I Am With You...
Chapter 2
Aastha's eyes watered as she read through Shlok's letter. She took a deep breath as she finished reading. There were mixed emotions on her face... Sadness, surprise, confusion, concern, fear... But somewhere, there was hope... She put the letter back into the envelope and carefully kept it in her bag. She sat there looking out from the window. She smiled through her tears as her mind raced back through her memory lane... The day when she had met Shlok for the first time...
*Flashback*
It was Aastha's first day of Class 5 at her new school. She, with her parents, had shifted to Mumbai following her father's job transfer. She was the only child of Avdhoot and Kalindi. They had come to drop Aastha to school on her first day. Aastha was not very happy. She was an introvert. She hadn't had much friends ever. But those she had, she had to leave them in Pune as they shifted to Mumbai. Aastha was missing her old school and her old friends. She had cried a lot when they left Pune. But then Kalindi had assured her that she will like Mumbai too.. And she will find many friends there. Aastha was not completely convinced, but she had no choice.
Avdhoot and Kalindi spoke to Aastha's class teacher. Aastha stared at their backs as they left. She was quiet. She didn't cry but she felt bad inside. Aastha had joined the school in the middle of the year. The teacher introduced Aastha in front of the class as everyone observed her. That day was one of the worst days of her life as a kid. Everyone teased her and made fun of her. Aastha held back her emotions at school but as soon as she reached home she gave in.
"I hate this place!!" she cried, "I don't want to stay here! Let's go back! Let's go home!"
Avdhoot and Kalindi were trying to make Aastha feel better.
"This place is not that bad, Aasthu. It's just that you need to give yourself, and those around you, some time. Believe me, beta... This is a beautiful place.." Kalindi tried to convince Aastha but Aastha was reluctant to listen.
"Okay, okay" said Avdhoot, "See for one week... If you still hate this place, we will go back to Pune... Okay?"
Kalindi's eyes widened. "What are you saying?" she exclaimed.
But Aastha was happy with that. She had had to hang on for a week and then she would go to "her home". Though one week too did not seem easy for her at the moment, she was ready for it. Aastha happily went to her room.
Kalindi looked at Avdhoot, worried. "Why did you say that? Don't promise her anything that you won't be able to give... How are you going to take her back to Pune?"
"Don't worry, Kalindi" he assured her, "That won't be necessary" he winked and went away to play with his dear daughter.
Kalindi watched both of them, thinking, "God knows what will happen..."
*****
Next day Aastha was ready to face her classmates only for the sake of attending school for another week. But it wasn't the same.
A boy was pulling Aastha's pony and others were laughing. Just then, another boy who was watching all this from a distance, came and pushed this boy away from Aastha. Everyone was quiet. Aastha's "saviour" scolded the others and warned them not to trouble Aastha any more or he would get them punished by he teacher.
"Don't worry, they won't trouble you now..." he said.
Aastha smiled. "What is your name?" she asked innocently.
"My name is Shlok" he said, "and this is my best friend, Aditi" he added pointing to another girl standing by his side.
Aastha and Aditi smiled at each other.
"Aastha, you can have your tiffin with us... Come!" said Aditi and the three went to get their tiffin boxes from their bags.
Aastha felt good now. She had friends!
Aastha began enjoying going to school now. And Avdhoot and Kalindi were happy to notice that.
*****
A week later, Avdhoot saw Aastha playing with her doll. He went to her and said in a serious tone, "Aastha, pack your bag and other things. We are going to Pune!" Kalindi was watching the fun from a distance.
Aastha looked at Avdhoot sadly and said, "I don't want to go to Pune"
Avdhoot continued to show himself serious, "Aastha, everything is planned now. You told us you don't want to stay here. Let's go now!"
Aastha's eyes watered. She almost began crying as she said, "I don't want to go to Pune... I want to stay here... With Shlok and Aditi..."
Kalindi came to Aastha and hugging her said, "No beta, we are not going anywhere, don't worry..." Then Kalindi looked at Avdhoot and said, "Enough of this fun... Don't you see, you made Aasthu cry..."
Avdhoot laughed and hugged both of them...
_____
Aastha's lips curved into a smile as she remembered those initial days of her in Mumbai... She was brought back to the present by her vibrating phone. She looked at the screen. "Ajinkya Kaka will never stop bothering me..." she thought. Now that Shlok had sent the letter for her, she didn't need to wait for his call. Now she could switch-off her phone. She was about to do so, when she received a call from Aditi. Aastha answered the call...
"Hello" said Aastha.
"Hello Aastha" said Aditi, happiness clearly visible through her voice. "Thank you for listeneing to me and leaving Mumbai..." she said.
Aastha didn't say anything. She was in no mood to speak to Aditi. Only she knew what she was going through right now. "Don't worry Aastha, I won't tell anyone" continued Aditi. "And Aastha, keep in touch..."
"Hmm" replied Aastha.
"Okay, bye... Will talk to you later... All the best to you... Love you!" said Aditi and ended the call.
Aastha just switched off her phone and kept it in her bag. She rested her head back and sat there silently, closing her eyes.
*****
He cried in pain as some men lifted him holding his arms and legs and put him in a van. He could barely understand what they were saying. He was losing consciousness as blood dripped from his head. He tried hard to keep his eyes open. "Aastha" he whispered weakly before becoming unconscious.
*****
Edited by ..optimist.. - 9 years ago
Hindi TV Shows
