FF: A Blue Moon Ago - Chapter 26

Morning came bright and cheerful. The newlyweds felt anything but cheerful. Angad's back was hurting as the floor never did him justice. Kripa felt guilty for making him sleep on the floor but was still angry at him. She found it unbelievable that Angad would suspect her with something so cheap and lowly; to cheat the person she loved with his best friend. 

She realized how odd it was that she still believed anything he said. She wasn't supposed to believe him right? He was the world's biggest idiot. She saw Kunal all cheerful and all her bitter thoughts disappeared. The reason for their wedding was right in front of her. What did it matter why Angad had behaved that way? As long as her son was happy, she didn't have a single compliant against the world. The day her son forgot their deal, she would be out of his life without even blinking once. 

Naina saw Kripa wearing a pink sari and smiled. The word beautiful did not justify her daughter-in-law's beauty. One would think that her beauty would be the reason for an ego, but Kripa was the most down-to-earth woman she had met. She had seen so much hardship in life yet she still hadn't complained. Other women would have complained. 

They all had breakfast together. Everyone realized that Kripa and Angad were unusually quiet. That naturally meant that things weren't better for them yet. They already faced so many challenges in life, why was this still between them? 

Angad cleared his throat. 'Mom, I have to go to Mumbai and adjust everything. Since we'll be living here now, I have to ensure that I am able to run the business from here and if possible start new branches over here. I think I will leave this weekend.' 

'Angad, you just got married. You can't leave Kripa here! Kripa can't even come because she has to be at the hospital. Can't you go later?' Naina protested. 

'Bhai, you can't leave Kripa here like this. Come on, be reasonable.' Aaliya chimed in. 

'Even I don't want to leave Kripa here but I have to go sooner or later and the earlier I get going, the better it will be. You know how it is Aali, please understand. Kripa, I hope you don't mind.' He saw her hesitate and look up at him. 

'Sure Angad, whatever is fine. Just let me know when exactly you want to leave so that I can do your packing.' Kripa had removed his clothes from the cupboard and was behaving like a typical housewife. The only problem was they did not speak to one another unless they were with everyone. 

Kunal chipped in, 'Papa, can I come with you? School's done and it's holidays. Can I please come with you?' 

'Ask Mama,' Angad said. He met her gaze and realized that was the first time he ever said that. He felt some strange kind of satisfaction. Kripa looked at him and smiled. 

'Sure Kunal, you can go. You'll have lots of fun! But what will he do when you're in office?' 

'Don't worry Mama, I'll find something to do. Yay! I'll go with you! I'm so excited!' Kunal went around doing his happy dance and went up the stairs giggling like a girl. 

Angad smiled at his wife and mouthed a thank you. 

The time to retire for the night came. Kripa entered the room where Angad was working on the bed on his laptop. He was completely focused on his work and didn't realize that she stood on the doorway watching him. After some time, he felt somebody's gaze on him and lifted his eyes. As soon as he saw her, she cleared her throat. 'Angad, you know you don't need to ask me anything about Kunal and you certainly don't need to thank me. He's your son too!' 

He watched her with a confused expression. Then he realized that no matter how things stood between them, she would never put any restrictions for her son. At that instant, he fell in love more than he already was with her. He looked at her tenderly and Kripa squirmed. She went to the bathroom and got changed. 

Meanwhile, Angad was setting his 'bed' on the floor. Kripa came out of the bathroom and immediately felt guilty. She knew what was happening to his back and she hated feeling responsible for everything. And anyways, she debated with herself, he's my husband now. When he lifted his gaze to her, she said, 'Angad, you can sleep on the bed. Your back will get worse, I don't want to end up feeling guilty,' she added gruffly. 

He smiled at her and her animosity nearly melted. And, she reminded herself, he was leaving for Mumbai soon without her. If he truly loved her, he wouldn't leave her like this. Kripa, be fair, he has to go for work alright? But couldn't he have told me before? But were you even letting him say anything. Don't blame him for something so trivial. 

She went to the bed and faced the wall instead of facing him. He nearly sighed; it was going to be a long time before they truly got together. They couldn't sleep for some time thinking about one another when Angad finally fell asleep. She turned when she heard his even breathing and watched the moon play with his features; he looked so serene and so beautiful. She had never termed a man beautiful, but he was exceptional. She went closer to him and watched him sleep as if memorizing every part of him. She went to his ear and whispered 'I love you'. 

She snuggled into him promising herself that she would wake up before he did and move out of the curve of his arms, for he had moved instinctively against her. She sighed and pressed her lips on his bare shoulder. No matter what happened between them, she would always love him, she admitted and fell asleep completely content in the first time in over a decade. 

She woke up as the sun poured on her face and she felt extraordinarily happy without realizing why. There was something heavy on her and she felt disoriented. She couldn't remember what in the world was crushing her down. Then she remembered snuggling into her husband and almost jolted. This was Angad pressing against her sleeping peacefully. She knew she had to move before he realized what had happened. 

She tried shaking him off but admitted that he was much too heavy for that. She couldn't give up though and tried to shove him again. He groaned wondering who the hell was pushing him to wake up. He was having the sweetest dream which involved his wife and he didn't want to be woken yet. He would have to bear the painful silence later on but now he wanted to be in the state of blissful ignorance. 

Somebody was squirming against him and he swore colorfully. What the hell was happening? Then he blinked awake. He looked down and saw Kripa struggling against him. He saw her tousled hair and smiled. As soon as he figured what was happening, he rolled off her and apologized. She did not quite meet his eyes and rushed in the bathroom. He smiled affectionately. She was not as unaffected as he had seemed to think she was.