Rishbala SS: Dil, Dosti, etc...Last Chap & Epi Pg65 - Page 33

Rishabh was working in his cabin when Madhu knocked and entered. "Yes, Madhu?" "Deepali had called me. She came back from Bangalore yesterday. She wants to meet for coffee in the evening," replied Madhu. Rishabh froze at the mention of Deepali's name. He had been thankful for her trip and successfully avoiding that topic in front of Radha. "Will you wait till 5 in office, or should I.." asked Rishabh when Madhu prompted, "I am not coming Rishabh. I will leave after lunch," and left his cabin. Rishabh held his head and sighed.

"Hey Rishabh," smiled Deepali and waved when she saw Rishabh entering the cafe. Rishabh smiled faintly and took the chair opposite to her. "So, how is everything here? Still very busy?" asked Deepali. "Yeah, kind of. How was your trip?" asked Rishabh, just to keep the conversation flowing. They talked about their work and Simran's wedding for some time more, and then both fell silent, thinking about topics to continue talking. Then Deepali gathered up some confidence and asked, "Uhmm, Rishabh, did you give any thought about the marriage thing?" Rishabh looked a little uneasy, then took a deep breath and said, "Deepali, there are certain things I need to make clear before anything proceeds at all." "Yes, Rishabh. I am listening," replied Deepali and looked at Rishabh intently. "Deepali, my priorities in my life are set already. Ma, Adit and Madhu are my responsibility. Their need comes first in my life than anything else. I am sure you have some dreams about your future life, but..." faltered Rishabh when Deepali said, "I understand Rishabh. And that is exactly why I have always tried to keep in touch with Madhu from our first meeting. I really like her and I hope to grow a good bond with her over time." Rishabh was getting impatient, as he had thought Deepali would back off after knowing about his priorities. But she seemed quite accommodating and ready to adapt in the situation. "There is no hurry Rishabh, it's just that my parents would want to know about our decision sometime in the near future..." said Deepali when Rishabh's phone started ringing. "Excuse me," said Rishabh, "Hello, Ma? What happened?" "Rishu, Adit fell off the bed and hit his head," sobbed Radha over the phone. "What?" shouted Rishabh, "Where is he?" "Madhu took him to the hospital one hour back." "One hour back? And you are telling me now, Ma?" demanded Rishabh while getting up from his chair. "Madhu said you are busy, beta," replied Radha hesitantly. "I will be there right away," muttered Rishabh and hung up. "What happened Rishabh?" asked Deepali, alarmed. "I am sorry Deepali, Adit is hurt. I have to leave now," said Rishabh and rushed out of the cafe.

Madhu was sobbing on a bench outside the examination room where Adit had been kept under observation. "Where is Adit?" roared Rishabh as he came running towards her. "Rishabh...Rishabh, Adit hit his head against the bed stand. Doctor is telling he has to be under observation and now they are not telling anything," wailed Madhu as she clasped Rishabh's shirt. Rishabh held her tight and barged into the examination room. A doctor and two nurses were having a discussion around Adit, who was laid on a cot with his head wrapped in bandage. "How is Adit?" asked Rishabh menacingly. "He is fine now," replied the doctor. "Then why do you need to keep him under observation?" "He is a small baby. Such head injuries may cause concussions at times. We will observe him for some time, whether he vomits or shows some abnormality. Please don't worry, this is the procedure for any head injury. I am sure he will be perfectly fine," replied the doctor. "He is everything I have Rishabh, please Rishabh, do something, I can't see him in pain," whimpered Madhu, and was about to collapse on the floor when Rishabh hugged her tightly. "Nothing will happen to Adit, I won't let anything to happen to him," gritted Rishabh and took her out of the room.

"Yes Ma, the scan report is also ok. They will release Adit in 15 minutes," told Rishabh over the phone. Then he walked to the bench where Madhu was sitting, with her head lowered down. "How did it happen?" asked Rishabh slowly. "He was playing with his toys and I was preparing his food. One of his toy slipped from his hand on to the floor and before I could pick it up, he suddenly tumbled over the pillow and fell down," replied Madhu. "Why didn't you call me immediately," asked Rishabh angrily. "You were supposed to meet Deepali, and I did not want to disturb you," mumbled Madhu. Rishabh glared at her and shouted, "DEEPALI IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN ADIT, do you understand that?" Madhu shook at his outburst, but did not dare to argue any further. After sometime they went back home with Adit.

Madhu stayed back home for the next two weeks with Adit. She would not leave his side for a single moment. Rishabh had been bogged down by a project, which was in a critical stage that moment. He was coming late every evening, completely exhausted. Radha got worried, seeing Rishabh's condition. "Madhu beta, can I ask you for something?" asked Radha. "Yes, Ma," replied Madhu. "Now that Adit is fine, why don't you join office and help Rishu with this project? I promise I will always be with Adit." Madhu thought for a moment and replied, "Ok, Ma. I will go tomorrow."

Next morning Rishabh left quite early, and did not have any word with Madhu about her plan to join office again. After spending the first half of the morning with the contractors and suppliers in a meeting room, he headed towards his cabin. As he opened the door, he saw Deepali waiting for him inside. "Deepali? What are you doing here?" asked Rishabh astonished. "I am sorry Rishabh if I am disturbing you. But I needed to talk to you. I tried to contact you over phone after that evening at the cafe, but you were either not available or just busy. So, thought to come over and have a face-to-face conversation," replied Deepali with a steady tone. "About what?" blurted Rishabh. He was losing his patience once again, although he did not intend to be rude. "Rishabh, I told you that day that my parents are waiting for a confirmation..." "I am too tied up currently, I do not have time for this right now," snapped Rishabh and immediately felt sorry for his rudeness. He pinched his nose and said, "Look Deepali, I guess this is not the right time or place to have such a conversation." "When will it be, Rishabh?" asked Deepali. Rishabh sighed and turned his back towards her, looking out of the big glass window overlooking the street below. "You know what Rishabh, I think you are wasting both our time. From the day I have met you, I have felt one thing very evident. You are not only protective about Madhu, you are simply in love with her. I just don't understand why you are making me wait, when you have already made your decision," said Deepali. Rishabh turned towards her, speechless, when a slight movement at the door caught his attention. "Madhu!!" blurted Rishabh, seeing her ashen face. Deepali too looked back immediately and murmured, "Oh my god, Madhu. I am sorry." Madhu was seething with anger and humiliation. Her eyes were glistening but she checked herself from letting them flow. "No, Deepali. I am sorry. I did not know that I have made myself so weak and vulnerable that people would be impelled to be sympathetic to me and give up their life to make me happy. Adit and I can survive without your sympathy, Rishabh. You don't have to be our god and save us from all evil, when your own life awaits you," said Madhu in rage. "I did not mean to disrespect you, Madhu," said Deepali apologetically. "You did not disrespect me, Deepali. I have failed to keep my self-respect in your eyes," blurted Madhu and ran out in the corridor. Deepali murmured an apology and left behind her. Rishabh stood like a statue all this while, trying to grasp the dynamics of his heart and mind which had been left in topsy-turvy.

Rishabh entered their home and saw Madhu's hand bag lying on the couch in the living room, but she was nowhere around. He ran to her room which was empty. He peeked in Radha's room, where both Radha and Adit were sleeping soundly in dark, with all the curtains drawn. He then looked at the terrace and noticed a lone figure, standing at the farthest end, drenched in the pouring rain. He quietly opened the sliding door and walked towards Madhu. The heavy rain drowned the sound of his footsteps, so Madhu did not realize when he stood right behind her. She was crying bitterly, with her face covered in her hands. Her saree clung to her body, and wet curls rested on her back. Rishabh took a deep breath and fisted his fingers, then in an instant held Madhu's arm and turned her to face him. "Rishabh!" gasped Madhu when he slammed his lips on her, making his claim on her finally.