Hey peeps,
Thanks a lot for your wonderful feedback on the previous update. Here goes the 11th chapter! 😃
Inseparable hearts
Chapter 11
Rishabh was taken aback with Rashmi's reply.'What?'
'Yes Rishu! this is your baby!'
'Rashmi! are you nuts?' 'How come I have a baby?' Rishabh was puzzled.
'This is your daughter Rishu. Madhu & yours.' Finally Rashmi blurted out the truth. Rishabh couldn't believe it.
'What?' 'How come Madhu...?' Rishabh was dumbstruck. He was puzzled & shocked.
Then Rashmi revealed the whole story how Madhu had been hiding everything from him. She further stated out that Madhu passed away 2 days after the delivery due to so many complications. That news shocked Rishabh. He couldn't believe that his Madhu is no more.
Rishabh blasted out Rashmi for talking rubbish. He was not ready to accept Madhu's death. He broke down completely. He wanted to go back to her. He dialed Madhu's number over & over again but it was out of service. He wanted to go to Pune. He was behaving like a lunatic, not ready to accept Madhu's death. Rashmi & Mohan tried to calm him down.
Rishabh felt suffocated. He was dumbstruck. This was like a nightmare. He never thought that he would loose Madhu. He recalled the memories with her. It moisturized his eyes with tears. He flash backed the romantic night he had with her. He was feeling guilty. He was feeling guilty that he is indirectly responsible for Madhu's death. He was puzzled why Madhu hid everything from him. Though Rashmi explained that Madhu never wanted him to affect his studies, Rishabh was surprised why she hid everything from him though she used to be in touch with him. They couldn't keep in touch with each other only in the last 3 months.
He looked at his baby. She was in Rashmi's arms. The little one was looking at him with wide eyes. He saw Madhu in her. His baby girl has beautiful hazel brown eyes & a milky white face like Madhu. The poor little soul has lost her mother after birth. She didn't have anyone in this world, except her father. He took his baby girl on his arms gently.
A smile crept in Rishabh's face after seeing his baby girl. It was mixed with the pain of loosing Madhu & the pride of being a father. He couldn't express his feelings. His Madhu was carrying his baby for 9 months, without even letting him know. She had to bear up all the pains alone while giving birth to his baby. He chided the destiny for snatching his Madhu away. He felt miserable. Madhu was his life. Madhu has left , leaving another life. Leaving their symbol of love.
Tears started rolling down his eyes. Madhu has left a priceless possession. Their baby girl is the only sign that is left out as Madhu's. Rishabh's tear drop was fallen on to the baby's face. The baby started smiling. It seemed like she has identified her father. Rishabh planted a soft kiss on his new born's tiny forehead. She was soft like a cotton ball & fragile like a little doll. He showered her with some more kisses. It was quite emotional.
Rishabh thanked Rashmi for taking care of his baby girl for the past week. Rashmi stated that Malik is extremely pissed off with Rishabh. She further lied that Malik was about to kill the baby after the birth & she somehow could save the baby. She warned him not to even go to meet Malik as he is so furious about Madhu's death & he will kill of both Rishabh & the baby for messing up his daughter's life. Rishabh wanted to talk to Madhu's grandmother but that attempt was trickfully avoided by Rashmi.
Rashmi started her mission. The first step was done. The baby was given to Rishabh. The only medium she could get close to Rishabh was the baby. She didn't try to get close to him at once, as that would make him doubt. She sought help from Rishabh's father Mohan. She could impress Mohan by her actions. Mohan really liked her. He was blindfolded by her fake personality. He thought that Rashmi will be the ideal life partner for his son & also she could be a mother for his granddaughter.
Mohan discussed about this matter with Rashmi. Initially she acted as she cannot take Madhu's place in Rishabh's life. She revealed him how she confessed her love to Rishabh 2 years back & he refused it as he was already in love with Madhu. She told how sad she was but she wished them all the best. Rashmi faked tears while recalling the past. She wanted to show Mohan how truthful she was. She told Mohan that Rishabh will never love her. She told that she promised Madhu that she would take care of her baby girl while she was in the death bed. She lied further that Madhu wanted Rashmi to be a mother to her new born. It was her last wish.
Mohan was fooled by Rashmi's cooked up stories. She sought sympathy from him. Mohan promised that he will unite Rashmi & Rishabh for the sake of Rishabh & Madhu's baby & also to make Rishabh's life better. Mohan assured that Rishabh would eventually fall for her & he will help her in changing Rishabh. As a father, genuinely Mohan wanted his son to move on after Madhu's death & lead a happy life. He was unaware that he has fallen into Rashmi's trap.
It was 4 days after Rishabh got his baby from Rashmi. He spent the whole time with his baby. The baby was attached to him. He too special care of his new born who was just 2 weeks old. It was an evening, he carefully placed his baby girl in the crib after patting her to sleep. He settled himself in the bed. It was a hectic day. He looked at Madhu's photograph on his wallet. Madhu's voice, her giggle echoed in her mind taking him to lanes of memories. He still couldn't be able to accept the fact that she was no more. He always felt that Madhu was alive.
Suddenly the baby started crying. He took her gently in her arms and tried to pacify her. But the baby was crying hard. Rishabh didn't know what to do. The baby was crying top of her lungs. He went around the room showing many objects but she didn't calm down. He searched for the milk bottle assuming that the baby must be hungry but unfortunately it was empty. He called the house maid to prepare milk as soon as possible.
The baby didn't stop crying. Rishabh couldn't see his baby girl in tears. An idea popped up in his mind. Finally he took her near the wind chime which Madhu gifted him on their anniversary. For his surprise, the baby stopped crying after hearing to the melodious sound of it. He was staring at the wind chime. He felt Madhu's presence. He looked at his baby. The baby seemed to be attracted to the colorful wind chime.
'I wish you were here Madhu. How dare you hid about our baby from me? If I had knew about this before, the things would have been different. I would have taken proper care of you. I would have married you. We could have started a new life with our little angel.' Rishabh sighed.
The baby was smiling at him. He held her more closer to him. The baby was seeking warmth.The house maid brought the milk bottle soon. Rishabh checked the temperature & slowly put the teat of the bottle inside her tiny mouth. The baby was sucking it vigorously as if she has been in hunger for her life time. Rishabh smiled at him. His baby girl is the only hope for him to live, if not he would have died by now without Madhu. He couldn't even think of a life without Madhu. But a part of his Madhu is alive, their baby girl.
'Hmm baby! you need a name to be called. Which name would suit you? hmm? Rishabh flash backed their romantic night where he suggested Madhu that they should name their baby girl as 'Pari'
'Pari?'
'Pari? do you like that?' Rishabh whispered to his baby girl. The baby blinked twice. She widened her eyes & smiled.
'You like it baby? hmm? Pari?' The baby seemed to be happy with her name.
Rishabh planted a soft kiss on her tiny forehead. 'Pari. You will always be daddy's princess baby' He whispered to his baby girl. The wind chime was dancing for the tune of the wind. He looked at it.
'Madhu, our baby girl will be 'Pari' 'Yes our princess!' 'You like that name right?' Rishabh smiled.
Meanwhile Rashmi was carrying out her plans successfully. She visited Pune & was there for a couple of days to share Madhu's grief in a fake way. Rishabh wanted to meet Naani & extend his condolences on Madhu's demise. He knew how she used to look after Madhu. Further more he wanted to apologize her for breaking her trust & he wanted to help her out financially. Rashmi was trying her best to avoid Rishabh & she became successful because Madhu's grandma took her to Delhi to start a new life. She enrolled Madhu in a university there to complete her studies & to over come the mental trauma. Madhu was suffering. She couldn't forget her baby & Rishabh. She tried numerous times to contact Rishabh but she eventually failed because Rishabh got a new number after coming to India & she was unaware of it. Everything happened on Rashmi's favor
After 2 weeks.
Rishabh was patting his baby girl to sleep. Pari was almost a month old. She was snuggled up to her father, seeking warmth. Rishabh wrapped his protective arms around her.
Mohan came to his room with an intention of discussing about Rashmi. He thought that this is the right time to talk with his son about his future.
'Rishu?' 'Can I talk to you for a while?'
'Shh.. papa!' 'Pari is sleeping' Rishabh warned him not to speak loud.
'Rishu. I have got some important thing to discuss with you.' Mohan spoke slowly, in a low tone.
'Just a min!' Rishabh slowly placed his baby girl on the crib. She was in a deep sleep. He kissed her tiny forehead gently. Rishabh & Mohan got out of the room. Then Mohan slowly entered in the topic on Rishabh's future with Rashmi. Rishabh was shocked. He never expected that his father would suggest to marry Rashmi for the sake of Pari. Mohan stated out that fact that Pari needs a mother. Rishabh refused it.
'Papa please! let us conclude this topic. Rashmi can never replace Madhu in my life.'
'Rishu listen! I know you loved Madhu so much & Rashmi cannot take her place ever. But think about Pari, she needs a mother. How can you raise a child alone huh?'
'I can papa! I can be both mom & dad to my Pari. Please don't try to change the relationships. Pari will only have one mother & she is Madhu. I know she is not with us now, but I don't want my child to call another woman 'mommy' . Pari will live with the fact that her mom is no more. I can take care of her alone.' It was Rishabh's final decision.
'But Rishu try to understand..'
'Papa please! Don't forget that I'm your son. You could have re married someone easily after my mother's demise. But you didn't. You raised me up alone with so many obstacles & brought up to where I am today. I can do the same to my daughter. No one else is needed in my life.' Mohan was stunned by his answer. He knew that he cannot win arguments with his son.
'Rishu. It was different back then. You have a daughter & it is a big responsibility.'
'So? does it make a difference papa?' ' Please! let's not talk about this anymore. The only female who is close to me is my daughter. Only her! No other girl except Pari would not be in my life!'
Rashmi was disappointed as her plans weren't working out much successful as she planned. She tried to get close to Rishabh from every chance she got. She visited his place almost everyday to show that she is concerned about Pari. Pari was the only medium that she could get close to him. But her plans were failed miserably as Rishabh always maintained a distance with her. Rashmi wanted to get Rishabh by hook or crook. Rishabh stated out the same what he told his father, to Rashmi. He clearly stated out that he doesn't want to get married to anyone else when Mohan tried to ask out that question again when Rashmi met them.
Meanwhile Rishabh was planning to go back to Australia. He had to complete his studies & also he thought that Australia would be a better atmosphere for his baby girl. He decided not to tell about his plans even to his father. He knew that he would get upset, but he didn't have any choice. He hated living in India. He wanted to start a new life in a new place with his baby girl.
Rishabh revealed that he is going to migrate to Australia before 5 days of his departure. Mohan was shocked to hear about his son's decision. He was upset but he wanted his son to be happy.
Finally the day before departure Rashmi visited Rishabh. Rashmi was pissed off with Mohan for not being able to convince Rishabh, but she didn't show it to him. She planned to get close to him even in the last chance. But she failed miserably.
'Rashmi! thank you for everything you have done so far to my daughter. But..' Rishabh stopped midway.
'Yes? what Rishabh?'
'I'm sorry to say, I may be wrong but I felt something different like...'
'Like what Rishu?' A little hope popped inside Rashmi. She thought that he could change his mind at the last minute.
'You did all these things cause you really love Pari right? and not because...?
'What are you talking about Rishabh?
'Not because to get close to me right?' Rishabh's words echoed in Rashmi's mind. She was stunned.
'Rishu? you?' 'How dare you?'
'Just calm down! Hope you understand what Madhu means to me! I can lead my life alone with my little daughter by my side. That's all what I want.' Rishabh replied.
Rashmi couldn't stop Rishabh. Rishabh went to Australia with his daughter. But Rashmi was not ready to accept her defeat easily. She made a fake wedding card of Rishabh with someone else & sent to Madhu. Madhu was shocked to see it. She never thought that Rishabh would betray her. She didn't want to believe at once. She decided to meet him. She traveled all alone to Mumbai to Kundra mansion but it was abandoned after Rishabh's departure. Mohan has moved to some other place. Madhu wanted to find Rishabh. She was not financially stable enough to travel to Australia. Her life turned out to be more miserable. But she couldn't hate him even after he left her. She loved him everyday with a ray of hope that she would meet him one day.
Back to present.
Rishabh & Madhu both of were shocked to hear about their past experiences. Finally both of them understood who was behind their separation. It was none other than Rashmi who carried out an evil plan separating a mother from a child & separating two lovers. Rashmi fooled both of them with her fake kindness. Rishabh was extremely pissed off. He was guilty that he trusted her & didn't search further about Madhu. He lived with a lie that Madhu was no more.
'How dare she?' Rishabh was fuming with anger. Madhu had tears in her eyes. Both of them were guilty & they regretted of lacking communication with each other which guided to a major misunderstanding & separation.
'Rishu.' Madhu held his hand. 'We cannot mend the mistakes in the past. It's just a history now. But we can correct our future. We are not that unlucky Rishu. The destiny separated us but the same destiny brought us closer once again. This time, we cannot let it go. Right?'
'Yes Madhu! My life is incomplete with out you. Pari's life is incomplete without her mother. ' 'I won't let anyone to separate us again Madhu! 'It's a promise!' Rishabh planted a kiss on Madhu's hand. It was after a long time. Madhu felt different, yet special. She felt much protected with Rishabh by her side.
'Rishu.. but I'm surprised about one thing. Why didn't Rashmi approach you after that? Why didn't she try to keep contact with you? I mean, I don't think that she would accept her defeat so easily.' Madhu was confused.
'That's why even I'm puzzled, Madhu. Rashmi told that day she is going back to London & she has not talked to me till date.' 'I even tried to contact Rahul because I haven't been in touch with him for years, but I couldn't contact them either.'
'Same here. I remember she saying that she is scheduled to go back to London. She promised that she will come to see me before she departs but she never came.'
'When did you come here?' Rishabh inquired.
'Almost an year back. I never thought that I could come here. I've been saving money.'Madhu revealed about her past how she'd been suffering without her baby & Rishabh. She told how her father cut off ties with her after knowing about her pregnancy. Her grandmother was there for her. She completed her studies in Delhi & started teaching. Meanwhile her grandmother was diagnosed with a stage IV pancreatic cancer & she passed away 3 years back. Madhu was shattered once again. She was all alone in the world. Finally one of her friends whom she met in Delhi helped her out to find a job in Australia.
Rishabh too told that he never visited India except once after he migrated. Mohan passed away with an unfortunate heart attack. It was just 6 months after Rishabh's departure. His world was shattered once again after his father's demise. He returned back to Australia soon after his funeral because of Pari. Rishabh never wanted to be back in India. He gave away all his property in India to the loyal workers who had been serving them for years & sold out some.
Both of them were gone through a lot of pain. The only difference was Rishabh had Pari for solace, but Madhu was all alone. Rishabh cupped her face. Madhu was in tears.
'Madhu.' 'Nobody can apart us now!' 'You will be with me & Pari here after.' 'Nothing can separate us Madhu. Even our death.' Rishabh wiped her tears. Madhu placed a soft kiss on his hands. She hugged him tightly. He too hugged her back.
'I love you Rishu.' Madhu cried out with happiness. Rishabh too was delighted to hear those words after 6 long years.
'I love you too Madhu!' He placed a kiss on her forehead. After a few minutes the broke the hug.
'Madhu, we need to find out about Rashmi! She deserves a life time punishment for messing up with our lives' Rishabh was fuming.
'Calm down Rishu! let us think about it later.' They shared a smile. Both of them smiled genuinely after years.
'Let's go inside Madhu, before our little angel storms out. After all it's our baby girl's birthday. The birthday girl is waiting to cut her birthday cake & this time it's so special, because she has her mommy & daddy both with her.' Rishabh smiled. He put a hand around Madhu's shoulder & accompanied her to the living room.
To be continued...
Pre cap - Rishabh, Madhu & Pari in India.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Anupamaa
