PART 15(B)
It was the mid of the week. I was going to get married by the end of this week and my closest friends had no damn idea. I couldn't help but keep myself quiet as much as I could because I had promised myself to not say a word to them till RK and me were the most comfortable. I lazily sat in my cabin looking at the lights that glowed outside my window. An evening Brisbane was a delight to the eyes. I got up and went near the window to get a closer view of the street below me. It was magic. Everyone rushed here and there. Car's floodlights illuminated the streets. I chewed a pencil between my incisors. My head was spinning with thoughts. Was I doing the right by marrying RK. Mom and Dad were busy with the preparations, keeping it as minimal as they could. But there was a strange lump in my throat. A strange hesitation. I felt odd at the way the things were progressing. "When its right, its right!", a friend had told me during my internship days. Only one question lingered, "Was it right?".
I didn't realize that my phone was ringing until Aaron barged in my cabin. "Excuse me MD!", he shouted bringing me back to my office. I turned immediately. "Yes. Aaron?"
"You weren't picking up?", he pointed at the phone. I looked at it briefly and then looked at Aaron. "I was thinking something Aaron", I said sheepishly.
"MD. RK Sir is here and he says he wants to see you?"
"He is?", I looked at him realising my cheeks were flushing.
"Yes Mam. At the counter."
"Alright. Why didn't you tell me before", and then realising I was lost, I bit my lip and giggled to Aaron as I ran out.
There he stood, in black tux with his elbow resting on the counter and his eyes covered with shiny glares. I slowed my walk as I neared him, though my adrenaline was on an all-time high. The receptionist saw me and smiled. He guessed her expression and turned towards the direction she was looking. Meeting my gaze, he removed the glares and his deep blue eyes looked at me. I waved and smiled, "Hi!". My voice was filled with excitement. What was happening. I wanted to slap my inner self. He nodded in reply and then tilted his head motioning me to come out. I nodded and made a '1' with my index finger asking him to wait. Ri had joined me by now.
"Ri. I'll just be back in a while. Please take care."
She smiled and nodded and I followed RK out.
"Yahaan kaise?", I asked him in the elevator. It was me, him and Will. Darn. He was always around him.
"Maa..", he left the sentence unfinished. I understood. Radha Aunty had asked him to meet me.
"Anything important?", I asked...trying to be as normal as I could.
"Nahi, aisa kuch khaas nahi", he replied. I saw his lips curve into the syllables of Hindi and realised that I had seen him using his mother tongue for the first time since we met in Brisbane. It felt unusually happy. "Toh phir?", I asked back.
"Maa asked me to take you out to dine."
"Ohh...", I didn't say it, just curved my lips.
"Papa and Maa?", I asked.
"I asked them already. They are fine. Are you?", he turned to me.
"Yes, ofcourse.", I closed my lips in a soft smile.
We came out of the elevator and Will reached out to the car and opened the door for us. After we sat, RK motioned Will away. "Is he not coming with us?", I asked abruptly.
"How can he dine with us?", he turned to me in shock. I bit my lip. I was being so stupid. Ofcourse! Why would Will accompany us to a dinner. Why did I even ask? My mind wasn't in sync with my tongue. "Ohh...he's always around you?", I said...again abruptly. He glared at me. I looked away closing my eyes tightly waiting for some taunt to come through my way. I heard his deep breath as he started the car and drove.
We drove silently, I kept looking at the twinkly lights on the streets. They were wet because of rains and floodlights lit the roads which shined like diamonds. We stopped by at a posh restaurant. The valet took the car keys and we proceeded inside. It was gorgeous. "Good morning sir!", the manager greeted RK with a familiar smile. I looked at the name of the hotel. Below the name, it was mentioned "The Kundra Group". I sighed heavily. He noticed me. "Any problem?"
"Don't tell me you own this f***ing hotel."
His lips curved into a smile, "I do." His dimples peeped in. I felt light seeing those dimples. We proceeded and sat on the table reserved for us right at the corner of the restaurant. I was ready for a royal treatment. Sadly.
"Nice place.", I commended. He smiled and gave me the menu. "I'll take a mojito". I said closing the menu.
"That is it?", he said.
"Yup! I don't feel hungry."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah..."
He motioned the waiter, "1 mojito and 1 black coffee"
"You won't eat?", I asked.
"Nope.", he said looking into his phone.
"Why?"
"I am not hungry."
I fumed. Was he doing this purposely?
"Excuse me!", I called the waiter back.
"Make it 1 mojito, 1 black coffee and 2 chicken sandwiches please!", I told him.
He glared at me and then looked back into the phone.
"We're here for a dinner?", I reminded.
"I know."
"Will you keep looking into that thing?", I pointed at his phone. He stared at me with angry eyes and then kept it aside. We kept silent for a while. The music was soft and beautiful as if water was falling down a fall.
"RK.", I suddenly asked.
"Hmm..."
"Can I have a few answers?", I said realising that this was the right time.
"Like what?"
"Why did you stop calling me?", I said abruptly. He looked at me and fell silent.
"I lost my phone and subsequently, your contact details, including your parents' numbers."
"But you could have easily found that out?"
"I could have. But honestly speaking, I was surprised by the way my life was going and I completely forgot about my social life."
"We were friends RK.", I sighed looking upset.
"I am sorry.", he muttered. I moved forward and held his hand touching his knuckles with my thumb. He moved uneasily.
"When all that happened, did you inform my parents?"
"They did come forward Madhu. Your parents are gems. But I asked them to step back. They gave me your number but I chose not to call you because my phone calls were being analysed and tracked. I didn't want you to be dragged in all this. I couldn't let the knife of interrogations and proceedings hang upon you or in fact any of my friends."
"Is that it?"
"Yes.?", he looked at me confused.
"I don't think so. There's more. Something you're still not telling me. RK. If we need to marry, you need to tell me everything. No secrets."
"I told you everything?"
"You didn't. I know.", I told him strongly.
"I stopped trusting on anyone. Not even you!", he glared at me.
"What?", I was shocked.
"Yes. Over time I realised who my real friends were, but I couldn't trust anyone of you."
"We didnt even speak to each other."
"I don't trust people Madhubala."
"I understand that RK. It must be hard.", I looked away. Those words hit me like a dagger.
"Do you trust me?", I turned to him.
"I'll be honest Madhu.", he said.
"Yes. I want you to be honest."
"I don't trust you.", he said bluntly. My heart skipped a beat. I gulped the tears that formed in my eyes.
"I am sorry.", he said. I nodded and licked my lips trying to control my tears. The waiter kept the food on the table and I pulled my mojito. It kept me quiet while I sipped softly and ate the sandwich. I could feel his gaze fixed on me. I didn't look at him again during the rest of the time. I was hurt. That bitch had butchered this beautiful human being. After the dinner, the waiter presented the bill. I took it from RK's hand and took out my share.
"What are you?", he said.
"I'll pay for my share.", I said still not able to look at him.
"You don't need to."
"Yes I do. Until Sunday, I can pay my bills.", I smiled looking at the waiter as he stood confused. He took the money and we got up. On our way to the car, RK tucked his hands in his pockets and said, "I am sorry."
I didn't want to look at him, not because I was angry or anything, but because I wasn't being able control my own emotions.
"For what RK", I hugged myself with my hands because of the cool wind. He didnt reply and we sat back in his car. We drove silently. I fell back on the back rest and closed my eyes.
We reached my apartment and he walked upto the door to leave me. I opened the door without saying a word but he held back my hand. "Madhu.", he called back. "Look at me.", he begged.
I turned to him and said, "You'll trust me one day." He gasped and looked at me confused and guilty. "Night RK!", I smiled and closed the door behind me.
Now, I am very sick *stares at Eku* and I shall update on Sunday or Monday. Ohh yes and PMs later.
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
Cricket
