ASHLOK FF - AT FIRST SIGHT Last Chapter - Page 53

Just as the new dawn brings new light

Your happiness is my only delight

Someone to love someone to hold

Take my hand and let our story unfold

~*AnupamA*~

Astha, stop saying sorry. I was awake anyways. It's already tomorrow. I'm listing" he cut in

"Shlok, I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can be all that you want me to be. How can you be so sure about us. There's so much you don't know about me, about my past. Things I've never repeated to a another living soul. Things I promised I'd take to my grave.You do know that I'm a mother to two little girls. How do you know you'll be able to love them as your own? What about your family? Will they accept us?" She said.

"Astha, I know, just give us a chance. Give me a chance to love you. I can't tell you why I'm so sure about us. But all I can say is that I'm sure about my love for you, of my feelings towards you. And I have seen the same in your eyes. I've not forgotten that you have kids. I will convince my parents. They owe me that much. Even if they oppose it, it's not going to make a difference to me. Nothing is more important to me than you. I will face anything if I have you in my life." He was speaking so rapidly. His thoughts were fighting to come out of his head.

"Astha, let's not do this over the phone. Where can I meet you? Please Just tell me a place I'll be there." Shlok said.

"My shift ends at 6.00 am can you meet here around 6.30" she said.

"No. You've been up all night. You need to get some rest. Get some sleep. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be still here. Will meet later in the day." Shlok said with concern.

"Ok. If you say so. But I'm not gonna be able to rest let alone sleep." She said. But her heart filled with emotions to see his concern for her. It was nice to have someone care about you. She was feeling special.

"It's ok. Rest and then you call me" he said. Ended the call.

He couldn't go back to sleep. His heart was rejoicing with content. She's finally accepted the ultimate truth. She's willing to give us a chance. He wanted to jump and do cartwheels. She agreed to meet me. He was on cloud nine.

He checked the time. It was 5.45. He jumped out of the bed. Changed into a pair of jeans a t-shirt and over it he wore a pullover.

She felt relieved after her talk with Shlok. Her heart felt light. As if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. No more denying. She was ready to give her life a second chance. Give happiness a second chance.

By 6.20 she stepped out. And to her surprise he was standing, waiting for her on the other side of the road. With a single red rose in hand. His face lit up as soon as he saw her emerging from the hospital door.

All the tiredness just vanished with that single glimpse of him. Smiling at her with all the love pouring from his eyes.

She was gonna cross the road... But he signalled her not to. He quickly came up to where she was standing. He gave her the flower and said " good morning. They didn't have any white lilies"

"Good morning! But what are you doing here. You told me we'll meet later" she asked him with a confused look.

"I know. I just came to take you home. I'll drop you and be on my way"

He said with his mischievous grin.

"You shouldn't have come. I have been doing this for many years. I can take a cab" she said.

"I'm sure you can. But not when I'm around. I don't like you travelling alone so early in the morning" he said.

"Ok. Shall we go?" Said with a smile on her face and hailed a cab.

He opened the door for her. Closed the door after her. And ran around to other other side quickly and got in. As he got in, in his hurry he hit his head on the side handle.

She instinctively reached for his head. His hand was on the spot he got hit. She rubbed his head. He just kept looking at her. She realised what she was doing and quickly withdrew her hand.

"Thank you!" He said.

She tried to look outside. "Astha, are you mad at me for coming?" He asked looking at her.

She just looked at him and nodded her head to indicate no. And smiled at him. He never knew that a simple smile can bring so much happiness. Sitting next her in the cab. He felt he had everything he needed. His life, his future, his happiness, his family, his dreams, his hopes. She meant all that and so much more.

There was so much they wanted to say to eachother. But their eyes succeeded where the words failed. A single teardrop was waiting to betray her, he ever so softly wiped the tear off her eye with the back of his right index finger. And signed her with a slow nod of his head to not to cry. And kissed the tear in his index finger.

He slowly moved closer to her. And ever so gently took her delicate child like hand into his. She rested her head on to the side of his shoulder. They didn't say anything. They didn't need to. Their heartbeat, the sound of their breathing it was speaking all unsaid words that needed to be spoken.

She felt safe. A feeling that she's not felt for as long as she can remember. She wanted that moment to last forever.

He was feeling content. With her next to him he wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go.

She asked the cab driver to stop in front of beautiful white picket fenced house. She looked at him with longing. She wished she can invite him over. But she as well as he knew it was too early. He tried to get out. But he stopped him. And told him "it's ok I can open the door." And smiled at him.

"Thank you" saying that she was about to step out of the cab. When she felt her hand being pulled. He was holding her hand. He slowly drew it close to his lips and placed a soft kiss. His eyes held so many desires. She blushed seeing his action. "Pleasure is all mine" he said in husky tone. "Until I see you again" he kissed her hand one more time.

She smiled and pulled her hand. She walked towards the house. He waited for her to go inside the house. She turned back to see if he's still there. He was looking at her. He smiled at her once more. She just gave a shy smile just before she opened the door. Then he was gone.

Chapter 18

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