The next day...
Swati was shocked to see Shlok and Aastha chatting and laughing while having food at the canteen.
Aastha saw Swati and walked to her.
A:Swati...I succeeded in changing the gloomy Shlok into a sweet cheerful guy.He is my friend now.
Swati was surprised.
A:Shlok should mingle with everyone.You also join us.
Aastha pulled Swati and made her sit with them.
Aastha made Shlok talk to Swati too.Swati was very happy.
She thought:What Aastha did was good.Because of her Shlok talked to me for the first time.
Slowly slowly Shlok started mixing up with everyone.
Swati too became his friend.
It was their final year in college.
Swati saw Shlok looking deeply at Aastha while she was blabbering.
Swati became dull.
Swa:Shlok...I know that you love Aastha.Aastha...you deserve Shlok.You are the one who spread happiness in his life.
Swati's eyes got welled up with tears.
Aastha went away.Swati went near Shlok.
Swa:Shlok,you love Aastha.Right?
Shlok blushed.
S:I don't know when I started feeling for Aastha in these 4 years.She was only my best friend.But then I started seeing her as my girl.
Swati suppressed her pain.
Swa:Shlok,why don't you tell her that you love her?
He smiled:I will tell her on the last day..after the farewell function.
Final day...
Aastha came wearing an attractive blue saree.Her dancing curls made her look more beautiful.
Shlok was lost in Aastha.
S:Aastha,you look beautiful.
She smiled:Thank you Shlok.
Shlok-Aastha danced together at the party.Aastha's eyes pained seeing love in Shlok's eyes.
Shlok couldn't take his eyes off her.
Be-intehaan
Yoon pyaar kar be-intehaa
Dekha karoon saari umar
Tere nishaan be-intehan
Koi kasar naa rahe, meri khabar na rahe
Chhoo le mujhe is kadar be-intehaan
(Race2)
Aastha thought:Shlok has fallen for me.How will he bear the truth?
A:Shlok,I need to tell you something.
S:Even I need to tell you something Aastha.After the party I will tell you.
Shlok said in his mind:Aastha,I know what you are going to tell me.You love me.
He smiled.
After the party..
Shlok went towards Aastha.She was upset.
S:Aastha...I was thinking of our past.How we met...how we fought...I was very rude to you.Still you stood by my side.Your made me smile again.Your parents gave me the love I lost when I lost my mother.You are the only friend I have.You are the only person who understands me in this world.
Shlok looked at her face slowly:Aastha...I...I...I love you.
Aastha was numb.He held her hand and looked at her romantically.
S:You also love me.Right Aastha?
Aastha became upset.
A:Shlok,please leave me.
Shlok was shocked.He left her hand.
S:Aastha!
Suddenly Aastha said:Shlok...my marriage is fixed.
Shlok was shocked.
A:This is what I wanted to tell you.My marriage is fixed with my father's best friend's son.
Shlok was shattered.He was numb for a moment.
Slowly he spoke.
S:I...I am sorry.I thought you loved me the way I loved you.I was wrong.
Aastha became emotional.
A:You are not wrong Shlok.I must have started loving you even before you fell in love with me.
Shlok looked at her in disbelief.
A:But I am helpless as my father promised his friend that he will hand over me to his son as his bride.I can't go against my father.It will make him upset.And it will break his friendship too.Itwill harm his reputation.I don't want my father to be upset because of me.I can't bear it.Shlok...please try to understand.
Shlok was very upset.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
A:Shlok...we are not destined to be together.
They both cried.
Slowly Aastha walked away from him.
Shlok cried out in pain:Aasthaaa!
Swati who watched it from behind became very upset.She couldn't bear his pain.
She walked to him and held his hand.
Swa:Shlok...be strong...
Shlok cried resting on Swati's shoulder.
For some time Shlok was depressed.Then he recovered.Swati was the only friend who maintained friendship with him.Later Shlok's father Niranjan Agnihotri felt that Swati was the right girl for Shlok and got her engaged to him.Shlok agreed to marry Swati for others' happiness.
Present...
Shlok-Aastha were stunned to see each other after 4 years.
A:Shlok...how are you?
S:I am fine.And you?
A:I am also fine.What are you doing now?
S:I was working as an Engineer in an outside company for some time.Now looking after my Baba's business.And you?
A:Not working.Just a house wife.My engineering degree is a waste.Are you married?
S:No.But got engaged to Swati recently.
Aastha was surprised:Our class mate Swati?
S:Ya.
A:What a surprise!Swati and you!Good choice Shlok.
Shlok became dull.
S:You came alone?
A:No.I came along with my husband Abhay.
Shlok became dull.
S:Your kids...
A:We don't have kids yet.
Suddenly Abhay came from behind holding Aastha close to him.
Abh:Sweet heart,is your shopping over?
A:Yes Abhay.
She looked at Shlok:Shlok...this is Abhay.My husband.
She looked at Abhay:Abhay...this is Shlok.
Abhay was shocked.
Abh:Shlok?
A:Ya.I met him after 4 years.
Abhay stared at Shlok.
Shlok thought:Does Abhay know that Aastha and I used to love each other before?
Book Talk
Aami Daakini
