#4 Aashlok FF- EK ANOKHI KAHAANI - Ch 60 (Epilogue) Pg 134 (26/08/14) - Page 97

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

Mistake corrected!!

Thanks a lot for telling sruthykarthika 😊

Originally posted by: .Natasha.

I noticed it too... Happens... Update?

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

Mistake corrected!!

Thanks a lot for telling sruthykarthika 😊

Originally posted by: sruthykarthika

U r most welcome dear. By the way i am Sruthy.

When did u update the next part ????

Originally posted by: ..optimist..

Alright Sruthy 😊

Will try to update tomorrow...

Last part needs to be special, right?! 😉

Hello everyone!! 😃 How are you all?!! Hope everything's fine 😊

EK ANOKHI KAHAANI - Part 60

Epilogue

Aastha stood stunned at her place seeing Shlok in front of her. Shlok was surprised too, to see Aastha there. Both just kept staring at each other standing in their places like statues. Their brains and minds had stopped working. Only their hearts were beating, and beating fast. Aastha could no longer see Shlok clearly as her eyes filled with tears. As the tears flowed out of her eyes, Aastha could see the tall figure of Shlok approaching her. She shifted her gaze towards the floor and wiped her tears quickly. Her feet were stuck to their place. She lifted her gaze again to see Shlok standing right in front of her. Their eyes met once again. Shlok's eyes were filled with apology. Though he couldn't say anything, his eyes spoke volumes. Aastha had left the past long back and she was living the present moment. The realisation, that Shlok was hers now and forever, brought more tears to her eyes which made their way down her cheeks. Shlok felt sorry for the pain Aastha had gone through because of all the misunderstandings. He considered himself responsible for the tears in Aastha's eyes. He knew that her pain was much more than his. He didn't want to see her cry. He restlessly began explaining, "Aastha... what Aditi told you is not the truth!! It was a big misunderstanding! I refused Aditi's proposal... I told her that I don't want to marry her. Please don't cry Aastha, I am sorry! I don't know how all this happened... I just... Believe me Aastha, I never wanted to marry Aditi. I swear I had never even thought of..." He stopped as he saw Aastha smile through her tears.

"I know..." she whispered.

Shlok was surprised. "You know it?!" he asked. Aastha just nodded.

Shlok raised his hands to wipe Aastha's tears. Aastha closed her eyes, thoroughly feeling the touch of Shlok's fingers on her cheeks. She opened her eyes as Shlok was about to hold her face in his palms. But he hesitated for some reason. He thought maybe it wasn't right and Aastha wouldn't like it. He pulled back his hands but Aastha held them at once. She placed his hands on her cheeks, her eyes telling him that she was his now. Shlok cupped her face and their eyes locked again. They both smiled heartily. They didn't have to speak anything, their eyes and smiles said it all. Aastha placed her hands on Shlok's, as tears of joy rolled out of her eyes. Shlok's eyes were wet too. But there was happiness, satisfaction and a unique feeling of victory. It seemed as if their eyeslock was never going to end before Aditi came there.

"Are you both planning to stay here itself, or do you wish to go home?" asked Aditi teasing the lovely couple.

Shlok and Aastha moved away from each other at once, feeling embarrassed.

Rahul too came there saying, "Had I not told you, Aastha, that this meeting was a very important one?" Aastha blushed. "Okay, now if you both are done with, you know, realising the truth... let's go home..!" said Rahul. Aditi nodded in agreement.

Shlok and Aastha were still not in a condition to say anything. Aditi could not hide the tears in her eyes. Aastha could completely understand Aditi's pain.

Shlok said to Aditi, "Aditi, thank you so much yaar!"

"C'mon Shlok, kya main itna bhi nahi kar sakti tumhaare liye? Aan?" replied Aditi. She further said, "I am so happy for both of you!" But she couldn't stop the tear from rolling down her cheek. Everyone felt sorry for her.

"I am sorry Aditi..." Shlok tried to console her.

Aditi quickly wiped her eyes. Smiling, she said with a wink, "It's okay yaar... Chalta hai.!" She could see that Aastha too was feeling bad for her. "Aastha, there's nothing to feel bad about. Shlok was always yours... It was me who couldn't understand this" Aastha didn't know what to say. Aditi further said, "But you have to de me a favour now!"

Shlok missed a beat. He didn't want Aditi to create any more problems now. Rahul waited curiously to know what Aditi wanted from Aastha.

Aastha was confused. "Sure Aditi... Tell me..." she said.

Aditi said, "Aastha, now it is your responsibility to search a life-partner for me! I see that our tastes are same!" said Aditi with a wink.

Everyone was surprised. Aditi was such a mature young lady!

*****

Rahul, Aditi, Shlok and Aastha reached the Agnihotri Mansion. Aastha and Shlok were surprised to see Avdhoot, Kalindi and Ajju along with the others waiting for them. Everything was well-planned by Aditi, Rahul and Varad. Everyone was glad that all the misunderstandings were cleared now, and Shlok and Aastha were finally together. Both families were happy and looking forward to establish a relationship. The engagement date was fixed. There was a week's time for the preparations. Days passed by very quickly and finally the day of the engagement arrived. Aastha was getting ready. She looked at herself into the mirror and blushed. She was getting ready for Shlok... her Shlok. After all those up's and down's, after coming through all those obstacles, finally she and Shlok were going to be together... forever!

Everyone had gathered for the engagement of Shlok and Aastha at the Agnihotri Mansion. The building was beautifully decorated, with everything arranged perfectly. Shlok and Aastha stood against each other. Now, it was the time to exchange rings. Aastha was about to slide the ring in Shlok's finger when Shlok suddenly stopped her, pulling back his hand. Everyone was surprised at Shlok's action. Aastha was confused and shocked. Why did Shlok stop her? Shlok's action scared Aastha.

"Shlok?" she said in a trembling voice.

"Sorry, but there's something I need to tell you..." said Shlok.

The seriousness with which Shlok was speaking scared Aastha more. Her eyes welled up. What was it that Shlok wanted to tell for which he had stopped the engagement? Aastha would die now if Shlok cancelled the engagement. Her heart was thudding. She couldn't believe that Shlok could do something like this at the very last minute. She stared at Shlok in horror.

"Aastha, you need to know something... Something that I had never told you before..." said Shlok.

Aastha shivered as she heard this. "But I don't want to know anything... I just want you!!" thought Aastha.

The next moment, Shlok was down on his knee holding Aastha's hand. "I love you Aastha! Will you marry me?" he asked in the most romantic way. Aastha couldn't believe it! Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was overwhelmed by the most lovely, most romantic and the most unexpected proposal from the guy she loved the most. She was at loss of words. Shlok stood up and said dramatically, "Please say 'yes' Aastha...!" Aastha just hugged him and began crying. Those were the tears of happiness. That was the outburst of emotions that were burried deep into her heart since all these months. Shlok could feel every emotion behind those tears. He held her tightly in his embrace. Shlok and Aastha were lost into each other's arms without bothering about all the guests present there. This was a very unusual love story in which the girl and the boy had not confessed their love to each other till they were about to get engaged. "I love you Shlok..." whispered Aastha. After a few moments, Shlok and Aastha realised that they were being stared at by hundreds of eyes. They were very embarassed, so embarrassed that they didn't even look at each other while exchanging rings.

*****

One day before Shlok and Aastha's marriage, there was Satyanaryan Pooja at the Agnihotri Mansion. After the Pooja, when the Kirloskars were about to leave, Shlok requested Avdhoot and Kalindi to let Aastha stay back for some time. It was already late. He told them that he would drop her home safely. There was no doubt, ofcourse. Avdhoot, Kalindi and Ajju didn't have any problem with that.

Shlok took Aastha for a long drive. After going some distance away from crowded place, Shlok halted the car by the lonely road. He dropped down the windows and killed the engine. There was silence, only the night spoke. Shlok watched as the cool breeze mingled with Aastha's silky hair. Her beautiful face glowed perfectly under the night sky. Her cheeks flushed with red as she blushed at Shlok's gaze.

"What are you looking at?" she asked dropping her gaze.

Shlok's expressions changed suddenly as he replied, "Looking closely at my fiance for the last time..."

Aastha was initially shocked at the reply, but then she laughed it away saying, "Stop kidding, Shlok!" But Shlok was very serious. Aastha smile vanished. "What kind of joke is this?!" she asked desperately, her eyes wet.

"This isn't any joke..." said Shlok, stepping out of the car.

Aastha couldn't believe it. She too stepped out of the car and walked to Shlok. Turning him with force towards herself, Aastha said, "What are you saying, Shlok?!"

"I know exactly what I am saying..!" said Shlok dryly.

Aastha was stunned. "Shlok, we are getting married tomorrow and now you are saying that..."

"What I said is completely true Aastha... I am looking closely at my fiance for the last time, because... you will become my wife tomorrow!" said Shlok with a wink as his lips curved into a naughty smile.

It took some moments for Aastha to register what Shlok had just said. And when she realised it, she ran behind Shlok chasing him as he ran round the car. After a little run and chase, Shlok caught Aastha into his embrace as she came running to catch him.

"You should have seen your face!" said Shlok laughing, "It was all white!! Hahaha"

He was expecting Aastha to say something in defence, but instead she stood silently in his embrace tightly holding on to him. Shlok felt warm wetness on his chest.

"Aastha? What happened?" he asked in worry as he wiped her tears.

"Please don't do this again... Please! I will die if you go away from me Shlok... I will die..!"

Shlok gently placed his palm on Aastha's mouth to stop her from saying anything further. "Death can't reach you till I am with you" said Shlok with a smile. Aastha hugged him in reply. He gently caressed her.

Shlok and Aastha reached Aastha's home. Aastha got down from the car and wished Shlok a good night. Shlok, in a naughty tone said, "Tomorrow night, at this time, you would be mine in every way! Prepare yourself and be ready... I am gonna keep you awake all night!" Aastha couldn't stop blushing and she ran away. "Just wait and watch, my future wifey!" thought Shlok as he drove to his home.

*****

A week later...

"Aastha!!! Where are you yaar? Still getting ready? Everyone is waiting for you...!!" Shlok entered their room calling out for Aastha.

"Just two minutes Shlok..." came the reply from his beautiful wife who was standing in front of the mirror wearing her ear-rings.

Shlok couldn't resist coming close to her. He hugged her from behind as his hands traced the path round her belly.

"Shlok!! What are you doing?! Leave me... You just now said that everyone is waiting downstairs for the family photo...!" said Aastha trying to push him away.

"Shhh..." Shlok silenced her. He took the ear-rings in his hands. Putting them gently into her ears, he blew air on her neck sending a wave of shiver across her body. Aastha closed her eyes as she tightly held onto his hands. "Shlok..." she whispered. Just then Varad and Sojal came there to see why Shlok and Aastha had not come down yet. Varad cleared his throat to indicate his and Sojal's presence. "Let's go down if you both are done with your... ahem ahem...!!" teased Sojal. Shlok and Aastha were very embarassed and they silently followed.

A photographer was called to click the family photo. And after that, Shlok and Aastha had to catch their flight to Singapore for their honeymoon. Everyone had gone to the airport to see the couple off. Office colleagues were there too. Rahul, Pooja, Aakash and Shruti were very happy for Shlok and Aastha. The Agnihotris and the Kirloskars felt satisfied seeing their children happy. Dolly, Avi, Pranav and others were there too.

Avi saw a beautiful lady standing there. He walked to her, "Hi... I am Avinash, aka Avi.." he said.

"Aditi..." the lady introduced herself with a smile.

"Are you married?" he asked.

"No..!" replied Aditi surprised by the question.

"What a coincidence!" Avi said dramatically, "I too was single a moment ago... But now I am confused about my status..!" he said in his usual style.

Aditi was amused. She was really enjoying the conversation. "Are you flirting with me?" she asked naughtily.

"I wasn't, till now... But now I think I should...!!" Avi replied with a wink.

*****

"So, Mrs. Aastha Shlok Agnihotri, are you happy?" asked Shlok, as he and Aastha occupied their seats in the plane.

"Hmmm..." said Aastha as she held Shlok's arm and rested her head on his shoulder, "Very happy...!!" she said, "Sometimes I doubt all this is real... All this seems like a dream..."

Shlok placed his head on hers saying, "Hmmm... But believe me, all this is real... And even if it is a dream, don't worry! I will never let you wake up!!"

*****

~THE END~