Readers, thank you for giving a comment and a like. Am sorry if I couldn't reply to each of your messages. Am as usual running out of time against my usual work load. I hope you will continue to give your love and support.
The next day Astha got up early. She felt a little disoriented for a moment, with the new place. In an instant everything came back. She got up slowly and brushed. She quickly had her shower and changed into a black suit. Astha went into the kitchen with her clean scrubbed face, sans any make up.
Astha entered the kitchen to find a homely woman in her mid thirties, working in the kitchen. Astha presumed she must be the housekeeper Shlok mentioned. On cue that woman spoke
"Namaste, my name is Radha. I work for Mr Agnihotri. I come in daily in the mornings to set the house and prepare the breakfast."
Astha felt embarrassment as she introduced herself. What will she say she was to Shlok? Her eyes almost prickled with tears at the unfairness of the situation. But Astha quickly composed herself and smiled at Radha.
"Ms Kirloskar, what would you like to have for breakfast?"
"Please call me Astha. If you don't mind can I get some toast and orange juice?"
"Sure."
"Can I prepare some tea before that if you don't mind?"
"Of course." If Radha was surprised at Astha's request, she did not show it.
Astha also prepared some tea for Radha and handed her cup to her. Now Radha did look a little surprised and touched. She accepted the cup gracefully and both of them finished their morning tea in silence.
At the end of it Astha asked where Shlok was. Radha said he would be down any moment. Shlok entered at the same moment as they finished speaking. He wished Radha a good morning. Shlok looked freshly showered and was already ready in his three piece suit. Every inch the rich businessman, Shlok was looking good enough to eat.
Astha concentrated looking away from him with utmost difficulty. She wished him good morning softly and sat opposite to his chair for breakfast. Shlok said they would manage and Radha took leave. It was barely eight and Astha was surprised to see him ready for office so soon. She asked him about it.
"I start my day quite early yes. Have lots to do. What about you?"
"I too need to start early to college and I will head towards work right after college."
"That reminds me. Go to office and resign today. From tomorrow just concentrate on college. You will need all your time for the exams."
Astha was irritated at his high handed suggestions. "Why should I quit? And how will I support myself if I quit?"
Shlok looked offended. "Of course I will support you. Do you even need to ask?"
"And why should you give me money?"
"Because I have lots? And I can afford to part with some?" He raised his eyebrows and replied with a grin. The boyish charm was abundant on his breathtakingly handsome face. Astha was momentarily lost in his beauty but she got her thoughts back with difficulty.
"No Shlok. I am not going to quit. No matter what you say." She was adamant and did not want to sell her self respect. Shlok's grin abruptly vanished. His eyes turned serious and he didn't say anything.
Astha knew she had angered him. Yet she had no choice. She bit her lip in worry. Shlok's eyes noted her movement and his heated eyes zoomed on her lips. Astha remembered his words about kissing her lips hard, and abruptly stopped chewing her lower lip. She flushed at his desire filled look and looked down in modesty.
Shlok finished his breakfast and waited for her. "I will drop you in college on the way to work." She didn't deny it. Yet she was a little worried about how it would seem to everyone in college. But she didn't want to risk offending Shlok more for the day. Astha finished her breakfast and joined him hurriedly. She barely had the time to run a brush through her hair and apply some lip balm.
Astha took her bag and joined Shlok, who was already seated in his car. They quickly reached the college. Before Astha could go out, Shlok stopped her. "I have fixed an appointment with the doctor for you."
"Why?" She was terribly confused. She was alright and didn't have any disease. Why did she need a doctor? Shlok looked at her confusion and wondered.
"For the protection and just to rule out any health issues that you may pass on to me." His voice was cool and practical. Astha's face flamed with mortification. She had not even considered all this when she entered the relationship. He continued "You may want to know that I have a clean chit of health. In case you want me to go through another round of tests for your confirmation I don't mind." He shrugged as if it really didn't matter to him.
She knew the mechanics of what was to happen in a month's time but no amount of so called mental preparation seemed to be enough. Shlok always knocked her with his words and deeds. That all this was definitely not new to him, was being reinforced again and again.
She was tongue tied for a moment. Astha didn't know how to respond to his statement. He looked on, expecting her to say something. When she just gave her ascent for the doctor's appointment, he asked her in part confusion and part curiosity. "What was your preferred choice all along? The pill? Patch?"
Astha looked in bafflement. Clearly he was talking in a language she didn't understand. What did patch mean? Her face was still high in color and she was floundering for an answer when he looked at his watch. "Alright I am getting late for a meeting. Be home by six. Dr Verma will come home to attend to you."
Astha nodded without saying anything. She hurriedly scrambled out of the car before he could embarrass her more. Astha went into her class with increased heart beat and a pale pallor. What had she got herself into? Could she go all the way with Shlok? Whenever she had thought about her love life, she had always assumed she would find her prince charming and happily ever after but harsh reality was something else.
And all this talk about protection. What will the doctor think about her? She would definitely be a fallen woman? Is it not? But the overwhelming attraction and something deeper that she felt for Shlok stopped her from turning back. She wanted to take this chance and get Shlok for life. Maybe she could turn nothing to everything. She was determined to try to claim the life she wanted with Shlok Agnihotri.
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