Bigg Boss 19 Daily Discussion Thread ~ 5th Sept, 2025
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Maira Armaan Poddar
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Madhu glanced to her side and noted with considerable relief that Rishabh had finally dozed off. They were in the flight, still about four hours away from London, and she had watched the strain of the situation sit as a cloud on RK's face all night. He had been in control of the entire situation all the time making arrangements. He explicitly instructed Manav's warden as well as the bodyguards he stationed there. Then he drove all night to get to Mumbai but not before he called the hospital and his own people in London and also made sure the paperwork was complete for the UK embassy to issue an emergency visa for Madhu. Madhu had quietly observed his calm composed demeanor as he took decisions quickly and made sure no details were left unattended.
However, the two times he had called Trishna, his voice had broken just a little bit and Madhu felt herself as much in admiration of his self-control as in pain at his concealed anguish. She forced him to eat when they were at the airport waiting to board, and although he relented, Madhu could sense his restlessness. Even now that he had finally slept, Madhu knew it wasn't a restful sleep and she felt extremely helpless about not being able to do more for him.
Also, watching him through the night, she couldn't help but wonder what he had gone through to find her when she had left with Tony. He had never told her, nor had she asked, how he located her at Karan's party that night and how did he convince Karan to let her go. She assumed he had somehow paid off Tony and Karan but she hadn't really thought about the mental anguish he would have gone through to find her missing. She knew he was in an anguished state the morning she left and he had told her he tried his best to not let her go but he was late. After that, she had seen him almost two full days later and he was badly injured, obviously unrested and worried beyond despair. She remembered the moment he had appeared in her room and the desperation with which they had both held each other just then. At the moment, she was in a terrible place, unable to think through anything, but what about him? He obviously cared for her a lot - there was no doubt about that. What all had he gone through to save her? And then...and then she had yelled at him?
"Madhu" Rishabh stirred and put his arm around her shoulder, breaking the guilt-filled stare with which she had been looking at him for several minutes.
"Rest for a while" he murmured, his eyes shut as he slowly rubbed her arm. Madhu let herself revel in the warm embrace, then nuzzled closer to him and settled on his shoulder. She couldn't change the past, but in this moment and from this moment on, she would give RK everything that he needed and that she could.
**********
"Ready?" Madhu asked as she entered RK's room. The door was open and he seemed to be lost in thought sitting on his bed. It had been a week since they'd reached London. They'd rushed straight to the hospital where they'd been holding Trishna's father body after a post-mortem. The drunk cab driver who'd run him over had been caught and had been apprehended at the spot but with the shock, grief and the police hanging around, it was all too much for Trishna. On top of it all, Mamiji's health had worsened after she learnt of the accident and they'd moved her to the ICU. So at first sight of Rishabh, she had run straight into his arms and he'd held her for a long time to assure her she wasn't alone. Afterwards, he handled everything - the police, the funeral, the hospital - while Madhu had held a grief-stricken Trishna in her arms. Finally, after four days, Mamiji's health had stabilized and yesterday they shifted her back home. Most of the relatives and friends who'd come for the funeral had also now left. Trishna and Mamiji both insisted Rishabh and Madhu, who'd checked in to a hotel when they first arrived, to move to the house with them and so they were both presently in their hotel to pack and check out.
"What are you thinking?" Madhu asked after a few minutes as she sat next to Rishabh sharing the quiet moment as she'd done many times over the week. His stress behind his calm appearance was clearly visible to Madhu. As always, she lent him her quiet support by holding his hand and squeezed it.
"Why does life take such harsh tests Madhu? It doesn't seem fair at all. What you went through, what Trishna is going through now...what has she done to deserve so much pain? When I first learnt the truth of Dipali, Sikander and Ma, I thought ok...maybe it was my fault for overlooking it, maybe I deserved it in some way, but Trish..."
"Rishabh..."Madhu interrupted and held his hand in both of hers "Don't talk like that please. You know as well as I do that you didn't deserve what happened to you. No one does, but you are the last person on earth who deserves that kind of a betrayal. But you know, in life, we don't get what we deserve. We get what we can handle. Destiny tests most those children it loves the most."
"It's not fair." He sighed. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke again. "I asked Mamiji last night to come with me to India like we discussed. She refused. I can't leave Trish and Mamiji alone here."
"I know. Did you talk to Trishna?"
"I didn't ask directly...I don't think she's in the state of mind. But her education here will get interrupted. She won't find the same course in India that she is doing here. But still, I don't want to leave her here alone."
"I understand. But she is stronger than you think."
Rishabh glanced at Madhu and gave her a wry smile. "I guess."
"But anyway, try again in a few days."
"Yeah. I will talk to Mamiji again."
"Good. Now...shall we go? They're alone at home." Madhu said and Rishabh nodded, looking at the angel beside him who'd somehow made this whole thing easier just by her process. He had noticed how she'd been taking care of Trishna, mamiji, the guests and everything around the house over the last week without complaint. She had shouldered his responsibilities in every way without asking and then to him she was a source of strength and peace he had sorely needed.
A few days ago at Mamiji's house for the mourning prayers, he'd overheard some of the neighbors refer to Madhu as a servant. Immediately he had felt outraged and walked over to them to demand an apology, but Madhu had sensed his anger and rushed to him. She held his hand and pulled him away with a glanced that urged him to stay quiet given the circumstance. Somehow he had controlled himself and later she had brushed it away as a minor thing, but Rishabh still felt angry at the lack of respect shown to his Madhu. She was no servant. She was a selfless angel who was the oxygen of his life.
*****
"I don't want to eat."
"But Mamiji..."Rishabh protested, but was interrupted by Madhu who entered the room with another tray.
"Aunty, you can't say no to this. Isn't this khichdi your favorite?" Madhu settled next to Trishna's mother who was lying on the bed and placed the food tray close by. They had moved to their house three days ago and Madhu had taken over the responsibility of taking care of the house alongwith Trishna and Manorama as she had been doing. Rishabh stepped a couple of steps back as she watched how Madhu coaxed his Mami to slowly eat her food and her medicines.
"Aunty if you don't eat, Trishna won't eat too. Do you think she likes seeing her mother ill? Come on, only a few spoons left. For Trishna?" Madhu continued feeding Manorama who had a hint of a smile on her face hearing Madhu. RK continued staring at Madhu with a smile until his phone rang and he stepped out, but not before he took in the warm scene in front of him one more time. Madhu had so much love to give everyone.
Madhu kept glancing RK pacing outside Manorama's room as he spoke on the phone. Manorama had finished eating and was resting and talking to Madhu when she noticed that half of Madhu's concentration was on her nephew. Inwardly, she felt glad at the strong bond she had seen RK and Madhu share. Even in the immense grief that surrounded their life at the moment, watching Rishabh doing better had been a silver lining to Manorama's ailing heart. Even though they had been separated by time, distance and Radha's insistence on keeping Mohan's first wife's family away from her home, Manorama had always loved Rishabh like her son and had been deeply anguished at learning about what he went through with Dipali and Radha. But now, as she saw the sweet girl sitting next to her who Rishabh and Trishna called their friend, she felt as if one of her children's pain could be healed. She didn't want to jump to any conclusions though, and thus she decided to find out more.
"Madhu beta, you live in Mumbai too, right? What do your parents do?" Manorama suddenly asked, startling Madhu. A tinge of pain crossed her heart on remembering her parents.
"They...they are no more aunty. My mother died when I was quite young." She softly answered, holding back the water that threatened to leak from her eyes.
"Oh I am sorry. And your father?"
"He passed away a few months ago."
"Oh my child. So much grief at this young age to be alone in this world. God is not fair. You're such a sweet cultured child" Manorama comforted Madhu, hugging her lightly as the recent pain over the loss of her husband intensified within her.
"I have a younger brother. Manav. He is in boarding school." Madhu added as she pulled away after a few seconds.
"Trishna said you're in college in Mumbai."
"Ummm..."Madhu hesitated to explain, then said "My studies got discontinued for a while and then I couldn't get admission in time. But I am sitting for final exams in a few months for my degree. Rishabh is helping me. Actually he is helping my brother also to complete his education."
"That's good. He is such a pure soul, my child. Always helping others." Manorama wistfully added looking at Rishabh who was still several feet outside the room but in their line of sight. Madhu simply nodded as Manorama continued. "He has seen too much heartbreak and betrayal in his life for someone as young and nice as him. "
Madhu nodded and continued to stare at RK "You are right. Life is so not fair aunty. But Rishabhji is very nice and very strong. He just needs the support of his loved ones. He would be fine."
He needed love indeed, Manorama concluded in her mind. Could there be love between Rishabh and this girl? She had noticed the way they silently communicated with eyes at times and how protective Rishabh was of her. But was he ready to welcome love in his life? Maybe he was, as he'd clearly let Madhu in his life and was comfortable enough to bring her along here. She should encourage him.
"How do you know Rishabh?" Manorama asked and suddenly Madhu snapped out of her thoughts which, as usual, had been wandering around Rishabh. Even though she had reassured Manorama moments ago, to her eye Rishabh's pain and vulnerability behind his calm composed strength was always clear. He worried and cared so much for Manorama, Trishna and Manav all the time. And for her too.
At Manorama's question, Madhu looked back at her and struggled to come with an answer. How would she explain the circumstances in which they'd met? How would she explain her past?
"Aunty...umm...Rishabh and I..."Madhu stammered for words when RK suddenly called out loud to her
"Madhu!" Rishabh called from outside the room. He had stepped up to the door and was gesturing Madhu to come out with one hand while his other hand was on the phone suppressing the volume.
"What happened? Is Manav ok?" Madhu anxiously asked as she stepped out of the room and followed RK to the patio while he concluded his call.
"Yeah, he's fine. Didn't you speak to him this morning?"
"I did. He was fine then. But what happened now?"
"The police did a raid at Tony's premises. They caught him and 8 of his men red-handed. The DIG told me they have enough evidence to shut the whole thing down and also jail him."
"Really."
"Yeah. A few girls were there too at the time. The police is sending them to counseling right now. I am going to ask the people from our NGO to go there and work with them. Tony and his men would be punished like they deserve."
Madhu's eyes watered at hearing Rishabh's words as flashes of her time at Tony's place came back to her. "Madhu" Rishabh softly asked, noticing the tears, and held her chin up.
"Are you okay Madhu? I thought you would be happy..." Rishabh asked, perplexed. In response, Madhu simply hugged Rishabh.
"Thank you. Thank you Rishabh." She sobbed in his chest. RK wrapped his arms around her and patted her back.
"Shhh...stop crying Madhu." RK gently wiped her tears and after a minute or so she nodded too and stopped crying. RK, still holding her gently in his arms, asked her again "Are you okay?"
"I am very happy Rishabh. What Tony and people like him do...it's heinous. When I was there I never thought there would be a day when I would be able to freely breathe again. I thought...I had lost myself forever. But you not only saved me, but also made sure he was punished for his sins. You did so much for me. I am so..."
"Quiet" RK kept his finger on Madhu's lips stopping her from saying any further. "We've had this conversation many times before so we are not going to repeat it, ok. Understand?" He said sternly though the instant smile on Madhu's face on his words made him break into a small smile too.
"Understood, Mr. Kundra."
"Good."
"Now give me your phone. I want to talk to Roma di."
"Sure. But I already spoke to her."
"When?"
"This morning when the DIG told me they were going to conduct the raid. I wanted to make sure she and other girls who wanted out were not there at the time of the raid. She is at our NGO's headquarters right now and is moving to Delhi tonight. She will be working at the Delhi office of our NGO."
"What? Why didn't you tell me all this before? And you knew the raid was happening in the morning itself and you're telling me now?"
"Well at the time nobody knew the result. If Tony would be caught or not, I didn't want to worry you."
"What kind of logic is that?" Madhu frowned, annoyed.
"Same logic as when you didn't tell me you had fever and nausea last night and that's why you didn't eat dinner."
"I..."Madhu caught her tongue, wondering how Rishabh found out, then hid her eyes away. "It was no big deal, Trish gave me a pill and it got all ok. See, I'm fine."
"Yeah but you didn't tell me"
"There was nothing to tell. You would have just worried unnecessarily. You're already so tense. Besides it is not the same thing at all." Madhu frowned stepping away from RK.
"It is exactly the same thing!" Rishabh smirked and Madhu hid her eyes away, muttering under her breath as she started walking away. "Trishna you're so dead. Why did she have to tell him?"
She'd just stepped back into the living room when he called from behind. "It's not Trishna's fault."
She turned, only to see him grinning. "Don't fight with her. I gave her the pill to give you. If you don't care of yourself, someone has to."
Madhu opened her mouth to retort, but gave up. She couldn't muster enough fake annoyance to counter the overwhelming feeling inside her that was making her giddy. She had never felt so protected, so cared for in her entire life. She never had someone who'd understand her, notice her, interpret her unsaid words so beautifully. And now when there was this wonderful man with a devastating grin standing in front of her that made her heartbeat race wild, she just did not know what to do, or even if this was real. Her eyes communicated her desire to step back to him and fling herself in his arms but she managed to control herself. With a smile that pierced through Rishabh's heart, she stepped back in the house.
"Who's this girl, Mrs Mehra, the one who is ordering the waiters?" A middle-aged desi woman asked Mrs Mehra, Trishna's next door neighbor and a sore sight to Madhu since the first day. It was her and some of her friends who had called her a servant a few days back and made a few other taunts in passing. In this small but dense Indian community within London, it seemed to Madhu that some of the worst traits from Indian neighborhoods had been preserved behind the spic exteriors.
"Some servant that Rishabh Kundra has brought with him from India." Mrs Mehra answered with authority.
"Who Rishabh?" Another woman butted in, curiously.
"Arey look there. That handsome guy. He's a billionaire in India, you know. Son of Manorama ji's sister-in-law." Mrs Mehra proudly offered.
"Wow. I didn't know they had such rich relatives also. Is he single?"
"Yeah. Apparently his wife left him for his step-brother some months ago. It was all over the news. Didn't you see?"
"No. But what difference does it make? These things keep happening with rich people. The wife's gone, right. So now he is available."
"Pammi are you eyeing him for your Sonia?"
"Why not? My daughter is a beauty queen."
"I thought she was dating some black guy" Mrs Mehra offered, sending everyone giggling and Pammi' frowning with fury. At a distance, Madhu heard the giggle of the gossiping ladies and sighed to herself. It was a solemn occasion - the final 13th day prayer ceremony for Trishna's father and these women were laughing happily on petty things. If it was her house, she would have sent them packing but she looked at Rishabh, Trishna and Manorama sitting at the front with the priest and she calmed herself, picking up a tray of water to serve those ladies.
"She doesn't look like a servant. Very nice hair and her clothes are also clean." Pammi aunty spoke up as soon as Madhu moved to the next group to serve water, not caring that Madhu could hear her clearly.
"Yeah, she's very friendly with him and Trishna also. Since last week they've both been living here only. But she is a low class girl only. No rich mannerisms, plain clothes. Over-pampered house-servant it seems." Mrs Mehra offered.
"She's probably serving Rishabh Kundra in more ways than a normal house-servant anyway. Look, how pretty she is. Rich handsome men like him probably keep a mistress everywhere they go." The third lady whose name Madhu didn't know spoke in a shrill voice that stung her hearts.
"Why are you saying that?" Pammi questioned, her thoughts about setting Sonia up with Rishabh interrupted.
"Why not? There are only three bedrooms in Manorama ji's flat anyway. I bet she is sleeping with Rishabh in the only guest bedroom." Mrs Mehra speculated.
"Would Manorama ji let that happen under her roof?"
"Look at her state. Poor woman probably doesn't know what's going on. Besides, how can she stop her rich nephew anyway?"
"Makes sense. Especially as now he is divorced."
"Doesn't matter." Pammi confidently retorted. "These flings keep happening. They mean nothing. Eventually he has to marry right. And then he'll marry a cultured high-class girl only, not roadside trash used to warm the bed for some time. You see, the moment I introduce my Sonia, Rishabh will send this girl packing back to India."
The ladies broke into laughter while Madhu, no longer able to keep the tears from falling, slipped inside the kitchen. For a couple of minutes, she let the pain inflicted by their words and the semblance of twisted truth they hinted at. After all, until recently, she was Rishabh's mistress. But then she composed herself remembering the circumstance and told herself that they were gossiping outsiders. She shouldn't take their meaningless words to heart. If Rishabh had heard them, he would have ripped them apart.
******
(Later that night)
"Mom slept?" Trishna softly asked a while after Madhu had come and settled in the bed next to her and started caressing her head, knowing that Trish was still awake.
"Yes, she did. You should sleep too. You have to go to college tomorrow." Madhu softly answered.
"I don't feel like going."
"I know. But you have to move on. How many days has it been since you attended your classes? First at the hospital for aunty, and now...you can't sit at home forever" Madhu coaxed. It had been a week since Rishabh and Madhu had moved to their place. Madhu had been sharing Trishna's room and had consoled her every night as she cried herself to sleep. During the day, Trish acted strong for her mother, but Madhu knew even better than Rishabh how much was she still in grief inside.
"...I miss Dad, Madhu"
"I know" Madhu softly caressed her hair. "But you are Daddy's brave girl, no?"
"I don't want to be." Trishna sobbed. "I want Mommy and Daddy to take care of me so I don't have to be brave."
Madhu hugged Trishna as she broke down and tried to console her. "Trish...shh...bas...you have to be strong bacha. For aunty. For Rishabh. What will they think seeing you like this?" Trishna wiped her tears on hearing Madhu who passed her a glass of water as she calmed down. Slowly, Madhu patted her down to lie and go to sleep.
"I don't know what I would have done without you and bhai." Trishna said after a while, much calmer by then. Madhu who thought she'd drifted to sleep was surprised and reached out to gently squeeze out.
"You're not alone Trish. You'd never be. Rishabh is always there for you."
"I know. Bhai loves me a lot. He'd never leave me alone. You won't too, right?"
When Madhu didn't respond, Trishna spoke again. "You know when I was in India last month, I was so worried that bhai was all alone. But now I am not worried for him at all. I know you'd always be there for him."
Silence settled between them once again as Madhu contemplated the import of Trishna's words. She couldn't deny it. She herself wanted to be there for Rishabh in any way she could for as long as he wanted. And yet, she couldn't say it aloud because she had no rights to claim something like that with Rishabh and his life. Yes, they were friends but what they shared was much deeper than friendship. Yet, their bond was unnamed and impossible to explain. Between the two of them, words were not needed, but the rest of the world had questions to which there were no answers and no ready explanations for either their past or their future. A part of Madhu did not want to bother with any questions. She didn't want to care about the world and live in the moment without overthinking any more. That's why she was here, with Rishabh's family in their home, doing what she thought was needed to help without any rights or obligations. It shut out any voices inside her that prompted her to question and wonder, until of course somebody else asked a direct question about their relationship like Trishna's mother had asked a few days back. Or the way those ladies had speculated earlier in the day. She had no answers for them and that hurt her but she suppressed the pain.
But there were another set of questions she had no answers for that arose out of an emotion Madhu couldn't suppress. The more she received love and care from Rishabh and his family, the more she wanted it. The more he looked at her protectively, the more she wanted to run to his embrace. She was getting greedy because she wanted more of him even though she knew she had no rights to demand. Her affection for him was inappropriate and undeserved - perhaps, even, she was taking advantage of him - but it was getting more and more overpowering each day. Was it wrong, she wondered, yet again? Was it possible that it could be returned? Was she really irrevocably in love with Rishabh?
"You love him, don't you?"
"Huh" Out of nowhere, Trishna's question seemed to answer the mess in her head and Madhu was stunned. "What?" she croaked, trying to get back to her senses.
Trishna turned to face Madhu and propped up one elbow to rest her head.
"Don't lie Madhu. I can see it in your eyes. You are in love with Bhai, aren't you?"
"I...uh..." Madhu stumbled. What was Trishna saying? "Trish..." she struggled, then turned her face away lest her eyes gave away even more information than they'd apparently already betrayed.
"What are you saying? There's nothing like that..."
"Then why are you hiding away from me. Come on Madhu..."
"Trish...nothing like that is possible, ok? Stop thinking this nonsense"
"Just because you're denying it, it doesn't become nonsense. Maybe both of you don't know it yet, but I am sure that you're in love with bhai just like he is in love with you."
"Trish you're imagining things. Rishabh and I are just friends. You don't...it's complicated...but there's nothing like this between us, nor can there ever be. We are both very different...our pasts..."
"Madhu, I told bhai this too when I was in India. The past doesn't matter, the future does. At that time, he denied it just like you're doing in now, but from the last few days I can see..."
"You asked him this when you had come?" Madhu interrupted.
"Yes."
"Why? Trish you're...you don't know...Rishabh is going through so much and you..."
"Ok ok don't start yelling at me. I am sorry baba. I am zipping my mouth. Ok?" Trish pleaded as Madhu lost her temper and sat up. As Madhu nodded and laid back down, Trishna muttered "It's okay. Be in denial for longer. Can't hear a word against each other..."
"Trish..."
"Ok ok. Final zip." She promised, chuckling to herself and Madhu tried to control her racing heart. How did Trish guess things she hadn't even admitted to herself properly? And if she read her like that, was there also truth in what she said about Rishabh feeling the same way? Immediately, Rishabh's smirking yet affectionate grin from a few days back came back to her. He cared for her and gave her everything she needed even before she asked for it. Could he...
No, we're friends, and that's the only way it could be. My love is too small, too impure for him.
With great difficulty, Madhu controlled the wayward thoughts in her mind and tried to get some sleep when Trishna spoke once again in the dark.
"Madhu...I'd love for you to be my bhabhi."
Madhu heard her but continued to lie still and pretended to be asleep. Her feelings, her desires and her new-found hope were all intimidating her. Rishabh deserved a lot better than what her hapless, battered, contaminated, broken life could offer her and yet she couldn't stop herself from wanting him forever.
Aaj fir dil ne ek tamanna ki
Aaj fir dil ko humne samjhaya
Zindagi dhoop, tum ghana saaya
If Madhu thought that Trishna would drop the topic after that night, she was wrong. It was a week later and Madhu and Trishna were both sitting with Manorama in her room. Manorama's health had improved quite significantly and so had the general mood in the house. Today for the first time in over a month, Trishna was openly laughing as she was sharing some stories from her college and watching her both Manorama and Madhu were also smiling. Slowly but surely, they'd started to emerge from the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. The pain and the void was still there, but they'd finally started moving on again and Madhu felt genuinely happy watching the little family regroup itself.
"Ma you won't believe the look on Britanny's face when I told her I had a fiance."
"You told her what?" Madhu asked, shocked.
"I was trying to get her off my back. Always trying to set me up with some guy or the other in the class. She is my friend but she can be annoying when she starts matchmaking. Don't worry, I told her the truth later." Trish explained
"Trishna you've become very naughty." Manorama slapped her lightly. "Maybe I should get you a fianc for real."
"Oh mom, puhlease. I am too young. Besides I am not leaving you and going anywhere for a looonnggg time. But you know there's someone else you should find a fianc for?" Trishna chuckled, then winked at Madhu before facing her mom, making Madhu suddenly panic about whatever Trishna was about to say.
"Who?" Manorama asked her daughter and Trishna replied with a face as straight as possible. "Bhai, of course. Don't you think we should help him find a life partner? As it is, he has asked both of us so many times in the last two weeks to move with him to India and we've both refused. But we can't let him be all alone there also, don't you think?"
"Yes. Yes you're right. I have been thinking exactly the same thing. But I don't know if Rishabh is ready to move on and consider someone. It has not been that long since the divorce was..."
"Oh trust me Ma. He is ready. Or we will make him. If both of us ask, he won't say no, would he? And Madhu will also help us convince him. Right, Madhu?"
"Uh..of course..."Madhu stammered, startled at this sudden exchange. She shifted uncomfortably in her place as Trishna focused her attention back on her mother and started suggesting how to ask Rishabh and also possible names. It made sense, of course. Rishabh's family would obviously think of his future and didn't Madhu agree that Rishabh needed someone in his life who'd love him like he deserved. Yet, there was an undeniable sinking feeling in her hearts as Trishna rattled off possibilities without sparing a glance at Madhu. Initially, she was scared Trish would take her name especially as she had winked at her, but that didn't seem to materialize. Madhu couldn't understand what to make of it.
"What do you think Madhu?" Manorama asked, snapping Madhu out of her thoughts.
"What?" she asked, unsure what the question was about.
"What kind of girl Rishabh would like? You're his friend, you know him well."
"Umm...someone simple, who'd understand him and love him for who he is, not his money."
"Yes, yes that makes sense. I think we should look at someone who's high-cultured as well as comes from a well to-do family herself so that she's not greedy for Rishabh's money. Maybe.."
Trish interrupted her mother before this conversation went in a direction away from what she intended. She wanted to rile up Madhu, and then possibly RK too so as to push them out of the denial they were both in, but she didn't want this rich family discussion to take roots and scare Madhu off.
"No Ma. Rich poor doesn't matter. We should look at heart. Radha aunty came from a rich family, didn't she? Yet she betrayed bhai for the sake of money and her son."
"Hmm. You're right. Rishabh deserves someone with a golden heart." Manorama said and Trishna sighed in relief. "My Rishabh is a pure angelic soul. He deserves someone from a high-principled, cultured family, someone whose own character is equally pure and innocent so she could accept Rishabh."
"Yes yes. Someone sweet and caring and smart. And beautiful also, just like Madhu." Trish chimed in.
"Me.."Madhu stuttered.
"Yeah, Madhu. You're so pretty. Mom, you should take her picture and then compare every girl you select for bhai. She should be at least as beautiful. Only then they'd look good together. Otherwise the wedding photographer would have to photoshop her pictures just like that witch Dipali's." Trishna burst into laughter and Manorama gently scolded her, but Madhu was feeling deeply uncomfortable. She sensed by now that Trish was trying to rile her up on purpose but then Manorama's comments about finding an innocent soul for Rishabh had touched a chord within her. She had lost her innocence and everything good about her, hadn't she?
Just then, Rishabh stepped into the room.
"What's going on?" He asked, having heard the boisterous laughter.
"I am going to go check on dinner." Madhu suddenly stood up and bolted out of the room. Rishabh looked at her leaving curiously, then went and sat where she had been sitting.
"What were you all laughing about?" He asked Trishna and Manorama.
"We were fixing your wedding. Trying to decide between one blind and one bald girl." Trish offered
"What?"Rishabh scowled and Trishna burst into laughter.
"What else? You're not going to find someone for yourself, are you? So we have to try, no."
"Trish..."
"Ok ok. Sorry. Oops, it's 8 already. I got to go to Brittany's place mom. There's too much homework to catch up on. I'd be back by 10." Trish said, standing up, relieved to be escaping Rishabh's anger.
"Go after dinner beta"
"No mom. Madhu fed me too many snacks. I'd eat something when I come back if I'm hungry. It's next door anyway. Besides, right now if I sit here, bhai is going to eat me alive. So I am going, ok. Byeee" Trish rambled as quickly as possible and ran off.
"This girl is crazy" Manorama muttered.
"Yeah" Rishabh added. "But it's good to see her smiling again." Then he face his mami and gently put his hand on hers. "Mami, won't you reconsider? Please come to India with me."
"Rishabh, I explained to you already. This is my home. I know people and your mamaji's memories are also here. I will be fine here. Besides, someone needs to look after Trish too, and she can't leave her studies."
"But won't you be alone here. I'm going back in three days. Trish would be at college. You should come with me. I'd take care of you I promise. And I'd make sure Trish is fine here too until her studies are over next year. Then she can..."
"Rishabh..."Manorama said in a tone that he knew signified an end to the argument. The exact same discussion had taken place too many times already anyway. "Instead of worrying about me being alone, you should think about yourself beta. Trish is right. You need someone in your life. Have you...have you thought about marrying again?"
Rishabh sighed and stared at the ground, then softly answered. "I have."
"Do you have someone in mind?" Manorama asked in surprise and excitement. She had expected convincing Rishabh to remarry to be a much more difficult discussion.
Rishabh looked up to his Mami and decided to tell her. After all, she was the closest person he had to a family. It had been a month since he'd decided he wanted to marry Madhu but in their circumstances, he hadn't gotten the chance to tell her yet. He wanted it to be perfect when he asked her to marry him and he intended to do that once they were back in India in a few days. But he could get Mamiji's blessings now.
"What do you think about Madhu?"
"I knew it" Manorama squealed excitedly. "Oh, I love her beta. She's so perfect for you. I knew Trishna was hinting something with her glances at Madhu."
Rishabh grinned at her acceptance, then asked "What did Trish say?"
"Nothing directly, but I think she was teasing Madhu."
"Oh God, this girl is going to spoil everything. I haven't told Madhu anything yet and..."
"Oh, why haven't you?"
"I didn't get the chance. And now..."
"Oh you should do that asap. Don't worry, I have seen the way she looks at you and cares for you. She is so sweet and loving. Plus, I am sure she is in love with you."
"Really, mami? You think?"
"Yes, yes. Now go ask her quickly. She told me her parents are no more, but she would have some family, right? Give me the number. I will talk to the elders."
"She doesn't have anyone Mami."
"No one. She told me she's from a small town. Isn't there"
"Yeah. She was studying in a small town outside Mumbai. Then her father passed away a few months back, leaving just her and her younger brother."
"Oh. So much grief at such a young age. But you met her in Mumbai right? How?"
"I..." Rishabh contemplated an answer, then decided to come clean. This was his Mami, his almost-mother. He didn't want to hide the truth from her. He valued honesty because he believed that truth has a way of eventually coming out anyway. And he was sure she would understand Madhu's pain and see the beauty of her soul.
"Madhu went through a lot mami. After her father's death...I met her in Mumbai...she had been sold to an escort service. But she didn't belong there. I brought her home and slowly I..."
"She's a prostitute!" Manorama screamed, stunning RK.
"Mami...it's not...she was sold there forcefully, she didn't..."
"You can't marry her Rishabh. That's it." Manorama spoke with force, not wanting to hear any further.
"Mami, she's not like what you think. She is a really nice girl. I saved her from there and I love..."
"Enough Rishabh. I don't want to hear any more. How can you even think about loving and marrying a...a...chhii..." Manorama was now yelling in anger and started coughing. Rishabh bent forward to help her but she pushed him away.
"Don't touch me until you promise to throw that cheap woman out of your life and my house. You brought a roadside characterless woman to my house?"
"Mami, enough." Rishabh was by now angry. He didn't expect his Mami to react this way and had initially tried to calmly explain, but hearing her say all kinds of vile things about Madhu had broken his patience. "I will not hear a word against my Madhu. I thought you'd have seen in the last month what a loving, innocent, compassionate person she truly is. Just because she had the misfortune..."
"I cannot believe you are justifying your mistress and screaming at your Mami for her. She must be really good in bed..."
"She was my mistress. She is now my life and my would-be-wife and she deserves everyone's respect. And the only reason she was my mistress was because I made her so. She was in my bed because I went there looking for company. She was in the trade because some men abducted her and forced her, threatening her with her brother's life. If anyone was at fault, it was me, not her."
"You've gone mad, Rishabh. First that Dipali broke your heart and tried to steal your money and now you've found yourself another cheap gold-digging wh**e. Mark my words, one day..."
"Mami I cannot hear another word against Madhu. Dipali and Madhu are as far apart as night and day. But I don't think you'd understand it. Fine. Me and Madhu would leave your house right now. And no need to move back to India with me. I'd make sure you and Trishna have enough money to live comfortably here." Rishabh spoke in anger and turned to leave when his feet suddenly stopped as he saw Madhu standing at the door with tears bursting through her eyes. She had heard the screaming and walked over a few minutes back. It seemed she had heard enough.
"Madh..."Rishabh called out but Madhu immediately turned back and ran out. Rishabh ran behind her, ignoring the calls of Manorama behind him.
"Madhu...Madhu...wait Madhu..." Rishabh screamed as Madhu ran all the way outside the house until he caught her.
"Madhu, listen..."he pleaded as he held her by the arm and pulled her closer. "I am sorry Madhu. I don't know what you heard. Whatever Mami said...Madhu please look at me."
Madhu finally turned and looked at Rishabh for the first time. He had tears in his eyes too, but Madhu was weeping bitterly having heard the conversation between RK and Manorama.
"Madhu I am sorry if I have hurt you. I didn't want to do that. I didn't know Mami would...I am sorry on her behalf. What she said isn't true. You know it, don't you?"
"Rishabh please...please just let me go."
"Where? And how? How can I let you go Madhu? How will I live then? I'd die if you leave me..."Rishabh pleaded and Madhu placed her hands on his lips as he spoke of dying.
"Rishabh please let me go. I am in your debt for everything you did for me but I can't stay here any loner. I can't be with you anymore. Just leave me." She spoke again.
"I can't. Not before you answer one question for me. This is not how I wanted to ask this, but now that it has come to it, I have to say this. You, Madhu, are the most beautiful, caring and innocent person I've ever met in my life. I have never felt as happy and as complete in my life as with you. I know fate has been more than unfair to you. I know I come with a lot of baggage and I'm probably not good enough for you. But still..." Rishabh sighed, then went down on his knees, still holding Madhu's hand tightly. "You once said everyone in your life made decisions for you without giving you the choice. Today you have the choice. Complete freedom. Forget about the past. Any sense of gratitude or obligation that you fell. Just think of you and what you, Madhubala Malik, want today for yourself and your future and tell me... would you...could you please marry me?"
A deep silence - as well as the future of their fates - hung over the couple as Rishabh stared into Madhu's eyes and waited for her to answer.
After what seemed like an eternity, Madhu asked, her voice quivering
"If it's upto me and what I really choose?"
"Yes"
"Only my choice?"
"Yes. Your free will."
"Rishabh, for everything you've done for me, I would do anything you want me to. I cannot possibly repay you even with my life. So if you ask as a repayment for saving me and Manav, I'd do anything - I'd be your slave, your mistress or your wife."
"Madh..."Rishabh tried to interrupt but she stopped him with a gesture.
"But if it's only a question of what I want...of my future...of who I love...of who I think is worthy of being my life partner...then..."Madhu closed her eyes tight and took one large gulp of air with great difficulty before opening her eyes and saying what had to be said
"...then...my answer is No."
Dil ko dhadakna tune sikhaya, dil ko tadapna tune sikhaya
Aankhon mein ansu chhupe the kahin inko chhalakna tune sikhaya
Seene mein basaya kyun dil se jab khelna hee tha
Humse dil lagaya kyun humse munh modna hee tha
...Why did you break my heart?...
*Phew that was long and that took multiple small sessions over weeks to write. So leave me feedback, ok? Anyway nobody likes commenting on happy chapters.😡
Hope you enjoyed reading. See you back, hopefully soon.*
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
