Shlok was very upset with Aastha after a quarrel. Aastha tried her best to bring Shlok back to his normal mode, but in vain. Shlok didn't even want to look at her. Aastha felt very bad now. There was no big reason to be so angry. Aastha didn't know what to do. She was thinking of more ways to make Shlok forget his anger and love her. Just then she saw Shlok getting ready and taking the car keys. She hurried behind him asking, "Kahan jaa rahe hain aap?"
"How does that matter to you?" said Shlok angrily as he walked past Aastha.
Aastha frowned. But she was determined to mend Shlok's mood. "Batayiye na, where are you going?" she asked again. But Shlok just ignored her.
Aastha quickly took her phone and purse and went behind him. As Shlok walked out of the door, he noticed Aastha following him.
"Where are you going?" he asked her, irritated.
"I am coming with you..." she said flashing the most innocent smile.
Shlok was about to say something in anger but stopped. "Koi fayda nahi ise kuchh bol ke... No use at all!" he thought and got into the car. Aastha too quickly got into the passenger seat. Shlok threw an angry glance at her and she returned a dramatic smile. Aastha had decided to keep smiling and show herself happy whatever Shlok said. Shlok just shook his head in disbelief murmuring, "This girl is impossible!" as he ignited the engine.
Shlok parked the car in front of a five-star hotel. He killed the engine and got down. Aastha too came out waiting to see what next. "Akdu mujhe date pe le ke aaya hai kya?" she thought in excitement. Aastha followed Shlok to the entrance. The door was opened for them and Aastha was about to step in happily when Shlok took away all her happiness.
"Tum yahin ruko!" he said bluntly. "Meri ek bohot important meeting hai client ke saath... So you please stay here! I don't want you to mess up my meeting, samjhi!!"
Saying so, Shlok went in. Aastha sadly turned to go search for a place to sit outside. Shlok came to her, "Aastha" he called out.
"I knew he would come!" thought Aastha, "Akdu itna bhi bura nahi hai..." She smiled waiting anxiously for Shlok to speak.
"Yun daant dikhana band karo!!" he said. Aastha's anxiousness drained out in a moment. Shlok further said, "Main buss yeh kehne aaya tha ki jab tak main meeting khatam kar ke baahar na aaun, ek jagah pe chupchap baithi rehna... I don't want any problems because of you, samjhi?!" And he walked away leaving Aastha staring at him in shock and disbelief.
Aastha was very angry now. "Aisa kaise bol sakte hain mujhe? Meri koi keemat hi nahi Shlok ko!!" She was walking up and down in a passage near the entrance. "Aaj toh main Shlok ko mana ke rahungi!!" she said to herself. "Main bhi dekhti hoon iss akdu mein kitni akad hai!!"
*****
Shlok came out after the meeting looking around for Aastha but didn't find her. "Kahan gayi yeh ladki! Hope phir koi gadbad na ki ho humesha ki tarah..." he said looking around for her. Just then he saw Aastha at a distance coming towards him. He saw her suddenly getting excited. He didn't understand the reason. And then he heard Aastha's happy voice, "Oh my God!! Sai?!!" Shlok realised Aastha was looking at a guy. Sai came and hugged Aastha. Both were very excited to meet each other. Shlok was feeling jealous seeing both of them together. He just felt like going and interrupting them, but he decided to watch them secrtly.
"After such a long time, Aastha!!" said Sai in excitement.
"Yeah! So good to see you after all these years!!" replied Aastha.
"How are you? You got married, right? Where's your husband?" asked Sai.
"Honge kahin meeting mein... Who cares!" said Aastha.
Shlok was angered listening to that. "Who cares?!!" he thought, "What does she mean? Meri koi keemat hi nahi usay?" He continued watching Aastha and Sai secretly.
"Achha hua tum mil gaye, Sai..." said Aastha, "Waise bhi main yahan bohot bore ho rahi thi... Shlok bhi mujhe chhod ke chale gaye..." she complained.
"Don't worry Aastha... Ab main hoon na tumhare saath, you will have the best time of your life with me!" said Sai with a wink.
Shlok clinched his fists as he listened to that. "How dare he!! Aastha's best time is only with me! Not with any Sai...!!" he said.
Aastha was enjoying talking with Sai and Shlok was feeling very jealous.
"Coffee?" offered Sai.
"Sure!" said Aastha in excitement.
Aastha and Sai came o the entrance of the hotel. Sai opened the door for Aastha saying, "After you, my lady..." Sai pulled the chair for Aastha to sit. He sat opposite to Aastha and held her hand in his asking, "What would you like to have, your highness?"
Aastha laughed heartily. "Whatever you would like to serve me, darling!" she replied.
Shlok was green with envy. He couldn't hold himself back anymore. "How can Aastha do this?! She is mine, only mine!" he said to himself as he walked to the table where Aastha and Sai were sitting. Banging his hand on the table, he yelled, "Chakkar kya hai?!"
Aastha and Sai stood up in shock.
"Shlok? Aap yahan?" asked Aastha, scared. "Meeting ho gayi aap ki?"
"Shut up!!" yelled Shlok. He held Aastha's hand and pulled her with him to the car and drove home without a word.
*****
Aastha was standing in front of the mirror taking off her ear-rings. Shlok was walking up and down the room restlessly. He stopped suddenly and came near Aastha.
"Main tum se naraz hua iss ka mutlab yeh to nahi ki tum kisi aur ladke ke saath maze karo..." he said. Aastha smiled to herself as she saw a restless Shlok through the mirror.
"He was my college friend, Sai..." she replied, "Kitne saalon baad hum mile thay... Aap ne humein theek se baat bhi nahi karne di..." said Aastha in a complaining tone.
"Theek se?!" said Shlok surprised, "Aur kitna theek se baat karni thi uss Sai se, haan? Hug kar liya, haath pakad liya, romantic baatein kar li... Aur kitna kareeb jaana tha?!"
Aastha was shocked. "Shlok? Kya hua hai aap ko? Hum aise hi mazak kar rahe thay... Kitna maza aa raha tha... Aap ne sab bigaad diya!" she said.
Shlok pulled her towards himself with force and held her tightly. "Tumhein sirf mere saath maza aata hai, samjhi! Kisi aur ke saath nahi!! You are mine! Aur sirf mujhe haq hai tumhein khushi dene ka! I can't see you enjoying with anyone else!!! Aastha please understand... Arey main naraz hua toh kya... Mujhe haq hai na tum pe naraz hone ka... Aise kaise tum kisi aur ke saath..."
"Shhh..." said Aastha placing her palm on Shlok's mouth. "Kitna panic kar rahe hain aap... Main kisi aur ki kaise ho sakti hoon..."
Shlok hugged Aastha tightly. He had never felt so possessive of her. "I am sorry, Aastha..." he said. Aastha broke the hug and kissed him on his cheek. Shlok hugged her again.
Aastha was smiling to herself. She typed a message... "Thank you so much! Our plan worked! You are my best friend ever!" and sent it to Sai.
Sai smiled reading the message... "Chalo, maine apne birthday pe koi toh achha kaam kiya..." he thought and went to enjoy the day.
*****
Edited by ..optimist.. - 9 years ago