Lady RK
Wars never have any winners, just losers and bigger losers. When life becomes a war between two people, there will never be any winners; most likely it will take down with it some unsuspecting casualties. Life had become a battlefield for Bollywood's darling couple; their bed of roses had turned into bed of thorns. RK and Madhu had learned to live with the ups and downs of life because they had each other. Lately that support system was failing beyond repair. RK's ego wouldn't let him accept the help he received from his wife for his first home production but he blamed her for his temporary paralysis. RK's ego blamed her for the fame it bought him, the production house and her; he blamed her for the movie offers she received from the big banner production houses. In his heart of heart, he knew she sacrificed so much for him and his fame; she was in the limelight because of him but the ego just wouldn't believe it. The icy behavior was only visible to those that looked closely, for the world they were the charming couple of Bollywood, the new hit Jodi.
The night of their film's success party, there was another bout of battles. RK's ego was bruised because some reporter at the party wanted a solo interview; it didn't make a difference that it was a Homes and Garden magazine which wanted to know about Madhubala's home life. As the two were getting ready for the party downstairs, RK gave words to the anger seething in his heart.
Admiring Madhu's black and red lace sari, RK began "Wow Biwi! You truly can say you have lived the rags to riches story. From those cotton salwars to designer saris, you certainly have come a long way. You have gained so much since meeting this Superstar; living in luxury, everything you want at your beck and call and more fame than you could ever imagine in this lifetime. You have caught me well in your trap that even if I try I can't get out. I'm the only one who has lost something since meeting you. I have been to jail twice, lost my name, my reputation, my life as I know it all because of you. I have paid a heavy price for loving you; knowing you has cost me dearly. It hasn't cost you anything, Madhubala."
"It cost me my child," Madhu stated simply her face void of emotions or expressions.
Blood drained from RK's face at Madhu's statement but before he could fully comprehend the statement she had already walked out of the room. RK followed her down in a haze as they were quickly surrounded by a swarm of reporters at the landing. RK was pretty sure the reporters were asking him questions but all he could hear was buzzing in his ears till Madhu touched his arm. He heard her jokingly say to the reporters "she has other guests to see to, they can have their Superstar all to themselves." And again before he could react she was off, he noticed how quickly she put on a mask of a happy wife whereas moments ago her eyes were dead. As he looked over the crowd of people, he found Madhu chatting with Deepali.
"Deepali, you once told me this, pointing to clear white liquid in a glass, makes you forget all of your pain; is it really true?" Madhu asked as she swirled the liquid in the glass.
Before Deepali could wear the shock off her face, Madhu continued, "Go Deepali, RK may need your help with the press."
As Deepali walked away, RK saw Madhu drink the content of the glass in one go and grab another from a waiter passing by. As he looked at the pain so visible to him now, Bittuji's words from months ago rang in his ear, "She is a Lady RK."
He had finally done what he told her, he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy, he had given another RK to the world. He had turned his darling Biwi into another him.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
