Angreji babu desi mem-AK & MS FF-Epilogue-05-22-12 - Page 8

Awesome update.The story is moving fast.

Part-16

Angad was back after couple of month more……..He got busy for a week preparing the reports and explaining Mr. Bhatia and other partners about the latest developments and changes they needed to make…….He gave them the reports of the new companies they have successfully gained accounts in and the employees now working with them…….Everyone was impressed and congradulated him for his success.……. He was done with the Austrilia office set up and had appointed good managers and team, to look at the business there and was scheduled to leave for Europe for next two years and expand their business there……

Meanwhile Prithvi, Kripa and her team met in Kripa's studio for practice every day as Kripa had show in Chicago this weekend……Prithvi was also with her in the show this time.……She was aware that Angad had come back from Australia last week, but was sad that he did not even come to meet her, or even call her once.…….

P: Kripa…..kahan kho gayi….Kripa came out of her thoughts and shook her head…..

J: Miss Kripa Sharma…….If I have your permission, I would like to join your team for this trip to Chicago….Bahot din ho gaye, tumhara show dekha hi nahi……Aur issi bahane, hum saab thoda sight seeing bhi kar lenge……Majja ayega…..what do you all say guys……

Al: Nice Idea Josh……I am in it…..Show vaise bhi Saturday night ko hai…..Why don't we do sight seeing on Sunday and come back on Monday……

P: Fine by me…..But I need to be back by 8 in the morning…..Got my class at 9……he said trying a rythem on his guitar……And guys I have a news to share as well…...I have proposed to Tanya and she had said yes……He said looking at them all……Kripa smiled and everyone cheered for him…..congradulating him……Prithvi had already told Kripa about it…..She had even talked to Tanya and congradulated her……..

K: Prithvi, Tanya ko bhi sath kyun nahi le ate……she can enjoy with us too…..Kripa said smiling……

H: Kripa, isse bolne ki jaroorat nahi hai……Ye to usne pehle se hi book kar rakhi hai……Harshini said chuckling……Kripa chuckled when Prithvi grinned at them…..

K: Aliyah, tumhare boy friend ka kya hua…..Kya naam tha uska……

Al: Kripa!! Kripa chuckled winking at her…..Josh chocked on his coke……

J: Boy friend? What boy friend…….Aliyah…..tumne kabhi bataya nahi……

Al: I am going to kill you for this Kripa…..Bhaiya……I am not a baby anymore, ki haar baat aakar aapko bataun……..She said frowning..……

J: Yeah….I noticed….That is why I am more worried about you……He said frowning…..Kripa kis boy friend ki baat kar rahi ho…..Kripa chuckled……And josh frowned at her…..Kripa looked at Aliyah with eyebrows up and nodded…..She had known about Aliyah since last 6 months…..She loved a muslim boy named Shabeer…..Aliyah, abhi batao….nahi to ma ko bataunga na to tumhari achi pitai hogi……

K: Aliyah….It is time…..Aur kitne din chipaogi……You can't hide such things and you did nothing wrong…..Tell him…..she said frowning at her……Prithvi raised his eyebrows and Kripa blushed a little……She had come a long way since the first time she was here…..Free and open with everyone…..boys or girls and everyone came to know that she was quite bossy, when she was right and some one was doing something wrong…….

Al: Ok Krips…..Bhaiya….I am in love and we are planning to get married……There….I said it……Josh stilled and looked at her with disbelief……..She had said it so casually like it was everyday occurrence…….

J: What?

Al: You heard me…..didn't you……

J: Who is he…..I am going to kill him…..

K: Josh….Kripa rolled her eyes at his dramatic voice……Tumhare jaisa hi koi flirt hai…..farak itna hai, ki ladkiyan abhi tak tumhare jaal mein nahi phasi, par Aliyah ko ussane phasa liya……she said winking at Aliyah……Aliyah rolled her eyes and made faces laughing……

Al: Woh mere sath mere office mein kaam karta hai……Uska naam Shabeer hai……Aur uske parents ne haan kar di hai…..but I am not sure of mom…..you know her…..she said sighing…….and ofcourse you…..So, there got the information……and please stay away from him ok……She said frowning…….

J: Aliyah…..!!

Al: Josh…..please…..I love him ok……Don't tell me that he is from other religion and other bull****…….

Josh rolled his eyes and frowned at her…..Though he was ok with it, he was not sure of his mom…..She was very religious…….

P: Hey Josh…..you should atleast meet this guy man……

K: Yes Josh….Don't form your opinion just yet…..

Josh frowned and looked at her….

J: You think so?

Kripa sighed and nodded…..

J: Ok….Aliyah you are on….Call him today evening in starbucks and I will talk to him and his parents and then decide and talk to mom…….Aliyah grinned and ran to Josh and hugged him tightly…..

Al: Thank you so much…..She grinned at Kripa and mouthed thanks to her too…….

P: Common guys….lets practice…….He called the other people, who were practicing their steps behind……And they continued their session…..

Kripa was back late evening and was surprised to see Angad at home……She was wearing her tights and was all sweaty and tired after her classes and practice……..She slowly kept her bag down and smiled at him….

K: Hi….

A: Hi….he said smiling…..

K: How was your trip….?

A: Good….he said looking at her……..Kripa blushed a little, when his gaze roamed over her for couple of more seconds….

K: Ma, mein abhi fresh hokar ayi…..she said taking her bag and making her way up….well aware of Angad looking at her…….She looked down, when she was on the last step and saw him looking at her…..she smiled a little and hurried to her room, closing the door behind her…….Her heart pounding hardly…….she closed her eyes and stood there for a long time……Slowly she kept her bag down and took a shower taking her time……She was just not yet ready to go down……Why did she have such a reaction to him today……She was behaving like a silly teenager…….They have known eachother for almost 2 years now…..Were good friends…..still….? She got dressed and when she had nothing else to do, she slowly went down……..But to her disappointment Angad had already left…….

K: Mama, Angad chala gaya? She asked casually……

G: Haan, beta Pratham ko kuch files dene aya tha….Pratham, Gauri aur Sneha, kisi birthday party par gaye hain abhi…..chalo tum plates lagao, hum khana kha lete hain…..tumhe bhi to bhuk lagi hogi….Kripa sighed sadly……He hardly met now a days……Since last one year he had constantly been on trips, coming for a week or so after staying out for a month…….She slowly did as her mom said……

S: Kripa……tum se hume kuch baat karni hai beta…….Kripa smiled and looked at her dad…..

K: Ji papa…..Surya looked at Gayatri……Kahiye na papa…..kya baat hai….But suddenly she had this bad feeling about it…..Since the day of Mahi's marriage, many people have called with a marriage proposal for Kripa……And Kripa was aware of what was going on from last one month….She heard her parents and pratham talking about it many times as well……

S: Aab Mahi ki shadi bhi ho gayi hai, aur woh apne life me set ho gayi hai…….aur hum chahte hain ki tumhari shadi bhi jald se jald ho jaye……Kripa looked at them both stunned, but then looked down and stayed quite……..Tumhare liye do rishte aye hain…...Kripa looked at her dad surprised……

G: Beta, tum par koi zabardasti nahi hai…..agar tum kisi ko pasand karti ho to woh bhi be jhijhak keh do……Hume koi aitraaz nahi hai...

S: Kya tum kisi ko pasand karti ho Kripa……Agar karti ho, to hum baat age badhayenge…..kaho…..He said looking at her…….Kripa silently looked down…..How could she tell them, without even knowing what Angad felt for her…..yes she loved him, but her love might be one sided…..She slowly shook her head, swallowing and blinking……Gayatri frowned looking at her…..She went to her and lifted her face…..

G: Kya baat hai beta……she asked with concern……

Kripa looked up trying to smile a little and shook her head…..

K: Woh Ma, mein abhi shadi nahi karna chahti……Aur abhi itni jaldi bhi kya hai…..Mahi ki baat alag hai, woh donon ek dusare ko pasand karte the…….

S: Nahi beta…..haar ek kaam ke liye ek samay hota hai……samay rehte kaam pura ho gaya to hi barabar hota hai…..Tumhari shadi ki umr hai…..Iss samay ache ghar se rishte ate hain…..agar aaj mana kar diya, to ho sakta hai, age itne ache ladke na mile……Aur hum ye to nahi keh rahe na ki abhi shadi karo……par ladke dekhne mein kya harz hai…..Ho sakta hai ki tumhe bhi koi pasand aa jaye…..Hum jyada din rukna nahi chahte……

G: Beta, yeh umrr shadi ke liye issiliye achi hai kyun ki thode din apne pati ke sath samay gujar kar tum ek dusare ko samajh sakte ho……Phir samay par bachein ho to tumhe bhi jyada takleef nahi hogi aur na age chalke unhe…..Aur phir humare khandan mein ladkiyon ki shadi mein der nahi lagate..…..Inn do rishton mein ek ko tum achi tarah janti ho…..she said smiling…..kripa frowned and looked at her mom….Josh ki ma ka phone aya tha, Josh ke liye tumhara hath mangne……..she said slowly……Kripa got up stunned from her chair……..

K: Mom……Woh sirf ek acha dost hai…..Aliyah ka bhai……Mein ne kabhi ussse badhkar kuch nahi socha……..She said looking at her shocked…….

G: Beta, dosti se to pyar ki shuruwat hoti hai…..aur woh keh rahi thi ki Josh ko bhi tum kafi pasand ho…..Aur mujhe bhi ye baat bahot baar mehsus hui hai……Aliyah ne hi uske ma ko ye baat batayi ki woh tumse pyar karta hai……Kripa sighed and looked away with slight tears, blinking them fast, before anyone else could see it……She never thought this day would come, but here she was all tangled in the web of problems…...

S: Aur beta, Josh ki ma bhi kitni achi hai……puja path, dharma aur ved shastra mein to itni achi hai…..Mandir mein Indian society meiin saab unki ijjat karte hain……Aur Josh, woh bhi acha ladka hai, koi buri adat nahi hai…..to hum soch rahe the, ki tum isske bare mein socho……India mein rehte to wahin ka ladka dekhte…..par aab Pratham yahin settle hone ki zid karraha hai…..Aab hum wahan akele karenge bhi kya….aur aab Mahi bhi yahin hai, agar tumhari bhi shadi yahin kahin ho gayi to acha hoga…….Tum bhi humare paas hi rahogi…….He said patting her shoulders lightly….Kripa smiled at him a little sadly…….What was she supposed to do now…..Go propose Angad? She thought confusingly………

G: Hume koi jaldi nahi hai…..Tum aram se iss bare mein sochna aur phir jawab dena…..she said kissing her cheeks…….Chal abb khana kha le…..thanda ho raha hai…..she said smiling at her…….Kripa slowly sat on her chair and nibbled at her food……Her hunger had vanished……She was worried about this latest development…….

S: Waise tum log kab nikal rahe ho…..Chicago ke liye…..?

K: Saturday morning papa……Monday wapas ayenge……Woh Josh, Aliyah aur baki saab Chicago sight seeing karna chahte hain Sunday ko……to….

G: Thik hai koi baat nahi…..Josh ke sath waqt bitaogi, to tumhe faisla lene mein bhi madad milegi…..Kripa was not sure about it…..She would feel more akward now due to this latest development……When she had already once told him clearly that she was not interested……….

She finished her dinner and told her mom that she was going for walk…….She walked out alone for a long time……..She wanted to go talk to Mahi, but knew, she must have returned from work just now and she and Shabd needed time together…..Her eyes blurred thinking about what her mom and dad said…….

After about an hours walk she came home and went to her room and fell on the bed and was soon asleep, totally exhausted……Gayatri came in and saw her asleep, she slowly covered her and looked at her with a sigh…….For some reason for the first time, she felt that, she was keeping some thing from them…….But she did not know what…….She looked at the picture frame of Kripa and Mahi's and caressed their faces……..With a sigh, she kept it down, switched off the light and walked out of the room……..

Mahi on the other side, was happy with her new life and they both got set in their routine……Mahi and Shabd would get up and cook together, playing a little in between, they would both say bye and be on their way to their jobs and college……Meet in the evening, eat the same meals they prepared in the morning or order a take home meal……Loved eachother at nights till they both were exhausted and fell asleep in eachothers arms……Life was pretty wonderful and happy……….They went to Sharma house once in 15 days or so and spend a day with them and then some Sundays they would go out for trekking or some amusement parks and have wonderful fun filled moments together…..They even invited some friends over dinner some times……They were even planning to call Mahi's family and Dilip's family some time soon, when they both have time…….Their life was pretty cool…..

A day before Kripa was scheduled to leave for Chicago, she packed her bag……..She then went down to look at the plants and water them, before she leave……She did some pruining and cleaned up the yard……Then started watering the plants, as usual singing song……….Deep in her own thoughts…..Tomorrow Josh would be accompanying them…..It felt so odd…….She was dreading this meeting…..Especially Sunday would be too odd….considering Aliyah had told her mom about Josh's feelings…..and she would be observing them too…..If she said no, may be Aliyah's feelings might get hurt too……But what other option she had………She swallowed hard wiping her tear…….And suddenly felt a arm on her shoulder……….She looked up surprised and found Angad looking at her with concern…….

Kripa smiled looking at him, blinking her tears, looking down….

K: Sorry….tum kaab aye….she said, her emotions now in perfect control……..

A: Thodi der pehle…..when you were deep in thoughts and when your eyes were filled with tears……He said slowly, not wanting to embarrass her….

K: Woh kuch nahi……ankh mein kuch chala gaya tha….Woh chodo and congrats for your success……Bhaiya ne bataya ki tumhari wajah se company ka bahot profit hua…..you are really a genius…..she said grinning….Angad smiled…..

A: Thanks…….he said, but his thoughts went back to the reason behind Kripa's tears……he knew some thing was bugging her…...He had seen her walking alone, deep in thoughts last 2 days at nights.…..He could not go with her, as he was busy with his phone meetings…….

Kripa was again silent…….She quietly kept watering the lawn…….

A: Kripa, walking chalein…….

K: Nahi Angad, mujhe ye kaam pura karna hai……I am going to Chicago for my show tomorrow……Phir do din kuch nahi hoga….and it is already so dry……she said smiling…...

Angad sighed…..

A: Hmmm…..And I am leaving on Monday morning…..he said sighing……..Kripa looked up surprised…..

K: Abhi to aye ho……

Angad shrugged…..

A: Bachelor hun na, to sare oversees ke kaam mujhe de rahe hain…..while others enjoy family life here…..I don't mind….I kind of like the new challenges…..Makes me more experienced and I feel I achieved something, with each deal I shake hand for…….He said grinning…..Kripa smiled at him sadly and nodded……..

K: Kahan ja rahe ho…..isbaar…..

A: you won't believe it….. Europe, London basically, then I will expand it around in Europe.…..I proposed and my partners are all ok with it and wished me luck……

K: Congrats…..

A: Thanks….

K: Phir kab aaoge……

A: Issbar to kehna mushkil hai…..I have to concentrate fully in to it…..It is just like the first time…..like starting it all over again……Aur phir ye thoda bada project hai…….So, atleast couple of years or so may be.…..he said shrugging……Common Kripa…..you can spend a few minutes with a friend, who is here just for a week or so…..Aab itna time to hoga tumhare paas…….Kripa smiled at him and nodded…..

K: Ek min….abhi ayi….she said walking slowly to the water hose and closing it…..Angad frowned at her…..She felt a little different today…..like something had changed……..She was not as happy as she always would be……smiling joking….enjoying…..Did some thing happen in between this 2 months…..he needed to find out…..He would be continuously disturbed if he did not find out…….And she was leaving tomorrow…….

He saw Kripa walking on the deck and collecting her duppatta and opening the door asking her mom, if it was ok if she went for a little walk with Angad……Angad shook his head…..something never changed…..

She was back after couple of minutes…..

K: Chalo…..she said smiling a little……

They walked in silence for next 10 minutes…..

K: Abhi bhi black coffee pete ho……..Kripa asked chuckling……Angad smiled and nodded….

A: Hmmm…….

K: Indian wedding bhi miss kiya……she said smiling…..

A: You know, I don't like all that long rituals and noise……he said rolling his eyes……Kripa smiled sadly and nodded…..Angad stopped…..But I would have come anyway, if I could…..he said slowly……Kripa looked at him and nodded…..They again started walking quietly…..Kya hua Kripa, kuch pareshan lag rahi ho…..somthing bothering you? He asked looking at her………

Kripa stopped in her tracks for a few seconds, and slowly shook her head….She started walking, but Angad held her back……Kripa caught her breathe……his touch on her arms making her heart pounce……

A: I know some thing is bothering you…….Kya baat hai…..? He asked looking at her……Kripa shivered a little at his touch…….And the way he was staring as if he really cared made her more nervous…..May be she should tell him and see his reaction…..See what he says……Indirectly atleast she would get a answer……Batao Kripa…….Do you have any problems…..Is some one bothering you……? He was well aware of her growing popularity and her success in film industry…..Though pratham and her parents have kept a low profile, he knew about the mails received to her by her fans……Prithvi and her friends were the one, who looked through them as she did not have much time……..

K: Josh ki ma ne Josh ke liye mera hath manga hai….she said slowly…..looking down…..She felt Angad's hand slipping from hers and she looked up………Her eyes were filled with light tears……..Angad just kept staring at her a little stunned……..Papa chahte hain ki mein bhi jald se jald shadi karun….Aur ek rishte ki bhi baat ki…….She said looking away……..

A: Tum kya chahti ho…….He asked slowly looking at her….He had never thought about all this……But now that Kripa talked about the marriage proposal, he was stunned……..Shocked to know that may be Kripa would be married soon and………and what he thought…..and he would not have any right on her….When did he have that?….she was never his for saying…….They have been good friends…..That's it…..Then why did he feel the sudden urge to not let her go……ask her to say no to all the proposals….tell her she was his and no one had a right to her than him……He looked at her stunned, at the way his thoughts were going……..

Kripa just shook her head……….

K: Woh kal Josh humare sath Chicago aa raha hai….papa mama chahte hain ki hum kuch samay sath bitaye aur phir faisla le……Josh loves me…….or that is what my dad and mom told me……..and I know they are right……she said looking away, a little embarrassed…….Angad stood there rooted……Her words Josh Loves Me, passing a arrow straight through his heart……..

A: And you? He said choking a little…….Kripa kept quite…….She did not say a word…….She slowly turned around shaking her head, giving him his answer and started walking back…….Angad stood there looking at her for some time and then ran behind her……Kripa…..ruko…….Kripa stopped in her tracks…….If you don't love him, then why don't you say no…..Tell your dad……If you are not ready for marriage, tell him so…..It is your life……They can't make decisions on your behalf……..Kripa's eyes filled with tears and she slowly looked around…..

K: They can Angad…….They are my parents…..They have a right to think what is good and what is bad for me…….Woh mere mama papa hai, mein aaj hun yahan, unki wajah se hun……jo kuch meine paya, unhi ke ashirwad se paya…….

A: Then what are you saying…..you will let them choose your life partner for you……You will marry whom ever they say…….he asked angrily……..

Kripa looked at him for couple of more seconds and turned around and started walking……..May be she should…..she thought……

A: Kripa……..he shouted holding her arm tightly and stopping her…..Answer me damn it……Are you willing to marry with their choice…….?

K: Why do you care Angad……? She asked slowly……Angad's hands loosened a little….

A: Why do I care…….? Because we are friends…..We have been friends for last 2 years or so……Is that not a good reason……

K: It is….and thanks for that……Par baat sirf Josh ki akele ki nahi hai……papa chahte hain ki mein settle ho jaun……Mahi ke shadi ke baad aab unhe meri fikra hai……Aur mujhe pata hai ki woh ek ke baad ek rishta le ayenge……tab tak chain se nahi baithenge jab tak meri shadi nahi hoti.…..Pratham bhaiya bhi ek rishta lekar aye hain…...kal hi ma ko bata rahe the…….Kab tak mana karungi aur kya wajah bataungi unhe……she said looking at him with tears……kya kahungi……ki apne career ke liye mana kar rahi hun…..Josh is very much ready to support me and help me with my career……so……aur kya kahungi ladka acha nahi hai? …….cholo dus logon ko reject bhi kar dun……par takleef to mere mama papa ko hogi na……mere iss tarah bewaja mana karne par…….fikra to hogi na…..I can't play by your American rules and tell them, that they don't have to worry about me and I can take care of my self……Even If I say that, they will……They are my parents…..she said wiping her tears…….But any way……yeh mera problem hai…..and I will have to decide my self…..So, chodo…..parson to tum phir se chale jaoge……aur aab to do saal tak dikhoge bhi nahi……..Prithvi ke shadi par to aaoge na…..she said smiling a little……Angad looked at her with a frown…..This was the first he had heard about it…..Kripa shook her head with a smile…..Apne bhai ke bare mein ye bhi pata nahi tumhe!……Jao usse congrats kaho…..He is going to marry Tanya soon….She accepted his proposal…..Yeh tour se ate hi, woh tumhare mama papa se baat karne wala hai…..she said smiling at him…..Infact she is joining us in the tour as well…….She said walking towards her home…….

Angad was silent……..His thoughts differed so much than hers……If he would have been in her place, he would have said no to the marriage and told them not to look at all…….But, then what does this mean…..was she willing to go that way and ready for the marriage…….His steps flattered and his heart pounced at the thought of seeing Kripa as Josh's wife…….He closed his eyes and saw the vision of Josh and Kripa together, very much in love…..laughing spending days and nights in eachothers arms…….The thought disgusted him and he opened his eyes, not wanting to see it any more……But if this happened in reality……then he would have to……He would have to see them together day and night.……because they lived in same community……He would have to forget Kripa forever……And the thought made him restless…….No, he could not…….He could not let her go….And that was when he realized that he loved her……..He looked at Kripa, as she walked…….her hairs blowing and covering her face……..Her beauty shone in the moon light ……….Her innocent beauty captured his heart…...Yes he loved her…….But he wasn't ready for commitment yet….He had to fulfill his dreams…..He had to achieve his target…….Which was still a long way ahead……May be atleast 3-4 years……for sure…..Yeah, after that he would think of settling…….He needed to stop Kripa…….Make her understand…….He was about to say some thing to her, when they saw some one coming out of her house……calling her name…….It was Pratham……

K: Angad Pratham bhaiya bula rahe hain…..chalo andar to aao…..chai piker jana……kal subah to mein chali jaungi…….she said looking at him……Angad followed her till the house…..Pratham came out with a frown…..

P: Kahan chali gayi thi……Tumse milne mere office ke ek manager aye hain…… He was my college friend in India and one of the best managers of our company……Kripa stilled a little and looked at him….

K: Bhaiya….?

Pratham grinned at her and then smiled at Angad……..

P: Krips sorry, meine kaha nahi tumhe, par kal ma ko bataya tha, unke bare mein…..Uska naam Nirav hai……. Nirav ki ma next week wapas India ja rahi hai…..to jane se pehle woh ek baar tumhe dekhna chahti thi …… Kripa looked at him stunned……..

K: Bhaiya…..aap ne pehle kyun nahi bataya? She whispered…..holding his arms……Angad too stood there stunned behind them…….

P: Sorry Kripa…… kal aur parson tum ghar par nahi ho……tum to aise ghabrarahi ho, jaise abhi mein shadi kar dunga…… woh to aise hi milne aye hain…..he said chuckling…..Angad aao….tum bhi aao andar…..chai pikar jana……Nirav se to tum office mein kayin baar mil chuke ho na, kya pata agar tum kaho to Kripa maan bhi jayegi..……He said smiling…..Angad looked at Kripa, who was frowning a little angrily…..Kripa…..I am sorry aise achanak le aya…..par unhone pucha, to mana nahi karsaka……Kripa sighed and nodded……That's like my sweet sister……Aao Angad……he said smiling…… Mahi aur Shabd bhi aye hain……

Angad followed them numbly inside……

Kripa was too tensed……but she did not have any option…..So she walked in before Pratham pushed her……

G: Aa gayi beta……tumhara hi intajaar kar rahe the……Kripa smiled at her a little and then nodded at the other women……Aao Angad beta…..she said smiling……Mahi and Shabd too talked to him for a minute or so……

P: Baitho Angad…..

N: Evening Sir…..Nirav smiled looking at him…….

A: Evening…..Angad said tightly……Nirav then looked at Kripa and smiled……Kripa kept her gaze down……...His mom asked few questions……She replied some, and Mahi did with a grin on her behalf……..She smiled sadly at her…..but kept quite……

Everyone except Kripa and Angad kept the conversation alive…..Nirav's mother talked about the cultural diffences in here and India……told them about their family…..Nirav talked about his job, etc…Mahi prepared tea and gave some snacks for everyone……

Atlast after an hour or so, they were gone……Mahi screamed and hugged Kripa…….

M: Hmmm…..to kaisa laga ladka….? She asked grinning at Kripa…..Angad who was walking inside with Pratham, as Pratham asked him to stay for some time ……heard Mahi's comments and looked at Kripa a little dumbfounded…….

K: Mahi…..Kripa said trying to smile a little…..

M: Waise, pratham bhaiya…..I like Josh more…..don't you think……Yeh Nirav thik hai…..par Josh is more easy going, fun loving and loves to see Kripa dance……Kyun Kripa…..teri reharsals bhi miss nahi karta……she said chuckling….

K: Mahi…..

M: Kya Mahi Mahi kar raha hai…..Shabd tum hi kaho na……Angad you are Josh's friend…..I know you can vote for her…..won't you…..Tum kya sochte ho…..

S: Well…..Mama, waise mujhe bhi lagta hai ki Josh is a good choice………..Mein bhi usse kafi salon se janta hun…...

G: Beta, mujhe koi aitraaz nahi hai…..unki ma ne khud age se rishta bheja hai, Josh ko Kripa bhi pasand hai…..agar Kripa kahe to aaj hi rishta tair kar aaun…..

P: Haan Kripa…..tum kaho…..Akhir tumhari zindagi ka sawal hai…….We want you to be happy……

Ga: Are ma, itni jaldi kya hai….bichari ko thoda sochne ka waqt to di jiye…..aur Josh bhi to ja raha hai Kripa ke sath kal….I am sure, is faisle ki wajah Kripa hi hai…..Uska show miss nahi karna chahta shayad…..Ek do din sath bitayenge to kuch faisla le payenge…..aur agar Kripa ne mana kar diya to aur bhi to kitne rishte hain…..Papa ko aur bhi kuch logon ne isske bare mein baat kiya na…..Gayatri smiled and nodded kissing Kripa's forehead……… bechari ko bahot pareshan kar liya…

Su: Kripa tumhara phone hai…..

K: Kaun hai papa……Surya chuckled….

S: Josh ka phone hai……Kripa stilled for a minute, but slowly looked down and went to office……..

K: Hello….

J: Hi Beautiful…..

K: Josh….please…..Kuch kaam tha….nahi to mein baad mein phone karti hun…..mein thoda busy hun…..she said wiping her tears….

J: Mein tumse milna chahta hun Kripa…..abhi….please mana mat karna…..bahut jaroori hai….mein bahar wait kar raha hun…..Kripa stunned went out and looked through front door and he was there out side….Please thodi der ke liye bahar aao…….

K: Thik hai Josh…..abhi ayi…..She slowly kept the phone with heavy heart……She went back to the kitchen and found everyone staring at her with eyebrows up…..She ignored them and looked at her mom…..Ma, woh Josh, woh bahar khada hai, mujh se baat karna chahta hai……mein jaun…..she asked…..Mahi whistled loudly and Kripa looked up at her angrily…..

M: Sorry……ashik banaya ashik banaya apne…….she sang while going in the living room……Kripa looked at her angrily and then her gaze fell on Angad, who was staring at her sadly….She looked away….

G: haan beta, ja mil le…..ghar le ana baad mein……she said smiling…..

Kripa nodded…….She looked at Angad once more and slowly walked out…..

K: Hi Josh…..

J: Hi Kripa….Sorry iss tarah tumhe bahar bulaya…..par Shabd ka car dekha to pata chal gaya ki ghar mein baat nahi ho payegi…Kripa I know why you are upset….And I am sorry….mujhe pata hai ki mera pyar ek tarafa hai…..I know you don't love me…..Yeh Aliyah bhi bilkul pagal hai……Jakar ma ko bata diya…..woh actually tumhari do teen photos thi mere drawer mein….to usne…..I am really sorry…..Ma to aaj kal shadi karvane ke piche padi hai……aur yeh Aliyah ki baat sunte hi itni khush ho gayi ki siddha tumhare ma ko call kar diya……He said sighing…..Kripa looked up at him smiling…..

K: It's ok Josh…..I am sorry…..Tum bahot ache ho…..par, I love some one else…...she said closing her eyes…..Josh was a little stunned at her declaration……

J: Vow…..Kripa Sharma in love…….I know there will be thousands whose heart will stop beating at this declaration……..Can I ask who is the lucky boy….? Kripa chuckled and opened her eyes……and looked at him…..

K: Woh ye baat janta nahi hai…..abhi tak humne confess nahi kiya….and I can't tell about him till then……

J: Does he love you Kripa?

K: Kabhi kabhi lagta hai, ki yes he does…..par….I am not sure…

J: Then I wish you luck….he said smiling sadly….I hope you get the love of your life…..

K: I am sorry Josh…..she said with tears, looking at him…..

J: It's ok Kripa…..Yeh humesha compulsory to nahi na ki hum jisse chahe woh bhi humme utna hi chahe…..I am still your friend…..do you get that…..And you are just as beautiful, he said winking.…..And you are a girl and I am a boy……so I am still your boy friend and you are my girl friend…..and I still might have chance……Kya pata tumhare majnu ka, agar koi budhu ho aur na keh diya to…… I will always wait for you…...Remember me if he says no……Will you…..he asked grinning…..Kripa chuckled……

K: I will…..she said smiling and for the first time she went and hugged him herself…..You are a very good friend indeed…….She said smiling at him…….

J: Woh to mein hun……Chalo mein chalta hun…..

K: Andar to chalo…..tumhare favourite pakode bane hai…..mahi ne banaye hain…..she said chuckling….

J: Really….aab itna tempting offer to mana nahi kar sakta…...Kripa chuckled and they went in……Gayatri smiled when she saw him coming in…..She was seeing him in new perspective now…..and Kripa was a little embarrased…..

G: Aaao beta…..kaise ho?

J: Ji bilku thik hun aunty……Hi Angad…..Tu yahan kya kar raha hai….he said surprised….

A: Kuch nahi…..bas aise hi milne aa gaya……How are you?

J: Good…..at the top…..he said chuckling…..Mrs. Shabd…..Mein ne suna hai, ki aap ne mere favourite pakode banaye……Kuch baki hai, ki saab khatma ho gaye……..He said looking at her with a grin….Mahi chuckled and served him some with the ketchup and he took and sat besides pratham….

Kripa was wide awake even after midnight……She was restless……She kept thinking about Angad……And was sad…….She was clueless about his thoughts or about his feelings…..Yeah he said he cared for her like a friend…..So, was she just a friend for him……If so, then she was in the same position as Josh today……Atleast she had cleared it with Josh and he knew where he stood and was free…….But she was in total confusion……But her heart pained with the thought that Angad did not have same feelings for her as she had……Her love was one sided too…...And may be he was right……He did not like the Indian tradition verymuch, while she was too involved in it…..They did not have any thing in common except gardening and mutual attraction…….And that too may be from her side only……Yeah, he had kissed her couple of times on her cheeks…..but that was just a affectionate gesture…..Nothing romantic, though she felt too shy and was on top of everything for a few days, thinking about it…..But for Angad, it was nothing……She got up after midnight and looked outside at the empty streets and sighed…….She felt so lonely…..Even Mahi was not there……Through out her life Mahi was the only friend she had…..They never needed anyone……But after she left for Mumbai, Kripa could not make one good friend like her……They had been inseperable…..Only when she came here, Prithvi and his group became her friends, but never so close, who she could feel free to talk too…….

Back to Angad, he was as restless as Kripa……..He was surprised, at how her parents were behind her for marrying her off……Why must they interfere so much in her life…..Yeah, they were her parents…..But this was her life and she needed to make her own decisions…..Especially, when it came to life partners……Why couldn't she just say no……He was also confused at his own thoughts…..Yeah he liked Kripa and was attracted to her…..But he had never thought any thing more than that…..Marriage was not in lists to do for a long long time…….So, he never even thought about it…….He wanted to concentrate this time of life fully to his career and his targets……But, was he ready to let Kripa go and marry some one else……What should he do to stop her…..and how could he do it…...As far as he knew, she needed some basis, to wait for him…….But even if she waited, was he ready to marry her……Her life style was so different from his…….Even their brains thought things differently……So, could they be happy together…..Would he love her…..Would she…..? What would be their future…..He was too confused to even think about it…….But one thing was clear……Seeing her parents today, he had no doubt that, they would be marrying her off within months, if Kripa would not stop them…….

These thoughts kept them awake most of the night and atlast Kripa was asleep, tired mentally and physically……Next day, she got up and got ready for her trip…….She took her bags down and checked her pc and other things……She sat on the breakfast table, where Gayatri had already served her plate and ate quietly……Pratham and Gauri were still asleep and so was Sneha…..Her dad was doing puja…..She finished her breakfast and rinsed her plate……The door bell rang and she opened it for Prithvi….

P: Ready? He asked grinning…..

K: Haan…..Ek min….She went to her mom and touched her feet…..Her dad was there too….She touched his feet as well…..She took her bags and was about to leave when Pratham said best of luck from above…..She smiled and waited for him to come down and hugged him…..

Su: Beta, Kripa ka khayal rakhna…..Suryabhan said to Prithvi as he loaded her luggage….

P: Aap chinta mat kijiye uncle…..We will be back till Monday moring……

Suryabhan and Gayatri patted their shoulders and wished them luck, before they left……Kripa looked sadly at Prithvi's house……There was no sign of Angad……She looked away with tears……They picked Tanya, Aliyah and Harshini as well as couple of more friends….Others were to join them directly at the airport……

Everyone reached Chicago till afternoon……They went and looked around the auditorium commenting and talking about it……They arranged their instruments…..As well as checked the cds and mike as well as the instruments, practicisg a little……They got ready in the evening a few minutes before the show…...They had done couple of shows in Diwali fests and some other occasions here in Chicago in last two years…...So, many people knew their group and had called them to do this show……They had even got the sponsorships from couple of companies for this……..

Josh was right on time…..Just arrived 10 minutes before the show…..

J: Best of Luck guys…..He shouted at the door…..Everyone thanked him enthusiastically……..They were all nervous as well as excited about the show……After Kripa had joined their group…..They had gained lots of success…….Even though they all had their own jobs and they did this in their spare time as a hobby and fun, they really enjoyed it……

Josh whistled looking at Kripa……Hey beautiful…..Kripa smiled at him…..

K: Hi Josh…..Kab aye…..

J: Ek minute pehle……..he said grinning…….Thank God, flight aur delay nahi hui…..Mera to tension ki wajah se passene chut rahe the…..he said laughing…..

K: Tum tension bhi lete ho? She asked chuckling….

J: Yaar Kripa, Aise badnaam to mat karna…….I am very serious towards the matters which seriously affect me…….and I know, if I miss this program, it will affect me badly……he said winking…..

K: Samajh gayi…..aab mein chalun……show ke baad milte hain……Humara naam announce karte hi honge…….She said chuckling……

J: Ok maam……Stage se ek najar hum par bhi dalna……2nd row……he said saluting her…… Kripa chuckled and left with her group……

Al: Kyun bhaiya, hum bhi to hai……To tumhari najar sirf Kripa ki aur hi kyun dekhti hain…… she said winking, when Kripa was out of sight……

J: Aab itni sundar kudi ho, to behen ki aur kaun dekhega Aliyah……He asked making faces…..Tum apne Shabeer ko kyun nahi kehti…..He said grinning and leaving…..Aliyah frowned at him and went out…..Does that mean what it meant…..Was he ready for her and Shabeer's marriage…..She grinned….

T: Aliyah, Prithvi bula raha hai…..jaldi jao……Tanya came and pushed her out…..as their name was already announced…..

Soon, the show started…….Kripa and Prithvi were doing two shows together and the rest were Kripa's………

As always, their shows were very successful……Josh grinned looking at Kripa…….She was like always…..Fantastic, superb…….But, he sighed…….His love was not returned…..Kripa loved some one else…..He hoped she get the person she loved, unlike him…….He wanted her to be happy……

Everyone cheered and hugged eachother, when they reached the room after the success……..

J: As always, the best…..he said giving flowers to Kripa…….Kripa rolled her eyes and took them chuckling…….

K: Thanks for the lovely flowers as well as compliments……She said packing her bag…….Kaunse hotel mein booking hai saab ki? I hope it is some where near by……I am starving…..She said frowning……

J: I know…..Subah tum logon ne pizza khaya hoga……

Kripa chuckled……

T: Kripa, abhi bhi pizza acha nahi lagta? Tanya asked chuckling…..

P: Abhi bhi kya, kabhi bhi acha nahi lagta isse to……..Pehle to hum saab ko laga ki ye khanna itna kum khati hai……che mahine tak bataya nahi ki usse acha nahi lagta…….Chup chap saab ke sath ek khati aur phir ghar jakar dubara khana khati hai…..Shud Hindustani sabji roti…..Prithvi said chuckling……

Al: I swear……mujhe to yakin nahi hua, jab mujhe pata chala ki isse pizza jyada pasand nahi……I love Pizza…..

J: Pata hai……dikh raha hai cheese ka effect……Josh said chuckling…..

Al: Josh…..Tumhe mein moti dikhti hun? She asked angrily…..

J: Aur nahi to kya……Shabeer se puch lo……He said grinning…..Aliyah made faces at him……

K: Aliyah…..don't worry…..I am sure Shabeer will love you as you are……

P: I hope so…..Prithvi said chuckling while Josh busrst out laughing……They gave hi'5s to eachother going out of the room with their bags…..

Aliyah stomped her feet angrily, while others chuckled….

Al: I can't belive it…..she said looking at herself in the mirror……She did not think that she had changed so much……Why did these guys keep bugging her…….She shook her head…..

Kripa chuckled…..

K: Are Aliyah…..tum itni frustrate hoti ho na issiliye ye log aur chedte hain tumhe……Just ignore them and you will be fine……she said smiling and putting a hand on her arm…..

Al: Janti hun…..she said grinning…..But, mere bhai ko ye baat nahi pata, ki unki behan unse bhi dus number age hain…..woh to choti thi tab se chedte rehte hain mujhe……aab adat si pad gayi hain…..Unke chehre ki woh badmashi aur khushi dekhne ki……Ek din bhi chedta nahi hai na, to khanna hajam nahi hota mera….…She said chuckling….Kripa chuckled at her……

H: Tum dono chal rahe ho, ya yahin bate karte rahoge…….Tanya and Prithvi are already out…..Kripa and Aliyah joined Harshini and they talked about tomorrows sight seeing…….Fortunately, Josh knew the city very well and took them to a nice Indian restaurant……..Kripa felt a lot better after she ate…….She had just had a piece of pizza since morning…….

They checked in the hotel and said goodnight to eachother before retiring to their rooms…..Kripa immediately dialed the home number as she knew her parents might be waiting for her call…..She told them that she had checked in the hotel and talked to them about the show……..Once she was done, she sighed and went to freshen up………..In all day, Angad had not even called once……She hoped he would atleast talk to her once……But she must have been asking for more from him, than he was ready to give…..Disappointed at her self for expecting so much, she fell asleep……..