Chalte chalte
Madhu was late for office. It was only a week that she had joined, and already she was going to be blacklisted. "Oh bloody, why did I have to go for the late night movie last night? I should never have listened to that stupid Khushi. Oh god, where are all the cabs? Please, please get me a cab, god please." Finally she got a cab, which incidentally had a punctured tire halfway to her office. "I am so dead today, so very dead," panicked Madhu and jumped out of the cab to look for another.
By the time she reached office, it was half an hour past the scheduled time for the presentation she was supposed to attend that morning. "I am not going to clear this probation period ever. They will kick me out in a month," Madhu kept on babbling while the elevator went past her floor. "Oh god where is this lift going, please someone stop it, it must have been possessed by some spirit!!" Everyone present in that elevator looked at her with disgust. "Where were you supposed to go?" asked the irritated lady standing behind Madhu. "9th floor, damn it!" replied Madhu. "But you did not even press the 9th button!!" Bloody, what was she thinking while getting in? That the lift was an antaryami who would know beforehand where she wanted to go?
"Thank god, the meeting is still going on. I will sneak in from the back and nobody will notice me," thought Madhu. As she tiptoed in the dark visualization room from the rear entrance, the last slide was being presented and before she could find a place to sit, the lights were on. Every pair of eyes turned towards her and gave the typical "what's the time moron" look. "I guess you are too early for the next session Miss Malik," commented her boss. Madhu saw Dipali sitting in the front row and giving her the wicked smile. "I am sorry sir, my cab had a punctured tire and the lift was.." "Try to think of few more entertaining excuses next time, which would at least humour your boss!!" said her boss and left the room. "Tsk tsk sweety, tough luck!!" commented Dipali while passing her. Madhu fumed at her own foolishness and went to her desk.
"Hey Maddy, let's go for some coffee after lunch," suggested Trishna. "Oh no, not today. I should head back right now, have loads of pending work," said Madhu and rushed back to her desk. As she was logging back to her system, she noticed a small card by her system. "You look beautiful with one earring!" read the card. "What?" Madhu touched her ears, and indeed she was wearing the dangler only in one ear. "Bloody, what a stupid**s I am. But who kept this card here without any name on it? Must be Trishna, but no, she won't give so much effort to tell me such a trivial thing. Then.." "Madhu, are you done with the report? Boss is asking for it," shouted Mukund from cubicle next to her. "Oh no! Just give me half an hour more." Mukund shook his head seeing the callousness of this girl.
Madhu returned home late that evening. She had to rewrite 3 chapters of that report after a grilling session with her boss in front of all her team members, Dipali being the most amused audience. "I hate this job. I am not going to get a confirmation. And if they fire me, I will not get any other job," cried Madhu.
Next day was better than the previous one. Madhu reached office on time. She had submitted the report and was working on a presentation she was supposed to deliver next week. "Hey Maddy, bahut kaam kar liya tune, let's go for a cup of coffee," said Trishna. Madhu hesitated for a moment. "Chal na Madhu, we'll be back in half an hour," chimed in Mukund. They were having coffee at the CCD (Cafe Coffee day) when Mukund got a call and excused himself from the girls. "Let's go Trish, I don't want to be ridiculed by my boss again today," whined Madhu. "Ok baba, let's go." As they were leaving, one waiter came to Madhu and handed her a small card. "Aapke liye madam," said the man and went away. "What is this?" enquired Trishna. "Don't know," said Madhu and opened the card. It read "keep smiling, you have a beautiful smile". "Bloody, who the hell is stalking me?" "What Madhu, who is stalking you?" "I don't know, yesterday I got a card, and today again this one.." "Someone must be playing a prank, don't bother," assured Trishna. "I hope so." But Madhu kept on wondering rest of the day.
"Bloody, why didn't I think of this before," exclaimed Madhu and went to the CCD after office. "Hey where is that short waiter who was serving in the afternoon?" asked Madhu to one of the waiters working there. "I don't know madam who you are talking about. Our shift has changed. Must be someone from the day shift."
Next week Madhu had her presentation in their partner company's office. She was very nervous, but somehow managed to deliver the job well. "Well done Miss Malik. I suppose you are prepared for the main project work now," appreciated her boss. Yes, finally!! Madhu took a breath of relief. She was really happy that day. After she came back to the office she headed off for a coffee with Trishna and Mukund. "So could you find out about your secret admirer?" winked Trishna. "Secret admirer?" asked Mukund with an amazed expression. "Oh it's nothing," replied Madhu and pinched Trishna avoiding Mukund's eyes.
Could it be Mukund? Madhu had often caught him staring at her across the cubicle. She would have to keep a watch on him. She was switching off her workstation when she saw a CD with a small card on it. It was the CD of Chalte chalte remix single by DJ Amit. Madhu hurriedly opened the card which read "fell in love all over again with this song when heard you humming the tune.." Bloody, when did I hum 'Chalte chalte' and in front of whom? Madhu was getting nervous with this uncalled-for attention.
In the next one month Madhu had accumulated 20 more such cards and tiny gifts. She had tried to find out the sender and she was sure it was someone whom she knew very well. But every time she thought she knew who it was, something diametrically opposite would happen and she would be back to the square one.
Trishna was very excited about their annual office party. "I have already chosen my dress for the ball night," said Trishna with a contented smile. "Ball night? You mean we will have to dance?" asked a shocked Madhu. "Why, don't you dance?" asked Mukund. "Yes, I mean no, not in front of a bunch of strangers!" exclaimed Madhu. "Strangers? Who is a stranger here?" asked Trishna. "Please Madhu, don't say no," pleaded Mukund. Madhu's current suspicion indicator was back on Mukund for the past couple of days. Bloody, this is the opportunity when I can get the truth out of him. "Okay, I will come."
"So did you choose what you are wearing tonight at the party?" Trishna asked Madhu as she was preparing to leave the office. "Can't decide, I have one black dress and one red dress. I am in a fix," replied Madhu with a shrug. As Madhu opened the door of her flat, she found a small card on the floor which said "would love to see you in red.." "Bloody, that psycho has reached my flat? Is it truly Mukund? Because he only lives nearby. I will kick his a** tonight!" grumbled Madhu and went inside.
The party was held at a five star hotel lounge. By the time Madhu reached the lounge, it was dark with only the dance floor lit with laser lights. Most of the people were at the bar, relishing their drinks and chatting casually. Madhu spotted Trishna and went to her. "I think I know who is behind all these cards," said Madhu. "Oh you know? Who is it?" asked Trishna eagerly. "I am not saying this from my hunch you know, I have observed for many days and I know it is Mukund," stated Madhu confidently. "What? No way!" exclaimed Trishna. "Yes Trishna, trust me. He even kept a card at my home today. And Mukund only stays close by.." "Shut up Maddy, just shut up. He is my boyfriend for god's sake. We are getting engaged next month!! How could you say such vile things about Mukund?" shouted Trishna. "You are getting engaged with Mukund? But you never told me anything. I am sorry Trishna, it must be my mistake," said Madhu. "Know what? You are always so full of yourself that I did not feel like sharing this news with you!!" saying that Trishna stomped away from her.
Madhu stood there dumbstruck. Bloody, how could she not realize that Trishna and Mukund were in love with each other all these days? But how would she know if they did not tell her? They were her only friends in this office and now she had lost them too. Madhu felt the tears welling up her eyes. There was no point in standing there like a fool. She should go back home. "Miss Malik, where are you going? Did you have a drink?" "No Sir, I am not feeling well. I should go home now," said Madhu and headed towards the exit. "Wait Madhu." Madhu looked back surprised, her boss never called her by her name. "Please have one dance with me, just one," and extended his hand towards her. The dance floor was donning a soft blue light and the DJ announced, "The next song is dedicated to Miss Madhubala Malik, by her admirer Mr. Rishabh Kundra," and started playing the song "Lady in red." "Sir?" "Call me Rishabh," and he pulled her to the dance floor and started swaying to the most romantic tune of the night.
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlN-7CmPZrQ[/YOUTUBE]
Part 2 :https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/90797190
Part 3 : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/90937930
My other Rishbala works:
SS: And then he kissed me.. https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/madhubala-ek-ishq-ek-junoon/3688690/rishbala-ss-and-then-he-kissed-me-epilogue-pg13
SS: Upakhyana..A short tale of love.. https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/madhubala-ek-ishq-ek-junoon/3693077/rishbala-ss-upakhyana-last-part-pg12
OS: Ijaazat https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/madhubala-ek-ishq-ek-junoon/3705527/rishbala-os-ijaazat-part-2-updt-pg4
OS: Colourblind https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/madhubala-ek-ishq-ek-junoon/3712690/rishbala-os-colourblind-updt-pg3
CID
Bigg Boss 19
