Part 8
Astha went about her work in the house. Her relationship with Shlok was stagnant. Both of them tread on a wary path. They were unwilling to disturb the uneasy truce that had developed between them. It had been a month since Astha came into this house. She tried to follow the rules though she felt trapped and stifled a lot many times.
Astha was however unwilling to go to Shlok for every single thing. She wanted to fight her own battles. Unknown to the other family members Astha started noticing a few things in her house. Whenever Niranjan was around, Anjali became even more aggressive. Yet Anjali's eyes held a strange fear during those moments. They said offence was the best form of defense. Could that be true?
Even Niranjan's behavior confused Astha at times. His soft voice and gentle demeanor held steel beneath. She could not put her finger on the exact feelings, but Astha sensed something dangerous around Niranjan's presence. How did Shlok not see this? Should she go and talk to him? She decided not to, at the moment. Astha needed a little more time to get into this.
Her relationship with Varad was a different matter. He was the one soul who spoke to her with respect and warmth. He felt like the brother she never had. One fine day Astha managed to muster courage to ask Varad bhai about Shlok.
"Why is Shlok like this? What made him turn so cynical? I am sure he wasn't like this always."
Varad was surprised at her sudden question. "Why are you asking me suddenly Astha? Is everything alright between the two of you?" From surprise, his voice took a concerned ring.
Astha immediately assured him that everything was okay. Maybe she was a little too quick to answer that Varad became suspicious. He did not say anything to her. He only said "He has been through a few rough patches Astha. He has always been the baby of the family and took it harder than me. I was more shock proof I guess. "
He shrugged "Unfortunately the family that had to protect him was the very cause of his complete change."
"What happened?" Astha almost whispered. She could sense something deep and foreboding.
"You need to ask Shlok that question Astha. I want him to come and talk to you. He should develop that trust in you. That is the reason I am keeping quiet now. Don't leave him Astha. Whatever the circumstance maybe. He may look hard but he has a very soft heart underneath."
Astha's worry and concern for Shlok increased. She also partly felt guilty. After that dinner a month back Astha did not attempt to talk to him or mend her marriage. She was held up by her ego. But hearing Varad bhai speak she knew she had to do something.
Hearing her sasubhai's footsteps, Astha went in to the kitchen. Varad had a far away look for a few moments. His thoughts were disturbed seeing Anjali. He too went away to carry on with his work.
As usual Shlok came back in the evening. He was a little earlier than usual since he had a headache. Shlok wanted to lie down and get some rest. When he came up he noticed the darkened clouds. The sky suddenly opened and torrential rainfall followed. He went to close the french doors that led to the garden, when he found her. Shlok stopped and stared at the running form.
Astha had gone into the garden to tend to some plants. These days gardening was her only solace. When the rains started, she quickly got up and came back towards the house. Too late, she was completely drenched. She was shivering in cold. The thin, net sari did not help in any way.
Shlok looked at Astha for the first time as a woman. All these days he didn't even acknowledge her presence. She was his wife and he had to keep her out of trouble was all that he had thought of. He never considered her as a woman. A woman who had a beautiful body that was now revealed with the drenched sari sticking to her curvaceous frame.
Astha was oblivious to Shlok. She stopped a few yards away from him, facing the other way. She caught the end of her pallu and squeezed the excess water out. Her long hair was swept to a side, and she took the excess moisture using her hands. Her stunning profile, her beautiful, cascading, long, black hair and her curvy waist were drawing him like a moth to a flame.
When she turned around and saw him, she was rendered speechless for a moment. For the first time, Astha saw longing and desire in her husband's eyes. She had seen anger, irritation, sarcasm, and concern among other things. But never desire. Astha stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. She lowered her eyes in embarrassment at his unblinking stare.
Shlok suddenly realized that he was staring at his wife, and she knew he was staring at her. With a muffled curse, he turned back to the room without a word. His eyes shuttered and the mask was back on his face. For a moment he had forgotten everything, but reality hit him hard. He went back to the uncaring husband that he was.
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 12 years ago
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