Astha moved into Shlok's huge, palatial mansion the very same day. As soon as Astha saw that huge house, she was awestruck all over again. Astha had never seen anything like it in her entire life. She hadn't even known such a property existed in the same city that she lived. That only proved their disparity.
Shlok just entered a code through a remote setting in his car and the gate magically opened. What's more, his garage door also automatically opened at the click of a button. Shlok neatly parked his silver BMW and got out, followed by Astha. She took her overnight bag in her hand and got in to his house with him.
She had already been to his house once, when he had given her the agreement. That day Astha had been too tense to take complete notice of things around her. Today she saw everything again with renewed wonder. The huge living room was clean, artful, yet clinical. It was most definitely not Astha's style. Maybe she would have to change more than Shlok, she thought to herself.
"Come. I will show you around." He didn't wait to see if she followed, but started walking briskly. Astha's small legs almost ran to catch up with his huge strides. She followed him through the huge, but unused kitchen. Another thing she was itching to change. And then the beautiful rooms upstairs.
"This will be your room." She saw a pale pink room with a huge, comfortable bed. When she went in, it led to a big bath. An entire set of toiletries were already kept ready. Astha came out of the washroom to see Shlok lounging around the door.
"Were you so sure I would come?" She sounded confused. Wasn't it humanly impossible to get a room ready this quickly? From what she thought, Shlok had blurted out this arrangement. She didn't think he had even thought this through.
Shlok just shrugged in response. "This room will always be ready. No big deal."
No big deal, no big deal...His response kept coursing through her ears. It struck her this was his usual sexual partner's room. It would always be ready for his latest conquest. Something twisted painfully in Astha's heart.
"This is the usual room you give to your partners isn't it? When they are here over the weekends?" Shlok's color rose and he didn't say much. Astha knew from his face she had hit spot on.
"If you don't mind. I'd like a different room." Her voice was tight and stilted. She looked distraught but didn't want to show her hurt before him. Again he shrugged.
"As you please. The other room may not be ready. I will ask my housekeeper to get it up tomorrow morning first thing. Use this for tonight."
"No. I will take care of it myself. I would like to preferably use a room not used by any of your guests in the past." Astha's voice was flat. Yet anger was simmering beneath the surface. How dare he? How dare he tar her with the same brush? Did she come down in front of his eyes just because she agreed to stay with him? Was she doing the right thing? Her mind was whirling with so many doubts.
Shlok sighed and led her to another room. She kept her hand baggage there. By then Shlok's right hand man came after them. He kept the remaining luggage in her room. Obviously he had vacated her room in the hostel.
Shlok introduced that man as Suresh. He was the same man who had led her to Shlok in his office. "Ms. Kirloskar, we've met." He nodded politely and took leave without fuss. Astha didn't reply. She looked on as he left the room. Astha felt as if she was living in a movie. How can someone have such a controlled life? Already she was feeling a little suffocated. Maybe she had been too hasty in her decision.
Shlok sighed. "Astha, I know you're angry with me right now. But I can't do anything about it. I am a man and I have had a sexual past. I am not going to deny it. You knew about me and you got in with your eyes open. Now don't create a fuss. I do not cheat my partners and expect the same from them. I will not let you regret this."
In an instant he was back to his persuasive self. How does he manage to sense my thoughts and insecurities, she thought to herself. Does he have a mental sensor or what? That pompous swine first let her into the usual room he reserved for his bloody sex slaves and on top of that he had the nerve to sound so patronizing.
Astha had a good mind to give him a piece of her mind. She kept herself shut with great difficulty. Let me not start the very day I arrive. Let me first see what it's like living with The Shlok Agnihotri. I can always get out if I don't like living here. And while I am here I intend to take complete advantage of every comfort available, she thought with an inward smile.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Astha mutely shook her head. She didn't want to divulge her inner self to him. Not so quickly. Shlok caught her chin and made her look into his eyes. "Soon you will come running to me sweet Astha. Run and hide yourself in this room for now. This won't last long and you know it too." His mesmerizing black eyes were seducing her even as his words registered in her brain.
Astha's breath hitched and her heart rate doubled instantly. She looked on with her huge brown eyes, into his jet black ones. Astha abruptly got out of his grasp and cleared her throat awkwardly. Her throat felt dry and crusty. She desperately wanted to move away from his compelling presence.
Just then Astha's phone rang and she saw that it was one of her friends from work. He was a photographer, a shameless flirt but a harmless one. Astha always enjoyed Rahul's company and they had had their share of laugh as they'd worked together to report stories. Astha picked up his call with utmost enthusiasm.
"Rahul? What a surprise. How come you're suddenly calling now? Tomorrow? Where?" Probably he would have said something at the other end. "I will come as usual after 3. You know I have college Rahul. Just a matter of few more days." She clicked her tongue at his response. Finally after the chat Astha ended her call.
Shlok was seething by the doorway. No woman dared ignore him and smile at another man when she was with him. It was a novel and a totally unpleasant experience for him. Shlok turned her to his face and told her with controlled anger. "You will dare not flirt with any other man while you're in a relationship with me. I will never tolerate that. And that also includes phone calls and visits. None from males, be it coworkers or anything else. Understood?" He almost spat the last word out.
Astha was scared stiff at the sudden change in his behavior. "Rahul is just a friend. He is not...we've never...oh just forget it!" She turned around in exasperation when he whirled her back to face him.
"I don't forget nor do I forgive. You better remember that." He almost sounded menacing. Astha looked on in despair. What had she got herself into? Should she leave while she could? While her heart was still intact?
"And just so you remember you're mine," he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to himself in a neat move. His lips kissed her hard. There was absolutely no gentleness or love. Just possession. It was a kiss that stamped her his. Astha did not respond and was stiff in his arms.
His other arm twisted her hair and slanted her face up to his. He ruthlessly plundered her mouth open and bit her lower lip hard. Just as he had wanted to. Astha gasped in pain at his hard kiss. It gave his tongue the entry he had been seeking. Shlok swept her mouth with his tongue and penetrated her tongue in repeated motion. Retreating and penetrating again and again.
Astha felt acute embarrassment and rocketing desire at the motion of his tongue. It mimicked another action, one that she didn't dare think about at the moment. Astha screwed her eyes shut and she didn't realize Shlok had released her.
"You can open your eyes now." His eyes were dancing with mirth and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Astha blushed even harder and tried controlling her breathing. In contrast, he looked cool and composed.
Astha glared at him and bade him an icy goodnight. She wanted to just throw something at his beautiful face. Astha closed the door with a thud and looked the door for good measure.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
Current Affairs
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