RajBala OS - To New Beginnings

-To New Beginnings-

Written By PrittB

She sat on their bed, waiting for what seemed like eternity. She was lost, shocked, scared, and confused all at the same time. He had asked her to wait in their room while he "finished something important" which feared her for reasons unknown to her. Tears blurred her vision as she tried to comprehend all that had happened in the late hours of the night. How was he cured when he was on life support, why was he behaving so differently, and most importantly...who was he. She only knew who Raju was but Raja was a completely different story. He was different; he was nothing like her Raju. She felt her heart skip a beat as she worried whether her feelings were for only Raju or for Raja as well. As she grew anxious with the time passing, she heard the door to their room creak open. She instantly glanced to her right to see Raja standing there staring at her as though she were an antique piece. With a smirk on his face he began to approach her. He sat on the bed beside her as she attempted to read his eyes silently.

"My Rani...didn't I say I hate tears? Especially from your eyes."

He gently wiped at a tear streaming down her cheek that she hadn't even noticed. She blinked, coming out of her trance and followed his hand as it rested on the side of her face, and then she glanced back up at him.

"Raju...Raju?!"

Madhu cupped his face.

"You...how?!"

He let out a low chuckle.

"That's not important right now. I'm here and that's all that matters right? Now what were you going to do before I stopped you on the terrace?"

She seemed dumbstruck. She was in utter disbelief that he was completely normal.

"I don't..."

He cut her off by pulling her in for a hug. She seemed shocked at first but feeling her Raju's arms around her again made her melt. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him slowly as he tightened his arms around her. He turned his head ever so slightly to take in her scent from her neck. Feeling his breath against her neck, she arched it slightly. He smiled and whispered into her ear while still holding her tight.

"I can't thank you enough for all that you did for me, but I can give you what is rightfully yours."

Madhu's eyes opened, she slowly pulled away to look him in the face. He looked her face up and down, from her sindoor down to her lips where his eyes lingered for a bit too long.

"What's mine?"

He smiled his crooked smile and spoke passionately.

"Me."

Her eyes widened. She stared at him as he stood up from the bed and stared down at her.

"Now I know that our wedding took place when I wasn't aware of what was happening and was in no condition of opposing it but I'm okay with it."

He pulled out his knife from his back pocket, which caused Madhu's heart to race in fear even though she felt she had no reason to fear him. She didn't even notice that she moved back slightly.

"Really Rani? This isn't for you. This is for an apple, I really liked that apple back out on the terrace."

He turned around to the table with a bowl of fruits. He picked out an apple and cut a piece of it. He spoke as he stared down at the apple.

"See, it's always handy to keep this on you. You should too."

She continued to stare at him with wide eyes. He walked towards her and handed her the first piece of sliced apple. She kept her eyes on him.

"Here, eat. You didn't eat yet, I don't want you fainting on me."

She looked down at the apple and slowly shook her head.

"Rani, if you don't eat then I'll have to starve myself as well."

He pushed the piece of apple into her mouth and smiled as she chewed down on it.

"That's more like it! Oh and don't worry, all your problems will be over within a few minutes...or they may be over already. It depends on whether the door has been opened yet or not."

She glanced back up at him confused.

"Door?"

"It's nothing Rani."

He stuffed a piece of apple into his mouth.

"Raju...who are you?"

"Arey! You've spent a whole month with me and you don't know who I am?"

"I mean Raja..."

"Raja is Raju."

"But..."

"But nothing."

He sat back down on the end of the bed beside her and her eyes followed his. He placed the knife and apple down on the bed. Then his eyes fell upon a loose strand of her hair. He slowly raised his hand and gently placed it behind her ear. She closed her eyes as her heart began to race and butterflies began to flutter in her stomach. Her breathing slowly sped up as his fingers traced the side of her face. She kept her eyes closed as she heard him shuffle a bit closer to her. Her heart began to race faster. She felt his arms slide beneath her and soon she was in the air. She opened her eyes to see herself being carried by Raja. He walked to the side of the bed and placed her down gently. She stared up at him as he climbed onto the bed slowly to be position on top of her. He got closer but made sure not to put all his weight down onto her.

"I'm still your Raju, Rani."

"My Raju wasn't like this..."

"I promise you that Raja is much better than Raju."

He smiled his same old goofy Raju smile, which caused an instantaneous smile to cross Madhu's face. Raja slowly took off her glasses with one hand as he held his own weight with his other hand. He placed her glasses down on the bedside table. A tear of happiness fell from her eyes. As if instinctively, he lowered his face and kissed the tear away from her cheek. Madhu closed her eyes again. Her heart racing faster than it ever had before.

"Rani, you're beautiful."

She kept her eyes closed but smiled. Then she felt his breath against her neck. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt his lips touch her skin. His lips slowly moved up to her jawline when suddenly an earsplitting scream echoed throughout the mansion. Madhu's eyes shot open as Raja continued to kiss her jawline, slowly, passionately. He spoke into her skin.

"It's nothing Rani."

"Raju! We have to go check."

"Mmm...later."

"Raju, no."

"Ugh, fine."

He got off her and stood off the bed. She instantly stood as well and grabbed her glasses. She rushed out of their room while putting on her glasses with Raja following close behind her. She followed the sound of loud cries. They ended up in front of Abhay's room. As she glanced into the room, she was shocked. There, Abhay hung from the ceiling. It was clear that he was no more. Her eyes fell upon Dolly who was down in tears.

"Huh...no one even opened the door."

Madhu turned around after hearing Raja.

"You...?"

"No Rani, he did this to himself. But I told you that all your problems would come to an end soon enough."

Raja smirked. He reached out for Madhu but she stepped back, fearing him all of a sudden. She covered her mouth with her hand as tears fell from her eyes and she began to feel sick to her stomach. She took one last glance at Raja. Unable to see her Raju anymore, she ran past him in tears.

"RANI?!"

Raja turned to see her running away. He stared back at Abhay and smirked.

"Good riddance."