The next day all of RK's scenes were with Dipali. He wanted to see Madhu but he couldnt find her anywhere. He thought to ask someone but he stopped himself lest anyone would get suspicious of him, leave alone anyone, even Madhu might get suspicious of him.
RK was reading his script when Dipali came to stand right in front of him excitedly.
"Hiii" she exclaimed.
" Hii.." Rishabh said returning the smile back.
"So.. Ready for the scene?" She asked him enquiringly.
" Yup... Almost... " he said coolly.
"Before you decide anything else for the day... we are going for a lunch when we would get a break.." she said cinfidentally.
RK looked at her confused about how she had decided that for both of them.
" Well... Do you know we wont be getting that long a break to go anywhere for lunch.." he told her trying to discourage the idea. Somehow going somewhere with her made him feel like he would be cheating Madhu.
"No no... I have got food from home... We would eat together.." she clarified.
" Ohh great then... " he said not knowing what else to say. He was almost stuck then.
"I am waiting for the scene to start... I am quite prepared today..." she said excitedly as she tried to make him forget what happened the day before.
" Ohh thats great..." RK smiled at her.
They talked to each other with RK joking in between while Dipali laughed at him heartily. The shot also had gone quite well, RK was happy that Dipali didnt hesitate today. Dipali was quite delighted herself.
When they got a break for lunch Dipali and RK sat together to have lunch. The food was good and RK couldnt help but enjoy. He even liked Dipali as he felt she was a sweet girl.
Madhu who was now almost searching for RK, was getting restless. Even though she had felt Dipali to be a nice girl herself but she still couldnt stand the thought of RK being with her. And not finding any of them was making her apprehensive and angry that her RK could be with that girl.
She was about to turn back to her vanity when she heard a loud laughing sound. She turned towards the source of sound and stood in furious anger as she took in the sight. RK and Dipali were sitting together having food with Dipali laughing hard and even RK was laughing. Looked he had cracked another of his signature jokes. But she had thought those were for her. She had thought that it was her right to hear jokes from RK and laugh her heart out. But here this new girl was having the same time with RK which she used to cherish.
She stomped her feet to where the two were sitting.
" So I can see somebody is having a great time..." She said smiling sarcastically as she looked at RK with dangerous eyes at the same time... RK was delighted to see Madhu after the whole day. His eyes had been wandering the whole day to get a glimpse of her.
"ohh Mam.. Please come... Have some food...I got it from home" Dipali said totally unknown to Madhu's temper.
" Ohhh Dipalii..! I thought I was the one who deserved a THANK YOU from you... But I can see that was clearly not the case..." she said faking a smile and agaiin turned back to RK.
RK felt strange but couldnt understand what exactly she wanted to tell. He looked at her confused.
"Its not at all like that mam... I am really grateful to you.. Its just I thought you would be busy wuth your shoots and I thought I might disturb you.. " Dipali clarified herslef though fearing that Madhu took her wrong.
" Come on Madhu... Sit.. Lets have some food together..." RK said smiling at her.
" Well... RK... I dont want to disturb your merry moments.. I would better go and have my own... You both enjoy " she turned away arrogantly.
RK felt bad as he was now used to that Madhu would usually agree to him. And she had never refused to spend time with him. But now she just turned away from him. He looked her retreating figure walking with arrogant steps away from him. He felt a pang of sorrow, he felt like holding her arm and pull her to his chest. But he could just watch her going away from him.
"Rishabh... " Dipali interupted his chaiin of thoughts..
"Yeah " he said as he turned back to see her.
"What happened?" She asked confused.
" No.. Nothing... " he said forcing a smile.
"Okay then lets eat..." she said focussing back on the food.
"Ammm... Dipali actually... I am full... Thanks a lot for the great supper " he said.
"So early... We had just started.." she said disheartened.
"Actually.. I have to maintain my physique" he said winking trying to act normal though he was feeling really disconsolate.
"Ohh you really need to do that? I dont think you need it.. you look perfect already..." she said smiling naughtily.
RK's lips broke into a smile though he was disheartened " Okay Thanks for that... But you know.. I should just go and check with Bittuji.. He wanted me to come early.. And really thanks for the lunch..."
"Okay.. as u say..." she said feeling bad herself.
"See u later..." he smiled formally and went away.
RK couldnt stop his feet but to move towards Madhu's vanity. Madhu was sitting with her goggles on and reading her script. He thought for a second whether to talk to her or not. He took slow steps towards her trying to scrutinize what she was thinking or what was going in her mind.
" Looks like somebody is busy?"
Madhu looked up at him while her eyes began to well up. She was already feeling a burning sensation on her face and eyes stung that she had put on the goggles. She thought her decision was good that at least RK wouldnt see her tear filled eyes.
"yup..." she said a bit of rudely though her real motive was to hide the shakiness of her voice.
" is everything ok?" he asked in concern
" yes.." she repiled just that.
RK felt bad why Madhu was behaving like this. She was this way with most of the people around but RK had gotten spoilt because she had always been friendly with him. Even when arrogant, she still talked to him or even taunting him, but had never ignored him.
"Why am i feeling something is wrong..? Why are you behaving so strange " he asked still confused and worried.
" I dont need to always be on a spree... I just want to be alone... And I have a shot in no time..." she replied which according to her was as polite as she could be at that time but RK felt each word hitting him.
" Fine... Enjoy your shot then... " he replied not being able to be polite anymore. He just turned back sharply and went away.
Madhu felt like stopping him, going after him. But something inside her stopped her. She took a deep breath and pretended to read the script again.
RK was now sitting near his own set and was almost fuming. He tried to concentrate on his lines but all he remembered was Madhu's arrogant and rude behavior. What had happened he didnt know. At least she could have told.. she could have shouted she could have complained. But just distancing herself and behaving as if he was just nothing. He remembered the night at the movie hall. She was so different at that time. And now she was just the opposite. What took over her now he couldnt understand. Or had something took over her at the movie hall.. Which was the real Madhubala?
"Hey RK..." came a jolly voice from his side.
He turned sharply as he was jerked out of his thoughts to find Dipali standing there.
" Hi Dipali.. You need something? " he asked her confused.
"Redy for the scene are you?" She asked.
"Scene?? " he looked at her confused.
"Come on... we are here for a shot... Remember?" She said looking att him equally confused.
" yeah i know..." He said looking back into the script trying to quickly read through it before the shot starts.. he had totally forgotten about the scene.
"Are you okay?" Dipali asked worriedly as she kept her hand on his shoulder.
RK felt wierd " i am fine Dipali..." he said looking at her with a rude expression which made her pull away her hand instantly.
" okay... see you in sometime..." she went away quickly.
RK read the script but still couldnt get comfortable with it. Madhu was all that occupied his mind. He looked around to get a glimpse of her though he knew she wouldnt be there. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He saw Madhu's face.
" Just relax... Its very easy for you..." Madhu's words rang in his ears. And the next second he opened his eyes confidentally and walked to the centre of the set ready for the scene.
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I know its a small update.. sorry... Dips would be more of a catalyst to make Madhu realise her feelings... I had thought to get RK and Dipali in a near love equation but my Sheer LOYALTY towards RishBala didnt let me do that... I even tried to force myself to write it but my fingers betrayed.. 😆