The Demon's Kiss (Rishbala Version)

Chapter 2

(Madhu's POV)

I looked at myself in the mirror, in my new dress. It was white with maroon swirls decorating every inch of it. It was a rare kind of dress, so unique and exotic. I liked the way it hugged my figure, and the way it was designed. Trishna always had such a good choice. She walked in wearing the dress she bought, and gawked at me.

"Wow Madhu! You are rocking in this dress! Even better than I imagined."

"Your choice would always look good on me." I said.

"Well that's me." She laughed. I hugged her.

"Thanks Trishna." I said.

"Ready for the party?"

"You bet I am." We grabbed our handbags and coats and left for the party. There was a white car waiting for us.

"Did you call someone Madhu?"

"No. I wonder who he is." I said, perplexed as she was.

The driver stepped out of the car and tipped his hat. He opened the passenger door for us.

"Sultan sir has sent me to pick you up." He said.

"Did Sultan get a new car?" Trishna asked.

"Yes." He said. "Please come."

Sultan was such a sweetheart. He always helped us when we needed it. We got in the car and the driver returned to his seat. He sped off towards the other side of the city.

(At RK Mansion)

Trishna and I walked into an extravagant scene right at the entrance. The massive hall was decorated with ribbons and flowers, including my favorite carnations. Numerous groups of people filled the room, talking with each other while the band played music in the corner. A waiter came up and offered us wine, and while I refused it, Trishna forced one into my hand.

"Party etiquette Madhu. Just go with it." She pointed to the glass in my hand. "I wonder where he is?" She wondered.

There were so many people here that it was hard to locate RK. Maybe he was being swarmed by businessmen. We found a place to sit. Trishna was busy scanning the room for cute boys to flirt with. I shook my head.

"Trishna what are you doing?"

"Enjoying the view. Come on Madhu, you know me.." Her voice trailed on seeing someone in front of her. I followed her gaze and saw him. The guy I saw on the road today. But his eyes were a deep black rather than the piercing crimson I saw earlier. Maybe I was hallucinating then. But how did he disappear so fast? So confusing. He was looking at us. Was he stalking me?

"Madhu! Isn't he hot?!" She said joyfully. He was handsome. Really handsome.

"Mmhmm." I nodded quickly. He flashed a dimpled smile and walked away.

(RK's POV)

I could easily recognize her soul. The soul that belonged to me. She was my Madhubala. Her ethereal beauty was captivating even all these years. On top of that, her dress complemented her fair, glowing skin. I wanted her by my side. I wanted to feel her in my embrace. I ordered a servant to dim the lights, and center the spotlight. I stepped forward and began speaking.

"Thank you everyone for joining me today on this lovely evening. Now it's time to make the night special, with a dance." Everyone clapped, and the music started playing.

(Madhu's POV)

So he was RK....I thought to myself. He seemed like a mysterious figure.

Misha kept whispering to me about the dancing. A dance? With who? Certainly not Trishna. Dance was something she took way too seriously. She would turn it into a competition. And plus it was a couples' dance. And I didn't have a boyfriend.

I felt like someone was watching me. I looked around the room, my eyes dodging the dancing couples and finding RK staring at me. It was a warm, inviting gaze. It felt familiar. He walked over to me, holding out his hand when he was standing in front of me.

"May I have this dance?" He asked. My cheeks grew hot and red. Strangely, his physical closeness was not bothersome to me. I felt comfortable and safe, even if he was a stranger. I slid my hand into his, as he clasped it tightly and led me to the dance floor. Trishna was gaping at the two of us. It was a simple slow dance.

He held my hand and placed the other at my waist. He was gentle with me. My heart beats raced out of control. Why was this happening? I never felt like this around a guy before.

"May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" He asked. I bit my lip before answering.

"Madhu." I said. He smiled.

"Sweet name." He replied. His gaze touched my heart. He had this unknown control over me.

(RK's POV)

I held her delicate frame as gently as I could. Her beautiful, chocolate brown eyes reminded me of so much. All our moments together years back. Some of her silky hair covered her face. I took my hand and brushed it to the side. She shuddered slightly.

(Madhu's POV)

His one touch sent tingles through my body. He was looking at me as if I was someone special to him. I felt a little awkward though. Soon the song ended, and the couples stopped. I stepped back from RK, and walked back to Trishna.

"What happened Madhu? You two looked so cute. Why did you walk away?"

"I was feeling uncomfortable. That's all." I said.

The party continued as normal. Occasionally he would take a moment to glance at me. My mind felt awkward but my heart loved it. I looked around for Sultan, and found him talking to someone. I went over to him and tapped his shoulder.

"Hey Madhu! Looking gorgeous today!" He remarked. "I didn't know that you could dance." He teased.

"I didn't know either until today. Thanks for sending the car. I would've hated walking here in the cold."

"No problem." He said.

Trishna came over and chatted with us as well. The party was soon over, and Sultan offered us a ride home, as Trishna was tired of searching for the perfect guy, other than RK. We were just getting in the car when a servant rushed outside. He had a small box in his hand.

"Ma'am, RK sir asked me to give this to you." He said.

"What is it?"

"A gift for you." He said.

My fingered reached out for it. It was a box covered in velvet cloth, a jewelry box. I thanked him and sat in the car. Sultan started the engine and sped off. Trishna was so tired that she passed out on my shoulder and was peacefully sleeping. I carefully opened the box, finding a beautiful pendant. It was a bright red ruby, in the shape of a oval. It was surrounded with an intricate silver frame. It was really shiny. I took it out of the box and fastened it around my neck. I looked at myself in the rear view mirror.

"That looks beautiful on you Madhu." Sultan said.

"You really think so?"

"Of course." He said.

The pendant was giving off an eerie glow in the moon's reflection. It looked mysterious. Then suddenly my vision blurred. I closed my eyes to make it normal again, but nothing. In the darkness of my closed eyes, I saw images of a unknown event play in my mind. I was on a balcony of this magnificent palace. Behind the trees of the forest I was overlooking, I saw the pair of crimson eyes watching me. That gaze was full of love.