Shlok was sitting in the couch still thinking about Astha and Swati when Varad came in. He asked Shlok when Astha would be coming back. "She is the rainbow of the house Shlok. Now our house has become deserted again." Shlok felt as if something hit him straight at the heart. Yes, that's exactly how the house felt, colorless. He took so many things for granted and he had royally ignored her. But he could not ignore the beautiful but small changes that Astha had brought in.
"Dada, we had a big fight when I had gone to her house." And then Shlok told Varad everything, right from their first day of marriage.
Varad's face turned from astonishment, to disbelief, to finally anger. "I did not expect this from you Shlok. What were you thinking? Didn't you realize you were also against her instead of supporting her? And if you had so much a problem in the marriage then you should have stood up against Baba not Astha. You're a coward." Shlok felt as if Varad had slapped him.
"Par Dada..."
"Not one more word. You go on and on about Astha and your worry for her safety in the house. If you really have a problem then go out of this house, get a life. Instead you're hiding yourself and you're being a coward. Do you know what your problem is Shlok? You're afraid to fall in love again. You don't want to get hurt again. But how long will you freeze your heart against pain and feelings? Don't do this to yourself Shlok and more importantly not to that sweet girl who has so much of dreams. Though am sure by now she must have stopped dreaming."
Shlok felt even more guilty hearing Varad speak. He looked down in shame and indecisiveness.
"Shlok, even now it is not too late. Astha loves you. I cannot think of any other reason why a girl will put up with all this and still live with you. Go and bring her home. I sincerely wish you will start living your life again. What has happened in the past is past. You cannot bring back anyone. Just leave it Shlok."
Shlok felt much better after hearing Varad speak. His brother truly was his mentor and his confidante. Shlok could always face anything with the calm and rational Varad besides him. He hugged Varad and promised him he will bring back Astha that very day.
Shlok called up the institution and told them he is not coming in for the day. He then took his car keys and went to bring his wife back. There was a new spring in his step and his heart was beating fast.
Astha went out for a walk as usual. Her mother had just questioned her whether something was wrong between Shlok and herself. Astha had evaded a direct answer and she had reassured her mother. She knew she didn't have much time. Maybe she had to tell her parents the truth. That would only bring worry and tears in their lives but sometimes one did not have a choice.
Shlok was disappointed to find Astha missing in her house. He waited for a few minutes and decided to walk down to the park himself. He found her sitting on a bench and watching some kids play. Shlok's heart warmed a little after the past few miserable days. His intention to bring her back got stronger.
"Astha." His voice was gentle.
She turned around hearing his voice. "Aap? What are you doing here?"
"Am here to take you back. Back home."
"But where is home Shlok? That house where everyone ignores me except Varad bhai? That house where I am only a piece of furniture in your room? Sorry Shlok that Astha is dead. I won't put up with this anymore."
Shlok went and sat besides her. She immediately moved farther. Shlok's eyes turned bleak at her action. "Astha this time all that will not happen. Come with me now."
"Who is Swati?"
"Why do you want to know that now? Swati is no way connected to us. What is the point?"
"You thought she was the one in bed with you that morning and you whispered Swati don't leave me and you say she is nowhere in your life?" Astha's voice betrayed her jealousy and her anger. She was deeply hurt by what had happened.
Shlok winced at her tone and at her question. He had to reveal everything now. Shlok's voice was low and flat. "Swati was my girlfriend and we became engaged though Ayi did not approve of our relationship. I thought I could convince Ayi and Swati and I went ahead and got engaged. Even Baba was not happy at our bold decision. Swati was my college mate and we have known each other for a few years. We were friends first and then became lovers."
Astha's face paled at this revelation. She didn't know if she wanted to hear this. Shlok continued without noticing her reaction.
"Swati and I also lived in for a while after the engagement. I was still speaking with my parents regarding our relationship. I knew they were very traditional at home with women being considered beneath their husbands. Varad and I always rebelled against this. Yet we could not stop certain things at home." He swallowed hard before continuing.
"Varad...Varad was married. He had an arranged marriage. Shilpa bhabhi was a beautiful person. Very gentle and always obedient to Ayi. She was the prefect daughter in law and she made Varad bhai so happy. The only frictions that happened were because Varad bhai opposed to so many rules that were laid for bhabhi. Ayi would not react then but she would retaliate in private to bhabhi. We did not even realize this was happening until too late." Shlok's voice almost broke with emotion.
"Shlok.." Astha was concerned seeing her husband so broken. This was a first. She was getting a glimpse of the very hurt man inside the tough exterior.
"Bhai and Bhabhi performed a family puja sitting as equals since we both rebelled as usual. Ayi could not create a scene there because of Baba. She later asked Bhabhi not to eat or drink anything for the whole day. That too as prayaschit." His voice was full of self disgust and anger.
"Bhabhi had to do everything at home. Added to that she didn't have anything to eat or drink. She had climbed up the store room ladder to fetch something when she lost her balance due to her starvation. She fell down from the top." Astha sucked her breath in shock.
"Varad and I were not at home. She had fallen down unconscious and was bleeding. Bhabhi was two months pregnant. We came in a little too late Astha. By then she had lost of blood and by the time we took her to the hospital..." Shlok's eyes were brimming. Astha too had difficulty in controlling her tears. She never knew Varad bhai had so much of grief behind that face of his.
"Swati had come with me the day this happened. She too rushed with us to the hospital and was witness to the death of two lives. Swati flatly refused to get married into such a family. Even after I pleaded with her and told her that we would move out, she called me a killer. She said both Bhai and I were responsible for the death of two innocent souls. She was right. I didn't deserve a life after that."
"I had to respect her decision to stay away from me. That was the last day I saw her. Last I heard, Swati had got married to an NRI a few months after our break up."
"That's why I did not want to get married Astha. I didn't want to be responsible for another woman's grief. If my own friend and fiance didn't trust me who else will? I have just existed after that incident Astha. Both Bhai and I lost everything that fateful day. We didn't want to bring in another woman into this hell. Even now if you want your way out I understand. But if you come with me I will protect you Astha." He stood up and walked a few steps. His eyes were hopeful though he had given her the choice.
Astha didn't know there was so much of pain inside this man. No wonder he had been pale as a ghost when she had fainted. She ran to him and hugged him. "Am sorry Shlok, you underwent so much pain. Of course I am coming with you. How can you think I will leave you now?" Her voice was thick through the tears clogging in her throat.
Shlok simply hugged her tight, grateful for the comfort and understanding she offered. They broke apart when they realized they were in a park. Astha moved away quickly. She was blushing at their proximity. Shlok smiled faintly seeing the shy color blooming her face. He took her hand in his and led her back home.
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