Updated (Ch 17) Aastha and Shlok FF - Match Made In Heaven *pg51 - Page 16

Originally posted by: Anusha16

yaay... I'm the first to post... today's update is a little funny... loved both the leads reactions...especially astha... she was so funny in this chapter... loving her charcater totally...😆

nice ff yaar...

Nice update, like everyone said it's worth the wait. I really wanted something to say what's on Shlok's mind and you have done it. Pls update soon. thank you.

Originally posted by: Serviana

Amazing update!!! Whoooaaa!!! Finally he starts feeling something

please don't make us wait too long!!!

Originally posted by: ruhakhan

have u again forgot to update
if nt den pls do update soon

Here is the next chapter. Sory if it's too long. 😛

Match Made In Heaven -Chapter 10

Astha was utterly confused about her life. What was happening, she did not understand. After her last encounter with Shlok, she rarely saw him. He rarely came home and when he did, he ignored her.

In another word her life was in peaceful bliss. She loved it. She just hoped that it would last forever.

Another change that took place was with the presence of Raj. It turned out that Raj was a new partner in Vards' new business, which meant that he came around the house more often.

Astha first ignored his presence but then felt bad about her behavior. Raj truly was real gentlemen and hence they renewed their friendship.

Her along with Raj, Varad and Joti had lots of fun together, something she had missed since the marriage. All four had formed a beautiful friendship.

She was lost in her thoughts once again when she heard someone call her name.

"Astha, Raj is here, you want to play tennis. Us against Raj and Varad."

"Ya sure Joti"

**

Few hours later Astha was laughing giddily as she and Joti beat Raj and Varad on another match.

Raj was grinning like mad. "I can't believe you won again!"

Astha put her hand over her thumping heart and laughed breathlessly.

Raj looked at her; impressed - his cheeks were pink, his dark hair standing out, ruffled in all directions, black eyes bright and sparkling. "I think you would make a great tennis player."

Astha shook her head. "I think it was just luck."

"No, Astha. Don't sell yourself short. You were really amazing."

Astha blushed a little. "Thanks, Raj" She looked past Raj's shoulder and felt her smile fall.

Shlok Agnigotri was looking at them from inside the house coldly. When did he come home' Ashat thought.

Raj's smile fell, too when he saw her face, and threw a narrow-eyed look over his shoulder.

Astha turned around and changed the subject. "So, anyway, how is the new project coming along?" She managed to divert Raj's attention, and they made their way back to the house to join Astha and Varad for some drinks. Astha tried to ignore the eyes she felt boring into her back as they left.

**

Shlok felt his eyes narrow on Astha as he watched her face while she talked to Raj. Her face positively lit up as she talked, and he noticed the way her body leaned toward him, the way she put her fingers to her throat as she laughed at something he said. He felt a scowl emerge on his face as he watched Raj lower his head to say something close to her ear. He wanted to go over slug the prat in the gut - which was nothing new, but why want to do it over Astha Kiloskar?

Shlok sneered and turned away to his room. He didn't have any wish to bother wasting his time thinking about the littlest Kiloskar but he remmeberd the incident that took place few days ago.

Flashback

He had come home early that day and was really pissed off to find out that Astha has once again gone to see her parents without informing him. He was in the middle of causing a riot when Varad walked into the room with Raj. He knew that Raj had been coming around the house more often these days and he did not like it. As always Varad calmed him down and explained that Astha's grandma was not feeling well, hence she had to go home.

Shlok was still not happy about the matter. When he turned around after calming himself there was only Raj there.

Shlok really did not like this man but just didn't know why. All he knew was that there was hatred toward him.

"You know Astha deserve to be treated better than this" he heard Raj say

"Excuse me"

"You heard me right. Astha is a wonderful human being and you don't deserve her."

"She is my wife, I can do as I please. You have no right to interfere"

"Astha is my friend and I care about her. You don't deserve her. "

"Oh and you think that you deserve her."

"I never said that. All I know is that you don't deserve her. I know she is only here as your wife in name only. For her family's sake. She will never love someone like you."

"What do you mean that she will never love someone like me?" Shlok asked dangerously.

"Exactly as it sounded. She will never love a man like you."

Shlok was quiet for a minute before he spoke.

"I am Shlok Agnogitor. I always get what I want. And right now I want Astha to fall madly in love with me. Within the next 3 months I will make it happen. Your perfect angel will fall madly in love with this devil. Wait and watch."

With that said Shlok left. Raj stood there thinking if had just stirred something which he shouldn't have.

End of flashback

Shlok suddenly felt an utterly evil, thoroughly despicable grin cross his lips as an unexpected plan began to form in his mind.

His idea had merit - but did he want to go that far to win a challenge? The memory of Astha jumping up and down hitting the tennis ball that morning came to mind, unbidden, and Shlok reached up to tug at the necklace around his suddenly tight throat. He rolled his eyes. Well, his body had certainly answered with a resounding YES!

**

Astha was going to the library after dinner, she really needed to catch up on her reading.

She was halfway to the library when she heard footsteps behind her. She didn't think much of it, but when she looked over her shoulder in curiosity, she froze on the spot. It was Shlok Agnigotri. Astha swallowed hard and made herself turn back around, forcing down the urge to run away in a panic.

What was she getting all-uptight about? Maybe he was going to the library or something.

"Kiloskar! Astha! Wait!"

She felt her eyes widen when she heard him call her name. She stopped, waiting for him to catch her up. What she really wanted to do was melt into the floor. Agnigotri appeared next to her a moment later, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Hi."

Astha kept her head down out of self-preservation. She choked out a response.

He smirked slightly, shoving his hands in his pants pockets.

Astha stared at his necklace again. She didn't really know what to say.

"Hey." his finger curled under her chin, and he tilted her face up. "You're not scared of me, are you?"

The widening of her eyes answered him. He chuckled lowly. Astha frowned and moved her chin away from his touch.

"Don't flatter yourself."

"It's nothing I wasn't already well aware of anyway," he drawled lazily, pushing his hair from his eyes. "You needn't be embarrassed."

"I'm not!" she denied hotly, staring down at his pale, flawless hands.

"No, I suppose your face always turns that attractive shade of mottled red when you talk to everyone else."

"Do you mind? I want to catch up on my reading." She tried to move past him.

"Reading?" He looked at her appraisingly and a slow smile crossed his lips. Astha decided she didn't like it.

"What a coincidence so do I. Why don't you meet me in the library? We can read together."

Horrified by the thought of having to spend more than one minute in his company, Astha shook her head, trying her best to stammer an excuse.

"No?" He actually looked disappointed. She was struck by the hurt look on his face. Had she ever seen Agnigotri look 'hurt' about anything

**

Astha found herself alone in the library with him less than ten minutes later. She still wasn't quite sure just how they'd gotten there. She nervously watched as he settled down in a chair next to her, pulling his books from the shelf.

Astha busied herself setting out her own things, the silence of the empty room making her extremely uncomfortable.

"Let's see. Oh, I remember this book" He'd picked up her book and he barely glanced at it. She watched in disbelief as he threw the book over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" she hissed angrily.

"You won't like that book." Astha just stared at him. "Don't look so lost." His eyes looked soft and black in the dim light, and Astha found herself getting lost in them.

Then he blinked and Astha woke up. She looked away and stared down at the polished wood table as if it contained the secrets of the universe.

Shlok pulled out another book and handed it to her. "Trust me, Astha, this one is better." His soft voice sent shivers down her spine. Trust him? She trusted him about as much as she liked being in his company

**

Astha was laughing as she closed her book an hour and a half later. "That was so good."

Shlok laughed, quietly and with a slight hesitation, as if he wasn't really used to it.

He slung his book across his shoulder and stepped around a chair to follow her from the library.

"Then you probably wouldn't believe I have excellent taste in reading," he added dryly.

Astha burst out laughing again.

Shlok watched her closely. It hadn't taken much to win her over, which was surprising since she' done everything to avoid being in his presence. He'd have thought she'd have wizened up a bit, and run off in absolute terror when he mentioned reading together. Instead she'd turned out to be an utter delight. She was so innocent and sweet, so generous of nature it made his mouth water, and he smirked inwardly to himself.

He said goodnight to her reluctantly outside the library tapestry, watching her walk away with no little interest. It was going to be fun to see how long it would take to corrupt her thoroughly. Hell, it'd be fun just corrupting her. He eyed the sway of her hips and the length of her brown straight hair as she walked away, and felt a corner of his lips curl. Raj was going to have an absolute apoplexy by end of 3 month.

Astha woke up feeling incredibly guilty the next morning. Had she actually had a good time with Shlok last night? Had she actually just thought of him as Shlok? She got up and dressed, guilt weighing heavily on her shoulders. Agnigotri had been nothing but nasty to her since the moment hey met - why would he suddenly decide to befriend her? She had to be mad. There was no way she could ever trust him. Astha shook her head. Something was rotten in the mansion.

She successfully avoided him that day and after dinner she ran to the bedroom and locked it. Shlok had been using another room since the party incident.

**

Shlok was cursing the fact that he'd missed Astha. He'd seen her practically run out of the dining hall to her room. He shut his eyes momentarily; trying for patience.

He had planned on seeing Astha that night, after all. Oh, well. He slowly took the steps down to the spare guest room where he had been staying, frowning thoughtfully, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He'd just have catch her off guard tomorrow.

He wouldn't give her the chance to run and hide. Although, the idea of playing hide and seek with the curvaceous little wife had definite possibilities. Shlok entered the bedroom and once inside, he sat on his bed and pulled off his boots. He pulled off his black shirt and absently popped the button on his jeans before falling back onto his pillows and closing his eyes. Astha Kiloskar's face was still there, her brown eyes warm and friendly, unguarded as she laughed. He found himself smiling; a real smile, and he pushed it away irritably. Smiles hurt his face - he'd much rather frown or scowl any day. He rolled onto his side, feeling pleasantly sleepy and oddly disappointed that he hadn't gotten to talk to Astha. Or touch Astha. Or kiss Astha. Shlok drifted off to sleep, barely aware of that damn smile sneaking back onto his face and playing on his lips.

**

"He's staring at you again," Joyi hissed sing-song into Astha's ear during the lunch hour.

Astha poked a hole in the naan, pushing it aside before risking a glance up. Shlok looked at her in a way that made her cheeks and ears burn.

"I wish he'd stop," she muttered, tapping her foot impatiently. Was the day never going to end? She'd been seriously thinking of just totally ignoring him. It was funny how things looked different after a night's rest.

"Why? My brother is rather good looking after all."

Astha looked at Joti oddly. "Really?" Astha stated dryly.

She looked up again, and saw Shlok - er, Agnigotri - talking to Nathalia (who had come the house to discuss some business) who had settled in the seat next to him. She was unprepared for the wicked thump her heart gave.

She ground her teeth as she saw the girl take his hand, and then looked away. So what? It wasn't any of her business who Shlok - damn it, Agnigotri's - girlfriend was. So what if she was a detestable vindictive cow? What did she care? She really didn't.

"Oh my!" Astha looked back distractedly at Joti's gasp.

"What is it - ?" To Astha's horror, Nathalia was kissing Shlok's cheeks right in front of everybody! "

"Ew! Oh. That's just all kinds of wrong." Joti made a face and looked at Astha.

Her sister in-law's' face had gone pale and were standing out with a vengeance. She watched disbelieving as Astha stood up, her expression changing from shocked to furious, and she stalked out of the dining hall, her small fists clenched at her sides.

Joti looked from Astha's back to her brother's and back again, realization dawning on her face. If she didn't know any better, it would seem as if Astha fancied her husband for herself! She almost could have laughed. "No way!"

**

The next Saturday Varad, Astha, Sojal and Joti decided to go out for shopping and to eat.

Astha waited outside the house for the driver to come and pick her up. Varad, Sojal and Joti had already gone on to the restaurant to reserve a seat, Astha having arrived nearly too late.

She'd been busy still fuming about Shlok and Nathalia. She hadn't even been quite sure why. She'd almost taken his head off when he'd had the nerve to come up to her after dinner the other evening and claim that Nathalia had been the one to do the kissing.

"Yeah, right," Astha mumbled under her breath, looking around impatiently. As if she'd ever believe that. She didn't care who he went around with, anyway, so why had he felt the need to explain himself to her? She clenched her jaw and commenced tapping the tope of her shoe against the ground. Ugh.

The car came near her and stopped. She got in it and only after it started moving she realized who was driving it. Shlok Agnigotir.

She sat still scared to move. Once the car stopped moving she ran out. She took her phone out and dialed Joti's number.

"Joti I'm here , can you come and get me."

"We'll be there soon, we are having mechanical proble. Not sure how long it's going to take."

Astha tapped her foot, and then looked around the in curiously. Her eyes caught on something dark against the greenery. Agnigotri was leaning against a tree, his arms and ankles crossed, staring at her. Of course that was ridiculous - he was wearing a pair of dark, silver rimmed sunglasses, and she couldn't really tell if he was staring at her or not.

But she could feel his eyes on her. A corner of his lips curled slightly upwards as she watched, and she realized she was the one staring. Astha bit her lip and turned away.

Astha watched people walking in group and she suddenly felt lonely. She hated waiting by herself. She sighed and turned only to run right into Shlok's chest.

"Okay, don't beg Kiloskar, it's embarrassing. I'll wait with you so that you don't felel like a loser standing here all by yourself" came a lazy drawl, dripping with innuendo.

She was innocent, but she wasn't deaf or stupid.

"You must be kidding," Astha snapped. "Do you really think I want to spend the whole day with you?"

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Yes."

She forced away a shiver and took a step back. "I don't like you," she said truthfully.

Smirking he examined her considering over the tops of his sunglasses.

"No, you don't," he agreed readily enough. "But you aren't scared of me any more are you?"

With that he started off toward what looked to be the town square, and Astha, who upon looking around and seeing everyone else had already left, groaned loudly and stomped after him unwillingly.

They were sitting 30 minutes later in a half empty deli on a corner of the square when Shlok put down his glass of soda and grimaced.

"Good God, these commoners dress even worse than you, Kiloskar," Shlok said to Astha in disgust.

"Look at that one - big as a two room flat and dresses like it. No make-up either. What is it with women? My mother wouldn't be caught dead dressed like that, with no hair and no make-up. Hasn't that woman got any self-respect? She at least ought to have some respect for the rest of us who have to bloody look at her."

She couldn't believe how shallow and cruel the man was. He'd actually been acting like something close to human for a while, how could she have forgotten so easily who he really was? She just stared at him, until he finally noticed, and he stared back for a moment, before becoming visibly uncomfortable.

"What are you looking at?" He griped irritably, black eyes narrowing.

"I actually feel sorry for you," Astha finally murmured, shaking her head. "Never thought that would happen in a million years."

"Feel sorry for me? Why? You ought to save your pity for yourself, Kiloskar. I sure as hell don't need it!" Angry and defensive, Shlok stood up and stalked out of the restaurant.

She decided to walk around and look at shops until Joti and Varad came.

Astha groaned as she walked into the dim, musky Magic Shop. A collection of fanciful wind chimes swung merrily by the door, propelled by a small electric fan. She watched the fan, intrigued; her Dad would have loved it. She then moved on, wandering around the small space, picking up odd bits and pieces here and there.

"Disgusting, isn't it?" Astha had to bite back another groan.

She turned to see Agnigotri standing nearby, turning a 'crystal' ball in his hands.

"Are you following me around?" she demanded.

He looked at her in disbelief. "Right. As if I have nothing better to do."

Astha sighed. He was still miffed at her. Oh well. It was no bother to her if he was.

She roamed off in another direction. She fingered a spectacular looking teardrop

shaped crystal dangling from a black ribbon on one of the racks, and sighed longingly. It was beautiful, but she didn't bother wasting her time looking at it too closely. She couldn't afford it.

She received a message from Joto to meet them at a park nearby.

Agnigotri was nowhere in sight as she exited the small shop. A part of her was disappointed.

The public park was ridiculously easy to find, even though locating a seat on one of the many benches was not. She found a seat near an old women and sat down. Few minutes later she looked over to see Agnigotri settling onto the empty space the woman had vacated.

Astha clenched her teeth and tried her best to ignore him. It was difficult when he was so close she could feel the muscles in his arm and thigh tensing against her own.

Shlok fingered his engagement ring on his finger absently. This was all so boring. He was only present because of Astha. He'd wanted to get her alone so he could explain to her about the Nathalia kissing incident. The girl had been like a leech the other night, and just when he'd thought he'd finally gotten her off his back, she'd grabbed him and kissed him.

Finally his impatient nature could take it no more the children around them making noise and he muttered to Astha, "What do these people think this place is - a bloody day care nursery? ."

Astha again elbowed him sharply.

"Ow!" He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, annoyed and irate.. "What?"

"Be nice!" she hissed threateningly.

"I don't have to be nice, I'm a Agnigotri," he said imperiously, looking down his patrician nose at her.

"You're such a crab."

"Am not," he said childishly.

He thought for a minute, and then a mischievous note came into his cool voice. "Was that an invitation to pinch you?"

"What? No!" Astha frowned at him.

"You're the one who accused me of being a crab, and crabs have got pincers haven't they?"

He pinched his thumb and forefingers together threateningly.

"Don't you dare!"

"Too late!"

When no one was looking, Shlok reached down between their thighs, which touched as they were so squeezed together, and gave her a smart pinch on her rear.

Astha jumped, yelping despite herself, which caused everyone to turn his or her attention to her. Flame cheeked, Astha gave an apologetic smile and then sent Shlok a scathing look that should have made him cower. Of course he didn't. Shlok sat with his arms crossed behind his head, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle, looking supremely smug.

"You are so going to pay for that," she whispered to him meanly. "You unbelievable prat." "

"Pay?" he said loudly, looking stern and self-righteous suddenly. "Now Miss Kiloskar I really don't think that's appropriate behavior for - oof"

Astha socked him one in the gut, standing up abruptly and walking off - she didn't care if there wasn't any other seat in the place, or if she'd have to stand for the next hour - there was no way she was ever getting within five feet of Shlok Agnigotri ever again!

**

Shlok walked alongside Astha as they slowly made their way out of the park, savoring the double-chocolate-chip-mint-fudge-swirl ice cream cone - the day had been hot, almost sweltering, insane weather for late October. It had taken the better part of the last hour to get Astha to talk to him again. He'd had to resort to using his puppy-dog expression to make her feel sorry for him, but it had worked.

He noticed Astha looking at him with a curious frown and he raised a brow.

"What is it?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. It's just that"

"Well, what is it?" He sniped impatiently.

"Well, I don't know. It's just weird, seeing you eat that." T

aken aback he looked at the half eaten sugar cone and scowled. "What do you mean? You think it's weird to see me eat?"

"I - its just, I mean, you are well you" She looked at his steadily darkening face and hastened to explain. "It's just odd seeing you eat something sweet and fluffy like ice cream. The flavor too. Don't take offense, but when a person thinks of a flavor a person like you might like, they tend to think of flavors like, oh, I don't know Chocolate-covered Spider Sundae or something."

Shlok choked, and then surprised her by laughing out loud.

Astha grinned at his reaction, mischievously wriggling her fingers.

Shlok dumped the rest of his cone into a trash bin with a grimace, groaning. "Aww, that's positively nasty, stop it!"

Astha chuckled, finishing off her own treat with relish. "Wow, I hate to admit it, but this ice cream is better even than Mum's homemade."

Shlok had to bite back a well-aimed, habitually malicious remark when she said that, and stopped at a green park bench, collapsing on it and looking at the foaming fountain across from them enviously. He pulled off his long sleeved shirt, throwing it over his pack. He looked up at her, his eyes widening slightly as he realized how much the salwar she was wearing outlined her body.

The little wife had a delectable looking backside. His gaze drifted down and he noticed she had a lovely pair of nice, trim thighs as well. He wished she'd take off the cardigan she was wearing so he could get a closer look at her chest.

"It's hot," he muttered, trying desperately to regain control over his abominably misbehaving body.

"Yes, it is."

Astha collapsed next to him, thinking fleetingly of the air-conditioned restaurant she'd been in earlier. She fanned herself, trying not to notice that she had noticed the way the beads of sweat ran from his nape down his neck. She covertly studied him, taking in the pale white skin, the equally black of his smoothed back hair, and the hint of color in his cruelly shaped lips that contrasted with everything else. The shirt and ripped denims he wore looked very good on him.

"Do you approve?" A deep, snobby voice asked suddenly, full of dry humor.

"Excuse me?" Astha frowned at Shlok, lost in thought.

"Come on, Kiloskar, you were practically eating me with your eyes a minute ago," he said vainly, standing and shoving his hands in his pockets.

Astha denied this hotly.

"You were too," Shlok insisted, looking down his haughty nose at her from his superior height. "Admit it, you were eyeing me up."

"Why you spoilt, pompous brat!" Astha stood up, poking him hard in the gut with her finger. "For your information, not that it's any of your business, I was thinking about Raj!"

The lie slid from her lips too easily, and she regretted it as soon as she said it, seeing Shlok's eyes go cold enough to freeze blood. Shlok looked at her, eyes hooded and his face expressionless.

"Raj, huh? He's not as perfect as everyone thinks, you know." He leaned forward suddenly, whispering in a chilling, evil way into her ear, "He's is not worthy of you."

Astha jerked away from him, hating herself for having spent half the afternoon with him, but mostly hating herself for the thrill of pleasure that raced down her spine when he'd breathed into her ear.

"Get away from me," she hissed angrily, her lips trembling. "I hope I never have to see you again!"

Shlok's sharp, handsome features smirked as he bowed mockingly at the waist.

"Impossible. You're my wife" That remark could mean a thousand different things, all of them insulting.

"Bite me."

"My, aren't we witty," he drawled yawningly, crossing his arms in that smug way of his.

Astha stood and turned before he saw her eyes welling up with angry tears and headed back out of the park, intent on ignoring him for the next millennia! She must have been going completely nutters to be thinking of him in any other way besides a loathing one.

To be cont.. (very soon)

Hi,