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Part 19
"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. Just then he heard a voice-
Dil Se Tujhko Bedili Hai, Mujhko Hai Dil Ka Guroor
Tu Yeh Maane Ke Ya Na Maane, Log Maanenge Zaroor
RK turned to the familiar voice and saw Madhu standing beneath the spotlight. Her left leg stretched in front through the slit and with a mike in her hand. She looked like devil's goddess. All the people were now focussed on her.
Madhu had seen Dipali holding RK's hand while he was coming to her and the even RK had stopped to talk to her. She had felt this thorn prick her heart and she decided to tell her pain to the world tonight, specially her RK.
Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai, Ya Mohabbat Ka Suroor
Tu Na Pehchaane To Hai Yeh, Teri Nazron Ka Kusoor
Yeh Mera Deewanapan hai...
RK looked at her dumb struck. She looked beautiful and evil the same time. The angelic Madhu looked like a passionate devil. But yet she looked ever so tempting. He looked at her with a slight smile but moreso a confused expression on his face. While Madhu looked at him intently as she moved along the floor and the spotlight still focussed her.
Dil Ko Teri Hi Tamanna,Dil Ko Hai Tujhse Hi Pyar
Chaahe Tu Aaye Na Aaye, Hum Karenge Intezaar
Yeh Mera Deewanapan, Ya Mohabbat Ka Suroor
Tu Na Pehchaane To Hai Yeh, Teri Nazron Ka Kusoor
RK looked at her awkwardly. He could see the waves of hurt and pain in her eyes. He knew Madhu has something in her mind that was troubling her but he didnt know what it was. He wanted to hold her close and kiss all her pain away but Madhu's distance was what didnt let him. He wondered what could be the reason of her distress. She had been crying a lot and he knew that. She had even started distancing herself from him. But on other times she would behave normal. And the way Madhu looked at him with piercing gaze was making him even more anxious to know about her problems. Madhu stepped forward in a confident catwalk and came to stand behind him.
Aise Veerane Mein Ek Din,Ghut Ke Mar Jayenge Hum
Jitna Ji Chaahe Pukaro, Phir Nahin Aayenge Hum
Yeh Mera Deewanapan...Ya Mohabbat Ka Suroor
Tu Na Pehchaane To Hai Yeh, Teri Nazron Ka Kusoor
She walked away from him again and went back to her original place. Like diva she had been swaying around the floor and mesmerizing the people around her with her looks and her voice. She finished the song as she had her back towards all the people. RK had felt a pain in her voice which he wanted to erase.
Ye meraa... Deewanaapan hai...
The hall clamoured with claps and applaud. Many praised her and many suggested that she should try her hand in singing too. Only certain close ones realised that Madhu had something going on in her mind. RK walked towards her when he saw Kapoor ji advancing towards Madhu. He held her shoulder while Madhu gave him her customary blank smile trying to ensure him that she was fine.
The next minute he saw Madhu moving towards the bar. He followed her and saw her sitting at the bar counter as she ordered for a vodka shot. RK came to sit beside her.
"So you were here all this while..." he said looking around the counter. The bar tender gave Madhu her drink. "Whiskey..." He gestured the bar tender.
Madhu tried to control her tears as she looked at her glass.
"That was beautiful... You sang really outstanding... I am sure couple of music directors would be already composing something for you..." He said playfully as he intently looked at her face to judge her expressions.
"It was not for them..." she said looking intently infront at some non existent point.
"Ohh really... then who was it for?" RK eyed her intently but clearly displeased.
Madhu gulped in another drink. As she felt a rush of courage in her she looked at RK. As she met eyes with him, RK felt pain in his heart. Madhu's eyes were red with pain. RK took in a deep breath to control his fury and pain. Something strange happened to him whenever he felt the Madhu in pain. The waiter gave RK his drink. He looked at the glass and then at Madhu.
"Madhu.. Come..." He said firmly as he held her hand and pulled her.
"Where are you taking me?" She protested as she tried to pull her hand away from him.
"Stop It Madhu..." He scolded with anger filled tone as he stood face to face with her raising his finger in front of him.
Madhu looked at him dumb struck. Her thought process broken. A tear fell on her cheek which she had been controlling since long.
"Very good..." He said even more frustrated seeing her tears.
He pulled her hand and this time Madhu didnt protest. RK took her home all the while Madhu sat beside him and watched him. She had a storm locked in herself which she could no longer hold back. They reached Madhu's place. RK got down and Madhu got down hesitantly following him. She was a little tipsy now and stumbled her way towards RK. He held her hand and tried to lead her but she still was unable to walk straight.
"who told you to drink so much.." He said shaking his head at her.
"its beacuse of you..." She scoffed at him.
"very well..." He said smiling slightly at her reply.
His smile had another effect in Madhu. Suddenly she felt so mesmerised seeing his dimpled smile, that her foot tumbled. She screamed in pain and RK sat down to see her foot instantly.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
Madhu nodded her head in approval. He stood up and looked at her and then breathed out heavily. He bent down a little and scooped her up in his arms.
Madhu smiled at him. "Thank you.." she said innocently.
RK was about to smile again when he decided agaiinst it and maintained his serious frown. He was standing in the lift when he heard Madhu giggling.
"Whats so funny...?" He asked faking anger not looking at her face as he knew that he would sure mellow down seeing her smiling.
"That day when you had got me up while I was sleeping I had wanted to see it for myself... Now that I am awake and you are again holding me I realised that I WONT BE ABLE TO SEE IT MYSELF..." Shr laughed heartily as she finished that. It looked that the alcohol was having quite an effect on her.
RK looked at her confused.
"Ofooo... You are so dumb... See... If I am here in your arms, how would I be able to be at some other place and see this... and if I am standing somewhere else to see this then how would I be able to be in your arms..." She animatedly tried to explain to him very genuinely.
RK was about to laugh at her when he bit his lip and stared at the elevator screen to reach to her bedroom floor. Madhu shook her head tired and hit her head with her hand as if tired of RK's inability to understand her.
The elevator came to a halt and they came out of it. RK tried putting her down but Madhu clung tighter to his neck.
" No No No... I want to go to my bed..." she demanded authoritatively.
"Do you think I am giving you some ride?"
"Pleaseee... Pleaase RK.. " She said making pretty puppy faces.
RK rolled his eyes and took her to her room. They reached the bed and RK put her down on the bed.
Madhu clapped and jumped in excitement while RK shook his head slightly at her.
"I loved it..." she said excitedlly.
"Its my pleasure your highness..." He said sarcastically.
She lookedat him happily.
"Now tell me... What is your problem?" He asked her in a firm tone.
Madhu looked at him guiltily.
"Madhu your looks wont work anymore... Speak up..."
"RK i dont know what to say?"
" Madhu just cut all this crap now... I have been having all this since months now... Whenever I try to ask, you quiten me up... I had been waiting for you to have your time and decide whats better for you but you just seem to want this confusion going on..." He was now badly frustrated with her ways.
Madhu looked at him with tear filled eyes. She knew he was right. She knew she was the one who was creating al these confusions. But she couldnt understand what she would do if he refuses. What she would do if he rejects her. What if he is with Dipali. RK looked at her broken self. She was sure moved by whatt he said. He came closer to her and held her by her arms.
"Madhu what is going on in your mind. Atleast tell me... what is it that is troubling you? You were not like this when I had met you... You were carefree and.. and Arrogant... Never a damsel in distress... Infact all kinds of resourceful people looked like one in your presence... but now you look as if you are not able to find a way out of yourself... Is someone troubling you? Blackmailing you? Tell me Madhu.. I swear I wont let him see the next sun..." He said with all the love and conviction in his eyes.
Madhu looked into his eyes as if in a dream. The dejection and fears were now replaced by hope and happiness. She smiled through the tears.
RK looked at her baffled.
Madhu sat down on her bed and made RK sit beside her.
"RK.. I dont know what is it that I should tell you... I cant find the ends to put together... I wish I had someone to sort it out with me.. But I dont think anybody could see the way things are from where I stand... U know when I was 12, Ma-Papa left me... And you know I was not able to even be with them in their last time... They had an accident.. and I wasnt able to see them... to say Good-bye to them." tears fell from her eyes. RK strengthened the grip on her hand.
"I was on a shoot outdoor... By the time I came back everything was finished..." She said with a fake smile looking in blank space. She sighed. "But this industry never let me have time to think about it... Life went on and Madhubala kept dissolving herslef in her characters... Forgetting what my destiny played with me.. And when I was me... Trishna was there with me... We were what family would be for each other but then My stardom came between us too... Being my sister she was unable to pursue a normal life what a girl should be having of her age. Plus she had other dreams and I wanted her to live the life which I couldnt... So though just being 15 years of age I had to take this decision of sending her to London for studies. And then she went away... 8 years and I had been alone, and I had learned to live with this silence around me when You came in my life.." She said turning to face him. RK looked at her surprised hearing himself in Madhu's story.
"You made me steal those moments from life which destiny had kept in check for me... My loneliness was coloured with your presence... Even when you were not with me, your thoughts kept me preoccupied. But now... Now I feel like the left out one again... Even you will move on leaving me behind... And I wont stop you... I cant stop you from flourishing in ur carrier... To be the star you want to be... You deserve that..." RK looked at her helplessly and baffled. What twisted ways of thinking she has.
Madhu stood up freeing her hand from his grip as he watched her back in pain.
"I know you dont want to be in clutches of any relationship or a name at this point of your carrier.. I know you might want to be a name yourself... and RK you deserve that.. You will be a Superstar and thats for sure... You have such talent in you..." She turned back to RK with a smile on her face while RK looked at her with hurt and agitation.
"please dont feel bad RK... I dont want to force myself on you... I dont want to be a burden on you... We wont talk about this again I promise... But please dont hate me... Please don't leave me alone..." she said getting anxious on seeing his expression. She held his arms as she tried to explain to him. RK looked at her with an angry expression as if he was furious on her. He didnt say a word but just stared at her as she tried to shake him.
"Please RK... say something.. please talk to me... "
"What is left to say? What do you want me to say Madhubala?" He said in a frozen tone.
"You kept on building castles in air but never bothered to tell me. You destroyed those castles but u didnt let me know... You used to cry like FOOLS but not let me know... I am feeling a bloody stupid who was all tensed about you and your problems and what might be bothering you so much.. I was ready to fight the world to relieve you but now I come to know that it was me who was making you feel that way... It was because of me that you were locking yourself in your shell.. I thought we were friends.. Where was THiS you when had promised me about our friendship... Where was THIS you hid all these feelings of yours from me? Which one is the real you Madhubala..? The one who stands in front of me now or the one who behaves as if not the world exists in front of her?" He screamed the last part at her as he had his face close to hers.
"and what did you say? You dont want to force yourself on me...? You dont want to be a burden? Ms. Madhubala Superstar Malik you are already a burden..." He said in a low but dangerous tone. Madhu was dumbstruck and her eyes were wide. Each word of his felt like a blow.
"I am the one puttibg up with your tantrums... I am the one trying to take the initiative between us everytime... I am the one who takes the first step between us and then you run away... Either you are a coward Madhubala or I am a doormat whom you want to crush all the time..." He said as he let all his anger and frustration flow out.
Madhu still looked at him with a stunned expression. She couldnt think of anything and the words of RK were hitting her hard.
"I had always been the one who ignored the wall that YOU had created between us and converse the feelings for both of us... and YOU were the one who pulled yourself away... and then you would go to your vanity to cry alone and gain sympathy... Do you know Madhu why you are alone? Because you are not ready to break your shell... you are not ready to let anyone enter the cocoon you have created for yourself..."
Madhu looked down as she heard him and let the tears fall on the ground.
RK calmed himself down "I wish you had understood me for once... You would have known that this stardom is not what matters to me... AND I wish you had really believed in my talent.. Because if you had believed in my talent and acting skills you wouldnt have tangled my carrier with our relationship."
He turned to go away when his gaze fell on the wall on which he had seen her pictures with her family the last time. And he noticed his and Madhu's pic on the wall in the middle of all those pictures. He felt a thorn prick his heart on seeing it. He turned his head to see Madhu for once. She had her head lowered and tears fell on the ground while she sniffed her cries.
"If you had just opened your eyes for once Madhu..." He said before walking away with the tears in his eyes too. But he was too frustrated at that moment.
Madhu slumped on the floor. The tears now freely flowing down her eyes. She screamed in pain.
"RK!..." She screamed his name... His words echoing back in her ear. She wondered in her baffled state what caused such anger in him and she realised the way she had been behaving with RK all these days. All the scenes came flashing in her. How she used to ignore him, how she had hurt him with her harsh words. She cried for a while. RK's words coming back to her again and again and guilt catching her.
"If you had just opened your eyes for once Madhu..."
She had heard that before. She had heard that from RK himself. Why she felt that she has heard it from him and was important for her.
. I think the day you Open your eyes you would be able to read it.
She looked around anxiously as if searching for the wall where RK had wrote his message. She felt that now her life depended on knowing that scribbled message that he had wrote. It was as if RK gave her the hint to climb the rift.
She gathered herself and stood up. Looking around she just grabbed the car keys and rushed out. She reached the studio. The gaurd came running seeing the car lights. It was almost 4 in the morning now. He saw Madhubala's car and hurriedly opened the door. Madhu went straight into her vanity and rushed to the wall where RK had written his message. She looked at the wall with widened eyes trying to read into it. But all she could see was 'RK' written on it. She touched the writing and tried joining lines... Like a maniac she tried reading it her fingers roaming on the scribbling. After a while of trying her tears gave way and vision blurred. She turned away from the wall dejected as she cried. She came to her mirror and looked at her dejected self in the mirror.
"Whatever your message may be RK... But I LOVE YOU... I know now.. and I won't let anything in the world take you away from me..." She looked at herself broken as the tears flowed freely and vision improved. Just then she noticed something through the mirror. She moved her head closer to the mirror as she focussed on the scribbling that RK had done.
RK.. is yours forever... MY LOVE
Madhu turned back stunned to see the wall. And again there were some random lines. She turned her head back to the mirror and saw the same message written. She touched the mirror as happy tears fell through her eyes and a smile crept over her face.
RK loves her. And he promised that he would be hers forever.
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CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
