Madhu stood nervously beside Rishabh as she glanced up the imposing building that is his home. Clad in a simple white and gold, long anarkali suit, she is a vision of demure elegance. Though the outfit is not what she had ever envisioned as her wedding dress, it was perfect for their out of the ordinary, private wedding. She cast a sly glance at Rishabh and silently approved that he opted to wear a black suit with a blue tie for their wedding. Temporary though their wedding may be, they still have to act like a happily married, newly-wed couple. And part of that means, dressing appropriately to outwardly show they cared about their private wedding ceremony that tied them together.
With the vermalas around their respective necks, Madhu chuckled inwardly. She can't believe that she is about to make a very dramatic, Hindi serial worthy entrance and shock her in-laws with the unexpected news of their wedding. She flipped her hair back and one side of lips upturned into a half-smile. Unlike those weepy heroines, Madhu has no intention of crying buckets loads of tears and be subservient to her in-laws. She does not owe them any explanation. If they have an issue, they can take it up with the man of the hour, their brother and her husband.
Rishabh glanced down at Madhu's calm face and he smiled slightly in approval. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that his family will have a cow when they walk in and announce that he and Madhu tied the knot without their knowledge. He hopes she won't become upset and start crying as he has no endurance to deal with such drama after the stink they are about to get. It would be better if she just remained quiet and let him do the talking so he can set his family members succinctly into their rightful places.
He grabbed hold of her hand in a tight yet gentle grip. "Ready?" He asked. Madhu nodded her head to Rishabh's approval. He opened the door and they both entered, subconsciously, with their right foot into the light, airy marbled foyer. Holding her hand, he guided them to the family room, knowing his family members will be gathered there after dinner. Standing in front of the closed door, Rishabh gave Madhu another sidelong glance to make sure she hasn't developed a sudden onslaught of nervousness. He proudly noted with satisfaction that she remained serene with her head tilted up and shoulders straight, regal like a queen.
He gave her a reassuring smile as she smiled softly back at him. Rishabh put his hand on the door knob and opened it with authority. He wrapped his right arm round Madhu's shoulders as her eyes widened imperceptibly in surprise. He sauntered in, pulling her along with him. Rishabh coughed to gain their attention. His arms still wrapped around Madhu, he stood patiently, waiting for his shocked family members to gain usage of their tongue and start demanding for an explanation.
Having heard enough, Rishabh interrupted in a quiet, authoritative tone, "That's enough! It's done. We got married because we like and care about each other but mostly we are compatible. Neither of us wanted to deal further with the media chasing after us, exposing our private moments. So we decided to get married in court. It's over and done with and both Madhu and I are happy with our decision."
He smiled coldly and continued, "I hope that you all will accept our marriage and welcome my new wife with the respect that she deserves."
Roma wiped away her tears and said, "You're a beast Rishabh for not even telling us, your family, that you are getting married let alone let us be a part of your wedding." She smiled tremulously and continued, "However, now that the deed is done and you are already married, congratulations little brother."
She opened her arms wide and ran up to Rishabh as he smiled affectionately and enveloped his big sister in a hug. Roma pulled away from the hug and smiled widely at Madhu who returned it with a smile of her own. Roma caressed Madhu's cheek and said clearly, "Welcome to the family Madhu. Sorry that I am not prepared to welcome you properly as a bride." She pointed archly at Rishabh, "I lay the blame on this beastly brother of mine for not informing me so I could have prepared for your welcoming."
Madhu giggled lightly and clasped Roma's hands in hers, instantly taking a liking to Rishabh's sweet, elder sister. With a teasing smile pointed at him, Madhu agreed, "Indeed your brother is a beast for not telling you, Di. I hope it's okay if I call you that. I have always wanted a big sister!"
Rishabh gave Madhu a sidelong glance of approval as Roma squealed in delight, "Of course! I would love it if you call me Di!" She smiled archly at Trishna and teased, "I have always wanted a RESPECTFUL younger sister."
Hitesh observed the trio quietly for a minute. His eyes silently connect with Madhu's and flashes with rage. Rishabh silently observed his reaction and then he glanced towards Madhu. Though she didn't give much away, the way she gazed back at Hitesh in a somewhat familiar fashion, implied she knows him. Rishabh shrugged off the intuition and once again turned his attention towards Hitesh to see if he would erupt like a volcano and blast them.
Not caring that his brother-in-law just got married, Hitesh shrugged his shoulders and went back to reading the book he is holding in his hand. Rishabh shrugged his shoulders in response and turned his head. Though he doesn't show any hurt at Hitesh's obvious snub, Rishabh still has regards for him. Despite their recent altercations regarding business matters, they are still family. He shrugged again; perhaps it is for the best that Hitesh did not say a word because it could have and would have easily started an argument. His inner musing was interrupted by Trishna's venomous tone.
Trishna sputtered furiously as she regained her voice, "Seriously Di. I can't believe you are just accepting this marriage without any reservation." She waved a hand towards Madhu's direction, her face expressed disgust, "We don't know anything about this girl. For all we know, she could turn out to be a gold digger after bhai's money."
Roma placed a calming hand on a furious Rishabh as he glared at Trishna. He barely held back from giving her the tongue lashing she deserves. Glancing at Trishna, Roma stated pointedly, "Not everyone thinks in terms of money like you dear sister. I trust Rishabh's judgment and I trust that he picked the right girl for himself and also for this family. Now stop being such a sourpuss and come congratulate your brother and your new bhabi."
Rishabh glanced at Roma in surprise and said softly, "Thanks Di."
Roma simply nodded her head and affirmed with a warm, maternal smile, "It's the truth." She pulls off a thin, rose gold bangle with pave diamonds off her wrist and held up Madhu's slim, elegant right wrist, "Since I didn't get anything for you. Consider this my wedding gift to you."
Madhu pulled back her hand and shook her head, "Di you don't have to give me anything. Just your acceptance alone is enough and thank you for it."
Roma placed a finger on her lips sternly, "Hush!" She pulled Madhu's hand up and slipped the bangle on to her wrist, "Its shagun so you have no choice but to accept it."
Madhu glanced at Rishabh to gauge his reaction. She didn't want him to think that she is a gold-digger as Trishna had implied. Not that she really cares what he thinks about her but it is a matter of self-respect. Madhu refuses to let him think that just because she agreed to marry him as a business transaction that she would do and take anything for money. Rishabh may not know but she married him for more than the money and to safeguard her reputation so her budding career doesn't tank before it takes flight. Her reasons are her concern. Nonetheless, she continued to stare at Rishabh's implacable expression. Her eyes silently pleaded him for to give some sort of sign. Rishabh elevated a brow at her questioningly. Madhu awaited with abated breath as her eyes bore into his. Right side of his lips upturned into a lopsided smile. His eyes twinkled humorously as he slightly nodded his head, letting Madhu know that he is fine with her accepting valuable gifts from his family.
Madhu smiled widely and accepted the gift from Roma, "Thank you Di."
Trishna clapped her hands softly, her lips curled up in derision. She walked up to them as Rishabh stepped closer to Madhu and shot Trishna a warning glance. She ignored him and directed her hateful gaze at Madhu and addressed Roma, "Di you are too soft-hearted and occasionally a dimwit." She laughed viciously, "You just gave her a diamond bangle and this greedy, gold-digging bitch..."
Rishabh stepped forward menacingly and interrupted Trishna, coldly "Watch your language Trishna! First of all, show some respect for Di because not only is she our elder sister who has always looked out for us but she also raised you like a daughter. As for Madhu, she is your bhabi. Don't you ever address her in derogatory terms or..." He paused, "I will forget that you are my sister..." Rishabh trails off in a soft, menacing tone, his incomplete threat hanging ominously in the quiet, tensed room.
Trishna flipped her hair and turned her gaze towards Rishabh. She mocked, "Brother dearest. Your words and actions of late already indicates that you don't regard me as your sister." She continued with a hiss, "So excuse me if I really don't give a shit whether you will think of me as a sister or not."
As Trishna spat venom, Madhu observed her quietly, not giving away any of her emotions. She decided that Trishna is a spoiled brat and wondered, glancing quickly at Roma then back at the spite witch, that Trishna must have been switched at birth. How can one sister be so gentle and sweet and the other a total bitch?
Though she is not the type to sit quietly and take insults, Madhu bit her tongue to keep from giving Trishna a serious tongue lashing, as she deserves. Palming her mouth, she gently stifled a yawn. She wants to escape from the room as soon as it is humanly possible and be done with the bullshit family drama. Madhu slyly glanced at her watch on her left wrist and her eyes widen in surprise. It is only past 9 pm, early by her standards, yet she is exhausted. She mentally shrugged her shoulders; she is attributing her tiredness to the wedding. Madhu hardly slept the previous night.
Madhu's eyes narrowed in anger as Trishna pointed a finger at Roma as if she is scolding her and continued spitefully, "Mark my words Di. This woman that our dear brother has brought in our home as his wife will be nothing but trouble. I know a power hungry, money loving bitch when I see it. It's obvious she planned an elaborate scheme. Remember the pictures published on Saturday newspaper Di? This s**t used her body as a lure to trap bhai so she can fleece him off the wealth that should have been ours!"
Rishabh's eyes reflected the seething rage that is about to unleash. He stepped forward, his hand itching to smack Trishna for her foul language. Madhu stayed a hand on Rishabh's arm. He stopped in his track and turned and glanced at her. She shook her head, imploring with her eyes. Knowing that it would do no good to continue to fight with Trishna as it would only make her more angry and vicious, he sighed and stepped back and sidled up next to Madhu.
Not willing to let the insult slide this time, Madhu stepped forward. She didn't want Rishabh to fight her battle. Her younger sister-in-law wants to hurl offensive words at her, so be it. She is not going to be a typical bhabi and swallow it without a word of protest. Neither is she going to let her husband deal with it when she is more than capable of putting this disrespectful cow in her rightful place.
Madhu's eyes hardened like shards of ice as she plastered on a sugary, fake smile, "My dear youngest sister-in-law. Thank you for your SWEETLY and so KINDLY welcoming me into the family." She said sarcastically, boring her eyes into Trishna's as she attempted to kill with stare, "Thank you also for expressing such HEARTFELT CONCERN for YOUR BROTHER. But don't you worry darling. Now that I am here, you don't need to worry and strain your pretty little head." Madhu winked suggestively, "I will keep an eye on YOUR brother's money and make sure NO ONE gets their greedy, grubby paws on to it." She batted her eyelashes outrageously, "I am here and HERE TO STAY and be an excellent wife to your dearest brother and his newly inherited wealth." She stretched her lips and flashed all her teeth in a feral smile.
Trishna sputtered in outrage, "How dare you?" She screamed, "How dare you speak to me in such manner?!? I am Trishna Kundra and NO ONE speaks to me this way!" She stomped her feet and stalked out of the room. After throwing one last hateful glance at Madhu.
Roma barely contained her laugh as clapped her hands, "Oh Madhu...you already fit splendidly with our family." She grinned widely, "You handled Trishna marvelously!"
Rishabh grinned at Madhu. His eyes sparkled with amusement. "That was quite the set down sweetheart." His smile widened. "And a most deserving one at that too."
He leaned down and presses lips to Madhu's slightly reddened cheeks. "I chose well." Rishabh whispered as he lifted his left hand and softly brushed his knuckle across her cheekbone. Madhu glanced down, refusing to meet Rishabh's eyes. She doesn't understand why a simple, seemingly platonic kiss on the cheek has her all flustered. After their passionate embrace the other night, a kiss on the cheek shouldn't curl her toes and set her blood on fire. Madhu sighed inaudibly and came to the conclusion that her odd reaction is the result of nerves of playacting the part of a shy, nervous, new bride.
Roma coughed and hid her smile. She is happy to see her brother has settled down with a woman so unlike his usual type. She cleared her throat. "Well as much as I love my baby sister, I am going to be the first to admit she can be awful at times. Occasionally, it becomes necessary to show her a mirror." She mused in a soft, quiet tone, full of morose. "Though lately even that seems to not have done anything to fix her stinky attitude."
She glanced over her shoulder, debating whether to call out to Hitesh and demand he greet Madhu. However, given his cold, snappish behavior as of late, Roma doesn't want Madhu to feel any more unwelcome into their family. She sighed internally with disappointment. Her brother finally got married even though it is soon after their dad's unfortunate demise. Roma wished she could celebrate their nuptials with the pomp and ceremony that she had always dreamed of when she imagined Rishabh's wedding. But with the recent death of their father and Trishna and Hitesh's cold war with him, a celebration is just not possible now. She would just have to contend with making it up to Rishabh and Madhu by being there for them and showing her full support and love.
Roma smiled as she stared at Rishabh and Madhu as they remained content in their own little cocoon. The sizzling chemistry between them is undeniable. She shook her head and smiled widely. Roma cleared her throat and interrupted. As Rishabh and Madhu glanced at her, both slightly embarrassed, Roma teased. "Alright my darling lovebirds. Before we witness any over the top pda, Rishabh please take Madhu to your room. I'll have Patil send up your dinner."
She smiled warmly at Madhu, "My kids already went to bed as it is school night. But I can't wait for them to meet you tomorrow. They are going to be over the moon happy to meet you. Their beloved mammu has brought home a mami for them."
Madhu smiled politely and murmured. "I can't wait to meet them Di."
Snaking his left arm around Madhu's waist, Rishabh steered them towards the door. He paused and looked over his shoulder. "Good night. I'll see you in the morning."
They walked hand in hand, as Madhu chewed on her bottom lips and pondered about their next dilemma; the sleeping arrangement!
Author's NoteThanks to the following readers for liking and commenting:
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