Aditi was happily telling Karan that she received a message. "See Karan" she said showing the message, "I am sure Shlok is with her... She is safe now!"
"Who is safe?" Aditi heard Ajinkya's voice from behind. She turned to see Ajinkya staring at her with eyes narrowed in suspiscion. "Isn't Shlok the same friend of Aastha's who had come to meet Aastha when Kalindi died?"
Aditi and Karan were shell shocked to know that Ajinkya had heard their conversation. Ajinkya slowly walked towards Aditi and she held Karan's hand in scare. "What do you know about Aastha?" asked Ajinkya clinching his jaws.
"W-what are you s-saying Kaka?" stammered Karan. "How will Aditi know about..."
"Shut up!" yelled Ajinkya. "Do you think I am an idiot?! Now are you going to tell me? I know other ways too to get out the information from you!" he hissed.
Aditi stood at her place like a statue. She was too scared to react. Karan was trying to explain to Ajinkya that they didn't have any idea about Aastha's whereabouts. But Ajinkya pushed him aside. He knew Aditi was the weaker one, and she would give in to his pressure. He held Aditi strongly by her shoulders and began interrogating her.
Karan noticed the Ajinkya's hold was hurting Aditi. He pushed Ajinkya away strongly saying, "Stay away from her! You have no right to touch her!"
Anjikya was angered by this and raised his hand to hit Karan.
"Nooo!! Please don't!" cried Aditi on seeing this as tears flowed down her cheeks.
Karan was ready to defend himself. Just then Ajinkya's men reached there telling that they had found a cell phone. Ajinkya's mind was diverted because of that. Taking advantage of the situation, Karan pushed Ajinkya with force. He held Aditi's hand and both ran through the door out of the gate. Ajinkya ordered two of his men to follow them. "I want them here by hook or by crook!" he said. Now he was sure that Aditi and Karan knew something.
*****
Aastha and Varad tried to wake Shlok up. Sojal quickly brought water. Varad sprinkled water on Shlok's face. After some efforts, finally Shlok became conscious. Everyone was happy. On opening his eyes Shlok saw Aastha looking at him with teary eyes and a smile of relief. "Shlok..." he heard his name in a sweet voice escape from those rosy lips. He forgot about the world around for a moment. He could see, hear and feel only Aastha. The strand of hair that was covering a part of her face made Shlok raise his hand and tuck it behind her ear. He felt her palms holding his face. That velvet touch was so soothing, as if the pain had vanished in a jiffy. He saw her lips moving continuously. He watched keenly and then realised that she was saying something continuously. He was not completely in his senses. Everything seemed to fade away. He closed his eyes tightly and tried to understand what was happening around him. He heard many voices... scared, worried, calling out to him. He opened his eyes again to realise that he was in the car with Aastha and there were his people watching from the windows. The gentle tap on his face made him aware that he had just been unconscious. "Shlok..." he heard Aastha's voice and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Let's go inside..." she was saying. Varad extended his hand from the door as he and Aastha supported Shlok to get to his feet. The exertion of the escape proved to be harsh on Shlok. He was too weak to stand without support. As Aastha supported him putting his hand over her shoulders, Shlok allowed Aastha to take a part of his weight as they both walked into the house. Aastha was limping a little because of the foot twist while escaping. Sojal and Varad noticed this pair and indicated to each other that something was up between them. Niranjan was concerned seeing all this and Anjali just hoped that Shlok was fine.
Aastha and Shlok walked to Shlok's room with each other's support. The others followed. Aastha, with the help of Varad, helped Shlok lay on the bed. Shlok was about to say something to Aastha and Niranjan noticed it.
"Shlok..." Niranjan interrupted, "You need rest..." Turning to eyeryone he said, "I think we should let Shlok take rest now..." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Niranjan called the doctor and told him to come for Shlok's check-up. Everyone was leaving Shlok's room. Aastha was the last one to leave. As she reached the door, she stopped to glance at Shlok. She could see Shlok staring back at her. Those eyes had a lot to speak, that smile of his told Aastha that he was waiting for her to turn back and look at him once. Aastha's heart was beating faster. Shlok's gaze was making her nervous for some reason. "Please don't go..." mumbled Shlok. Aastha felt buterflies in her stomach. She just blushed away. Shlok smiled to himself on seeing this. "Oh God! She is magic!" he said to himself as he closed his eyes.
The nurse smiled. "May God bring both of you together" she secretly wished.
*****
Aditi and Karan were running from Ajinkya's men. Karan noticed that Aditi was too tired to run any further. He pulled Aditi behind the compound wall of a shop on the way to hide from the goons. Aditi held Karan as they heard the footsteps of the goons nearing them. Karan told Aditi to be calm, and that he was there with her. The goons went ahead searching for them. Karan and Aditi came out from their hiding place and sat down on a step by the road-side. Karan told Aditi to wait there for him till he got a bottle of water from the nearby shop. Aditi agreed and rested her head on the wall closing her eyes.
Karan came back with water and gave it to Aditi first. She gulped down the water to quench her thirst. Karan too drank enough water to his fulfilment.
"What now?" asked Aditi.
"We go back to Mumbai!" replied Karan.
*****
Niranjan was walking up and down restlessly along the length of his room. Anjali noticed this and came to him.
"What happened?" asked Anjali but Niranjan did not seem to listen. "Don't worry... The doctor said that Shlok is fine, didn't he? He said that Shlok needs to take rest and not exert himself anymore till he gets well, that's it... There's nothing to worry..."
"Don't you see what's going on?" asked Niranjan, worried.
"I don't understand what you are talking about..." replied Anjali confused.
"I am talking about Shlok and Aastha" said Niranjan in a serious tone.
"What about them?" asked Anjali not understanding what Niranjan meant.
"I have promised Shyam before he died. I can never forget his last words over the phone call..." said Niranjan recalling it.
"But Shlok and Aastha are just best friends... And Shlok is doing the right thing to help Aastha. Don't you know how cruel her uncle is?" said Anjali.
"You are not understanding Anjali... You are not able to see what I am able to... I can't break my promise even if I die!" he said strongly and stormed out of the room leaving Anjali worried.
*****
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