FF: A Love Story Continued UPDT:PT.11-13-PG.63 END - Page 33

Part Ten

Three months had passed in which RK had not returned to his normal self. He had secluded himself from everyone, including Madhu and Maya. He kept to himself, only ate when he was on the brink of starving to death, and quit his filming career. The shock he had suffered after seeing the dead, brutal, bodies of his step-family had impacted him greatly. Just as his mother, he had kept his talking to the bare minimum since the night he had blamed himself for their death. Madhu had tried everything, unsuccessfully, to snap him out of his shock. She had basically been bringing up their child alone. She spent every night crying, as he'd watch her silently.

His depression was taking away all the precious moments he could have with his daughter.

Whenever Madhu would place Maya in his lap, he'd just hold her. Nothing more, nothing less. He hadn't played with their daughter in months. Bittuji had taken charge of playing with their daughter whenever Madhu couldn't.

Whenever Madhu would call for a doctor, RK would shoo them away angrily.

Every attempt at convincing him that he was not at fault had gone to waste.

Nothing worked.

Madhu's eyes opened at the sound of Maya crying. She turned over and looked at the clock, 3AM. Madhu sighed; it had been days since she'd had a good night's sleep.

Just as Madhu began to sit up in bed, she felt a hand on hers. She looked to her left to see RK sitting up. Madhu's eyes widened as he stood up off the bed.

"Go to sleep, I'll handle Maya. You need rest."

"Are you sure RK?"

"I'm sure Madhu."

Madhu was happy to see a slight change in RK. She missed her RK. Since the happenings of that horrific day, her and RK hadn't come close. He had changed completely.

This was the first time in months that a part of her old RK had shown.

Madhu smiled and laid back down in bed. She kept her eyes open and watched RK as he walked towards the crib.

He bent over and picked up crying Maya and cradled her in his arms. He gently rocked her back and forth until she quieted down. As soon as she was quiet, RK stopped rocking. He stared at her for a moment and then kissed her forehead.

RK turned around with Maya rather than placing her back in her crib. He walked back to his bed and placed Maya on the bed between the both of them.

Madhu placed her hand gently on Maya's tummy as RK got back into bed.

RK turned to face Madhu and Maya. As Madhu admired their sleeping daughter, RK admired Madhu. Then he spoke.

"I miss you Madhu..."

Madhu's eyes shot up towards RK, as she was shocked at what she was hearing. She wondered what had been on his mind for him to suddenly be changing back to his old self. She smiled softly in response.

"I miss you too..." she whispered.

Maya shifted gently and turned towards RK's chest. Madhu giggled as Maya grabbed RK's shirt with her tiny little hand. RK looked down at Maya and then gently stroked her cheek as she slept. Madhu looked up at RK and smiled as he stared down at their daughter. Then for the first time in three months, she saw him smile. Madhu's breath caught in her throat. It seemed to be such a fantastic sight for her that she felt a chill run down her spine. She felt happy. It was 3AM and she was dead tired...but seeing her husband smile after so long was worth it.

She put out her hand towards RK. RK stared at her hand for a moment and then towards her. He hesitated for a second but then placed his hand within hers.

Then he spoke the words Madhu had been dying to hear for months.

"I love you Madhu."

"I love you more RK."

Madhu smiled. Though there was still no happiness spark to his voice, it was a huge change.

Maya was the answer. She could fix him. She could bring back her father. She could bring back his life into him.

Madhu and RK both admired their daughter and then slowly drifted into a deep sleep hand in hand.