Love and Music

Great choice

Rahul reached his home at 12:30 PM and headed directly to his music room. It was a room where he found solace when in trouble. He was considering what Arshi had said and was planning to invite Arshi over. He thought that it would be a good idea to invite Chetna Bhabhi and Divyansh also but then decided against it as he was going to introduce Arshi as a friend and not as a future partner. He finally decided to call Anushree and Esha along with Arshi for a small get together at home. It made complete sense as they were also friends and it would be a good idea to introduce a new friend to his parents. He finally went to his parents' room to enquire if they would be at home, and they answered in the affirmative. So he just informed them that his friends are going to come over and his parents had no issue. 

Rahul went up to his room and called Anushree and Esha. They were free as it was a weekend, and that was the only day that Rahul and Arshi had no concerts on, and Akshat sir had also given that day off. Anushree and Esha agreed to reach by 4:30 PM at Rahul's place. Rahul then called up Arshi and said, "So are you free this evening?" Arshi answered, "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?" Rahul explained, "So can you come home at 4:30 PM. Anushree and Esha are also coming over. You will also be able to meet my parents. Will you join?" She was happy to join them and agreed to reach on time. She was a fan of Rahul's mother, who was a fantastic singer. She was excited to meet her, and she had also had a lot of good things from Rahul. She wanted to make a good impression. 

She was chilling till Rahul called up, but then she was super busy baking some muffins and cookies for Anu and Esha as well as Ma and Baba. She called Rahul's parents as Ma and Baba just as Rahul called them, but she had to be extra careful of not calling them as Ma and Baba when she went to meet them. Arshi baked sugar-free cookies for Baba and orange zest cookies for Ma as Rahul had informed her in one of their conversations that Ma loved that flavor. She also made coffee cookies and some black currant ones too for the others. Arshi put up all the grays of cookies to bake in the oven and went for a shower. Lata di, her cook arrived and went to the kitchen to make lunch. She made some soup and grilled vegetables and mushrooms for lunch. Arshi headed out of the shower and went to the kitchen to check on the cookies. She had to bake five trays of cookies and also pack them up. It was already 12:30 PM, and she had just baked two plates and had to hurry up. Arshi and Lata di conversed and made cookies and lunch, respectively. 

Finally, she was done with the cookies (baking and packing) by 2:30 PM, after which she sat down to have lunch in peace. As she was having her lunch, she got a call from Rahul, that made her lips curve into a smile. She picked up the call and answered, "Hi Rahul. What are you doing?" Rahul answered, "Nothing much. I am Bored, doing Nothing. I am working on some new programming for a tune. That is all. What have you been doing? What have you made? I am sure you would have baked something." Arshi was astonished and replied, "You seem to know me well, Rahul. " Rahul questioned, "What all have you made?" Arshi answered," Why do you want to know now? You can wait for some time till the evening. " Rahul said, "Okay, fine. But I was right in guessing that you have made something." They enjoyed their conversation. Their call ended at 2:30 PM. She had a car at her disposal that she had got recently, and knew driving yet she always preferred to go with Rahul most of the time as they get to spend some extra time together. 

She went on to her closet at 3:30 PM to get ready. She took some time to decide what to wear. She wanted to have a good 'first impression.' She finally decided to wear a long Kurti along with blue denim. She did not want to be overdressed. She left home at 4:00 PM as she was always punctual. 

She reached Rahul's place at 4:25 PM sharp. Anushree and Esha had not arrived yet. Someone opened the door and directed her to Rahul's music room, where he was busy working, immersed in computer screen programming. Rahul looked up to see Arshi and went on to hug her and complimented her, "You look beautiful. How do you manage to mesmerize me every time I see you?" Arshi answered flirtatiously, "Is that so? It is the same case for you too, darling. You look amazing yourself." She handed over the cookies that she had got for everyone. They left to move to the living room. Anushree and Esha reached about 4:45 PM. By that time, Rahul and Arshi were engaged in some conversation. Anushree and Esha joined them, and their conversation continued. They spoke about Anushree's marriage, planned in a couple of months. She was very excited about it. The conversation continued.

Esha and Anushree were busy teasing Rahul and Arshi. They blushed furiously, listening to all the teases. The four regularly chatted about everything under the sky and over the earth like they were friends forever, even when Arshi had known them recently. The cookies that Arshi had got were served, and everyone loved it. They were indeed delicious. Everyone loved the black currant and coffee cookies. 

They chatted for a while when Rahul's mom emerged from her room. She had met Anushree and Esha already. Arshi had never met Rahul's mother. Anushree and Esha went on to hug her mother. Rahul introduced Arshi as his bandmate and a great friend of his. Arshi went on and touched her mother's feet, and she hugged her back. Rahul's mother was much moved by her gesture and blessed. Rahul, on the other hand, smiled, seeing Arshi take efforts to impress his mother. He was genuinely happy. His mother took an instant liking for her. The orange zest cookies that she had made for Ma were served, and she liked it very much. She asked, "Arshi, they are delicious. Where did you get it from?" Before Arshi could answer, Rahul answered, "She baked them herself. She cooks amazingly well." Ma sat with them and talked for some time. She congratulated Anushree for her marriage.

As soon as Ma left, Anushree jumped over Arshi, " So sweet of you. You truly seemed to have won her heart. " Rahul smiled and whispered to Arshi, "My mom likes you." Arshi smiled back, "Good to hear that. How are you so sure of it, though?" and winked. Rahul answered," oh, I know my mom and my girlfriend well enough." 

Time flew by. Hours felt like minutes with friends. At 8:30 PM, Anushree and Esha left while Rahul convinced Arshi to stay for a little longer. Arshi obliged to him. They talked about the upcoming concert, and Rahul also mentioned that Arshi and Ma would get along well. She was relieved to have had a good impression on his mother. Arshi also left at 9:00 PM as she had to reach home by 9:30 PM. They also had a flight to catch the next morning to Udaipur for a concert, and Rahul, as usual, promised to pick Arshi up from her place by 10:30 AM the following day. 

Rahul that night went and sat down with his mother for some time and asked indirectly about Arshi and whether she liked her or not. Rahul's mother just replied in a single phrase, "You like her? Am I right?" Rahul blushed furiously and answered, "Nothing like that, Ma." Rahul's mother gave her a questioning look indicating, 'I know everything. Don't try to act smart in front of me.' He finally agreed, "Yes. I like her." She asked, "Are you both together?" Rahul simply blushed and nodded and said, "For a few months." Ma answered, "Congratulations. I must say your choice is good."

Rahul went to his room satisfied with the conversation that he had with his mother. He went off to sleep in peace after packing for the next day's concert. Arshi also went ahead and packed for the following day and went off to sleep.