Chapter 9

I walk towards my home flabbergasted, my breathing rapid, even after my little "incident" in the park, I was not able to overcome the happiness I was suddenly feeling; why was I feeling so empty now, and who is "Kripa" why does she haunt my dreams? Never once in my life I have ever heard this name and today this name sang in desperation from my lips. Who was I supposed to go to for help; who here knew about this incident, why she haunted my dreams and how long would this continue? The questions kept me worried; my brain continuously replayed the event in my event; unknowingly I bumped into Bhabhi; knocking the entire bowl of cold ice cream down my shirt.

Startled by the cold touch, I jump up and down in pain, Bhabhi watches me baffled, and speechless; I try asking for help but instead find myself flying down the marble floor, and freezing harder. Slowly, I pull my shirt off and turn around hoping the hot marble floor would cool it, BUT no! It was actually freezing, since when did marble floor in India ever freeze? "AHHHHHHH, Bhabhi please, please help!" I screamed in freezing agony; she rushed towards me trying to hold back the giggles. Quickly she grabbed a rag and wiped off any ice cream on the floor and then wiped it off of me! As soon as it was gone; I got to my feet and glared at her, "Bhabhi how rude, your devaar is screaming in freezing ice cream pain on his warm chest and you want the floor clean first? You broke my heart, babz!" my voice came out sarcastically. She shot me a look before replying, "Angad, I don't like the floor duty, and you know that, what if the kids were here; they could have slipped off this ice cream or better yet licked the floor clean! Now stop being a baby, get up and take a soothing shower, go naa!" Kanan pushed Angad upstairs. He growled in response and shot up the stairs, muttering, "what an experience, stupid floor has more importance than my freezing chest!"

"Angad I heard that!" Kanan shouted a few feet behind. Angad ignored his bhabhi and rushed into his room; quickly stripping down and ran into the bathroom enjoyed the warm water rushing down his chest. "Oh that feels so much better!" his voice had just relaxed when he lost himself yet once again. "Hurry up, you take too long to shower!" a sweet and soft voice called. Another man screamed back, "aaya Kripa! But would you like to join?" his voice snickered at the end. "Zap!" He rushed back to find himself in his bathroom, standing underneath the shower, shocked. He had to know what was happening, that too fast before he lost himself.

"Bhai, what are you up to?" Kripa asked casually; Karan jumped slightly and groaned, "gosh you are good at that!" he sounded slightly aggravated. Kripa chuckled and sat down beside him, "I know bro! So how has your day been?" she asked calmly. Karan turned to glance at her, she never failed to surprise him; a smile lifted at the corner of his mouth, "do you want to know all of it, or just in simple terms?" he questioned. Kripa nodded. "Well for the meeting it went extremely well; we got the deal and after that I just spent the entire day in the office going through the files concerning the Kapoor Deal, and Mittal file; that was about it; and now I'm just doing some other reviewing and talking with you!" Kripa frowned, "Bhai I think you should take a break, starting NOW!" she squealed in excitement while grabbing his hand and rushing out the door. He kept up with her with his long legs, being 6'3" gave him the advantage of trying to keep up with his 5'7" sister; "Kripa where are you taking me?" he asked but she just ignored him; "you are coming with me and that is final!"

"Kripa, don't be stubborn!" Karan whined, but Kripa paid no heed to his 5 year old complaint. Moments later both found themselves out in the backyard, where all the family members sat, surrounded by food and games. Karan stared amazed, "what's all this about dear?" Kripa turned around and smiled, "Bhaiyya, you work too much and plus I was getting bored, so we all decided to have a picnic in the backyard, with loads of masti!" her voice ecstatic. Karan smiled, his expressions softened, this was exactly what he needed, time alone with his family, no work stress, no stress at all, and just a time of relaxing! "and yes Bhai, we will be relaxing for six to nine o'clock meaning no working at all, understand bhaiyya!" Kripa sounded more commanding than before. He turned to look down at her and pulled her into a tight hug!

"Now let's do some masti everyone!" Kripa's voice echoed throughout the entire area; "let's play antakshari!" everyone sat down and one by one all sang; enjoying the wonderful moment the entire family was spending with one another. When suddenly out of nowhere, Kripa came with a hose in her hand, spraying Karan, Alisha [her bhabhi], Shubh, Gayatri and Suryaban. Karan ran after her throughout the entire house trying to get a hold of the hose to spray her back. Just two feet away from Kripa, Karan pulled the house from the ground and yanked it away from Kripa. "Ahhh!" Kripa screamed when Karan turned the tables on her.

"Bhai! Bhai please stop!" she fell to the ground desperately trying to take a hold of her giggles. Karan laughed along with her and threw the hose to the side. He began walking away when something heavy jumped on his back; "ahh!" Karan screamed slightly but he knew it was probably Kripa on his back. "Bhai I want a piggy back ride! Usne bhi mujhe di thi, jab maine uske saat yahi kiya tha!" she spoke suddenly stopping. Karan stopped dead in his tracks and waited, but she didn't come off instead, "bhai let's go bug the others!" sounding suddenly uneasy.

The night passed by with masti and excitement, although at one point Kripa had begun loosing herself, she pulled on a fake smile and enjoyed the rest of the night with her family. But when the lights were turned off there was one person who stood at the balcony staring at the wonderful moon; "who are you? Why do you haunt my dreams, why are you always there when I don't need you? How and who will stop this?" she questioned the stars…

"Sister Lovely, I think I will take a leave now; and thank you for helping me throughout the entire day!" I said politely and thankful that I wouldn't have to run into Armaan for the remainder of the day. She nodded, "Dr. Riddhima, I'm more than glad to be helpful, you are the first person to appreciate my help, thank you!" A smile beamed on her face; Riddhima smiled and pulled her into a hug before walking out of the hospital gracefully. She stopped and turned, someone had whistled behind her; "Tum?" I accused, Armaan walked near her and smiled, "missing me yet? Because I sure did, your red and soft cheeks, the blush and heat on your face, your smile and your eyes; they take my breath away beautiful!" I gaze down at the ground, refusing to meet his eyes, darn did he have a way with words; he left me speechless. What would I be able to say that? He leaned in towards me while I was lost in my thoughts, and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears, "what's wrong baby?" he asked innocently; and yet I still refused to look into his eyes.

I refused to speak, he sighed; his hand moved underneath my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes; "Riddhima look at me!" I looked into his eyes and my breathing stopped, he looked like he was smirking. I tried to shoot him a glare but wasn't able to; he was holding me in his arms so softly, his eyes piercing but his mouth pulled into a smirk. "I …I have to go! Papa must be waiting for me!" I stuttered and eventually gathered a control on my voice, "Now can you please let go of me!" His soft touch let go of me; I began walking away when something pulled me back. Frustrated with Armaan's stupid tactics, I screamed at him, "Armaan let go of my dupatta right now! And when will you stop all these childish acts, for goodness sake we both are interns trying to become doctors, we are NOT actors or actresses!" My anger had finally exploded; perhaps at the wrong time and the wrong person. I frowned I shouldn't have said that; I turn around and find my dupatta stuck in the door; and there he stood with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry Armaan, I'm so sorry!" I pleaded with him; but he just stared at me and walked towards the door pulling my dupatta carefully out and draped it on my shoulders. The look of pain in his eyes not seizing to go away; and this time he refused to meet my eyes. "Armaan!" I spoke regretfully, but he just walked out the door refusing to listen to me.

To be continued tomorrow eveningand thank you everyone for the comments....- sukhi