Beete Lamhe(AK):I'M BACK!! NOTE:Page 154(21/09)!! - Page 84

Angad: Ridzie…your kids can get lessons later, first our kids will need lessons right Kripa??

Kripa blushed even a deeper shade of red as she hid her face in his neck curve. Angad wrapped his arms around her tightly and giggled, accompanied by riddhima.

As per the decided order of their last week of holidays, today was Day 1. Shopping day.

"For the love of god Kripa…not yellow! I hate yellow!"

"What's wrong with yellow?"

"I don't know…I just don't like it"

"I don't care…I like this dress, and I'm going to buy it…"

"You are not!"

"I am too"

"Not Not Not!"

"too too too!"

"Angad!" Both yelled out in frustration while Angad rolled his eyes at them.

Angad: Kripa…love…I agree with riddhima…I hate yellow too…but Ridzie…you have to admit…Kripa looks stunning in that dress despite the fact that it's yellow.

"Aarrgghh", both girls groaned in frustration as Angad once again answered neutrally.

Kripa (sighed): Okay riddhima…I won't buy the yellow one if and only if you can find me the exact same dress in a different colour.

Riddhima: oh come on Kripa…that is not fair…you know this is the last one they have and I can't find it in a different colour.

Kripa (smiled smugly): That means I get to buy this one.

They started bickering again while Angad rolled his eyes and looked around to see the group of spectators that Kripa and riddhima had managed to collect.

Angad: that's enough you two! Riddhima…find her something that you want her to buy…and Kripa…you buy what riddhima finds if you want to buy this dress…you two just HAVE to stop embarrassing me like this. It's called a compromise…if you two want me to stay here even for one second…be good girls and listen to me.

Kripa and Riddhima exchanged a glance and turned to Angad.

"Fine!"

Riddhima walked away while Kripa crossed her arms and tapped her right foot impatiently as she waited for riddhima to return. After a few minutes, riddhima walked up to Kripa with a sky blue halter neck, knee length dress with tiny black bead work. Kripa sighed, rolled her eyes and took the dress out of riddhima hands.

Angad (sighed): finally…

Kripa: okay…you two go ahead to the cashier's counter…and I'll go pick out something for riddhima…since she chose something for me…I want to chose something too…

Angad nodded and took riddhima with him to the cashier's counter not wanting her and Kripa to start another round of arguments. The girl at the counter moved her hair strands out of her face flirtingly as Angad stood with riddhima. Riddhima noticed that the girl at the counter was paying no attention to her. Slightly annoyed, she cleared her throat and earned a dirty look from the cashier.

"Jeez, all the good looking ones are always taken...the lucky girls that get them just like that" thought the cashier as she started entering the prices for Riddhima's various clothes.

Riddhima looked at Angad to see his reaction, only to see him looking in the direction where Kripa had gone.

Riddhima: bhai…relax.

"Bhai?" The cashier blurted out in obvious surprise.

Riddhima: excuse me?

Cashier: um, nothing…sorry…I was under the impression that he was your boyfriend…

Riddhima raised an eyebrow and gave the cashier a disgusted look as she looked at Angad and batted her eyelashes. Angad raised an eyebrow and awkwardly looked back in the direction where Kripa had gone.

The cashier finished entering all the prices for Riddhima's clothes and told them the price. Angad took his wallet out and was reaching into it for his credit card when he saw riddhima already swipe her card through.

Angad: riddhima…you're not going to pay while your big bro is here…

Riddhima (snickered): bhai…you pay or I pay…the money is still coming out of the same account…Mrs. Naina Khanna's Account.

Riddhima finished paying for her shopping, and just at that moment, Kripa walked up to the counter, juggling her sun dresses, a few t-shirts, jeans, the dress riddhima had given her, and the dress that she was giving riddhima.

Kripa: good thing you paid…now I can gift you the other dress.

The cashier looked at Kripa and Angad while Angad helped Kripa carry some of the stuff. Riddhima gave the cashier a cross look and rolled her eyes. Kripa wasn't paying attention to the girl and continued to put her stuff on the counter. The girl started entering the prices while giving Kripa dirty looks.

Riddhima (muttering): desperate woman.

Angad looked at riddhima, confused out of his mind. What the heck was going on? He shrugged and turned to see Kripa taking her credit card out.

Angad (stopped her hand from taking the card out): oh no you don't. I'm paying.

Kripa: Angad…you know I don't like such formalities...you know I don't like it when someone pays for me…

Angad: well…learn to like it…from now on; I'll be the one responsible to get you everything you want.

Kripa pouted and watched him as he swiped the card and the paying process started. Angad smiled at her and tapped her nose lightly, moving his face closer to hers.

Angad: Kripa…whatever's mine automatically belongs to you love.

Riddhima's head turned reflexively in the cashier's direction as soon as Angad called Kripa 'love'. Riddhima stifled a laugh as she watched the cashier's face go through shock, jealousy, and disappointment. Angad and Kripa looked at riddhima confusedly while she shook her head and grabbed her bags. Kripa grabbed her bags, refusing to let Angad carry any, and followed riddhima out of the store. The trio met up with the boys from their group that were waiting in the food court, not wanting to be shopping with their respective girlfriends. Soon, the other girls came back from various stores they had gone to.

Aliyah: seriously Kripa…you are so lucky…you have a sensible boyfriend…unlike these useless ones here that cant help their girlfriends shop for one day.

Josh: oh come on yaar Aliyah…shopping is the most boring thing anyone ever invented…

"It is NOT", yelled all the girls.

The group had lunch, and then continued their shopping throughout the day, much to the boys' dismay.

Day 2: Movie day

Angad and Kripa stood, holding hands, as the rest of the group stood there arguing, as usual. This time the argument was on which movie to watch. They just needed the slightest reason to start arguing.

Aliyah: I don't want to watch Om shanti om….I hate shah rukh khan…

Kanya: but I don't want to watch jab we met either…you all know I don't like Kareena.

Riddhima: why don't we go watch both, one after the other?

Aliyah and Kanya: NO!

Riddhima: oh...k….come on guys…its not that hard to decide…lets ask the two that haven't said anything and whatever movie they say, we'll go watch…

All heads turned to Angad and Kripa, startling Kripa for a second and making Angad roll his eyes.

Kripa: How about we watch both….that way…both parties are happy……it's a good enough of a compromise is it not?

Both Aliyah and Kanya glared at her for giving a neutral answer as always. Both reluctantly agreed to the compromise and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

As they sat watching the climax of Jab We Met, all the girls were teary eyed while Ranbir and Josh sat there bored out of their minds. Angad looked at Kripa who was resting her head on his shoulder and wiping a tear.

Angad (whispering): Relax sweetheart, it's just a movie…

Kripa: I know but, it's so sweet! I know what she must be feeling like; she just realized she loves Shahid and that he's going away forever…I would run after you like she did if you were going away too…

Angad (giggled): you'll never have to do that because I am not going anywhere…

Day 3: Beach Day!

"Beach is a man's heaven on earth!" said josh as he stretched.

Krish (snorted): Just because there are girls here josh?

Josh: duh! Its not rocket science.

Krish rolled his eyes while Angad shook his head. Ranbir and Krish sprinted into the water until the water came up to their waists. Josh was looking around the beach, more like the girls, while Angad sat there looking at the horizon where the sky and the sea met. Josh's gaze caught something that Angad hadn't noticed yet.

"Oh my god!" muttered josh. Angad looked at him and then followed his gaze. As soon as Angad saw what josh saw, his jaw dropped open slightly. Ranbir and Krish who were having a volleyball match in the water stopped playing and looked in the same direction. The ladies walked towards them wearing tank tops and short shorts with matching sarongs tied in a fancy way. All the girls walked to their respective boyfriends while riddhima tagged Kripa along and stood in front of Angad.

Angad grabbed Kripa's arm gently and pulled her away from the group. Riddhima sighed and rolled her eyes while Kripa looked at Angad confusedly.

Kripa: what happened?

Angad: Kripa………why are you wearing that?

Kripa: what do you mean why I'm wearing this? Angad...we're at the beach…obviously I'm wearing a swimsuit...

Angad: all the guys are staring at you…

Kripa (giggled): Why? Is Angad Khanna scared of some competition?

Angad: Kripa…when it comes to you and me….there IS no competition….

Kripa: ahan…possessive?

Angad: Possessive is my middle name Ms.Kripa……

Kripa (hugged him and whispered): I love that middle name.

Angad (sighed and hugged her back): Kripa…I swear…if any man here tries to misbehave with you…I will murder him.

Kripa: Misbehave? With me? That too while you're with me? A 6'1 muscular guy with a 5'5 tiny woman…I don't think anyone will take the chance...let's go and have fun!

Just like these three fun-filled days, the group spent the rest of the days as scheduled as well. Before they knew it, their fun-filled days were done and they had started university. Just like typical college kids, they had fun while they studied. A lot went on during their lunches in the cafeteria varying from light jokes to arm-wrestling. Riddhima had settled in perfectly. She felt like she belonged in this group. Everyone loved the new addition to the group as well. The friendship bonds grew stronger, as did the love bonds. About three months passed away in what seemed like a blink of an eye. After about two weeks of staying at Kripa's house, Angad and Riddhima had gone back to their own house.

One day, as Angad was dropping off Kripa at her house, his cell phone rang. He groaned and pulled away from Kripa whom he was embracing ever so lovingly. He looked at the phone and frowned deeply. Kripa knew that look. It wasn't hard to know that Naina Khanna was calling. Kripa put her hand on his shoulder, keeping him calm.

Angad: Hello.

Naina: hey Angad. Listen, I have a couple of minutes to tell you that I'm in India right now.

Angad: are you coming home?

Naina: I can't…I have a meeting in Taj…once that's done, I have about an hour before I have to leave for New York…

Angad: I see.

Naina: I was actually saying, let's have dinner together. At 8 sharp. Bring riddhima as well. We'll have an hour together.

Angad: Riddhima won't be able to make it mom...she's been procrastinating and now she has three assignments due tomorrow…she's cramming.

Naina: oh, are you coming?

Angad (looked at Kripa): I'll come mom…and I'll bring Kripa along. You'd like to meet her right?

Naina: Oh of course! I haven't seen her in person. Bring her too. Okay, I have to go for the meeting now, bye.

Angad: bye mom!

"Where are you taking me?" Kripa asked as soon as he hung up. As if she hadn't asked anything, he grabbed her hand and walked up the stairs of Kripa's house.

Kripa: Angad! What's going on??

As Angad walked into the house, he yelled, "Mom?? Dad??"

Both Gayatri and Suryaban who were doing their respective tasks rushed into the living room and stood their confused, just like Kripa.

Angad: Mom's in India…we're meeting for dinner…may I take Kripa along? Mom and Kripa haven't met yet…

Gayatri: of course beta…you have to ask?

Angad: mom…dad…why don't you two come too…

Suryaban: I wish beta…but remember Mr. Mehta? He's leaving today so Gayatri and I will be going to the airport with a few other friends to see them off…but you have a good time. I wish we could meet Mrs.Khanna.

Gayatri: what time do you have to reach?

Angad: at 8. I'll come and pick up Kripa at 7.

Gayatri: alright. I'll make sure she's ready by then.

Just then, the phone rang and Suryaban excused himself. Gayatri remembered that she had left her cooking mid way so she retired to the kitchen as well. Angad turned to Kripa and saw the worried look on her face.

Angad: What's wrong?

Kripa: What if she doesn't like me?

Angad (giggled and gave her a side hug): That's not possible…you're just too lovable…it's impossible to dislike such a pretty face Kripa…

Kripa (blushed): Angad…tum bhi na…chalo ab jao…I need to get ready…

Angad: I don't feel like leaving…

Kripa: but you have to.

Angad (sighed and kissed her forehead): be ready by 7…I'll come to pick you up at 7 sharp!

Kripa: Yes sir.

* * *

It was 9:30 and Naina Khanna was no where in sight. For the past hour and a half, Angad had been getting angrier by the minute while Kripa tried to calm him down. As they continued waiting, the clock ticked past 10, 10:30, and finally 11. By this time, Angad's anger was hitting the roof. Kripa gently squeezed his shoulder, promising her support. As he took her hand in his, a tear of anger escaped from his eyes. Kripa bit her lower lip and looked at the patterns in the tablecloth trying to suppress her tears. Angad got up and walked out of the hotel pulling Kripa by his side.

He drove home like a maniac, going at 120 km/hr on a regular road. The streets were pretty deserted because it was so late in the night. Kripa looked at him throughout the entire drive, while he stared ahead at the door and grabbing the steering wheel hard until the point where it looked like that his knuckles were going to pop out of his skin.

Riddhima, who was sitting on a bench in the front garden of the house left her books and walked towards the driveway when she saw Angad bringing the car to an abrupt halt. He got out of the car, slammed his door hard enough that the whole car frame shook, and stormed into the house. Kripa got out of the car but wasn't fast enough to catch Angad who was so furious. As Riddhima and Kripa fell into step beside each other, they heard loud crashes and sounds of glass breaking from the inside. Kripa and riddhima exchanged a horrified look and rushed towards the door.

That would be all for today guys. Sorry once again for the delay! Hope you guys liked this one, feel free to comment/criticize/suggest/predict! Love u all!