Part 4

Part 4

In the morning again everyone was sitting in the living room to figure out a way to come out of all the mess. Radha and Mohan also invited Malik and Padmini as whatever decision would be taken would also affect Madhu's life.

Again the round of discussions, debates and blames went on for sometime with no result then Malik spoke, "Look Radha and Mohan, I understand that its difficult for you to give Madhu's place to anyone else but me and Padmini thought a lot on this matter and we have come to a conclusion that Madhu's happiness is of foremost importance to us. Its true that she wants to marry RK but when RK doesn't love her when he will not be happy with her then how come he will keep Madhu happy. In the long run Madhu will not be happy and we don't want this. Let RK marry whoever he wants to. Madhu will be heart broken may be even depressed for sometime but we will handle her somehow."

"Malik, what are you talking?" Mohan tried to argue

But this time Padmini spoke in between. "Mohan bhaisahab maan jaiye please. I know you have loved Madhu not less than RK but please understand dono baccho ke liye yahi achha hoga."

RK felt immensely guilty by looking at the sad faces of Madhu's parents. "Uncle aunty, I am so...sorry...Madhu..I didn't...I am so sorry..I cant...." RK tried to say but words didn't come out of his mouth.

"Its ok beta. Its not your fault, we understand that. In fact some where we elders are responsible for this situation. Whenever young Madhu used to express her desire to marry you or whenever she expressed her love then instead of making her understand we use to encourage her. We didn't know when the little innocent joke became the reality of our life. Our families have known each other from the longest time. We were only happy to think that both of our children will get married but we didn't know such situation will arise before us." Malik replied.

"But still, in between all this Madhu is the one who is going to be affected most. I have always considered her as my daughter. So I give her the right to take final decision on this matter." Mohan declared.

"What do you mean dad?" asked RK.

"You have to ask for Madhu's permission to get marry to Deepali. If she gives you permission then we are ok with it but if she denies then we will never allow this marriage. Even if you marry without our consent we will never accept you in our life." Mohan said with finality. Before anyone could say anything Radha also supported her husband in this matter.

"What the hell? Ab wo behenji decide karegi ki hamari shadi ho sakti hai ya nahi?" said Deepali in anger.

"Deepali, mind your language."RK reprimanded.

"Aur mom dad theek keh rahe hain....after all she is going to suffer the most in this situation so we should at least give her that much respect that we should take her opinion or permission on it." RK said further.

"Uncle, when I can meet Madhu?"  RK inquired.

"Aaj nahi beta. Uski haalat theek nahi hai abhi. Kal se na kuch khaya hai na piya hai bas ro ro ke apni tabiyat kharab kar li hai. Subah hi doctor check kar ke gaye hain. She is having high fever. Uski tabiyat theek ho jane do....hume thoda samay do use samjhane ka...phir mil lena usse." Malik answered getting emotional for his daughter. RK couldn't even look them in the eyes as he nodded his head in yes.

Next day Madhu's fever came down. She was sitting in her room lifeless, stains of tears still visible on her face. "Madhu, RK has come to meet you." Padmini informed her.

Madhu suddenly looked up and ran to her mom. "Did he change his decision?" she asked hopefully.

"No Madhu, Radha and Mohan have kept the condition that if only you give your permission to RK then only he can marry Deepali. So he has come to talk to you." Padmini explained.

"What? Main kaun hoti hoon unhe kisi bhi baat ki permission dene wali? Aur waise bhi main kya kisi ko apni duniya basaane ki permission dungi jabki meri khudki duniya toh bikhar chuki poori tarah se....mere sapne mera dil meri ummeede sab toot gaye maa....mera zindagi bhar ka intezar...sab..bas ek pal mein khatam ho gaya." Madhu cried her heart out.

"you remember what we said to you right? If you want RK to be happy then you must let him live his life in his own way." Padmini reminded her. Madhu just nodded in yes. Padmini went outside and asked RK to go to Madhu's room.

RK went inside her room. He saw Madhu was standing near the window. She looked completely shattered. For once he could not recognize her. The shy beautiful girl he saw that day and this girl were completely different. Now she is just the shadow of her former self. Her long hair were tied ruthlessly in a bun. Her kohl lined eyes were tear stained and puffy. Her lips looked dry. Her high cheek bones looked hollow. Her golden complexion turned pale and lifeless. Window was the only source of light in her room. The room was dark as if showcasing the absence of bright rays of happiness in her life.

Again a wave of immense guilt hit RK. He gathered his courage and stepped towards her. She turned towards him at the same time. Their eyes met and fresh tears started flowing through Madhu's eyes. Whatever courage RK had gathered left him instantly. He didn't know what happened to him in that moment he hated every bit of his life for bringing tears to her beautiful eyes. Madhu wiped her tears and RK came out of his thoughts.

"Madhu, look I am really sorry. I didn' t have any idea about your feelings. I have never seen you in that way. You were always that little silly girl of my uncle aunty....nothing else. I didn't know why our parents thought that we could marry each other but....what all happened...I know you are sad but please forgive me. I know its very strange and its rude to ask but....I am here to ask your permission to marry Deepali....its completely ok if you want to say no but...." RK was interrupted by Madhu.

"Yes, I give you my permission. I don't have any objection to your marriage with Deepali." Replied Madhu. RK couldn't believe first. He thought she will be angry on him or sad but she said yes at once.

"Madhu...I am really sorry...." RK started but was again interrupted by Madhu.

"Please aap bar bar mujhse maafi mat mangiye. Isme aapki koi galti nahi hai. Shayad main hi aapke layak nahi hoon ya phir mere pyar mein hi koi kami reh gayi hogi." Madhu said as she hung her head in disappointment.

RK immediately came near her, "No, don't ever say that. Tum mein koi kami nahi hai. Dekhna tumhe bahut jaldi mujhse bhi achha koi mil...." RK tried to say but Madhu gasped and put her hand on his mouth to prevent him saying anything further.

"Yeh kya keh rahe hain aap? Meri zindagi mein aapke siwa aur koi nahi aa sakta. Bhale hi aapki life mein mere liye koi jagah nahi hai par meri toh puri life hi aapse hai aur rahegi hamesha.....jab se hosh sambhala hai sirf aapse pyar kiya hai....jabse shadi shabd ka matlab jana hai tab se aapko mann hi mann apna pati maan chuki hoon....aur main ye jagah kisi aur ko nahi de sakti. Aapki khushi mein hi meri khushi hai agar aap kisi aur se shadi karke khush rahenge to main isi mein apni khushi dhund lungi lekin aapki jagah meri life mein koi nahi le sakta." Madhu replied as again fresh tears started flowing from her eyes.

RK was flabbergasted by her words. Is it possible for anyone to love someone this much? "But Madhu, tum akele kaise apni life...I mean life mein kisi ka sath paana toh jaruri hai na?" RK asked.

"Kaun kehta hai ki sachhe pyar ka matlab sirf sath paana hota hai? Radha aur Meera ko bhi toh kanha ka sath nahi mila tha toh kya unke pyar ka mahatva kam ho gaya ulta unke pyar aur samarpan ki misaale di jati hai aur kisne kaha main apni life akele gujaar dungi. Bhale hi aapka sath nahi hoga lekin aapka pyar to mere mann mein hamesha rahega...ise mujhse koi nahi chheen sakta khud aap bhi nahi. "Madhu replied with determination.

The depth of her immense love and unselfish dedication confounded RK and he couldn't speak anything after that for few minutes. He made a last try to persuade her to move on,

"Please forget me...bhul jao mujhe aur aage badho apni life mein." said RK.

"Kya sooraj subah ugna bhul sakta hai? Kya chand raat ko chamakna bhul sakta hai? kya badal barasna bhul sakte hain? nahi na.....waise hi Madhu RK ko nahi bhul sakti....kabhi nahi." Madhu replied with determination.

RK felt very selfish and shallow in front of her he thought he knew all about love but after meeting her he now doubted if he truly knows what love is all about? He saw her only as immature silly little girl but the truth was she has proved today that no one is as great and generous than her. RK left her room without saying anything. He didnt have any words left to say. He felt whatever he will say her answer will make him hate himself more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

to be continued.....