Karan woke Aditi up as the bus was about to reach their stop. They got down at their stop only to be shocked. The police inspector, with two constables, was waiting to welcome Aditi and Karan. Aditi held Karan's arm with both her hands as the constables got hold of them and pulled them to the road-side. Karan tried to comfort Aditi though he knew that there was no way out now. He just held Aditi tightly, away from the constables.
The inspector dialled a number and Karan and Aditi heard him speak over the phone... "Ajinkya ji? Inspector Deshmukh here... As discussed earlier, we have caught Aditi and Karan by tracing their phones... Yes, they are with us now... Hmm... Okay... Yes, okay... We will try to interrogate them... No no, no problem... I will inform you..." and the call ended. The inspecor threw an angry glance at Aditi and Karan. "Take them wih us!" he ordered the constables.
A scared Aditi looked at Karan as her eyes welled up. Karan remained silent. What could he say? There were no words to comfort Aditi right now. He held Aditi firmly as they were pushed into the police van.
*****
Avdhoot, Niranjan and Anjali sat in the drawing room chatting. While chatting about general things, Avdhoot suddenly brought up the topic of Shlok and Aastha. "Aastha and Shlok care so much for each other, don't they?" he said smiling.
Anjali and Niranjan exchanged glances. Anjali didn't know what to say. Niranjan forced a smile and said, "Yes, they are very good friends..." Avdhoot nodded in agreement.
"Well, I think they are more than just friends..." said Avdhoot checking Niranjan's and Anjali's reaction. Anjali's lips parted in shock as she heard what Avdhoot just said. Niranjan's smile vanished. Avdhoot continued, "Niranjan ji, please don't mind me saying this... I know I probably don't have any right to say about Shlok's life, but..."
"No Avdhoot ji..." interrupted Niranjan, "Shlok is your son too... Please don't hesitate to say whatever you feel..."
"As your friend, I would like to suggest something..." replied Avdhoot. Niranjan missed a beat wondering what Avdhoot was about to say. Anjali waited keenly for Avdhoot to speak further. "Aastha is a lovely girl..." said Avdhoot, "I know she has no parents..." he paused. Anjali and Niranjan looked at each other feeling bad that Avdhoot didn't remember he was Aastha's father. Avdhoot continued, "She says I am her father... but I am so unfortunate that I don't remember anything. I do consider her my daughter just like I consider Shlok as my son..." he became emotional as he said it. Niranjan placed his hand on Avdhoot's to make him feel better. Avdhoot placed his other hand on top of Niranjan's and said, "Niranjan ji, I feel that Shlok and Aastha like each other... You know what I mean, right?" Looking at Anjali, he said, "Anjali ji, don't mind, I am just saying what I feel. Don't you think Shlok and Aastha will..."
"Avdhoot..." said Niranjan, interrupting. He had no choice but to tell Avdhoot about his promise to Shyam. Avdhoot listened silenly. He felt bad somewhere that Shlok and Aastha had no future together, which he would have loved to see.
*****
The nurse and Aastha reached Shlok's room. While Aastha entered the room, the nurse gave an excuse of making a phone call and went away leaving Aastha with Shlok.
Shlok saw Aastha coming in and his heart began beating faster. Aastha slowly walked towards Shlok. She was nervous for some reason. Shlok was staring at Aastha as she pulled up a chair to sit. She felt butterflies in her stomach feeling Shlok's constant gaze. Shlok was waiting for Aastha to speak. But Aastha chose to look down at her hands resting on her lap as she continued playing with her fingers in nervousness. Shlok couldn't wait any more. He just placed his hand on hers indicating her to stop doing that. Aastha missed a beat feeling Shlok's touch. Shlok could feel Aastha's uneven breath. His heart was thudding in his chest as if it would come out any moment. "Aastha..." said Shlok finally breaking the silence. Hearing her name from Shlok, Aastha felt a wave of shiver across her body. She didn't know what to say. She felt like just getting up and running away, but she didn't want to take her hand away from Shlok's grip either. She liked to be with Shlok. Shlok was looking at Aastha trying to know what was going through her mind.
Aastha closed her eyes for a moment and smiled. She calmed telling herself... "There's nothing to be so nervous, Aastha. It's Shlok, not some stranger. Just be calm and talk to him..."
Aastha opened her eyes to see Shlok staring at her. She became nervous again. "Oh god! Why is he staring at me like that..." she thought. Shlok pressed her hand and raised his eyebrows as if to ask 'What happened?'. He kept looking into her eyes and soon Aastha was lost in his. Forgetting the world around, forgetting all the worries and pain, they were just lost into each other.
Aastha suddenly realised what was happening and she broke he eye-lock. She just looked away thinking what to say. "How are you feeling now?" she managed to ask.
"Better" replied Shlok, "Now that you are with me.." He smiled. Aastha was not sure how to react to that. Shlok's reply was unexpected. "How's your foot now?" asked Shlok.
"Better..." replied Aastha nervously.
"What happened, Aastha?" asked Shlok, "Are you scared of me?"
"No!" replied Aastha instanly, "Rather I feel so safe with you..." She said without thinking. She placed her hand on her mouth the instant she realised what she had just said. "Oh no... I shouldn't have said that!" she thought, feeling more nervous.
Shlok was silenly smiling at Aastha's condition. He was still holding her other hand. He pressed her hand gently and said, "Aastha, what happened? Why are you so nervous, haan? It's me, Shlok... There's nothing to be nervous..." He paused for Aastha to be normal. "So you feel safe with me, haan?" he asked mischeiviously.
Aastha didn't know what to say. Her chest was heaving, her lips sealed, her eyes wet. With great effort, Shlok sat up. He held her hand into his and said, "You have always shared everything with me, haven't you?" Aastha nodded in yes. "So now you shared another thing, that's it... Big deal!" he said trying to cheer Aastha up. "And you know what, I already know it!"
Aastha looked at him in surprise. "Know what?" she asked.
"That you like being with me..." he said with a wink. Aastha blushed. All her nervousness was gone.
"Shlok, thank you so much... You are always there to help me, but this time I caused you a lot of trouble. I am sorry, I didn't..."
"Anything for you, Aastha..." said Shlok interrupting her. Aastha's eyes watered listening to his reply. Shlok wiped her eyes saying, "Don't worry Aastha, I am with you..."
"Always?" she asked innocently.
"Always!" he assured her.
They had no idea that they were being watched by Niranjan who was standing at the door. "I must do something..." he thought.
*****
Anupamaa
