From the ashes the pheonix rises.A tortured soul.FF UPDATED!CH 9 Pg18 - Page 3

Chapter 4

As Shloks eyes travelled down to see who was speaking he caught a glimpse of a little head wrapped in a pretty pink headband just then heard someone calling his name he felt a hand on his shoulder turning him around to greet him annoyed at the intrusion but ever dutiful he complied with niceties, by the time he looked back Kalindi had rushed past him. Shlok was still wondering about the little voices he heard did I hear them correctly did they say Nani? Whose children were they? Are they Astha's children? Did she remarry no she couldn't she is still married to me she's mine!!! he thought fiercely, his jaw tightened at the thought of another man touching her having children with her No! He clenched his hands scanning the crowd for Kalindi.

Kalindi seized this opportunity to quickly usher the kids away from Shlok into the patio doors and into the main hall. She was almost out of breath dragging the children with her as she reached the table Adhvoot ji she managed to spat out he's here!! Adhvoot seeing his wife pale and trembling koun? Koun? Kalindi batawo?*(who? Who's here? Kalindi tell me? ) Shlok! She whispered quietly, hoping the children wouldn't overhear. Ayyi chalo hame yaha sein abhi jana hoga" Adhvoot said. *(Mom lets go we have to leave immediately) "mein to kahi nahi jaoungi Astha abhi bolne wali hai mujhe sunna hai" *(I don't want to leave I want to listen to Asthas speech) We can't just leave Adhvoot ji Astha bohot pareshan ho jayegi me Gauri ko dhoond ke laati hoon tab tak aap baccho ko busy rakhey taake Shlok na dekh le.( we just can't leave, not like this if Astha finds out she will be worried we'll have to figure something out, let me go find Gauri till then keep the children out of sight. As Kalindi quickly went looking for Gauri Adhvoot took them to viewing area trying to make it an adventure for them but in his heart he was fighting his conscience after all Shlok was the father he had every right to know the exsistence of his children but at the same time his daughters pain and the injustices she suffered at his hand made it almost impossible for him to see reason.

As Kalindi found Gauri and quickly told her what had transpired Gauri went deathly pale recovering from shock she took charge and with the help of the aide found a private viewing area for them she took Ajju and Kalindi, Adhvoot and the children, after getting them settled inside she told them I'll make up an excuse to Astha why you were given this room let her finish her speech and then we'll tell her, stay here till one of us come to get you and don't let the children out of your sight, Gauri instructed.

Ajju caught on to what had happened she was tense and wringing her hands in frustration, "Ayyi shant ho jawo bacche dekh ra he hain" (mom please calm down the children are looking) said Adhvoot.

The program had started Astha couldn't shake that feeling of being silently watched, Calm your nerves she told herself repeatedly. Gauri seemed worried as she came to stand beside Astha. Are you ok you seem anxious Gauri? Where's the family I can't see them? Astha asked. "I'm fine just nervous for you! Oh and your parents they got a private viewing area VIP section. Gauri lied.

After a few speeches it was Astha's turn. She commanded the mike and captured the audience's attention, passionately speaking of her fight for women equality her experiences and struggle to change history she gave it her all, she concluded by dedicating her work to her parents Ajju Nav and Angel she said it with such love you could feel it. Shlok was quietly listening to her speak she was on fire confident witty commanding and womanly but something was amiss her aura of innocence was no longer present he knew in his heart he was responsible for that, her voice to his ears was like the calm after the storm, he hated himself more than ever for hurting her but was so proud of his love and her accomplishments as he heard the last two names who were they? He thought jealously.

He made his way to the back of the stage it was dark and shadowy he hid in the shadows hiding his sorrow he needed to be near her his heart craved her nearness as Astha left the podium and went backstage he could see her hesitantly walking in the dark she felt his presence he could tell, as she passed by him he whispered mera pyaar no sooner did he say that Shlok melted into the shadows, Astha let out a whimper she bolted out of the dark corridor she ran into Gauri her eyes wild she simply said "he's here!".

Astha hated the dark even now at this age walking into darkness terrified her no matter how hard she tried battling her demons this was one of them she could not control. As she stepped off the podium and retreated backstage she felt that shiver passing through, all her senses were on alert she smelled the faint smell of cologne it smelled just like him she thought , she could sense his nearness Astha get a grip woman stop torturing yourself, humiliated that he still could make her feel like this and that too over some silly notion in her head, he's not here the darkness is playing tricks on your mind, she stepped gingerly into the darkened corridor she heard someone whisper mera pyaar his nickname for her she bolted, running straight into Gauri. He's here! She said. One look at Gauris ashen face and she knew he had found her.

Panicked she asked where are my children? As soon as she slipped with her emotions Astha quickly recovered and once again her fear was replaced with icy determination. Gauri told her what had happened, he didn't see them your parents are there with them sab theek hai! Don't worry kuch nahi hoga" said Gauri. I'm not worried about myself but my bacche I don't want them finding out this way. "I'm going to send Kunal to stay with you and escort you around" Gauri called behind her. I'm not a weakling retorted Astha I can take care of myself I'm going up to see Ayyi and I'll be back soon.

As Astha made her way to the private viewing booths she knew the day had come to stop running and face her demons once and for all. As she entered the mood was sombre the children were oblivious as they stared at each other's faces. "Ayyi Baba Aap bacche ko lekar ghar challo mein baad me aati hoon aur baccho Nanni aur Ajju ko mat satana ghar ja ke brush karna or jaldi sojana I love you" she said as she hugged them both. *(Ayyi and baba take the children and go home I'll come later make sure you brush your teeth and go to sleep on time and don't give Nanni and Ajju a hard time I love you guys) "Mamma you were super! Superwoman! Nav said while giving her a toothless smile. You two are my secret powers." Astha said while holding them close.

Baba dropped a kiss on her head "Sambahl ke beta soch samajhe ke baat karna tumhara gussa kaboo mein rakhna ham ne hamesha tumahara sath diya aur hamesha deyteh rahenge agar tum kaho to me Ayyi aur Ajju ko bhejh deta hu mein tere sath rahoonga,( Be careful think before you speak and keep your anger in check we have always supported you and will continue doing so, if you want I'll send your mom and grandma home and I'll stay with you. "He said with love.

Nahi Baba me janti thi kai yeh din aaj nahi toh kal ayega, ab har mushkil ka to samna kar chuki hu eik aur sahi, Astha said with steely reserve. (No Baba I knew this day would come I've had to confront many demons what's one more)

After she sent them home with Sam Astha turned around to find Kunal waiting at the entrance for her, "Let's go my darling he joked extending his hand towards hers as she extended hers to hold his the same shiver raced through her, with her heart racing she looked past Kunal her eyes collided with Shloks piercing ebony ones...