she pulled her mobile out to call prachi. Anjali didn't believe her last time. She had misled her, sending her in Angad's trap. She didn't want that to happen again. She had to talk to someone. It had been two months she had kept it within herself and now she had to talk to someone. The only person she could think of was prachi.

After calling her for the third time, she picked the phone up "hello"

"Hello, prachi, I need to talk to you" her voice started to crack again.

"Kripa, are you alright?" she questioned, worried.

"Yea, um, I'm coming down in a few minutes"

"No, you stay, I'll come. You don't seem too good"

"Prachi, please, you're pregnant, I don't want you running around because of me"

"Oh kripa, come on, neev was going to come anyways, so I'll tag along and then we'll talk" she explained.

"You sure"

"Hundred percent, now stop worrying, I'll be there in a few minutes" and she hung up.

Minute's later kripa heard the doorbell ring. She quietly opened her bedroom door, peeping out, in search of prachi. Angad and neev stood at the door, with a fat, well, not exactly fat, but pregnant prachi at the door. Prachi walked towards kripa's bedroom, whilst Angad and neev walked to the living room.

Kripa helped prachi sit on the bed comfortably, with pillows behind her back, then took a seat besides her. "I'm sorry prachi, I shouldn't have called, I didn't realize that I was going to spill everything in front of you, especially when your pregnant, I don't want you to be upset in anyway, but I couldn't help it, I was in need, I had to talk to someone" she said letting the tears slide down her cheeks.

"Kripa" prachi embraced her, consoling her "what's wrong, tell me"

"Angad cheated on me" She stated between sobs.

"What, but, I mean, who, where, ughh, who is it?"

"Nandita Khanna"

"But kripa, she's an old friend of his, you're probably misunderstanding"

"I'm not and I know it, why doesn't anyone believe me. I thought I would tell Anjali, but she supported Angad last time, she didn't side with me, her best friend, everyone gives his side. I can't tell our parents because I know they will be hurt. He doesn't care about them but I do" Kripa took prachis hands in hers "Everyone blames me, everyone thinks I'm wrong, no one looks at what Angad did, first he forced me into marrying him. He knew I wasn't happy, you knew that too prachi. I thought I could escape at that time but I couldn't, I wish could have" releasing prachis hands, she pressed them to her face "then after our marriage, just when I thought, maybe I was being dim-witted and he was right, he proved me wrong. He tried to force me into a physical relationship"

"Wait, when did this happen" prachi interrupted

"On the evening of your wedding" she sobbed

"Oh, I'm so sorry, but are you sure?" She asked taking kripa into her arms.

"Why would I lie about such a thing prachi, he tried to force me into a relationship I didn't want, if he could do that then he can do anything. I don't believe him, I never will, I can't. I'm not a fool, its not the first time he broke my trust, it's the second time and it's unbearable, I was almost attracted towards him, but he finished it, its over, totally over". She cried in Prachi's arms, letting out all the emotions through her tears. Oh, how light she felt after talking to prachi, much light headed.

Kripa's father looked at Angad with bitterness. It was only due to his wife Angad was alive today. If it weren't for her, he would have killed Angad long ago, but his wife didn't let him. She thought Angad was correct in his own perspective, although he blamed himself. How could she think like that? Vivek thought, she was kripa's mother. She gave birth to kripa and she still sided with Angad.

"Angad how is kripa now? We found out she showed some kind of movement from prachi" kripa's mother asked, anxiously.

"She's fine mom, hopefully she'll be stable and awake in a few hours" he reassured, unsure himself.

"Once she's discharged, she's going home with us" Her father announced sternly.

"But, dad—"he was interrupted

"Don't you dare call me dad; I have no relationship with the man who hurt my daughter so much. I'm only tolerating you because you have legal rights on her right now, once she's awake, I'll make sure she's free"

"Please don't punish me to this extent, I know and I admit I was wrong, but I can't lose her, I'll die without her" Angad pleaded with his hands folded.

Vivek took a last look at his daughter, then at Angad and left the room, his wife followed behind to argue, leaving behind Angad's parents.

They looked ashamed seeing him. Although he was there only offspring, there own blood, they were upset with him, disappointed. The son they were once conceited of, who once made them proud of the fact that they were his parents, now did nothing but make them feel so low, so ashamed. They were humiliated by Kripa's father continuously, his eyes, his talks, his face, everything complained about the way there son, his best friends son had treated his beloved daughter.

Angad's parents looked at him, ashamed. There eyes followed to his hand, where he held Kripa's hand ever so possessively. They could see the love clearly in his eyes, then why, why did he do that one thing? Why did he force her, when she was in decline?

"You have no right on her Angad, you lost your right the day you—"his father trailed off choking on his tears. "Come on saamia, lets go, I don't want to see him, I'm only seeing him because of Kripa" and he left through the door.

Angad looked pleadingly at his mother, whilst tears gleamed in her eyes "You should have thought about it before Angad, it's too late" and she left like the others, leaving him drowned in his memories.

"Hmm, you know, you should have told kripa about nandita the day you met her in the hospital" neev advised

"I know neev, but the day I met her, I didn't know kripa saw something which isn't even true and the stupid staff, huh, all they do is gossip?"

Neev sighed "your problems serious, did you tell kripa that Nandita's married?"

"no, she doesn't want to listen to me, she doesn't talk to me, What the hell am I supposed to do?" Angad dropped onto the sofa "She's drifting away neev; I can't let that happen, not now at least, after we've been married for almost half a year, after being so close to gaining her trust, her love, I cant let her go"

"Hmm" neev put his hand on Angad's shoulder "Has kripa told anyone about this?"

"I don't know, normally she tells Anjali, but she didn't this time, since Anjali supported me last time"

"Phone Anjali, maybe she can help us" neev suggested

"But—"

"Trust me Angad; I won't do anything for your bad"

Angad sat besides neev on the sofa. Dialling Anjali's number, he waited for her to respond, after three bells, she picked it up "hello kripa, what the hell is this, you haven't talked to me for the past two months, you totally forgot me—"

She was cut off by Angad's deep voice "Anjali, its me, Angad"

"Oh, umm, what a surprise, how's kripa?"

"Not so fine, I need your help"

"Help, from me" she asked curiously" and what happened to kripa?"

Angad told Anjali the incidents chronologically, explaining kripa's misunderstandings, her misconceptions and how she wasn't listening to a word of his. "I want you to phone her and explain to her, she always listens to you, please talk to her"

"Hmm, she's still stubborn, god, when will she grow up, ok Angad, I'll talk to her" they talked a little longer and then held up.

Angad turned towards neev "what am I meant to do now, just wait for her to talk to Anjali, I mean what if she doesn't listen, it took her almost a month last time"

"You are going to call Aryan home and clear kripa's misunderstanding" neev simply replied "answer all her questions, after all you are innocent, aren't you?" he asked with a glint of mischief, getting a playful punch in return.

Soon neev and prachi left leaving Angad and kripa alone. Seeing the door open Angad went in to talk to her again. "Kripa, we need to talk, come on" he sat on the bed beside her.

She stood up, but was pulled back "Angad, I told you earlier, there is nothing left to talk about, I don't want you interfering in my life, so just leave me alone"

"Why are you so damn stubborn kripa?" he asked

"I am not stubborn, its you who isn't trustworthy, you don't deserve my trust, actually, you don't deserve anyone's trust, you don't even deserve to be human" she brawled

Angad's anger started to rise again "And what are you kripa, tell me, have you even got a heart in there" he pointed to her chest "what are made of. A person explains once or maybe twice, more than twice is just a nuisance; you have to learn how to respect others for what they are"

"I'm sorry Angad, but I can't respect a person who doesn't respect me, my values, my decisions, my choice, everything. If you think I should respect you then you are very wrong Khanna, I don't want to respect someone, who goes around cheating on people, who uses people"

"What is your god damn problem, when I was nice to you and explained everything so kindly, you had a problem then and now when I'm telling you roughly, explaining to you, you still have a problem. Tell me, how do I satisfy you, How do I make you believe me?"

"Stay away from my life" and she stood up, grabbing her coat and purse and walked out into the breezy air of February.

Faiza

Chapter Seventeen

Almost three week later Angad lay, sunken in the brown leather, his hands on his head. God, his wife was impossible, he thought, as the incident of four days before came rushing into his mind.

Four days ago, Angad had bought Aryan home, to prove his innocence. He had already told Aryan the misunderstanding and he was ready to help.

As they entered, he found Kripa busy on the laptop, researching. "Umm, Kripa, someone's—"

He was cut off "listen Angad, I told you before and I'm telling you again, I do not want to talk to you, Mind your own business and keep away"

"But Kripa—"

"Can't you hear damn it, I said I don't want to hear your voice, now you may leave!" she retorted.

"Will you listen to me or not?" he simply asked

"No" is all he heard

After a few moments of silence, he spoke again "I don't care if you want to listen or not, but I'm just going to tell you" she was just about to interrupt, but he continued "someone's come to meet you"

"Oh, umm, I'll be out in a minute" she replied dumbfounded.

Angad silently chuckled and left to host Aryan. After a few minutes Kripa came out to see the unknown guest. "Umm hi, but I don't know you" she spoke unsure, confused.

"I know" Aryan replied "but I know you very well, I'm Aryan, Aryan Khanna" he held his hand out to greet. She kept a firm grip on her hand, leaving Aryan astounded by her attitude; he looked towards Angad, completely sympathized "oh, um" he took his hand back.

"What do I do if you're Aryan Khanna? She said, eyebrows raised.

Aryan cleared his throat, suddenly nervous, facing so much rudeness at once "Um, yes, I'm Nandita Khanna's husband"

Kripa stood in front of him shocked at first, but slowly her slightly aloof lips transformed into a smirk, her almost tearful eyes, looked at him with a glint of anger. "What else did Angad tell you to say?" she questioned

"Huh" Aryan looked confused, why wouldn't he be with so many unexpected encounters at once. "What do you mean? All Angad told me was that you were misunderstanding my wife to be having an affair with him"

"There you go" she pointed out "he told you that it was a misunderstanding. Did he forget to add it's the truth?" she retorted.

"Kripa, what the hell—"

Angad was cut off "I don't want to hear anything Angad, I told you before, I'm only here for the sake of our parents, I didn't want to marry you in the first place and then you just made it worse by betraying me"

"Exactly kripa, you didn't want to marry me, that's why you're blaming all this false stuff on me" he blurted

"Don't try to justify yourself Angad, your wrong that's why you need all these proofs"

"Proof kripa, proof. Choosing the field of a law has made you want proof. You're not being yourself, your being a lawyer, asking for proof and then finding the possibilities of it being wrong"

"I am not, your just saying that so that—"

They were interrupted by Aryan, who was horrified watching the scene "Listen kripa, basically, I've come here to clear your misunderstanding—"

"There is no misunderstanding "she growled.

"Mrs Khanna—"

"I'm kripa, not Mrs Khanna"

"Sorry" he said; his hands in the air "sorry, kripa. I've got proof that I'm married to nandita"

"What proof?" she questioned.

He opened his briefcase, taking out a few pictures, he handed them to kripa "these are our wedding photographs" he informed.

Kripa smirked again "easy, it's very easy to get such pictures made today"

Puzzled, Aryan took the pictures back, then took out his marriage certificate "You can't deny this"

"Of course I can" She replied "It's become common to get forged legal documents, it proves nothing"

"Oh man" Aryan turned towards Angad "Your wife is impossible, she has an answer for everything" he turned back towards kripa "What do you expect, me to go and call all those who attended my wedding to prove Angad's innocence"

"You shouldn't have got involved in the first place" she snapped, letting her anger release, verbally "and besides, even if you are married to this so-called Nandita Khanna, what's the guarantee she isn't cheating behind your back? Huh, tell me. You're all nerdy and it's very rare for people to stay so long with nerds. If not today, then tomorrow she will cheat on you. Understand". Aryan looked at her insulted and flabbergasted "Now you may go" she said with her arms folded across her chest.

Aryan turned towards Angad "I better leave; it wasn't a good idea to come here in the first place" he glanced at kripa and left.

Angad looked back at kripa "what is your problem?" he screamed.

"My problem is you Khanna, I told you before, don't interfere with my life, you have no right to give me an explanation for something that isn't of my concern" she sighed "listen, its simple, your not going to get another chance, I'm not going to trust you because I know I'll just be making another mistake" and she walked off, leaving Angad angry As ever.

"What was that vivek? How can you even think about getting kripa divorced?" Swati questioned her aggravated husband.

"Swati its better you don't talk to me about it. I don't know how you could believe Angad, the person who destroyed your daughter's life"

"How many times do I have to explain, it wasn't entirely his fault, what kripa did was wrong as well"

"Ok, maybe kripa was wrong, maybe she shouldn't have done all that she did with Angad but then it doesn't mean he could go and hurt her. He hurt my daughter Swati, my blood, my only offspring. How else do you expect me to react? Do you expect me to go to him and say that oh, I'm so proud of you?"

"What he did was wrong, I admit, but try to understand him. Tell me, if I were in kripa's place and I did all this with you, then what would you do?"

"I'd take a wise decision; I wouldn't go to an extent of an animal" he exclaimed

"That's what you say now vivek. If you were in his position you would be different" and she walked through the doors to kripa's room.

Meanwhile kripa was lost in the depths of her memories, remembering those moments when the problems could have come to an end, but she didn't give it a chance.

"Listen anju, I'm not giving him another chance, last time I believed him because you convinced me. But what happened? He broke my trust again. I'm not some kind of toy that you play with it and then throw it away"

"Kripa, kripa, listen to me. Why are you taking everything so wrong?"

"I'm not, its you. You listened to what Angad said, you don't trust me, but you trust him."

"Its not that kripa, you're taking the whole thing somewhere else, where did I come from in all this. Its all about you trusting Angad, you've made his life worse than hell, I mean, he hasn't even done anything and your—"

"Listen Anjali, if your going to support him then all I can say is you've changed. Angad didn't only break my trust but he's the cause of making me lose my best friend. Goodbye Anjali"

"But kripa—" and the phone cut when kripa ended the call.

"Goodbye Anjali" she whispered once again, with tears trickling down her rosy cheeks.

That evening when Angad came home, he found kripa sunken in her cushions, her head down, sobbing loudly. Immediately he rushed to her side, taking her into his arms. She pushed him away "Don't touch me, I hate you, I hate you so much Khanna" she screamed moving to the other side of the bed.

Angad looked at her with hurt in his eyes "Why kripa, why don't you ever understand me?"

"Why should I understand you? Why? I know your simply going to take advantage"

"Again, your misunderstanding my love, my friendship, everything, I was just trying to console but you always misinterpret the situation" he retorted, his anger rising to its peaks

"Shut up, just shut up, all you've ever done to me is given me tears, you took everything away from me. Today because of you I lost my best friend, the friend I've had since childhood, Anjali"

"Huh, but--"

"No, no, I don't want an excuse" she pushed her hair back "She misunderstood me again today. She thought I was wrong. She didn't think once about the truth, she believed you, all your lies, I hate you, I hate you" she screamed.

"What is it with you. I'm not god that I'm meant to be cool all the time. I'm human kripa and I'm loosing my patience. You blame me for everything" he moved closer to her on the bed whilst she leaned back to keep the distance "You've always blamed me. Have you ever thought what goes through me. How I feel when you just blame me for all your tears" he barked, moving closer.

Kripa backed away, finally standing up to leave, scared, but Angad took her hand "Angad please, leave me alone, cool your anger down then we'll talk" she spoke struggling to release her wrist

"Really? And how much of that is the truth? You always say the same thing to avoid talking to me, you always run from clearing the misunderstanding" he pulled her towards him, then surrounded his arms around her arms, putting an end to her attempt to escape.

"Angad, Angad, please, your not thinking properly, leave me" she squirmed.

"I don't want to listen to you kripa" he squeezed her in his arms "every time I listen, what happens? You blame me at the end, every time damn it, not once but every time"

"Angad, please, your hurting me, your giving me another reason to hate you" she exclaimed with immense pain.

"I'm hurting you, kripa, I'm hurting you" he shouted, taking her by her arms, shaking her vigorously "And what about me, huh, tell me, how much have you hurt me? how much pain have you caused me?"

"It's all your fault, I told you from the start to stay out of my life, but no, you were to determined to come in my life, ruin my dreams, ruin everything"

Angad pushed her on the soft fluffy cushions, leaning into her "Yes kripa, according to you I ruined your life" he slammed his fist on her side, with his other hand on the bed's headboard "according to you, I'm a villain. If you hated me that much then why didn't you refuse when I offered, huh, tell me" he slammed his hand again, this time harder "Tell me damn it"

"You did it all on purpose Angad, all of it. You asked me when you knew I couldn't refuse and now you've made that time a point against me" she growled, tears streaming down her face.

"Again your misunderstanding me? You never give me a chance, you've never gave me a chance. You've never let me clear myself. Prove that I am capable of you, that I'm the man you've been looking for. But then" he caught her arms in his hands, pinning her down; on the bed "you hated men. For that hatred you destroyed your life, you corrupted your own mind and today nandita is suffering because of you, her husband who gave her freedom, love, compassion, now keeps limits to her liberty. Deep down he still loves her but because of your stupid act he acts all cold with her. You've not only ruined your life but put other people's life at stake and you call me heartless, you call me selfish" he bawled tightening his grip.

"She deserved it, she was cheating her husband the same way you cheated me"

Angad leaned his body weight on kripa, pulling her shirt off her creamy shoulder, she shrieked, fright taking over her courage "You know what your problem is? Your problem is that you've never let a man near you. Your problem is you've never known a man properly. Your problem is that you've always wanted to see man's callous side" he growled, biting into her shoulder, causing her to yelp with pain.

"Angad, leave me, please" she pleaded

"No kripa, not today, last time was a mistake but this time I'll show you what a man can do if you force them to become an animal" he ripped her sleeves, tearing the material away from her skin "now you'll know what helplessness is, what pain is" he forced his face in the curve of her neck, as she cried in misery.

"Angad, let go, Angad, Angad no" kripa screamed in agony as Angad released her body from the boundary of garments, exposing her "Angad you can't do this to me, please" she exclaimed, whilst his lips bruised her soft, tender skin.

"I can and I will" he growled as his face bellowed to her round curves, his hands holding her fists" its time you learn to respect a man. "He pressed his lips to her belly button "I tried to teach you without being violent but it seems you understand violence" his tongue swirled around her naval area.

Angad unzipped his black jeans, whilst he parted his button up shirt from his muscular chest. Kripa gasped at the sight, he wasn't going to leave her today. He would possess her, do what she never wanted, free her of her virginity, her only wealth.

With all her strength she pushed his body off hers, holding the blanket against her bareness. She scuttled to the bathroom, but fate wasn't with her. Angad grabbed her upper arm, digging his finger into her skin. He pulled her against his bare body, furious for her attempt to escape.

She cried as he pulled her hair back "I wont let you escape today kripa, not today" he whispered. In seconds his lips touched her throat, torturing her again. He dropped her onto the bed, dropping on top, blocking her escape, as he tormented her with his rough lustful kisses, expressing his anger, whilst she struggled, crying out for help.

He caught her hands in his, letting his lips linger anywhere. Oh, how venerable kripa felt at that moment. She felt helpless, screaming, shouting, calling for help, but there was no one there. No one could save her, no one could help her.

Then the moment came, when she physically belonged to Angad. No man had touched her, no man had ever disrespected her virginity, but Angad did. He molested her, his own wife, the women he claimed to love. She screamed out in pain as they united in painful union, but physically. She didn't know if it ever would become emotional.

After that moment, she stilled. She was raped, her virginity, her wealth was snatched away from her brutally. She felt torn apart. Her self respect, self esteem everything shattered as she closed her eyes letting Angad play with her further, tears streaming from her eyes.

Kripa's breathe became uneven. She breathed harder, gasping for air, as her eyes opened from her long term sleep.

Whilst, Angad was still lost in those horrible memories, when he had molested his wife. He couldn't and wouldn't ever forgive himself for his mistake.

Hours after the incident, he opened his eyes, breaking his sleep, as the sunshine bothered his eyes. His head ached badly, if only he hadn't drank the wine Juan had offered him at his house. The previous afternoon Angad visited Juan to check up on his health. He hadn't been coming for a few days, he was on sick leave. When he visited he found Juan absolutely fine, well, doctors could only make excuses for a leave. They had dinner together, then shared a few glasses of wine mixed with rum.

He shivered at the feel of the cold breeze, realizing his nakedness. Confused he looked to his side, where kripa sat crouched against the wall, tears falling from her eyes, covering her bare body with the large blanket. Immediately the nights incidents dawned to him, realizing his momentous mistake.

He pulled the bed sheet off the bed, wrapping it around his waist to knee length. He moved forward, his eyes downcast with regret. He silently sat down beside kripa, who pulled her knees closer to her chest, her hands tightened around hers, moving away slightly, wanting to keep distance.

Angad touched her shoulder, but she pushed it away, weeping at the loss of her virginity. Angad sat besides her watching her weep continuously. It hurt him, it hurt a lot. He had brought tears to her eyes and it wasn't the first time, but his time his mistake was real, this time he was at fault and his mistake was unforgivable.

Not being able to watch her cry anymore, he took her into his arms. At first she struggled, fidgeted but soon cried her heart out punching his exposed chest with her small fists, whilst he continuously whispered "I'm sorry kripa"

A week had gone by. Kripa became silent, living like a statue. She ate very little, living her life because she had to. Angad stayed home for the first four days, consoling her, making sure she kept her appetite right; shedding tears himself, guilty for his mistake.

He didn't want to bother neev and prachi, since prachi delivered a healthy baby boy two and a half weeks ago. She was still weak from labour and she needed attention to recover her pregnancy. They had named the baby Arun. The name meant the sun, which they believed was auspicious since the sun brought light to the world, in the same way they wanted Arun to bring light in there lives.

Angad could no longer avoid going to work with the dean's several warnings; therefore on the fifth day he had gone to work leaving kripa alone to shed tears in the silence of the house.

On the evening of the seventh day, when Angad returned home, he found the apartment covered with a veil of deadly silence. Putting his bag down, Angad went to his room to find kripa, but she wasn't there. He checked the bathroom, there was till no sign. Worried, he tossed the whole apartment but she was missing. Where could she have gone? He thought, his hands on his head, as he helplessly sat there.

Minutes later he received a phone call "hello kripa" he spoke worriedly, seeing her name flash on the screen.

Instead he heard a man "Hello sir, this is Officer Barry speaking, um actually there's been an accident at west end avenue, we found your number on the top in the victims phone"

"Victim, accident" Angad sat there horrified as he uttered the words "How is she, is she alright, where is she?"

"She's been sent to New York-Presbyterian; may I know who you are?" he questioned.

"I'm—I'm her husband, I'm on my way" and he disconnected the phone, grabbing his coat, heading for the hospital.

Hours later Angad stood in front of the ICU in tears as he heard the horrific state of his wife. She had fallen into a deep coma, with leg and head injuries, her skull had been fractured, whilst her leg bone was simply cracked with the car accident. She had many cuts and bruises on her body, causing loss of blood, but that wasn't a major issue. The doctors believed her fractured skull and depressed state had caused her slip into a coma, letting her rest for days, months or maybe years.

As the tears slipped down Angad's cheek, he realized kripa breathing heavily in front of him. He immediately called for a doctor unable to think of anything else. "Doctor, doctor, nurse" he shouted across the corridor.

"Doctor Khanna you're not supposed to shout like this in a hospital, there are rules"

"To damn with the rules, something's wrong with kripa, she can't breathe" he informed.

The doctor attended immediately, whilst Angad waited outside, depressed, stressed and worried, with tears staining his face. His heart was in havoc, impatient to know kripa's position.

Faiza

Chapter Eighteen

Kripa's mother came rushing to Angad "Angad, what happened? Is she alright?" she questioned in misery.

"I don't know mom" is voice cracked "she started to breathe heavily and—and, mom I don't want to loose her"

"Loose her or the baby" Kripa's father stated sternly

Angad's tear clad eyes looked at his father in law. His eyes lowered in shame. Although he knew it wasn't his entire fault, he didn't ever admit it. He always blamed himself for kripa's state. If it were not for him, she would never be here. 'It was all his fault' his mind screamed 'all his fault'. His heart retaliated 'Stop blaming yourself Angad, it wasn't you, it wasn't her. It was circumstances' 'Circumstances do not force a man to become an animal' the mind fought back. 'It was momentarily. Every person has a animal hidden in them; it just comes out in different forms. After all, we are basically animals' the heart answered. 'Human has been given more understanding, more knowledge, more sensibility as a gift from god, there is no explanation. He was wrong and is wrong for what he did. Kripa only reacted the way she always did. But what happened to you Angad? Why did you loose control?' Angad's inner battle was interrupted when he heard Juan call him.

"Angad"

"Juan How is she?" he asked eagerly

"Well, congratulations, she's finally out of coma. She is one of the few people that have survived a coma"

Angad's face lit up with delight. She was finally out of coma; finally she wasn't struggling for her life, finally. Then reality dawned to him. He would have to face her now. What would he say to her? He was so guilty, how could he face her? Would she even stay with him anymore? No, she wouldn't, and this time he was not going to force her. He would let her decide herself. But what about there baby? He thought, but then again he deserved to be punished. He wasn't legally punished, due to his parents, but he was prepared to be emotionally punished. He was at fault.

"Can we see her?" he heard kripa's father

"Not now, she needs a little time for recovery. Maybe after an hour or so I shall allow you. For now, I advise the nurse to be with her" Juan touched her father's shoulder "I hope you understand Mr Sharma. She's been through a critical phase of her life"

Kripa's father nodded in response, holding back his tears.

"Angad, you had to face her one day, come on, don't give up now" neev consoled.

They sat in Dr Juan's cabin. Juan knew what happened to an extent, but there was no clear proof of Angad raping kripa, since she was taken to the hospital a week later, when she had an accident. The tests didn't show a clear response; therefore no action was taken against Angad. Angad had practically begged and confessed his crime but without proof nothing could be done.

"Neev, I can't"

"You can Angad. You've been strong enough these past nine months. Don't lose your strength now, it's not time now, be strong and prepared"

"Yes Angad, don't loose hope now, as this world relies on hope" prachi added

Angad gave them a half smile, but he was scared, scared of the outcome. How would he live if she refused to be with him. He sighed and left his fate in the hands of god.

"Kripa" her mother embraced her carefully. She was still weak and would use quite a few weeks to recover properly.

"Mom" she said, her speech a little slurred, her throat absolutely dry

"I'm here, don't worry"

"Mom, my child" she said, touching her abdomen, tears shining in her eyes

Her mother was angry with kripa for her intolerant behaviour, but motherhood took over. She would talk to kripa about this later; right now she was too weak to handle it. "Yes kripa, he's fine" she took her in her arms, letting her tears soak her.

"Kripa, I promise I won't let Angad hurt you again, I won't let him touch you" her father intervened "He was only here until now because of your marriage but I'll make sure he doesn't have that as well"

Kripa trembled hearing Angad's name. Her mother looked down at her daughter. She was fear clad, but the thought of divorce made her uneasy for some reason. She had realized to an extent how unfair she had been towards Angad. She still remembered how he took her in his arms after that horrendous night. How he had consoled her, but then again, his violent actions the night before couldn't be forgotten.

Angad was a silent spectator. He watched kripa and her family unite, as he crumbled. Her silence told him her decision. His heart shattered, with the remaining hoe. H knew this was coming soon. This time he would let things be her way. He wouldn't interfere in her decision. No matter how hurt he was.

He sat outside her room as tears fell from his eyes. He pressed his face, trying to suppress the tears. He was on the verge of a breakdown when he felt a hand on his stubbed cheek. He looked up and found kripa's mother looking down at him. "Mom" he whispered

She took him into her arms, letting him cry his heart out holding her waist. She knew what he had gone through these months. His parent's had left his side, he had no one but her and his friends. He had parted from himself. He still blamed himself and craved for his mothers arms, for the comfort but he was all alone.

Swati sympathized with the lonely soul. He wasn't the only one at fault but only he was left alone. She was so glad he had his friend there to support him. He would have done something he didn't deserve if they were not here to support him.

From a distance, Angad's mother watched her son weep in misery. Oh how she wished she could take him into her arms, console him, soothe him, the way she did when he cried in his childhood, but her husbands firm grip on her hand stopped her.

Neev held saamia's other hand; he looked at her with pleading eyes. His friend was so lonesome, so quiet. He missed the Angad that helped him in time of need. He missed the Angad that was always active, but today he was nothing but miserable.

Seeing neev's earnest eyes towards his wife, rajveer immediately warned "saamia you won't go"

Saamia lowered her eyes. She longed to hold her son but her duty towards her husband became a barrier. "Aunty is Angad's mistake so big that you'll let him cry like that all his life". She looked at neev, her eyes screaming, telling him how shattered she was. "If you love him that much then why are you punishing him? Hasn't he been punished enough?" he questioned and left to console his best friend, whilst she looked at him, her heart swelling from emotions.

In the meantime prachi sat with kripa "How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. My head is heavy and it feels horrible that I can't move around without help" kripa said

"Kripa, it's momentarily pain, you'll be fine"

"It's not temporarily anymore prachi. It never will be"

Prachi sighed "kripa, I don't think we should talk about this right now"

"Why is everyone avoiding it?" she spoke, agitated.

"Kripa, even if we told you, you wouldn't believe us and I think only Angad has the right to talk about it right now. We've seen how much he's gone through. You never will have an idea kripa, never" she whispered and immediately left.

Kripa lay back lost in her thoughts. She knew she was wrong. She saw her mother's eyes complaining. Prachi complained as well. What made her restless was why Angad hadn't come to see her? Why was she so concerned about Angad?

"Kripa" she heard, coming out of her thoughts.

In front of her stood Anjali. Her eyes were lowered and she seemed distant. "Anjali" she whispered

"How are you? I know I've probably lost the right to ask you but I'm still asking you"

"Anjali, I dint mean—"

"It's alright kripa. I've accepted your decision and I still believe what I did then" she said firmly

Kripa lowered her eyes in shame. The guilt was swimming within her somewhere. It made her realize how wrong she was? "I'm sorry" she whispered "I didn't give you a chance?"

"Why?" Anjali questioned "why didn't you give me a chance? Why didn't you give yourself a chance? Why didn't you give Angad a chance?"

"I couldn't" she whispered "I couldn't, I wasn't ready to listen to anyone then"

"That's why you ended up like this kripa" she sighed "I've just come to see you, maybe the last time. You broke our friendship ties "

"Anjali, please" kripa pleaded, in tears.

"I said the same to you kripa when you broke our friendship. How could you even think that I would deliberately try to harm you" she retorted, tears chocking her voice.

"I was wrong, I know I was wrong, but it was too late. He made another mistake. He—he raped me"

"I know kripa. I know. Everyone blamed him, infact many still do. He was ready for every punishment but why am I Telling you. It wont affect you" Anjali stood up.

"Anjali, what he did was wrong as well"

"I know, I'm not justifying his mistakes, but neither am I going to justify your mistakes. You were wrong to him, all along"

"I wasn't Anjali; I told you what he did to me. He had forced me on every turn of my life instead of supporting me"

"Again kripa, you're looking at his mistakes. Have you ever thought how tolerant he was? How much he went through because you were to stubborn" she sighed "At one point in my life I believed what you believe, but as I went through life, I discovered not everyone is necessarily the way you think, not everyone is what you say they are"

"I'm sorry Anjali, I'm sorry. Cant we sort out our differences"

"I'm not as cold hearted as you kripa. I'm ready to sort our the differences, but I still advise you, think about Angad before taking any decision. He wasn't the only one at fault" and she embraced kripa, assuring her of there friendship. Both friends cherished the moment, as they united again.

A week had gone by. Kripa's mother sat by kripa, feeding her, when kripa asked? "Mom, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, go ahead"

"Was I unfair to Angad?"

"Before I answer you, tell me will you listen to what I say?"

"Of course I will mom"

"Then yes, you were unfair. Right know you might be thinking why am I, your mother giving his side, but kripa, I've seen him pain, I've seen him in agony" she sighed "you know, if he wanted he would have never told us about you. He could have kept it a secret but he told us, truthfully. He even justified you for your mistakes. He didn't allow us to think of you to be wrong. But he forgot I am a mother and I knew what you were like"

"Mom, did he tell you what ever did to me?" Did he ever mention how he forced me into things, How he betrayed me?" she said in tears

She smiled "He told us everything kripa, everything? He told us from the very start, what happened. Do you remember when you leaving for America, you expressed your anger for men then?"

Kripa looked down, Deep down in her heart; she knew her mother told the truth. "Yeah, I was angry that day. He was the reason I was going so far from you"

"It's tradition kripa. Every girl has to go one day. You never understood"

"I did mom, but these traditions, all these were made by men, as they dimidiated in the olden days. It's always been the way men want"

"Answer my question kripa; do you hate your dad?"

"No mom" she looked up "of course not. Yes, sometimes I was angry at him for dominating you, but I never hated him"

"Then why are all other men categorized in this? Why is Angad part of this hatred?"

"Mom, you're giving his side"

"I asked you before kripa. Will you listen to me? You said you would and now I'm telling you"

"Mom, Dad's different. He brought me in to this world. He's my father, I don't know"

"Really, you don't know kripa. You've punished Angad all along because he was a man, but you never punished your father"

"Mom, there's a difference in between a father and a husband?"

"There is" she looked at kripa, placed the bowl on the table and took kripa's hands "Your father is the one who brings you into this world, who is by your side when you grow up. Your husband is the one you spend your life with. The one you walk with throughout your life each understanding each other? You didn't do that kripa, he did?"

Kripa gulped, her throat went dry. She felt humiliated as her mistakes were lined up in front of her.

"If you hate Angad so much kripa, you should hate this baby?"

"Mom" kripa retaliated

"I'm telling the truth. Angad's a man, this baby is a boy according to your sonography Reports. The same boy will be a man in the future kripa. Will you hate it then?"

"Mom, How can a mother hate there child?"

"Exactly, I could have hated you for all you did. I blamed Angad at the start, but then I realized that he wouldn't do anything if it wasn't for you"

"Mom, why are blaming me?"

"I'm not, I'm telling you your mistakes" she took her hands back "think about it kripa and you tell me, Have you been fair towards Angad?" and she left the room, leaving kripa deep in her thoughts.

She felt miserable. Was she really to blame? Had she made that many mistakes? Because of her Angad had lost his parent support? Because of her Angad was suffering? Was she that selfish? She questioned herself, trying to figure out the answer.

"Angad, if you don't go then you'll never be able to face her" Anjali said

"No Anjali, I'm sure she doesn't want to see me. I don't wan to ruin things for her"

"Angad, if you don't go then I'll be forced to push you in there" neev warned

Juan cleared his throat "the hospital has rules neev"

"Sorry, I forgot" he sighed and sat next to Angad "tell me one thing. Even if kripa doesn't want to be with you, what about your child. Wouldn't you wan to see it? Don't you have the right?" he questioned

"Neev, I've troubled kripa enough. I'll do what she wants?"

"And what if she wants to be with you?" Anjali retorted

Angad gave her a sad smile "I know she'll never wan to be, especially after what I did with her"

"And until you don't try she'll never want to be with you" Swati said "Don't give up hope Angad, keep trying"

"Mom, I can't, I've hurt her enough"

"Angad" prachi spoke "If you were going to do this in the first place then why did you stay with her all these nine months. You should have just left her to die"

"Prachi" he raised his voice "don't you dare such a word"

"See Angad, if you care for her so much, if you were with her for all these months then why not now?"

He looked away "Prachi, she'll be much happier"

"Angad, please see her, I'm ordering you" kripa's mother said

"Mom I—"

"If you care about me even a bit, you will visit her"

Angad sighed "ok mom"

After four days, Angad stood outside kripa's room for the past fifteen minutes still deciding whether to go in or not when Kripa's father came. "What are you doing?" he questioned sternly.

Angad looked back, lowering his head "He's going to meet kripa, whether you like it or not"

"Swati, how many times have I told you, I don't wan him near my daughter? I couldn't stop him before, but now that kripa is awake I won't allow him"

"Angad, go in, I'm telling you to"

"Don't you dare" vivek protested

"Angad, I'm giving you permission to go, I' m kripa's mother and know what is for her good" she said glaring at her husband.

Vivek took Angad's arm to stop him "you can't go inside"

Angad looked at the couple miserably. Because of him, his father and mother in law were fighting. He was the routes to all troubles. "Mom, don't fight, I wont go—"

He was cut off "Angad, you will, if you don't then you'll be disrespecting me"

"You are not going in" vivek said, pulling Angad

"Mr Sharma" Dr Juan intervened "this is a hospital, we have other patients here too and Mr Khanna has the full right to visit his wife, you can't stop him"

Vivek released his grip on Angad and glowered at his wife, whilst she stood firmly with her decision, challenging him with her eyes.

Inside kripa heard the commotion. She wondered what was happening. Ignoring the noise, she touched her stomach, where the baby lay and smiled. What Angad did to her was wrong, but she would never regret her baby. Although it wasn't the symbol of there love, she would always love the baby, her baby.

She looked up, realizing someone's presence in the room. Her eyes filled seeing Angad. He stood there in front of her; his eyes were lowered out of shame, as was his head. He looked terrible. She had always seen him decently dressed, whether he dressed for special occasions or whether it was simple home wear. He seemed to have put on weight; his eyes were puffy and red. His stubble was overgrown, he looked dreadful.

Other than his appearance, fear overtook her. She knew Angad wouldn't do anything again, but fear was something that couldn't be controlled. She trembled, but kept her nerves in control.

Angad walked forward, each step heavy for him. He noticed kripa trembling as he walked closer. Seeing kripa uncomfortable, he turned away. Swati watched him from the door. She as disappointed. He needed to talk to her, but he was loosing his strength, he couldn't do it.

"Angad" kripa called weakly.

Angad turned back, stunned. He didn't expect kripa to stop him. He looked at her with a ray of hope "umm, yeah" he replied.

"I'm sorry" she looked down, as he looked at her shocked.

Swati smiled. Maybe kripa finally understood, after hearing her mother's lesson. She moved back, out of the door, leaving the two to resolve their problems.

"Why are you sorry? It was me who did everything. If it weren't for me you would never be here kripa, never" he whispered.

"I can't blame you for it Angad" she whispered "I had put myself in the situation, I never understood"

"You didnt kripa, you did. It was me, I wasn't patient enough. I lost my patience when I shouldn't have"

"But one cant stay patient all the time Angad, you tolerated me so much. No one would"

"Kripa, you were right. Men are selfish. That night I –I became selfish, I thought about how you hurt me; I forgot how I was hurting you"

"You know Angad, even I was selfish. I went over the board. I forced my opinion on you, taunted you, never wanted to get married, troubled you. It was all for selfish reasons. It wasn't you, it wasn't anyone, it was my selfishness, my so called self respect, I kept. It became a barrier, I forgot that opinions are opinions and facts are facts"

"Will you ever be able to forgive me, kripa?"

She looked away "I know I was wrong Angad, but I can't forgive you. Even if I do, it's not know, I need time Angad, I need some time"

"I'll give all my time kripa, till my last breathe"