Madhav's POV:
I could see her fuming red face and flaring nostrils. She looked conflicted and angry... And is that hurt!!!
I dunno what it is.
But whatever Radha felt was not good for me.
Damn you Maya, I won't let you off the hook easily, I thought before I started with whatever I could say to justify Radha's question...
"Tell me Radha, you trust me, right? "
"Madhav, stop beating round the bush. Who are you?"
"I am Madhav Chand Rathore. A man who wants to spend a happy life with you, who is absolutely in love with you and who was trying a new piece of magic before his girlfriend caught him unguarded and started bombarding him...."
"Madhav.... Please....
My question was who are you?
Why do you loop around so much?
And now that you have started playing your mind games again, you know what...I think I will shoot a couple of more questions that's bugging me for the last few days.
Tell me, why did I have such visions after meeting Kiriti and why do I see you in my visions? Moreover, how did you manage to convince my mother?
And.... Why are you doing this to me? You are a Prince, you can literally have any girl convinced to marry you. Why me then? Don't you know the perils of being a commoner getting married to a Prince? "
"But Radha listen...."
"Wait Madhav. I am not done yet...
And most importantly I don't even know if I feel anything for you other than being infatuated and curious. How can you just involve my family at such a tender juncture of acquaintance?
I never had a boyfriend... And this involvement gives wrong idea to my family...They will think we are an item and will be happy that I chose a dream guy. But in reality I didn't even get a chance to decide if I want to be with you!!! It may be another deal for you, but for me, it's about my life. MY LIFE.
Do you even understand that I have a mind and a heart and all this glitz and showoff ain't working?
Madhav, I am a poor lower middle class girl. Our expectations or standards are not this high.... My sister is supposed to get married to a Railway Group D staff.... I mean you understand what you are doing to my illusioned mother. Right???
It's crazy...
And who promised me that he won't take decisions without consulting me? You call this taking my opinion? "
Damn. Why did I even try to give a smart answer!!!
Now she has zillions of questions and answering them is like digging my own grave. I knew she won't take things easily. But this?
Man....
Women were easier to deal with earlier... These days they are just...
Whatever....
I plastered my lovey dovey face and blurted out--
"Wow girl. Easy. That's so many questions..."
"And you will answer them. ALL OF THEM."
"Of course honey. But before I begin, please understand one thing. Being a Royal is not easy. We are brought up in controlled environment and the biggest thing we crave for is being NORMAL. Sorry for beginning with a question from the middle but honey please understand I am not interested to play any game with you. I am looking for a real woman and not a high class mindless beauty who would choose me for the lineage, grandeur and the social glitz.
And I believe that exceptions do happen when it comes to the matter of hearts. If you are somewhere mentally referring back to the previous incident you faced at the Sen's, well... Had things not been framed,by now you would perhaps be Mrs Sen Junior with baby Kiriti in your arms. If you want an honest answer, well.... I am happy you were framed, your life went downhill and I gotta meet you.
I AM INSECURED ABOUT KIRITI. But I did nothing to make you violent. It's your own mind and fears Radha. Don't drag me into whatever you think you went through after meeting my friend. I am guilty of stealing your chance with him but that's all."
I saw her frown deepening.
Was it even working?
For once I felt like a stupid.... How much more do I need to lie to avoid the most dreaded thing at this juncture!!!
What if she was really not buying anything I was saying?
And hell.... Am I sweating in the AC room?
Bad.... I mean ugly...
Shit...
I have to complete answering ...
Madhav think.... Think...
"And Baby.... Look... Look here..."
Come on.
Look girl....
My charm can't fail.....
But she remained adament and kept looking at the floor....
This is bad....
I saw her looking up to me for a second and then she turned around and was gone. Just without saying a word.
What do I do?
Follow her?
Talk?
Tell more lies....
Suddenly I felt like losing control over the situation. Frustrated, I decided to give things a little rest and take up once the tension eased.
***********************************
Radha's POV:
He said so much.
I understood every logic. Yet, my heart denies...
Why?
What am I missing?
As if everything is right in front of my eyes, yet, I am blind...
May be everything is not a scheme...
May be everyone doesn't mean harm...
Ra... Ra.... Ra... Compose yourself..
Your mom is here, she is happy...
Everything will be fine....
Trust Madhav....
Although I kept repeating everything positive I could master, my heart seemed unsettled...
After some ten minutes of futile introspection I decided to sit with Buaji and Ma...
The laughter and the pleasant voices from afar lifted my spirit and I brushed aside the negativity before stepping in.
I was just outside the door adjusting the dupatta when I heard the most unbelievable thing in my life....
Sumati .. I never thought you will be so kind to give my daughter back to resume her duties as the Estate Keeper and stand by our Bablu.. I am a failure as a mother... Please forgive me for asking so much from you for so many years....
Was I hearing things wrong.....
What was that!!!
Me... The rightful Estate Keeper... A princess...
Madhav was chosen for me !!!
His story of love at first sight...
LIE.... LIE... LIE...
AND WHO IS MY MOTHER?
All I felt was my steps moving away from the door...
My hand picking up the purse...
The tears running down my cheeks...
And the speed gathering up.....
Run Radha Run....
Everything here is lie...
Everyone here is a liar....
Run Radha Run...