Ashlok FF - You've Won My Heart! (Chapter 10 updated on page 138) - Page 17

He has known Swati for more than two years...since the days when he was still a student. She studied the same course as him so often they were asked to work together on various projects. Initially Shlok's behaviour with her was reserved, strictly professional but her friendly and bold behaviour soon awoke the desire in him to befriend her. They started spending more time together...chatting to each other for hours at times. Gradually their bond of friendship deepened.

Shlok was always attracted towards Swati...her carefree attitude and vivacious nature always pulled him towards her. And now perhaps he was even starting to fall for her. He began to see the girl of his dreams in her...the face he always tried to look for in a crowd. He still hadn't confessed or hinted her about his feelings as he was waiting for the right moment. But he knew she felt the same way about him too.

For him, Astha Kirlosker has never been more than a friend and certainly not someone special enough for him to think about marrying. Yes, he admitted, she has always been attractive but he never felt strong enough for her to fall in love with. That's why, even after being aware of his engagement with her, he still couldn't mentally prepare himself to marry her and make her his wife. Besides, he decided long back that he would marry Swati.

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Shlok was pacing up and down his room once again fuming in anger...how dare she talk to me like this? Refuse to pay heed to my request? Threaten me..Shlok Agnihotri? He thought proudly. But he was just as much surprised by her response. He always knew her as simple, innocent and calm girl. Yes she was somewhat straight forward but not one to get into ugly arguments. He was quite sure that if he would tell her about his love for Swati then she would back out and break this engagement on her own without him having to do anything. But he was shocked at her guts. He never thought that she would dare to question him and reject his request to refuse for the marriage. On top of it, she was threatening him and warning him about ruining his sister's life? He clenched his jaw..his hands closing into fists in pure rage. Let me see how she forces herself into my life. He thought indignantly. However, somewhere deep down he was worried too. What should I do now?

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NA was extremely hurt by Shlok's refusal. It never occurred to him that his most dear son, the apple of his eye, would so bluntly refuse the girl of his choice. He always felt proud of his son. Even when he decided to choose a different career, he being his doting father supported him wholeheartedly. But now for the first time in his life he felt disappointed and ashamed of him. He was concerned about his reputation in society which would be severely harmed...as well as Astha's who he considered just like his daughter. Besides, the marriage was already fixed for next week. So if the marriage breaks at this point, they will not be able to face society without being forced to answer their questions. Now he was realising that perhaps he rushed into the marriage.

"Did you talk to him?" NA asked Anjali, seeing her enter their bedroom.

"No..he's still locked in his room" Anjali replied, clearly upset at the turn of events.

"Go and call him. I want to talk to him once again before coming to a final decision."

Anjali nodded and quietly went away.

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Just as Anjali came near his room and was about to enter by pushing the door, she heard Shlok's voice talking to someone. He sounded troubled. She stopped just outside, trying to figure out what he was talking about.

"Dada, at least you try to understand me. I can't marry Astha and why should I, when I don't even love her? Please dada you try to talk to baba...he might listen to it." he was pleading.

"Shlok are you out of your mind? How can you think that baba will give in to your baseless demands on MY insistence, when I too am not convinced by your argument? Don't expect me to talk to baba on your behalf because you are just being selfish" Varad scolded his younger brother who was being his stubborn self. Then he calmed himself down and tried to make him see reason in a soft, matter-of-fact tone. "Look Shlok, you have been engaged to Astha since years...that's not some joke. It can't be broken in a matter of seconds and just forgotten like that. Just think how much trouble she will face if you break the engagement now and marry someone else. Besides Shlok, if you fell in love with someone else then why didn't you inform us before. You always knew about your engagement, right? Then why you kept quiet about Swati all these years?" Anajli heard Varad asking Shlok.

The door was slightly ajar making it possible for her to peek inside. Varad was staring at Shlok with coolly scrutinising eyes waiting for his response but it looked like Shlok was unsure what to say. He was frowning, his forehead creased and a guilty look in his eyes, while clearly avoiding meeting his dada's eyes.

"Shlok, Astha is a very nice girl. She has all the qualities that you would want to see in your wife. I can only request you not to make the mistake of losing such a fine girl. I am sure one day you will understand her worth and..."

"Enough dada!"Shlok shouted, interrupting Varad, annoyed and angry at his brother for favouring Astha rather than him. "I am sick and tired of listening to Astha's name since yesterday. Everyone is going on and on about Astha but there's no one who's willing to understand me."

Anjali decided it was enough now. There was no point in talking to him anymore. She decided to leave the matter to her husband now...let him deal with it.

She pushed the door open and entered inside. Shlok who was loudly expressing his disappointment at everyone's behaviour, abruptly went quiet seeing his mum.

"Shlok, your baba wishes to see you." Anjali said giving him a grim look and glancing once at his older son before turning and starting to walk out of the room.

"Yes ayi" she heard him say in a low voice just before she walked out, Varad closely behind her.

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"So what have you decided?" NA asked curtly.

Shlok had come to NA's room few seconds before and without a word he sat down on the chair placed beside his bed. His eyes downcast, his posture somewhat defensive.

"My decision is the same baba. I meant every word that I said yesterday. I do not wish to marry Astha." he said cautiously, still not looking at his baba.

"But why?" he shouted, losing his patience now. "Do you wish to defame me in the society? Do you wish to ruin my reputation, my image? Because if so, then it would be better if I kill myself so I don't have to face people's shameful questions."

"Baba!" he gasped, surprised at the severity of his words. "When have I ever said that. You know how much your image, your reputation means to me" he said feeling upset and embarrassed at the same time. "But baba I have already promised someone else that I will marry her." he tried one last time. Even though this wasn't the case, he lied in the hopes that he will agree now.

"No verbal promise can be bigger than this years-long promise in the form of engagement." he said firmly, not buying into his excuse. Then he paused and said, "Shlok before announcing your decision, did you think about the implications of your refusal? Did you think about the trouble the two families will face, esp. Astha? And most importantly, what about your sister? Do you think your uncle and aunt will let their son marry the girl whose brother ruined their daughter's life. My friendship and partnership with Avdhoot, everything will be over just because of YOU." Now Shlok was feeling extremely shameful. To be honest, he had not considered all these implications. All he was thinking about is himself and his happiness. Varad dada was right. He was being very selfish.

NA was deep in thought as if trying to arrive to a final decision. He finally said, giving him an ultimatum. "Now listen to my decision too Shlok. You will have to marry Astha, do you understand? You have no choice. If you dare to go against my decision then I will disinherit you as my son and you will have to leave this house immediately. Now the decision is yours...your family or your so-called love. Let me know about your decision by the evening." he finished sternly before standing up and walking away. When he reached the door, he stopped, and turned his neck to look at him from the corner of his eyes. "If your decision happens to be otherwise then make sure you keep your bags and stuff packed," and walked out immediately, leaving an extremely shocked and numbed Shlok sitting on the chair alone in the room.

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Precap: "Bhaiya, make me one more plate please" Gauri asked the vendour. "Astha, would you like to have one too?"

"No I am good." she picked up the last piece from her plate and was about to put it in her mouth when out of nowhere someone came and roughly pulled her arm, causing her to drop her last piece of paani puri as well as her plate from her grip. She gasped surprised at this sudden attack and looked at the person nervously, only to find the man who had occupied her thoughts for the last 24 hours.

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Ok nothing much happened in this chapter. You can call it a filler 😆 But I promise next chapter will be more interesting 😉

I am sorry guys for the late update but I will try to update the next chapter soon, hopefully by Friday. I will especially like to thanks Ray and Yasna for keep insisting me to update soon because that motivated me to write or else I may have taken more time 😆😆

Thanks once again guys for your wonderful comments for the last update 😳 However, your criticism is welcome 😃😛

P.s. if anyone wants me to pm them then kindly buddy me since it makes it easier 😊