Part 22 –

 

Angad – you know what they say! Life's a gamble. Love's a gamble. We come through with courage.

Kripa – and there is one more thing About me. I don't know my own mind. I'd be devastated if I'd truly loved prithvi. Obviously I didn't, I just thought I was in love with him.

Angad – so when did you wake up to fact you weren't? did it just happen one morning?

Kripa – the fact I could so easily be attracted to you was a tremendous eye opener. What if it had happened after I married prithvi?

Angad – no need to worry about it. You're not going to marry prithvi. You had a very little bit of food and that confrontation with the bose upset you.

Kripa – didn't it upset you?

Angad – I wanted to hit that man. I wanted to hit him so badly, but he's too old to hit. And then there were you women, women don't like violence

Kripa – you're right about that! I'm apprehensive about what my father is going to say.

Angad – he's very tough on you in his way, isn't he? Why is that?

Kripa – our personalities are incompatible? There is something about me doesn't like? I suppose it can happen.

Angad – leave home, kripa. It's time you did.

Kripa – but the property isn't going to be mine anyway.

Angad – how's that? You're an only child. Who else can take over?

Kripa – my cousin kartik will inherit, he's still a student.

Angad – good god! So what's your little lot?

Kripa – did you think I was an heiress? Did you think you just could land an heiress? You didn't put that in the ad.

Angad – kripa, I couldn't care less if you were penniless. It's you, the woman, I'm interested in.

Kripa – that's what they all say. I'll be, well looked after, I've been told. Besides, I was to marry mr. bose's heir. That was considered a compelling reason for matrimony.

Angad – how very mercenary.

Kripa – only I'm not marrying anyone.

 

They took the lift to kripa's floor walking down the quiet, empty corridor to her room. There they paused while kripa hunted up her key.

Angad – (in a worry tone) you seem to be taking an awfully long time.

Kripa – damn, where is it? I know!

Angad – here, give it to me. (he took the key from her opening the door) good night, kripa.

Kripa – goodness, you sound as if you have a very pressing engagement elsewhere. Are you that anxious to get rid of me! (she pushed past him and entered the comfortablt furnished room, switching on more lights. Am I about to make a fool of myself? She thought, why not? He already knows I am)

Angad – (standing just inside the door) come here.

Kripa – there's nothing going to happen, angad.

Angad – what makes you suppose there was?

Kripa – the way you're looking at me for one thing. I'm a v****. Did I mention that? It's a joke these days

Angad – why wouldn't a woman keep herself for the man she truly loves?

Kripa – for fear she mightn't find him and life is flying by. I'm sorry, angad. I'm trying to tell you I'm not a good judge.

Angad – you're tired, exhausted.

Kripa – we both are. Do you want to sleep with me in this bed?

Angad – (shocked he didn't say anything for a moment. He just wanted to look at her) I don't think I'd be doing much sleeping. I told you, kripa, there's no pressure .

Kripa – that's something else! Prithvi was ready to wait. Next thing he's trying to rape me.

Angad remembered that night very clearly, the way he had felt.

Angad – don't remind me! That would never happen to any woman with me, kripa. You know that. Come on now, you're tired and upset. You'll get over all this. It's been pretty full on, one thing after another.

Kripa – and another to face.

Angad – I'm driving you back to Mumbai tomorrow. We can get your car picked up from town, I don't want you pushing on home.

Kripa – there'd be fireworks, angad.

Angad – your father's temper wouldn't bother me any more than mr. bose's. I didn't think your father gave way to emotion anyway, he looks so darn buttoned up.

For a moment kripa looked quiet lost.

Kripa – I should have said iceworks, not fireworks. Dad freezez you out.

Angad – I'm driving you home, krips. Right to your door. Now come here.

Kripa – what for?

Angad – I want to kiss you (not taking his eyes off her) I want to take your kiss with me to bed.

What else could she do? Every cell in her body demanded it. She walked towards him as if she couldn't keep away. His arms were around her, his hand at the back of her neck.

Angad – kripa!

 

Then his mouth came down on hers. She was so hungry, greedy to keep it there. All her defences were tumbling. They were breathing as one. She wanted more, much more. She realized now she was desperately in need of love.

Next thing she knew she was lying on the bed, her eyes closed tight. She was listening to the rapid – fire beating of her heart. It seemed to be shaking her entire being. She lifted a hand to contain her wild heart, slowly opening her eyes…. Only to discover angad was gone.