Shlok and Astha went home and she went upstairs to immediately shower while Shlok took his time coming upstairs. He was humming a melody and whistling the tune softly in between as Astha came out in a cotton suit. She was surprised to see Shlok in such a good mood. She had never heard him sing and it was a pleasant experience.
She thought of their release in the elevator, and her face flooded with remembered color. Were men this easily placated? Astha gave him a shy smile as he turned towards her and stopped whistling. He gave her a crooked grin and kissed her cheek lightly before going to his room for a bath.
By the time Shlok came down, she was speaking to one of her friends. She ended her call when Shlok put a friendly arm around Astha. "Shall we go out for dinner today? I have some late night calls. Nothing that I can't come back and take."
Astha was excited and she immediately agreed. Shlok went to change. He came back to her room when it was more than fifteen minutes and she didn't appear. Astha was struggling with the zipper of her black chiffon dress. Shlok came up to her and effortlessly did it up. Astha whirled around, appreciatively whiffing his aftershave.
He looked good enough to eat in faded jeans and a black shirt. The jeans clung to his hips in a delicious fashion. Shlok hadn't bothered to brush his hair. That only added to his charisma. Astha knew she was staring, yet she couldn't help it. Shlok did some staring of his own.
Astha looked like a doll in the mid length chiffon dress. Her arms were bare and she put her hair up in a sleek ponytail. Her large baby eyes looked even more huge and alluring due to the kohl. Shlok lightly caressed her arms, going up from her hand. He lightly brushed his thumb over her lower lip. It was shining thanks to the strawberry gloss she had applied.
Her unique magnolia scent was pulling him to her. "You don't need a blush; you're already blushing." He murmured in a low, throaty voice as he pulled Astha for a brief hug.
"When I'm around you I don't need any blush." She laughingly accepted in a breathless voice.
"Maybe we should just order dinner." His lips began crawling up her neck.
Astha immediately stepped out of his hold. "No; I am looking forward to going out." She gave him a mock stern look.
"Alright." Shlok sighed and pulled her; they went down together. He drove the BMW with ease. She stared at his long fingers as they tapped the steering according to the peppy Bollywood that was playing in the car. Oh what those fingers could do to her, she thought. Immediately a sting of color covered her face.
Shlok noticed her slight hitch in the breath and looked at her. He raised his brows "Penny for your thoughts?" The devil, he was smirking at her, making fun of her. He knew what she was thinking.
Astha straightened her lips and nodded mutely. She looked out of the window, deliberately breaking eye contact with him. Shlok laughed softly and stopped in front of a small but beautiful Chinese restaurant.
He gave the keys to the valet. Obviously his security team were with them in another car. They were always within reach till Aditi's problem was sorted out. Astha frowned slightly at that unpleasant reminder. She brushed her thoughts away and went in, determined not to spoil this lovely evening.
The decor was tastefully done and the place was small but cozy. The food was excellent. Obviously this wasn't the first time Shlok came here. The owner came to their table personally to have a friendly word with Shlok. The service after that, needless to say, was more than excellent.
Shlok had a glass of wine. She just preferred water. Astha didn't drink and she had no plans to start now. They got talking about her work, some improvements that could be done. Shlok too had lots of ideas. She could imagine now why he was successful. He was sharp, and didn't suffer fools gladly.
Astha could never tire looking at him or hearing him speak. Both were a pleasure and a treat to the visual and the auditory organs. Shlok stopped speaking and placed his hands on her knuckles. He slightly stroked her knuckles. "Enough of business. Lets speak about us." His voice was soft and seductive.
Astha swallowed hard. Just one touch and she was helpless. She was disgusted with herself to react like a teenager. "What about us?" Astha replied.
"Would you like to go on a holiday somewhere? Do you have somewhere in particular?"
Astha shrugged. "I haven't been anywhere much. I have never traveled outside India. Being in a foster family one cannot expect exotic travel." She finished in a dry voice. Shlok immediately frowned as if he didn't like the picture she was painting.
"Were you short of anything when you were in your foster family Astha?" He sounded so serious all of a sudden. The teasing Shlok was gone. Astha sighed. Will she ever understand this mercurial man?
"No; though they were my foster parents they took care of me well. Whatever they could they did it for me. I am deeply grateful for that. And I would always do my best for them for that." Astha spoke in a soft voice. She titled her head slightly and gave him a slight smile.
"If I could make anything better for you I would." He kissed her hand, his eyes were so sincere, as if he wanted to erase each and every pain of hers.
"You have already done that. I am happy." Astha's smile slightly trembled, her eyes automatically watering a little bit at their emotional moment.
"But you don't shop you don't spend. I have been urging you to get whatever you want. You haven't got anything. Yet you say you're happy." He shook his head as if he didn't understand her. And he didn't. Most of his partners in the past were more than happy to shop for themselves. At the very mention of a holiday they whopped in joy at the luxury they foresaw.
"I have you. What more can I want?" The whispered words went straight to his heart. Yes, that's the difference. With Astha everything was brighter, more intense precisely because she didn't care how much he earned per hour. She was happy to be with what she had. She took care of him and wasn't really bothered by his luxurious life. She was the only woman who loved him for himself and not for his money.
The dessert came and she had it. She fed him a spoonful though he usually wasn't inclined towards sweets. They finished their meal and thanked the owner before getting into the car that was brought.
Shlok seemed to still be in a good mood. Astha was surfing his music collection to put some soothing music. She felt his rough palm slowly caress her thigh. Immediately Astha stilled and looked at him. Her heartbeat already stopped. "Shlok!" She protested and kept her hand on his.
His hand continued to stray up, beneath the hem of her dress. She literally choked. "Shlok, don't. I literally lose my head when you start touching me. I am horrified about the elevator. Now I don't want to..want to...not in the car!" She finished hotly.
Shlok grinned, his boyish charm suddenly evident. "So you lose your head do you?" He did smirk at her then. As if he had all the power. Astha wasn't pleased at the information he now had. She didn't want to feed his already big enough ego.
Slowly Astha trailed her fingers up his thigh. Shlok's smile abruptly vanished. "What the! Astha, I have to drive."
"So drive..." Her hands were inching up close to his...He caught her hand and kissed it.
"Okay, I too lose my head. Now keep your hands to yourself before there's an accident." He acceded in a dry tone though his eyes promised retribution. Astha laughed. She was happy the power was equalized now.
Astha sat back till he parked in the garage. Astha was a little tired and she wanted to go up. Shlok had a few calls to attend. Before she went, he gave her a kiss on her surprised lips. "Witch! Now go before I forget I have to take calls. Wait up. I will wake you even if you're asleep." His voice husked at her ears.
Astha blushed slightly. She nodded and yelped when he swatted her backside lightly. She ran from the room followed by his soft laughter.
Shlok came up after a few hours to his room to see Astha sleeping like a baby. He didn't have the heart to wake her up. Yet when he switched on the smaller lamps, she woke up. Shlok was unbuttoning his shirt. He saw her get up and sat on the bed.
Cricket
Anupamaa
