Chapter 13

*Unedited*

Madhu and Khushi's room is in the pic.

Victor and Jenny dropped Rishab and Madhu at Mr. Malik's house. Madhu was still asleep in Rishab's arms. He knocked on the door and Madhu's mother came out. Though they were worried initially Rishab told them that she was fine but he didn't tell them that her drink was spiked.

Khushi and Arnav were getting worried about the two and were relieved when they received a call from Khushi's parents. Arnav decided to drop Khushi home as it was getting late.

Madhu was still in Rishab's arms and he went to her bedroom upstairs. It was a cozy little girlish bedroom with two beds for Madhu and Khushi. Rishab laid Madhu on one of the beds which he recognized to be Madhu by the pile of books lying nearby. She was totally the opposite of him. He could easily identify Khushi's side because the right side was all messed up with clothes, books, and many other things on the floor. He spotted a stuffed bunny on Khushi's side and smirked. That girl was so childish.

As he got up from her bed, he felt someone tugging him and realized that Madhu was still clutching his jacket. He gently removed her hand and pulled a blanket over her. Despite all the chaos, he felt that this was his best prom night ever. Rishab had no option but to wait till Arnav arrived to drop Khushi off. Soon the two arrived and Khushi thanked him and rushed towards her room.

Rishab: By the way nice bunny Khushi (winks).

Arnav laughed at Khushi's tomato-red face and Khushi rushed upstairs silently cursing Rishab all the time.

Next day

Khushi went towards Arnav.

Khushi: So when are we practicing today?

Arnav: Excuse me?

Khushi: We are dance partners. Remember?

Arnav: We are but only when you concentrate on our project.

Khushi: I do.

Arnav: Really? Tell me the name of the book.

Khushi: Jungle book...no Twilight...no...

Arnav : (Sarcastically) Harry Potter?

Khushi: Err...what about you?

Arnav: I have decided we are going to work on - 'and then there were none by Agatha Christie.

Khushi: Is this name of a single book?

Arnav : (Sighs) Yes of course and tomorrow I want you to come prepared with it. Otherwise, be ready to lose the competition.

With this, he left a gaping Khushi.

Khushi: What the...

Madhu and Rishab were rehearsing for the play. Madhu was trying to talk to him but he was pretending as if she didn't exist. They were rehearsing for their marriage scene.

Miss T: And now you have to kiss Kate.

Madhu: WHAT?

Miss T: Don't worry dear he is not going to actually kiss you. You have to just pretend like that.

Rishab pulled Madhu towards her and she unknowingly grabbed his collar.

Rishab : (Smirks) Kiss me, Kate.

He then bent forward and his face was inches apart from her face. Madhu's heart started pounding loudly. She felt intoxicated by him. So she preferred to shut her eyes. Rishab slowly brought his lips close to her ears and whispered.

Rishab: Don't worry I am not going to kiss you yet.

Madhu was shocked by this and stood still. To others, it looked as if they were in the middle of a passionate kiss.

Miss T: Cut it.

And the two stepped apart.

Miss T: Really sensual I must say and that's all for today. You all may go back to your classes now.

Rishab quickly got down the auditorium stage and Madhu followed him. She kept following him until he suddenly turned back.

Rishab: Why are you following me?

Madhu: I wanted to talk to you.

Rishab : (confused) Here?

Madhu: Yes.

Rishab: Do you realize it's the boys' washroom Madhu?

Madhu looked around horrified and stared wide eyes at Rishab. 

Rishab : (Smirks) I didn't know you were so obsessive about me.

Madhu : (Pulls him to the side ) Can I talk to you for a minute?

Rishab: Okay.

Madhu: Thanks and sorry.

Rishab: For what?

Madhu: For dropping me home last night and sorry for ruining your prom night. By the way, what happened last night?

Rishab: Someone spiked your drink and...

Madhu: What?

Rishab: And I didn't know that you were that amazing.

Madhu: What do you mean?

Rishab: A boy and girl, all alone on a lonely road in a car and one hour. Draw your own conclusions (winks) Hanky panky....bruh.

He then went away and left a bewildered Madhu behind. She was afraid that she had told him how she felt whenever he was near her. And how did it take them one whole hour to reach home? Madhu decided to work on Jhumpa Lahiri's book - Unaccustomed Earth. It had a story that explored an aged father's relationship with his married daughter. So she decided to do a little survey of the old people who lived nearby. 

Two days later Madhu and Rishab went for their survey Rishab was the least bit interested. Finally, they found their tenth and last home. Rishab knocked on the door and an aged lady opened the door. She was none other than Mrs. Jenny - the lady who had given them a lift a few days back.

Rishab was beyond shocked to see her. Then he remembered whatever stuff he had told her but that time Madhu was asleep and now she was standing right beside him.

To say he was in trouble would be an understatement.

Jenny too immediately recognized them.

Jenny: Come inside son!! What a pleasant surprise.

Madhu: You know them?

Rishab: Yes we met them on our way back from prom.

Jenny: How are you Madhu? Don't stand. Please make yourself comfortable.

Madhu: Nothing, actually...

Jenny: Why nothing? You shouldn't stay hungry during this time.

She then went to the kitchen and Rishab saw it as the right time to talk to Madhu.

Madhu: How did she know my name?

Rishab: I told her. Madhu listen, let me do the talking here.

Madhu: Why are you suddenly so interested in our project?

Jenny came back with puddings and gave one to Madhu.

Jenny: Here, vanilla one for your dear.

Madhu: Thanks.

Jenny : (Gushes) This will make your baby even fairer.

Madhu: Fair? (Turns towards Rishab) baby?

Jenny: Don't look at him like that. One can't hide such things from me.

Madhu: But...

Rishab : (Cutting in between) So Mrs. Jenny we are here for our survey. Will you please answer a few questions?

Jenny: Sure son.

Jenny started answering all the questions and Madhu kept staring suspiciously at Rishab but he preferred not to look at her. Madhu knew something was wrong because he seemed to be flustered. Rishab was relieved when the survey was completed and they were about to go.

Jenny : (to Madhu) Take care and what do you want - blue or pink?

Madhu: Err...what blue or pink?

Rishab : (Shouts) Pink!!! She likes pink (to Madhu ) Don't you?

Madhu understood there was surely something fishy and now she was determined to find it. Rishab Kundra never smiled so sweetly at anyone.

Madhu: Sorry I wasn't able to recognize you.

Jenny: You were very pale that day and I must say you are very beautiful and your baby will be too.

Madhu: BABY!??

Jenny: (Looks astonishingly at Rishab ) Yes baby.

Rishab : (Slightly presses Madhu's hand and pleads with her with eyes to stay silent) Yes, our baby.

Madhu : (with deadly calm voice) RISHAB KUNDRA!!!!!

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