TASTE OF FREEDOM- A ASTHA-SHLOK FF(ch 17 Part 2 updated ON Page 47) - Page 21

Originally posted by: Aman3010

Read all the parts in one go...really nice

hey thanks dear. Do keep reading n commenting!😊

Eagrly waiting for your next update.

CHAPTER: 12

AHMEDABAD

"I will take this one" said Astha placing some bank notes of 500 when the bill arrived snatching it from Shlok's hand who was busy getting over the fact that his wife wanted to pay for the meal in his presence. "I don't let women pay for anything in my presence." Said Shlok making angry to which Astha said "Don't sweat it. It's my treat for getting a new job. And anyways I don't want to owe you as in that way there will be no wrong ideas in your head for feeding me." "Oh honey I got the wrong idea in my head when you started ripping my shirt open in the closet so don't worry paying the bill will not help you. Anyway if you want to feed me and take my advantage go ahead. I don't mind being indebted to you my whole life" Said Shlok flashing his devilish smile to which Astha showed her tongue to Shlok making him grin hard. He went over to her chair and helped her out of the restaurant and towards the entrance. He brought round his flashy red Ferrari at the entrance and rolled down the glass on the passenger side and shouted at Astha to get in the car to which she nodded and they sped away in the darkness of night illuminating pretty moonlight. "This is not the way to the hotel" said Astha noticing the change in usual route to which Shlok nodded and said "We need a calm and quiet place to talk where no one disturb us and where you can't kick me out when you are mad at me" grinning to which Astha complained hardly registering her protest when she said "Trust you to make decisions for both of us. We can start talking about this itself- your high handedness and superiority complex. And while we are at it why don't you tell me where are we going? Wait a minute it doesn't matter because I will kick you out wherever we are. Now...". "Oh lord take a breath. We are going to a friend's farm house who very generously lent it to me. And you are right you can kick me in butt wherever and why ever you want because I am yours to do with whatever you want." Said Shlok suggestively and winking at Astha for which she smacked him on his shoulder. "We are here now" said Shlok after what seemed like ages, getting out of the car and helping Astha out of the passenger side. She slowly walked towards what seemed look a 16^th century Victorian lovely and cozy 2 bhk cottage ideal for love birds and stopped inside of the lounge where fire was roaring in the fireplace. "Okay what you wanted to talk about?" asked an irritated Astha to Shlok who calmly went towards the kitchen and brought two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. "You know I don't drink Shlok." Said Astha to which Shlok showed her a can of diet coke to her and handing it to her. "I wanted to talk about us. Our past, present and future. But first I want to know why you reacted so strongly when earlier I commented about your weight. And don't say Nothing because I will know when you are lying. So out with it." Said Shlok

After a moment of utter silence Astha took a deep breath to calm her nerve and said chillingly "I didn't loose all that weight by choice or out of fashion but I was sick. I was suffering from anorexia. After I left you it broke my heart. I lost my willingness to live life after your betrayal. You broke my heart and I, unconsciously stopped eating. Days went by without me eating or drinking anything. Finally a hotel maid found me fainted on my bed and rushed me to a private clinic where my Doctor was Vishwas' father who is a GP and admitted me for dehydration and malnutrition for few days. Your PI didn't know about this because I gave a fake name in the form. That's how I know Vishwas. He befriended me during my time there and helped me - morally and emotionally in my recovery. That's why I was visiting the blind school with Vishwas because I realized what a precious gift of life and good health I had and how I let it all go in waste. Seeing those kids and their spirit for life inspite of their obstacles made me want to live and eat again. I almost died Shlok and I am still recovering and trying to gain back my appetite." A sob got Astha's attention and realized it belonged to Shlok who looked haunted and broken trying to control his tears. She felt her own tears rolling down her eyes and she saw Shlok knelt in front of her crying or rather sobbing at her knees sounding sincerely shattered by her recent admission "I am so sorry Astha. I am sorry. You will never know how sorry I am. I am sorry for doing this to you baby. However hard I try to justify my reasons for doing this to you doesn't match up to what I have lost. And now I feel like an utter bas***d for sinking so low. I don't know if you can ever forgive me for this. Hell even I can't forgive myself for this. I know I don't deserve you but just give me one chance to explain it to you. I know it will not make up for the unspeakable things I did to you but please don't give up on me." Shlok stood up and punched the nearest pillar in frustration and remorse for his actions. He felt a punch in his gut each time thinking about a helpless and innocent Astha lying on that hotel bed all by herself for a maid to have found her and shattered by the thought of Vishwas another man being there for her wife, supporting her in her time of need. He teared up his soul thinking about what could have happened to her- his one and only love almost dying because of him. Because he broke her heart by betraying her. And that just made it worse for him then it already was. He kept on puching the pillar until all his knuckles broke and started bleeding when Astha stopped him and bringing him in the present from his zone vaguely hearing "Stop it...It's not your fault...I mean it is your fault...But I should have been strong enough not to get affected...". Shlok went through a set of motions almost unconsciously when Astha set him down on the couch and tended to his injuries by bringing ice from the refrigerator and slowly blowing over his knuckles when Shlok said in a flat matter of fact tone "Every time I think you could forgive me for my sins I realize something which makes it impossible for you to do so. You could may be forgive my lies and deceit but how can you forgive me for almost killing you or at least pushing you towards suicide. Please say something before I loose all my hopes of us ever getting back together. I will not be too surprised if you decided you hate me and never want to see me again." "I don't hate you Shlok for the reason that I once loved you with all my heart and I don't have any capacity to have any extreme emotions for you now whether its love or hate. As for killing me, I don't really blame you. I mean it was your fault but I was guilty myself for trusting you too much and not even once questioning you. You see you were the first guy to pay me that kind of attention and I was blinded by your lustrous mask of love and desire that I never once stopped to pace myself. You swept me off my feet with that gracious courting and filmy romance that I was blindsided to notice your flaws or issues. To me you were perfect like a shiny new toy. I couldn't believe my luck when a handsome prince fell in love with a plain Jane like me. I made myself vulnerable towards you and you like any mighty opponent grabbed the chance of fooling me because I made it easy for you with my starry eyes. You must be laughing at me while you were torturing yourself by pretending to love me. I should have been more careful. Hell...I practically worshipped the ground you walked for like a month from our first meet to our wedding. Do you remember how we first met?"

Shlok very clearly recalled their first meet as it was imprinted on his brain the first moment his eyes fell upon her. They met at a party hosted by Astha's friend and Shlok's business acquaintance when he remembered seeing her standing in a quiet corner talking to some friend wearing a cute little pink coloured cocktail dress. He was still thinking of a way to go up to her and introduce himself when he saw her escaping the loud party music downstairs and decending up the stairs which led to balcony. The picture of her innocently gazing at the moon in the peace and quiet of the night holding the railing lightly and slightly shivering from the chilly winds blowing on that winter evening still haunted Shlok many times in his dreams. "Hey there beautiful! I didn't see you. Do you want my coat I couldn't help but notice you are not wearing any stroll or wrap?" asked Shlok in his practiced civilized voice oozing charm and confidence making Astha startled when she turned around like a deer caught in headlight looking at him with fear and shook her head in negation to his offer for his jacket. "Excuse me" said Astha turning away or rather running away like a scared rabbit when Shlok caught her hand she gave him a deadly glare to which he said "What's the hurry. I just want to talk to you. Let me introduce myself. Hi I am Shlok Agnihotri. What's your name?" "I don't talk to strangers so excuse me Mr. Agnihotri and let go of my hand. I don't want to talk to you or know so please just let me leave" said Astha nervously and fidgeting to free her hand. By a simple "Okay" Shlok let go of her hand and she ran away from him only to find him as a major client next week at Akriti Events.

"Yes, Astha I remember everything. Each and every moment is marked on my brain. But I have to confess something I hate parties normally but I showed up at that party because I knew beforehand you were going to be there. I planned everything but I didn't plan on you running away from me as it never happened to me before. A girl running away from Shlok Agnihotri? It made me want you more." Said Shlok to Astha to which Astha replied smilingly "I know. Aai came to see and told me everything."

To be continued... Find out what will happen next????

First of all yay 8000+ views guys..that's great...now I hope this update makes up for the delay in the story but I want to thank you all for your patience and support for waiting...As usual do not forget to comment and share your views!!!!Keep reading and stay tuned for the next update because it will be really soon!

hey lovely update

Originally posted by: roshanii

hey lovely update

please read my ff and os if you like romance of AAslok

Aaslok new OS : once upon a story part 4 updated on page 45

ff 😊

Aaslok FF : Beintiha...( limitless) 2nd thread part 18 page 22

ff

Aaslok : forever mine...part 1 on page 6

sure dear i am a regular reader of beintehha...others i will read soon😊😊😊thanks n keep reading and commenting😊😊😊

oh dat was such a nice update

Loved it.. shlok sayng that if astha wants to take advantage of him by feedng him ws hilarious :p ! Cont soon:)

Originally posted by: ruhakhan

oh dat was such a nice update

loved it

ok so shlok is really guilty for his actions

nd dat was their first meet nd it was all planned by shlok

and does astha knows everything ???

do update soon

thanks dear...yup shlok is on the path for redemption!!and about Astha you will get to know all in the next update so keep reading and commenting😊😊😊

Originally posted by: Aishaa3

Loved it.. shlok sayng that if astha wants to take advantage of him by feedng him ws hilarious :p ! Cont soon:)

thanks dear!!lol indded...😉😛😛keep reading and commenting😊

thnku so much for the wonderful update

keep writing

but study hard coz that is more important

than this