Ramadan Mubarak Jaans

Cover by My Jaana Nandinixxmanik

Chapter 44

"Yes" Madhu replies with a confused smile looking at the tall old man towering over her

"Can we sit?" His words voicing out with a tip of his tongue in greediness while ogling at the luxury interiors .

Madhu shakes her head lightly while indicating him to take seat while she slumps herself on the couch opposite to his .

"Madhu" He calls her fondly "Can You remember –the way we played when you were young?"

Madhu looks at him confused "Hmm—I—am –sorry –I do not have any memory"

Kali lets out a slight chuckle "How would you--You were just 8 or 9 back then"

"How are you Madhu?"

"I am Fine" Madhu replies timidly

Kali shifts on his couch uncomfortably as Madhu gazes at the man in front of her trying to decipher the look in his eyes and why is he here in the first place .

Meena maa walks in with a tray of coffee . She passes it swiftly to Kali who thanks her . Meena maa tries to walk in but Madhu holds her wrist and shakes her swiftly with a nod with a silent plea in her eyes asking her to stay.

Meena maa pats Madhu's head while taking a seat beside her .

Kali sips his coffee while having an eye on Meena and Madhu who were having a conversation while whispering to each other .

"Hmm—Madhu" He clears his throat "Do you remember that me and your maa had a restaurant on partnership long back in the name 'The Rolling Pin' ?"

Madhu scoots closer to Meena maa with the mention of her mother "Yes" She whispers softly

Meena presses Madhu's palm tightly while assuring her still wondering while Kali is fumbling When he had told her he is Madhu's father

"Kaliji-Can I know why you are here?" Madhu asks directly without beating the bush

Kali leans forward while holding Madhu's other palm while She jerks a little shocked "Has your Mom spoken about me?—about your real father?"

"I am your real father –Madhu!"

Madhu's eyes widens as she pulls back her hand , Meena maa gets surprised to see Madhu's reaction , She places her hand on Madhu's back while soothing her

"No--- You and Maa-no" She says fumble while shaking her head

"We both were late in realizing our feelings – It happened too fast that I was out of mind and your mother got married to Malik"

"No" Madhu's voice clear and loud

"I know I am late –but I needed time to accept you and when you mother left the world I went mad and—now gathering all my courage I am here – Madhu as Your Father"

"No –Maa and you were just friends"

"No Madhu—we were more than friends –I've being a bad father to you all these years but now I want to be a proper father to you"

"No—No—just leave" Madhu yells whispering while standing up and running her way up the stairs .

Kali stands up seeing Meena looking at him suspiciously he drops a few fake tears and pretends to wipe , turning around on his heels he walks straight out of the mansion .

Rishab runs inside the mansion excitedly " Madhu" He calls out , her name savoring in the tip of his tongue longingly to catch a glimpse of his beloved .

Rishab rushes inside the kitchen to see Meena trying to call someone . Worry itched on her orbs as she frantically tried calling a number again and again .

"Meena maa" Rishab calls her out as soon as her eyes falls on Rishab She runs towards him.

"Rishab—Madhu—Is missing"

Rishab holds her palm tried to calm her down while taking her in a side hug "Tell me clearly Maa-Madhu would be somewhere here lurking around or she would have gone to college"

"No Rishab—You don't understand –She skipped college as the lecturers aren't attending today due to some strike and She is missing since two hours"

Rishab inhales a deep sigh as various scenarios fill his mind , Did She leave? , Is She fine? Oh god Madhu why do keep making me worry!

"Tell me what happened Maa- She wouldn't leave without any reason"

"Rishab –Kali Thakur came by –He told he is her real father—" Meena continues to fill the gap of what happened "Since he left Madhu had been crying and I walked out of her room to get a glass of water –when I returned back she is missing"

"Meena maa—Stop fretting –I am going to get her back okay?" He kisses her temple lovingly while soothing her shoulders .

***

"Please Papa –Please answer once" Madhu desperately prays as her eyes fills as She walks around in the lonely street , She bites her tongue , trying to hold the tears that threatens to leave her eyes , and another try she cannot hold back , First , a small crystal bead escapes from her right eyes , She can feel the warmth as it slides down her cheeks rolling off her chin. Then another , and another . her eyes floods with them , coming like a rainfall

Stupid tears ! stop! – She chides while dialing her Papa's number again . She sniffs every ten seconds , as they fall and fall and unable to bear the agony she lets the tears drop as a wrecked sob leaves her lips .

Mr.Malik's phone rings in his closet continuously where he had mistakenly put the phone in , He had left the phone home as he has gone in search of a job.

Madhu sobs while cupping her mouth "Do You hate me so much Papa?" , Her sobs shakes her body as she bends in trying to loathe the pain which was striking her in ten folds .

"Why Papa?" She slumps on her knees in the lonely road while sobbing irrevocably as she directs her feet towards the isolated park nearby .

"I am your real father –Madhu!"

She dumps her body on the bench while putting her legs up and pulls her knees up to her chest while rocking back and forth .

Rishab hits the steering wheel frustrated unable to find her , He tries her phone continuously each time only for his call to go into voicemail.

"Madhu be fine baby" He whispers his eyes filling with fear as he rolls his lower lip in while massaging his temple . He had ringed up Trishna and Priya only to know they are in their respective works. He hadn't passed them Madhu's disappearance in order not to get them worked up in worry .One last time Rishab tries his luck .

Madhu looks at her phone desperately hoping it is Her Papa , Without seeing the caller id she swipes in , Her battery low in the brink of dying .

"Madhu" his concerned voice breaks her as she ends up crying calling onto his name "Rishu—Rishu—Rishu"

"Where are you?" Rishab frantically asks as her cries fills his ears .

"Rishu—Rishu—" –Her battery dies as Rishab pulls the phone back from his ears to see that she had hanged up.

Madhu's head falls in between her knees as her sobs filled shaking her body hysterically – painfully devastated not knowing where to turn to .

Madhu pulls out her phone swiping It she clicks on her gallery , She caresses her mother's picture while bringing it closer to her lips she places a deep long kiss on her cheeks

"Maa –It isn't true right? –It can't be Maa" She caresses her mother's smile with her frail fingers "My maa is the best –All are lying!"

"Maa-answer me Maa ?—Why did you leave me ? –All are using me Maa- come back Maa!"

Madhu leans into the touch of the arms that had wrapped around her shoulders from behind , She looks up tilting her head to see Rishab looking at her worriedly with concern and relief washing over his face.

"Why did you leave Jaan?" He uses the endearment 'Jaan' knowing that would let her loose in his arms .

"I am okay" She brushes off her stubborn tears which keeps falling . Rishab walks around the bench and sits right next to her .

Rishab shakes his head slightly while joining his head with hers. His warm arms go around her shoulder as he pulls up making her stand front of him and enfolds her in a hug wordlessly .

"Don't say anything darling –I am going to hold you and be by your side—Let your heart reduce the burden of pain and cry as much as you want!"

Her trembling fingers moves its way up as she places on his chest which was stiff under her touch . Her eyes red and swollen as she gazed at him in agony . A curt nod was what She needed as she presses her forehead onto his chest , Her hands clutching his shirt tightly , Rishab held her in silence while rocking her slowly as her tears soaked his shirt , Minutes ticked by as her sobs increased . A tiny lapse of time as She pulled away, blinking her lashes heavily with tears before collapsing into his arms again , Her howl of misery worsening , The pain came in waves , her breaths becoming heavier as she sobbed hiccupping like a distressed child . Rishab tighten his arms around her while patting her head in assurance .

***

Back at the Kundra mansion , Meena maa walks back and forth while glancing at the clock in the wall and phone in her hand , it's been an hour and she hadn't heard from Madhu or neither Rishab.

Dipali walks in with a bag to see Meena worriedly glancing at the entrance , Mukund too walks in a long beside her as they pace towards Meena.

"Aunty you look worried" Dipali says concerned

"Meena maa what happened?" Mukund asks while holding her by her shoulders

Before Meena could reply Sultan appears and paces towards to the hall . Dipali and Sultan pass a look at each one in longing while the other in pain.

"Madhu –is missing—" her eyes turns moist as she fills them what had happened and about Kali's appearance in the picture .

***

Rishab and Madhu had taken a seat on the bench as she had wrapped her arms around his waist tightly while placing her head on his chest .

"A year ago –suddenly one day while working Khannaji appeared and before I knew what happened I was said that I am an Kundra –that I had a Grandfather –a Father and a Family I never knew that existed in my twenty nine-years of existence "

Madhu tilts her head up to look up at him , her nose had turned red as her eyes were swollen and puffy. Rishab kisses her nose softly making her let out a sigh .

"I may not understand what you are going through –darling—but –I can relate to yours—of getting to know an unknown father figure" he tucks the tendrils that had fallen over her cheeks as she looks up at him intently while letting out a sigh.

He kisses her eyelids , his lips lingering a bit more as she closes her eyes while tangling her arms around his neck and shifting more closer to his warmth , His presence was the cure to the heal the pain and the heaviness she was feeling in the chest.

"Were you able to come to terms with it—a new family?" She asks softly with her eyes still closed as he pulls back and kisses on her forehead affectionately . His arms around her shoulder move up and down soothing her .

"How can I Jaan ?—All my life I lived as Only Rishab and Suddenly when You are told that you are Rishab Kundra ? – I couldn't believe—It isn't easy" He sighs softly as She nods against the nape of his neck thinking about her own father revelation .

"I was curious to know who is my real father –" She starts softly "When Papa let me walk out after saying I am not his blood-" She bites her lower lip still the memory fresh in her mind "Still—this stubborn heart says that Papa is My Papa—when I was small we used to play—at nights Papa used to tuck me to the bed with a kiss and a story . I used to hug him tightly to sleep"

Rishab hugs her tightly seeing the pain and the longing in her voice . "But suddenly –everything was doomed and I was said that –I am not his blood!—and now someone comes saying his my real father—I don't know what to do"

"Shh—baby—Don't force yourself to accept or believe –give some time and wait until you are ready" He cups her face forcing herself to look up . Leaning down he presses a small kiss in between her brows.

"What have I told you before ?" He asks while raising a brow

Madhu looks at him confused her face looked paler and pink due to all the crying .

"You look like a devil when you cry"

She looks at him surprised while letting out a chuckle and hugs him tight while tightening her arms around his neck. He lets out a slight chuckle happy to see the small smile that appeared on her lips . His right arm goes around her knees while the other around her waist . He carries her to the car and places her on the car seat.

He drives the car while she had shifted closer to him while placing her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist . Her eyes looked distant lost in her thoughts while time to time Rishab would kiss on her crown bringing her out of her daze .

Much later , Madhu assures Meena maa she is fine once home and walks to her room to have a shower before calling it a night , Dipali who sees Madhu walking in the corridor runs up to her

"You okay Chutki?" She asks worriedly while puling Madhu in a hug and patting her head

"I am okay Dips" Madhu gives a small smile happy with the endearment Dipali was using on her today.

"How did you get back home?" Dipali asks pulling back

"Rishab dropped me " she says softly While fiddling with her fingers

Dipali sensing her nervousness holds her hands in his "I asked Rishab out" Dipali knows she shouldn't be bringing up this topic at this moment but She knows that what she is going to tell would give some relief to Madhu that she has someone by her side.

Madhu feels a knot forming on her throat while she tries to blink back her tears "Dipali—I've got heada—" She tries to avoid while trying to rush but Dipali holds her hand on time .

"He likes someone else" Saying Dipali leaves her hand and walks turning on her heels while smiling through her tears .

Madhu looks surprised and shocked as she rushes towards her room. She is totally messed up today. After having a hot shower relaxing her mind , Madhu wears her pajamas and tries her Papa's number again .

Madhu throws her phone on the bed as the call goes answered . She hears a knock on the door , She opens the door to find Rishab pushing a trolley of food.

He makes her sit on the bed and tears a small morsel of roti , dripping it in the curry he holds it closer to her lips "Eat" he says softly knowing she had been starving.

Madhu shakes her head while blinking back her happy tears she holds his palm and pushes the morsel towards his lips "You eat first" , Rishab opens his mouth as she feeds him . He feeds a piece while she goes for the other . Rishab bites her finger making her scrunch her nose and making her slap on his arms .

Once done , He holds the glass of water front of her lips , He drinks from the same glass exactly from where her lips touch making her flush while looking down .

Washing their hands , Madhu looks at him expecting him to make a move out of her room so she could sleep . She sees him walking around her bed while stretching himself .

"Aren't you going to stay there all night?"

His words makes her confused "Are you staying over?" She asks softly

"You dare think that I would leave you alone when you are in grief?"

Madhu walks to her side while laying on the bed she says taking her palm in his "Why are you so nice?"

Rishab chuckles while pulling her into his arms "I am the beast here while you are my beauty"

Madhu smiles while her eyes fills "I See My Father in You" She says sincerely with so much love in her eyes .

He looks down and locks his gaze with hers "And I See My Mother in You" , He presses his forehead against hers as their eyes fills with love as they bask in the glory of happiness . I Love You Both wanted to say it out loud instead they smile against their faces.

Rishab leans in more just an inch away from her lips , Brushing his nose with hers he places a deep long kiss on her forehead . He pulls back while Madhu cradles his face in her palms while kissing on his forehead . He smiles against her chin . He wraps his arms around her as she hugs him tightly . Their chest tightening in love for each other .

"You look cute in Pajamas" He whispers while kissing on her cheeks making her chuckle .

***

Dipali comes home after jogging the next morning only to find Rishab lazing around in the garden , She waves her hand grabbing his attention . Rishab walks up towards her with smile.

"Hey-Morning"

"Good Morning Rishab" She replies cheerfully

Rishab smiles at her grabbing her palm he says "I am sorry that I left you alone in the mall"

"That's okay Rishab" She assures

"Dipali –I've thought again and again about what you said about your feelings" He starts hesitantly while taking her in a side hug as she looks up at him "I am not hurting your feelings Dips—but The truth is You got used to having me by your side – but Do you really think I could have filled the gap of Sultan in your life?"

Dipali looks at him as her eyes turns moist "Maybe –Maybe not but " She chuckles lightly "You love Madhu and She loves you too—I want you both to be happy"

"And I want my friend to be happy too—How long are you going to act everything is fine? –Now that I am in love I can understand how much you love Sultan—Do you want me to talk to him once?"

Dipali hugs him tightly "Rishab – He had always taken me for granted—agreed it was me who was trying to pull him into a relationship he doesn't want to—now when I think back—actually I was forcing or either influencing him – I want him to love on his own will—Not on anyone's influence"

"He will –One day" Rishab says hopefully making her shake her head at him Never he will !

Sultan walks away after having eavesdropped their conversation before they could notice him.

***

Sultan takes the frame in hand of Dipali's , His and her brother's when they were young. He closes his eyes refreshing the memories when he returned back from the States.

Sultan returns to Kundra Mansion after years , as he looks around the place he once called home , a Pair of arms envelope him from behind , he turns around to find her standing there with a full smile playing on her lips , She hugs Sultan tightly while whispering how much she missed him .

Sultan had pried her arms out of him with his face hardening he had spat on her face "I hadn't missed you at all –Dipali –just leave !" He had walked away leaving her heart shattered and the smile wearing off.

Sultan lets out troubled sigh while caressing her picture in the frame .

***

Madhu is in the kitchen making breakfast , She takes a slice of bread in her palm while applying cheese she gets lost in her thoughts . Her mind filled with Kali's claims on her .

Mukund who happens to pass by the kitchen sees Madhu looking distant and in grief . He walks up towards her and wraps his arms around her shoulder taking her in a side hug that startles her as she looks at a smiling Mukund

"Why is My Cinderella's mood so down?"

"No—nothing—I am okay"

He clasps her palm in his as he says "I wish I could help you as always you do with us –with me –"

"Don't Worry Muku—I am better –Actually good—Rishab helped me out" She says with a small sparkle in her eyes . Mukund notices it as his lips twitch up in a playful smile

"Ahaan—Rishab—helped you?" he winks as she slaps on his arms hearing the tease

Sultan walks into the kitchen to grab a glass of water –Seeing Madhu He rushes towards her and pulls her in a tight hug.

"How are you darling?—I was worried since Meena maa told"

Madhu smiles while pulling back "This doesn't suit you" She teases while pinching his nose "I am all good—what would happen to me?"

"We all are the same" Mukund says sadly while settling his on the counter top. Rishab and Dipali too walk in

"I had a happy childhood but suddenly Papa expired and –I was brought to the Mansion saying I am an Kundra – New Family That was unknown until My Papa died—I wish Mama could be here but-She wishes to stay there with Papa's memories lurking around the four walls"

They smile with pain in their orbs , Dipali presses Mukund's hand assuring him "You had a happy childhood – While Mine –Maa died the day I was born—and my brother he left me halfway—" She bites her lower lip to blink back the tears as Sultan's eyes blurs hearing her grief "And Papa—he is there for namesake –and now he is –" She stops while her vision clouds and gives them a smile which was filled with pain.

"I was just 12 – My Dad was the best you know?" Sultan tells cheerfully as his eyes fills remembering the moments he'd spent with his Father "We used to play whenever we got time – You know Mukund He taught me how to wrestle that too in that young age" He lowers his lashes to stop the tears that was trying to fall out "We would get to the court each evening to play football—I would miss the goal and each time it would Dad who would say never give up"

Madhu hugs him tightly making him smile at her "But suddenly he left all of us—I was devastated and alone –before I could seek love from Mom—She left me too alone in this Big four walls—At nights I used to cry to sleep—I had nightmares –Meena maa was the only who would rush and pat me to sleep—and when I was trying to seek solace and love in her—I was separated and send abroad where I had bodyguards lurking around me and None to love"

"You have me Sultan" Madhu says while wiping his tears looking around seeing everyone's eyes turning moist "You have us Sultan"

"I know" he joins his head top of hers

Dipali smiles seeing them not even feeling an ounce of jealousy . The bond they shared , Madhu and Sultan, could not be put into terms –They aren't friends exactly but they are more like frenemies -always ready to pull each other's leg but the first to hold too.

"How about Yours Rishab?" Dipali asks swiftly

Madhu tilts her head as it meets with his – She walks up towards him seeing him lost in his own memories . She knew him better that he would end up breaking down if none was there to hold him. She holds his palm in hers making him pass a sad smile at her . Sultan ,Dipali and Mukund look at them in awe – They had always seen them fighting and to see them sharing affection without need for words .

"Until a Year back—I didn't even know that a Papa existed –it was only Maa –but we lived happily although Maa used to cry each night in hope that Papa would return one day—and She was gone forever to leaving me all alone to survive in this big world" Madhu circles around his knuckles soothing his pain while he intertwines their fingers .

"Madhu?" Dipali asks feeling happy that for the first time they all were having a proper conversation and was opening up to each other .

"Mama , Me and Papa—A small beautiful Family where only laughter and happiness radiated – Mama would always chide me when I do something naughty but Papa would carry me in his arms and scold Mama for chiding his Princess" She smiles through her tears remembering those moments

Rishab pulls her close not caring about what others think about them . While hugging her from behind and pressing her shoulders . She gives him a smile through her teary orbs while holding his palm which was on her shoulder .

"And Then—A Fire broke out in an apartment Mama had gone to visit and all I saw was She taking her last breath front of me" her voice falls of the end as a tears drops down

"And Papa –I do not know what changed him—He became cold and distant –After a year he married Roop and I thought I could have a family but – I was wrong –I wasn't destined for to be loved" She bites her lower lip unable to bear the agony that she had been though because of Roop and Ria .

Sultan , Mukund and Dipali move forward while taking Madhu in a hug who was already hugging Rishab tightly .

Five of them cocoon in each other's arms forgetting all the difference for an instance . None of them had a beautiful family environment to grow into , They craved for love which the five of them could give each other but stubborn hearts wouldn't let them see beyond their differences. 

***

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Updates would slightly delay as it is the month of Ramadan and I am Fasting plus work and studies