Aitbaar(Trust)(AK FF)Pt-29-31, Pg-74, 05-14-2014 - Page 30

PART-11

Days passed by and thankful neither Mishti nor Prithvi tried to contact any of them anymore……..Even Josh or Nishant did not contact Prithvi as they were disgusted by his behavior too…….They couldn't believe the way he had behaved, as they had known him for a long time and he had always been a wonderful person, up until now and neither did they ever thought him capable of such cheap tactics…….They kept their distance after the incidence and even Prithvi slowly retreated back.……..Kripa and Angad kept meeting in between and Kripa was quite set in her college……She did not tell Angad about Mishti's visit though and acted normally, though she kept thinking about it many times and kept observing Angad more so at his reactions or about what he would think………Angad could still see that she kept to herself and she was some what more quiter than before, as if some thing was bothering her………He did not ask her, hoping she would ask him herself one day……….She still neither participated in any on the extra curricular activities, nor tried to learn driving or went out without him or Kanan…………After Prithvi's incidence, she even avoided party in the name of studies, but he knew her well enough to know that she was still scared after what had happened……….He knew there was only one solution for this………

Instead of helping her and making things easy for her, he needed to give her some space and force her to do things on her own, which might bring her out of her shell…………He needed to take a step back, giving her the opportunity, so she can take a step forward and try to do it without him………

He sighed and went to his college one Saturday, after he dropped Kripa to her college thinking about it………..Couple of months passed by busy for everyone with exams and stuff………..Kripa left out of the university, only for her music class, other than that she was as she had always been……….Attending her class and going to the library or the canteen downstairs……….Though she had improved on English and could understand and talk to her professors, very rarely did she talk to any of the person in the class and after a few days even the students did not bother her or try to talk to her.…….……Angad was also busy with his projects and compositions…………But there was one thing, he had just come to know about and that is his international tours……….His professor had just told their group that they were all heading for international performance as well as learning arts,dance and music of few other cultures and it was important for them to excel in few, to finish the final projects for their 1^st year…….

Angad was in deep thoughts not sure about leaving Kripa alone here………...But this trip was unavoidable ……….And if he was not wrong, he would have more tours next year than this year………!! Last two months had been blissfully wonderful for him……….He and Kripa had bonded more closely and finally their relationship was going in some direction……….They both trusted and loved eachother, even though they still lived apart and Kripa still kept part of her to herself……….He felt reluctant to leave her and go……..But then he did not have any other solution either………But suddenly he knew that this was a good opportunity to force Kripa to learn new things and try to be a little independent………..She had avoided the subject always, but if he pressed the right buttons, then she would soon be willing to atleast learn it……..!! She wouldn't be alone………Josh and Kanan would be here to help her and she would be ok……...

He smiled in satisfaction………Knowing, though he had to go away from her, some good would come out of it………She would learn to stay alone, not depending on anyone else……….His parents were as overprotective about her as hers were and more so, after her parents death... He was protective as well, but knew that too much dependency was not good for her as well…….….But he did not know how to approach the subject………

He decided to tell her about the tour coming Saturday when they met and sighed…………He smiled sadly, knowing she would be in tears the moment she would know about his tours…………She had never stayed alone ever and now here, there was no one else………..Yeah she lived in a hostel, but she called him at all the hours, whenever she had a problem…………

He sighed and called her…………

A: Hey……..kya kar rahi ho?

Kripa smiled……kuch nahi kal ki exam ki tayari……..

A: Again?

Kripa chuckled……….Haan……….Kaho, kaise phone kiya aaj?

A: Because I love you…….he said chuckling……….Kripa smiled………..And because I am missing you…..!!

Kripa shyly kept quite………..enjoying his words………..

A: Tumhe kuch kehna nahi hai?

K: Kya?

A: Ye tum jano……….!!

K: Nahi kuch nahi kehna………!! She said smiling……….

A: Liar……!! Isn't it fun to act as lovers rather than old married couples……..he said with a mischivious grin and Kripa chuckled………

K: Except we are really married…..She said softly………

A: But we still have to do something about fulfilling the vows of marriage……..!! I mean to really say we are married and all………..Kripa kept the phone down suddenly blushing and Angad looked at the phone with wicked smile……….He dialed her number…………And she took it in a ring………..Kanta kyun mera phone……?

K: Tumhara college kaise chal raha hai……?

A: Leave my college alone Kripa……..! I don't want to talk about it…….!! Now what was I saying……….?

K: Mere exams ke bare mein………

A: Na, oh got it……….about our marriage……..!!

K: Angad, mujhe kal exam hai……!!She said blushing……..

A: Mark my words, you won't be able to concentrate now……….!! He said chuckling and Kripa bit her lips………So……? How about a couple of days trip to San Francisco……..?

K: Kab?

A: Friday sham ki flight tickets hai………..!!

K: Tumne book kar di?

A: Haan……….Che baje pick karunga……..!!

K: Angad par……..

A: Yes darling……..?

K: Kuch nahi………she said with a shy smile……..kab wapas ayenge? She asked slowly, with beating heart…….

A: Kyun, itni bhi kya jaldi hai? He asked mischiviously…….

Kripa chuckled and kept the phone…………Angad smiled and looked at the phone and sighed……….he suddenly looked at his PC and looked for the flights and booked their flights and the hotel room……..No, it wasn't attempt to cross the boundaries they have set, but he wanted to assure her and spend sometime with her and get her mind set, to try to be independent……..!! He was done soon and slowly closed his pc and lay on the bed thinking about Kripa……..His mouth curved in a smile and he closed his eyes…………

Soon, Friday evening arrived and Kripa was late…….She started packing as she wasn't able to do previous night and was almost done, when Angad called on her cell……….

A: Kripa, kahan ho, I am waiting from last 10 minutes……..he asked with impatience………

K: Sorry Angad, woh college mein der ho gaya tha…….bas ho gaya, mein aa rahi hun………

A: Ok……come on………nahi to flight miss ho jayegi………He said switching off the phone………

Kripa quickly zipped her bag and then took her mobile and purse and quickly wrote a note for Kanan and left………

Angad was waiting for her, with closed eyes, listening to the music and moving in rythem……..Kripa smiled shyly looking at him……..He looked wonderful, whenever he was engrossed in his music……….She slowly opened the door and Angad opened his eyes and looked at her……….They both looked at each other and smiled……….Kripa shyly sat down and kept her bag behind on the seat…………

A: Chale?

K: Kripa nodded and sat silently, while Angad rushed out…………

A: So, how was the exam………..Kripa shrugged………

K: Thik tha………she said and Angad nodded…………

They reached the airport soon and boarded on the plane in a hurry as they were a little late………..

Angad literarally pulled Kripa by her hand and ran towards their gate and Kripa went along, without a word, knowing it was her fault………At last they were seated and sighed in relief……….Both of them breathing heavily by all the running………..Angad looked at Kripa's flushed face as she closed her eyes, sitting back…………She looked beautiful, all flushed and breathing heavily, reminding of their first night………How he wished he could take her in his arms and……….Suddenly her eyes opened and she looked at him and time stilled………….They just stared, knowing what the other was thinking…….!!

Kripa looked down shyly, ready to surrender if he wished so…………After all he was her husband…….!! She felt his fingers touching hers and then he twined them in his fingers and slowly caressed her…….Kripa couldn't look at him, too shy to see in his eyes……….They were half way to their destination, when Kripa's stomach rumbled and Angad looked at her with eyebrows up………Kripa's cheeks turned red…………

A: Aaj lunch kiya ? He asked with a frown……….Kripa looked at him and slowly shook her head………

K: Woh weekend ke liye homework diya tha, to nikalne se pehle complete karna tha, to dopahar se library mein thi………!! Angad sighed and shook his head and took her hands up and kissed them slowly………He slowly took out a breakfast bar from his bag and handed it over to her and she took it shyly………Thanks…….she said and slowly opened and sighed in relief, feeling a lot better…………Angad called the air hostess and asked her for juice for both of them and handed one for Kripa…………Once done, Kripa sighed in satisfaction and smiled looking at Angad………He smiled in understanding and gathered her in his arms………!!

A: Feeling good? Kripa nodded……….Good, 10 minute mein land ho jayenge………..!! Uske baad kuch khakar room par jate hain…..!!

Kripa nodded and soon they landed and went to one of the airport restaurant and had early dinner and then started towards their hotel……….Kripa looked around in fascination and soon they were at their hotel………..Angad checked in and took the cards and lead Kripa to their room…….Kripa was totally nervous and kept playing with her fingers, as they walked up…….

Angad opened the door and indicated Kripa to go in………Kripa smiled nervously and went in without a word……….Angad could see her nervousness and chuckled a little closing the door………..

Kripa looked at him surprised……..

A: Pata hai kaise lag raha hai mujhe? He asked with humour……..Aise lag raha hai jaise, mein humare mama papa se aur saab se chipakar tumhe yahan le aya hun, taki hum akele samay gujar paye………!! Just you and me………….!! Kripa turned red and ran to the window, pretending to look outside, but her eyes were closed…………She was almost tempted to be in his arms……….Suddenly, she felt his arms circling her waist and felt his breathe near her skin…………..Angad took a sharp breathe, as soon as she was in his arms and slowly touched his lips to her soft skin near her ears…………He felt Kripa shiver and his hold tightened………..I missed you……..He whispered………..It had been long time they had been so close………..After their las vegas tour, they met outside many times in public, but this was the first time they were alone……..!!

Kripa held her breathe, as his lips travelled to her neck and then shoulders and his hands holding her hands and caressing it lightly…………She was tempted to put her hands on his, but was too shy……….She held her hand in a fist and tried to breathe slowly………..Angad slowly circled her, still his lips on her shoulder, until she was facing him……….His lips moved up towards her chin and cheeks and he trailed wet kisses over her face, until they settled on her lips…………Kripa found his hand slowly go down and touch her fingers……….he untwined them and slowly bought her hands up and kept it on his chest and deepend the kiss, until they were both lost in eachother………….Slowly, Angad stopped, breathing heavily, Kripa still in his arms and their forehead touching eachother…………..Kripa was almost trembling and he smiled at her beautiful face………….

A: Chalo, jaldi taiyar ho jao……..tumhe kahin le jana hai………..he whispered and Kripa opened her eyes confused…………She thought………….Angad just winked at her, kissing her cheeks once more and slowly left her going to the rest room to freshen up…………Kripa stood there too dazed to move for a long time………Her heart still beating loudly………..Aab yahin khadi rahogi ki chalna bhi hai? He asked amused and Kripa shyly ran towards the rest room…………She was ready in 10 minutes and they walked out………Angad sighed in relief when they were in public, as he himself did not know, how he pulled away from her today……….He thanked God that Kripa did not stop him, but he knew she wouldn't………..He couldn't have walked away, even if she had indicated him for a moment that she wanted to be with him, to go forward with this relationship………..They still had almost a year or more here, before they left for India……..May be more, if Kripa decided to finish her 4 years degree, which he wanted her to do it, but he wouldn't force her………He did not know how it will all work out……!! And further even he was confused as to if they should go forward with their relationship………..When Angad had asked Kripa to move with him in the apartment, she had told him that she wanted more time………!! And he did not want to force his decision on her……..So, he always tried to stay in his limit, even if sometimes it killed him to do so………!! He sighed shaking his head……..Better stay on the task at hand………It was good that she was in the campus residency……….He will atleast be happy to know that she was fine here……….And she had good friend like Kanan to help her out as well……..

They went to the Golden Bridge and walked as the night lights filled the city, with beautiful colors…………Kripa was fascinated and sat there holding on to her coat, as cold air blew……..Angad slowly pulled her to him and Kripa shyly went near and cuddled with him……….They stayed there for a long time looking at the city and the bridge with fascination……..Angad looked down at Kripa, who was deep in her own thoughts………

A: Kripa, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai………..He said slowly……….Kripa looked up at him and smiled……….

K: Kya?

A: Baat ye hai Kripa, he said sighing ……ki mujhe humari college ki taraf se ek-do mahine ke tour par jana hai………..I mean, it is unavoidable…………For completing my Masters, I need to do this……!! I need to go there for learning few skills and also perform internationally with my group's in several inter school competition……….!! Kripa suddenly straightened frowning and her hands suddenly trembeled a little……….

K: Par Angad………..

A: Mera yaken karo Kripa, agar jaroori nahi hota, to kabhi tumse dur jane ki bhi nahi sochta……! Par agar degree hasil karni ho to jana padega………..Or I won't get the degree………!! Kripa's eyes suddenly filled with tears, just like he had imagined and he closed his eyes………..This was even more harder than he thought……..he thought sadly…………Suddenly he found Kripa getting up…………Kripa…….?

K: Mujhe neend aa rahi hai……..she said softly…………..She was angry on him, but she couldn't lash out on him………..He had bought here to tell her this? He wanted her to live all alone here in midst of strangers? If he wanted to do this, then why did he bring her here………? He should have left her in India, where atleast she had someone who loved her and where she felt safe…………

A: Kripa…….But Kripa started walking wiping her angry tears………..Angad sighed and silently walked with her………They caught a taxi and soon were in their room……….Kripa quickly changed and got into bed, without looking at Angad………Angad, who was watching her slowly got up and went to freshen up………..He was soon back and slid in the covers and looked at Kripa slowly……….He knew she was crying……..He slowly sat up and kept a hand on Kripa's shoulder………..Kripa flinched and tried to take his hands away, but Angad was quite stronger than her and pulled her up and hugged her to him tightly, until all protests died in her throat…………She at last closed her eyes and tears came down………..

K: Mein India chali jaungi next month…….She whishpered and Angad stilled………..He looked down with a frown………..

A: Kripa, mein sirf ek do mahinon ki baat kar raha hun……….Aur shayad ek do mahine next year……….Baki hum sath hi rahenge na…………Aur phir tumhari padhai……….

K: Mein akeli nahi reh sakti yahan Angad………..She whishpered frightened…………Mein Mumbai mein apna college pura karungi………..She said slowly, wiping her tears and nose………Angad looked at her with disbelief………

A: For gods sake Kripa………I am not leaving you……!! But I need to go to this tour as it is important……..!! You are almost 19 Kripa…….Grow up….! He shouted a little frustrated…..….You have your life here, your college, you have made new friends, achi tarah settle ho gayi ho……..can't you manage for couple of months alone……….Aur aisa bhi nahi hai ki hum sath rehte hain, jo tum mujhe par puri tarah dependent ho……..Your life will not be disrupted, bas mein nahi rahunga kuch dinon ke liye…….. Aur Kanan bhi to hai, Josh hai……!! Stop being so afraid of being on your own Kripa………It's not the end you know………!!

K: You don't know a thing about being alone Angad………How will you know? ……..Mujhse pucho Angad, mama papa ke jane ke baad kaise kate mein ne pehle do hafte.……. She suddenly shouted getting out of his grasp and standing up…….hugging her arms around herself, trembling as she thought about those nights.……….Angad stilled, not knowing what she was talking about……..And further, this was the first time since she had come to live with them, when she had said something in such angry and loud voice…...He just stared at her trying to understand her..……Jab mama papa chal base, akeli reh gayi thi mein………she said trembling with fear, that first night still all too clear in her mind………..It was 7 years back almost………..but still she couldn't forget the single moment of that night………….Her parents body was bought home, when she had arrived from the school in the evening…………She was so badly shaken by their sight that she couldn't speak a word…….Their face and body were bruised badly………They were all wrapped up in blue and white cloth……..They had been un-recognizable……the lady in her 50's who worked for them, sympathytically hugged her and told her what had happened……….Few of her dad's friends who were there, took the bodies and did their last rituals, as they knew that Suryabhan did not have any close relatives…………They even asked Kripa to come with them to live, until her the lawyer could sort out where she could go, but Kripa being too shy shook her head and ran to her room with tears, closing the door tightly and blocking everything out………She was terrified of going out with some strangers and staying with them……..She did not have a sole to call her own in midst of them……..The old lady who worked for them, decided to stay until the lawyer arranged for someone to take her to their home, when the lawyer suggested it…….Even the lawyer, who was Suryabhan's old friend, tried to talk to her to come with him, but she had held on to her mom and dad's photo and her teady in her room and cried and cried too depressed to say a word and stayed glued in her room……..The days following that were some of the loneliest and most misserable days of Kripa's life, which changed her life………She still did not know why she had felt so reluctant to go with any of them at that time, and she couldn't explain now………But that was just it..……Her room had become her sanctuary, which she wanted to hold on to, hoping that her parents would comeback….…She had never talked about it, but today when Angad had told her that he needed to leave, she once again felt at loss……..!! Yeah, they weren't staying together, but his presence nearby was good enough for her to gather enough courage to live in the campus…….They talked almost every night, he came over in minutes, when she needed him……..His presence had made her feel safe, even though they did not live together………But suddenly, his declaration bought back many sad memories which she had buried deep in her heart, where no one ever could reach………..

Angad just stood there shocked to hear her words………..He saw her trembling badly and went to her immediately and gathered her in his arms…………..She tried to protest, but he did not let go and gathered her close…………He tried to comfort her hugging her tightly and caressing her hairs, until she slowly settled down and her sobbing subsided……….He gave her some water and asked her to drink………Once she was done, he slowly made her sit on the bed………..

He sat next to her and gathered her close and she hugged him tightly burrowing her face in his chest……he did not say a word, but then she started talking once again……….I was all alone Angad……..Bilkul akeli ho gayi thi mein, jab mama papa mujhe chod kar chale gaye the……….She said as tears came down her cheeks and on his neck…………Angad slowly caressed her, but kept quite, wanting her to tell what was bothering her………..Till today, he had never known, how deeply she had been hurt and how her world had shaken up that night on her parents death……..He had been too busy with his studies and so had Kartik……….Aliyah was small as well and any way he was sure Kripa never told or talked about her parents death to a soul, and his parents might have not talked about it too, as they knew it would be painful to her, and Kripa had bolted it all inside………He hurt for her and slowly stroked her hairs, kissing her lightly………..Mein pehle se hi jyada baat nahi karti thi, aur mere bahot kum friends the………Mama papa mere liye saab kuch the aur phir ek din saab kuch badal gaya………..Mein school se ghar ayi aur unhe dekha aur…………She couldn't say anything and just sobbed……...Uss bade ghar mein raat ko daar lagta tha…………Ma ko kayin baar bulane ki koshish ki mein ne, par koi nahi ata……….Bas ek sanatta sa rehta…………Mein akeli ho gayi thi………..She said with tears………..Angad's eyes filled with tears and he kissed her forehead, to assure her that she wasn't alone anymore………..

A: Aur woh aurat, jo tumhare sath thi? Ma ne kaha tha, ki koi tumhare sath rehti thi………!! He asked with a frown………Kripa did not answer for a long time and then slowly she told him………

K: Unhe kuch health problem tha………Woh dawai lene ke baad uth nahi pati thi raat ko………Aur phir woh bas 3-4 mahinon se ghar mein thi………She said slowly………..Tab se mujhe akelepan se bahot daar lagta hai Angad…….Mein akeli nahi rehna chahti……..Mein India chali jaungi………She said once more and Angad looked down at her………….He kept quite without saying a word………

A: Kripa, ek baat yaad rakho………..Aab tum akeli nahi ho…….!! Tumhare sath tumhara parivar hai……..! Mein hun mama papa hai, Aliyah, Kartik Bhaiya, bhabhi, saab tumhare apne hai……..He said softly caressing her hairs……….Apne aap ko kabhi akela nahi samajhna……..He said kissing her forehead……….Aur jahan tak India jane ka sawal hai, to hum sath chale jayenge………Tum akeli nahi jaogi….…..Kripa stilled in midst of her own misery and looked up with a frown, with disbelief………

K: Par tumhara MS?

A: International tours ke bina, waise bhi mein MS complete nahi kar paunga Kripa……..!! I will drop out and start my shows in India……..MS to bas chance mil raha hai, issiliye kar raha hun………

Kripa looked down with tears………..He was willing to leave his studies? And for what, for her fears……..? No she wouldn't let it………They are her fears and she could stay in Mumbai with his family, until he finishes it……!!

K: Angad, tum MS continue karo…….Mein akele rehne se darti hun, iska matlab ye to nahi na ki mere liye tum saab chod kar aa jao……….Mein Mumbai mein tumhara intajaar karungi……..

A: Nahi Kripa……….Jayenge to sath jayenge……!! Mein nahi chahta, ki hum iss tarah ek dedh saal akele ek dusare se dur rahe……!! He said slowly caressing her fingers……….He did not know how deep Kripa's fears were and now that he knows, how could he let her go all alone? He did not want to……Even if it meant that he had to discontinue his studies………Kripa sat there stunned……….She did not know what to say…….!!

They stayed there in eachothers arms for a long time……….

A: Ek baat kahun Kripa………..You need to move on………….Tum na aab choti ho, na hi akeli ho………..Hum saab tumhare sath hai………..Tumhe apne aap ko majboot banana hoga Kripa……….Iss tarah daar ke saye mein kab tak rahogi? He said stroking her hairs………kripa sniffed and Angad looked down………He kept his hands under her chin and made her look up………Tum itni kamjor nahi ho Kripa……….Har problem ka ek solution hota hai………Nothing is impossible…………Tumhare mom dad, tumhare sath tumhari yadon mein humesha rahenge………!! Jo beet gaya, usse athit mein chod kar age badho………..Hum saab hai tumhare sath, bahar bahot log hai, jo tumse dosti karna chahenge………..You are not alone……..The world is yours, if you want it to be………..Nahi to koi nahi…………Janta hun ki jo ghavn tumhe mile hai, gehre hain……….Par koshish karne se har ghavn bhar jata hain……..Kya iss daar se tumhe ghutan nahi hoti? You are not that weak kripa……!! He said with a smile……….Bas ache palon ko yaad karo, aur ye socho ki jo jindagi tumhe tumhare mama papa ne di hai, usse tum hans kar khushi se bitao, taki woh jahan kahin bhi hai, tumhe dekh kar khush ho……..!!

When kripa did not answer, Angad kissed her cheeks………….Jao muh hath dho kar sone aajao……..bahot raat ho gayi hai………He said slowly pushing her towards the restroom……….Kripa got up and washed her face………She went on her side of the bed and lay down………Angad once again pulled her towards him and Kripa sighed with tears, keeping her head on his chest…….Her hands circled his waist and he gathered her close……

K: I am sorry, mein ne tumse unchi awaj mein baat ki…….She said looking up at him and he gave her a loving smile and kissed her forehead……

A: Acha laga tumhara ghussa dekhkar...for a change…….He said chuckling and Kripa looked at him with a frown………

K: Matlab?

A: Matlab, ye ki apnon par hi to ghussa hote hain na……..Hak jatate hain, naraj hote hain………Aur aaj aisa lag raha hai mano tum ne woh hak jatakar mujhe puri tarah se apna liya………Kripa looked down with a lump and Angad smiled and kissed her forehead…….Aab ankhen bandh karo aur so jao………He whispered and Kripa did as asked thinking about what Angad said……..!! Could she let go of her fear……..? Angad was not ready to let her go to India, and he was even ready to sacrifise his studies for her……..Couldn't she stay here alone for a month or so, while he went to his tours? She shivered at the thought of being all alone, but then she knew that she wasn't alone…….Kanan had become a good friend over the months………And there was Josh too…..!! She did not talk to other people much, but she couldn't allow Angad to sacrifise his passion and his hard work, just because of her…….!!

Angad on the other side thought about what Kripa had said……….He felt bad for the little girl who had suffered so much……..He was glad that his parents gave her a secure home and loved her like she deserved……! Suddenly a thought came to his mind……..Was that why she never went to any of the picnics or tours in the college……? Was she afraid of being alone there in midst of strangers……? He knew now………..She had been vunerable and had seeked comfort and support in his family, which she never left………Not even for a day, afraid……….He looked down to ask her about it, but found her asleep……….Her slow breathing indicating him as much………..He slowly stroked her hairs and gathered her close………...But the reason about why she was so shy to make friends, still remained unanswered…...At home, she was very friendly, may be less talkative, but still with him she was much more open, and he had seen her with Kanan and she was quite comfortable with her too………But she had never seen her talking to others freely……….He sighed…….He closed his eyes, thinking about what to do next……..He had every intention to make Kripa independent and stay alone and try to be more confident about what she could do……….But the fear she had been fighting against, would not just go away like this………And he for some reason felt more protective and did not want to let her go alone……..He wanted to be with her and support her and help her to overcome her fears…….He felt protective of her and wanted to be there for her……..! Soon he was asleep in midst of thinking about all this……….

Next morning Kripa was the one who got up early……..Angad was facing the other side, still verymuch asleep and Kripa slowly got up without waking him and quickly freshened up………..She got ready, thinking about yesterday's events……..!! Was she really so weak, she thought………Would she let Angad sacrifise his passion and years of hard work…….? Was she really so fragile and dependent on someone, that she couldn't even take care of herself for mere couple of months…….? What would have happened of her, if Angad's family had not supported her…….? Where would she have been…….? She should have supported Angad in his career, but instead she was letting her fear come in between ……….Today he was even ready to do such big sacrifise for her, couldn't she try to change her self, over come her fears………She had been avoiding doing what she promised………But today, for the first time, she looked at herself in the mirror and saw how dependent she was on others………..She felt anger rising in her on herself, for being this weak……….Kanan's words kept ringing in her ears……….

" Par ye daar tumhara hai…….! Aur isse dur karna tumhari jimedari…………Koi aur tumhare liye kuch nahi kar sakta Kripa……Angad bhi nahi….….Apne andar ke daar ko khud mitana padta hai……..Agar haath badhaogi, to kayin dost mil jayenge tumhe help karne ke liye………Par agar sehmi rahogi, to kabhi iss daar se bahar nikal kar apni jindagi enjoy nahi kar paogi…….. May be you don't know if you really love him today……….but you care for him, right?……..You want him to be happy…….Phir usski khushi ke liye hi samajh kar thodi duri tum bhi tair kar lo………..Mein ek pshycology student hun aur ek baat achi tarah samajhti hun……….No one is perfect you know………Saab mein koi na koi kamiyan to hoti hi hai……..Two opposite poles attract eachother, but to get close, they have to cross a specific line……….Agar jindagi ke raste mein kadam dheere ho jayenge, to woh no doubt age nikal jayega, aur tum piche reh jaogi……..Par agar thodi koshish karke uske sath chalne lagogi, to kya pata tumhe bhi uske sath kadam milane mein koi daar nahi hoga……….Agar nahi bhi chal saki, to uske piche hi rahogi……….Tum donon mein woh duriyan to nahi hogi, jissase koi teesara aakar bich mein uske paas khada ho jaye……….."

She closed her eyes and knew at that moment, that she has to do this……….She has to overcome her fears, try to face her fears and make herself stronger……..She did not like the weak fragile girl in the mirror……….She did not want to be Angad's weakness………..She wanted to be strong for them both……..Suddenly she felt Angad's hands on her shoulder and she opened her eyes with tears……..Angad looked at her through mirror and sighed……..He slowly came in front of her………

A: Kripa mein ne kaha na……….I promise, mein tumhe akela chod kar nahi jaunga………Hum next month India chale jayenge……!! You can continue your studies aur mein shows ke liye sponsors dhundunga………..Don't worry………He said with ease and kissed her forehead……….A tear slipped her eye and she looked at him……..!!

She wanted to tell him that she did not want this at all and would stay alone, but suddenly no words came out………She looked down at her nervous hands and found his hands slowly holding them and closed her eyes………..

A: No matter what Kripa, I will always be there for you………I promise, you are not alone…….I took vows with you, to be there for you and I will always hold on to that promise….….Mein tumhare sath hun………humesha……….!! Tumhe mujh par bharosa hai na……….? He asked slowly and Kripa nodded, her eyes still closed…………Chalo, bahar jate hain…………Itni mushkil se to sath aye hain, aur agar ek mahine mein wapas jana hi hai, to kyun na kuch ghum phir le……….Tumne to abhi kuch bhi nahi dekha……….!! He said with a grin………..He slowly got up, when Kripa held his hand tightly, not letting him go and Angad looked at her………..Kripa, agar aise hi pakad ke rakhogi, to mein apna wada bhul jaunga……….You will be responsible for the concequences………..He whishpered in her ears and a red line appeared on her cheek……..!! She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes shinning to the point that he knew they would flow any moment………..

A: kripa……….But Kripa slowly kept a finger on his lips to stop him from saying anything…………She couldn't let him do this………!! Just because he loved her, did not mean he should pay the price and prove his love for her this way………..It was time for her to prove her love…….!! She loved him and she did not want him to compromise on his career, just due to her fears………!! She would be his wife and support him and overcome her fears……. She slowly looked at him and held his gaze………..He looked at her, not knowing what she wanted to say………….He waited silently……….

K: Tum jao apne tours par Angad………….Mein rahungi yahin……….She said slowly, swallowing a lump…………Angad looked at her with a frown……..

A: Kripa mein………

K: Nahi Angad………Tum thik keh rahe the kal……….mujhe apna athit bhulakar age nikalna hoga………Mein bhi iss daar ke saye mein aur nahi jeena chahti………..She said looking down………Mein apne aap ko badalna chahti hun………She said with tears in her eyes………Angad slowly took her face in his fingers………

A: Kripa, tumhe ye saab karne ki koi jaroorat nahi hai………I can understand now, where you are coming from……...He whispered looking in her eyes, knowing he needed to handle her more delicately than what he had in mind…….Leaving her alone to face the problem would be too much to ask from her.……..

K: Jaroorat hai Angad………..bahot taal liya……….Tumhe jo vada kiya tha mein ne, aaj tak pura nahi kar saki mein………Kahin na kahin daar tha, aur……..Par aab bas…….. usse aab pura karna chahti hun mein…………She said determinedly……..Apne aap ko badalna chahti hun, kyun ki aaj jab aaine mein, khud ko dekha, mujhe bas ek kamjor dari hui ladki najar ayi aur mein meri puri jindagi aise gujarna nahi chahti……..She said looking at him with tears..……I want to over come my fears……….I want to live fearlessly, have friends………Enjoy life……….I don't want to live like this anymore Angad………Aur mujhe tumhara sath chahiye…….Ek dost ka sath………She said looking in his eyes, pleading with her eyes to help her……….Angad looked at her for two full minutes, trying to understand her, examining her determination to see if she really wanted to do this for herself, or if she was doing it for him, he tried to see her fears, and then slowly smiled at her with appreciation, seeing her genuine determination…….Yeah, this is what he wanted……..A determined Kripa, who wasn't afraid of anything……Kripa, who could do anything if she set her mind to it.…………

Angad slowly nodded and pulled her close to him……….He was proud of her today……….He smiled and kissed her forehead and then hugged her tightly closing his eyes with a sigh………..

A: I am with you in every step Kripa………..Bas kadam tumhe badhana hai……..Hath pakadne aur sahara dene mein humesha khada rahunga………He said with encouragement…………

Kripa smiled and hugged him tightly, her hands still trembling a little………She closed her eyes and silently prayed to God to give her enough strength………

A: Don't worry Kripa…………I am sure you will be successful in whatever you take in your hand……….He said kissing her lightly on her neck……….Kripa shivered a little……..Aab agar jane dogi to taiyar hokar aun…….I still want to show you few places and spend a nice day with you……….!! Kripa blushed and slowly let him go……..Angad looked at her and slowly wiped her tears…………Lesson number one…….No tears………Tears are the sign of weakness and you have to make sure that you don't shed them so easily, because your tears are very precious to me…….He said with a grin……….!! Do you get it…...? Kripa wiped her tears and nodded……...Not like this………..cheer up wife dear………!! Now you are really getting in a adventure mode…….!! He said with a chuckle…….Kripa bit her lips and looked at him shyly, but then chuckled………No backing up and I need a promise……..he said looking in her eyes……….Kripa raised her eyebrows and he smiled………..Jo mein kahunga, woh tumhe manana hoga…….!! Kripa looked at him uncertainly……….Stop worrying Kripa………Do you trust me………? Kripa nodded……..Then promise? He asked giving her his hand………Kripa looked in his eyes and slowly kept her hand in his…….I promise, I will be by you every step of the way and support you any way you want me to………Kripa nodded at him smiling and hugging him……..Good girl………Aab jane do, nahi to………..Kripa left him immediately and he chuckled……….

K: Angad……..she called out, as he was about to go in the bathroom……….He stopped and looked at her………Kis baat ke liye wada liya…….? She asked uncertainly and nervously and Angad looked at her for a minute and shook his head and left chuckling a little…………Kripa looked up at the mirror and thought about what just happened…….Could she do it……..She thought again and she closed her eyes and nodded to herself………..Yes………she will…….she said taking a deep breathe……..!! Angad was back in few minutes with a grin and quickly got ready………He felt Kripa's eyes on him from time to time and he controlled his urge to go to her and take her in his arms and have his way……….!! It took all his self control to keep away…….He carefully got ready without looking at her and then atlast looked at Kripa, whose cheeks were pink…….Kripa……he warned looking at her dangerously……..

Kripa looked at him a little shocked and he looked in her eyes……He slowly walked to her and pulled her to him……….

A: Agar aur thodi der humare bare mein sochogi na, to ……….Kripa's cheeks turned red and she looked up at him with a shy smile……….Angad started whisteling to the song, o mere dil ke chain and Kripa blushed even more…………

K: Chale? She asked slowly and Angad chuckled and nodded………..But he couldn't help himself and hugged and kissed her face and neck, until they were breathless and then slowly opened the door………Kripa could see his happniness in his eyes and knew that she had taken a good decision……..

A: You know what…….? I don't think I am going to stay with you in the same room from next time, unless you want to go forward with…… he said winking and Kripa turned red………Angad chuckled and pulled her down………..

They roamed around the city, seeing diffent places and had a wonderful time……….At last around 11 at night, they were back all tired………But Kripa insisted on calling Avantika, as they always called and they talked to them for next one hour, all the while Angad who slept on Kripa's lap kept carrassing or touching her hands and fingers………Kripa blushed from time to time, while Angad enjoyed it immensely…….

As soon as Kripa kept the phone down, Angad pulled her down and hugged her tightly……….

A: Kripa, I can't wait any more………He whispered ………Kripa shivered and slowly hugged him………!!

K: Me too……..She said slowly and Angad froze………He slowly looked at her with burning eyes and Kripa shyly closed her eyes……….

A: Abhi nahi………he whispered slowly after some time……….And pulled her on him and asked her to sleep……..I love you……..

K: I love you too………She said……….Trembling as his fingers caressed her waist and her back………..!! Both just lay there in eachothers arms silently…….Kripa too shy to say anything, while Angad thinking about the complications this new development in their relation might create………..!! He wanted Kripa to achive what she wanted in her life first and he had promised to support her…...!! So his first priority was that for now…………They could wait for eachother a little more for sure…….!!

A: Kya soch rahi ho Kripa………he asked slowly and Kripa shook her head………Yahi na ki mein ne mana kyun kiya…….Kripa nuzzled closer and looked down shyly putting a hand on his waist……..He caressed her hands and fingers……He slowly told her what he had been thinking and told her that they would wait and when time comes, he would surely go forward with their relationship……….But for now their priorities were set and they had to fulfill them……..Not create more complications……….

Soon, they fell asleep……..It was late by the time they woke up………..Their flight was around 11 and they reached back to the campus around 1………..

A: Kripa, uppar bag chod kar aajao…….mein tumhe class chod dunga……….Kripa smiled and nodded and went up to keep her bag…….Nishant and Kanan were having a lip lock session and Kripa bit her lips and turned around knocking a little……….Kanan looked at Kripa and started chuckling………

Ka: Aao Kripa madam………..We were just kidding around a little……..she said with a wink and Kripa turned red………..Waise trip kaise hua tumhara…….?

K: Acha tha……..Mein class ja rahi hun………Bye Nishant she said softly and he waved as she walked down with her purse………..

Angad dropped her off her class and bid her bye

A: Kripa………

Kripa turned around and looked at him………

A: Sham ko lene aunga……….be ready for your first driving class, he said with a grin and went off to his room………..

Kripa stood there rooted to her ground, as she looked at his speeding car………..Driving class? She asked herself a little nervously………She slowly walked in shaking her head………

Time flew by and as promised Angad was waiting for her in front of the house……….Kripa slowly opened the door and sat in…………

A: Your class every Saturday and Sunday morning 9 am with me and every Wednesday 5 pm with a professional driving school personal………He said with a grin and Kripa looked at him wide eyes……….You promised remember……….He said with a grin and zoomed off………..They went to a open parking lot, where Angad asked Kripa to get down and come and sit in the passanger seat………..Kripa without a word slowly walked to the passanger seat and Angad helped her adjust the seat as she felt comfortable………Slowly he started telling her about all the parts, etc……..Asked her to try and see and then asked her to start the car……….Kripa's hand trembled and she slowly put the key in ignition, and Angad held her hand……….Trust me Kripa, itna mushkil bhi nahi hai…….!! You will be fine……….OK…….Kripa nodded and looked at his hand still holding hers and then looked at him………He raised his eyebrows and she looked at their hands and Angad too looked at them and then chuckled……..Sorry…….He said and Kripa smiled and slowly started the ignition…….They continued for a while, as he asked her to switch on and off for couple of times, showing her what all to do before starting the car………Angad was quite patient and told her what to do step by step for next one hour and at last asked her to sit back in passanger seat and took her to the restaurant……….You did good………Wednesday jab tum uss professional ko milogi, more or less yahi saab batayega, aur tumhe yaad rahega………..Jyada practice karogi to jaldi aa jayega………Now, stop thinking and eat………he said with a chuckle and Kripa chuckled a little and nodded……….Angad took her back to her room and kissed her telling her he was going to miss her……….Kripa smiled shyly and went up……By now everyone thought that they two were dating and considered Angad as her boy friend and just smiled, without much fuss and Kripa too accepted it and kept quite.……To her relief, Kanan was all alone and she went in and sat in the bed tired……….

Ka: So, what have you been up to…….? You seem tensed…………!!

K: Angad mujhe driving sikha raha hai……..she said nervously………kanan immediately sat up and looked at her wide eyed……….

Ka: Really…….Pinch me Kripa………She said going to her and Kripa chuckled and did what she said………ouch……..nahi mein sapna nahi dekh rahi hun………..You really are? Aise kya ho gaya do dinon mein ki usne tumhe driving sikhne ke liye mana liya……..? She asked curiously and Kripa slowly told her what all happened………Kanan sighed and then smiled at her with approval…………..Way to go girl………I am happy…………..Aab Meri ek baat manogi? Mere sath swimming lessons ke liye chalo………You will really enjoy it……….I promise……….!! Kripa looked at her rolling her eyes………but then stopped at once and looked at Kanan, who was waiting like always and Kripa slowly nodded……….Kanan stood up at once………..Oh my God, you are serious?

K: Haan Kanan……..she said with a small smile………..Mein sachmuch khud ko badalna chahti hun…………Aur mujhe tumhari help chahiye…………Kanan looked at her for some time and then grinned with delight……..

Ka: Yes, this is going to be a fun year………..Akhir mera last year hai……..!! It has to be…….!! She said with a grin……….You are on dear………..We will do everything we can and by the end of next year, when it is time for me to leave, you won't be the same girl you are now…….!! I promise………

Kripa smiled at her enthusiasm and she got a new confidence suddenly……….

The days changed after that……..They went to take learners permit for kripa the next day, after Angad went through with signs and all with her……..Kripa became busy in driving and swimming lessons soon……….She was a little slow learner as she had never tried any sports ever, but she slowly started picking up………..Kanan took her to the tennis court on Sunday evenings or other times they were free, and thought her to play tennis………Even Josh came to know about Kripa and told her, she could join him in some indoor games like pool game or video games and he would be happy to teach her, just for fun……….Kripa said she would, once her driving lessons were over and she got the licence as she did not have much time left after these ………She started going for Jog in the morning with Kanan as well on her insistence………

A month passed by and Kripa was almost able to drive properly, though she never drove in crowded places………..Angad asked her to take it out and Kripa nervously did as he asked………..But to her amazement, slowly she started getting a grip of it and started driving without fear………She listened carefully as Angad directed her, asked her to turn or give signals or look back………..She parked, whenever he asked her to and then continued taking out the car……….He even took her to national highways and told her about the speed limits………..He told her about signs and everything and atlast after 6 weeks, Kripa was almost driving with enough confidence…………Even the professional teacher told him that she was ready for testing and Angad grinned at Kripa with delight………Kripa smiled biting her lips, feeling a lot wonderful her self……….Angad bought a book and went over the traffic rules and signals and at last took her for the test………..!! To his amazement, Kripa passed the test with flying colors and got her license imidiately………..Kripa jumped in joy there and there and hugged Angad tightly, not able to contain her happiness………Angad proudly kissed her forehead and told her that they were going out to celebrate and gave her the car keys……….Kripa chuckled and took the keys and took him to their favourite ice-cream shop………They had a ice-cream in one cup, feeding eachother and having wonderful time……….Kanan was also delighted in the evening when she came to know about it……….

She hugged Kripa and patted her back saying, this was just the beggining and she had long way to go…….

Next day Kripa got another surprise, when Angad came to her room with a grin……….

Ka: Hey Angad, aaj kaise uppar aa gaye? Rasta bhul gaye kya? Angad chuckled…….

A: Shayad Kripa ne bataya nahi hoga, aaj uska janam din hai…….He said with a grin…….Kanan's eyes widened and she looked at the closed rest room door and then at the huge cover with flowers he was carrying………..

Kanan grinned…………In that case, I will give u a little privacy and come back in few minutes, she said winking………Angad smiled and slowly closed the door and then took out the small cake he had bought……..He slowly kept the flowers in a small vase he found and then when he heard the door lock, he quickly lighted the candle and walked behind the curtain with a grin……….Kripa came out wiping her head smiling with closed eyes, when suddenly she smelled the candle and looked up………..She looked at the cake with surprise and then frowned looking around……..How come Kanan knew about her birthday she thought a little surprised and where was she………? She slowly went to the cake with smile and took the card lying there, looking at the flowers with a smile………..She opened the card and Angad's hand writing greeted her and she looked around surprised…………She was about to read the card, when Angad slowly came out with a grin, singing Happy birthday song for her………….

Kripa looked at him surprised and then smiled shyly as he winked and went to her and pulled her in his arms………..

A: Happy Birthday dear wife………..He said, soon capturing her lips with his……..His hands holding her half wet hairs with care………She looked sensational and felt even more wonderful early morning………..!! He thought holding her as near as he could dream of……!! Slowly he left her and indicated her towards the cake………Kripa smiled not speaking a word, as his eyes told her everything there was to and slowly looked down and blew the candle and cut the cake……….Angad took a piece and fed her and she did the same………He then looked at her with mischief and grabbed her with his left hand and slowly wiped her mouth clean of cream, with his tounge………..Kripa turned red at his gesture and hid her face in his chest……….He then slowly kept the car keys in her hand and smiled………!! Your car……….!! He said with a grin……..Kripa looked at him wide eyed………….Meri car, tumhare liye………Mein ne mere liye ek friend ke papa se unki 10 saal purani car khareed li hai……..They wanted to sell it anyway and it was very cheap so, he shrugged…..aab bas ek saal ki baat hai……..I don't want to waste unnecessarily……….I know meri car bhi purani hai, par phir bhi mein ne ek saal pehle ki car khareedi thi, aab 4 saal ho gaye par, as you know it is still just like new, he shrugged, aur tumhe set bhi ho gayi hai……….And it suits you……….So, keep it and use it for your self……….But promise me, that you will be careful and no night outs……..!! He said with big eyes………..Kripa chuckled and nodded taking the keys……

K: Par Angad, tum itni purani car………She asked a little worriedly………

A: Don't worry, it is not that bad at all…….Bas thodi dented hai, kyun ki ek baar unhone kisi side walk par chada diya aur ek baar kisi pole se takara gaye, but it is working and interior is good……I had it tested as well as properly checked and everything is fine, other than the dent..….He said smiling and Kripa smiled looking at the keys…..…..A knock on the door made Kripa blush as she knew it was Kanan…….She slowly went and opened the door and was shocked to see Josh and some other people she knew there………..They all had something or the other in their hands and kept it on the table with a cheer and sang happy birthday to her……….Kripa smiled shyly at them all and thanked them……….These were the people she hardly said hi or bye to and they were here, wishing and organizing the party for her…………Angad grinned looking at them all, while Josh and Kanan came and gifted her small present………She cut the cake they all had bought and thanked them all……..They all had cake and drinks and some snacks and finally bid bye to Kripa……….Kripa opened the gift given by Josh and saw a beautiful picture frame of her and Angad, taken at the sky walk in Las Vegas and thanked him with delight……….Second she opened Kanan's gift and looked up at Kanan shocked…………

K: Ye kya hai Kanan? She asked with a frown……..Angad who was talking to Josh stopped and looked at her………..Kanan started chuckling and then laughing………

Ka: Common Kripa………it's a gift, you can't say no……….I too joined it, if that will give you any encouragement…………

J: What did you join? He asked immediately alert and Kanan made faces at him……….

K: I can't do this Kanan…….Karate classes? No way………Angad and Josh looked at them astonished and then started laughing……….

Ka: Common Kripa……….I got 40 % discount and I specally joined in for you and I am not getting any refunds……..!! They are just a little self defence courses for women………!! Just 40 classes girl…….!! Common…….!! I know beautiful girl like us need some defence class, to protect ourself………What do you think Angad? Kanan asked with a grin and Angad smiled and slowly nodded…….Kripa sighed and looked at Angad for help and he grinned and indicated her to go with it……

J: I should agree with Kanan on this…….Atleast we will be saved some tension.…..Kripa looked at him suddenly remembering Prithvi and his advances and knew that it might do some good, and further Kanan was looking anxiously at her, as if her life depended on it and she couldn't help but chuckle at her expression, but then she slowly nodded………

Ka: Oh…..thank god………You really made my heart jump with so many skips, that……...So, what is todays plan……….You guys planning a romantic day out……….

A: Nahi Kanan………he said looking at kripa…………I have my reharsals today, as we are leaving for London in two weeks……….Kripa held her breathe and looked at him and he looked at her for her reaction………Kripa knew, she shouldn't cry……..She looked down blinking her tears and then looked up slowly with a smile……….Issiliye jaldi aa gaya aaj………..Mujhe abhi jana hoga……….Ek ghante ke andar college jana hai………Kanan and Josh smiled and nodded……..

J: Don't worry Angad, we are there for her………..So, rest assure……….She will be fine………Best of Luck for your tours……….Angad smiled and nodded and Josh and Kanan left them alone for a while………Angad slowly walked towards Kripa, who was trying hard to stay in control………..But as soon as he came close, a tear slipped from her eye………

A: Kripa…….

K: I will miss you……..she said before he could say anything and hugged him tightly……….

A: I will miss you too…….He whishpered…………Sach kaho Kripa, tum……….She kissed his mouth lightly with hers………

K: Mein reh lungi……..meri chinta mat karo…….!! I will be fine……..

A: Promise……..?

K: Promise…………she whispered……….Angad sighed and kissed her forehead………

A: Raat ko taiyar rehna, dinner par challenge…….Kripa smiled and nodded………..Ismein tumhare liye ek dress hai……….wahi pehenna………he said with a wink and Kripa looked in the cover surprised………I need to run…….Bye…….he said with a smile and was gone immediately………

Kripa took out the dress and smiled at the beautiful saree...It had been like 9 months, since she had wore saree……..! Her phone started ringing and she smiled looking at Avantika's name…………She talked with all of them as they wished her and then kept the phone with a grin………..The day went by and in the evening Angad and she went to a beautiful Indian restaurant for dinner…….They had a wonderful time together and then Angad dropped her back to her hostel………

Next week, Angad let Kripa do her grocery shopping all alone in her car, but had kept a eye on her from safe distance without her notice………He even followed her to the music class and was happy to see that she had started using the car………….He was happy to see her confident self, as she parked and went up the steps of her music teachers house……..!! Kripa on the other side, was a little nervous, but Kanan had encouraged her and asked her to try going out near by herself and when she felt comfortable she could go more often……Kripa took her suggestion and went around the campus and then went for shopping to near by grocery store all by herself and then when she tried driving to her music class. She felt so liberated suddenly, that she smiled as soon as she parked her car infront of their hosue………Her first accomplishment and she was really feeling good about it some how………She shook her head at her silliness and went in with new found happiness………

Soon, it was time for Angad to leave………He had been busy in his reharsels for last 2 weeks and hardly met Kripa once for couple of hours……….A day before leaving Angad took Kripa out for dinner……….He was all packed and was leaving next day early morning……….He had not told her that the trip was for 2 months……….He would tell her later………!! He had filled her visa card and even had seen that all her expenses were covered………..Kripa was very silent that day and Angad observed her silently………..He knew she was nervous………..But she said, she would stay alone……..And now the time had come………