Ashlok FF: Raabta... Do you believe in love? Chap 5 Pg78 - Page 12

Thanks😊

Yes, i know very well that you won't answer... 😆

And i also know you will gradually unravel the answers in the story... 😉

So waiting patiently...

Aastha reluctantly entered the airport. She stood there waiting for Rehaan. All her inhibitions vanished after seeing Rehaan like the dew drops vaporize when they see the sun. Rehaan came out with an airhostess, who was pushing his trolley. He ran to his mother as fast as a cheetah, with so much love. He hugged her tightly. He had missed her a lot for the past weeks. His super mom was mostly busy, but always made time for him. He broke out from his hug and looked at Aastha with darting eyes. His eyebrows twitched a little, and Aastha knew what was coming up...

"Mumma, aren't you sleeping properly? See your dark circles are darker than ever. You also look very weak. Are you having your food properly? You are looking very pale. Now that I've come, I'll make sure you take you're food properly." Rehaan rebuked Aastha with his famous glower. Aastha chuckled a little, which made Rehaan scowl more.

"OK baba, ab chalen? Or, do you want to stay here scolding me? Waise bhi, everybody is waiting for Prince Rehaan's arrival." Aastha said in a rhetorical way that made Rehaan grin. During their ride back to Agnihotri mansion, Rehaan asked numerous questions about the members from Agnihotri clan. As far as Aastha could say, Rehaan was going to enjoy his stay because he seemed to like them a lot, something that doesn't happen often.

"Rehaan bhaiyya..." Kavya came running as soon as she saw Aastha and Rehaan coming. Rehaan showed his thirty-two, oops sorry, twenty teeth as he saw Kavya. Rehaan's happiness was reflected in Aastha's face. She walked in and stood in a corner as she saw her son being pampered by the Agnihotris. Rehaan seemed to love Kavya and his Mr. Awesome Shlok uncle a lot. She did not know what magic Shlok did to an introverted kid like Rehaan, but whatever it was, she was happy. If Rehaan amalgamated with people, then Aastha need not worry about him.

To everyone's amazement, Shlok took Rehaan and Kavya to terrace to play with them. He had his reasons though. He didn't want Rehaan and Kavya to fight with each other. Because Kavya liked only doll games and Rehaan being a boy, Shlok knew he wouldn't appreciate it. Not only that, even she had loved kids... As Rehaan and Kavya started playing, Shlok's thoughts drifted elsewhere...

"Shlok, when are we going to get married?" She asked him as they were gazing the stars.

"First, we'll have to inform our respective families. Then my family should like you and yours should like me. They should like each other, after that we'll get married. Like Chetan Bhagat mentioned in his book, Love marriages in India aren't easy'"

"OK. After that, we will get married na? Then how many kids do you want?"

"Baby, why should we get married to have kids? If you want, we can arrange for it now itself." Shlok said with a devilish smirk earning a pinch from her.

"Badtameez... Shlok I'm not joking." She warned him in a serious tone.

"OK baby, chill. I want a girl, like you."

"But Shlok, I want a boy... I've also decided his name. Rehaan..."

Shlok broke from his trance when Anjali called them for dinner. Shlok picked Rehaan and Kavya in his arms and went downstairs.

That night,

"Mumma, Shlok uncle gave chocolates to both of us. He also read us some stories. So, you don't need to read me, Mumma." Rehaan kissed Aastha goodnight and went to sleep. Aastha felt grateful to Shlok for doing so much to Rehaan. She did not fail to notice that Shlok became close to Rehaan sooner than with any other adult. Maybe he loved kids. Aastha shrugged off the thought and went to sleep.

It was next day's afternoon. Aastha didn't know the time as she was working on her presentation in the office. Her phone was buzzing for N number of times that she decided to switch it off. After a while, Shlok barged inside her room, which freaked her out.

"Aastha (pants)... Rehaan wants to talk to you" Shlok was kinda petrified to hear Rehaan's stern voice. So, he ran to her ASAP.

Aastha's hands trembled because she knew what was coming up. She said a small hello to him (If, you've seen Sponge bob square pants then imagine something like that)

"MUMMA!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF? DO YOU HAVE A CLOCK THERE? ITS 4:30 AND YOU DID NOT HAVE YOUR LUNCH YET. YOU ARE LEAVING OFFICE AT THIS PRECISE MOMENT AND COMING HERE." Rehaan vociferated and hung up the phone.

Aastha heard a thud on the other side. "Yes sir." She replied though she knew he was not listening.

"Welcome to my world." She said to a flabbergasted Shlok.

Aastha ate as she heard her son giving lectures to her on how to be healthy. He kinda mocked her because she used the same words last time when he had skipped his meal.

Anjali and Sojal stood behind controlling their laughter and left that place before they lost their control. Aastha was smiling all the time, but the mere thought of him leaving her in a few days shuddered her completely. She managed to wear a small smile on her face but her thoughts were very much distant. Her insecurities built up like castles and thought of her son leaving her left her devastated. She gestured Rehaan to go and play with Kavya and sat there lost in her thoughts. Shlok, who had come from office by then saw Aastha sitting alone in the dining table. He thought of giving her company and went to her. Seeing her expression, he knew she was thinking about the conversation she had the previous day with some creepy person. He did not know why, but the epithet Aastha wore on her chocolate brown eyes was fear. He felt that he should lighten the atmosphere.

"Aastha, I brought some juice for both of us. Here..." He gave her a glass of juice. She took it with a smile.

"You know what Aastha, when life gets really difficult for you to handle, it just means it has something wonderful in store for you. It is just testing your patience. Handle it properly and you will receive your gift. And Aastha, life becomes more beautiful as you start accepting things..." Shlok said Aastha exactly the things that were told to him by her.

"Someone's getting philosophical... (Aastha and Shlok chuckle) But jokes apart, Shlok, you don't even know what's bothering me. Yet, you chose the right words to tell me. That's wonderful. I won't be surprised if Kavya or Rehaan tell me the same thing. Because, I feel my face is betraying me by showing things I want it to hide." Aastha was startled when Shlok gave a small psychological speech, but yes, she was grateful to him for that. Shlok patted Aastha on her shoulder and left her alone.

Little Rehaan was happily playing with Kavya, not knowing the biggest challenge to prove his love for his mother was waiting for him...

Chappals? Eggs? What are you guys planning to throw at me?

Pic of Rehaan is on pg22

You have a very good narration style unlike me... Loved this chapter...

Loved the mother-son bond!! And Shlok remembered his ex... She had planned their son's name to be Rehaan... What a coincidence!! Maybe that's why Shlok connected with him more than he otherwise would have...

And i guess Aastha's ex husband wants his son... That's gonna be a big hurdle for Aastha as well as Rehaan...

Loving how the story is unfolding...

Great job dear!!

And thanks for mentioning me...

Love you 🤗

Thanks didi!!!

Stop being modest! You r one of d best writers I've come across in IF...

Yes, that's the reason...

Ex husband? Mayyybe! Whomsoever that person is... The hurdle is defo big...

Thanks fr that!

Love you too🤗

Iss baar toh bach gayi!!!😆 Yes he is! thank you😊

Thank you Siham!😃

I am not being modest dear... You, Aishaa, Sam, meerab, Sonia (and many others)... You all are really good writers... My vocabulary is very weak... And everyone will agree to that 😆

Hehe... I just guessed that... Let's see who the person is!!