PART 22
As they lay on the bed, both were conscious of the other's presence so close. Madhu remembered the conversation they had sometime back. How RK asked what her reaction would be if he proposed to her. She almost giggled at the thought. Is it possible? No.. She knows very well that RK loves Dipali. Had she been a distant watcher she might have doubted because he was sleeping around. But she had seen him, never in senses did he ever approach anyone, not even her when they have been practically living together.
On the other hand RK thought what he was doing. A part of his wanted to see Dipali if she is fine and a part of him wanted to run away with Madhu. He breathed in frustration. He was angry at Madhu.. She had to do this now? Now, when he had started to get ends of his life. When he had started to see things clearly, she had to bring him here and push him in this grave confusion. Even though he almost knows that he loves Madhu but he can't ignore the prick he feels when thinking of Dipali.. And Dipali what had she done to deserve this. She had loved him with all her heart. First his disloyalty by sleeping around, and now betrayal. She doesn't deserve this. And he can't run away from his responsibility again. He knew he can't do that to her.
The next day they were back on road. Madhu was looking ahead as she listened to the songs while RK looked at her through the corner of his eyes every few minutes. He could see she was quite lost in thoughts.
"what are you thinking? " he asked curiously.
" Nothing " she refuted.
"come on.. Tell me.. Already it has started to get boring due to the silence.." RK said.
"Just got reminded of Sultan.. I had always wished for a road trip with him.." she said with a slight laugh.
"ohh.. " RK said looking ahead though not liking that she was thinking of Sultan when she is with him.
"have I ever told you how long I have known him?" she asked suddenly looking at him.
"No.. " he said in a straight tone
"we were in fifth grade.." she said with a cheeky grin.
RK couldn't help but get surprised. He looked at her with wide eyes. "Really?"
"Yeah" she laughed as if mocking herself. "crazy I know.."
"Were you in relationship since then? " he couldn't help but ask.
"No.. He used to irritate me and pester me to marry him.. You know how the kids do.. Those childish talks.. I didn't give in for till 10 grade.. But then I accepted.." Madhu said with a shrug.
Rk just smiled at that.. He didn't know what to say.
"Guess he grew up while I still stayed a child.." her voice now sad.
"But he should have told me that he didn't want to stay together anymore.. Instead of cheating behind my back.. " she said a little upset.
"are you getting upset now.." RK asked getting angry now.
"No.. Not really.. I am happy for you.. But I was thinking.. Last time I was left alone I met you and you gave me strength to move on.. Now again.. I would be left alone.. " she looked at RK while he too turned to look at her. She gave an empty smile though RK just looked at her. Madhu quickly looked away trying to hide her tears. She didn't want to break down.
He hadn't thought that part. He was thinking whether he loves Dipali or not, or if he loves Madhu but he didn't think that him going away would mean Madhu would be alone. She showed herself so happy and cheerful that he hardly thought about it.
"I just said it like that Rishabh.. Don't you worry about it.. " she said laughing.
RK smiled slightly shaking his head. How she always hides her fears and grief in that laugh. But he will learn. He will learn to read the grief in that smile and then wipe it away.
"if you hadn't put it in my head. I wouldn't even be here.." RK said laughing a little.
"I am just a means to get that thought in your head.. Rishabh.. I know the worth of true love .. I know the price of loyalty.. Don't just let it go.. " she said getting serious.
RK nodded his head.. "yes.. You are right.. I have found it and I won't let it go.."
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Soon they entered Rajasthan. They could smell the earthiness in the air. As they approached closer to the desert, the earthiness increased. There was a strange beauty in the barrenness of the desert. The sand dunes visible at some distance from the road, reflecting the beautiful rays of the sun.
"The desert has its own beauty right.. " she said looking around.
"Yes it does.." RK said with a smile.
"Isn't everything radiating yellow.. " she laughed as she said that while RK too chuckled hearing her.
They reached a village market. Rk stopped the car. "don't you want to get down and see everything closely..?" he asked knowing full well Madhu was thinking of it.
"Yes " she screamed excited and ran out into the market while RK followed her.
She looked at all the jewellery, and RK noticed her reactions on each one of them. As soon as she walked away from the shop he would go and buy the ones on which he had noticed her eyes shine. He didn't know why he had the urge to give her everything that she likes. They went to have the street side snacks. The ethnic foods of rajasthan. The vendor showed them how to eat it, while they watched with confused frowns on their faces.
"It has to be broken like this? " RK asked still trying to break the 'baati' but couldn't do so without totally destroying it. Madhu pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing. He seemed such a child.
"What did you say it's called?" RK asked with a frown. He didn't like this dish one bit.
"Baati" the vendor told.
"So remember Madhu we would never order a Baati again.. " RK said looking angrily at his plate.
Madhu burst into a laugh hearing him. She pinched his cheek Finally not able to hold back.
RK looked at her shocked. "What did you just do?"
"This " she said pinching his other cheek.
"Don't you ever do that again Madhubala" he said in cold anger.
"ok.. Sorry.. "she said pursing her lips but as soon as he looked down she pinched again and then burst into a laughter. " you are so cute I can't help it " she said in between her laughs.
"It's only you that I am forgiving for doing this.." he says as he felt a smile threaten his lips while Madhu felt a blush creeping up her cheeks.
As they walked around now, they found some women selling the rajasthani lehenga and the whole traditional attire. Rk looked at Madhu naughtily while Madhu didn't even know why he smiled at her like that. He held her hand and in a flash she was standing in front of the shop. Rk told the women that he wanted his wife to look like them and they all giggled while holding Madhu by the hand and pulling her in.
"Rishabh no.. You can't do that to me.. " Madhu said horrified as she was pulled in the tent by the giggling women.
"How long have you been married?" a woman asked Madhu in her village accent as they all were dressing her up.
"amm. 1 week.. " Madhu didn't know what to say and just made up quickly.
"what do you call it... Moon..?" one of them tried to think hard getting excited over something.
"Honeymoon? " Madhu asked confused and as the word registered her mind she felt too embarrassed and shy at the same time.
"Your husband is very naughty.." one of them said remembering RK winking at Madhu when they were pulling her in.
Madhu gave her a nervous smile.
After sometime Madhu came out of the tent. Rk was looking the other side as he was passing time in her wait.
"Rishabh " Madhu said softly not knowing why she was feeling so shy in front of him.
RK turned to look at her and was dumb struck. She looked so different and even more beautiful. He felt his jaw drop as he quickly held himself back. And seeing her shy and blushing made her look even more tempting. Rk felt himself losing in her.
"You are very bad " she said not able to bear the embarrassment anymore. And moreover because she didn't know what to say.
RK was shook back to his senses.
"You look beautiful.." RK said with a nervous smile.
"ok.. Now I am going to change.. " she said turning back immediately as his gaze was making her all the more nervous. RK held her hand to stop her which disbalanced her. She was about to fall when RK held her mid way. They stared in each others eyes losing themselves. While RK's hand was touching her bare waist above her lehenga and it made him go crazy even more. She was so damn soft. RK was losing himself in those eyes. It was almost the first time he was able to look into the depths of her eyes. While RK had hundreds of thoughts running in his mind looking into her eyes, Madhu's mind had gone blank. She felt as if locked with his gaze unable to look away. It was as if her brain was telling her to stand up but her body refused to listen.
They were brought back to senses when they heard the women giggling. They stood back up embarrassed looking here and there. While Madhu tried to join in the laughter, RK looked at her through the corner of his eyes as if trying to decipher something.
After some time the women were sitting in a circle as they clapped and started singing the folk songs. Three of them were dancing. Madhu and RK stood at a distance enjoying. Soon one of the girl came running and pulled Madhu, who was still in the village attire, by her hand to dance. Madhu tried to refuse for a few seconds but then she couldn't be rude, so she also started to move her hand a little trying to imitate her. But soon she forgot that and was enjoying herself as she copied the steps of the other girls. She was enjoying herself as she danced and laughed with them, rotating in between which made her lehenga flow gracefully. Rk smiled mesmerised as he looked at her, she was so full of life. Madhu looked at him making her video and frowned as she gestured to him to join too. One of the girl came running and pulled him in too. RK stood in the middle clapping at then not knowing what to do, but then Madhu wasn't the one to let him go like that. She held his hands trying to teach him the steps. Soon Madhu and RK were dancing and laughing in the center as the girls danced in circles around them.
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