FF: War Path (Aslok fight it out) - Page 21

Originally posted by: -silhouette-

*Screams* I loved it!
I could actually feel the menace in her voice and I cringed every time. The story just keeps on getting better and better. :D

Originally posted by: Dhanesh27

Great update? Hope Anjali will be understanding with her. Shame poor Shlok too, although he should've thought about the consequences way before. Dynamite comes in small packages after all ;)

Please continue soon, loving the story:)

Originally posted by: namrutha

It feels like I'm cheating and watching the show in advance. Please don't stop the FF. Appreciate your work, I'm thoroughly enjoying it🤗. Truth is I couldn't get enough of it. I know you need time to think and develop the story, but this wait is killing me. I'm so eager to read the next chapter.

A bucket of water(reminded one of my fave scenes from season 1), a slap, a bruise on his cheek, a shush ...I'm loving it ...he deserved all those and much much more if he is really behind that autoscene.

That autowala scene even though Astha has made-up her mind that it is him who did that I don't want that to be all planned by Shlok( common sense tells me its him...he checked and found an error on her report while driving back home and found a booth to call her..I think he was checking whether that sleazeball attacked her or not and as she wasn't attending the call and he might have heard the auto's noise, he decided to come and be her savior).

For me an attempted rape scene was far more worse than a slap. She gave back the slap, and for that rape scene..his soul has already been raped. Tit for tat, is how he deserves to be taken care of.

He is sad that he couldn't do her🤬...dream on Shlok..well at this rate he will die a virgin🤣.

Lines I loved

"she was the same girl in the same wedding dress,but she was a different person"

"Kash tum samajte, innocence is precious"

"ek bhi chain ki saans nehi lene dungi tumhe!"

Thank you for explaining the symbolic reasons as I had only noticed the seventh point.

Please note that I have responded to many of my wonderful commenting readers above. Hope those answer some questions for you.

Thank you in particular to those who shared their thoughts about the progress of the story and the characters with me. I really write to interact with you, not to fish for compliments.

This is for Namrutha, a great reader.

Chapter 5

Astha blinked away her tears and watched quizzically as Shlok's mother nervously closed all the doors and windows of her room. Then, she finally approached and gave Astha the bangles Shlok brought.

Ayi: Mana kiya tha na? Ab kyu ro rahi ho?

Astha: If that was your way of warning me, you were very bad at it.

Ayi: Now it is too late. Broke your heart, didn't he?

Astha looked away.

Ayi: NO point hiding now. You made your mistake. That Swati was the same way, but at least she learned her lesson and made herself scarce.

Astha accused: Your son is a liar and a cheat! How was I supposed to see through him?

Ayi: You weren't. But you did not heed my warnings either.

Astha was frankly a little surprised that any mother could keep stopping her son's chances of finding someone. Did she always want him to be alone just because she was upset with him?

Astha: How can you say that about him? He's your son.

Ayi: It is not because of him! That Shlok keeps falling for headstrong girls, first that Swati and now you. He just doesn't understand that you girls will never do for this family. If anything, you are more bullheaded than her.

Astha sniffed: Don't worry, he never fell for me.

Ayi thought about Shlok's overprotective attitude for her this morning and his secret tears last night. He had defended her even after she had obviously unleashed all her anger on him.

Ayi: It is not easy to marry someone and take them on for life just to settle an ego problem.

Astha: Trust me. He did not think that far. Anyways, I care nothing for him now. Only reason I am here in your cold, marble mansion is because of my parents. So don't think that it's all your riches stopping me. I would have left him last night if my family was not concerned.

Ayi smiled: I know. By the way, if you do not want them to suspect anything, you should wear something to hide those self-inflicted bruises and put on the normal act - bangles and mangalsutra included.

Astha unamused: You thought this through.

Ayi: Years of practice hiding scars.

Astha finally understood.

Astha: Why didn't you seek help?

Ayi: Some women have few options. That said, if Shlok ever mistreats you, you have my permission to retaliate.

Downstairs...

Niranjan came up to Shlok: What happened to you?

Shlok nervously: Woh Baba, saving razor se...It will be okay.

Niranjan: Where's Astha? It is time for arti.

Shlok: She ah...is...

Astha finished for him: Here.

Shlok looked around, surprised. He looked her up and down. She had not only changed, she also wore the bangles and his mangalsutra.

As they all went for the arti, Astha whispered to him: Don't think for a second that I did this for you or your father. I am done doing anything for you. This is for my parents and the Pag-Phera.

Shlok tried to make an excuse and leave for the office right after arti, but Astha stopped him.

Astha pouted for everyone's benefit: But we have to go for the Pag-Phera! (Once only he was within hearing distance, she said more severely) Stay right where you are.

Shlok: I should think you could do without my company now that you hate me so much.

Astha arched an eyebrow: Oh trust me, I could. But we have a role to play for my family and you are going to play it faithfully if you do not want a finale act to happen in THIS house.

Astha said loudly again: I will make halwa for everyone, please no one leave without tasting it. It will make me very happy.

When halwa was served, Niranjan praised her very well though Astha now doubted if anything he said was sincere. On the other hand, Ayi said it was a good first attempt and the others liked it. She came to Shlok last.

Leaning close Astha said: Be careful, I might have mixed something in your share.

Shlok looked hurt, but said rather cynically: It couldn't be cyanide, could it?

Astha smiled sweetly: How did you know?

Shlok took a mouthful: In any case Astha, I would eat it anyway. Even if you really did poison it.

Astha: Don't pretend to be gallant, Shlok. It doesn't suit you.

She stormed off.

They arrived for the Pag-Phera at Astha's parent's place and were welcomed very warmly into their cozy home. It was just how Shlok expected it to be, a small, close-knit family whose world revolved around Astha.

It was actually Astha who was surprised. Her family was suddenly treating Shlok so well despite their previously tense relationship. Astha pulled aside Ajju when she came in with yet another plate of snacks for him.

Astha: Why are you all fawning over him? Have you forgotten everything that happened?

Ajju: Baccha hai, galtiya ho jati hai. Besides, it's different now. He's our Damad now. Tu kyu itna chirrahi hai? Pati hai who tera.

Astha rolled her eyes and let her go.

Shlok thankfully was in his best behavior. Astha still kept a close watch. It may have been in his best interest to behave, but you never knew with him.

Shlok to his new mother-in-law: Please, I cannot have anymore.

Kalindi, horrified: Acchi nehi hai?

Shlok: No no, it is very good. But I am full.

Kalindi shoved another snack under his nose: Why don't you try this instead?

Shlok: I really cannot. Please.

Kalindi smiled and finally spared him. Shlok sighed with relief...only to find Astha glaring at him from across the room.

Astha's dad suddenly spoke: Shlok beta, we have invited some family and friends to visit this evening. They especially want to meet you. Hope it is not an inconvenience. Shaadi me toh thik se mil nehi paye...

Shlok: Ji, it is not a problem at all uncle. I would like to meet them.

Ajju pulled his cheek: Uncle nehi, Baba. And this is Ayi and I am Ajju.

Shlok masked his shock better than Astha: Y-yes.

Kalindi: Ajju, aap bhi na! He's shy (she messed him his hair). Beta, you look tired. Go and rest in Astha's room. We will call you when the visitors come. Thik hai?

Shlok felt a yearning he had not felt in many years. How could these people love him so much with so few expectations? He was just a guy who married their daughter. And he had already let them down, he thought sadly.

Astha burst his emotional bubble, standing up angrily: My room!? Why my room? Why can't he use the guest room?

Kalindi looked at him warningly: Astha...keep quiet. Show Shlok where your room is, go.

Astha grumbled as they went up the stairs.

Shlok: You told me to be in my best behavior, but here you are, making your dislike of me obvious.

Astha sarcastically: Sorry, husband. I am not a practiced liar like you.

Feeling the whiplash, he kept quiet as he followed her. They entered a very girly room.

Astha: Here. Don't touch anything.

She turned to leave when she saw his reflection in the wardrobe, staring at her teddy bear.

Shlok gingerly picked up the stuffed toy only to have it snatched from his hand.

Astha looked so cute when she sputtered angrily: I TOLD you not to touch anything! It's mine!

Shlok: You still sleep with a teddy bear?

Astha huffed as she left with her bear. It made him smile. At least she still cared for these things. He was glad to see that she did not reject the toy just because she considered herself a woman now.

"Get up!"

Her shrill cry jerked him out of his sleep. After a lot of trying, he had finally managed to close his eyes for a second when she plopped down on the bed.

Shlok sleepily: God! Astha...I almost had a heart attack.

Astha spat: I am just keeping my promise to you, husband dearest.

Shlok looked her in the eyes: You don't have to carry it out for long if you keep going at the rate you are.

It made her feel bad. He was holding his head in his hands as if his head was spinning from sleep deprivation.

Astha, more quietly now: Get ready, we have guests.

The guests came during tea-time and blessed the couple. Shlok played his part with aplomb before finally excusing himself for a break.

Astha followed him: I can't keep doing this. It makes me feel like a horrible daughter. I am going back downstairs and telling them everything.

She started to march back when Shlok picked her up from behind and pulled her against him.

Shlok: Astha please, they will be heartbroken.

Astha was imploding: How dare you touch me!? (She kicked hard at his shin).

He bucked, but did not loosen his grip.

Astha: I will SCREAM! Let go!

He put his hand against her mouth.

How dare he!? He thinks he can dominate a woman just like that? If he thought she was going to tolerate him like before, he was in for a surprise. She bit into his palm with all her might. He still did not let go. She struggled harder.

Astha was not in any mood to stop chomping. She saw herself in the mirror, looking like a hell cat, chewing on his hand as he held on; eyes shut in pain, stress all-over his face. Finally, shocked by her own ferocity, she relaxed her bite. He let go.

Astha turned around to see his reaction. Undoubtedly smarting from pain, his eyes looked moist. He however, kept quiet.

Astha spat: Don't try that with me again!

Later downstairs...

At dinner Kalindi, Ajju and even Astha's dad fussed to serve Shlok as he tried his best to keep his composure. His hand was throbbing with pain, there was no denying it. Astha sat quietly at the other end of the table despising sharing her limelight with him.

Astha: You guys sit down and have your dinner. He will ask for whatever he wants. There's no need to spoon feed him.

Ajju: Keep quiet Astha, don't mind Baccha. She's an only child. She cannot get used to anyone else sharing our affection.

Shlok smiled: I can see that.

Kalindi grabbed his right hand as he went for his glass of water. Shlok tried to pull back, but she had already seen the red marks.

Kalindi, astounded: Yeh...yeh kaise ho gaya!? Chot haise laggi tumhe?

Shlok: It's nothing, just the..ah, do-or.

His mother-in-law snapped: Don't make excuses. The teeth marks are clearly visible.

Astha swallowed hard.

Kalindi: Astha! You did this!

Shlok could see now where Astha got her fire from. Mother and daughter may look cute and small from the outside, but they had razors hidden in them.

Astha tried to look nonchalant as she picked her food: I don't know what you mean.

There was utter silence about the room. They all looked horrified. Shlok tried to appease the situation before Astha really let the cat out of the bag.

Shlok: Really, it is nothing!

Kalindi was not listening.

Mother-in-law: Don't lie to me, Astha! You think we don't know your childhood problem? You are a grown, married woman now. Pagal ladki, what have done!?

Astha sniffed unapologetically though you could see the guilt in her eyes.

Kalindi angrily: Dimaag kharab ho gaya hai tera? Choti moti jhagre ke liye, apni patti ko kat khayegi? Is this what we taught you!?

Astha's father rushed in to apologize on his daughter's behalf, making Shlok feel worse for misleading them. In truth, Astha was in the right, but they hardly knew. They were too taken with their new son-in-law.

Adbhootji: Really sorry beta, Astha is still a child. Please forgive her.

Astha burst into tears: I don't understand why you all are putting him on a pedestal like this. It's just Shlok. I came here after marriage and nobody cares! You are all shouting at me and fawning over him. You don't know what he's really like. (She quickly corrected her outburst) You don't know how annoying he is.

Her parents looked torn - divided between love for their newly married off daughter and their new son.

Shlok did not like to see her in tears. It made him queasy and hopeless when she cried. He wanted to make them stop reprimanding her like this. It clearly distressed her more than he had already distressed her.

Ajju spoke with grandmotherly love: That is enough, Astha. Newlyweds have fights, but that doesn't mean you should get physically violent like this.

Astha glared at him with vengeance. Shlok knew she was thinking about the Kohlapur trip before the wedding. If they knew that he hit her, they would feel very differently right now. He felt like a coward for not fessing up.

Ajju: Apologize right now. When have we ever hit you that you think this is acceptable behavior?

Shlok saw then that he was the negative influence in her life. They were a loving family that never taught her hitting was acceptable. They probably hardly ever raised their voices at her. Now because of him all this unpleasantness was coming to their family, he thought guiltily.

Shlok intervened: It's okay, really. I did something to put her off. I am really in the wrong. Your daughter is only here today. I don't want any hurt feelings because of me.

Ajju looked at him adoringly and petted his head: Kitna accha baccha hai. Kitna suljha hua. How can you be like this Astha?

Astha gritted out: Yes, he's like a saint.

Kalindi: Your fights are between the two of you, but Astha, I thought I taught you better. If you don't apologize now and promise to stop this kind of behavior, we have to beg Shlok's forgiveness for you.

Astha stomped her foot: Fine! I am SORRY! It won't happen again.

She stormed out of the dining room, only looking back at him with a promise that he would face far worse when they got home for exposing her like this.

During the drive back...

Astha: Happy? You made me look bad in front of my whole family.

Shlok: I did not do it intentionally.

Astha: Oh, you just had to look innocent!

He stopped the car on the roadside and put Astha's seat belt on. Then kept on driving.

Shlok: You are the one who did not want them to know, but you had to go and behave badly.

Astha: I made it believable.

Shlok: Ya sure, you only ACTED that you were jealous. You weren't actually suffering from an only child syndrome.

Astha pouted: They won't love you once they find out how you really are!

Please comment. This took more than 5 hours. A few sentences about what you thought reading it will really help.

Chapter 6: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/94084094