After few weeks

In Vinay's cabin

"V, my boy! How are you?! Long time no see!" Shiva came to see his best friend and hugged him tightly earning a wide smile from him.

Rekha came behind him and went for a bear hug from her favourite person.

"Reh! Congrats on the engagement both of you! So, when is the wedding, hm...?" Vinay asked them while sitting on the couch with the love birds.

They looked at each other and spoke "After two months, as we need to do the arrangements. Shiva needs to attend his meeting in Kolkata. So, we will be travelling there next week. We need to do the shopping too. So, quite busy," Rekha said grinning happily clutching Shiva's arms.

Vinay looked at her with adoration. He loved how they cared and loved for each other making him remember her.

He saddened at the thought but jolted back saying that he would like to shop with his bestie as he didn't want him to make a fool out of himself for selecting poor quality products!

Shiva glared at him cutely for the royal insult. But laughed at the rage that his fiancé showed his bestie.

They laughed and enjoyed their moment not aware that they were soon to be faced with a shocking truth.

In Shimla

Madhu was typing on her computer in the staff room.

"Madhu Mam, when is your class as I wanted to substitute for the sixth grade. Since the exams are approaching and I wanted to finish my classes asap. Please if you don't mind," the teacher requested to earn a generous smile from Madhu.

"No problem, Lavanya Mam, you can take the class," Madhu said to her going back to her work.

The teacher was happy to get a positive response from her.

In the evening, Madhu packed her stuff and prepared to leave for the day.

"Mam, Principal madam wants to speak to you." The maid came to the staff room calling out Madhu.

Madhu went to the Principal's chamber to find Arjun sitting there. She got puzzled and seated herself in his adjacent seat.

"Madhu and Arjun, as you both know that Mr. Oberoi is one of the trustees of our school..." Principal started the conversation somewhat getting tensed. Both were not understanding her restlessness.

Both nodded and looked at each other in confusion.

"And Mr. Oberoi is also the owner of many businesses like transport, shopping centre and so on," She continued.

"I hope you know the grand opening of Akshaya Jewellery that is supposed to happen this week?" she enquired with her most trusted people.

"Um...Yes, I know that. The one in the city, is it? It is really grand and expensive. It is one of the biggest in the city with multiple floors for different occasions and events." Arjun explained further getting a surprised look from Madhu.

"But...isn't Mr. Oberoi the owner of that shop. Coz, I heard it in news that he was opening it in the memory of his deceased wife." Arjun continued earning a nod from Principal.

"Um...yes. That's the one. Actually...I have a request from Madhu on this matter." The Principal looked at Madhu with pleading eyes.

"Me!! How can I help?!!" Madhu pointed at herself and looked at Arjun who shrugged his shoulders.

Principal Anupama got up from her seat and came towards Madhu. Madhu stood up from her seat. Principal held her hands and spoke "They were looking for someone to give an opening ceremony for the inauguration in the convention hall of their hotel. And...I... kind...of...suggested...um...your name!"

Madhu's eyes widened and she took her hand back. She backed a little and spoke "Me!! How...how...can ...you do that without asking me!? I mean you should have informed me about it..."

Arjun also got furious at the Principal's clumsiness and he spoke in Madhu's defence "Mam, how could you do this to her?! She is your staff member and not your slave that she needs to showcase her talent in front of strangers!"

"I know, Arjun Sir! I made a grave mistake! But what could I do! Mr. Oberoi personally came here to ask this favour! I could not say no to him! He is one of our prestigious trustees. He never backs from donating for the school from time to time!"

"So! you will give her off just like that! Mam, this is wrong! I won't allow this! Madhu, let's go!" Saying so, Arjun grabbed her wrist and went towards the exit.

Principal Anupama ran towards them and pleaded "Please! Listen to me first! It is not going to be some ordinary performance. They want a classical number and moreover only family members will be invited for the inaugural ceremony. So, you need not worry. Please understand! The future of the school is in your hands, Madhu!"

Madhu looked at Arjun who glared at her to deny the offer.

"Moreover, we have the annual audit coming up. He has promised us donation for refurnishing the south side classroom in the premises. He might also help us regarding the other classroom. Please, we are going short of donors because of the pandemic that hit three years back! We are surviving with some handful members to hold this school together! Please my friends," The Principal pleaded Madhu looking desperate.

Madhu being the selfless personality that she is, agreed finally getting an angry stare from Arjun.

After she consoled him, he agreed that he would accompany her to the ceremony. As he did not want her to have any difficulties.

After they were seated back in a relaxing mode, the Principal again threw a second bomb at them.

"What!! A partner! I mean I can do a single performance! I don't need a partner now!" Madhu jolted at the second request.

Again, after deliberate attempts by the desperate Principal she agreed saying that Arjun would accompany her to do the dance performance.

Arjun had a past experience as a dance professional in his college days. So, it was not a problem for him to do a duet with his beloved which also made him happy beyond expectations.

They used to stay back after class to practice for the shop inaugural ceremony which was supposed to happen in the coming weekend.

"I think we can finalise on this! We have the perfect dance for the ceremony. People will love it as it also kind to welcomes them!" Arjun expressed his views sipping the water getting breathy from the practice.

Madhu nodded in approval. She packed her stuff and moved to leave for the day.

In Mumbai

Vinay's cabin

"Dad, but how would I go?! I mean I have to look for the presentation for the California convention project. We have investors landing day after tomorrow for the review. I can't go, this is important for the company!" Vinay tried to tell his dad who wanted him to attend the Jewellery shop opening in Shimla.

"I know Son. But your mother wants me to stay here for Raghu uncle's daughter's wedding which is in Chennai. It is on the same day," Mr. Nair told his dilemma.

"What about Bro and Chech? Can't they go?" Vinay tried to convince him and escape out of the situation.

"Have you forgotten? Veena has her first dance recital that day in her dancing school. Both are going for that. How can they go for the wedding?" Mr. Nair made his reasoning.

"Vinay, it is only for one day. You can land in the morning, attend the ceremony and return the same day! Please Son, he is very important for me!" Mr. Nair told his son clutching his shoulders.

Vinay could never say never to his dad after that. So, he agreed and ordered Rocky to arrange for his private jet to Shimla.

In Shimla

Madhu was singing Isha's favourite lullaby to her as the baby was cuddling to her mother.

https://youtu.be/Mzh5CmmXfis

Listening to the sweet voice of her mother and the soft cradling the baby slept in her deep slumber.

Madhu put her gently on the bed and kept the pillows on the side. She got up and started to fold the dried clothes and watched the moon remembering how her life changed in a short time.

The girl who was pampered and looked after like a flower had to go through so much thorns in her life.

She was betrayed by her lover who she worshipped like a god and to lose him with just a click of a gun.

The one person whom she felt safe with was the one who stabbed her in her back.

The one person whom she cared for, trusted, and probably loved.

The one person who she saw turn into the devil, a maniac, who can kill people without remorse.

The one person from whom she needs to protect her child, her blood.

So, when she threw the ring, she knew that she needed to threw her identity too.

The one whom everyone called Sonia was dead giving arise to - Madhu, an independent woman, a respected teacher and most importantly a mother.

She shrugged her thoughts and went to cuddle with her baby to sleep peacefully thinking of a bright future for her daughter.

The day of the inaugural ceremony

Madhu was getting tensed as it was long since she performed in front of an audience.

Arjun came near her in the waiting room and offered her water to drink.

The hostess welcomed the guest of honor alongwith Mr. Oberoi to light the inaugural lamp.

The guest of honour was seated at the front alongwith Mr. Oberoi who was explaining to him the grandeur of his shop.

The hostess then announced the performers for the welcoming dance.

All the people present moved their attention to the centre to watch the performance.

The guest of honour however was not interested in it and wanted to move out of the place asap.

But he didn't want to disappoint his father whom he had promised for the same.

The couple moved to the centre stage and started their performance at the start of the music.

https://youtu.be/lHWiYbzZ-Ww

(Kindly imagine Sonia and Arjun dance to the above dance routine)

From the time Madhu and Arjun were dancing to the beat of the music, Vinay couldn't believe his eyes. He saw his beautiful glowing wife twirling to the music with the same stance, grace that used to make him lose his senses.

The unknowing tears flowed from his eyes seeing her after a dreadful period of two years.

Two years of her nonexistence in his life had made him a living corpse.

Two years of her missing scent had made his senseless.

Two years absence of her glow had made him pale.

The moment he saw her he wanted to reach her and grab her in his arms to never let her go.

Rocky who was standing near him couldn't contain his excitement. He clutched his boss's shoulder and saw him teary eyed. He nodded and smiled at him saying that they found her.

He looked back at her and thought 'Ma Reine'

When the performance finished, both the performers thanked the audience and left for the waiting room.

Madhu got a call from Prabha aunty stating the restlessness of Trishna who was missing her mom badly.

Arjun understood her uneasiness and told her that they would immediately leave for their cottage.

Vinay and Rocky ran to the waiting to meet her and make her understand to return back in their life.

But when they reached there, they found the waiting room empty.

They rushed outside to see her enter her dance partners car and drove off.

Vinay signalled Rocky to follow them and find out her place of stay.

"I am not going to let you go this time, my Sonia" Vinay told himself and dialled Rekha's number to convey her the happy news.

However, her number was showing a busy tone. So, he thought to surprise everyone when he would take his love back with him.

💕💕💕💕💕💕

Hello Readers,

Do tell your thoughts in the comments.

I promise you the story ahead is really good

Lots of love ❤️

Take Care❤️

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