Part 1 Flashback Begins: 6 months earlier! Its a hot, muggy morning in early August. Monsoons had arrived in Kolkata but instead of bringing relief from the scorching heat of summer, it had made the air humid and oppressive. A quiet, residential street in New Alipur, an upper middle-class neighbourhood in South Kolkata. Kripa Bose, 20 years old, a 2nd year History student of Lady Brabourne College, came out of the gates of Bose Lodge, a big, 2-storied old mansion built in the early 20th century. It was the oldest house in the neighbourhood and everybody around knew the Bose family as it was one of the oldest families in New Alipur. Kripa's Father ShurjoShekhor belonged to the illustrious old lineage of the famous Boses of Bokulbagan. His grandfather had moved to South Kolkata in the 1920s and built this house with money he earned from exporting jewellery to the Royal family of Nepal! Shurjo himself worked as a manager in State Bank of India and spent most of his salary maintaining and repairing his ancestral home which needed frequent TLC due to age and wear and tear resulting from Kolkata's humid atmosphere. Its red walls were covered with moss and creepers and the pillars supporting the car-porch in front of the driveway had peeling walls. It was the only house in the area with a well-sized garden which Shurjo himself maintained with his loving hands and with the help of an old Maali (gardener) who came in once a week! Kripa was the only child of Shurjo and his wife Gayatri who belonged to the Ghosh family of Shyambajar. She was a petite, pretty, fair-skinned girl with long black hair reaching her elbows, which she mostly plaited or pinned in a bun on hot days like these. This morning, she was wearing a cool, crisp white chikon salwar-kameez with a red bandhni dupatta, with her hair tied up in a bun and a thin gold bangle on her slim wrist. She wore little makeup as her lovely skin had a natural glow and her naturally pink lips didn't need lipstick. A big leather satchel with her college notebooks hung on her shoulder and she held a large metal box in her hand as she walked briskly to the house next door which was a new, modern 3-storied house. The house next door had a nameplate that read : KHANNA HOUSE. The Khannas had moved to that house 3 years ago. The family consisted of Debjani Khanna (Debjani Chatterjee before her marriage) and her 2 sons, Dilip and Divyendu (Debu) Khanna with their wives Naina and Shibani. Her only daughter Damini was married in the Chaudhury family of Bhowanipur and had a daughter Anita, 21 and a son, Manek. Dilip had a thriving legal practice, mainly dealing with property cases and inheritence settlements, but they also handled criminal cases as and when needed. He had an office on the ground floor of his house and a posh Legal office in Camac Street too. Soon after the Khannas moved in, Debjani discovered that Gayatri Bose next door was the daughter of her childhood friend Saudamini from Shyambajar! She opened her house and heart to the family next door and the two families got very close in the last 3 years! Debjani became very fond of 17 year-old Kripa who started visiting them daily, as her Dida (as she called Debjani) wanted her to come everyday for Morning Puja and sometimes even in evenings when she didn't have too much college work. Harshini was very fond of her Kripa Didi too, she loved to get her hair done by Kripa Di and chatted with her non-stop about her school friends and favorite TV shows. Kripa rang the bell at the big house next door. Bishwanath, an old man-servant who had worked for the Khanna family for 15 years, opened the door. Kripa asked him with a smile: Bishuda, Dida kahan hain? She left her satchel near the door and ran up the wide stairs to the lavish Puja room on the 2nd Floor. The smell of burning incense and fragrant flowers filled the entire floor. Debjani Khanna, stately and still beautiful in her 70s, sat in a crisp white sari in front of myriad Gods and Goddesses, on a colorful rug spread on the marble floor. She was arranging prashad and fresh flowers on silver and bronze platters for dedicating to the Gods. She looked up as Kripa entered breathlessly: Aa gayi Beti? Chal jaldi kar….yeh malaa zara bana de mere Krishna Thakur ke liye. Kripa apologized: Sorry, Dida, aaj main der se uthi, kal raat ko itna padhai baaki tha, next week mere exams hain na? .She handed over the needle and thread to Kripa who started making a small garland for the statue of Krishna on the pedestal. She took the fresh orange and golden marigolds and pierced the needle through each flower quickly and expertly, making several more garlands, for the photos of Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi as well. Dida was very pleased with her handiwork. She patted Kripa's cheeks affectionately said: Tere bina toh mera Pooja hi nahin hota…..mera din adhoora reh jaata hai. Kripa laughed : Main shadi karkey chali jaaoongi toh aap kya karengey ? Aapko toh bahu laana padega…apney potey ke liye. Phir wo hi aapko help karegi puja mein… Dida didn't say anything, she just smiled and thought to herself: Potey ke liye bahu toh mainey chun liya hai, ab buss pota wapas aa jaye toh main apney sapney poori kar loon" A little later, Naina and Shivani also joined them in the Puja Room. Naina had been busy in the kitchen supervsing breakfast for the men of the family who were going to work and Shivani had been busy preparing Harshini for her school bus. They sat down behind Debjani and greeted Kripa pleasantly. Naina thanked her: Kripa, Gayatri se kehna paatishapta bahut achhi baney hain….mainey ek try kee hai, bahut tasty hain…" Dilip had met Naina in college and married her as soon as he graduated Law College. She was from a very rich Punjabi family. Debjani was a little disappointed as she had wanted to choose a Bengali girl for Dilip but when she saw how much her son loved Naina, she had welcomed her with open arms. Naina had proved to be a good wife, mother and bahu through the years. But for her second son, Debu, she had chosen a Bengali girl Shibani, who wasn't as good as Naina but still she respected her saas and never dared to go against her. Soon the men of the house also joined the ladies in the Puja room. They were dressed for work so they didn't sit on the auspicious rug, but a little further back. After the Arati, she requested Kripa to sing the devotional songs that she sang everyday. Kripa had music training from the age of 7 as most Bengali girls do. She was an accomplished Classical singer who also sang Rabindra Sangeet, Bhajans and even occasional Hindi songs and ghazals at the Local Durga and Saraswati Puja celebrations. Payoji Mainey Raam Ratan dhan Payo….
Two and three-storied houses flank the sides of the tree-lined avenue, quite wide by Kolkata standards.
There are a few apartment buildings, mostly not higher than 5 stories.
Dilip had one son, Angad, 25, who was studying Law in U.K. for the last 4 years. Divyendu and Shibani had a 10 year old daughter, Harshini.
Bishuda: Kripa Di, aap aa gayi? Badi Maa toh kabsey aapki prateeksha kar rahi hain, Thakur Ghar (Puja Ghar) mein….
Kripa said ruefully: Haan, aaj thoda uthney mein der ho gayi….she handed over the stainless-steel dabba to Bishuda….yeh leejiye, Maa ne Paatishapta (crepes filled with sweet coconut-khoya mix) banaye hain…yeh sabko nashta mein de dena…
Dadi: Arey, kuchh bhi toh nahin hua, yeh toh ghar ki puja hai, ismein der kiss baat ki-buss dekhna ke tu college mein bhi late na ho jaye….le ab yeh phool le aur mala bana apney Krishan ke liye…..mujhey toh sui ya dhaga kuchh bhi nahin dikhta….
Naina loved sweets although she had diabetes.
Dida scolded her: Nainaa, tumhey subah subah mithai nahin khaana chahiye, sugar badh jayegi"
Naina was still in awe of her zabardast saas, she said ruefully: Sorry Maa, nashta mein aur nahin khaoongi!
Dida started the Puja with chants and mantras from her little chalisa. She read the Gayatri Mantra as well as she was a Brahmin by birth. She offered prayers to all the Gods and Goddesses on the large pedestal, ringing her little bell and spraying Holy Gangaajal from her little bronze glass.
Kripa complied at once to Dida's wishes. She sang this beautiful bhajan:
After the prayers were over, everybody took prashad from Dida and left the puja room! Kripa was rushing to go to college. She would have to catch the Mini-bus to Park Circus where her college was located. Naina and Dida wouldn't let her go without eating. But Naina forced Kripa to stop in the big dining-room on the second floor and have Puri-sabzi and halwa that had been made for breakfast. Kripa somehow gulped down 2 puris and 3 spoons of halwa and rushed out with her satchel, yelling goodbye to Dida, Naina and Shibani: Bye Dida, Bye Kakima and Chachi." Kripa ran to the main road just around the corner and got the bus just in time. - -
Naina: Nahin Kripa, tu nashta kiye bina kahin nahin jayegi, main jaanti hoon Puja ki wajeh se tu subah ko kuchh nahin khaati"
Kripa protested: Lekin Chachi, aaj main sachmuch late ho gayi hoon, bus miss kar doongi….please aaj nahin!
She called Naina Chachi and Shibani Kakima (Chachi in Bengali) and she called Dilip Chachu and Debu Kaku.
Part 2
Kripa rushed into her college lecture room in a breathless hurry, she was 10 minutes late for her first class. Mrs. Ghosh, the European History Professor didn't look pleased at all!
Her Best friend, Aaliyah looked silently at her and raised her eyebrows as Kripa took her seat! Kripa wrinkled her nose and showed her head, making a circling sign, like her head was reeling. Aaliyah grinned at her.
Aaliyah Hussein was a tall, slender girl who mostly wore jeans and Kurtis! She and Kripa looked totally different but they had been fast friends since they met each other on Orientation day in First Year of college.
At lunch the two friends made their way to the college canteen and got two plates of ghugni ( Kabuli chana) and egg chops with tea.
Sipping her tea, Aaliyah asked Kripa: Tu meri British History ki notes le aayi?
Kripa slapped her forehead: Issshhhh, main ekdum bhool gayi…Sorry, haan? Kal zaroor le aaoongi (she looked apologetic) ….ek kaam kar, kal subah 8 bajey tu mujhey phone karkey yaad dila dena, nahin toh main bhool jaaoongi phir se, aaj itni der se uthi ke sab kuchh golmaal ho gaya!
Aaliyah laughed: Baat kya hai, Krips? Sab baatein bhool rahi hai, der se uth rahi hai…raat ko neend nahin aayi hogi?….kahin tujhey pyaar to nahin ho gaya? She winked teasingly.
Kripa laughed: Dhettt! Tu bhi na, Alooo! Abhi tak koi ladka hi nahin aaya jo meri neendein udaa sakta hai….
Aaliyah teased her again: Kyun? Tera wo Prithvi Roy ke baarey mein kya khayal hai?
Kripa made a face: Chhheeee, Prithvi aur main? Tera dimaag toh kahin kharab nahin ho gaya? Prithvi toh keval family friend hai….Baba ke Bank mein kaam karta hai, isliye Baba ko pasand hai, humarey ghar aata jaata rehta hai, aur uski Maa bhi toh meri Maa ki saheli hai, buss itna hi…..mujhey Prithvi mein koi interest nahin…
Aaliyah: Kyun kyun? Prithvi dekhney mein itna bura toh nahin hai, achhey ghar ka hai, achha kamataa hai...
Kripa giggled: Emaaaa , kahin tu uspar lattoo toh nahin ho gayi?…..bol, baat chalaoon tere liye? She nudged Aloo's arm….
Aaliyah also giggled: Hailaa, mere Abbu mujhey zinda dafan kar dengey agar mainey ek Bengali Hindu ladkey se rishta joda to….
As the two friends were laughing and giggling, there was a slight commotion in the canteen. Mishti Chatterjee, the queen of English Department walked in along with her little group of sycophants! She was a final year student of Eng. Lit. but she was 2 years older than Kripa. Mishti's grandfather owned the oldest Bengali newspaper in Kolkata and her father was GM there now. She was very stuck-up and haughty and only wore designer clothes! With her sleek, shiny hair, manicured nails, cosmetics-laden face and tall, statuesque figure, she tried to impress everybody and usually it worked.
Unfortunately two years ago she had entered the Miss Kolkata Beauty Contest and won the runner-up prize (mainly because of her dad's influence). Ever since then she thought of herself as a beauty queen and behaved in the same fashion and had her little group of admiring followers who hung on her every word and tried to flatter her ego.
Aaliyah sniggered : Wo dekh, aa gayi hamari Miss India!
Kripa giggled sarcastically: Miss India nahin, Miss Universe bol….Sush ke baad yehi toh jeetegi wo title!
Mishti passed Kripa and Aailyah's table and condescendingly greeted Kripa: Hi Kripa, kaisi ho?
Kripa showed her teeth: I'm Fine, Thanks! Tum kaisi ho?
Mishti made a grimacing smile and looked down her nose at Kripa's simple salwar kameez. She herself was wearing a Ritu Kumar top with black pants and a Fendi watch.
She sneered at Kripa and walked on.
Coincidentally, Mishti and Kripa knew each other through the Khannas. They had met in that house at parties and gatherings. Mishti's father was a distant cousin of Damini's husband! Damini wanted to make a match between her nephew Angad and Mishti….not only because Mishti was stinking rich but also because Damini's husband worked in their newspaper office and that match would improve his prospects at work!
Kripa and Aaliyah watched Mishti saunter to a table and sit down to chat and eat a packed chicken salad lunch with her chamchis. They laughed among themselves and made fun of Mishti's stuck up airs for some time and then left for the afternoon classes.
Kripa got off her bus on the main road and hurriedly walked home to her tree-lined avenue just around the corner. Near the corner, there was a stoop which was frequented by two rascals, a tall, thin young guy and short, fat one…..typical Eve-teasing Road-Romeos who always commented whenever they saw Kripa pass them. They never dared to come into the residential street as they might get beaten up by the building darwans there. They always waited near the bus stop to heckle and tease Kripa and other young girls of the neighbourhood.
As Kripa passed them the thin one began: Arey dekh dekh kaun jaa rahi hai…..hamari Pada (area) ki Madhuri Dixit!
The other guy started singing: Oh Laal dupattey wali tera naam toh bataa…..
Kripa looked at them once with angry, glaring eyes but she knew it was no use talking to those low-class scum. It would just thrill them if she spoke back and fought with them.
She hurriedly passed them and turned the corner, she could hear one singing: Dil ke tukdey tukdey karkey muskurakey chal diye…..
She grimaced and went inside the iron gates of her house. As she walked into the cool interior of her house, she relaxed and felt much better. The marble-tiled old house stayed cool even in oppressive heat. Her great grandfather had imported marble slabs from Italy in those days to build the house. No cost had been spared to furnish the mansion as it had some grand antique furniture from 1920s, 1930s and 40s, Including her parents' huge Four-poster bed made of genuine black teak from Burma.
The large Grandfather Clock in the downstairs Hall was striking 5 P.M. as she walked in. Gayatri greeted her as she came out of the kitchen. She had flour all over her hands, ,making Luchis (Puris) for evening snack.
Kripa, aa gayi tu? Tu Khaney ke kamrey mein baith, main tere liye garam garam luchi banakar laati hoon!
Nahin Maa, Kripa whined….Mujhey bhookh nahin hai, mainey Lunch mein Ghugni aur anda chop khaa liya tha,, peit abhi tak bhara hai"
Gayatri scolded her: Kitni baar kaha hai baahar ka khana itna mat khaa….pait kharab ho jayega, ulcer ho jayegi….main tujhey kal sey Tiffin bana doongi"
Kripa started laughing: Maa, main abhi school mein nahin hoon, ke tiffin le jaaoongi….pleeeease mujhey tiffin mat dena, meri toh naak kat jayegi college mein…
Gayatri pinched her cheek with her flour-laden hand, staining her cheek white: Tu jitni bhi badi ho jaye, mere liye toh meri bachchi hi rahegi na…..theek hai, Luchi nahin toh kamsey kam phal to khaa le. Mainey tere liye kaatkey rakhey hain….sehat ke liye bhi achha hai aur teri dieting bhi theek rahegi…she laughed.
Kripa went to the big dining room on the ground floor. An old-fashioned chandelier hung from the high ceiling and there were old paintings/ portraits on the wall of her ancestors, posing in chairs like royalty. Usually the men posed sitting on the chairs, while the women stood by the chair. Kripa always found it odd why it was that way! Wouldn't it be more normal if the women sat and the men stood? She guessed men in those days ruled the roost and werent very chivalrous or courteous to their wives. She loved romance and chivalry and had decided to marry only a man who respected women.
Gayatri brought in the cut apples, mangoes and guavas for her daughter: Chal, ab jaldi se yeh phal khaa le"
Kripa still complained: Maa, aap poora time mujhey kuchh na kuchh khilaney ki koshish kyun karti ho? Main ab bachchi nahin rahi!
Gayatri cupped her daughter's cheeks in her hand affectionately: Jab tak teri shadi nahin ho jaati tab tak tere khaney peeney ka dhyan to mujhey hi rakhna padega! Pata nahin, shadi ke baad phir kaun iss tarah tera khayal rakhega?
She became a little sentimental: Jab tak ladki apney Baap ke ghar hoti hai tab tak uski dekhbhaal theek se hoti hai, shadi ke baad toh khud wo hi sabka dekhbhaal karney lagti hai.
Kripa hugged her mother: I am sorry Maa, mujhey yeh kabhie khayal hi nahin rehta….main Kitchen mein jaakar madad karoongi abhi"
Gayatri laughed: Rehney de, teri Homework bhi toh hai, aur Champa hai na meri haath bataney ke liye"
Champa di was a talkative maid-servant who had been with the Bose family for the last 7-8 years. She was a chatterbox and the unofficial Reuter News Service for the whole neighbourhood. Every morning, she brought updates about whose son ran away with whose daughter, which Boudi (Bhabhi) bought a new piece of furniture, whose son/daughter had moved abroad, who was getting married/engaged, etc. etc.
Kripa called her Reuter of New Alipur!
Kripa asked her mother: Maa, main pehley thodi der Dida se milkar aa jaaoon? Unko lasan tel (Garlic oil) ki maalish bhi toh karni hai"
Gayatri agreed: haan haan, zaroor, ismein poochhney ki kya baat hai? Yeh toh teri roz ki duty hai…lekin zyada der mat karna….padhai bhi toh karni hai exams ke liye, 7 bajey tak aa jana. Aur haan, bataa, Mashima ki tabiyat kaisi hai ab?
Dida toh ekdum theek-thaak hai…aur ab toh aur bhi theek ho jayengi…unka laadla pota jo wapas aa raha hai kal…
Sach? Gayatri was amazed, Angad kal wapas aa raha hai? Achha hai, bahut dinon se usko dekhney ki ichha thi. Naina aur Mashima ke paas uskey baarey mein itna suna hai, per kabhie dekha nahin…she looked pleased that Angad was returning from England.
Kripa quickly took a shower, freshened up, changed into a fresh yellow salwar and rushed next door.
Bishuda opened the door, she went in and went straight to the kitchen. She took some mustard oil in a small saucepan, put 2 cloves of garlic in it and heated it up on the gas till the oil was bubbling. Then she took it off heat and wrapping her dupatta around the hot handle, she took it up the stairs to Dida's room on the 2nd floor.
Dida had just completed her afternoon siesta and was sitting on her bed doing Jaap with her mala of beads. " Harey Krishna, harey Krishna, Krishna Krishna Harey harey, Harey Rama,Harey Rama, Rama Rama Harey Harey"
She opened her eyes, saw Kripa and signalled her to start her maalish. Kripa sat at her feet and started rubbing the hot oil in her ankles. Dida had severe arthritis in her ankles which got swollen towards evenings as the day wore on. Almost every evening, Kripa came over to rub hot garlic oil in her ankles and feet to relieve her pain. Dida continued her Jaap, chanting Rama and Krishna for 108 times, while her eyes closed, smiling blissfully at the relief Kripa's massage gave to her feet.
Finally she was done with 108 times and opened her eyes, and blessed Kripa for the thousandth time that year: Kripa, teri toh haathon mein jaadu hai, tu maalish karti hai toh mera dard kahan bhaag jaata hai, wo muii maalishwali jo aati hai usko tujhsey kuchh seekhna chahiye"
Kripa smiled: Aapko mera maalish achha lagta hai kyunki main aapki poti hoon, nahin toh mere haathon mein itna zor kahan ke theek se maalish karoon"
Dida said: Wo toh mujhey pata nahin , per main tujhey aashirwad deti hoon ke tu jis ghar mein jayegi wahan buss khushiyan hi layegi. Ab jaldi se shadi kar le, nahin toh main teri shadi dekhey bina hi upar chali jaaoongi"
Kripa glared at her: Khabardaar jo aisi baat kee, Dida! Phir main kabhie nahin aaoongi yahan….aap hi toh hain meri only Dida, mere toh aur koi Dadu-Dida nahin hain…..aapko toh zaroor meri shadi mein rehna padega! Aur gaana bhi gaana padega ..
Shurjo's and Gayatri's parents had all passed away while Kripa was still in her teens. That's why she was even more close to Dida as she really appreciated having such a loving grandmother next door .
Dida smiled secretively: Haan wo toh main gaaoongi zaroor. Kyunki main toh dono taraf se rahoongi na"
Kripa was confused: Matlab?
Dida changed the subject quickly: Main toh aaj bahut khush hoon, mera toh abhi gaaney ko jee kar raha hai"
Kripa: Haan haan, pata hai, kal aapka Laadla Pota jo aa raha hai" she made a jealous face.
Dida laughed: Dekh, tu mere potey ko kuchh mat kehna….wo toh laakhon mein ek hai….mera Rajkumar hai"
Aur main? Galiyon ki dhool hoon kya? Kripa asked enviously.
Nahin rey, tu toh meri Raajkumari hai….Dida shook her cheeks in her hand affectionately.
"Dekhna mera Angad wapas aayega toh main uskey liye ek bahut bada party doongi", Dadi planned delightedly.
Kripa grimaced and thought: Lagta hai, Angad aaney ke baad Dida ko meri parwah hi nahin hogi"
She asked : Achha Dida, ek baat batayiye, aapka pyara Pota chaar saalon mein ek baar bhi apsey milney kyun nahin aaya? London toh itni door bhi nahin hai….log toh hafttey main 3 baar fly kar saktey hain Kolkata-London?
Dida laughed: Door Pagli, aaya to tha, do saal pehley, tab tu Delhi gayi thi apney Mamar Badi (mama ke ghar)
Christmas ki chhuttiyon mein aaya tha…..15 din tha yahan phir wapas chala gaya.
Kripa: Itney saalon mein sirf ek baar? Not good, Dadi…she teased.
Dida scolded her: Tu chup kar….aaj ke naujawan aisey hi hotey hain, garmiyon ki chhuttiyon mein apney doston ke saath Europe ka tour karney chala jaata tha na. Isliye nahin aa saka.
Dida and Kripa argued humorously for some time, then Dida pressed the intercom for evening tea. "Bishwanath, zara merey aur Kripa ke liye chai aur nashta toh le aa yahan. Aur chhutki (Harshini ) ko bhi bhej dena….kehna ke Kripa Di aayi hai"
BishuDa brought up tea and snacks for Dida and Kripa: Badi Maa, Chhoti Boudi ne kaha ke Chhutki abhi Homework kar rahi hai, khatam hotey hi bhej dengi neechey.
Dadi smiled at Kripa, her eyebrows dancing humorously ….her chhoti bahu Shibani was very controlling about her husband and daughter and expressed her claim on them from time to time in subtle ways like this, although she never dared to openly defy her saas in public.
- -
Part 3 Kripa returned home after a pleasant evening chatting with Dida and playing Carrom with Chhutki (Harshini) when she came down later after her homework was done. She was trying to sneak upstairs to her room without getting caught but her father saw her as she passed the door: Shurjo laughed indulgently and turned to Gayatri: Yeh abhi tak bachchi hi reh gayi… (to Kripa)...ab tu badi ho gayi hai….ek-do saal ke baad teri shadi bhi ho jayegi, ab toh bachpana chhod! Gayatri called out to her: .Jaa ab upar jaa aur jaldi se padhai shuru kar de….aaj raat phir se der se mat sona nahin toh kal phir late ho jayegi. Ek ghanta padh le phir raat ka khana khaney neechey aa jaana. Theek hai, Maa, main abhi gayi…..Kripa ran upstairs, fretting slightly: Why is everybody …Ma, Baba, Dida , even Aloo, constantly talking about my marriage? Lagta hai mujhey Vidaa karney kee sabko bahut jaldi hai" she pouted…..Main itni jaldi shadi nahin karoongi….I want to work after graduation and then only I will get married." She went into her room and started learning her notes for the following week's exams. ************************************************** ********** * The next day, she was right on time for morning Puja at Khanna House. The whole house was in a turmoil as the Khanna family was getting ready to greet Angad back …..the return of the Prodigal son…in this case the return of the Prodigious son. After doing a 3 year Law course at Calcutta University Law College, Angad had transferred to Cambridge University in England where he studied International Law. He had finally graduated and was returning home after 4 years! He had left Kolkata before the Khannas had moved to New Alipur. As a result, Kripa or her family had never met him before. Dida and Naina were beyond themselves with excitement and happiness. The cook was making Angad's favorite dishes. The whole house was smelling of Rabri and Aloo ke Parathey. Kripa felt a little left out…..Dida didn't even ask her to sing at the Morning Prayers like she always did. She left for college early that day. After a whole day of classes, she took the bus back home at five. The 2 eve-teasers were sitting on the stoop as usual and passed comments as she passed them, singing: Ruk jana oh jaana humsey do baatein karkey chali jaana…. Kripa hurriedly walked past them and turned the corner…..she walked a few yards and then stepped out into the street to cross over to the other side to her house. VRRROOOOMMMMM... SCRRRRREEEEEEEEECHHHHH! A red sports car came tearing around the corner at tremendous speed and braked with an ear-deafening screech as it stopped somehow just short of Kripa's legs, almost running her over. Kripa closed her eyes in fright: I am dead, I am dead, she thought for a few seconds, her heart thudding violently at her almost accident. A car door slammed loudly…..she opened her eyes fearfully and looked at the offending vehicle touching her knee and then at the enraged driver who got out of the car. Tall, muscular, wearing a red Polo/Ralph Lauren T-shirt and Diesel Jeans with RayBan glasses and Nike sneakers, he was clearly an arrogant rich guy. He took off his shades, glaring at the frightened girl caught like deer in the headlights, trembling in front of his stopped vehicle, staring at him in shock! WHAT THE HELLL! Yelled the tall guy in a deep, booming voice: " HEYYY LADKI, ANDHI HAI KYA? DIKHAYI NAHIN DETA? BEECH SADAK MEIN KYUN JAA RAHI HAI? MARNEY KA PLAN HAI KYA? Kripa had been too stunned at her near collision with the car …..her face pale with shock and fear…..but now her face reddened with anger ! HOW DARE he speak to her like that? SHUT UP! She yelled back in her sweetly shrill voice: TAMEEZ SE BAAT KARO! ANDHI MAIN NAHIN, ANDHEY TOH TUM HO, DIKHAYI NAHIN DETA? YEH RESIDENTIAL AREA HAI, TUMHAREY RACE KA MAIDAN NAHIN! SHARAM TOH TUMHEY AANI CHAHIYE, EK TOH ITNI SPEED SE GADI CHALATEY HO AUR ULTA MUJHEY AANKHEN DIKHATEY HO? The tall man advanced menacingly towards her, booming out: KYA KAHA? MAIN BADTAMEEZ HOON? DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO? Kripa stood her ground bravely, refused to be cowed down by this muscular guy who towered so high above her, she had to look up into his face. " I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE…..AND I DON'T WANT TO KNOW…..per haan, tum jo koi bhi ho yeh toh saaf hai ke bahut hi rude, badtameez, ameer baap ka bigda hua aulaad ho….nahin toh KHUD galti karkey MUJHPAR ilzaam nahin lagatey" The tall guy came closer, with enraged expression, his deep voice thundering: KYA KAHA TUMNEY? AMEER BAAP KA BIDGA HUA AULAAD? TUM JAANTEY NAHIN KISSEY BAAT KAR RAHEY HO….MAIN ABHI TUMHEY SABAK SIKHA SAKTA HOON …. Kripa glared back at him defiantly, her breaths heaving, her face flushed deep red with indignant anger-GOD! What an insufferably rude, arrogant man! The tall guy sneered at her mockingly: KYA KAHA? Tum mujhey logon se pitaney ki dhamki de rahi ho? Tum mujhey sazaa dilwaogi? Jaanti ho main kaun hoon? ANGAD KHANNA KO KOI SAZAA NAHIN DILWAA SAKTA….Khanna Family ko yahan kaun nahin jaanta?…..main Vakeel hoon aur abhi tumhey seedha kar sakta hoon….. Kripa's mouth fell open in shock! KYAAAAA? YEH ANGAD HAI? ANGAD KHANNA? DIDA KA LAADLA POTA? CHHEEE CHHEEE, HAI RAAM! ANGAD ITNA GHAMANDI, RUDE, ARROGANT, BADTAMEEZ…..? She observed him carefully now…yes, he was Angad, no doubt about that….she had seen his pictures in Dida's album but they had mostly been group photos with college friends where his face hadnt been that clearly visible. All other photos had been from his teenage years when he had been a tall, gangly teenager, nothing at all like the muscular, handsome hunk glaring at her right now. He was so close to her, she could see into his angry eyes! His eyes were a light brown, big and glaring at her and nostrils flared with anger! Bechari Dida, she thought vaguely, kitna shock lagega unko jab wo dekhengi ki unka pyara pota kitna badal gaya hai….shayad videsh mein rehkar bigad gaya hai, nahin toh Dida toh isey aisey describe karti thi jaisey hes the PARAGON OF ALL VIRTUES, THE PERFECT ANGEL….Lekin yeh toh Devil niklaaa! Angad Khanna looked down at the shocked, thunderstruck face of the pretty young woman in front of him, he chuckled condescendingly : Kyun? Khannas ka naam suntey hi hosh ud gayi? So now you know who you are up against? Let that be a lesson to you….. He shook his finger at her. He put on his sunglasses, returned to his car and loudly reversing the car, went around her, stopping by her once as she still stood with her jaw hanging down in shock: Kripa turned around slowly, watching the Khannas' Darwaan open the gate and the red sports car enter the compound of the big building. She slowly went inside her gate, disappointed and lost in her own thoughts. That evening she didn't go next door as she usually did to massage Dida's feet with hot oil. She didn't want to face THAT ANGAD again! And Angad's Dadi was too busy fussing over her beloved Pota to notice Kripa's no-show. Naina-Dilip, Dadi, Debu Chacha-Chachi, Harshini surrounded Angad all day, asking him questions about his life and friends in Cambridge. He had brought gifts for everybody….a white crocheted shawl for his Dadi, a Tiffany's set for Naina, a Movado watch for Dilip, another watch for his Chachu and a Japanese silk sari for Chachi. He had brought a small music system for Harshini as he himself loved Music, especially Classic Rock and Alternative! Dadi had asked him to bring a gift for Kripa...he had heard about Dadi's young protg next door in Kolkata! In all her letters to him, she would mention Kripa's name, extolling her virtues and what a sweet and nice girl she was and how she took such good care of Dadi's arthritis. He was looking forward to meeting this Paragon of Virtues and Sweetness! He had brought a Chanel perfume for Kripa….he was hoping she would like it. He had also brought gifts for his Damini Bua (Pishi as she liked to be called ) and his cousins Anitah and Manek. His BA Flight had landed in Kolkata early morning and he was home by 10 A.M. After a hearty breakfast of Alu ke Parathey, Omelette and Rabri, he had taken out the gifts and distributed them. Then he left for Lunch with his oldest friend Shabbir Ahluwalia who lived in Ballygunge. He had a pleasant afternoon catching up with old pals' news over lunch at Mainland China. It was while he was returning that his car almost struck that idiotic girl on the street, spoiling his mood for the entire evening. That girl must be from this neightbourhood, he thought angrily! He hoped they would never meet again! What a nerve that girl had!….calling HIM, ANGAD, all those rude names! Badtameez, Besharam and what not! He had a good mind to find that girl and sue the hell out of her! Angad kaun hai zara usey bhi toh pata chaley! - -
As Kripa was entering the house, the big grandfather clock in the Hall struck eight. She bit her tongue….her mother had asked her to come home at seven. Her parents were in the sitting room downstairs watching Bangla channel's superhit devotional show "Ramakrishna Paramhansa" with great concentration.
Kripa , aa gayi tu? Itni der kyun laga dee? Teri Maa toh bata rahi thi tu saat bajey aa jayegi?"
Kripa scratched her head guiltily: Sorry, Baba! Wo main Chhutki ke saath Carrom khel rahi thi aur time ka pata hi nahin chala.
She shook her little forefinger up at him: Dekho Mister, .Main iss ilaakey ki ladki hoon, Bose family ko yahan sab log jaantey hain…..abhi pukaroongi toh dus log aa jayengey aur tab tumhara bahut bura haal hoga…yahan speeding karna manaa hai…..yeh achhi tarah se jaan lo…galti TUMHARI hai aur main tumhey sazaa dilwa sakti hoon…..
Her mind kept on listing all the bad qualities that she had observed in him in last 5 minutes….
He looked at her with cynical amusement: "Still standing in the middle of the road? Are you waiting for the next car to come hit you so you can take him to jail? " He laughed mockingly and drove past her to the Khanna House gate.
I cant believe this! She thought numbly…..Us parivaar mein sab itney achhey hain….Dida, Chachajee, Naina Chachi, Kaku, Kakima….yeh Namoona unmein kaisey paida ho gaya? Zaroor England jaakar bigad gaya hoga…..Bechari Dida!
Part 4 Next morning at breakfast table, Angad asked his Dad the latest news about their Law Firm Khanna and Associates. Dilip was just telling him about his latest cases when Dadi came in from the Puja Room and sat down beside Angad. Dadi objected at once! She patted her beloved grandson's back: Bachcha abhi abhi toh imtehaan pass karkey wapas aaya hai, isey kuchh toh aaram milni chahiye? Thodey din doston ke saath mauj-masti kar le, phir kaam per laga dena" Naina agreed with her saas: Haan Ma, main bhi yahi soch rahi thi….hum sab kuchh dinon ke liye kahin ghoomney chaltey hain….Singapore ya Hongkong kaisa rahega? Dilip: Lekin mera case-load… Dadi suddenly asked: Arey, aaj Kripa Subah ke Puja mein nahin aayi? Kahin usey kuchh hua toh nahin? Naina, zara Bishwanath ko bhejna wahan, poochkar aayega ke wo theek hai ya nahin? Naina looked worried too, but then she smiled with understanding: Shayad Kripa yahan aaney mein ab jhijhak rahi hai….she said meaningfully. Angad looked up sharply at their teasing tone, looking piercingly at Dadi and his Mom, both looked back innocently at him. Hmmm, something fishy was going on….Yeh Kripa hai kaisi? He was getting more and more curious to meet this girl who lived next door. ************************************************** ********* At the Bose residence, Kripa was having a hurried breakfast. Champa Di, the talkative maid-servant came in just then with the latest update: Soon after she returned from classes that evening, Bishu Da came to call her: Kripa Didi, Badi Maa ne aapko bulaya hai, aapsey milna chahti hain…..poochh rahi thi aap theek toh hain na? Subah bhi Puja mein nahin aayi… Kripa flushed angrily and said to herself: Haan, Angad se miloon ya Shaitaan se? Devil's Advocate! Main uski soorat bhi nahin dekhna chahti…RUDE, OBNOXIOUS, HORRID GUY….. Kripa's face lighted up, thinking: " OH GREATTT! Now the coast is clear….I can go and meet Dida and Chhutki….while that monster was away…. She quickly changed into a pink salwar suit and tied her hair in a bun and went next door. As was her usual practice, she heated up garlic oil in the Khannas kitchen and went upstairs to Dida's room. Didaa, she called out happily….but Dida was not in her room. She put the hot oil down on Dida's antique black dressing-table and turned to go out of the door. She slammed head first into a hard, rock-like chest of a man towering over her. TUMMMM? Angad's deep voice thundered in her ears, almost making her deaf: TUM YAHAN KYA KAR RAHI HO? KISNEY TUMHEY ISS GHAR MEIN GHUSNEY DIYA? Kripa was almost breathless with outraged fury: KYA MATLAB? MAIN YAHAN ROZ AATI HOON, FOR YOUR KIND INFORMATION. AUR JAB CHAHEY AAOONGI…TUM KAUN HOTEY HO MUJHEY ROKNEY WALEY? Angad's face was red with anger and outrage: YEH MERA GHAR HAI AUR MAIN TUMHEY YAHAN SE NIKAAL SAKTA HOON…ABHI DARWAAN KO BULATA HOON AGAR TUM SEEDHI TARAH SE NAHIN GAYI TO…. They were both breathing hard, bodies tensed like two adversaries on a battlefield, faces flushed with indignant fury, eyes glaring at each other … Angad veered towards her at once: Dadi, yeh ladki yahan kya kar rahi hai? Kisney isey ghar mein ghusney diya? Now it was Angad's turn to have his jaw hanging down to his knees in shocked disbelief! YEH KRIPA HAI? MANNN! I DON'T BELIEVE THIS! Dadi ne toh isey Angel kaha tha, iski tareef kartey nahin thakti…...aur yeh itni ghamandi, badmizaaz, rude, careless, etc. etc. He mentally listed all her negative characteristics, while his eyes checked her out ….not bad-looking, but very plainly dressed….lagti hai Behenji types…...aur wo bhi Bengali Didimoni…he laughed mentally, sneering at her simple appearance. Kripa couldn't tolerate his insolent looks anymore and turned to go. Angad looked away from staring at Kripa: Haan, Dadi, main wahan jaa hi raha tha ke achanak yaad aaya ke unki gifts aapkey paas hain, isliye wapas aa gaya gifts leney….Khair main ab jaa raha hoon….he took his Bua's family gifts from Dadi, gave Kripa a parting look of arrogance and sauntered off casually as if he hadnt been fighting like cats and dogs a few minutes ago. Kripa was sullen and silent as she rubbed the hot oil remedy on Dida's ankles while Dida excitedly told her about all the gifts Angad had brought for all of them. She suddenly remembered: Yeh dekh, main toh bhool hi gayi thi….chal meri almari khol…she gave her keys to Kripa who obediently opened the cupboard. Dida instructed her: Ab saamney se wo silver packet, haan haan wo wala, nikalkar de mujhey…..Kripa took out the silver gift-wrapped little box and gave it to Dida on the bed. Kripa felt like throwing the box in the garbage but she couldn't hurt Dida so she dutifully opened the box and took out the little vial of designer perfume….Chanel no. 5….hmmmm yeh toh bahut mehengi hai….she rarely used perfume as she was more a soap and water kind of girl, preferring sandalwood scented powder and soap to expensive perfumes. But Dida was looking on with a happy, expectant face so she dutifully opened the top, took a whiff of the strongly sweet fragrance and said admiringly: Waah Dida, yeh toh bahut achhi perfume hai, Thanks a lot" she hugged Dida affectionately. Dida hugged her back: Thanks mujhey nahin, Angad ko dena…she laughed teasingly. Late at night, Kripa was still studying for her exams when she heard a loud VRRROOOMM next door: LO aa gaya Shehzaada apna rath lekar" she thought sarcastically. She went to her bedroom window which faced the side of Khanna House and started closing the shutters when she suddenly noticed that the window opposite and above her lighted up. The next day was a Saturday and Kripa went next door for the morning Puja. She had decided to take the bull by its horns. She wouldn't give Angad the satisfaction of victory by staying away from Khanna House. She had a right on those folks, not through blood relation but through love and affection and she was damned if she would let Angad's attitude problem destroy her relationship with his family. Dida grinned with delight when she saw a fresh-faced Kripa in a light green salwar arrive bright and early for her Puja. She asked her to make the garlands again for the Gods and Goddesses and Kripa happily obliged. Naina and Shibani soon came wearing crisp fresh red-bordered Puja saris and sat down to help Dadi with the prepartions! It was a weekend holiday so Dilip and Debu soon joined in too dressed in crisp white kurtas but Angad was missing. Dadi looked around and asked: Angad kahan hai? Neechey nahin aaya abhi tak? (Angad's bedroom was on the 3rd floor overlooking Kripa's room next door as she had discovered last night) Dadi started her Puja, chanting the mantras and reading from her chalisas, then did Aarti and Anjali with flowers, finally ending with Hom, a dedication of the Prashad and sacred fire and water to the Gods! Then she requested Kripa to sing a Bhajan. Tum Asha Vishwaas hamarey…..
"Dilip! She said sternly…."Subah-subah khaney ke table per kaam ki baatein nahin kiya kartey"
Dilip, the obedient son said: Sorry, Ma! Lekin ab Angad Vakaalat pass karkey aa gaya hai toh main soch raha tha jald se jald usey hamarey Firm mein join kar lena chahiye…issey mujhey bhi madad mil jayegi"
Angad intervened: No Mom, I want to see India now…I have been abroad for too long! Why don't we go to Pelling? Shabbir keh raha tha wahan trekking bahut achhi hai and Mountain view is also awesome!
Naina: Aapka case-load toh zindagi bhar barkaraar rahega….. apni family ko bhi thoda apna time deejiye!"
Dilip joked : As you wish, Your Honor! Everybody at the table laughed loudly.
[Kolkatans don't believe in using telephones where neighbours are concerned. Its more personal to send servant emissaries from house to house.
Dadi also smiled: Haan Naina, ab Angad aa gaya hai, isliye yahan aaney mein sharma rahi hogi"
Gayatri asked her: Aaj tu Mashima ke ghar per Puja mein nahin jayegi?
Kripa, gulping down tea and toast said: Nahin Ma, aaj mere early classes hain (Lies of course as she preferred to go to college early and just hang around rather than face THAT ANGAD again in Dida's house)
Gayatri asked: Angad aa gaya?
Kripa choked on her tea, spluttering and coughing violently!
Gayatri patted her hard on the back: Ahista, sambhalkey…Itni jaldi jaldi mat khaya kar….lagta hai koi tujhey yaad kar raha hai…."
"O Boudi! Us ghar ka DadaBabu toh Bides se wapas aa gaya. Rajat Deribher (Khannas' Driver) bata raha tha ke Dadababu ghar aatey hi ek laal rang ki gaadi khareed kar le aaye aur usi mein sara din-raat ghoom rahey hain…
Kripa coughed loudly again….she didn't want to tell her mother about her angry confrontation with Angad. She knew Ma would be upset and worried to know that she had been almost run over by Angad's red sports car!
Gayatri urged Kripa to go: Jaa Kripa! Dekhkar aa ….Mashima ko teri chinta ho rahi hai….aur haan, Angad se bhi milkar aana, mujhey bhi batana wo kaisa hai…
But Bishuda informed : Lekin Dadababu toh ghar per nahin hain….thodi der pehley hi nikal gaye, bolay ke Bhowanipur jaa rahey hain, Chhoti Didimoni (Damini) se milney…
She told Bishuda : Dida se keh deejiye main dus minute mein aa rahi hoon….
UFFFFF, she cried out in pain….rubbing her head painfully, she looked up into a pair of enraged brown eyes:
Kripa shouted back: MAIN BHI DEKHTI HOON KAISEY TUM MUJHEY ISS GHAR SE NIKALTEY HO….
Dadi came in rushing: KYA HO RAHA HAI YAHAN? ITNA CHILLA-CHILLI KYUN HO RAHI HAI?
Dadi looked flabbergasted: Yeh tu kya keh raha hai, Beta? Yeh to hamari Kripa hai, yeh yahan roz aati hai, hamari pyari Bitiya hai….
Dida asked her: Kahan jaa rahi hai, Kripa Beti….iski baat ka bura mat maanna, isey pata nahin tha tu hi Kripa hai…chal chal, aaj merey pairon mein bahut dard ho raha hai, zara apney jadoo-waley haathon se maalish toh kar de….Per Angad, tu yahan kya kar raha hai? Tu toh Damini ke ghar gaya tha na?
Dida gave it back in her hands: Yeh tere liye hai, Angad le aaya hai, dekh tujhey pasand hai ke nahin"
Kripa flushed, thinking: Haan zaroor, usey toh main achhi tarah se Thanks doongi…..badtameez, badmizaaz, arrogant Vakeel ! Mujhey Kanoon ka darr dikha raha tha….main bhi usey dikha doongi Kripa Bose kis museebat ka naam hai….mujhey iss ghar se nikalega? MUJHEY? She fumed and fretted furiously. She decided to re-gift the perfume to the any of her college friends who got married next. She didn't want to use anything brought by THAT MAN!
"Oh My God! Don't tell me that that room is Angad's? I should have guessed! Itney din wahan kabhie mainey raat ko light nahin dekhi…sirf subah ko Chachi ki maid khidki kholti thi aur raat ko band karti thi…iska matlab meri upar wali khidki Angad ke kamrey ka hai….she grimaced with disgust and closed her window.
Naina made excuses for her son: Maa, kal raat ko wo bahut der se aaya isliye shayad so raha hai….abhi tak toh uski jet-lag bhi nahin gayi hogi"
Dadi looked disapproving: Yeh baat theek nahin hai, mujhey ussey baat karni padegi! Ghar ke puja mein bhaag lena uska kartavya hai"
Kripa started singing this beautiful devotional song in her high-pitched sweet voice:
Taat Maat tum Bandhu Braat ho Now Angad had already woken up from sleep and was in the kitchen on the second floor getting a cool drink of water in his pajamas and vest when he heard a clear, sweet voice singing the lovely hymn sincerely and beautifully. He paused with the cold water bottle from the fridge in his hand, awestruck by the beauty of that sweet voice. His steps led him automatically to the Puja Ghar a few doors away on the same floor. He stood at the door of the Puja Ghar, staring at Kripa singing the song, sitting side-turned to the door which was on one side of the room. Her eyes were closed with devotion as she poured her heart out into the song as she did with all her music. All the other family members in the room had their eyes closed too, rapt in the melodious voice of the pretty singer. Angad stared with fascination at the girl he hated at first sight: WOWWW Yeh itna achha gaati hai?!….yeh toh Dadi ne kabhie nahin bataya?….she really has a sweet voice, however "sour and bitter" her nature is! And she sings with true feelings….shes really talented….he thought with a grudging yet genuine admiration! Tum aasha vishwas hamarey Saanson mein tum aatey jaatey …. As Kripa finished the song, she opened her eyes and as if on cue turned to the door, perhaps feeling the pair of eyes staring at her in fascination. Her eyes met Angad's! _- -
Divas Raatri Sandhya Praat ho
Deepak Surya Chandra Taarat mein
Ho Ramaaaa
Tum Jyoti-Prakash Humarey…
Tum Aasha Vishwaas Humarey
Tum Dharti Aakash humarey
Tum dharti aakash hamarey
Ek tumhi se hain sab naatey
Jeevan bankey har patjhad mein
Ho Ramaaaaa
Ek tumhi madhumaas hamarey
Tum Aasha Vishwas humarey
Tum Dharti Aakash humarey….
For a few moments, time stood still as they gazed across the room at each other. Bold, intense light brown eyes pierced chocolate-brown velvety eyes in a secret message that even their conscious minds wouldn't admit or acknowledge. Kripa was lost in that bold, compelling gaze as if she had no will of her own.
Suddenly, Dida started saying Harey Raam harey Raam 108 times, her eyes still closed and that jerked Kripa out of her spell. She looked away, her face flushed with sudden heat….she didn't know what had happened to her in those few minutes. The spell broke for Angad too as he looked away and moved quickly from the door before anybody saw him standing there, unbathed, unshaved, still in his pajamas, drinking water straight from a Springwater bottle.
Part 5 Kripa's bhajan had moved everyone in the Puja room and they raved about her singing. Dida told her: Agami (aaneywaley) Shukravaar ko Janmashtami ka Puja rakha hai….Jhoolan mein tu zaroor gaana gayegi aur Gayatri aur Shurjo ko bhi zaroor le aana….pados mein sabko bulaya hai…..aur tab tak teri pareeksha bhi toh khatam ho jayengey na?" Kripa was still rather dazed and confused from her eye contact with Angad, she smiled absentmindedly and nodded. Dida and Naina tried to make her stay for breakfast but she refused, making excuses. She didn't want to meet Angad again at the breakfast table. "Dida, please, aaj subah mujhey jaldi ghar jaana hai, nashta nahin kar sakti…..merey Gaaney ke Mastermoshai (teacher) aa rahey hain ek ghantey baad aur mujhey padhai bhi karni hai" Theek hai, lekin prashad toh leti jaa…..Dida gave her the prashad of sandesh and fruits and asked her to come in the evening to chat with her. Kripa's music teacher Shri Rudranath Bhattacharya arrived sharply at 10 A.M. He was an elderly gentleman, strict but gracious, in his 50s. He had been teaching Kripa Shastriya Sangeet (Indian Classical Music) since she was 7 years old. By now Kripa had mastered most of the Raagas and styles so he only came every Saturday morning nowadays to make her practice her scales. He asked her if she had done Riyaaz ( Practice of musical scales) …..Kripa looked apologetic: Sorry Mastermoshai, padhai ki wajeh se time nahin mila….agley haftey se zaroor karoongi" Mastermoshai scolded her in a stern voice: Kripa, mujhey tumsey yeh ummeed nahin thi…..tum aajkal sangeet charcha mein dhyaan nahin de rahi ho….yeh bahut buri baat hai…..tum toh mere sabsey gunee shishyaa ho, mujhey tumsey bahut ummeedein hain. Agley saal ki Sangeet Sammelan mein main chahta hoon tum hamarey gharaney se usmein hissa lo" Kripa looked crestfallen and promised to practice harder for the Sammelan. It would be a great honor to represent her teacher's gharana at the Music Conference. She started the practice as Masterji played the harmonium…..Sa ga ma ga sa pa dha ni pa ma ga….aaaa…aaa…aaa…her sweet mellifluous voice smoothly and effortlessly modulating up and down the scales, like a fast-flowing river of music. Meanwhile Angad had finally bathed and shaved and had breakfast with his family. Dadi scolded him at the table for not showing up in the morning's Puja. He grinned sheepishly at her and promised to attend the Puja from next day. Angad looked around curiously, expecting to see Kripa around. He thought she was a permanent fixture in his house since he had seen her twice already in 2 days. But she had left already…..he was relieved and disappointed at the same time….he didn't know why he felt that way? That morning when their eyes had met, he had felt a strange tightening in his chest…..he blew it away as gas from too much drinking the night before with his cousin Manek. Then he went up to his room, and fiddled with his old guitar, trying to tune the strings. He had learned to play the guitar in his teens and could sing as well, mostly English and modern Hindi pop songs! He had quite a good voice although nothing exceptional. He had participated in College Fests as a singer and won several prizes as well as the adoration of his female co-eds, more for his good looks than his voice quality! After all, no girl can resist a handsome guy with a guitar! And then he heard her voice again from the open window below his window. He went forward and looked downwards at her open window….a pink flowery curtain hung on both sides of the shutters, with window grills designed in flowery vines. Ahhha so that was Ms. Kripa Bose's room…..Interesting possibilities sprung up in his mind! She was practicing her chords, aaaaa…aaaaaa….aaaaa…. Angad's guitar-tuning was completely disrupted, he couldn't concentrate on it with Kripa's vocal practice going on so nearby, it sounded like it was coming from the next room, so close were the two houses. He suddenly had a wicked idea, grinning widely…..he flung all the windows open on that side and turned on his Bose stereo speakers on. He put on a CD of Aerosmith…"Walk This Way/Talk This way…..just give me a Kiss" on FULL VOLUME, blasting the song right out of the room to his neighbour's house. He stood at the window with a devilish grin on his face, waiting for Kripa to appear at the window. Soon enough, Kripa's song halted, she came to the window with a furious face and looked up to his window from where Rock music was blasting away at ear-splitting volume! She saw him standing at his window…..he saw her and waved to her cheekily, grinning shamelessly. Angad laughed triumphantly! YESS! SCORE ONE FOR ANGAD KHANNA…..KRIPA BOSE ONE DOWN! The war had begun! He had won the first round. He pranced around the room pretend-playing his guitar like a Rockstar alongwith Aerosmith's CD! walk this way, walk this way schoolgirl sweetie with a classy kinda sassy ************************************************** ********** ***** Angad was in pretty good mood when he went for lunch to Calcutta Club with his cousins Manek and Anitah and friends Shabbir and Mannan. Mishti turned up soon enough dressed in a skin-fit black pants (to hide her widening backside) and a white and black striped halter-top which didn't suit her buxom figure at all. But she was under the impression that she looked gorgeous. She pulled up a chair next to Angad who was sipping a beer and munching on prawn balls sitting on the lawn overlooking the golf course! HIII Angaaaaddd! She drawled in her most seductive tone, looking sideways at him….How ARE you? Its sooooo great that u are finally back from England. Toh bataao, how was Cambridge? Awww, poor you, Mishti caressed his cheek with her red talons…..All Work and No Play makes Jack a dull boy! Come on, tell us about your English girlfriends! Now don't tell me u didn't have any…..a handsome hunk like you" she huskily giggled. Angad frowned, a little annoyed at her cloying attention and over-personal questions…. Ohh don't even ask….Mishti shuddered in dramatic revulsion…..its sooo boring…how I wish Papa had allowed me to go to Oxford or Cambridge instead of rotting in dinky old Kol…..I hate it here…. Mishti conveniently left out the fact that she had been rejected by all the foreign universities as she was a B- student….certainly not Oxford level! Mannan leaned to Angad and said in a low tone when Mishti turned the other way to exchange society gossip with Anitah: "Yeh Ms. Zebra ko yahan kisney bulaya hai? Angad whispered furiously: Are u crazy? I value my freedom….I don't want to get hitched right now…..a few more years and then I will think about marriage. And definitely not to this Ms. Zebra. He laughed derisively at the wannabe Ms. Kolkata. Inspite of Mishti's cloying presence, Angad managed to spend a pleasant afternoon playing golf with Mannan and Shabbir and talking legal matters with Manek who was also a lawyer in Bhowanipur. Shabbir had to leave early as he had an emergency case in his Nursing-Home. He was a doctor who now owned a posh nursing-home in Ballygunge, with a thriving private practice….so he had hired other doctors who took care of the practice whereas he kept his own hours, enjoying golf, hanging around with old school friends like Angad and Mannan! ************************************************** ********** ***** When Angad returned home it was already dark, around eight. Just as he was entering his house, all the lights went out suddenly. Daaamn! Phir se Load-shedding! Yeh sheher kabhie nahin badlega…..Angad muttered under his breath. Nobody was in sight….Bishuda, Komola, the maid, all had disappeared in the pitch-black darkness. The house had a power generator but he had no idea where the switch was. Angad lit up his cigarette lighter and following the flickering light, he shuffled into the kitchen, looking for a candle. Suddenly he bumped into a small, soft body: UFFFF , both exclaimed. Kripa was in the kitchen, hunting for a candle too so she could go to the garage and turn on the generator ….Bishuda had gone to the stores and the maid had already left for the day! - -
Naina gushed: Kripa, sachmuch tumhari awaaz mein toh jadoo hai….kitna achha gaati ho, tumhey toh professional singer ban-na chahiye…
Dida added: Saakshaat Saraswati ki swaroop hai, jaisi awaaz, waisey gun"
Dilip, Debu, Shibani all added their compliments. Kripa blushed a little and protested that she wasn't that great.
Then she started a classical song where the mukhda is repeated again and again in different variations of the raaga.
He gritted his teeth in frustration, tried to close his window but the modern fancy glass windows of Khanna House couldn't keep out the sounds of Kripa's vocal gymnastics.
She frowned and glared angrily at him and closed her shutters with a loud bang.
walk this way, walk this way
walk this way, walk this way
walk this way, walk this way
just gimme a kiss
like this!
little skirt's climbin' way up the knee
there was three young ladies in the school gym locker
when I noticed they was lookin' at me
I was a high school loser, never made it with a lady
till the boys told me somethin' I missed
then my next door neighbor with a daughter had a favor
so I gave her just a little kiss
like this!
Angad smiled politely at her, a little irritated by her obvious flirtation: Oh Hi, Mishti! Cambridge was Great! We had some fun times on our summer and winter breaks but the rest of the time it was just nose to the grind….work, work and more work"
No, I did date a few girls here and there but nothing serious…..he drawled in a bored voice. "YOU tell me hows your college-life here?"
Angad knew Mishti from when he had visited India 2 years ago during Christmas break….he had met her at his Bua's house. He vaguely suspected that his Bua and Manek were trying to set him up with Mishti to further their own agenda at the Patrika Offices. He wasn't very pleased that Mishti had turned up at the Club conveniently when he wanted to spend time with his friends.
Angad mumbled back: Manek ne…..wo log mujhey Mishti ke saath jodna chahtey hain"
Mannan sniggered: Toh jud jaa, problem kis baat ki hai?
Startled by the sudden collision with a hard male frame, she pivoted around and gasped in shock…Angad was holding the lighter right in front of her face!
Part 6 The lighter flickered between their faces. Startled eyes looked into intense ones! Mesmerized! He gazed into her wide, shocked eyes and then the lighter went off. Kripa gasped in fear at the darkness but he clicked the lighter on again. She looked at him again, eyes wide and questioning, ….he looked deep into her beautiful eyes, then his gaze moved down her sharp little nose, to her slightly parted, trembling lips…..he felt that tightening in his chest again. The lighter went off again, he clicked it on again. CLATTTERR! Kripa's nervous hand dropped the little torch she was holding on the floor. She bent to pick it up and he also bent down at the same time. Their heads collided hard: UFFFF…..Kripa exclaimed loudly with pain, touching her head….. Angad just gave a little grunt of pain. Her hand had closed around the torch first but his hand suddenly caught hers. As his large, warm hand closed upon hers, she felt a tremor run deep through her, ..…she snatched her hand away instinctively and stood up….he picked up the torch and switched it on, shining it on the counter behind Kripa. He leaned against her, reaching behind her and opened the kitchen cabinet, taking out two candles. Kripa closed her eyes, her breath stuck in her throat at the closeness of his muscular chest to her face. She could smell the slightly musky smell of his sweat mixed with the cologne that he used. She trembled slightly, he felt her tremor against him and smiled slightly in the dark. He fished out 2 candles from the cabinet and moved away from her. He lighted the candles with his lighter and silently handed one to Kripa and carried one himself. Then he gently asked her: Generator ka switch kahan hai? Kripa quietly replied : Garage mein hai, main dikhati hoon" She led the way with the candle flickering in her hand as he followed her through a side door into the garage area. There was a huge red Honda generator sitting near a wall. The switch was high on the wall which Kripa couldn't have reached without a stepstool… he reached up easily and turned it on. The huge generator powered up with a thundering roar and started vibrating. The lights in the garage and house flickered once, twice and then came on. Angad and Kripa both heaved relieved breaths. Sweat beads covered their foreheads and upper lips, whether from the heat or something else they didn't know. He leaned against the counter with his arms crossed across his broad chest, looking at her flushed face bending over the stove, avoiding his eyes. She was wearing a light yellow salwar, her hair tied up in a bun had come loose, a few thick, wavy strands hanging on her red face. He had a strong urge to remove the strands from her face and pin them behind her tiny, shell-like ears with the small gold earrings hanging from them. Kripa politely asked : Tum chai peeogey? Main Dida ke liye bana rahi thi… Kripa got busy making tea in the saucepan, feeling his bold eyes on her, getting flustered and confused again: Why is he staring at me? Pehley ladki dekha nahin kya? Kal tak toh mujhey ghar se nikaal raha tha aur ab aisey ghoor raha hai jaisey mujhey pehley dekha hi nahin" He was enjoying her embarassment at being alone in the kitchen with him…..he wanted to stretch out this moment for all it was worth. His eyes checked out her petite, slender yet curvaceous body…..expertly tracing the curves under the loose salwar suit. Very interesting….lagta hai Didimoni ke kapdon ke neechey Shakira chhupi huyi hai….he thought wickedly. Kripa couldn't stand his insolent looks anymore. She turned around and asked him with one hand on her waist: Why are you staring at me? Her face reddened with anger now, she looked haughtily at him: Kyun? kaisi hoon main? What do u mean by that? He threw back his head and laughed loudly: Chalo, at least hum dono mein kuchh baatein toh common hain….rude, arrogant, jhagda karney mein maahir…. Score One for Kripa Bose! Equal points now! ************************************************** ********** ********* Kripa dressed with special care for Puja on Sunday morning….she needed to be ready in battle gear to meet her adversary in that house. She wore an orange tangail sari and left her hair open as it was still wet from her weekly shampoo. She didn't realize that she looked like a little flame of beauty in that bright sari, which brought out the glow in her creamy complexion! Angad got up bright and early, bathed, shaved and reported to the Puja room dressed in a crisp, white kurta-pajama set. He looked amazingly handsome in the dazzling white kurta. Kripa came in with karpoor (Puja incense) and crushed sandal paste from the kitchen…..Angad looked up at her and froze! She looked absolutely adorable….the orange sari made her beauty glow like a blazing garden of bright flowers. This was the first time he was seeing her in a sari with her hair open, falling in gentle waves around her pretty, innocent face. He was enchanted! No wonder Dadi was eager to make her his bride….he was quite impressed. This is going to be interesting, he thought with a grin. He wouldn't have to go far now to find beauty, sundarta toh ab apney ghar mein hi mil jayegi..….his heart thudded with a strangely thrilling sensation! A mixture of excitement and anticipation. Of desire and delight. Of the challenge of taming the little shrew! Kripa felt his bold eyes devouring her…..she reddened a little, refusing to meet his eyes and see the look in them….the look which might weaken her stole a glance at his handsome face…..he looked so different and fresh this morning in the white kurta…..almost like the Prince that Dida called him! She sat down on the other side of Dida so he wouldn't have a good view of her and started making the garlands for Lord Krishna and Goddess Durga. Harshini came in with her mother and jumped onto Kripa's lap: Kripa Dii, tum kitni sundar lag rahi ho….she hugged Kripa's neck affectionately. Kripa kissed her cheeks: Tu bhi bahut sundar lag rahi hai (Harshini was wearing a little pink ghagra set)… Chal ab mujhey help kar …yeh mala pehna de Maa Durga ko…..aur yeh Krishna Thakur ko….Harshini obediently followed her instructions. Angad looked on humorously…..[lagta hai Chhutki bhi iski fan hai….iss Kripa ne toh sab par jadoo kar diya hai] Soon Naina, Dilip and Debu also joined them and Dadi began the Puja….today was a Laxmi Puja so it went on for quite long. Angad was getting hungry and impatient. He couldn't even see Kripa clearly as Dadi sat in the middle. He managed to slide back a little so at least he got a view of her cute back and the creamy skin of her bare waist showing between the orange blouse and sari. He had an intense urge to pinch that soft skin….. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on Dadi's scripture reading but Kripa's pretty face flashed in front of his closed eyes. He opened them with a jerk and looked at her back again. "What was there about this girl that was drawing him to her? It wasn't just beauty, he had seen many gorgeous girls in his life….it certainly wasn't her nature….she annoyed and frustrated him ….then what was it? His logical mind couldn't pinpoint the exact reason of her attraction. Finally the Puja was over. Kripa tried to escape after taking the prashad but Dida and Naina were adamant, she had to stay for breakfast: Nahin Kripa, aaj hum tumhara koi bahana nahin sunengey…aaj Sunday hai, tum hamarey saath breakfast karogi! Naina said in a tone of final authority. Kripa shifted warily on her feet like a bird poised for flight….. feeling Angad's eyes on her throughout the Puja had unnerved her. Now she would have to face him at the breakfast table too. She turned to him with an angry retort but kept quiet when she saw the teasing light dancing in his wicked eyes. She muttered sarcastiically under her breath, so only he could hear: Main kyun tumsey daroon? Kya tum koi sher ho ya Mafia Don jo main tumsey daroon? Don't give yourself too much credit" At the table, he deliberately sat across from her and kept on gazing at her. Naina had made Aloo parathas for breakfast with salty lassi and laddoos. A typical Punjabi breakfast. Angad gobbled down 4 parathas and 2 huge laddoos within a few minutes. Kripa stared at him open-mouthed. "Heyy, what are u looking at? Hum Punjabis aisey hi khaatey hain….how do u like our style of food? Are you missing your Luchis? He asked her teasingly. Naina reached out and patted Kripa's hand affectionately…..Angad mocked her in a low tone : Lagta hai tumhey har Punjabi cheez pasand hai" Kripa looked up sharply at his comment, he winked at her and smiled. Kripa somehow gulped down a paratha, drank half the lassi, made a face, added sugar and had the rest. Then she got up from the table and told the elders she had to leave. But Harshini wouldn't let her go….Pleeeaaase Kripa Di, mere saath Carrom khelney chalo na…pleease, aaj meri chhutti hai aur zyada homework bhi nahin, please please please..… Kripa couldn't deny the little girl….Harshu dragged her by her arm to the living room on the second floor and took out the carrom board. Kripa soon got busy in a lively game of carrom with Chhutki. Suddenly a shadow fell on the board….Angad in his deep voice: May I join you ladies? Harshini jumped up and down with excitement: Haan haan, please, Dadabhai (older brother) tum meri team mein khelo, Kripa di always mujhey hara deti hai… Angad sat down beside Chhutki, facing Kripa, who made a face and tried to get up and leave. "Kahan jaa rahi ho, mujhsey haarney se darti ho?" He challenged her, she glared at him…he gazed back steadily, his brown leonine eyes glinting with a more meaningful challenge as it met hers. ************************************************** ********** *************
They returned to the kitchen. Angad asked her: Ghar ke sab kahan hain?
Kripa started making tea on the gas stove: Dadi upar apney kamrey mein hain ….Chhutki bhi wahan hai….Chachu aur Kaku abhi tak kaam se wapas nahin aaye, Chachi aur Kakima New Market gaye hain…aur Bishu Da dukaan gaye hain mithai laaney"
Angad accepted : Haan kyun nahin? (in his mind he added: Let me taste your tea too)
So Kripa, tum kahan padhti ho? Kya padhti ho?
Kripa looked up at him, startled by his sudden interest in her studies: Kaun? Main? Main Lady Brabourne College mein 2nd Year History Honors student hoon.
Oh really? Phir toh tum Mishti Chatterjee ko jaanti hogi? Shes a third year student... I think.
Kripa grimaced slightly: Haan, Of course! Mishti ko kaun nahin jaanta…she smiled a little mockingly. Angad saw her sarcasm and laughed …..hmmmm so she doesn't like Mishti either. Cant blame her…..
He muttered in his mind: Dekh raha hoon ke Dadi aur Mom ne mere liye kaisi ladki pasand kee hai.
But aloud he said: Main dekh raha hoon ke Dadi tumhey itna pasand kyun karti hai? Aakhir kya special hai jo Dadi, Mom aur baaki sab tumhari itni tareef kartey hain….kyunki main jaanta hoon tum asliyat mein kaisi ho…
Angad chuckled: Tum kaisi ho? Rude, stuck-up, quarrelsome, aur sunna chahti ho?
Aur tum? Kripa challenged him angrily: Tum kaun se farishtey ho? Arrogant, rude,callous, badmizaaz, sab gun hain tum mein bhi….
Kripa's anger cooled a little and she smiled slightly, handing him a cup of tea: At least you are honest sometimes…..that's very rare in a lawyer…..with that biting parting shot, she sailed out of the kitchen, carrying the tea-tray upstairs to Dadi's room.
Angad stared, speechless and fuming, after her departing back. "That girl has some nerve…..insulting me in my own house!"
Dadi was delighted to see him attend the prayers: Aa gaya beta? Ahaha….kitna sundar hai mera pota….bilkul raajkumar jaisa lag raha hai….aa mere paas baith!
Da**! Puja room mein baithkar itney burey khayal kyun aa rahey hain mujhey?
As they went to the dining-room, Angad suddenly bent near her ear and whispered: Are you afraid of me? Why do you want to run away home to Mama?
Kripa made a haughty face: For your information, yeh mera yahan pehla nashta nahin hai…aur haan, mujhey aloo ke parathey luchi se bhi zyada pasand hain…khaskar jab Chachi unhey banati hain"
She reddened with anger and embarassment and looked away. Dilip and Debu were busy talking about current lawsuits but Naina, Shibani and Dadi noticed the tension between the two young people at the table.
"Sure thing, Kiddo…..main bhi dekhta hoon Kripa Di tumhey kaisey haraati hai….main jo aa gaya hoon, ab toh hamari jeet hogi." he looked arrogantly self-confident as he said that.
She reddened but sat down quietly and took the hitter in her hand, choosing white counters against his black!
Part 7 Angad and Kripa got engrossed in the game….it wasn't just a game to them, it was a war of egos and attitudes. Harshini cheered on for both of them, she couldn't take sides, she loved both of them. Angad arranged the white and black discs in the center….he asked Kripa to play first. What Angad didn't know was that Kripa was quite an expert carrom player, having played that game from childhood with her cousins and friends. She was more into indoor sports while Angad had always played outdoor sports. Kripa went first….she kneeled down in front of carrom board on the table and took position with the striker carefully, she hit her first white disc straight into the pocket…. Yayyy, Kripa di got 4 points…yelled Chhutki happily…Dadabhai now its ur turn" He mused, [ Achha, toh yeh baat hai, Ms. Kripa yahan ki Carrom champion hain,…. theek hai…..dekhtey hain kaun jeet ta hai ]…..his eyes challenged hers boldly. He announced loudly : Jeetney waley ko koi inaam milna chahiye….is that agreed upon? Oh nooo, Harshini wailed…..we got 3 points, Kripa Di is winning. Kripa wiped the striker on her sari as if rubbing off his foul touch and then started playing again….as she bent on the carromboard with great concentration, her long, dark hair fell in waves over the board. She removed the unruly strands behind her ears with one hand, but they fell forward again. Angad gazed, fascinated, at the dark clouds of hair framing her beautiful, flushed face…..he leaned forward slightly so his nose almost touched her bent head. He inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo…..smelled like jasmine…and the sweet sandalwood perfume of her body. He felt intoxicated…he lost his concentration and when his turn came, all he could think about was that pretty face in front of him. Kripa had hit 3 more tokens, he could only hit 2 in a row. Angad was steadily losing to Kripa. Harshini wailed again: Dadabhai yeh kya hai? Aap toh haar rahey hain….Kripa Di phir se jeet rahi hai…. She looked up sharply at him, and blushed at the look in his eyes. Now SHE lost her concentration. Flustered and confused by his teasing, flirting looks and comments, she missed the 2nd one in her next turn. She quietly passed it on to Angad. She got up angrily and started walking away…..he grabbed her hand suddenly from the back, stopping her. She gasped and looked back in anger. He smiled charmingly at her: Please baith jaao! Okay, I wont cheat….you get an extra turn for my mistake this time" Kripa now had only one disc to hit as there are a total of 9 discs per contestant. But she would have to pocket the red queen before she could win. She moved sideways in the right position and pointed the striker towards the red queen. Just as she hit it, Angad sneezed loudly, making her hand shake violently and her target missed. Kripa was furious….WHY DID YOU DO THAT? That is so LOW! She fumed at him Angad caught her hand again: Sorry sorry! Ab aur tang nahin karoonga…come on, you get another turn to hit the queen. Kripa missed again as she was too upset with him. He took hold of the striker and pocketed the red queen in no time….then he hit all his remaining discs, winning the game. Harshini was jubilant at his win and jumped up with a Hooray, but she saw Kripa's tearful face and quitened down. She went to Kripa and hugged her: I am sorry, Kripa Di….Dadabhai ko cheat nahin karna chahiye tha" Kripa looked sideways at Angad: Your Dadabhai will always win by fair means or foul, yahi toh unka pesha bhi hai na? Angad grinned widely in delight: Score one for Angad again! ************************************************** ********** ***** That evening, Kripa got caught up in her studies so she couldn't come for Dida's foot massage. She kept her window closed so she wouldn't have to see Angad's room or his window and be distracted. As it is, his devilishly handsome face kept on appearing in her thoughts as she fumed and raged in frustration: I will beat you at your own game, Angad Khanna….tum apney aapko bahut hoshiyaar samajhtey ho na, main bhi tumhey dikha doongi ke asliyat mein akal kiskey paas hai" Monday to Thursday, Kripa was busy with her first semester exams. She and Aailyah "mugged" their notes frantically during lunch hour and she didn't get any time to confide in her best friend about Angad's behavior. She couldn't even go to Dida's Puja room every morning. Dida and everybody missed her there. Angad's eyes searched for her every morning, then Champa Di came over on Tuesday with malpoas for the Khanna family that Gayatri had made and sent for them. When Dadi and Naina enquired about Kripa, she said: Baba rey, Kripa didimoni toh itna padh rahi hai ke egg-jam mein fasht hi aayegi iss baar…. On Thursday evening, finally Kripa's exams were over and she was free to come over for Dida's hot oil treatment. As soon as she came in, she rushed to the kitchen and heated up the garlic oil. She put her dupatta around the hot handle and was just stepping out of the kitchen when she bumped straight into Angad again, who was coming in right at that moment to get a Coke bottle from the fridge. The hot oil splashed out and burned Kripa's wrist and arm! SH*T! Angad swore loudly, grabbed her left hand at once, pulled her into the kitchen and held her burnt hand under the cold water in the sink. She sobbed in agony with the burning pain on her wrist and arm. He held her hand in the cold water till the pain subsided a little from the coldness. Tum dekhkar nahin chal sakti? He asked angrily, concern and regret clouding his face! Lagta hai hamari kismet mein sirf collisions hi likha hai….he said with dry humor. Thehro yahan….he ordered her to stay and left the kitchen…he returned with a tube of Burnol cream and took her arm in his hand again. He carefully applied the ointment on the burns….he felt very bad that he had scarred her beautiful skin. He bent down and blew air softly on the large burn marks on the skin of her inner wrist and arms. She trembled with a sudden sensation as his warm breath touched her skin. Inspite of the burning pain, she felt the hot air he blew on her skin. Angad felt her tremor and smiled slightly….he blew air gently again….she felt a strange sensation deep inside her….she snatched her hand away. Kya hua? Bahut dard ho raha hai kya? He asked with a wicked glint in his eyes. Angad laughed loudly …he handed her the Burnol tube: yeh le jaao, ghar mein lagati rehna, phir jaldi theek ho jayogi. I am sorry to scar your lovely skin…he took her hand again and brought it up to his lips to kiss it. Kripa snatched her hand away from him and ran out of the kitchen, breathless suddenly.
SCORE….she grinned and rubbed her hands excitedly to wipe the sweat, then played again and again….she pocketed four discs in a row before she finally missed.
Kripa looked triumphantly at Angad as if saying : Beat that now…
Angad looked calculatingly at her…..he had underestimated Kripa's skill in the game!
Harshini yelled: Yes yes, we will win and get the prize, right Dadabhai?
Angad gave a piercing look at Kripa: Sure we will, Chhutki!
Kripa flushed and pursed her lips angrily…..
Angad got down on his knees too and started hitting the counters….he hit 3, then missed the 4th one.
Angad reassured her: Just wait and watch Kiddo, abhi bhi game baaki hai, dekho main tumharey Kripa Di ko kaisey harata hoon….he gleefully rubbed the striker in his palms before passing it on to an increasingly angry Kripa.
Angad comforted her in a confidential whisper: Don't worry, Kid! Ab dekhti jaa main kaisey isey harata hoon.
He bent towards Kripa and whispered in a low tone which only Kripa could hear: Kabhie kabhie haarney mein bhi mazaa aata hai"
Angad placed the striker at an angle and hit another of his black ones right into the pocket. YESSS! He exclaimed, grinning widely.
But Kripa had seen him use wrong tactics: NO NO, she yelled, you cheated, you cheated.
What do u mean I cheated? He asked belligerenly.
You placed the striker outside the line…..yeh to cheating ho gayi, that's not allowed in rules.
Angad haughtily demanded: Prove it! Saabit kar do ke mainey cheating kiya hai…
Kripa argued furiously: Yeh tumhari adaalat nahin ke tum jo jee mein aaye karo aur saabit mujhey hi karna padey….main nahin kheloongi tumharey saath….I quit"
She sat down again, trembling inside at the touch of his warm hand on her wrist but she was damned if she would show how much his touch had affected her.
Kyaa? Mainey kya kiya? Angad acted ignorant, Mujhey chheenk aa jaye toh main kya karoon?
Kripa looked disgusted at him….he again said in a low tone which Chhutki couldn't hear: All is Fair in Love and War, Sweetheart!
Kripa gnashed her teeth : I am not your sweetheart!
Agreed, you are not sweet at all and you are not in my heart" Angad chuckled wickedly.
Tumhey theek se khelna nahin aata toh kheltey kyun ho? Kripa asked him furiuosly.
Tumhey haarney se itna darr kyun lagta hai? Angad retorted.
Main haarney se nahin darrti….but I cant tolerate cheaters!
Toh mujhey cheating ke liye jail kyun nahin bhej deti?….he teased her, grinning shamelessly.
Kripa was too angry now to talk anymore….she kept silent and played her last 9th disc and got up to leave.
Angad looked up sharply at her taunt, but then he grinned and asked: Toh ab mera prize kahan hai?
Kripa looked warily at him, wondering what he would ask for….he stared at her naturally pink lips and slowly drawled: Abhi rehney do, waqt aaney par maang loonga.
The look in his eyes and the way he said that made her blush suddenly. She got up, mumbled goodbye to Harshini and ran out of the room.
Angad quickly asked her when Kripa's egg-jam would be over. He was missing his pretty little punching bag and her spirited retorts!
OMAAAGO…..
She cried out in pain as the burning hot oil singed her delicate skin!
Tum kyun hamesha mujhey dhakka detey ho? Tum dekhkar kyun nahin chaltey? She sobbed in pain.
Kripa also realized the weirdness of the whole situation….how they managed to collide everytime from their very first meeting when he had almost run her over with his car.
She started smiling through her pain. He looked at her face and grinned widely: Ab dard kaisa hai?
Thoda achha hai…..lekin bahut jal raha hai….she drew in a hissing breath as it started hurting again.
Nahin, ab main theek hoon….she looked down, refusing to meet his soul-piercing eyes.
Im sorry! He bent closer to her, peering into her downcast face…..agli baar please yahan aaney se pehley mujhey phone kar dena…I will be ready with my motion sensor so I don't crash with you again.
Kripa looked up angrily at his mocking tone: Haan, aur main bhi ab se armor pehenkar aaoongi….you are a walking disaster for me.
She went to Dida's room quickly, safe territory away from the deadly danger of the devilish man who was a threat to both her physical and emotional security.
Part 8 The next day was Janamashtami, the festival celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna! Dadi had invited all her friends in the neighbiurhood as well as all her extended family to join in the celebrations. The big Hall-Ghar (Living-Room) downstairs had been cleared of furniture and decorated with garlands of marigold. Lord Krishna's large bronze Jhoola (crib/swing) had pride of place in the room, surrounded by little dolls depicting the scenes from the birth of Krishna to his childhood years in Gokul. All the Puja thalis had been made ready beforehand, in front of the idol, with sweets, incense, flowers and fruits offerings. Kripa came with her parents, dressed in a pale pink South-silk sari with a dark blue and gold border, matching silk blouse and light gold jewelry. Her hair had been pinned in a twisted bun with a few strands left loose for the carefully careless look. Gayatri went to help Naina and Shibani in the kitchen while Shurjo went to chat with Dilip and Debu in their office/study room downstairs. The 3 ladies chatted and discussed about their respective children. Gayatri was really eager to meet Angad. Kripa had been surprisingly tight-lipped and reluctant to discuss Angad at home. To every question she would give short replies: G: Angad kaisa hai? K: Theek hai… G: Dikhney mein kaisa hai? K: Theek hai….G: Angad se tuney baat kee? K: Haan kee.. This had made Gayatri even more curious to meet Angad! Kripa and Dadi stood near the main door alongwith Dilip-Debu and Shurjo as the guests began to arrive in the evening. They greeted the guests politely with folded hands. Soon Damini arrived at her maayka, fashionably late, accompanied by her daughter Anitah and son, Manek. Anitah was rather an empty-headed girl whose only aim in life was to find a rich husband. So she was constantly after Angad's friend Mannan, who belonged to a wealthy business family. Manek was a lawyer like Angad but he was a thin, shifty-eyed, crafty looking man, who epitomized the crooked lawyer. It was almost time for the Puja. But Angad was nowhere to be seen. Dida took Kripa aside and requested her: Kripaa, zara Angad ko toh bulakar le aana, na jaaney kya kar raha hai….ghar mein sab mehmaan aa gaye hain, pata nahin abhi tak neechey kyun nahin aaya? Kripa muttered under her breath: Jaisey wo meri baat kitni sunta hai….but she obediently went upstairs, rather unwillingly. Although she had never seen Angad's room, she had a good idea where it was located as it was directly above her bedroom window. She knocked on the door …no response….she knocked louder again….still no response…she opened the unlocked door and went in slowly. Angad sat on his bed, his back to the door, huge amplifier headphones on his head covering his ears, guitar in hand, listening to some music on his music system. ANGAD…..she called out to him…..obviously he couldn't hear as he had the headphones on…..listening to some loud music on his Bose stereo. His head was nodding, his feet tapping with the rhythm ….he was still wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, not yet dressed for the Puja. ANGAAAD….Kripa yelled as loudly as she could, then she went inside the room…he was still unaware of her presence, didn't turn or respond. Kripa got mad at him…..what a callous, inconsiderate man he was…... there was Janmashtami Puja being held in his own house and he was here in his room, listening to Rock music, still dressed in jeans! In a fit of anger, Kripa marched forward to his stereo and turned the volume knob all the way down. Angad sprang up from the bed, throwing the headphones off and turned around: WHAT THE HELL? He saw Kripa standing by the stereo with an exasperated face. Kripa was dumbfounded…..she didn't understand why he would get sooo mad at her just because she had turned down the stereo volume. She stuttered : Per main…main toh tumhey neechey Puja mein bulaney aayi thi….tumhey meri awaaz sunayi nahin dee isliye…. Angad belligerently advanced towards her : TOH KYA? Poorey ghar ko apna samajh rakha hai? LISTEN! He shook a finger at her: Ghar ke doosrey kamron mein tumhari jo marzi aaye karo, BUT MY ROOM IS OFF LIMITS, UNDERSTAND? Kripa was shaking with fury by now: YOUR ROOM..YOUR THINGS, YOU YOU YOU, ITS ALWAYS ABOUT YOU? DOOSRON KA KHAYAL HAI BHI TUMHEY? DIDA NE SUBAH SE UPVAAS RAKHA HAI, CHACHI NE BHI…TUMHEY USSEY KYA? JAB TAK PUJA KHATAM NAHIN HOTI, WO ANNAJAL GRAHAN NAHIN KARENGEY (wont eat or drink) ….TUMHEY USSEY KOI FARAK NAHIN PADTA….LEKIN MUJHEY PADTA HAI… She became tearful with her hurt feelings: She turned to go, then turned back again to face Angad who was looking shame-faced at her: Aur haan, I am very sorry for touching your precious stereo….aaj ke baad main tumhari kisi bhi cheez ko haath nahin lagaoongi…. Meanwhile Angad stood in his room, feeling guilty for blasting Kripa and making her cry….he drew an exasperated hand through his already tousled hair: Why does Kripa bring out the worst in me? Why do I always lose my temper with her ? His heart was aching with a strange pain as he remembered her tearful face! Angad was usually charming and gallant with other women but something about Kripa always brought out the Devil in him. He quietly went into his bathroom, took a shower, came out and put on a dark blue Kurta Pajama with fancy embroidery on the front. He gelled back his hair, and looking like a dashing Kalyug ka Krishan he went downstairs to the Hall-ghar where the Puja had already started. All the guests and family members were sitting in a half-circle around Bhagwaan Krishna's jhoola. The Priest was chanting mantras and offering ghee in the Holy fire, he was ringing his little bell and the whole room was cloudy with incense and karpur smoke. He and Manek talked in low hushed tones throughout the Puja. Dadi looked back once to see if he had come, her still sharp eyes spotted him in his blue kurta and she smiled with secret satisfaction. Sending Kripa upstairs had worked….in both ways! After the Puja and Aarti were done, the priest called everyone to do anjali (flower offering to God alongwith chants of mantras)…..everybody stood up and took fresh cut flowers from the priest. Kripa went around the room with the metal basket of flowers offering it to everybody for the Anjali. When she stood in front of Angad, she didn't look up….she quietly handed him some flowers from the basket…he took them from her in his upturned palm….as she passed him, he bent low near her ears and softly said: Im sorry, Kripa. His warm breath touched her neck, she flushed and quickly moved away from him. Manek's sharp eyes noticed the interaction….he looked assessingly at both of them….hmmmmm…. in dono ke beech kuchh khichdi pak rahi hai! Angad looked at Kripa's departing back with a longing, puppy-dog expression. Shes really mad at me, meri taraf dekh bhi nahin rahi….he followed Kripa around as she distributed the flowers and then went back in front to her spot between Gayatri and Naina. Angad went and stood right behind her. She was very much aware of his presence behind her….the back of her neck which he could see clearly started reddening….was she blushing or was she angry?….. He wondered. The Anjali started…..after the mantras were read out, devotees started throwing the flowers on the throne of Lord Krishna. Angad threw his flowers one by one on Kripa. Her eyes were still closed. When the third flower fell on her, she looked back angrily at him, frowning, glaring at him. He scrunched his nose cutely, held his ears in his hands and mouthed "SORRY" …..she smiled at last, she couldn't help it….the stern lawyer begging her for mercy….her ego was tickled at the thought! After the Puja was over, everybody sat down again and Dida requested Kripa to sing bhajans. Everybody in the area knew about Kripa's singing talent as she sang in Durga Puja functions as well. Kripa started singing with her eyes closed…..her attention was slightly wavering as Angad was sitting directly behind her, staring at her back. But Kripa was a practised performer, she could keep her feelings aside and sing inspite of such attractive distractions. Mere toh Giridhar Gopala doosro na koi: Mere toh giridhar gopal, dusro nahi koi, ansuvan jal seench seench, prem bel boyi, taat maat bhraat bandhu, aapno na koyi, chunari ke kiye took, odhli liloyi, When she finished singing, everybody in the room praised her loudly, and asked her to sing more bhajans….Dida asked her to sing her favorite song: Yashomati Maiya se boley Nandlala
Kripa was reluctant to call him: Dida, aap please Bishuda ko bhej deejiye na…ya Anita ko…..
Dida said: Bishu baahar lights laga raha hai….aur Anitah ki bus mein nahin ke wo Angad ko neechey laa sakey…..yeh kaam toh tujhey hi karna padega, usey jaakar bol sab uska intezaar kar rahey hain"
TUMNEY VOLUME KYUN OFF KIYA? He blasted her at the top of his voice: HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY STEREO? IS GHAR MEIN KISIKO YEH PERMISSION NAHIN HAI KE MERE CHEEZON KO HAATH LAGAYE….TUM HOTI KAUN HO? KYA KAR RAHI HO YAHAN MERE KAMREY MEIN?
Main iss ghar ki koi nahin hoon, lekin yahan sab mujhsey bahut pyar kartey hain, isliye main unki parwaah karti hoon, lekin tum unkey pyar ka matlab kya samjhogey? Tumhey to sirf apni padi hai….Dadi ya apni Maa ke baarey mein tum kyun sochogey….tum baithey raho apni music system ke saath…main Dida ko bol doongi tum Puja mein nahin aa saktey….tum busy ho….
Tears were streaming down her beautiful face now….Angad felt like a heel, like a worm for shouting at her without reason…she had only come to call him downstairs for the Puja….he rushed after her calling out: Kripaaa , I am sorry…..but she ran down the corridor to the stairs and below! She quickly ran into a bathroom, wiped her tears and fixed her face, then she went downstairs and told Dida that Angad was busy with something and would come down later.
Dida looked suspiciously at Kripa's red eyes: Kya usney tujhsey kuchh kaha? Tu ro rahi hai kya?
Nahin toh, Kripa smiled widely in a forced grin: shayad agarbatti ke dhuaan se aankhen laal ho gayi"
Dida patted her cheek: Tu theek se jhooth bhi nahin bol sakti….achha chal, ab Puja shuru karni hai…
Angad's eyes searched for a pink sari with blue border. There she was, sitting in the front row between Gayatri and his Mom…..her graceful neck was revealed by her pinned-up hair, a thin gold necklace gracing it, long gold earrings hanging from her shell-like ears, kissing her neck. He suddenly wished he could take the place of those dangling earrings. Her neck looked very kissable! His pulse suddenly started pounding: Oh GOD! Not AGAIN…..such feelings during Puja! He drew in a deep breath and looked away….he saw Manek and Anitah sitting on one side. Manek waved at him and gestured him to sit near them….Angad went and sat close to them.
Aaahhaa she smiled…..he was jubilant, he grinned widely…"ladki hansi, toh iska matlab phansi"
She looked so lovely in the baby pink silk sari…..her creamy skin was glowing baby pink too. Again he felt things he shouldn't feel!
She sang this famous Meera bhajan in her clear, sweet voice…..Angad was mesmerized from the first note:
Jake sar mor mukut, mero pati soi.
ab toh bel fail gayi, aanand fal hoyi.
chaad gayi kul ki kaan ka karihe koyi.
moti munge utaar, ban maala poyi.
Yashomati maiya se bole Nandalala: Boli musakati maiya, lalana ko bataya: Yashomati maiya se bole Nandalala: Yashomati maiya se bole Nandalala: Angad and everybody else listened to Kripa's sweet voice in a trance….Angad felt his nerve-ends react to her melodious voice...he got goosebumps…..shes so talented, she should be a professional singer, he thought with amazed admiration! *** To be continued…Janmashtami episode….in a hurry now , have 2 go to work…*** - -
Radha kyu gori? Mai kyu kala?
kali andhiyari adhi-rata me tu aya.
Ladla kanhaiyaa mera hooo
Ladla kanhaiya mera kali kamli wala
Isiliye kaala….
Radha kyu gori? Mai kyu kala?
Boli musakati maiya: suna, mere pyare, (2X)
gori-gori Radhika ke naina kajara re.
kale nainovali ne aisa jadu dala,
isi lie kala. Yashomati... .
Radha kyun gori? Main kyun kala?
Part 9 Just as Kripa was ending her second bhajan, Mishti sauntered in casually, fashionably late, wearing a black Kurti and pants. She had been invited by Damini, who was planning her alliance with Angad! Mishti heard the ending part of Kripa's song and the admiring comments of her listeners in the Puja room. Mishti made a catty face: What a typical middle-class BONG! Wearing saris, singing bhajans! She sneered mentally at Kripa. Then her eyes fell on Angad, sitting right behind Kripa. She pounced on Angad, literally trampling the devotees who sat in the middle of her way to her target! ANGAAAD, she called in her loud, aggressive voice: Sorry, mujhey der ho gayi, wo meri nails ki appointment thi Shenaz Beauty Parlor mein, isliye ..….she said, looking superciliously at Kripa's short, unpainted nails. Kripa had turned around at her loud, brash entry, she grimaced slightly: OH NOO, yeh Mishti yahan kaisey aa gayi? Now she will show off the whole time" Angad looked at Kripa, then Mishti and smiled sardonically. He understood their mutual dislike. Mishti grabbed Angad's arm, tugging it: Chalo Angad, hum baahar jaakar baat kartey hain….her red talons digging into Angad's forearm. Dadi looked back with an irritated look at Mishti's brassy, aggressive behavior, disturbing the decorum of the Puja room. Angad…..tum aajkal Club mein kyun nahin aatey? Mishti complained as soon as they stepped out into the Hall. Kripa had started singing the popular devotional chorus,: Om Jai Jagdish Harey" leading the devotees in the chorus. She was singing each antara and the others were repeating it after her. Angad couldn't resist her sweet voice, he stood at the door of the Puja room, gazing at her sing the bhajan. The puja was finally over…Dadi, Naina and Shibani started distributing the sweets and prashad amongst the guests and devotees, with Gayatri and Kripa also helping them. As Gayatri brought the prashad tray to Angad and Mishti, Naina came forward and introduced her to her son: Gayatri, yeh hai mera beta, Angad, …Angad, yeh Kripa ki maa hain, tumhari Gayatri Chachi" Angad bent down and touched Gayatri's feet : Namastey Auntie" he said politely. She was delighted with his good manners: (kitna shareef ladka hai…London mein chaar saal rehkar bhi apney sanskar nahin bhoola)….she raised her hand to his head and blessed him: Jeetey raho, Beta! Mujhey Chachi kaho….meri Maa aur tumhari Dadi bachpan ki sahelian thi, isliye hum tumharey rishtedaar jaisey hi hain samjho" Gayatri turned to Naina : Bahut sundar hai tumhara beta, ekdum raajkumar jaisa" Angad grinned sheepishly, rather shyly. Gayatri asked him: Beta, tum Sunday ko free ho na? Mishti was getting impatiently jealous of all the attention Kripa and her mother were getting. She pulled Angad away and Manek and Anitah also joined them as the four of them started chatting in the Hallway. Kripa looked at them out of the corner of her eyes. Dinner was soon served buffet style in the large Dining-room. It was a strange mixture of Punjabi and Bengali Pure vegetarian dishes made specially for the puja without onions or garlic. Mung-dal khichdi, puris, aloo-gobi, stuffed baingan, Dhokar dalna (fried dal vadas in curry) and Paneer dalna. Mishti grabbed Angad's arm again, commenting loudly: Yeh sab hum kaisey khayengey…come on lets go to Pizza Hut on Camac Street! Then he saw Kripa serving food to the guests at a buffet table….he went and stood next to her and started serving the guests from the next tray. Angad asked her: Kya hua? I am trying to be a good host" he joked. "Waisey tum khana nahin logi? Aisey hi sabko serve karti rahogi? Angad declared: Per mujhey toh bahut bhookh lagi hai…..khana dogi mujhey? He asked in a teasing tone and held out an empty plate before her. Mishti watched them and gnashed her teeth angrily…yeh Kripa kahan se aa gayi beech mein? Mishti was getting very frustrated: badi aayi Dadi aur Chachi ki chamchi…she thought cattily. She went to Manek and Aaliyah and started whispering with them, planning something. Meanwhile, Angad was enjoying the delicious food, eating with great gusto…watching Kripa serve food furtively. She also glanced at him as she served. Dadi came to Kripa: Beti, tu ab dinner kha le….aur kitni der sabki seva karegi? Kripa filled up 2 plates for Dadi and Naina: Dadi, pehley aap aur chachi le leejiye" Mishti saw their interaction and came forward with Anitah and Manek. Angaaaad! She blared out in her loud, harsh voice, Chalo, kal hum sab movie dekhney chaltey hain….tum, main, Anitah aur Manek, kyun kya khayal hai? She threw a sly, nasty look towards Kripa, grabbing his arm again. Naina overheard and came forward: Angad, tum log Kripa ko bhi le jaana apney saath. Kripa intervened with a flushed face: Nahin Chachi, rehney deejiye. Mujhey English movies achhey nahin lagtey…you all enjoy! Excuse me…..she moved away, a little upset at Mishti's openly insulting tone. Angad looked a little angrily at Mishti but didn't say anything. After a little while, he managed to escape from Mishti's clinging arms and went looking for Kripa. She was nowhere to be seen. He went upstairs and checked all the rooms…she wasn't in any of them. …Kya ruthkar ghar chali gayi? Lekin uski parents toh abhi tak yahin per hain…he wondered. Then suddenly he felt a warm blast of wind from the terrace door upstairs. …..so that's where she went. He smiled slightly and went up the stairs. Kripa stood near the terrace wall, her hands on the ledge, looking up at the half-moon in the sky. He was mesmerized by that lovely face, even more enchanting bathed in moonlight. His heart gave a little leap as he went forward and lightly touched her shoulder. Angad lightly touched her arm: Mishti ki baaton ka bura maan gayi? Wo toh aisi hi hai…kya tum usey jaanti nahin? Kripa remained silent….she herself didn't know why it upset her to see Mishti's red talons digging into Angad's arm or her chest pressing against his arm intimately, clinging to him so shamelessly. Angad : Why don't you come with us to the movie tomorrow? Kripa's breath caught in her throat as she looked up into his face, so close to her that she felt his warm breath on her forehead. Their eyes met and she froze like a deer caught in a lion's gaze. - -
Angad made a bored face: Roz roz Club jaana mujhey achha nahin lagta (to tell the truth he would rather spend his time tuning his guitar, listening to music and teasing Kripa occasionally)
Mishti followed him like a leech: Tumhey yeh sab bhajan wajan achhey lagtey hain? She asked sneering at Kripa.
Angad looked annoyed at her: I like all kinds of music as long as it sounds good. Kripa is a really good singer" Mishti saw him staring at Kripa and silently seethed with jealousy.
She liked Angad's clean-shaved, handsome face and charming smile.
Angad: Haan chachi, per kyun?
Gayatri: Toh Sunday ko tum apney parivaar ke saath hamarey ghar Lunch per aa rahey ho, theek hai?
Angad grinned in delight: Zaroor, chachi! I would love to go to your house! ( I would love to see Kripa's room better than whats visible from my window, he added in his mind)
He glanced at kripa who was distributing prashad nearby, she looked back at him, their eyes met, he winked at her, she frowned at him and turned away.
Dadi overheard Mishti and came forward, she told Angad in a stern voice: Puja ke din ghar ke baahar khana nahin khatey.
Angad pushed Mishti's hand away and said: I know, Dadi! Waisey bhi mujhey khichdi aur puris zyada achhey lagtey hain….London mein pizza aur sandwiches kha-khakar bore ho gaya hoon" he looked mockingly at Mishti.
Kripa looked at him with surprise.
Kripa said: Mujhey abhi bhookh nahin hai…baad mein khaa loongi"
Kripa looked at him suspiciously, but he smiled at her with a perfectly innocent, guileless expression.
Her heart did a little somersault at his charming smile. He was looking particularly dashing tonight in the dark blue kurta set. And he knew it….
She quietly served him khichdi, puris and the curries.
She went to Angad and grabbed his arm again: Chalo, tumharey room mein baithkar khatey hain"
Angad moved his arm away again: Sorry! I cannot leave our guests and go upstairs….wo bahut buri baat hogi...haina, Kripa? He suddenly asked her.
Startled, Kripa looked up at him and nodded: Haan, Dadi aur Chachi ko achha nahin lagega"
Dadi blessed her: Kitni achhi hai hamari Gudiya" and took the plates. Kripa took her own food and went to Angad: Tumhey aur kuchh chahiye?
That's a Leading question, Kripa! His eyes glinted with mischief at her.
Kya Matlab? She looked confused.
Angad thought: Da**! This girl is a complete innocent! Somehow that thought excited him. " I mean neki aur poochh poochh? I am always ready to eat! Laao, mujhey aur pooriyan do" he scooped up two puris from Kripa's plate and started eating them, grinning at her. She glared at him, then started laughing.
Mishti sneered : Kripa kya English movies dekhti hai? Hum Globe mein Tom Cruise ki latest movie dekhney jaa rahey hain"
Kripa turned with a slight gasp: Ohh tum? Tumney toh mujhey dara diya tha….she smiled faintly but her eyes looked distant.
Kripa laughed a little: Of course jaanti hoon….College mein hum sab usey Ms. India bulatey hain mazaak mein…
Phir tum itni upset kyun?
Kripa protested : No, its Okay, REALLY! I wont enjoy with Mishti there anyways.
Angad: Toh theek hai, next week hum Hindi movie dekhney chalengey, okay? Tum kiski movie dekhna pasand karogi?
John Abraham, Kripa said shyly.
Angad laughed loudly: Toh tumhey John Abraham pasand hai? Do you like the buff, model types?
Kripa looked at him indignantly: KYUN? John mein burayi kya hai? Achha actor bhi toh hai….
Angad sniggered, teasing her: Acting se zyada ladkiyan uskey shakal per martey hain, mainey suna hai….
Kripa was defensive: Haan toh ismein burayi kya hai? You guys dream about Bipasha or Priyanka, why cant we girls dream about John or Abhishek?
Angad suddenly moved close to her, bent his head towards her upturned face: "How do you know who I dream about?" He asked her huskily.
He slowly raised a hand and lightly touched her flushed pink cheeks. She closed her eyes and shivered. His lips moved closer to her face…he lightly kissed one heated cheek... The touch of his warm lips made her tremble! "Goodnight, Kripa!" His deep voice sounded velvety in her ears. "Sweet dreams!" he intoned suddenly snapped out of her intoxicated state, moved backwards and then turned and ran away, down the stairs.
Part 10 It was well past midnight! Kripa lay in her bed, tossing and turning, unable to go to sleep. She touched her cheek, where his warm lips had gently pressed earlier that night. Her cheeks heated up at the memory. Her skin tingled where his lips had touched. Yeh mujhey kya ho raha hai? Angad kyun mere saath aisa behave kar raha hai? Kya wo mujhey pasand karta hai? Ya sirf mujhey tease kar raha hai? Main kyun uskey teasing se itna ghabraa jaati hoon? Kisi aur aadmi ne mere saath aisa karney ki kabhie himmat nahin kee….main kyun usey kuchh keh nahin paati? Her face reddened…she suddenly started feeling hot ..….it was a hot, balmy night. Bose residence didn't have Central A/C like Khanna House; the creaky old ceiling fan hardly did any good to cool down the stuffy room. Kripa got out from under the mosquito-net and opened her window to let in the cool, night air. Her gaze instinctively went up to the window above hers…lights were still on in his room. Was he awake too? Was he having a sleepless night too? Good! She hoped he would! Up in his room, Angad sat watching his small bedroom TV and drinking cold soda. He couldn't sleep either. Her face kept appearing in his thoughts, her beautiful, innocent face, the soft tendrils of loose hair framing its loveliness….her wide, expressive eyes…eyes that couldn't hide any emotion…anger, distress, shyness, her awareness of him! He wanted to drown in those eyes of hers! The tender, soft skin of her cheeks under his lips had felt so sweet! He wanted to kiss her again, to taste those soft lips of hers this time. He would get the chance soon, he knew….it was only a matter of time before she would be in his arms again. His pulse quickened….he was on the hunt! ************************************************** ********** ****** Angad went for Lunch and matinee show with Mishti and his cousins the next day, Saturday. Meanwhile, Kripa helped her mother in the kitchen all morning, preparing sweets and dishes in advance for the dinner party the next day for the Khannas. Kripa made devilled eggs which was her specialty. She helped her mother make coconut laddoos and malpoas and fish chops. Finally, in late afternoon, after lunch, she went next door to meet Dida and Chhutki. Dida was still taking her afternoon nap, tired from previous night's Puja but Harshini was awake and delighed to see Kripa di. Shibani had gone to New Market for Durga Puja shopping so Chhutki had no study-time. She and Kripa played cards all afternoon, chatting about their favorite TV shows and movie stars. Chhutki was a crazy fan of Hrithik Roshan and raved about his recent peformance and dances in Dhoom 2, which she had seen on VCD. Kripa laughed in amusement, enjoying Harshini's little-girl crush on Hrithik. After two hours, Chhutki's mother returned from shopping and promptly sent her to bury her nose in her school books. Kripa went down to Dida's room on the second floor…..Dida was awake, sitting up on her bed, doing Jaap with her beads. She signalled Kripa to come sit beside her. As soon as she was done, she said: Kripa beti, aa gayi tu? Kal raat ko Puja mein tera gaana sunkar dil bhar gaya …sab teri bahut tareef kar rahey the… Kripa blushed and thanked her, then got up and said: Main maalish ka tel lekar aati hoon…aapkey jodon mein toh bahut dard ho raha hoga kal se? Dida: Nahin, nahin, uski zaroorat nahin….aaj subah itna dard ho raha tha ke Naina ne maalish kar diya hai, ab main bilkul theek hoon….tu aa, yahan, mere paas baith. Kripa went and sat down beside her. Dida smiled and pinched her cheek: Kal raat tu sari mein bahut sundar lag rahi thi…ab se sari hi pehna kar.. (Dida had noticed her grandson staring avidly at Kripa's loveliness in the sari) Kripa grimaced : Nooo Dida! Shadi ke baad waisey bhi poora time wohi sari aur ghunghat….yeh sab karna padega….ab toh thoda salwar-kurta pehenkar free honay deejiye. (She was wearing a magenta salwar today) Kyun Rey? Dadi asked her, teri shadi aisey ghar mein bhi toh ho sakti hai jahan per tu sab tarah ke kapdey pehen sakegi? Kripa pouted and laid her head down in Dida's lap: Mujhey kya pata kahan shadi hogi? Per main Maa-Baba aur aap sabko chhodkar kahin nahin jaaana chahti.. Dida smiled secretly to herself: Aisa hi hoga, Beti, aisa hi hoga…aur iski tayyari bhi shuru ho gayi hai….her sharp, experienced eyes had noticed the growing attraction between her two favorite grandkids. Aloud she said: Toh tu ek kaam kar, isi ilaakey ke kisi ladkey se shadi kar le,phir tujhey apney Baba-ma ya humein chhodkar door nahin jaana padega. Dida laughed: Kitni baar toh sun chuki hai…phir se sunegi? Dida smiled, her eyes getting a distant, dreamy look, remembering her first meeting with her late, beloved husband. Her fingers idly brushed through Kripa's thick, wavy hair as she started telling her and Angad's Dadaji's love-story. " Tab main satrah saal ki thi….apni saheli Pratima ki shadi per gayi hui thi. Mujhey yaad hai uss din mainey ek komla (orange) rang ki sari pehni thi…aur meri Maa ke gahnein. Subah se hi main shadi ke ghar mein vyast thi….phir mainey dekha ke ek hatta –katta moochhon-wala naujawan sab jagah mere peechhey pada hua tha…..main jahan bhi jaa rahi thi, wahin mere peechhey peechhey aa raha tha…. Kripa had seen Dadu-Dida's faded pictures from their youth in her old album so she knew what they looked like, Dadu was tall, handsome, with a thick mustache and Dida was slender, very fair and beautiful….she knew why Dadu had lost his heart. She teased Dida: Haan, Dadu toh aapko dekhkar lattoo ho gaye hongey…. Dida continued: Phir mainey Pratima ko uskey baarey mein poochha, usney mujhey bataya ke wo uskey Bodo-da (oldest brother) ke dost the aur dono ek saath lakdi ka karobaar kartey the, Burma Teak ka…unka naam Amarjeet Khanna tha….shadi ke do din baad Protima ke sasuraal mein "Bou-bhaat" (Reception) ka nyota tha hum sabka…us raat ko bhi wo mere peechhey aaye, mujhsey mera naam poochha, aur main jab jaa rahi thi toh mera haath bhi pakad liya…. Kripa giggled and said "How ROMANTIC, Dida"…she was thrilled as always to hear about Dadu holding Dida's hand. Dida scolded her: Tu hans mat! Un dinon ek kunwari ladki ka haath pakadna bahut badi baat thi….main toh bahut darr gayi thi….phir tere Dadu ne kaha ke wo mujhsey shadi karna chahtey hain…mainey unsey kaha Jaao mere Baba se kaho, mujhsey kyun shadi ki baat kar rahey ho? Aur phir tum Punjabi ho aur main Bangali, mere Baba kabhie iss rishtey se raazi nahin hongey….yeh sunkar tere Dadu hansey aur boley ke wo mere Baba ko manaa lengey. Uskey do din baad hi wo dher sarey mithai aur bhent (gifts) lekar mere ghar aa gaye aur mere baba se mera haath manga. Mere Baba toh ekdum gussey se laal ho gaye….hum Bangali Brahmin the aur tere Dadu Punjabi Kshatriya…..shadi ka koi sawaal hi nahin uthta…unhoney tere Dadu ko ghar se nikaal diya, boley ke yeh shadi kabhie nahin ho sakti! Lekin tere Dadu bhi iraadey ke pakkey the, bilkul haar nahin maaney, har haftey hamarey ghar per mithai, phool yeh sab bhejtey gaye …..aisa ek saal tak chalta raha. Mere Baba ne doosri jagah meri shadi taye kar dee…..lekin tab tak main bhi tere Dadu se pyar karney lagi thi….mainey Baba se keh diya ke main sirf mere Punjabi se hi shadi karoongi. Aakhir mein mere Baba ko haar manna pada….aur hamari shadi ho gayi. Mere Baba ne dher saari shartey rakhi ….ke wo mujhey Punjab nahin le jayengey, Kalkattey mein hi rahengey, ke shadi Bangali reeti-riwaaz se hi hogi….tere Dadu ne sab shartey maan lee… Shadi ke baad wo mujhey Rangoon le gaye the jahan unka lakdi ka karobaar tha, wahan hum ek saal the, wahin per Dilip ka janam hua….aur phir hum Kalkutta laut aaye aur tere Dadu ne Shyambazar mein ek chhota sa ghar khareed liya…uskey teen saal baad Damini aayi aur teen saal baad Debu. Usi ghar mein hum sab rehtey the phir tere Dadu ke guzar jaaney ke paanch saal baad hum yahan shift ho gaye New Alipur mein, lekin wo ghar abhi tak mere naam hai, main wahan kabhie kabhie jaati hoon, hamari sab yaadein wahin per hain. …..Dida looked pensive, remembering her lost beloved. Kripa looked thoughtful…Dadu-Dida's story was so romantic…kaash mujhey bhi aisa sachcha pyar karney wala mil jaaye…she smiled dreamily at the ceiling and closed her eyes with a soft sigh…suddenly Angad's arrogantly handsome, teasing face appeared before her closed eyes. She got up from Dida's lap with a startled gasp…. Dadi: Kya hua tujhey? Kripa ran out of the room as if a hundred ghosts were after her! "Easy there!" Angad caught her up into his arms, steadying her. She looked up, breathless, into his face which was just a few inches above her…..Angad grinned down at her sardonically…."kahan bhaagi jaa rahi ho? " "Ghar jaa rahi hoon, tumsey matlab?" She asked, defensive all of a sudden. She struggled to free herself from his arms. But he tightened his arms around her, almost crushing her to his muscular chest, so that her softness was firmly pressed against his hard pectorals. She flushed a deep red at the close contact with his body, struggling hard to escape: "Chhod do.. mujhey ghar jaana hai" He laughed devilishly, then bent down and whispered in her ears…"Aur agar nahin chhoda toh?" "Tum hamesha mere raastey mein aa jatey ho, isliye,... she retorted spiritedly. She looked into his warm, teasing eyes and felt weak in her knees….it was a good thing he was holding her, otherwise she would have fallen down. Main tumharey raastey mein aata hoon ya tum mere baahon mein aati ho?" He teased her in a low, husky voice. He looked after her with an amused glint in his eyes, combined with desire. She had felt so good in his arms, as if she belonged right there. He wished he could hold her like that forever and never let her go home! That night, again, both were sleepless, tossing and turning in their respective beds, remembering their tight embrace from that evening. Both looked at their windows and wondered what the other was doing and thinking at that moment.
Uski aankhen kyun mujhey behkaa deti hain?
Aur mujhey "Sweet Dreams" keh raha tha….she thought, pouting angrily…".neend hi nahin aa rahi toh sapney kaisey dekhoon? "
Just the way she had wanted….she mentally rubbed her hands in glee.
Kripa avoided the subject: Meri shadi ki baat chhodiye….aapki aur Dadu ki kahani phir se sunaiye na….
Dida, please, aaj phir se sunney ko mann kar raha hai…please sunaiye na…
Dida giggled like a teenager: Haan wo toh ho gaye the…..lekin main toh pehley bahut darr gayi thi…aur gussa bhi bahut aaya tha uspar…kahan se yeh hatta katta Punjabi aa gaya mere peechhey. Mujhey aisey ghoor raha tha jaisey pehley ladki dekhi hi nahin….(Kripa blushed, remembering her identical thoughts in the kitchen about Angad)
Kripa: Mujhey ek zaroori kaam yaad aa gaya….main aati hoon, Dida, kal aap hamarey ghar aa rahey hain na?…phir baaatein hongi"
She ran down the stairs to the Main door, intent on escaping from the vision of Angad in her mind…and AS USUAL she bumped straight into Angad who was coming in through the front door after his matinee show!
She wiggled harder in his arms but he tightened his grip. She cried out, gasping..…ANGADD! CHHODO MUJHEY…..
He laughed again and said in a low, deep, confidential tone in her ears : "Chhod doonga, lekin pehley tum yeh bataao ke tum hamesha itni jaldi main kyun rehti ho….kabhie dekhkar kyun nahin chalti? Aur hamesha mujhsey hi kyun takraati ho?"
She blushed furiously and pushed him hard till he finally let her go….she ran away at once out of the house, her heart pounding so loudly she could swear he had heard the drumbeats inside her chest.
Their feelings were like this song from Ghulam:
Jadu Hai ( Its magic) -Film Ghulam deewane mere , yeh to bata kya kiya tune,mitha sa dard hone laga m: yeh kya hua? , pehle an aisa hota tha , meh hoon khan men jaanu na x2 m: koi mujhe , itna bata de , ghar ka mere , mujhe muj ko bata de f: Jadu hai, tera hi jadu, jo mere dil pe chane laga x2 music m:mene to, yeh jana na , hota hai kya intezar mera dil , kyun mane na , mujko to hogya hai pyar f: men chan se, pehle rato ko soti thi , tune meri, ninde lutee x2 ye rog kya, tune lagaya , deewanapun kaisa jagaya m:jadu hai tera hi jadu , jo mere dil pe chane laga f: :yeh kya hua pehle an aisa hota tha , meh hoon khan men jaanu na x2 music f:jane man , oh jane jan , kya hai irada bata choone de is hoton ko mere honto se mere zara m:kya khoob main be deewana thana, Kyun ishq say anjana tha x2 pagal mujhe tune banaya, chahat hai kya mujhko bataya - -
f: Jadu hai, tera hi jadu, jo mere dil pe chane laga x2
Magic it is , your magic , that is flowing over my heart
oh my crazy man, what have you done !, given me this sweet pain
What has happened ? , it never happened before , where am I ? , I dont even know !
Someone please tell me , where is my house , please tell me
Magic it is , your magic , that is flowing over my heart
I didnt even know what it was to wait
Why does my heart not admit it that I am in love ?
I used to sleep soundly at night , you have stolen my sleep
What is this illness that you have given me , how did you cause this madness ?
oh jana yeh to bata kya kya tune , mitha sa dard hone laga
koi mujhe , itna bata de , ghar ka mere , mujhe muj ko bata de
Oh man of my heart , oh man of my life , tell me , what is your intent ?
Let me touch your lips with mine
Really ! I was mad , didnt know of the ways of love
You have made me fall madly in love , what it is to desire , you have taught me