Saturday literally went about with both of them lazing around the mansion. Astha read some books, cooked while she listened to music, and generally relaxed while Shlok worked a little bit and spent most of the time with her.
He was content to be in the mansion with her, doing nothing. They watched a movie after lunch, with some ice cream. Astha and Shlok fed each other the ice cream and by the end of the movie Astha fell asleep. Shlok smiled at the cute picture she made. He lifted her effortlessly in his arms, and took her to his room.
Shlok worked while she slept like a baby. It was dusk when Astha got up. She was slightly disoriented and then she got up, already searching for Shlok. She found him no where in the house and finally went to the basement, where she heard some sound.
Astha saw Shlok working out with his trainer. Not wanting to disturb them, she quietly crept back to the house. Astha had tea in leisure and called her friends one by one. They made some plans to go out that evening. Astha was more than happy to go out, but she didn't know how Shlok would react. She wanted to have some girl time, and she intended to do just that.
When Shlok finally came up, his arms and hair were damp with sweat, Astha was almost ready to go out. He frowned seeing her get ready. "Where are you off to? Did I forget something?" He was racking his brains to remember if they had any plans for the evening.
Astha hesitantly began. "Shlok..I, my friends called me. You know it's been a while since I met them." She stopped hoping he'd get the hint. Shlok frowned and continued to look at her. When he didn't say anything, she continued. "They have made some plans for the evening. I may be late. Can I stay overnight with the girl gang and get back tomorrow morning?"
As expected he wasn't pleased with her plans at all. "Astha, why should you stay overnight? I will pick you up. You let me know when and where." He was trying to hold on to his temper and reach a compromise. But Astha wanted all of it. She was dying to spend some time with her gang. She was already missing them too much.
"No; we will have fun in Preethi's house. Please Shlok." Shlok was torn between stopping her and letting her go. He was also concerned about her safety. Shlok thought about the last outing the girls had made to the pub. And he saw red.
"Where are you guys going? And who are all joining?" He spoke in a measured tone, though it was evident he was holding himself back with great difficulty. Astha snapped back at him in response. She didn't like his tone one bit.
"What is this? Some Spanish inquisition? We are all grown up people Shlok and we definitely know how to take care of ourselves." She didn't like him stifling her one bit.
"Yes, it was very much evident how grown up you all were the last time you girls went to the pub. And you, you were dancing with some fu**er in a dress that was barely there." Shlok caught her arms and hissed into her face.
Astha gasped at that memory. A furious blush filled her face. "For Godssake that was a joke." She almost whined.
"If it was, I didn't find it funny. You're mine. I'll kill anyone who dares to even look at you." Astha realized that he was quite serious. She stood still and waited for him to be calm.
"Shlok, we four have been friends for years now. And we are responsible. You can't stifle me like this. I do have a life other than you." Shlok sighed and dropped his hands from her petite body.
"Alright. But stay safe and my security guys will be around. Don't bother arguing." He kissed her hard on her lips before she could respond. "And come back soon. My bed will be cold tonight." His tone instantly turned husky and his eyes darkened instantaneously. Astha blushed at his words and left quickly before she gave in to the ever prevalent desire.
The four friends met at the usual coffee shop. They chatted and laughed, hugging each other. Each of them had missed the other. All of them were full of information. One of her friends was getting married, while another was already getting placed. Preethi was going to join her family business. And Astha, Astha was still with the magazine, unsure of her future.
For a moment Astha felt a pang at how her life had shaped up. She shook out of those thoughts and concentrated on her friends. They all got up after hours of lounging around and proceeded to go to Preethi's flat. A night out was the perfect ending to the wonderful Saturday evening they'd had.
Astha went out last, when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. The others were already going down, when Astha turned around at the intrusion. She was shocked to find Mrs Kulkarni standing next to her.
"Hello, you are Astha isn't it? I am sure you know me by now. I am Mrs Kulkarni." She extended a slim hand forward. Astha had no choice but to take the hand. Astha nodded slightly at the older woman, but didn't say anything. She was deeply uncomfortable at the other woman's presence.
"So how is it going with you and Shlok now?" She sounded casual, though Astha felt something prick her at that question.
"Good." Astha didn't elaborate, she didn't feel the need to.
"Good to know. Next time don't leave him Astha. He has already been hurt enough in his life. You must know by now he surrounds himself with negative emotions. He was quite crestfallen when you left him. I've never seen him like that. Never hurt him again. You'll have me to answer next time." Mrs Kulkarni's eyes were cold slits though her face looked pleasant enough.
Astha almost gasped out loud at that invasion. She simply ignored that woman and went down. Astha's heart was pounding. Hurt and anger crept up in equal measure. So he had gone running to that woman when she had left him. How could he? It was the ultimate betrayal.
Ironically, Shlok chose that very moment to message her in her BB.
Is everything okay? Where are you now?
Going to Preethi's flat. Astha was almost curt. She had got in to Preethi's car; the others were chattering. Thank god it was dark in the car, and none of them could see her devastated expression.
I hope you ate something Astha.
I did.
What happened? Why are you not responding properly?
Why? If I don't respond properly will you go running back to your Mrs Kulkarni and hide behind her skirt? By now Astha's temper flared completely. She felt like a fool in front of that bitch and she never wanted to go through that ever again.
W*F! What's wrong with you? For the last time she is not my Mrs anything and I don't run to her.
Wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with me. Your lover chose to lecture me about what will happen if I hurt you one more time. She had the audacity to speak to me as if I was nothing and she was your guardian angel.
What? When?
Just now.
I don't know what to say.
At the moment, that could be your saving grace. Just don't say anything.
Am sorry. I'll handle her. She won't bother you anymore.
Astha didn't reply. She was determined to put all this shit out of her head at least for a few hours. But Shlok messaged her again in a few minutes.
Astha, please communicate with me. Please. I am so lost when you're angry. I can feel your anger even through the distance.
By then they had reached home. Astha had completely lost the mood to party or even speak. she excused herself saying she had a splitting headache and went in. Shlok message her again. Astha, you there? Please speak to me. Can I call?
Don't; am so mad at you right now. Just get lost. She switched her blackberry off and lay down on the bed. The tears then came, slowly at first, and then steadily. She cried for the sort of relationship she wanted but didn't have. Shlok didn't even say he loved her once. He had thrown few words about engagement and fiance at her face. And like a pitiable fool she had crawled back to him.
Preethi came into the room after a while. The other two had gone off to bed in the second room. Preethi knew something was wrong the minute she entered the room. "What happened and why the hell are you crying? Don't tell me it's that bas***d again."
Astha nodded mutely and brushed away her tears. Just then the doorbell rang. Preethi got up with a frown and went to open the door. She found Shlok Agnihotri standing by the door.
"Now why have you followed her all the way here? Don't you realize she's upset? Ever since she got into the wretched relationship with you, all that she's been doing is crying and getting back to normal." Astha heard Preethi speak in a menacing tone. She was too weary and tired to bother with it.
The door clicked shut and she felt the mattress under the weight of Preethi sitting on it. Astha just brushed away the tears when she felt another hand do it for her. A strong, male hand. Astha turned back and the familiar scent hit her nostrils.
"Shlok?" Her voice was a little hoarse from all the crying.
"What the hell Astha! Why can't you reply dammit? I was waiting for you to reply something, anything. You gotto communicate with me. Honesty is very important to me Astha. Don't ever bottle up your feelings like this." Shlok sounded frantic, anxious, almost worried.
Astha sat up on the bed, and switched on the bedside lamp. A faint light illuminated the room. Shlok was taken aback by her tear blotched, red nosed face. "Just how long have you been crying?" His voice was shaken and his eyes became hooded, hiding his pain.
Astha's mouth trembled yet again. She didn't answer him. "Please Astha. Don't do this to us. I swear I will set things right." He was trying to get her to say something. Astha finally spoke, but it wasn't what he expected.
"Just who is this Mrs Kulkarni? And what does she mean to you? You asked me to be honest and I demand the same honesty."
"How does it matter now? It's all over." Shlok retreated back immediately as soon as she questioned.
"Obviously it's not. At least not for her. Why would she threaten me if it was over? And more importantly why did you run to her the minute you had a problem?" Astha sounded more like herself, confident yet angry.
Shlok sighed and looked down for a moment. He spoke, not looking at Astha. "She was my first lover. Sonia was our neighbour and a family friend. She was widowed and wealthy. I couldn't bare to be touched and was a mass of raging hormones." He cleared his throat slightly and continued.
"It was Sonia who channelized my inner demons in a positive manner. I guess I owe her that much. And when we were completely broke, Sonia helped me with some initial funds. She had that much of trust in me that I could repay her and come up. Both of which I did." He shrugged and looked up with an uncomfortable expression.
Astha tried to digest all this information. She felt sick knowing they both shared a deep connection. Yet nothing was between them now. She needed to trust Shlok; had to give him that much. He had after all come all the way to see her in the middle of the night.
"How old were you then?" Astha almost whispered, knowing instinctively she wasn't going to like the answer.
"Seventeen." A dull flush rose over Shlok's cheekbones. He was clearly embarrassed, yet he wanted to sort this out once for all.
Astha literally felt like throwing up. That bloody bitch was also a pedophile, using a young man's innocence to her advantage. At that moment Astha felt like killing that old crow with her bare hands. Controlling her temper, she looked at Shlok mutely.
"I don't like rehashing my past. But I wanted to sort this out once for all. She's not anything in my life right now other than a friend and a business partner. And she won't interfere with you. Ever again." He spoke convincingly.
"It's late. You leave." Astha didn't want to rake this up with him again and again. She was tired of everything.
"Come. I'm not leaving without you." He got up and extended his hand. That determined look was back in his face.
"But..."
"Come." He almost lifted her and dragged her out. Preethi was waiting with an exasperated look.
"What now?" She asked Astha though she didn't forget to give a hostile look towards Shlok.
"I'll leave now. Am sorry to ruin your sleep Preethi." Astha bit her lip, not knowing what else to say. "I'll make it up to you. Just inform them too." Preethi hugged Astha briefly.
"Don't apologize. Just sort yourself first Astha. That's all that matters." Astha was grateful for her friend's understanding. She hugged her one last time and went with Shlok in his BMW.
Soon they reached his beautiful mansion, and within no time Astha was fast asleep in the arms of Shlok Agnihotri.
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