'I don't know! it's for you!' Rahul winked.
For me? But who is there to send me such parcels?' Madhu was confused.
'May be someone special!' Rahul winked again.
'What the hell? Are you sure it's for me? or is it someone else's?
'Oh god Madhu! see the name written! Miss. Madhubala Malik! & the address is correct too! isn't it? So any doubts?' Rahul chuckled.
'Open it soon & see!' Rahul was excited. Madhu was doubtful of his actions.
Rahul, you behavior is too weird today! What's wrong?'
'Umm me?' 'Nothing!' Rahul shrugged.
'Are you sure? you are playing a prank on me! aren't you?'Madhu inquired as she knew about her cousin brother who is a prankster.
'Trust me! I didn't do anything! what the hell Madhu? are you suspecting me?'
'Umm not really! but why are you so impatient to open this?' 'Here you go! open by yourself.' Madhu passed the parcel to Rahul.
'Oh dear! I cannot open this! this is for you! I am not Madhubala!' Rahul chuckled.
'Rahul, what if it is a time bomb inside!' Madhu held the parcel & placed her ear to check on. That made Rahul laugh so hard.
'Who on earth will send you a bomb? You are such a lovely girl. You haven't got any haters to destroy you!' Rahul patted her back.
'Did you forget there is one in our house itself!' Madhu replied in a low tone.
'Oh! you mean your evil sister Deepali!?'
'Who else?'
'Hahaha I don't think she will do such a thing!
'Why?'
'I don't think she is that much intelligent!' Rahul chuckled.
'I don't know why she hates me this much. What have I done to her?' Madhu spoke on a low tone.
'Okay just forget about her! She is not worth our time. Hurry up! Open the parcel.'
'Okay okay just give me a second!' Madhu started unwrapping it. It was a box. She opened it slowly & the very next sight made her surprised. It was a beautiful casual dress, yet elegant. It was purple in color, which is one of her favourite colors & a leather belt was there in the waist level.
'OMG this is beautiful!' 'But wait! who sent me this?' Madhu was puzzled.
After a few seconds she saw a little note attached to the wrapper. It said,
'I'm really sorry for ruining your best outfit that day though it was an accident. Please accept this gift as a token of apology. I don't know if it would reach up to your standards, but I hope it looks good on you! Please wear that the next time we meet!'
Regards,
No need to mention my name right? Hope you have figured who I am!'
'Rishabh?' Madhu was surprised. She never expected such a thing. It was so sweet of him to send her a gift as an apology.
'Oho! so Rishu has sent this?' Rahul winked.
'Rahul! today you are winking too much & behaving too strangely!' Madhu spoke doubtfully.
'Please tell me! you are hiding me something! aren't you?'
No Madhu!' 'Check me! I'm not hiding anything!' Rahul giggled.
'Rahul!' Madhu punched on his chest.
'Stop joking! I am seriously asking you something!'
Okay okay calm down!' Rahul made Madhu sit on the bed.
'I really didn't know what Rishu was going to send you! He was feeling guilty yesterday & wanted to send you something so...'Rahul stopped midway.
'So?'
'So! I just gave him some ideas! Simple as that!' Rahul smiled.
'What?
'But believe me Madhu! I suggested him the lamest gift ideas like Flowers, Chocolates etc.' 'But he has chosen the best one I guess! Just try it out!'
'Hey Madhu! Aunty is calling you. It's getting late for you to go to the college.' Rashmi came into the room.
Rashmi noticed the dress on Madhu's hands.
'Oh wow!' ' Such a beautiful dress! did you buy anything new? I didn't see this in your wardrobe.' Rashmi inquired.
'Um uh.. actually it's a gift.' Madhu replied.
'A gift? who gave this to you.?' Rashmi further questioned.
'Her boy friend! any problem Rash?' Rahul chuckled.
'Boy friend? what the hell Madhu? how come I didn't know? you never had one! right?' Rashmi was hyper.
'Oh uh!' Madhu face palmed.
'Why are you so hyper Rash?' Rahul winked.
'Just tell me what's going on! who is Madhu's boy friend?' 'And why would he send a dress to her?'
Oh god you lack common sense Rash! what would you expect a boy friend to gift a girl?'
Madhu! what is this nonsense? you never told me that you have a boyfriend?' Rashmi inquired Madhu.
'Stop it Rahul! just don't lie! I don't have a boyfriend! & if I ever get one, you guys are the first to know!' Madhu replied.
Oho so you are desperate to get a boyfriend?' Rashmi winked.
'No way!' 'Not so soon!' Madhu chuckled.
'Please! will anyone of you tell me who sent this dress to Madhu?' Rashmi inquired again. She was curious.
Why you are so desperate to know about it huh?' Rahul winked.
'Shut up Rahul! 'Madhu just tell me who sent this?'
'Umm.. this was sent by Rishabh.' Finally Madhu blurted out the truth.
'Rishabh? you mean our Rishabh? our friend?' Rashmi was in a state of shock.
'Hahaha look at you! you look like you have seen a ghost!' 'Why such pathetic expressions Rash? Seriously you look like a blood Mary!' Rahul teased her.
'Shut up!' Rashmi threw a pillow towards her twin brother's direction.
'Umm.. oh nice. But why suddenly?' Rashmi asked again.
'Let me explain! Rishabh wanted to apologize Madhu for ruining her dress yesterday. That's why he had sent this for her!.' Rahul explained.
Oh really? but it was an accident right? He didn't do it deliberately!' 'Then why should he be sorry?' Rashmi questioned. Madhu was confused with her behavior.
'Because my best friend is a good human being! May be he felt bad about Madhu's dress yesterday.' 'It was so sweet of him to send a gift to Madhu, that too a beautiful dress.' Rahul replied. Madhu noticed a sudden mood change on Rashmi's face.
'Oh! so what if Rishabh's car collides with Madhu's car one day! will he buy a brand new car for Madhu?' Rashmi smiled sarcastically.Jealousy was clearly visible from her words & behavior.
'Wow! what a logic Rash!' 'But what are you trying to point out? what Rishu did was wrong?' Rahul inquired.
'When did I tell that Rishu was wrong?' Rashmi gave a fake smile.
'Okay okay just stop this! I think Madhu is getting late.' Rahul tried to divert the topic.
Rashmi left the room within no time. She looked frustrated. Madhu looked at Rahul with a confusion.
Rahul came upon & patted Madhu's back.
'Just take it easy Madhu!' 'I don't know why Rash behaved so weird today. May be she also wanted this kind of a dress! You know how much she is obsessed with clothes!'
'Typical girls!' Rahul sighed. 'May be I will have to take her shopping soon!'
'Rahul, I'm getting late. See you in the evening.'
Okay. Take care!' 'And don't fret too much of what happened a while back.'
Madhu left the room to go to college but she was worried about Rashmi's behavior. She has never behaved like that before. She can clearly remember how the smile on her face faded away when she told that it was gifted by Rishabh.
In the evening the first thing she did after coming home was trying out the dress gifted by Rishabh. It suited her perfectly. She twirled near the mirror. She felt so special. It was the first time someone had gifted her something remarkable. It was the first time someone had cared about her this much. She felt something special & a happiness that cannot be expressed in to words. She could not wait until she meets Rishabh next time, to show up the dress.
She wanted to thank him for his sweet gesture. Unfortunately she didn't have his contact number. She sent a message to Rahul & asked for Rishabh's number. Rahul teased her first but gave his best friend's number to her. Finally Madhu got his number but she was in a dilemma to send him a message.
What if thinks that I am interested on him? Should I message him first or?' Madhu self thought. Though she was a little bit hesitant to message him she couldn't just stay without thanking him. She felt bad about him. What if he is waiting for a message from me? Anyway it's too bad to stay silent when someone sends you a gift. She decided to send him a message.
'Madhuuu!' Madhu heard her dad's voice. He has returned home. She was about to type the message. She quickly hid her mobile under the pillow & put the dress inside her wardrobe. Her life is going to be stressful once again with her dad's presence.
Madhu always feared talking to her dad. She used to behave like a student in front of a principal. She never felt relaxed in front of her father. She wished that her father was more close to her but it never happened. Though her father used to give her all the luxurious comforts he failed to give the love of a father which every child expects.
Madhu had to report her father what she did for the past few weeks while he was away. She was mumbling fiercely. She looked at her mother while talking. Padmini kept numb. The meet up with Rishabh was hidden. It would be a disaster if her father gets to know that she went out.
Later at night Rashmi came to Madhu's room.
'Hey Madhu!' 'I need a huge favor from you.' Rashmi sat beside her.
Yeah Rash? tell me. What it is?'
'Tomorrow I have to go for a site inspection. Could I borrow something from you to wear?'
'Oh sure! why not?'
'Actually I tried out almost all of my casual outfits but nothing reached up to my satisfaction. I need to replace my wardrobe soon with some good outfits!'
Rashmi started trying out Madhu's outfits. Madhu's outfits started flocking up on her bed which were rejected by Rashmi. Madhu wondered why any of them couldn't reach her satisfaction. But she didn't question her, just kept staring at her cousin praying that may she find the outfit which satisfies her soon as Madhu knew that Rashmi could even take the whole wardrobe outside till she finds the perfect because she was so picky.
Finally at last one outfit could reach up to her satisfaction.
'Madhu! I think this is the one I was searching for. I guess it suites me perfectly.' Rashmi smiled delightedly.
Madhu's smile faded away after she noticed the outfit which Rashmi has chosen. It was the purple casual dress which was gifted by Rishabh.
'Umm.. that dress?'
'Yeah! it suits me perfectly! Doesn't it?' Rashmi winked.
Madhu couldn't bear it up. She has not worn it officially though she just tried it out. Rishabh wanted her to wear it when they meet up next time. Madhu simply couldn't let anyone to wear it before her. She was obsessed of her dress which was gifted by him. Possessive feelings were unknownly implanted by Rishabh in her heart. She didn't like to see her dress worn by someone else as it was so special for her. Madhu felt selfish. She has never felt like that before but she just couldn't resist her feelings.
'Just let me try this out!' Rashmi took the dress & in a swift, she was barricaded by Madhu. Madhu was standing in front of her, blocking her way. She dragged the dress from Rashmi's hand. Rashmi seemed to be shocked with Madhu's reaction.
'I'm sorry Rash. I cannot give this to you.'
'Why? what's wrong with you?' Rashmi inquired.
Madhu kept silent.
'Madhu! I'm just gonna borrow this. I will return it to you tomorrow evening.'
'I'm sorry. Can't you find anything else to wear?'
'Anything else? you know how I was searching all over your wardrobe but couldn't find anything good as this. This is not the first time I'm borrowing a dress from you Madhu. So why are you so much hesitant to give away it to me?'
' I can't Rash! I haven't even worn it properly. I don't like to see someone wearing it before me. This is so special to me. I'm so sorry! I can't give this to you. Please could you find something else?'
'What? Madhu I'm so surprised! Remember last week I borrowed one of your sleeveless tops which you told that you haven't worn it officially. But you let me to wear it. Then why not this?' Rashmi inquired.
'Please Rash! don't question me further. That's the final. You are not gonna wear this!' Madhu raised her voice. Rashmi was shocked to see her strange behavior.
'Oh fine! I know why it is so special for you. Because Rishu gifted it to you na? But I never thought that you would be this much selfish because of a mere person!' 'I'm sorry for wasting your time! I shall just pick out an old dress for me from my collection!'
'Good night!' Rashmi almost slammed the door. She seemed to be frustrated with Madhu's actions. Madhu started arranging her wardrobe which was a complete mess. She took that dress again & rubbed it gently. She inhaled the new fragrance of it. It drove her crazy.
After arranging her wardrobe she freshened up herself & settled on the bed. She started feeling guilty for behaving rudely in front of Rashmi. But she didn't regret her decision. She was possessive about the gift which was sent by Rishabh. It was so special for her & she just couldn't even imagine someone wearing it other than her.
Madhu re called the memories of Rishabh's encounter. How they used to fight like kids. The moments she spent with him celebrating Rashmi & Rahul's birthday. How they used to run behind each other with icing & lastly how he held her tightly. How she felt at that moment, something special was blooming inside her. Their eye lock & at the end they were brought back to normal by Rashmi & how they looked away embarrassingly. It was such an awkward moment.
A smile crept on Madhu's face, re calling the memories. She was missing him badly. She couldn't understand it. She has never felt so dull without a presence of someone. She was used to be isolated but when she met Rishabh her loneliness was faded away. A single day could make differences in her life. She realized that she already has a crush on Rishabh.
Finally she gained some courage to type a message to Rishabh. She edited the draft so many times. She knew that her feelings for Rishabh knew no bounds. She could even write a book with her feelings. But a message should be short & sweet, that too when you are sending someone for the first time. So she typed as,
'Hi Rishabh. It's me Madhu. Thanks a lot for your gift. It was totally a surprise for me. Loved it.'
Finally she pressed the send button. She re checked her message & finally it was on the 'Sent messages' folder. She was waiting impatiently for a reply from him. She was tossing on the bed, unable to sleep without a reply from him. It's been more than a half and hour she has sent the message. She re-checked Rahul's message for her, with Rishabh's number & checked whether she has sent the message to the correct number. It was the exact number of him.
She looked at the clock hanging on her wall. It showed the time as 10:30 pm. Why is the reply is so late? Hasn't he received it? Is he sleeping at the moment? But it's still 10:30, I don't think he would sleep this early. Or was he waiting for a message from me in the morning & has he felt bad that I didn't send any till now? So many questions were popped up in her mind. She was a little bit disturbed. She was desperately waiting for a message from him.
An hour passed, still there wasn't a reply from him. It was almost midnight & Madhu was feeling sleepy. She could barely open her eyes. She couldn't stop thinking about him. She checked her mobile numerous times, unfortunately there wasn't any message.
Finally after about 15 minutes she heard her mobile beep, the sound of receiving a message. That little sound made her dance with happiness. In the other hand she was a bit nervous to get the mobile & open the message. She felt a feeling of butterflies in her stomach. Stop behaving crazily Madhu! Just check it! She ordered herself.
She took her mobile & unlocked it. Her excitement was faded away at once. It was a message from one of her friends asking him to bring some of her notes tomorrow. It was not Rishabh. She re-checked her inbox but there weren't a single message from him. Madhu was thoroughly disappointed. Her hopes were crushed. She couldn't wait anymore. She literally threw her mobile on her bed & buried her face under a pillow. Soon she dozed off.
The next morning she was awaken by the buzz of her alarm. She soon turned it off & got her mobile with the hope of a reply from Rishabh. But there wasn't any. She was frustrated. She freshened herself soon & started getting ready to go to college. Then she heard somebody knocking at her door. It was Rashmi.
'Good morning Madhu.' 'May I come in?' Rashmi asked in a polite way like never before.
'Rash! Good morning. Please come in! You don't need permission to enter my room. Why so formal?' Madhu chuckled.
'I need to talk to you Madhu.'
Yeah tell me!' Madhu spoke to Rashmi while combing her hair.
'Umm.. Madhu. I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I'm sorry for calling you selfish.'
Madhu looked at her. Even she was feeling guilty. She held Rashmi's hand. 'Didu, I'm really sorry. I think it's my fault.'
'No Madhu. I understand. I know it is special to you. I know nobody would like to give away a dress to somebody which is so special to them. You told that you haven't even worn it properly yet. So your actions are justified.' Rashmi spoke in a calm tone.
'But I'm feeling guilty. I don't know why I behaved like that.'
'It's okay Madhu. Just forget it.'
'I'm really sorry didu!'
'Oh god Madhu! I can't forgive you for one thing!' Rashmi made a face.
'What?' Madhu was confused.
'Stop calling 'didu' for god's sake. How many times I had warned you?' Rashmi chuckled.
'Okay okay ma'am! sorry about it.' Madhu smiled. Then they shared a sisterly hug.
Suddenly Madhu heard her father calling her name. She felt something different. Something fearful. His voice was loud & fierce. It didn't give her positive vibes. Something bad is gonna happen. She could identify it from her father's voice.
She went towards the living room, trembling out of fear. She saw her father was looking furiously at her. His eyes were burning with anger. Madhu looked down with fear as she couldn't face him. She was unaware of the reason but she was scared to look at him directly.
'What the hell is this?' Malik threw a newspaper on Madhu's face. It hit Madhu & dropped on the floor near her toes. Madhu was fearful & confused at the same time. Her heart was pounding. She slowly focused her eyes on the news paper. She couldn't believe her eyes.
'Business rivals Malik & Kundra's juniors are in love?' The headline was in Bold red letters. There was a photograph of Madhu & Rishabh holding each other tightly below it. Madhu was shocked to death. It was when they were fighting with icing. How the hell it appeared on the paper? It happened 2 days back. Who took this photograph? A lot of questions were bugging Madhu's mind & she knew that her father is gonna kill her in the very next second.
'Answer me Madhu! how did this happen?' Malik roared. He was fuming in anger. Rashmi & Rahul too came there with the noise. They were shocked to see the news paper.
Madhu couldn't believe what was happening around her. She never expected that something like this would happen. She was numb. Her father almost shook her from her shoulders. 'Answer me! what the hell is this?' 'How did this happen?'
Tears started forming in Madhu's eyes, mixed with fear & sadness. She couldn't speak a word. It was something she never expected to happen. She wished that she could vanish at once. Dying is much better than answering her furious father.
'Madhu! why are you silent huh? Are you bloody testing my patience?' Malik shook her again. Madhu started crying. He pushed her away. Rashmi & Rahul exchanged fearful expressions. Finally Rashmi gained courage & decided to speak on behalf of Madhu.
'Uncle! let me explain' Rashmi came forward.
'Rashmi! just stay away from this. It's none of your business.'Malik rebuked.
'But uncle please.'
'I told you once! Just don't intrude our family problems!' Malik replied furiously.
'Uncle please! let me talk. I want to explain this incident as I am also related to it. Actually Rahul & me both of us!' Rashmi raised her voice.
Malik was shocked & confused at the same time with Rashmi's reply. Rashmi explained everything from A to Z what happened that day.
'Rashmi! How dare you took Madhu out without my permission? 'And you Padmini! how dare you to permit them without my consent huh? Above all you kept it hidden from me! Malik was fuming with anger.
'Madhu! Shame on you! you don't know how to behave yourself! how dare you to get on with that Mohan Kundra's son huh?
'Are you all hiding something from me? Is Madhu really in a relationship with Mohan's son? ' Malik continued his furious talks.
'Uncle! try to understand! I can guarantee that there is no such relationship between Madhu & Rishabh!' Rahul spoke.
'I warned you when you sought permission from me! See what has happened now! Not Madhu! our whole family is in trouble'Finally Padmini raised her voice who used to be silent all the time.
'Aunty, uncle I know that me & Rahul are responsible for this incident. But why are you accusing Madhu as she has done a crime? You are behaving like she has slept with Rishabh! She just had fun with us.' Rasjmi spoke aggressively.
'Shut up Rashmi!' Malik seemed to be more furious with that particular fact. Madhu couldn't stop her tears. She was trembling of fear.
'I'm sorry uncle! I won't keep quiet anymore! I stand for injustice. Just try to understand that you've been treating your daughter Madhu so badly. What do you think? Supplying her with all the luxurious things would only make her happy? where's the love she is expecting from her father? Tell me exactly the last time you spoke to her softly? tell me when did you tell her that 'I love you' ? I bet you can't remember! Because you never cared to shower love towards your daughter.' Rashmi spoke non-stop.
'You better not teach my how to love my daughter. I know how to love her. I don't want to see her degraded by the society.'
'Oh look who is talking about society when he himself keeps his daughter home 24*7 trapped like a bird in a cage. Please don't bring up lame excuses like you are protecting Madhu from the society. For how long? won't you let her step out this house one day? won't you let her get married? are you planning to keep your daughter under your draconian laws in the rest of her life time? Answer me please! what would you get huh?'
'Just don't try to advise me!' ' I have experienced life more than you!' Malik replied aggressively.
'You may be mature than me but I'm sorry to say that you are still not mature in your nature. As a parent you should be more flexible towards children.'
'This is a matter of my reputation. Madhu! you just ruined it!'Malik loud furious voice almost echoed in the house. Madhu broke down with tears. Rashmi came back to spotlight.
'Reputation?' 'So you care about your reputation more than your child? Uncle, you & Mr. Kundra might be rivals in business field but why should the younger generation too should be rivals huh? are you trying to spread hatred between Madhu & Rishabh? Why can't they be friends? why should children suffer because of the issues between elders? Our generation is not narrow minded like yours.' Rashmi continued.
Malik was numb with Rashmi's words. She didn't let him anything to talk.
'If the media questions about all of these things. Make sure that you will preach them too!' Malik left the living room.
'Yes we will! Me & my brother are always there for Madhu no matter how others would refuse to support her.' Rashmi almost bawled out.
'How can a person be this much disgusting?' Rashmi muttered.
'Rash! calm down.' Rahul tried to cool down his sister. Madhu left the room with tears. She soon locked herself in.
At Rishabh's house.
Rishabh woke up with the sound of the knock on his bedroom door.
'Rishabh sir, please wake up. It's time for breakfast.' He heard Ram, one of the helpers at their mansion talking to him.
'Okay! I will come down!' Rishabh replied with a yawn. He got back home late night after completing a project as he had to submit his design portfolio the next day. He took off his mobile from the charger where he kept it to charge last night as he came home in the midnight with a dead battery. At the time he switched on the mobile he received Madhu's text message which was sent last night.
A smile crept on his face after reading it. Madhu's text made his day. He realized that how little things from a special person could make a huge impact in his life. He felt bad that he couldn't reply her yesterday as his mobile battery was dead.
'Hi Madhu! Glad you loved the dress, though it is just a small surprise gift from me. Can't wait to meet you. I'm really sorry for being late to reply you as I was so busy with my project work & my mobile battery was dead. PS- How did you get my number huh? Seems like you have done a lot of investigations on me! LOL
Soon he went to freshen himself up. Meanwhile , Madhu was weeping her heart out burring her head under a pillow. She heard her mobile beep. She lazily took it & was surprised to see a reply from Rishabh. She read it & just kept away her mobile. She wasn't in a mood to reply him.
Rishabh came out of the bathroom & checked his mobile but there wasn't any reply from Madhu. She must be at college. He thought. He took his breakfast & left home soon. He couldn't even talk to his father. He was sleeping & Rishabh didn't want to bother him.
Rishabh was impatient to get a reply from Madhu. He texted her again while driving to the university but she didn't respond. He couldn't wait anymore. He decided to call her. He rang her once but she cut it. The second time Madhu spoke. 'Please Rishabh! don't talk to me again!' & she disconnected the call suddenly.
Rishabh was shocked with her reply. What's wrong with Madhu? He was confused. 'Hmm! typical girls! May be she is upset with me because I got late to reply her. Let me cheer her up!. He dialed her number once again but her mobile was switched off. Rishabh was getting late. He decided to talk to her later.
When Rishabh was walking towards the lecture hall he saw some of his batchmates were looking at him in a confused way. Some of them were mumbling something. All of them were looking at him like if he has committed a crime. He couldn't understand what was happening around. He heard some of them were whispering his & Madhu's names.
'Oho! here comes our Romeo! welcome bro!' One of his batchmates extended his hand. Rishabh was confused.
'Romeo?'
'Hey! where is your Juliet?' Another one inquired.
'Juliet?' 'What are you guys talking about?'
'How dare you Rishabh! you didn't even tell us the good news!'
'Good news? what the hell are you talking about?' Rishabh was a bit irritated as he didn't have an idea what his friends were talking about.
'We should celebrate it!' 'Why didn't you tell us about it before?'
'Guys! I can't understand a freaking thing!'
'You are right bro! People go crazy when they are in a relationship.'
'In a relationship? which relationship are you talking about?' 'For gods sake please tell me what you guys are talking about me!'Rishabh almost shook one of his friends with anger & frustration.
'Oho! please calm down!' 'We were talking about this!' They show the news paper to Rishabh. Rishabh was shocked to read & the headlines. He identified the photograph were they were playing with icing. How did it appear here? He was left with so many questions.
After few hours.
Rishabh was stuck with work. He denied the news appeared on the paper. He tried Madhu's mobile numerous times but it was switched off. He couldn't contact Rahul either. He was worried about Madhu. He could imagine what the situation would have been at her place. He spoke to his father, but since he spoke to him normally without showing anything he assumed that his father was unaware about it.
When he reached home he saw their gate was obstructed by a few media reporters. His father was outside too, replying them calmly. All of them gathered around Rishabh after spotting him.
'Mr. Rishabh Kundra! Please clarify this! Are you in a relationship with your father's business rival Mr. Shamsher Malik's daughter?'
Rishabh looked at his father. He was in a serious yet calm mood.
'Please answer us!'
'There is no such thing between Miss. Madhubala Malik and me. We are just friends! Why the hell are you behind us all the time?'Rishabh raised his voice.
'Oh seems like you are furious. We asked you a simple question...'
'Just leave this place right now. Are you all jobless to peep in to personal lives? why are you all trying to poke your noses in to personal matters? Rishabh they don't deserve any clarification. I know that you are right.' Rishabh's father Mohan spoke. 'Let's go.' He accompanied him inside.
'Papa, you trust me right? There is no such love affair between me & Madhu. She is just a friend of mine. We met 2 days back. You know Rahul? She is Rahul's cousin.' Rishabh explained the whole story from A to Z. Mohan listened to him calmly. He was lucky enough to have an understanding father like him.
'I understand Rishabh. I am sure Malik would be fuming with anger right now. We were good friends about 3 decades back, but when we handling our business affairs there were tiffs in between. Malik always wanted to become rich in a short span of time. He never wanted to earn in good ways. About 2 decades back, he started a business partnership with some underworld group who imports illegal drugs. So I cut off my ties with him for the betterment of myself as I couldn't keep a business relationship with a person who does illegal things. He was arrested twice as far as I can remember but he had so many supporters. Time passed, I became successful with my dedication & hard work, but Malik chose the wrong path.
Mohan revealed the past. Rishabh was surprised to hear about it. Mohan never talked about his official life at home as he didn't want to mess up his professional life with his personal life. Rishabh was proud of his dad. He raised Rishabh alone after his wife & Rishabh's mom Radha passed away due to a cancer when Rishabh was just 5 years old. He played the role of both mother & father to Rishabh & brought him up.
'Papa, I am worried about Madhu. I tried dialing her but her mobile is switched off. I tried Rahul too but no answer.
'I understand. It would have been affected Madhubala so much. She is a girl & not matured enough. Mohan spoke. He was matured enough to understand the younger generation.
Papa I wonder who clicked that photograph!' Rishabh was frustrated.
'Just let it be. May be a jobless person. You know when you are successful there are so many people around you trying to pull you down. But we shouldn't let them to do so. Remember in the past you were linked with 3 girls? They were your good friends right? Gossip mongers are always behind successful people. Those rumors are carried away by people with low standards.'Mohan further explained.
'Papa I'm feeling bad for Madhu. I think she got into an unnecessary trouble because of me. I just want to go & talk to her.'
'As you wish son. But be careful. I don't Malik would let you meet her. That poor girl must be already under home arrest.'
Rishabh finally could contact Rahul. He got to know what happened in Malik house & how Madhu is suffering with the incident. Rishabh felt bad about it. He never expected that something would happen like this.
2 days passed. Madhu was under house arrest. Malik didn't even let her to go to college. Madhu was so much depressed & isolated. She refused to talk to Rishabh. She refused to talk to anyone else. Rashmi & Rahul were worried about her. Madhu refused to eat too. Padmini & Rashmi was forcing her but they failed.
Rishabh desperately wanted to meet Madhu. Finally he was informed by Rahul that it is possible to meet Madhu as her parents will be out for a few hours as Malik had to attend a function. The security of the house was tightened.
According to Rahul's plan, he disguised himself to conceal his identity. Rahul told him that he would inform the security that a client has come to visit him & they would let him come in. Rishabh was hesitant initially as he wanted to meet Madhu directly at her home but later realized that it would cause trouble.
Finally at the night, he reached Madhu's home. He provided a fake identity card & some documents to prove that he was Rahul's client. The security guards let him go in without much trouble.
Hi Mr. Mehera! please come in.' Rahul greeted him with a wink. Rishabh was accompanied by him inside the house.
'Thank god you could come safely Rishu!' Rahul whispered after locking the door.
'Are any security guards inside?'
'No! all of them are outside.'
'We cannot waste time! go & meet Madhu soon!' 'She is inside the room'
The room seemed to be closed. Rahul signaled him to go in. Rishabh gave a slight knock at the door. At that time he realized that it was open. He tip toed inside. He couldn't believe his eyes.
'Madhuuu!' He screamed as he saw her lying lifelessly on the flow. Blood was running out her nose & mouth. She had a handful of tablets on one of her hands. Has she attempted suicide?
To be continued...
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Anupamaa
Naagin 7
