#4 Aashlok FF- EK ANOKHI KAHAANI - Ch 60 (Epilogue) Pg 134 (26/08/14) - Page 19

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

Thanks again Pranu 🤗

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

Okk...

How much more time??

Will post in 10 minutes!!

EK ANOKHI KAHAANI - Part 45

Aastha was very upset. But as she rang the doorbell after reaching home, she quickly changed her face into a happy one before Kalindi opened the door. Kalindi was glad to see Aastha and she looked around to see whether Shlok had come too. Avdhoot had come home early for Aastha's birthday.

"Shlok didn't come?" said Kalindi, "I thought he would come with you! What time is he coming? Ajju and I have prepared special dum aaloo for him and I am sure..."

Aastha interrupted Kalindi, "Aai!!! Aai... Shlok Sir is not coming...!" And now Aastha couldn't control the tears that filled her eyes as she recalled all that had happened in the office. Kalindi and Avdhoot exchanged glances. Aastha quickly composed herself and said, "Actually, he was very pleased by the invitation" her voice cracked as the truth flashed in her mind, but she continued, "lekin mera toh bad luck hi kharaab hai!!" Aastha laughed, "he has to go for a dinner-meet with one of our clients..." she laughed again trying to hide her tears, "My birthday will keep coming, but such great deals with clients come once in a while!" Now Aastha couldn't laugh more. Her throat was dry. She couldn't maintain the smile on her face. She somehow managed to speak in a wet voice, "Shlok Sir apologized for not being able to accept the invitation" she quickly wiped a tear that escaped her eye. "And he is so sweet... he told me to convey to you all that he would surely come next time!!" Everyone smiled, except Aastha. Only she knew what she was going through right now. Only she knew how she had controlled her tears. But now she couldn't hold back her tears any more and they streamed down her cheeks.

Avdhoot, Kalindi and Ajju knew how much having Shlok for dinner at home meant to Aastha. They also knew how sensitive their Aastha was. Avdhoot put his arm around Aastha's shoulder and said, "Aastha, you yourself said that the deal with the client is important, right?" Aastha wiped her tears. "Beta, I know you are very upset... But what can we do? Shlok didn't do it purposely, right?" More tears flowed down Aastha's eyes. Only she knew what Shlok had done. "Look Aastha, we don't always get what we want. Sometimes we need to compromise these small things to gain something bigger!" said Avdhoot, "And Shlok himself said that he will surely come next time. Isn't that a reason to be happy?" Avdhoot smiled looking at Aastha.

Aastha nodded with a faint smile. "Baba, Aai, Ajju care so much for me... I can't make them unhappy by staying upset... C'mon Aastha, cheer up! Atleast for them if not for yourself..." Aastha told herself and changed her mood at once. "You are right Baba!" she said with a smile. "Okay, I will go and freshen up! Aakash and Shruti will be here any moment!!" she said showing herself excited, and ran to her room.

Aastha locked herself into the bathroom and broke down. She cried till there were no more tears to flow out of her eyes. She felt exhausted. She sat on the floor leaning on the door of the bathroom and embraced herself staring into the emptiness. She had no idea how much time had elapsed before she heard the doorbell ring and she could hear the voices of Shruti and Aakash. She stood up and looked at herself into the mirror. Tears had dried on her cheeks, her eyes red and swollen. She splashed cold water on her face and took some deep breaths to normalise her breathing. She felt better. She heard Kalindi knocking on the door of her bedroom calling out for her. "Coming Aai... Just five minutes!!" said Aastha. She quickly changed her dress and wore the other one Kalindi had bought. She put on matching ear-rings and a matching necklace. She slid matching bangles over her hands and put on a small matching bindi on her forehead. After getting ready, she looked at herself into the mirror for one last time. "Something is missing..." she thought. And then she smiled. "Perfect!!" That smile was no less than any ornament, rather it was more beautiful and brighter. "Good! This is how you should be!" she told herself, "Don't be a loser Aastha... Don't let these things affect you! Such things will keep happening... Forget Shlok and forget what happened at the office! This is your day Aastha, enjoy it!!"

Now she felt lighter and happier. She heard knocks and taps on the door. This time it was Shruti. "Hello Princess!! Enough of getting ready now! Baahar aaogi bhi ya nahi?!!"

Aastha smiled, "Haan baba, I am coming!" she said.

"Come fast yaar, we are waiting!!" said Shruti and went down.

Aastha too came down and everyone was looking at the beautiful girl, she looked no less than an angel in the white and blue dress. Shruti's parents were there too and also Aakash's uncle and aunt.

Aastha tried to be happy, but her sadness was not unseen. The guests enquired about it and Avdhoot and Kalindi narrated why Aastha was sad. Shruti and Aakash looked at each other at once as this contradicted what they had heard in the office. Ofcourse, what happend between Aastha and Shlok in Shlok's cabin was known only by them both, but Shruti and Aakash knew that Shlok had left the hall without wishing Aastha. And whatever Avdhoot and Kalindi just said did not seem to have happened after what they had heard. But they remained silent.

Aastha couldn't stop thinking of all that had happened in the office. Though she was physically present at home, her mind was somewhere else. And everyone noticed it. Aakash felt bad seeing Aastha so sad and that too on her birthday. He finally said, "Aastha, you are not enjoying... What happened yaar?"

Everyone looked at Aastha for her reply. "I am fine..." she said smiling as much as she could.

"Aastha, don't lie to us, okay? We know you very well! And you are not happy..." said Aakash. He further said, "I have a great idea! Shruti, let's take Aastha to White Diamond, what say?!"

Shruti readily agreed. But the elders seemed concerned. Avdhoot didn't seem ready to allow that... He said in a worried tone, "But beta, that is a night club, right? Going to such a place..."

Aakash interrupted saying, "Kaka, this is not a place like other night clubs. I have been there and it is a decent place! Right Shruti?"

Shruti too agreed saying, "Yes Kaka, Aakash and I have been there once when we had a team meet there. Aai, Baba you know that...!"

Shruti's parents agreed. Finally everyone agreed. "Aakash, it is your responsibility to take care of the girls!!" said Aakash's uncle and Aakash assured everyone of the girls' safety.

"But now who will eat all the food we have prepared?!" said Ajju teasing them.

"Don't worry Ajju, send it with Aastha to office tomorrow, we will finish it!!" said Shruti with a wink. Everyone laughed.

The three left, Aakash on his bike and Aastha and Shruti on Shruti's.

*****

Shlok sat at the window of his room, sinking into his drink. How dare Aastha say that about his Aai! He always believed she understood him, but... Then he recalled how he had treated her. That wasn't right at all. May be he forced her to say all that... But he shouldn't have raised his hand on her. How could he! Shlok banged his hand on the window sill. What must she be thinking of him now? He raised the glass of wine to drink but the glass was empty. He chuckled staring at the empty glass and again filled it. He had just touched his lips to the glass when Sojal came there. "Shlok?" she called out entering the room. Shlok fumbled with the glass on hearing Sojal's voice. Thankfully the glass did not fall from his hand. He quickly hid the bottle and the glass into a corner and walked towards Sojal. He kept some distance from her so that she wouldn't smell the wine.

"Shlok, what are you doing here all alone?" asked Sojal.

"Nothing Vahini...!" said Shlok.

"Come, have coffee with everyone!" said Sojal.

"Vahini... er... actually my head is aching a little. So I think I will take some rest... You all carry on!" said Shlok in a dull voice.

"Okay, take care!" said Sojal and went away.

Shlok sighed in relief and threw himself on the bed. He was tired... tired of thinking...! He wanted to free his mind for some time. He didn't want to think of anything, especially Aastha.

Sojal suspected that Shlok was drinking. She saw Varad and told him what she thought. She told him that Shlok seemed upset and dull and that Varad should go talk to him and find out the reason. Aditi was passing by and she heard Sojal. She said in excitement, "Don't worry Sojal Vahini, I will change Shlok's mood in a jiffy!" Before Sojal could stop her, Aditi was into Shlok's room. Shlok was initially very angry at Aditi but he calmed down. Aditi kept on speaking and trying all ways to cheer Shlok up but instead she was irritating Shlok. When no way was working, she held Shlok's hand and pulled him out of the room with her. She was adamant and Shlok went along with her. Everyone was having coffee when Shlok and Aditi came downstairs. Ajinkya and Niranjan exchanged glances, pleased to see Shlok and Aditi holding hands. Aditi was trying to convince Shlok for something and Shlok seemed least interested.

"Beta Aditi, what happened?" asked Niranjan.

"Dekhiye na uncle, Shlok is not listening to me!" complained Aditi. She continued, "Uncle, Shlok is upset, and I just want to cheer him up! So I was thinking we both could go to White Diamond! I am sure we will have a great time!"

Niranjan smiled and said, "Shlok, why don't you go with her? You will feel better!" said Niranjan and Anjali too agreed.

Finally Shlok agreed now that everyone was pushing on him. Shlok and Aditi left for White Diamond in Shlok's car.

*****

PRECAP : Aastha and Shruti were sitting around a table while Aakash had gone to get juice for them. Shruti was enjoying the music. Aastha couldn't think of anything but Shlok. Just then, someone held out a glass of juice for her. "Happy Birthday Aastha!" she heard a voice and she was surprised and stunned to realise it was Shlok! Shlok held out his hand to her... "Dance?" he asked and Aastha was shocked at her place. She looked at Shruti who smiled back and nodded at Aastha to go ahead.

*****

Hope you all enjoyed reading it!! 😃

Don't forget to leave your comment 😉

Originally posted by: pranu_d

res

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

So sorry... hehehe

The editing took some time 😳

Originally posted by: pranu_d

neha, thank you so much for the update

im very tired now, n i have much work to do tomorrow

so i will comment later. most probably tomorrow evng or on sunday

sorry dear

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

Okay dear 😊

Good night! Sweet dreams 🤗

Will wait for your comment 😉

Originally posted by: pranu_d

good night to you too dear..

sweet dreams 🤗

btw, its ashlok dreams, not sweet dreams😉

ab wait karne ki baari teri😛

😭 Zyaada wait mut karwaana...