Part 31 - Family bonding
Readers, I may soon get into the marriage track and get this fiction done in a few parts. Fret not, my mind is already conceiving the next fiction which I want to obviously be different from this. Till this is done, keep enjoying as ever!
Anjali was relieved Astha and Shlok sorted out their problem. She spoke to Kalindi for sometime and then headed home with her son. Astha's exams were fast approaching. Her project had come out very well and she was short listed to be one of the best students for that academic year.
Kalindi and Avdhoot were very proud of her achievements. They wanted her to reach greater heights in her professional life. Yet Kalindi had a slight worry inside her. She didn't know if Astha would be allowed to work after her marriage with Shlok. When she spoke to Avdhoot regarding this, Avdhoot was firm. He said "Kalindi, don't worry. If Astha wants to work I am sure she will convince Shlok. He should be the one to support her and stand by her dreams. We cannot interfere in her sasural. Not now not ever."
Kalindi knew Avdhoot was right. She prayed for a happy and peaceful life for her child and went about her work.
Astha came back from college and spent time with her Ayi. She then went to the Agnihotri mansion as usual. Astha got worried seeing a sick Anjali. "Ayi, why didn't you inform my Ayi first? She would have come over immediately. Come. Let's go to the doctor."
"Nahin beta. It is just a normal fever and I have already taken my meds. Rani is here. I did not want to bother Kalindi."
"What bother? Ayi aap bhi na! You rest I will get you something hot to drink." Astha completely took over and made a soup for Anjali. She took it up and gave it to her. Astha also made sure Anjali was comfortable and was resting.
She checked the time and knew Baba will come in some time. Seeing Anjali Ayi cook a thousand times, she knew what had to be done. WIth Rani's help she made the dinner. The table was set and the kitchen was back to its sparkling form.
Baba entered followed by Shlok. Varad had gone out of town. They were surprised to see Astha waiting by the table. Niranjan spoke first. "Where is Anjali?"
"Baba, Ayi is down with fever and she is resting in her room."
Shlok then spoke "Why didn't she call me? And why didn't you call me? I would have come immediately and taken her to the doctor."
"Don't worry Shlok. I just checked on her. Her fever has come down now. She has taken the medicines. She is sleeping."
Both of them went up to her room. Shlok alone came back. "Baba will have the dinner up stairs. I will take his food."
Astha gave the food to Shlok. He came back down again. Astha was in the kitchen taking her mobile. She was about to leave home. "Shlok, I have kept everything on the table. It's getting late I will leave now."
Shlok stopped her. "Thank you Astha. For taking care of Ayi." He hugged her and gave a warm kiss on her head.
"She is also like my Ayi Shlok. Ok leave me. I will leave."
"Why don't you also join me for dinner?"
Astha blushed and lowered her eyes. "I better not. I don't want to go through another aftermath of a meal with you like last time."
Shlok too remembered her attempt at seduction.
"So this time what have you made for me Astha? Don't tell me Asparagus in sauce!" He teased her.
"Shlok. Leave me first." She was feeling gauche and was struggling in his hold. He gave a small laugh.
'And what were you trying to do then Astha? Maybe I should have shown you the complete consequence of your actions. Too bad my conscience stopped me"
By now Astha's face was flaming. "I..I just did it for fun. Now will you let me go?" She pretended to be annoyed.
"Fun or no fun. I can never see an asparagus in the same light again. And I do hope you get to show me similar culinary delights with your mouth after we are married."
Astha protested with a "Shlok!" and pushed him away from her. She left the kitchen and proceeded to go home. Day by day Shlok's presence and his teasing got the better of her. Bappa! now only you have to save me from him. With that last thought she entered her home to join the family dinner.
That was utter crap I felt. My mind just wasn't working!
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 11 years ago
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