Short Story: Innocent Love...Part-1 to Part-6 - Page 59

Days were passing like this...they were getting older now...but their friendship was not just same but was increasing day by day...

They had turned 13 by then

When it was a New Year party at Akanksha's home, Shlok and Astha's classmate in school. Astha wanted to go there but Avdhoot was not sure about sending her alone at night, so he allowed her to go only if Shlok will be there to take care of her. Shlok was not very much interested but finally agreed just for Astha, Astha was quite happy. Avdhoot had sent driver at Shlok's home, when Shlok came, he was surprised to see Astha. She was wearing a beautiful short dress and was looking beautiful...for once shlok's eyes were stuck at her as if he didn't want to see anything else in world except Astha...

Astha waved her hand in front of him smiling... he came out of trance..

Where? She smiled...

Nothing, let's go...but suddenly his expressions had changed from smile to a bit anger...he didn't say anything in front of Avdhoot and Kalindi but as they entered the car, he shouted angrily on Astha, "Could not you get any decent dress?"

I am noticing these days, you comment a lot on my dressing style, what's wrong with you and in this dress? Astha spoke with anger

Because now you are not kid...he shouted actually he was getting possessive for her day by day...

Ya,...I Know that I am not kid and if I will not wear such dresses now, then will I wear them at the age of nineties? What's your problem Shlok? Astha too shouted at him...

My problem? My problem is I don't want anyone to see you like this, got it? He spoke angrily

Astha was shocked on listening his answer but she was too angry to understand his feelings. After that Shlok didn't spoke to her even when they reached the party.

There Astha got busy with her friends and she called Shlok for dancing, but he didn't agree. Astha went on dance floor with her friends and she was quite happy, she really loved dancing and was a very good dancer.

Suddenly Shlok saw their class mate Rohit dancing with Astha.

Rohit used to flirt with Astha, Shlok had warned Astha many times to be away from Rohit. Shlok was sitting on the chair but did not go for dancing. But he saw Rohit opening hook of the dress of Astha just above the zip of the dress and coming back from dance floor. Rohit came to his friends, showed them, Zip of Astha's dress had started opening with her dance moves and they all were enjoying and whistling..

Seeing Shlok was shocked...he immediately ran to Astha in anger, held her hand and dragged her from dance floor to a lonely place.

Turn...he spoke angrily.

But why? Astha saw his anger...

Don't you understand what I said? He held Astha's hand and revolved her in opposite side, zipped her dress, put the hook on place ..., that's why I say if you can't carry such dresses why do you wear, and how many times, I have told you many times to be away from Rohit.

It was early in the morning, Astha reached at Shlok's home.

Anjali and Niranjan were having breakfast.

Astha, how was the party last night? Come have Breakfast...Anjali smiled at her

It was nice chachi, where is Shlok? She spoke worriedly...

He is sleeping yet...

Ok, see you...saying she went to his room, he was awaken but still in bed...he was completely in sad mood...

Shlok please I am sorry, it will not happen again I promise, I will take care in future, please forgive me...she pleaded...I promise I will be away not only from Rohit but from all other boys...i will be just with you always... she held her ears crying...

Shlok could not see her praying like this...he just stood up and pulled her for hug making her fine...

and that day perhaps their hug was more than a friend's hug'' It broke only when Anjali came to call them both for breakfast as Kalindi had told her that Astha had not her breakfast since morning. But something was there which went wrong with Anjali

Anjali entered the room, when Shlok and Astha were in beautiful out of the world hug, she felt a little weird, but she asked them softly to come for breakfast. Astha went along with her while Shlok joined them after ten minutes.

Shlok, we are going for shopping today... Astha spoke eating her food...

But why? Shlok asked and how many times I have told you not to speak while eating...

It's your birthday next week and I need to shop...she smiled finishing her food...

Oh ya, it's my birthday but you need no reason for shopping...

Varad bhai is also coming with us...now come on...i have a lot stuff to purchase, saying she pulled Shlok with him while Niranjan had called driver to take them for shopping. After they left,

Anjali spoke worriedly to Niranjan.. We need to talk regarding these two.

What happened? Looking much stressed?

Anjali didn't reply and just called Kalindi and asked them to see for tea as it was Sunday and all were free.

Anjali spoke to Kalindi in kitchen... Kalindi, we need to talk about Shlok and Astha. These days their relation is taking new directions. They have started hiding things from us and getting more possessive for each other.

Ya , I too noticed same, last night I don't know what happened between the two but when Astha came , she was quite upset ,even today she got up and came here...Kalindi too spoke worriedly..

What do you mean? Niranjan asked...

I mean, at this age our children may instigate from their path, agree we don't have objection on their relation but this is not the right age... They are adolescent yet, if...something went wrong? You know what I mean...

Avdhoot was also looking tensed on listening this.

I have a solution, one of them should be sent to hostel for some time, till they get elder and understand what's right for them... Avdhoot spoke...

After a lot discussions, the same was decided.

Niranjan spoke... so, It is final, Shlok will be sent to hostel after this session is over, I will try my best to send him to abroad for few years.

But... Avdhoot spoke...will they agree?

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Few days passed like this, when their session was about to over but Kalindi and Anjali had become a bit conscious for them these days...but they had not told anything to them about their plan to send Shlok to abroad...

One day when Astha and Shlok were sitting in Shlok's room...Niranjan came to Shlok...

Shlok...I have some good news for you...

Yes Dad... Shlok smiled leaving his comic...

I had applied for your admission at US and you have been selected there for further studies as per your previous results... Niranjan smiled...
What? Astha was shocked and tears started flooding form her eyes...

No dad...you didn't ask me even... Shlok too denied...i can't go away from here...

But beta, this is for your future...Niranjan tried to convince him...

No means no...I can't ..How will I stay away from you, mom, bhai and... Astha? He spoke crying and ran away from there... Astha too tried to follow him but Niranjan knew, how he can convince him...

Astha beta... He called her...

No chachu, he can't go...

But beta, at least listen to me...Niranjan spoke while Anjali too had come there...

Astha..you need your best friend to rise in life na? to be successful in future na? Anjali caressed her face...

Of course...she spoke wiping her tears...but he can study here too, I promise I will help him in studies...

But this is golden opportunity for him...please convince him.. Anjali spoke with tears...

But chachi, how will we stay apart...no...I can't live without him...Astha said no...

But Astha beta, here is mobiles, internet, You may chat daily, talk for whole day and moreover he will be coming here every six months na...Anjali spoke him...

No... She denied again...

As you wish, Niranjan spoke... If you don't agree, how can I break my angel's heart..Niranjan caressed her face..but it was for his future only...

Listening Astha ran from there to her home... Anjali had told kalindi everything... and asked her not to ask anything to Astha about this...let her decide herself...

Whole day and night passed like this, neither Astha had anything nor did she come out of her room...

Next day in the morning...

She went to Agnihotri mention to shlok's room...

HE too was quite upset..

As he saw Astha coming with determination, he sat on the bed and spoke... Astha, your face is telling me, mom dad has convinced you to make me go...but I am not going anywhere leaving you...saying he turned his face away...

Shlok, listen to me carefully... he spoke sitting near him on bed...please...

No means no...how will I stay away from you there alone? Shlok spoke...

But we will be chatting on net, talking on mobile, moreover chachi promised you will be coming here evry six months na?

Six months means 185 days...and I can't stay a single day away from you...got it? he tried to get up from bed to go away but Astha pulled him near her and make him sit... Shloku, I want you to go...she spoke with tears in her eyes...that's all...no more discussions...

Who are you to decide for me? Shlok spoke angrily...

Ok , if it's so...decide...stay here and forget my friendship or go to US...saying she left the room, she knew, it was impossible for her to control her tears, her pain anymore...

One hour passed like this, Shlok was too upset but he went downstairs...

Mom, Astha?

She had left crying...did you again scolded her? Anjali asked...io mom but where? Saying he dialed kalindi's number...chachi Astha came?

No, she had been to your place...kalindi too replied...

Listening completely Shlok cut the call and ran towards their puppy house...it had now converted from small puppy house to a big indoor game room, where Shlok and Astha used to play badminton, table tennis and have parties with their friends...

Astha...Shlok shouted reaching there... Where Astha was crying sitting in a corner...

Few days passed like this... Shlok's final shopping and packing had started but whenever the both sat together, their happiness, enjoyment had vanished... Always in tears... Their Parents could not see their tears...but they knew, it was best for them... they belong to each other forever but this is not the right age yet...

It was a fine day when Niranjan came with tickets...Shlok...these are tickets...we have to leave...

Shlok checked tickets and tear rolled over his cheek...Astha tried to take ticket form him...but he folded it...

Kab jana hai? She asked with broken voice...

To...Niranjan was about to speak...

Day after Tomorrow... Suddenly Shlok spoke...

Niranjan looked in shock at him...bt he nodded in no...

Next day for the whole day Astha was with Shlok packing his bags trying to smile...

It was almost night when Shlok spoke to Astha... Astha it's getting late, I think you should go now...

Hum...Astha too checked the time...ok, will see you tomorrow...

Humm...said Shlok looking at her...

Next day early in the morning... Astha came there calling for Shlok and opened the door of the room...

Shlok... Shlok...she knocked...but no reply...

Shlok... She looked here and there when Varad came there...

Astha...Varad held her shoulder...

Bhai , Shlok khan hai? She asked...

He...he has left...Varad spoke with difficulty...

Left means? She asked...

Actually Astha, his flight was...last night...so he left with dad...

But he told me its today...Astha was shocked...he told me such a big lie...

Ya, he couldn't see you crying. He didn't want to see you while going, he knew, he will not be able to go after seeing you sad...he will call you after reaching there..

Listening Atsha wiped her tears...no bhai, I will not cry for him...he is such a big liar...cheater...maine use kha tha never tell me a lie, or I will never see his face...saying she ran away from there...