Part 11:

 

"Whoa….he kissed you again. That's kinda fast. Looks like he couldn't keep his hands off you." Aamna said laughing, as she took another sip from her coffee.

"Oh stop it, ammu. God, here I am in such a mess. And my friend is laughing instead of helping me out." Kripa said, throwing her hands up.

 

"Ok sorry." Aamna apologized still trying to conceal her smile. "Well if u don't like it, just push him away or tell him to lay his hands some where else."

 

Kripa knew she will never say the last part of the statement, what if took it too seriously. Ignoring the feeling she said, "But he does it all so unexpectedly, that I don't even get time to think. He makes me feel so miserable and …used. I hate the feeling."

"Well u have to be more self-possessed then, don't allow him to dictate you." Aamna said placing her hand on Kripa's hand. Kripa just bowed her head in response.

 

In order to change the topic of discussion Aamna decided talk about something else, "Well by the way, are u bringing someone along for the farewell party of Mr. Rutherford" she said drinking the last drop of her coffee.

 

"I don't know…I'll go alone I think." She said shrugging her shoulders.

"Kripa, its going to be one hell of a large party, all his relatives, staff of various branches of our company in which Mr. Rutherford has served, business associates, god knows how many people will be there. I would suggest u to bring someone along. Ask Prithvi. I am sure he will be more than willing to accompany you." Aamna said.

What about Angad, who is he taking along. Kripa wanted to ask, but decided not to.

Aamna, as if reading her mind said, "Angad is going with some one called Rebecca Cowley. She is a young widow, as per Rajeev."

 

"A hot young widow actually." Rajeev said entering the room and taking a seat beside his wife.

Aamna threw an angry glare at him and smacked his arm. The very next moment, in an instant reaction, Rajeev wrapped his arms around Aamna and pecked her lips "after you that is." 

Kripa looked at them in appreciation and sighed to herself, beautiful and perfect, just the way he dreamt for herself and Angad.

 

"How do you know about her?" Kripa asked in an obvious curiosity, kicking herself mentally a moment later for displaying her interest in matters associated with Angad.

"I met her actually, once, in a mall. She was with Angad…" Rajeev continued till Aamna elbowed him and eyed him to stop. Kripa tried to look unaffected.

 

"Anything serious u think." Aamna asked, again as if reading Kripa's mind.

"Nah…there are just like that. After sharing warmth of a soft lady like Kripa, a man could never get into a relationship with a cold woman like her." He said in an obvious tone.

 

"I see…lets go Kripa, we need to go shopping." Aamna said and in an expertise move took out Rajeev's wallet, picked out his credit card and walked away grabbing Kripa's hand without giving her husband time to respond.

 

 

After going through more than a dozen dresses already, Aamna finally picked out a sex* black dress for Kripa, "gosh, u will look like a dynamite in this dress. Now, Mr. Khanna will know that this soft lady could look killer as well" She said and forced Kripa to buy it. 

 

Kripa waited outside her hotel for Prithvi to pick her up. As soon as Prithvi stepped out of his car, the glory of the hotel dazed him. Kripa smiled seeing Prithvi spell bound by the hotel's exterior. She called out his name and his gaze transferred to her, leaving him spell bound for the second time. She was looking gorgeous. Actually, more than that. Dressed in a black halter neck dress that was a little above her knees and was cut on one side up to her thighs, she had a beautiful sparkling shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

 

They met the khandelwal couple on the entrance of the venue itself. Aamna dragged Kripa inside leaving men to chat away there time. "God, my dynamite ready to explode." She winked at her while passing through the hall. Aamna herself dressed in a turquoise gown looked elegant. They went to attendant and handed there shawls to the attendant who kept it securely along with others. Kripa, aware of the looks she was getting, walked consciously realizing almost every men in the grand party was staring at her. Her eyes searched for that familiar face, she finally spotted him chatting away with Mr. Rutherford. Unfortunately, the kind old man noticed her and signaled her to come to them. As she moved closer, she noticed the woman beside Angad, beautiful and rich, her looks commanded it all.

 

Mr. Rutherford pecked her cheek in affection and said, "you r looking dazzling, dear. Isn't it Angad." He asked turning towards him. Angad saw her head to toe, and stared in her eyes for few seconds before turning his head away, coldness and disapproval written on his face. Disappointed, Kripa excused herself and traced her way back to where Prithvi was standing alone. She felt sorry for leaving him all alone in the party.

 

The old man climbed on a platform with his wife as everybody in the hall applauded him. Giving his little farewell cum thank you speech, he said at the last, "and lastly I want to thank my lovely wife for her support through out. Sorry honey for not giving u the time u deserved but I promise to make it up in remaining years of my life." He said and pecked his wife's lips softly. The words made Kripa look at Angad, and there eyes met. Kripa realized that he was looking at her as well; she moved her face to the other side instantly.

 

Most men of the party were engaged with there drinks and some political or business conversation. Few couples were swaying on the slow music of the orchestra on the dance floor. Kripa stood tired and bored in a corner, after turning down about 6 offers of dances already. She was lost in her random thoughts when a voice hailed her.

A young man, came up to her, "Do u know u r beautiful, young lady?" Kripa mouthed thanks and turned to other side, but to her bad luck three other guys blocked her view.

 

"Hey Jason, who is this gorgeous lady." One of them asked to the man that was already present. The continued to compliment her with few mischievous remarks here and there, but there eyes lingered over her body pausing occasionally on her curves. Kripa, feeling nervous due to there greedy stare, looked out for Prithvi for support. He was at a distance, talking away with some random blonde. If it wasn't for party, she would have scolded them off but the strong smell of alcohol dripping from there bodies that has even overpowered there strong deo told her that few harsh words were not enough for them to get through. And she was not willing to create a scene.

 

"Will u like to have a dance?" one of them asked wickedly and stretched his hand to reach hers. Out of fright, Kripa tried to back off when, all of a sudden she felt a strong arm around her shoulder. She looked up to see Angad beside her, with that go-to-hell kind of look on his face.

"Well I am sure she would love to. But we are in little hurry. So if u please excuse me and my wife…" he said sternly and escorted her out, his arms still secured around her, closely and protectively. She looked up to see his expressions…as stiff as ever that made her shiver for a moment.

He practically dragged her to a lady, "sorry Rebecca, I have to go…some emergency. I'll call up driver for u…he will be here soon." Saying this he walked away with her to other end of hall, and without her telling him found her shawl from a bunch of shawls. Shoving it on her, he brought her out of the party, his arms still around her.

He stopped in front of his car and finally let her off. Kripa, her head bowed, allowed a tear to slid down her face leaning against car's bonnet. Angad frowned and said, "Now why the heck is this for. With that kind of clothes what do you expect from those rascals? Get in the car. We are leaving, now." He said and helped her to sit in the car. Then he drove off from there, with full speed.

 

 

Not much AK…I know…it may b boring. Now if u haven't figured out, Angad had been watching Kripa from the start, dats y he recognized her shawl…and remember Angad is a husband…so like typical Indian men he doesn't like his wife dressed boldly. Comment.