*Sacred Bonding* New AK-AR FF* Ch-3 Page 19 Feb20 - Page 14

Chapter 3 - Lost and I won't lie.

The room was filled with trophies of different sizes, books on the shelves, and a cozy couch for one person, two leather chairs on one side of the desk and a black rocking chair on the other side where a person sat fixing his pair of glasses. On the table, there was a name tag which read 'Mr. Singh'.

None other than the principle of the college, very strict but can be the nicest person on campus at some times.

As they came in and stood in front of him, he looked up from the papers he was looking at and said, "Good morning everyone." Their fear seemed to rise as he stared at them for few seconds and then bursts out into fits of laughter seeing their scared faces. "Arey, I'm not going to eat you all alive! Why are you all so scared of me?" Without waiting for an answer, he looked at Kripa and continued, "Happy birthday Kripa!"

They all gave a relaxed sigh and laughed foolishly at themselves. Riddhima muttered under her breath.

"Phew! He only called to wish you. We were just worrying for no reason."

Kripa gives a look to her that said, "Be quiet." Then giving a smile to him, she said, "Thank you sir. So, now we can go right?"

Kripa thought that it really is a shame that even the principle remembers but not her best friend Angad! The person that means a lot to her doesn't realize but the person who has come in her life just recently knows! I am so not going to let you go easily this time Khanna!

Mr. Singh replied breaking her chain of thoughts, "Oh no, not yet. I have called you five to tell something really important."

Kripa repeated, "Five?"

Nikki continued, "But sir, we're only three." Just then there was a knock on the door. They all turned their heads towards the door to see Angad and Abhi standing. The principle waves them to come in and they open the door and walk in.

Angad, "You called us sir?"

Abhi stood next to Nikki making his way by forcing Riddhima to move a little. And Angad stood beside Kripa in hopes of talking to her. Hoping that she would look at him. But no such luck for him. She just looked straight ahead and was least bothered on who stands next to her. Nikki whispered to Abhi very softly, "Did you tell him?"

Abhi whispered back, "Yes. And he has a plan to solve his mistake."

"He better do!" she said sternly and then turned to Riddhima and gave her a thumb's up sign. Knowing what she meant, Riddhima smiled and looked in front after Nikki returned the smile.

Mr. Singh continued after clearing his throat to get all of their attention, "So you see there are five and not three."

The girls nod and he gets a call. Excusing himself from them, he picks it up. Finding this as the right time, Angad whispered to Kripa, "Kripa…" she acted as if she didn't hear it and looked around. When he did it the third time, she gave him an annoyed stern look that told him to 'Shut up.'

He didn't listen to her and pulled at her hand. She looked at him angrily and he said, "Why are you not talking to me?"

She replies with a hurt tone, "Why does it matter to you if I do or not? Besides, till you figure out, don't even try talking to me." And then looked at Mr. Singh who kept the phone down to continue.

Angad was a bit distracted at first but then grinned to himself knowing that there is no way she will not talk to me. I will have her talking in the next few minutes.

"So, there's a camp in Goa and groups of five from school all over India are coming there to compete. I want you five to go there and represent Convent (their school's name). It's educational with fun things to do. I know its summer time but it'd be great if you all can go. It challenges you in all types of way and sees which school has the best talent. You all have to compete in sports, dancing, writing, singing, painting and other fun things. Kripa and Angad are champs from our school for sports and singing. Riddhima, you're an amazing dancer."

"For writing, Abhi is great at that. And Nikki paints really well! All of you are talented in one criteria or another. It's like your groups was meant to be. All of you are best of friends and so there should be no problem. Thus, I have chosen you all to go there and participate."

Everyone looked at each other not knowing what to say. Should they agree or not? They did have few summer plans already made. Nikki argued, "That's great sir… but our parents…"

Mr. Singh: "Don't worry about that. I've already talked to your parents." He said handing him the brochure of the place they'll be staying at. "Here, look through this. I'm sure you'll love this place. The trip's on April 19th. You'll be staying there for a week and if you guys do well from my opinion, then you guys can stay there for two more weeks. My gift to you all." And he smiles at them. They smile back and reply "Okay sir."

Mr. Singh: "And remember, do your best, have fun and make me proud. Do whatever you do with your heart and you will succeed. Remember that."

They all reply together: "We will sir!"

Mr. Singh: "All right then. You guys should head for your classes."

They all come out of the office and Mrs. Neelam stops Kripa. The other's leave as she stays back. Mrs. Neelam gives her a bouquet of colorful roses. "These are for you."

Kripa was startled. . "For me! Who would send me flowers?

She shrugged and said, "Don't know. But they're addressed to you." She points at the bottom where there was an envelope and on the outside, her name was written in calligraphic handwriting.

Unsure, she thanks Mrs. Neelam and turns around walking out slowly. Mrs. Neelam gets back to her work. Outside, Kripa looks at the enclosed envelope. Who would send me flowers?! That too at college'

***

Armaan lay in his bed with eyes closed and rethinking the past.

*FLASH-BACK*

A giggling sound made him turn towards it. a laughing, Riddhima, stood there. A newly turned teen. Armaan's best friend. More than just a friend. They had grown up together, doing the same things, knowing each other just more than enough to understand each other without any communication. It was all the play of eyes for them.

Riddhima took off running again and looked back to check if he was behind her. she had so gotten away with running from Armaan for hiding his guitar that she didn't realize how far out of the city she was. She got scared not finding him anywhere around him.

It was already snowing due to winter and she had no idea how to get back. She panicked and started going back. But the blizzard took off and she lost direction in no time. Not able to walk further anymore, she dragged herself up the cliff. She called out his name for the hundredth time, but he was nowhere to be found.

Same was the case with Armaan. He was looking for her all over the place but she didn't reply to one call. Giving up, he went back and called Beeji to inform her. a small search troop set out looking for her due to the blizzard. She could be anywhere. Armaan felt helpless and guilty not able to do anything. She had run off to escape his anger.

And look what it did. He lost her forever. Or so he thought. A day later, everyone lost hope, not able to find her anywhere the blizzard stopped but there was still no sign of her. Armaan wasn't ready to accept that and he would sneak off and go where they got separated every now and then. His love for her was still strong, which didn't let him forget her. Even if she was dead, he would always be hers.

*FLASH-BACK ENDS*

Armaan opened the door as someone knocked. It turned out to be Muskaan, ready to drag him out of the room and help her in packing. Rahul was of no use as he kept criticizing her choice of attire.

***

To a very special person,

I knew that today is your birthday. I was always the first one to wish you. But this time, I thought of acting to see how you would react. Now that I know, I promise to never do any such thing again. I'm really sorry I made you sad on your birthday. Forgive me and keep smiling. You look good that way!

Only yours,

Angad.

Kripa was almost crying by the end of reading it. Though she felt happy to know that he hadn't forgotten, she started saying to herself: "I have to go say sorry to him for ignoring him the whole time. I was so mad at him!"

She wiped her tears and left the office. She was going upstairs when suddenly someone pulled her in the fire escape. She got scared and was about to scream when someone put their hand on her mouth to prevent her from screaming.

***

Her eyes were closed and a voice said: "Don't scream. It's me." Knowing the familiar voice she opened one of her eyes and when she saw it indeed was Angad, she relaxed and opened her other eye. Then she nodded and he removed his hand that were covering her mouth and she took a deep breath. But he didn't let go of the hand with which he had pulled her in.

She asked, "What were you trying to do? You scared me half to death." When she looked around, she realized that she was pinned to the wall and was held there by Angad's tight grip.

"I want to talk to you."

"You can. But at least let go of my hand! It hurts. I had asked you to build muscles. But not to use it against me!" she whined.

He smiled in pleasure and replied, "No."

She was confused. "No?"

"Not unless you forgive me." he explained.

She decided to play for a while and tease him. "What if I don't?"

He tightened his grip on her wrist and let that speak for itself. Kripa nodded and asked, "Forcing huh?"

He moved his head sideway with a mock as if to say, "If I have to."

She dropped the game and asked, "Did you really remember?"

Angad felt guilty about lying and knew she would get more mad later on if he lied again. "No. Not really. I had forgotten. I know, kill me. but I don't want to make you happy by lying either."

She smiled. She wasn't hurt at all. she replied making him look at her, "Hey, don't feel bad. I'm glad you decided to tell me the truth. You're right. I would have been more sad if I found out later on from someone else. Thank you."

She knew him well and vice-versa. He cutely asked, "Do I consider myself forgiven?"

"Only if you promise me one thing."

He asked, "What?" instantly, with a bright smile on his face.

"Tomorrow, I want to go out somewhere. You've been so busy with team and then exams; it feels like it's been forever since we went out somewhere."

He nodded. "Done. Tomorrow it is."

"Now can you let go of my hand?"

"Sure." And he leaves her hand. She starts rubbing it since he had held it a little too tight. Seeing this Angad apologized, "Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know. It's okay. Now, let's go before we get in trouble on last day." She turned around to leave but he stops her by holding her dupatta. Surprised by this action of his, she turned with a surprised look on her face that said What... The surprise was a sweet one as he walked up on step to match hers and said, "Close your eyes."

She was going to object but then obeyed seeing the plead in his eyes.

In half a second he placed something in her hands and says: "Okay. No open." She opened her eyes to see a cute little teddy bear in her hands. She starts rubbing the teddy bear's head. He admired her playing with it. seconds later, she asked, "But why?"

"Your birthday present."

"You could have given it to me during the party?"

"I know. But I have other plans for that!"

She 'Oh-ed' He asked then, "Like it?" It was obvious that she did but he still asked to satisfy himself.

She nodded and gave him a quick, tight hug. She whispered, "Thank you." And Angad squeezed her hand a little after parting as a sign of "Your welcome."

***

They came out to find the rest of them coming down the stairs. They weren't at all surprised by finding them together and that too coming out of the fire escape. It was their hide out and everyone knew it. And they all also knew that Angad was with Kripa. Without asking any questions, Nikki said they should get going and decorate the room for End Of Year Party.

They all agreed and left for the music room. Nobody used it except for special occasions. They had taken the permission from the principal to use that room for the day. Since nobody had used that room for a while, they figured it might need dusting. When Angad unlocked the door, there was dust everywhere. They coughed while entering. Abhi went and opened the windows for some fresh air. They got to work immediately. After cleaning it they started decorating it.

Angad: "Can you pass me the tape?"

Kripa passed him the tape which was in her hands. And Nikki said: "You know guys. What do you think about the camp?"

Kripa replied, "I was thinking about that too. How do you think it will be?"

Nikki replied, "Just look at the brochure. It sounds damn fun."

Angad pulled it out of his pocket and they all gathered around to see. They flipped through the pages and then Riddhima commented, "Now I know why our parents agreed for the camp. It's an amazing place. You know Kripa, you're lucky. No one tells you what to do. You can do whatever…"

She suddenly stopped when she realized what she had just said. Kripa was close to tears but didn't want to cry in front of her friends. They had shared all types of moments together. But she hated to show her weak side to anyone. No matter how much she loves them. She ran out of the room without saying anything.

***

Precap - Another Surprise!

Like and comment! Sorry for the long wait. Had exams going on. Will try to post next part soon. Here, One part of the past is revealed. Next chapter will have more and even more involvement of Armaan as he will be in Mumbai.

If you want pmz, let me know in a comment.

-Khushi