RishBala FF~A Heart's Obsession~ - Page 57

Padmini had been worried about Madhu's trip for quite a while now. Madhu had been updating her, but she wasn't happy with the little details she was getting. Never in her life had Madhu left home so hastily without even properly informing the family and never had she stayed away this long.

"Ma, you're worrying too much about Madhu. She's not a child anymore," said Trishna breaking Padmini's thoughts. Trishna put away her fashion magazine and embraced her mother comfortingly.

"Trishna, I just have a strange feeling." Padmini sighed.

"Ma! I called her yesterday and she seemed fine to me. Seems she's a bit tired because of work though."

"I even called Ramona and she said she cannot exactly tell when Madhu would be back." Padmini stated annoyed.

'Madhu you are dead when you come back. Ma wouldn't let you get away with this easily.' Trishna thought shaking her head. "Ma, I have to go for Roxanne's party tonight." Trishna said meekly.

"Don't stay too late. With whom are you going?"

"Maa. I'm going with Thiasha. So don't worry at all. You know I wouldn't do anything that would disappoint you." Trishna said smiling reassuringly.

Padmini sighed. She never appreciated Trishna's party life, but since the girl stayed true to her word by keeping her image clean, she didn't have the nerve to object. Trishna was spoiled by Roma since very young and was brought up like a princess. Although Madhu was given the same treatment, the latter preferred the simple traditional life and was not into the glamorous lifestyle Trishna lived up to. Padmini sighed and got up to go back to her unattended work.

*****

RK was outside in the garden, so that he was out of earshot from everyone else in the lodge. It was very early in the morning and Madhu was with Nishtha and Anurag in the dining room. RK was waiting for some alone time to get this important call as he never had any privacy in Manali.

"Good morning, Mr. Chopra!"

"Good morning, Mr. Kundra. I was waiting for your call."

"Is everything ready now?"

"No. Not yet sir. I needed to clarify something."

"Yes?"

"What if there will be no second-"

"There will be!"

"But sir, it's a risk."

RK looked frustrated and angry. "I'll make sure there will be within the period."

"Sir, I'm telling you this because it is a big risk you're taking. Why don't we extend the period for two more years, just in case?"

RK got more frustrated. "It's bad enough the period already given is too long. Now you want me to extend it for two additional years?"

"Don't worry, sir. I'll do the paperwork in a way that if there's any chance there would be no second by the time, the period would be extended for two more years."

"But Mr. Chopra do we have a choice here? Every requirement should be fulfilled within that period. That's the whole point, right? That was clearly mentioned in the document."

"Sir, we can always request."

RK sighed. "I'm sure you know these legal matters better than me, but I'm doing my part at its best. What is mine will stay mine."

"Yes, sir. I suggested you so just in case, since we can't take a risk. So it'll be the best if you can fulfil the requirements within the given time. I'll visit you in Manali in several days."

"Alright, Mr. Chopra." RK hung up, a smirk masked on his face. He tilted his face looking into the far distance where his wife was, his smirk never leaving his face. "Madhu-bala..." He grinned vilely.

*****

Madhubala was in the dining room with her new friends, clueless that her fate was already written. She was happily laughing along with Nishtha, as she made fun of her boyfriend and vice versa.

"By the way Madhu, what is taking RK this long?" Nishtha asked finally noticing RK's long absence.

"His business call must be taking longer than expected." Madhu answered unsuspiciously.

Nishtha sighed. "Sometimes I wonder how the dude actually manages all this work. Films, businesses, girls- I mean a wife." Nishtha laughed nervously and Anurag smacked himself groaning at his girlfriend's carelessness.

Madhu quirked her eyebrow. "So Nish, you think he can't handle me?" she asked jokingly.

This time Nishtha laughed out loud, thanking her stars that Madhu was not offended. "Of course not, darling. You are an angel. RK should be thankful he got you." She added winking at Madhu.

RK arrived shortly and took his place next to Madhubala. Madhu served him dinner like the dutiful wife. RK started eating in a hurry as he was getting late for shooting. Madhu who was almost done was looking at RK wondering why he was silent. She couldn't help noticing jam smeared in the corner of his mouth. She took a tissue and boldly wiped it off him.

"Aww how cute is that?" Nishtha grinned noticing the scene in front of her. "RK's life has sure changed."

"It certainly has." RK answered his mouth curved into his infamous smirk. He looked to his side to find a blushing Madhu.

"Hah! Even I'm surprised we're actually witnessing this day." Anurag added.

"People change.. often." RK answered a smiling strangely. He quickly recovered his stance and added, "anyway people I have to leave. Madhu, what are your plans today?"

"I will be here in the lodge." 'Dying with boredom,' she added in her thoughts.

"So Anu & Nish would be shooting the whole day, right? Madhu, if you don't mind can you help me with some of my hotel work? I'm sure you know this stuff." RK asked casually.

Madhu was taken aback. "Err yeah. Sure." She answered unsure of this unexpected request. 'Does that mean he trusts me with his private business?' She was confused.

*****

RK and Madhu were back in their room. RK took a stack of files from the chest of drawers and explained each file with detail. Madhu reached for one of the files and scanned the documents inside, shock written on her face. Her hands were lightly trembling.

"B- but RK, these are very sensitive data'" She said puzzled.

"So?" RK quirked and eyebrow.

"Are you sure you want me to work on them? I mean- I'm not even working for your company"

"Should I not trust you?" RK asked a light smile creeping his face.

"It's not like that. What I meant was these files should be only viewed by the CEO or the company directors."

"You'll become one soon." He replied, his expression difficult to read.

Madhu looked at him shocked, unable to believe what she just heard.

"Oh, come on Madhu. Chill! It's my company. So don't you think you should know these things anyway? After all, you are my wife." He whispered the last words huskily in her ears, she almost got goosebumps.

"As you wish, Mr. Rishabh Kundra." She smiled at him.

"I'll see you later, Mrs. Rishabh Kundra. I'm already very late." He gave her a quick peck on the lips and left for work.

She smiled watching his retreating figure. Once the door was closed behind him, she sighed looking at the stack of files.

'It's being a while.' She took a seat on the office desk and started the work. She had been actually missing this. She remembered her workaholic days in the company she used to work. She shook her head smiling to herself.

*****

RK was having a break in between shoots. His thoughts were clouded with the conversation he had with Mr. Chopra in the morning. He was getting a mild headache just thinking about it. He dialled Madhu's number and waited patiently for her to answer.

"Biwi, I would get late today. I will have dinner and come."

"The other thing is don't stress yourself with the hotel work. Anyway, you wouldn't be able to finish it today itself."

"Madhu, don't be stubborn. Take it slow."

RK sighed. "Go to sleep by nine."

RK chuckled. "B'bye, biwi. I have to get back to work."

RK hung up, shaking his head at Madhu's stubbornness.

*****

It had been a terrible day for Madhu. Not because she was assigned the hotel work; she in fact loved it. It was because she had started missing RK. She was at denial at first. Later, she figured it was pointless lying to her own self. Now she admits to herself that she misses the cruel beast with the temper. On the other hand, the fact that she was alone in the house with Daisa lurking around the house bothered her. She had been avoiding her presence most of the day by hiding in the room doing RK's hotel work. Lunch had been quite a blunder and as she had to put up with Daisa's cackling and raspy whispers about Mrs. Thompson. Madhu endured all that quite patiently and rushed to her room soon after she finished lunch.

She was even missing Nishtha and Anurag who have become close to her in a very short time. Those two never failed to make her laugh with their constant bicker. At the same time there were certain things that bothered her. The fact that her family still didn't know about her nuptial status was a heavy burden to her. She even hesitated calling Padmini now, because of the many lies she had to tell her to cover up things. It made Madhu remorseful.

She had an early dinner and got ready for bed sooner. It had been very strange not having RK by her side for a whole day. She sighed in dismay. Suddenly, she heard the rustling from trees nearby. Blinding lightning struck nearby and simultaneously loud thunder boomed to the night. Madhubala nervously sat on her bed. 'Where in the world is RK?' she thought angrily. She texted him asking his whereabouts and warning about the approaching storm, and all she got in reply was a "Biwi, chill! ;)" She huffed to herself.

She couldn't even think of sleeping, so she thought of continuing the assigned work. She didn't work this long even for her company. She frowned to herself. At least this workload helped her keep away from crazy ideas like ghosts. She shivered visibly. The door flung open, making her almost jump off her chair. She sighed in relief seeing it was RK.

"What took you this long?" She asked sharply, a frown masked on her face.

"Hah. I get it. You were more worried about yourself. Ghosts been haunting you lately?" He asked teasingly, glancing at her side ways, while taking his jacket off.

She turned a deaf ear to his last remark and helped him take off his shirt. She was glad he was finally here, to bother about his mocking. As he went inside the bathroom to take a shower, she made herself comfortable on her side of the bed.

He came back fresh from the shower all ready for bed. He laid beside her and his manly scent intoxicated her senses. It had started raining heavily outside and there was light thunder and lightning in the far sky.

"Biwi?"

"Hmm?"

"Did I trouble you today?"

"No. why?" she asked surprised at the strange question.

"I meant the work I assigned. You didn't have to work throughout the day coz I know how boring it could get."

"Rk, that was the kind of work I did for my previous company. So this was nothing."

"But- I thought you were a- hairdresser?"

Madhu giggled. "You thought I graduated from uni to become a hairdresser? That was my hobby. I loved doing that. In fact, I miss it."

"Oh."

"mmhmm"

"So there's a lot I don't know about you."

"Maybe?" Madhu smiled.

"How many boyfriends did you have?" RK asked out of nowhere.

Madhu frowned at this question. "I thought you knew."

"No. I don't. Why do you think I asked?" RK asked annoyed. "Plus, that Mukund doesn't count or does he?"

Madhu furrowed her brows angrily. "Mukund was never my boyfriend."

"Thank God!"

"But he's such a nice guy." Madhu added taking a risk.

"Oh? How sweet!" RK taunted.

"Do I sense jealousy?" Madhu asked teasingly.

"Jealous? Of Mukund? Never." He replied confidently.

Madhu rolled her eyes. "So what do I not know about you."

"Many things..." He said in a serious tone.

"Like?"

There was a long silence and it thundered loudly.

"I was married once."

"WHAT?!?"

RK laughed out loud seen his wife's expression. "Gotcha!"

"Not funny!" Madhu glowered.

"Biwi?"

"Yeah?"

"Didn't you at least have a few crushes in your entire life? I'm beginning to think you were a bookworm."

"Not really, but there's a reason. I'm afraid you'll get offended." Madhu said uncertainly.

"Try me!" RK asked curious.

"I'm actually.. err les."

"What? What do you mean?" RK asked not understanding.

"You know l*sb*an"

"W*F?"

RK almost moved to the far end of the bed and Madhu was laughing her head off.

"That was not f***ing funny! You scared the sh*t out of me." RK almost shouted sweating.

Madhubala was laughing tears trickling down her cheeks. "Serve you right!" She managed to blurt out. "You scared me the same, when you said you were once married."

"YOU!" RK grabbed Madhu, holding her hands above her head and started tickling her. She screamed bloody murder, giggling out of breath.

"RK- STOP IT!"

"Now answer me. Tell me about your crushes?"

"Argh! Fine, STOP TICKLING."

RK released his hold and Madhu was still out of breath.

"I just had one crush."

"God!" RK rolled his eyes. " Okay, so who was that?"

Madhu sighed. "He was this family friend. I was only six back then. He was the cutest boy I ever saw." Madhu said dreamily.

"Okay, spare me. What was his name?"

"Why do you care?" Madhu huffed.

"So I can find and kill him."

Madhu glared at him. "I never found out his name and thank God!"

RK pulled closer to her and bit her ear playfully.

"Ow." Madhu pushed him away.

Rishabh pulled her back to him forcefully to his chest. The close proximity of the masculinity of her God of a husband was sending chills down her spine. RK looked into her big brown eyes with an expression she cannot read. He tucked a stray lock behind her ear and kissed her softly on her head.

"Madhu.." He whispered.

"Yes?" She asked softly.

"I don't deserve you."

Madhu gulped unable how to answer. "Why?" She asked softly, caressing his chiselled jaw.

RK sighed. "I'm a bad guy, Madhu. You are too innocent for me."

Madhu looked at him frozen. She moved away from him as if she got burnt. Finally, after a long silence she asked, "You mean I'm not experienced enough for you? That I don't satisfy you enough like the girls you used to date? Is that what you mean? You just put it in nicer words." Madhu's voice cracked.

"NO. That's NOT what I meant." RK stared at her in shock. "Your inexperience was something I admired and adored about you. You were pure, untouched and divine. Both body and mind."

Madhu's body had turned cold. She was feeling guilty and scared at the same time. "But RK if you regret this marriage-"

"MADHU. I married you with my own accord. Not because I had to. It was my decision. No one forced me and neither did I force you. I gave you a choice. And I regret nothing. Do you?"

"I- No, I don't." Madhu blurted her heart racing.

"Good." RK smirked. "Much better."

"But- you had to do this because of Bhatia and it lost you the chance of finding-" Madhu stopped abruptly midway. She silently cursed herself.

"Finding what?" RK quirked an eyebrow.

"Nothing."

"Don't make RK ask twice. So tell me what you were going to say," he said quite sternly.

"Your true love." Madhu answered hesitantly.

RK laughed heartily. "You believe in true love? But then so have you. You are stuck with me, baby." RK smirked.

"Have you at least being in love before?" Madhu asked the dreaded question with courage.

RK, kept staring at her and he had a strange smile masked on his face and she didn't like it. There was loud thundering and the windows started rattling and he finally answered, "Yes."

Madhu's heart panged and it started beating very fast, not in a good way. Her body went cold. The emotions she felt were the alien feelings she was experiencing as of late. All she knew was it hurt somewhere deep inside.

"You still like her?" Madhu croaked out.

RK, kept staring at her the strange expression never leaving his face. "I don't know. I don't think about her anymore."

Madhu swallowed. She didn't know whether she should be glad or not, as it was not a satisfactory answer to come into a solid conclusion.

"Do you mind- telling me what happened?"

RK shrugged. "If you want me to."

Madhu's heart started beating faster.

"Tell me about her." She whispered.

"She was gorgeous, admirable, alluring, angelic, bewitching, charming, classy, graceful, radiant, ravishing. I could go on and on. She was simply brilliant. Miss. Perfect! Guys worshipped the ground she walked. Her beauty and personality stunned any onlooker. She was not easy though. She was very reserved when it came to guys. She was only hanging out with her female friends. God... I could still remember the day I first met her." RK took a deep breath and his expression looked so lost.

Madhu's heart tugged seeing this different side of RK. "What's her name?"

"Tanya" He replied with a serene smile on his face and she actually heard the love entwined in his voice.

At the same time Madhu's heart broke into billion pieces.

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A Heart's Obsession - Chapter 13