Radha Mohan Kundra opened the doors and welcomed her son and his bride with open arms. "Rishu, yeh vahi Madhu? Andar aao beta."
"Aa gaye devar ji apni mail order bride ke saath", a cynical remark from RK's sister in law failed to turn any heads. RK and Madhubala continued walking behind Radha without paying heed to what Deepali had to say.
"Guess this Deepali?" Madhu enquired.
"You got it and thank you for being a good wife."
She returned the compliment with a smile. They reached the end of a long hallway to an old family picture of Rishabh, his mother and his biological father. Radha offered them a seat and RK began narrating the details of his wedding. "Doesn't matter how you got married Rishu. I didn't come, no problem. That all can be done again. What matters is why? Why did you marry? Why in such a hurry? It is for the right reasons, right?"
Rishabh saw the longing his mother's eyes. A no would break her heart. He put all his acting skills to the test and mustered up the courage to say, "Yes. I love her mum."
Madhubala's eyes lit up. She seemed as though she had heard the best news in the world. Fake or not, she felt accepted. She felt loved. When asked about her perspective, she answered from her heart, "Even since my mother die. I never feel this love. I happy".
Radha pulled them in for a hug. "That is all I wanted to know, my child. We can deal with the world later. Now, come let me show you around".
"I have to go. You can stay if you want. I will come pick you up later", RK wanted to avoid the family drama.
"I will go get the kangans, you stay here". Mama Kundra left the room and Deepali entered.
She yelled to catch RK's attention, "Wait, RK Why are you wearing sunglasses?" She tried making small talk to force RK into staying a bit longer.
"Madhu, please explain to her what happened. Now, goodbye", he pulled Madhu in for a deep, lingering kiss. Her red lipstick stained his pale, dry lips. His stubble rubbed against her cheeks. When he was happy with the intensity of the colour he drained from her, he pulled away.
Madhu and Deepali stared at him in awe.
"What? It's the Russian way to say goodbye wifey. Your words not mine", RK winked and left in hurry to avoid getting killed by his fuming wife.
Madhu's face flushed with redness. She used her sari pallu to wipe the lipstick stain that spread out of the boundaries of her lips. "Washroom where?"
Deepali simply pointed in the direction of the washroom.
Radha came back to find a dumbstruck Deepali and no sign of Madhu.
"Kya Madhu bhi gayi RK ke saath?"
"Nahi mummyji. Jo aapka beta abhi battamzi karke gaya hai na. Bechari ussi ke bharpaayi kar rahi hai. Ab saas ke saamne aisa muh leke kaise aati", Deepali tried to instigate Radha against the couple.
"Kya kiya Rishu ne?"
"Ab kya bataoon mummy ji. Aapki bahu ko yahan aangan mein, mere saamne, ek lambbiii see kiss de ke gaya hai".
A huge smile spread across Radha's face, "Are aaj kal ke bacche bhi na. Aane do Madhu ko, khoob chedoongi. Chalo tum, Madhu ko Indian khana khilate hain".
Madhu walked back slapping her cheeks to recover from the magical kiss. Although she would never admit it to RK, it was her first proper kiss.
"My child loves you that much. He can hardly keep his hands off you. Not his fault, you are quite the catch". Radha put the family gold bangles on the arms of the blushing Kundra bride.
Deepali considered it the perfect time to interrogate Madhu. She came back with a plate full of Indian food. "Khana as you instructed mummyji. Now, Madhu how come you married him so fast? We didn't even know you existed till yesterday."
"I. I.", Madhu hesitated. She did not see this coming. Thankfully, it was RK to the rescue. "Because you don't exist for me, I don't find it important to let you in on my secrets".
Any self respecting person would be aggravated by such remarks but, the thick skinned Deepali was habituated to RK's insults.
"What about your mother?"
"That's why I am here. Now, excuse me while me and Madhubala enjoy our married life. Mom, food some other time, when these flies are not around. We will take your leave now."
Coming up: I don't know yet. I wrote a heck lot. Gimme some time to think, okay? :P
Cricket
Indian Mythology
