ASHLOK FF - AT FIRST SIGHT Last Chapter - Page 83

Never again...

When I dread to think of spending a moment without you

How can you expect me to live a lifetime without you

You promised me forever you'll be in my life, my love

All that had become broken promises like words written in the sand, my love

You filled my life, my heart with a love that's incomparable

You filled my days with your innocent smiles that's untouchable

You filled my nights with tender kisses and embraces that's undeniable

How am I suppose to bare these days and a lifetime of solitude that's unbearable

I have lost once and you said, baby never again

If I had known this would be my fate all over again

Would I have taken this chance to be with you yet again

I would die a thousand deaths just to spend a moment once again

I see you in my dreams, i miss you in my heart

I feel you next to me, I miss you in my life

I need you in every way, I miss you with every heart beat

A moment with you is worth a lifetime without you, my life

"What do you think I'm doing? Isn't this what you think of me. I'm just in it for the sex, right? I'm just living upto your expections. What kind of husband would I be if I don't fulfil my Loving wife's every wish every dream" he said while he tore open her blouse and bent down to kiss her there with her protesting and tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I'm trying to prove your point. This is what you expect me to do right? This is what you say I'm going to do. I'd hate see you disappointed" he said still holding on to her hands. and tried to kiss her again forcefully. He was angry and hurt.

"You know this is not what I meant. I know you would never do anything like this" she said looking into his eyes.

"Well if that is the case, you certainly have a very funny way of saying it. Cause if I remember your words correctly, you said you dont want to make the same mistake Your mother made and you don't want to put your babies lives in danger for your selfish needs. Now you tell me what you're implying here. I know exactly what you meant Astha. I'm not a Fool. You compared me to your step father. And you think I'd hurt our babies. That one day just like he raped you I'd r...she put her hand on his mouth. he said with tears in his eyes.

"Please don't say that. Don't ever say or think like that. Not even for a second have I ever thought of you like that" she said still keeping the hand on his lips.

"If that's not it, then what's is, dammit! Astha, you're playing with our lives. Who made you say this to me, whose opinion, whose feelings that you care more about than ours? Was it my mother? Did she call you and asked you to forget about me? Astha answer me, answer me." He said making her look at him. The moment he mentioned his mother, her facial expressions changed, and she looked away. As of she was afraid to look I'm his eyes. Of revealing the truth.

"I've said this so many times and I say it again, I don't care what others think of us. As long as you love me and you want me to be in your life, I'll be there. Even when you asked me to forget about you because you have, I can never forget about you and the girls. Tell me can you live without me, have you forgotten all about me? Look me in the eye and tell me?

With that her shroud of deceit was pulled away. She could no longer hide the truth and make him suffer. Looking into his eyes she could see the depth of his love and the agony of lost hope. She knew he deserves to know the truth, not the hurtful lie she stabbed his heart with. But the truth. It took all her courage and self control to compose herself.

"No I can never forget or live without you. I can't imagine a second without you in my life, then how can I live a lifetime without you. I'm sorry I lied to you and hurt you beyond forgiveness. But please try to understand. It's just that I don't want you to suffer because of us. I don't want you to be ridiculed or laughed at, I don't want people to look down upon , I don't want you to loose your family, I don't want you to loose the respect and prestige your family has. I don't want you to one day hate me for being selfish and taking everything you worked for all these years. I just won't be able to live with myself" she said breaking down completely. All the pain she's been harbouring for the past many days, the feeling of guilt and the fears just burst out of her like a flash flood with all it's debri.

He hugged her crushing her petit frame under him. But even that seemed like eternal bliss for her. She missed him. Words fail to express how much she missed him. His touch. His presence.

" Shlok I can't breath. Shlok..." She was literally being sucked out of air. He just fell on to the side still holding on to her. "I'm so sorry. Are you ok?" Her Shlok was back. The caring tender loving Shlok.

A smile appeared on her face. With everything happening, still she managed to smile and rested her head on his chest.

"Jaan, how can I prove to you that I don't care about what others think of me. All I care is about you and the kids. You can't stop other people from thinking what ever they want. I know that my mother must've called you. She said the same kind of things to me. It's not you speaking it's my mothers words your saying. I know they love me. And want the best for me. But I also know that you and the kids are what's best for me. If moving back is such a big issue then we'll stay here. I told you I don't care where I live as long as you're with me" he said placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Tell me the truth, my mother called you right? I know she did. You can't hide it from me, you're a terrible lier" he said.

"She did call me. But she didn't ask me to forget about you. She didn't ask me to stay out of your life. She just told me what reality is going to be there like. She told me the truth. How people are going to perceive me and our marriage. I don't blame her. I'm a mother too. She was just looking out for her son. Whom she loves very much" she said sitting next to him.

"I know they love me, and I love them too. But that doesn't give the right to decide what's right and what's suitable for me. I'm a grown man. I can decide for myself. I let them decide for me once and you know the rest. Tell me are you willing to spend the rest Of your life with me? That's all that matters to me" he said trying to reassure her.

"What if they never want to speak to me? What if they disown you? Will you be able to live with that"

"If they don't want to speak to you or acknowledge you, then it's their loss. They'll never get to know just what an amazing, wonderful mother, wife, person you are. They can't disown me for there's nothing more precious to me than you. If I have you then I have all the riches of the world. Plus it's just my parents that's not convinced of us. My bother mad sister are on our side. They're very happy for me. Even my parents once they see how much happiness you've given me, will accept us. Give them sometime. They're not bad people. Just very traditional and primitive in their thinking. One dimensional"

"I'm willing to go through any humiliation, any rejection for you. Just as long as I don't cause you any. I want us to start our life with you there. If things gets out of hand, too harsh for the girls, then we can always move back here or somewhere else"

"I love you so much Shlok. I love you" bearing her soul once again to her soulmate she placed a feather light kiss on his tear stained cheek.

"I know baby, I know. I love you too so much more" saying he kissed her. They were like two lost wanderers that have just found an oasis after days and months roaming without water in the dessert. Not able to get enough of each other. Unable to quench their thirst, for the other.

"How long do I have?" He asked her shedding his clothes. "Enough" she said and pulled him closer to her. There was no foreplay, no tenderness in their love making. Pure, raw and urgent. Both were trying to show with their actions how very much they missed the other. Both didn't realises how much they are physically attracted and dependant on each other until that moment.

Having satisfied their thirst for each other they were just living in the moment. Thinking just how close they came to loosing it all. She was glad he didn't buy in to her lie. He was glad he didn't act rash and believed in their love.

Suddenly she asked him "by the way thief how did you get inside the house. The alarm was still armed"

"Well my sweet wifey, unlike you my daughters trust me more than you. Rashmi told me after she made me promise to die than tell another soul where you keep the extra key outside in a flower pot" he said with a very Cheeky smile.

"I didn't know they knew. But it was a good thing" she said kissing his hand.

"Shlok, it's time. Let's go and get the girls and come. They'd be so happy to see you"

With that, it was a quick shower and they were on their way.

Twins were elated to see their daddy. They jumped on to him and hugged him as tight as their little hands could. Shlok cried holding them. Unable to answer their innocent questions. Astha too came and hugged. They were all home. This is where they belong. Together.

It didn't matter to them where they lived or who lived around them. As long as they had each other they knew they'll be happy and that they'll be just fine.

"Daddy this time you can't go back without us!" Said Rahmi.

"No my angel, daddy's not going anywhere without my girls!" He said kissing her cheek.

Astha managed to complete the formalities at the hospital, without any problems. The administration was very understanding and gave her the release without putting any conditions or restrictions. Everyone was sad to see her leave but extremely happy for her at the same time. The house was put up for sale.

They wanted shanthi to come with them. But she was too scared to even think about going back. She moved in with one of her shelter friends who was starting up a Indian Resterurant. Astha and Shlok gave her a considerable amount of money to put up as start up money. So, they knew she's financially sound. And they made her promise her to let them know if she needs any help. That they are always there for her. It was bitter sweet for both of them. Shanthi was her closet friend. She was the elder sister she never had.

Shlok called his parents and told them that he's coming back this time with his family. And if they want to be part of his life to grant their blessings. He also told them that he loves them very much and he wants them be part of his happiness. That with or without their approval they are going to make a life for them in Delhi.

Shlok, kids and Astha was coming up to the exit at the Delhi Airport. What awaited them surprised them. Shlok has just informed his PA that he's coming for him to send his car with the driver and another for all their luggage.

But it was not the PA or the driver that was waiting. It was Varad and Sid, his brother-in-law. VaRad came and hugged him. Really happy to see them. He welcomed them with equal happiness.

"I couldn't just let my brother bring his new wife and kids without a proper welcome. Welcome to india and welcome to the family."

They entered their new house. As they opened the main door, they were in for another surprise. The entire Agnihotri clan was there waiting for them. Anjali did all the rituals of welcoming a new bride. It was such a happy moment for everybody. None more so for Shlok and Astha. Kids were so excited to see so many family members. Anjali and Niranjan were happy to see their son happy. More than they could've ever hoped him to be.

Kids took a special liking towards Anjali. Looking at them Niranjans doubts about Astha vanished. He knew in his heart even if they searched the world, they'd never be able to find a more sincere, more loving partner for his son.

Shlok wanted to fulfil Asthas wish. So with all the rituals and customs of a Maharashtran wedding they got married. Just the family and only the very best of his buddies were invited. They made a such a picture perfect couple. Astha looked like an angle from heaven. His angel. Shlok didn't look bad himself.

Not in a million years would Astha have ever guessed that when she volunteered to take the graveyard shift at the Emergency room on that fateful day she'd meet the love of her life and with it all her dreams would come true. That one person will give her all the love she ever wanted, fulfil all the gaps in her lonely exscistnance. Take away all her pains and made it his. Gave her happiness beyond her wildest dreams.

Nobody would in their right mind would say that, getting shot was the best thing that happened to one. But with Sholk it's true. He sometimes even feels bad for the guy who shot him serving a 15 year jail term for his attempted murder when it's his act that pave the way to meet the love of his life and now is living the best years of his life with his lovely wife and kids.

For two people who never believed in love, the unthinkable happened. The thing that every romantic wish would happen to them. But very rarely happens. And sometimes even if it does happen, it's always never true love. It's just an infatuation. Mainly driven by extreme physical pull. But for these two cynics of love all it took was just one look and they knew they had fallen in love at FIRST SIGHT!

Now and forever...

You came to me like an angle from Heaven

You cured my wounds with just one touch

You took over my thoughts 24/7

At first sight you had my heart in a tight clutch

With a love that's pure as a baby's smile

With a heart that pure as the morning sunshine

You proved that you'd go the extra mile

At first sight I knew you'll be forever mine

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Thank you to all my dear freinds. Who read and commented without fail. And to all those numerous silent readers that add up to the number of views. Which gave me a high every time to see. It has been an amazing journey. One I never thought I would've taken. And one that I enjoyed to the fullest. Met some amazing friends. Whom I know goes beyond this fiction , the serial and the forum. I'm most thankful for that. It has been an absolute pleasure to read all the amazing, funny, crazy and very deep thoughts you all shared with me during the course of this journey. I was blown away by all your generosity and loyalty. I'm truly touched and indebted to all of you for encouraging me to go on...

Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart!