Chapter 8
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Hello everyone, I have written a breakdown of Astha and Shlok's behavior to clarify some questions put forth by my wonderful readers. Please read above. It is right above in sea green print. Thanks to Dream for telling me that the characters had a comfort level despite their relationship. Astha is showing that she does not care, but she also expects him to take care of her (thirsty scene). So, they do have a mutually working relationship, taking vows does that to people.
Chapter 7:
Shlok had come back from his morning run and was freshening up as Astha fussed about trying to get her things together. She was running late again for her work.
Astha was putting on her earrings in front of the dressing table when he came and stood behind her.
Shlok grimly: You forgot this by the basin.
He handed her the mangal sutra.
Astha did not look around: Thanks.
Shlok's temper rose when she just slapped it on the table and went about her business.
Shlok: Aren't you going to wear it?
Astha: There's no need, I am only going to work.
Shlok: Dammit Astha! Put it on. You cannot go about carelessly leaving it wherever you like. It is a sacred necklace.
Astha sarcastically: Jo marriage ko ek khel shamajte ho, unko mangal sutra ke bare me lecture nehi dena chaihye, hai na? It doesn't suit you, Shlok (she pouted).
Shlok's sharp intake of breath told her that she had hit her mark.
Astha slung her bag over her shoulder: I will be late, don't wait up.
Shlok pulled her back by her arm: You were homesick and crying your eyes out last night, so I did not say anything. Don't take my silence as my agreement. I did not give you permission to go back to work. Hamare ghar me biwiya kam nehi karte.
Astha's eyes lighted with fire: When did I ask for your permission? I only told you my decision. Now get out of my way, I have no intention of playing good wife to your misogynistic Agnihotri family ideals (he winced).
She was breathing fire, demands would not work, Shlok realized. He took a deep breath and tried again.
Shlok: Look, today is the Mu-dikhai ceremony. Some guests are already here to see you. My sister, Jyoti, also came all the way from Kohlapur. She couldn't come for the wedding due to ill-health. (He gritted his teeth in frustration) Please.
Astha: No! I will not give up my independence for you and your family!
Shlok, angrily: God, Astha. Stop shouting! Someone will overhear us.
Astha smiled: Or else, what? You will stop me? Clamp your hand over my mouth? Tell me, is it healed yet?
There was hurt in his eyes. She was taken aback by her own cruelty. Still, Astha could not believe what an act he was willing to put on to get his way. This was how he fooled her into marrying him. Not anymore.
She walked out. He went after her and stopped her in the hallway.
There was a huge fuss downstairs. Everyone was getting ready for the mu-dikhai. Astha looked down to see the source of all the chatter coming up.
Shlok softly: I did it for your family yesterday, Astha. I am only asking for one day.
It sounded fair.
Astha: Fine. And what about my work?
Shlok sighed: I need a little time to make my father understand.
Astha corrected him: Your mother also.
Shlok, seriously: She will have to live with it.
Ayi: I will have to live with what?
Shlok glared at her and walked away.
Ayi: Astha, why aren't you ready yet? Mu-dikhai is about to start. Jaldi karo.
Astha: I will be an hour.
Ayi: Tell Shlok that he has to stay home too, to meet everyone. He can bring his work home for today. (She looked sad to Astha) Tell him...Baba said so.
In the bedroom...
Astha was throwing everything in her suitcase on to the bed.
Shlok suggested: Why don't you wear something from our gifts?
Astha sarcastically: No thank you, it might be too good for me.
Shlok: Why do you keep snapping at me with these classist remarks? Did I say anything about your class?
Astha angrily kept fishing through her clothes: You didn't have to. Your attitude said enough. How dare a small middle class girl challenge me openly? How dare she reject me? I will show her! And so you did.
Shlok couldn't deny that there was some truth to it. But class had nothing to do with it. It was more because she was a young girl who challenged him.
Astha: And then there's your mother who called me and my mother gold-diggers.
Shlok: She said that!?
Astha stopped him as he tried to go after his mother: No wait, she had other reasons, I think.
Shlok confused: Kya? What reasons?
Oh Astha, why do you let all your secrets out like that? Shlok doesn't need to know his mother warned her off him.
Astha: Leave it. You need her support today to talk to your father about my work. I need to get ready now.
She disappeared in the dressing room with an armful of saris.
Mu-dikhai...
Astha wore a simple golden dupatta over her sari to hide her face. Women were raising her jori to see her and bless her. Shlok couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked beautiful! He didn't need all his relatives to tell him that, but they insisted on it anyway.
His little sister was sitting quietly in a corner with her intolerable mother-in-law. He went to save her from what clearly looked like a lecture.
Shlok: Jyoti, jao, tumbhi millo Astha se.
Jyoti: Ho bhau. Mein abhi aayi.
Shlok watched adoringly as his sister met his wife. Astha even grabbed her hand after Jyoti blessed her and they were having some intense discussion. It made him happy to see they connected so well. Jyoti really needed a friend, she was always quiet.
Later, Astha was chatting with the guests when Jyoti and her family came to ask their leave. Her evil mother-in-law had recognized Astha and was in a hurry.
Shlok: But, she just came.
Ayi: Stay a little longer. You have made a long journey.
Astha interrupted their goodbyes: No, no. You have to stay with us today Jyoti. I want to get to know you better. Isn't that right, Shlok?
Jyoti's mother-in-law: Ho Ambe, she calls him by his name!
Ayi hesitated.
Shlok interjected: I don't mind.
Astha: That's not the point! Jyoti, you are staying with me today.
She pulled a terrified looking Jyoti aside.
Shlok: Yes, she's staying.
Ayi pulled Shlok away: She cannot stay if Jamai Bapu and his mother does not want her to. Tell Astha to stop insisting. It doesn't look good.
Shlok: Why not? She's my sister first!
Mother-in-law forced a smile: Ghar me bohot kam he, neyi bahu. Phir kabhi, thik hai?
She tried to pull Jyoti along, but Astha did not let go.
Astha forced a sweet smile: Toh thik hai na, Jyoti kamwali thori hi hai? You can go home and get the work done by your helps, Jyoti will stay. Jamai-bhauji can also stay, if he likes.
Ayi looked on confused.
Shlok did not know why Astha was so insistent, but it was nice to see that she wanted to get to know his sister better. Jyoti was such a sweet girl. Her stupid in-laws finally gave in after he took Astha's side again and the mother-in-law left.
That evening...
Shlok was in his dressing room when Astha burst in.
Astha closed her eyes: Oh God! Put some clothes on!!!
Shlok annoyed: I am only missing a shirt, there's not need to get so upset.
Astha picked up a t-shirt from the cabinet and threw it at him.
Shlok rolled his eyes. He put on the t-shirt leisurely just to annoy her.
Astha: Done?
Shlok dryly: Yes, thanks, you saved my modesty.
Astha glared at him: This is no time for jokes. I came here because I was in a hurry.
Shlok: What is it?
Astha: I have to tell you a story.
Shlok: That's nice, Astha. But I do not have time right now. It's almost dinner time. Baba is precise about the time. You should get ready too.
Astha pushed him against the wall: You will listen! Dinner can wait.
Shlok looked at the small mehendied hands against his chest. Did she really think she could overpower him? It was cute that she believed she could. He let her go on with her idea.
Shlok: Fine, listening.
Astha: Remember that day in Kohlapur when you slapped me for getting lost?
Shame creeped below his skin. He looked down automatically, Astha saw.
Shlok: I already apologized for that.
Astha: That day I was was helping a woman who fell sick in the mandir and when I took her home, I found out she was forced to have an abortion by her in-laws because she was carrying a girl-child.
Shlok, horrified: That is illegal.
Astha: I know that!
Shlok: How could someone do such a thing!? That poor woman.
Astha: You are not too fond of women yourself.
Shlok grabbed both her hands: Don't you dare think me capable of that. You can think anything you want of me, but don't you dare accuse me of such a thing. You do not know me!!! I love Kavya, I have always wanted a baby girl like...
He stopped as it dawned on him who he was talking to. His heart started to hurt, no, that was no longer possible. His dream shattered. Astha would never give him a baby girl of his own. He closed his eyes to keep away the sorrow.
Finally, Shlok looked at her. She looked rather struck by his outrage. Her cheeks were bright red.
Shlok looked away and said in a subdued tone: I don't know what you are playing at with your story. What is the point of all this?
Astha look a deep breath: If you are not such a brute, then this is your moment to prove yourself. I was helping Jyoti that day.
Shlok stared at her.
Astha: She told me this herself! I met her mother-in-law that day too. I could tell she was abusing Jyoti. Of course, I did not know who she was, I could not intervene. But today, I have made her stay. It is your responsibility to see to it that she does not...(Shlok had already left) leave.
Astha ran after him. He was walking like a mad man, straight for the dinner table where everyone sat waiting for them. Astha felt a moment of alarm. Shlok was looking like a hulk on a mission. Oh my, poor Jamai-bhauji.
Jyoti was sitting with her husband looking rather nervous.
Before Astha could come down the stairs, Shlok had grabbed Abhay by the collar and dumped him on the floor quite a few feet away.
Shlok: You lisping bas--rd!
Jyoti screamed. Varad went to stop him, but Shlok brushed him off.
Shlok: You are dead!
Ayi: Shlok, what is the meaning of this? Apologize to Jamai bapu at once!
Shlok started pounding on him as he got up to attack.
Niranjan, shocked: Shlok!
Shlok: You do not know what he did, Baba!
Chachaji tried to stop Shlok but he was having none of it. Abhay went under the dinner table. Shlok turned it over. All the food and plates crashing and people's screams made Astha's ear ring.
Varad tried to stop him again as Shlok went after Abhay, who was crawling desparately toward Jyoti.
Shlok shouted: Leave me! I will kill him today.
Astha tettered over the broken dishes and pulled him by his arm: Stop it, he will die. Stop it! That's enough.
Shlok stopped: Call the police!
Astha rubbed his arm: I already did. Calm down.
The police came in and arrested Abhay.
Police Officer: We were told it was a nari-nirjatan case. Can you specify?
Everyone looked thunderstruck. Ayi looked from Jyoti to Astha.
Ayi: What are they saying?
Astha: Sasubai, one minute.
Shlok was still breathing fire: This..git and his mother forced my sister to have an abortion because they found out it was a girl.
Sojal shrieked.
Varad gritted out: This is not the time, Sojal.
Astha: The mother needs to be arrested too.
Police Officer: Do you have proof or witnesses?
Shlok inclined his head toward Astha: My wife is witness. My sister told her during our trip to Kohlapur. And she's here too. Jyoti?
Jyoti hugging Ayi for life. She was crying and Ayi was in tears too.
Shlok, softly: Don't be scared Jyoti, tell them.
Niranjan: She can't testify against her husband!
Shlok turned toward his father in surprise: What are you saying Baba!? She could have died! She was in a terrible condition when Astha found her.
Niranjan looked lost for words: No, I meant...(he looked at his wife, but she was in too much distress to notice his gesture).
Astha to Jyoti: Don't worry. We are all with you. Don't be scared Jyoti.
Shlok: Don't be scared bacchi, you have nothing to be scared of. You are not going back to them. And I will be at your side. Tell the police officer everything.
After some persuasion, Jyoti finally confessed all to the police. The years of abuse, lock-up, how they kept her from seeing her family when they abused her and the abortion of the baby girl.
The police hauled Abhay away as he kept hurling abuses at Shlok and his family.
Abhay: I will get you Jyoti!!!
Shlok shouted after him: I would like to see you try, you bast--d!
Later that night...
Astha stayed with Jyoti and settled her in to her room as Shlok paced around her room quizzing her about her ordeal.
Ayi came in with some dinner.
Shlok: Where did they do the sex-determination test?
Jyoti trembled and rejected the spoonful of food her mother tried to feed her.
Jyoti: I...I don't remember.
Shlok: You have to remember something. What landmarks were around that clinic?
Astha snapped: Shlok, you are really not helping! Can't you see she's in distress? She can tell us these details later. Let her have dinner in peace. The poor girl has already suffered enough.
Shlok considered this: But we need this information.
Astha: Later.
He left the room. Ayi looked at Astha in a new light. That slip of a girl had saved her daughter today.
Still later...
Astha walked into the room and closed the door behind her. Shlok was pacing this room now. She took on her old air of nonchalance.
Astha feigned a sigh: That was a good day's work. I am so tired!
Shlok, awkwardly: Thank you for...
Astha: I did not do it because she was your sister. I would have done the same for any woman.
Shlok: I know but...
Astha: As I was saying...it looks like your are not much of a misogynist after all, dear husband. At least, not where your sister is concerned. Which makes you a hypocrite. And that is a compliment when it comes to you.
Shlok gritted his teeth against her assault.
Astha: Gotta go to bed, work tomorrow.
Shlok softly: Thank you for saving Jyoti's life today. I will talk to my family about your work. They won't get in your way...and neither will I.
They exchanged a look before Astha shut the bathroom door.
Chapter 8: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/94595308
Marybarton 2013-10-30 13:48:19
Chapter 7:
Shlok had come back from his morning run and was freshening up as Astha fussed about trying to get her things together. She was running late again for her work.
Astha was putting on her earrings in front of the dressing table when he came and stood behind her.
Shlok grimly: You forgot this by the basin.
He handed her the mangal sutra.
Astha did not look around: Thanks.
Shlok's temper rose when she just slapped it on the table and went about her business.
Shlok: Aren't you going to wear it?
Astha: There's no need, I am only going to work.
Shlok: Dammit Astha! Put it on. You cannot go about carelessly leaving it wherever you like. It is a sacred necklace.
Astha sarcastically: Jo marriage ko ek khel shamajte ho, unko mangal sutra ke bare me lecture nehi dena chaihye, hai na? It doesn't suit you, Shlok (she pouted).
Shlok's sharp intake of breath told her that she had hit her mark.
Astha slung her bag over her shoulder: I will be late, don't wait up.
Shlok pulled her back by her arm: You were homesick and crying your eyes out last night, so I did not say anything. Don't take my silence as my agreement. I did not give you permission to go back to work. Hamare ghar me biwiya kam nehi karte.
Astha's eyes lighted with fire: When did I ask for your permission? I only told you my decision. Now get out of my way, I have no intention of playing good wife to your misogynistic Agnihotri family ideals (he winced).
She was breathing fire, demands would not work, Shlok realized. He took a deep breath and tried again.
Shlok: Look, today is the Mu-dikhai ceremony. Some guests are already here to see you. My sister, Jyoti, also came all the way from Kohlapur. She couldn't come for the wedding due to ill-health. (He gritted his teeth in frustration) Please.
Astha: No! I will not give up my independence for you and your family!
Shlok, angrily: God, Astha. Stop shouting! Someone will overhear us.
Astha smiled: Or else, what? You will stop me? Clamp your hand over my mouth? Tell me, is it healed yet?
There was hurt in his eyes. She was taken aback by her own cruelty. Still, Astha could not believe what an act he was willing to put on to get his way. This was how he fooled her into marrying him. Not anymore.
She walked out. He went after her and stopped her in the hallway.
There was a huge fuss downstairs. Everyone was getting ready for the mu-dikhai. Astha looked down to see the source of all the chatter coming up.
Shlok softly: I did it for your family yesterday, Astha. I am only asking for one day.
It sounded fair.
Astha: Fine. And what about my work?
Shlok sighed: I need a little time to make my father understand.
Astha corrected him: Your mother also.
Shlok, seriously: She will have to live with it.
Ayi: I will have to live with what?
Shlok glared at her and walked away.
Ayi: Astha, why aren't you ready yet? Mu-dikhai is about to start. Jaldi karo.
Astha: I will be an hour.
Ayi: Tell Shlok that he has to stay home too, to meet everyone. He can bring his work home for today. (She looked sad to Astha) Tell him...Baba said so.
In the bedroom...
Astha was throwing everything in her suitcase on to the bed.
Shlok suggested: Why don't you wear something from our gifts?
Astha sarcastically: No thank you, it might be too good for me.
Shlok: Why do you keep snapping at me with these classist remarks? Did I say anything about your class?
Astha angrily kept fishing through her clothes: You didn't have to. Your attitude said enough. How dare a small middle class girl challenge me openly? How dare she reject me? I will show her! And so you did.
Shlok couldn't deny that there was some truth to it. But class had nothing to do with it. It was more because she was a young girl who challenged him.
Astha: And then there's your mother who called me and my mother gold-diggers.
Shlok: She said that!?
Astha stopped him as he tried to go after his mother: No wait, she had other reasons, I think.
Shlok confused: Kya? What reasons?
Oh Astha, why do you let all your secrets out like that? Shlok doesn't need to know his mother warned her off him.
Astha: Leave it. You need her support today to talk to your father about my work. I need to get ready now.
She disappeared in the dressing room with an armful of saris.
Mu-dikhai...
Astha wore a simple golden dupatta over her sari to hide her face. Women were raising her jori to see her and bless her. Shlok couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked beautiful! He didn't need all his relatives to tell him that, but they insisted on it anyway.
His little sister was sitting quietly in a corner with her intolerable mother-in-law. He went to save her from what clearly looked like a lecture.
Shlok: Jyoti, jao, tumbhi millo Astha se.
Jyoti: Ho bhau. Mein abhi aayi.
Shlok watched adoringly as his sister met his wife. Astha even grabbed her hand after Jyoti blessed her and they were having some intense discussion. It made him happy to see they connected so well. Jyoti really needed a friend, she was always quiet.
Later, Astha was chatting with the guests when Jyoti and her family came to ask their leave. Her evil mother-in-law had recognized Astha and was in a hurry.
Shlok: But, she just came.
Ayi: Stay a little longer. You have made a long journey.
Astha interrupted their goodbyes: No, no. You have to stay with us today Jyoti. I want to get to know you better. Isn't that right, Shlok?
Jyoti's mother-in-law: Ho Ambe, she calls him by his name!
Ayi hesitated.
Shlok interjected: I don't mind.
Astha: That's not the point! Jyoti, you are staying with me today.
She pulled a terrified looking Jyoti aside.
Shlok: Yes, she's staying.
Ayi pulled Shlok away: She cannot stay if Jamai Bapu and his mother does not want her to. Tell Astha to stop insisting. It doesn't look good.
Shlok: Why not? She's my sister first!
Mother-in-law forced a smile: Ghar me bohot kam he, neyi bahu. Phir kabhi, thik hai?
She tried to pull Jyoti along, but Astha did not let go.
Astha forced a sweet smile: Toh thik hai na, Jyoti kamwali thori hi hai? You can go home and get the work done by your helps, Jyoti will stay. Jamai-bhauji can also stay, if he likes.
Ayi looked on confused.
Shlok did not know why Astha was so insistent, but it was nice to see that she wanted to get to know his sister better. Jyoti was such a sweet girl. Her stupid in-laws finally gave in after he took Astha's side again and the mother-in-law left.
That evening...
Shlok was in his dressing room when Astha burst in.
Astha closed her eyes: Oh God! Put some clothes on!!!
Shlok annoyed: I am only missing a shirt, there's not need to get so upset.
Astha picked up a t-shirt from the cabinet and threw it at him.
Shlok rolled his eyes. He put on the t-shirt leisurely just to annoy her.
Astha: Done?
Shlok dryly: Yes, thanks, you saved my modesty.
Astha glared at him: This is no time for jokes. I came here because I was in a hurry.
Shlok: What is it?
Astha: I have to tell you a story.
Shlok: That's nice, Astha. But I do not have time right now. It's almost dinner time. Baba is precise about the time. You should get ready too.
Astha pushed him against the wall: You will listen! Dinner can wait.
Shlok looked at the small mehendied hands against his chest. Did she really think she could overpower him? It was cute that she believed she could. He let her go on with her idea.
Shlok: Fine, listening.
Astha: Remember that day in Kohlapur when you slapped me for getting lost?
Shame creeped below his skin. He looked down automatically, Astha saw.
Shlok: I already apologized for that.
Astha: That day I was was helping a woman who fell sick in the mandir and when I took her home, I found out she was forced to have an abortion by her in-laws because she was carrying a girl-child.
Shlok, horrified: That is illegal.
Astha: I know that!
Shlok: How could someone do such a thing!? That poor woman.
Astha: You are not too fond of women yourself.
Shlok grabbed both her hands: Don't you dare think me capable of that. You can think anything you want of me, but don't you dare accuse me of such a thing. You do not know me!!! I love Kavya, I have always wanted a baby girl like...
He stopped as it dawned on him who he was talking to. His heart started to hurt, no, that was no longer possible. His dream shattered. Astha would never give him a baby girl of his own. He closed his eyes to keep away the sorrow.
Finally, Shlok looked at her. She looked rather struck by his outrage. Her cheeks were bright red.
Shlok looked away and said in a subdued tone: I don't know what you are playing at with your story. What is the point of all this?
Astha look a deep breath: If you are not such a brute, then this is your moment to prove yourself. I was helping Jyoti that day.
Shlok stared at her.
Astha: She told me this herself! I met her mother-in-law that day too. I could tell she was abusing Jyoti. Of course, I did not know who she was, I could not intervene. But today, I have made her stay. It is your responsibility to see to it that she does not...(Shlok had already left) leave.
Astha ran after him. He was walking like a mad man, straight for the dinner table where everyone sat waiting for them. Astha felt a moment of alarm. Shlok was looking like a hulk on a mission. Oh my, poor Jamai-bhauji.
Jyoti was sitting with her husband looking rather nervous.
Before Astha could come down the stairs, Shlok had grabbed Abhay by the collar and dumped him on the floor quite a few feet away.
Shlok: You lisping bas--rd!
Jyoti screamed. Varad went to stop him, but Shlok brushed him off.
Shlok: You are dead!
Ayi: Shlok, what is the meaning of this? Apologize to Jamai bapu at once!
Shlok started pounding on him as he got up to attack.
Niranjan, shocked: Shlok!
Shlok: You do not know what he did, Baba!
Chachaji tried to stop Shlok but he was having none of it. Abhay went under the dinner table. Shlok turned it over. All the food and plates crashing and people's screams made Astha's ear ring.
Varad tried to stop him again as Shlok went after Abhay, who was crawling desparately toward Jyoti.
Shlok shouted: Leave me! I will kill him today.
Astha tettered over the broken dishes and pulled him by his arm: Stop it, he will die. Stop it! That's enough.
Shlok stopped: Call the police!
Astha rubbed his arm: I already did. Calm down.
The police came in and arrested Abhay.
Police Officer: We were told it was a nari-nirjatan case. Can you specify?
Everyone looked thunderstruck. Ayi looked from Jyoti to Astha.
Ayi: What are they saying?
Astha: Sasubai, one minute.
Shlok was still breathing fire: This..git and his mother forced my sister to have an abortion because they found out it was a girl.
Sojal shrieked.
Varad gritted out: This is not the time, Sojal.
Astha: The mother needs to be arrested too.
Police Officer: Do you have proof or witnesses?
Shlok inclined his head toward Astha: My wife is witness. My sister told her during our trip to Kohlapur. And she's here too. Jyoti?
Jyoti hugging Ayi for life. She was crying and Ayi was in tears too.
Shlok, softly: Don't be scared Jyoti, tell them.
Niranjan: She can't testify against her husband!
Shlok turned toward his father in surprise: What are you saying Baba!? She could have died! She was in a terrible condition when Astha found her.
Niranjan looked lost for words: No, I meant...(he looked at his wife, but she was in too much distress to notice his gesture).
Astha to Jyoti: Don't worry. We are all with you. Don't be scared Jyoti.
Shlok: Don't be scared bacchi, you have nothing to be scared of. You are not going back to them. And I will be at your side. Tell the police officer everything.
After some persuasion, Jyoti finally confessed all to the police. The years of abuse, lock-up, how they kept her from seeing her family when they abused her and the abortion of the baby girl.
The police hauled Abhay away as he kept hurling abuses at Shlok and his family.
Abhay: I will get you Jyoti!!!
Shlok shouted after him: I would like to see you try, you bast--d!
Later that night...
Astha stayed with Jyoti and settled her in to her room as Shlok paced around her room quizzing her about her ordeal.
Ayi came in with some dinner.
Shlok: Where did they do the sex-determination test?
Jyoti trembled and rejected the spoonful of food her mother tried to feed her.
Jyoti: I...I don't remember.
Shlok: You have to remember something. What landmarks were around that clinic?
Astha snapped: Shlok, you are really not helping! Can't you see she's in distress? She can tell us these details later. Let her have dinner in peace. The poor girl has already suffered enough.
Shlok considered this: But we need this information.
Astha: Later.
He left the room. Ayi looked at Astha in a new light. That slip of a girl had saved her daughter today.
Still later...
Astha walked into the room and closed the door behind her. Shlok was pacing this room now. She took on her old air of nonchalance.
Astha feigned a sigh: That was a good day's work. I am so tired!
Shlok, awkwardly: Thank you for...
Astha: I did not do it because she was your sister. I would have done the same for any woman.
Shlok: I know but...
Astha: As I was saying...it looks like your are not much of a misogynist after all, dear husband. At least, not where your sister is concerned. Which makes you a hypocrite. And that is a compliment when it comes to you.
Shlok gritted his teeth against her assault.
Astha: Gotta go to bed, work tomorrow.
Shlok softly: Thank you for saving Jyoti's life today. I will talk to my family about your work. They won't get in your way...and neither will I.
They exchanged a look before Astha shut the bathroom door.
Chapter 8: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/94595308
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