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Part 15
Astha and Shlok went back home in the evening. Definitely Astha was in a happier frame of mind while going back. Shlok just held her hand while driving back. Astha looked away in confusion. She felt the sudden nicety from Shlok exciting and daunting. However, she didn't take her hands back. That was a start.
She went in to see Anjali sitting in the living room. "So finally you decide to come back. Why did you come now? You should have stayed back." Anjali's voice was cold and taunting.
Astha decided enough was enough. She stopped on the way and looked straight at Anjali's eyes. "Sasubai, my husband dropped me to my mother's house and he was the one who got me back. I am here rightfully in my house as a wife. Nobody can stop me this time." Anjali's fury was evident in her face. Before she could relatiate Shlok too stepped in. He added fuel to the fire "Astha is right. She is my wife and my everything. Nobody has the right to say anything to her. Get in Astha."
Anjali looked on in anger while the two of them went upstairs. None of them noticed a pair of calculating eyes noticing all this. Anjali clenched her hands in despair. Things were getting out of hand and how long will she bear everything? She turned around and went in, taking quick strides. The anger was replaced by desperation and fear.
Astha went up and first sought out Varad. He too was very happy to see Astha back. "I am glad Shlok brought you back. He kept his promise and I am happy." He smiled. Astha was simply spell bound by his attitude. Despite his own problems and grief, he still thought about her life. Astha gave a very grateful smile with tears in her eyes. "How can you be so calm despite everything bhai?" His smile faltered on hearing her.
"Yes, Shlok told me everything. I am so sorry." Her tears rolled down of its own accord.
"Astha! Don't. It is over and nobody can do anything about it now. You must look ahead now and not at the past. Leave it behind Astha." Varad's voice turned gentle and he placed a gentle hand on her head.
"Bhai, but how long will you be like this? You too should start moving forward. Why don't you start again?"
"No!" Even before Astha could finish, Varad denied her vehemently. "I cannot think of anyone else in the place of my Shilpa. My married life is over Astha. There's nothing more to be said." With that parting shot, he moved ahead and went to his room.
Shlok found his eyes prickling. Even he had never thought of his brother's life. But Astha, his wife had so much concern for his brother. He felt extremely happy that she was affectionate to his brother. He had more than one apology to render to his Astha. He had indeed got a very rare gem.
Shlok went back to his room. He was immediately followed by Astha. She came and unpacked her stuff. He noticed with a slight smile that she kept things in their rightful place. He was absent minded and tended to leave things as they were. Her presence was immediately felt in the room. He felt he was home at last when she set the room right. His world had suddenly turned colorful and brighter. All this because of one small package. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't see where he was going.
Just as he stepped near the bed, she straightened up after fixing the bed cover. They collided and both of them fell on the bed. She clutched his shirt in fear and he caught her waist to steady her. Her chest was heaving and she was looking at him with embarrassment and fear. When Astha went to get up, her pallu started slipping as he was still lying on it. She caught her sari with a shocked gasp. Her already blushing face turned beet red.
Shlok didn't know whether to help her or enjoy her predicament. He decided to do the former and got up quickly. She immediately righted her attire with lowered eyes. Her breath was still a little fast. She mumbled that she needed to make dinner and exited the room.
Shlok remained thoughtful for a minute after she left. His wife was obviously new to the ways of the flesh. Hmm! He wanted to woo her and then make her his. Shlok thought that would be befitting for all the blunders he had committed with Astha. With that thought, Shlok got up to make some plans.
Astha as usual prepared dinner and served her father in law and Varad. Shlok was nowhere to be seen. Anjali too had her dinner after the men ate. She threw a disinterested glance at Astha and spoke "Make sure everything is put away properly and rise on time tomorrow. Already I had to do your work for three days. Got it?"
"Ji Sasubhai."
Shlok then came down to see Astha waiting by the dining table. "Where were you Shlok? You didn't eat with Baba and bhai?"
"No. Have you forgotten? We always eat together. I was waiting for all of them to finish." Astha's jaw almost touched the ground. "Was this her same khadoos husband? What has suddenly happened to him? Does he have fever or something?" She peered at him closely, in suspicion.
"What are you looking at? Set the table." He sat down and pulled her down next to him. He served everything for both of them and held out one portion of the food in his hand for her. She took it and in turn fed him. They looked into each other's eyes while feeding each other and having dinner. Suddenly Shlok reached towards Astha to wipe some food offer her mouth. He gently flicked his thumb over the corner of her mouth. He slowly took his thumb towards his mouth and sucked it. Astha's eyes opened wide at his blatant gesture. Her already rising pulse was throbbing. She looked away and swallowed hard. The remaining meal got over in charged silence.
Shlok went up as usual. He asked her to come up quickly. Astha was even more nervous at this. Why is he calling her? She bit her nails and cleaned the kitchen and dining. Deliberately she delayed going upstairs. Finally she went up to see Shlok reading in bed. She gulped. He always chose the couch and instead today he was sitting on the bed with his head resting on the headboard.
Astha got in without a word and sat facing the mirror. She removed her bangles and her earrings slowly. Shlok knew when she came in but he deliberately gave her some time to collect herself. He saw her removing her bangles and earrings. Gently he got up and strode towards Astha.
Seeing him come towards her, Astha got up from the dressing table and turned towards him. Shlok came up to her and tipped her chin. "From today both of us will share this bed. This does not mean we will have to make love today. It is only the beginning. Take your time. I know this may be too much for you to handle in a day's time. I too want to know you and woo you. We will get to know each other, this time as friends, before becoming man and wife." Shlok's voice was gentle yet firm.
Astha didn't know whether to feel relieved or frustrated. She too felt things were going too fast. Till yesterday they were fighting like cat and mouse and today all this. Astha admired his innate nature and his understanding to give her space. She just nodded slightly. Her tongue felt heavy and she felt she couldn't utter a single word even if she wanted to.
Shlok bent to kiss her right cheek and then her left. Astha closed her eyes and caught his arms. He held her waist as if to reassure her of his presence. "You look beautiful when you blush." The back of his hand lightly grazed her cheeks, and his husky voice sent tingling warmth up her spine. Astha blushed even harder and moved away to get ready for her shower. For the first time she knew what it was to be a woman in front of her man. With a shy smile, she went into the shower and closed the door with a firm click.
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