Aastha and Shlok were staring at Varad's mobile screen reading the messages sent from some unknown number. As they went through the messages, they got to know that they were from Karan and Aditi sent from Aditi's mother's phone. Shlok and Aastha were shocked to know that Karan and Aditi were arrested by the police and now released but they were still being followed. Shlok was glad that his plan had worked and Ajinkya was now in Mumbai in search of Aastha. They were shocked to know from Karan and Aditi that someone had entered into Aastha's bungalow in search of something.
"Aastha, do you have any idea who it must be?" asked Shlok.
Aastha thought for a while and said, "No Shlok, I don't think of anyone. And why would someone get into our home? There's nothing to steal! The place is empty"
"Hmm" said Shlok thoughtfully, his mind processing a number of thoughts. "May be there's something that you don't know?"
Aastha looked at Shlok confused by his statement. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"May be there's something hidden in your home that you don't have any idea about. Some treasure... maybe?"
"Treasure?!" Aastha's eyes widened at the thought. "I don't think so, Shlok. Why would Aai-Baba keep any treasure hidden in our home? And there's no treasure. They would have told me if there was any"
Shlok was not convinced.
Aastha too wasn't very sure. There is no such treasure. Or is there?
"I must go and check right away" said Aastha.
Varad interruped saying, "First let's have dinner, everyone is waiting" Varad kept his phone away. "Come..." he said as he walked out of his room and headed towards the dining area.
Aastha was restless after knowing about the intruders. What must they have come for? Is there really any treasure hidden? She couldn't stop thinking of it. Who are these people? She slowly took steps ahead lost in her thoughts.
As Aastha was about to step out of the room, Shlok stopped her by gently holding her wrist. Aastha turned in surprise. She kept looking at Shlok and his hand on her wrist expecting him to leave it. But Shlok held on.
"Don't worry Aastha... We will find out everything. You are not alone... Whatever may happen, I am with you!" he said.
Aastha felt blessed to have Shlok by her side. I am with you! Those were the words that always assured Aastha of Shlok's strong support, that assured her that Shlok would always be with her.
"Shlok? Aastha? Come soon!" they heard Sojal's voice.
Aastha was waiting for Shlok to leave her hand, but Shlok wasn't ready to.
"Shlok" whispered Aastha.
Shlok's eyes watered at the thought of leaving Aastha, leaving her to be replaced by some one else. Aastha knew what Shlok was thinking. Her eyes too watered at the realization. But this was life, and they had to accept what was inevitable.
Aastha felt Shlok's hold on her hand, firm yet gentle. She didn't want him to leave her... ever! But destiny had written different chapters for them, totally different. And there was no way they could change what was to happen. And they knew it.
Aastha closed her eyes enclosing a part of those warm tears and letting the other make it's way down her cheeks. Shlok knew that Aastha was in as much pain as he was.
"Can't we just stay like this?" he asked innocently.
Aastha opened her eyes and looked into Shlok's. "I am afraid we can't" she replied.
"Why?" asked Shlok, not ready to let go. "Why can't we decide what we want in life? What's wrong in it? Do our choices not matter at all?"
Aastha was surprised by Shlok's words. "Things have changed, Shlok" she replied.
"Why should we let others control our life?"
"Sometimes life doesn't give us the right to choose, we just need to embrace whatever it brings to us"
"And that changes everything between us? Whatever we feel for each other, does it not matter at all?"
"Duty always comes first. All other things, feelings, desires are secondary"
"Duty? Huh! What duty?"
"Your duty to fulfill your father's promise given to his dying friend and my duty to stay by my promise"
"Your promise?"
"I have promised Niranjan Uncle that I will never interfere in Swati and your life"
Shlok left Aastha's hand as soon as he heard this. He felt hurt. How could Aastha promise such a thing without discussing about it with Shlok?
Aastha's eyes widened as she gasped on feeling her empty wrist. She looked at Shlok and she could feel how hurt he was.
"I am sorry Shlok, I had no choice" she said.
Shlok sighed. "I know" he said.
Both looked at each other helplessly.
Just then Sojal came looking for them and they all went for having dinner. At the dinner table, they discussed about the messages from Karan and Aditi.
As told by Shlok, Varad had already got two new sim cards for Aastha and Shlok. They inserted those into a couple of spare handsets. And also shared those numbers with Karan and Aditi via text message. They didn't know whether calling right now was safe.
*****
Aastha was restless since she had known about the intruders searching for something in her home. She couldn't wait any more to visit her home.
Avdhoot saw Aastha was worried. He came to her and said, "Are you alright, beta?"
Aastha's eyes watered at once. Only if you had not met with the accident, Baba... Only if you had not lost your memory... Our life would have been so different... What is it that you have hidden in our home? Aastha couldn't stop thinking. Oh God! Why is all this happenening with us? What wrong have we done?
"Are you crying?" asked Avdhoot, "Please don't cry... everything will be fine soon..." He gently caressed Aastha's head.
Aastha saw Shlok standing at a distance watching everything.
"Shlok, I must go there and check right now!" said Aastha impatiently.
Shlok knew Aastha was right. "Okay, let's go..." said Shlok.
Varad came there saying, "I will go with Aastha... Shlok, you must rest at home..."
But Shlok was not ready to listen. He was adamant on going with Aastha and Varad. Aastha knew Shlok would never let her be alone. Aastha and Shlok exchanged glances. Shlok's eyes speaking those silent words... I am with you!
"I wish you were to be with me forever..." thought Aastha and before the others could see her tears, she quickly got up and turned to go change.
Before Aastha, Shlok and Varad left for Aastha's home, something struck Aastha mind. "Why don't we take Baba with us? May be after going there he remembers something?" she suggested anxiously.
Varad, Shlok and Niranjan thought for a while and then agreed.
*****
Aastha, Shlok, Varad and Avdhoot reached Aastha's home. They inspected the area around. The window glasses were broken. Aastha unlocked the door and they were all shocked to see the condition inside. Things were fallen here and there, vases broken, photo frames shattered, cushions torn, cupboards open and what not! Everything was in mess!
Khushi couldn't believe the sight in front of her. She ran inside and checked each an every room. The condition was same everywhere. Tears filled her eyes. She couldn't understand what was going on. She hurried to Avdhoot.
"Baba! See what they have done to our home! Please try to remember! Please!" she cried.
Avdhoot couldn't understand anything. Shlok tried to calm Aastha down. Varad was there with Avdhoot telling him to relax. Aastha was constantly trying to make Avdhoot remember the past by showing him different things. But Avdhoot couldn't remember anything.
Aastha saw the photo frame lying on the floor. It's glass had cracked. She sat down beside it. Her eyes watered as she slowly moved her fingers across the photo. It was her favourite photo of all. Her last photo with her grandma! Her parents standing by her side... She became nostalgic on seeing the photo. None of them was with her now, not even Avdhoot! She remembered Avdhoot words when he was being taken to the hospital in the ambulance after that fateful accident. The frame... Pune... Uh... your... your favourite... Aastha...
Aastha knew this was the frame he was talking about. She knew that this was his favourite photo too. And she remembered she had promised him to keep this photo frame with her always. She wanted to show this photo to him and try making him remember things, but so much of pressure was not good for Avdhoot's health. Varad took Avdhoot out of the home as he wasn't feeling well. Shlok suggested Aastha to take the frame with her and ask Avdhoot about it later. Aastha reluctantly agreed.
Aastha was desperate to know who the men were and what they wanted. She suddenly remembered their neighbour Nalini Aunty. "Yes! She or her mother-in-law must surely know something about it!" she exclaimed leaving Shlok confused.
Aastha stood up and hurried outside.
"Aastha! Where are you going?" said Shlok as he followed her to Nalini's home.
Aastha rang the door bell and waited impatiently for the door to be opened. Before Shlok could ask Aastha what she was doing, Nalini opened the door. And before Nalini could say anything, Aastha said, "Aunty, I need to talk to your mother-in-law! It's urgent!"
Nalini was surprised at Aastha's sudden demand. She was silent for a moment and then said, "I am sorry beta, but she is no more. Sadly, she passed away suffering from a severe heart attack..."
Aastha was numb. This was the only ray of hope which had gone dark now. Tears filled Aastha's eyes as she felt she had hit a dead end. She couldn't believe all this was happening.
Shlok couldn't understand anything, but he showed presence of mind. "I am really sorry" he said to Nalini and pulled Aastha with him to the car.
Aastha was stunned by the series of events that were happening.
Just then Shlok received a message from Aditi's mother's number. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed reading it.
Edited by ..optimist.. - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
Fan Fictions
