HauntingâŚâŚCh. 20
Angad made his way back to the front door of the Hospital, his feet heavy with despair! His heart twisted in agony, he could imagine what Kripa was thinking, that he had duped her, used her!
He had delayed telling her about his engagement and she found out in the worst possible manner. He cursed Kanan for coming at the wrong moment, he was going to tell Kripa today but nowâŚ.now it was too late!
When he saw Kanan and Anitah lapping up the limelight, preening and gushing in front of the Press, his lips thinned in anger, his brows dark as thunder.
LETS GO NOW! ..he curtly ordered the two girls and marched forward. He pushed roughly through the crowd of reporters, his face set in hard lines.
They shoved mikes in his face, he thrust them away furiously, angry with them, angry with himself.
Inspector Khanna, aap shadi kab kar rahey hain?
Aap Kanan jee ko kabsey jaantey hain?
John ka koi khabar mila? Police usey dhoondney ke liye kya kar rahi hai?
Miss Kripa kahan chali gayi? Kya wo bhi Tina se milney aayi thi ya apna ilaaj karaney?
ENOUGH! âŚAngad finally burst out at them. MUJHEY JO KEHNA THA MAINEY KEH DIYA! NOW LET US THROUGH!
The startled crowd made way for the enraged detective and his female companions. He strode angrily to his jeep and got in, Kanan sat beside him, Anitah in back seat. He revved the engine harshly and drove off with a furious screech of tires, leaving the dust rising on the road behind him!
He drove silently while Kanan and Anitah chatted incessantly about the reporters's questions, excited at the prospect of being in the newspapers and on TV.
He didn't listen to their excited chatter, brooding deeply, tortured thoughts swirling in his pounding head:
Its all my fault, I should have told her right away that I was engaged! I am a coward! I hurt her terribly! I HAVE TO talk to her! I have to explain why I was afraid to tell her, because I didn't want to lose her, because I love her!
I have to see her right now!
He drove his fiancee and sister straight to his modest little bungalow and tersely showed them their quarters, a guest room with a double bed.
Make yourself comfortable! Geyser is in the other bathroom.
Kanan studied his modest home and furnishings with disdain.
She condescendingly said: Not Bad, Angad! But I bet you will get a bigger house when they make you DSP, right?
Angad hardly paid attention to her critical tone, his mind and thoughts centred on Kripa.
He curtly nodded, then told her and Anitah: I have to go on duty now. I will be late, don't wait up for me. Fridge mein khana pada hai, Ramlaal ko bhej doonga, jo dinner chahiye ussey banvaa lena.
He strode out of the door without a backward glance at Kanan.
Anitah giggled: I think hes mad at us for coming here without warning. Kanan, did u see how angry he was? Youre in trouble, Babes!
Kanan narrowed her eyes maliciously: Don't worry, Babes! I know how to handle him! He cant say no to me! I AM his fiancee after all!
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Aliyah heard it through the grapevine. It was all over town, how Detective Khanna's fiancee and sister had turned up and given interview to reporters. Harshini's cousin, who worked for the town paper called her up while they were all sitting in the staff room on lunch break.
Harshini excitedly relayed it to the other teachers: Guess what I heard just now? Our town hero Detective Khanna is ENGAGED! His fiancee just arrived from Shimla, she gave interviews to the Press at the Hospital. His sister was also with her.
WHATT? WHAT DID U SAY? HES ENGAGED? Aliyah stood up in consternation.
YEAH! Why are YOU so shocked? Harshini asked her, puzzled at her reaction.
Sheetal drawled cattily : Don't tell me you fancied the Hunky detective? I don't blame you! Hes HOT! But as they say, all the hot men are either married or engaged or GAY!âŚshe tittered annoyingly.
Aliyah was pale, thoughts of Kripa rushing through her mind. OH NO! Angad is engaged? Why didn't he ever mention this? That *******! He was playing with Kripa's feelings! OH NO! Poor Kripa! As it is shes recovering from an injury, and to get this terrible shock! I have to go to her!
She picked up her bag and handed her gym keys to Harshini, requesting in a low voice : Harshie, I have to go home. Kripa needs medicines from the pharmacy, I have to pick them up. Can u cover gym for me? Just make the girls play dodgeball. Can you do that?
Harshini agreed at once: Of course! No problem, I can handle that! You go and take care of Kripa. How is she?
Aliyah looked grim: I hope shes alright, I really hope she isâŚ
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Her suspicions were proved right. Kripa had heard! When she reached home, Kripa was shuttered in her bedroom.
Aliyah knocked on the door: Kripa, are you in there, Hun?
There was no reply.
She knocked again: Kripa, open the door. I want to talk to you!
Still no answer, no sound from the bedroom. Aliyah got worried. She knew how sensitive and emotional her friend was! She started banging on the door: KRIPA, OPEN UP! ARE YOU ALRIGHT? PLEASE, YAAR, OPEN THE DOOR!
The door finally opened, Kripa stood there, wearing a dressing gown. Her eyes were puffy and red, her face swollen, her hair wet and dripping. She was shivering slightly, looked feverish.
OH MY GOD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO YOURSELF! Aliyah exclaimed and pulled her into the room. She touched Kripa's forehead. It was burning hot!
MY GOD, KRIPA! Tumhey toh bukhaar hai! Come here at once and dry your hair!
Aliyah made her sit down on a chair, grabbed a towel and dried her hair vigorously, raging and ranting all the while: THAT PIG! THAT RASCAL! HE FOOLED YOU, DIDN'T HE? HE WILL REGRET IT! THAT SCUMBAG! HE LED YOU ON! HE WILL GO TO HELL!
Kripa had thought all her tears were spent after crying for the last 2 hours but she was mistaken. The rivulets started flowing again, an endless stream of misery, of heartbreak. She sobbed quietly as Aliyah dried her hair with a hair dryer.
Aliyah ceased her ranting, suddenly aware of Kripa's shaking shoulders, and lifted her wet face, with concern and anger: Don't cry for him, Hun! Hes not worth it! Hes a scoundrel ! He doesn't deserve your love! You are wonderful, you are lovable! We all love you! You don't need him!
Kripa flung her arms around her friend and cried her heart out. Aliyah let her cry, patting her back, uttering soothing words, her own eyes tearing up with her friend's pain. She knew what heartbreak was, she had suffered the same in college. Her boyfriend had cheated on her with another girl.
Finally Kripa withdrew, hiccuping slightly, her face ravaged with tears. Aliyah wiped her face gently with the towel and led her to the bed.
Now you rest right here! I am going to heat up some chicken soup for you! Then you will take your medicine and go to sleep.
Kripa let Aliyah take care of her like a clucking mother-hen. She was too emotionally drained, too exhausted to do or say anything. Aliyah heated up some packaged soup for her.
She sat at the table like a pale ghost, eating like a robot, with Aliyah coaxing her to empty the bowl: Come on, Kripa! Eat up, you need strength to fight the fever.
Suddenly the main door opened. Angad stepped in and froze at the door, staring at Kripa sitting at the small dining table, her face swollen and sickly, ravaged by tears. His heart twisted painfully and hammered loudly in his chest. A myriad of emotions flitted across his rugged face, anxiety, pain, regret, apology.
Kripa stood up with a jerk, her bowl smashing on the wood floor with a loud crash. Her whole body trembled and shook to see HIM! Her first love, her pain, her deceiver!
Aliyah gasped with shock, then her face darkened with fury, outrage.
Angad stepped forward, a hand extended, a half cry on his lips: KripaaaâŚ.
She knocked over her chair and ran to her bedroom with a gasping sob and slammed the door shut.
Angad cried out: KRIPAAA! ..rushing after her, but Aliyah was swift and agile. She blocked the door, with a hard, furious look.
STOP RIGHT THERE! YOU CAN'T GO IN!
Angad stretched out his hand to shove her aside impatiently: Aliyah! Move aside! I have to talk to her. KRIPA, PLEASE WE HAVE TO TALK.
Aliyah swiped his hand away : SHE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU! NOW LEAVE!
He took a deep breath to control his impatience: Aliyah, I am asking you to move aside. I must talk to her, explain everything.
EXPLAIN? EXPLAIN WHAT? THAT YOU WERE ENGAGED ALL THIS TIME AND JUST PLAYING WITH HER EMOTIONS? THAT POOR SOUL GAVE YOU HER HEART AND YOU DECEIVED HER?
Angad reddened with guilt, glancing away: Yes, I admit, mujhsey galti huyi hai but I didn't want to hurt her!
SHUT UP, YOU LIAR! DON'T TRY TO TURN IT AROUND! YOU WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER, SO U DIDN'T TELL HER, ISNT THAT TRUE?
NAHIN! YEH JHOOTH HAI! MAIN USEY AAJ BATANEY WALA THA!âŚhis hard face was crimson with anger and protest.
Aliyah sneered with disdain: Aaj bataney waley the? Kab? Apney fiancee ke aaney ke baad?
His jaw clenched with determination: Now look here, Aliyah! This is between me and Kripa! Move aside and let me talk to her!
NO I WON'T! I HAVE TO PROTECT MY FRIEND! I PROMISED HER PARENTS TO LOOK AFTER HER SAFETY! HOW DARE YOU COME HERE AFTER LYING AND DECEIVING HER?
I DIDN'T DECEIVE HER! âŚ.
NO, YOU JUST CONVENIENTLY "FORGOT" TO TELL HER U ARE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED! YOU LET HER FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU SO YOU COULDâŚ..
Aliyah stopped for breath, then continued: SO YOU COULD SEDUCE HER! NO WONDER THEY SAY MEN ARE PIGS! ESPECIALLY YOU COPS! ALL PIGS!
Angad's fist clenched, his eyes blazed with fury! He had never hit a woman in his whole life but he was sorely tempted.
NOW LOOK HERE, ALIYAH! MEREY RAASTEY SE HATT JAAO! I HAVE TO SEE KRIPAâŚ
She reared up: NO! YOU GET OUT OF HERE! I'M WARNING YOU, STAY AWAY FROM KRIPA! OR ELSEâŚ.
OR ELSE I WILL REPORT TO YOUR SUPERIORS THAT U ARE HARASSING KRIPA!
Angad was too shocked at the accusation to retort. He knew Aliyah was in earnest and would report him for sure.
He still tried once more, raising his voice to reach her ears: KRIPAAâŚ.CAN YOU HEAR ME? PLEASE TALK TO ME! MAIN TUMHEY BATANA CHAHTA THA LEKIN DARTA THAâŚ.TUMHEY KHONAY SE DARTA THAâŚ.PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! I LOVE YOUâŚI WAS AFRAID OF LOSING YOUâŚ
OHH PUH-LEEZ! LOVE??? THOSE WORDS DON'T SUIT YOU! Aliyah mocked him. WHY DON'T YOU GO BACK TO YOUR FIANCEE AND TELL HER THOSE WORDS! IF YOU "LOVE" KRIPA, THEN BREAK OFF UR ENGAGEMENT AND COME HERE.
Angad gave her a tortured look, he was caught between love and duty. He knew Kripa would understand his dilemna and forgive him. But he should get a chance to talk to her first and this virago wouldn't let him!
He tried to circumvent her, looking grim and determined: Aliyah, let me talk to her, Im telling you one last timeâŚ.
NAHIN TOH KYA KAR LOGAY? OHH I FORGOT! YOU ARE A COP! YOU CAN ARREST ME! YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE TO KRIPA, RIGHT? ISNT THAT A COP'S REPUTATION?
ALIYAH!âŚ.his hand rose in fury, disgusted by her accusations.
YOU WANT TO HIT ME? GO AHEAD! MY COUSIN IS A LAWYER! HE WILL HAVE A FIELD DAY GETTING YOUR BADGE!
Angad closed his eyes in defeat, his hand fell to his side. He had lost! Aliyah would protect her friend with her life, Kripa wont talk to him or even see his face! He had lost her.
He retreated slowly and left the house, with Aliyah looking triumphantly after him.
Kripa lay on her bed, shivering, trembling with ague! She heard them fight outside her door. She could hear his deep voice, pleading with her to talk to him, begging her to listenâŚ.
She whispered to herselfâŚ.nahin, aur nahin, Buss! Bahut badey khiladi ho tum, bahut dhokha khaya hai mainey, ab aur nahin! Go away, Angad, go awayâŚ.leave me aloneâŚ.
Zindagi mein kabhie koi aaye naa Rabba
Aye jo kabhie toh phir jaye naa Rabba
Deney ho gar mujhey baad mein aansoo
Toh pehley koi hansaye naa Rabba...
She pulled her pillow over her head, stuffing her ears closed, shut her eyes tightly, shutting his voice out of her head, trying to shut him out of her life.
She huddled into a ball of misery, her knees pulled up to her chest, shaking, shivering.
She fell asleep like that out of exhaustion and fever. Aliyah came in later and covered her with a comforter. She gritted her teeth at her friend's condition and wished she was a man so she could have punched that detective till his nose bled!
Angad wasn't in a right state of mind for Police work. He didn't go to the Police Station all day. He drove around aimlessly, out of town, his wheels automatically taking him to the forest which had brought them together.
He parked at the edge of the forest, remembering their first night in the jeep, her lovely face in slumber, her beautiful dark eyes mesmerizing him on first sight, those lipsâŚ.. he remembered that shack where they had spent that magical night, their first kiss! His heart ached for her, his lips thirsted for hers!
KripaaâŚ..he groaned, clasped his forehead and let the tears flow. The rough and tough Detective had turned into a Devdas after all!
Love had made even the legendary Samson weak! Love can be a strength and a weakness. In his case, it was weakness.
Aliyah's accusations burned in his head! It was true, he had hurt Kripa terribly! He had deceived her by not telling her about Kanan.
I am a coward, a coward! He hit his head on the steering wheel, cursing himself for hurting her, for delaying the truth. I have lost her! How will I live without seeing her everyday? Its all my fault, my fault! He chanted and banged his head repeatedly till his head hurt.
Kripa...please forgive me...I hurt you very deeply. I was so afraid to lose you, I didnt want to lose u....
Haan Judai se darta hai dil
Maut se toh main darta nahin
Aur darta toh sun le sanam
Sun le sanam
Pyaar tujhsey main karta nahin
Pyaar tujhsey main karta nahin....
He returned home very late at night, to avoid facing Kanan.
But his cunning fiancee was still awake, her ears pricked for the sound of his jeep. Anitah was fast asleep, snoring softly. Kanan creeped out of bed and met Angad at the door.
Ohh, Angad, tum wapas aa gaye? Main kabsey tumhari raah dekh rahi hoon! she simpered like a wife.
Angad grunted in reply and took off his leather jacket, tossing it on the couch. She picked it up at once, acting the perfect housewife.
Bahut thak gaye kya? Khaana garam karoon?
Main khaakar aayaâŚ.he lied automatically. He felt sick to his stomach.
Her fawning attentions were making him more sick.
He sat down on the couch and stretched out his long legs, resting his head backwards tiredly. His muscled chest stretched out his shirt buttons. Kanan sat down beside him at once, touching him, snuggling up to him.
Awww Honey, you look so tired! Should I make coffee for the two of us?
Angad agreed, perhaps coffee would make the pounding in his head go away.
Kanan rushed to the kitchen to make coffee. Angad was almost asleep when she brought two mugs of dark, extremely strong coffee.
She woke him up and handed him a mug. He took a sip and grimaced. Kanan was no cook for sure. She was a spoiled army brat, had an "army" of servants at home to cater to her needs. But she was trying to be nice so he would humor her.
Thanks! Its good!âŚhe lied again.
Kanan moved closer to him and gave him an arch look: Angad, are you mad at us for coming here?
He shrugged, not looking at her: I wish you would have informed me before coming.
She pouted in complaint: Kaisey inform karti? You're always telling me not to come. But I was missing you, Honey!
She cuddled his brawny arm and tried to kiss him. He moved away, completely turned off by her amorous efforts.
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. He seemed different, as if some war was raging in his mind.
Whats the matter, Angad? Don't you love me? âŚshe mocked him slightly.
He couldn't even say those 3 words as a lie : Kanan, Ive had a long day! Im tired!
Isnt that a woman's line, Honey? âŚshe said sarcastically.
Angad turned to look at her sternly: Dekho Kanan, I don't know why you came here all of a sudden but you should remember to honor our families. Hamari abhi shadi nahin huyi and this is not right. Tum jaakar so jaaoâŚ.
Kanan flinched at his rejection. Her face turned red with outrage: I came all the way here and this is the reception I get? FINE! I am leaving tomorrow!
He felt such a wave of relief that it took him by surprise! Did he really dislike her so much now? How would he marry her and spend his life with her?
Tum raho ya jaao, tumhari marzi!âŚhe shrugged nonchalantly and got up from the couch.
Goodnight, Kanan. Jaao, jaakar so jaaoâŚ..
He strode in to his bedroom, leaving Kanan fuming after him in silent fury.
Huh! He wont get rid of me so easily! I will stay here till the Town Hall Ceremony at least. He will get a bravery award and I will attend it with him! I wont miss all that excitement for the world!
But Angad has changed for sure! He wasn't like this before! Im sure something is on his mind! I have to find out what it is!
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