Part 15:

 

Still in deep slumber, Kripa shifted a little on the bed and turned to the other side for more space, but to her annoyance she couldn't move. Disturbed from her sleep, she groaned and opened her eyes forcefully, only to see a sleeping Angad beside her there bodies almost bound to each other making it difficult for her to move. Finding Angad so close, she jerked a little, her eyes still half closed. It was so compact. No wonder, the woman who has spent her last two year's night alone sleeping on a double bed would naturally suffocate to sleep with a large man that too on a single bed. Chuckling at the thought, she rubbed her eyes and turned again to look at the clock on bed-side table. 4:30 a.m. pretty much in senses now, she felt Angad's body against her. His temperature was more normal now. She was done with her duty. So what was the use of continuing with this 'humanity business' as Angad called it.

 

She tried to get up but couldn't. Something heavy was on her body. And for the first time she noticed how intimately she and Angad was sleeping. Evidently Kripa has slid down to his bed in sleep. She was sharing Angad's blanket which covered her completely now. Angad had his arms on her, around her waist. His face nuzzled against her neck. His leg has crawled on the top of Kripa's legs and god, were they heavy. If an outsider saw them like that, he would have definitely thought that they had made love the previous night. Love? But there was no love in this relation. S*x. Yes that's what it would have been. Something that Angad wanted in lieu of her freedom. The thought made her shudder and she had sudden urge of leaping out of the bed. Using all her strength, she managed to move him and get out of the bed.

 

Disturbed by the sunrays, Angad moaned and his hands impulsively reached for Kripa. Realizing the empty place beside him, Angad quickly opened his eyes to search for her. He looked around the room and saw Kripa sitting on her bed reading morning news paper. It was 6:30 am, he noticed.

 

Getting up with a little struggle, he sat on the bed. His body ached still but it was much better than last night. "I can see that u were pretty desperate to leave my side, anyways thanks for the favor. It would have been difficult for you." He remarked sarcastically without looking at her. Getting up, he walked towards bathroom without giving her a chance to say anything. She stared at him leaving, 'hopeless he was!'

 

Dressed in formal black business suit with Kripa, dressed in white beside him, Angad walked downstairs to join the business gathering going on in the hall, at the bottom of stairs. Angad moved his gaze around and caught the glimpse of many familiar faces. One of these familiar faces walked to him, a young and lively gentleman.

 

"Ah…Angad khanna. Finally you are here. I was pretty missing you actually. And who is this beautiful lady. Your secretary?" he said cunningly and held Kripa's hand to kiss it.

"And wife." Angad added sternly. Then facing Kripa, he added, "I want you to meet with some associates." He walked away grabbing her hand.

 

He took her to a rich looking elderly woman, "Mrs. Jones." He called out.

"Oh Angad. Glad to meet you." She remarked cheerfully.

"Me too. Meet my wife and assistant, Kripa." He said.

"Beautiful girl, you are Kripa." She said touching her cheeks, "but you look pale and tired Angad." She added observing him closely.

"Yes actually, I had a little fever." Angad said guiltily.

"Boy you couldn't look after you. But how would you do the presentation now." He asked in concern.

"No…no I am alright, really." Angad said convincingly.

"But I don't think so. I would suggest to have some one else to do your presentation. What about Kripa. I am sure she can do it efficiently." She remarked.

"NO…I can't do it. I will mess it up." Kripa said vigorously.

"Of course…u will be able to." Angad said looking at her confidently, "she will do it." He added for the lady.

 

"Why the hell did you agree Angad? Do you want to humiliate yourself?" Kripa demanded in rage.

 

"I am not embarrassed by you Kripa and I will never be. And of all the people, u r the one I can trust on with it. All you have to do is read out my presentation file." Angad tried to encourage her as she stared at the floor nervously. Angad made her look up, by lifting her head with his finger, "you will do it well, Kripa. I promise." He said assurance flickering from his eyes.

 

 

 

 

They all gathered in the presentation auditorium, as everyone prepared themselves for it. Kripa cringed at the thought of going on the stage and face such an intelligent audience. After four presentations, Kripa's turn came. She gathered herself and climbed on the stage as elegantly as possible. She looked at every one nervously, and saw Angad showing thumbs up to her. Taking a heavy breath, she opened the file and started off. The nervousness washed off once she started and came in flow.

 

She looks so beautiful and elegant, Angad thought. He could feel the men in the hall, looking at her spellbound and appreciatively. The feeling gave him a certain pride, made him smile mindlessly.   

 

 

Angad and Kripa walked in the room, fairly exhausted. Angad dumped himself on the bed while Kripa sat in front of dressing table.

She was removing her make-up when she saw Angad staring at her in the mirror. He moved his gaze away on seeing Kripa noticing him.

 

"When will we go back?" Kripa asked suddenly making Angad to look up.

 

"Tomorrow early morning." He replied shortly.

 

"I want to go back today." Kripa added.

 

"Its already 6' o clock Kripa. We will go tomorrow." He said not looking at her.

 

"But I don't want to spend another night here." she said avoiding to look at his face.

 

No reply. After a short pause Angad spoke again, "we will leave in one hour."

 

Angad drove pretty roughly on the way back. Not a single break or stop. They stopped directly in front of Kripa's hotel. It was midnight and there was silence around them. They moved out and Angad took out Kripa's luggage, not saying a single word. Kripa grabbed her bag and waited for him to say something. When he did not, she shrugged and started walking towards hotel.

 

"Happy anniversary." She heard him saying from a distance.

She turned around to look at him, wide-eyed. But unfortunately, without a single word more, he got in his car and drove away.

 

She saw his car fading away. Coming back from her trance, she looked at her watch. 12:05 am. Today was their anniversary. No, not marriage one. But when they met for the first time. And he remembered.

 

 

 

 

My apologies…for delay and for boring prt.