CHAPTER 5 THE AGREEMENT
MARVEL PRODUCTIONS OFFICE
RK was sitting on a comfortable chair, leaning back and holding some photos in his hands. While bittuji was giving him the information he gathered about madhu's family.
Bittuji (showing next photo)- chief isse toh aap mil hi chuke hain. She is trishna. She is trying hard to get a break in bollywood. She is madhu's elder sis...
RK (interrupting him between, glaring him)-did you just say madhu...bittuji...is she your relative or friend???
Bittuji (confused)- no chief I don't even know her properly.
RK (again glaring him angrily)-then how could you call her just madhu...madhubala...her name is madhubala...got it.
Bittuji (gulp down hard)- yes chief...got it. (continued showing him other photos n info.) chief this is padmini...madhu's...(corrected himself immediately) I mean madhubala...madhubala ji's mother. She is simple housewife...no ambitions...no dreams...nothing...but she is madhubala ji's support system in the house. (RK nodded and asked him to continue), chief this is roma (showing him next photo) she is their aunt, a junior artist. Highly ambitious...she came here to be heroine but just remained junior artist all throughout her career now she wants to live her dreams through trishna.
RK (thoughfully)-hmm..quite interesting...small happy family..wait a minute...where is madhu's father???
Bittuji (showing the last photo)- he is balraj...madhubala ji's father. He come home very seldomly. Most of his time is spent in either jails or in gambling...he tortures padmini a lot and hates his own daughters. Many times his own daughters have sent him to jail for beating n torturing padmini.
RK (crooked smile on his face)- inki life mein toh pehle se hi ek villain hai...aur ab mein...how you gonna deal with me madhu (again looked at madhu's photo n ran his finger on her face admiring her beauty). Bittuji...call this roma n trishna right now, i want to meet them.
Trishna n roma came all excited and happy to meet RK when they got the call from bittuji.
Roma (tried to start the convo)- RK sir whats the matter...
Bittuji (gestured her to keep quiet)- jab tak RK sir na bole plz jara chup rahiye...RK sir ko pasand nahi ki unse pehle koi bole.
Roma gulped down hard n exchanged a glance with trishna gesturing her also to keep quiet.
RK (who was till now busy in playing PS3 game finally looked at their direction)- ah...sorry to keep you waiting lovely ladies. So miss trishna I wanted to meet you...you know when you left from my office that day...i thought about it n I really felt bad.
Trishna (nervously)- no, its ..its ok sir...
RK (putting up a sad face)- no trishna, its not ok...it was really unfair. It was your audition tape n I selected your sister...you must have been feeling really bad.
Trishna (sadly)- yeah, actually first I felt bad but then I was happy for my sister..at least she got a chance.
RK (fake smile)- oh that so sweet of you...that's what I liked in you...n I have been thinking that you could play second lead in the same film...what say???
Roma (before trishna could speak roma said in excitement)- sir...isme sochna kya hai!!!! Yes she will definitely do your film...its an honour for her...for us.
RK (stood up n congratulated trish)- ok then, I have to go somewhere...bittuji will give you other details n contract papers.
Roma n trishna hugged each other in excitement. While bittuji watched them with a wicked smile on his lips.
Roma (big grin on her face)- bittuji, when shooting will start??
Bittuji (smiling)- roma ji, I should ask you this question.
Roma (confused)- what?? Why??
Bittuji (explaning her)- roma ji...as you know RK sir has selected madhubala ji for main lead and she has not yet agreed to the role infact she tore the contract papers in front of chief...but you know about RK sir's nature...don't you? Once he decides something ...its final. So he will make this film only with madhubala or else the script will go to the dustbin. So its me who should be asking you when madhubala ji will sign the contract so that we can start the shooting.
Trishna (sadly)- but she has already refused to...
Roma (interrupting in between)- don't worry bittuji , we'll convince her...you keep the contract papers ready for both the girls.
With that roma n trish left the place. determination was clearly visible in their eyes. They have to convince madhu at any cost after all now its about their dreams..trish's career. While bittu ji saw them leaving, again wicked smile crept on his lips as he called RK and said-"work is done chief...now madhu...mera matlab madhubala ji will have to sign the contract if she wants to see her sister n that dumb head aunt roma happy"
EVENING, CHAWL
Madhu came home tired from her work. As soon as she entered home she found roma n trish were waiting for her eagerly. She has not even kept her hand bag down n they held her hands and made her sit on the chair and both of them sit either side of the chair on their knees.
Madhu (confused by their behaviour)- whats going on?? Why you both are behaving like this??
Trish (putting wide grin on her face)- hehehe...nothing...you look tired na...thats why we were helping you out...wait I will bring water for you or would you like to have a tea.
Madhu(now more suspicious)- di...stop all this, come to the point. Why you are buttering me so much?
Trish (exchanged a glance with roma who gestured her to carry on)- you...you have to sign RK's film.
Madhu (immediately got up from her chair)- what!!! Di I thought we are done with this topic.
Roma (pulling with a jerk making madhu face her) - no we are not done with this topic, we have just started with it. You know what...RK has offered a role in the same film for trish...but the shooting will only start when you will become his heroine.
Madhu (shocked)- what!!! Di has also been offered a role. (paused for few minutes as if thinking something or trying to find out the reason behind this) I know...I know why he has done that...he is just trying to pressurize me to sign the contract...he has offered a role to you so that you will do emotional blackmail on me.
Trish (pleading)- plz madhu...emotional blackmail or not...its any of his plan to pressurize you or not...the truth is that he has offered a role of second lead in his film to me...n thats a big thing!!! Plz sign the contract...it will be great...two of us will make our debut through RK's film!!!
Madhu (frustrated)- you are not understanding di...he is just...
Trish (imploring)- I don't want to understand anything...plz...first you said it not your dream...but now...our dreams are attached...plz do it for my dreams...for me.
Madhu (feeling irritated)-I don't know anything... plz...I need sometime. (left the place before anyone could say anything)
NIGHT, MARVEL PRODUCTIONS OFFICE
RK was leaning against the table n seeing those contract papers which he got ready again in anticipation that today madhu will come to sign it. But whole day has been passed there was no sign of madhu or trish or even their phone call. He was occasionally giving angry glances to bittu ji n bittu ji was all nervous n wiping off sweat from time to time as he knew RK will burst out like a volcano any second and he will be the one to bear his wrath. And the moment came and his volcano of anger finally erupted.
RK (shouting in rage, slamming a hand on table)- what the hell is this bittu ji??? You said the work is done ..she will come today...but whole day has been passed n she hasn't come yet.
Bittu ji (stammering)- believe me chief...I really thought she will come today...don't know whats wrong...but I will find it out...I will solve the problem...you calm down chief.
Bittu ji somehow managed to convince him to take rest and go home.
AT TEMPLE PREMISES
Madhu was sitting on the stairs, alone. She was hell confused about what trish n roma said. Should she agree to do the film or she should not bow down in front of that maniac RK's wish. She felt frustrated n looked over to the idol of God and said aloud-" this is all because of you...why you always put me in such situation...now what should I do" she turned around when she heard someone's laughter behind her. She found an old man laughing at her words. She looked carefully who was he n recognized that he was the same strange old man (baba) who gave his blessing to them that day.
Madhu (hesitantly)- why are you laughing at my words?
Baba (smiling)- nothing my child...you are same ...just like other people...many people come here daily n they all keep complaining God about their problems...all are fools..why they can't understand just a simple fact that whatever happens is for their betterment...God gives us what we deserve.
Madhu (confused)- you mean...we should accept whatever comes in our way without any fuss even if we don't like it.
Baba (calmly)- yes my child, everything happens according to his wish (pointing towards God's idol) there is nothing much we can do about it...so we should not waste our time in complaining. Remember my child, "jo hota hai achhe ke liye hota hai,zindagi agar hume mauka de toh use khule dil se sweekar karna chahiye"
Madhu (sighs)- may be you are right (she suddenly felt her mind was at peace... confusions, reservations were still there but they are not affecting her now as she has finally took her decision...at least for trishna's sake she can do this much)
Madhu turned around to thank baba for guiding her but no one was there, he had already left. She also went to her home smiling all the way imagining the reaction of trish n roma when she will tell them that she will do the movie.
MARVEL PRODUCTIONS OFFICE
Madhu entered there with trishna n roma. They all were greeted by bittu ji n he took them to sign the contract. He only gave trishna's contract n she happily signed it.
Trish (hesitantly)- bittu ji...I have signed my contract but where is madhu's contract??? I thought you will give her contract first.
Bittuji (smiling)- trishna ji...actually chief wants to meet her personally n make sure she signs the agreement in front of him. (addressing madhu) so madhubala ji if you don't mind...plz come chief is waiting for you. And yes...chief only wants to meet her...so plz trishna ji n roma ji you have to wait here till then she returns.
Madhu became a little nervous when bittu ji asked him to come alone. She looked at trish n roma who gestured her to do as bittuji said n encouraged her to go. She smiled at them n went with bittu ji in RK's cabin.
RK was sitting on the chair with his back towards madhu n bittu ji. As soon as they entered, RK welcomed madhu, turned around and smirked at madhu giving her a "I knew you will come" look which immediately pissed off madhu, returning the anger on her face. RK gestured bittu ji to leave them alone.
Madhu(mixed expression of confusion n anger)- how come you were so confident that I will agree.
RK (stood up from the chair n came close to her)- RK knows the special persons in his life inside out(came closer n said almost whispering in her ear) and you are very special to me.
Madhu (felt goosebumps by his closeness so distanced herself n pretended that she is not at all affected)- huh!!! Whatever...i only agreed because of my di...otherwise I still not have any interest in your film...i am telling you in advance...I don't know anything about acting n all...you can re think if you want.
RK (smirked again)- don't worry honey...I will take care of that.
Madhu (angrily)- plz call me by my name.
RK (smiling)- chill...I took your name only...in English...as in ..madhu means honey right (winked at her)
Madhu (irritated)- no, my name is madhubala...not madhu...so keep it in mind next time.
RK (laughing)- ok ok...honey...oops...I mean madhu'bala...this is your agreement (giving her the agreement) plz read n sign it.
Madhu (started reading it but got bore only by reading one page and its legal jargon was going above her head)- oh God!!! Who will read all of this...fine can I have pen...i will sign it.
RK (offered her a pen but hold it back)- think again...its not a joke...you are signing a legal contract. Wise men say, "read before you sign anything"
Madhu (suspicious for a moment as to why he said those words but shrugged this thought when looked at the lengthy agreement and thought trish has also signed it without reading)- reading or not reading...its the same thing...its jargon is going above my head ...can you brief me on the important points.
RK (smiling)- ya, sure...Its RK's pleasure to help you. Its says that you will be playing lead actress in my film n you will not break this agreement later otherwise I have a legal right to sue you...thats it. (handed over a pen to her)
Madhu took the pen without looking at him n thereby missing the wicked smile on his face and signed the papers n handed over it to him.
RK (wide grin on his face)- finally!!! (sighs) so honey...I mean madhu'bala...welcome to the film industry. We will meet tomorrow at sharp 11.30 am at the studio to discuss about the film and your look...now you can go ...or if you wish you can give me company till I am here (winked at her)
Madhu (irritated by his flirting attempts)- no thanks...I will go now.
She was about to leave when RK called her back, "miss madhubala...i forgot to mention one important point of this contract to you"
Madhu - n whats that??
RK (flashing his cute yet wicked smile)- actually this contract is not just about this upcoming film, "ek ishq ek junoon". By signing it you have agreed to do three films with marvel productions...with me...n yes one more thing, till then you can't work for any other banner.
Madhu (shocked)- what!!!! Three films!!!...but ..but you said you want to cast me in your upcoming movie...then... now three films!!! i only agreed to do this film for di's sake...no way i am doing three films with you...No..its cheating...why didn't you tell me before ..its a cheating.
RK (coming close to her n laughing at her reaction)- cheating...really!! Didn't I gave you time to read it...didn't I warn you to read it full before signing...huh!!
Madhu (still shocked)- but ...but...
RK (enjoying her reaction, came close and put a loose strand of hair beside her ear)-dear, time of Ifs n BUTs is gone ...you have already signed it...so I will see you tomorrow...honey.
Madhu was completely dumbfounded. She didn't even protest not to call her honey, just stood there silently trying to digest the reality. RK was still enjoying her reaction now observing closely the myriad of emotions going through her big grey beautiful eyes. Unknowingly his one hand moved up to caress her face and this brought her out of shock but when she found those deep brown mesmerizing eyes staring at her she once again got lost. Both were staring each other intensely but this beautiful moment was ruined by bittu ji when he knocked at the door. Both came out of their dreamland n RK threw daggers look at bittu ji.
Bittu ji (smiling sheepishly)- chief...woh ek urgent phone call hai.
RK took the phone from bittu ji n madhu turned around to go when RK called her once again, "honey...don't forget 11.30am sharp...I don't like late comers". She just nodded n this time also didn't protest him calling her honey ...first due to that contract n now due to that intense eye lock between them her mind was not working...she just wanted to go leave as soon as possible.
Precap- the bet (RK takes the challenge to woo madhu)
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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