Astha was done with cooking dinner. She had completed all her work in the kitchen well in advance. The table was set. The counter was clean. Anjali should not have any problems with her she thought. And even if she did have Astha did not want to go into that. Not after putting in so much of hard work. She decided enough was enough. Astha did not want to be a slave nor did she intend to be an unpaid maid. With that new found confidence, she put aside everything and went upstairs to get ready.
Astha had a long shower and she washed, dried her hair. She brushed until it shone and fell to her waist like a curtain. Astha had chosen a sky blue chiffon sari for the dinner. She wanted to take efforts from her side since Shlok wanted to genuinely get to know her. Astha wrapped the towel over her blouse and the skirt and came out to wear the sari.
To her dismay she found Shlok already back from office. He had searched for Astha downstairs and had just got in to check if Astha was in their room. When he saw her coming out with the towel and her long hair let loose, he was lost for words. She looked like a mermaid with her fresh, translucent skin and her silky hair. He felt as if he had stepped into a dream.
"Shlok...woh, I need to change." Her voice slightly faltered and she quickly grabbed the sari from the bed. The towel was still safely wrapped around her. Her eyes darted away from his and she waited for him to leave. Shlok decided to have some fun; after all he was her husband by all means.
"So?" His voice was innocence personified.
"So leave." She was clearly exasperated.
"And what if I don't?" He started moving forward towards her.
Astha gaped at him. "N.noo..no. Please Shlok. I need to change. We are getting late. You should just step out for a minute. Or we may be delayed." She was babbling with the sari still clutched in her hands.
"This is my room too and I won't go out. All that I can do is turn around." He shrugged his shoulders and smirked.
What nonsense? She thought. Astha did not want to let him win. And you have the audacity to smirk Mr Agnihotri. Let's see. I will not be a coward. She said "Fine. Turn around."
He was surprised but anyways turned around with a slight grin. His smile slowly left his face when he saw Astha in the mirror. She didn't realize he could see her in the mirror. He wanted to just tease her a little bit but it had backfired on him. He was now burning with need and she wasn't even aware of it.
His eyes became hooded with desire and his mouth unconsciously parted a little. How he would love to cancel the date and have it in bed instead. Huh! The blood was coursing through his body and everything below his belt reacted with a vengeance. He quickly went into the washroom to get ready himself. He slammed the washroom door with force much to the confusion of the clueless Astha.
She was relieved when he finally moved away, and went to the dressing to put on light make up. She lined her eyes with black kohl and put on baby pink gloss. Her doe eyes looked even more huge and alluring. Her ripe lips only enticed more. Out came the pretty diamond necklace and earring. She also tied back her hair in a slick ponytail. Her thick hair fell past her waist. Astha wanted to look sophisticated and cool. And she completely achieved it.
Shlok came out after his shower. If he thought she had been pretty before, he was mistaken. She looked prettier and hotter now. The images of her dressing up swam before his eyes. Before he could embarrass himself, he took his dress out for the evening. Astha asked to him to be quick and got out of the room. He followed her five minutes later.
They went to the car in silence. He drove quickly to a very posh Italian restaurant situated on the 40th floor of a skyscraper. The best table was already reserved for them. The ambiance was romantic and they had a beautiful seat overlooking the city lights. Their table was partly secluded, which gave them enough privacy.
Astha was completely taken in with the beauty of the place. She immediately caught Shlok's hand after they sat. "I like it. Very beautiful." Her voice was soft and melodious.
He kept his other hand on top of hers. "Not as beautiful as you." The dark eyes looked into the kohl lined doe eyes. Astha blushed and took her hand away when the waiter came. They ordered white wine and the starter. Shlok obviously knew the chef who insisted they both try the chef special pasta. Astha thoroughly enjoyed the meal. They spoke about their childhood, school times, friends, likes, dislikes, and so many other things.
Shlok had admired her beauty and grace but now he came to like the person beneath even more. She was well read, quick witted, and had a wry humor. Astha too didn't know Shlok was such a wonderful companion. She never knew how time flew. He gently led the conversation and unconsciously tapped so much out of her.
They finally had the dessert, thanked the chef, and left to the car. Suddenly Shlok remembered. "Astha, you wanted to talk to me about something today morning. I am sorry I completely forgot."
"Shlok, woh..it is about Varad bhai and Sojal."
"What about them?"
"Do you know? Sojal likes Varad bhai a lot. She had come home the other day and we both spoke. I know she loves him and she will definitely make him happy."
Shlok was pleasantly shocked. "Really? And you never told me about this."
"As if you spoke to me before this. Only now you're behaving like a human being." She finished with a giggle. He gave a mock sneer and replied "I will speak to bhai."
"No."
"Why?"
"That will only spoil things. And you have zero tact. You will directly go and attack your brother. He is already clear he doesn't want to enter a relationship. We have to do this in an underhand manner."
"What?" His face was comically shocked. "I don't know all this."
"Yeah. I know that you're useless in all this. I will handle it. You just do whatever I say."
"And now you have started ordering me?" He shook his head at his own predicament. He let out a chuckle at this change in her. He was also amazed she had noticed something that he failed to notice all along. Hmm!
They were now driving. "But wait. You told me today morning it is about Ayi and Baba. What's that?"
"Woh..Shlok.." Her voice was hesitant and she was stuttering.
"Tell me. Astha, you know you can tell me anything." He encouraged her.
"Shlok, I notice Ayi getting nervous around Baba. I can't exactly put my fingers on it. But something is wrong between them. I don't think they are having a normal relationship Shlok." She finished in a rush.
Shlok's hand tightened on the wheel "And why do you say this?" His voice was quiet and flat.
"I feel...I feel Baba is doing something behind our backs Shlok."
"What?"
"I think he is threatening Ayi or abusing her or maybe both. I don't know. I sense a fear in her eyes whenever he is around."
The car screeched to a halt. Shlok faced her "Shut up. How dare you speak about my baba like this? Do you even know what you're saying? Don't interfere in things that don't concern you. And most importantly don't comment on people without any proof. I will never forgive you if you bring shame to my Baba. Understood?" He caught her chin roughly and looked into her eyes menacingly.
Astha brows furrowed. His anger was palpable. She winced slightly due to pain. He immediately released her and started the car. The remaining part of the drive was silent. The anger and tension was evident inside the car. After going inside, Shlok simply went up without bothering about her.
Astha's eyes prickled with tears. What a fool she had been to think that he would immediately listen to her. Of course his Baba was more important. She decided she will gather the proof and probe into this. At least for the sake of proving herself.
With that thought, she too went up slowly into her room and closed the door softly behind her.
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
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