~*~JUST A MOMENT~*~
"Papa, I love him and I want to marry him!!" She declared with finality. "Madhu, we already had a lot of discussion on it and you know my decision... It can't happen at all!!" Malik said firmly. "And you know my decision too Papa!!" Madhu raised her voice in annoyance. "I love him and you know that very well... I can't live without him! I can't understand when you've already talked to him thrice then what the problem is... He said he loves me a lot and you can see that in his eyes then..." Malik stared at her face for few seconds then said in his manly firm voice, "Love is not enough to spend the whole life... What will he feed you??... Love?... Where will both of you live after marriage??... In that Chawl??... Have you ever realised, in what lifestyle have you grown up? Just look at yourself... The style you carry, the society you live in, will you be able to cope up with that middle class boy? Love can't give you anything except a few days pleasure!! Life cannot be spent on your so called Love... You need money to survive, to live!! Did you get that Madhu??" He was losing his temper. "I know Papa, but I trust him!" Madhu tried to convince her father. "I know he doesn't have much money now but he is very hardworking Papa... He'll work hard and will achieve his goals soon... I know, he is not as rich as you. He lives in a small Chawl, in a small room but that doesn't matter to me Papa. So what if he can't fulfil my wishes, can't provide me with costly clothing... He loves me Papa and so do I!! I'll be happy with him. I'll support him in his bad, in his good!! Our love will overcome all the barriers...!" She had tears in her eyes. Malik stared at her face defeated. "So... Do you think that you'll be able to live such life with him?" He asked. "Yes Papa... Yes, I'll!!" She replied hopefully. Malik thought for a while. He had tried everything to change her mind, but finally he realised he couldn't win in front of her love. "OK! If you have already decided your fate then there is nothing left to talk! Call him to meet me tomorrow. I have to talk to him one last time." He told her his decision. A huge smile glittered on her angelic face. "But the meeting will be held at home in front of my eyes so that you couldn't insult him more... OK Papa!" Madhu said.
Next day, "When will he come? Have you informed him Madhu?" Malik asked. It's been half an hour, they had been waiting for him but he hasn't arrived yet. "He'll be here any moment Papa!" Madhu tried to pacify her fuming father.
After a while, "I'm here Sir!" And both the father- daughter turned to face him. He, Rishabh Kundra, the man whom Madhu fell in love with and was pleading her father to marry. Rishabh was an orphan. He was grown up in an orphanage, Kundra Orphanage. Its owner, Mohan Kundra, was fond of this boy due to his simplicity, honesty since his childhood. So, he decided to give him his surname, Kundra and he became Rishabh Kundra. But he accepted only the surname not the empire which Mohan was willing to handover to him. He struggled and completed his studies on his own, succeeded in getting a job in a textile firm and a small one roomed house for himself.
Madhu almost ran towards the entrance and hold his hand. Both smiled at each other and had a small eye lock. Malik cleared his throat to break it. Madhu dragged him towards the living area. "Why were you so late Rishabh?" Madhu asked. "Ahh... the traffic, Madhu. You know na, how busy these roads are??" Rishabh replied with a smile. "Can we have some serious talks now?" Malik interrupted. "Rishabh, as you know already, I had never been in the consent to your marriage with my daughter but due to her plead, I have agreed to it finally." Malik declared. Hearing this, a huge smile flashed on their faces. "But, only on one condition!" And this one sentence vanished their happiness. "You have to accept few things from my side- Firstly; you have to live in the bungalow which I'll gift you. Secondly; you have to join my company and work there. And thirdly..." Before Malik could complete his words, "I am sorry Sir but I can't accept your offers!" Rishabh said firmly. "I know Sir how much you love your daughter but my love is also no less. I do love her, more than myself, more than my life. But I can't go beyond my dignity... I too want to give her all the happiness but not at the cost my self-respect! I will fulfil all her dreams but on my own and not with the help of anybody... Not even you Sir!" and he turned to face his love with an assuring smile. Madhu smiled back with teary eyes. Rishabh was about to leave the conversation when, "Stop Rishabh!" Malik called him. "Next week, you both are going to get married! Get all your arrangements ready!" Hearing this, Madhu ran to hug her father. "I love you Papa!" and she hugged him tightly. "I love you too Beta!" Malik hugged her back. Then, he saw Rishabh standing aside smiling. He signalled him to come near him. Rishabh went close to him and Malik took both of them in his embrace once again and close his eyes, praying for a blissful future for both of them.
The wedding day arrived. Madhu and Rishabh got married with all the rituals. At the bidaai time, "I want both of you to be happy always. I have grown up my daughter with all the luxuries and fulfilled all her wishes even before she demanded for it. And I want you to keep my Madhu as happy as she had been all these years in my house." Malik said to Rishabh. "I understand Papa and I promise you that I'll try my best to give her all the happiness of this world and keep her happy always." Rishabh replied with an assuring smile. "But if you failed to do so then you know very well, I can go to any extent for Madhu's happiness...!" Malik told him in a warning tone. "Me too Papa...!" And he faced Madhu who was staring at him proudly. After a while, Malik bid a bye to the couple with a lot of blessings for their new life.
At the Chawl, "Madhu... Wait here... I'll come within a minute." And Rishabh went inside his house leaving a confused Madhu outside the door. After a few minutes, he came with a steel pot filled with rice and a coin on the top of it in one hand and a plate filled with wet kumkum in it in the other. "When all the rituals have been followed then why to avoid these...??" Rishabh smirked. He put the pot on the entrance and signalled Madhu to come in. Madhu smiled and kicked it slightly. Then she soaked her feet in Kumkum and walked inside the home.
At night, Madhu spread a Jute mat on the floor and they both sat on it. Rishabh took her in his embrace and said, "I know Madhu, you are not happy with all this. You've never ever sat on the floor and now..." Suddenly, Madhu closed his mouth with her hand and said, "If you are with me then even this rough mat is no less than a velvet bed. I just want you to be with me forever and I am complete...!" and they both hugged passionately. "I promise you Madhu, I'll give you all the happiness, all the luxuries of this world! I'll work hard, all day and night to fulfil all you dreams... OUR DREAMS...!" "I know Rishabh!" Madhu smiled. "I LOVE YOU MADHU!" "I LOVE YOU TOO RISHABH!" and they hugged again.
~~AFTER 4 YEARS~~
"Ramesh...!! Get the breakfast ready!!" RK called from his room, getting ready for his office.
Rishabh Kundra had now become RK, one of the top business tycoons of the country in the field of textiles with his firm... RK Industries. These four years have been the best years for RK to flourish as a business man. He had finally achieved what he has dreamt of all these years. Every day and night, he had dreamt of becoming bigger and bigger, to take his company to the top and to get all that he has been deprived of during his bad times. He had worked really hard to achieve his goals all day and night. And finally, his hard work has paid him back and he has become one of the most successful business men who have gained such position in such a less time.
At the dining table, "Rishabh! Today is our wedding anniversary and I have organised a small party. Are you coming in the evening?" Madhu asked. Seeing her curious expressions, RK said, "Of course sweetheart!! I'll definitely come at the evening. But please, keep my clothes ready. OK!! And yes, please pack my clothes too, I've to go abroad for a meeting tonight... OK!!" RK said smiling. Madhu's face lightened with a huge smile. She said, "Really... You'll not break your promise na... like every year!!" Madhu pouted. "Awww... I'm sorry sweetheart!! But I promise, I'll be there!" RK pampered her. "Madhu, I'm getting late for the meeting so I've to go... Bye!!" and he walked off immediately. "But... RK...!!" Madhu's smile faded with disappointment.
In the evening, the party was at its heights. "Hey Madhu! Congratulations for the day!! You're looking gorgeous dear!!" A friend of Madhu greeted her. Madhu gave her a fake smile to accept her wishes. Everybody was enjoying the party wholeheartedly but her eyes were stuck at the door waiting for her Rishabh. Whole day, she was busy in doing the preparations with a huge smile on her face. Her Rishabh had promised her to accompany her in the party. In her excitement, she had even selected his favourite suit for the party. But, it's been 2 hours for the party to start and he was still missing. Her eyes were glued to the door. "Madhu, Is Rishabh going to come or not? It's getting late Beta!" Malik asked her. "Papa, he'll be here any moment. Please, wait for some time." Madhu pleaded. Some other guests also asked for RK. Madhu had no answer. She was helpless. So, she decided to call off the party. It was over once again, like every year. With a very heavy heart, she bid a bye to all the guests.
It was 11:00 P.M. now. Madhu was sitting on the bed all lost in thoughts and her eyes shedding tears for hours. And then, she felt the bedroom door opened. He came all exhausted with the workload. The moment he entered, his eyes met her swollen eyes, all filled with tears. "I... I am... I am really sorry Madhu! I was stuck in the meeting and it was really important for me to attend it. And due to all this..." Before he could complete his sentence, "You forgot about the party... Right?" She completed without seeing him. "Ammm... Madhu, I...!!" "You are always sorry Rishabh... You always feel sorry for not attending our party for last 4 years. Every year, you are stuck with some meeting and come late with the same excuse... Why don't you try some other excuse? I've become used to it now!!" Madhu said with a calm though hurted tone. "What's wrong with you? So what if I forgot to attend the party. And what do you think was I wasting time roaming here and there?? NO... Madhu, that meeting was really important for the company!" RK shouted in anger. "And what about me Rishabh?" Madhu sobbed. "You are too much Madhu!! It's just a small party and I don't care about all such useless stuff! Do you get my point? Now what you want me to do... hun??" RK asked frustrated. "I just want a moment of yours Rishabh!!" Madhu said in a low voice with her head down on her knees and a tear rolled down her cheeks. There was a silence in the room for a moment. Then, RK took his suitcase lying nearby and walked off the room, banging the door at his back and leaving behind a heart broken Madhu there on the bed.
These 4 years had flourished RK a lot as a business man but they had affected their relationship with the same intensity and that too badly. His passion towards his dreams had made him a workaholic. Very little time they had spent with each other in all these years. RK was all time busy with his meetings, business trips. He never paid attention towards his family, his Madhu. She always tried to find some reason to talk to him. She didn't even remember a day, when RK had been with her the whole day. He celebrated her birthdays, their anniversaries by throwing huge parties but never attended them as he couldn't reach on time. It really did hurt Madhu always. And to its addition, he used to send some precious gifts for her in place of coming himself. This thing really broke her heart and her soul. She used to cry her heart out alone at home. But she never ever complained him. She always showed herself happy in front of him because he was happy with his work. Rishabh was with her... but only in her name... Madhubala Rishabh Kundra.
It's been 15 days; RK had gone for the business tour. Madhu was all alone but this solitude has become a part of her life and she has accepted it with open arms. She was all lost in her thoughts, thinking of the past days-she and her Rishabh, walking in the garden with hand in hand; their late night talks. A smile crept on her face. Suddenly, the phone rang. "Hey Madhu! I'm coming today. I'll be at home within few hours. OK!! Bye sweetheart!" and he hanged up. A sudden excitement flew through her body. And a huge smile lightened her dull eyes. She immediately went to the kitchen to make all the favourite dishes of her Rishabh. She didn't realised how the time flew so soon.
She was busy with the kitchen when her phone ranged. She almost ran to pick it up. "Hello Mrs. Kundra! This is Shikhar from Fortis hospital. Mr. Rishabh Kundra has met with a car accident and he's admitted here. Please, reach here soon." The moment she heard the news, her knees went weak. She almost lost her balance. Her phone fell from her hand on the ground. She immediately left for the hospital.
In the hospital, she was sitting beside sleeping RK. The doctor came for the check-up. "Please Mrs. Kundra, don't panic. He's fine now. But he needs some bed rest to recover fast. And please, take care that he doesn't take any work pressure. It will give him mental stress." The doctor said. "Thanks a lot Sir! I'll definitely take care of him. When will he get discharged?" Madhu asked. "By tomorrow Mam." And he left the room. Whole night, Madhu sat near him holding his hand in hers sobbing quietly.
Next day, they left for their home after completing the formalities. At home, Madhu made him lay down on the bed carefully and said, "You take rest and I'll get you fruit juice. You'll feel better." She smiled and left. RK kept on staring her going out. Because of the accident, he had got a major fracture on his shoulder and some injury on his head which was paining a lot now.
Days were passing peacefully for RK but very hectic for Madhu. It has become her daily routine to wake up early, go to the temple to pray for RK's fast recovery and good health, waking him up, giving him necessary assistance, changing his bandage and above all, spending quality time with him and never leaving him alone in the room. One day, "Madhu, I don't understand, you are always around me, spending your time with me. When do you do your own work?" This question was hovering in RK's mind for many days and finally he blurted out. Madhu smiled on hearing the question. "Rishabh, I get enough time for it." "Then, why don't you take rest Madhu?" he was confused. "BECAUSE I CAN'T LEAVE YOU ALONE, RISHABH!! YOU'LL FEEL LONELY!!" Madhu said with a slight smile on her face. She hold his hand and said, "You wait for few minutes, I'll get some tea for both of us." And she went leaving behind a lost RK. The whole day, they talked a lot, revived their sweet memories but RK was lost somewhere mentally. Those words of Madhu were ringing in his mind continuously. And with the same restlessness, he slept.
Next day, RK was roaming in his room, pacing here and there, still thinking about Madhu's words. Suddenly, his attention switched to a locked cupboard. He never bothered to find out, why was that cupboard locked always? He tried to open it but all went in vain. Now, he became restless. He searched for the keys. He found them hanging on the key lock of other cupboard. He quickly grabbed them and opened it. The moment he opened it, he was shocked, hell shocked. A huge number of packed gifts were lying there. These were the gifts which he had gifted to Madhu all these 4 years. "But why they are still packed?" He thought. "That means, Madhu lied to me all the time whenever I asked her about the gifts!" He was really shocked.
"Rishabh!!" And he heard her voice. He turned to face her and saw tears forming in her almond eyes. "Why Madhu??" He couldn't complete his question. She walked towards him slowly. "Because I wanted you Rishabh, not them!!" And a tear rolled down her cheek. "I always wanted you to be around me, not for the whole day but for some time, for a MOMENT!! You were so busy with your work that you forgot me. And always tried to escape through these gifts... But they never entertained me Rishabh because I wanted you, I wanted a few minutes from your busy schedule that I can cherish for my solitude when you were away from me...!!" She was trying to control her tears but today, they were in the denial mode to listen to her in front of her Rishabh. "I always wanted to open these gifts with you, to share my joy with you but you were not there... I never asked you for your 24 hours but only a minute Rishabh... JUST A MOMENT!!!" And her throat choked. RK's eyes filled with tears and they started shedding unknowingly. He pulled her close to him and took her in his embrace. He was facing a lot of difficulty to speak anything but finally he succeeded, "I AM SORRY MADHU!!!" and they hugged each other tightly. "I never realised when I started to lose you, myself and above all... US!! But now, I'll never give any chance to complain... From today, I'll make every moment of ours a memorable one... NOT JUST A MOMENT BUT EVERY MOMENT MADHU!!!" And they both hugged each other, completely lost in their world.
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Hope, you all would appreciate it !! đł
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Anupamaa
