Astha just went to her friend's house and dropped her belongings. Preethi wasn't due for another two days. In a way Astha felt relieved to be alone; to cry and nurse her wounds in private. She just dropped on the couch and held herself together in pain. The tears once again started and without knowing she fell asleep right on the couch.
Shlok was not faring any better. He drove around aimlessly for some time before reaching his mansion. His house had never felt so empty before. Shlok went in slowly and reached for a bottle. He didn't know how much he drank. At last he fell down on his bed in a drunken stupor. And that is how Suresh found him the next day.
Suresh did the needful and sorted his boss out. He could connect two and two together, with Astha missing and his boss' unusual drinking. Suresh genuinely felt bad for Shlok for the first time. He thought Astha would have been the one to bring about the much needed change in Shlok's life. After all everyone deserved happiness.
Astha slowly got up from her uneasy sleep. She had had very disturbing thoughts even through her sleep. Finally she got up without any interest. It was the weekend so she didn't have much to do as well. Astha went around the house in a haze. She was neither hungry nor thirsty. She didn't know for how long she stared into oblivion.
Shlok tried running, gyming, and so many other things to forget the memories of Astha. He felt he had lost a part of himself. And that made him even more mad. Shlok Agnihotri does not pine for anyone, least of all a female who he didn't even sleep with. His desire was completely dead. He went through the motions of working and eating mechanically. Though he had promised Varad he would get home, Shlok didn't go yet. He could not bear to see his mother at the moment.
He called her and spoke to her. He promised her he will come within a few days and asked her to eat. How did his life go from smooth to mess in a day? Shlok was known for running his life in a smooth, controlled manner. He didn't want to get into any emotional entanglements. Those always led to a big mess. But despite his best intentions, here he was, longing for the one woman he couldn't have.
Astha looked at herself in the mirror and was slightly horrified to see her distorted image. Her hair was unkempt, and her eyes and nose were red from all the crying. She could not even work her throat anymore. She didn't know when she ate last. Astha wanted to rouse herself out of this misery but she couldn't. Preethi did call her on her mobile, but Astha cut the call and messaged her friend. She had typed she will call back later.
And that was a few hours back. Now it was late evening and Astha had not managed to do one single thing the whole day. It was her first love, and her first heart break. She didn't know how to deal with it at all.
Sunday too passed in a blur for both of them. When Preethi came in on Monday morning, she was shocked to see Astha in a very bad state. Preethi put up a no nonsense attitude, and did not allow her friend to wallow in grief and self pity. "Astha, don't lose all your dreams because of that bas***d. We have our exams starting Tuesday. Just get up dammit. Enough of that assole. You need to pick up the broken pieces and fast. C'mon Astha, you can do it."
"And the first step is you're going to make yourself presentable, and then eat something. You look so pale. And get out to your office." Her voice was disgusting. But Astha understood. Only a best friend can shout at you when you're in trouble. she thought. Astha saw the concern behind that face and was touched beyond measure. She hugged her friend and got up to finally make a move.
The day was busy at the magazine office. That evening there was an exhibition by Rahul. He was throwing the post exhibition party at the venue. As a good friend Astha was expected to attend. She didn't have the mood to go, but she had to considering Rahul was one of her very good friends. She was very subdued and just went about her work quietly.
Shlok's staff who worked closely with him in office were almost going mad. Their boss seemed to be in a terrible mood. Nothing was satisfying him, and his tone ws rude and terse no matter what. Even Suresh ended up scowling, and his secretary already threatened to quit once. Finally the day was coming to an end. Shlok was stilling bristling with too much of energy. He wanted to just banish everything that happened for the last three days in his life.
Just then Suresh came in and told him that he had to attend a photo exhibition. "Sir, you are the chief guest."
"What? What the hell is this? And why didn't you inform me earlier? Damn!" His mood went even lower than before. Suresh quietly dropped the bombshell then.
"Sir, it is that photographer from the magazine where Astha madam also works." He left without saying she would also most likely be there. Shlok immediately looked up at Suresh. He didn't say anything. Shlok just moved to get ready in his private rooms that were very much part of his personal office space.
When he came out in his three piece suit, and neatly brushed hair, he looked every inch the suave businessman. Suresh was happy to see his old boss coming back again. They went together to the Audi SUV that was waiting at the entrance.
Astha looked at the time. She had been working and didn't realize it was so late. She hurriedly went to the ladies' room and applied some make up. She decided her jeans and kurti have to do. Astha wasn't too bothered with her appearance anyways. She left out hurriedly and caught a rick right on time.
As Astha went into the venue, she greeted Rahul with a hug and a smile. "Congrats."
"Thank you. Are you okay? You look really tired and pale." Rahul was concerned seeing her pallor.
"Am perfectly okay. Now don't waste your time on me. This is your big day." She shoved him gently and proceeded to check the photos. As she was starting to browse, she was noticing several stares from various people. Not knowing what the matter was, Astha looked down to see if her dress was fine.
Satisfied everything was okay, Astha gave a mental shrug and went around. she turned one corner and stopped in shock. There was a huge canvas with various photographs of hers. All candid shots, taken very much during work. She looked different in those photos, almost beautiful. There was a carefree happiness in those photos that Astha could not relate to anymore.
"So we meet again Astha." She could recognize that voice even in her dreams. How did Shlok come here? Astha whirled around to see both Shlok and Suresh going around looking at the photographs. Behind them were Rahul and the sponsor.
"Shlok? You're here..." She looked at him and then at Rahul. Rahul took her cue and answered her question in a low murmur.
"He is the chief guest and he has to be here." Astha felt foolish. she had not bothered to see the invitation and now she was feeling foolish. Astha nodded politely at all of them and gave the barest smile before she excused herself.
Her heart was thundering, and her world had suddenly become brighter. All thanks to one Shlok Agnihotri. She stood in a corner, trying to calm her racing pulse. Unexpected tears prickled her eyes. She loved him, loved him so much. The dull ache of losing him vanished instantly the moment she saw him. Wouldn't it never get better, she thought with worry.
She checked the time and wanted to inform Rahul and leave. He was nowhere in sight. She looked for him for another few minutes. Astha was in a dilemma whether to leave, when she felt his presence. Near her. She stiffened unconsciously.
"How are you?" She turned around at Shlok, who was having a drink in his hand. Though his tone was causal, his eyes were anything but that.
"Fine." Her answer was short, her tone weak.
"You really don't look fine to me." He narrowed his eyes and stared at her. "What have you done to yourself Astha? You look so frail. You have huge shadows beneath your eyes. Why?" The last question was almost a whisper.
Astha completely lost her pretense then. How dare he ask her why? Knowing very well. "Yes, I am miserable, unable to eat and sleep. I am dying for you and am not able to function without you. Is that enough? Or do you want more?" She snapped at him furiously. Thankfully they were in a secluded corner and nobody heard them.
Shlok's mouth tightened. "Exactly how long has it been since you ate properly Astha?" He was back to using the same principal tone with her.
"Friday. Dinner."
"Shit!"
"Shlok..."
"Come with me. Right now."
"But.."
"No. I am just taking you out to eat that's all. And probably knock some sense into your pretty head too." He clenched his teeth and took out his expensive mobile from his pocket.
"I am taking Astha out. Join me in the car. I am waiting there." It was his harsh tone as usual. He snapped the phone shut without courtesy and led her out by hand.
