FF: Ankahee | Thread 1| Chapters 1-33 - Page 63

a real-like storyi must say,... each characted is so similar to ppl around .. good one.. n the pace at which u update.. too good.. 😊 😊

OMG teekay,

I must say u r an express writer, just I lost track around fourth or fifth chap, I thought to make it up at weekend, and as usual I forgot, suddenly I remembered about it today and read the let out chap tul now, I guess 17 chaps in total in nearly 2.5 hours, am becoming mad at rishab at places, but now he us again a sweet heart, when will this Maya chapter gets over.

Madhu had suffered enough, so not to trouble her noe, and also rishab understood the pain he gavee her, so let them live peacefully after this.

Originally posted by: memad

hey tk, can u put some more light on maya's personality..she is utterly confusing...madhu's doubts are absolutely true...was she really trying to forget rk? is she serious with paras? then why why she didn't bring paras to rk-madhu's anniversary...?😲😕..m confused...

Originally posted by: ashabanerjee

Woww..it was awesome...I remembered how my hubby proposed to me..the same dialogue...wuhuuu..I'm so happy for them but what is this Maya up to...😡

Originally posted by: cool_sri

havent read the story past few days will catch up now...have to read the last six parts..miss the ff..

will comment soon

Originally posted by: punam2712

MADHU IS NOT OVER HER INSECURITIES

SHE MAY TRY TO HIDE BEHIND A FACADE OF HAPPINESS BUT INSIDE SHE IS SLOWLY LOSING HERSELF

AND SHE CANT EVEN CONFIDE IN ANYONE

SHE CANT EVEN SHARE WITH RK

Originally posted by: uma88

OMG teekay,

I must say u r an express writer, just I lost track around fourth or fifth chap, I thought to make it up at weekend, and as usual I forgot, suddenly I remembered about it today and read the let out chap tul now, I guess 17 chaps in total in nearly 2.5 hours, am becoming mad at rishab at places, but now he us again a sweet heart, when will this Maya chapter gets over.

Madhu had suffered enough, so not to trouble her noe, and also rishab understood the pain he gavee her, so let them live peacefully after this.

Originally posted by: rekha.366

take your time taru🤗 we will wait😳

Chapter 23

Suddenly, RK was on one knee, bending in front of Madhu, holding a ring in one hand and Madhu's hand in the other.

"You're my love, my life, my destiny Madhu. So if you have a little bit of time, would you mind spending the rest of your life with me?"

Madhu gasped in shock, totally taken aback by RK's words.

"Will you marry me, honey?"

Madhu looked at RK, tried to find in his eyes if he really meant what he was saying, if she was really hearing him right, but her vision was already getting clouded by tears that came from nowhere. Madhu closed her eyes, overwhelmed by a cocktail of emotions she couldn't even begin to identify.

There was exhilaration - joy, bliss, euphoria even - like she had never experienced before.

There was relief, the kind someone would feel when they have been lost in the woods for weeks and a search and rescue party finally reaches them. Like finally she had found a place she could belong.

There was fear. Yes the same tiny, dark, evil, unnamed friend of hers that resided in her. Was this real? Could she trust this? Or was this an attack on her defences that would eventually, some day leave her completely shattered? Should she trust RK again that he wouldn't do that? Could she trust RK again? Can she forget the past like a bad dream? Or should she protect herself and run?

And then there was love. The insane, maddening, head over heels love that had afflicted her a year ago and changed the way she looked at life. The heady concoction of care, affection and desire she felt every time she looked at RK and thought of RK. Her Rishu - the one name she still took before and after each breath she took. His love. Love, which had brightened her life the day it placed foot in her heart and had both uplifted and devastated her. Love, the promise of warmth, colour, life - which was finally within her reach.

Maybe it was time to shut the voice of her ugly half. The nicer half was telling her to take the leap of faith, and she was winning.

Madhu opened her eyes. RK was asking her to accept the love and keep it with her forever.

She said yes.

Destiny rolled the dice.

*********************************

RK sat back at the chair and admired Madhu who was flushed with happiness. He was tired from all the dancing and came back to their table for a breather. Madhu, though, looked like she could fly. She was laughing, dancing with Ria and Trishna who were presumably still teasing her, judging from their expressions. Yes, she looked happy, just like he had remembered her as being.

"Congratulations!" Maya said as she came by, two glasses of wine in her hand, and took the seat next to RK.

"Thanks Maya! No, I am not drinking tonight. And you shouldn't either. You look quite drunk already." RK responded.

"Come on. This is a celebration. You just got engaged! I thought this was an anniversary celebration party, but you totally stumped us."

"Well I did, didn't I? Originally it was just an anniversary celebration dinner, but then...you know, look at Madhu. She looks so happy. I haven't seen her this happy in such a long time. I gave her so much pain when I broke up with her, and even though it's been a couple of months now, she hasn't been the same. I could sense the pain and sadness in her voice, like she was still afraid it would happen again. She said she forgave me, but I didn't know what I could do to make her trust me the same again and be happy. So I asked Rohan...and he said I need to give her a reason to trust me again and prove that I really do want her in my life. I thought a lot...then I thought, what better way than to ask her to permanently be in my life?"

"Are you happy, RK?" Maya asked.

"I am...I guess I am. I mean I was very nervous before, and I wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do and if I was ready to make the leap. I mean the idea of marriage is scary. But it's not like I am getting married tomorrow. So it was a question of whether I was willing to make the commitment to Madhu that I am in this for real, and I realised I was. Or would be, in a few months. Especially because there was no other way I could imagine to make Madhu happy again. The guilt of what I did to her because of my own confusion was killing me. So I thought if I would be ready in a few months why not now? I was nervous...and I had no idea what she would say. I don't know what I would have done if she said no. But once I said it, and I saw the love in her eyes, I am glad I did. I mean look at her...her happiness is making me so happy right now."

"But marriage is a big thing RK. Are you really sure?"

"Yeah...yeah I am. It's scary, but when I look at Madhu, I feel less afraid."

"But only two months ago, you were ready to walk away from her. How do you know the same thing wouldn't happen again?"

"I don't know. I was wrong then. I was too confused. But Maya, Madhu loves me. And she is my life, you know. And right now it feels right. So yeah, I am sure. Sounds weird, right? Me advocating marriage..."

"No...it doesn't. You will be just fine. Congrats, friend."

"Thanks. Your support means a lot Maya."

"I am always there for you Rishabh."

RK smiled and drank his wine, his eyes fixated at Madhu.

"By the way, I broke up with Paras earlier today. You were right. He wasn't right for me." Maya spoke after a bit.

"Hmm. I am sorry Maya. But you know it was the right thing to do. You're better off without him."

"Hmm. I guess I am."

*********************************

Later that night, at Madhu's apartment, RK carried her from the car to the bedroom. Madhu was laughing and screaming, but RK didn't put her down, until he reached her bed.

"What are you doing Rishu? You've totally gone crazy." Madhu said in between her giggles.

"I am totally crazy for you Madhubala Malik, and tonight I am going to show you just how much. You have no idea how hard has it been to control myself all evenings with you looking like that. Now I want to show you how your fianc makes love, my darling." RK said, removing his jacked and shoes and climbed on the bed over the bed.

"You are mad Rishu. What's got into you tonight?"

"Passion for you, my love. Come, taste it." RK slammed his lips onto Madhu's. Soon, they both drowned into a delirious passion heightened to perfect by their love for each other.

************************************

The next morning Madhu woke up in Rishu's arms and flushed at finding them both naked and snuggled together. She smiled, remembering the previous night, and looked at the ring on her finger. It was...perfect. She placed a quick peck on Rishabh's lips but was surprised when he kissed him back.

"Good morning, honey."

"Good morning Rishu." She beamed.

"Don't you look extra beautiful this morning? I guess last night was good for you too...What do you we try again and see if we can top that?"

"Rishu...stop being naughty. Let me go now."

"Ok, let's take this to the shower. Anyway we need to get dressed quickly. This will be more efficient!"

Madhu hit RK with a pillow at his suggestion.

"Quickly? Why?"

"Because we are both going to my home." RK said sitting up.

"To your home?"

"Yes, I want my mom to meet her bahu."

Madhu sat up too.

"Don't look so worried honey. My mom wouldn't eat you."

"I know. But..umm..what if she doesn't like me?"

"Didn't I tell you she fell in love with you the first time I told her about you. You don't know my mom...she would be delirious. She is not a TV mother-in-law. Besides, you are so perfect, how can anyone not like you? Don't worry. I am with you."

"Hmm. Okay. Thank you Rishu."

"For what?"

"For everything."

"My senti queen. Now come, I like your wild and sexy version better. Let's get dressed!"

**********************************

By the time Madhu and RK returned from RK's house, Madhu was overwhelmed. Radha had not only liked her, she was every bit as delirious as RK had predicted when RK introduced Madhu to her. He didn't even need to say anything, she was already "her bahu, her daughter" the moment she had stepped in. She had been so nervous, but those nerves somehow disappeared the moment Radha embraced her and asked her to call her Ma. Madhu couldn't help but wonder the last time her own mother had embraced her with love like that. In that one instant, Madhu really felt like she had come home. Not only Radha, but Rishabh's other cousins she had met had all made her In fact, they had all insisted Madhu be there the following weekend for Sultan's wedding, and Madhu felt no hesitation in agreeing. It was a house full of love.

Rishabh was so lucky!

"Where are you so lost, Madhu?" Rishabh interrupted her thoughts.

"Nothing. Your mother is so wonderful Rishabh."

"Aren't all moms?" RK smiled, then looked at Madhu's pale face and realised she was probably thinking about her own family. He had gone too long without really knowing what Madhu's equation with her family was like.

"Madhu, do you trust me?" He asked - serious, silent, gentle.

Madhu gave him a very abridged version of how her biological father passed away before she was born and how she felt guilty how she had in a way taken away her mother's first love from her. How nothing she did for her father, sister and mother had ever been enough to make up for that, and how she had waited, all her life, to be forgiven. She said very little, and RK was sure there was more, yet before she even finished RK found himself overwhelmed with concern and anguish for her. Even as he held a sobbing Madhu tight in his arms, he struggled for words. How could he comfort her? How could he convince her it wasn't her fault? He now understood why she hated the idea of love, when they first met. He wondered if her mother wasn't aware how she yearned for her love and if there was anything he could ever do to heal those scars.

***************************************

The following weekend, Madhu and RK were back at Rishabh's home for Sultan's wedding. She was in her room, getting ready for the pre-wedding ceremonies, when Radha came over.

"Madhu beta, come out, there is a surprise for you."

"What ma?"

"Come. There's someone I want you to meet."

Madhu went with Radha to the living room and was shocked to find RK sitting with her parents. Seeing Padmini and Shamsher, her feet stumbled and she froze in the spot.

Padmini looked at Madhu and smiled. Actually, smiled.

"Madhubala. Come here."

Madhu didn't know how to react, but her feet automatically took her to her mother, and then she found herself being embraced by her!

"We are so happy you found a life partner like Rishabh." Padmini said, and Madhu looked dazed towards RK, who gave her a wink. Her father hugged her next and told her how proud he was. These were words she had never heard in her entire life. For Deepali, yes, but never directed at her. She stared at RK continuously as she sat down, still wondering if this was really happening.

What had Rishabh done?

Her parents were engrossed in deep discussions about their wedding with Rishabh's mother, who was so excited she would have got them both married along with Sultan this weekend itself if she could help it. Rishabh nodded at her with reassurance. Madhu continued to stare at him in amazement. Somehow, he had made everything perfect. Was this life, or a dream? Was Rishabh really a human being, or a magician? She didn't understand, but at that moment, she fell more in love with him than she had ever thought possible. At that moment, she once again hit the manual over-ride switch, put every ugly fear inside her on a permanent ignore mode, and gave Rishabh absolute power over her entire existence one more time.

Destiny's challenge be damned.