Evening couldn't come faster for either of them that day. Roshni and Rashmi was hyper since the moment Astha told them about Shlok is coming over for dinner. They've been jumping with joy and excitement. They had selected matching dresses for the evening. Astha's heart warmed seeing how happy they were with just the thought of Shlok coming to meet them. They wanted to know what time
Shlok is coming. Astha told them around 6.30 and since 5.00 they've been ready and waiting. Looking out the window. Keeping watch.
They kept asking Astha to call Shlok to,see if he's really coming?
And few minutes later to call and see if he's left the hotel and to see where he is now? Astha really wanted Shlok and the kids to get along from the get go. She was hopeful with what she's seeing.
He was very punctual. She noticed that the first time they met. He was at their doorstep by 6.25 with two pink flower bouquets and two gift bags in hand.
As soon as he knocked on the door, Shlok could hear scrambling of tiny feet and hushed whispers and giggles and Astha trying to clam her hyper daughters from the other side of the door. He smiled to himself hearing all the commotion.
Astha opened the door and two sets of curious, eyes peeped from either side of Astha. It was yet another love at first sight for Shlok but this time a totally different kind of love. They were his From that moment onwards. They had the most innocent faces he's ever seen. They were both cute as a buttons. Both had straight jet black hair upto their waist. Big bright eyes with a heartwarming smile. If Astha hadn't mentioned they were infact of Hispanic origin, he would never have even felt for a second they weren't Indian.
As he stepped inside the house, they too slowly came out of their mothers shadow and stood in front Astha. Shlok got down on one knee and gave each a bouquet and a gift bag. They took the flowers from his hands and just hugged him. Shlok too was taken aback with their action. Even Astha! Her eyes filled with tears of happiness and love for the three most precious blessings in her life.
Shlok hugged them back and kissed their heads with so many emotions running through his mind. They may not have his blood running through their veins, but in his heart and mind they were his daughters. He felt an instant connection. As if he's finally come home.
"I love you both so much. Thank you for sharing your mama with me" Shlok said to them still holding them both. They looked at him and said, "we love you too so much. Don't take our mama from us. If your taking mama with you take us also. We love her the most" said Rashmi.
What they said warmed his heart with more love than he could ever imagine.
Shloks eyes filled tears, hearing what they said. It's said that kids have the most purest of hearts. And he believed it to be so. It was proven beyond any doubt. Both of them, kept on hugging shlok with their tiny hands. Astha just kept looking at them with tears streaming down her checks unchecked.
Shlok wanted to tell them all that was in heart. But he knew their little minds were too tender to comprehend all his complex emotions. He wished they had come into his life long time back. That he didn't have to miss a single aspect of their growing up years. But as they say it's better late than never. To say shlok was glad would be an understatement. He was thanking his lucky stars and the gods up above for this miracle that has turned his life upside down. But all for the better.
After few minutes Astha, asked the girls to let go of him. They refused in unison. Shlok just got up carrying them. They just kept hanging on to him resting their heads on his shoulder. Shlok signed to Astha, to let them stay as they wished. He was more than happy to oblige to their innocent demand. Shlok seated himself on the couch. And he asked the girls if they are not going to put the flowers in a vase, otherwise the flowers will wither away. They quickly got off him and ran to the pantry urging Shlok to come with them to help them get a vase.
Astha was surprised how quickly and effortlessly they have befriended shlok. Astha was feeling kind of left out. She asked the girls if they don't need her anymore now that they have found a new friend.
They were very quick to correct their mother, "he's not our new friend, he's our new Dad" and shlok looked at them and astha looked at shlok to see his reaction. He was smiling with so much pride.
Shlok agreed to what the girls said. Shlok helped them to pour water to the vase. They wanted separate vases. Astha let them have it their way. Astha was standing by the side and capturing these precious moments in her phone camera.
Once the flowers were in the vases they dragged shlok to their room to show their doll house and all their favourite things.
Astha followed them in tow. Shlok was seated on the floor with them and Rosh and Rash was showing him all the things inside the doll house. He was very comfortable with them and genuinely seemed to be enjoying their company and their histrionics. She kept on taking pictures of the three of them together. She was happy beyond comprehend.
After they were done showing their dollhouse and all that was in it, they wanted to have tea with shlok. It was funny to see shlok trying to sit on their small pink chair and pretend to have tea with the girls.
They asked Astha to join them as well. She did gladly. Four of them sitting and having pretend tea was a sight to see. They even took few selfies. Shlok too wanted to have pictures of his most favourite and most precious girls. Shlok fell in love with Astha all over again seeing what an amazing mother she is to Rosh and Rash. Astha was in her element being a mom. Shlok wished he didn't have to go back. He didn't even want to think just how much he's gonna miss them. He promised himself that he's gonna be back for them ASAP.
Astha was elated seeing the joy in her babies faces. She has never seen them this happy.
It was just the four of them for dinner as well. Shanthi had purposely gone out to meet one of her safe house friends. She wanted them to have privacy. Astha too knew the real reason for her absence. She too was glad that it was just them. Just like a real family. How it would be once they are married.
Astha had made a lavish dinner. Shlok was surprised to see home made naans and butter chicken as well as a delicious baked lasagna, potato and fish pie, a fresh garden salad. The Butter chicken and the Naan he simply loved. It was the best he's ever tasted. The little ones too loved the chicken and the naan. Shlok asked now she knew lasagna was his absolute favourite. Even though he hates Fish, for asthas sake he tried the fish pie. To his utter surprise he liked it. Shlok told her the truth. That he hates anything with Fish. Shlok even told her that she's too perfect. She's everything that Swati wasn't he thought. Why didn't he meet Astha before?
After the scrumptious dinner Shlok and the girls helped Astha to clear the table, No matter how many times,she told him that she can manage on her own, he insisted and Astha, let him help. The kids were allowed to watch cartoon for half an hour. Which gave some time for shlok to romance Astha. She was still Washing the dishes when he wrapped his arms around her and pecked her cheek saying " thank you for the wonderful dinner. It was the best dinner, because you had made everything and this was our first meal together as a family" he kissed her cheek again "I wish I can take you And the girls with me when I go, I'm gonna miss you so much. Come with me jaan"
She just stopped what she was doing and turned towards him and hugged him with all her might. She was thinking the exact same thing. How very much she's gonna miss him. "I wish it was that easy Shlok! I don't want you to go. What if your family oppose our marriage. I'm really scared. Now that you've shown me love, I don't want to be without it. I won't survive without your love. I'll die!" He pulled himself away from her and cupped her tear laced face with his hands and kissed her with such passion that he was lost when Suddenly heard Roshani calling out to him.
Both were trying to compose themselves after their soul searching kiss. So much was said with that one act of love. Words didn't matter, both felt what the other one is feeling in that moment. Soon shlok was being dragged to watch my little pony. He looked back at Astha, who was looking at Shlok, with tears still streaming down her cheeks. But she smiled at him. He just kept looking at her until he could see her face no more.
She quickly finished the rest of the work and was back with Shlok and the kids. It was way past their bed time. But today Astha made an exception. After the cartoon got over even though the girls were very sleepy, Astha had to do a lot of bargaining before they agreed to finally go to bed. Astha, took them to their room, and gave them both a body wash. They wanted shlok to read their bedtime story. Shlok agreed only if Astha also helps him. They both sat on either side of them and took turns reading the story. Soon the girls were sound asleep. They kissed them and slowly stepped out of the room.
Astha, showed the door to her room. Shlok looked at her with desire filled eyes. She felt his raging hormones. He has been a perfect gentlemen from the beginning. But he was finding it extremely difficult, next to impossible to control himself from wanting her. He wanted to make her his in every possible way.
He looked at her with need. She knew what he wanted. The next moment he carried her in his arms and was making his way towards her room. She held on to him not breaking eye contact. They were in her room. She was sitting on her bed. He has come where not a single man has ever set foot. It was virgin territory. She may not be one. But Her bed was. He sat next her. "Astha, baby let me show you how much I love you!" And he leaned forward to kiss her. As the kiss deepened and his hands started to explore her body, in an instant, he pulled away quickly got up and was making his exit.
Astha, came after him, grabbed his hand. He pulled his hand and seemed angry and upset. She didn't know what to make of it. But deep down she knew, that he knew it too. He was almost at the main entrance. When she finally managed to catch up to him. "Shlok, I'm sorry, please don't leave. Please don't be angry" she said trying to hug him. He just put his hands forward signing her not to. She knew he's hurt. She's hurt him.
"Just let me go now Astha. I'm not angry with you. I just don't trust myself control anymore. I love you with all my heart. But if I stay I don't know what I'd do. I thought I'd be able to control my desires. But it's too strong even stronger than my love right this moment. I know your not ready. I'm sorry for making you feel like this. It's not your fault. I thought you're ready for me. But I know better now. I'm really not angry with you. But angry with my own lack of self control. I don't want you to be reminded of your child hood. Please just let me go. We'll talk about this tomorrow. I don't want to say anything to hurt you or anything that I will regret later. I love you and I had the most amazing evening today. Thank you for everything. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night Astha." He kissed her forehead and walked away. Didn't even look back. She kept looking at him walking in hurried steps. As if he couldn't get away fast enough.
Things were going so well for them and then this happens. She knew the reason for his sudden departure. She wished things were different. But things are what they are. There's nothing she can do about it. She tried to pacify her weeping heart.
But she knew sooner or later she will have to cross that river. She felt bad for Shlok. For making him feel the way he did. She knew exactly what he felt like. It was all because of her. She went upto her room and cried her heart out.
Sholk was sitting, trying to sleep. Tossing and turning. He kept second gussing. He felt bad for the way he left Astha. He was hurt more than anything. After proposing to her and she accepting to be his wife, the way she reacted, the way her body reacted when he touched her, made him sick. He felt like a predator. The look on her face said it all. She was back in her mothers house. She looked frightened. He tried to get that image about of his mind. Every time he closed his eyes that was the image he saw. He was getting angry as well. How could she put him in the same category as that monster? How could she? He hated that SOB that destroyed her innocence and took away her happiness. How could she? He's nothing like that b*****d.
There was a knock on the door. He checked the time. It was 12.30 am. He got out of the bed with a curiosity. He put on his t-shirt and opened the door and the person Shlok least expected to find at his doorstep was there.
"If you step inside, I won't let you go until tomorrow morning" Shlok said seductively. "I know. I came prepared" she said showing her tote bag and stepped inside his room.
Chapter 24
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/111958983
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
