Being Your Shadow (Rishbala FF) - Page 13

Chapter 19

Only until they overheard a noise outside did he treaded back releasing her from his embrace... without meeting each other's eyes both tried to pretend normal.

Mayuri tried to wrap the huge sari around her tiny waist...she carefully looked at the embroidery work done on the entire sari, plus the colours reflected so nicely that even made her look perky. The blouse has all the mirror work and was designed very cautiously.

Rishab saw ten missed calls from Deepali, annoyingly he walked outside...

Mayuri watched him leaving irately and wondered what must have occurred...

She observed herself in the mirror to apply some make up and found herself blushing over what just took place few minutes ago. This feeling flooded through every vein in her body, by only a mere touch of his hands on her back made her fly in the sky.

Bashfully she looked herself in the mirror...does she really like him? Or is it because someone touched her for the first time.

In every way she felt her life better after her marriage. She is fortunate that Rishab was understanding her. She elicited last night, when he asked her to eat something. His courteousness and care made her fall for him, plus he was so good in the designs he makes.

She wore the diamond necklace and earrings that were given by Durgeshwari to wear with the sari.

The second she stepped out of the room wearing her high heels Mayuri could hear Rishab shouting, inquisitively she took few more steps towards the noise that was coming from the adjoining room. She had never heard him so angry before...

Hearing someone's conversation was bad she thought, but then she was only concerned about him. What If he was in trouble, it was her duty to help him.

"How many times do I have to tell you this Deepali...don't try to act smart I front of me"

"What rubbish...then don't. I don't have any problem in getting a new face for my company. You can break the contract anytime, and Rishab Singhania doesn't give a damn about it"

Mayuri tried to walk away as the conversation seemed to have finished... all she could hear was the contract, someone not doing the work in his company... Was it serious? She ponder...

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She was standing at the stairs about to step down when he came from behind... "Ready?"

"Yes"

He smiled and walked downstairs... she slowly lifted the huge sari and walked step by step to make sure she doesn't flip over...

Rishab looked at Durgeshwari "but Grandma, I have work here...I can drop her and come back. Staying there would be impossible"

"Ok Rishab, as you wish. Then let her stay with her parents for at least few days"

Rishab nodded...

Mayuri took Durgeshwari's blessings and sat in the car...

Rishab was still checking the phone, it was silence. She looked outside the window.

The driver was instructed right path to Malikapur... the drive was long, but Mayuri went on thinking about the instance that happened in the morning.

Then her eyes fell on his frowned face...he looked worried, in fact quite bothered, she thought of asking him once.

"Is everything ok?" she looked at him

Without looking at her he nodded once...

Due the uncertain paths the car met with few bumps on the way, Mayuri never knew when she tightly held his wrist.

The moment she opened her eyes she pulled away "sorry...the paths are..."

Rishab looked straight and put his phone in his pocket "you've always lived in Malikapur?"

Mayuri watched him with his growing curiosity to know her "hmm always"

"You know a lot about design...how come?"

"I was studying in Delhi for one year..."

Rishab immediately gazed at her... "Where did you live?"

"In a girl's hostel"

He smiled

"Why do you ask?" she confusedly looked at his changing expressions

"Nothing...it's good. I will get your admission done once you come back to Mumbai" he said

Mayuri smiled "thanks"

She wanted to ask him about his morning conversation over the phone...

"I don't know if I should ask, but if there's anything that I can help. I will be happy to be of any assistance" she softly assured him

Rishab looked at her innocent face "sure"

Soon they reached the outskirts of Malikapur...

"So which school did you go to?" he asked

She nodded "none...I used to study at home"

"What?" Rishab was stunned at her reply

Mayuri looked at him "I was not allowed to go out of the house. I did my primary and secondary at home. The only place I studied was in a girl's college in Delhi. That too my Father had sent two bodyguards who used to stand outside the hostel to keep an eye on me"

Rishab laughed "really? I mean why?"

"This is how my family is" she replied

Rishab pity on the naive girl who has never got an opportunity to look at the world and now she's married to him.

He saw her from top to bottom wearing what other people want her to wear...he felt sad.

Mayuri looked at him gazing at her then looked away reservedly...

Both didn't say anything for some time...

Only when they entered the gates of her house did she tell him "we've reached"

Rishab raised his eyebrows to look at the crowd as if there was another ritual left...

Half a dozen people were standing with garlands in their hands. The moment he stepped out, everyone clapped and offered respects by putting the beautiful garlands around him...

Mayuri smiled looking at her mother... who embraced her in her arms...

Kamlavati brought a huge plate full of sweets and offered the sweets to Rishab "my son in law...welcome to your house"

They all greeted him with utmost esteem...Surya Yadav and his men took Rishab to their special guest room.

Mayuri looked at her grandmother who hugged her smilingly "Mayuri, my darling. See you look so beautiful and happy"

Meena was relieved as her daughter was glowing with happiness...

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Mayuri was taking off her earring sitting in front of the huge dressing table...

"Is he good" Meena kept Mayuri's clothes in the wardrobe...

"Hmm"

"Does he look after you?"

"Hmm" Mayuri shyly smiled...

Meena thanked God for making her daughter smile... "You won't believe Mayuri, I was so worried for you. I wanted you to get all the happiness that you never got in this house...I pray you get everything you wish"

Mayuri took off the jewellery and gave it to her mother "keep this as well ma... and I want to wear my suit salwar. No more sari"

Meena smiled "ok...you can freshen up. I will check with my son-in-law"

Mayuri smiled

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The guest room was upstairs, she thought of going herself once to check if he needs anything. He might be leaving soon for Mumbai...

Slowly she rubbed her wet hair and took her red dupatta over her white suit. She wore the red bangles and put some lipstick.

Carefully she checked if he was alone in the guest room... but she could hear her Father laughing and may be chatting ...

She thought something and took the landline phone but she doesn't know his mobile number.

Mayuri felt herself highly stupid for not even asking for his mobile number...

She went to her mother "Ma...do you know Rishab's mobile number?"

Meena confusedly turned around to look at her Daughter "why?"

"I want to ask him, if he needs anything..." she murmured

Meena smiled and pulled her cheek "really... wait. I think it will be in your Grandmother's dairy"

Meena wrote the number on a piece of paper and gave it to Mayuri...

Mayuri happily took the number and tried dialling on the landline...

He picked up the phone "hello"

"Don't say anything. It's me Mayuri... do you need anything?"

Rishab was surprised at the same voice. It was indeed Mayuri, he was quiet...

Mayuri looked at the number on the paper in her hand...it was the same number she used to call on. Her smile vanished, her hands were ice cold as if someone has taken the floor under her feet. She was shocked...

Surya Yadav looked at Rishab "what happened my Son...everything ok?"

Rishab came out of his thought "yes... just little tired. I think I will rest"

Surya Yadav immediately ordered everyone to move out of the guest room and made sure everything was provided to Rishab. He made sure Rishab was comfortable.

Mayuri disconnected the phone the moment she heard everyone getting out of the guest room...

She hide behind the passer by door to wait for everyone to move out...

After few moments she stepped in the room... and made sure to bolt the room from inside...

She must tell him or should wait. Perplexed at the state of affairs she failed to understand what must be done...

Rishab looked at her from top to bottom...she looked extremely beautiful in simple clothes... her simplicity and innocence made him fall for her...

He stepped closer while her heart banged against her chest "sorry, I just wanted to check if you need anything..."

"Sshh..." he said keeping his finger on her lips

Her heart beats were loud enough, she was scared this time...

"Tell me honestly..." he whispered coming closer to her right ear

"Hmm" she responded as she knew what he was going to ask her

"Tell me, are you my M" he whispered encircling his arms around her tiny waist...

Mayuri thought about her conversation with the stranger way back... it was none other than her Rishab R... .Was she dreaming, or life is pinching her with the sweet tortures...

His touch was melting her and she whispered back in his ears "yes R"

Tears of joy flow in his eyes and he embraced her tightly in his arms...

Feeling overjoyed she hugged him back... he was relieved today

Cupping her face in his hands he gazed her features, the moment he bent down to kiss her lips she timidly turned away...

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Chapter 20

He stopped and kissed her wet hair on the side...

Blushed and nervous at his touch she tried to pull away.

"I can let you go this time..." he said softly coming closer to her ear...

She swiftly opened the door and rushed out towards the terrace to feed the pigeons. Smile wasn't leaving her lips while she was still thinking about her destiny, she looked up and folded hands to thank the Gods to give her what she wanted.

Thinking about the qualities that she had hardly thought about in her husband, Rishab already has all those even though she never asked for.

"What are you thinking?"

Her heart beat was thumping now, just at his voice standing behind him... she turned around not looking at him "nothing"

"Really?" he asked

She nodded shyly

"I am leaving tonight. I have some important work to catch up"

Mayuri smile turned straight "ok"

Rishab touched the tip of her chin and pulled up making her look into his eyes "should I leave?"

His one question was making her whole body numb. Why does he ask something that she can't answer straight on his face... she was about to say when Kamlavati called out... "Rishab, my Son... here drink this"

Immediately Mayuri stepped a little back...

"What's that?" Rishab queried looking at the huge brass glass

"That's the butter milk..." Kamlavati offered the huge glass "come on Son...have it. It's good for your brains"

Mayuri giggled a little looking at Rishab who was making a face...

"How was it" Kamlavati asked

"Hmm...different" he replied looking at Mayuri "A taste that I can never forget"

Mayuri looked elsewhere

She wanted to stay close to him, talk to him but at the same time she felt scared. The feeling of his touch was making her insane, his mere gaze was enough to melt her, his words were enough to soothe her.

"You must stay tonight" Kamlavati asked Rishab

Rishab smiled "I have work to complete. Otherwise I have no problems staying tonight"

... "Ok, but next time we won't let you go. Now tell me what do you like in dinner...I will make sure everything is of your choice"

Rishab gazed at Mayuri "ask Mayuri...she knows"

Mayuri flushed

"Really? She already knows. That's good Mayuri. Ok then come with me"

Kamlavati said and Mayuri followed her...

She turned around looking at Rishab who smiled at her...

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Mayuri prepared all the dishes herself, finally she arranged them on the table and asked one of the servants to arrange the plates for dinner...

She wiped the little sweat on her forehead with her dupatta... then walked towards the outside veranda to wash her face with cold water from the tap...

The only sound she could hear was the evening chirruping of the birds who were settling down on the veranda for their snacks... no one except the family members were allowed on the outside veranda that faced the back of the house... it was quite...

Finally wiping her face with her dupatta she sat on the swinger and started humming...

She knew she won't go in front of Rishab...otherwise she will start blushing again and no one will leave a chance to tease her... she looked at her red bangles and few diamond bangles on both hands that were given by Durgeshwari as a present to her on her wedding.

She recalled the day of her wedding when she was sad, thinking she might be left like a barren land, a feeling was upsetting her, a fear of losing something was always there in her mind but now, she smiled. She has everything she wants.

"So you're sitting here?" Rishab walked towards the swinger in the large Veranda...

She immediately stood up...

Rishab frowned at her "why did you stand up, sit"

Without meeting his strong gaze she sat back on the swinger... To her surprise he sat next to her. She blinked her eyes and looked up at him.

There was no space to move anywhere...in fact his hand slowly curled around her back "are you anxious of something?" he whispered in her ear pressing his hand tightly around her thin waist...

Difficult to grasp the whole thing, she nodded in no...but taking a word out of her mouth was impossible.

She felt his fingers playing on her waist while his other hand on the swinger.

"Even if I touch you?"

Another question came like a shooting arrow on her heart...she wanted to shout and say back, yes yes I am scared, scared of your touch... but she nodded in no... and gave a little smile...

"Good" he said

... His hand moved up towards her neck... "Even if I kiss you here" he said touching her earlobe...

Mayuri's eyes shot open and she stood from the swinger... "Ma is calling me..." she quickly rushed inside holding on to her breathe...

Rishab gave a broad smile at the nave girl who made an excuse.

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His eyes were glancing all the way searching for her but she was nowhere around. Ever since after evening he didn't had a little glimpse of her, maybe she felt awkward about him getting closer...

"Please have some more rice pudding" asked Meena standing on the side.

Rishab instantly looked at her "no thanks..."

Surya Yadav asked Meena to serve something else that he may like

Rishab smiled "I like everything, looks like someone knows me so well"

Meena smiled back "Mayuri cooked dinner today"

Surya Yadav happily looked at Meena for the first time "my Daughter cooks delicious food"

Mayuri was still sitting in her room, she had already closed the door advising everyone that she's taking a pain killer and sleeping for some time.

But actually it was only her heart that could tell the truth, she has no strength to even sit with him anymore, even the thought about him makes her hand go ice cold, and her stomach muscles repeatedly contract at his touch.

She closed her eyes thinking about his intimacy in the morning when she was changing...he must be looking at her back she thought. This was the tenth glass of water that had been drinking in last two hours...

Out of sudden she heard a knock at the door... for the first time she felt panicky to open the door in her own house...

"Mayuri"

The moment she heard her mother outside, she took a sigh of relief and quickly opened the door...

"Ma...what happened?"

Meena shook her head in despair "why are you sitting in your room, I think Rishab is looking for you. Come and meet him now. He's leaving"

Mayuri fidgeted with her dupatta "Ma...I have already met him. I have a head ache. Please I want to rest"

Meena frowned at her daughter "you're lucky that you have such a good husband who never complains...but look at you, Mayuri don't spoil anything." and walked away

Mayuri's heart sank to the news that he was leaving but then it was only a matter of few days and in the mean time she would rest her mind from the wild thoughts she's been thinking so much...

She heard everyone at the main gate... quickly rushing towards the window she slide the curtain to catch a little sight of him. He was folding his hands and meeting her family for the final time before sitting in the car. To her surprise he looked up again, she quickly drew the curtain to avoid the eye locking...

Soon she heard the car gone past the drive way.

Meena entered the room angrily and handed her a phone "take this... Rishab has given. He will call you." Meena stared at her daughter "And this time don't make an excuse of not talking to him."

She said and left the room closing the door behind...

Mayuri looked at the stylish phone, she had never seen such expensive phone before. She quickly started playing with its features. A huge smile crept on her lips when she saw the applications.

She admired Rishab to an extent where he was so much concerned about her, even though she's extremely nervous of his presence. Happily she thought about her life with Rishab, will he allow her to work in his company, or will she stay at home after finishing her studies? Too many questions were bombarding her... then she thought back, how he could have felt when he knew she was the same girl he used to talk on the phone...and he was so arrogant in the beginning. But then he apologised... she smiled.

Not even a single second her brain goes without thinking about him. She was going crazy for him, even though they don't talk that much, she knows what he likes. He understands her without even saying anything.

She saw her new phone ringing...

She saw Rishab's number on the screen, at first she thought of not picking up but then as if something pang her to answer the phone, she picked up

"Hello"

"M..."

She smiled "yes R"

"Why didn't you meet me?"

Mayuri knew he must be waiting while dinner and even before leaving "I, I was sleeping"

"How can you lie so apprehensively?" he chuckled

Mayuri bite her tongue as to control herself for talking nonsense "no...I mean I was tired and..."

"Good you didn't meet me" he said

She brooded at his words this time...how could he say that when she really wanted to meet him...

"Why? I mean what is good about this?"

She was all ears to his words now, she wanted to know why he said that...

"Well, you know Mayuri...I would have ..." he stopped

Mayuri immediately spoke "would have what?"

"I would have kissed you"

Mayuri's phone slipped off her hands and fell on the bed... hearing the word kiss made her hands go cold again... her body was extremely nervous...

Twiddling with her dupatta she looked at the phone tensely...

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Chapter 21

Mayuri looked out of the window rubbing her eyes, as usual the fog in the fields around looked beautiful. But this morning was better than all her mornings before in this house.

She was attended by her Grandmother nicely and people in the house cared for her. Her father who rarely spoke to her ever, was smiling at her last night and appreciated her for making delicious food.

Keeping her right cheek on the pillow she blinked her eyes and welcomed this morning. Then turned around looking for her mother who must have gone to start her early morning prayers...

Sluggishly she got up from the bed stretching her arms and then her eyes fell on her phone that displayed fifteen missed calls... quickly picking up the phone she saw Rishab had been calling her since early morning but due the phone being on silent she couldn't hear.

What would he think about her, why didn't she picked up? If he's angry? What if he doesn't talk to her anymore? All these questions intensely startled her and she kept on thinking for almost few minutes...

But then her phone rang once more and this time she quickly answered...

"Hello... I was sleeping and ma my ph phone was on silent so ..."

She started telling him nervously and he stopped her in between "did I ask why you didn't pick up my phone?"

Mayuri was quiet at his stern voice, he was definitely angry. Hot tears gathered around her eyes

"No..." she said timidly

Rishab knew this time she must be extremely tense, he smiled and pretended to be angry "It looks like only I want to talk to you, and you just want to sleep"

Mayuri started sobbing at his tone...

"You will get a punishment for this" He stopped making her wonder if he would never talk to her...

She couldn't utter a word, as if the tears from her eyes also choked her voice

She could hear he had disconnected the phone and cried bitterly thinking she has hurt him... she did wrong.

He's so caring and here she's not even concerned about him and didn't even say sorry to him... she felt like slapping herself.

Not having enough forte to call him back she kept the phone near the bedside waiting for the next minutes so he would call her back... but he never called.

"Mayuri..." she heard someone at the door and quickly wiped off her tears...

"Sapna...how are you?" Mayuri smiled at her best friend standing at the door and rushed to hug her...

"Mayuri, I am good. How are you? And congratulations on your marriage"

Mayuri looked at mother who came from the front... "Woken up? Now go fresh up and come for breakfast"

Mayuri nodded and pulled Sapna into the room "when did you come?"

"Yesterday... and I got to know you were here. So thought I will meet you" Sapna said adjusting her Sari

Mayuri watched her wearing a heavy sari "why are you wearing this sari? You are not in you in laws house"

Sapna smiled and nodded at Mayuri "I know, but I like wearing sari. My husband brought me so many last month"

Mayuri was happy for Sapna who was her childhood friend. Her house was not so far form hers. Sapna got married few months back when Mayuri was still studying in Delhi.

"Tell me about your husband" Sapna asked and Mayuri blushed instantly, then started looking elsewhere

Sapna held her hand "so cold...Mayuri you are in love"

Mayuri looked puzzled at her "love..? How can you say that?"

Sapna chuckled "look at your face. It's so scarlet and your hands are so ice cold. The moment I asked about your husband your face expressions changed."

Mayuri pulled her hand away "and you think this is love?"

"Of course...when some one's influence is so high in your life. It effects your body, your heart and soul" Sapna went on but Mayuri was now completely confused.

She didn't wanted to show anything... plus now Rishab is angry with her and this is disturbing her already. He didn't call after that, what punishment he was going to give her...

She was entirely absent...

"What are you thinking?"

"Hmm" Mayuri came out of her inner thoughts "nothing"

Sapna wondered why Mayuri would look so sad "is your husband not good?"

Mayuri immediately replied "no, he's very good"

Sapna giggled "than why do you look sad?"

Mayuri got up from the bed "let me freshen up and I will come downstairs..."

Mayuri walked towards the bathroom

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Few hours later

Both the friends were sitting on the swinger eating ripe mangoes...

"I remember when we used to eat so many mangoes in this weather. We used to go to the fields and enjoy eating mangoes under those mango trees" Sapna chuckled

"I know, and my grandmother used to shout at us" Mayuri giggled keeping her hand on her mouth to avoid laughing aloud...

Sapna picked up another mango "and do you remember that day when your Grandmother slipped off in the mud"

Mayuri laughed out loudly...

Filling their stomachs with laughter and lots of ripe mangoes both the friends got started to get ready to leave for the temple.

The nearest temple to Mayuri's house was considered very sacred, it was believed that if you ask anything from the goddess, it will give you the boon...

Sapna took a big plate and gave to Mayuri "here, put some fruits, flowers and some sweets..."

Kamlavati got ready as well to leave with the girls...she asked the gunmen to be alert as the girls will be leaving for the prayers in the temple. The opposition party will leave no chance to spoil their reputation.

Mayuri knew from childhood about the village and its people. Every year during elections, she was barred from stepping out of the house, and the security inside was almost doubled.

She had seen many fights since her childhood now. She recalled how one day a boy followed her till temple and he was never seen again in the village, but thankfully she didn't fell in love with anyone and married where her family wanted...

Love...she thought again. Then remembered he had a fight with her...not fight but actually he was angry and here she was enjoying, eating mangoes and laughing loudly with Sapna. Not only that, she is getting ready to go to the temple...

Was she really in love or imagining love... she heard people who fall in love forget everything, eating, drinking and even laughing. But none of these factors had affected her, she rubbed her chin confusedly but then something tickles her brain.

Should she ring Rishab and apologise or wait until he calls and then she must explain. But what if he gets more annoyed and increases the punishment. Will he beat her with a stick or something...?

"You know Mayuri, the Goddess in the temple is so powerful. Whatever you ask you get" Sapna arranged the plate nicely with colourful flowers and sweets...

Mayuri smiled at Sapna's words, she would ask the goddess to cheer her husband and make him happy and take his punishment back.

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Rishab threw the contract papers on the table "get out Deepali"

Deepali stood up from the couch and walked closer to Rishab

"I am sorry Rishab, you know I was drunk and moreover I was missing you"

"Who cares, just leave" Rishab annoyingly got up signing the termination letter...

Shedding tears in her eyes she stood folding her hands in front of Rishab "I am sorry, please. I don't want to leave my job. You know how much I enjoying working here but in the past few days I felt devastated and started drinking a lot..."

After pleading for almost few minutes Rishab finally agreed to keep her back "fine, but remember this was your last warning Deepali. After this I will not tolerate any carelessness"

She wiped her tears "I swear, you won't have any complaints"

Rishab frowned a little looking at her "go and prepare for tomorrow's shoot. I want this perfect"

Deepali nodded and left...

On her way she angrily looked back at the door "you made me plead in front of you Mr Rishab Singhania, you broke my heart. One day you will have to pay for all this" she said to herself and walked away...

Neha saw Deepali wiping her tears "Deepali...are you ok?"

Deepali looked at Neha "you are my best friend...but you can't see my pain"

Neha took a deep breathe to relax "look Deepali, I am your best friend but Rishab is also my friend. It's sad that he doesn't love you and you are the only one going mad after him."

Deepali had tears in her eyes "what about my feelings Neha?"

"Deepali, has Rishab ever showed you that he loves you? Tell me" Neha wiped her tears

Deepali looked with moist eyes "but I love him, even now"

"I know. But I would request you to please forget him and move on Deepali"

"It's not so easy Neha"

Neha felt sad for Deepali as she left walking towards the lifts...

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