Angreji babu desi mem-AK & MS FF-Epilogue-05-22-12

Hi Friends...

I am going to continue my Angreji babu desi mem fanfic, with Angad and Kripa as well as Shabd and Mahi characters here, as I couldn't do it at that time. Many of you have read around 8 parts and then I just couldn't continue due to personal problems.

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/736786/soulmate-ak-story-pt-68-69-70-end-28-nov

link for my ff Soulmate

ANGREJI BABU DESI MEM

KHANNA FAMILY

Angad Khanna – 21, Born and bought up in America. Loves American culture and doesn't bother with Indian traditions….He loves his family a lot….Wonderful in academics and skipped two classes to jump forward and had just completed his masters in Business Management with excellent academic performance at this early age. He has very high dreams and has lots of job offers in his hands.

Naina Khanna – Good wife and mom, but allows her children to live their life, without interfering…..Though believes in god and attends all Indian functions, but does not force her children to do the same…

Dilip Khanna – Loves his family and is in a good high position in the company he is working for past 15 years, but wishes his eldest son would at least choose a Indian Girl over American and follow little bit of their traditions.………He knows his sons are good and not into bad habits or any thing, but still Angad choosing more of American culture over Indian bothers him a little. But his wife has adopted well and keeps calming his nerves when ever he talks to her about it and asks him to let go and let them live as they wish as long as they are not going in wrong direction.

Prithvi Khanna – 20, Graduated in Arts recently. Good son. Loves any thing which is related to India….A very good singer since childhood and famous at Indian Society of Virginia, for his active participation. His best friend was Shabd Sareen.

Shabd Sareen – 20, Just recently Graduated with honors in Business Management, in the same University as Prithvi's. Prithvi's college friend and a loner. Is quite close to Khanna family since college days. Lost his parents in flight accident 3 Years ago, but is quite wealthy due to insurance money he got, after he turned 18. He bought a small house near to Prithvi's on Dilip's insistence, so they stay close and keep in touch and can come to house whenever he feels lonely. Doesn't go to Indian Society much, but goes there with prithvi for his programs.

SHARMA FAMILY

Suryabhan Sharma – A very traditional hindu Brahmin, who belives in his tradition and follows all the rituals and festivals strictly at home. Trained his children in the same direction. He came from a small town near Mathura. Is a State Bank Manager and has been transferred to US recently, after lots of request from his son to do so. He has been avoiding this transfer for a long time, as he was unsure of the changes he would have to make in his lifestyle and due to the impact it would make on his daughters….. But son's love took over at last and he decided to take up the offer for 3 years and move to US, near his son. Hated to leave his daughter Mahi in India, but Kripa his second daughter, twin of Mahi has come with them. He treated his son and daughters equally and gave them all the chances to fulfill their wishes, concerning to their educations.

Gayatri Sharma – Loves her husband and children and follows all traditions as per Suryabhan's wish. Is proud of her daughters Mahi and Kripa as well as her son Pratham and his wife.

Mahi Sharma – 19, Is doing Hotel management course in Bombay and is in her last year and will finish her course within couple of months and will be joining Sharma family. She is 6 Minutes elder to Kripa and keeps reminding Kripa of the same. Has been living in Bombay alone for past 4 years and is quite modern. Her dad had disapproved about her dressing style, but she promised him that she would always wear decent clothes and pacified her way for him to agree.

Kripa Sharma – 19, Did her Education in Singing and now is thinking of taking classes. She wanted to go for singing career in Bombay, may be in movies if she was lucky, but Suryabhan was against it and instead asked her to teach children as teaching meant spreading your knowledge and Kripa agreed without a word. He was even ready to buy her a land and construct a school with the money he had from the ancestors land. She was more of traditional sort of girl and never tried to wear any thing but traditional dresses, and never dis-respected her parents or went against their wish, even if mahi had asked her to go for her dreams and come to Bombay and try for the career their, she had stayed back according to her dad's wish. It wasn't as if she was weak or some thing, but she was more matured and thought about her parents and her dearest ones before herself. And for that sentiment she was very much loved by every one. She had consoled her self and was happy with going for teaching profession rather than singing. But she had a voice of angel. She had surely supported mahi, when she wanted to go to Bombay for hotel management course and their dad was little bit in confusion and saw that mahi got her wish.

Pratham Sharma – 28, Loving brother and a wonderful son. A little strict like his dad and at times little bossy. He is the eldest and is trying to build his own company in US, from last 5 years. Has a lovely wife Gauri who he loved dearly, though they disagreed on many things….They eventually joined force at the end. Their life was an interesting mix of fighting over silly things, love, care, disagreements and partnership.

Gauri Sharma – A dutiful wife and personal assistant to Pratham in his work. Loves Mahi and Kripa very much, like her own sisters, as she has no family of her own. Excited to know that her inlaws are moving to US with them. And often stands up for what is right. Doesn't likes it when Pratham boses around and makes sure he understands that.

CHAPTER -1

We see a flight landing at the US, EWR Airport…..Kripa, looking outside excitedly. She was stepping into a whole new world other than what she was used to. It was scary as well as exciting. She was looking forward to this change. She will surely miss her nest, her country, her friends, but her excitement took over her grief as soon as she saw the flight landing at the airport. She would see her brother after 2 full years. He had been busy setting up his company and his company was growing very well since last two years and he was quite successful. Her parents as well as she and Mahi were very proud of him, of course Gauri Bhabhi was the main one, who supported Pratham bhaiya, in every difficulty he had faced. He had so wanted to come to India to meet them, but was not able to take out time from his developing business.

He had talked with his parents over and over again, to take the transfer with the bank which it was offering and come and stay with him for few years and if they don't want to settle then they can go back. But her dad had avoided the subject till last couple of months, when Pratham had blackmailed them, saying that he will just walk away from his business and come and live with them, if they are not ready to come here. That did the trick, Suryabhan though strict with his traditions was aware of the competitive world and the struggle his son had gone through for past 5 years to raise his company. He did not want his son to leave every thing he had made of himself, just for their sake. He knew that his son missed them and so did they. He was looking forward to the day when Mahi would join them as well and once again they all would stay together. That was the reason he grabbed the opportunity. If he knew Mahi well, she would have opted to work for a good hotel or would have wanted to do some thing more for her career. Pratham had asked her to come there, so she could have more wonderful opportunities and Mahi had agreed within a minute.

He wanted to wait for 2-3 more months though, till Mahi completed her education, but his boss could not delay the matters as there was a position available in Virginia open for him, which had to be filled soon. Mahi had assured him that she will be there the moment her exams were over and asked them to go ahead. She even booked the flight for herself, as she already had the visa taken with her parents. While leaving from Bombay, Suryabhan and Gayatri gave her earful of instructions and kept on telling her what to do and what not to, till mahi had burst out saying that it was 10^th time they were telling her the same thing and she knew how to take care of herself and she had been doing that for past 4 years. They had just sighed and hugged her and she hugged them back saying that she would be alright and will be with them soon. They bid tearful byes at last, but asked Mahi to stay at the hostel and not to come to airport to send them off. Mahi had agreed reluctantly, making faces at Kripa and Kripa could not do any thing but laugh at Mahi and her frustration. Both sisters just hugged each other with a promise to reunite soon and were really looking forward to it. 4 years of separation had really costed them a lot emotionally. But even though twins, they had their own dreams to pursue.

The plane at last landed and slowly one by one the passengers began to get down. Kripa took her bag as well as her moms and got down. After immigration and other formalities she was waiting for her bag, when a large hand became besides her to grab the luggage. She looked back angrily, at the way the man ignored her presence talking on the phone with his goggles and hat on, almost covering his face and pulling his case. Suddenly he looked at her, and her angry face, and mumbled a slow sorry and was out of her way as quickly as he had come. Kripa just shook her head and kept looking for her luggage, dismissing the man. Suryabhan was standing a few feet before her, but was busy tracking there luggage anxiously. Soon enough there luggage had arrived and they were on there way out. As soon as they came out, they saw Pratham standing there waiting for them. The moment Kripa saw him, she ran to him and hugged him tightly, laughing and crying all at the same time. It felt so good to see him. She had missed him so much. They were very close to each other. He had been her anchor as well as supporter for most of her life…

P: It is wonderful to see you sis……he murmured looking at her with moist eyes…..Then he looked at her and smiled……Vow look at you. You look even prettier than the last time I saw you…..Why couldn't you be the little girl I once knew? Now I have to look up for you and our bull head sister to keep the guys away, keeping my business aside, ……..he chided making Kripa blush and slowly wiping her tears as well as blinking back his own. He kissed her forehead affectionately and patted her back and hugged her once more..….Hope Gauri can handle the business, when I am out to shoo the boys…. he said with a wink making her even redder..….Suryabhan frowned a little at his statement but then forgot all about it when Pratham touched his feet and hugged him…. Gayatri chuckled and hugged him too and soon enough they were on there way to there new home.

K: Vow…nice car she said looking around the vehicle…..after they started on the road.

Pratham just smiled looking through the mirror at his little sis……….

It was a long 5 hour drive and they stopped couple of times for freshening up and having some breakfast…….Gayatri and Suryabhan were busy talking to Pratham about his work and every thing else…..Mean while Kripa dozed off for a while and at last they reached their new home…….

Pratham had just recently bought the house here as his business was quite spread here in East coast….He was a software developer with MBA degree and now had few major contracts from worlds leading companies and had hired nearly 400 people till date for those projects. He had set up his office in Virginia as it is nearer to New York as well as less expensive. Some people he had hired from overseas were Indians along with his class mates and some were locals…He was very good at what he did and his clients were all very happy with his dedication, timely deliveries and support thereafter. His staff was also happy with his thoughtfulness and good attitude. He was soft when it came to general matters of his staff and was strict when it came to business and expected his staff to dedicate their quality service while they worked for him. He was even admired at the Indian society for the struggle he had gone through this past year and how he had raised the company all on his own within such a short time.

Pratham and Gauri attended many of the festivals and functions in Indian society and had good friends. They even contributed for voluntary work whenever needed.

As soon as the car stopped in front of the house, the door flew open and Gauri came running towards the car and opened the door for Gayatri laughing and crying at the same time. Gayatri hugged her daughter in law lovingly and kissed her forehead with tears in her eyes too. She had looked after Gauri since she was 16 years old. Gauri's mom was her close friend. She was a widow as Gauri's dad was in military and had been killed in the riot and then her mom had been diagonised with lung cancer and died when she was 16. But Gayatri had promised her that she will take care of Gauri and she had done it.

At 21 Gauri was married to Pratham, as per Suryabhan and Gayatri's wish and even Pratham liked her very much. He was 23 at the time and had moved to US immediately. Now after 5 years, he knew that he couldn't be where he was without Gauri and he loved her very much and so did Gauri. Gayatri knew that Gauri had loved Pratham since the day she had come to live with them. She could see it in her eyes. Today she was really happy that every thing went so well and they were happy together. Kripa came out and joined in the hug with them and Gauri was just too excited to see everyone at once.

K: Hi Bhabhi………she said kissing Gauri's cheek and hugging her once again….

G: Hi Beautiful…..Kitni pyari lag rahi ho……... She said to Kripa hugging her tightly…..Oh I missed you all so much….Then she went to Suryabhan leaving Kripa and touched his feet. Suryabhan blessed her smiling and patted her back affectionately.

S: Kaisi ho beta? He asked her still hands on her shoulders….

G: Mein thik hun… papa…But I missed you all….Aaap saab aye, bahot acha lag raha hai……Kash Mahi bhi aa jati…..

P: Chinta mat karo Gauri, aajayegi ek do mahinon mein.….he said smiling at her…..Gauri nodded and then started talking to suryabhan…

Gayatri looked at Pratham who was looking at Gauri affectionately, with a smile on his face and a little sadness in his eyes, when he noticed her eyes on her, he looked at her. Gayatri raised her eyebrows and pratham just shook his head and started unloading luggage. Today he knew how much Gauri had missed being with family. Her happiness today, had no limits and his respect for her grew even more. She had not uttered a word till now. She had always supported him in all ups and downs. Some times she would look outside the window and just sit there for hours thinking, while he was busy with work. She had never complained about his late hours and always been there when he needed her.

They took there luggage Inside. The house was wonderful and big, with 5 Bedrooms in all. He and Gauri shared a room, They took Gayatri and Suryabhan's luggage in the bedroom which was on the ground floor itself so that they did not need to go up and down all the time. While Gauri told them where everything was, Pratham took Kripa to her room, on the next level. Her room was very much big with lots of windows overlooking wonderful lawn and garden and a house on the other side of the fence.

She was delighted to see wonderful big bed with lots of pillows and silk bedsheet. It was every girls dream room. She and Mahi had a room which they shared in Mathura, which she was using it alone for last 4 years. But it was very small, with only one window and two beds, a desk and small wardrobe. And it was quite old too. This was so different than that.

K: Vow bhiaya, this is so wonderful…..

P: Acha laga?

K: love it….This is just amazing….she exclaimed looking around again….Pratham laughed….when she came and hugged him…..Thank you so much….

P: Hey, Yeh tumhara bhi ghar hai…..Yeh do saal mein kuch change hua hai kya?…..Why so many formalities….Thank you and blah blah blah….This is all yours sis…. He said making faces….Kripa just nodded shyly….Kaisi ho Kripa? Mahi bata rahi thi, ki tumhe music mein career banana tha Mumbai mein, but dad did not want you to go for it? he asked seriously…

Kripa just looked away for a second….then smiled a little…..

K: Haan, par thik hai, mujhe unka classes ka idea bhi acha laga…

P: Mein baat karun unse…..? He asked looking at her….

Kripa shook her head…

K: Nahi bhaiya…I am happy about his decision…If I would have gone to pursue my dream, then I wouldn't have been here with you all…and I want to stay here till….She bit her toungue….she was going to tell that till she get married….Yeah she dreamt about her prince charming and all…..and knew that her dad would surely start looking for one in near future…..

Pratham laughed…

P: Hume chodne ki itni jaldi hai? Kya baat hai Kripa, koi ladka to nahi hund liya na India mein?.he asked frowning…his brotherly concerning over taking….Kripa turned red….

K: Pratham Sharma….she shouted embarraced….Pratham raised his eyebrows…she had never called him by the name….and then to his amazement Kripa punched his chest….Aisa kuch nahi hai….she said shaking her head angrily….Now go away…mujhe fresh hona hai….she said angrily….

P: Hey cool down sis….Vow….your temper has grown as much as you have…he laughed, which made Kripa even madder…He was amazed….at her new personality…She was a very shy girl before, but now he could see a independent and self confident women in her… and a loving heart in that …..It was just the reminder about how much he has missed ….

G: Pratham, Kripa itne ghusse mein kyun hai? Gauri asked coming inside the room looking at Kripa and then at him….Tumne phir se jhagda kiya? For God's sake, you have met her after 2 long years…..She said frowning and looking at him disapprovingly….Pratham just rolled his eyes and sighed and went out…

P: You girls are just insane….he muttered…

As soon as he was gone, Gauri just shook her head…..and went and patted her back….

K: He is just impossible…..She muttered….Gauri laughed a little at that, but did not ask her what the matter was….She knew whatever it was, Pratham was very close to his sisters…and she never interfered in there matters…They had a special bond together…..It really looked sweet seeing them fight though….

G: Jane do Kripa….Tum fresh ho jao, hum khana khate hain…..Jao jaldi…..She gave her a little push towards bathroom…

Kripa turned around slowly….she was surprised that Gauri bhabhi did not ask what the matter was….She never did…but knew the reason and she loved her bhabhi for that…..

K: He was asking me seriously if I had found some one who I love in India. As if I could with two Military Major's around me…she said rolling her eyes and closing the bathroom door behind her….Gauri laughed at the thought….and went out….

Soon enough all of them joined for the lunch together…..Suryabhan had already finished his bath and puja by the time everyone came down. He was happy to see a separate puja room with beautiful Krishna Radha Idol in it….He did all his rituals and puja and gave Prasad to everyone….Then before they started there lunch, Pratham made a big announcement. Gauri and he were expecting there first baby…….Kripa just screamed of joy and went and hugged the very shy Gauri and Suryabhan and Gayatri blessed them happily….They were expecting there first grandchild soon.

CHAPTER – 2

Everyone sat there chatting for the whole day, till it was late and then after light dinner, all of them went to their own rooms and called it a night……

Gauri was still smiling when she came out of the shower, wiping her face. Pratham was resting on the bed and looked up at her when she emerged. She was in her own thoughts and Pratham just kept looking at her lovingly. When after all her everyday rituals were done, she came near the bed and sat down with a sigh…..She did not know she was this tired till now…….She touched her aching back to massage it a little….but Pratham was one step ahead. He came from back and rested his face in the crook of her neck and shoulder, kissing her while his hands where there on her waist and back, massaging it expertly…..Gauri sighed in pleasure…His touch made her heart leap and the hands which were massaging her gave her immense relief…..They stayed there without a word for long time…..That is when Pratham spoke….

P: Tum khush ho na Gauri?

G: Hmm….Bahot khush hun….Thanks pratham….she said dreamily and was sleeping peacefully soon. Pratham laid her down slowly with out disturbing her and kissed her forehead and covered them both with blanket. He went close to her and with a protective arm on her slept peacefully….His life long dreams were all coming true now……

Almost a week passed by now and everyone was very much settled in there routine….Suryabhan had also started his office within 2-3 days….Pratham and Gauri had their company to run, but Gauri stayed at home and worked only for couple of hours from their home office….Gayatri took responsibility of kitchen, inspite of Gauri's protest….But Gauri helped her and enjoyed Gayatri's motherly concerns and pampering….

Kripa loved the garden and kept herself busy with watering plants and doing other small house hold jobs. But she was soon finding it difficult to pass her time….She wanted to do some thing….She was missing her friends…She found it a little different the streets here were all empty, unlike India…where it was difficult to find some peace even at the night….and after living there for so long…it was the silence which bites worst….And the houses were also very much apart to really meet the people, living in there….

Kripa sighed…..and sat down on the sofa and switched on the TV….She wished Mahi was here….Gauri bhabhi spent most of the time around the house, keeping things neat and spent some time in kitchen and office….She was almost 6 years bigger than her and even if they were good friends…..She had all the responsibilities now unlike, before her marriage….she was quite different….Though she was still a good company and wonderful sister in law….she was looking for …she did not know….may be some routine or some thing to ice her future may be….. She was missing the routine she is used to go through….Rush for the school or college in the morning….then come back….going to classes….studying….going over to friends place…..moms constant shouting over her studies….and on and on……She felt like her life had come to a halt after coming here……And now she felt restless thinking about it……Though from a small town, she hardly sat quietly at home….she was constantly out for play, classes or friends and her mom complained about it all the time…..

This couldn't go much longer…..It was still 2 months for Mahi to come and she knew Mahi must have already started to look for opportunities in US, either college or Job may be….She had her dreams…..which she was obsessed with, to make it successful, unlike Kripa, whose only passion was singing…..Oh kripa was famous….she had a voice of an angel…she had performed many times in college competions, funtions, society functins,etc….People have praised her endlessly and her parents were proud of her and very confident that she would get success in what ever she choose to do….Only thing was her dad was afraid that if she went to Bombay to pursue her singing career, she might get so much fame and get lost in the success and fame world, that she might loose her values and family life in between that…..He was not selfish father, but a concerned dad who was afraid of the shinny world outside the small world he has known…..And Kripa was now happy with that……Yeah for some time she felt bad ……but when she thought about it carefully, she knew that she wanted to do it too… After all he was ready to invest all his ancestral properties for her, just so she has the best school for teaching the talent she had to the world….He was ready to spend everything he had so his daughter could not feel that she did not get a chance like her sis to make her career….…She was never a girl who wanted money……..She spent only 1/4^th of the money given to her by her dad in college too….She would always save every single penny and buy gifts to people she loved on their birthdays etc..….She had no interest in expensive things or worldly materials…..she was a simple town girl with simple needs…...

Then she heard some one playing guitar on a very old Hindi song….Surprised she went out to see who it was…..She could not see the guy….he was very far from her, but could make out he was Indian too….She wanted to ask about his whereabouts, but stopped herself, as she knew her dad wouldn't like it, if she approached a guy this way. He did not mind her talking to the boys who he knew well, just so they were outside or in front of the elders, or have friendly talk with boys in college, but did not liked college boys or any boys beyond there friend circle, coming home or calling late, etc.

She just stood there listening to the music and enjoying the morning sun, murmuring the song slowly with half smile…..She loved old Hindi songs and remembered the words of many of those songs….Gauri came out and saw Kripa enjoying the music…With a smile, she lifted Kripa with a hand….Surprised Kripa looked at her….

G: Chalo, mein tumhe ussase milati hun……Woh bhi bahot acha gana gata hai……Aur famous bhi hai Indian society mein……She told her while walking….Uska naam Prithvi Khanna hai…..Aur woh tumhare age ka hi hai…Aur bahot acha bhi hai…..Usse bahot log patta hai yahan…..aur tumhe bhi naye friends mil jayenge…..

Kripa smiled excitedly…..she always loved to meet the once who love music and she some what felt that she was about to make a good friend today…..

G: Hey Prithvi….

P: Hi Gauri didi…..How are you? Then he nodded to Kripa with a smile…Hi….

k: Hi …she said smiling at him…Kripa looked at him…he was good looking…and his voice was warm and affectionate…..He seemed quite friendly too….

G: I am good Prithvi….Sorry if I disturbed you….

P: Nah….just passing my time….

G: But you are very good with your guitar….Meet Kripa, Pratham's sister…

P: Nice to meet u…

Kripa just nodded and smiled….Nice song….she said slowly….

P: Thanks…he said grinning..

G: She is into music herself Prithvi and very talented too…..I can also say one of the best….Has a lovely voice…

P: Really?

K: Red cheeked… she said…..Hope so….not sure about it, but I love music and enjoyed your performance today…

She knew she was talented but still she felt uneasy when People kept on praising her….she did not know how to reply them, and always replied with a simple thank you and a smile

P: Oh….then common let's try a song together….I would love to hear you too….

K: Now…she asked surprised….

Prithvi just shrugged why not…..Since you have enjoyed my performance so much, why not give me the same chance….he said laughing….kidding her….

Kripa blushed a little and looked at Gauri as if asking for permission, she wasn't a shy girl and loved to sing, but still….Gauri nodded with a smile and sat on one of the chairs…..Prithvi started playing the guitar for the song…..Uthe sabke Kadam and asked her to start…..She nodded and started singing with him……In fact when they sang together it was so perfect that Gauri was just speechless…..They sang together as perfectly as one could…..

G: Vow…..I don't have words….You make excellent team….You both are just fabulous she said laughing….

P: You really have a wonderful voice….Prithvi said amazingly…..He was just awestruck by the sweet voice and sweet face like her..…He blushed a little at the turn of his thoughts….Though he had friends who were girls, he never had a girl friend in those terms…….where did you learn to sing like that…he asked leaving the thought aside…..?

K: I did my MA recently in Music…She replied….shyly…

P: I think I will love music even more now…..You must really join our team in Indian society for performing in festivals and functions……It will be our pleasure if you would…

G: That is the reason, I introduced her to u Prithvi…I want you to take her with you so she can have some friends. She has been lonely since she came here ….

P: Sure Gauri didi…I will certainly take her….I am going for rehearsals in the evening for the independence day function coming soon…Want to join me in the evening? He asked looking at Kripa

Kripa was not sure if Suryabhan would like it or not …..so she hesitated a little and did not know what to tell…

K: Hmmm…I need to ask my parents...Little amused Prithvi just nodded to her….

P: Well I will come by while I leave for the reharsels and if you wish to come, then you can join me….

Kripa nodded shyly…..

K: Thanks…

P: It is my pleasure….

G: We will go now…..Kripa tumko rukna ho to ruko thodi der……..But look in Kripa's eyes said some thing else…..We will see you later Prithvi….My mother-in-law is waiting for us…..

P: See ya didi….Nice to meet you Kripa…..

K: Nice to meet you too….Bye…

P: Bye…and then they left….

Kripa really wanted to go with Prithvi and make friends, but she hesitated to speak up….Gauri knew what Kripa was thinking….She had lived with sharma's since she was 16 and was well aware of Pratham and papa's possessiveness about Kripa and Mahi….and same went with her……But since they had shifted to US, Pratham was ok with she going for some meetings and mixing up people and had liberated a little….but she knew, that he would not allow kripa to go with boys….he was just stubborn and possessive and protective……But that was because he loved them a lot…...And kripa would not go until they both agree…..

So when they reached home and finished there lunch, Gauri talked to Gayatri about the offer and she agreed immediately, as she was more than enough trust on her daughters and Gauri…..But was concerned about Suryabhan…..if he would agree….Gauri said she will find some way and then she called Pratham and told him to talk to Papa, about letting Kripa go with Prithvi for the reharsels in the Indian academy…..

The first anwswer was exactly what she expected…..

P: No….I am doing no such thing…..Hum ye weekend sath jayenge, aur who wahan thode friends bana legi tab….Prithvi ke sath jane ki koi jarurat nahi hai…..Aur waise bhi hum usse last teen mahinon se hi jante hai, who bhi 5-6 baar mile hai…..nope…...

G: Par Pratham, yeh sach nahi hai……Hum usse last 2 years se jante hai, aur uske mama papa bhi yahan kafi welknown hai…..saab mandir mein uski itni tariff karte hain…..You can't be this stubborn Pratham…common now...Yahan ghar baithkar karegi kya who pura din, aur tum jante ho ki Prithvi ke kitne dost hain aur usse music bhi kitna pasand hai……Woh Kripa ki madad bhi kar dega, agar woh yahan music sikhana chahti ho…..Usse acha bhi lagega, ek baar who thoda set ho gayi aur uske umr ki usse friends mil gayi to…..Kya usse aise hi tum ghar par bithakar rakhoge, jab tak acha ladka nahi milta aur uski shadi nahi ho jati……..Kya uske koi sapne nahi hain…….It is so unfair…….Tum bhi to kitne khush the, jab papa ne usse Mumbai jane se rok diya tha…….Tum yahan panch saal se reh rahe ho aur tum jante ho ki yahan ka mahol kaisa hai……Aur tum hi chahte the ki woh saab yahan aye aur humare sath rahe……..Kya tum unn donon ko aab kamre mein lock kardoge, taki woh kisi ladke ko na mile……don't you trust her to look for herself….Aur waise bhi Mahi to apni baat mana legi, par Kripa ko tum jante ho na, woh ek bhi kadam age nahi badhayegi, jab tak tum aur papa ussko permission nahi doge, Uske dil ki bhi to socho…..she said sulking……angry at him……..

P: I trust her…ok….but I don't trust the boys…..do you get it….Look at her….She is not little any more. …Gauri chuckled at little…..Its not funny….he replied scowling…

G: You are just being over-protective and possessive….ok fine……Thik hai, aaj hi jakar akbar mein aur websites mein add de deti hun…….Unke shadi ke liye……At least after they marry, they might get some freedom and do some thing on there own….Gauri pouted smiling inwardly…..if Pratham was stubborn, she knew how to get him down …..and so she continued till Pratham burst out…

P: Ok…ok…I will talk…Samajjh gaya meri nani….Now if you keep the phone down….I can call papa and talk to him…

G: You are so sweet Pratham….she said extra sweetly….

P: Just when you get your way….he said pretending to be angry and kept the phone down….Gauri laughed at that and looked at his photo besides her bed….Love ya…come soon…..she said kissing his photo….

K: Vow Bhabhi….Bhaiya aaj subah hi gaye, aur tum already unhe miss kar rahi ho…….She said walking in the bedroom….

G: Just laughed…..ek din iska ehsaas tumhe bhi hoga, jab tum kisi se pyar karogi…..Kripa grinned

K: Hmmm….Ho sakta hai…..

G: Chalo tumko humare photos batati hun……..

K: Sure….She said smiling…….

Here Pratham called Suryabhan and talked to him about Prithvi and Indian society and everything…..He did not mention that Prithvi wanted to take Kripa with him though….

P: Papa,Mujhe lagta hai ki Kripa ko thode friends mil gaye, to usse acha lagega yahan…..Yahan Indian society mein bahot ladkiyan hai, uski umr ki…….Aur Prithvi humara neighbor Indian society mein bahot famous hai, Gana bhi bahot acha gata hai…..Uske sath jayegi to logon ki jaan pehchan hogi aur apne khud ke classes bhi chalu kar sakegi…..Agar apko thik lagta ho, to mein Prithvi se baat karta hun aur usse le jane ke liye kehta hun……

There was some silence and then Suryabhan agreed and asked him to do what ever he thinks is good for Kripa…..Gauri was happy to hear about it and told the good news to Kripa…..

Off you go now Kripa….Change and go with Prithvi…he will be here any minute….

K: Oh thank you bhabhi….thank you so much….Kripa said happily….

CHAPTER -3

By the time Prithvi came, Kripa was ready and waiting for him. He greated Gayatri politely and talked to her for a while. Gayatri felt much better after talking with him and asked him to take care of Kripa…He promised to do so and bring her back within 2-3 hours and then they left together…

They sat in Prithvi's brand new sports car, which his dad had gifted him on his graduation day and were off to the temple soon.

Kripa was a little nervous as well as excited. Nervous because she has never gone any where with any boys except her brother or father and excited as she was at last heading to some direction, which may lead her to some sort of independence and fulfillment of what she desired.

Prithvi saw Kripa twisting her hands again and again in each other and knew that she must be nervous. After all it wasn't easy coming to a new country and starting over. She must be feeling so out of her world….It reminded him of his first day in high school, where he was more nervous than he ever thought he would be. He smiled slowly remembering that….

P: Kripa…Just relax…ok..This is not a school or college you are going…It is just a bunch of people like you and me, who are having some fun…No exams and no tension….just pure fun and doing what we enjoy….he said with a smile….Kripa couldn't help, but smile….Prithvi really did understand her for some extent….but still he couldn't know what her nervousness is all about….She was more nervous going with him…than meeting his friends in the first place…..it felt a little bit odd..….but now after hearing his words…she felt a little relaxed….May be he could be her friend.

She smiled inwardly…..why was she making such a big deal of it….she has seen lots of her friends who were just good friends with the boys….having fun with them in some restaurants….laughing with each other….making fun of each other….It was 21^st century for God's sake. Even her sister Mahi was free with boys and had talked a lot about her friends in Bombay, when they were alone. But Kripa who had always lived in front of her father's eyes was well aware of her father's thinking. So she had stayed in the limits she was to, as per her father's wish.

P: You know, you are more of a dreamer I suppose. You talk so little and spend most of your time thinking about some thing else….Just be yourself and you will be fine. You will love my friends…They all will love you too….

K: Thanks Prithvi, it is just that, I never, I mean, she was thinking what to tell him, when suddenly some one came behind Prithvi and patted his shoulders…

P: Hey …Hi Josh, what a pleasant surprise….How come you are here? Is my bro here too…..? He asked raising his brows…

J: Hey….Na just came to drop my sis…She is waiting for you inside….And as per your brother…..Can't imagine him here….He must be some where making some notes or thinking about jobs and all….or may be in some nice bar with a nice lady….And speaking of lady, who is this beautiful lady by your side….?

Kripa who just stood there silently hearing them talk, blushed a little…..

P: Oh I am sorry…This is Kripa, my new neighbour who just came from India…Kripa this is Josh, Angad's friend.

Kripa raised her eyebrows in confusion….

p: Sorry…again….Angad is my elder brother. He clarified…

K: Kripa smiled in acknowledgement….and said hi to Josh in low voice…

J: Hi Kripa….Nice to meet you and hey you are as beautiful as your voice……Kripa smiled and thanked him in return….And so is your smile….he said chuckling a little….

Prithvi laughed at josh and asked him to stop flirting…..

P: I have promised her mom to look after her Josh and so I want you to just stop that….ok…and if you really want to listen to her, then you should stay here for a while Josh….She really has a voice of angel…

J: Really, you sing?

P: She is a music student…Prithvi supplied…..

J: Are you going to answer for all the questions I ask to Miss. Kripa? He asked frowning….

Prithvi just raised his hands in mock surrender and shrugged when kripa looked at him and pointed to josh with a smile, then turnd around to take his bag from the back seat. Once done he stood there silently, while Josh asked Kripa her whole history one after another and Kripa surprisingly talked to him without hesitation….

P: Are you both going to stand here or are you going to join me inside? He asked them both chukling….

J: Sure, why not….after you Kripa…..Now that I know you sing, how can I refuse Prithvi's offer. Kripa smiled shyly and started walking….In front, Ptithvi rolled his eyes…He knew Josh's flirting habits, though he never crossed his limits, he charmed girls within seconds with his unique charm…

All three went inside and were greeted with a bunch of people her own age …. They were chattering amongst themselves excitedly….When they saw them, they greeted Prithvi with a cheerful hi….Among them all were Aliyah, Josh's sister, Harshini Aliyah's friend, and Shabd Sareen. They all were in the same band, except Shabd who was here to meet Prithvi on Prithvi's insistence, as they all were planning for a pizza party after the reharsels. Shabd knew all the team well.

Though Prithvi and Shabd had both graduated from different subjects, they hit well together from the first day itself, while they sat together in cafeteria having there lunch. After a while, he became quite close to Khanna family too, as his parents were hardly there at home. They were always busy with some or other office work. And later when he lost his parents in flight accident, just when he was in his second year of college, he lived with Khanna's for 2 years, who agreed to take his responsibility as a guardian till he turned 18. Though his parents had very little time for him, they had loved him very much and it had hurt when they died. Khanna's were like life savers to him, as he had no other family. Then when he turned 18, he had bought a small house near to Prithvi's, with the money he had. He praised Angad and was very much impressed by Angad's accedemic performance and achievements. He was aware of his big dreams too and was sure that one day Angad would turn his dream into reality…Angad had been his inspiration all through the college. He was just a year older than them, but was 2 years ahead of them in college….Teachers had constantly praised him during the functions and he spent lot of times in the college library teaching the weak students and giving them notes they need.

Every one looked at kripa curiously..

Josh introduced Kripa to everyone as Prithvi's new neighbour and everyone welcomed her with warm welcome and hugs introducing them selves…..

J: And now we would like to hear a song from Miss. Kripa…what do you all say buddies….Josh asked enthusiastically….Every one cheered and Kripa could do nothing but nod in agreement…..Every one clapped for her and asked which song would she like to sing…..Every one suggested some thing or the other…..But Kripa shook her head….She was in the temple and she could not dismiss the thought…..She asked if she could sing some thing devotional and if it is alright with them. Every one agreed with her and encouraged her…..

P: Go on Kripa…..We never did sing any thing devotional, but we would love to hear one from you…..

Then with a thanks and a nod, Kripa bowed with her folded hands before God and started singing….

--KRIPA--O paalanhaare, nirgun aur nyaare - 2Tumre bin hamra kaunon naahinHumri uljhan suljhaao bhagwanTumre bin hamra kaunon naahinTumhe humka ho sambhaaleTumhe hamre rakhwaaleTumre bin hamra kaunon naahin --Every one from the group joined her enthusiastically, impressed by her voice… --Tumre bin hamra kaunon naahin -- KRIPA --Tumre bin hamra kaunon naahin Chanda mein tumhe to bhare ho chaandniSooraj mein ujaala tumhe seYeh gagan hai magan, tumhe to diye ho isse taareBhagwan, yeh jeevan tumhe na sanwaarogeTo kya koi sanwaareO paalanhaare, nirgun aur nyaareTumre bin hamra kaunon naahin - 2 --KRIPA--Jo suno to kahe Prabhuji hamri hai bintiDukhi jan ko dheeraj doHaare nahin voh kabhi dukh seTum nirbal ko raksha doReh paaye nirbal sukh seBhakti ko shakti do --CHORUS--Bhakti ko shakti do --KRIPA--Jag ke jo swami ho, itni to araj sunoHai path mein andhiyaareDedo vardaan mein ujiyaare --CHORUS--(O paalanhaare, nirgun aur nyaareTumre bin hamra kaunon naahinHumri uljhan suljhaao bhagwan

Tumre bin hamra kaunon naahin) – 3

Every one clapped for her and praised her…..They were really happy to have a real singer in between them. All the people other than her were here just because they loved music and liked to perform. But Kripa was different. She was really in to music unlike them.

J: Really Kripa, Prithvi's words did not do justice to your voice. You have a god given gift. I really hope that you get success. He said…He was really impressed and speechless at the sweet voice and devotion he heard in her voice. It moved him to his core….. She was really a sweet girl. A fresh breathe…So very different from all the other's he knew…..It reminded him of his mom. She was just as devotional and traditional as Kripa…..She still, after all these years, wished they were in India with all their relatives, If asked, she could talk endlessly about Indian culture, traditions, festivals and all the rituals and stories of each festival. She read lots of Indian epics like Mahabharata etc. and could never really mix with this culture. ….

After a few minutes, he took his leave with her thoughts in his mind….

Shabd came forward and complimented Kripa as well…

S: At last Prithvi here has some competition…..he said slapping prithvi's back,,,laughing aloud…

P: Yeah I do….don't I…he said chuckling..

S: I had to come to hear him in all the functions till now….but I think I will surely want to come now…. he said with a wink…Kripa chuckled….Prithvi frowned….he took Shabd by his collar…..what did you say…you had to come…..and then started hitting his back….

Shabd was laughing aloud now….and everyone just joined in….

S: Don't mind him Kripa….he is little bit wild……Did you see him….how he came on me….But don't be afraid….he keeps his promise….So you will reach home safe….he said chuckling…..

P: I will see you later shabd….he said scowling….

A: If you both are done fighting….then can we start with our discussion and choose the songs ….she asked rolling her eyes…..

P: Sure….He comes here just to waste time….but we have work to do….he said looking at Shabd angrily….Lets start……

Later everyone started planning about which songs to sing, and how to present there band….etc. They planned to have three songs, one all together and one with Kripa as the lead singer, if she was ok with that….and one with Kripa and Prithvi together….Kripa agreed immediately….She was already loving them all…..Their non stop fights and chatter, endless laughter made her day….By the end of there discussions, it was nearly 4 in the evening and they sat in the small room in the back of the temple with pizza's in their hands…..Kripa had eaten pizza only once or twice before…She was not much fan of it….What she loved was…some thing sweet hot and sour….Like chat….pav bhaji….etc…She was a very good cook herself… But knew that this was the favorite dish of Americans…And this entire group were born and bought up here…..So naturally, they preferred Pizza a lot…She held on to one pizza till the end….All the girls complained kripa that she ate like a bird and she doesn't need to look for her figure, as she was as perfect as a girl could be….That compliment bought red color to her cheeks…..And became even redder when the boys agreed to it….Seeing her embarrassed…prithvi asked everyone to clear the room. He now knew by her reaction, that she was a bit uncomfortable with boys….Yeah, she talked to Josh a little, but he was Josh…and no one could help but talk to him…..

Once finished, they all cleared and cleaned the room…..Kripa then noticed that the temple was not empty…..She could hear lots of noises, Hindi songs playing in the background and children running around….She went to see and smiled at the small children, who were trying to dance on the beats….They looked so sweet….with there small hands and feet moving to the beats….She couldn't help her self when she saw a small girl looking confused and lost amongst them….standing at the side looking at her friends dancing away……

She went to the girl and whispered some thing in her voice and smiled enthusiastically at her….The little girl immediately asked her if she would teach her…Kripa was unsure….but the girl who was teaching her was already a little worried about how to teach them…as the kids were not following her instructions properly…. So, she just shrugged and asked if she knew dance and if she did she could try teaching them for a while…..Kripa learned that this kids where planning to perform for the Independence Day function. She agreed immediately…..And looked back….Prithvi and rest were still in the room….so she thought few minutes would do no difference…..

She could see the kids mom all in the background sitting and talking to each other…..She introduced her self and then gathered the children around her and talked to them about which song they wanted to perform and how they all can join in together and make it a success…..She showed them some easy steps and then after a few minutes, the children surprisingly started to follow her….Time flew by and it was already over an hour and children were glued to Kripa like ants to sugar…..They already loved Kripa didi and listened to what ever she told….The moms where also very impressed and came forward to see the children perform so well under the guidance of a new face….. When Kripa was done she heard people clapping and cheering…..she looked behind her and saw the whole group along with prithvi sitting there and clapping enthusiastically……as well as the moms of the children…..

Prithvi introduced them all to Kripa and then with a promise to meet the children on Saturday afternoon again, Kripa left with Prithvi…..

A: Vow Kripa, you are a real magician…Vow….You can sing, you can dance….and what other talents do you possess….she asked laughing….

K: Just this two…but I love to cook….and do gardening though….

A: Vow...I think some day we need to taste your food though…..

K: I am not that good….But Mahi is….I mean my sister….

P: You have a sister….?

K: Yeah…I have a twin….Her name is Mahi…

H: Oh my God…A twin….Ram Shyam….Seeta Geeta….Kripa Mahi…..really…she exclaimed….

K: Kripa laughed….yeah…same as that….And we look so very alike that Mom gets confused some times….

A: It must have been fun….Where is Mahi then…

K: Oh she will join us in next couple of months…..She is doing her Hotel management course in Mumbai…..she supplied….

P: Impressive……

Kripa smiled at him and then looked at Shabd who was packing up….Are we leaving now…

P: Yeah…actually Shabd and I have to go over some notes for our upcoming interviews…..So need to rush now…If you are ready then we will leave….Sure…let me take my purse. She agreed immediately…..Prithvi and Kripa bid their byes and came out with shabd besides Prithvi….. in no time they were on there way to home….Shabd in his own car….Prithvi dropped Kripa and she thanked him for taking her with him and then he was gone….Kripa happily came in and told all about her day to her mom just like she was used to in Mathura……Gauri was out for some work…..Gayatri was happy to hear everything and prayed God for Kripa's success…..

CHAPTER-4

Next few days went in blizzard…..Kripa got more and more attention from Prithvi's friends as well as the children. 2-3 more groups of children came to Kripa after hearing lots of praises from the mothers of the children. Kripa was requested to teach their children too…..So, in all Kripa became more busier than she had thought. She even involved herself in temple activities. Cleaning around, decorating Gods with flowers and everything the priest told her to do. Many even asked her to coordinate with them to organize the 15^th August program and she readily agreed…Within a span of 15 days she almost captured everyone's heart around her. Every one asked for her, when they could not do some thing or find some thing…..Prithvi was just amused, that how a girl, looking so delicate as her, and who he thought so shy and nervous was capable of so much talent. She barely had been in states a month back and already people were depending on her for some thing they had managed to do without her for so long….She got lifts from from and to home whenever needed….. She had Prithvi had become good friends too and she was more open to him than before….

Suryabhan too came to know about his famous daughter and just smiled proudly at Kripa….She was his pride….Though Mahi and Kripa both were his sweet hearts, he knew Kripa had some thing amazing in her self. She always was a social butterfly….Unlike mahi, who was dead stead with her career and her ambitions….They were twins, but different in every ways….Mahi though loved and cared for her family, she possessed determination and was too independent and stood strong…Kripa though strong, never reveals it and always make everyone feel that how important they are all for her in her life….. May those be her own family, or friends…She made them feel special in their unique way…..But he knew Kripa….If she wanted she could be as strong as a rock…..He had no doubt about it…...And he knew, she would adjust where ever they were without a problem. He was thankful to Prithvi and had met the boy couple of times….Though born and brought up in US, he was as attached to their culture as his own children. And for that he was happy. He did not stop Kripa to go with him for rehearsals or other functions….now a days.

Gayatri got involved in house work and taking care of Gauri and her family….She too went with Kripa some times, to meet the people and quickly had become quite famous as Kripa's mom in the temple. She had a beautiful hand with tying flowers together and everyone gave her the duty to decorated the temple and God with flowers for the festivals or functions…..At last a day before 15^th August all the decorations were done, children ready for their performance and Kripa ready to perform first time on the stage in front of a whole new group of people….Though talented, their group had agreed to surprise people, by presenting Kripa's music talent only on the function day….So no one knows still that Kripa was a good singer too…….!!!! This year they were sure that the function was going to be super hit……

Coming back to Khanna's !!!!

There was a routine scheduled for them, just like Sharma's. But it was quite different….Dilip had to work late hours and he hardly had dinners and lunches at home….Though he never ate out. He always took home made meals….And only ate out when he had business meetings… But he tried to spend weekends with his wife….

Naina's job from last 20 years was just as fixed….Cooking first thing in the morning…..Cleaning the house and then going out to meet friends. She spent some time in social work too. And was involved in some of temple activities. But recently, she had not gone much to Temple, as she was busy remodeling her house!!!…..It was time to redo the things….Her children were now big enough and she wanted every thing new, including Angad and Prithvi's rooms. She was thinking about their marriages….May be not for next 3-4 years…But definitely, will start looking once Angad and Prithvi were settled in their jobs….She might never know, suddenly one day both would come home with their brides…..She frowned at her own thoughts….But it was a new generation….with their own ideas….But first she wanted to get this house done. They had a big house with 9 bedrooms. 4 of which were locked for ever……One occupied by herself and dilip, One was Prithvi's room, one was Angad's and one dadi's whenever she visited….And one was guest bedroom….

Thinking about her mother-in-law definitely bought smile to her lips…She wanted to be the kind of mother-in-law, Dilip's mom was….Fun-loving, non-interfering, teasing, loving and caring….That described her well….Though some times bossy, she was the real joy of everyone and Angad was just crazy about her….Her thoughts were just as modern…..She believed that when Angad would find some one he loved more than himself….he will change for her…Till then he was just being himself…and she just admired his success…..Prithvi was a darling boy for her too in a unique way…He reminded her of her husband, who loved India and its traditions as much as Prithvi….He had opposed Dilip when Dilip had started looking for the job 25 years back in the States…..But she had managed to make him agree at last, Dilip after settling had called them to join him many times….But he had disagreed….Dilip had married Naina, who was his co-worker. His father had not liked it but had given his blessings….And then he had passed away.

Dadi had joined them later and there life had changed a lot later….Angad and Prithvi came along and Naina became full time mom to her kids…Dadi was always there to help her when ever she needed. She had thought Naina a lot about Indian customs…Naina was born and brought up in US too…She was 21 when she got married….Dilip was 23. They were in love…..

Dadi was in California right now, for a vacation with her close friend in their vacation house, which dilip had bought 10 years back. They spent many of their vacations there. But recently, with the children graduated and looking for the Job and travelling with their friends more, they did not get any time to go together. She missed the family fun some times, but knew that children have grown up and they are ready to fly in this vast world….They very rarely had dinners and lunches together. She felt lonely sometimes...

She knew when to let go….But some times she was just afraid that her children would fly out of this nest…Though very much modern, the thought shuddered her…Till date, with God's blessings neither Angad nor Prithvi ever talked about moving away from home. But, knowing Angad, she was afraid he might opt out after getting a job or after marrying….They never talked about this….but still she wondered about it many times…She did not want her children to part….She wanted them to stay with her….She wanted to look after her grand children. Grow old with them….But only God knew what destiny had in store….Living outside our own country brings some disadvantages too…..But still she was a tough person and hopefully would not break if time like this comes….

Prithvi was busy in his room, looking at the computer seriously….He was looking for the job in college as a teacher….And had interview in couple of days…..He was not into business and all. All he cared about was having a wonderful family and pursuing his dream of singing…..And some how he loved to make the future of the children by sharing the education he had….And this statement he had made before suryabhan to justify his ambition, had earned him more respect than he could have imagined….He liked Kripa's family. They were all so much tied together. And when he had met Kripa….he knew that together they could make it a reality….They could just rock the world….He was Indian at heart and loved each and every festival and customs celebrated at home and temple with all his heart…He even asked Josh's sister Aliyah, to make him his brother by tying rakhi to him too and she did it happily…..Unlike Angad, who had just rolled his eyes and told them that now that prithvi was her brother, and he was prithvi's brother, she became his sister too….there was no need to tie a thread to make it legal...But he told Aliyah that now, he would miss going on date with a beautiful girl like her, due to this old dated tradition…With a salute and mock smile he was off but….Thinking of Angad prithvi rolled his eyes now…Yesterday mom had asked him to come to 15^TH August function and he had laughed aloud….

A: Mom…..This is not India…..It is not our independence day. Our independence day is on 4^th July….I don't understand how come you all celebrate India's independence here…..This is totally ridiculous!!!. And further more I am not going to waste my time on some stupid dance and songs….Any way I have to study for my upcoming interview….If I get the post they are offering….You will see, I will be on the top ladder within a year and I can start my own company soon…..This is one of the top most firm in US….And I don't want to loose this job….

N: Your wish Angad….but your dad would not be happy….He asked me to tell you to come….May be you might think again and just come for few minutes for his peace of mind….You do what ever you want though….She sighed….She was being a scapegoat here….Dilip seemed angry and at times worried about Angad….and Angad being Angad, had his own agenda…. Prithvi was as usual silent used to this type of arguments…

Dilip was as usual in the office…..He was a wonderful dad and gave everything his kids wanted….He spent as much time as he can with Naina…but with each bigger post, his responsibilities increased and he was forced to spend more time at work than he wanted…..He spent most of the weekends with Naina…though there are calls or two on those days two….But he managed to be there with her….He attended all Indian programs and followed many of his dad's traditions….He missed his dad some times….He had felt bad about coming here when his dad was so opposed to it…But he had his dreams and his mom had encouraged to fulfill it …..His dad had agreed reluctantly…but did not like the idea…..He was more upset when he had married Naina….and soon afterwards, he was suffering from kidney failure and died immediately….Some where in his heart he had felt guilty and still did…..

Coming back to present, he was proud of his son's achievements. But some times looking at Angad, he felt like he has lost all touches with his motherland….Though Prithvi was still attached to their culture….He still felt some thing a miss…..And worried about it…..He was not opposed to American culture….But he wanted his kids to follow both….and take what is good and leave the bad behind…Like the dating business….His son went with his dates, just so he could level up with others his age…..But what Dilip wanted was for his son to fall in love and marry the girl of his dreams. There were some good and some bad in both world….And he wanted his sons to see both sides and choose the best….But Angad was h*** bent on his thoughts….He did not even want to see the other side of the world….But he was his dad….Angad did not want to come, But Dilip, his dad wanted his son at the 15^th august Indian society function….By hook or crook………

CHAPTER-5

It was 15 August morning

G: Kripa Beta….Nashta to karke jao….

K: No mom…..Mujhe late ho raha hai……Bahot kaam baki hai, mujhe jana hoga…..Aliyah car mein wait kar rahi hai……..bye mom and Kripa left with Aliyah early morning……

Gayatri Sighed and just shook her head……She thought at least she might get some spare time to spend with Kripa here…..But it was looking like Kripa got busier here, than she was in India…..

S: Suryabhan was in the doorway, when he saw Gayatri shaking her head…..He saw Kripa running out with her purse in the hand…..He chuckled…..which bought Gayatri back to earth….She frowned at Suryabhan, …..Gayatri….Jane do usse………Tum mere liye chai banao aur who breakfast mujhe de do…...he told her indicating the plate in her hand…..Gayatri smiled knowingly and handed him the plate…..and went in the kitchen to prepare tea……Suryabhan followed her……and sat on the breakfast nook having his breakfast….It was Saturday morning and Pratham and Gauri were still asleep….So it left only Suryabhan and Gayatri to finish there breakfast together…..

G: Yeh ladki mein itni energy kahan se ati hain pata nahi……Kal raat mandir se 11 baje ayi hai…..aur abhi dekhiye…..Khana bhi thik se nahi kha rahi….she complained….frowning

S: Gayatri….Tumhe pata hai, ki who wahan bhuki nahi rahegi, bahot log hai jo uska acha khayal rakhenge, aur Guruji bhi to hai…..Koi puche na puche who usse jarur kuch khila denge, tum chinta mat karo……He said smiling and eating his breakfast……

G: Aap thik keh rahe hain, par phir bhi………

S: Par war kuch nahi……Uski chinta mat karo…..Mujhe pata tha ki yahin hone wala hai…….he said chuckling….Gayatri made faces at him….knowing well that he was right….Kripa could never sit at one place for more than 2 min…It was just a surprise for them that she sat at home for two full weeks…..Gayatri was afraid that kripa might just break in some people's house just so that she could talk to them and make some friends…..rather than sitting quietly at home…..

They soon finished there breakfast….and called Mahi….Since they came here…..they hardly talked with Mahi once as she was busy in her project submission and exam work….most of the time she spent in libraries where cell phones were not allowed and at nights she was too tired to talk…..

M: Mom…Vow…...how are u? How is papa and what about bhabhi……I just can't wait to come over there….I am going to be a bua….. She burst out….laughing…..

G: Chuckled…..Shant ho ja beta….Hum saab thik hai yahan…..Tum kaisi ho……Exams mein busy hongi……par apna khyayal rakhna, jyada der mat jagna, apne sheet ka khayal rakhna pehle……...

M: Mahi chuckled at her mom's usual lecture…I am fine mom….you will see me soon…Don't worry….Aap kitni chinta karti ho……Mein apna khayal khud rakh sakti hun……

G: Tum logon ko kehne ke liye asan hai…..meri jagah par akar dekho, to pata chale….she said rolling her eyes….Suryabhan chuckled and took the phone from her….

Mahi frowned at the phone….

S: Hi beta….

M: Hi papa….What happened to mom….?

S: Kuch nahi, Kripa breakfast kiye bina chali gayi, to ghussa ho gayi…… he said chuckling putting his hand on Gayatri's shoulder and gathering her close in his arms…..Gayatri rested her head on his shoulders and sighed….It was difficult to let go…The children who were so dependent on her were…..she shook her thoughts and buried her head in her husbands neck….She did not want to think about it…..

M: Oh…oh….she chuckled…..Waise, Kripa gayi kahan itni subah, itni jaldi mein……she said looking at her watch….

S: Tumhe to pata hai na beta, who kaisi hain……Humesha busy rehti hai…..aaj kal to dikhti bhi nahi hai…..he said smiling…

M: Haan bhaiya ne bataya, God, usse bor nahi hota, itne logon se milkar, unke beech itna samay bitana…….She said rolling her eyes….

Suryabhan smiled….

S: So how are your studies going on?…..Have you submitted your final project works?

M: Yeah dad…..Every thing is going as I planned….and I am 100 % sure that I will top this year too….

S: I am proud of you beta…..Take care of your self…

M: You know I do…..Bye papa…I love you all and miss you…..

S: Miss you too beta….bye…

With that he kept the phone and hugged Gayatri….

S: Gayatri, aab apna khayal karna shuru kar do……Bache aab bade ho gaye hain…..khud apna khayal rakh sakte hain…….Bees saal se apni ichayen baju mein rakh kar, humne saab ka khayal rakha…..aab tumhari bari hai……Khush raho aur enjoy karo………..Itne saal, tumhare bina mein manage nahi kar pata….Tum ne iss ghar ke liye, apne parivar ke liye jo kuch bhi kiya hai, mein akele kabhi nahi kar pata…..Apne bache aaj itne ache mukam par hai, itne ache sanskar hai, woh tumhari wajah se hai……Mujhe garv hai tum par ……Mein tumse bahot pyar karta hun…..Haar pal, umr ke sath mera pyar bhi tumhare liye badhta hi jata hai…..he said smiling at her…..

He said proudly….He never missed a chance to let Gayatri know how much she meant to him….Their love and mutual respect for each other was a example for their kids.

Meanwhile, Kripa reached the temple, where many people had already started the preparations…..As soon as they reached the temple, Harshini came running towards them…

H: Oh thank God Kripa you are here….what took you so long….We have been waiting here for ever…..common now…..she said pulling kripa with her….Sorry Aliyah….but I need to drag her in soon…Guruji needed the puja things and…she shrugged her shoulders…while going towards the temple with Kripa..

K: Harshini….one min….I need to take the bag….There are some ….

H: Aliyah will bring it….common Kripa….she said pulling her once more….Aliyah just rolled her eyes…..She parked her car and went inside carrying Kripa's large bag.

Kripa was already there helping Guruji along with Harshini, for the morning puja and bringing all the things she has arranged in the plates yesterday night….She had stayed late night yesterday with couple of more people to sort out all the puja things, so there would not be any problem in the morning and promised to come early to give it to Guruji for the puja..….But Harshini was unaware about where every thing was kept…..

Aliyah came near Kripa and gave her the bag. Kripa thanked her. She took the flowers which were bought by many people and arranged 5 different flower vase beautifully and kept it before each idol…..She could see that Idols were all cleaned and dressed with new clothes. They were decorated with wonderful ornaments….She then took out the beautiful garlands prepared by Gayatri yesterday night for the Gods and kept it in the puja plate with all other things….

A: Kripa finish this quickly and come in the back room….We need to review some details about our program and look for the outfits too…..

K: Give me hour and I will be there….

A: Ok….See ya…and Aliyah was gone…..No one had time to speak….all had there own things to do….

At the back stage people where already gathering with there kids and getting them ready for the upcoming program which was scheduled right after the puja ……Suryabhan, Gayatri, pratham and Gauri had promised to reach before the puja.

Some kids came near Kripa to wish her and talk to her about there costumes…..They took her with them so that she could help them with it…..Kripa went with them and got busy…..Aliyah found out Kripa sitting in between the kids laughing and putting make up on there little faces…

Aliyah came inside with her hands on her hips….

A: Kripa…..I have been looking for you all over……We have been waiting for you….common…..you need to get ready too…….

K: One minute Aliyah….all done….she said putting the small make up box away and looking at the little one….You are looking beautiful….she said kissing the little girl's cheek…making the girl giggle…..Kripa got up….and said her bye….and stepped out with Aliyah….Sorry Aliyah…..But….

A: That's ok Kripa….I see how much you love kids….But common yaar….we are your friends too…she said chuckling putting a hand on her shoulder and dragging her fast….Both reached the room giggling like little kids…..When they entered everyone looked up and greeted Kripa joyfully….

K: Hi…..Sorry I am late…

P: Oh….we are used to it now Kripa…don't worry…..he said chuckling….

K: The children…..she was about to tell why she was late when josh spoke for her…

J: Oh yeah….The Guruji did not know where every thing was, children did not know how to dress up, ….and here we did not know if we ever would get chance to even meet you today….Kripa blushed…..

Every one chuckled at her….and gathered around, to talk about their songs…dressings…etc…and then Aliyah asked kripa to change quickly, reminding her that she was going to start the function today…..They only had 20 minutes…..

Within 15 minutes Kripa was all ready and out looking stunning in white mirror work dress and red bandani duppatta…..and light red colored necklace and earrings….

H: Oh my God…Look at you….you are looking just….stunning…Vow….

Josh whistled lightly and Prithvi just signaled her with his hand that she was looking super…..All of them at once whistled for Kripa….making Kripa chuckle and blush at the same time….

Kripa missed Mahi today though…..They had bought this type of identical dresses and had celebrated last diwali together….She wished Mahi was here….It would have been wonderful and fun……

Soon every one went to temple where puja had already began…..Sharma family was there….and so were Dilip and Naina…..But as usual Angad was missing……….!!!!

Kripa smiled at Gayatri and waved to Gauri before standing quietly besides Harshini and Aliyah while the puja was performed ……There were more than 300 people present there for the function……After the puja….and aarati …..everyone took Prasad…..Children were running around with India's flag in there little hands…. Then they went out and together did the flag hosting…..Everyone sang National Anthem and then sweets and snacks were, before every one entered the function hall……The hall was beautifully decorated with white, green and orange ballons and papers….and India's flag all over the rooms…..There were photos of many of Indian leaders who fought for the freedom. Kripa and all others beamed with joy and pride when they looked at the hall now…..Yesterday they were too tired to enjoy it after so much of work….Now it looked wonderful……..

Every one took there seats and all the participants were taken behind the stage….to wait for there turns to perform……

The hall was full to its capacity and everyone were in a wonderful and cheerful mood….Prithvi then invited the event coordinator and asked their chief guest a CEO of one of the biggest firms of US on the stage to start the program with their speech……

Khanna's and Sharma's were sitting in first row. Pratham had introduced them to his parents and Dilip and Suryabhan had taken off very well…..Suryabhan also met some of the people from his bank ….Then there was Angad…..well dressed sitting next to Dilip with a sigh, wishing he could be any where but here…….Dilip had arranged for Mr. Bhatia, CEO of the company Angad had interview in, to be the chief guest in today's function and had told Angad about it, just in the morning, so Angad would not suspect that he had arranged this….He had told him that meeting Mr. Bhatia out side the company and getting to know him and talking to him might give him some idea about Mr. Bhatia's future vision for his company which might help him, to work for the interview. That had convinced Angad.

But now he wished he should have not agreed for it….Looking at the crowd….he did not think he would get a chance to even speak to the man….He never expected so much crowd. He mumbled a curse, which made Dilip look at him angrily….He sighed apologetically….God how could people tolerate this……..He never could understand these people…..If they are so patriotic, then why in the world did they leave their country and become citizen here….This was just plain stupidity….On one side, these people craved to be American citizens and on other hand they keep wishing they were in India and kept talking about how much they miss there country and on and on……He never could understand any of these sentiments….His rule was simple….Follow the culture of the country you live in…..He needed some fresh breathe….But he would surely listen to Mr. Bhatia's speech first. He thought mentally…….He waited patiently while looking at the small kids talking and giggling with flags in there hands…..Then the speech started and continued for next 10 minutes…..It was all revolved around children and India and there independence day etc…

Then he saw his bro…in traditional out fit…..coming forward, shaking his hand with Mr. Bhatia with a smile…..Prithvi's eyes went to where Angad was sitting and he raised his eyebrows in surprise just for a sec….Angad just shrugged and rolled his eyes…..

Prithvi was really surprised….But then came back to the function…….

P: And now I would like all of you to welcome a wonderful singer from India, who is already famous amongst us…he said waiting for a second and then chuckled…..looking at all the audience looking curious and talking about it…..to come on the stage and start the program with her beautiful voice……he continued….I now call Miss. Kripa Sharma who had already won hearts of many people and little kids around here…Hearing Kripa's name children started clapping and calling for her….Others were just surprised to know that Kripa could sing and those who did not know her waited in patience….But Angad's patience was all but over….He was all ready to go and stood up, when the lights went out…..It was pitch dark and Angad did not have a choice but to just sit back down……Then they heard light music in the background a large screen appeared infront of them with the images of India's recent attacks.. …….And slowly she began to sing appearing in front of the audience…looking angelic and pure……….

--KRIPA--
Aa jaa ke kab milke rab se dua maange
Jeevan mein sukoon chaahe, chaahat mein vafa maange
Haalaat badalne main ab der na ho maalik
Jo de chuke phir yeh andher na ho maalik

--CHORUS--
Ek tu hi bharosa, ek tu hi sahaara
Is tere jahan mein nahin koi hamaara
(Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata) - 2

--KRIPA--
Ek tu hi bharosa, ek tu hi sahaara
Is tere jahan mein nahin koi hamaara
(Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata) - 2
Humse na dekha jaaye barbaadiyon ka sama
Ujdi hui banti mein yeh tadap rahe insaan

--CHORUS--
Humse na dekha jaaye barbaadiyon ka sama
Ujdi hui banti mein yeh tadap rahe insaan

--KRIPA--
Nanhe jismon ke tukde liye khadi hai ek maa
Baarood ke dhuen mein tu hi bol jaaye kahan

--CHORUS--
Ek tu hi bharosa

--KRIPA--
Ek tu hi sahaara

--CHORUS--
Is tere jahan mein

--KRIPA--
Nahin koi hamaara

--CHORUS--
Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata

--KRIPA--
Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata
Naadaan hain hum to maalik, kyoon di hamein yeh saza
Yahan hai sabhi ke dil mein nafrat ka zaher bhara

--CHORUS--
Naadaan hain hum to maalik, kyoon di hamein yeh saza
Yahan hai sabhi ke dil mein nafrat ka zaher bhara

--KRIPA--
Inhe phir se yaad dila de sabak vohi pyaar ka
Ban jaaye gulshan phir se kaanton bhari duniya
Ek tu hi bharosa, ek tu hi sahaara
Is tere jahan mein nahin koi hamaara
Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata

--CHORUS--
Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata

--KRIPA--
(Meri pukaar sun le)

--CHORUS--
Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata

--KRIPA--
(Hey eeshwar ya allah)

--CHORUS--
(Eeshwar ya allah, yeh pukaar sun le
Eeshwar ya allah hai daata) - 3

--KRIPA--
(Meri pukaar sun le, meri pukaar sun le, meri pukaar sun le)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAhasi9QztY&feature=related

There was complete silence in the room after the song was over……….No one could speak a word…..All eyes filled with tears….They could only feel the pain. Pain which had touched the heart of the world….

And for the first time there were tears in Angad's eye's…..he had felt bad at the time for the people when he had heard the news….But the reality and the voice of the person standing before him had reached his soul…….The helplessness among the people, the terror they must have faced was beyond imagination….….He could just look at the foggy figure in front of him, when the light slowly were switched on……singing this heart wreching song….

CHAPTER - 6

As soon as the lights were on, Angad got up and left. He blinked back his tears….Tears were the sign of weakness….Yeah he knew that it was painful…but tears would not solve the problems of the world….And as per the voice…he thought the girl had wonderful voice and would surely grow…..But she was not for him…...He felt a unnerving attraction towards that unknown girl…But…..She seemed like too much involved in this setting and this was not him ……not by a long shot…….And further he had his dreams to pursue……Love marriage ….nope not in his list for now……he shook his head in denial…...yes may be after he built his dreams he would want to marry some day, but he would marry a girl, who would share his dreams too, not so devoted Indian wife…..He thought frowning...His wife would be some one modern who would mix in this American culture and who would help him in his business…..He wanted some one who would be equal partner in his every step.…...

He did not hear Dilip calling him to come back or the claps of hundreds of hands filling the hall…..He was in his own thoughts….And he was angry at him self for thinking about love and marriage, when till today he did not even blink towards it…..And hearing a voice of a girl, had turned his thoughts to some thing which had no place in his life for now…..He could not even see her face properly….Then too…..He shook his head angrily….

He went towards his car and drove away…..All the way the same song kept ringing in his head and the beautiful voice of the girl…..As much as he thought of thinking about some thing else, he would again take a u turn and think about the same girl again…..He slammed his fist on the steering wheel in frustration…..and suddenly lost his control…..The car went and slammed in a tree….but luckily Angad was unhurt as he was not driving very fast…..But his head slammed on the steering wheel and he got a little cut on his head……He cursed the girl and her voice…..God was he an idiot….He cursed couple of more times thinking about the d*** girl and then called 911…..He had to tow the car now…..which frustrated him to no end…Next 15 min he paced along the side of the road angrily….determined to forget about her and think about his upcoming interview…..About Mr. Bhatia…and for a few minutes he was successful….!!!

The cop and the tow truck came and after all the formalities, he got a ride with the cop to his home……The cop had seen the cut and asked if he was alright and if he needed medical attention…..But Angad denied and thanked him for his concern…...Damn, he was struck now…..His car would only be available after 5 days….When he reached his home, he thanked the cop and got down…..but then slammed his fist in frustration again….God he had forgot to take the house keys from the key chain….And the tow truck guy took the keys along with the car…..He was stuck…..He wanted to call Josh….He had seen him in the hall today, but he was at the back stage….and did not come out…of course if he would have know that Angad was there he would have come for sure….But no one had expected for him to come in the function….And calling him…no he shook his head…Then he remembered…even if he would want to call… he had left his cell phone at home today. ….And he could not risk, entering his own house trying the windows and starting the alarm…..It would be a little embarrassing if the cops come and enquire…..He went around the house to see if there was any way he could go in….but nope….

His anger was growing every second… How could he be such a fool…..He started walking along side the road closing and opening his fist angrily….Cursing him self and the girl….Never again was he going to come in any of his dad's talks…...ever again he thought….First time after all this years he went there and look what had happened…..

Sighing at his useless anger, he kept walking any where and everywhere he could….until his legs started hurting…..He had knocked at couple of their neighbors where mom usually kept spare keys….But no one had answered….He sat on the bench in the near by park where a few children were playing….Angad sat there and kept looking at the children….His thoughts went to the ambitions he had in his life….and as usual he started thinking about it and how he would pursue the dreams….About his interviews…..And kripa's thoughts were completely vanished after he started thinking about this all…..

Angad was an excellent student and had topped the college and even was the youngest boy of them all…..He had skipped two classes when he was in elementary and high school…..Teachers were impressed by his skills…..Students eager to have his notes…..He had dated and had his share of parties…..during all this time….But he had never got drunk…or partied on the expense of his education….He always had some one or the other as his date, when he had to go to college or high school parties….He was quite handsome and well built...But most of his time was spent in library or his room…..or with Josh at the cafeteria…

He loved his parents and prithvi…..And dadi was his favorite…..His dad had opposed him for dating since high school….but his dadi had just asked him to wait for the girl of his dreams, before he took any further step…..Angad had understood what she was trying to say and abided to it till date…He had never crossed his limits….His date was limited to roaming around and having dinners or lunches in the restaurants and then a peck on a cheek….He had almost lost it once when a girl tried to seduce him….But later he avoided those type of chicks….His classmates made fun of him for that….but he could not disobey dadi's word…...

Coming back to now, he thought about Mr. Bhatia…..How he was such a successful and powerful personality….Angad had bigger dreams than those…..He dreamed about owning his own company which would be in top 10 companies of the world……But for that he needed experience….and this was the right opportunity for him to grab it…..If he did well, he would be able to manage the Virginia division of Mr. Bhatia's company…..He would get good exposure and insight of the business…..He was surprised when he got the call from them asking him to come for the interview….He knew his academics were good and he could do it….no doubt.….but the post required at least 5 years of experience and he had none….But he had given them his resume any way….and now in couple of days he had the interview…..Coming back to interview, how was he going to go…He could ask ride from prithvi or dad or could borrow Prithvi's car for a day….

He worked for one of his professors, and gave couple of tuitions in his class, to earn some pocket money…..His dad had asked him strictly to concentrate on studies rather than working in burger king or other restaurants for the tuition fees or other expenses as he already had big amount in there college funds….Angad had gotten some wonderful scholarships, which made it easy…..He wanted to be self dependent….but had no choice but to accept the money for the tuition….But he never used that money for partying or dating….He only spent the money he earned, for other things…..He hated smoking or any other type of addictives…..And he was very much aware of the importance of health….He worked out regularly and took less sugar and oil….Overall his life was going on perfectly well…..until today till that girl appeared in this perfect picture….and spoiled his day….and his car……….he thought rolling his eyes…..Now he was sure he would have to listen to another round of lecture from his dad and he dreaded that most…..Hope mom would come to his rescue…..

Sighing he sat there for may be an hour, when some one came and sat besides him on the bench….When he looked at the person, he was surprised to see Mishti Bose there….His college friend….

A: Hi…he said smiling at her after hours of frustration….

M: Hi…..Surprise…..what are you doing alone….that too without a book? she asked raising her eyebrows…..

A: Angad rolled his eyes…I don't always have book in my hand….I have life other than that too….

M: Oh really, she asked mocking him….

Angad made a disgusted look and avoided her question…..

M: Sorry….Boss…..

A: Boss…..?

M: Yeah….I hope you would hire me once you get the job in Mr. Bhatia's company to work under u…she asked winking…..

Hmmm so she knew….yeah may be prithvi's big mouth might have slipped…..

A: Angad smiled…..you sure I am going to get it….?

M: I am sure….But are u?

A: I hope so….but not sure about your job though….Don't need a distraction, when I have bigger ambitions and concerns….

It was Mishti's turn to look angry…..

M: You are too mean and selfish…she complained frowning….

A: Aren't we all…..he asked smiling and looking at her …

M: Yeah may be….she replied chuckling…..She was ambitious too…..career oriented ….and some where there was selfishness in her too….or she would not have stayed near by Angad all these years…And Angad knew it….She basically took his notes and guidelines to study….She was 2 years bigger than him…..But they were in same class for last 4 years….And she knew that Angad was very much knowledgeable and she could get success if he was by her side….Never had Angad gave her any idea that she might be more than any thing but friend….but secretly she hoped she might…..that is in future….but for that she had to be with him…..She did not mind the age difference…

A: So what are you doing currently….

M: For now enjoying life and looking for the job…….

A: Yeah…It is tough market for fresher's….

M: Aren't you planning to look else where too…Like out side the city…may be New York or Chicago….You know big cities….

A: Na…he shrugged….Yeah may be after few years….But if I get the job here then I will just stick to it for some experience…..

M: We are having a party next week….Even Josh and Aliyah are joining in…..Want to come with me….I mean as a date…She asked looking at him….

A: Ummm….sure why not….But I will call you and confirm….By the way who is giving the party….

M: No one and everyone…Just couple of dozen college friends…..a get together type..….If you want to bring some one else then you can….

A: Ummm no….What about Prithvi….

M: He is coming too…..Why are you all alone here….? She asked frowning…And what happened to your head….she asked putting a hand near his wound….She could not see it till now as Angad's hairs were on them….Angad winced….

A: Nothing….I had an accident….Got the car towed and foolishly gave away the key of the house along with the car key and am stuck here till dad and mom get home….

M: And they are at 15^th august fuction….she chuckled….knowing him well…

A: Yeah….and what about you….Why did u not go….Ms. India? He asked sarcastically…

M: I was busy cleaning my room…..It was complete mess….and mom was just too much angry….could not avoid it any longer…she sighed

Angad chuckled……They were complete opposite…He liked to keep his room neat and tidy…. everyday….and she liked the mess…

A: Good for you….

M: Yeah may be….I need to run now….Can't miss the Indian feast though…..want to come….better than sitting here alone for next two hours…..

A: No way….Angad said it too soon and almost screaming….Mishti looked at him frowning as if he lost his brain….….I am fine here….you go….he said calming down a little….Mishti eyed him little bit suspiciously…..May be his cut was bad than it looked….May be …..

A: I am fine…Mishti….Stop babying me….he said rolling his eyes….

M: I don't see you as a baby Angad….You are far better built than that…..she looked at his strong body chuckled and waved before going off….

Angad chuckled himself, knowing how he fascinated the opposite groups and waved back at her…..

Back at the hall….Dilip stared at Angad's back angrily….The boy was too stubborn for his own good….

But then his attention turned to the stage and the lovely girl……He got the connection and knew that she was Suryabhan Sharma's daughter…..Everyone got up with loud applause and cheered for Kripa……Kripa bowed shyly before thanking everyone and leaving the stage…..Aliyah and Harshini and all the group came to her and cheered for her and hugged her in turns….and congratulated her for such a wonderful performance…..It was prithvi's idea to show the pictures…

Suryabhan, Gayatri were proud of their daughter…..They had heard her many times in India and so were not that surprised….But Gauri and Pratham were just too surprised….And Pratham could see how her little sister has grown up to be as beautiful as she was today…..and her voice was as sweet as she was…..He felt proud to be her brother….He and Gauri clapped and cheered with other children for her……Then after 2-3 kids dance programs, once again Kripa came on stage with Prithvi this time…..Kripa was quite comfortable singing around with Prithvi now….The audience cheered loudly seeing Prithvi and Kripa on the stage together……..

They sang the fusion of old and new songs together with couple of English songs….and people were going crazy by the time they ended…….The entire hall was cheering clapping and whistling loudly…..Kripa just couldn't contain her excitement…She looked at her family grinning proudly.…..and Pratham gave her thumbs up sign and Gauri blew her a kiss…..She waved at them slowly smiling and together they thanked the audience and went away……

Kripa and Prithvi's name were on each and every persons lips……People couldn't stop praising them…..And along with them Suryabhan's family too became a celebrity of the night….It felt like a dream….Kripa could not believe, how crazily, people were coming to her and congratulating and praising her….Children singing the songs they just sang….It turned out into Kripa's biggest achievement night……And Suryabhan and Gayatri were proud parents of Ms. Kripa Sharma….Even Mr. Bhatia had personally wished Kripa and her parents and praised her talent……He gave Kripa his card and asked that if she ever needed help to perform any shows around US, then he would proudly be one of them….Kripa thanked him, but did not ask any thing further…..

There was a break for lunch and then couple of more programs ….But everyone was waiting for the last show….where Kripa, Prithvi and all the other group were going to perform together….and then the function would be finished…..Everything turned out to be super hit….Even children were wonderful and full of praises for their Kripa didi too….

M: Josh, who is this Kripa….Never heard before….Mishti asked Josh while eating

J: Oh Kripa….You should meet her….Beautiful and wonderful….he said winking…

Mishti made faces at him…

J: No really….he said chuckling….One min….I will introduce you to her….Josh went away some where in the crowd and was back in 2 minutes with Kripa….Kripa meet my class mate Mishti...And Mishti this is Kripa….you should have come for her first performance….It was just mind blowing….He said smiling at Kripa

K: Hi Mishti…Kripa ignored Josh and smiled politely…She was quite used to his constant flirting now….

M: Hi….You have become quite a celebrity around here I see…Congrats….By the way, I never saw you around….

J: She is Prithvi's……………..

K: Are you going to answer for all the question she asks me? She mimicked back his words to him……sweetly…

Josh laughed out loud….waved at her and went away in the crowd…..

Kripa chuckled at his back and so did Mishti….

M: Nice to meet you Kripa…..Good to see that there is some one to get back at Josh….He needs that...Thinks he is too smart and can get any girl he wishes.. they chuckled together…..any way…I wish I had seen your performance…I had some work to finish….so I was late….

K: That's ok Mishti….But there is one more song we all are singing together….But that will be the last one…she said smiling at her….

M: Sure I am all for it….Did you have your lunch…

K: No…did not get time…

M: Hey don't miss the chance….This is delicious….Are you on some type of dieting or some thing….she asked suspiciously…

Kripa chuckled…

K: No way….I love Indian food….

M: Good some thing we have in common at least….So where did you come from?

K: We recently moved from India….next door to Prithvi….

M: Oh Vow…you are new here….

K: Yeah…

M: Hey want to come to our college party….You can be Prithvi or Josh's date if they don't already have one….That way you will meet more friends around here….Kripa turned red hearing the word date…Dad would kill her…

K: Ummm…I am not sure….I will ask them later….she said a little embarrassed….

M: Good….More the merrier….I love parties...And I don't suppose you have ever been to parties here…

Kripa shook her head….and smiled politely….Suddenly Prithvi came behind her to call her back stage….

P: Hey Mishti…I see you have met Kripa already….I need to take her now…Sorry…

M: Hey to you too…Wait a minute……I saw your brother sitting at the park today….she chuckled…Prithvi raised his eye brow…..He had an accident…..and his car got towed….and he forgot to take out his house key before leaving the car…Mishti said it in one shot…..Prithvi's eyes widened….

P: I saw him here in the function for Kripa's first show….he said frowning.

M: What?….I think you must have dreamed….she chuckled…

P: I am serious…he was here….with dad….

M: Vow that is the national news now….Can I telecast it today? She asked laughing….

P: And accident? Kripa looked worried at Mishti…

K: Is he hurt? Kripa was the one to ask….Mishti and Prithvi looked at her worried face….

M: Yeah a little….on his head…but said it was fine….and asked me to stop babying him she said chuckling at his words….

K: I think you should call him….don't you? She asked Prithvi….Mishti looked amusingly at Kripa….

P: Na…..If Mishti said he is fine…then he must be….Don't worry….I will see you later Mishti…Coomon Kripa…..

K: Bye Mishti…Prithvi pulled Kripa with him…..but before they were out of her sight, she shouted back…

M: Bye….and hey Prithvi ….I invited Kripa for the party next week…If you don't have date then bring Kripa with you or else ask Josh….Mishti called out…

Kripa blushed a little and was embarrassed….Prithvi rolled his eyes but kept on walking….did not want to embarrass Kripa further….Every one here now knew Kripa….And could not risk any talks…

Once in the room, she was surprised no one was in the room..….Prithvi bought a plate in front of her …

P: Common now….finish it quickly….Your mom said you did not even have breakfast today….She was looking for you…

Kripa sighed….Thanks Prithvi…I was really hungry….and I did not have time at all…

Prithvi chuckled and asked her to eat soon or some one might again drop in….

K: Aren't you worried about your brother….He is hurt….And all alone…if he needs any help…

P: Kripa don't worry….he is not so small any more….He is my elder brother…He must be fine ….And Mishti already assured he was ok…Kripa looked at him frowning….How come he was so detached….Prithvi sighed and called Angad just for Kripa's sake may be….but there was no answer….He made her hear the voicemail and shrugged..…..

P: Kripa….please don't say any thing before any one about Angad….If dad finds out he will surely bash Angad today….He wanted Angad to attend the function….But I see that he left immediately….I saw dad talking to mom angrily...Kripa frowned at his words…...suddenly Gayatri came in….she found Kripa having lunch and sighed…..She went near her and caressed her hair…

G: Thank God you are eating…

K: Tell thanks to Prithvi Mom….He bought me here and served me….she said chuckling

G: Thanks beta….Gayatri smiled at him patting his back…

P: It's ok Aunty….Prithvi said… Aaap please Kripa ke sath baithiye na…..mujhe bahar jakar settings check karni hai….Function abhi phir se chalu hoga….Gayatri nodded and asked him to do his work….

G: Kripa mujhe aur tumhare papa ko tum par garv hai……You were wonderful….she smiled and pinched her cheeks…Kripa grinned at her while having her food….Soon she was done and the people started gathering around whose show were still pending….

The function started with full swing……

At last Prithvi and Kripa came to the stage with their full group and together they sang making each and every one in the hall dance with joy……..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQv5ATJkjBE&feature=related

(see our prithvi perform in this video)

They then took all the ballons outside in the open and gave it to all the children and blew it in the air…..cheering happily……….

Later everyone was on their way home…..Smile on their faces…..The event turned out more successful than they had thought about….

Suryabhan and Gayatri hugged their daughter proudly while leaving the hall and Pratham had just made faces at her, saying that she had earned her fame within a month of coming where as he is still trying after 5 years to get it…..making everyone laugh….They met Khanna's outside while leaving and they invited the sharma's for dinner the next day……And Suryabhan agreed immediately…..He thanked and praised Prithvi for the success of the function…..and for giving Kripa the opportunity she wished for…Then they parted with a promise to meet next day….

Kripa had wanted to wait and help cleaning up….but others said that she must be tired and should rest and they would take up from here…..Kripa was actually exhausted and was asleep by the time they reached home on her mom's lap…..Her mom caressing her hair looking at her face lovingly…..

CHAPTER ' 7

It was evening, by the time Kripa got up…...She had went straight to bed after they reached home'.She came down after freshening up, feeling a lot lighter……..Everyone was sitting out with cup of tea in there hands.They all smiled at Kripa when she came out……….

G: Baitho Kripa, mein tumhare liye chai lati hun……she said keeping her cup on the table…..

K: Nahi bhabhi…..Mein khud le aungi……she said making Gauri sit back…...and Kripa bought her self a cup and sat down………

P: Kripa……..you were amazing today…….Mujhe to yakeen hi nahi hota, ki tum itni talented ho……He said grinning…..Kripa smiled shyly drinking her tea''.

S: Pratham, Kripa college mein bhi bahot famous thi aur bahot awards mile the isse, meine batayatha na tumhe…….he smiled…..

P: But dad, she could be famous…….Woh apna individual shows kar sakti hai, film industry join karsakti hai…..asmonon ko chu sakti hai……Aaj kal to log music ke deewane hain……Ache singers ki itni demand haim, ki ek hi pal mein Kripa kahan ki kahan pahunch jayegi……Aap ne dekha na aaj logon ka reaction…..They were simply crazy about her…..Mujhe lagta hai ki Kripa ko apna sapna pura karna chahiye……..He said smiling…….

Kripa stopped breathing……..She had told pratham not to talk about it…..She knew her dad, would be a little reluctant……..she did not want him to feel that he was coming in between her and her future…..She was happy, if he was…...She looked angrily at Pratham, who ignored her…...Gauri smiled proudly at Pratham…...All the eyes were on Suryabhan, while Kripa looked down, not knowing what to speak…...

Gauri: Papa, Pratham thik keh raha hai…..Kripa sach much bahot talented hai……Woh agar than le, to bahot famous ho sakti hai…..Apne sapne ko sakar kar sakti hai……Aap ko uski chinta aab nahi karni chahiye…..woh badi hai, khud apna khayal rakh sakti hai…..aur aapko uss par vishwas hona chahiye…….Logon ka aaj reaction dekhkar, yeh yakin ho gaya ki ussme woh saab kuch hai, jo ek singer mein honi chahiye…..talent, awaj, lagan……She is really wonderful…... I have no doubt that she will just shake the music industry and rock the world'.she said chuckling looking at Kripa'……..Who looked a little distant…….When Gauri asked with her eyes what was bothering her, Kripa shook her head and kept quite…..

Suryabhan chuckled at her enthusiasm and Gayatri smiled at her daughter lovingly…….She knew, Kripa dreamed about being a big singer………

G: Pratham aur Gauri bilkul thik keh rahe hain Ji…….she said quietly……...Suryabhan looked surprised at Gayatri and so did Kripa…….she had never told him what to do…...and always supported his decision……Usse dekhiye to ji……usski ankhon mein itne sapne hai, phir bhi khamosh hai…….Bas issliye, kyun ki woh aapko dukh nahi dena chahti…..app ki khushi mein apni khushi dekhti hai…….Aab aap ki bari hai…….Bachpan se lekar aaj tak, usne kuch nahi manga…..Mahi ne to zid karke apna lakshya hasil kar diya, par Kripa ne woh bhi nahi kiya, bas issliye kyun ki woh apka maan karti hai…..Aapki khushi chahti hai……Woh chahti to Pratham aur Mahi ki tarah zid karke apni baat manva sakti thi…..par usne aisa nahi kiya…… Suryabhan patted Gayatri's hands and nodded at her in acceptance, acknowledging her that she was right and then smiled through tears in his eyes and looked at Kripa…….Yes, Kripa was like that……She had always thought of others first…...Never raised any objection, on what he asked her to do…….She did what ever she has to happily…...He raised his arms and asked her to come to him…...Kripa slowly got up tensed and kept the cup on the table and went to her dad…….he took her hands and made her kneel down…….he took her forehead and kissed it gently……

S: Mein janta hun, ki mein ne hi tumhe Mumbai jane se roka, tumhare singer banane ke sapna tha, usse support nahi kiya…….Par mujhe daar lagta tha, ki meri choti si gudiya, wahan uss chamak dhamak ki duniya mein kahin kho jayegi…..Itni dur chali jayegi, ki apne mama papa tak uski najar bhi nahi pahunch payege…..Par mein galat tha…..woh meri khudgarji thi, jisne tumhare sapne ko roka……

K: Papa

S: Nahi Kripa…..Mujhe meri baat puri karne do……Tumne meri baat sunkar apna farz pura kiya hai…….aab mujhe mera farz pura karna hai……Tum aab se wahi karo, jo tumhe acha lagta ho……Agar tumhe acha mauka milta hai, to aab mein tumhe rokunga nahi……Agar tum Bombay jana chahti ho, to mein tumhe usme sath dunga….I am really proud of you Kripa…...he said smiling…...Kripa smiled at him and kept her head on his lap…...her heart pounding with excitement…….and Sruyabhan caressed her lovingly…...Every one smiled at them…...The father and daughter had a unique bond.

K: Thanks papa, Par mujhe kahin nahi jana, apna parivar chod kar…….Yahan par aaj apne dekha na, ki kitne log mujhe classes nikalne ke liye keh rahe hain…….Mein aap saab ko chod kar kahin nahi jana chahti…….Suryabhan smiled at Kripa and patted her back'.

Kripa looked at Pratham through tears and mouthed thanks slowly and Pratham smiled at her showing her thumbs up sign…….Some times children's understanding nature melts the elders like, lce in the hot water'…..

They all decided to celebrated Kripa's success and went out for dinner in a Indian Restaurant…...But they were not alone there, many people knew Kripa due to her performance today and came to wish her and tell her that she was wonderful …...Pratham rolled his eyes and Kripa grinned, when they went away……

P: Are we going to have to stop coming to restaurants now that you are famous……...May be next time I will book the restaurant all for our self…...after all we have a celebrity amongst us…..He said grinning……..Kripa hit him on his arms chuckling and others laughed at it and had a lovely time together……

On the other side, Dilip was angry at Angad for just walking out'.and he got angrier when he came to know about the accident……..

D: Dilip…..Naina tried to interfere…..but he raised his hand…...what is your problem Angad? I never told you to go through all the customs or any thing…….Just asked you to join in the function, so you can get to know some people, know our culture……..Couldn't you just sit for at least couple of hours…...At least try to know what is it all about? Why are you so against it? We are all not mad people to just follow our traditions blindly…….There is some thing about it, which holds us on together…….You keep out of all this as if it is some disease and I don't like this attitude at all…….Angad just stood there keeping his head down'.Sighing…...Naina just stood there looking at her angry husband…...It is true we have stayed here for long and we have to go by American culture as well and I am not opposing it……. But we are as much Indians as we are Americans……If you are born here, it doesn't mean all your roots to our country and culture are cut out……..We still have same blood…...and we should at least respect it…...Angad sighed and looked away…..

D: And how were you so careless…...How did you get into the accident…...Don't you know your insurance will go up once you claim for the accident…...And what would have happened if you would have gotten badly hurt…..? Your career'your life'.what would have happened to that'? He asked looking at him angrily…….

A: I am sorry dad…...It was just……...

D: I don't want to hear any excuses today Angad……..I am just tired of your so called attitude……Ok then……..If you feel that you are so much American……..then go'stay on your own……..Many of the American kids live on their own, they don't want any interference of their parents in their live……..and they want to live as they wish…….So go…...go and stay accordingly…….You will have no one to scold or interfere…….No one to tell you what you should do…….You can live as you want and be the king of your life…...That is what you want right……...Naina looked shocked at Dilip…...She could not utter a word for a minute………

N: Dilip…...what are you saying…...How? But Dilip looked at her angrily……..asking her to stop and not to talk in between with his eyes……...She remained quite…...and looked at Angad fearfully…...

Angad did not utter a word…He knew his dad was angry…..He looked at Naina who looked at him fearfully…..No, he did not want to leave his parents…...They were his family and he knew they loved him more than he could imagine…...And he loved them too…...He could not just go away and settle some where else…...He was about to say some thing, when dadi came in…...

Dadi: Dilip, mujhe lagta hai, ki tum bahot stress mein ho…..jao aur jake araam karo…….Angad agar iss ghar se ek kadam bhi bahar nikala na, to mujh se gujar na padega…….she said looking at him with mock anger…..

Naina sighed with relief on seeing dadi as well as surprised……

D: Ma…...Aap kaab ayi? Aap ne kaha bhi nahi ki aap aaj aarahi ho? Mein airport aa jata apko lene…..

Dadi: Meri baat chodo…..aur kaho yahan kya chal raha hai……she said frowning…….

Dilip told her everything that has happened…..

Dadi: Angad…..Kahin chot to nahi ayi na beta….. She looked at him concerned…….

D: He is fine and standing before you ma…...Dilip replied angrily……Dadi looked at him frowning…….

Dadi: Dilip, kafi thak gaye ho….jao jake aaram karo…...she said dismissing him……Angad smiled a little at her authoritative tone with relief…..and Dilip looked at him angrily once more…….

D: You are going to stay for dinner tomorrow……..We are having some guests and I don't want you to even think about leaving the house…….He declared angrily and went away……Naina and Angad both sighed……and Angad ran to dadi and hugged her tightly……

A: Thank God dadi, you are here…….Or else dad was in mood to take me out of the house……he said chuckling'….Naina looked at him frowning and then went to dadi and touched her feet…...

N: Ma….Thank you so much……Dilip aaj itne ghusse mein them ki pata nahi aaj kya ho jata…….She said looking sadly at Angad……

A: Nothing mom…..I am not going to leave you…..don't worry…...Naina smiled at his words and patted his cheek affectionately…..Though he did not want to come to any Indian functions, Angad respected his elders and loved them…….

Dadi: Angad …. I am not happy with you…..Angad looked at her frowning…... Why are you so opposed to going to any Indian function…...can't you just fulfill your dad's wish…..It was just couple of hours….You could just talk with all your friends and have a nice time…..dadi said looking at him a little angry…..

A: Dadi…..I just get too bored…..with all that dances and talks about how much they love Indian food and how much they miss India…..Its just boring…….

Naina just shook her head and then excused herself, telling dadi that she will bring her some tea….. Dadi sat down and Angad sat besides her…...She looked at him lovingly…..

D: Angad…..Kabhi kabhi dusron ke khushi ke liye bhi kuch karna chahiye…….Yeh tumhara parivar hai…..jo tumse bahot pyar karta hai…….Khair tumhari marji……Tumhe tumhare papa ka dil dukhana hai, to tumhari marji…….Par mujhe nahi lagta ki unhone kuch jyada manga….sirf thoda samay manga tumhara…….

A: Dadi not you too…..he sighed…..

Dadi: But are you ok…...Then she saw the scar on his forehead…..Tumhe chot lagi hai….she said looking and frowning…..

A: It's nothing dadi…..I am fine…...don't worry……he said putting his head on her lap…...I missed you…..

Dadi: I missed you too…..

A: You are lying…..You were cruising there with bunch of friends and traveling all around…...When did you miss me?

Dadi: You are calling me liar? She lifted him and raised her eyebrow in mock anger…..

A: Ok…..ok, sorry dadi….he said putting his hands on his ears……Dadi chuckled and patted his cheek……….

D: I really hope you stay for dinner tomorrow, or else I am not going to come in between father son again…….She said to him pulling his cheek…...

A: Ouch dadi…...ok…..now leave my cheeks please….I am not a baby……..he said frowning……Dadi chuckled and left him….

D: Ye bata, kahan drive kar raha tha, humesha to itne dhyan se car drive karta hai, aaj kya ho gaya.……...I am surprised at your carelessness though…...I know some thing was cooking up in your head…...she asked looking at him suspiciously……

A: Dadi…...It was that girl……..He shouted thinking about her once more and then bit his toungue…...

D: What Girl? She asked interestingly…...Now this gathered her attention totally…..

A: Nothing dadi…...It's just that I was angry on her……

D: So, you took her anger on the car…...By the way, do I know that girl…..

A: I too don't know who she was……but lets forget about her…..he said not wanting to think about it any more……

D: Oh but you should file a case against her…..she said chuckling…...It was her fault you had an accident…..

A: Dadi…..Enough ok…..He said rolling his eyes…...while his dadi was making fun of him…...

D: Mera luggage patio par hai, andar to le ana….aur upar mere room mein rakh dena……she said authoritatively….

A: Ok…...But promise me you will not tell any thing about it to dad or mom…..he said looking at her…

D: About what? Oh that Girl…...Don't worry…...Your girl secret is safe with me…...she said chuckling…...Angad looked at her angrily before leaving, when he saw his mom coming, with a cup in her hand…...

N: What girl? He heard Naina ask to Dadi…….

D: Oh, nothing…...I was just kidding him…...Now tell me…...How are things going on……Then she looked around…..Vow……You certainly managed to change the look of the house in last 1 month…...This looks great…..She said smiling with appreciation…..

Naina smiled…...giving her the tea…...Angad went up with dadi's luggage thanking dadi's arrival today…...His dad was certainly in the mood to fight today…...

N: Saab thik hai ma, bas final touches baki hai……

D: Hmm……Mein thak gayi hun…..jara araam kar lun, phir baat karte hain…..

N: Aapko agar acha nahi lag raha ho, to apke room mein dinner le ati hun……she said worriedly….

D: Mein utni budhi bhi nahi hui Naina…..she said patting her cheeks and giving her the cup…..

I will be here for dinner…...she chuckled…….making Naina smile…...and then she was gone…….The day went by…….

They all gathered for dinner together and had good time…….Prithvi told dadi about their performance and about Kripa and her singing………..Angad sat their silently, when he saw dilip was still angry...Dilip came out of his anger for little bit after hearing Kripa's name………..Angad wondered about her too………..She had some thing in her, which made it impossible for him to forget her…...They talked about the function and then dadi's trip, etc. and conversation went on….but…...Angad's thought went back to the girl…..Yeah he remembered her name…..Kripa, Kripa Sharma…..Her voice still echoed in his ears…...Though he forgot all about the accident and the blame he put on her…...Then his father declared that same sharma family were coming tomorrow for dinner and Angad gulped…..Na he did not want to meet her at all…...But what would he tell his dad'.but then, for some reason he could not help himself thinking about her…...He should at least meet her….he thought silently…..

Next day, Kripa got many calls from people, asking if she was planning to take dance and singing classes…...They wanted to send there children…...Kripa said that she would think about it and then tell them…...She actually did not know where to take the classes…...Their house was not that big enough and to accomdate 15-20 children was impossible in the house……

It was evening and Kripa got ready to go to Prithvi's house with her family………She got dressed in baby pink chudidar, with light jewelry…..She had met the family for just few minutes and had liked them…...And then she thought about Prithvi's brother…...His name…..she could not remember…..He had an accident yesterday…...She hoped he was fine……Soon they all walked towards the Khanna house…...It was certainly bigger than their house and they had huge back yard and front yard…..

Dilip and Naina both came forward to greet them at the door, welcoming them enthusiastically…...Kripa greeted them both and silently followed them in…..

Dadi came down and Dilip introduced them to his mom…...Kripa liked dadi on the spot……She was very lively and cheerfully…...filling the room with laughter's with her sense of humor…...She touched dadi's feet, when Gayatri told her to do so…..Dadi blessed and smiled at her saying…..she was beautiful…...Kripa blushed and looked down…..

D: Prithvi aur Dilip tumhari awaj ki bahot tareef kar rahe the…..aaj mujhe bhi gana sunana hai…..…..she said smiling…...

K: Thik hai dadi…...Then she looked around…...Prithvi was not there…..

D: Are you looking for Prithvi?

Kripa nodded smiling…..

D: Kuch kaam se bahar gaya hai…...

Naina called Gayatri in the kitchen …..So she could finish off her chores while talking to her……….Pratham and Gauri had gone for their first doctors check up and said they would join them after some time……..Dadi asked her to come in the garden to help her decide where to plant the trees she had bought today from the nursery……...Kripa loved the gardening work and immediately followed dadi enthusiastically…...They crossed the big deck and stepped down on the patio, which led in the garden……...Their garden was lovely with huge backyard covered with lawn…….They had 2-3 Indian plants like tulsi and Jasmine, as well as the lovely different type of flowering plants...There was a small fountain with a lovely statue of a lady……...Kripa loved all the flowers and roses in the garden……..She talked about the plants enthusiastically with dadi……...and helped her plant the little flower plants dadi had bought……..They had lovely red flowers and looked wonderful……...Then Dadi gave her a flower pot and scissors and told her to cut some flowers and arrange it to keep it on the table……...Kripa happily obliged, while dadi went inside to talk to Gayatri……….She smiled at Kripa, who happily looked at the flowers…...She wanted to give Kripa some thing to do, so she would not get bored in the elders company and she was successful……...She was a lovely girl……..dadi thought …….She hoped Angad would not get upset, if he knows that Kripa had planted some plants…..He was the one who planted the trees she told him to plant……..She shook her head…….and then turned her attention to Gayatri and Naina…….

In the back yard Kripa was so busy picking up the flowers and arranging it in the pot, that she did not hear some one calling her from behind…...But then she heard him clear his throat and turned around with a smile, to see who it was and froze……..She looked at him a little shocked……….Angad was standing there in just his swimming suit…...Kripa gulped and then turned around closing her eyes……...Angad looked at her amused………and chuckled a little……That bought her attention and she looked at him wide eyed……...Angad came forward and looked at her for the first time properly……….She was just beautiful…….Her skin looked soft and milky……...her hairs straight till her waist……….Her hands and legs slim like models……...with the velvet softness……..She had beautiful brown eyes he noticed and her dress suited her to perfection……...He just stood there a little dazed…….Kripa could not take the heat any more……...She was too confused at the way he was looking at her………She took the pot and was about to leave, when Angad stopped her…….

A: Hey……..Why are you plucking the flowers…...He asked frowning…….I don't like any one messing in the garden…...he said looking at her…...It was his garden, He had planted all those trees and he did not like any one messing around other than dadi……..It was his hobby and he liked to do the landscaping in his free time……...He liked to get his hands dirty and from last 7 years he had done the lawn work all by him self on the weekends……...He did not like any one, taking out flowers as he thought they look best on trees and survive more……….Very rarely did he allow his mom to take flowers for arranging it at home……..

K: Kripa looked all flushed'she could not meet his eyes though……….He was in front of her wearing nothing but………Mmm dadi said…….but before she could complete dadi came out on the deck……..

D: Angad what are you doing still in the pool……...Dilip is waiting for you……..

A: Sorry dadi…….I was just taking shower after swiming, when I saw her cutting flowers…….he replied, looking at her…….Kripa turned red and looked down…...

D: I told her to cut some to keep them on the table Angad……..she replied softly…..and looked at him sternly asking him to stay quite with her eyes…….

A: Oh ok dadi……..he said getting the point……...and then said Sorry to Kripa looking at her one last time before leaving……...

D: Kripa if you are done, come in…….It still is hot in here……...Kripa nodded and fled in, away from him…...So this was Angad……...he looked fine……..Her earlier concern about the accident vanished…...And she blushed thinking about him only in his swim suit…..His wet chest glittered in the sunlight…...He did not have one heck of decency, she thought…….And further he was so arrogant……..she thought frowning…

D: Sink mein haath dho lena……

She went in and washed her hands in the kitchen sink and sat on the chair…….

N: Kripa ye lo lemonade…..acha lagega…….chehra kitna laal ho gaya hai…..shayad garmi ki wajah se……Tumhara complexion fair hai na, yahan garmiyon mein sambhalkar rehna, Sun burn hota hai……Sunscree lagakar hi bahar jana…..she said smiling…..Kripa nodded…….

K: Thanks Aunty…...

Kripa drank her lemonade, while she arranged the flowers…..

N: Vow…...you have a beautiful touch with flowers…..Kitne sundar sajaye hain…...She exclaimed looking at the vase……

D: wakehi Kripa….bahot sundar sajaye hain…...They are looking beautiful…...dadi said smiling at her…...

K: Thanks dadi…...Angad came in properly dressed at that time through the door on the other side of the kitchen…..She could see the swimming pool there…..

N: Come Angad…..meet Kripa and her mom…..

A: Hi…..he said with a light smile

K: Hi…...

Then and then nodded at her mom…..

Angad took out one of the juice bottle from the freeze and served himself…..He slowly took a sip, before looking up at Kripa, who was busy arranging the flowers…...Her face looked flushed…..

He went and sat on the breakfast table in front of Kripa, near Dadi…..

A: Dadi….can you pass me some chips…..He took couple of chips….So which field did you graduate from Kripa?

K: I did my graduation in Music and dance…..She replied a little shy….Angad raised his eye brows…..Classical hinsustani music……she supplied….

A: Can't say I know about it'sorry……but it must be interesting…..

D: There are two types of Classical music in India…...Carnatic and Hindustani…..Just like you have rock, jazz…..and god knows what else here…...dadi replied chuckling…..

A: Hmm….And what about dances? He asked…..

K: I specialized in kuchipudi, kathak and Bharatnatyam…..

A: Weird names…..he laughed…..

Kripa was surprised that he did not know any thing about Indian music or dance…..As far as she knew, there were always programs in the Temple and definitely there must have been classical programs…..It was weird that his own brother loved Indian music and still he did not know any thing about it…...But she stayed quite…...and smiled at him polietely…..

A: Sorry about what happened in the garden….

K: That's ok…..she replied flushing a little…..Angad looked at her amused…...

A: The flowers are looking great….Nice arrangement….

K: Thanks

A: So, how do you like it here?

K: It's good…..

D: Kripa…...Angad is the one, who plants the trees and maintains the garden…..Ussine pura landscaping kiya hai……Fountain bhi ussine lagaya…...Angad, Kripa wanted to know about the names of some plants and the places where she can get it……Mujhe to iske bare mein kuch pata nahi, tum hi jara help kar dena…..

A: Sure Kripa……We will go later and you can show me, which one you like and I can give you the names or even the seeds if I have it…...he offered,….I see you too like gardening……

K: Kripa nodded…...Thanks very much……Aapne bahot sundar maintain kiya hai garden…..bahot acha hai…...She said slowly…..

A: Thanks…..he said grinning…..

His mom and her mom were busy with some recipe talk'…..After he was done……he went to the sink and washed his glass and then looked at Kripa…..

A: Excuse me…..Dad is waiting for me…..I need to go….he said before walking out of the kitchen……

Dilip introduced Angad to Suryabhan

S: Nice to meet you son……How are you? Kripa mentioned about some accident today morning…..Woh tumhare liye thoda pareshan thi…..Prithvi ko bhi phone karke puch rahi thi……Prithvi ka phone aya tha subah, ye kehne ki tum thik ho…..he said smiling….. Angad was surprised…...Why would she be concerned about him, when they did not even meet till now…...It was just weird…..

A: I am fine Uncle…...thanks……he replied politely……

S: It is good you are fine……and so what do you do? Angad was relieved to talk about his career…..and he talked about his academics and job search etc……

Prithvi as well as Gauri and Pratham, reached at the same time just before dinner and greeted everyone…...Angad and Pratham had hardly met…..but Prithvi and Pratham were familiar to each other as they attended all the functions…...

Soon Naina called every one for dinner……...Kripa helped set the table up…...While Gayatri helped her clean the kitchen, in spite of Naina's protest…..Naina greeted Gauri and asked her if she wanted to drink some thing……..Gauri took some water thanking her……..Naina and Dadi congratulated her for her good news…...Prithvi came in…..and started washing his hands in the kitchen…..

P: Hey Kripa……..Sorry…….I am late…….

K: Hi Prithvi……That's fine…….They walked to the dinning room together…….Kripa was holding a bowl of yogurt…….to put it on the table……

P: Hey by the way……I got your message……..My brother is absolutely fine and before you he said chuckling and pointing at Angad who was taking his place on the table……..

Angad looked up with raised eyebrows a little surprised and his eyes met Kripa's across the table…….The room stilled for both for a second……..Kripa blushed a little, she carefully placed the bowl on the table and then looked at Prithvi and nodded her head and with out a word went away……Prithvi looked at her a little confused, as to why she was so quite today…….They had become quite good friends and were usually free talking to each other……...Angad was amused to see, how much she blushed at each and every word……..And the way she turned around seeing him outside…….just made him chuckle……..

P: What? Prithvi asked looking at Angad who chuckled…….

A: Nothing Bro…….Common……lets have dinner……Prithvi looked at him a little suspiciously and then sat across to him…….shaking his head…….

Dadi: Prithvi……Angad……I think you need to learn some manners…….You should wait for your guests to come before you sit on the table……You are not little kids any more…….She scolded slowly…….

P: Sorry dadi and Prithvi got up and went to kitchen to see if he could help his mom.. …….Angad just sighed…….but did not get up'.making faces…….Dadi looked at him sternly…….She knew Suryabhan and family had come from India recently, and in India she remembered that Guests always were led first to the table and asked to sit, before others take there places…….There were very few families who followed this rules…….It was just buffet system these day and children were used to it…….

A: Dadi…….he said whining, but finally got up to wait for every one to arrive……..He slowly made his way near the deck, where he saw Kripa and Pratham going out through the kitchen door on the deck…….talking about some thing'..

K: Bhaiya.. …….please……Mujhe dekhna hai….abhi….

P: Kripa….ghar jakar nahi dekh sakti….

K: Nahi……Aiye mere sath…..she said pulling and smiling him out on the deck, where no one was there……Aab batiye…...Pratham just laughed at her and hit her head slowly'..

P: Kripa, sachmein, abhi bhi choti bachi ki tarah zid karti ho…..He said shaking his head…..

K: Bhaiya……

P: ok ok…..here and he took the photo and showed it to her…...Kripa took it at once and stared it laughing asking him questions……It was first babies photo…….Pratham proudly answered her…….smiling with a grin'…….

K: Vow…….Kitna sundar hai ? He is just amazing…..she said grinning and looking at it…….

P: He?

K: Ok baba…..She…..she said and giggled…..Pratham laughed at her and hit her arm lovingly…...And looked at the photo…...They were soon going to have their baby…...and the excitement was just overwhelming……

Angad could see Kripa laughing and smiling looking at some thing and then hugging her brother jumping up and down…….he could not help himself smiling at her childish acts…….She looked like a child, who got the candy and was jumping up and down with enthusiasm thanking for it……He looked down chuckling and turned around towards dinning table…….when……..Prithvi, came in from the opposite door.. …… and enquired him with his eyebrows again……..for the reason on his laugh…….and Angad just shook his head smiling and eating a piece of carrot before him……..Prithvi looked at him frowning as to why Angad was laughing so much today'. ……

P: Angad are you ok…….? He asked frowning at him……

A: I am fine bro……I just remembered some thing……

P: Must be real funny……Want to share……

A: No thanks……Prithvi I need your car on Tuesday……..for the interview……I hope you don't mind……

P: Sure……Just be careful'……

Angad looked at him angrily……

P: What……I got my car recently. ……..he supplied……

A: I know'don't have to remind me……

Pritvi shrugged……

P: Whatever……he said while others joined them……

Gauri went to call Pratham and Kripa……Kripa came and hugged her, saying the baby was just too sweet……Gauri laughed at her and asked them to come in as all are waiting for them for dinner……..

They joined them in soon'.Kripa sat next to Prithvi and Gauri'and her eyes clashed Angads couple of times…….Kripa could not help notice his strong arms and his charming smile'She blushed at the thought……She tried to avoid Angad's gaze for most of the time…….But Angad constantly looked up at her from time to time……He noticed the flower vase…….It was really arranged beautifully…… He appreciated nature and loved natural beauty……Just like one who was sitting before her……the thought came from no where…….He frowned at the thought and started eating…….So what…….she is beautiful…….that doesn't mean he was falling for her…….And the way Prithvi and Kripa were talking, he felt like his brother already was attracted to her…….And further getting involved with desi girls means getting involved in a big mess of emotions and drama……..he shook his head……They were too emotional dramatic and wanted marriage……..They did consider men as only friends…….and he wanted to stay away from girls like those……

They had there dinner and sat with there desert on the deck……..overlooking the huge backyard……..It was 8 in the evening and still there was quite bright, as it was summer……It became dark only after 9 these days……

D: Kripa are you ready to sing some thing now…….she asked smiling……..at her……

Kripa nodded……and looked at Prithvi to join her……But he shook his head in denial and encouraged her to sing……She got up from the seat as Angad's constant glaring was making her nervous……She stood on the edge of the deck and looked at the flowers and slowly began singing a beautiful old song……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU8BM5SBfDY&feature=related

Zindgi pyar ka geet hai , ise har dil ko gana padega,
zindgi gham saagar bhi hai, haske us paar jana padega.-2

Jis ka ho jitna aanchal yahan par , usko saugat utni milegi,
phool jivan mein gar na khile to, kaanto so bhi nibhana padega.

Zindgi pyar ka geet hai , ise har dil ko gana padega,
zindgi gham saagar bhi hai, haske us paar jana padega

Hai agar dur manzil to kya, rasta bhi hai mushkil to kya,
raat taaron bhari na mile to dil ka dipak jalana padega.

Zindgi pyar ka geet hai , ise har dil ko gana padega,
zindgi gham saagar bhi hai, haske us paar jana padega

Zindgi ek paheli bhi hai, sukh dukh ki saheli bhi hai,
zindgi ek vachan bhi to hai jise sabko nibhana padega.

Zindgi pyar ka geet hai , ise har dil ko gana padega,
zindgi gham saagar bhi hai, haske us paar jana padega

Her sweet soothing voice relaxed everyone……Dadi got up from her seat, when she finished the song and looked back and every one……and kissed her forehead

D: Wonderful Kripa……Prithvi ne jitni tareef ki ussase kayin jyada pyari teri awaj hai…...she said smiling...Kripa shyly smiled and looked past her, hearing the claps of every one…….She slowly walked back to them with dadi and sat on the chair…….Angad kept looking at her silently……She really had a wonderful voice he thought…….Kripa looked up to see him silently observing her……She felt a little conscious and Angad came out of his dream world……He smiled at her slowly and she returned it with a nod and light smile……

P: Kripa……want to see my music studio…….he asked smiling at her……

Kripa looked at Surya immediately…….and he nodded…….Kripa got up with a smile……

K: Sure……she said following Prithvi……

Angad looked at them as they parted……..He had seen the communication between Kripa and Suryabhan…….He rolled his eyes……Did she need permission from him, even to go to another room? That was just plain weird……he thought……Why do they make there children so much dependent on them……and wanted them to take permission for every little things……He would go crazy in such environment……

Kripa and Prithi went in the garden and to the side of the house……She was familiar to this side, as she had met Prithvi for the first time here only, playing guitar……They entered the door which let them in a huge room……Kripa was amazed to see so big room……It had TV and collections of huge CDS and DVDS, in one corner.. ……and other side were many instruments along with big decks and surround sound syste……There were couple of computers as well as a sitting area at the end of the other side……

K: Vow……This is a huge room……she exclaimed……and you have so many instruments……..You know all of them…..

P: Na…..I just got them, as we, I mean me and my friends, all get together to just play some thing together some times…..I just play guitar…...

K: So how did you learn to sing so well?

P: Just hearing the old songs……

K: Vow…...That is good…..You have a huge collection of CDS…..

P: Most of them are Angad's collection there'…..My collection is all in the PC…..

K: He likes music too?

P: Yeah…..but only English songs…..I am more into Hindi…..Even dadi likes Old hindi songs…...he said chuckling……..

K: Really……..she smiled……...Bahot achi hai woh……..

P: Yeah……..No one can beat her in antakshari……..We had a contest once and she was in opposite side from me and she had non stop collection of songs……..he said chuckling'she won the game……..Kripa laughed at that……..

P: Common……..want to sing some thing together……..He asked ……..just for fun……...he took his guitar……..

K: Sure…

And Prithvi started the song with a smile……..a very old song from 50's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNqscrhjCkw

Prithvi …..jaane kahaa meraa jigar gayaa jee
abhee abhee yahee thaa kidhar gayaa jee -2

Kripa continued smiling……..kisee kee adaaon par mar gayaa jee
badee badee aakhiyon se dar gayaa jee

Prithvi enjoyed her tone……..She mimicked the song so nicely that he was thoroughly enjoying it……..

Prithvi …….. jaane kahaa meraa jigar gayaa jee
abhee abhee yahee thaa kidhar gayaa jee -2

Kripa……..could not help but chuckle at his boyish grin'.

Prithvi……...kahee maare dar ke chuhaa to naheen ho gayaa
kone kone dekhaa n jaane kahaa kho gayaa

Kripa……...yahaa use laaye kaahe ko beenaa kaam re
jaldee jaldee dhoondho ke hone lagee shaam re

Prithvi…...koee ulafat kee najar jaraa fer de
le lo do chaar aane jigar meraa fer de

Kripa…..ayese naheen choree khulegee takaraar se
chalo chalo thaane bataaye jamaadaar se

Prithvi….. sachchee sachchee kah do dikhaao naheen chaal re
toone to naheen hain churaayaa meraa maal re

Kripa……...baate hain najar kee najar se samazaaoongee
pahale pado paiyyaa, to fir batalaaoongee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNqscrhjCkw&feature=related

By the end of the song they were both laughing holding there stomachs……..They could not help themselves……...Each one mimicked the old song so nicely……...It was a wonderful performance……..They were just singing for fun and it felt wonderful……..

P: I have no doubt about your music skills now……..he said chuckling……...So which other singers can u mimic……..kishore kumar, mohmad rafi……..

K: I draw a line to female singers……..though I am quite behind still……... She said smiling'

P: Don't worry……...I see you will be in for competition with them very soon……..

K: Think so……..She grinned at the thought of competiting with great singers like them……..

P: Know so……...So did you think of what you are planning to do now……..

K: She shrugged……...I am still unsure……..But I got many calls from the people……...They were asking me if I could teach them music and dance……...But there is a problem……...Our house is small and I can't start my classes there……...and further Gauri bhabhi needs rest on weekends as she is full time busy in weekdays...

P: Hmmm……..You can talk to the people who are in charge of temple activities'.May be they could give you the hall or the room for couple of days a week'..for 4-5 hours……..May be you need to pay for it'I am not sure……..But you can ask……...You will get the name and phone no. through their website……..I hope you know computers? He asked looking at her suspiciously……..

K: Mr. Prithvi Bose……..I am not born in 50's'.I just sang the song for fun. ……..But I am very much from 21^st century and know computers very well……..In fact, I have completed 3 years of programming in computers…….. and have a certificate to prove it. ……..She said putting a hand on her hips……..

P: Oh……..well good to know that Miss. Kripa Sharma……..he said in the same tone……..Vow……..I can't believe……..You really know programming……..?

K: Yeah……...can't say I am an expert……..but I can do quite a good job though……..

P: Well then good for you……..I just know basics of computer……..You know checking mails, hearing songs, word, excel……...Never have been interested in more than that. ……..But what made you learn computers……..You were in music?

K: First I learnt it just for knowledge and then I found it very interesting and continued to learn just for fun……...Later I came to know that we can compose music's using selected programs, and can bring the whole band in our self, without any instruments……...So that made it more interesting……..Though I am still working on the programs to get it all together……...Can't say I have done even 1 full song……..But it is just more interesting when you know what you can do with it……..

p: Vow……..You are some thing else than I imagined……..

K: And what did you imagine……...?She asked with her eyebrows up……..

P: Oh nothing……...I thought you were a pure desi Indian girl, who does all house work, sing, dance……..you know……..

Kripa laughed at him……..

K: Prithvi I think you need to really go to India once……...and see that the people there are much forward than what you are thinking……..

P: Oh I plan to go……...But Tanya wants to get married first and then……...oops……..he said biting his tongue……..sighing……..He had never once blurted out his secret to any one till today. ……..Kripa looked at him wide eyed……..

K: Who is Tanya?

P: Ummm……..you know my Girl Friend……..

K: And? She asked Smiling...knowing what was coming...

P: Ok……...I love her and we are planning to marry some day……...Oh not so soon……...But may be after 3-4 years……..

K: Really……..Vow……..But you never mentioned her and no one talked about it till now……..

P: That is because all think that we are college friends……...She lives in Washington and currently is visiting her aunt and uncle in California……..And I don't want you to leak my secret……..He warned her……..

K: Don't worry……..It will be your announcement, when you are ready……... So you are both planning to go to India after marriage……..Together'she said smiling……..that is sweet……..When is she coming back'?

P: May be this week……..She accepted to come with me on Saturday……...for the college party, Mishti was talking about……..And if you don't mind, Josh took your no. to call and ask you if you would come with him to the party……..

Kripa looked down……..

K: Prithvi, Tum papa ko to jante ho na…..she said sighing……Though she trusted them all now, she did not think that her dad would let her…….

P: I understand Kripa……..But this date and all this is just a formalitly'……...Once we go in……..we just talk and have a good time with everyone……..and don't worry……..we all are going together……..I will talk to uncle……..Even Aliyah, Shabd and some other friends from our college are coming……...It is just couple of hours on the cruise and then we will be back'.So, what do you say……..

K: Hmmm ok……..I will go……...she said after some time……..

P: Great……..

K: But why did you keep it a secret, when you love each other……..

P: Just because, we are still too young to marry and we really don't want every one to keep talking about us……...he said shrugging…….. Kripa smiled at him...

K: Ok……...I understand……...Common lets go back……...every one must be waiting.. ……..She said to him opening the door...After an hour they were back on the deck, where Pratham and Angad were deep in discussion. When they saw them, they stopped there discussion and asked them to join ……..

CHAPTER - 8

Gauri came out at the same time, looking a little pale and told pratham that she wanted to go home as she was not feeling well…..Pratham got up immediately saying that he will come with her and even Kripa got up to go with them….She did not know, but she was nervous around Angad….But some how Angad could not let her go yet….He wanted her to stay for some more time….

A: Kripa…If you are not very busy, I could show you around the garden and tell you about the plants you wanted to know about….….He said looking at her for her expression…Kripa flushed a little and Gauri too asked her to stay back as Gayatri and Suryabhan were still talking and she could come back with them….Kripa nodded a little reluctantly….

Prithvi got up from the seat….

P: I am out of here….He said smiling at Kripa….I am not much into gardening….I will see you later….I have to call some one he said smiling at Kripa….who acknowledged it with a nod and smile, understanding who he wanted to call…..He was gone too and within seconds Angad and Kripa were all alone….

Angad was friendly….and always praised natural beauty…...but never did he think to go any further than a mere friendship…..It wasn't as if he did not like Indian people…..He had many Indian friends….but he did not believe in all the rituals,etc…and thought that one should rather think using his mind than his heart….And people should be free to make there own choices….They should not be tied unconsciously in the web of traditions and relations….He tried to see sense in every particular tradition and reason behind why they did it…etc…etc. And he only gave importance to the aspects which satisfied his reasoning and convince him about it.….For eg. marriages….He did not like all that noise and traditions….It was just a noise pollution and waste of time….he thought people could just show there happiness by being there….why do they have to make so much noise to show every one how happy they are….and why all the traditions….It was enough to just vow before the god to be with each other and love the person, enough to stay with them for their whole life…That was pure and simple…..Doing all those rituals doesn't mean that they would stay forever together…..India has as many divorce cases today as there were in America….so what was the use…..And then there are festivals…..All the huge prayers and offerings, and he did not think that all these things would please the God…he thought irritatingly….And further, he felt irritated, thinking about the amount of mlk was wasted in temples each day, in the name of God……Why can't they just give away to some one in need...What God needs was a moments peace and a small prayer of Thanks….and he would be more than happy…..He could never understand or convince himself, why every one did it….And Naina and Dilip failed at that…..They could never give proper reasoning to Angad, who was more practical…..Children always ask why they are doing this….And it is up to elders to convince them the reason behind it….

Coming back to present….Angad took Kripa to the gardens….and Both became busy talking about plants….Kripa wrote the names of many and even noted down the place she could get it…and other things needed for gardening…..Angad even gave her couple of pland seeds…..He kept eyeing her from time to time, when she was busy looking at plants with a big smile on her face……All her hesitation going off….

K: Thanks Angad….she said softly….once they were back to the deck….

A: You are welcome…..If you ever need any help, please let me know….I might be busy on weekdays, if I get the job I am trying for….But I will be free in the weekends….He offered…

K: OK….Hmmm…Shall we go….She asked nervously….

A: If you want to….But I don't think you would like to interrupt our parent's conversation….he said with a light smile…

K: Kripa looked at her house nervously….He was right though….She did not want to go in between them and whine like a kid to go home….May be she should go herself and request Angad to tell her parents….but she could not go without telling his parents or dadi, she thought….What was she going to do here….

A: By the way, you have beautiful voice….he said smiling at her….

Kripa blushed a little and thanked him….

A: Common…..Lets take a walk…..I don't think Prithvi is coming down any time soon….he said looking up…Or if you really want to go home, then…

K: She nodded….Sure…we will go for a walk….she said slowly……..By now, she was quite ok to just talk to boys and be friendly….she had seen how boys and girls here are….friendly and open...She was a little reserved though…..and could not open so easily at least about her thoughts and feelings….but she could talk to them with out touching her personal life or theirs….But with Prithvi, she was quite free now….and todays conversation gave her more information about him than she asked for….But she was happy for him….He had been a good friend and even supportive.…But she never thought that he was serious about some one and planning to marry some day with that person so early in life..…

K: But I need to ask my parents….she told softly with a smile

Angad looked at her frowning….

A: Sure he mimicked her shrugging….He looked at her as if he wanted to tell her some thing more but then backed out…

Kripa nervously went in to tell her mom…and came back within two minutes….

A: Did you get their permission….? He asked mockingly…walking before her…..not waiting for her answer…..

Kripa looked at him at his back….a little angrily…but then just said yes politely….and walked with him…..She could not see the reason, behind his irritation…..and he had no right to talk to her this way….This was the first time they had ever met she thought a little dismayed…..and he made fun of her second time today….Once when she told him about Indian music and dances…she has mastered in and now...And he behaved totally in rude manner when she was taking flowers for the pot….Yeah he had said sorry….but still, he should at least have talked to her politely…she thought…But she was not the person to harbor hard feelings or show anger and make a scene…..She was silent and thought before she spoke and for now, she did not want to be rude to him just because he was acting like a jerk….

A: Have we met before? He asked frowning at her…When she was looking at the other side a little angrily…..He felt as if he saw her before….That bought Kripa out of her thoughts….

Kripa shook her head and tried to smile a little…..She thought about the famous lines in Hindi movies and suppressed her laugh….No, Angad and Hindi movies did not match….according to Prithvi…..

They walked besides each other silently for 10-15 min…..Each in their own thoughts... Then her mind took her to the day they had reached US…..A person with black glasses, Hat and black coat….talking over the phone….and now she could make out the similarities…..She looked at him……...and stopped in tracks…

K: Did u visit New Jersy recently, I mean the airport..…I mean about 20-25 days back….

Surprised at her question, he looked at her and then slowly nodded…..

A: How did you know….

Kripa just shook her head….small world she thought….She was angry at him that day…..She looked at him….

K: Yes we have met before and I think you owe me an apology….She said looking at him directly…Yeah she was calm and silent person, but that did not mean, she would stand silent when some one forgot there manners….

Angad's eye brow rose…

A: Excuse me?

K: I said you owe me an apology….she said folding her hands and looking at him directly…

A: And why is that?

K: Because it was rude of you to pull your bag from behind, when there was some one standing in front of you….Angad frowned at her as to what she was talking about….and then he got it….Oh oh….now he could see the similarities….He had seen the angry look on her face….He had mumbled a sorry and was on his way…..

A: I already did….He said grinning….

K: Yeah and for today too…..she said folding her hands before her…not moving…

A: Today? For what?

K: Oh….For laughing at me when I came out after asking permission from my parents as you said…she told him seriously…..

A: I laughed because you were acting childishly….He said smiling….

K: I was not…I was acting responsibly…She said calmly….And if you can't make out the difference then you are not as smart as I thought you were….and saying this she began to walk…

Angad frowned at her and shook his head….He did not think that the girl before him, whom he thought was very calm and nervous, could be so furious too……..and walked fast to catch up with her…

A: OK….I am sorry…It was rude of me to laugh at your expense….But I still don't understand why you have to take your parents permission to go for a walk….It was not as if we are going out of town…he said looking at her…..

K: It is not about taking permission….It is about letting them know where we are and with who we are, so they don't worry about us….And further, if they don't want us to go for some reason, we would know it too…There might be numerous reasons……….

A: And if they told you no, you would not go right?

K: Yes, I would not….Because, there might be some reason behind that, as I told you….And it is important to analyze it before rebelling…..She said calmly looking at him….with folded hands….I think you are a management student and who better can understand the strategy than you….she said raising her eyebrow….

Angad looked at her for some time and then laughed out loud….

A: You are some thing else…..than I thought….he said….And Kripa blushed a little…..She very rarely got angry….but still, she could not stay quite when she knew that some one was misbehaving…..Some times I feel you are so shy that you would not speak a word….and some times you are ready to fight….I like it….and I give up….he said mockingly…I bet you will make a great teacher though….he said laughing…...Common lets go….I know you would not want to worry your parents, after all you are alone with a boy you hardly know at this time of night……he said laughing….making Kripa a little angry…..but she smiled and followed him, when she saw him grin….knowing he was kidding….For some reason, she felt quite comfortable talking to him…..And he was charming too…….And not to say attractive……Kripa felt a little nervous at the thought……..She had never thought of another man in such perspective……..It was a new feeling and Kripa was just too nervous to even think that she had such thoughts……..

They reached home soon…..Kripa's parents were on there feet, when they saw Kripa and Angad coming in…..They took there leave and thanked them for dinner before leaving….Kripa just calmly bid good bye to everyone…and dadi and naina asked Gayatri and Kripa to drop by in afternoons whenever they are free…..Before leaving she found Angad looking at her with humor in his eyes….She could not help but smile at him and wave before leaving…..

He liked her….she had good sense of humor….and by talking to her, he could see that she was quite knowledgeable too…..Beauty and the brains…..Good combination he thought shrugging..….May be they could be good friends….he thought smiling to him self….

Couple of days went by and all were busy in there own schedules…..Angad and Prithvi busy with there upcoming interviews…..Kripa called the temple authorities and asked for the space for teaching music and dance….They had sent her the documents giving her the details of rent as well as hours she could use the facility….She talked about it with Pratham and Suryabhan….Pratham asked her to agree about it, telling her that he would pay the rent for couple of months, till she would get enough students to pay the bills herself..…..She agreed and called them to book the hall for her use for 12 hours a week….She even talked to the people who wanted to send there children to learn…and told them to meet her next week in the hall…….

Angad got the job he wanted, but Mr. Bhatia, refused to give him full control of the Virginia division, as he was a fresher and had no experience of real business….He told him, that he had to prove that he could do the job, before he gets the promotion…..But he was ready to give him a chance to prove himself, as his acedemics were excellent..….And he has to work under him for that..….He had couple of months to prove himself….If he could not then Mr. Bhatia told him that he would hire an experienced man to look after it as it will be difficult for him to handle everything on his own….Angad was a little disappointed, but happy too that he could get some business vision from Mr. Bhatia and he could do much better in future…..So he agreed to the terms and promised to join in from the coming Monday……..Prithvi got the Job in the lecturer as a junior instructor and was asked to join in immediately……..

Shabd on the other side….was still in the delima to join the college for further studies or to do the job,,,,,He was thinking of doing Phd in Business Management…He was a simple man with simple needs…..Did not have much thirst of doing some thing too big like Angad, but he loved to study….He was real bukkish….He loved to acquire knowledge……Money and other things did not matter to him….As his dad and mom had done nothing than saving and saving every month…..And further, they had a huge amount of life insurance which was all transferred in his account and he had more than he could spend for all his life time…He was not much into partying or drinking or any thing else…..Only thing he was interested was books and he had loads of them at home….He had a dream to travel and see different places and culture one day though….But he had a life time for it….His interest for now was going for further studies….He had taken Angad's advice on this too…But Angad said he would himself like to first get some real life experiences, rather than doing his Phd for now….but it was his own decision to make and he has to think what he wants himself….So here he was in front of PC….looking for Jobs as well as Phd options……He was confused….But then he had already started studying for the written tests for getting the admission….side by side….

His life had been school and home, right from the begning….His parents rarely took him on vacations…...And Shabd hated it….He, did not want such life for himself……He dreamed of a love who would balance her life in such a way, that they or there children would not regret…..Yes, he dreamed of his family…..Living lonely for last 2-3 years had made him realize the importance of family…..He wanted a wife who is dedicated to him and their children…It was not as if he would be opposed to the thought of his wife doing Job….He was a modern boy and knew that girls have there own ambition…But he did not want the life he had been living from childhood…..No one knew, how much he carved for the love he had never got from his parents…Yeah they loved him….but not the way he wanted……..They showed it in the form of savings they did for him…for his future…and so on….But never had taken out time for him to go to beach or do simple things together…..They did not even have time to come for the graduation day of his high school……It was an empty life…..

And after seeing Kripa's family yesterday, at the function before leaving, he could not help himself but feel jelous…..He thought how lucky were the kids, who had there parents to love and support them so much……He had seen them in the room too, when Gayatri was carrsing Kripa, while she was eating….He could feel the love……..He could feel the bond….And he craved for it……He could never express his love nor had an opportunity……But he dreamed of having one……….He looked out of the window of his small 2 bedroom house……The view was lovely, but too silent…..There were no laughters, no hugs and no cheers around………The house was just a place to live….It was not a place where he felt belonged……..Never had any……There were no one around him, who would worry about him, or run behind him to make him eat…..It had just been him and him alone……Naina aunty would ask him some times, if he had eaten or not….And would scold him for staying hungry….He could give any thing he owned, for just as simple care as this…..And that was the reason, he liked them a lot and sticked near them, till now……….He never over did his welcome, even if Naina and Dilip had always called him and asked him to come for dinners at their place only….But he would certainly drop by 2-3 times a week……His stay there for couple of years with them were the most memorable years of his life……..He had felt as if he had got his family…..But, he knew that he needed to move out some day……It was not as if they were his real family…….But still, he felt as if he was a part of their family too……He was waiting for the day, he would find his match and start a family of his own…..He would be the head of the family and there would be nothing but love in each pillar of his house………

On the other side, Kripa became busy with her classes and she got a very good response…….She could not believe it, but she already had more than 20 students for singing and dance in just couple of days……….Angad and Prithvi too started with there Job and every one got busy in there routines…….Pratham would drop Kripa to her classes, or some times Prithvi would do it, when he did not have college…..It all turned out well………Angad did not get time to meet Kripa after that, as he was busy learing the basics of the business………He would go early in the morning and come late nights….And he was too tired to even think about her…….But everyday, when he would pass from in front of her house, he would look at it with anticipation, to atleast catch a glimpse of her…….His luck was quite good some times, when she would be in the front door, watering the plants and even would wave him with a smile……..

That weekend, Prithvi had convinced Suryabhan, to let Kripa go with him for the party….and he would take her responsibility and drop her safely home…..Kripa went to the party with Prithvi…It was an hours drive…...There she met Tanya, Prithvi's love…..She was sweet…..And they instantly hit together…..Mishti and Angad came soon, so did Josh, Aliyah and Shabd…..Soon the cruise was full and the party continued full swing……

J: Hey Beautiful…..He came to Kripa and smiled at her….

K: Josh…..

J: Oh….Thank God …..you remembered my name…..Or else I would have thought that ….

K: You are too much Josh….Stop it….How have you been? She asked politely….

J: Kripa….Stop being polite and start enjoying….Care for a dance…….He asked giving her a hand….

K: Sorry….I don't know how to….I mean…

J: You don't know how to dance….he said making faces….

K: I know….But not this….she laughed….

J: Good excuse….But sorry, does'nt work with me….You are my date here and I want a partner to dance….Can't tell my sis to dance with me, can I…..he whispered in her ears….making Kripa laugh out loud….You are stuck with me….And I am going to teach you……

M: Hey Kripa……How are you? By the way, don't you wear western dresses….I mean jeans, tops, skirts…..Mishti came with full force….

K: I don't wear pants….I like Indian dresses….she said looking at Mishti….

J: And this suits her perfectly...Josh said with a wink at Kripa…..Misti rolled her eyes…..

M: Josh….I am not trying to tell her that she doesn't look good….I am just saying that she should try some western too…..frowning at Josh…..

J: Keep your advice Mishti babe….You will need them for your kids…he said mockingly…

M: Whatever……Nice meeting you Kripa….Hope you enjoy the party……She was on her way back to Angad…..rolling her eyes…..Josh always some how disliked her….and she knew it….

K: Josh….Why were you so angry at Mishti….

J: I was not….But she irritates me…he said shrugging….She is too….you know….I know everything….type….he said making faces…

K: And you don't like it…..

J: I feel, she interferes too much….Hey Angad….Josh called out….raising his hand….

Angad looked at him, through the crowd and waved back….He then looked at Kripa….who was looking at him with a smile…..He waved her too…..and looked at her…..She looked lovely….Though a little outdatedly dressed in a party like this…But it was her choice….he shrugged….why he was thinking about what she was dressing….….He made his way to Josh and shook his hand……..

J: Angad….meet my date for tonight…..Charming and lovely…Mrs. Kripa Sharma….he said grinning…..

Kripa blushed deep beet root and looked down……The word date made her curl her toes…..She was not any ones date….she wanted to clear them both….She just came as a friend to a party…..She had read some love stories, Gauri had in her book shelf…and dating here went way forward…..

A: No need to introduce us…..She is my neighbour…..he said making faces at Josh……Hi….How are you Kripa?

J: Oh….she is fine and in front of u all in one piece smiling and enjoying the party….And now if you excuse us dear friend….I want to teach my date, how to dance….Angad raised his eyebrows…..questioningly….Oh I mean Hollywood style……Saying this, he took Kripa's hand and pulled her in between the crowd….Angad kept looking at them, till they were both out of his eye sight…..But he saw Kripa turning around and looking at him, before she disappeared in the crowd…And for some reason, it disturbed him a little.….Mishti was behind him and pulled him in for a dance..….Loud music was playing and Josh slowly teached Kripa how to dance…..Within few minutes Kripa caught up and swayed away…..But after a song or two, she excused her self and went to sit on the deck…..She was not used to all the cigarrate smell and drinks…. And the way every one was dancing, made her a little uncomfortable…

Mishti on the other side, was throughly enjoying dancing with Angad……She was a party girl and could be in for hours…….

M: I think Kripa is too old fashioned….She should try out some western clothes….don't u think…..That bought Angad out of his thoughts…

A: What?

M: Where are you Angad…..

A: I was here itself Mishti….and what is wrong with her clothes……It is her choice……Why are you worried………

Mishti just rolled her eyes…….All boys were just alike she thought……

A: Stop interfering in others life Mishti….And don't keep talking about what others do and what they should do…It is none of my business any way…..He said a little irritatingly….Mishti did not think bad about others but, she interfered and adviced even before it was asked for and tried to manipulate………I think I will take a break…You continue with the party he said…..smiling at her politely…..He went out and took deep breathe……..The air here was much better and clean…Then he saw Kripa …She was sitting on the deck looking at the sea…..He made his way to her….

A: Not used to parties like this? He asked sitting besides her….

Kripa looked at him and smiled…..

K: You are here as well…. but I can't say you are not used to it….

A: Touchy….Oh…I am used to it…..But that does not mean I enjoy it a lot…….Kripa raised her eyebrows….It's true….I don't like to attend parties much…..But I come and meet my friends…..Stay in touch…..

Kripa nodded in understanding….Both were quite looking at the sea….

K: I have never been to any parties till today….So, you can say I am not at all used to it…

A: Never?

Kripa shook her head…Angad looked at her for a few seconds and the

A: So, did you have a luck with plants?

K: No…I was a little busy last week….

A: Doing what?

K: Ummm…nothing…I have started taking Music and Dance classes for kids….

A: Vow…..That's ummm good….He said….Kripa gave him a light smile…..She looked at the ocean….and stayed quite….She could feel, him staring at her…..It unnerved her…..She shivered a little….Are you cold? He asked frowning……

Kripa shook her head….

A: I think you should go back inside…..

K: I am fine……Congradulations by the way…..

A: For what?

K: Oh…the Job….

A: Thanks….But not what I expected he said shrugging…….

K: Kripa looked at him….questioningly….

A: Well, I went for a job which was a managerial post…..Like taking care of business in Virginia division…But …He told her about it………..

Kripa smiled at him……

Angad frowned….

A: I don't think I told you a joke…..he said irritatingly…..He did not know why he told her all this…..It was not as if they were even good friends…..But he told her any way….

K: I was laughing because, you want it all very easy way...I mean in a golden plate….as you could refer it….

A: Hello….But I worked hard for all my life, to achieve success….What is wrong, if I set up high dreams for myself?

K: Nothing…..But keep your self in Mr. Bhatia's place….Would you give away the company in the hands of a person, who only has bookish knowledge….and did not even stepped in the world to see how he could apply the rules he learnt in real life? If you would, then I can guarantee….your first company would fall, even before you start it……Angad looked at her…..

A: Are you sure, you have not graduated in commerce field…..And for your information, I know he couldn't….I would do the same….But at the same time, I thought I could do it….

K: Then you still got the chance….she said calmly….

Angad smiled looking at her and nodded…..She was really some thing……

Josh came at the same time…

J: Hey…Kripa, bahar kyun chali ayi……Sorry, mein wahan friends ke bich aattack gaya tha…..he said chucking……Par bahar aya to tumhe Angad ke sath baat karte dekha, so andar chala gaya……

K: Thanks for your concern Josh….But I am perfectly capable to look out for myself….Mein apni dekhbal khud kar sakti hun……

J: By the way, I enjoyed dancing with you….

Kripa just smiled and looked down….

J: Tum ghar jana chahogi?….he asked frowning at her……and looking at Prithvi who was busy talking to his college friends….He had so many…that the whole day would not be enough for him….

K: It's ok…Mujhe lagta hai Prithvi busy hai…..

J: Mein abhi ja raha hun…… Aliyah has some classes in the evening….If you want I can drop you….

K: Agar, tumhe koi problem nahi to thik hai, I will come with you…..…

J: No problem at all……It's a pleasure to be in the company of a beautiful girl…..he said winking at her…..Kripa blushed and chuckled…..we are leaving in 10 minutes…..I got a call from my work place….…So….

K: Sure, Just let me tell Prithvi and come….

Josh nodded and asked her to come to the parking lot……..He said his bye to Angad and was off….Kripa looked at Angad….who was silent…

K: Bye Angad…..

A: Bye he said a little sadly….He was enjoying her company quite a bit….

Soon Kripa left with Josh…Prithvi had offered to drive her back…But she said she would go with Josh and he should not leave Tanya….Prithvi agreed after a little persuasion….Afterall he had met Tanya after quite some time……

One evening Kripa was busy making her music composition in the PC using some softwares…. when a hand came over her eyes and blocked it…..….Stunned she turned around with surprise and happiness…….She looked at the similar face, she looked in the mirror everyday…..Difference was she was not in front of the mirror any more……Mahi and Kripa both shriked out loud and hugged each other happily, jumping like kids…….They laughed at each other and then burst in tears……..They could not contain there happiness……..It had been so long they had parted……They had met only 5-6 times in these last 4 years……..Due to there college and classes……..But now, they had decided in Bombay, that they would spend some time together, before there prince charming would come and sweep them off there feet……Gayatri stood in the doorway, looking at the girls through tears…..She had missed them seeing this way…..She remembered the times when they were kids and did mischief…..Kripa could always come to rescue Mahi and Mahi would then tell the truth saying not to scold Kripa as she was the one who did it….They shared a very unique bond…..

M: I hope you like my surprise, sis……she said grinning wipping her tears………

K: Oh….I liked it very much….but I wish you would have told me….I would have come to pick you to airport too….

M: What picking up…..No one knew that I was flying till I landed at home….she said laughing……..

K: What?

S: Aur tumhe iski saaja milegi……. He said coming in the room with Gayatri hoding her ears……..Looking at her a little angrily….though he was happy to see her……

M: Papa…..Sorry papa…..she cried looking at him with puppy face…..

S: Mahi, Itni zid kyun karti ho……Hume batakar nahi aa sakti thi……..He said scolding her but hugging her at the same time…..

M: Sorry papa, I just thought of surprising you…..I had completed my assignments sooner than I thought…and there was nothing more to be done as my exams were over last week only…So, I called the airlines people and rescheduled my flight….she said laughing and hugging her mom….tightly…..Oh it felt like bliss….

G: Mahi, yeh desh naya hai tumhare liye……thoda to dhyan diya karo…..Tumhari responsibility thi, ki tum hume batakar jao…..

M: Mom…..I am here in one peace….No accidents or flight failures…..You would have surely got the message instead of me, if there would have been any problems…...she said chuckling….Kripa frowned at Mahi…..While Gayatri slapped her back and shoed her away…angrily…..

S: Mahi…….Suryabhan shouted at her really angry this time……

M: Sorry dad….she said bitting her tongue for making her parents sad and angry…..They loved her and she knew they might worry….She had stayed away too much outside on her own, that she was too independent now and she felt as if they were too over protective some times……..She went and hugged her dad and winking at Kripa, who was looking at her angrily…..She then went to her mom and hugged her from back and kissed her cheeks….Sorry Mom…..It was wrong of me to come here all alone, that too without informing….But, you would have been more worried, if I would have told you all through my journey….But….I promise, I will not do it again……Now, please smile….please…she said kissing her mom and tickling her….Gayatri could not stay angry for long and laughed and kissed her…and hugged her…..Her full family was here, and what else she would want……..

G: Jao aur fresh ho jao…..Gauri Pratham ate hi honge……Khana khane……

M: Hmmm…..mein bua banane wali hun…..Badi bua…..she said looking at Kripa…..Who chuckled…... she grinned at her mom…..Her mom laughed at her childishness and Suryabhan and Gayatri left the room…..

M: So, sister dear….I heard you are already famous here……Hey how about I open the business with you…..You teach kids and I will open a restaurant just next to your school……You could make them and there parents dance around and once they are hungry after all the exercise, they would come to my restaurant and……She said grinning…….Oh…I would give you 3 course meals twice a day free too……she said laughing….

Kripa looked at her frowning…….She is here just a couple of minutes and already she was planning her life ahead……..

M: Kripa…..she laughed…..cool down girl….I am just kidding….she said laughing at her….seeing her angry face….going near her and hitting her head….

Kripa chuckled and hugged her once more……

M: You have not changed at all…..Still too serious and too concerned about what mom and dad will think….She said chuckling….

K: You have not changed as well…..Always too independent and ambitious….

M: Yup that's me….Mahi Sharma……..She said laughing …..Now, shut up and give me some clothes….I don't want to unpack just yet….

K: Mahi….I can share every thing with you, but you know….she said raising her eyebrows and chuckling…..She then turned around and took out some clothes and towel and threw it to Mahi….

M: Don't worry Sis….I have mine, I knew you would say that…..We sisters think alike…….Aab jaldi de na…..she said pushing Kripa………Thanks…...she said laughing going in the bathroom….Kripa laughed at her….She grinned and smiled at the screen…..while working on the music composition…….Mahi was out soon…..She went down, after Kripa said that she would be down soon in few minutes…….

Suryabhan had gone out for some time….and Gayatri was busy in the kitchen…..Mahi sat in front of the TV and relaxed on the Sofa……with a sigh….It was a long journey….She switched through the channels…..and kept pressing the buttons….Kripa was busy with her composition and had said her to please go down and she would come soon….She rolled her eyes……

Then there was a click on the door and Pratham and Gauri walked in……They saw Kripa sitting on the sofa, seeing TV…..

G: Hey Kripa….

Mahi looked at her smiling…..And then she decided to go on with the charade…..Her eyes twinkled with mischief…...She saw pratham putting away his shoes and coming in the house with a briefcase….His eyes smiling…..

M: Hi Bhabhi…..Bhaiya, bhabhi ko aisi halat mein kaam kyun kara rahe ho? She asked frowning at him, stiffling her laughter….

P: Oh, mujhe lagta hai ki ye mahi se kuch jyada hi impress ho gayi hain….lagta hai, issiliye itni ziddi hai aur baat bhi nahi sunti….he said with a twinkle…

G: Kripa…..Pratham, stop it…..I am just pregnant ok….Not invalid…She said frowning at them….Aur aise bhi nahi hai ki mein 24 ghante kaam karti hun…..bas subah 3-4 ghante hi to kaam hota hai……usme kya problem hai…..aur waise bhi ma kuch kaam karne nahi deti kitchen ka…..mein to ghar mein aise baithe baithe pagal ho jaungi…….she said sitting next to Mahi….

M: bhaiya, Mahi ke bare mein kuch nahi kehna….Woh kitni achi hai….aur self dependent bhi…..Gauri Bhabhi is right…..

P: I know….I know….no need to tell me….he said rolling his eyes, coming near her he smiled at her sweetly an then hold her ears tightly…….So, mujhe Mahi par ghussa nahi hona chahiye, kyun? Who bahot achi hai? Barabar…..

M: Bhaiya…….Mere saab aaj mere kaan ke piche kyun pade hai…….she asked loudly….Chodo na…..Bhabhi….Pratham pulled even harder……..Ouch….Bhabhi…..she cried out loudly…..

G: Pratham….chodo usse…..she said…..trying to pull his hands away….frowning at him, for his childish behaviour…..She knew how easily Kripa got bruised….and she could see, that he was pulling her ears too hardly…

P: Bilkul nahi….ek number ki cheat hai ye…….He said laughing at her…..Mahi laughed at him, in understanding…..

G: Kya bol rahe ho Pratham?

P: Uppar dekho pata chal jayega….he said pointing out to Kripa….who was coming down looking at them smiling…..

Gauri was stunned and got up immidiately….She looked at Kripa and then at mahi……and kept a hand on her mouth….

G: Oh…my God…Mahi….she said…looking at Kripa….

P: Mahi yahan hai………he said hitting Mahi on her head…..making her laugh…..

Gauri looked at Mahi, who got up at once and hugged Gauri laughing at her expression….

G: Mahi…..Oh God…..Tum kab ayi……Aur hume pata bhi nahi ki tum aa rahi ho?

M: That is what Surprise means….she said laughing….Hi bachu…..she said putting a hand on Gauri's stomach…laughing at Gauri….Gauri laughed at her and patted her cheeks….

G: God, tum dono to aaj bhi itne ek jaise dikhte ho ke, I still get confused…..she said smiling…..

Kripa joined them and stood next to Mahi….

G: Tumhe kaise pata chala ki ye Kripa hai? Gauri asked Pratham….

P: Unki aawaj se….Mujhe lagta hai, ki Kripa ki awaj jyada mithi hai….. he said grinning at Mahi….who was making faces at him …..aur Mahi ki shararati ankhen, jo aaj bhi waise hi chamakti hain, jaise pehle chamakti thi, jaab woh choti thi aur aise hi shararat kiya karti thi…….he said chuckling and hugging her…….

M: You are too smart for your own good….She said complaining….

P: And you are too dumb to even think of fooling a brother as smart as me….he said affectionately kissing her forehead……chuckling at her angry look……

P: You know Gauri...Hum jab chote the na, tab mahi choclate khati, phir jakar Kripa ke kapde pehenti aur phirse choclate mangti…….yeh keh kar ki woh Kripa hai…..Ma busy rehti aur isse kabhi kabhi de deti….par meine kaffi baar isse pakda tha aur saajja bhi di thi jhoot bolne ke karan…..he said laughing with a hand still on Mahi's shoulder…..

Suryabhan came in at the time…..

S: Tab Kripa ati aur isse bachati, aur kehti ki ussine isse kaha tha, kyunki usse choclate nahi chahiye…….Ma Kripa ko danti, par Mahi ko phir bura lagta aur tab jakar saab sach batati……..suryabhan said affectionately putting a hand on Kripa's shoulder…..Kripa smiled at the memories….They were wonderful memories……..Mahi and Kripa exchanged looks…..knowing both were thinking about the same thing…….They had missed each other………

Gayatri too joined in and asked them all to freshen up and come for lunch…..Soon, they all had lunch together…..and talked about Mahi's journey, college, results…..etc….They told her what was going on here….and the conversation went on………..