Haq 2:Ch2 - Page 4

Alright readers. Here is the juice: I have begun writing.

You go girl...

Originally posted by: luvera

You go girl...

You know you rock what ever you write.. and if at times you just need a pick up let me know... BTW ... You rock!!!! 😉

Missed you girlie... muaaahhh...

Just glad your back...

How was the vacation?? Hawaii?? Cuba?? Greece?? Brazil?? Ireland???

Chapter 1: The Hierarchy

Residence of Ms. Madhubala Malik and Mr. Sultan read the entrance sign of their studio apartment. Strangely enough, the man had no last name listed. Not that any other aspect of their life was close to normal. He stayed at home. She was barely present. He was a volcano of emotions. She was all about practicality. He was fluent in six languages. She struggled with her English.

Somehow, her accent was never quite right for him.

"Your shudh Marathi upbringing is to blame", he would tell her. "You will never score a decent part in Bollywood with that coarse dialect".

She would tuck her fringe behind her ear and stare him down until the uneasiness was evident. Then, she would silence him with the same phrase each time. "Talent knows no barriers".

And, in fact, she was right. For a woman who could barely recite the alphabet, she had acted in two movies in Spanish, one in Bengali and another in Pashto.

"Even with your critically acclaimed cinema, I still pay the bills. I mean what are you going to do with the empty trophies? These are not your golden geese".

Madhu could never put a finger to what he wanted from her. She had worked enough odd jobs and hotel gigs to pay off every debt she owed him. Atleast that is what she thought. But he would pull out the long list of favours he had done during her time of need.

So, after years of quenching the thirst of her inner artist, she decided to give commercial films a try. If anything, she could prove to Sultan she could be successful at any venture she set her mind to.

"You know how you always said I should try the glamorous hotchpotch? Well, I got a call from the Kapoor house. I am auditioning tomorrow".

And then, it hit him. She could really amount to something. What if she became financially independent? What if she was in the public eye? What if she no longer needed him? What is she left him?

"Let's go out to eat. I don't want to cook today", he asked trying to pull his head out of the spiral of doubts.

"No, I need to save my energy for the audition. I will cook instead. Tell me what you want".

"Wear the mangalsutra to work tomorrow".

Words slipped out of his mouth before he could censor them. He had never demanded like that.

"Maybe after I get the role. Just the auditions are a bit…….you know how it is".

"No, I don't know how it is. Why can't you do one thing I ask? Get in the car. We are going out".

She did as she was told. Only a few more days, she thought. Then she would not have to fear his accusations. She would get her paycheque on time. They would finally have a joint bank account. She would not have to borrow from him.

"It is just financial strain, you know. I realize you don't like me waiting tables to pay you back. Now we will be in equal standing. Life will be good like before. We are going to be okay Sultan".

She assured him along with her dying hope. Maybe this new role could save their love.

(Audition Day)

Madhubala was struggling with the hook of wedding necklace when Sultan walked in to the living room, red with anger.

"I thought I had made myself clear. You are not to take off the damn mangalsutra unless you are actually in a movie. Who are you trying to hide me from? A bloody audition is now more important than me? Han?"

Madhubala saw it coming. Still she took the hit. He flung the leftover chai-patti on her head. Tea drops mixed with her teardrops as she walked out sulking under her breath. The mangalsutra stayed in place. She rushed the autowala to filmcity still trying to get the stench of the loose leaves out of her hair.

Surprisingly, the otherwise late superstar was in studio before call time. All the better for her. She could still make it back to her next audition. Madhubala Malik was one acting job away from turning her life around. She firmly believed she could revive her relationship and her career with Bollywood. She had the dreamed the dreamed Sultan once narrated to her.

"Heroine ji, invitation kee ummeed lagayein baithi hai kya?" Rishabh Kundra stomped his feet across the wooden floors like an ape trying to fend off predators. Just like she imagined, he was insecure man who had build walls around himself. Some literal and others figurative. One would think that the self proclaimed beauty needs less makeup but, he was plastered with powder and foundation. The irony was him playing the character of a monk. That's right. Rishabh Kundra auditioned for the role of a monk in an LV suit.

"What is this fart scent?" He sniffed her clothes like a narcotic K9.

"I am sorry. My partner accidently dropped some wet tea grounds on me".

She went back to reciting her lines but he was not convinced.

"Go wash up. I am not doing the audition with a stinky woman".

"Sir, I apologize. I will cover up with a scarf or something. I have to leave for another job right after. Can we please finish this up?"

"No. I refuse to continue unless your hair is clean. Kapoor Saab will have you replaced in a heartbeat if I say so. Right Kapoor ji?"

"Fine"

Madhubala cancelled the next audition and instead, focused on impressing this childish co-star. She had to put up with all his outrageous demands to secure even a shot at independence.

"What kind of a man drops hot tea grounds on a woman?"
"You don't know if they were hot and it was an accident".

"I have heard that one before".
"Excuse me?"
"Excused", he whispered with a clear intention to irritate her and irritate he did.

Thankfully, the director interrupted at the right second.

"Ready sir?"

The questions did not end there.

"So, are you married?"

She cringed on a co-worker jumping the gun to personal questions. Her job was not even confirmed and he was so curious?

"Depends on your definition of marriage".

"Phere huye hain?"

"Nahi"

"Toh why are you are wearing a wedding necklace?"

"To make him happy. He is Hindu".

"That's a little odd. Do you call each other husband and wife too?"

"Well, we are in a common law marriage. In the eyes of the law, he is my husband".

"That is not the answer to my question".

"Save some curiosity for when I get the role Mr. Kundra".

Before anyone questions why I did what I did i.e.e why are Madhu and Sultan married, read the chapter again. I am sure we understand the dynamic of their relationship here. RK will come up more in the next chapters. We will have a definitive end; no leading people on. I will worry about the end. You just enjoy the ride.

I like the way you write...neat n crisp narratives...
plot of this one is intriguing...will be looking forward to read more... 😊

Originally posted by: netu19

I like the way you write...neat n crisp narratives...
plot of this one is intriguing...will be looking forward to read more... 😊

Don't worry girl you haven't lost your edge... 😉

HEYY! How was your vacation? I hope you had a great time. 😃 I haven't seen the show in weeks. Ive just been reading the written updates. Just don't feel like seeing it for now. Maybe later with more drama, with something new. lol This story is very interesting so far, I love Sultan ❤️so ehh for him being such a meanie. but hey your writing is awesome like always. 😉

Originally posted by: luvera

Don't worry girl you haven't lost your edge... 😉

Good start... the update gives tit-bits of the current relationship status between the three and leaves behind hope for a better future...