Again thank you all for your words of encouragement. A little reassurance, I am a hopeless romantic at heart, so romance is definitely on the table. Until then, here is the update for your enjoyment. Hope you all like.
My love burns for you
Your love yearns to hide
Behind walls of darkness
Pain destroys inside
Devastation and bliss
Together they ensue
All my being desires
A broken soul Like you
Rooted to my spot
Despite declarations of hate
Anticipating realization
My love patiently awaits
Author - Lily (me 😊)
Chapter 4
Morning had broken and both awoke at the crack of dawn. Shlok went out for his morning run and had returned quicker than was usual. He was anxious to get about the day. He may not have been able to decipher the swarm of emotions that had been recently tormenting him, but he was certain of one thing, he had married Astha with a mission and he intended to fulfill it. She was to remain his wife...he would be victorious, one way or another, he was going to get what he wanted. He stood before the mirror, scrutinizing his appearance, his jet black suit accompanied by a crisp white shirt made him look every bit the sharp, unruffled business man that he was. He was ready to set about his mission.
Astha woke up, tired, groggy; her sleep had been anything but restful. She was eager to get the day started however. She took a long cool shower; the water had a calming effect on her heightened senses. She got dressed quickly, wearing a simple bright peach sari with turquoise borders and pearl embroidered workings throughout; she however looked anything but simple. Her eyes were darkly lined and she brought her hair to one side, wavy and flowing, she smiled at her appearance. She hurried down to the prayer room, looking at her murti, she whispered her prayer, this was when she was most at peace..."Bappa, I may not know why my life turned out this way, but I have faith in you, unravel my future as per your will" she took her blessings and was about to get up when her phone rang,
"Are you ready?" came his husky voice, deep, clear and to the point.
"Good morning to you too Shlok. I'm just about" her voice was soft yet teasing.
"OK good, I'm leaving to come get you."
"Ok"
"Astha..." he suddenly sounded hesitant.
"Yes"
"How are you feeling?" he was sincere and she heard it. She smiled.
"Much better this morning."
"OK I'm leaving now. Hang up"
With that Astha put the phone down and ran upstairs to make sure all her belongings were together. She hadn't come with much, it had only been one day, but she didn't want to forget anything and have to make him return to collect it. She knew how volatile his temper could be.
Shlok was just removing the phone from his ear when he heard shuffling on the other side of the line. Had she forgotten to switch off the phone? He shook his head, typical Astha he thought. He was about to cut the call when he made out what was an irritated Kalindi, Shlok knew better than to eavesdrop but her tone obliged him to listen.
"The hearing better not get postponed for long. I want Astha to be free of those people, to be free of that monster. The faster she divorces him she will be able to move on with her life."
"Kalindi" Ajju spoke, her tone disapproving he noted. "This isn't right. You should not be doing this without Astha's knowledge. She would never agree to it" she sounded as if she were pleading.
"Aai, this isn't up to her, I am her mother and I am doing what is best for her. She will forget Shlok and move on with her life. She will finally get the chance to be happy, with someone that will appreciate and treasure her, I will choose the best groom for her."
Groom? What the hell? What rubbish was this woman speaking off? Had he heard her right? His hand tightened around the phone and his pulse accelerated. Shlok instantly felt sick to his stomach.
"But she loves Shlok" Ajju's admission instantly brought his attention back to the conversation at the other end. His brows raised at the words, was that relief that he felt?
"That is what scares me even more" Kalindi argued with the old woman, "the fact that she still loves that monster after all that he's done to her. I need to get her away before it's too late for her, before he can hurt her anymore."
Shlok's phone went crashing into the wall. He snapped around knocking everything off the dresser. He leaned onto it, glaring at himself in the mirror. He looked every bit the beast Kalindi made him out to be. Groom? Remarry? What the f*ck had he overheard. She was planning to get Astha remarried? The thought sent him into a fit of fury, rage coursing through his veins, his hand clenched into a fist. He was breathing heavily; he couldn't think straight. "She is my wife!" he shouted to his reflection as he punched into the empty glass ridden dresser, blood covered the white of the cloth that she had wrapped over his hand the night before, his wound now reopened.
Hearing the knock Astha ran down to answer, completely bypassing her Aai and Aju. Shlok looked at her, he was taken aback at her appearance, beautiful, his wife was beautiful. 'His wife' the words served as a reminder, his face now unable to conceal the rage that ensued. Astha noticed the myriad of expressions that passed through his handsome face, why was he suddenly so tensed. "Let's leave." His voice was firm and commanding, she honestly expected nothing else. She nodded, giving the two women behind her a tight hug; she walked ahead with him to the SUV.
"Are you ok Shlok" she questioned him as he sped along the road, the sheer speed with which he drove had assured her that something was infact bothering him. He glimpsed at her, their eyes met, she felt her chest tighten seeing the look in his eyes, his rage hooded eyes hid a lot more than he would ever give away, the look behind them however was all too familiar to her, as she had after all seen it reflected in her own so many times before. He gave her no reply as he shifted his focus back onto the road ahead, accelerating further; she knew it wasn't the time to prod him for an answer.
Astha took a deep breath as she entered the house once again, this very cold and detached house, she anticipated the day that she would enter and feel warmness envelop her, today however wasn't that day. She headed straight to her bedroom to unpack and freshen up, Shlok followed her with her bags in tow. Astha was nearly knocked over at the sight that awaited her, the room was thrashed. Broken glass on the floor, a shattered phone lay at her feet, and the dresser, the dresser bore the marks of his wounded hand. She walked towards it to make sure she had seen right, reaffirming her assumption, she turned to him, confused, exasperated and slightly enraged. When would this nonsense end, his temper knew no limits. "What the hell happened Shlok? Why did you do this?" She asked him even though she had convinced herself that she already knew the answer, what was the reason for his countless tantrums before, the darkness of his past would forever be a shadow over their marriage, if only she knew how wrong she was, this time atleast.
"I don't have time for this Astha" he dropped her bags on the bed and turned to leave. "Get Rani to clean it up." He was about to stroll out of the room when she saw it, his cleverly concealed hand, the white cloth drenched in blood. "What the hell did you do to yourself Shlok?" She grabbed his hand, examining it, she looked up at him, her eyes reflected the pain she felt for him. "You always do this, why do you always cause yourself so much pain?" Shlok just stood there looking at her as she worked on his wound. Her warm breath covered his hand, inciting him to breathe heavily. She made him sit on the bed so that she could work better. Her hands brushed against his as she finished up, their eyes connected in an electrified intensity, Astha immediately stiffened, she looked at him longingly, yearning the day she would see love reflected in those darkened orbs, would she ever? The touch of his thumb rubbing over her palms shook her, her breathing fastened, her heart fluttered as she felt her entire being burn with the euphoria that overwhelmed her at his touch. Time had frozen for a brief moment in their eye lock, she closed her eyes, feeling light headed at the sensation submerging her body at his mere touch, when she felt it, moist lips burning into her cheek.
Edited by NallyAshlokFan - 11 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
