Part 12
"Hello" Astha's voice sounded breathless over the phone. She prayed whoever was on the other line better not note the passion still lurking in her voice. It was Kalindi.
"Ayi tum? Bolo." Astha kept the phone conversations with her mother brief. She did not want her mother to find out the truth about her marriage. After the wedding Astha did not even go once to her parent's house. Anjali had made it more than clear that she could not go when she wanted to.
"Astha, why don't you come and stay at our place for a few days? Baba and I want to see you. It has been almost two months since we saw you."
"I will ask Shlok and let you know Ayi. He has to drop me."
"Baaki sab theek hai na?" Her Ayi always asked this question. Astha did not know how to answer her. What can she say? She as usual lied that everything was fine.
Astha ended the conversation and went in search of Shlok. Oh my God, how will I face him now? She bit her lip in embarrassment. She knew she had to face him sometime or the other. Better now than later.
Shlok was coming in as she went towards the door. The color bloomed in her face. Shlok too looked uncomfortable. Astha spoke first.
"Ayi called. She wanted me to come and stay for a few days with them." Her voice was hesitant.
"You can go whenever you want. You don't have to ask me."
"Anjali Ayi..." Astha started. Shlok immediately cut her. "I will handle her. And you pack your stuff. I will drop you."
Astha went about with the packing. She was feeling a little relieved and terribly excited about meeting her Ayi and Baba. She knew she had to be careful with her Ayi. Astha did not want her Ayi or Baba to know the plight of her marriage. She wanted to hopefully mend the marriage before they get the real picture.
Astha went down with the bag in hand. Anjali looked at her. The others were seated in the living room while Anjali was standing. Astha did not know what to say to Anjali. Even before she could begin Anjali curtly asked her where she was leaving.
"Woh..Sasubai, Ayi had called me. She wanted me to stay there for a few days."
"So you decided to pack and leave? Don't you know you have to ask my permission?" Her voice continued to be rude. Varad looked in irritation at his Ayi. Some things never change. Niaranjan had a neutral expression. He chose to remain silent.
Shlok got up and took the bag from Astha's hand. "Astha is my wife and I am going to drop her at her parent's house. She has already informed me and that is more than enough." Anjali looked at Shlok and Astha in anger. Her eyes shot daggers at both of them. Shlok did not allow Astha to remain there for long. "Baba I will drop Astha and come back."
Niranjan nodded his head in assent. He shot a brief glance at Anjali. Immediately she swallowed and lowered her eyes in instinctive fear. Her eyes closed for a brief second. She did not know what awaited her today. Anjali controlled her tears and went in quickly.
Kalindi and Avdhoot welcomed both of them with open arms. Kalindi had prepared a huge feast and she insisted that Shlok stayed back for dinner. He tried to extricate himself but Astha's parents would hear nothing of it. They fed both of them with lots of love. Astha had a heartfelt meal after a long time. She had tears in her eyes seeing her favorite dishes on the table. she felt her Ayi's love. Kalindi rushed forward seeing the tears in Astha's eyes.
"Kya hua beta?" Her voice was full of concern.
"Kuch nahin Ayi. Bas aap dono ko bahut miss kiya." She wiped her tears and gave a faint smile.
Shlok felt very bad seeing Astha like this. He understood the life she must have had before she had the misfortune to become his wife. If her parents' love was anything to go by, her life would have been filled with love prior to their marriage.
He diverted his thoughts and finished his meal. He went outside to start the car but noticed his front tyre had a puncture. He cursed and got back in. "Baba, will I find a mechanic to change the tyre now?"
"Par beta, it's already very late. Stay back tonight and tomorrow morning I will call the mechanic. He will come and help you out. You don't have to go and search." Shlok had no option but to stay back. He called Varad and informed him.
Kalindi asked Astha to take Shlok to her room. Astha suddenly realized that both of them had to share a room. What will she do now? She had no choice but to lead Shlok to her room. Astha did not want her parents ot have any doubt about them. They went up together. An awkward silence prevailed in the room after Shlok closed the door. Astha went and opened her wardrobe. She took a t shirt and a PJ and went into the washroom to change. Shlok stood by the bed unsure of the sleeping arrangements.
Astha came out. She noticed Shlok's discomfort and asked him to sleep on the bed. "I will sleep down Shlok."
"No. It is hard on the floor. Forget it. We both can sleep on the bed. You stick to your side and I will stick to mine." Astha nodded and lay down on her side. Shlok switched off the light and came down on his side. Both of them were wide awake. Astha's heartbeats were thunderous. She was afraid Shlok could hear them. Shlok was trying to calm his mind but Astha's presence next to him did not help.
"Will you stop fidgeting and sleep?" His voice was irritating.
"Will you stop shouting and sleep? Probably then I can sleep." She retorted back.
"Fine."
"Fine."
She tossed and turned and he counted 1 to 100 in reverse, tried all sorts of tricks. Finally both of them went into an uneasy slumber.
The birds chirped and the morning sounds drifted into the room. Two figures were sleeping on the bed, facing each other. Astha's head was on Shlok's chest. Her tiny hand clutched his shirt. His own hands were around Astha. Astha was half awake and didn't know where she was. "Shlok?"
Shlok was still asleep. Hearing his name from Astha's lips, he pulled her even closer and nuzzled her hair. The unique fruity fragrance enticed him. He unconsciously caressed her bare midriff where her t shirt had ridden up. Astha made a muffled protest, still in a semi conscious state. When she tried moving away, Shlok pulled Astha to himself. His hands went up inside her shirt, and he whispered in her ears "Swati, don't leave me."
Astha's eyes opened abruptly hearing another woman's name. She instantly woke up and pushed his hand away. Tears were threatening to fall from her beautiful eyes. Shlok too came out of the sleep hearing her cry. He shot up on the bed. "What happened Astha?" His voice was full of concern. He was still disoriented and didn't realize what he did or said.
Astha simply nodded and almost ran to the washroom. She finally let the tears fall. Dear God what had she done? And more importantly why did Shlok call out some other woman's name in passion? Her thoughts were whirling and her heart was heavy. She cried her heart out before washing her face and got ready to confront her husband.
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 11 years ago
Real Estate
50