Rishbala FF: Games of Deception (Chapter 12, Pg. 74) 02-08-2016 (NEW!) - Page 39

Saturday May 9^th, 2015

She covers her eyes with one hand as she fishes out her sunglass from her purse with the other hand. Though it is only 9 am, the vengeful nature of the heat from the scorching sun is making Madhu sweat profusely. She cranks up the AC but like everything else in her old, rustic car, it does not provide sufficient cool air. Sweating profusely, she arrives in front of her apartment building, fighting through an hour of bustling traffic, in a 5 mile stretch. Even on weekends, the day long congestion starts bright and early in the morning.

Parking in her usual place, the narrow alley next to the building, Madhu steps out and glances warily up at the building. After the hasty exit she made from Aer for her humiliating, desperado, sex maniac level act in front of Rishabh Kundra, she spent the night at a friend's place, drinking herself into oblivion. Even after taking an aspirin in the morning, her head is pounding, ready to implode. This her punishment, Madhu supposes, for losing control with Rishabh only to be rejected and even more so for foolishly drinking way past her tolerable limit.

But the hangover is not the reason why she is uncomfortable of going up to her apartment and possibly being confronted by her wayward, absent-minded father who may decide today of all days to act concerned. Madhu's intuition is screaming at her, that something major is about to take place and it may be beyond her control. Shaking her head off the bad premonition, she warily walks into the building. Madhu presses the button for one of the elevators and waits patiently for one of them to come back down to the lobby. Facing the elevator that has come down and is poised to open, she steps forward, ready to step in as soon as everyone exits.

As the door opens, she is confronted by an agitated Maleeha, her mini me as Madhu liked to always tease her, who immediately upon noticing Madhu, glares ferociously. Sighing inwardly, Madhu politely waits for her younger sister to step out of the elevator, knowing that she is about to be read a stern lecture. Though she is dreading the confrontation, she schools her features to look calm and composed. Maleeha comes out and grabs Madhu's elbow and drags her to a relatively quiet corner.

Maleeha moves her hand away and places her hands on her hips, standing akimbo. She glares at Madhu and snaps, "Seriously Di? You were out all night and you couldn't even bother to inform me? If you had the sense to let me know, I could have handled dad. But now he knows and let me tell you, sister dearest, he is hopping mad!"

Madhu shakes her head and sighs tiredly. She explains, "I am sorry. I should have called to let you know that I was going to hang out with a friend at a bar than sleep over at her place too." She adds on with conviction, "I'll just tell dad that I got stuck on an emergency, overnight project and I didn't have access to my phone because it had died."

Shamsher Malik is a conundrum. He is an art history professor and given his profession, one would expect him to be more liberal. Especially since his late wife was a renowned artist. But in reality, for all his classic, absent-minded, professorial traits, Madhu reflects, her father is as conservative as they come. He had allowed her mother to exhibit and occasionally sell her artworks but only under a pseudonym.

Her parents shared diametrically opposing viewpoints about life; influenced by their upbringing. Madhu thinks she and her sister turned out to be more like their mother; free spirits with a liberal point of view. It was interesting, for lack of better words, to grow up in their household. Despite his liberal arts education, her father is still stuck with the backwards, olden ways from his grandfather's time. Though Shamsher Malik retained the traditional value system from his land-rich ancestors, he did not inherit their shrewd skills in making money. A total shame, in Madhu's opinion.

She yelps in surprise, feeling a pinch on her hand. Madhu glances towards the ferociously frowning Maleeha and smiles sheepishly at her for losing track of the conversation and woolgathering. Madhu apologizes profusely, "Sorry pooh bear. I have a lot on my mind and got distracted easily. Now if you would step out of my way, I am going to go up and then talk to dad. I am sure, after he throws his customary hissy fit, that he'll be fine and accept my explanation."

Maleeha expels a long sigh, her honey brown eyes mirroring Madhu's, before she continues, "Your explanation could have worked under normal circumstances Di. But not today." She narrows her eyes and inquires, "Have you had the chance to see headlines in all the national newspapers today?"

Madhu straightens her spine and speaks cautiously, "No...I haven't had the chance to peruse through the news today. Why would that make a difference in my explanation of being MIA last night and dad's acceptance of it?"

Maleeha rolls her eyes and drawls sarcastically, "Oh I don't know. Maybe because pictures of you making out with Rishabh Kundra are plastered on the front page of all the national syndicates. Imagine our daddy dearest, sitting down with his tea to peruse the headlines when lo and behold his eldest daughter has made national news with her tongue down a strange man's throat. Yes...he's quite...thrilled and will be receptive to any explanation you may dish out...NOT!"

Madhu palms her reddened face, wanting the earth to open up and swallow her whole to save her from the utter mortification. It was bad enough that she acted like a bona fide sex maniac yesterday and now it is on national news for all the world to see, including her father! She mutters miserably, "Shit! Shit! Shit!"

Maleeha quirks her eye brow and states unhelpfully, "Yes you are indeed knee deep in shit Di. Now that you are fully aware of the dire nature of the situation that you have managed to embroil yourself in, care to explain to ME how you ended up as front page news, kissing the most eligible bachelor in India? Not that I have an issue with you getting cozy with a man. Hell...if your sexcapade hadn't been published on newspapers, I would have been very excited for you. My workaholic sister finally getting some. But really Di, knowing who you were swapping saliva with, you couldn't first find somewhere discreet and private before you started making out?" Her expression turns into horror and she exclaims, "Oh my gosh! Please don't tell me you two were being exhibitionists and had sex in front of everyone at Aer. I hope you have had at least enough sense to seek some privacy for that!"

Madhu drops her hands from her face and frowns at Maleeha as she snaps, "For goodness sake Maleeha! Of course we did not have sex out in the open, in front of everyone!" She continues irately, "We didn't have sex at all!"

Maleeha clucks her tongue and adds unsympathetically, "Tsk...tsk. For all the backlash you are about to face for those pictures, Rishabh Kundra could have at least shown you a good time between the sheets. At least, we could have secretly claimed you got something out of it." She shakes her head morosely, "Now you got nothing to show for it."

Madhu growls in response, "For all your wise, mature ways Maleeha...sometimes you can be a total insensitive and an immature brat!"

Maleeha sniffs, offended, "I was just only trying to find a silver lining in the mess that you have created. There's no need to be rude."

Madhu ignores her and ponders. Aside from the pending nasty confrontation with her father for lack of propriety, she also has to think about the negative repercussions it could have on her new job. Horizontal promotion straight from the bed may be the norm in her industry but women who appear on any news forum, even if they are on site reporters, still have to maintain a squeaky clean, public image. Madhu sighs, exhausted; she can kiss her promising career as a future news anchor goodbye even before she has had a chance.

But she decides, determinedly, she is a fighter. All she has to do is come up with a plan of action to tackle the situation and come out smelling sweeter on the other side. Madhu is optimistic that she can salvage her career. In order for her to come up with a plan though, she has to delay the inevitable confrontation with her father. She needs a calm environment to draw out her battle plan and her house is the last place she needs to be in.

Ignoring Maleeha's vociferous protestations, Madhu walks around her younger sister and proceeds to walk out of their apartment building. She comes up short though, stopping in her track when she notices Rishabh Kundra parking his spiffy new, silver 2016 Audi RS 7 in front of her building, heedless of the fact that no parking is allowed in that area. She watches him, like a deer caught in headlights, as he steps out of the car, the sun light glinting meticulously off the rims of his black and silver Ray-bans. She wants to bolt, to hide from him after his rather cruel rejection of what she had to offer last night. But she is glued to the ground; fascinated, mesmerized by the sight of his presence.

She mentally shakes off her fascination and glares over her shoulders at Maleeha for whistling appreciatively then she turns her glare in the direction of the smirking, male chauvinist, currently the bane of her existence. Madhu inquires waspishly, "What are you doing here Mr. Kundra?"

Rishabh openly checks out Madhu, noticing that she is wearing the same outfit as last night, he elevates his brow, silently inquiring. He controls his laughter at her answering scowl and drawls sexily, "After the night we had Madhubala, you are still calling me Mr. Kundra? Tsk...tsk. I thought we were well past surnames now."

Madhu's cheeks flush and she curses herself inwardly for having such a reaction. She gives him a cold stare and speaks, her eyes and voice can freeze over hell, "Just answer my question Mr. Kundra. Why are you here?"

Rishabh shrugs his shoulders and takes off his shades. He glances at Madhu sideways and states casually, "I figured, after the...err...compromising pictures of us that had been published this morning, I thought you and I should talk."

Madhu narrows her eyes suspiciously and asks, "Did you arrange for the pictures to be taken Mr. Kundra? After all, you arranged the time and location for our meeting and we all know you have MONEY and the CONNECTIONS to make it happen easily."

Maleeha steps forward and in front of Madhu, like a protective shield. She glares at Rishabh and inquires, "Are you playing some sort of game with my sister?" She threatens, "If you are then you better listen mister, you hurt my Di and I am going to come after you with everything I've got." She flips her dark brown curls back over her shoulders and states proudly, "I am well versed in martial arts. Earned my black belt at age 13 and I can easily kick your ass. So don't you dare try to hurt my Di!"

Rishabh smiles at Maleeha, resisting the urge to tweak her nose. Placing his hand over his heart, he states solemnly, "It warms my heart to see you be so protective towards your elder sister. Madhubala is lucky to have a sister like you. As for hurting your sister, I wouldn't dream of it." He states simply, "I like her." Smiles slight, "Even though she doesn't like me much or at least she refuses to admit that there is even a slight chance that she also likes me back in return." He laughs slightly, "So I hope I won't ever feel the brunt of your anger and become your punching bag."

Madhu tries to push Maleeha out of her way and says exasperatedly, "Kiddo. Thank you for trying to be my shield but I can take care of myself. Now run along upstairs and keep dad busy while I finish up my discussion with Mr. Kundra."

Maleeha ignores Madhu and harrumphs. She wags a finger at Risahbh and states, "I will be keeping an eye on you mister."

Rishabh nods his head solemnly and responds, "I am sure you will be...May I know the name of my worthy opponent?"

Maleeha reluctantly forwards her hand, "Maleeha. Maleeha Malik."

Rishabh clasps her right hand for a warm shake, "Pleasure to meet you Maleeha and you should call me Rishabh."

Maleeha pulls her hand back and states archly, "Can't say the same for you MR. KUNDRA. It's still debatable."

Rishabh laughs throatily, amused as Madhu successfully manages to push her human shield of a sister out of her way. She scowls at Rishabh and then glances pointedly at Maleeha, "Maleeha...honey...I need you upstairs to distract dad and find a way to convince him that the pictures were photo shopped. While you do that, I will finish up my discussion with Mr. Kundra so he can go his merry way."

Rishabh mutters under his breath, "She's always ready to dismiss me. Must have been a school teacher in the previous life."

Maleeha flips her hair again and turns around. She stalks up the stairs, back up to the building, amply displaying her displeasure on being dismissed. Rishabh yells at her retreating form, "Till we meet again Maleeha." And she waves a hand in acknowledgement as she disappears through the door.

Rishabh laughs slightly and tells Madhu, "Your sister is quite delightful."

Madhu folds her arms across her chest and glares, "Yes she is and she is still a child. So don't even think about trying your charms on her."

He smirks as he lets his eyes linger over Madhu's well-proportioned form, "Only interested in fully grown women sweetheart. To be more specific, I am only interested in you."

Madhu snaps, "Cut the bullshit Rishabh. What do you want?"

Rishabh asks in a serious tone, "Can we go someplace more private than the front entrance of your building?" He glances pointedly at a few stragglers, standing discreetly a few feet away, "We have an audience."

Madhu nods her head curtly and takes him inside the builder to the same corner Maleeha had dragged her to. After making sure that they have the necessary privacy, she crosses her arms again and demands, "We've got our privacy now. So talk!"

Rishabh takes a deep breath and begins, "I have been thinking...the best way to handle the scandal that will be beneficial for the both of us, to help us overcome it till it is all forgotten."

Madhu asks sarcastically, "And what would that be Mr. Kundra?"

Rishabh continues smoothly, "It's really quite a simple. We should get married so neither of us would have fingers pointed at us for the promiscuity. I don't need the distraction it has generated, not when I am still trying to establish myself and prove to everyone that I deserve to run Kundra Industries. And we all know that pictures published on all national newspapers of compromising nature is the end of your career. So really the only solution that is left to us is to get married. And after a year, we can discreetly file for annulment and go our separate ways." He glances at Madhu's shell shocked expression and asks curiously, "Well? What do you think?"

Shaking herself out of stupor, Madhu screams, "Are you f**king kidding me?!?"

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