Rishabala SS : Dancing At Midnight

Prologue A

TAPP!!! 

Sultan turned to look at the source of the sound, and found his 5 yr old sister sitting in the back seat in shock. He sniggered at her. Madhu looked at her brother and pouted, which somehow made her older brother smile even more. She turned to the elderly man sitting next to her. 

Madhu sadly: "Mohan Uncle, my balloon." 

She took the remnants of the balloon and dangled it in front of his face. 

Mohan: "No more, Madhu. That was the second balloon. Look at Sultan, he still has his balloon." 

Sultan smiles proudly. 

Madhu looks down in shame: "Sorry." 

Mohan: "It's okay." 

Madhu: "Will you get me another balloon?" 

Mohan: "No." 

Madhu: "Please, Mohan Uncle." 

Mohan: "No, Madhu. You can't always have whatever you want in life." 

Madhu becoming adamant: "But I want balloon." 

Sultan: "Mama is right. You are too much trouble. And no one will marry you, if you are like this. And poor Papa will have a tough time finding a man who will have you." 

Sultan was quite proud of himself, not only was he able to repeat his mother's exact words, he was able to give Madhu that exact expression that their mother gave Madhu while saying this. 

Madhu's eyes filled with tears, and she said softly: "I will find a man to marry me." 

Mohan sighs. Sultan and Madhu were like his own children. For him, they and Rishu were no different. But more than Rishu and Sultan, Madhu was closer to him. She confided in him everything all her secrets, her fear, her insecurities. And she had confided in him, more than once, her fear of never finding a man who will have her, and her poor Papa going in search for a man who will marry her. And the last time, when she had confided in him, she had found the perfect solution to her problem, she will herself, find the man who will marry her, and save her Papa all the trouble. 

Madhu's tears were one thing that he cud never see.  

Mohan: "On our way back we will buy you a new balloon." 

Madhu immediately smiles, and hugs him: "Thank you, Mohan Uncle." 

Sultan again imitating his mother: "You are the one who is spoiling her." 

They reach Mohan's chawl. 

Mohan: "I have some work here, I will come back soon." 

Sultan and Madhu both nod their heads. 

Mohan: "Madhu, don't get out of the car." 

Madhu though irritated, as he had issued that order solely at her and not Sultan, she decided not to make a fuss, else she won't get her balloon. So, she simply nods. 

After, Mohan leaves, the driver also goes out. Sultan notices some children playing, a little further away. 

Sultan: "Madhu, I am going to play with them." 

Madhu: "Even I am coming." 

Sultan: "No, only boys are playing. And remember what Mohan Uncle said?" 

Madhu feels bad: "Then, can I play with your balloon?" 

Sultan: "No, you will burst it like your other two balloons." 

Madhu: "I will be careful." 

Sultan: "No." 

Sultan got out of the car and started walking, and then he stopped midway and looked back. He found his little sister sitting there with a sad face. Sultan didn't know why, but whenever he sees his sister upset, he feels bad. So he walks back, and opens the door on her side, and gives her the balloon.