Part 18
Madhu was sitting in a press conference as a promotional event for their movie. She was enjoying the attention and questions. And she had abolutely loved confusing the reporters in their own questions over the years.
"Rishabh Kundra... Yes... He is a great friend and colleague... But as you all say... Just friends changing to boyfriend, no friend, more than friend, less than friend... can all come with time... She said laughing as the reporter who had asked her the question about her new colleage Rishabh Kundra sat down confused as to what she wanted to imply and where he could add up the spices.
Madhu was enjoying her questions and ducking them successfully. A reporter stood up and Madhu looked at him in the same mirthful expression as she had been uptil now.
"Madhubala ji.. As we all know that you are named after the great legend Madhubala herself. But she was known as the tragedy queen. Both in real and reel life. And comparison comes but naturally. The way her destiny had been in matters of love... We hope that your love story wont be that tragic. What would you like to tell your fans about this.."
Madhu was dumbstruck for a moment. Was her love life really going the way her idol's was. Would she face the same events. For a few seconds she was lost in her own storm when the flash from a camera snapped her back to reality. She regained her composure and tried answering.
" who says she had a bad luck in love life... she had got so much of love from the whole country that even today we remember her as an important part of our industry. She sure was very lucky. And as for love story... its in our hands what we want to achieve... so as for my fans... I know they know that Madhubalas have never played to loose..." She smiled sweetly at the end.
But even after replying him so beautifully she was herself lost in the thoughts. The comparison had made her shiver. She didnt want to loose the love f her life. She was not going to loose him. And she would have her love at all costs, she promised herself.
The days had passed by with Madhu panicking and trying to figure out what she should do and how she shhould make sure if RK loves Dipali or not. She would panick everytime thinking of them. She didnt want to loose RK. But how should she get him was what floated her mind.
RK on the other hand had wanted to call Madhu but he was hesitant. Not knowing whether he should call her or not. He had been the one to initiate every time. Not that he had any ego in that but what if Madhu doesnt want to talk. It was clear in the vanity that day that Madhu wanted to keep a distance though she couldn't maintain that. And if she wants to stay away because of any reason or commitments that she might have made then he should help her.
The day for launch party of their movie had arrived. And that meant they would have to meet. Madhu was way too excited as she shrieked around her house trying to get ready to perfection and be on time. RK was feeling relieved and anxious at the same time. His first movie's launch was today, he was bound to get nervous and to top it he would be meeting Madhu after 10 long days. How he had missed seeing her. Missed her glowing round eyes. Even when she had ignored him she looked so appealing. He had missed the child in her who would get amazed and agitated at small petty things but still present as if she was a composed sophisticated actress.
Evening arrived and RK had reached there. He met different personalities of the film industry who were invited for the premier. He was new to all of them but still everyone was amazed at the level of confidence that he had. His attitude took a lot of actors and actresses by surprise. He seemed as if he had been in the industry for long. People around were impressed with him. But RK's eyes just searched for one person. He wondered when would Madhu come. He remembered Madhu teaching him animatedly to arrive at least an hour late at gatherings and how that would show your value. His lips broke into a small laughter as he remebered her.
Just then he saw Madhu emerging in between the lights and flashes of the cameras. She looked stunning in the blackish brown heel length gown which had a slit on one side which extended upto her knee and showed her milky toned leg. With those curls falling on her chest from one side. She looked like Goddess emergng from between the glow. RK felt suffocated as he realised that he had stopped breathing.
Madhu walked confidently to where RK was standing. She smiled candidly at him almost forgetting that she was in this public gathering where she had to measure even her smile.
"You look hot.." Madhu said in whisper though still excited. She had found herself loosing when she had seen RK looking ultra handsome in that steel grey suit of his.
RK himself was taken aback by that compliment. "Thanks Madhu... And you... look... beautiful" he didnt know what else to say as he found himself short of words forthe beauty that Madhu displayed.
She looked around excitedly not knowing why she was so excited to be here even when she had been in numerous parties. She unknowingly wrapped her hands around RK's arm feeling herself somewhat secure with his touch. RK felt his breath stopping as Madhu snuggled close to his arm. His lips broke into a smile as he turned to look at her. Madhu smiled back at him as she pulled him forward.
After a while they were chatting with people around when Madhu heard a womanly voice talking about them.
"Look at Madhubala... She seems more than happy being with a new comer... How much talented he is would be revealed soon but she already seems flat on him..."
"Huh... what else can she do..? Who else looks at her..." replied another woman.
Madhu turned to the side and found two "god-forsaken-actresses" in all show and shimmer talking about her and glancing them with the corner of their eyes.
" Come RK.. I would introduce you to someone..." she held him more strongly.
"Ohhh Hello Madhu... How are you?" The woman faked her brightest smile ever.
"I am at my best as always... but i hear sonething horrible about you..." she said faking worry.
"Horrible?? What?" The girl asked tensed.
"Is it true your latest movie couldnt make it even through the week?" she asked witg wide eyes while RK bit his lip to control himself from laughing.
The girl's smile dropped and she just faked a blank smile. "That story was not up to the mark..." she said moving her eyes.
"Actually that happens when one believes in success through skin showing..." she said with sympathetic expression while the other girl who had been gossiping about them smiled widely enjoying the play.
"Anyways... So RK... These two are... " Madhu tried to find what exactly she should cal them.. "Girls..." she said not knowing what else to say and dreading the fact that she might not use something amiss. While RK looked at her with wide eyes still trying to control himself from bursting into splits.
"Hi Girls.." he joined the fun. While both the girls gaped at the two.
"Hi RK..." said the girl who had been enjoying the show uptil now.
"Rishabh Kundra... Its not RK..." He interrupted her with a cordial smile.
"Ohhh.. Madhubala said RK soo..."
"Yes.. thats what only she calls" he said trying to be as polite as possible.
"Ohhh" the girl replied giving a sarcastic smile.
Madhu looked at RK with a proud and happy smile. She felt this strange delight filling her heart as she heard that.
"So how was your last film?"
"It was quute good you know..." she replied happily.
"Yes I heard that there was a lot of promotion for your film... You even had to create a conttoversy right?" Madhu said sympathetically.
"No... That was an actual problem" the girl defended.
"Ohh.. thats bad... its good you came out of it... You know I saw that movie and RK.. you should see it too... its really good script... if only the actress could do justice it would have been the best film of the year." Madhu looked at RK really seriously while RK looked at her equally thoughtfully nodding his head all tge while the girl looked at the two open mouthed.
"Madhu, i am just feeling a little ahmm... thirsty.." RK gestured as he cleared his throat. He was now dreading that the girls might eat the them alive.
Madhu smiled at him sympathetically and they both excused themselves leaving the two behind. As soon as they got out of their vicinity RK sighed with relief.
"My God.. You were ready to pounce on the poor souls.."
"You dont know them RK. They are not to be pitied. They say bad about others and then spread stupid rumours only because they are jealous." Madhu says arrogantly looking forward.
"Come on Madhu its not their fault.. who wont be jealous of you? After all you are walking with the most handsome man..." RK says trying to tease her.
"Yup Right!" Madhu says in a reflex while RK watched her amused to see if she was serious or joking like him. Madhu suddenly realises what she had said and her eyes went wide. She slowly turns her eyeballs to the corner to see RK's reaction. She hoped in her heart that he might not have heard her but to her dissapointment RK was chuckling away at her condition. " Okay... We are going to forget this part...!" Madhu says exacerbated.
"No... I really wanna know.. the details... " RK said without hiding the teasing smile on his face.
"You have always been speaking too much..." Madhu said narrowing her eyes.
"Oh really...? The way you have been holding me since the time you entered I doubt a lot of people may be speaking too much.. "
"Is it?" Madhu asked innocently as she hadnt realised that she had been clinging to RK since the time she had stepped in. "I guess thats the reason those two were talking about us... " she said thoughfully.
" Oh my god.. Dont remind me about them... what if I have to work with any of them??" he said shaking his head disappointed.
"Why?? Why would you have to work with them?" Madhu asked exasperated.
"Why you reacting like that? What if I have to?"
"Do you know they act sooo bad... and they are here only because they just go shimmer and shine with the amount of exposure they do" Madhu says irritated.
"Oohh That would be fun..." RK says approvingly while Madhu's jaw dropped.
"Are you getting jealous?" RK asked trying to hide his amusement at her displeasure.
"Why would I be jealous? Do what you want... work with whoever you want" Madhu says as she takes her hand away from RK's arm.
"Ohh you are getting serious..." RK looks at his arm which was entwined with Madhu's hands uptil now.
"I am serious..." Madhu says firmly.
"Ohhooo My jungli billi..." RK says as he slowly slid his hand around Madhu's arm. Madhu felt a strange tingle in her stomach and a smile threatened her lips.
"But I am still upset..." Madhu says trying to behave stern which she couldnt through her expression as she was smiling away by now.
It had been some time and Madhu was now standing with Mr. Kapoor. RK and Madhu had been together for quiet some time when Madhu was called by the producer for some important discussion while RK had to go for something else. Disheartened Madhu had to peel off from RK. But she had thought that somehow she will tell him her feelings. She was apprehensive about his behaviour when she was at home thats why she was late but now after meeting him and seeing that he was not upset with her anymore she was way to relaxed. She had thought that she would tell him about her feelings today.
The premiere of there movie begun and all had settled in the theatre hall. As the movie progressed Madhu felt herself lost in her's and RK's chemistry. She smiled seeing them laughing and cried seeing them crying. She had felt as if that was her real self. As the movie came to end most of the people were impressed. There was queit an applause and everyone was filled with praises. Madhu happily looked around to find RK but she was dumb struck when she saw her RK sitting with Dipali. Her eyes went wide with anger as her breath became deep. And to top her temper Dipali looked beautiful. How dare she? Before Madhu could go and pull him away from her, she was surrounded with people. They started shaking hands with her and congratulating her. She smiled at all of them. She tried peeking to see RK through the shoulders of people and saw RK too being greeted be people and Dipali was now not to be seen. She sighed out of relief as she thanked the people around.
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RK was very happy with the applaud that he was getting. Everyone was praising him. Even some of the veterans appreciated his work. He wanted to find Madhu and share with her.. but when he looked at her she was surrounded by a lot of people. He smiled seeing her happy face. He could see how delighted Madhu was with the response and he was even more happy to be a part of it.
After a while they both were freed from the crowd around them. Dipali came to Madhu and congratulated her while she too congratulated her back saying that even she did a great job. She felt like saying her to stay away from RK now but she thought she shouldn't say that.
After some time Madhu tried making her way to RK when she saw him standing with Dipali and laughing. Again thoughts of them being a couple came rushing to her mind. The insecurities and the dread came back crashing on her. And to her horror Dipali punched RK playfully at his shoulder. They seemed too much confortable. Madhu stood there like a statue for a while amd then averted her way to the bar counter. She hadnt ever been into alcohol too much but today she felt like drinking away her pain. She wanted to gather courage to stand in front of RK. The RK whom she knew that she loved dearly. And who was the only one she had wanted to snatch away even if her destiny was against it.
The party was still in the middle with light music and people dancing. Some were chatting with exquisite wine in their fingers. Food was being served and the place was dimly lit with blue and white lights. Madhu was a now under the influence of alcohol. Though not tipsy but the alcohol had provided her with the much needed disinhibition. She walked around confidentally. RK looked at her and smiled as he thought to go to her. He had been searching for her. He wanted to share the pleasure of being the star with her but he was not able to find her. He stepped towards Madhu when Dipali held his arm.
"Where are you going hero...?" She interrupted as she was in the middle of her talk and RK even without excusing himself was walking away.
"Ohh.. I am sorry... Actually Madhu has come and I had been searching for her for quite some time now.." he smiled at her.
"Ohhh... are you like... into something with her?" She asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"No... Dont add spices... She is... she is... just Special..."
"ooo... Special I see..." Dipali teased him.
" Dipali... I should really go now..." RK says smiling at her embarrased though he felt delighted.
"Are you special for her too?" She asked curiously.
RK smiled at her as if she asked the silliest question and turned to go to Madhu but he found the space empty. Madhu was not there. He looked around to find her but she was not seen. But then he heard a familiar voice-
Precap-= Madhu sings a song
Cricket
Debate Mansion
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bigg Boss 19
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
