Ashlok SS: Angel in Disguise Chapter 17 Pg. 70 17/11 - Page 13

Originally posted by: avina_radev48

No need apologize, of course exams comes first😊

i was also curious why you don't comment in my SS, welcome back😃

thank you dear for appreciating my work..

i'm glad you love the story keep reading for the mysteries to unfold

yes astha has a son

will update soon

Originally posted by: DEVU.NAIR

ofz am a very very big fan of ur works 😃

oh god i loves ur story love only once to the core🤗❤️

u r just awesome dear,keep writing👍🏼

Originally posted by: avina_radev48

thanks buddy.. i will write one more story after i finish love only once, i'm sure you will love it too..

Originally posted by: DEVU.NAIR

woww that's gr8,am already waiting for that too😆

Originally posted by: avina_radev48

Chapter 5

"Avi! How many times will I tell you not to come in this room unless I ask you?" Astha asked angrily.

The child winced and replied in his defense "Uncle Ankush said I can go in, I did ask him."

Astha pursed her lips tightly and mumbled to herself "I'm gonna kill that meddler bas***d."

"Don't listen to your uncle. Don't ever come here without me asking you. You get that, Mr. Avdhoot Joshi?"

He nodded with a grin then asked curiously "Who is he? Why are you feeding him? He ain't a baby."

Astha looked at Shlok who was still staring at Avdhoot with disbelief in his face. He might be devastated to know she has a son, which was why she didn't want her son to meet Shlok but damn Ankush and his meddlings. He may have many questions, many things to ask about how she has a son, who was the father, when did she got her son. She won't be able to answer his questions, won't be able to tell him the truth.

Her son, Avdhoot Joshi is her life, she named him after her late father, he came to her when she lost everything, her family, her happiness, her pride, her soul. He came in her life like an angel, giving her hope to live, giving her happiness to cherish, purifying her soul. She remembered the first time she learned she was pregnant.

"It can't be!" She shouted in agony.

"It is true, you are carrying a child." A man in his mid forties replied calmly.

"No! I can't give birth to this innocent life."

"Listen Astha, you can't let your life affect this child. He has no fault in this and neither you. You have to give birth to this child." He said trying to make her understand.

Tears sprawled from her eyes as she replied "I can't make such pure thing part of me. I am not worthy of this child."

"What nonsense! It is a blessing for you."

"But the society will treat him badly. I don't want him to hear that his---"

"Who cares about what the society says, all that matters is you and this child, I am here for you." He interrupted.

"What will happen if he asks about his father? What will I tell him?"

"The truth."

"Tell him he is a baseborn?"

"Yes. He will accept his stigma, we will prepare him for that. Astha just once think about the child not the society, not your life."

She accepted what fate had given her, the blessing she recieved from God in an innocent life. She cried with joy after giving birth to the infant, she neither touched it nor looked at it, afraid to cast her impure shadow on him, afraid to touch such pure soul with her impure hands. But she realized that she is torturing the infant, depriving him of sustenance, of love and care of mother.

She cried harder the first time she held the pure infant in her arms, took her first glance of him, his eyes shut, a tiny mouth and nose, his tiny hands curled in a small fist, he was so beautiful. She cradled him in her arms, felt relief and contentment when that tiny mouth, sucked the milk from her breast, as if he is sucking her soul, thus purifying it. She watched him grow from a tiny infant never leaving her arms to a little toddler curling those small fingers around her finger taking his first steps then to a handsome child running happily, spreading joy and happiness in her life.

"Run ahead, champ. I'm coming." She replied, completely ignoring his question.

He bobbed his head, keeping in mind that some things are better not asked and went out.

Shlok smiled nervously as he held the infant in his large hands, afraid to touch him due to his fragility, thinking he might break something.

"Is it your first time to carry an infant, Master Shlok?" Astha asked with the smile as she watched his uneasiness.

"Yes. Astha, please take him back." Shlok pleaded.

Astha chuckled, but understood his fear so took the infant in her arms while talking cooly with the infant.

"You're quite experienced with babies." He commented.

"I took care of Sid when he was a baby, I sometimes take care of the babies of my neighborhood." She replied.

"You love babies?"

"Very much. They are cute, innocent and adorable."

"Me too. I love cute, innocent and adorable beings." Shlok replied with his loving gaze on her and a small smile tucked on his lips, he dreamed to have their baby, playing in her arms the same way she is doing with this child, how he wished they grow up sooner, so he could make her his, make her mother of his children.

Just like his dream, his heart shattered into thousand pieces as he stared at the young lad, how he wished he is mistaken, he wished to believe that he might be wrong but how can he ignore those gold eyes, shiny and innocent, his exact features matching her own. When he came back to the reality, the young lad was nowhere to be seen, was he dreaming.

"You have a son?" He asked softly, trying to clarify his doubt.

She sighed and replied hesitantly "Yes."

He closed his eyes in despair as tears spilled from his eyes, it is true, she have some one else in her life, she love someone else. Astha bit her lower lip to control her tears, she can't help it, she can't see tears in his eyes, his every tear was piercing her heart. She wished she could change things, change her past but she can't, it's not within her power.

He opened his eyes, fixed his gaze on her with deep pain in his eyes before he looked away.

"Take the food away and leave me alone." He said weakly.

She was stunned, she anticipated his questions not complete ignorance and acceptance, what is she doing, it is better he didn't ask anything because she won't be able to answer any question. She took the plate and locked the cell before leaving him, alone in the darkness with pain and tears as his new companions.

***

Astha threw the book with an intent to kill, it flew away on her aim, sadly Ankush was able to dodge it on right time.

"What the hell are you doing?" He asked with a wide grin.

"You have the gal to grin, you scoundrel!" Astha shouted furiously as she threw another vase at him, he dodged it again, the vase broke into pieces on the floor.

"You've gone crazy!" Ankush said while hiding his grin.

"Look who's talking?" Astha said sarcastically.

"Why are children playing in here?" A new voice interrupted.

Prabhakar Joshi heard the commotion in the hall, and came out of his room to inquire. He looked at his adopted daughter Astha, who was looking at his adopted son Ankush with murder in her eyes, a vase in her hand, ready to aim at him. He sighed, he grasped the situation without any one telling him, Ankush must have done something again to make Astha violent again.

"I think another war has begun, Papa." Aditi's voice was heard from behind.

"Ask your damn meddler son, Father!" Astha replied angrily.

He shifted his gaze on Ankush and raised his brow with a stern look.

Ankush gave a sheepish smile, and replied "I don't know what she is saying."

"You don't know? Like hell! Didn't you sent Avi to that room so Shlok will know that I have a son!" She shouted.

"Did I? What did he say, anyway?"

"He said nothing!"

Ankush frowned and asked "Why? I thought---"

"You don't understand Ankush. He was hurt..he cried..and I wasn't able..to comfort him.." She said hoarsely while tears dripping from her eyes.

Ankush winced, it wasn't his intention to hurt Shlok, he merely wanted to help them, he wanted Shlok to know everything about her, they deserve to be together but due to Astha's stubborness and fears, she is keeping everything hidden from him. He know Shlok will understand her, accept her, he have complete faith in Shlok, he trust him for his sister's happiness because he know him, he trust his instincts.

Astha felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked sideways and asked in a meek tone "Why does he have to suffer?"

Prabhakar gave a tender smile and replied "I wish I could answer this question. I wish I knew why he had to suffer, why you had to suffer, why Ankush had to suffer, why Aditi had to suffer, why I had to suffer, why every person had to suffer."

"I'm sorry, Astha. It wasn't my intention to hurt Shlok. I just want both of you to be happy." Ankush apologized.

"Yes, my dear sister. You can't blame Ankush or us when all we want is your happiness. I'm warning you, if you don't want handsome Shlok, I will take him." Aditi said with a wink, her arms enveloping her, trying to lighten her mood. Astha gave her a stern look before she smiled.

"Astha, when I asked you to give birth to Avi eight years ago, I wasn't sure if anyone will fill the space of father in his life but now I think there is one and that is Shlok because like Ankush, I believe in Shlok too." Prabhakar said.

She said nothing, she also have the same belief on that, she know that if Shlok will know her truth, he will definitely accept her and her son too. But she can't let it happen, he deserve much better than her, he deserve a girl which is pure, innocent not like her.

"Plus the one who will suffer now is not us, it will be that bas***d." Prabhakar added with anger in his voice.

"Yes, we will make him pay for what he did to us."Ankush said darkly.

"But Shlok will suffer." Astha said.

"Isn't it better instead of living in illusion?" Aditi asked.

She sighed and replied "You're right."

My dear readers and buddies, this is my Christmas gift to you guys. Enjoy.

Originally posted by: deepavasudev

Wat is ur real name ?

Cmg to updt. Really superb..

Loved the infant part...in real it is such a pleasure to whole little one...my vedanths feel still I can't forget..

So many mysteries...wtg for it to reveal...

U r moving the plot very nicely..

Hpy Christmas...

Originally posted by: avni4

I must say lovely gift...yet mystery has to unfold...thank uuu