EK ANOKHI KAHAANI - Part 23
Shlok did not come out of his room for a long time. Everyone else was sitting and chatting in the hall. Aditi was wondering why Shlok did not come yet. She got up saying, "I will just go check what Shlok is doing...!"
"Aditi...!" said Sojal immediately, trying to stop Aditi from going to Shlok. "Shlok will come... Why don't you have juice with everyone till then...?!"
"Nahi Vahini..." said Aditi, smiling. "Juice toh main Shlok ke saath hi peeungi!! We haven't even met each other properly..."
"Huh! Aur kitna properly milna hai...?!!" wondered Sojal. "Jaake gale lagi thi, kya woh kaafi nahi tha?!"
Aditi continued, "Main abhi Shlok ko leke aati hoon, we both will have juice together...! You all continue, I will be back with Shlok in a moment!" she smiled.
Anjali nodded with a smile and Aditi went. Niranjan and Ajinkya exchandged glances that said "See how attached Aditi is to Shlok...!"
Aditi peeped into Shlok's room. He was sitting there on the bed, lost in his own thought. There was seriousness on his face. Aditi went in, "Yahan kya kar rahe ho Shlok? Come, everyone is waiting downstairs!"
Shlok's link of thoughts was broken. He looked at Aditi, boiling in anger... "How dare you come into my room!!!" he yelled.
Aditi was taken aback. She was hurt by this. She just left the room.
Shlok realised that he shouldn't have yelled at Aditi the way he did. He remembered Aastha's words... Aur Aditi pe gussa mut karna jaise aap humesha mujhpe gussa karte hain, bina wajah! He just smiled to himself recalling it. Don't get angry at Aditi like you get angry at me, without reason...!
Shlok got up quickly and went to Aditi's room. She was standing there, with her back at him, looking outside the window.
"Come let's go, everyone is waiting...!" said Shlok.
Aditi turned. She was still upset.
"Ab munh latkaake kyun khado ho...? Chalo...!"
"I felt very bad Shlok...! Aise bhi koi chillata hai kya kisi pe...!" she said.
"I was thinking about something when you came in... That's why I was more irritated... Nothing else...!"
"SORRY naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai..." said Aditi expecting Shlok to apologize.
"Let's go now...!" said Shlok and turned to leave.
"Akdu kahin ka!!" thought Aditi. "You are still the same..." she smiled shaking her head.
Aditi and Shlok went out. Aditi poured juice in two glasses and handed one to Shlok. He was lost again.
"Shlok?!" Aditi called out to him. "Dhyaan kahan hai tumhaara?"
Shlok just took the glass in his hand without saying anything. He seemed tensed.
"Shlok, tum pareshaan lag rahe ho..." said Varad, "Are you okay?"
"Yup, I am fine..." said Shlok as he sipped on the juice.
During dinner too, Shlok seemed disturbed. He was continuously looking at the clock. He couldn't concentrate on the dinner.
"Shlok, kya baat hai? Any problem beta?" asked Niranjan.
Shlok seemed restless... Something was troubling him. He just got up from his chair...
"I will just come in a minute...!" he said.
"Shlok, first finish your dinner atleast...!" said Anjali.
"Main baad mein kha loonga...!" he replied and turned to go. I will eat afterwards...!
Everyone was confused at his behaviour.
"But Shlok... what is so important that you have to leave without eating properly...?" asked Varad.
"Dada, I have to make an important call...!" replied Shlok and left.
Aastha was resting in her room. She was awake. She knew it was a new morning, a new day. This day was pleasant. Happiness filled her as she recalled Shlok and Rahul coming... just for her. The door bell rang. She knew it must be the milkman. She wanted to forget everything going around. She remembered Shlok gulping down the khichdi and giggled. He was hungry, he hadn't had lunch just for her... She smiled. Can anyone care so much for someone? Rather, can Mr. Shlok Agnihotri care so much for someone? Yes he did care...!! And that he cared for her...!! It was a feeling she never had before. She was happy, blushing...! She heard a knock on the door. She wondered why Aai knocked at the door, 'cause she never did. She looked at the door. Oh my God! It was not Kalindi, it was Shlok..!! Aastha was surprised to see him there. She tried to sit up, but due to weakness she fell back. Shlok came forward. He put his hands round her back and shoulders to help her sit up. She smelled the same aroma of perfume... yet again! He was still holding her. She looked at him. He stared through her eyes. Both were lost into each other.
Just then Kalindi came there. She was shocked to see both so close, staring at each other. "I will get tea for both of you!" she said to make them conscious of her presence.
Shlok immediately withdrew his hands. Both were embarrasses. Kalindi left to get tea.
There was silence. Shlok and Aastha were nervous and did not understand how exactly they should begin the conversation. Both were looking away from each other. Both were somewhat shy. Finally Shlok broke the silence.
"How are you feeling today?" he asked looking at Aastha.
"Better" said Aastha still not looking at him.
"Aastha" he said and a wave of shiver spread across Aastha's body. Not because she was scared. It was a different feeling, a feeling that could not be described. It was something very special to listen to her name from Shlok.
"Mujhe tum se kuchh baat karni thi..." said Shlok. "I wish to talk to you... if you don't mind..!" he said.
"Kya baat karni hai aapko?" asked Aastha looking away. What was it about? She could feel her heart beat faster. She felt as if she knew what Shlok was about to say.
Shlok was about to speak when Kalindi came in with two cups of tea. Both were a bit diappointed as their conversation was interrupted. Kalindi kept the tray on the side table, beside the cot, near which Shlok was sitting on the chair.
"I will get some breakfast for both of you" said Kalindi as she left.
Shlok was silent. Aastha was curious to know what Shlok wanted to say.
"Aap kuchh keh rahe thay..." she said. You were saying something...
"Haan... Mujhe galat mut samajhna... Please don't misunderstand me...!" said Shlok. Aastha waited curiously. "Aastha, kuchh dino se mujhe..." he stopped. He was a bit hesitant. He was not understanding how to tell her what he felt. He took a deep breath as if to gather all his courage.
"Pata nahi kaise kahun... Don't know what your reaction will be..."
Aastha looked at him in anticipation. He couldn't stop staring back at her. He got up and held her face in his palms. Aastha's heart was pumping loudly. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Aastha closed her eyes. She wanted to feel every bit of the moment. She could feel his breath on her face. But before he kissed her, the phone began to ring. Arghhh!!!! This was so irritating!!! "Iss phone ko bhi abhi bajna tha...!!!" thought Aastha as she opened her eyes. Where was Shlok?!! He had vanished!! Then Aastha realised that all this was just a dream...!!! She smiled tapping on her head. Her phone was ringing. "Shlok Sir calling..." was flashing on the screen. Aastha blushed as she picked up the call...
"Hello..." she said.
"Uhmm... hello... Aastha...! Were you sleeping...?"
"No... no...!" she said at once. She recalled her dream. "how can I sleep when you are with me..." she thought, smiling.
"Uh... how are you?"
"I am good!" she replied.
There was silence for a while. No one spoke. They couldn't understand whether the other was still on the line...
"Hello?!" both said simultaneously. And then silence again.
"You were gonna get your medical reports..." said Shlok. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I got them! Everything is fine... nothing serious. Just a little weakness...that's all...!" replied Aastha. Shlok felt relieved.
"Thank God!" he said.
"Jee?" said Aastha as she didn't hear clearly what he said.
"Nothing...!" he said. "Good that there is nothing serious...!"
Both were again silent.
"Take care...!" he said.
"Hmmm..." replied Aastha.
"Good night!"
"Good night!"
And the call ended.
Aastha was so happy that Shlok bothered to call her, that she kissed her phone...!
Shlok kept his phone aside as he smiled. Varad was standing behind him.
"Shlok?" said Varad.
"Dada? Aap yahan?" Shlok was a little shocked. "You heard me talk on phone?!"
"Uhmmm... yes and no...!!" said Varad. "I heard some of it!"
"Dada aap..."
"Shlok! I am observing you since you returned... What's the matter?! And where were you?"
Now Shlok could not avoid telling Varad.
"Dada, actually Aastha is not well... I had gone to see her... So now I had called her just to ask how she is...!" he said.
"Arey, then what is wrong in it? Good that you enquired about her health...!" said Varad. Shlok felt better now. "How is she now?" asked Varad.
"She is fine... Her reports are thankfully normal...!" said Shlok. Varad could feel the relief in Shlok's voice.
"Good! Come, finish your dinner now...!" Varad took Shlok with him.
Aditi overheard their conversation.
"Yeh Aastha kaun hai?!" she wondered. "Who is this Aastha for whom Shlok cares so much...?!!"
Tumhaare liye yahan tak aayi hoon...
Tumhaara saath paane ke liye hoon bekaraar...
Chaah ke bhi tum thukra nahi sakoge...
Jo karti hoon tumse itna pyaar...
TO BE CONTINUED...
Hope you all liked it... Do give your precious feedback...
All criticism, comments, discussions, suggestions,requests are most welcome.
NOTE : Hey Friends, I have written this in hurry. So please ignore mistakes if any...
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