At Night
Astha's Home
" That one is mine. You keep your hands off them Miss Deshmukh" Astha warned as Neena's hand extended towards the last remaining pakora in the plate before them. For a fraction of a second Neena hesitated before rolling her eyes at Astha and beating her in grabbing the delicacy.
" You ate almost the whole plate!" Astha cried indignantly.
" So? You have eaten them before Astha. This is the first time I am tasting your Mom's cooking and it's amazing" Neena replied biting into the pakora and savouring it.
Astha lunged towards Neena and tried to snatch the pakora from her but Neena was in no mood to give. The girls were thus engaged when Kalinidi walked in from the kitchen holding another plate of pakora. She smiled looking at them.
" That's enough girls. I have made another plate"
" Now that is totally mine" Astha took the plate from Kalindi .
" Aunty! That's not fair. She ate your pakoras for more than 20 years. I am the preference now right?" Neena pouted at Kalindhi. Kalindhi smiled kindly " Astha share with Neena dear"
" Mom please don't fall her emotional blackmail. She is an expert at that!" Astha said through mouthful of pakora.
" Aunty she is lying" Neena retorted.
" Okay okay I will make some more that should solve the problem" Kalindhi said , preparing to head towards the kitchen.
" Ayi leave it. We were just kidding." Astha stopped her mother. She moved the plate towards Neena who grinned cheshire like before grabbing a pakora.
"So how was the day at Office? " Kalindhi asked running her hand through Astha's hair.
" Hectic. The paper works itself took more than half the time" Astha sighed , closing her eyes and indulging in her mother's love.
" And then off course the great Mr. Shlok Agnihotri came striding into the office" Neena said.
" Remind me to kill this one Ayi. Why did you have to bring him up Neena?" Astha said irritated.
"Oh come on Astha as if you wouldn't have said this to Aunty" Neena rolled her eyes " Aunty your daughter handled her ex so well that he was left speechless" she smiled proudly at Astha who returned the gesture.
Kalindhi smiled but her eyes showed worry " Astha beta are you sure he won't bring trouble"
" Ayi this is just a deal with him. Besides now is a good time to take over his company. It will add to our profits" Astha assured her. Neena came around the table and hugged Kalindhi. She had been with the Kirloskar's for a while now. She was close to every member of the family.
"Aunty don't you worry. Our Astha is the strongest woman I know. Shlok Agnihotri doesn't stand a chance this time" Neena said " Also I will make sure that they don't murder each other" she added in a jocular tone.
The three of them laughed. Astha felt happy inside. 4 years before she had left her home and family trying not to fall apart. The grief and pain was enough to pull any human being apart. She cursed herself for being naive and optimistic. Her belief in love and trust were broken. But with time some of it had come back. Neena had helped her in healing and getting back to life. She had learned to smile and laugh once more. She was grateful for Neena's friendship. Thanks to that she was now enjoying life as normally as possible. Apart from the ache that came once in a while.
Astha's Room
" Neena! He has mailed the deals details over" Astha called out.
" Who? Your hottie ex" Neena said with an impish grin.
" Quit kidding and come here" Astha beckoned her.
Neena went over to Astha's bed and plopped down beside her. In Astha's laptop a mail was open showing the clauses of the deal between Akruti Event Managers and Agnihotri Associates. At one glance they could tell that the clause was more in Shlok's favor.
" He still wants to control your life it seems." Neena commented dryly.
" That he does. But there is one tiny problem" Astha said , her lips in a thin line " I am no longer Astha Agnihotri"
A/N
I am not sure how many of you are following this anymore. Will be glad to get even one read. I am sorry for being so late. As for pms right now I am bit indisposed to send them. I will try and send from the next update onwards. Really sorry.
Don't forget comment , criticise or like as you see fit.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
