Chapter 23

Numera

@Numera*

Chapter 22

             The gang has a long weekend and their parents are going out of town to Bangalore, for yet another wedding! However, this time the kids aren't going to be dragged along because Angad and Kripa have to take care of the office on Saturday for them. Their parents will be leaving early Saturday morning and arriving back late Monday night. As per the parent's instructions all the kids will be staying at the Khanna House, to keep a look out for each other and the competent girls would be able to feed the useless boys as well, not to mention keep each other out of trouble along with providing company. They find out all this information, when the parents along with Angad and Kripa return home from their business party.

             On Saturday, after their parents left for the airport, Angad and Kripa go to the office early in the morning. That is something that Angad definitely hated, getting up in the morning. Kavya, Kripa, and Prachi have brought their belongings for the rest of the long weekend right after their parents took off. Kripa runs up to Angad's room and knocks, but gets no response. She turns the knob and finds Angad cutely sleeping on his bed in his PJ's without a shirt. She watches his chest rise and fall. He looks completely adorable. She walks over to him and crouches on the floor near his face. Her arm rises to move the strands in his face, but quickly stops herself noticing what she is doing. Instead she screams, "ANGAD!!!!!!!" He wakes up with a start, and gets really angry seeing Kripa laughing at him. His anger soon vanishes as he sees her innocence. Kripa sees Angad is awake and darts out the room saying, "HURRY UP ANGAD!" Angad slowly comes out his trance and makes his way to the bathroom.

             Within half and hour Angad comes down looking sexy in his white suit with a black shirt along with a black necklace. He stares at Kripa, who is wearing a white skirt and black top with a silver necklace. Kripa looks at Angad and says, "Why is it that we always seem to match!" Angad replies, "Cuz we think alike sweetheart, now come on or we will be late." When they arrive, Angad and Kripa get straight to work. They have loads of files to look through and countless contracts to sign. Kripa leaves the room to fax some important documents.  Angad and Kripa also spend hours creating a presentation for a business proposal for their fathers to present. It has been a long day for both Angad and Kripa, while Angad occasionally finds himself staring at Kripa. They finish around 9 p.m. by now totally exhausted. Everyone else has already left the office already since office hours on Saturday are quite short. Angad decides it would be best to finish up their work for Sunday as well so they could relax tomorrow with out tension from business.

             While making their way towards Angad's car Kripa says, "Angad all work and no play doesn't make me happy!!" She feels really stressed out and just wants to relax. Angad likes the sound of that and then gets an idea. Angad and Kripa sit in the car and he starts driving only Kripa notices they weren't exactly going in the direction of home. She finally asks, "Umm Angad where are we going?" Angad smiles, "Well you said all work and no play doesn't make my Krips happy sooooo…here we are" Angad parks the car and Kripa looks in front asking, "The beach?" Angad replies softly, "Mhmm, you wanted to relax right, so here we are…" Kripa is totally surprised because she had said she isn't happy, but she didn't mean she wanted to go somewhere. She loves the fact that he brought her here to such a beautiful location because it will relax her and he knows her all too well. Kripa gets out the car slowly and notices the beautiful waves brushing up on shore. The sound of the water is so harmonious to Kripa. She feels so calm and at peace. She stood there with her arms outstretched taking in the beautiful scene, welcoming the wind with open arms. Angad takes off his white jacket and sits on his hood for a few moments looking at Kripa. Angad slowly makes his way towards her, who stood at the deserted beach.

Angad and Kripa walk around the beach without their shoes, feeling the wet sand between their toes in complete silence. Angad thinks back to the last time they came to the beach; a smile comes across his face remembering how Kripa was under his spell. He knows if he wanted he could get Kripa to do anything because he is starting to have that effect on her as well, however, she isn't one of those girls, she is the love of his life and he would one day make her realize she loves him as much as he loves her. Kripa also remembers their closeness at the beach and blushes thinking about their proximity. His question still wanders in her mind from time to time, you sure you're not in love with me? That day she never gave a response, she was just really confused with Angad's behavioral change. Never in the past 20 years she had she seen Angad's romantic side used on her before. Sure there was the occasional flirting, but this is not just flirting anymore. Kripa has been feeling really attracted towards Angad. She has always thought he is hot enough to make any girl melt, but she never dreamed she would be one of those girls.

Kripa eventually looks towards Angad and asks, "Can we sit for a while." Angad nods his head in agreement and then both sit watching the waves come onto shore. They both sit down not minding sitting on the sand in their business attire because of their majestic surroundings. It is truly enchanting with the clear deep blue sky along with the brilliant twinkling stars. They both lie down and look up at the sky. The breeze is so inviting and playful. There is silence between them, yet it isn't awkward. It is just so perfect and completely relaxing after a hard day at work. Kripa turns to her side and sees a cute little crab slowly moving on the sand. Kripa grins widely and picks it up and put it on Angad's hand. The crab then clasps its claw onto Angad's finger and he screams murder, "AHHHHHHHHHH! KRIPA!!!" Kripa starts laughing really hard pounding on the sand below while Angad starts dancing around trying to shake off the crab. After it falls, Kripa gets up and starts running while sticking her tongue out at him. Angad starts running after her more amused then angry. Come on, Angad angry at Kripa, NO WAY! Though that stupid crab's claw hurt Angad like crap, but he is just so happy with Kripa, being in love, and with his life. It was such a great feeling, being in love, in love with his best friend.

Angad catches up to Kripa and picks her up from her legs and threw her over his shoulder carrying her out to shore. She is screaming on top of her lungs, "ANGAD PUT ME DOWN" while hitting his back repeatedly.  Angad is having a hard time walking with a feisty yet determined Kripa. Angad smirks, "As you wish…" He is about to throw Kripa in the water but slips and Kripa falls on the sand, followed by Angad on top of her. They are both laughing until they notice their closeness. The only sounds heard are those of heavy breathing and the waves.  The water crashes into them, soaking them completely, but their eyes continue to look towards each other. Water drips from both their faces as they look deeply into each others eyes. Angad looks at Kripa's face surrounded with water droplets, and then notices the ones on her gorgeous pink lips. Kripa looks at Angad noticing his messy hair in his eyes dripping wet. Angad looks longingly into her eyes with fiery passion, which is unnerving to even Kripa. She wants to look away, yet can't seem to move her head away from him. Angad draws closer to Kripa, looking onto her lips with desire. He moves closer and rubs his lips onto hers for a moment and then finally claims her lips as his. It is so gentle, so soft, so pure. Yes, it was Angad who initiated the slow kiss because he knows he is in love and he can see the love clearly visible in her eyes, if not love then at least intense feelings. He knows she is too stubborn to admit to herself, she loves him because their friendship means much more to her. And he is right; their friendship is important to her and didn't want to lose it at any cost. She is scared because they were so close to losing each other twice, but somehow managed to find their way back to each other, now she feels that they might not get a third chance.

She is crumbling at his touch; her wall of resistance starts to slowly break down as Angad deepens the kiss. She brings up her arms, whether to bring him closer or push him away, she is still deciding. Kripa moves her hand through his wet hair pulling him closer. Kripa knows she shouldn't have kissed him back, but kissing Angad makes her feel on top of the world and makes her forget everything else. It makes her remember the only person that matters, Angad Khanna. He wants to break down all barriers that cause Kripa to stay so reserved with him. He wants to make her his by making her accept his love, but he there is so much at stake. It isn't just the fear of rejection, but also their friendship. What would become of them, he didn't know.