Chapter 18
Madhu's hand quivered as she re-read the news clipping yet another time. RK had been gone all day and as the night deepened, Madhu's fears only intensified.
"Rishabh Kundra, the young business tycoon and CEO of Kundra Industries was spotted yesterday on a romantic rainy evening in the beautiful hill-station of Panchgani, hand-in-hand with a beautiful young maiden. While a stormy divorce battle between him and his estranged wife is rumored to be coming up in courts shortly, it seems that the young, handsome, eligible bachelor-again RK has a new love interest in is life. Rumor mills claim this love interest is a London model, but we have no confirmations yet. But we'll keep close tabs and keep our readers informed of the travails of the love life of the tall, dark and handsome RK. Watch this space!"
"Ridiculous" Madhu murmured as she read the article again. How does the press come up with such crap?
"Who could have got this published?" she wondered for the nth time, staring at the picture above the article. Since it was fairly dark and cloudy and the roadside lighting was poor, Madhu's face was relatively grainy and blurred in the picture from that angle, but RK's face and the tight grip of his hand holding Madhu's bangled hand was clear.
Was it random paparazzi, or was it a sinister ploy by someone?
Madhu noticed that a very small part of the St. Andrew's boarding school's board was visible at one corner of the photograph. It wasn't enough to pinpoint the location, but to someone who was aware, could it...
Could Mukund look at the picture and figure out Madhu was there? Was Mukund the one who had taken the picture?
Madhu shivered in fear and started pacing up and down the living room, keeping the newspaper on the table. What if Mukund was behind this?
What if Mukund figured out she met Manav and went and met him after she left? What if Mukund saw this picture today and then went to the school?
Panicking, she forced herself to sat down and take a deep breath. She looked at the picture again. She wasn't really recognizable at all in the picture, and Mukund did not know she was with RK, right? He had no reason to connect Madhu and Manav with RK. Maybe, it was just paparazzi, she tried to convince herself and decided to drink some water.
As she stood up, she glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Rishabh wasn't home yet.
Madhu's panic barometer shot right back up!
"He was so angry when he left. And he was sick. He didn't even eat or have medicines. It's all my fault!" she muttered.
"Madhu, why did you have to go to Panchgani? You should have made an excuse to Trishna and refused to go in the first place. He shouldn't be seen with you, you know that! Besides, what did you get by going there and seeing Manav. You just made everything worse. And to top it all, you had to break down in front of him so he was forced to console you. If only you had kept a lid on your emotions, he wouldn't be holding your hand. It's not like he ever wanted to hold your hand."
Madhu felt a wave of sadness come over with that last thought. It smelt like bitter truth often does - acrid and heavy.
"RK does not ever want to be seen with you, Madhu." She took a deep breath and told herself as calmly as she could, ignoring the tears that escaped, because she wanted her heart and mind to clearly understand it and internalize it. "That's the reality. That's why you're not allowed to step outside your room. That's why he is mad that you've put his reputation on the line by holding his hand in a public place. He will never, ever, voluntarily be seen or associated with you. You are the ugly darkness that's meant to be hidden, not displayed. You are his shame."
*****************************************
Madhu ran to open the door as the doorbell rang. It was 1 am and she had heard RK's car come inside. She opened the door and saw RK looking absolutely pale and exhausted. Without daring to look in his eyes, she quietly closed the door and walked behind him as he sat on the living room sofa and loosed his tie.
"Water." she said a couple of minutes later. RK opened his eyes and saw Madhu quietly standing next to him, with a glass of water. He realized she looked even more worried than she had at the breakfast table - as if that was possible - and he suddenly felt guilty for having left abruptly in the morning. He had had an excruciating day and his head was pounding, but the anxiety on Madhu's face was making his heart race again.
Damn, how did a girl with a face as expressive as Madhu's keep that straight face and trademark fake smile all this while!
"I am sorry" Madhu blurted before RK could say anything.
"Huh?"
"I am sorry, Rishabh ji. I am really sorry. That photo...newspaper...you were so angry...it's my fault. I shouldn't have come to Panchgani at all. I..."
"Madhu..."
"I am sorry I didn't mean to hurt your reputation.."
"Madhu, keep quiet. And stop crying." He firmly said and stood up. He held her chin and made her look at him. "Stop crying and said and look at me. It's not your fault, ok? It's just stupid media..they like gossip. It's nothing. My people can handle it."
"Are you sure?" Madhu asked apprehensively. RK was struck again by the innocent quiver in her voice. She had probably worried herself sick over the whole thing. Damn, I shouldn't have over-reacted, he admonished himself.
"Are you doubting the capabilities of RK?"
"Yes...I mean...no"
RK smirked at her as he finally saw relief sweep her face.
"I'd just go heat up your dinner." she enthusiastically said and turned to the kitchen, wiping her tears. RK was pleased to hear the energy back in his voice as he slumped back on the sofa - it had been a difficult day and his headache was killing him.
Madhu returned five minutes later with his food and found RK asleep on the couch. She kept the plate aside and sat on the chair near him. Waiting to see if he'd wake up, she plainly admired a sleeping Rishabh for a few minutes. She had been worrying all day about an angry reaction, but instead he had been so calm and gentle with her. Madhu felt genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness, and a small smile crept up on her lips, despite all the chaos in her life.
A flick of hair rested on his forehead, blocking her view, and Madhu felt an odd urge to push them back. Scolding herself for her uncontrolled urges, she decided to make RK comfortable on the couch instead since he seemed deep in sleep. She removed his shoes and then brought out a blanket from the guest bedroom to cover him. She knelt on the ground next to the sofa as she tucked RK in the blanket and couldn't help but stare at his face again. He looked so much better when he was at peace. Even better when he laughed, actually, but given the circumstances, she'd take a peaceful sleep over the anguish that he had on his face only a short while back.
She tried to fight the urge, but her knuckles resisted and slowly reached the flick that was bothering her. Gently, she pushed the hair off RK's forehead and her palm gently caressed his cheek.
Madhu felt a warm soothing sensation inside her with that little touch. She wanted to pull her hand away, but she couldn't, so she shut her eyes and tried to savor the feeling. There was much in her life that made her feel that her soul was knotted with pricks and thorns that constantly bruised it, but right at that moment, she felt like had found a balm - ephemeral and insufficient as it may be - and she wanted to savor this feeling of not hurting all over, if only for a moment.
"Madhu" RK called, shaking Madhu out of her trance. Immediately, she pulled her hand back and stood up.
"Aap...you..you had slept...I was just...blanket..." she mumbled as she took a couple of steps back.
"Hmm. I guess I dozed off."
"You're tired, that's why I didn't wake you." Madhu answered, composing herself. "But now that you're up, please eat something before you sleep. I am sure you haven't eaten properly all day and you also need medicines. You still have some fever."
"Hmm."
"Why don't you go to your room and change, I'll reheat the food and get it for you?" she mumbled, picking up RK's plate, and walked back to the kitchen. RK went upstairs.
"Your food and medicines." she said, keeping RK's plate on the side-table as RK emerged from the washroom. She turned to leave, when RK called her
"Where's your food?"
"Mine?"
"Get your plate too and come here."
"Sit here." RK gestured Madhu to sit next to her when she returned. Quietly, she complied. They both ate in silence for a while.
"Why do you care for me so much?" he suddenly asked, surprising Madhu.
"I...I don't."
"This...why do you have to bring me food? You don't have to care for me."
"Someone has to." Madhu blurted, then added to cover up. "I mean, you don't take care of yourself. And how much Patil kaka do alone? He keeps running after you and you don't listen. Then you fall sick. He's getting old and he worries all the time. So, I decided to help him a little. After what you've done for me, I can at least do this much to show my gratitude."
Another minute or so of silence followed as RK wondered about Madhu's gratitude, then Madhu stood up and kept her plate aside. She grabbed RK's medicines, poured a glass on water and handed it out to him
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking straight at Madhu standing in front of him.
"What?"
"I asked are you okay?" he repeated, taking the medicines from her and popping the pills with water.
"This morning...you looked..."
"I'm fine" Madhu just blurted. This wasn't the time to talk about her woes.
"Yesterday..."RK started to say, but his phone suddenly rang. It was his manager with an update on the last meeting of the day that RK had left midway because he was too exhausted. He picked up the call, and Madhu picked up the plates and left the room.
Ten minutes later, Madhu returned and found RK asleep again. At least this time he's in his bed, she thought and smiled a little, then walked up to shut the bedside light and cover his blanket properly. As she turned to leave for her own room, RK caught her wrist.
"Come here and sleep with me." he said. Madhu nodded and walked to the other side of the bed and slipped in. Seconds later, she felt RK's arm envelope her into a snuggle.
Mere khuda tu hi jaane teri kya marzi hai
Mere masoom dil ki tujhse bas itni arzi hai
Ki Dard agar de, to sehne ka sabar bhi dena
Zindagi chahe le lena, mere jeene ki wajah na lena
**************************
(next morning, Thursday)
Madhu opened her eyes to find an already dressed RK staring at her sleeping form with his piercing gaze. Immediately, she was reminded of how she was staring at him the previous night, and the thought gave her a little blush. She sat up, trying to control her early morning jitters and looked at RK, who wore a very neutral expresssion on his face.
"Good morning." He said.
"Uh...morning..sorry I overslept.."Madhu mumbled as she realized she was in RK's room. This was the first time she'd slept in his room - normally, it was he who came to her room in the night.
"It's ok. You had a nightmare last night." RK coolly said.
"Nightmare? I..."Madhu tried to remember.
"You didn't wake up, but you were shivering and mumbling incoherently in your sleep."
"Um..I'm sorry." Madhu struggled to respond as she got off the bed and stood up. RK too stood up as well and walked right to her, then grab her hand, recollecting how he'd woken up in the middle of the night to find Madhu shivering with fear and taking Manav's name. He had held her for a long while till she calmed down again, but her agitation ate at him.
"Manav?" he softly asked.
"My brother."
"You're worried..." he said, and she gently nodded.
"He doesn't know what I..."he saw her gulp and struggle to form words. A tear leaked through her I. "He got angry...and...I couldn't...I couldn't make him understand..."
RK wiped her tear.
"You love your brother."
"He's all I have. He's the only reason...if I could talk to him..."she struggled for words, and more tears fell. RK pulled her in a gentle embrace and patted her back.
"It's going to be ok." He said as he pulled apart. "I have a very early meeting, so I need to leave right away. But we'll talk in the evening, ok?"
Madhu nodded, and saw RK give a faint smile before he turned and walked out of the room.
As she watched him leave, Madhu sat on the bed and allowed herself to feel a whiff of hope.
Maybe, everything was going to be ok.
**********************************
It was six in the evening when RK walked into Madhu's room. She was crouched over her books, but RK could see her attention was elsewhere.
"Aap?" she sat up in surprise as he knocked the door.
"You're early today." she said as she stood up and RK felt his heart gladden as a slight smile emerged on her face.
"Came to change. Have a business dinner to go to in some time. Anyway, wanted to give you this." RK took a few steps towards Madhu and handed her a small note.
"What's this?" she asked as she opened the note.
"Your brother's hostel's landline phone number. Call him." he answered, and Madhu looked at him stunned.
"Uh...this..."
"It's no big deal. I just asked my secretary to find out. You should have had this number anyway. Didn't they give this to you when you got him admitted?"
Madhu didn't really have an answer. Manav going away to the boarding school had been so abrupt. She knew nothing except the name of the school. A couple of times, Mukund had helped her talk to Manav on the phone. She had just...trusted...him to do that. What a mistake...
"Thank you" was all Madhu managed in response.
"Call him."
RK said and left the room.
Half an hour later, RK emerged from his room having changed into a black evening coat, when Madhu rushed out of her room behind him.
"Rishabh ji" he heard her call and stopped. Turning towards her, he saw her with walking in giant strides towards him, a bright teary smile on her face.
"What..."before he could complete his question, she had thrown herself in RK's arms.
"Thank you Rishabhji. Thank you so much." she muffled next to his chest and RK was overwhelmed by her disproportionate gratitude over such a trivial thing.
"Madhu, it..." he began to say as they parted, but Madhu shut him up with a quick peck on his cheek.
"Enjoy your dinner." she muttered and ran back to her room.
RK stood there speechless for several seconds, his hand caressing the spot on his cheek where Madhu's lips had been moments ago.
With a newfound joy in his heart and a spring in his step, RK walked to his car and instructed the driver about the dinner venue.
Then, he picked up his phone.
"Tony, this is RK. I'm keeping Mitasha."
"RK sir, don't make this so difficult for me. I have committed that Mitasha would be available Tuesday night, when your contract ends. I am supposed to pick her from your place at 8 pm and drop there by 11."
"I don't care. I am RK. She's mine. Name your price."
"Fine. Then I want 1 crore."
"What? Have you lost it? 1 crore for a girl? Aukat mein reh kar baat karo."
"I know my aukat sir, and I know that girl's aukat too. But you have to understand I'm answerable to my bosses. Normally, that girl is not more than 30 lakhs. But every client who's seen her picture so far has asked for her without care for price, and you're the only one who'd had her. My bosses have been going crazy. And this time, I told you a foreign delegation is coming. Zest Enterprises, the US company...the CEO has personally insisted on Mitasha for himself when he gets here Tuesday night and my bosses have already committed. And he's paying $5000 a night. That's like 15 lakh rupees for the five nights he has booked her for. I cannot negotiate my way out of this. This item is..."
"Enough. Mitasha is mine. Nobody else will touch her. You can come Tuesday evening and take your money. After that, I never wanted to see you or any of your men near her again. And I want all pictures and all records you have of her. Mitasha is no longer for sale."
RK felt better than he had in days as he walked into Madhu's room much later that night. It had been another long day, but the discussions over the dinner had gone well. More importantly, he felt relieved after closing off the deal with Tony. Whatever the cost, he had decided, he wasn't going to let Madhu go anywhere, least of all to Tony's world. Whatever she meant to him, or not, he couldn't imagine her innocence be abused by someone else.
"You haven't slept yet?" he whispered as he slipped next to Madhu in her bed and realized she was still awake.
"Uh..uh.." was all she said as she turned around and crept into RK's embrace.
"Uh...uh..."was all he said as he took Madhu's smiling lips into his own, and felt her respond.
Maybe, everything was going to be ok.
Edited by teekay - 10 years ago
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