Mésalliance (Completed)

Chapter 28

"Do you think you can take her just like that?" Praneet yelled at Vikram. "Or do you think we are more incapable than you in caring for her?"
Madhu stood by the window, gazing out at the setting sun as its golden rays painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. Her thoughts, however, were far from the beauty outside. She was torn between her heart's desire and her parents' concerns.
Vikram already made up his mind the previous night to listen to those taunts and Madhu gave him pointers to control his anger and tolerate whatever her family said to him. It was normal for the Hegdes to oppose her decision of going with Vikram.
"How could you brainwash her?" Madhav questioned him. Revathy interrupted the man, "He is free to take her if she wants to go with him. It's their life, you both don't get involved."
Praneet gave a stern glance at her to which she equally stared at him. Her daughter's life was more important than anything to her.
Madhu stopped the arguments between her parents, "I've made up my mind to go back to Mumbai with my husband."
Praneet opposed her, "He's been nothing but rude and hurtful to you!"
Madhav remarked, "You deserve better. Don't let him treat you this way!"
Madhu took a deep breath, trying to stay strong. Vikram knew that she was doing more than her capabilities.
"I understand your concerns, but I believe in my husband. He's going through a tough time, and I want to support him," she said, pursuing his hand.
"You will be in a trap if you try to help that idiot," said Madhav. "Pa, look at her stupidity."
Praneet was astonished, "How will you support a guy who doesn't know how to support himself? He's been causing you pain all the time and he won't have the gratitude even if you try to help him out. He won't value you!"
Madhu suddenly realised she might be wronged by him even after helping.
Vikram was bipolar and he might hurt her, forgetting all the sacrifices he did for her. She started to withdraw her hand from him.
He felt the biggest void without her touch. He understood she had second thoughts about him. 
"Madhu, I know I've hurt you deeply. I want you to know that I've realized my mistakes, and I'm willing to change. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us," he said earnestly.
Madhu's heart wavered as she gazed at him. "Vikram, it's not just about making promises. It's about keeping them up. It is the scars you left behind. Can you truly change?"
Vikram sighed, "I can't undo the past, but I'm willing to work on our relationship. I want us to be happy again."
Madhu looked at him with a mixture of pain and determination in her eyes, "Vikram, it's not that simple. You have to understand that your hurtful words and ego have left lasting wounds. I need to be sure that you're truly committed to change."
"We can't afford to look at her in pain again," Praneet told him.
Vikram nodded sincerely. "I'm ready to prove to all of you that I can be a better husband."
Madhu supported him, thinking of a better future. Her parents exchanged worried glances.
Madhu took a deep breath. "I can't be certain, but I'm willing to take the risk."
She realized that the hardest decisions could lead to the most beautiful outcomes.
Her father added, "We want the best for you, dear. It's not just about love; it's about respect and understanding."
She agreed with her father. Even though she had doubts about his future behaviour, she lied to her parents that she will be alright.
Could she lie to her heart?
******

"Appa should consume his tablets regularly and Ma should ensure that!" Madhu warned her parents out of adoration. They stood in the bustling terminal of the airport. Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and sadness. She clutched her father's hand tightly as she looked at other travellers and luggage.
"We are worried about you... a lot," said Revathy and looked at Praneet. He remained still.
Madhu pouted at them, "I know that you want my happiness. I hope for a better tomorrow..."
"I want you to fix your marriage. If he mistreats you once more, come back to us..." her mother advised her with moist eyes. "You can adjust for your husband, not bend and break apart."
Madhu nodded and prepared herself for the days ahead. "I'm going to miss you both so much."
Tears welled up in her mother's eyes as she held Madhu close. "We're going to miss you too, sweetheart. But I am so proud of the journey you're embarking on."
Madhav cleared his throat and informed in an authoritative tone, "I am just a call away." His eyes were fixed on Vikram who was standing beside the entrance. Vikram felt uncomfortable with that stare.
Praneet said, "I still don't trust him. But I believe in you."
As she approached the gate, Madhu's eyes caught a glimpse of her parents waiting near the railings. She felt a lump in her throat, realizing that those goodbyes were going to be much harder than she had anticipated.
Vikram sensed her emotions and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We're starting a new chapter, Madhu. I promise to keep you happy."
Madhu smirked, "You are worst at keeping the promises. Why waste our energies?"
As she debated, an announcement came over the intercom, notifying passengers of their flight's imminent departure. Madhu's heart skipped a beat; it was time to say the final goodbye.
She turned to her parents, tears streaming down her cheeks and waved at them.
Her mother wiped the tears and waved her hands. Her father stepped forward and smiled.
As the final boarding call echoed through the terminal, Madhu looked back at her parents one last time. She knew it was time to leave. With a heavy heart, she gave them one last hug, whispering her love and gratitude.
Madhav passed a flying kiss and showed his mobile.
With a teary smile, Madhu bobbed her head at them.
As they walked away, Madhu couldn't help but steal one last glance at her parents, who stood there watching them. The distance between them grew, and Madhu's heart ached as the airport's hustle and bustle swallowed them.
"Thank you for trusting me," Vikram said in glee. "I never thought you would accept to come with me."
"Don't count the eggs early," Madhu warned him. "I'm still worried that you won't be able to keep me happy."
Vikram's brows furrowed, "What do you mean? Why would you think that?"
Madhu took a deep breath, "When did you think of me as a human? I was left lonely while you went to the pub for sex. If we were in your home, I had Niyati. You wanted freedom and you cut my wings in your bungalow."
Vikram gently pursed her hand, "Madhu, I understand your concern. We can go to my home directly and live there till the divorce. I promise to do everything I can to make you happy."
Madhu looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. "Time can change anything. For you, every second is a new decision."
Vikram disagreed, "I won't let that happen again. We'll communicate and support each other. It's a new chapter for both of us and let's face it together."
Madhu felt tears welling up in her eyes. She feared that he might not keep up the promise.
Vikram questioned her, "If you didn't trust me, why did you oppose your parents and come with me now?"
Madhu nervously twisted her fingers as she glanced at her husband, "I came back to you because of my parents' reputation and the inheritance money they were going to receive."
Vikram was shocked and hurt. "I would have asked my grandmom to cancel this thing..."
Madhu eyed him, "And if you think that she would help you, you are a fool."
Vikram agreed.
"My parents don't know our one-year contract and I don't want my father to be affected. We don't have another choice, Vikram. You saw how those shareholders pestered him for their shares. My family's financial situation is alarming. I see this marriage as a way to secure their future."
He could understand her. "At least you are honest... I am happy."
Madhu smiled at him, "Shall we start again as strangers?"
"Hmm?" Vikram looked confused.
She held her hand in the air, "Hi! I am Madhu. And you are?"
He smiled and shook her hand, "Vikramaditya."
******

Vikram's eyes sparkled with excitement as he stepped onto the familiar Mumbai airport. The bustling atmosphere, the blend of languages in the air and the anticipation of reuniting with his city filled him with undeniable energy. Madhu was the opposite.
"I can't believe I am in Mumbai. Having you back increases my enthusiasm," he said excitedly.
Madhu passed a faint smile at him.
They found a quiet corner near a window with a view of the planes landing and taking off. Vikram stood and viewed the planes, "Our driver might take another thirty minutes to reach here."
Madhu sighed, "Traffic!"
Vikram's face lit up as he began to talk, "Mumbai is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, traditions, and dreams. The people, even though they are a blend of different backgrounds, are in harmony."
Madhy leaned closer, "Even Bangalore is diverse."
Vikram chuckled. "Absolutely! We have plenty of street food stalls with vada pav, pav bhaji and pani puri. And the sea! The Marine Drive along the Arabian Sea is breathtaking, especially during sunset. It's like the whole city comes alive against the backdrop of the water."
Madhu felt uncomfortable when he mentioned the beach. She touched her left shoulder which healed from the gunshot that happened at the beach. Vikram bit his tongue, "Sorry... I was..."
"You get the luggage. I will be back," she interrupted him.
"I didn't mean that..." he pacified her but she didn't pay attention to his words.
He walked towards the baggage carousel to get their luggage.

"Hey, Vikram..."

He was bewildered by the voice behind him. He thought it was his imagination. Then, he heard the laugh of her which he forgot over the years. He turned to meet Karishma.
There she was with the same air of confidence that had driven him nuts. Her chestnut hair cascaded down her shoulders and her piercing brown iris scanned him thoroughly. He could hear her inner glee to uproot him from his family. As she drew closer, Vikram's palms grew sweaty and he fisted his hand tightly.
How could he ever find the words to express the pain that she harboured in his heart?
Before he could muster the courage to make eye contact with Karishma, he felt a gentle touch on his arm. Turning, he found Madhu with a confused face. Her presence alone was enough to calm his racing heart.
"You okay?" she asked him and looked at Karishma. "Who is she?"
"Are you still trying different women?" Karishma bubbled with poison.
Madhu scrunched her nose, "He tries different things only with me. Why do you poke your nose in his business?"
"You are with him for a night. Stay within your limits," Karishma seethed.
"I am his wife, bitch. Could you fuck off from my husband?" Madhu smirked back.
"Are you married?" Karishma stared at Vikram. "How come I wasn't aware?"
Vikram shrugged, "You aren't that important in my life."
Madhu hugged his hand and batted her eyelash, "Who is this?"
Vikram smirked, "A snake?-"
"Oh!" Madhu understood. "I am not pleased to meet you, Karishma. Fuck off."
Vikram kissed his wife on the cheek. "Let's go home, wifey. We have important work."
Madhu held his hand. "Why are we wasting time on her?"
Karishma fumed at them and promised to burn Vikram's cheerful world with Madhu.
Vikram was glad to have Madhu beside him in that situation.
"Are you okay?" Madhu asked him softly.
Vikram nodded, "Yeah, seeing her again brought back a lot of memories."
Madhu assured him that they would face everything. Vikram found himself relaxing in her presence. He felt protected around her. The memories of his mother and the loss of his company were still painful but they no longer held the same power over him.
Madhu leaned on his shoulders and dozed in the car. Vikram felt a sense of satisfaction that he had someone by his side. The wounds of the past were healing and with Madhu by his side, he was ready to face the future ahead.