FF: Ankahee | Completed - Page 31

Rishabh and Madhu lay on the couch in each other's arms. Half eaten pizza lay on the side. They were both tired, yet comforted at having found a path to each other again. Not too long ago, they had each lost hope of being with each other again. And yet, somehow, they had persevered. Somehow, their love had survived. And now, their eyes closed, all they wanted to do was to soak this moment in and remind themselves how being together felt.

"Madhu"

"What?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to hear your voice and make sure you're still here."

"I am here, Rishu."

"Don't ever leave me, okay? I almost died."

"Don't talk like that Rishu!" Madhu spoke, sitting up on the couch and facing Rishabh, who opened his eyes as well. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have left. I thought I was coming in the way of your happiness and I couldn't watch you leave me, so I left."

"The two of you are my happiness, nothing else." Rishabh said, giving a short kiss to Madhu on her cheek.

"I know that now."

"Madhu, will you please do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Will you talk to Ma? She is...she is not well."

"Oh my God...what happened?" Madhu asked guilitily, knowing she had not only disappeared from Rishabh's life but also from the woman who had loved her like her own daughter, for no fault of hers.

"I...I don't know exactly." Rishabh continued when Madhu gave him a quizzical look. "She...she refused to talk to me ever since you..."

"You told her everything?"

"I did. She hates me for hurting her daughter. Dad too didn't talk to me for a few days but after some time he gave in and told me about how ma was doing."

"Rishabh, give me your phone." Madhu was shocked. She took the phone and talked to the balcony to speak to Radha. After about 20 minutes, she came back.

"She is better now. Here, talk to her." Madhu said, extending the phone to RK, who hesitated to take it.

"Ma...how are you ma?" he spoke on the phone.

"Rishu" his mother's voice was weak and feeble, but hearing his name taken with love after all this time brought tears to RK's eyes.

"Ma...how are you feeling?"

"I am better now. I will get better very quickly now. You will bring my daughter and my grand-child home, right?"

"Yes ma. I will. I am sorry ma."

"I am sorry too beta. Madhu told me it was a misunderstanding. You both come home, I will teach you a lesson to both of you."

"Okay ma. Take care. I love you."

"I love you too Rishu." Radha hung up the phone. RK looked up at Madhu with moist eyes and said, "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. It's my fault. I am sorry, I didn't know Ma would be angry at you."

"She wasn't wrong. Anyway, I am just glad to have her back. And you. I was so alone, Madhu." RK hugged Madhu, who patted his back to console him.

"In any case, she didn't sound angry now. What did you tell her?" RK asked when they broke the hug.

"Well, when she heard my voice she was first relieved but then she was so angry at me for disappearing. She deserved to be angry too, of course. But then, I had the master stroke. The moment she learnt she was going to be a grandmom, all her anger at both you and me disappeared." Madhu smiled, prompting a smile from RK as well.

"Thank you biwi."

"No need. She should have known weeks ago. You should have known weeks ago. I complicated everything." Madhu paused, then asked. "Rishabh, can I ask you something?"

"You don't have to ask me to ask or say anything. Tell me."

"Do you really want this...this child? I know we didn't plan this and you didn't want kids and..."

"Madhu, this child is our child. Yours and mine. How could I not want our child?" RK looked hurt.

"No, I didn't mean it that way."

"I know what you mean honey. To be honest, it is a scary thought. Me...a father of an actual child? Last night, I was thinking about it and it freaks me out a little bit. But then I think about you...I think that our child will be a reflection of you, and I am not scared anymore. You will be the best mother in the world, so even if I am a horrible father..."

"You won't be a horrible father." Madhu stopped RK from completing his sentence. He began to say something in response, but then stopped.

"What? What were you about to say?"

"Nothing...umm, what medicines do you need to take now?"

"That's not what you wanted to say. Didn't we just decide today we will tell each other everything we truly feel?"

"Yes, we did. I was just going to tell you that I promise I will try to be better and not be as horrible a father as I have been a husband, a friend and a son. But then I thought saying doesn't mean much, I would just be better and show it by actions."

"Oh Rishu, why do you think that way? You're an amazing person. You're not a horrible husband or anything. What happened to us was a problem of circumstances. And it was mostly my fault. You didn't know anything. I am a bad wife. I was the one who walked away from our marriage and...and...even filed for divorce." Madhu looked down as she spoke. "I am sorry Rishabh"

"My not knowing was my biggest fault. I didn't know what you felt or wanted. I didn't know Maya's intentions. Ignorance is not really an excuse. You didn't walk away because you didn't love me. You walked away because I didn't give you enough faith in our relationship. I brought a third person between us."

"Rishu, listen to me. Whatever happened, has happened. Let's start afresh okay. If we keep blaming ourselves for the past, we will never be able to embrace the future. A third person can enter a marriage only if the husband and the wife both let them. If either of us had fought it, this wouldn't have happened. Look at me and promise me, you will not blame or punish yourself."

"But Madhu, I hurt you so much, so many times."

"So what? I hurt you, you hurt me. Should we both sit and account for it and figure out who owes who how much hurt? I love you Rishu, just like you love me. And love is not accounting. We can't weigh who loves more and who needs to be punished more. We all make mistakes some times. You're not perfect and neither am I. But together, together we are just right."

"You're perfect, biwi. For me, in any case. I promise I will be the best I can be for you and for our little angel, every day for the rest of my life. Will you...will you trust me one more time?"

"I already do, hubby. I already do."

RK took Madhu in a warm embrace and let his lips touch Madhu's lips, then gently kissed them. He felt Madhu's arms around his waist, pulling him closer, and deepened the kiss. The desperation of thirst and longing that had burnt their hearts for so many days soon took over as RK tightened the embrace and dove deeper in the kiss, driving her tongue in Madhu's eyes and meeting an even fiercer response, until they were both breathless.

"I want to go home" Madhu whispered as RK picked her up in his arms and smiled.

Destiny smiled as well, satisfied that for once her children had fought their demons together, like a team, each supporting the other when they fell weak in their battles against their own self-doubt. Failures are not the end, unless you quit and make them the end. Their relationship had failed once, but their love had brought them back. If there was someone Destiny didn't mind being defeated by, it was true love. Not mere desire, but a deep longing that made you want to be better every day so you could deserve it. When that happened, it meant you had chosen love above all and given yourself to it. Your Destiny, then, was a slave to love, not to people's ignorant selfish choices that it needed to push back against.

True love beat Destiny every single time, because it was the one thing she was destined to never get back from her children, even the ones she loved and was generous to.

Nobody ever loves their Destiny.

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

(One year three months later)

The hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights everywhere. All eyes were on the beautiful bride decked in a pretty pink and green lehenga, but RK's eyes were on someone else, someone who was, to him, the prettiest woman there.

"Look, how beautiful mumma looks today, right. Shall we tell her?" he smiled and asked his little angel in his arms. Little Seher peeked in the direction RK pointed, as if really looking at her mother accompanying the bride. They were both standing near the stage, waiting for the bride's group to reach the stage. RK looked at Rohan who was seated on the stage, but was staring at Ria with his jaws open, completely jawstruck. He smiled and turned his face towards Madhu again, looking heavenly in her rich blue saree. Their eyes met, and RK winked at her. She blushed, but then seemed to say something in Ria's ear which made her smile as well.

"They look so great together, don't they?" Madhu spoke to RK, standing next to him much later after all the ceremonies were done and Rohan and Ria were naughtily feeding each other. A lot of guests had started going home, and finally Madhu had left Ria's side to join RK and Seher, who was now sleeping in her arms.

"Yes, but you know who looks even better. Us. Especially now that you finally have the time to given some attention to your poor husband and daughter." RK smiled putting his arm around his wife.

"Come on, I told you today is Ria and Rohan's day and we had to be at our friends' side. You have to learn to share me a little, my super-possessive hubby."

"No way. Only me and Seher have rights on you. Anyway between your work and friends and ma and your charity, you ignore us all the time." RK mock pouted, teasing his wife.

"Oh really?" Madhu grinned. "Ok, why don't you hold Seher for some more time then? I am going to ignore you some more."

"Oh come on Madhu I was joking. Don't go away. I have been waiting for you to get free so I could eat something."

"He he. We will go eat. But I really have to do something first. Here, hold Seher." Madhu turned to walk when RK asked her, realizing she wasn't going in the direction of Ria. "Wait, where are you going?" he asked, then followed her eyes to realize who she was headed towards. "Madhu why.."

"Why not RK? You can't run away from her forever. We all made mistakes and hurt each other, but then we all forgave each other, right. Ma, Trishna, Ria, Rohan - they all forgave both you and me for what we did. But nobody forgave Maya. She lost all her friends and moved to Mumbai alone. Doesn't she deserve to be forgiven?"

"But Madhu, what she did..." His anger, hurt and disgust had still not disappeared from his voice, even after so much time had passed.

"Rishabh, she fell in love. That's what she did. And we don't really control when and with whom we fall in love. Love just happens! Like it happened to me, when I fell in love with you. I didn't plan it. And love makes powerless. What she did, for the most part, was because she cared for you and wanted your happiness. Yes, she had a weak moment, but who hasn't done something in life weakened by passion or greed that they didn't regret. In any case, I asked Rohan to invite her to the wedding, and I am going to talk to her now. You and Rohan were her best friends, and she lost both of you. And don't tell me at some level both of you don't miss your friend either. I think she has received more than enough punishment."

"How do you do this Madhu?"

"Do what?"

"Have such a big heart. Your marriage almost broke because of what she did and you're saying it was just momentary weakness."

"I don't have a big heart, Rishabh. But I do know that sometimes make bad choices weakened by our unspoken insecurities and fears. And because of those choices, in just a few seconds, we can break what takes a life time to create. That doesn't make us fundamentally a bad person. I have lost a lot in life, Rishabh, and I have also gained what's precious. I know what loss means. Especially losing friends, people who care about you. Life is too short to not live each moment to the fullest and be happy. You only taught me that. Right now I am going to share that happiness. And for my sake, please let me!" Madhu turned and walked away, leaving RK dumbstruck.

It was true, what she said, at some level. And yet RK questioned if he could ever forget his friend for betraying his trust the way she had. Love happens, Madhu had just said. That was true. Unfortunate, sometimes, but true indeed. Just like Vikram had fallen in love with Madhu, which she still didn't know because Vikram didn't want her to ever know and feel awkward. He was powerless at the time, he had told RK when they first met after returning to India, but he had moved on since. They all still met regularly from time to time, and RK knew it was true. He was a doting uncle to Seher and a true friend to both RK and Madhu, wanting both their happiness. And that is why, strangely enough, he never felt jealous or insecure with Vikram. He trusted him. Then why didn't he trust Maya? Perhaps because his faith in Maya had been deep-seated in their friendship that was based on honesty and affection, and she had betrayed that faith. She could have told him her feelings, or she could have withdrawn and gotten over herself quietly without hurting Madhu. Instead, she had taken away from him everything that meant the world for him for her own selfish ends. But she never meant to do that, did she? Still, even if he forgave her for the kissing incident, will he ever be able to trust her again, as a friend? Perhaps not, he decided. Not for a long time. He had truly trusted and cared for Maya, but her betrayal had mocked the purity of their friendship and scarred their bond forever. But for Madhu's sake, could he try to forgive her and be polite with her. Maybe.

"They look amazing together, don't they?" Madhu smiled and asked Maya who was standing alone, deep in thought, looking at Rohan and Ria's antics.

"Umm...yeah..hi...Madhu..."

"Hi Maya, how are you?" Madhu asked.

"I...I am really sorry Madhu..."Maya looked down ashamed and stumbled for words, struggling to find an apology.

"Forget it Maya. It's all in the past. Can we move on?"

"But Madhu...what I did...I didn't mean to...I swear...I didn't...it just happened...RK and me...I don't know what happened to me...it wasn't his fault at all...he didn't know...I am sorry" Maya struggled to express her guilt which had taken a heavy toll on her in the last year and half. After the incident, she had taken time off and gone to her parents' place, living with them for over a month. She couldn't tell them what had happened, but they still knew that something was wrong with her. Nisha helped cover for her as she spent the time introspecting for herself and trying to get in touch with the little girl who grew up in that home with her parents' values and who respected the meaning of friendship and love. She had lost all the friends that mattered to her - RK, Rohan, Ria - and their hatred really stinged her. She was worried for Madhu too, and prayed that RK and Madhu got back together despite everything she had done, but she felt too helpless to do anything. After about a month, she asked her office for a permanent transfer to Mumbai, and started building a new life. She realized it was her jealousy at losing the undivided attention of her best friend that had sparked her attraction to RK. She wanted all of him, but she wasn't prepared to give him what he needed. She was never meant for him, just like he wasn't meant for her. A few times, she had tried to apologize to RK and Rohan, but both of them had spurned her. A couple of weeks back, though, she was surprised when Rohan called and invited him to his wedding. She was glad to be back to see her friends, but now that she was here, she was acutely feeling everything she had lost and thinking about the void of friendship in her life now when Madhu had walked up to her.

"It's okay, Maya. It really is. I trust my husband and I also know how much he misses his friend though he never says it. Just like Rohan and Ria and Nitin - you were all part of a gang and everyone here feels something missing because you're not here. But none of them will say anything because they think I will be hurt. So, I am here to tell you that I forgive you and don't blame you for anything anymore. I would like to be friends with you. Let's start again. Would you be willing to be my friend, Maya?"

Maya's eyes welled up with tears. Madhu hugged her lightly. "I...I don't know what to say Madhu. If I were in your place..."

"Leave it Maya. Life is too short to live in the past. I am willing to place my trust in you for the future, if you are willing to keep it."

Maya nodded. "Good" Madhu said "Now come, I want you to introduce you to your niece. You haven't met Seher, right?" Madhu held Maya's hand and turned to walk towards RK, but Maya resisted.

"But Madhu, RK...and others...what will they..."

"You're coming as my friend. My husband and my friends are respectful of my friends." Madhu said reassuringly, but Maya didn't move, so Madhu continued. "Come Maya, we all have to give each other a chance to move on. Friendships are too precious to not save when we have a chance to save them. It will take some time but we will get there, trust me."

"Thank you Madhu" Maya whispered between sobs as they walked to meet RK and Seher.

"Come Seher, meet Maya aunty. Say hello. Shay hello baby." Madhu took Seher in her arms and introduced her to Maya.

"Hi baby. Oh Madhu she is so cute!"

"Totally. But she's so naughty and demanding. Just like her dad!" Maya looked upwards and for the first time looked staright at RK who was staring at them with a serious expression.

"Hi" she said, with some hesitation.

"Hi" he replied reluctantly too, then looked at Seher who was jumping out of Madhu's arms and held out his arms. But instead Seher jumped towards Maya, attracted by her necklace. RK and Madhu supported her as Maya grabbed her.

"One family photo, please" A photographer suddenly called out. The three of them looked towards him together. Maya, then, gave Seher back to RK and stepped aside, her eyes meeting with Madhu's. The photographer clicked a few shots for RK, Madhu and their daughter. Then, Madhu called Maya and asked them to join the photo.

"Our friends are our extended family." She said. Maya hesitated, then stepped next to Madhu. RK possessively put his free arm around his wife's waist as the photographer did his job.

"I love you Rishu." She whispered.

"I love you too honey. I love you so much."

"Come, Rohan is calling us." Madhu said, noticing Rohan waving in their direction. She dragged both RK and Maya as all the friends congregated near Rohan and Ria who had finally finished their dinner and wanted some pictures with all their friends.

For the rest of that night and their lives to follow, echoes of their teasing laughter continued to punctuate the unspoken yet well-understood words of support, understanding and true love.

THE END

**Note: So, finally, this really long story is done. Or not yet. There's a short Epilogue left, so I will save my final goodbyes until then. Hope you enjoyed Ankahee.

- TK