Rishbala SS: Dil, Dosti, etc...Last Chap & Epi Pg65 - Page 25

"Thank god you are over six months. Now you can take foods other than mommy's milk, and she can get some time out with me," said Trishna while cuddling Adit. Madhu smiled at them while arranging Adit's clothes in his baby wardrobe. All these months Madhu had kept herself busy in all household chores along with taking care of Adit, in spite of Radha's disapproval. "Ma, I need some exercise and doing household work will keep me fit," replied Madhu whenever Radha tried to stop her from doing anything. Indeed it kept her very fit, and soon she lost the baby fat and looked as glamorous as ever. "Sultan must be very excited about this new range of sarees his apparel brand is introducing this fall," asked Madhu as she settled beside Trishna. "Oh yes, we definitely are. All the sarees have been designed by none other than Harish Malhotra, the ace designer," exclaimed Trishna. "Wow that sounds amazing!! Won't there be any formal launch for this new range?" asked Madhu excitedly. "Yes, in fact there are many couture exhibitions and shows where it will be showcased. But the most exciting one would be here at the Apparel House in Gurgaon next week. Sultan is going crazy with all the arrangements. Rishu is also helping him out with the event management in a big way," replied Trishna. "Hmm. So Bebu, we are going for a fashion show next week. We are going to love it sooo much," said Madhu while nuzzling Adit's nose lovingly.

On the evening of the fashion show, Madhu and Trishna went to the Apparel House, keeping Adit with Radha and Meera at home. Rishabh and Sultan were extremely busy from the morning, and they had informed that once the show started they would join them. Trishna had been successful in persuading Madhu to wear a beautiful chiffon saree, with some light ornaments. "Why don't you wear these beautiful sarees anymore? You are looking breathtakingly beautiful," commented Trishna. "All these days I was busy with Adit. And then who is there to see me looking pretty?" asked Madhu sadly. "Madhu, I am warning you. Never ever say anything like that. We all are with you. We all love to see you happy and beautiful," replied Trishna with annoyance. "Hey you two glam girls, come here. Do you want to see the models up, close and personal?" asked Sultan, heading towards them from the backstage. "Oh yes," exclaimed Trishna, thanking her husband in mind for changing the mood of the moment. They followed Sultan to the green room.

It was a mayhem inside the green room. The models were running here and there, some half-clad, some barely wound in a saree, with the make-up men and hairdressers running behind them. "Good heavens!" gasped Madhu. "The show is supposed to start in 20 minutes, and this is the situation in the green room?" asked Trishna in shock. "I have been assured that this is the normal situation in any fashion show and it continues till the last moment," replied Sultan with resignation. "Where is Rishabh?" asked Trishna. "He is talking with the model agency. The show stopper has not arrived." "What?" came in unison from Trishna and Madhu. Just then they noticed Rishabh coming with a familiar looking man. "Is he.." asked Madhu. "Harish Malhotra," muttered Sultan, "who is extremely annoyed with the whole situation." "Rishabh, I had told you repeatedly, I do not work with unprofessional people. How could you sign up Noemi for the showstopper's position? She is the most infamous model in fashion world for disobeying her commitments. And I am not going to display my year's best creation on just any other model," Harish declared heatedly. "I am sorry, Harish. I will try my best to get a replacement," pleaded Rishabh, while going through his contacts in the phone. "Hi Harish," greeted Sultan hesitantly. "Hi Sultan," replied Harish nonchalantly when his eyes fell upon Madhu. "Who is this lovely lady?" Harish asked Sultan, pointing to Madhu. "Oh, this is Madhu, our friend," replied Sultan. Harish came near and held Madhu's hand. "I might sound cheesy, but can't help pointing out how much you have enhanced the glamour of this saree by just wearing it," said Harish, looking into her eyes. Madhu was startled at first, then her cheeks reddened as she felt embarrassed to hear such outrageous compliment on her attire. Rishabh had just had few words with the model agency over the phone when he noticed Harish holding Madhu's hand, and Madhu looking flushed. "Harish, I had a word with the agency..." said Rishabh when Harish interrupted, saying, "I got my showstopper," giving Madhu his most charming smile.

"I am not getting on that stage wearing some designer outfit," blurted Madhu. Rishabh had asked for few minutes from Harish and pulled Madhu, Sultan and Trishna at a corner for discussion. "Madhu, please do this for us. And it's just a saree, not some bikini, for God's sake!" exclaimed Trishna. "Why don't you do it?" asked Madhu frustrated. "Harish chose you, Madhu, not me. And he was absolutely correct in saying that only you could do justice to his best design of the season," replied Trishna agitatedly. "Please, Madhu. If you say no, this show will be doomed," pleaded Sultan. "What will Ma think of me? No, I can't do this," declared Madhu. "I will talk to Ma and I know she will understand," replied Rishabh and called Radha before Madhu could argue any more. After letting her know about the situation, Rishabh asked for Radha's permission. "If it is a show on saree, I am sure there is nothing to worry about beta. And it will be of some help to Sultan as well. He has always been there for us, I think you should do this much in return," said Radha to Madhu over the phone. "Is she ready?" asked Harish. Rishabh nodded excitedly and hollered the make-man and hairdresser. "She is the showstopper, so we still have some time in hand. Give her the appropriate make up and bring her back in time," instructed Rishabh. Madhu looked at him in despair one last time before she was led to the changing room. Rishabh mouthed, "Don't worry. Trust me," as she went inside.

Soche dil ki aisa kaash ho...tujhko ek nazar meri talaash ho...

By the time Madhu reached the front of the stage again, accompanied by Harish, the audience stood up and thunderous applause filled up the auditorium. "Bravo, bravo!!" shouted some of the onlookers from front. "I told you, you are the best," winked Harish and smiled. Madhu was still in a daze. She had never been in the limelight before and this all happened so fast that she did not know how to react. As she took the first step down from the stage, a hand extended in front to help her down. "Rishabh," murmured Madhu, holding his hand while stepping down. His hold on her hand lingered a little more until Trishna and Sultan came rushing towards Madhu. "Thanks Madhu. You saved me from a big trouble today," exclaimed Sultan as he gave her a quick hug. "We should leave now Sultan. I hope you will manage the rest," said Rishabh. "Definitely Rishu. And thanks again dost, without you two this would not have been possible," said Sultan.

Rishabh and Madhu stood at the lift lobby, waiting for the lift to come down. "Give me your hand Madhu," said Rishabh all of a sudden. "Huh?" asked Madhu in surprise. Rishabh took her hand and turned her around. "Rishabh," uttered Madhu in a questioning tone when she was spun again and hold close by Rishabh. "Shall we dance, Madhu?" smiled Rishabh. "I suppose we were dancing already," replied Madhu and smacked on his arm playfully. They started laughing and again Rishabh started making some casual dance moves when the lift arrived. They kept laughing all the way in the lift, as Rishabh kept making some funny dance moves. "Stop being a clown, Rishabh," said Madhu while holding her stomach in laughter. Rishabh stopped and came closer to her in the lift. "Don't stop smiling Madhu. You look wonderful when you smile," said Rishabh in a hushed tone. Madhu's smile dropped as that strange warmth started creeping up her face once again. Thankfully the doors of the lift opened as they had reached their floor.