Part 4
Shlok came down for the breakfast. Astha noticed that he did not attend the puja nor did he acknowledge when the arti was going on. Typical! The Master of this universe does not even recognize the presence of God, where did mere mortals like her stand? One of these days I am going to teach him a lesson. Just you wait Mr Agnihotri. See how I am going to turn around your life. If you think I am going to mop in self pity you are mistaken.
She gave an internal, evil smile and went about setting the table. Sahib, Varad, and Shlok sat for breakfast. She had prepared a sweet since it was the first meal she had prepared in her sasural. Niranjan gave a word of praise and quietly went about the meal. Varad also complimented her culinary skill with a gentle smile.
The devil incarnation, her most favorite person in the house, Mr Shlok Agnihotri of course had to say something. Wasn't it mandatory he had to have the last word especially if it concerned her? He did not disappoint her. "I think it needs a little more sugar."
Astha added some more sugar to his kheer with a stoic face. Anjali kept a keen watch on Astha lest she slip even a little. Astha felt stifled and wanted to have a break. Can't a person even talk or laugh with some freedom? Thank God she did not have any sister in law. The poor soul would have been tortured to death with the rules and regulations of this strange household.
The menfolk left the table and Anjali asked Astha to join her for breakfast. When Astha went to take a separate plate, Anjali stopped her with a stern look. "Don't you know you have to eat from Shlok's plate? Does everything need to be spoon fed for you?"
"Sasubai...the same plate? But..."
"Just do as I say. No buts and no ifs. You will eat from Shlok's plate if you want to eat. Else you can remain without food. I leave it up to you." She proceeded to eat from Sahib's plate without a second glance at her.
Astha tried her level best to eat from the same plate. But a simple things like hygiene, decency, her self respect, and most importantly her fake life did not allow her to do such a thing. She simply left the table and went to the living room.
Anjali fumed at Astha's impertinence. The very first day this chit of a girl dares to defy me. Let me see how she survives in this house without obeying me.
Astha sat near the window, missing her mother. She was tired and hungry. Astha was unused to getting up so early and getting this much of household work done. She missed her mother terribly. She remembered all those instances when her mother lovingly fed her mouthfuls of her favorite dishes.
Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. She thought she was being discreet by standing in the corner, near the window. However, she did not see a pair of sharp eyes noting her tears. She hurriedly brushed away the tears when she heard Anjali's sharp call.
"Aathi hoon Sasubhai." She rushed inside before she angered Anjali even more.
Shlok was disgusted with himself and this situation. He felt the same sense of helplessness and disgust running through him once again. Once he was unable to stop an innocent woman from wasting away her life. He was unable to do anything again.
With a lot of disturbing thoughts he went to the car to go to the office. Varad was also going towards his car. He stopped Shlok when Varad saw the disturbed Shlok.
"Shlok kya hua? Pareshan lag rahe ho?"
"Nothing bhai. It is the same thing. History is repeating itself again. With Astha this time. How can I keep quiet? I did warn her before the wedding but she did not pay heed to my words. What if she also.."
"Shlok. First of all stop all these negative thoughts. Nothing is going to happen to her. Not when we both are around. And this time both of us are right here. Now stop worrying and start living your life. You must move on Shlok."
Shlok sighed and turned to leave without a word. Varad had a distant look on his face. His life was never the same these days. Not after that incident. Consciously shaking himself out of his thoughts, he too left in his car.
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 11 years ago
Cricket
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50