The next day RK woke up with a headache.He opened his eyes slowly.He touched his head.It felt like it will explode.How much he had drank last night?!...He had no idea.He slowly sat up straight in the bed.He looked in the room.It was still empty.An empty feeling struck him again.He tried to recall the previous night.It was all blurry.He put his hand on his forehead and then looked at the clock who was on the little table next to his bed.It was nearly 12.30."A half of day almost passed."-he thought.He looked at himself.He was still in the same clothes from yesterday.He needed a shower so he slowly got out of the bed,took some clothes and went into the bathroom.15 minutes later he came out of it.On a little moving table a tray with breakfast and tea waited him.He looked at the room-it was empty.On the tray he saw pills for headache.Everything became clear."Maa."-he thought.He sat on the bed.He took one pill for headache and drank it.He didn't want to eat but still took little from what was on the tray.He took the tea in his hands and tried it.It didn't have enough sugar.He remembered his conversation with Radha the morning after he had left Madhu.His tea then didn't have enough sugar too."Only Madhu knew how much sugar you want in your tea!"-Radha said back then.She wanted to make him understand that he needed Madhu.He refused.If only he could've listen to her then...
His thoughts were interrupted by something that fell on the bed.It was a newspaper and on it with big letters it was written "RK the superstar sleeps under the doorstep of Madhubala's home!" ...He looked up.Deepali was standing next to him.He didn't hear her come in. "I don't know for how long you're gonna behave like a fool for that Chawlbala!"-she said angrily.His face got agitated."Look at what they're saying.Look!" He took the newspaper and after he read the article,he threw the paper on the floor.Deepali was surprised. "What is this?Don't you have your pride anymore?"-she asked.RK didn't answer.Their conversation was interrupted by someone who came into the room in a hurry.It was Bittuji.He was disturbed.
"Chief"-he said not even noticing Deepali,"there are reporters outside waiting for your statement.You should talk to them.Otherwise they will keep coming and coming." RK was silent. "-You're gonna do that."-he said after a moment in silence.Bittuji went out.Deepali just took a fast glance at RK and the newspaper and then she left too.Bittu came outside the mansion where a lot of reporters were gathered.When they saw him,they came and started asking him: "Bittuji,where is RK?What does he have to say about last night?" Bittu gave a short statement. "-Please,you all saw what happened two days ago,so I would like to ask you to please leave RK alone in these hard moments and respect his privacy.That's all I have to say,thank you." The reporters left unpleased.
The rest of the day had passed in Bittu trying to find out where Madhu could've been gone.He went to see her neighbours.He went to see her friends.No success.Nothing.He couldn't find a single clue.He returned to RK.RK was listening to all what Bittu had to say.He was quiet.He hoped that maybe the next day something will come up.But it didn't.All hope was in vain.
A few days had passed.They had been going slowly.Most of the time RK was in his room.He didn't want to do anything.Things that usually made him happy now didn't have any meaning.Madhu's absence left a big trace on him.Not being able to tell her how he feels,to express his anger or his anguish made him desperate.He was lonely and sad and that made him keep withdrawing within himself.He barely ate and he rarely talked to anyone.That made an effect on his physical appearance.He lost some weight and also something in his eyes looked different.It was like something inside of him died.The wedding now looked like some distant nightmare,but a nightmare from which he would never wake up.Two times he dreamed Madhu.He saw her eyes sparkling,he saw her beautiful smile...When he woke up,he was faced with the cold reality-she was gone.
Almost three weeks had passed.Weeks without a trace of Madhu.Alcohol was his regular companion.As in every disappointment he experienced in life it was the only 'friend' he could turn to.
One Thursday night he had a shoot.When he came to the studio he was so drunk that he kept forgetting his lines.The whole night passed with constantly repeating the same scene.Bittuji apologized to the makers.They had an understanding but they decided to go on with another actor.
One more time he went to the lake.He was drunk and felt so miserable that he started yelling desperately and started cursing himself "Damn you!Damn you!" He started crying.He couldn't stop.His weeping was accompanied by the knowlege-if he hadn't deceived Madhu,none of this would've happened.They would be so happy together.
Concerning his career,film makers kept sending him film offers.Most of them wanted to use his misfortune for promoting their movies.Bittuji turned them all down.RK was not in condition to work.As for Madhu,Bittuji tried everything.He tried to find her everywhere but without any success.It looked like she's been gone away from the face of the earth.Nobody knew where she is.With every blank news RK was becoming even more desperate.He remembered her words "I am leaving and this time forever!" He thought that he will lose his mind.Bittu was so worried for him,that he might do something to himself that he asked Radha if he can stay in the guest room for a while.In that way he could watch his chief and take care of him constantly.She approved.
One day morning,RK woke up.He didn't want to get up,but barely made himself do it.He stood up slowly and without any will came down the stairs.He wanted to look for Radha and was ready to look for her in the kitchen when these words coming from the TV made him stop. "-Mrs.Madhubala Malik!Mrs.Madhubala Malik!" RK turned around and was in shock.His eyes were wide open.Madhu's face was on the screen.She tried to get away from all the reporters following. "-I have nothing to say!Leave me and my family alone!"-she said angrily,hiding her face with her hand from the reporters.She went away. "As you see"-the speaker from the studio said,"Madhubala Malik didn't want to give any comments about what happened on the wedding when she left RK several weeks ago.And now,we go back to..."...
RK was in shock.He couldn't take his eyes from the screen.He couldn't speak.He couldn't breathe.
Part 6 - Page 19
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
