The clinking of metal dishes coming from the kitchen island frequently distracted Rishabh Kundra from his relax with classics hour. "Everything alright down there?" He inquired for the nth time knowing full well Madhu would only dance around his question.
"Just fixing dinner", she yelled not being able to hear her own voice amongst the noisy mess she had made on the counter top. She sent a silent thank you to the heavens that she only had to do these shenanigans once a year.
"Jesus", RK felt a shock travel up and down his spine. Maybe he should not be wearing the sound enhancing headphones when his wife is in her scream-a-thon moods. "You need help?" He asked half-heartedly almost certain she would most likely refuse.
"Um...no. I am good". She noticed the small droplets of sweat building up on her forehead. She had been nervous about tomorrow's festivities. Madhu had even conveniently "forgotten" to make any mention of her fast to Rishabh.
"I will let him know at sunrise if he wakes up by then. Or else, he will know when I ask him to break my fast at night", she vocalized her thoughts out loud but quickly zipped up as a shadow approached her from the bedroom.
She was just about ready to set her sargi plate in the fridge when Rishabh's arm snaked around her waist. "Since you are determined not to let me work in peace tonight, thought I might as well return the favour", he whispered whilst eyeing the strange looking food platter on the counter.
"Hmm?" She feigned innocence.
"I said, I will help you make less noise if you let me".
He had held in a death grip, that is unless she decided to kick her husband in the nuts and run away. God, he smelled of cheap cologne and sweat mixed in equal proportions. The Mumbai weather was taking a toll on his porcelain skin. Why would a man like him ever want to become an actor, a struggling one no less. The three years he'd spent toiling from studio to studio, snatching up any cameo he could get, Madhu had always wondered if she'd be doing this for the rest of her life- taking up odd jobs to support his passion.
Of course, she was allergic to the other side of the industry- the fame, the money, the collapsing moral compass- all of it. So long as this misery era of their marriage panned out, Madhu would find a way to sniff, scratch, or stretch the love out of somewhere.
And then there was his arrogance. Seriously, this guy didn't take no for an answer. Listening to opposing beliefs wasn't in his dictionary. And, most of all, he wouldn't succumb to the religious traditions if his wife was gunned down and he had a bullet to his head. Tricking him into breaking her fast was going to be a Sisyphean task.
"What's up my bitches?" a woman dressed in club clothing announced herself to the happy couple lost in thought. "The Nina is the house, make some noise!"
Rishabh quickly separated himself from Madhu, the only flushing face in the room was his. Nina and Madhu hugged like nothing strange occurred when the third wheel walked in unannounced on the love birds. "I...I am ...I am going to walk back to the bedroom now. Have fun ladies!"
As soon as Risahbh left, the interrogation began. "He sure cleans up nice", Nina winked nudging an elbow to Madhu's abdomen for good measure.
"You shitting me? Try getting a hug, rotten tomatoes down there, I swear".
"Wow, wow, wow! My lady, the man has left a mark", Nina inspected the little skin showing between Madhu crop top and high waisted trousers. "Tell me, does he hurt you?"
"See", Madhu took a long pause to contemplate her response. "He doesn't hit me, he's just a little rough. Plus, he doesn't leave traces so, there's nothing talk about".
"Rough in the bedroom or just everywhere?"
"Everywhere. Wait a minute, are you trying to get me out of this relationship?" Madhu had her hands on her hips, feeling more accusatory in her demeanor as the conversation progressed.
"No. In fact, if you ever tried to leave, I would kick your ass right back in", Nina handed the younger woman a manila envelope underneath the counter. "Ten thousand big ones for your services. Tell him you earned well at the beauty parlor or whatever shit show you say you work at".
She cupped Madhu's face in her hands and kissed her forehead. "Aloha bitches!" she announced to whoever was listening.
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Anupamaa
