Rishbala SS: His Child Bride Chap8 Updating Pg26 - Page 16

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CHAPTER 7

Forty Lakhs

November 2009

Dear RK

That's what the media is calling you now isn't it? Well your Biwi isn't going to be left behind. She will also start calling you RK. Although truth to tell, I prefer Rishabh

Yesterday I got up in the middle of the night with a strange feeling that you needed me. Isn't it silly? But there it was. Till 3 in the morning I paced up and down in my bedroom-turned-office feeling terrified for no reason. After that I started feeling better and was able to go back to sleep. I blame the whole episode on the Palak Paneer Didu made

Speaking of palak paneer I found out that it's your favourite dish. From where, you ask? Every girl's best friend, the Filmfare magazine (That's how they described it on its cover). Ma and Didu think I'm crazy for spending good money on ordering a film magazine which is printed in English, but I pacify them by cutting out the fashion pages and giving it to them. Of course any articles about you are immediately cut out and hidden away in my Rishabh box. Yes I have a Rishabh box. It is a huge cardboard box which was earlier used as a bed by our old cat- a regal, majestic animal. You should be honoured

Sigh...I have started rambling again. Sarpanch kaka says this is the reason the Panchayat refuses to consider my candidacy. Personally I think it's because they are scared they won't be able to continue their usual practices of playing cards and chewing betel nut during the so- called Panchayat meetings. Huh, I could have told them that I can play cards much better than any of them. I am the one Rajiv comes to, whenever he loses his money in cards to win it back. Though I might have an objection to chewing Betel nut

Palak Paneer! That's what I was talking about (Focus, Madhu). Well ever since I learnt that it was your favourite dish I have been learning to make it. Ma went into shock the first time I entered the kitchen while Roma thought she was drunk and having hallucinations. Don't laugh! After sundry attempts I have learnt how to make it (Better than Didu and Ma too"yes I'm feeling a tiny bit smug). Now my next attempt is to make barbeque chicken which was said to be your second favourite dish. I have already started enquiries to find out what it is. Ma thinks it's some sort of burnt chicken. Roma thinks its raw chicken. Didu thinks I have gone crazy and that's why I am coming up with such strange ideas. It would be a huge help if you could write back and tell me what it was

Ever Yours

Jungli billi

P.S-That last line was my way of sneakily telling you to write me a letter

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Mumbai, Present Day

Madhu raised her head slowly only to let it fall back into her lap as the world started revolving around her again. She took another deep breath trying to tamp down the nausea

She had opened her eyes to realize three things

1. She had fainted for the second time in her entire life

2. She had just met her husband who didn't recognize or remember her

3. The reason she hadn't fallen down was because two strong hands had caught her up and that those hands belonged to a person who was staring at her with an almost imperceptible perplexed frown on his face- Rishabh!

She reflexly jumped out of the hold, smacking the poor secretary on his nose accidently. She groaned inwardly at that. Why, Oh why was she so clumsy? Either ways she needed to get out of here as fast as she could. Moving feverishly she turned to the door, desperate to get away when a wave of nausea made her stumble

She was suddenly swung up into a tight hold. Horrified she realized that he had picked her up and was now carrying her over to the sofa. She struggled to free herself when he cuffed her lightly on her head and said "Don't act foolish. It is quite obvious that you aren't in fit condition to stand on your own". The tone in which he spoke implied that there was no question of opposition. Dazed and suddenly feeling tired beyond words she stopped her efforts to free herself and sank back into his blessed warmth.

He lightly dropped her onto the sofa and turned to give some orders to his secretary in a low voice. She couldn't hear them. She didn't even try to. She felt curiously detached, as if she was seeing this whole scene play out from somewhere afar. Hysterical laughter bubbled up inside her and she let out a small giggle. How funny life was!

His turned sharply at the sound. He was staring at her now, his face unreadable. Probably thinking her mad, the detached Madhu informed her. God knows, she certainly felt so. It was as if the world had suddenly turned upside down and everything she had known had suddenly turned out to be a lie. She felt vaguely amused even through the grey mist surrounding her

"Here, drink this" a glass of water was being thrust in front of her. She obediently took it and drank without question. She was too tired to resist anything

"Madhu?" a deep voice spoke. She looked up at that to see him kneeling in front of her, his eyes assessing. Oh how it reminded her of the last time they had been in this exact same position! Then he had been rescuing her from a monster. Today he had hurt her in a way no one or nothing else could have done, without even realizing it. The deluge of memories and emotions flooding her mind and body was breaking down that blessed wall which had kept her numb and isolated all this time. Feeling had set in and she struggled in vain to hold on to the grey wall which had kept it at bay so far

The door opened causing him to shift his attention to the door. The secretary entered bringing with him Mukund. Of course, Mukund. Madhu looked at him unseeingly, assimilating the fact that he had a large bandage around his head and that he looked scared and defiant. Any other time this would have worried her but presently the ache in her heart was hurting too much. Frustrated at her sudden paralysis, she shook her head trying to think.

RK stood up, his attention now focused on Mukund who cringed and tried to hide behind the secretary. A faint contemptuous sneer appeared on RK's face. "Well Bittuji? Have you explained the situation to our Junior Michael Schumacher here?" he drawled out

Madhu stood up. At some point, she knew, she would have to find a suitable place to cry her heart out. For the present, she needed to gather up her dignity or what was left of it, clean up this mess Mukund had made and go back home as fast as she could.

None of the men paid her the least attention. The secretary pushed Mukund in front who finding no place to hide straightened up and said with false bravado "I don't see how that was my fault! I wasn't the one driving my car at an insane speed. I..." his voice trailed off as he suddenly found himself at the receiving end of an icy , disdainful stare that told him exactly what the owner of the stare thought of him. He dropped his eyes, flushing

"We both know that you were the one who attempted to prove your non-existent driving skills and ended up overturning your truck and my Ferrari. I'm giving your intelligence the benefit of doubt and therefore giving you an opportunity to NOT make a fool of yourself" RK bit out, his voice betraying his irritation

There was a moment's pause during which Mukund wished that he could disappear off the face of the earth and not face this cool, arrogant man while Madhu wished that she could help him along in this endeavor. She glared at poor Mukund from her position behind RK

" However if you prefer it that way, do continue to make a fool of yourself and Bittuji here will be more than happy to escort you to the nearest police station where the Inspector can teach you a lesson in manners- Notably how to speak to your betters" RK drawled

This time Madhu flushed along with Mukund. She glared at RK indignantly. Betters?! Him?! Husband or no husband, her hands itched to box his ears. Though she had to admit, Mukund had it coming. She darted another resentful glance at him

Mukund was both furious and embarrassed right now. Not only had such a notable personality as RK, the Superstar humiliated him, he had done it right in front of Madhu. To add insult to injury she seemed to share the same opinion of him that this arrogant man did. Driven to desperation, Mukund blustered "Instead of wasting our time here Sir, give us the bill for repairs. We will pay that and be on our way!"

The man called Bittuji gave a sudden choke. A faint sardonic smile appeared on RK's face while Madhu looked ready to sink into the floor.

"So you will pay for my repairs?" RK enquired politely

"Yes!" Mukund replied defiantly

"I am afraid the car is in quite bad shape. The company says they will have to make quite a lot of changes and replacements"

"I don't care. Kindly tell us the amount immediately" Mukund replied, wanting to wipe that cool smirk off this infuriating man's face

RK stared at him for one embarrassing second before smirking and saying "Very well.40 lakhs"

A faint moan came from behind him. Mukund however could only stare at RK, mouth wide open, his face turning white

"For...Forty LAKHS?" he stuttered

"40 Lakhs" RK confirmed with a smile

Madhu reminded herself to shut her mouth. Seeing that Mukund was incapable of speech she stepped forward praying that she wouldn't fall apart

"Mr.Kundra" she began and then faltered as two pairs of eyes immediately came to focus on her. Mukund however continued to be in his state of catalepsy

"Haan Madhubalaji?" RK enquired politely

Madhu bared her teeth in a feral smile, seething inside. Madhubalaji , indeed! She was 7 years younger than him for his information, which he would remember if he took the trouble to cast his mind back 5 years in time!

Sternly reminding herself to stay in control, she said with her best no-nonsense air" Mr Kundra, I'm afraid that the sum you have named is impossible for us to pay. So..."

"But I believe Captain America here just said he was willing and able to pay any sum of money required" RK said sweetly, gesturing to the unfortunate Mukund

Gritting her teeth at the interruption Madhu continued, not in the least bit taken in by the demure look RK was giving her. "We CANNOT pay it. However we are willing to do anything else that is reasonable to make up for it" she said

"Anything?" said RK looking at Mukund speculatively

"Anything" croaked Mukund

RK looked at him and nodded "Well then I need a wife"

Madhu choked

RK continued as if he had not heard the interruption while Bittuji hurried forward with a glass of water " A temporary one. If I don't want to be disinherited by my dying grandmother I need a wife for the next 6 months. For reasons I don't have to tell you I can't marry and hence I need a woman willing to act as my wife for the next 6 months. Somebody trustworthy. Get me one and I will consider your debt paid"

Madhu stared at him unable to believe her ears. For now, hurt and pain had taken a backseat and anger had come out in full force. Reasons he couldn't explain indeed! The REASON was standing right in front of him and the numskull couldn't even recognize her! She ground her teeth audibly. RK solicitously asked her if she was hungry

Leaving Madhu spluttering he turned his attention back to Mukund , his smirk broadening. "Well" he asked again, his voice laced with amusement this time

Mukund's head suddenly shot up and he said fervently "I can get you one". RK's eyebrows lifted. Bittuji gave a skeptical grunt

Mukund strode over to Madhu and said "She will do it".

There was pin drop silence. Madhu stared at Mukund , shocked beyond words. Mukund avoided her gaze shamefaced but with an obstinate set to his face

RK finally broke the silence "You are saying that you are willing to let your friend take on the job and repay your debt?" he was staring at Mukund with an expression which was a mixture of disgust and something Madhu thought might be anger. Mukund didn't reply but stared at Madhu pleadingly

Taking a deep breath Madhu said, surprised and proud that her voice remained steady" Mukund, you are talking nonsense. What would I tell Ma and Didu? I have the lands to look after too, this is an impossible..."

"I will tell Maasi and Trishna that you enrolled for a short language course here. They know how fond you are of languages. As for the field Ramu kaka can handle them for 6 months. Please Madhu, I need this. We can't possibly raise 40 lakhs!"

Forbearing to point out that it was Mukund who had to raise the 40 lakhs Madhu mulled over her options. On one hand she had to pretend to be the wife of a man whom she had worshipped and was married to and who had apparently forgotten that fact. On the other, her childhood friend could go to jail. Realizing with a sinking heart that she didn't have a choice, Madhu lifted her head, stared straight into those familiar dark eyes which was looking at her curiously and nodded her assent

She suddenly felt very, very tired.

A/N-Too sleepy . Will send PMs tomorrow after updating chapter 8😊

Interesting turn of events
Nice update

Amazing chapter! I luved it!! I felt so sorry for Madhu in the beginning. Especially after reading her letter. Im so curious to know what happened to the letters and why RK never responded? Towards the end of the chapter, i was happy to see jungli billi make an appearance. Mukund truly is a waste of space. Really, his continued breathing is a disservice to humanity. Im ok with you killing him off lol. I so desperately want to know what RK was thinking during this chapter. From what Madhu could see, he had a lot going on under the surface. Cannot wait for the next chapter of this exciting story. Im on tenterhooks:-)

Ahh that was amazing...the start of the love story...

Very nice update.👏 muku is very selfish n madhu is very selfless, helping, caring n kind hearted. she is in a poor condition this time😔

Interesting...original wife having to pretend as his temporary wife. Hope Madhu sets RK straight being junglibilli that she is. Is granny going to be convinced of him marrying so soon?

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