DON'T YOU KNOW ME??
Sojal was very disturbed. Anjali came to Sojal and apologized to her for her rude behaviour. "No Aai... please don't say sorry..." said Sojal. She felt bad for Anjali. Just then Kavya called out for Sojal. Anjali wiped her tears. "Jaao Sojal... Kavya is calling you..." said she smiling. Sojal was about to leave when Anjali said, "And yes, don't misunderstand Aastha... Uss ne kabhi tumhaara ya kisi ka bhi bura nahi chaaha...!!" Sojal was surprised. "Jaldi jaao... Kavya must be waiting for you...!!" said Anjali and left.
Varad sat motionless on the bed, tears in his eyes, his heart filled with shock, misery, hatred, pity and what not. Kavya stood there in a corner watching her dad in such a condition for the first time. She was scared because of all that had changed the scenario of their home. Sojal came there with a glass of water for Varad. She sat beside Varad rubbing his back. He just hugged her. Sojal caressed him saying, "Aap hi aise royenge toh kaise chalega?! Aan?!! You are the elder son. You need to look after Shlok and Aai as well. You need to be strong...!! The family needs you to be strong!! Hai na?!" Varad looked at Sojal and smiled, his eyes still wet. He teased her saying, "Tum kab se itni samajhdaar ho gayi...?!!" Sojal's jaw dropped and she playfully beat Varad on his shoulder. Kavya giggled on seeing this. Kavya came running to them and they both hugged her.
Anjali stood by the wall of the veranda. She was crying her heart out. Someone placed a hand on her shoulder. She quickly wiped her tears. She heard a familiar but still a new voice, "I am sorry Anjali, please mujhe maaf kar do...!" It was Niranjan. Anjali fumed in anger. She turned at once a gave him a tight slap. Niranjan was shocked at her reaction. "Aainda mujhe haath lagaane ki galti kabhi mut karna...!!" warned Anjali strongly and went away. Never ever try to touch me again...!!
The car was about to crash on the tree when Shlok pressed the foot-pedal of the brake and Aastha pulled the hand brake just in time and the car came to a screeching stop. Aastha's heart was thudding, almost in her mouth. Shlok came back to his senses. Aastha was crying. "Tum theek ho Aastha?!" asked Shlok extremely worried. Aastha hugged him in scare. Shlok caressed her. "I am sorry..." he said realising what was going to happen. "I am sorry...!" he whispered again.
"Shlok, main samajh sakti hoon aap pe kya guzar rahi hai... I understand what you are going through... But the sooner you will come out of this, the better..!" said Aastha rubbing Shlok's arm. Shlok freed himself from her grip and got out of the car shutting the door behind him. Aastha frowned. She too got down and went to him. He stood there leaning on the door. His eyes were wet. Aastha held his arm and placed her head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to stay there any more...!!" said Shlok. "Nahi rehna hai mujhe wahan... Let's go somewhere far away... forever...!!"
Aastha was shocked. But she knew that the recent incidents had disturbed Shlok a lot. Aastha tried to explain him in a different way. "I didn't know you were so selfish...!" she said. Shlok was confused. "Just because YOU are not feeling good, you will leave all those people who love you, who need you...?!!" asked Aastha.
Shlok gave her an irritated look. "If you want to stay there... then go!! I don't care...!!" he said as he looked away.
"Haawww..." said Aastha, the drama queen. "You don't care?!! Aap mujhe bhi chhod ke jaayenge?!!" she was purposely overreacting to change Shlok's mood.
"Haan... I don't care...!!" said Shlok.
Aastha turned so that Shlok faced her back. "Fine...!!! Go... Aap ko sirf apni fikar hai... You don't care about anyone else...!! Today Aai got her son back after all these years, but why would you care?!!" said Aastha as if she was very upset with Shlok.
Shlok thought about his Aai. How could he stay away from her?! They had craved for each other's love for all these years. He understood what Aastha wanted to say. "Maybe you are right..." he said. "We all should stay together... and be each other's support. We need each other...!!"
Aastha was still standing with her back at him. "Main toh humesha sahi bolti hoon... I am always right...!! But you never want to believe me...!!" she complained.
Shlok smiled. He went near her. "Theek hai theek hai...!! Enough of this drama now... Get in the car... we should leave now...!!" said Shlok.
"You go... I don't want to come with you...!!" said Aastha purposely.
"Main tumhein uthaake car mein bithaaunga...Soch lo...!!" said Shlok in a mischevious tone. I will lift you up and put you in the car...!!
Aastha pretended not to hear him. Shlok walked ahead and suddenly lifted her scaring her. Both looked into each other's eyes. "Ab mujhe apni baahon mein utha hi liya hai, toh I LOVE YOU bhi bol deejiye...!!" suggested Aastha. Now that you have lifted me in your arms, say I LOVE YOU too...!!
Shlok smirked. "Itni bhi kya jaldi hai?!" he said as he walked towards the car with Aastha. Aastha was disappointed.
"In se bada akdu maine aaj tak nahi dekha... Sirf I LOVE YOU hi toh kehna hai...!!" thought Aastha.
Both left for home. Throughout the journey, Shlok was teasing Aastha by not saying "I Love You". He was making her crave more and more to hear those three words from him. Just then Aastha recieved call from Anjali who was worried for they had left so suddenly. Aastha told Anjali that they were fine and would reach home in a few minutes. "Why had we come here? And whay did you bring me along? I LOVE YOU toh bolte hai nahi..." she complained and looked away, out of the window. A naughty smile spread across Shlok's lips.
Shlok and Aastha reached home. Everyone was waiting for them. They entered to see everyone, except Niranjan, waiting in the hall. Anjali, Vinayak, Varad, Sojal, Shlok and Aastha everyone were pretending to have not been affected by the recent incidents. Everyone wore a sweet smile on lips hiding the sadness.
Aastha went to the bedroom. She felt tired. Shlok came in and closed the door bolting it from inside. Aastha turned in surprise. "Shlok... yeh aap kya kar rahe hain?!" she asked nervous. What are you doing?!
Shlok slowly walked towards her as she stepped back. "Tum mujhse kuchh sunna chahti ho na... Wohi kehne aaya hoon... I know you have been longing to listen those three words from me...!!" he winked as he moved closer. His naughty smile sent shivers along Aastha's spine. "W..woh aap door se bhi toh keh sakte hain... There is no need to come closer... I can hear very well...!!" said Aastha in a trembling voice.
"Door se kehne mein woh maza kahan jo paas aa kar kehne mein hai...!!" said Shlok naughtily as he held Aastha by her waist and pulled her towards him. Aastha's heart was beating faster by the moment. She closed her eyes feeling his breath on her face. Her body shivered as he gently blew air on her face. She felt as if her body was melting, as if her legs had no strength to hold her body. She clutched Shlok's shirt tighly in her hand to prevent from falling back. And then she heard the sweetest words in the sweetest voice by the sweetest person in her life...
"I Love You...!!" whispered Shlok sending shivers across her body. She felt it with her eyes closed. A smile spread across her lips as her cheeks turned red with blush. She opened her eyes to meet Shlok's. "I love you too...!!" she said and hugged him tight. Shlok hugged her back.
A knock on the door disturbed them. Aastha quickly tidied her hair and dress and opened the door. It was Anjali. She rushed in. She looked worried, her eyes watery.
"Aai... Aap theek toh hain?" asked Aastha. Arey you alright? Shlok was worried too on seeing Anjali. "Aai, what happened? Is Mr. Agnihotri harassing you again?" asked Shlok. "No... he wont dare to harass anyone ever again...!!" said Anjali. She further said, "I want to talk to Jyoti... But I know she wont talk to me if I call her. Aastha will you please..." Aastha understood what Anjali was saying. "Aai, don't worry. I will call her...!!" said Aastha. She called at her home, spoke to her Aai and then spoke to Jyoti casually and then said, "Jyoti Tai, just hold on for a second..." and she handed over the phone to Anjali.
Jyoti was scared as she recognised Anjali's voice. Anjali broke down on the phone. Jyoti too was crying. She wanted to come home. But Anjali was not ready. Anjali thanked Kalindi for taking care of Jyoti and also requested her to allow Jyoti to stay there for a few more days. Shlok and Aastha were surprised as well as confused. Anjali explained both of them that it would not be good to bring Jyoti there at this moment as the environment was not suitable for Jyoti and her baby. Shlok and Aastha agreed.
Next day, Shlok and Varad filed a Police complaint against Abhay and Sulbha. Anjali invited Abhay and Sulbha to their home lying that there was some ritual. Both arrived. "Aayiye Jaavai Baapu... Welcome! Please have a seat...!" said Anjali with a big smile. Abhay's sight angered Shlok. He clenched his fists and was about to go ahead when Aastha pulled him back gesturing that he shoudn't do anything like that. Varad went ahead and asked, "How is Jyoti Tai?" Abhay and Sulbha exchanged glances. Both smiled. "Jyoti is very fine... Main hoon na... Mere hote hue usay kya ho sakta hai... I am taking very good care of her...!!" said Abhay. Anjali's eyes watered and Shlok clenched his jaws in anger. Varad couldn't control his anger. He slapped Abhay hard on his face. Abhay and Sulbha were taken aback, shocked. Before they could understand anything, the Police took them away.
Everyone, except Niranjan and Vinayak, went to meet Jyoti at the Kirloskar's. They didn't give a hint of all that was happening in Anjali Niwas. Jyoti was very happy to know that Abhay and Sulbha were arrested. Varad was surprised to see Siddharth there. And he was shocked to know that Jyoti Tai was the same Roshani Siddharth always talked about. The Kirloskars were happy that now Jyoti had nothing to worry about. But they were unable to understand why Jyoti was not being taken home. Aastha told them that she would tell everything later.
Everyday they tried to move on in life. It wasn't easy. "Mr. Agnihotri" was the most ignored and lonely person now. They all used to have breakfast, lunch, dinner together... but no one bothered to talk much to Niranjan. But the others' bonding with each other was strenthening by the day.
One morning Aastha was cooking in the kitchen when Sojal came there. "Achha hua Vahini aap aa gayi...!!" and then Aastha realised that she called her "Vahini"... She immediately corrected it saying, "Uh... I mean... Jaubai...!" Sojal was surprised. Aastha said, "I have prepard special Kheer for everyone!! Will you please taste it and tell me how it is? So that, if anything needs to be added or manipulated, I will do it at once...!!" Sojal readily agreed. She tasted a spoonful of Kheer. "Waah Aastha!! This is really tasty...!!" praised Sojal. Aastha was very glad. Sojal said, "And Aastha, you better call me 'Vahini'... Zyaada achha lagta hai...!" she said smiling. Aastha was overjoyed. "Thank you Vahini!!" she said. "Achha achha... ab chalo...!! We need to serve the breakfast...!!"
A week passed. Everyone had gathered for the breakfast. Aastha and Sojal were arranging everything on the table. Anjali was preparing special sauce for the special sandwiches her Daughters-in-law had made. Anjali told Rani to call Niranjan for breakfast. Rani came back telling that the door of the bedroom was closed and she was afraid to knock and call him. Anjali herself went to call him. She knocked on the door and said "Breakfast is ready...!!" But there was no reply. She opened the door and was shocked. "Shlookkk!!!! Varaaddd!!!" she screamed as she stared in front, bewildered. Shlok, Varad and the other rushed to the place. They were completely shocked to see Niranjan's lifeless body lying there in a pool of dark red fluid that had oozed out of the wounds on both his wrists. The fruit knife was lying beside him. His body cold and rigid. And there was a piece of paper towards his head. There were some words scribbled on it...
I can't bear the burden of my guilt any more... I am sorry... Please forgive me if possible...
Everyone was busy with the preparations at Anjali Niwas. Many guests were invited. It was a special day. Yes, it was the first birthday of Pooja, daughter of Jyoti and Siddharth. Yes, after all the opposition and disagreement, everyone finally agreed on their marriage and that was the moment of great happiness for the Agnihotris as well as the Kirloskars. The little angel born to Jyoti brought with her all the joy to both the families. And this was a very rare case when a daughter witnessed her parents getting married...!! Jyoti and Siddharth decided not to have another child. They named their angel as "Pooja" in remembrance of Jyoti's elder sister, Pooja Tai, and decided to give her all the happiness she deserved. And today was Pooja's first Birthday...!! It was a grand celebration. Everyone was busy in the preparations of the party. Anjali and Kalindi were supervising the food preparations. Aastha and Sojal were looking after the decorations. Shlok and Varad were checking all other arrangements, while Ajju was helping Jyoti and Siddharth to make their princess ready for her Birthday.
Everyone enjoyed the party a lot...!!
It was a tiring day. Aastha had just changed into her night dress. She was removing her ear-rings when Shlok came and hugged her from behind. She suddenly got up and turned to face Shlok. "Shlok, please leave me... I want to sleep now...!!" she said blushing. Shlok walked closer and closer till her back touched the wall. "I am not gonna let you sleep tonight...!!" he said in a husky voice, mischief sparkling in his eyes. Aastha was about to slip away but he placed his hands on the wall on either side of her, trapping Aastha between the wall and him. "Shlok, what are you doing...? Jaane deejiye mujhe...Kya kar rahe hain aap...?!!!" she said though she knew it. Shlok's naughty smile made her blush more, her cheeks turned pinkish-red. Shlok came closer pressing himself against her. He turned off the lights saying, "Don't you know me?!!"
THE END
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