Part 6-

 

Kripa – (in her mind) oh god prithiv is stuned and is not able to see the fact that he had been defeated by angad and too honestly admit that angad is handsome and hot. He even can't tolerate that I his finacee presented the cup to angad khanna.

Prithvi – (in his mind) kripa is mine and not anyone else. I won't let it happened and drank more.

 

Voice – you dance beautifully kripa sharma, will you dance with me?

Angad was standing in front of her, looking down at her from his superior height. The corners of his mouth were upturned in a smile. His brown eyes held a current of electricity that bathed her in its glow.

Some how kripa managed to smile back. It felt like taking a risk. A tremble shook her body. She knew her lips parted but for the smallest time – may be a few seconds – no words came out.

Angad – kripa?

Kripa – (the oxygen came back to her brain) yes ofcourse I will. (unaware a nerve was pulsing in the hollow of her throat).

His arm came around her. He held her lightly yet his arms enclosed her. Letting him hold her – she knew – vastly increased the risks. She couldn't relax. Not there and then. He was, she realized, gifted with sexual radiance and he was using that gift. Consciously or unconsciously? She couldn't tell. She tried to distract herself by looking at the sea of happy, excited faces around them.

Angad – I know I am too tall for you, and I am not much of a dancer, never had time to learn.

Kripa – no you are fine,(indeed, it seemed to her he moved with natural ease and rhythm) (ofcourse krips falling for angad)

Angad – and you are kind.

 

He pulled her in a little closer and she lifted her hand higher on his shoulder. She could feel the strength in it, the warmth in his skin. He wasn't formally attired like prithvi. He wore a beige coloured linen jacket over a black t –shirt and black jeans. A simple outfit, yet on him it looked very sophisticated.

 

She realized she was luxuriating in his clean male scent, redolent of the open air, of fragrant wood smoke. For long minutes they danced without speaking, he leading her expertly for all he claimed he couldn't dance. She didn't understand her reactions as it was not normal.

 

Be careful with this – a voice said in her mind.

Kripa – (in her mind) is she the next on his list as his determination was a powerful one? Only time will prove her right. What was he really thinking?

 

Meanwhile anagd was making her feel decidedly odd. It was as if she was someone else. She couldn't allow that.

Angad – you look very beautiful.(his voice which was resonant and deep, had considerable emotional power)

Kripa didn't say a word.

Angad – prithvi is a lucky man.

This was the time she stared in his eyes.

Angad – what went wrong between you two? It seems strange – you were both so young when you moved away, yet I sensed a history between you and prithvi. An animosity that still clings.

Kripa – prithvi used to like to scare me when I was a kid. It still matters? (Feeling shame on prithvi's behalf)

Angad – you saw how your fianc was. I am sure he will be right with us any moment now. Do you mind most of the guys here who are dying to dance with you,  are keeping distance?

Kripa – I do realize, but prithvi is my fianc.

Angad – (nodded) a pity

Kripa – (being defensive)a pity that he is my finace?

Angad – how do you know I don't want you for myself? (he unfolded a slow smile, keeping his tone light).

Kripa –(hectic color swept into her cheeks, enhancing her beauty) I am sorry angad, but I am taken.

Angad – (with interest) have you set a date for your wedding?

Kripa – why you aren't married? (she countered, aware something potentially dangerous was smoldering between them).

Angad – because I believe a man has to be able to provide for a wife before he embarks on matrimony.

Kripa felt she was becoming agitated. She had to rein herself in.

Kripa – the rumor around town is you are looking for a wife, could that possibly be right?

Angad – (his smile was self mocking) you might very well see me on the doorsteps of the newspaper sometime soon. I understood you are josh kapoor's right hand woman. You can help me run an ad " BUSH BACHELOR SEEKS A WIFE!" you could advise me what replies to say, maybe help me read through what replies come in.

Kripa – (she felt odd anger) you are joking?

 

Angad eyes were alight with what? Devilment? A taunt? He was still holding her lightly but she was starting to feel she couldn't breathe.

Angad – I couldn't be more serious. I want a wife, a family besides me. I've been so flat out working all my life. Besides its not easy to find eligible young woman. I thought an ad might work. It would be certainly speed things up.

Kripa – (with a little jealous and anger) why don't you simply walk up to one of the girls here?

Angad – forgive me, but it's hard to see past you.

That transfixed kripa. She, so light on her feet, a lovely dancer, missed a step, nearly causing angadto tread on her toe.

Kripa – must remind you I am taken?

Angad – (with a deeply regretful voice) so you are!!!!!

 Kripa's mind felt that she should run away, abandon angad on dance floor. She don't want to do this.

Angad – give yourself plenty of time to make sure it's going to work. He steered her away from a whirling couple.

Kripa – is this a warning?

Angad – I don't see you two together.

Kripa – how can you possibly judge? (but deep inside her heart she was comparing angad and prithvi). You don't know me and you don't know prithvi. We have a fine future ahead of us.

Angad – why then a fright in your eyes? If he's the love of your life?

Kripa – why are we talking about this angad? It's getting too personal and private. (she felt bit uncomfortable)

Angad – I told you, I don't have much time. Besides, I feel I could talk to you far into the night.

Kripa – you have told me why, you are lonely?

Angad – it's possible that part of it.

Kripa – (sucked her breath, waited a moment) I must tell you I wouldn't have agreed to marry prithvi if I didn't love him.

Angad – as I said he is a very lucky man.