FF: Is it Love????Last Part Page-121.. - Page 17

Part-8

It was Sunday and the day of function...Mangla came running to Shlok... Sir, there is a problem...

Now what? He was standing there looking at all arrangement and moreover waiting to see Astha, he had not seen her since morning, she being too busy with arrangements...

Parinita had some personal urgency, she is not coming... She spoke fearing what will happen now... A faint smile came on Shlok's face.. (Infect he had convinced her to take a leave) he spoke showing fake anger. Is it your management? You said everything will be perfect... now who will handle stage? Listening Manglesh too had come and after some time Astha was also there...

Sir, you may please handle everything...Mangla spoke...

Its four hours long task demn. And you know I am not fully fine yet. Shlok spoke and left from there...he knew they had no other option except astha...

Astha... Manglesh looked towards her with hope...you. You remember complete speech. Infect you had written everything na? now its only you who can manage...

But sir, how can I and moreover I have never been to stage... Astha resisted...

Both Mangla and Manglesh tried to convince Astha, she agreed finally...but Mam how can I handle the stage in such clothes? She was wearing a quite fancy suit not suitable for stage handling for such functions...

Ok Ok, there is a saree that Pariniti was going to wear, its matching with Mr. Shlok's dress... Go and change in the guest house... Mangla told her. Astha left from there stamping her feet...

After fifteen minutes, Shlok came there...so decided anything? He asked Manglesh...

Yes Sir. Astha is going to handle everything with you...A smile appeared on shlok's face... and Manglesh relaxed a bit...

But where is she? He asked...

She is in the guest house...he replied while Shlok moved towards guest house...

He reached in the guest house and checked its rooms... One of the room was locked. He knocked to the gate...

Mangla Mam... please come inside...its urgent... He heard Astha's voice...

May be she needs some help... thinking shlok entered the room... and was a bit shocked...There Astha was standing looking on other side wearing her saree and trying to hook up her blouse...he lowered his eyes when she spoke... Dekhiye na mam, its too tight... I am not able to put up the hooks properly...that's why I was calling you...i am almost ready otherwise...just help me in this...she was speaking non stop... and shlok was looking here and there now what to do...

Mam please hurry up, its just twenty minutes left .aur apko pta hai na, whan wo khdoos Mr. Shlok must have been shouting for hours...i don't want to spoil my mood before start of function...

Shlok was left with no other option except to move ahead. He quietly moved further and hesitatingly took his hand near astha's back... Completely trying not to touch her back, he started closing her hooks...

Mam, why are you so quiet today? Don't worry everything will be fine. Infect I am more nervous than you... because I have to stand with that akdu for four hours on stage... how will I handle his angry looks...

As she spoke so about Shlok, he suddenly stammered brushing his hands on her back unintentionally...Astha felt the hard touch of hands...She immediately turned back in shock finding herself in Shlok's hands...she tried to move a step back but her saree caught between her feet and she was about to fall when Shlok pulled her from her waist making her strike into his chest...

Astha was locked between his strong arms..

Leave...leave me...she spoke softly...

So...i am still akdu...khdoos...Shlok whispered moving closer to her...

She tried to move apart but shlok pulled her closer...placing his lips on her hair...Astha shivered on his touch...

Shl...Shlok... its getting late...she whispered again...

A smile appeared on shlok's face on listening his name from her...his hands moved slowly from her waist to the back of her blouse but this time brushing her back intentionally sending a shiver into her spine...She was blushing and losing herself in his arms , on his touch... She closed her eyes and slowly placed her head on his broad chest...while shlok's hand were closing the hooks of her blouse on her back...

As Shlok finished his work. There was a knock at the door... It was Mangla. Astha , abhi kitna time lagega. Mr. Shlok chila rhe hain whan pe tumhare liye...

Astha looked above, moving away from shlok...and started laughing on Mangla's lie...while Shlok was too smiling openly this time...

Just two minutes Mam, you go, I will be there right after you...she spoke from inside, turned back from Shlok and was about to go. When shlok pulled her back from her shoulders... Just a minute... he spoke...

He collected her hair and put them on front of her neck and tied the back dori of her blouse... Astha lowered her eyes shyly...then shlok turned her face towards him... and removed the hairband from her head fixing her hair properly... This doesn't suit you... saying he left the room ... Astha's face turned red on thinking what had happened now...

No... I can't. astha spoke fearing...she was with Mangla, Manglesh and Shlok in the back stage room...

What? What do you mean you can't... Mangla was shouting...how you can do it...

I am sorry mam, I am not prepared for it. I had not thought I will have to represent in front of thousand persons... Astha spoke stammering...infect she had become afraid on seeing the crowd. And she was now not ready to represent on the stage...

Astha. Dhikra, you can do it.i know, you are strong one. Dekho ye hamari izzat ka swal hai... Manglesh tried to convince her...

NN...no...she said...while shlok was still standing quiet there...

Thik hai Astha, if you don't want, give your resignation now. Finally Mangla shouted... Its just because of you, we will have to see shame...

Now shlok broke his silence... Manglesh ji, you please check, if the stage arrangements are ok... And Mangla Mam, please go and check if the welcome arrangements ok? Chief guests will be arriving at any moment.. Baba will be coming by five minutes there to receive them... Spoke shlok and dismissed them from there...

As they went from there...

He moved close to Astha... he spoke politely... Astha...

Shlok...saying Astha held his shoulders...shlok, I am sorry, I can't. Infect I had not even imagined it will so big crowd...

Shhh...Shlok tried to pacify her. Its ok Astha... But calm down. He caressed her back taking her into hug...

After two minutes, she was a bit relaxed... Shlok moved her at a small gap from him and placed one hand on her face caressing her... Ok now?

She nodded a bit... He wiped her tears and fixed her hair... Don't worry Astha, no one is going to force you if you don't want but can you just stand with me on the stage? For some time... Being my strength there... He caressed her face again. Just like you stood for my life...

Astha tightened her grip on his back, she was holding...but if something went wrong Shlok? Its matter of your prestige...

That's why I am asking you ... I need you Astha... You will do it... Infect we together will do it...Will you stand by me there? He forwarded his hand towards her...

She looked towards him... He spoke... Astha, may be you are not confident about yourself. But I am... I know you can do it and better than me even...please come with me... I need you...

Astha was surprised to see shlok like this. She had not seen such politeness, such understanding in shlok before... she held his hand and started moving towards stage... just they were about to enter , when shlok left her hand and caressed her face... Good luck... We will do it... he smiled... Astha too smiled to him...

As the Chief Guest arrived and light were very dim... Shlok started...

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen...I Shlok Agnihotri Welcome you to the Silver jubilee Anniversary function of Agnihotri Educational Trust and Agnihotri group of Institutions...

Now it was Astha's turn to speak... Astha's legs were shivering in fear...Shlok slowly placed his hand on her and looked towards her...she too looked at him and his smile gave her new power... She was controlling herself now... Thinking when she is with Shlok, nothing can go wrong...

Finally she spoke... And I Astha Kirloskar...

A smile came at shlok's face. As she started once... she completed it very confidently...

Back stage both Mangla and Manglesh took a breath of relaxation. Finally Astha had made it...and same was with Shlok, he knew how big risk he had taken, what if his baba came to know about same...

Next day Morning...

Mangla called Astha... Astha, shlok sir has called you to office...

What? But the event is over and moreover its holiday at Agnihotri institutes today...

Ya, I know, he had said to finalize the budget used for function. Its necessary to do by today evening otherwise our cheque will be delayed... go immediately...she ordered...

Ye Akdu bhi na... na khud chain se rehta ha, na mujhe rehne deta hai. Can't we finish it by tomorrow? She muttered while getting ready to go...

As she reached there, she found complete office was empty...she was a bit afraid...when all the lights were gone and due to heavy curtains on windows it was quite dark... she got afraid and came outside, it was almost dark there... When someone placed his hand on her shoulder...she got much more afraid...and started shouting... He placed his hand on her mouth... Stop shouting...but astha being Astha was not listening at all and continuously shouting... Shlok held her shoulders but she pushed him away making him fall and in the process falling on top of him...

Astha its me ... he spoke again... she came back to senses, in the meantime light had resumed too...

Astha looked at his face and got relaxed...

Are you mad? Shlok spoke...

I am sorry sir... I could not...

Shlok scratched his head... Its ok.. now lets come and finish the work...and he walked to his cabin...

Astha looked at the ground, Shlok's wallet was on the floor and it was open...she followed shlok while picking it... there was a snap of shlok smiling with a girl in it... Astha was shocked to see... a tear rolled over her face...No astha, why are you crying. Did he ever confessed you? She spoke to herself... he is your boss... She was convincing herself... and went to the cabin...

She kept while working. Shlok was a bit surprised to see her so much quiet...

Ok? Finally he asked...

Ya...all she replied...as she completed the work...she got up to leave... Shlok held her hand... Astha...he came closer...

A tear rolled over astha's face... she turned her face and went to the gate ignoring shlok...shlok came and blocked her way... even then she didn't look toward him[a1] ...Look at me Astha. He demanded holding her arm...

I have to go Sir... she said looking into his eyes...and shrugged his hand...Shlok pulled her back holding her waist and pulled as closer as he could...why? Why are you doing this?

I am not doing anything. I just want to leave... She again tried to move away but he pulled her back...don't dare to go away from me ever astha... I need you... he roared...

Oh really? So you want me... as well as the girl in your wallet...she too spoke angrily pulling him away with all her strength...

What? The girl in my wallet? Shlok was shocked... how do you know...he checked his wallet... but it was not there. Astha opened her bag and gave it to him. ...it had fallen in the corridor...sir...

He opened it and his expression changed immediately... Pain was clear into his eyes...she...she is not my girlfriend... He shouted...he turned his face away from astha...

Then who is she and why are you keeping her picture in your wallet...Astha demanded answer...

She is my sister Demit... Shlok shouted in complete anger punching the table and breaking the glass on the table...

What? Astha was shocked...she moved closer to Shlok and placed her hand on his shoulder from back... i..i am .so...

Leave... Shlok ordered before she could complete...

Shlok, I am sorry, I thought...

I said leave... He shouted again leaving her alone in the office...

Astha was standing shocked as well as crying what had happened to shlok in seconds. Why did he changed immediately, a minute before he needed her and now. He left her alone...