"Open the door!"
Madhu read the text at the same time as she heard the doorbell ring. Trishna wasn't home, but then, even if she were, she would have used her key. Was this RK?
Madhu ran to the door, but stopped for a second before she opened it. She needed to take a deep breath, calm her nerves and gather enough wits to lie to RK with a plain face. This wasn't going to be easy!
Madhu opened the door and put her trademark smile on her face.
"RK, hi. Come on in." she said turning her back and walked to the living room. RK followed.
"Madh.."
"Hey I am so sorry for running away from there" Madhu jumped in before RK could say anything "I...I couldn't control my laughter..."
"Laughter?"
"Yeah, you know it was a bet with Trishna. I lost. So I had to propose to a guy" Madhu cooked up a story, all the while trying to keep up a fake smile and fidgeting with her dupatta "You know, we were talking, and I wanted to cheer you up so I just figured it was a good chance to complete the bet... I had to do it today you know...ummm..."
"So you didn't mean what you said?" RK asked, glaring at Madhu, who was looking everywhere except straight towards RK's face.
"No...come on yaar...you know me. How could I ever take love shove seriously? I am not that kind of a girl. That's why I said those things to you because I knew you wouldn't believe me. You're my friend and you're so smart. Any other guy would have freaked out, so..."
"Hmmm..."
Madhu noticed RK's face had turned serious. She was scared. Was he angry? Was he hurt? What was going on in his mind?
The silence in the room was adding to the tension, so Madhu rambled on to try and deflect the issue.
"Come on RK. Let's forget it. I am sorry...I will make it upto you. Can I make you some coffee? I will make it the way you like it" Madhu stood up without waiting for RK's answer to turn to the kitchen.
"Madhu, wait" RK said, standing up. "Come here!"
Madhu stopped where she was and turned to face RK. Her heart was beating so loudly in her chest, she was sure RK could hear it. She just hoped it wasn't leaking her secret with the noise. Oh God! What have I done?
Madhu didn't move towards RK, so he stepped forward towards her.
"Look at me" he said and touched Madhu's chin to make her finally look him in the eye.
"I am sorry RK. I shouldn't have..."
"Shhh..stop rambling." RK said with some authority and Madhu quieted down.
"Now tell me, what you told me an hour ago, did you really not mean it?"
Madhu looked into RK's eyes and felt her knees weakening. The moment returned to her...
*Flashback*
Madhu and RK were sitting in the book cafe as usual, sipping iced lattes and reading a book each. But Madhu knew RK was distracted today.
"What's wrong RK? If you don't want to tell me that's fine, you don't have to trust me. But at least don't lie. You're tense and I know it. And I know you - if you are this tense, it has to be something big. So please, share it with someone you trust, but please don't look like this sitting here..."
"It's nothing Madhu. It's just work stuff."
"Look into my eyes and tell me it's just work stuff. You can't lie to me RK, I can read your eyes." Rk was stunned. He knew Madhu was perceptive and in a really short time had come to understand him better than anyone else ever had, but listening to her right now, he was rendered speechless.
"Let it go Madhu. I will be fine. I promise."
"Ok"
Madhu reluctantly agreed and looked into her book. But her concentration was not on the words. She was pained because she could see RK was in pain, and somehow that made her feel terribly anguished and restless. But what could she do, she was helpless.
RK too looked at Madhu and noticed how his worry was affecting Madhu.
A few minutes passed.
"I am sorry RK" Madhu broke the silence with a silent apology "I was being too pushy. I know it's your life and I just...umm..I should stay in my limits. I know we're not that good friends. I just wish that you take better care of yourself..."
"You're my friend Madhu."
"No...I mean yes...I am your friend...but I shouldn't have yelled on you...I am sorry. Perhaps I should leave."
"Wait...where are you going?"
"Umm..home. I think I need to be alone. I am tired. And you should also be with your good friends and people who understand you so you feel better..."
"I don't have anyone..."RK said in frustration. Why was Madhu acting so weird today?
"Hey, don't say that. You have so many friends. Way more that I do.."
"Yes, but I can't share my problems with most of them. Maybe Maya and Rohan, but they're not around these days...and even they wouldn't understand. Nobody can. I am all alone" RK had already been stressed, and now he was venting in frustration. Madhu's heart quivered seeing him like that. Something in her violently urged her to take RK in her arms and comfort him. But she controlled herself, held RK's hands and sat down with him.
"RK...don't say that. Don't ever say you are alone. I am your friend. I will never leave you alone ok? Never ever. I am always going to be by your side. And you can share with me whatever you want, whenever you are comfortable. Relax, everything will be ok. I promise I will always understand you and always be with you, even when I am not around. Never ever think that you're alone."
"Why?" RK questioned as he looked bewildered at the sincerity in Madhu's eyes. "Why do you care for me so much?"
"Because I love you, dammit! I love you more than I have ever loved anyone. I love being with you, I hate being away! I smile when you smile, and right now seeing you in pain and hearing you call yourself lonely is killing me..."
Madhu blurted out before she knew what she was doing. The words came from some unknown part of her heart. She had lost herself in the moment. Seeing RK agonised had made her lose control of what she was doing. Suddenly realising what she had just said, she gasped, pulled her hands out of RK's, grabbed her purse and ran from the book cafe.
*flashback ends*
"Answer me Madhu" RK said softly, with a gentle firmness in his voice, and held her hand. "Look into my eyes and tell me it was just a joke, just a bet." Madhu gulped, RK was using her words against her. Her words had deserted her. She was losing at this game of deception, and this meant she was going to lose RK, her friend, her...love.
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
Cricket
Rules & Announcements
