Part 6
The next day dawned bright and clear. As usual Astha woke up early to do her usual chores. She recollected last night's events and did not know what to make of Shlok. He said he will take care but what do I do? Brushing her thoughts, she hurried downstairs after her shower.
Puja happened as usual. Sahib came to the table and soon Shlok and Varad also joined in. Astha went into the kitchen to bring the dishes. After Astha served all of them, Shlok kept one more plate beside him from the stack. Niranjan looked at his gesture. Varad was equally perplexed.
"Astha, come here. From now on you are going to eat with me. You will always sit besides me."
Anjali was shocked and she immediately retaliated in anger "Shlok!!"
"I am talking to you Astha. Come here." Astha's face lost color. She didn't know how to react. But she knew this was the first step against the inequality that was obviously prevalent in this house. Varad gave a secret smile while Niranjan's fist closed in anger. Unfortunately only his wife noticed the unspoken anger in the head of the family.
Hey Bhagwan! Yeh kya ho rahai hain? Aur Sahib? Ab mein kya karoon? She was extremely worried but was careful enough not to show it out.
Astha had her breakfast with Shlok. Before he left the table, Shlok addressed Astha but looked at Anjali while speaking. "You will eat with me everyday, morning and night. Not before me and definitely not after me. Understood?"
"And even while I am not at home you have the freedom to do what you want. You are my wife and this is your house Astha. Remember that."
Astha realized she was falling in this trap between mother and son. What is happening in this family? Why can he not ask her directly? Despite all this confusion, Astha felt married for the first time in three days. Maybe Shlok did not love her. At least he treated like a human being.
Varad and Shlok left to office and Astha went about with other work. Her first victory gave her the courage to try deeper. She knew Shlok was the only route she had to take to swim through the sea of unfairness in this household. Astha instinctively knew there was a man who was fair and good beneath the stony exterior.
But how will she break through the wall he had built around himself? What made him so cynical? If she wanted to have any semblance of a marriage she had to get through Shlok before it was too late.
Shlok was still thinking about Astha even after reaching office. Her pale face and her unconscious body was swimming in front of his eyes. After a very long time he felt good. He knew Astha had her breakfast today, thanks to him. The time for redemption had come. He cannot and will not stand by and see Astha getting suppressed.
But he did not want to give her any false hope. What if Astha mistook his intentions for love? Shlok got up and impatiently and ran a hand through his hair. What a mess! This is precisely why he did not want to get married. No time for regrets. He will set Astha free from him, from this house. Very soon.
Heaving a satisfied breath, Shlok proceeded to get on with his work.
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 12 years ago
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