Niranjan was in the study with Varad. He didn't talk to Shlok about Astha. It was mainly about the merger happening the next day. Just getting him up to speed on things. He also talked about his health and shared his feelings on having his son back home. Shlok was expecting to have the talk. But since Niranjan didn't say anything he too kept quiet. Anjali came asked them to finish talking about business and let her son have dinner and take things easy. To which Varad replied saying "now that you're here I'm invincible. And Maa, he's been doing nothing but relaxing for the past three weeks. It's about time he gets back to work" with that all walked out into the dinning room.
Shlok's heart was like a dormant volcano waiting to explode. To the onlookers it looks picture perfect snow capped and serene. Even Shlok looks calm and composed. But his heart was fighting a silent battle. He wanted to just tell everyone that he's engaged and in his heart is married to Astha. He just wanted to end the facade and be out with it. Anjali was keeping a close eye on Shlok and also on Niranjan.
Varad sensed the tension and was trying to lighten the mood. Little Kavya was a big help. With her childish banter. Everyone but Shlok was enjoying the hearty meal. Shlok was constantly thinking about Astha and his girls. He knew he can't keep this up any longer. So he did the inevitable. He was sitting next to Niranjan. He was looking at his Father when he spoke. Luckily Kavya had finished her dinner and she was watching her favourite cartoon as a reward for eating all her veggies.
Shlok told his family about Astha. Actually everybody knew. Except Joyti and Sojal. But Niranjan didn't interrupt. He let his son speak his mind. He didn't like what he was hearing. But didn't want his son to feel that he's soon to judge. But he has. They all have. Last line his son said hit him hard. "I love you all very much, and your blessing means so much to both of us, but I can't live without them"
Niranjan and Anjali looked at each other. They very well knew what Shlok was implying. Niranjan was boiling inside. He wanted to give his son a piece of his mind. Tell him how dare he threaten them, how dare he care more for a woman whom he's just met and her illegitimate kids than his family. What has she done for him, nothing except managed to drive a wedge between his son and his family. She's gonna make him the laughing stock amongst their business associates and his friends and relatives. How can he be so gullible, whose gonna believe that those kids are adopted. How can you be so naive Shlok. How dare he have no care for their status in society. The prestige of his family and their brand name. Why is he inviting shame and ridicule upon himself and his family. And he has the audacity to tell me he doesn't care if we like it or not he's going ahead with this marriage, damn that women.
But he didn't want to alienate his son, he didn't want to loose his son over some woman. He wanted to sound supportive. He loved his children. And Shlok was his golden boy. How come he's now turning out be to be the black sheep. All because of a characterless woman. I'm sure she have warmed many a bed. And finally got her self knocked up. And now my son is going to pay for her ways. "I have to make him understand the consequences of his decision. I need to think with my brain not my heart" he thought.
He composed himself and "beta, have you thought of all the aspects of this marriage, are they gonna be able to adopt to our ways. They have lived there all their lives. And now all of a sudden, everything's going to change. Language is going to be least of her worries. But everything else is. You know that traditions are paramount. We have always abide by them. That's what separate us from the rest. I have always given all my children the freedom to think for themselves. And have never forced my opinion or stood in the way of your happiness. But having said that I can't just sit back and let you make a mistake and put your life in misery. What kind of a father that would make me? I will not stop you Shlok, but I'm not I hope you'd think about this long and hard once again. It's not a joke beta. You have to be rational and practical. Four lives are at stake. Don't forget your deciding for two young lives that depend on you to make the right decision. Think of their future, the kind of life they'll have here, the kind of social predijuce they'll have to face all through out their lives here. We may be modern in our appearance but very much primitive in our thinking beta, even in this day and age. Do you want to put them through that knowingly. Will you be able to live with that guilt. Think about all this with a clear head. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. I know it may seem as if we're trying to put doubt in your head, but I'm just telling you what I know beta. You're not a fool. And you have never been selfish in your thinking. You have always put others feelings before yours. Don't take such big decision in haste. Give it some time" saying he got up bid good night to all. Shlok was not given a chance to voice his thoughts.
Things were getting very clear to him. Where his parents stand. Meanwhile Sojal and specially his sister were elated. Joyti was over joyed. She came and hugged Shlok. And congratulated him. And wanted to see their pictures. He showed them very gladly. He was transported to another world, their little world the moment he opened the picture folder in his phone. Joyti asked Anjali to come and have a look. She said she'll check on Niranjan and come. Plus she has met her in the flesh.
Anjali, looked at her children fussing over the pictures and looked at her son, beaming with happiness. It pained her to think of him leaving them for her. She just walked away not having the heart to watch them anymore.
The time difference and their busy schedules were not helping the long distance romance. They were finding it extremely demanding to have free time at the same time. Shlok was up to his neck with work. And so was Astha, with new interns under her wing and seminars and surgeries. But everyday if not skype they still made it a point to talk at least twice durning the day. He would speak to the girls without fail, first thing in the morning. It was his routine. They were his alarm. He loved hearing their voices. They loved talking to him. They fought over who get to talk first. So Shlok put them on a roster. Each having to take turns. They were very obedient kids. His love for them grew by the minute, with every word they spoke. They were his kids. His little angels. Nothing or no one was going to change that.
One week had passed and Shlok was looking at houses for them in Delhi. He had forwarded some pictures for Astha and the kids to see as well. She liked all of them. She asked him to pick any house because for them where they lived didn't mattered as long as he was there with them. He finalised on a house. The one that the kids really liked. And that's when his parents realised that he's going ahead with the marriage and there's nothing they can do about it.
They put up a brave from for Shlok. He was happy that his parents have accepted his Astha and the kids. There was nothing stopping them from being a family. He had applied for their visas as well. Everything was happening so fast according to plan. Shlok was on cloud nine. He was bursting with happiness. Just few more days. He kept saying to himself.
On the tenth day he didn't get his morning wake up call. He got up and tried to call them but the lime was engaged. He tried to call Astha, same, he kept getting the same massage every time. Cannot be contacted. Shlok was trying frantically to get in touch with them. Not knowing what was the matter was eating him up. He skipped his jog, his breakfast he's not sure how he got to the office. He was in Delhi setting up his new office. Every five minutes he was trying to call them. Finally he googled and got the contact number of her hospital. After many failed attempts he got through and inquired about her. The call was transferred to her section but she was in surgery. Her assistant didn't know when she'll be free. But assured him she'll pass on the message. After that he was at ease. May be some problem with the phones.
He expected her to call. He waited.But the call never came. He getting worried. Is she angry with him for something. Did he say anything to hurt her. He was trying to think of the things they talked last. But nothing was coming to his mind. He was like a zombie just going through the motions. His heart ached just to hear her voice. Why is she doing this to me? She knows that I can't breathe without thinking of them. Then why is she doing this? He kept calling the numbers. He got the message that Astha was avoiding him when he called the hospital and her assistant hesitated and mumbled when he wanted to talk to her. She was deliberately avoiding him.
That thought felt like a thousand bullets plundered his heart at once. He wished to be dead than feel that pain. He trashed his apartment. Nothing was spared. He even slammed one of the huge glass sliding doors leading out to the balcony with a chair. He was hurt and angry in equal measure. What changed in less than 24 hours time. Nothing made sense to him. He couldn't just sit back and wait. Not knowing. He made a decision.
As he walked up to the door his heart was beating faster than a hummingbird flaps it's wings. He knocked on the door. There was the usual clatter of tiny feet on the wood panelled floor. And her voice... How he missed her. How he missed them. He couldn't wait to see them. He felt like breaking the door if he had to wait any longer.
Before she could stop, Rashmi opened the door. They had seen who it was from the window. Astha was too slow for their eagerness. She didn't have a choice. Door was already wide open. And he was standing there. What is she going to do now. What excuse she can give now. Her heart broke into million pieces seeing his state. His eyes swollen and red. Beard over grown. Unkept. Hair in a mess. I did this to him. That's what pained her the most. It was all her doing. She's hurt the one person who truly ever loved her. And she's gonna have to hurt him even more.
Chapter 29
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/112465099
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
