Playing With Fire (Rishbala Fanfiction)

Chapter 26

(Madhu's POV)

I was busy doing Trishna's hair when my phone buzzed on the table. I picked it up excitedly, thinking it was RK's call, but that quickly turned to disappointment when I saw Armaan's name instead. This was annoying.

"I'll be right back." I said, walking outside. The two bodyguards greeted me. I gave them a smile and walked a small distance across the balcony, answering the call.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, my darling Madhu." He made a kidding sound and laughed. "What have you decided?" I rolled my eyes. I had to say yes to him, that was a big part of the plan.

"I'm ready, Armaan." I said, making my voice seem as joyful as possible.

"Wonderful." He exclaimed. "I promise you Madhu, I will make you far more happier than RK ever could."

"You'll never leave me?" There was a brief pause.

"Never. I swear." Another pause. "I love you Madhu. Forget the ugly past, and look forward to a bright future."

"I hope that happens. I don't want anything or anyone between us again."

"I promise that will never happen again." He blew me a kiss through the receiver. I cringed in disgust. "Bye darling. I'll see you soon."

"Bye." I hung up and dialed RK's number. He picked up in no time flat.

"Yes biwi?"

"Are you alone?"

"If I wasn't, would I be calling you biwi?" He had a point. "I'm in my vanity. Dipali is doing a scene right now." I sighed in relief. There was a fear in the back of my mind that Dipali would find out what we were up to. "What's going on? Missing me?" I could picture him flashing his signature smirk right now.

"Yes and no. Armaan called me. I accepted his proposal." He remained silent. "You know, he sounded so....fake. Like he meant nothing in what he said. As of now, I think he's lying about his feelings. He doesn't want me back at all."

"Does that bother you?" His tone spilled jealousy and a slight anger.

"No...but it seems to be bothering you, superstar." I teased. "I think something is burning."

"In your dreams biwi." He chuckled. "Just stay alert around him. He called me yesterday to gloat about playing games with you. He is faking, and I don't trust his intentions." This didn't surprise me.

"I figured something was up. Don't worry RK, I'll take care of myself."

"I know you will." Another voice interrupted in the background. "I have to go now biwi, Bittuji just called for a scene. Love you." He blew me a kiss as well, which I happily accepted.

"Love you too." I returned the kiss and hung up. Trishna was getting upset about her hair. I shook my head, laughing, as I convinced her to sit and let me finish my task. Malik was sitting on the couch across the room, his expression conflicted with tension. "What's wrong Malik?" I asked, taking a seat next to him. He smiled and smoothed my hair.

"Nothing Madhu. Just thinking."

"About what?" He didn't answer right away.

"It's nothing serious beta, I promise." He kissed my forehead. "If anything was serious, you'd be the first to know."

"Promise?" I didn't want him to hide any problems from me. He nodded and laughed to himself.

"I'm just waiting for the day my lovely daughter gets married." I hugged him right then, already thinking about how things would be when I left this house. Even if I was in the same city, I would miss it immensely. "Then I won't be forced to take those bitter pills you give me every morning." We all burst out laughing. Yes, I would definitely miss it, almost so that I didn't want to leave.

"RK can wait. I'm not leaving so soon." I protested.

"And we don't want to see you go just yet." Trishna sat beside me. This was all I needed, some quality family time. It was the best way to ignore all the underlying chaos in my life.

The day went by as it normally did. The workload at the office wasn't too bad today, with Yash wanting to let me take it easy. I came home happy, until RK called. He wouldn't come see me tonight. He was taking Dipali out for dinner. I remained upset by the plan for the entire evening. Trishna tried to cheer me up by taking me out for shopping.

"Might as well start the wedding shopping now, don't you think?" She was shaking with enthusiasm. "Let's go!" She pulled my hand and dragged me into many shops, forcing me to try on a wedding lehenga at each one.

While Trishna was trying out a dress for herself, a boy walked up to me with a rose and a card. He shoved them into my hands and ran away. Confused, I opened the card and found Armaan's name at the bottom. He wanted me to come see him at his house tomorrow night for dinner, wearing this rose. I twirled it in my fingers. He was planning something, and I needed to be cautious.