Astha and Shlok FF - Rose Tinted Glasses

This is my first story. It is about the love story of Shlok and Aastha, but I also want to focus on the story of Sojal and Varad. I have started with Sojal and Varad. Aastha's plot will come after a few posts. I hope you like it.

Chapter-1

Sojal has always liked the good things in life. Exquisite jewellery, exotic destinations, fine dining and good looking men. However, she could not get hold of everything she desired before her wedding. She has always waited for handsome prince to sweep her off her feet and they would finally live happily ever after in his palace.

Varad fit the bill perfectly. He was gorgeous, intelligent and came from an aristocratic family. She was on the top of the world when Niranjan Agnihotri informed her Ayi about sending a proposal to her place. How could she not get excited? After all, being Varad's wife sounded better than anything at that moment.

Sojal clearly remembers the day when Varad's family came to see her for the first time. She got up early, and took a shower. She did not forget to use her favourite face mask of dried rose petals and chandan. She wanted to look her best, as Varad was also coming. She took a long time to bathe; then she took longer to blowdry her hair. She chose to wear a chiffon saree in pink (her favourite colour). Her blouse was beautiful; it had sleeves of rose-patterned-lace and small pearls thrown here and there. She didn't put much makeup. She adorned her eyes with a bit of rose hinted light brown eye shadow and lined them with jet black kajal. She wore pink lip stick to complete the look.

Then started her wait for her prince charming. The first person to enter her house was Anjali Aginihotri. She did not look enthusiastic a bit! She was followed by Niranjan Agnihotri who smiled at her family. As her Ayi greeted them and welcomed them to her house, Sojal's eyes were looking for Varad. She sighed. What is he had not come? As she kept on thinking, the centre table in the guest room got filled with sweets and gifts. She can still remember how nicely they were decorated. There were sarees for her in banarasi, kanjeevaram, lace, chiffon and net.

Suddenly, Varad and his sister Jyoti entered her guest room. Then came her turn to meet them all. Before that she saw everyone come to her house from her room, which was atleast fifteen feet away from her main guestroom. She has to peep from behind the curtain to have a glance at everyone. As she kept on waiting, her Ayi called her to meet the guests. Sojal was quite nervous, but she didn't want to show it. She slowly walked into the room and did her namaskar. Niranjan Agnihotri looked pleased and asked her to sit. As she sat she saw Jyoti smiling at her and gave a reassuring look. Sojal felt better. She was still shy about looking at Varad. She kept looking down and all she could make out of Varad was his

As she unsuccessfully tried to look up and catch a glimpse of Varad, Anjali Agnihotri started talking to her.

Anjali, "Sojal, what are studying now?"

Sojal, "I completed my graduation recently. Now I am looking for work"

Anjali, "What did you study?"

Sojal, "I studied biochemistry."

Anjali, "I see. I would like to tell you that we have chosen you as a bride for our son Varad. I am sure you know of it already. We are not here for any other reason. However, I would like to make it clear that you have to at first be daughter-in-law of Agnihotri family. Working outside can come later."

Sojal felt awkward with the last line. She chose not to react, as she did not want her event to be ruined.

All of a sudden, Niranjan Agnihotri asked, "Do you have anything to say Sojal?"

Sojal did not say anything, as she did not know what to say. She just wanted to hear Varad say something.

Chapter-2

Varad was in no mood to stay. It was his event, but Ayi would not let him have his way. He could not even speak to the girl. His dad Niranjan Agnihotri had picked the girl for him. His Ayi had approved of her; at that auspicious date, they were at the girl's house to finalize the wedding dates. It was also their engagement, where Ayi would slip a ring into the girls's finger. Oh yes! The girl was not without a name. It was Sojal. This is what he heard and she studied biochemistry which he heard a minute back sitting in her guest room.

Wow! He was getting married to a random girl because his parents wanted him to do so!! Varad has always wanted to get interested in a girl, then think about tying the knot with her. Here, he was tying the knot with someone who was a complete stranger. Well, there was nothing he could about this. He could not piss off her his Baba and Ayi. They were already annoyed at him for not being as devoted to them as Shlok was. Now what could Varad do if he did not feel like idolizing Baba like Shlok did!

Anyhow, he could only sit there pretty with his family as the deal got sealed. It appeared to be a deal to him, as this marriage would benefit for the parties. Sojal's side would love to be associated with the Agnihotris for their lineage and the Agnihotris have always wanted a doll from a modest family so that Ayi can mold her. Varad did not know if Sojal was the type to be disciplined by Ayi, but he knew it for sure that her world will be filled with restrictions. He had already started to feel uncomfortable at the future of this girl, but he let that ominous feeling pass. If it was not Sojal, then any other girl would have taken the pheras with him. Baba would not let him die a bachelor.

As Varad kept on analyzing his situation, Sojal looked on. She did not say anything even when Niranjan Agnihotri asked her if she has anything to say. Finally, Anjali Agnihotri sat beside Sojal and slipped a diamond ring around her finger. Sojal was numb with shock. Was not Varad supposed to do the honours? Even before she could react, her Ayi hugged Anjali Agnihotri and offered sweets to everyone. This was followed by the fixing of wedding date and Jyoti embracing her. At that moment, Sojal would have done anything to talk to Varad. After all, he just became her fiance.

Sojal kept wondering and finally gained the courage to look at Varad. Her heart skipped a bit. He was breathtaking! He looked so good. Sojal was finally happy. He was tall with sharp features and amazing hair. He wore glasses, which added more to his charm. He even had good taste in clothes. He wore an elegant suit that definitely custom made designer wear. However, he was looking down. He did not try to look at her. This made her feel a bit weird. When will he look at her? She was looking her best then. All of the efforts to look appealing were for him. Maybe he had stolen a few glances before, Sojal wondered.

The time for their departure came. As everyone was about to leaving, Jyoti secretly handed her a card and left. Sojal realized that it was Varad's business card.

Hi Guys...I hope you like this one.

Chapter-3

Sojal kept looking at the card. It felt awkward looking at Varad's name printed in italic letters. He is soon going to be her husband, now he is her fiance. Ten days later she would be his and he would be hers. It was like a sweet pain inside her chest. Finally, she knew who her soul mate is. The only thorn in her road to eternal bliss was her distance from Varad. It was not a physical distance; he was away from her in spirit too. She could feel his indifference.

Varad was very annoyed at Jyoti. Why would she hand over his card to Sojal? He had no intention of calling up the girl. It is true that she is his fiance, but is it by his choice? He didn't even bother to look at her. However, he caught a glimpse of her before leaving her place. She was quite a looker! She was like a pink rose- tender and refreshing. Sigh! Such a beauty would have to get grilled by his Ayi regularly! Anyhow, something inside him whispered about speaking to Sojal. Varad lay on his bed and kept wondering.

Sojal tossed and turned in her bed holding the card in her hand. She was wondering if she should call him. Then she did not entertain the thought as she wanted Varad to make the first move. Will he call her? When will it be? Did not he like a bit? As Sojal kept on thinking, she could hear her cell phone ringing. It was from an unknown number. She picked up.

Sojal, "Hello"

The caller, "Hi...is it Sojal?"

Sojal, "Yes...Sojal speaking. Who is this?"

The caller, "Varad...Varad Agnihotri."

Sojal's heart skipped a beat. Oh my God! Finally he has called.

Varad, " Are you there?"

Sojal, "Yes"

Varad, "How are you doing?"

Sojal, "I am fine. How are you?"

Varad, "I am doing just fine. I hope you are not tired after the function. Am I disturbing you?"

Sojal was amused at his sensitivity, but the last thing she wanted was him hanging up.

Sojal, "No..you are not disturbing any one, and I am ok."

Varad, "OK...I was thinking that we should know each other a bit, now that we are going to get married after ten days. Before that, let me ask you something. Are you ok with the engagement?"

Sojal, "Uh...well, I don't know what to say"

Varad, " Listen, if you have any problem with it, then let me know now."

Sojal, "I don't have any problem. It is just that everything is happening very fast."

Varad, "Yes. Things have speeded up. I don't think I can reschedule anything now, but I will try to make things easier for you."

Sojal, "Thanks"

Suddenly there was a silence. No one was saying anything. Varad was thinking about saying something to make the conversation flow. Sojal was just awe struck. After all, she was speaking to her future husband. Only if he knew how nervous and thrilled she was! As Sojal kept on waiting for Varad to say something, Varad said something very strange.

Varad, " Sojal...you don't know me...I don't know you either...we can work at it...but I don't know how much you will like it at my place"

Sojal was startled to hear these words, but she somehow blurted out, "what do you mean?"

Varad, "My Ayi is strict...Baba is busy with work...Jyoti lives in her house and Shlok lives in Mumbai"

Sojal kept on listening. She still could not make anything out of those lines but she chose to remain silent.

Varad continued, "I am also busy with work. I don't know how much time I can give you. Ayi will be home, so you will have to see her a lot. I am telling you this in advance so you don't get immensely disappointed."

Sojal's heart sank after listening to this. However, she felt that nothing really matters more than being his. She met him a few hours before, but she didn't want to let go of him when she was so close to be with him. There was something about Varad that has attached her to him.

Finally Sojal said, "Uhh...thanks for being honest. I am ok with everything."

It was the moment when Varad was really amused. Why would someone with ok with that? Varad kept the thought to himself and said, "Ok then..Sojal. You should take some rest now. I will talk to you later. Good night."

Sojal was disappointed at the abrupt end of the conversation, but she could not do much. She obliged and said bye. After Varad hung up, Sojal stared at her ceiling and kept wondering how her life will be at the Agnihotri House.