Chapter 29
Two weeks later
Madhu walked into her office with a song on her lips. It had been a while since that happened last, but life has this unique ability that keeps it going no matter what happens, as long as it exists. Some call it "the spirit", some blame the necessity to eat and breathe that makes us work, and yet others call it selective amnesia so our brain starts blocking painful events, their reasons and the emotions they invoke. The mantra is simple - survive, move on and live in the moment.
And life, at the moment, was really perfect for Madhu. Nothing much happened every day, but nothing needed to. Being with Rishabh, in their home, sharing their lives, was a bliss Madhu had never imagined for herself. The little moments every day - fawning over her naughty husband, listening to him about the littlest of things, taking care of him, scolding him, knowing his tiny likes and dislikes, secretly stealing glances at him from the kitchen and knowing what he would say or do before he actually did - this was life. This was true happiness. And Madhu, despite her past, was really, truly happy with her life, in this moment.
Rishabh had started working on regular projects again and Madhu was getting busier in her work as well. In some ways their life had resumed a normal rhythm balancing their work, friends and families. Not families, only RK's family, but that was Madhu's family too now. The only difference was they lived together now, so no matter how busy and rushed a day, they were still around each other every day and every night.
Her phone rang as she reached the seat. She was surprised to see Maya calling. That's when she realized she had picked up RK's phone this morning by mistake. They both had similar devices, and Madhu had left home before RK today. She picked up the phone, explained to Maya who said she wanted some client contact from RK, and asked her to call on her phone instead. Then she called RK on her phone and told him about the phone switch. He told her he would drive by Madhu's office in an hour and they could swap phones then.
Finishing the call, Madhu went towards the cafeteria. While waiting for her coffee, she started fidgeting with the phone in her hand. The call logs showed lots of calls to and from Maya. At least once a day, sometimes twice, at similar times - around 9:45 am and/or around 630-730 pm. But RK is usually driving to or from work around this time, isn't he? Madhu wondered if RK and Maya were on the same project, but as far as she could remember, RK hadn't said anything like that. Maybe it was something work-related, like this morning, or maybe they just call to catch up once in a while.
"Hey Madhu" a familiar voice broke Madhu's thought streams. Vikram! Vikram was back! Madhu ignored her useless guesswork and gave Vikram a hug to welcome him.
"Vikram! You're back? When did you come?"
"Two days back. Today is my first day back. I was really missing Indian coffee so came here, and look at who I run into first thing - Madhubala Malik oops Mrs Madhubala Kundra. Congrats for your wedding, you look good. And I'm sorry for..."
"It's ok Vikram. Like I said in the email, life isn't fair. I am sorry I sent you the email so late after everything happened. The wedding...it was all unplanned..."
"I understand Madhu. Listen, I need to go see Mr Sinha in 5 minutes, but let's catch up after lunch at our usual spot."
"You mean the corridor?"
"Yeah" They both laughed and left for their respective desks.
Later that afternoon
"Now tell me, how have you been? How are you holding up? How is marriage?" Vikram asked Madhu as they both settled with their usual coffees at their usual spots.
"I am fine now. It was...it was hard Vikram. I killed my parents."
"Madhu! Don't say that. It was..."
"Yeah. I know. Sorry. I understand but can't shake the guilt away. Anyway, I am much better now. Losing your parents is hard, but at least Rishabh was there by my side. He saved me Vikram, he really did."
"Hmm. I understand exactly how you feel. But you're a strong girl, aren't you? I am sorry I wasn't there for you. I didn't know..." Vikram spoke, but Madhu could see the pain and guilt written on his face. He lost his mother not that long ago, so Madhu understood how her pain resonated with him.
"It's not your fault Vikram. Ok enough, your turn. How was New York? How does being promoted feel like?" Madhu asked Vikram.
"Well, you are about to find out yourself, aren't you?"
"Me? Why?"
"Oh hasn't Sinha talked to you yet?"
"About what?"
"He told me this morning he's recommended your name for the next rotation to the special projects team. You're going to New York too!"
"What? He didn't talk to me! And I didn't submit my name for anything! I can't go..."
"Well. He told me he did. You're a rockstar after all. I am sure if you don't want to go you can tell him and they would understand. But it's a great opportunity for our team here in Delhi. They were really happy with my work and I got a raise twice as much as I expected. I would have stayed longer, but I needed to be back for my sister for at least the next 2-3 months. Talk to Sinha, but make sure you have a good reason if you're going to refuse."
"Hmmm"
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Madhu was pacing her living room waiting for Rishabh to get home. He was late. She tried calling him a couple of times, but his phone was busy. Finally, the doorbell rang.
"Rishu! Where have you been?" Madhu asked, closing the door.
"Sorry had a lot of work today. What's the matter? You look tense."
"Yeah, umm, first you change. I will heat up the dinner. Then I will tell you."
As they were eating, Madhu told Rishabh all about her conversation with her boss that evening. Vikram was right, he had already recommended Madhu's name for the special projects team in New York for six months! She told him she couldn't go for six months, but he didn't exactly look pleased. He reminded Madhu how lenient he had been while she had taken almost a month off around her parent's demise and after. He insisted it was a matter for pride for the office and for him but eventually relented and asked Madhu to reconsider for a couple of days. If she still didn't want it, he would find someone else to send. Madhu was quite stressed out.
"But I don't understand. This is a great opportunity, right! Why are you refusing?" RK asked.
"It's New York Rishu. For six months! And that too in like ten days from now. I can't go."
"Why not?"
"I can't live away from you!"
"Madhu, honey, my strong biwi, you're not going away away. It's a short project. It's great for your career. And you'd be back before you know it."
Madhu fell silent.
"I don't understand why you're saying no."
"I don't want to go Rishabh."
"Ok. Don't go if you don't want to go. But will you explain why?"
"I don't want to live away from you. And long distance...long distance scares me Rishabh."
RK held Madhu's hands. "Look at me biwi. Do you trust me?" Madhu nodded though she still looked frightened. "Do you think I will make the same mistakes as before? We are together, right. We are married. It's only a few months. Nothing will happen. Time will fly. Besides, I am going to be staffed on an out-station project soon. I would be out of Delhi Monday-Friday for at least 2-3 months out of the next six. What will you do then? Biwi, listen, don't be scared. And don't make our marriage an obstacle in your career."
"But Rishu..."
"Madhu, I won't insist. It's your decision at the end of the day. But I will say this. If you really think independently that this is a good opportunity, then ask yourself this question - what would you ask me to do if it were me instead of you?"
Madhu didn't respond. RK gave her a short forehead kiss.
"I am really proud of you biwi" RK said. The conversation soon moved to other topics, but the storm in Madhu's mind hadn't receded.
Later that night, Madhu sat on her bed, unable to sleep. RK had already fallen asleep, but Madhu's mind was buzzing with RK's words from dinner. Should she go? What would happen if she didn't? She loved her job, and Sinha was sure to be pissed if she refused. But so what? Was a bad bonus one year or no promotions for next two years that big a deal? How could she possibly go away from RK? The idea of a long distance scared the hell out of her. The last time they were apart, they almost broke up. Granted, things weren't the same anymore. They were married, and RK was much more considerate and caring now than he used to be. Besides he had promised that everything would be fine. Still, she couldn't live alone even for a few months, could she?
The sound of a message beeping on the phone distracted her attention. She picked up the phone from the bedside, but as she opened it she realized she had picked up RK's phone again. They had both bought similar new devices only the previous weekend, and the same look and same ringtones were getting too confusing.
"She's probably afraid because she's still grieving her parents' accident. But I am sure if you convince her again tomorrow, she would agree to go." The text message surprised her. It was from Maya. It sounded like it was about her.
Madhu scrolled to the inbox and looked at previous texts. There weren't many from Maya, but the most recent one said "What happened?" sent an hour ago.
Madhu scrolled to the sent folder and saw a lot more messages sent to Maya.
The "What happened?" was apparently a reply to RK's message that read "Too many tough dilemmas in life. I think I just told something to Madhu that hurt her. But I think it was the right thing to say. Too hard to figure out what to do next."
RK was thinking he hurt Madhu by what he said over dinner? Why? And why did he not tell her that?
There was another text, the most recent one, which seemed to correspond to the first text from Maya that Madhu read.
"She still looks lost and stressed. I don't know why she is so scared. It's a good opportunity, she should take it. But I don't want to push her too much."
This seemed like an incomplete conversation, but there were no other messages. Maybe RK deleted them. But why would he do that. She scrolled the rest of the message folder. The phone was new, so there wasn't much. But she did find a few stray messages in the sent folder - saying nothing in particular, just about everyday stuff - and none in the received. Most of the other texts were from Madhu herself, and Madhu started reading those, smiling on the few that were naughty before keeping the phone back and turning to sleep. Her final thoughts before she slept went back to RK's words. He was right - she was worrying too much. He was being so supportive, and she was scaring him so much he thought she hurt her! Ah! Rishu was such a sweetheart, such an amazing husband. He really did want her to make the best decision for herself and not worry unnecessarily about the relationship.
It was only six months. Would they be all right? Could she really do it? How many women got a husband so understanding and supportive who would encourage them to build their career? She was really lucky. She should make him proud, shouldn't she?
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