Why are girls stereotyped as the Gossip Mongers? 

It's been statistically proved that boys spend much more time gossiping than girls. :P

Chapter 46: The Talk

   A burly looking man looked questioningly at Madhan.

   "Does Mr.Aakash reside here?" he asked.

   The man nodded. "Who are you?"

   "Hi Aakash. I am Madhan."

   The man looked puzzled. "I'm sorry. I'm not Aakash. My name is Rakesh. Aakash has gone out for a bit. Please come inside and wait for him."

   Madhan smiled gratefully. He rubbed his palms nervously and walked inside. Rakesh ushered him to the sofa and went to the kitchen to bring him a cup of coffee.

   He took this time to observe the surroundings. The house seemed well furnished. It was a two story house. The floor had a marble tiling, and the stair case had an antique feel to it.

   Just as Madhan finished sipping his coffee, Aakash entered the house.

   He nodded curtly at Madhan, but he went to the kitchen to enquire who he was.

   "I don't know. He said he was Madhan," Rakesh whispered.

   When they came out, Madhan could see that recognition slowly dawned on Aakash's face.

   "I'm sorry I couldn't recognize you before. How are you?" Aakash asked, politely.

   "I don't blame you. The last time we met, you saw a sumo wrestler," Madhan chuckled.

   Aakash laughed a bit awkwardly. "How may I help you?" He walked to the sofa next to Madhan's and took his seat. Rakesh had preferred to stand. He stood next to Aakash.

   "Erhem," Madhan coughed. How do you bring up a sensitive topic like that? He looked at Aakash and saw deep round bags underneath his eyes. Madhan's eyes wandered to the photo frames and he saw two pictures of him and Riya.

   "I'm really sorry I came here unannounced. It's just that certain things were better dealt face to face, and uh..." Madhan looked at his hands. He was struggling to find words.

   Aakash seemed to sense it, as he spoke the next words. "So you have found out. How's Riya, Madhan? Looks like she's giving you a hard time," he said, chuckling lightly.

   "You have no idea." Madhan gave a small smile. "She's not fine," he blurted out. "I was an idiot. Things went out of control when I found out that you were her boyfriend. I was really hurt that she hid such a big thing from me. Let's just say there was another big complication, but it got sorted out. Now things are going kind of smoothly. But she's really upset. She's not herself, and the main reason is because she has no idea how you are doing. She's worried sick about you."

   Aakash mumbled a few words, but Madhan heard it. "That's my Riya." For some reason, it didn't hurt him like it should have. At that moment, he realized that the relationship they shared was something so beautiful that one couldn't explain it.

   Rakesh squeezed Aakash's shoulder as he watched him choke on his emotions. He asked to be excused.

   A minute later, Aakash walked back, all emotions gone, resuming his polite demeanor once again. "What do you want me to do?"

   "She needs to know how you are doing."

   Aakash nodded. "She will."

   "Are you?"

   "Do you want me to tell you the truth or lie?"

   Madhan winced. Never once did he ever think he would be asked that famous dialogue.

   "I just want you to know this. Riya might appear very harsh, rude, and witchy. But that is all a facade to protect herself. Once she starts loving you, which she will, you'll wonder what you did to deserve her. She will love you with all her heart, and pamper you worse than your mom."

   Madhan slightly nodded.

   "Please, just give her time. She'll come around. And I'll let her know, soon. You are a lucky man," Aakash continued.

   Madhan got up, feeling heartbroken for Aakash. They shook hands with each other. He shook hands with Rakesh and stepped out of the house.

   "Madhan," Aakash called out.

   He turned around. "Just so you know, Riya is lucky to have you as well." Madhan nodded thanks with reply, and walked out of his driveway.

   He had no idea that Aakash was bawling his eyes out to Rakesh. He had no idea that Aakash had sleepless nights in miseries. He had no idea that right that moment what Aakash was planning to do.

   After ripping the girls' hands off of Madhan, Riya paid them off and got them out of the house. She gave Armaan a piece of her mind for hiring this kind of entertainment.

   "What the heck, Armaan? Seriously?" Riya yelled.

   Armaan raised his arms in protest. "I swear I had no idea that these girls were strippers. The website claimed that they were party entertainers. It wasn't clearly specified what they did to entertain though."

   Riya sighed. "Okay, fine." She turned to look at Madhan who appeared to still be in a daze. She couldn't blame him, though. The girls had just completely felt him up.

   After she gently called out to him, he came out of his daze and looked at the hall properly.

   "Surprise," Sheila said, weakly. She tried to get up, but she was too heavy to get up without help. Armaan helped her get up and she made her way towards him.

   "Happy Birthday, Madhan," she said.

   His tiredness was replaced with happiness. "Thank you, Sheila. You've become quite big. How's the little one doing?"

     Sheila laughed. "My darling is doing quite good. We are going for frequent check ups." She bent down to pick up the gift on the sofa. "Here."

   Madhan carefully unwrapped it and was pleasantly pleased with the gift. It was an Armani Suit. "You guys! You shouldn't have," he exclaimed.

   Armaan thumped him on the back. "Of course we should have."

   After a little bit of chitchat, he finished greeting and thanking the others for coming.

   Riya was dismayed that she wasn't the first to wish him. Feeling very irritable now that she remembered he hadn't called her for one week, she told Madhan to shower and change into his birthday clothes.

   With Auroshi's, Riccha's, Keerthi's, their husbands, two other men she didn't know, and Armaan's help, they managed to clean the living room decently. She took out the cake from the fridge and set it on the table. It was very fun and Riya was getting to know the group. She finally felt like a part of it. No more third wheeling for her.

   Everyone's attention went to Madhan as he came out of the room. Riya couldn't take her eyes off of him either. All anger and irritation left her temporarily. Since when did he become this hot? Riya swooned. For the sake of being the wife however, she walked to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

   "Happy birthday, sweetheart," Riya said to him. Did she just call him sweetheart? She noticed that Madhan's smile didn't light up his eyes. Did she do something? He was fine a while before, wasn't he? While talking to Sheila especially, she thought bitterly.

   Madhan wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Riya." All of a sudden, his demeanor changed and he turned into a cordial person. Riya was surprised, but as long as he was okay, she was happy.

   They cut the cake and distributed it along with the pizza and garlic bread. The girls brought homemade cookies, brownies, and chocolates.

   Riya was introduced to Auroshi's and Keerthi's husbands. Madhan introduced her to two of his close colleagues.

   At about eleven o clock, everyone left, leaving the house heavily untidy.

   Madhan groaned. He lost all the energy he had.

   "Happy birthday, Madhan. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this," she said, wistfully.

   "It's fine, Riya. Thank you. I really appreciate it. It was a wonderful surprise." Before Riya could answer, the phone rang. "It's your mother," she said, instantly.

   Madhan took the phone call while Riya tidied up the whole house. There were party popper wrappers on the floor, and plastic cups and plates on the dining table. The sink was filled with dishes.

   Riya was almost done with the dishes when Madhan hugged her from the back.

   He placed his chin on her shoulder. "I've missed you," he said. If she went through the hassle of creating a surprise for him, she must have felt something for him. He remembered Aakash's words again.

   "I just want you to know this. Riya might appear very harsh, rude, and witchy. But that is all a facade to protect herself. Once she starts loving you, which she will, you'll wonder what you did to deserve her. She will love you with all her heart, and pamper you worse than your mom."

   Riya didn't respond. She continued to finish washing the dishes.

   Madhan held her hand to stop her from washing. "Enough. I'll do the rest tomorrow. I want another gift.

   Riya leaned back towards him. "Me not yelling at you is my another gift to you."

   Madhan chuckled as he pressed her tighter towards him. "Well, I want one more."

   Riya struggled out of his grip. She turned around to face him, leaning backward on the sink, and looking at him. "What do you want?"

   "To lie on your lap and put me to sleep."

   Riya nodded. "Go change. I'll wrap up the kitchen and join you. Okay?"

   "Nope. I want you now." He pulled Riya gently towards his room.

   Riya sat down near the headrest and watched as Madhan lied down on her lap. He didn't change out of his good clothes. "Do you want me to sing?"

   She could feel him nod. She sang a song that her mother used to sing when she was young.

   Riya had no idea when she fell asleep but she woke up to a chillness on her thighs. Riya gasped when she felt her pants wet. She turned Madhan's face towards her and was dismayed to see his face tear stricken. His eyes were closed, indicating that he was sleeping.

   Riya's heart sank. What had happened? Why was he so upset? When he woke up the next morning, the first thing she would do is find out what happened.

   She lifted him off her lap and laid him gently on the pillow. She used her palms to wipe his tear stricken face. Madhan's shirt was drenched in tears as well. Unbuttoning his shirt, she carefully took it off of him without waking him up. She reached for a towel that was lying lazily on the desk and wiped him dry. Just as she was about to get up from the bed, Madhan turned to his side and wrapped his arms around her.

   Riya was stuck. She was sitting with his hands around her. Feeling tired herself, she wriggled down, leaned back, and closed her eyes. Madhan was spooning her and she had never felt so comfortable and secure in her life.

   Hey you guys! :D So what do you think of the meeting that went with Aakash? ;)

   I have a tiny( I think) request to ask! HTWYB reached the What's Hot #2 spot a week and a half ago, for which I have you guys to immensely thank! :D

   But ever since, the ratings have dropped really low, so I was hoping you guys could help me bring it to #1 before this book is finished! Pleaseee vote and comment!!

   The only reason I was uploading it every Wednesday and Saturday was because I heard it wasn't good to update really frequently!

   BUT, if you guys vote and comment, (those who haven't, vote for a few chapters of the book you haven't voted), I think it will provide enough activity to consider bringing the book to at least the top 5!

   I'm really sorry to be asking for this, but I've worked hard to write this book, so I want to see it at #1 at least once before this book ends, because I doubt it would reach that spot after it ends!

  But I'm extremely grateful for all the support you've given me till now, and hope you are enjoying the story so far! :)

This chapter is dedicated to:

saanvik

dsaismylife

shivster_26

Thanks for voting and commenting! I really appreciate the support! <3 :)

Till Thursday, Peeps!

   -Akshaya