Posted:
Part 24
Part 25
Astha came home to find Anjali having her lunch. Her father in law had already left for work. Anjali saw her coming and as usual attacked her. "Where did you go? That too without informing me. Didn't your Ayi teach you any sanskar?"
Astha waited patiently for her to finish. She simply drew a chair and took out a new plate to have her lunch. Anjali was enraged at Astha's behavior. "How dare you just eat when I am talking to you? Have you no respect? No manners? Is this what you were taught at home?"
Astha stopped her ranting with a stare. "One more word against my parents, and I won't be responsible for my actions. I went to meet my husband to give his lunch. I don't need anyone's permission to do it. And I am hungry so I am having food. Food that I prepared out of my efforts from the money my husband is earning. Nobody should have a problem with this." She got up with her plate and went into the kitchen to have her food in peace.
Anjali was angered and shamed. She never expected Astha to retaliate back like this. She had always thought Astha was pliable but Anjali had never imagined a bold woman behind that small demeanor. She was at her wits end on how she would set things right. Sahib was also getting angrier day by day by all that was happening in this house. She didn't know how long she could stand the torture.
Astha covertly watched the expressions change in her mother in law's face from the kitchen. She knew she was going in the right direction. To crack open her in laws' mask she had to break a few rules and she was gladly going to do it.
An hour later Astha heard the door bell ring. Her mother in law had retired for her nap. She opened the door to find a huge bouquet of red roses. "Madam this is for Astha."
"I am Astha."
The delivery man gave it to her and left. She admired the red roses and saw a small letter attached in the flowers. "My dear Astha, thank you for taking efforts to bring me lunch. Congratulations on your wonderful presentation. It will be a delight to work with you. These roses are for the red rose of my life. My beautiful wife, my Astha! Love, Shlok.
Astha was almost in tears seeing this gesture from her husband. She immediately called him from her mobile. "Shlok..thank you. Thank you so much." Astha almost choked on the last word.
Shlok was thrilled he had made his wife happy. "Astha. It is just flowers and this is just the beginning. I want to give you so much more." His voice was so sincere and loving. At that moment she thanked all the Gods in the world that she had got married to such a wonderful human being.
"Shlok, I love you." She couldn't contain it anymore and her love broke out like water breaking out of a dam.
Shlok felt so many sensations on hearing her love. He felt alive after so many months. Something in his heart just melted at hearing her words. And all that he had done was send her some flowers. Her reaction just floored him completely.
"Astha, this is really not done."
"What happened?" She sounded worried. Had she been too hasty?
"You tell me this when I am 15 kms away from you? Do you know what I want to do?" His voice had a sexy undertone.
Astha blushed at his suggestive manner. "Woh..Shlok..." She started haltingly.
"Had I been there right now I would take you in my arms, kissed you till you forgot your own name, and taken you then and there. In every which way possible." He was turned on by his own words while she just gasped out aloud at his words.
"Shlok. I need to go. Bye." Astha quickly cut the call before her mother in law caught her over the phone talking sweet nothings. Shlok smirked and ended the call. He wanted to give one more surprise to his wife. She richly deserved more.
He sent her a message saying Be ready by 4 30. I am coming to pick you up. Wear something casual. Astha immediately replied back Where? He didn't text after that. Astha just shook her head in exasperation and anyways got ready. Knowing her husband, she was ready on time. And as expected he too came on time.
He led to her to the car quickly and asked her to buckle in. "Where are we going Shlok?"
"You will see." He was irritatingly mum even when she probed him repeatedly. Finally they reached a coffee lounge. Astha was surprised. "Are we here to have coffee?"
"No we are here to meet someone."
"Who?"
"Me." said a female voice from behind. Astha immediately turned and saw her best friend Gauri standng. Both the girls shrieked and hugged tightly. "Shlok, you never told me. Very bad." Astha was chiding him with a huge grin on her face.
Shlok just grinned back. "Okay girls you both have fun. I need to go out and meet a client. Will pick you up on the way back Astha."
Both of them nodded enthusiastically and they began chattering immediately. They spoke and had a leisure coffee. Astha told Gauri everything that happened and her love for Shlok. Gauri was relieved hearing the positive changes. Gauri too updated the status about her masters and the colleges she had applied to. Astha asked Gauri to apply in the Agnihotri University too.
The sun began setting and it was already 6 30. Astha received Shlok's call. She got up and gave a final hug to Gauri. "We will catch up soon." She said.
Gauri too said yes and they went their separate ways. Shlok was waiting in the car by the entrance and Astha ran and got into the car. She put on the seat belt and turned to him with a huge smile on her face. "Thank you...thank you so much. Am really happy after so many days."
"Acha? You're only happy with Gauri and not with me?" He raised his eyebrows and a smile was twitching at the corner of his mouth. Astha just shook her head and kept her head on his shoulder. They had almost reached home when Shlok said. "Astha I have booked the tickets for tomorrow evening."
"Where?" She looked up at him.
"Mumbai."
"Oh"
"Yes I have a business meeting too. And I wanted to get away from here with you. So we are going to combine both."
"Okay." She smiled at him with a twinkle in her eyes.
"And tomorrow uncle is getting discharged. Bhai will help them out though I may go with Baba to their home to see him."
"Shall I come too?"
"Yes." The car halted smoothly and both of them went in hand in hand.
50