ASHLOK FF - AT FIRST SIGHT Last Chapter - Page 73

How can one be a sadist and a sucker for old school romance? May be My wiring is faulty? Thanks dear Jane, it's feels good to be back. Hope you all won't get diabetes with all the sappiness. Brace! Brace! You have been warned.

May be the separation is gonna be prolonged one or a short one. But it's happening. My twisted mind won't just let them have it all their way.

Thanks jane once again for the love. Means much to me.

Next cheater hopefully today.

Deeps you do have a very wild imagination. No supernatural activity. I'm too much of a wuss to mess with ghosts even in a fiction. But the root of the cause is mentioned by you... Keep on guessing.

Thank you dear Natasha for the encouragement. Gives me so much pleasure to see others enjoying my fiction. Sorry to diss appoint you...does Bechari means poor girl... Well both are in for a heartbreak...Sholk more than her I guess. Circumstances will be such you'd feel like that...

superb update anu i wish ashlok will stay together forever

cont sooon honey longing to read the next part

i am feeling bad for their seperation and i wish everthing will be okay

and i am glad to chat with u sweety

i missed u alottt

and anu u have blessed by god dear🤗❤️

u r an amazing writer👏👏👏

Wonderful writing...loved the way hw they r trying to console each other...

Shlok and Astha going to miss each other a lot...Hope Shlok come back soon...

Shlok is really a caring person...He prefer to leave the house before the girls wake up so that he wont make them feel bad..so sweet of them...

The girls feel more happy with shlok...they happy showed the chain to shanthi and expressed their joy of shlok coming into their life...

Astha is happy to wear her manglasurta which Shlok tied to her with god witness...

Astha and shlok are so attracted to each other...they try to pacify themself...but poor Astha reached his hotel...

When Astha was telling her fear of whether she is going to see him again or not...Shlok was amazing showing his anger and hurt to her and the next movement he know hw to make her feel better...

Loved the way both part each other...

Hope more twist is going to come in the next update...

I dont want them to stay away from each other...Astha already had enough of sadness in her life...Shlok also need a good partner like astha...

Thanks for the wonderful update...

Waiting for the next part...

Belated birthday wishes Aishu! Hope you had a fab day. God bless you.

Thank you for the wonderful comments dear. No worries we all do have a life apart from EBP. I understand. When ever u get the time read and do let me know your precious thoughts. Working on the the next update, taking longer than expected with mummy duties and wifey duties. But deff today.

He was siting in his business class seat. But his heart was racing towards his Astha. He sighed thinking of them. His girls. But he was even more determined to come back for them soon. He had his mothers bangles that she had given him when he asked her if she liked Astha. But he didn't give it to Asths. He didn't think it was the right thing. His mother didn't know anything about her. And he wanted Anjali herself to put it on to Astha with full knowledge of his Astha. He kept looking at the ring she had given her. He must've kissed it more than hundred times already. He loved it. It was such a perfect gift.

"We're about to take off. I don't trust the onboard wi-fi. Don't wait up for my call. See if I'm online when ever your up. I'll call you once I reach dubai. It'll be still early morning for you baby. You call me. Flight duration is 15 hours. The stop over is 3 hours. So we'll have time to talk. I love you and miss you so much already jaan" as he was saying her heard a soft sob from the other end. She was silent. Except for her sobs. He waited for awhile. He had to end the call. They were giving the final call for the crew to be seated for take off.

"Asths, by baby, please don't cry. I'll be back before you know it. I'll talk to you soon. Love you. Bye" he said with a very heavy heart.

"I love you too so much. I'll miss you too so so much more. Take care of yourself. God bless you!" She finally managed to say. He kissed the phone and and waited for her to end the call. She didn't. He had to. Afterwards kept the phone close to his heart and closed his eyes. Tear drop escaped his eyes. He wanted to numbed down the pain. He gulped the complimentary glass of Champagne in one go. Not that it helped. He wanted to drown his sorrows in alcohol. But remembering the fact that she does not even drink vine stopped him from taking another drink.

Asths went to her kids room. To see them playing house. She went and hugged them. They felt she was sad. She tried to keep the tears at bay. But as always failed. She told them the truth. They were more than willing to console their mama. She was relived and felt somewhat better. They wanted her to sleep with them that night. She was more than happy. She certainly didn't feel like sleeping alone in her bed, not after last night.

It was early in the morning. Astha woke up hearing his voice. She looked around and took some time to realise it was just her imagination. She checked the time and tried to go back to sleep. Images of her and Shlok kept flashing in her head. She was yearning for his touch. She missed him. Both mentally and physically.

It was 7.30 I'm the morning. When the alarm in her phone buzzed. She quickly reached for the phone and dialled Shlok's number. Her heart was pounding when she heard his voice. They talked for awhile. Shlok asked about the kids and if she had a good nights sleep. She told him the truth. That it was difficult to fall asleep but she was able to get few hours of sleep in the end. He too had managed to sleep for few hours. His phone battery was running low so unwilling he had to end the conversation. But not before promising to call her once he reaches Mumbai.

The flight arrived on time. Varad was waiting for him at the arrival lounge. Shlok called Astha as soon as he landed. She had told him that she's got two surgeries scheduled. He didn't want to miss letting her know he reached home safely. Plus he wanted to hear her voice terribly. She was relived to hear that he's reached Mumbai safely. He made her promise to call him once she's free.

Varad was extremely happy to see his brother. Last when he saw him he was lying on a hospital bed with a gunshot wound. He hurried towards Shlok and hugged him. Even Shlok was really glad to see his bother. He felt bit guilty of the fact that he had kept him in the dark with regard to Astha. Shlok brushed away those feelings and got in the car with him.

But his mind was somewhere else. Varad had to snap his fingers at him to get his attention many times. He was daydreaming of his Astha and his girls. His behaviour didn't go unnoticed by Varad either. He was a keen observer. But shlok's change was there to see for one and all.

Anajli and the rest of the family fussed over him. Specially the women. His mother and sister. Anjali hugged her second son with all the love. Even Joyti was emotional seeing her bother. He loved being with his family. But he missed them more. He was finding it difficult to talk to anybody without thinking about them. He knew he needed to tell them about Astha and the kids soon. It was driving him insane. He was being very edgy. But the moment Anjali asked about Dr. Astha Kalindi, his demeanour changed completely. Shlok couldn't stop himself from talking about her. Almost everybody present noticed the sudden glint in his eyes and enthusiasm in his words. They knew without a doubt that Shlok really likes Astha. All were happy for him considering what he's been though with Swati.

He was genuinely jet lagged. Having been travelling for almost 24 hours. He wanted to retire to his room and be lost in his dreamworld with his Astha. After a rejuvenating bath Shlok checked the time. Checked the skype to see if she's online. She wasn't. Dejected he slumped on to his bed to try and get some much needed sleep.

Anjali came to the room with a cup of tea. He wasn't sleeping. He wanted to talk to her In private. About Astha. He wanted to tell his Mother everything. He did. He told her about Asthas mothers story and just that Astha was abused by his step dad. He didn't go into details. Then he dropped the bomb, that she's got two adopted daughters and he's asked her to be his wife. And she accepted his proposal. Also the fact that they'll be coming to India to live with him. He told Anjali that she's an amazing mother and a even better human being. That he loves her with all his Being and he can't live without her and the kids.

Anjali listened to all that he said without saying anything. She was shocked would be an understatement. Everything she had planned for her son seemed to fall apart right in front of her very eyes. Her baby having to carry the burden of a unmarried mothers shame and be a Father to her illegitimate kids. How can she let this happen. She would've failed as mother if she let this happen. If she allows this marriage take place. But it's her sons happiness at stake. He loves her. And here he's dreaming of a future with her. What will Niranjan say to all this. He has always been very open minded when it came to his children's decisions. But this is pushing the envelope even by his standards.

How could he take such an important decision without discussing it with them first? Anjali was thinking what to say? She didn't want him to feel her anger or hurt. For she knew they put him through hell and he not once even said anything to hurt them. What right does she have now to oppose and stand in the way of his happiness? He deserves to be happy.

What will the relatives say, their business partners, close friends say? They'll laugh behind his back. The women will have a field day at the expense of her baby. But she saw how happy he was. Anjali has navel seen him this happy. Just talking about Astha has brighten his face like it was Fourth of July.

Anjali was trying to be happy for her sons happiness. But she worried. Shlok gave back the bangles to her asking her to give to Astha herself when she comes to Mumbai. Shlok asked his mother to speak to his Father. "Ma..do we have your blessings" he asked her keeping his head on her lap. Anjali was coughs off guard. She stopped soothing his hair. He knew something is wrong. She was silent. He sit back on the bed. And looked at his mother. She was refusing to face her son. He asked again. She looked at him said "Beta, you know your happiness is paramount to us. But are sure you have given enough thought to this. You've just met. And you met under such unusual circumstances. Are sure it's love and not some emotional infatuation that you are harbouring due the situation you were in? Maybe you have misplaces gratitude with love? Have you thought about the consequences of this marriage? What the society would say? You were not born yesterday. And this is not America. We still have to abide by the social norms and traditions... " Shlok couldn't just listen any more to his mother was saying.

"Maa!i have thought long and hard about my decision. And I've never been more certain or felt right about anything until now. She's everything and so much more than I want my wife to be. I have seen the worst. And she's the total opposite to that. I know I can only be happy with her. I can't imagine my life without her and the kids. I don't care about what others say. But I do care about what my parents and family think. That's all that matters to me. If you don't want me to settle down here then I'll move to Delhi. I've already decided. If that's not enough then I'll stay with them in America. I don't care where I live as long as I have my girls with me. Unless she says she doesn't love me my decision won't change. Maa, You know that I love both of you very much. I would give my life for you. Please don't try to stop me this time. I won't. No one or nothing can. Only she can" saying he got up and barged out of the room.

Anjali was left shell shocked seeing his attitude. She has never seen her son like this. It was made clear to her that Shlok's mind is made up. And nothing or no one can change his decision. Her heart ached thinking of him going away to another city or even worse to a far away country like America. She wanted to talk to Niranjan about this new development in their sons life.

Even Niranjan shared Anjali's point view. She told him what Shlok told her while ago in his bedroom. He tried to put Anjali's mind at ease by promising to discuss the matter with Shlok once he's relaxed bit more.

Meanwhile on the terrace Shlok was fuming. He knew what his mother was implying. After knowing the truth about her past how could she. He was dragged through the mud by swati. And he never said anything to them. He never questioned their decision. Not once. He expected the same sort of understanding from them now. He was hurt. They survived that nightmare. Why question his love now. Why question her acceptability? Just because she's got two kids? How could she be so shallow? He felt like packing his stuff and going back to LA that very instant. But he knew she wouldn't forgive herself if he did that. His phone buzzed. It was her. His Astha. His salvation.

"How are you? I miss you so much jaan" he said. Trying to clam his racing heart. Emotions were trying to topple each other in its attempt to come up to the surface for all to see. She felt his pain. "I love you and me and the girls miss you so much too. More than you'll ever know. Is everything ok? You sound worried." She said holding on to her own diminishing composure.

"I'm not ok. I miss you terribly. I hate being away from you like this. Of course I'm worried. I worry about my girls all the time. Is it a crime to worry about ones wife and kids. Only a jerk wouldn't." He said not wanting to reveal the complete truth. But he wasn't lying either. She asked him of he can come online to skype in another 3 hours time. When she's home. She had to rush back to the ICU. She said "yes, you have every right to worry about us! I love you and will wait for your call"

Just as he was ending the call Varad came looking for him. They discussed about business and the new venture they were to sign the next day. Varad felt Shlok wanted to tell him something. So he asked whether there anything he wants to talk about other than business?

Shlok poured out his heart to his brother. Who has always been there for him. They were the best of buddies. No secrets between them. Shlok told him everything but not everything about Asthas' abuse. Not because he's ashamed about it. But he was thinking about her self respect and her dignity. Shlok also told him what Anjali told him.

Varad assured him as long as he's sure about his decision, he'll stand by him. He'll do what ever it is he can do to help him. He even promised to speak to their parents if needed.

After all the mental upheaval he still managed to get few hours of sleep. When he woke up, he nearly fell from the bed trying to reach for the I pad.

They talked for nearly an hour. Rash and Rosh wanted to see his room. His bed. View from his room. They wanted to meet his parents and the entire family. Specially little Pari. Joytis' new born daughter. Shlok forgot all his worries and his hurt the moment he saw their faces. They were going non stop not even allowing Astha to talk to Shlok. She just let them have it their way, seeing them so happy gave her more happiness than she could imagine. They narrated everything that they did in the play school and also didn't forget tell him how much they miss him. Asked him when he's coming back for them. He said soon. Soon as possible.

Shlok had to stop when there was a knock on the door. It was the maid. Niranjan wants to speak to him. He bid good bye. They didn't want him to go. But he promised they'll do this everyday.

Chapter 28

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/112416684

Thank you for that detailed comment. Means so much to me Sathu.

Separation is happening. Otherwise where's the fun. But as I've said earlier as well it has a happy ending. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I wanted to show that Shlok too can get angry and that he's only human. Though I paint him to be a saint. You need to sacrifice something to gain something back. Both will be heartbroken EBP. But hopefully not beyond repair. Thank you once again for always talking the time to read and comment.