Ashlok FF: Bedaag Dil Updated pg 15 - Page 2

Beautiful...so Ashlok are separated and have a daughter Ridha lovely name

Scene 2:

It was tea time. Aastha's mom was working in the kitchen preparing noodles.

Khana.. khana...khana...khana..' chorused the entire Kirloskar family

aa rahi hun baba...ithna shor kiyun macha rahe ho' yelled back Kalindi

aap bhi na bachon kay saath bachay ban jathay hain' complained kalindi to her husband

bhai agar , meri betiyon ko bhukh lag rahi hai tho .. mujhe bhi tho kuch madad kerni padegi na' he said hugging Ridha

Ridha stuck her thumb out to tease her grandmother.

Astha started feeding Ridha.

Astha aaj thumhai school le ker jana hai na' asked Kalindi

han aayi'

acha sun voh birthcertificate main..' she started

aai kuch aur baat kerna hai tho kijiye. Jo bhi paperwork lena tha main sabh kuch rakh diya hai. interrupted Aastha shortly

lekin beta..

aai please' said Aastha clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.

Kalinda looked at her husband helplessly. He assured her through her eyes that things will get better. She did not convinced perhaps she knew that things might not ever get better for her daugter.

mama kya school hai aaj' asked Ridha.

han beta. So chalo tayyar ho jao' said aastha gently picking ridha from the dining chair and helping her stand

mama ..papa bhi aayengay?' she asked innocently

nahi. voh busy hain' replied aastha coldly

Ridha looked saddened by this.

agar thum school main achay bachon ki tarah behave karogi tho...' said aastha smiling

tho?' asked ridha immediately

Ice ...' Said aastha

cleaemmm' shouted back Ridha. She then ran to her room.

Aastha looked at her sadly but then dared not to look back. She knew what she had to face every moment ridha asked about her father and right now she had other things to worry about.

It was 2:30 PM. Aastha was glad that she wasn't the only one who looked nervous. She could see the school principal addressing the audience. Explaining to them the various advantages of enrolling the children in their school. Aastha was more concerned about how Ridha would adjust to the new environment. She was glad to see Ridha play with other kids in the special room that was allotted to the children while the presentation was going on.

After an hour, the pricipal called out Aastha and Ridha to join her in her office.

Please sit down' she directed Aastha to the chair.

I have seen the application and while you were with us, our school advisory board was noticing how your child coped with the other students. WE feel that Ridha will be a wonderful addition to our school. We usually take on students who not only are bright but are also good with their peers' she said

Thanks Ma'am' said Aastha with a sigh of relief.

But I think there is one simple problem. Perhaps there was a mistake...er... she hesitated

the brith certificate mentions no name of the father...'she said

There was silence. The principal waited for an answer but was welcomed with the sounds of the leaves that cheerfully jumped at the nearby window.

aastha...'started the principal

I am sorry ma'am. But is there no way around it' she asked

The principal looked confused.

I am sorry Aastha but, I don't mean to pry...or make you uncomfortable but we do need this' continued the principal in a low voice.

Aastha cursed herself under her breath. Wasn't it enough that her self respect was crushed mercilessly ? That she had to endure humiliation every other day?

Sorry ma'am. But I do not think it is important to know the name of the father. My child's surname is Kirloskar. Her mother's name is Aastha Kirloskar and that in my opinion should be enough reason to provide education. Specially to someone, who according to you , a few minutes ago , is extraordinary' said Aastha confidently

I understand Aastha. But rules are rules' she continued

Sorry ma'am, then I do not think my child belongs in such a school, which gives more importance to a person's background than her ability' said Aastha angrily. She immediately got off the chair to leave when suddenly she heard a harsh voice that made the hair on her skin stand up.

Ridha Agnihotri!'

"Sorry aap kon' asked the principal looking at the door.

Aastha turned around and her heart almost jumped to her mouth. The thought that was making her wanting to spill her guts, the feeling that made her sick to the stomach, the reason behind her humiliation, the cause behind her desperation was standing in front of her!

Shlokh moved slowly towards the principal's desk. He made no eye contact with the person standing besides him.

I am Shlokh. Shlokh Agnihotri' He said in a harsh voice

Ridha's Father'

The principal glared at him for a moment and touched her glasses.

Here are the legal papers and the original birth certificate of Ridha , that will show me as her father' said shlokh handing a file to the principal.

Aastha who was just breathing hard glared at the file with shock.

Ms.. Aastha..' said the principal , not knowing to address the woman in front of her.

Mrs. corrected Shlokh.

"Mrs. Aastha Agnihotri' he repeated.

oh. Well ... said the principal dumbfounded

Then after few minutes she continued

Dekhiye humara school is one of the best schools in this area. Because we tend to concentrate on one thing and one thing alone and that is the welfare of the child at hand. So no matter what your personal problems are I request you both, to think about the one person who is going to be effected by all this and that is Ridha.'

Mrs. Aastha. We will be glad to have Ridha in our school. All the other school related materials and documents, please pick them up at the front desk' The principal said.

She then removed her glasses and put them on the table.

aap please meri baat per ghaur zaroor kijiyega' she said looking sternly at Aastha and Sholk who were avoiding all possible interactions

Aastha gave her a weary smile and left the room immediately not wanting to breathe the same air as the man besides her.

As she walked down the corridor she could feel his presence behind her back. It was no way that she would allow him to be anywhere near her daughter. But what other choice did she have now?

She turned right at the end of the hall and sprinted across short hallway towards the room at the very end.

Precap:

Shlokh holding Aastha by her waist and pressing his chest hard against her in an empty classroom. He started moving closer towards her and bent his head in a tilted position ...slowly approaching her lips.

Aastha almost out of breath and trying her best to push him away

When suddenly

Papa!' came Ridha's voice.