Astha woke up on Sunday with severe stomach cramps. She knew she had started. Astha got up quickly and took care of things. She checked the time, it was nearly six. The pain had woken her up so early. Astha yawned and went down slowly, still in her short nightdress. She made some tea for herself and opened her tablet. It was one of her rare possessions.
Astha was reading an interesting book, when she felt Shlok's presence. She turned to see him in his tracks. He had freshened up and changed into his tracks and t shirt. Shlok now came to Astha who was sipping her tea and reading the book by the kitchen counter. He stood next to her and pulled her up to meet his kiss.
"Where did you go off to? It's Sunday, you could have slept for a while more. He sat down on the comfortable chair and pulled her to himself. Astha started wriggling to get out of his hold. "If you want to end up back in the bed continue your movements." Shlok husked at her ears, already tugging her noddle strap with his teeth.
"No!" She managed to scramble out of his lap, flushed and out of breath.
Shlok frowned at her. "What happened? I thought we'd sorted out things yesterday." He almost looked dismayed at her refusal.
Astha bit her lip. She looked down at her hands. A flush was rapidly raising from her throat. "Err..hmm..it's...I have started my periods. I got up due to my stomach cramps. I wasn't able to sleep through it."
Shlok immediately got up, an anxious expression replacing desire. "Do you always have cramps like this? Should I call the doctor or something? Maybe you should just rest in bed. Which pain killer do you normally pop in?" He was rapidly firing questions at her, even as he began hunting for his phone.
"Good lord! Shlok, will you just calm down for a second? I am just going through my usual monthly cycle, not some crippling illness." Astha was embarrassed and deeply amused at his unusual behavior. She found it hard to believe this was the same man who dealt in millions daily.
Shlok looked at her blankly for a minute before taking her in his arms. "What? Shlok! Drop me this instant. What are you doing?" Her frantic voice was ignored by her fifty. He went up, back to his room and gently laid her on the bed.
"Contrary to your belief, you need rest and I will take care of you. Till you're feeling better." He simply ignored her protests and retorts, and went out of the room. Astha felt much better after the tea and actually yawned since she didn't have much sleep the previous night. And to her relief, Astha slept once again for a good two hours.
When she got up Shlok was lounging by the couch, working in his laptop. He had obviously finished his jog and he was done with his shower too. Astha sat up and stretched like a cat. She noticed his eyes darkening at her movement. Astha gave a faint smile and started getting out of the bed.
"Where are you off to?" The bossy Shlok was back.
"To use the washroom. Do I need your permission for that too?" Astha snapped at him in impatience. Shlok gave a sheepish grin and continued with his work. She went for her shower and came out in sometime, fresh and clean.
By then Shlok had got her a breakfast tray. "Who cooked at this?" Astha was surprised at the full tray.
"I asked Suresh to get it. He must have got it from somewhere." Shlok shrugged, as if he really didn't know or care how these things happened. Astha was exasperated at his attitude but her hunger demanded she sat down and ate. And Astha did just that, much to the pleasure of her bossy lover.
"You should eat well, filled with nutritious food. That actually brings down the cramps." Shlok sounded smug and sure of himself. Astha gave him a blank stare.
"And have you suddenly acquired a Phd in PMS?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head at him.
"I could get one, judging by the information I have gathered in the last two hours." Shlok replied with a saucy grin.
Astha did laugh then. He was something. Who would read up on cramps, that too for two full hours? Didn't he have companies to run? She just got her tablet and sat up against the headboard, determined to get back to her reading.
Shlok got up and came back with something in a box. "Now what's this?" She frowned at him.
"Open it." He urged her to just open the box. She was astonished to find some Swiss and Belgian chocolates, apart from a small strip of pain medication. Astha looked up at Shlok, not knowing how to react. He constantly threw her a surprise, always doing the most unexpected things.
"I read chocolates will improve PMS. That's why I got it." He sounded so sincere, she was touched by his gesture. She didn't know what to make of this bossy but sensitive fifty of hers.
"Where on earth did you get all this so early? That too on a Sunday?" Astha was even more astonished at that. Shlok just shrugged.
"I have ways and means." He suddenly smirked, throwing her heart against her ribs. Astha did completely melt for him at that instant. No matter how many times he goofed up or hurt her, he also managed to completely throw her off with his generosity and beautiful gestures. Astha felt herself falling in love deeper with Shlok. Her Shlok.
She happily gorged on the chocolates, reading her e-book, while Shlok went back to his phone calls and emails. They spent the day at home, neither willing to go out. Astha was feeling much better by the end of the day. Despite Shlok's protests, she prepared a simple meal for both of them.
Both of them had dinner and they sat down to watch an English television series. Astha was leaning on to Shlok, while he had his hands around her. Suddenly Shlok looked into her eyes and smiled. "I am happy. Really happy for the first time in my life." And he realized it was the complete truth even as he said it.
Astha was jolted by his statement. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. To know that he had never experienced real happiness, she felt terrible for the small boy who grew up to be this wonderful man. Shlok was alarmed seeing her glazed eyes. "Astha, what happened?"
Astha simply shook her head. She gave him a watery smile and replied in a shaky voice "I am happy too. I love you." And she leaned over and kissed him softly on his lips. She stroked Shlok's cheek slightly, before moving back.
They went to bed and again Astha slept in Shlok's arms. Despite him getting affected by her presence, he insisted she sleep with him when Astha offered to move to her room for a few days. "No Astha. It's not just sex. I want you to be with me all the time. Even when you're indisposed." At his words she knew, she knew he felt something for her.
She felt joyous. Now she knew it was only a matter of time before Shlok recognized his feelings for her. After going through emotional turmoil the previous day, Astha was relieved and happy to spend a peaceful day.
The next morning both of them got ready on time to go to the respective offices. Astha was worried about her work status. Now that her college had got over she didn't know whether she was going to be absorbed full time.
"Shlok.." She started hesitatingly in the car.
"What?" He looked at her briefly, his suit and sun glasses already converting him into the rich magnet.
"I am worried about my job. I mean will I still have my job after the internship? I have only two more weeks to go before the internship ends." Astha cast a worried glance at him.
"Do you want this job?"
"Yes."
"Then it's yours."
"That's all?" Astha was surprised at his instant solution. Apparently he only needed to blink an eyelid to get things done.
"That's all." Astha felt like rolling her eyes at him. Her life now seemed to start and end with Shlok Agnihotri. Now he was arranging her universe too. Great! she thought to herself sarcastically.
Astha got down at her office and she saw Shlok drive past her. As she was about to go into the office a soft voice called her. Astha turned around to see a pale, unkempt girl looking like a ghost. That young lady's eyes were blank pools and she was now staring at Astha.
"Yes. Tell me." Astha was worried looking at the young lady.
"What do you have that I don't?" Her voice was still soft and full of pain. Astha was shocked to hear those words.
"I beg your pardon? Who are you?" But that girl simply stared at Astha and moved on slowly. Astha was really disturbed seeing the girl walk away. Astha walked into her office, not knowing what was happening around her.
Cricket
Anupamaa
