Mehrama

7.

Arshi's POV

'It's me, Arshi.'

It was him, finally. I couldn't hold back the sobs.

Why do you always do this to me Darshan? What effect do you have on me?

'Where had you gone Darshan? I called out to you so many times but you never answered...' another sob.
'I was always here Arshi, waiting for you. Maybe it took you a long time to realize that.'
'I know and I am sorry Darshu. Do you have a few minutes to talk now? One of your assistants told me that you just played a concert.'

I wanted to tell someone who would understand and this time my fear hadn't won over me.

'I am always here for you, Arshi.'

This time, I broke down completely. I didn't want anyone to see how weak I got, but as I said before, with Darshan I was different. Everything was different with him.

'I am getting married.'

I thought it would feel like a huge weight being lifted off my chest. But as soon as I spoke the words another, much heavier, weight settled.
There was silence on the other side of the phone.

'Darshan, are you there?'

Still no response, just quiet breathing. I also decided to stay quiet and wait for him to talk.
This was not the uncomfortable silence when words escape the person. This was a more peaceful silence where words weren't necessary to communicate.

'You are getting married.'
It was my turn to be silent now.

'Arshi, I am sorry I have to go. Someone's calling me.'

'Of course, I am sorry I called you so late.'

And then he put the phone down. I didn't know what to make of his reaction. Maybe if he was someone who I didn't know, I would think of his response as rude. I mean, he didn't even congratulate me.

But this was Darshan. And everything was different with him.

Maybe, he genuinely had to go. And in a way I was glad that he hadn't said anything more because I wouldn't have been able to take it.

Well, if this was fate had destined for me, I was going to keep my mouth shut and go with the flow because nothing I could say or do would change anything.

—-
Darshan's POV

Hearing her break down like that on the phone really broke something within me. I was so near, and yet so far.

And what she said after that really broke me. Each time we had fooled around and I had joked that I would marry her one day, I had not thought at all about what life would turn out to be.

I couldn't even bring myself to congratulate her or say something. I had just kept quiet and then slammed the phone down. One good friend I was.

But that was problem, I didn't want to be just a friend. And it was all I would be now.

Then I felt this urge inside me to write down something. It always happened when I had a new thought for a song or lyrics I liked. I ran back to my vanity, took out a paper and pen and began to write:

Chaand bhi rutha
Taare bhi ruthe,
Aasman bhi mera na raha

Chalo rab di ye jeh manzoori,
Mainu vi koi gila nahi
Lakhaan si main mannatan mangeya
Phir kyu tu mila nahi