Chapter Eleven - The Stubble
I lost track of time. I had no idea how long it had been since I had lost her.
I had no idea how long it had been since I had shot for a film. I had no idea how long it had been since I had seen Madhuri...
I hated her. Hated her for taking my wife's looks and taunting me with her memories every time I'd see her.
She hadn't made any attempt to contact me since the day I had run out on her.
On top of that, the questions that still lurked my mind were still unanswered. How did she resemble Madhu? Why didn't Raj tell me? Why'd he spike my Madhu's drink?
I waited on the couch in my room for Bittuji. I had called on him five minutes prior and there was still no sign of him.
I decided to leave my room but before walking towards the door, I saw myself in the mirror.
The stubble that had covered my face had grown into a full beard.
I wasn't shocked. I didn't know how to be shocked anymore. I had received the biggest shock of my life when she passed away, but after that...nothing seemed like a shock.
I stared at myself for a moment and then walked out of my room.
I called for Bittuji again.
Finally a response.
"COMING CHIEF!"
He yelled from the doorway.
I went towards the stairs to see who was there.
As I looked over towards the door, I felt irritation growing within me.
It was Raj.
He seemed fine; he wasn't in any way injured anymore.
How long had it been?
"What are you doing here?"
I spoke in a monotone voice, but I was sure a tinge of irritation came out in my voice.
"I came to see you Rishabh Kundra. But your so-called manager won't let me in."
"Bittuji, let him in."
"But chief..."
"Let him in."
He shot Bittuji a victory smile and walked past him.
I nodded my head towards Bittuji to reassure him that everything is fine.
I proceeded down the rest of the steps and met Raj near the middle of my foyer.
"So, you didn't answer me. What are you doing me?"
"I'm here to see you."
"For what?"
"Stay the f..."
He closed his eyes and then he corrected himself.
"Stay away from my sister."
"Your sister?"
"Oh don't you dare act like you didn't come to meet her a month ago. If I had been able to, I would've come to see you then. But I was bed struck. Because of someone."
"A month? It's been a month? Ah, that makes sense."
I rubbed at my beard and understood how it had grown.
"Are you listening to what I'm saying? Stay away from her."
"I have no intentions of being near her."
"Then why'd you come see her that day? Huh? Answer me!"
"Hey, you little background actor, I don't have to answer you. Now don't get on my nerves. Or..."
"Or what? You going to beat me to death this time?"
"Alright, listen to me. You got into the accident that landed you in the hospital yourself."
"Sure, but right now we're not talking about that."
"I have a question for you Raj."
"What?"
"Remember how you spiked my wife's drink?"
"Yeah sure whatever."
"Well, why'd you do it?"
"You're still stuck on that? Your wife isn't even here anymore and you're hell-bent on figuring out why I spiked her drink?"
"Just why'd you do it?"
"I wasn't targeting your stupid..."
I grabbed him by the collar.
"Watch your mouth!"
"Sorry, I forgot she's gone. Didn't mean that, I meant to say, I just spiked every free drink I saw."
I released his collar slowly.
"Seriously? Have you ever seen my wife Raj?"
He stared at me, he went silent. He didn't say a word.
Then he suddenly changed the topic back to what it had been.
"Just, stay away from Madhuri."
He turned and stormed off before I could call out for him.
I had no idea what had just happened. The only thing I remember from that conversation was that it had been a month. A month since I had shaved.
I mean, a month since I'd seen her.
I remember thinking that, knowing her, she would've come to visit me by now...but why hadn't she?
Note to readers: There is a new video mix, made by me, on this FF on page one. After 2.35 there is spoilers.
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