Amidst the soft teasing rains of June, a white Hondacity stopped before the gates of an international school. The watchman saluted his favorite woman who extended her arms out to open her yellow umbrella. She stepped out in her golden stilettos which complimented her sky blue halter neck bloused saree flawlessly. As the concluding bell rang inside the school a welcoming smile escaped her berry glossed lips.
A group of young girls in olive green uniforms walked towards the gate. "Rima what are you gifting your dad this Sunday?" asked one of the girls to an eight year old, pretty raven haired girl who happens to be her friend walking beside.
-"Sunday?" she blinked her baby blue eyes, "what's this Sunday?"
-"you don't know?" she asked, getting a nod in negative from Rima, "It's father's day"
-"I have heard only about Mother's day" she said.
-"each of us are planning surprises for our fathers, some with cards and some with gifts.."
Rima's gaze fell on the lady with yellow umbrella and she ran towards her..
"mom!!!" she said hugging her.
-"how was your day baby?" Madhu asked her daughter ruffling her hair with a contented smile.
In the car, Rima took the passenger seat while Madhu was occasionally glancing at her. She knew her very well; her arched eyebrows seemed to bring out another crazy idea of hers. Madhu clicked her fingers before her.
-"what's going on in your naughty mind now" she investigated her little imp.
-"Mom" Rima said, "I want to meet him and wish for Father's day"
Madhu was dumbstruck.
-"to whom" she composed herself to make sure if she heard right.
-"RK ' The Superstar" Rima took his name with elan.
Her flamboyance reminded Madhu of her father ' Rishabh.
*flashback* Near the Marine drive under the twilight, she sat on a rock focusing on him, while he stood and weaved his dreams. "RK" he said with dreamy eyes raising the collar of his black jacket with a style, "That's what I'll be called one day" Madhu looked at him smiling with all her love, "The Superstar" he completed. She stood up and took few strides towards him. "It will happen one day Rish" she said reciprocating his dreams. He hugged her and confessed, "I love you Madhu" *flashback ended*
-"Mom" Rima called out, "where are you lost?"
-"but how can'" Madhu felt uneasy on this topic, "how can you wish RK?" she rubbished it. Not because she held any cold feelings towards him, in fact she loved him even today, "that would affect his reputation"
-"I won't let that, I promise" she insisted, "after all he is my father. I care about his reputation too and I won't tell him that I'm his daughter. I promise" she squeezed her throat.
Madhu smiled at her. She is very special to her. At the age of eight Rima shows an extraordinary understanding nature inspite of being extremely naughty and attitude headed. She never asked why she can't tell anyone that the superstar RK is her father and why she didn't let RK know that he has a daughter; Rima is her daughter. Nothing. She is just happy with the things are. If not then she is bold enough to shoo the people off just her Rishabh.
At Jannat, that is what RK's elegant and classy bungalow in the posh locality of Bandra called. The vast lawn had most exotic plants that could leave a notable first impression on a guest. At the centre of the garden was expensive Italian round table furniture where reporter Manini has taken her place waiting for RK. "Tea ma'am" a servant dressed in an orderly uniform put it on the table. She smiled and thanked him. "RK?" she asked. "he will join you in a minute" he said. She nodded. She has been waiting for this interview of him for long. RK doesn't give his interview to anyone and she felt lucky; for her career and for her magazine. "ma'am" the servant called her again, "Sir is here" he pointed at RK who has just stepped into the lawn.
No wonder why everyone is about him. His attitude says it all. Dressed in rugged jeans and light pink shirt exposing his well toned cleavage he approached her in a walk that could shy even a thunder. His eyes covered with shades while his hairs played on his forehead. She stood up like an alarm knowing that he wouldn't like to be disrespected, "hello Sir" she said, unsure if Sir is ok with him. "Call me RK" he said in his husky voice. "Please!" he showed her the chair and pulled the other to sit.
At his gate, his watchman was convincing a little ponytailed girl in a floral print skirt and orange top to go back.
-"Look baby. You cannot meet RK Sir" he pleaded her "go back to your home. Where is your mother?"
-"uff" Rima sighed, "I have come here asking my mom's permission. Now please tell RK that a girl wants to meet him"
-"please understand, that's not possible"
In the lawn.. "So RK.. five back to back hits. How are you feeling?" she asked in a typical Bollywood reporter style.
-"Fabulous!" he repied. "any one would feel so" he added.
-"You are performing at Filmfare tomorrow. You do that every year but you are also nominated for the best actor category for pyar ki ye ek kahani"
-"I know that Abhay the a character. But what's the question?" he asked abruptly making her bit her lips.
-"uh.. do you think you'll win this time?"
-"I get nominated every year. But inspite of being audiences' hero I never won one" he said as a hit of regret escaped. "I don't believe in awards" he said.. which was actually a lie. It was his dream to achieve atleast one lady in black.
-"you don't?" she cross questioned him.
-"No. Awards are for star kids" he gave a statement indirectly blaming the jury. "I have been here for a decade. I have given bigger hits than anyone without any Godfather"
-she put forth her next question, "There have been too many controversies lately. From getting into physical fight to break up with an actress to disrespecting a contract. Do you think these will affect your relationships in this industry?"
-he smiled sarcastically, "well let me tell you one thing, No one can be a good friend to anyone here. Friends with benefits concept rules here"
-"If not relationships then career?"
-"well I'm not a star. I'm a superstar. I have reached a place where people can use my name for their own benefit for publicity. Even if a nobody technician, flop director or a junior artiste mentions me in his tweet he'll become noticeable. That's the power of my name. I can make anyone famous" he said.
-"Your chemistry with Sukirti was much appreciated. What went wrong in your relationship with her? Will you work with her in future again?"
-"I don't think so. We had differences"
His manager came to him. RK nodded.
-"one last question'"
-"Time up" he said and got.
-"But Sir please Sir.. this is the last question.
His manager asked her to leave.
"Do you believe in love?" she asked.
RK stopped in his tracks. He felt a tug at his heart. A certain incompleteness. He exactly knew what it is.
*flashback*
-"It's a girl!!" she shouted excitedly.
-"what?" he asked confused" she felt shy and lowered her head with a smile. "Madhu?" he poked her.
-"if you had caught right fist then it would have been a boy" he told him embarrassed.
It clicked to him. He felt cold and numb.
-"You are'"
-She nodded, "yes"
He stood with a jerk. She looked at him with perplexity all over.
"Rish?" she held his shoulder.
-"I can't get married to you" he told her helplessly. "No Madhu. You promised me that you won't ask for marriage till I settle in my career. I just won the best debutant award. I have a long way to go"
-"But what's wrong with this. There are many stars who carved a niche for themselves after getting married. Be it a Khan or a Khiladi everyone's married" she made him understand.
-"I know but I'm not a star kid who can survive in this industry with golden wings. Even though I have many offers today what's the guarantee that in future I won't disappear into oblivion" he put forth his concerns. "No Madhu. I know you from past two years but I dreamt of becoming a superstar when I was two year old. I can't risk it for you" he told her firmly.
-"And for your child?" he questioned him.
He stood still. Yet he managed to find a valid excuse for it.
-"Even you have a career. We just gave our debut hit. Is that not important for you?" he asked.
-"I'll be happy to give up for you and my child. I never thought I'd fall in love with you. Now I don't want to work with any other actor" she told him her decision.
Rishabh felt very guilty. He liked her a lot.. not sure he loves her because for him, he loved only his dreams. But he finds solace in her, he shares his happiness, pain and secrets with her and loves it when he gets her attention.
-"Ok. Let's get married" he said, giving
Madhu was relieved. But didn't quite like it. She had always knew about his dreams. He agreed to her but his eyes were lost somewhere else. If today Rish married her then he would regret lifelong about this and perhaps he would even curse her in future for his failures. It wouldn't take much time for this beautiful relation to transform from bliss to poison.
-"No Rish. Go to your dreams" she said.
Rishabh was taken aback by her words. She told him that she truly loved him. That's why she is letting him go. If he too truly loved her then he would come back to her after achieving the success "And trust me, I'll be waiting" she assured him, "But please' never let success affect you"
*flashback ended*
He wasn't sure if she is still waiting for him. he wasn't sure if he can go back now that he is struck in this superstar image. His journey was like a maze. He has reached the centre while she remained outside. Madhubala was a one film wonder. She won the best debut with RK for their first film Ek ishq ek junoon which is one of the classics in the cinema history. She has got immense following and the producers lined up in a big queue to sign her. But she quit the industry for a reason which no one knew.
"RK!!!!"
He heard a child's voice that brought him out from his reverie. "RK!!!" the girl shouted again.
He felt a protective pull at her. As he went closer he got a clear cut idea on who she is looking into her eyes. They are similar to his.
-"sorry sir, she was here since an hour. I told her she can't meet you but'" he stopped with a huge blow on his face. He didn't expect it. He thought that RK would be angry if he let any fan in but he slapped him.
-"you made her stand here, in sun for an hour. How dare you?" he yelled, ready to strangle him if not the little girl is witnessing all this.
-he wanted to apologize "Sir I am'"
-"Fired!"
Rima was sitting inside the mansion on a swish sofa. RK was before her expecting to speak up. A servant has come and offered her water. She immediately took the glass and drank in a lift that made RK control his chuckles. It was just like watching Madhu when she is tensed. It has been almost a decade yet he remembers her tastes well. She likes baby girls as she feel they can be beautifully adorned with clips, bands and frocks. Rima had the innocence of Madhu on her face but her eyes were mischievous as his. The table before them was filled with plates of chocolates, cookies, jellies and ice creams with glasses of mocktails for her. The servants wondered why he made them bring anything and everything for the pretty girl. Is she so special to him?
-"Hi I'm Rima" she extended her hand. He shook with her.
"roll no eleven, fourth class B-section, Mount High School International, Borivalli east, Mumbai"
-He raised his eyebrow, "forgot the pincode?"
Both broke into a laughter.
-she took out a book from her bag, "Autograph please" she said giving him a pink glitter pen.
-"hmm" he smiled at that gesture. He flipped through the slambook and found that she had many pages filled by the stars and leaders but the first page is empty.
-"That's reserved for you" she said.
-"and why is it so?" he asked her playfully.
-"because'" she thought for a while.. "because I consider you as my father" he felt a shake in his nerves, "but it is not necessary that you consider me as your daughter" she covered up.
-he didn't feel it right, she is just eight and he felt deprived her of his love, "consider me as a father?" he asked what's this 'considering' business.
-"yeah yeah I know. RK is for drooling, my friends say it too; you are their dream guy. But I don't have a father and my mother is alone always. So I see you as her dream guy. In that case you are my fatherlike isn't it?" she said hastily, expecting that he is convinced and she didn't make a mistake that he would doubt her identity. But how can a father not recognize a daughter?
-RK creased his forehead with a controlling smile, "you know you are too intelligent for an eight year old" he told her pulling her cheeks.
-"I know. Mom calls me little imp" she admitted shyly.
As she mentioned mom, he wanted to ask her how is she? Is she ok? Does she still as chirpy as she was? Or did she lose her belief in life? Is she the same glycerin who has tears even in happiness? Or did his betrayal affect her to be cynic? Save for he couldn't. He didn't want to interrupt on the beautiful relation that is brewing between him and his daughter whom he is meeting for the first time.' I'll be waiting but don't let success affect you' she told him but he let success get over his head. As a she result he made mistakes and mistakes. Success and stardom comes with a price. He forgot her. Controversies followed. Affairs and breakups took place. There wasn't a single night in a decade when he slept in peace. He built a Jannat, a heaven like palace yet there was long search for happiness. Now, after meeting Rima he found that peace, he found that happiness.
-"what does your mother do?" he asked her to know about her whereabouts.
-"she is a restaurateur. I'm sure you heard about Bollywood Chillys" she said.
Ofcourse he did. That's his favorite restaurant and was voted best thrice by Times. Go there at anytime of the day, the restaurant if full; be it in the takeaway or inside.
Rima gave him a handmade card that had a beautiful picture of RK sketched and a gift. "Happy Father's day" she kissed his cheek. Being with her he too got excited like a kindergarten child over a gift. He opened it and saw a dancing couple dolls inside a crystal that dance that be ballet on music. "It's beautiful!" he said mesmerized. She gave him a scrapbook that had all the papercuts of articles and pictures of him that were added extra effects and shades with her painting skills. She added many quotes and captions to his pictures. His gaze fell on one of the picture and the caption she wrote. RK ' The Tharkey Hero "what??" he exclaimed.
-"yeah mom says you are tharkey because you don't leave any heroine for affair" she said shaking her head and raising her eyebrow. He smiled, Madhu! He shook his head, how much she cursed under breaths in the name of God.
His manager arrived, "Sir we need to leave for the awards ceremony venue"
-"Cancel it" he said.
-"but Sir.."
-RK glared at him, "do what I say" he warned him.
Rima who was watching all this asked him the reason. He said he want to spend time with he met his daughter for the first time. Rima understood that it's difficult to fool adults.
-"I think you should go" she said. "My mother never came before your dreams and now even I won't come before your work" she said sadly. "My driver was waiting for long. I'll take your leave"
-"No.. no wait" he got up to stop, "I was however not going. I know I won't win" he said.
-"my little heart says, this time you'll win. You should go" she told him.
At Filmfare awards venue, there was a grand welcome on the redcarpet. Photographers, videographers, reporters, correspondents all were seriously engaged in their work seriously. Each and every start got the attention required but as the superstar entered all the gazes shifted to him. Dressed impeccably in black Armani he looked like a masterpiece of classic Greek God. Many mumbled under their breaths for RK stealing the limelight. The ceremony started. All from the technician category awards to performances and then music awards and again performances. RK performed too on the various songs from his films. The most favorite being Dil Ibadat that made everyone go gaga over his expressions. The song also walked away with maximum awards.
Ok ladies and gentleman now it's time for acting awards. Starting from best actor in a negative role. And the nominations are'. RK who is now seated in the crowd was rewinding all the phases of his life. How he was from a middle class family and dreamt of becoming a superstar. The dream which was his life. He ate for that dream, he danced for that dream, he slept in that dream and when awake he worked hard with all his blood and sweat for that dream. Congratulations' and now we present you the nominations for the best actor in supporting role' and it was the same dream for which he left Madhu isn't it? Few hours back he knew he won't get any award. It happens every year. He felt that was his punishment for leaving her. Now there was a hope as Rima met him without any grudges.
Now ladies and gentleman, hold our breaths. It's time for the biggest individual achievement award this night.. Filmfare award for the best actor in a lead role goes to' He thanked whoever created this Father's day. She is his award and now he doesn't care about any other award, be it lady in black.
Superstar RK' the host announced.
He felt cold in his hands. It took time for him to distinguish if this is for real. His director poked him to go on the stage. As he walked pass the crowd all talked it was just because of his vampire character Abhay. The role was so big and unique that no one could deny or keep the second thoughts about the winner. It was a character which no one attempted and it was tailor made for RK. Only he could bring out the intensity, emotions, passion and pain in Abhay.
RK was presented the trophy by a yesteryear's superstar. Stars are many but the Superstar tag doesn't come to anybody. That's the reason why there are only two superstars in the film industry. It was time when he was asked to give speech. He was apprehensive as he didn't prepare any. But he decided grab this opportunity for redemption.
He adjusted his mike and looked at the audience who cheered him with loudest claps. He smiled wetting his lips. He then looked at the Filmfare trophy, "This is my first award. Actually second, first being my best debut. But holding this lady in black in my hands, strongly like never letting it go, is a different feeling. Something bigger than a film's collection" he told what exactly that feeling is, "Today, I feel like a father" the crowd paid a deep attention but only he knew why he gave that statement, "like a father, responsible and dependable" he admitted proudly, his eyes welled up but he tried best not to show them, "I really thanks all the ones who helped me to become a father from a controversies' child" he held the mike closer, "my director, producer, co-stars, technicians, spotboys, cameraman, art director, cinematographer, writer, musicians and my fans.." the applauds increased from the crowd, " for doting on me unconditionally" his smile went wider. "It's true I wouldn't have achieved this without your support" "but'" "for you people to support me there is a sacrifice of a special person in my life" his eyes twinkled lucidly remembering Madhu. He wished she is witnessing him. "Without 'her' sacrifice it would have been impossible for me to gain your support" he said after a dramatic pause, "I promise to behave like a father from now on. And this trophy'" he looked at it, "will always remind me of my responsibility" he kissed it passionately."Thanks a lot everyone" raised the trophy high towards the crowd and started walking down the dais.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked at the person among the people who made his heartbeat skip. He couldn't believe his eyes. She is here. Madhu graced the ceremony in a white saree, looking just as stunning as she was eight to nine years back. Rishabh was planning the most magical reunion and as Madhu saw the way he was approaching her she knew that her wait is has come to an end.
Cricket
