Chapter 42

Madhu cups his face in her palms and leans forward so their foreheads are touching as she opens her mouth to ask the question which had been an obstacle in her way to her Love.

Rishab nuzzles his nose in her cheeks making her smile as she locks her arms around his neck "Rishab"

He hums enjoying having her in his arms , "Do you like---anyone"

His smiles blooms against her cheeks , She turns her face so that they are faces are inches apart , her heart racing hoping against hope that he would tell what she longs to hear .

"I Do" He answers with utmost sincerity cupping her cheeks in his palm .

"Who—" Madhu is interrupted when his phone rings . Rishab's face falls as he leaves her to attend the call . Madhu catches a glimpse of the caller ID , Her face falls as she turns around giving her back to him .

"Hello Dips –" Rishab hearing her panicking voice asks her calmly what happened . Rishab sighs "I'll be there"

"Madhu" Rishab holds her forearm turning her around , "I—need—to-go" He tells regretfully . Madhu nods passing him a small smile .

"Let me drop you " Rishab offers

"no—I'll take public transport"

"But—"

"You'll be late Rishab—She needs you" Madhu whispers a sad smile playing on her lips . Madhu gasps feeling him taking her in a hug .

"I am sorry" He whispers kissing her temple "Be safe and drop me a message once you are home". Madhu nods like a good girl as He places a soft kiss on her cheek .

Madhu's eyes fills as she sees his retreating figure . She sniffs rubbing her tears off as she walks behind him to get her clutch .

***

Rishab pulls over at Dipali's place to see her crying outside her house . Rishab walks up to her and kneels in front of her , She looks up with her tear stricken face .

"Papa is taken by the prosecutors (police) Rishab" She sniffs "and My house is repossessed !"

Before Rishab could stretch his hands Dipali hugs him tightly crying onto his shoulders . Rishab lets out a breathe with a conflicted look as he hugs her back in a comforting way.

***

Sultan frowns looking at his phone as he mutters "I would have answered if she called for the third time !",

He turns his eyes back to the pool table as he hits a solid ball. He ends up dropping his cue in hand as the phone rings , he answers hurriedly "An—"

"Sultan—I am Sham here"

Sultan lets out a sigh "hey Shaam"

"Sultan Have you heard off the news?"

"What news?"

"Dipali's family went bankrupt –apparently her father had involved in serious gambling and stuff "

Sultan looks upset "ohhk—I'll catch you later bye"

Sultan dials Dipali's number continuously but her phone is switched off .

***

Sultan rushes to the Mansion he collides with Madhu who was coming just coming home .

"What's the hurry?" Madhu yells at him already mood out .

"Madhu not now please" Sultan replies back equally upset

Madhu and Sultan turn around hearing the screeching sound of the car . Madhu and Sultan's eyes widens seeing Rishab walking with Dipali beside him with a bag in hand .

Rishab stands front of Madhu and Sultan as he says "Dipali would be staying with us for few days",

Sultan and Dipali pass a look at each other . Madhu looks at Rishab torn as he too passes a look at her .

Madhu and Sultan move aside with a curt nod as Rishab walks behind Dipali . Madhu and Sultan pass a look looking at their retreating figure and take a long deep breath .

"I don't care!" Sultan mutters under his breath but Madhu is quick to give ears.

"Really?" Madhu smirks

Sultan looks at her glaring but a smirk makes its way through his lips "You care?" he spats back

"Why—would—I?" Madhu stutters and sprints in ,

Sultan snorts irritated seeing her running in leaving him alone .

Madhu sees Rishab and Meena ma discussing something but sees Rishab looking pretty upset .

"Madhu" Meena calls her , "Can you share the room with Dipali for tonight? –the rooms are locked up and not clean!"

Madhu nods not meeting Rishab's eyes as she keeps her gaze down and leads Dipali to her room passing her a small smile .

"I –am—sorry Madhu –that I am intruding—"

Madhu cuts her off "Dips—no worries and this is not mine in the first place -- I am sorry for !"

Dipali nods with a sad smile "It's fine"

"Make yourself comfy" Madhu says chuckling taking her in a hug trying to ease Dipali .

"I am thankful for Rishab for rushing for my assistance -- It had been always like this he was there whenever I was in a mess" Dipali says gratefully a smile blooming in her lips .

Madhu feels the uneasiness creeping in her as she nods He comes rushing for me too She wanted to answer but it was like her tongue got tied .

Dipali walks into the shower to freshen up as Madhu decides to arrange the bed . Rishab taps lightly at her door . Madhu frowns knowing it is him .

"Where is Dips?" Rishab asks slowly walking in to see Madhu spreading a new bed sheet to the bed .

Does he have eyes only for her!

"Shower!" She yells at him pissed

Rishab looks surprised on her sudden outburst wondering what he did to infuriate her .

"How did you arrive –you didn't even drop me a message!"

Madhu dumps the pillow angrily on the bed giving her back to him she spats back "I arrived safely in one piece! "

Rishab looks at her back awkwardly his mind running around searching for anything he did to piss her off .

"Look after Dips!"

Madhu shuts her eyes tightly smoke puffing out of her nose "She is not a baby !", Madhu suddenly feels guilty – it is not like she had something against Dipali right?

"Okay!" She answers quickly hearing the long snort behind her back .

Madhu stifles a gasp feeling him taking her in a hug from behind "Good night!" with a small chaste kiss on her temple he walks away humming to his own tunes .

"That was nothing!" She puffs out loudly angry at herself for fuming in jealousy.

Dipali walks out dressed in her night suit to see Madhu already asleep . She feels thirsty and sees the water jug in room empty . She brushes her damp hair drying it as she takes the jug and walks out towards . Dipali bumps into Sultan who was walking towards his room .

"Dips" He calls softly holding her by her forearms .

"Sultan" Her voice comes out in a soft whisper .

"I am sorry for not answering your calls—" Sultan tries to explain but stops seeing her letting out a sad chuckle .

"You was and always will be one step behind him – "

Sultan closes his eyes trying to calm his patience him ! – "I --!"

"I am thirsty !" Dipali says swiftly pushing him away from her making him frown .

"Let me get you water" Sultan offers

" I have my hands ! Fit and Fine –so Mr. Don't take stress!"

Sultan lets out a troubled sigh punching the wall nearby as she walks away .

***

Madhu stirs and opens her eyes lazily to see her side of the bed clean and empty . She yawns wearing her slippers and walks out of the room after cleaning herself to see the Mansion too silent – which was something new –as Sultan would be fussing over something . Muku would be singing and he would be cleaning his room making too much noise for her liking .

"Maa" Madhu hugs Meena from behind kissing her cheeks

"Sleepy head woke up!" Meena says chuckling

"Why is the environment too silent ? "

Meena lets out a chuckle "All pleasures goes to Dipali !"

"Dips?" Madhu asks shocked turning Meena around .

"Haan!" Meena chuckles "A small flashback –lets rewind !"

"Mukund walked out with his bed hair and you know only in his shorts sleepily yawning – seeing Dipali he got startled and sprinted in and poor boy was so embarrassed that he left to studio without having breakfast "

Madhu could visionize everything front of her eyes –It wasn't something new for her –she had seen Mukund walking out in that state many times but they never found it awkward .

"Then Sultan—" Meena pauses to let out a laugh "I ended up raising his undies and asking front of Dipali whether it was his ---and it had teddy pictures on it—he looked scandalized!"

Madhu blinks to process the information as she clutches her stomach laughing .

"And Rishab"

Her laughter pauses "Only he got a sweet gesture –Dipali ended up wiping his sweat post his jogging!" Meena tells intentionally to add spice .

Madhu's fists clenches tightly .

"Since Dipali came this place had turned upside down –For the first time I saw Rishab talking kindly towards a lady!"

"He is kind to me too!" Madhu snorts

"But he fights with You !" Meena shrugs her shoulders smiling inwardly .

"Ohh but it is natural since Dipali is pretty as a doll" Meena tells musing

"It was strange too –I mean the atmosphere when I moved in to !" Madhu points out

"But the boys never acted indifferent front of you!"

Madhu feels like an inadequate woman as she walks out of the kitchen lost in her thoughts –She sees Dipali walking towards her with a small smile in her lips and her hairs pulled neatly to a side as she wore a knee length blue frock which actually made her look like a gorgeous glass doll .

Madhu looks down at herself to find herself in Kurtis , "No wonder he likes her!'

Madhu runs her hands through her wardrobe finding for a pretty dress which looks different but sighs not getting one .

"All men are same—Right curves and pretty face is all they need!" She snorts sitting front of the dresser looking into the mirror.

Madhu sniffs angrily as her eyes falls on the magazine "Your inherent charm will attract your fated partner "

She pulls the magazine in her palms as she rereads more than thrice- a grin plays on her lips boosting her confidence .

Madhu takes out a deep breath and walks back to her wardrobe and smiles hesitantly taking a frock in hand .

***

Madhu steps out to the hall hesitantly , Mukund who was watching Avengers ends up dropping the remote in his hand as his jaw hangs open.

"Madhu" His voice comes out in a mere whisper shocked

"How do I look?" Madhu asks softly fidgeting with her fingers .

"Rishab—Sultan " Mukund shrieks calling them out

Rishab paces in irritated with the continuous calling – His eyes falls on Madhu ­– His eyes widens shocked but he avoids commenting . Madhu was dressed in floral pretty frock which had a slit on her shoulders and quarter sleeves and it ended just few inches above her knees . She had straightened her hair and worn a small pendant .

Madhu feels self-conscious on his intense gaze as she dashes into her room . Mukund looks at Rishab who glares at him .

"What did I do?" Mukund mouths shrugging his shoulders and slumps himself on the couch returning his attention back to the movie .

Rishab takes slow steps backwards and paces faster towards her room to see her murmuring and cursing herself . Rishab stands right behind her and taps her shoulder .

Madhu gets startled with the sudden touch as she twirls around to see him .

"What are you wearing?" Rishab asks possessively

"You don't like it?" Madhu frowns

"It is not about me—You don't like wearing it!"

"I like it" Madhu frowns and continues "And why are you questioning about the way I dress? you never ask Dipali!"

"Madhu! " Rishab takes a sigh "Why are you pulling Dips into this? " He runs his two fingers on his temple massaging it lightly "You are not comfortable !"

"How do you know?" Madhu asks softly making him smile

"You were nervous and fidgeting" Rishab adds "And I know you more than yourself!"

"How do I like it then?" Madhu asks softly looking into his eyes

Rishab smiles and turns her around hugging her from behind and shows her reflection .

"You love to leave your hairs curly at the end –and I like that way too" He whispers in her ears making her feel ticklish .

A small reddish tinge appears on her cheeks , "You love wearing long " He adds making her smile .

"Don't I look good in this?" She asks softly although she knew he was right .

"Beauty lies in the eyes of the admirer –You are beautiful to me in any attire and this-" he pauses nuzzling her nose in her hairs he whispers "You look gorgeous but Only I wanna se you like this!"

Madhu could feel her cheeks heat up hearing his words . He places a small kiss on her temple and parts her leaving her alone .

Madhu cheekily grins looking at her reflection how does he manages to leave tingles and feels with a mere touch?

***

Mukund leans onto the wall silently gazing at his PA who was making his schedule with a frown itched on her face . Mukund chuckles silently since the day He had public announced and sang looking into her eyes she was avoiding him and a frown was itched whenever he would talk fondly about his 'Darling'.

"Trishna" He calls her panicking

"Sir" Trishna tells hurriedly

"I need a date!" Mukund panics in seriousness

"What?"

"Yep"

"Go ask your –Dar-lu-ling" Trishna mocks irritated

"She is out of town" Mukund replies sheepishly

"Be my date!" he adds making her frown at him

"No"

"Please !"

"No"

"Please!"

"No!"

"Please –it is important!"

"No!"

"Yes"

"Yes!"

Trishna widens her eyes shocked seeing her pulled in a bone crushing hug "Thank you" Mukund says happily .

***

Dipali is at the Police station begging the police officers to let her meet her father but is told that she cannot due to the ongoing investigation. Dipali sobs as she tries calling her uncle but gets to know he is out of town .

Sultan feels his eyes filling with pain hearing her sobs . She was fragile and now she was left alone .he had secretly followed her behind to make sure she was safe and sound .

Sultan meets his friend at the bar later that evening trying to locate a way to free Dipali's father .

His friend Daksh calls up his father who is running a law firm , "I am sorry to say—but Dipali cannot meet her father , He has been caught in embezzlement charges and it is no joke that he had gambled and lost millions of money !"

Sultan lets out a mocking chuckle "Should I remind you that your father was under corruption charges and in prison for two years before he was released and started up his own law firm? –Your father is no better so stop degrading others!"

Daksh looks taken aback as he feels embarrassed , at that particular time his phone rings as he excuses to attend the call. Sultan sees Daksh walking in after thirty minutes with an envelope in hand .

"Least I could do!" He says handing Sultan the cover .

Sultan walks into Dipali's room to see her curled up in the bed . She was shifted to the guest room .

Sultan places the envelope in her palm as she comes awake with a start "From your Dad" he says softly as she clutches the cover in her palms , "Just don't worry anymore –I'll make sure you meet your Dad soon "

Dipali sits up looking into his eyes says "Your help makes me uncomfortable Sultan!" , She gets down from the bed and walks into the washroom.

Sultan's face falls as he opens his closed fist which had a small key placed in it .He dashes out of her room upset and collides into Rishab while sprinting into his room . Rishab frowns but Sultan throws the key in his hand to him .

Rishab catches on time as Sultan says "Retrieve her belongings and I warn you—Dare you say I was behind this!" .Not even waiting for Rishab's reply Sultan pushes his way towards his room .Rishab looks at the key in hand and lets out a troubled sigh .

Dipali eyes tears up as she reads the letter from her father "Don't worry about me anymore—I spoiled my life with my own hands not caring about you –who was my responsibility Dips—I love you I really do but not more than myself –Life moves on—Please do carry on your life and become the successful Fashion designer and Shine ! without worrying about me anymore !"

***

The next morning Rishab takes Dipali with him .Dipali stifles a surprise gasp seeing him taking her to her boutique . She had lost her boutique too as her father had placed it as a collateral for his gambling .

"Get your machines and other sewing stuff!" Rishab says cheerfully placing the key stretching her pam.

Dipali hugs him overwhelmed "Thank you so much Rishab—you do not know what this means!"

Rishab looks apprehensive and guilty for taking credit of Sultan's doings but stops himself from telling the truth reminded about Sultan's warning .

"I am hungry!" Dipali says after two hours while returning back home

"Let have lunch then!' Rishab says smiling while driving .

Dipali's face falls seeing them in roadside stall .

"You come here often?" Dipali asks awkward seeing him happily having Paav baaji

"I do—Madhu loves this place as much I do" Rishab says cheerfully

"Is Madhu like me to you? –I mean are you kind to her like you are to me?" She adds quickly

Rishab looks away awkward as he says sheepishly "I've been always rude to her not kind at all –" he trails off I have been always romancing with her more than kindness ! He wanted to say but doesn't .

"Let me get you coffee!" Rishab swiftly drops the topic as Dipali nods .

Rishab parks the car front of a mall as his eyes falls on a cut-out poster . His smile blooms as He says to Dipali "Wait here I'll be back soon!"

Dipali nods but looks at him with –What—are—you—planning—to—buy look? .

Dipali sees Rishab walking in with a small box in hand which he had tucked in his pocket .

"You took a while to come" Dipali comments

"Yep—ya—I was getting a cover for my phone" Rishab says fumbling .

Dipali doesn't answer but nods and goes back reading her novel as Rishab drives . Dipali wasn't blind to notice the blushy –shy smile playing on his lips . She looks away wondering whether did he get something for me?

Madhu feels left out as no one is in the Mansion as she comes home after college for lunch . Madhu was thankfully that she did not run into Rahul apparently from the news she got was – He was out of town . Priya had been busy making up with her angry boyfriend who was pissed for god knows what reason . So bored she had decides to skip lectures and get back home . Home , This place had become her home with the wonderful people around her which she is blessed with so much love .

Madhu sees Rishab's and Mukund 's rooms empty and Meena ma not at home . She doesn't like eating alone so she walks into Sultan's room to see him playing video games.

"Sultan come lets have lunch" Madhu tries to pull him by his forearm but he doesn't budge , his eyes glued to the screen .

"Madhu—another two levels and I break the record—go away—shoo—shoo"

Madhu frowns and smacks his head "Shut—up and come-!" , She switches off the switch making Sultan glare at her furiously

"I am starving !" Madhu shows her puppy eyes making him melt .

They sit at the table and look at the food in their plates playing the food.

"You said you were hungry!" Sultan points out

"My appetite is gone!" Madhu says sadly 

***

Real life caught me up : Started My CA and with working life is too hectic

Will update whenever I get time :)