"Aaah so tired Madhu. I knew it was a bad idea from the get go. I only did the stunts cause you wanted me to".
"I no such thing". Madhu massaged his back. His tensed muscles relaxed from her touch.
He murmured. "You did say you wanted a strong man".
"Show off. I make golden milk".
"Biwi yeh beemaron vaala, haldi ka doodh; mein toh changa bhala hoon".
"Drink up. My mum make everyday two time. How I stay so fresh?"
"Aapki khubsoorti ka yeh raaz hai Madhubala ji. Chickni kamar pe teri meri dil phisal gaya". RK slipped his hands under the fabric that covered her waist.
Madhu slapped his hand and sang, "strongly jaado chal gaya".
"She flirts back. Come here my Russian biwi". He sized her up and down, openly checking her out.
"That just to lift your spirit".
"Sure. Mein bhi dekhta hoon how long you can keep up this act".
"Sekhenge", she smiled.
"Dekhenge, biwi. DE-KHEN-GE", RK responded while Madhubala made faces at him. He pressed a few buttons on his phone and asked Madhu to accompany him somewhere.
"Where are we going?"
"To a place where the memories of you and your mummy exist".
RK opened the wooden doors to an empty auditorium with a stage the size of a football field.
"Welcome to the Eden Ballet Centre, Madhubala. This is build to mimic the one in Moscow". Madhu was so awestruck that RK had to push her up the stage.
"Now, do your thing. I want to see you dance, just for me". Madhu appeared nervous as if this was her first time performing. She fumbled with the props for a bit. Then, she came off the stage.
"I never ballerina. Only couple of lessons. I just".
"You wanted to impress me. A job well done, biwi. I am impressed that you would go to such lengths to charm me. I know you like me and that's charm enough. Why the lie?"
"You no believe if I say. I, I really the Tsar princess. Live fun, money, clothes, food, family. They kill King, Queen and my dad survive. He marry mumma. We live secret palace. No tell anyone. They want money. They kill mumma. I run save me life".
"Enough! Enough of this bullshit", RK was red with anger. He pressed on Madhu's wrist till she winced in pain. "I like you. In fact, I love you. But, how do expect me to move forward with you when you won't tell me the truth. First, you were a mafia gang member. Then, a ballerina and now, a princess? Tomorrow you will wake up and decide to be a time travelling zombie. I want the truth. The truth and nothing less". He walked off leaving a shocked Madhubala on the floor.
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After about thirty minutes of pacing outside the auditorium doors, RK entered to find his wife in the same spot where he left her. He sat down in front of her and looked her in the eye.
"I apologize for what I did earlier. I overreacted. May I take you home?"
She did not even blink in response.
"I will take that as a yes". He lifted her up in his arms and head out. She did not resist but, did not give her usual look of approval either.
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"I will get us both some food", RK was repenting for his anger outburst earlier. Madhubala maintained her silence. He could not find Madhu as he walked back with his world renounced cream of mushroom soup. Finally, he decided to check in the washroon.
He found her fully clothed and shivering under a cold shower. RK was reminded of their first meeting; a memory he never wanted Madhu to relive. He tried waking Madhu out her trance, in vain. As he proceeded to turn off the shower, he felt her hand gently touch his leg. He picked her up from the ground and made her stand up. She continued to scream as they both stood underneath the cold running water. Eventually, she became too tired to support her body weight. She dropped herself in his muscular arms and let him carry her. She squealed in pain, looking intently at her husband for comfort. He let her do whatever she wanted; whatever she needed to let out her emotions. She buried her face in his chest. The husband and wife stood under the shower; him healing her wounds. When she stopped screaming, he took her out.
RK took off her clothes and for a second, admired his fair maiden. He quickly snapped back to reality when he heard Madhu shiver. He decided it was best to change her into the grandma night wear, if he were to avoid being inappropriate. He tucked her under a thick duvet and put her to sleep. He pondered if he was the cause of her misery. Was it him being too hard on her that triggered her breakdowns? He came to a conclusion that he should let her be. That, he should enjoy the present Madhubala, the one he had chosen as his wife. Not to worry about the Madhubala she may have been, the Madhubala who makes his wife cry.
If you can't tell by the overwhelming amount of updates, I am enjoying my holidays :) Now, I have learned from my mistakes and will not reveal any deadlines but, I am in writing mode. YES, you may expect to be bombarded with PMs from my side. I hope you don't despise me after the two week run. K. I am done.
Edited by iiDona - 12 years ago
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