Next 6 Chapters â¤ď¸
Chapter 2
Her leather-bound journal open in front of her Kripa stared at the blank page. Her mind was racing with so many thoughts she couldn't begin to write them all down. Giving up she put the cap back on her pen. Glancing up she saw him coming toward her and cursed under her breath. Quickly she shoved her journal in her backpack and told herself to stay calm.
"Mind if I sit down?"
"If I say no will you go away?" Kripa asked, not looking at him.
Angad grinned at her. "Nope,i'm prepared to stand here as long as it takes."
"Sit down" Kripa sighed.
Angad pulled out a chair and turned it around. Straddling it he leaned forward. "You know I didn't catch your name."
"It's Kripa. Kripa Sharma"
"Kripa.Pretty name for a beautiful woman" Angad said. "Well Miss.Sharma where did you come from?"
"California." She looked past him and noticed his friend was staring at her.
"What brought you all the way to Maine?"
"My mother is a lawyer.The law firm she works for transferred her here." Kripa took her eyes off his friend and finally glanced at him. "What are we doing? Playing twenty questions."
"Yeah, and I still have eighteen left" Angad said smiling innocently at her.
Don't look at that smile and you'll be alright she told herself. She shifted her gaze to his eyes and realized that was a mistake. Oh,h***. "Since we're playing twenty questions it's my turn.What kind of bet did you make with him?" She watched with amusement as a look of surprise crossed his face.
Angad cleared his throat. "He bet me twenty dollars I couldn't get you to sit here and talk to me for fifteen minutes.How did you know there was a bet going on?"
"Ever since you sat down he's been staring at me like he's waiting for something to happen." Kripa smirked. "What if you lose?"
"I give him twenty dollars" Angad said as he started to get up.
"Where are you going?" Kripa glanced at her watch. "You still have five minutes left."
"I'm sorry, but this was a stupid bet.I never should've agreed to it." Angad rose from his chair.
"Sit back down" Kripa hissed.
Angad hesitated for a minute and than sat back down. "Why aren't you mad?"
Kripa raised an eyebrow. "Oh,I am, but i'm not the kind of person whose prone to violent outbursts.If someone has to win this bet i'd rather it be you.No offense, but I don't care too much for your friend.He has this look about him.Like he's always up to no good."
Angad laughed softly. If she thought his smile was lethal it was nothing compared to his laugh. Taking a deep breath she let it out and prayed her voice wouldn't betray her. "Tell me something.Do you do this sorta thing to every new girl? Make bets I mean.Or am I special?"
Angad smiled slowly and than winked at her. "Your special."
If she didn't know better she would think he meant that, but if he had known her he would know there was nothing special about her. At least that was the way her father and Manik had felt. Kripa glanced at her watch one more time. "You are now twenty dollars richer." Grabbing her backpack she stood. "Do me a favor.Next time you and your friend decide to make a bet leave me out of it." Needing to get as far away from him as she could Kripa hurried from the Cafeteria.
Angad watched her walk away from him for the second time that day. No doubt about it. She was beautiful, but there was more to her than her appearance. In the short time he had talked to her he realized she was nothing like his old girlfriend's. If he had pulled a stunt on one of them like he had just done with her he would be sporting a black eye. Not sitting there feeling guilty.
"Hey man" Prithvi said approaching the table. "I guess I owe you money." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a crisp twenty dollar bill and held it out.
"Teachs you not to make bets with me" Angad said taking the money and stuffing it in his front pocket.
"So how did you get her to stay put?" Prithvi asked.
"It was easy" Angad said snickering. "I wasn't you." He got up from the table and started to walk away and stopped. "By the way her name's Kripa and like I told you before she's not interested."
"She tell you that?"
Remembering what she said about Prithvi he grinned. "Yeah, she did.I heard somewhere Simone Spencer's interested."
"Isn't she going out with Rick Johnson?"
"Has that ever stopped you before?" Angad asked. His friend had quite a reputation with the ladies. All he had to do was grin and flash those blue eyes and they fell for it. That was until Kripa Sharma came to town.
"Of course not" Prithvi said. "All's fair in love and war."
Angad snorted. "Sure.See you later." Shaking his head he went to get his books for his next class.
Kripa was relieved when the last bell of the day rang. All she wanted was to go home where it was quiet and no one would bother her. Making her way to her locker she stepped around a group of giggling girls standing in the middle of the hallway. Irritated Kripa kept the words she wanted to say to herself. Stopping at her locker she opened it and found an envelope sticking out of her Biology book. Frowning she pulled the letter out of the envelope and gasped when twenty dollars fell out. With shaking hands she read the letter even though she knew who it was from.
Thanks for helping me win the bet, but I think you deserve the money more than me.
Angad
Stunned Kripa stood there clutching the letter and money. "D*** you Angad Khanna" she whispered. Choking up she slammed her locker shut and ran to the safety of her car.
Chapter 3
Cooking had been Kripa's passion for as long as she could remember. Every thing about food excited her. The smell of it. The sight of it. The taste of it. Her dream was to one day become a chef in a prestigious restaurant. Glancing around the spacious kitchen her dream seemed so far out of reach. Her spirits low Kripa knew of only one way to lift them. Opening a drawer she grabbed an apron and was soon covered in flour. Kripa was in the process of kneading bread dough when the doorbell rang. Wondering who it could be she wiped her hands on her apron and went to answer the door.
An elderly woman with gray hair and warm brown eyes was standing on the top step holding a plate of chocolate chip cookies. "Hello dear" she said softly. "I'm your new neighbor u can call me Dadi." She held out the plate of cookies. "I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood."
Touched by her thoughtfulness Kripa took the plate and stood back. "Thank you. Please come in and my name is Kripa" she said shutting the door behind her. "My mom isn't here right now."
Dadi smiled at her. "That's alright dear. I can't stay long."
"I was in the middle of kneading bread dough" Kripa explained. "Would you mind coming into the kitchen?"
"Not at all" Dadi said sounding surprised. "You bake your own bread. How refreshing to find a young person who enjoys baking. I've tried to get my grandson interested in it, but I regret to say he's a lost cause."
"Do you have any granddaughters?" Kripa asked as she led the way to the kitchen.
"No just my grandson Angu" Dadi said sitting down at the table. "Oh, but I don't really mind. He's such a sweet boy. Moved in with me years ago when my husband died. Said he didn't like the idea of me living alone."
Standing at the counter kneading Kripa glanced over her shoulder. "I'm sorry about your husband." The words sounded so inadequate to her ears.
"Thank you dear." There was sadness in her eyes. "My husband was the light of my life. We were married forty beautiful years." She smiled. "Angu reminds me of him." Dadi looked at her. "How old are you dear? If you don't mind me asking."
"I'm seventeen."
"Same age as my Angu." She glanced at her watch. "My goodness. I've stayed longer than I planned. Angu should be home by now and he's bound to be hungry." Dadi got to her feet slowly. "Please don't be a stranger. Come by and visit me sometime. We can swap recipes."
"I'd like that" Kripa said sincerely. "Let me walk you to the door."
"Oh, no dear. I can find my way out."
"Well thank you for stopping by and bringing me cookies."
"Your welcome. I'll see you soon."
Kripa watched her go and wished her own grandmother had been as loving. You can wish all you want Sharma, but you know your just wasting your time. Sighing she went back to her baking.
****
Hearing a door open and close downstairs Angad smiled. She was home. Quickly he shut off his computer and pushed back his chair. Grabbing a shirt he slipped it on and headed downstairs. "Dadi" he called out in the hallway.
"In the kitchen dear."
Walking into the room Angad took an apple from the bowl on the counter. "So where did you go?" he asked, watching her wash a bunch of carrots off at the sink.
"I went next door to visit the new neighbors."
"Did you save me some cookies or did you give them all away?"
Dadi patted his arm. "There's some in the cookie jar."
Angad bent down and kissed her cheek. "Thanks Dadi. So what's the neighbors like?"
Pulling a knife out of a drawer Dadi started chopping up the carrots. "I met the daughter.Such a lovely girl.She's your age."
"Oh, really" Angad said. "What's her name?"
"Kripa."
Angad almost choked on his bite of apple. Swallowing hard he threw the rest of the apple in the garbage. "Does she by any chance have black hair and brown eyes?" And a body that would make an angel cry.
"Why yes she does" Dadi said. "How did you know?"
Angad turned away grinning to himself. "She's in my English class."
"That's nice dear."
"You know" Dadi said,"She makes her own bread." Angad wasn't one bit shocked. She probably makes her own butter while she's at it he thought. "I like her. Much nicer than all those girls you go out with."
Angad knew what she was doing. She was trying to set him up with Kripa. He wouldn't be surprised if she told him to invite Kripa to dinner some night.
"You should ask her to come over for dinner sometime" Dadi suggested.
"Yes, Dadi." Angad said while chuckling
"Maybe take her over some of my tulips."
Angad rolled his eyes. "Want me to ask her to marry me while i'm at it?"
"Angad Khanna don't you get smart with me" Dadi warned. "I'll wash your mouth out with soap."
"Sorry Dadi" Angad said sheepishly. "You want me to set the table?"
"Yes,Please."
As Angad set the table he thought about Kripa. He couldn't believe she was living next door. The odds of something like that happening was slim. Yet there she was and here he was and he intended to make the most of it.
Chapter 4
An early riser Kripa was up and dressed by six-thirty and had breakfast on the table by the time her mother walked into the kitchen a little before seven.
"Good morning honey" Gayatri Sharma said as she sat down across from her daughter.
"Morning Mom." Kripa poured herself a glass of orange juice and reached for her bottle of pills. "What time did you get home last night?"
"Sometime after midnight." Mrs.Sharma sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Kripa noticed the lines of fatigue around her mother's black eyes and wished she wouldn't work so hard. At thirty-seven Gayatri Sharma looked more like forty-seven. There were streaks of gray in her brown hair. Kripa blamed everyone of those gray hairs on her good for nothing father.
"How was your first day of school?" Mrs.Sharma asked as she cut into her french toast.
"Fine. I met one of our new neighbors. She brought us cookies."
Mrs.Sharma nodded. "That was-" The sound of her cell phone ringing interrupted what she was about to say. "I should have turned that blasted thing off." Standing she crossed to the counter and opened her briefcase.
Kripa shook her head. That phone call meant one thing. She was going to be eating breakfast alone.
"I have to go." Mrs.Sharma snatched up her purse and briefcase. "Don't forget your appointment with Dr.Bose after school. Have a good day and call me later." Dropping a kiss on her daughter's head she hurried from the room.
Finishing the rest of her juice Kripa began to clear the table. She was carrying the plates to the sink when there was a knock on the back door. Setting the plates on the counter she stepped to the door and opened it. She wasn't prepared for who stood before her.
"Hey neighbor" Angad said grinning.
Oh, d*** she thought. "Let me guess" Kripa said dryly. "That sweet lady with the cookies yesterday is your grandmother and you're Angu."
"Ah, Dadi and her chocolate chip cookies and only she calls me Angu." He winked at her. "But if you wanna call me that I don't mind. As a matter of fact I kinda like hearing you say it."
"Your not gonna go away. Are you?"
"Doesn't look like it" he said.
"Come in." As he moved past her Kripa smelled his cologne. Breathing deep a wave of longing came over her. Don't do this to yourself. Think of Manik and what he did to you.
"I saw your mom leave" Angad said. "You don't look anything like her."
Kripa went to work rinsing the dishes before she placed them in the dishwasher. "I've been told I resemble my father" she declared coldly. "Is there some reason you stopped by?"
Angad wanted to ask her about her father, but he had a strong suspicion if he did she would tell him to get lost and he wasn't ready to leave yet. "Yeah, wanna ride with me to school?"
"I can't." Kripa shut the door on the dishwasher and than turned to look at him. "I have a doctor's appointment later today."
"Are you sick?" Angad asked concerned. He looked her up and down and than smiled. "You don't look it."
Kripa turned away and went to grab her backpack off one of the kitchen chairs. "You ask a lot of questions Angad Khanna, but if you must know i'm going to see a Psychiatrist."
"Oh" was all he could say.
"I assure you i'm not crazy" Kripa said smirking. Unzipping her pack she fumbled around until she felt the smooth cover of her journal. Pulling it out she flipped it open and tossed the twenty dollars he had given her down on the counter. "It was sweet of you to give me this, but I can't take it."
Angad crossed his arms and glared at her. "Why not?"
Kripa shrugged. "It just wouldn't be right."
"Well i'm not taking it back" Angad growled.
"Fine" Kripa sighed. She didn't want to stand there and argue with him. "Thank you."
"Your welcome" Angad said. "So whose this Psychiatrist your going to see?"
"Her name is Damini Bose."
"Do something for me."
Kripa eyed him curiously. "What's that?"
Angad slowly smiled. "Tell Aunt Damini I said hi."
Kripa gasped and backed up. "What the h*** is going on here?" she cried. "I can't get away from you. Your everywhere. In my English class. Living next door and now my new shrink is your aunt." Her legs giving out on her she sank down in a chair.
"Hey i'm not all that bad" Angad exclaimed. "Give me a chance. We can be friends. Everyone needs a friend."
Kripa looked up at him. "Oh, really because I wouldn't know. I've never had any friends and i've gotten by just fine."
Angad frowned. "You've never had any friends? I find that hard to believe."
Kripa stood and picked up her backpack and keys. "Well that's your problem. Now if you don't mind I wanna get to class on time." Pivoting on her heels she left Angad standing in the kitchen shaking his head.
Chapter 5
Stopping at a red light Kripa tried her hardest not to glance in the rear view mirror. She tapped the steering wheel. She played with the knob on the radio. She did everything, but what she really wanted to do.
"Damn you Khanna" she muttered. "Damn those beautiful eyes and that gorgeous smile." She groaned. Lights changing to green she sped forward, desperate to get away from him. She turned the corner. He turned the corner. "There has to be more than one way to get to school. Why don't you find it and stop following me" she snarled.
Sighing she put on her turn signal and pulled into the parking lot. She wasn't one bit surprised when he parked next to her. Grabbing her backpack Kripa opened the door and stepped out.
"You drive like Dadi" John said grinning.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Kripa asked him. "Oh, Angad" she heard a female voice say. Turning around she saw a group of girls approaching. A fake blond wearing a red dress that left little to the imagination gave Angad a flirtatious smile.
"Hey sexy Ladie" he said.
More like trampy Ladie Kripa thought to herself as she turned and headed toward the door. Glancing at her watch she quickened her pace. She had just enough time to stop by her locker.
"You have a habit of walking away" Angad remarked as he stopped beside her.
"I wasn't aware that I had to stand there while you talked to your sexy Ladie." Kripa grabbed her English book and stuck it in her backpack.
"Are you jealous Sharma?" Angad asked, leaning his shoulder against the locker next to hers.
Kripa slammed her locker shut and than turned to glare at him. "Of her? Hardly."
"Your gonna walk away again. Aren't you?"
Kripa pretended to be impressed. "Wow, good looking and smart. Your parents must be so proud."
Eyes shining with laughter Angad moved closer. "You like me. Don't you?"
Kripa rolled her eyes. "I don't know you."
"I can fix that" Angad said. "Dadi wanted me to invite you to dinner."
Kripa was torn. She liked his grandmother and wanted to get to know her, but if she went to dinner she would have to be around him. What are you so worried about she thought. His grandmother will be there. It's not like you'll be alone with him. "When?"
"I'll ask Dadi and let you know" Angad said.
The bell rang before Kripa could answer him.
"Now see what you did" Angad said, holding back a grin. "You made me late for English."
Giving him a filthy look Kripa swept past him and hurried to class.
"Mr.Khanna, Miss.Sharma your late" Mrs.Atkins said as Angad and Kripa walked into the room. "Next time detention."
"I wouldn't mind detention with you Sharma" Angad whispered as he took the desk behind her. "might be fun."
"Would you shut up" Kripa hissed. "I don't want detention and leave me alone." Taking out paper and a pen she began copying words from the blackboard.
"Would you by any chance have an extra pen?" Angad asked softly near her ear.
Unzipping a side pocket on her bag Kripa found a pen. Without looking she threw it over her shoulder and heard Angad laugh.
"Well that wasn't very nice." he said. "I mean you could've taken one of my eyes out.Or-"
An empty desk in front of her, Kripa picked up her things and moved. If she had to listen to his remarks one more time she was going to snap. Telling herself to calm down she put him from her mind and concentrated on the task at hand.
"Is there some reason why we have to take all these notes" a guy two rows over asked the teacher.
"Yes there is" Mrs.Atkins said. "I'm determined to make your life a living nightmare. Actually you'll need them when it comes time to take a test. So make sure you don't lose them. Which means that most of you probably will" she said dryly.
By the time the bell rang Kripa had copied down three and a half pages of notes. Hand aching and eyes burning she gathered up her things and stood.
"Thanks for letting me borrow a pen Sharma" Angad said, holding it out.
"Keep it" Kripa told him.
"But I didn't get you anything."
"Than lets say you bought it for twenty dollars" Kripa said, stepping around him.
"I got ripped off than because this pen ain't worth twenty bucks" Angad said, following her out the door.
"I tried to give you your money back, but you wouldn't take it. So deal with it" Kripa growled.
Angad grinned at her. "Your one tough cookie Sharma. I like that. See you at lunch." Turning around he walked away.
Kripa watched him go and couldn't help but admire his broad shoulders and the confident way in which he carried himself. Realizing she was standing there staring Kripa mentally shook herself. Pivoting on her heels she went in the opposite direction.
Chapter 6
Sitting on the couch in Dr.Bose office Kripa glanced nervously at her surroundings. The walls were painted a greenish blue that reminded her of a robin's egg. Behind her the wall was lined with built in bookshelves full of hard bound books. A large mahogany desk took up one corner of the room while several potted plants took up another corner. In front of Kripa was an armchair covered in a deep blue fabric. To her right was a window that looked out over a park and to her left was a small table. Sitting on the table was a group of pictures in silver frames.
Kripa stood and went to take a closer look at them. Just than the door opened and a tall woman wearing a cream colored pant suit stepped into the room.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting Kripa, but it's been a very busy day." She held out her hand and Kripa prayed hers wasn't clammy.
"It's okay. I was looking at your pictures."
Dr.Bose smiled. "Let me introduce you to them." She pointed at a couple standing in front of a fountain. "This is my brother Dilip and his wife Naina and this one" she said, picking up a large frame. "Is my father and my mother-"
"Dadi!" Kripa said. "I live next door to her."
"Well isn't it a small world" Dr.Bose said, setting the picture back down.
Kripa glared at the last picture as Dr. Bose tapped the frame with her index finger. "And this is my handsome nephew Angad, but i'm sure you know that already since you live next door to mom."
"Angad is also in my English class and he wanted me to tell you hi."
"Thank you for giving me the message." Dr. Bose picked up a folder and pen from her desk. "Please sit down" she said, moving toward the armchair.
Kripa settled herself on the couch once again and studied the woman before her. She has the same hazel eyes and brown hair. Kripa held back a sigh. "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course you may."
"Do you believe in fate?"
Dr. Bose glanced up from the file that was in her lap. "Yes I do. Do you believe in fate Kripa?"
"I use to think there was no such thing, but since meeting Angad i'm starting to wonder.I mean he lives next door. We have a class together and my new Psychiatrist is his aunt. Most people would swear that it's fate."
"Does the idea of fate and Angad scare you?" Dr. Bose asked softly.
Staring at the carpet Kripa nodded.
"Why? Is it because of Manik?"
Kripa raised her head. "How did you know about him?"
Dr. Bose tapped the folder with her fingernail. "Your previous doctor sent me your file. Why don't you tell me a little bit about your father."
"You have it all right there" Kripa said. "You don't need me to tell you anything."
"All I have are words on a piece of paper" Dr. Bose said. "Words do not have feelings.I want to know how you feel about your father."
Unable to sit there another minute Kripa got to her feet and walked to the window. Shoving her hands in the back pockets of her jeans she watched a little girl play on the merry-go-round as her mother sat on a bench and watched. "You wanna know how I feel about my father" she said, bitterly. "I hate him for walking out on me and mom. As far as i'm concerned he doesn't exist." Kripa turned away from the window.
"Thank you" Dr. Bose said. "So you hate your father for leaving. Hate is a very strong word."
"Okay than. I loathe him."
Dr. Bose uncrossed her legs and shifted in her chair. "What about your mother? How is your relationship with her?"
"Mom and I get along fine" Kripa said, leaning against the window ledge. "She's a lawyer and works long hours. I barely see her through the week." She sighed. "Now that she's working at this new firm i'll be lucky if I see her on the weekends."
"So you spend quite a bit of time alone. What do you do for fun?"
"I cook, bake, read, do needlepoint and watch movies."
"Do you have any friend's back in California that you keep in touch with?"
Kripa shook her head. "I've never had any friend's."
Dr. Bose raised a shapely eyebrow. "Never? Tell me. Are you afraid to make friend's because you think they'll abandon you like your father and Manik did?"
"If you don't let anyone in you won't get hurt" Kripa whispered.
"True, but shutting yourself off emotionally and from people is not healthy." Dr. Bose leaned forward in her chair. "Kripa you are a smart, beautiful young woman.You have so much to give, but you can't do that by locking yourself in your house.There are good people in this world.Not everyone is like your father and Manik. There is good and bad in everyone. It's up to you to find the good." She glanced at her watch and than stood. Moving to her desk she flipped open her calendar. "Is next Tuesday at three-thirty alright with you?"
"Sure."
"Than i'll see you next week."
Crossing the waiting room Kripa pushed the button for the elevator. Stepping on a minute later she pushed the button for the lobby and leaned back and closed her eyes.
Personally i find this chapter okai .. but read the preview u guys r gonna like it
Preview Chapter 7: Her breath catching in her throat Kripa returned his gaze. The air seemed to come alive with electricity as they stood there staring at each other. Every fiber of her being screaming for her to run she backed up and hit the counter...
Rutaâ¤ď¸đł
Edited by luv1angel - 14 years ago
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
Anupamaa
