Marriages are made in heaven story 2 - Part 19- Pg 125 - Page 26

PART 8

It's been three days since Trishna left all. Everybody's life got changed after her demise. All those moments of happiness, laughter changed to sorrow and grief.

After her funeral, RK had denied to go back to his house. He wanted to be there at the graveyard, near her burning soul. But his parents insisted a lot, begged him for Sara's sake and after much of their trial, he had agreed to go back. The moment they had entered their home, RK broke down at the door. He couldn't still believe the fact that his Trishna left him like this. As soon as he stepped into the house, he felt her presence all over there. He looked around the hall lifelessly and felt her- laughing siting at the dining table, coming out of the kitchen with the food tray and a contended smile on her face. And when he ran to touch her, she disappeared. Radha was helplessly looking at his son's condition. She hadn't dreamt of this ever in her worst dreams for her family, for her son. Mohan was trying hard to control himself because he had to show himself strong in front of everyone for the betterment. He ran towards RK to hold and console him, "Rishu... What are you doing Beta? Control yourself Rishabh!!" "She left me Dad! She left me!" And RK broke down again in his father's arms. Suddenly, little Sara started crying badly in Radha's arms. "Radha!" Mohan turned to her, still consoling his son. "I think Sara is feeling hungry. Feed her some milk!" She nodded and went to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Mohan took RK to his room and made him lay on the bed. Soon, he dozed off on his father's lap. Mohan carefully settled him on the pillow and caressed his face lovingly with wet eyes. It was unbearable for him to see his son in such condition. He quickly left from there.

Just few hours of that fateful day turned everybody's life upside down. There at Malik's house, the same grief filled silence had overpowered everybody's life. Madhu used to remain in her room, staring at the photos of her with her Didu. Padmini would rarely talk and a slight noise would make her cry. Malik was trying hard to come up with all this. Since the day of Trishna's funeral, he decided to not to shed a single tear and to show himself strong but deep inside, he was fighting with his emotions. One day, he called both the ladies down in the hall for a talk. "Madhu Beta! Padmini! I have decided one thing!" Both of them turned to look at him. He continued, "I know, we all trying hard to fight with this tragedy and it is very difficult to forget it! But... we have to move ahead whether we want to or not!" Padmini sighed as if she found his words of no use. Malik noticed it, "Padmini! I know how much is it difficult to get out of all this... but we have to do it!" "Is it so easy to forget our daughter and her memories Malik?" He held her shoulder, "No Padmini! And I don't want anybody to forget her but we should remember her for good memories! I know it's difficult but..." Padmini jerked his hand off in frustration. Malik turned towards Madhu, who was watching both of them, with pleading eyes. She got up from her place and sat near Padmini, "Chachi! Chachu is right!" Padmini stared at her shocked. "Didu will always be in our hearts and you know no Chachi, she always wanted everybody to be happy! We have to start afresh for her soul, for her wishes!" And she smiled weakly with teary eyes. Madhu wiped off the wet face of Padmini and hugged her.

There at the RK Mansion, both Radha and Mohan were still struggling to get their lives back to normal... yes, only the two of them were trying because RK had cut himself off from everything. He stopped going to the office and would remain in his room, lost in his thoughts. Sara would always stay with her grandparents. RK never tried to hold her in his arms or to spend some time with her. One day, Radha took Sara to RK's room, "Rishu! Look! Your daughter has come to meet you Beta!" And she handed her over to RK, who was lying on the bed, all lost. The moment he took Sara in his arms, she slightly smiled at him and unknowingly caressed his cheek with her tiny hands. The scene got tears in Radha's eyes. She quickly wiped them off and said, "Spend some time with her Rishu! You'll feel better!" And she left from there. After few hours, she heard a cry from his room. She ran to the room and got shocked to see the sight. Sara was lying on the bed, crying badly and RK was standing outside in the balcony, completely unaware of her cry and lost in himself. Radha ran towards Sara and took her in her arms and patted her back to calm her down, "Ssshhh Sara... No baby! Ssshhh!!" She looked towards RK and walked towards him furiously, "Rishu!" She shouted. He turned slowly to face her. "What are you doing Rishu? What had happened to you... hunn? Just look at your daughter Rishabh! How badly she crying! Didn't you hear her cry? Where have you lost Rishu?" She shaked him to get him back in his senses. He continued to stare at her face with a stern look for a moment then spoke, "I don't want to hear anything Maa!" "Why? Why are you doing this to yourself Rishabh? She is gone but the person she has left for you, you are ignoring this little soul too!! She need you Rishu and you..." "But I don't want anybody now Maa..." Radha got shocked to hear that. "Please! Leave me alone for some time Maa... Please!" "But Rishabh..." "Maa Please!" He declared. Radha glared at him for a while and then left with crying Sara, helplessly. At the downstairs, "Sara needs parental attention Mohan and RIshu..." Radha was crying. Sara had slept off after Radha had fed her milk. "But we can't blame him also Radha! He is still not out of that incident. We have to give him some time." "But what about Sara then?" Radha immediately questioned him. Mohan thought for a while and then spoke, "I think we should send her to Maliks for some time. Rishu had told once that Sara is quite friendly with Madhu. She loves her a lot. I think that she would definitely take good care of our Sara!" Mohan suggested. "But Mohan..." Radha expressed her uncertainty. "I don't find it wrong Radha! After all, Madhu is her Maasi... Maa- si! And I find her as a complete replica of our Trishna! Let Sara go there... She needs maternal love Radha!" Hearing to his words, Radha finally agreed to his decision. So, they immediately called Malik and informed about all that and hence, they decided to drop Sara there the next day.

Next day, both of them left for Malik's house without letting Sara meet RK and he even didn't bother to meet his daughter. Soon, they reached there and handed Sara to Madhu. She was very happy in Madhu's arms and Madhu... she finally smiled contentedly after so many days. Finally, she got somebody to talk with, somebody who can ease her pain. It's been two days since Sara came there. The entire house again filled with giggles, laughs. The entire day would pass with her small childish antics making everybody go happy and contented. And there at RK Mansion, RK started to miss his angel now. He felt very bad for ignoring her so much and punishing that little soul for his grieves. He expressed his regret to his parents also. Finally, he decided to take her back from the Maliks. So, they went there to meet all. Both Malik and Padmini welcomed them wholeheartedly but Madhu didn't even try to talk to RK and this went unnoticed by everybody. After little talks, RK expressed his wish to take Sara back with him making Madhu's face dropped. Malik immediately agreed to it and told Madhu to get Sara down to her father. She gave RK a raged glance and went to get her down from her room. She came down, playing with Sara and she too was responding back with her small giggles, stroking her cheeks with her tiny hands. The moment RK saw his angel, he immediately ran to hold her in his arms and hug her tightly against his chest. He was about to carry her when Sara started to cry. All were taken aback with her sudden cry. Madhu immediately took her back in her arms and to RK's surprise, she stopped crying. Madhu gave him a proud look. Malik interrupted, "I think, she has got used to Madhu's embrace that's why..." Mohan replied back with a smile. Radha was looking at Madhu and Sara with hopeful eyes, smiling. Malik somehow managed to make them agree for Sara's stay back, "I'll manage to send her within few days Mohanji!" All agreed to it but RK was highly disappointed and so was Mohan. They left from there after a while. "How Papa will manage to send her back Maa... Sara is getting used to them. How will she leave them?" And he went to his room in disappointment. "Rishu is right Radha! Sara is getting too much attached to Madhu! How will she come back?" Mohan too was disappointed. "Mohan, she can't come here alone. But what if she comes with her mother?" Radha replied excitedly. "Wha.. What? Mother? Radha, are you out of your mind? I am serious and you are interested in playing pranks...!" Mohan got irritated. "I am not kidding Mohan! You didn't notice what I saw there!" "What are you talking about?" "Did you see Sara? She was so much happy with Madhu... and Madhu... she was caring for her as if she was her own daughter!" Radha's eyes glowed with a hope. "Radha, you..." Before Mohan could speak, she interrupted, "I know Mohan, you'll not like it but please, try to see things my way! Both Sara and Madhu have bonded with each other so strongly in such short span of time... Madhu loves her a lot, cares for her, and gives her that maternal love which Sara needs the most after Trishna's death!" Radha tried to convince him, "And how could you forget that Mohan, Madhu has all the qualities of Trishna... even more than her!" "What do you want Radha?" Mohan asked her firmly. "I want Madhu and our Rishu to get married!!" Mohan was shocked to hear that from her. He was about to express his anger when she held his hand and spoke, "I feel Madhu to be a perfect partner for our son and a perfect mother for our little Sara! And Mohan, no other girl can give that love to Sara!" "You decided all this so easily. What about Rishu and Madhu? Do you think that they will accept it in any way?" Mohan spoke disgustedly. "I know, it would be difficult but we can talk to Malikji! We can try Mohan!" Radha eyes got wet. "I want my son's life back Mohan and only Madhu can do this!" "And what about Madhu? Won't it be a cheat to that innocent girl... to her dreams??" He expressed his concern. "I have seen that respect in her eyes for Rishu... They will definitely face a little problem to accept it initially but they will prove to be a great support system for each other throughout their life! Please Mohan!" She pleaded. After her continuous compulsion, Mohan unwillingly agreed to it.

In the evening, Mohan hesitantly called Malik for Madhu and RK's marriage while Radha went to talk to RK regarding it. "Malikji! I too think that there is nothing wrong in this relation." Malik was speechless with his proposal. "Mohanji! I... I am unable to say anything! I don't know, what would be Madhu's reaction to it?" "I know Malikji, but I am hopeful that she will agree for Sara's sake and regarding Rishu, time will definitely bring them close." Malik thought for a while and then spoke, "I'll tell you after I talk to her!" "OK!" and they hanged up. On the other hand, "What are you saying Maa? Me and Madhu?? How could you even think of it? I have never seen her like that!!" RK shouted at the top of his voice. "I know Rishu! It is difficult for you to give Trishna's place to any other girl but..." "NO! It's not difficult Maa... It's impossible!! I can't remarry ever!!" RK declared. "Not even for Sara...?" He turned to look at Radha. She stepped towards him. "Rishu! She needs a mother, a mother's love that only Madhu can give her!" She tried to convince him. "I'll give her that love Maa!" "NO! You can't! Not even me, Rishu!" RK shooed his hand in frustration. "Didn't you see how much happy Sara is with Madhu? She takes care of her so well, loves her like a mother... and Sara... she has got attached with her so strongly! No other girl can love her that much Rishu!!" Radha stared at him hopefully. Her words calmed down his anger and he went into a deep thought. Radha caressed his hair; he turned to look at her confusingly, "And what about Madhu? Do you think she would agree to it?" "Your Dad is talking to Malikji. I am sure that she would agree for Sara!" He stayed mum, thinking deeply. Radha asked him after few minutes, "So, what have you decided Beta?" RK didn't reply to her. His silence disappointed her to the core. She turned to leave disheartened when he spoke firmly, "I want to know her decision first!! Then, I'll decide!" Radha's face lightened with hope, "And if she agreed then?" A silence blew for a moment. "Then I'll agree too..." RK turned towards her, "Only for Sara!!"

At Malik's house, Malik talked to Padmini about Mohan's proposal. She got shocked at first but understood when it came to Sara. He asked her to talk to Madhu. In her room, Madhu was playing with Sara on the bed. Padmini entered and saw her so engrossed with Sara; she smiled. "Awww... What is my Sara doing... hunn? Playing with Maasi...hmmm?" Padmini pampered her while sitting near her. Sara responded with moving her hands fast in excitement. "Madhu! I want to talk to you Beta!" She spoke hesitantly. "Please tell me Chachi!" "Ammm... Madhu... I..." "What is it Chachi? Anything serious?" She asked worriedly. "Do you love Sara?" Padmini asked. "Aahh... Is this what you want to ask? Of course Chachi!" Madhu carried Sara in her arms and teased her cheeks with her nose, "I love her more than my life! Right baby?" And she kissed her. "Then, will you agree to be her mother, Madhu?" Padmini blurted out. Madhu suddenly looked at her confused. "What do you mean Chachi?" "Madhu, Sara needs maternal attention, she needs mother's love, her care... and you can and you are giving her that. If her father marries to any other girl then she'll not be able to accept Sara at all..." "What do you want to say Chachi? Speak up clearly!" Madhu tried to figure out. Padmini took a deep breath to gather some courage to speak. Finally she blurted out, "Madhu, marry RK!" Hearing this, Madhu's heart skipped a million beats. Her world stopped all of a sudden. Her shocked expressions turned to anger filled expressions immediately. She put Sara down on the bed and turned her gaze to Padmini, "How could you think like this Chachi?" "Madhu... Try to understand! Sara needs her mother and you..." "... and you think that I should marry her father to give her that love of mother! How did you think of it Chachi? I'll never do this!!" Madhu spoke furiously with rage filled eyes. "And before deciding all this, you should know Chachi, Jeeju will never get ready for this marriage!" "This proposal has come from there only!" Padmini immediately spoke up. Madhu eyes shot opened. She couldn't believe of it. "Madhu! I know it's difficult for you to decide but this will be better for everyone... specially Sara! And RK, he is a nice in fact a very good person. He will give you all happiness!" Padmini tried to convince her. Tears started to form in Madhu's eyes and without any effort, they dropped down. "You both would be a very good couple Madhu! And... OK... just think about Sara... she'll get her happiness, her family, and her parents!! You have to say yes for Sara!" Madhu looked at her face with tear filled eyes. Padmini's heart broke into pieces seeing her like this but she didn't want to divert herself. "Chachi... Please! I can't do this because I..." She stood up and spoke determinately, "I want your yes Madhu! Think of it!" And she left from there, barging the door from behind. Madhu felt that sound to be of her heart. She wanted to cry loudly. She felt her dreams, her love getting crushed with every passing second. She immediately picked up her phone and dialled Rohan's number but it went engaged. She again pressed the green button in anger, frustration but no reply. She wanted to run away with him that very moment, leaving behind everything but he was far away from her reach. She threw her phone aside in helplessness and held her head defencelessly and cried her heart out. Why was the god doing all this to her? First he snatched her Didu from her and now, her love!! She had never been this much helpless ever. Suddenly, a hand pulled the end of her kurta. She looked in that direction and saw her angel looking at her with a smile on her angelic face. She grabbed her and crushed her against her chest and cried her heart out. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Rohan. She clutched it and got shocked to see his name. She was about to pick it up when Sara's tiny hand caressed her cheek and unknowingly wiped her tear. She smiled at her with teary eyes and again looked at her phone. And at last cut the call and finally, closed her escape doors.

After few hours, Madhu came downstairs in the hall, where both Malik and Padmini were waiting for her decision. "I am ready!" She spoke blankly. Both of them got happy to hear her decision. They immediately called Mohan and told them about the news. At the other end, RK got shocked to hear the news. One part of his heart wanted a NO from Madhu because he didn't want to marry her. And other part was happy for his daughter, now she was going to get her mother who would love her from her heart. For his Sara, he too agreed to it. "But I want a court marriage!" He put his condition. "No celebration, no appraisal, no ceremony... nothing!" Unwillingly, both the sides agreed to it. Madhu didn't care for anything now. Everything already got smashed. She just acted as a puppet and did what she was guided by others.

After a week, marriage day came. All were gathered outside the court room. Since, RK had demanded of a simple wedding, all were wearing simple clothes including Madhu. She just wore a red Chudidaar for the occasion while RK wore a simple plain dark blue shirt with grey pant. Both of them didn't talk to each other at all. Madhu just kept on glaring at him whenever her eyes turned towards him. RK didn't even try to have a conversation with her. Suddenly, the lawyer called them from inside. "Mr Kundra, sign here!" And he passed the register to RK. Seeing his name, he sighed reluctantly and finally signed on the paper. He passed on the register to Madhu who was sitting blankly, lost in her thoughts. The register touched her hand, breaking her trance. She turned her sight to the paper and suddenly a tear rolled down her cheek. "Madhu! Sign it Beta!" Padmini whispered in her ears. She took the pen and with a deep breath, signed it confirming her acceptance to the decision of her destiny. Everybody clapped and the lawyer congratulated the couple. Everyone was happy except the two of them. One was unhappy because he has to give Trishna's place to someone else and the other was unhappy because her dreams, her love shattered into pieces and she had to give Rohan's place to someone else. Both the parents blessed the newly wedded couple. Radha handed Sara to Madhu, "You are her mother now Madhu! And I know, you'll give her all your love!" The moment she came into her hands, she started smiling at her, trying to catch her face in her tiny hands. And at that very moment, Madhu forgot everything... her pain, her grief. She held her little hands in her palm and kissed them lovingly. And that sight blew a smile on RK's face immediately. After completing all the formalities, they left for their home to start their struggle with this unwanted relation.