OS: Take Four!

She's like the walking dead, a zombie amongst the living. Madhu should have been happy, nay, ecstatic after she fulfilled her revenge against RK. She should have danced a jig for humiliating RK in front of all and crushing his heart, just as he had hers. But she felt no joy, no pleasure after the deed. Madhu didn't think it would be possible but her already broken heart, shattered into millions of tiny pieces.

It has been close to a year since that fateful day but she can still clearly picture RK's shocked, horrified and heartbroken face. The day she turned into RK and then crushed the heart of the man she loves. Despite misgivings and twinges to her conscience, she carried on with her plan. Every fiber in her being wanted to scream when her Maa and Sultan plotted and interfered to ruin her wedding. But she let them do as they pleased, rationalizing that they are helping her fulfill her plans to destroy RK. Since then Madhu has stopped being the loving daughter and friend.

No Madhu is far from happy. All she wants to do is run to RK and beg him for forgiveness and ask for a second chance. But she knows that would be a futile attempt because he is not one to forgive a betrayal. She betrayed him in the worst possible manner. She did to him what he has done to her, gave him a taste of his own bitter medicine.

RK is the devil incarnate, the Grimm Reaper. He is a Dementor that sucked out all her happiness and life. But he also showered her with love and all of her happiest moments are linked to him. He gave her unbearable pain but also protected her from harm. He is the balm that soothed her pain. He is the beast but also her prince charming. He is the yang to her yin. She can't no love no other as she loves him.

After Madhu's brilliant performance at as she had dubbed, Madhubala unweds RK, she received many offers from prominent directors to become the next heroine in their new movies. But she refused. She couldn't bank on an act that has left her soul, her self-respect in tatters. Madhu is deeply ashamed. She forgot the values that she holds near and dear to her heart. The characteristic traits that launched her fight against RK are the very ones that she imbibed. In a state of limbo, she is no longer Madhubala Shamsher Malik or Madhubala Rishab Kundra.

Rejecting movie offers, she enrolled in college to finish her education. She spends her free time at an orphanage. Their sweet, smiling faces always brightens up her day. She is always in awe of their resilience.

Madhu is sitting on the floor reading a story to the children. She looks up in dismay as one of the attendants, holding the newspaper, shrieks.

Madhu (standing up): What's wrong Rosa? Why are shouting?

Rosa: OMG…guess who is getting married?

Madhu feels a twinge in her heart at the word marriage.

Madhu (squashing her feelings): Who?

Rosa: RK!

Madhu reels back in shock.

RK? My RK? My RK is getting married? It can't be…RK can't marry someone else! He can't forget me so easily! Can he?

Madhu (regains control and asks in a shaky voice): Are you…sure…I mean that RK is getting married?

Rosa (gives her an odd look): That's what it says on the newspaper. He's marrying some new actress, a new rising star. A perfect fit for our RK.

Madhu absorbs the information, wanting to scream and cry at the pain enveloping her once again. She is suffocating and takes deep, gulping breath to retain her composure.

This is not happening. NOT happening. He is my RK. We love each other…no he can't marry someone else. HE CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!!!

She runs out of the orphanage on a mission, to stop RK's marriage.

Madhu arrives at RK mansion, silently praying to her Bappa that RK is still in resident. She flies into the house but stops mid stride as she watches a decked up RK coming down the stairs. He looks resplendent in his black tux, emphasizing his masculine physique. Hot, silent tears roll down her eyes. Her RK has moved on.

RK reaches the landing and stares in shock at Madhu. He can't believe that she is standing right in front of him. He longs to reach out to her but pulls his hands back, remember their last parting.

RK (holding back his tears): Ma…madhu?

Madhu (sobbing): You can't do this to me RK! (She grabs RK's jacket and shakes him) Did you hear me?!? You just can't!

RK (confused): Do what?

Madhu: Get married! You can't marry another girl RK!

RK: Huh?

Madhu (shaking him): I love you and I know you love me. You can't marry another girl! Did you hear me RK? I won't let you! (Sobbing loudly) I love you and I am sorry for hurting you. I am sorry for hurting you the way you hurt me. I am sorry for breaking your heart and betraying your trust! I AM SORRY…I AM SORRY…I AM SORRY! Can we start over again please? I can't live without you.

RK (smiles and hugs Madhu): What took you so long?

Madhu (stares at RK in confusion): What do you mean?

RK (pulls her closer): Meaning sweetheart…I knew you plotting revenge against me the day hatched the plan. Remember I can read your eyes. You can't lie to me sweetheart, no matter how damned hard you try.

Madhu (gasps): You knew? (Hitting his chest) Why didn't you stop me?

RK: You were very angry and hurt and needed an outlet to express it. (Wiping away her tears) I am sorry that I hurt you. I hurt you so much that you went against your own nature. It hurt like hell that you were doing it all for revenge. But I pushed you into it. I deserved to feel the pain and anguish after what I put you through. I had to let you go and fervently hoped that one day you would come back to me. And you are back. I love you Madhubala Rishab Kundra. Don't you dare think about leaving me again!

Madhu: I love you too Rishab Kundra. (Remembering the wedding announcement, glares) Now are you still going to marry that (waving her hand) girl?!?

RK (laughs): Look around…do you see anyone around you? Wouldn't I be surrounded by people, especially Maa, if I were getting married?

Madhu (confused): But…but… Rosa read in the newspaper that you were getting married today to some hoity toity new actress in town.

RK laughs again but swallows it, noticing Madhu's glare.

RK (teases): Sweetheart…when did Ranbir Kapoor become your RK?

Madhu (gapes): Ranbir Kapoor? What has he got to do with anything?

RK: Since Ranbir Kapoor is getting married to the hoity toity young actress today, he has a lot to do with your visit today. (Muses) I should personally thank him and your friend.

Madhu (laughs in relief): You're absolutely right. We should thank him. (Teases) Maybe I should go after him and steal away. (Fluttering her eyelashes) My real RK.

RK (growls): You keep distance from him BIWI.

Madhu giggles in response. She really missed this impossible man.

RK (kisses her hand): Madhu will you marry me…(smiling wryly) again?

Madhu (smiles): Yes Mr. Kundra, I will marry you…again. (Laughs) Just a small intimate wedding with family and close friends.

Exalted with her response, RK pulls her in for a kiss that left her all flushed and breathless.

In a week, the couple finally tied the knot and completed the pheras in front of their close relatives and friends. Their mothers were a bundle of emotional nerves, fervently praying that this is the real deal. No more revenge. No more heartbreak. Madhu had a heart to heart conversation with her mother. And they finally patched things up.

Radhaji was a bit cold to her but she melted like ice when she saw true love shining in her Madhu's eyes. She is her mother and can't stay angry with her child for too long. Radhaji understood why Madhu took revenge on RK. But she was just hurt that Madhu didn't talk to her, confide in her about her issues. She would have done everything in her power to make sure her children didn't go through any heartbreak and pain.

It's a new chapter in their lives. RK carries his now fully wedded, shy bride up to their room. Finally the night that he's been waiting for has arrived. Their suhaag raat. His body tensed in anticipation, he puts Madhu down on the bed.

RK (smiles wolfishly): Fourth time was the charm.

Madhu (laughs): We do love to do things in fours.

He leans over and plants a sweet kiss that has her clinging on to his coat. RK breaks off the kiss and hands her beautifully wrapped box.

RK (huskily): Wear this for me tonight…please.

Madhu shyly smiles at RK, grabs the box and runs into the bathroom. She can hear RK's laughter at her mad dash.

After 20 minutes, RK becomes nervous.

Maybe I shouldn't have given her the negligee. It's too risqu and poor Biwi is probably scandalized. Damn…damn…damn!

RK (knocking on the door): Madhu? (Hesitant) Is everything ok? (Clearing his throat) You don't have to wear it if you don't want to.

Madhu (nervous): Umm…RK...that's not the issue.

RK (frustrated): Then open the damn door!

Madhu: No.

RK: Why not?!?

Madhu (nervous): Well…you have to promise not to jump me.

RK: WHAT?!?

Madhu: Promise…Patidev.

RK (runs his hand through his hair in frustration): Fine…I promise!

Madhu steps out, still in her wedding outfit.

Madhu (nervous): RK…umm…there's a problem.

RK (groans): I knew it…the negligee was too much for you. I am sorry sweetheart.

Madhu (a big angry): Not that RK.

RK (bitingly): Then what?!?

Madhu (shrugs): Mother nature is paying me a visit.

As the implication of Madhu's words sunk in, RK groans in despair.

Damn mother nature for ruining our Suhag Raat!