Frolic of Stars

Part 10

Madhu took in a deep breath as she clicked the switch of the door bell. All night she had thought of RK and what Trishna had told her. And like Trishna said, her mind too forced her to come back to RK. She wanted to have a conversation.. just like they had an open and honest conversation on the first day of their marriage. That had given a really good start to their relationship. And her brain told her not to act like a jerk anymore and have the very much needed open talk with him.

RK came and opened the door soon. And saw Madhu standing with her bag and a sweet smile on her face. He was stunned to see her. He hadnt expected her, but soon he hugged her close.
"I missed you Madhu.." he said as he tightly held her as if not to let her go ever.

"I missed you too RK.." she whispered.

He took in a deep breath of relief as he left her. They both came in and now Madhu was shocked. Her jaw dropped as she looked in front. Her beautiful home was messed up big time. She had always maintained the cleanliness even when she regarded herself as tge worst house keeper but clearly she was proved wrong. everything seemed to be going upside down.

Her lips twisted into a frown.
"This is what you do to my house when I am gone?" She screamed at him.

"I am sorry baby.. I was just too upset being alone.." RK tried defending himself as he looked at her in fear.

"What will I do now?" She said looking around. Packets of chips fallen all around, alcohol bottles.. pillows out of their covers.. magazines piled up near the couch.. and what not

"Its your house baby.. clean it up like you always did.." RK said teasingly seeing her so worried.

"i wasn't pregnant always!" She screamed at him again for his shamelessness.

RK looked at her stunned out of all his thoughts. He stared at her with jaw dropped way down as he forgot to even blink his eyes. For a full 30 seconds there was utter silence as Madhu stared at him dreading. She didn't think of breaking the news to him like that. It just slipped out of her tongue in the fit of rage and now she regretted it even more seeing the shocked look on her face.

"RK.." she interrupted his chain of thoughts if any.

"What did you just say?" RK asked still shocked.

"Just forget that.. it was a joke.." Madhu said dreading as she tried faking a smile.

"Joke? Of that sort?" RK asked confused as his heart started thumping against his chest.

"Yes of course.. Look at your face.." she said as she faked laughter holding her stomach and falling on the sofa.

"are yoy serious? I mean.. are you joking? Hell!! Are you serious that you are joking?" RK asked confused.

"Ofcourse you dumbo.. You think I would just let you go after the Dipali incident.. its your shocker.. and remember whenever you try to cheat me.. I would threaten you with 'your baby being in my womb' claim.." she said while stil laughing as tears started forming in her eyes. The tears were not of laughter but of pain. But she couldn't let it show.

"Come on Madhu.. that was a bad joke.. and besides I stayed with you for months and didnt touch you.. do you think I can cheat you..?" He said himself getting indulged into a smile.

"Yes.. right.. you wont.." she said with a forced smile as she quickly got up to evade his gaze. She walked fastly past him towards her kitchen.

RK held her hand swiftly. "Are you okay?" He asked from behind while Madhu closed her eyes to hold back the tears.

She took in a deep breath in a way that RK doesn't realize it. "Of course RK.. what can be wrong..?" She said trying to sound as jolly as possible.

Even before she could realize she was pulled hard and she landed on RK's chest in a swift motion. RK was now serious and he as if tried to search something in her eyes. Madhu was feeling uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze but couldn't look away as if her eyes were hypnotized to stay in a lock with his.

"You are not happy? On returning to me?" He asked seriously while still looking into her eyes.

"I am happy RK.." Madhu said stating the obvious.

"Your eyes are empty.." he said.

"What does that mean..?" She said trying to act casual and rolled her eyes.

He closed in on her and pecked her lips. "What is it darling?" He asked slightly.

A tear fell from her eyes as she sucked in a small sob. "I am scared you would leave me.." she said in a shaking voice.

"Why Madhu? I can't even think of leaving you.. You are partner.. 3 days without you and I was feeling like there is no use of me being alive.. and you say that i would leave.." he said not believing his ears while Madhu stared at him stunned. Does he love her? Is he saying he does?

She wanted to ask and even her lips moved to ask that question but her mind told her against it and ultimately she just shook her head in a confusion and hugged him tightly. As if not to loose hin ever. RK hugged her back but he was more worried for her and her fear. He patted her hair trying to soothe her even though she didnt cry but he could feel she was scared of something. But what was it?

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