Love and Music

Cousins

The next morning, Arshi and Rahul connected on a video call. There conversations were completely unending. The conversation was different than usual. They  spoke their heart out. They sat down with a mug of coffee and The conversation just flowed smoothly.

 Rahul asked,"Good Morning. How are you doing this morning? What are you planning for today?" Arshi answered,"Nothing  much. I am free in the morning. I will probably practice vocals for sometime and then move on to making some lunch. What about you?" Arshi answered,"Similar plans. I have a few programming to do and then Divyansh and Chetna are going to be coming over for some work. I am actually working with them for a short film as the music producer. It  will take  a few hours and then I will be done. Why don't you come over to my place? It will be great. You can also meet  them and can also help me with the music." Divyansh was Rahul's cousin and Chetna was his wife. She had always heard a lot about them from Rahul and was excited to meet them. Arshi agreed to reach his place by 11:00 AM and asked for the location. He also pressed for a lunch with everyone. She had to agree to it. She thought that it would be a good chance for her to meet his cousins.

Arshi scheduled a cab to Rahul's place and went inside for a shower. It was just 8:00 AM when she headed out of the shower. She had enough time in hand to make some cookies. She decided in the affirmative and started to make the dough for the cookies. She had no idea who all were present to estimate the amount of cookies to be baked. So she called up Rahul. She casually asked who all were there and he answered,"Ma, Papa,Divyansh, Chetna and me. Shaarika, my sister may come over, but I am not sure. Why do you ask?" Arshi answered,"Just like that. Bye See ya soon." ending the call abruptly in a hurry. 

She made about 6 batches of cookies of different types that included some sugar free ones for his dad and mom and some coffee flavoured for Rahul and mixed dry fruits and coconut ones for Divyansh and Chetna. She also made some extra ones for Shaarika. She packed them neatly in a wrap box and placed it carefully on the table. It was already 9:30 AM as she was done baking all the cookies and then she had to get ready. She actually had a tough time deciding what to wear and was also worried whether Rahul will continue to keep the secret of their relationship under cover or inform others about them. She hoped for the former. She  finally decided to wear Indian ethnics, pallazo and a kurti and had a duppatta (scarf) on. She tied her hair into a braid, dabbed on some lipsticks and sprayed some perfume. She was ready to leave by 10:00 AM but her cab was scheduled at 10:15 AM. She waited patiently and meanwhile called her mother up to just check on her. She informed that she was going to Rahul's place, her mom asked her to take some cookies and was pleasantly surprised to know that Arshi had herself baked some cookies. She remarked,"Good that you made some cookies. Your cookies are far better than the ones available in the market. Nice to see you take efforts for people." Arshi just smiled and replied, "Yes, We should take some extra efforts sometimes." Arshi's  cab arrived dot on time and she carefully headed downstairs with the cookies in her hand. 

As she had settled down in the cab, Rahul called her. He asked,"Have you left home? How long will you take?" Arshi answered,"Yes, I have left home and will reach within 25 minutes or so."  Rahul smiled and whispered,"Listen, Do you mind if I tell Divyansh and Chetna  about us?" Arshi agreed  reluctantly. Rahul understood her reluctance and said,"You meet them and then we shall decide about it. It is okay." Arshi was happy and asked,"How do you understand me so well? It is completely okay to tell trustworthy people and it doesn't actually make sense to hide it from your cousins whom you are so close to. It is completely fine and I am okay with it," 

Rahul decided that he would not reveal it to them in Arshi's absence and thus waited for her to reach. After 20 minutes, Rahul headed to his garden as he was really inpatient waiting for Arshi. Arshi reached his home and he was there waiting for her in the garden. He hugged her and welcomed her warmly,"Welcome, Arshi. You look so beautiful. I am seeing you dress up this way for the first time and you look drop dead beautiful. My god!!" Arshi blushed and mumbled a thank you  and handed over the cookies to Rahul which he passed on to someone in the kitchen and asked him to bring it for everyone in the music room. Arshi was overwhelmed seeing Rahul wait for her and welcome her so warmly.

They directly headed to the music room as his mom and Dad had gone to the temple. In the music room,  Divyansh and Chetna were waiting for Arshi. They both stood up and welcomed her sweetly, Divyansh with a handshake and Chetna with a half hug. Divyansh and Chetna introduced themselves and they finally sat down in peace. Rahul said,"So, she is Arshi Sharma. She recently joined our band as a performer and is a singer and composer. She has co produced a few songs with me and is a great friend of mine. I invited her over to help us with the music." They began with their work and Divyansh explained her what the entire project was about and what was the film like. She understood it and the requirements of the songs and gave in her suggestions that were really helpful. Chetna was a stylist by profession and also worked with Divyansh in his films as a stylist and also as a producer. Arshi and Chetna conversed about what the tracks were like and also the costumes. Arshi took an instant liking towards Chetna and the vice versa too. They were done with ideating the music and took a break. Rahul asked someone to serve the cookies. As the cookies were served, Rahul and others loved it. Divyansh asked,"From where did you get these? They taste amazing." Even before Arshi could answer, Rahul had figured out that they were made by Arshi and answered,"You would not get such great ones in the market. Arshi has baked them herself and she is an amazing chef." Arshi was astonished seeing that Rahul could recognize the taste of the cookies so easily. Chetna said," They are truly awesome. Share the recipe please, I love and I can also try my hands on baking some day."Arshi smiled and agreed. Rahul said,"So, I have something to tell you guys." Arshi understood it immediately. Rahul continued,"Actually I wanted to inform you that we both, as in... me and Arshi are together." Divyansh and Chetna were truly surprised as well as happy and congratulated Rahul and Arshi. Divyansh said,"Finally, our Rahul Ved is in love. So great to know that. Arshi is a gem of a person. Congratulations dear. Arshi, I must say you have a great choice and you are lucky to have him. He really is a hopeless romantic and I know he will love you a lot," Arshi replied,"I indeed am lucky to have him." Rhaul interrupted,"Actually, Divyansh, It is the other way round. I am the lucky one. She loves me and understands me and I need nothing else." Arshi blushed listening to him. Chetna too spoke,"Congratulations, Bhai. Arshi congratulations to you too. You both seem perfect for each other. 

After that, they went to the dining for a delicious lunch, They had really become great friends. Arshi shared a great equation with Divyansh and  Chetna and Rahul was delighted to see how well Arshi just fitted well in the family.  As they were done with lunch, Rahul got a call from Akshat sir to come to the studio at 4:00 PM. Then,Arshi got a call too for the same. They had no way left but to head to the studio. Divyansh and  Chetna also left after lunch. 

Rahul and Arshi had some time to talk in the car. Rahul said,"How do you just fit in so well with everyone. I never could imagine having a partner who would be so sweet to not just me but my friends and family too." Arshi smiled and answered,"They are too good people to not be friends with and I ma so happy that you are okay in breaking the news of our relationship to your friends and close family. Yes, I must say. Chetna is amazing and Divyansh is so sweet. I am so grateful to be welcomed so humbly by your family members. It means a lot to me." The conversation continued on the same topic . 

They reached the studio on time to find Akshat sir waiting in the studio. There were certain changes to be made in the music and pitch of the song that Arshi and Rhaul had recorded. It took quite sometime and they finally wrapped up at 8:30 PM. They had no work pending for the next day and thus it was an off day for all. 

Arshi and Rahul headed together to Arshi's place for a coffee after which Rahul left. As soon as he reached home, Anushree called him confirming the plan to meet the next day. Rahul had dinner and called up Arshi to inform about meeting and they later connected on a video call that lasted for 3 hours and then they both finally went off to sleep at 1:00 AM.