TASTE OF FREEDOM- A ASTHA-SHLOK FF(ch 17 Part 2 updated ON Page 47) - Page 27

enjoyed readingg it lovely update👏

awesome update
loved it
liked the first day of saath din chokra in
I didn't like this Romana
continue soon

Originally posted by: latha_555

you know i think varad and sojal stole the show/ chapter for me today...i thought varad was going to give it a proper go again, but he got so angry with her and of course ramona was rubbing salt into a wound...i think varad was a bit harsh especially when he told her she knows the way out after her discussion with ramona...in fairness to sojal, she would have suffered a lot with anjali...and varad is not understanding that...hope he feels guilty and trys to make it up to her

you have to understand Varad has been bitten many times in the past by Sojal so now he is shy...but I think they will find a way😊😊😊do keep reading n commenting😊

Originally posted by: Aishaa3

Nice update😳 i lvd hw he teasd astha abt the promise😃

lol..thanks dear...do keep reading and commenting😊😊😊

Originally posted by: ruhakhan

ok so finally dey are ready to start a fresh

and dat romona she was bitter bt she said the truth

lets see wat happens next

do update soon

😊😊😊doo keep reading n commenting😉

Originally posted by: xayeshax

enjoyed readingg it lovely update👏

thanks dear...keep reading n commenting😊😊

Originally posted by: niki795

awesome update
loved it
liked the first day of saath din chokra in
I didn't like this Romana
continue soon

thanks dear..love hearing from you..do keep reading n commenting😊

sorry for late replying.
awesome update
i loved sojal and varad part ..it is just awesome
thanks for pm.
do update soon

Originally posted by: anjipankaj

sorry for late replying.
awesome update
i loved sojal and varad part ..it is just awesome
thanks for pm.
do update soon

its okay dear...don't mention the pm😊😊😊glad u r liking the story so far...keep reading and commenting😊

CHAPTER: 15

AHMEDABAD

Shlok and Astha left for the city in the morning after getting a really bad night hardly sleeping and just tossing around in their separate beds. Shlok dropped off Astha at her doorstep of her minimal one bed sit having a compact bathroom and a tiny kitchen. The room screamed ASTHA as it was simple in taste and oozed out warmth. It was a small home in a decent area making Shlok proud of his wife for her sensibility and courage to hold on to her independence and freedom. A feeling of warmth spread inside his body when he realized Astha did not need him anymore. She can take care of herself both financially and emotionally but still she came back to him due to her love for him.

"You have done a great job with this room Astha. It is very you, simple yet elegant. I like it. How do you manage the rent in this area?"commented Shlok as they both sat down on a beige coloured couch with steaming mugs of coffee to which Astha replied with pride showing on her face "My grandfather left me some money in my trust fund which my Baba recently released for me which I put down as an deposition on this place and the rent I manage from my current job. I just loved this place as soon as I saw it on internet. I best part about this bed sit is the terrace on the top floor. Especially during the festival of Uttarayan, the Gujaratis celebrate it with such grandeur. The sky is filled with beautiful kites in the day and in the evening filled with lights because of those kite balloons."

"That's very nice. Now shall I make some breakfast. I make somewhat decent potato poha. Now you go and take a shower while I acclimatize myself to your kitchen" said Shlok pushing Astha towards the bathroom. "Shlok can you get the door please?"asked Astha from the shower hearing the door bell while Shlok was in the kitchen washing the poha to which he shouted back "Sure dear". Shlok nearly got a coronary when he saw a creepy looking guy on the door step wearing towel with a bowl in his hands. The creepy guy stared him in awe as if he was from another planet and then hesitantly asked "Is Astha in? I wanted to borrow some coffee" to which Shlok replied in a terse voice "Yes, my wife' is in the shower. By the way who are you?" "I am her next door neighbour Dev. Hi man. I didn't know Tha was married. Anyways can I get some coffee now? You see I have a friend over you know what I mean" said Dev winking at Shlok making him red with anger. Astha emerged from the shower in her robe and asked "Who is it Shlok?" to which he replied "Just your neighbour Dev." "He must be here to borrow sugar or coffee again. Just give him some while I get dressed" said Astha heading back towards the small cubicle with her clothes. Shlok went towards the kitchen and gave some coffee to Dev who was leisurely standing by the door step and thanked Shlok saying "Thanks man. Tell Astha I said Hi. I didn't get your name?" to which Shlok briskly replied "Shlok Agnihotri". "Bye, Shlok" uttering these farewell words Dev left making Shlok quiet uncomfortable by the fact that his wife was living next to that single, good looking and charming play boy from the looks of it. And not only was he a neighbour borrowing Astha's stuff but a familiar one too with pet name basis with his wife.

"Shlok, are you okay? You look quiet lost. Is something worng?" asked Astha now fully dressed in a professional pant suit for her job. "No I am fine dear. Now sit. I have made some toast for you" said flippantly changing the topic. They sat opposite to each other in chairs of a small dining table and talked seldomly, while Shlok was reading his newspaper and Astha some budget report. They look like a fully functional domestic unit in the bliss of pleasant silence. "Honestly tell me Shlok, what was your first reaction on seeing Dev here in the morning?" asked Astha guessing the reason for Shlok's mood to which he first expressed surprise and then said in a low voice "Honestly, I wanted to rip his head off but then I controlled myself because I trust you and I know you will never entertain someone with any other intension then friendship and neighbourhood." Satisfied with Shlok's answer Astha rose up and quietly pecked him on the cheeks both side and smiled at him brightly. "I have to go no..."Astha started to say something but stopped when she heard Shlok's cell phone ringing to which he excused himself and went ahead to take the call. "Sorry Astha. I have to leave now. I have to sort out some mess at the office regarding our new chain of charitable girl schools in villages all over Maharastra under the Sanskriti Foundation named after my mother. I have to iron out some details with the Budruk Panchayat regarding their school. I will call you soon" said Shlok with regret in his eyes to which Astha went toward him and hugging him tight saying "Of course Shlok you must leave now. Don't worry about me. Call me as soon as you reach. We will Skype tonight. Bye darling." They stood there sometime lost in world of their own and unaware of the passage of time.

PUNE

Sojal returned home with a long face and empty heart still reeling from the office fiasco. Anjali saw Sojal with anxiety and anger plastered all over her face and asked her "So how did the lunch date went?"To which she narrated the whole massacre and Ramona episode. After thinking for a while Anjali sighed and said "You don't worry Sojal. I have a plan. Let Varad come home this evening and you will see."

When Varad returned home in the evening from office he found all three women of his life waiting for him at the dining table. "Good evening Aai, Kavya and hmmm Sojal" greeted Varad to the lot to which he was stumped when all three sang "Good evening" in union. He sat on the table waiting to be served when Anjali asked him "Varad How was your day? I heard you were getting an award?"To which Varad replied "Yes Aai. I am getting an award for Best Editor category. The ceremony is in Goa this weekend". "I am happy for you. So you are going alone? Are you not allowed to take guests with you? I mean it's not every day you get an award. Well the family will love to be there when you get that trophy in your hands" asked Anjali acting very innocently fooling Varad when he replied "I can take family members with me to Goa if you would like to come". "Oh, I was not taking about me dear. I don't like to travel these days you know. I was talking about Sojal and Kavya. No, wait Kavya can't go either. She has a really big Maths test coming up on Monday. Looks like it's you and Sojal on your own" said Anjali smoothly executing her plan to which a very flustered Varad protested "If Kavya has a test on Monday then Sojal should stay behind. I will go by my selves". "Mr. Varad Agnihotri I have raised perfectly smart and intelligent sons by my selves. Do you doubt my ability to take care of Kavya on my own? Do you not trust me with your daughter? Is that so?" said Anjali faking her anger making Varad slightly stutter "No Mam .I mean yes Mam. I completely trust you to take care of Kavya". "It's settled then. You are taking Sojal with you. Start packing and book your tickets" said Anjali winking at Sojal with a faint smile on her face.

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