Mésalliance (Completed)

Chapter 27

"Are you fucking serious?" Vikram grunted when Madhu dropped him near a lake. "It's eleven p.m."
He couldn't see a thing under the shimmering moonlight. The midnight breeze whispered through the trees, creating a sense of serenity. As they settled by the water's edge, Madhu parked her scooter on the side of a tree.
"I know," she said, walking towards the lake. Though she was calm outside, her heart pounded with a mix of emotions.
Vikram stretched his back and limbs and followed her under the dark sky. He wanted to stop trying in vain but she kept him near.
Madhu looked down the trail and spoke, "Vikram, there's something I need to share with you before you leave."
Vikram concluded with her sullen expression, "I know it's about your brother. See, I am not forcing you to open up. You need not..."
"Could you let me speak?"Madhu takes a deep breath, mustering the courage to open up. "He died on this exact lake."
Her eyes glistened with tears as she began to share her heartache, "I fought with him for a piece of cake as far as my mother told me and he died within an hour. I feel guilty even now as I forgot what happened that night."
Vikram was surprised to hear her view as her mother didn't tell him that she had forgotten everything. He gently put his arm around her shoulder to offer comfort. "I'm so sorry for your loss. It must have been incredibly difficult for you."
Madhu cried suddenly, "It still is. I am in the dark of that night and it increases my pain."
Vikram pitied her vulnerability.
She took a deep breath, "I killed him that day. I should have died that night, not him. My grandmother still hates me for that."
Vikram couldn't understand her words.
"My doll fell into this lake and I jumped along with it," she whimpered. "He jumped to save me from drowning."
Vikram couldn't imagine what might have transpired.
She hugged him, "They told me that only his corpse was found in the lake. If he might've abandoned me to drown, he would have survived. It should have been me as my grandmother told..."
He hugged her tightly, "He gifted you life. He esteemed you that much to sacrifice his life. Madhan won't be happy to look at you in this condition. His soul will be upset at your sadness."
"Nobody accepted his sudden demise. Gladly, Madhav coped with the shock as he was mature enough," she told. "I killed him. I am ashamed that I forgot how he saved me. Even I don't know if I know the exact event. I am totally ashamed!"
He patted her back and let her cry.
"Already, I have a tough life and you doubled up my sorrows," she told him in a quivered tone. "I don't know if I could live with you again, Vikram. Everything fell apart."
Vikram withdrew his hug. "I understand it had overwhelmed you but remember, I am willing to change myself for one year. We're a team."
Madhu was scared to trust him again. It was evident in her eyes.
"We may not have all the answers to the future right now, but we'll figure it out step by step. I'm here for you, and I won't let you go through this alone," he assured her.
Madhu took a deep breath, "I have to convince myself first." 
Vikram agreed, "You take your time. We're in this together, and I promise we'll find a way to overcome your fears and second thoughts."
Madhu huffed and looked into the lake, "What if I died that day?"
"We wouldn't have met," he said.
"You would have been happier with one less trouble then," she said.
"You are not trouble, it's me," he accepted. "Shall we go?"
"A little later," she said to him and sat on the lake. "I want to speak with Madhan for some minutes."
Vikram walked away for privacy.
Madhu tried to remember the memories of her dear brother but couldn't. The gentle lapping of the water on the surface provided a soothing backdrop to her thoughts. As the night casted hues of greys and blues across the sky, she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. Only the thoughts of Madhan flooded her mind. It had been a decade since he sacrificed his life for her. As she threw small stones into the lake, Madhu felt a deep yearning to cry once more.
"I wish you were still here at least to break the bones of my husband... I miss you so much, Madhan. I wish I could go back in time and prevent your sacrifice," she told in a wobbling tone. "You didn't deserve to leave this world so soon. It should have been me, not you. I would love to give anything to have you back with us."
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of nearby trees as if his spirit was listening to her words. She imagined that as his way of responding and embraced that presence. "I know you always wanted the best for me. I can't help but feel guilty that you gave up your life for mine. I wish I could have done something to protect you."
As the words lingered in the air, Madhu gazed out at the shimmering lake, lost in her memories of their shared moments. She remembered the laughter, the bond they had and the dreams they once shared.
The stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky which gave her a sense of peace, as if she came to terms that nothing could have been that night. She took one last look at the lake, whispering, "I hate this lake for taking you, Madhan. But I hope you are with me, always!"
"He will be," Vikram interrupted her suddenly. Madhu jerked on her spot, "Shit!"
Vikram understood that he bewitched her in that lonely place, "Sorry, I am hungry!"
Madhu couldn't help but laugh at him.

"I didn't know that your city is bubbling at one a.m.!" Vikram exclaimed to her as they walked hand in hand through the glittering streets of Bangalore. Despite whatever damage he did to her, she was glad that he opened up about himself and helped her to ease herself. The atmosphere around them seemed to calm the storm.
"Hmm!" He moaned at the aroma of street food that wafted across the air. Madhu had gone to the food streets a handful of times and she wanted to guide him about her hometown.
"Even Mumbai has plenty of options," he told in support of his hometown.
"Who denied that?" she questioned him back and led him to a spicy noodle shop. Madhu smiled at Vikram's excitement to indulge in food at midnight.
He was always a food enthusiast till his mom cooked and after sharing his burden of guilt, he felt free. They ordered one noodle and a kebab to start it off.
For the first time, they shared a plate and a meal.
As they ate, Madhu began to reminisce about their journey together. She recalled how the monster she first met became human in her eyes. The memories brought a softness to Vikram. She threw pepper spray on his face on their maiden date but then she guarded his life and became his secret keeper.
Their laughter resonated in the midnight air as they continued sharing stories of their adventures and misadventures. With each tale, the tense air seemed to melt as they were creating beautiful memories.
After finishing their meal, they strolled along the city's vibrant streets, the hum of the city blending harmoniously with the soft music playing from nearby cafes. Madhu spotted a street artist drawing caricatures and she nudged Vikram to give it a try.
"Why not? We became friends and let's document this," Vikram said with a grin, agreeing to the idea.
As they sat for the caricature, Madhu observed Vikram's smile growing broader with every passing moment. The artist captured their essence beautifully, depicting their joy and love in the artwork. They decided to frame it as a sweet reminder. With the caricature in hand, they walked towards a nearby park, finding a secluded spot beneath a canopy of trees.
The soft moonlight filtering through the leaves added a magical touch to the moment.
"Are you leaving tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Do you want me to-?" he looked at her.
"Yes. But with me..." she answered him. He hugged her tightly, "I never want to lose you."
As the night progressed, they found themselves gazing at the stars, their hearts connected unknowingly. The soft breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, and they found solace in each other.
Vikram reached for her hand, and with a tender squeeze, he breaks the silence. "I'm sorry for being rude, Madhu. I never wanted to trust a woman again."
Madhu looked into his eyes, feeling her heart soften. "It's alright, Vikram. Not all women are scary."
Vikram nodded, "So... Did you have any romantic flings?"
Madhu bit her lip and bobbed her head.
"I know that you would have broken up... But tell me more about him," he asked keenly. Madhu sighed, "Just before the day I came to know the will, we broke up. He went to London for higher studies and didn't want me as a distraction."
Vikram sympathised with her, "He didn't give a proper closure?!"
"We had farewell sex but..." she said as if regretting that. "He is the only guy who had ever been inside me..."
"Do you miss him?" Vikram asked in jealousy.
"A little. I have grown out of him," she tried to explain. Vikram looked sad.
"Hey, don't behave as if you are a virgin," she chided him. "I might have had sex for at most ten times that too with one guy. Not like you..."
He bit his lips and laughed loudly, "Even in that I am better than you..."
At that moment, all their worries and disagreements faded away and they focussed only on the present. Even though he mocked her, she laughed wholeheartedly. She trusted that he would never break her again.
Be it one year of marriage, she wanted to make the best of it.