Part 30 –

 

He didn't know himself. He stared in the full length hotel mirror wondering if he hadn't gone too far. What a change an Italian suit made. Where would he ever wear it again? But never mind he had to look right for kripa. In the hotel he had to be aware he was turning women's heads. He could have laughed aloud, he was no s** symbol. He doubted if they would have looked at him in his usual gear of bush shirt and jeans. He didn't get the truth of it. He was a stunning – looking man, but he never saw himself that way.

His longing for kripa was like a hand stretched out to guide him. He had decided on surprising her, not sure she would be at home, but willing to take the chance. She told him her father was always extremely busy sorting out his affairs but he always managed to make it home for dinner. Why not, with two beautiful women waiting for him!

 

He took a taxi to the gerewal's residence, pausing a moment on the street to look up at the mansion, four storeys high. A sweet faced maid called seema answered the door, telling him miss krips was relaxing by the swimming pool at the rear of the house. She stepped back smilingly to allow him to enter the house. He retruned the smile, telling her he didn't wish to be announced. It was a surprise visit, he would walk around the side of the house to the pool, coming on kripa that way.

Following her directions he took the paved apth on the western side of the house. A lot of the plants growing  to either side were unknown to angad. The character of the front and side gardens seemed very classical to his eyes. It was all very beautiful, very orderly, but the only slpash of color was white. Angad rounded the end of the rear terrace looking towards a spectacular turquoise swimming pool. The pool was edged by towering royal palm trees. A short distance back was a large open living area sahded by a terra – cotta roof with a deep overhang supported by substantial columns. The space was luxuriously furnished with divans.

 

Sitting on one of the divans, their head close together, were kripa and a good – looking young guy. Angad took a deep calming breath, then another. Kripa was looking too s*** and h** in her swimsuit. His heart began thudding like lightning. He stood perfectly still, watching. Why wouldn't she attract eligible young man? God, hadn't he been struck by her allure, quite apart from her beauty, right off. Why wouldn't this guy who was staring into her face with what seemed to anagd tremendous intensity want her? They were infact, closely regarding each other.

Anagd's stomach tightened into a tight knot. He braced himself as the guy placed a hand on her shoulder. He'd fallen in love with her. Ofcourse he had. And kripa was mightly interested in him. He felt lacerated by that.

Angad – I'll be damned if I'm going to let him take her away from me!

They were so close to each other. Too close, the guy said something which made kripa laugh. Angad built up feelings of anticipation evaporated like creek water in a drought. He was tempted to confront them, find out who this guy was, but he had the dismal idea he might finish up throwing the poor man in the pool. He'd rather die than act the jealous fool. Angad turned on and walked away. There was no longer any excitement. No longer sheer magic of seeing her.

Barely 10 minutes alter kripa, having had enough of sun, was making her way back into the house when she met seema coming out onto the terrace.

 

Seema – enjoy your swim?

Kripa –it was lovely!.

Seema – the gentleman didn't stay long. I was just coming down to see if you'd like refreshments .

Kripa – gentleman? What gentleman?

Seema –why the young man who came to see you. He was gorgeous!

Kripa –did he give a name?

Seema – sure! Couldn't forget it. A nice name suited him, angad khanna. Didn't wanted me to announce him. Said it was a surprise. I directed him.

Kripa – what time was it seema?

Seema – not more than 10 minutes ago. He was walking around the side of the house to the pool.

Kripa –well, he never arrived. He saw us she thought. She waited no longer. Seema tell my mother whens he comes home I've gone into town. Tell her I'll try to make it back for dinner.

It took kripa under 20 minutes to track dwon the hotel where angad was staying, shower, dress and call a cab to take her into the city. Mihir had made a car available  to her but she didn't want to waste precious time trying to find a parking spot. When she arrived at the hotel she was told by reception mr. khanna wasn't in his room. He had been seen going out perhaps an hour or so before, he hadn't returned.

Kripa retreated to a lounge ordering a cold drink.

Kripa – where had he gone? What time was he coming back? Whatever time it was, she was prepared to wait.

She was so consumed by her thoughts she almost missed angad's arrival maybe half hour later. She was alerted by the two ladies.

Lady 1 – would you look at the guy who just walked in?

Lady 2 – yup sure he's damn handsome.

Kripa looked in the direction where ladies were pointing and talking. He was angad. He looked absolutely stunning in those clothes. He had meant to surprise her. Instead, apparaently, she had shocked him into leaving. When they saw kripa looking at anagd

Lady 1 – bet your life someone has already high – jacked him, wanna come over and join us?

Kripa –love to, but I can't sorry. I have to catch up to my fianc.

Lady 2 – you mean that handsome guy is your fianc?

Kripa – sure is.

Lady1 and lady 2 – you're one lucky lady.

 

Kripa saw him disappeared into a waiting elevator. She took next as she knew the room and floor he was staying in. even then he beat her inside the his door. He came at the third knock.

Kripa – I missed you at the house .

Angad didn't respond, but stood looking down at her.

Kripa – aren't you going to ask me in? what happened? Why did you leave?

Angad – (he shut the door, leaned against it) one's the right answer and the other one isn't.

Kripa – fire away (she invited throwing her handbag down onto the bed)

Angad – right. One, I was running late for an appointment. Two, I thought I'd give that guy you were being so sweet to some swimming lessons.

Kripa – you were jealous!

He came away from the door abruptly.

Angad – what the hell did you expect from me to be? But, hey I probably had no right. I mean it's not as though we're an old married couple or anything .

Kripa – no, why don't you try kissing me? She threw it down like a challenge, moving right up to him and staring into his tense face.

Anagd – why don't I? I'm not enough for you, am I kripa?

Kripa – I can't tell until you kiss me again .

Angad – do I look like a guy you can manipulate?

Kripa – manipulate? I don't know what that means! She was just so thrilled to see him and he didn't even know it.

Angad – of course you know what it means. Every beautiful woman knows that. I didn't aim for your love right off, kripa. I hoped love would come. But I thought I ahd your promise. That little letter you wrote me. It said you wanted to be my wife .

Kripa – well, you didn't take it seriously, did you? You haven't seen me for a month yet you can't even get around to kissing me.

Angad's strong arms trembled. He'd had enough of her mockery, sarcasm, whatever it was. This wasn't his kripa – what had happened to her? – but he still wanted this kripa madly, badly. He couldn't look at her without wanting her.

Kripa – go on, kiss me.

His face tightened into a bronze mask. He wanted to apy her back, yes he did. But he could never hurt her. It was the same old magic all over again. Magic that had the power to drain him of his bitter disappointment and anger. When he finally lifted his head, he saw radiance on her face, though her eyes remained shut.

Angad – kripa? Surely she couldn't kiss him like that and not love him?

Kripa – all right you've kissed me. Now tell me you love me.

Angad – I LOVE YOU. I want you to have my children. I'll love you until the day I die .

Kripa was trying her hardest not to cry. She sat up a little, holding his face between her hands.

Kripa – so why didn't u trust me?

Angad – (shook his head with regret) I will from now on I swear! But god, kripa it was understandable, don't you think? I came on the woman I love staring into another man's eyes like he ahd the answer to all life's problems. A young good looking guy who had his hand on your shoulder. We'll forget the fact both of you weren't wearing a lot of clothes .

Kripa – since when do you wear a lot of clothes when you go swimming, my darling? Haven't I rung you every night? Haven't I told you how much I missed you?

Angad – not enough apparently. I took off before I embarrassed myself and worse you.

Kripa – let's face it angad. You made a mistake. Had you waited I could have introduced you to my half brother kavya. When he heard about me, he decided on the spot he had to come home to meet me. He's only just arrived. I would have told you tonight.

Angad – your half brother?  If only he'd phoned ahead he would have been told and saved himself a lot of heartache.

Kripa – (pressed her lips to his throat) my half brother. I can't marry him but I can marry you.

Anagd – I apologise, a man in love isn't entirely sane .

Kripa – and I accept your apology. I can't believe you're here with me. About time too .

Angad – and your new family? you're sure you don't want to stay close to them? We go back to Mumbai, they'll be a long way away.

Kripa – they're not going out of my life, angad. Tha's not going to happen.

Angad – of course not. But you won't be able to see them on a daily basis or anything like that, there'll be just me.

Kripa – (took his hands in hers) I'm happy with that. Hey this reunion has been perfect, but my father and my half brothers have their own busy lives. Incidentally they all understand I love you. I've told them all about you. You have to meet them .

Anagd – what right now?

Kripa – no, not now (she pulled down his head and kissed him on his lips) but tonight for dinner. I can't wait to show you off. Besides, I haven't quite forgiven you yet. You still have some work to do.

Anagd – okay

Kripa – by the way we'd better get busy on our wedding plans.

Angad – as you say ma'am.

Kripa – there's a bit more. If we don't mamma and papa are going to beat us to it, wuld you believe? Mamma is still mamma, if you know what I mean.

Anagd – (smiled back at her) and kripa is still kripa (he murmured, starting to seriously make love to her)

This was a wonderful outcome to all his hopes and dreams. One lonely bush bachelor had found himself the perfect wife.