Love and Music

Ma and Arshi

The concerts that month were terrific. They had shows in Dubai, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Mangalore, and a lot of other places. The month passed with a lot of concerts and one online release of their song. The fans very well received the song, and it got a million views in less than 24 hours. 

The next month was an "Offseason" with not many concerts in the month, and most of them were in Mumbai itself, so there was no traveling to do that month. Arshi's parents were supposed to arrive that month for some family get together. They were supposed to reach on the 10th of that month. Arshi awaited their arrival as her mother had informed that she has a surprise for her, and Arshi was desperate to introduce them to Rahul. 

Earlier that month, before Arshi's parents arrived, Rahul would spend most of the evenings post their studio session with Arshi at her place. But one day, Rahul invited Arshi over to his home as they had some programming to do, and they thought of completing it at Rahul's music room rather than go to the studio for it. Arshi did not mind that at all. She reached his place by 2:00 PM post-lunch and rang the bell. The person who opened the door led her to the music room where Rahul and his mother were sitting, having a discussion. Arshi went in and touched her feet, and Ma blessed her and hugged her and said, "Sit down, dear. Rahul was just talking about you right now." Arshi blushed to listen to that. She was not able to believe that Ma would accept her so wholeheartedly. Ma continued, "He was just informing me about all the fun and work that you have in the studio. He was also telling me how you took care of him when he was unwell. Thank you so much. He is lucky to have someone like you and trust me; he likes you. I know my son that well, and I have never seen him talk so lovely about any girl like the way he does about you." Arshi replied, "Ma. I mean, Aunty, I am the lucky one here." Arshi always used to address her as Ma, and in a slip of the tongue, she called her Ma.  Rahul smiled slyly, hearing her and was curious about how his mother would react to it. Ma replied, "You can call me ma. It is okay." Rahul had a genuine smile on his face, and Arshi went ahead and hugged her tightly. Rahul knew that Arshi and Ma would get along well. Rahul thanked his stars for having got two such wonderful ladies in his life. 

Arshi and Rahul sat down for the programming of a recording that was supposed to be released next month. Moreover, Rahul also had some editing of ma's audio left. MA herself was a fantastic singer, and she was supposed to be releasing a music video later that month. The recording of it was done and just had to be edited. It was a great song that she had recorded. 

They worked with many cups of coffee, long discussions, agreements, and disagreements. But the final result was praiseworthy. Rahul was not feeling well and so Arshi was on the computer set up working while Rahul was giving all the suggestions of changes to be made. At 5:30 PM, they finally wrapped up, and Rahul informed Arshi, " We are almost done. I will complete the rest of the work tonight and send it to you and Akshat, sir, as soon as it is over. He lay tired on the recliner beside the setup. Arshi asked, noticing him tired, "Are you okay?" Rahul answered, "Yes, I am. Don't you worry. I am fine." Arshi believed him and was about to leave, and that is when he met ma. Ma hugged her and dropped her to the door. Arshi slyly spoke, "Ma, I think Rahul is unwell. He seemed very tired." Ma said, " I will check. Don't worry. If there will be any problem, the first call will go to you." Arshi thanked ma and left. 

As soon as Arshi reached home, she was starving and went to the kitchen to get the food that Lata di had made. She warmed it up in the microwave and went to her room with the food. She had her dinner in peace and decided to call Rahul post-dinner. At about 10:30 PM, she called up Rahul. He did not pick up the call. She tried over three times, and no one picked up. Arshi was worried about him. She did not even have Ma's number. She tried calling again, and finally, after over six attempts, Ma picked up the call. Arshi worriedly asked," Rahul, are you okay? I called you so many times, and you were not picking up. Where are you? Are you alright?" Ma answered, "Arshi. Ma this side. Rahul is down with a fever, and I had put the phone on silent so that the calls don't disturb his sleep." Arshi answered, "Namaste (Translation-Hello) Ma. I am so sorry. I thought Rahul hard picked up the call. Is Rahul okay? Is the temperature high? How is he feeling now?" Ma replied, "He has a 103-degree fever. I just put him to sleep now. The fever is not reducing at all. I am worried. I was about to call you up, but then I realized that it was already very late, so I thought I would call you tomorrow morning." Arshi was pained listening to Rahul's condition. She said, "Ma, I am coming over, now. Don't you worry. I will reach within half an hour." She did not bother to change; she took her bag, phone, and car keys and left to Rahul's place. She drove as fast as she could and reached Rahul's place at 11:00 PM sharp and headed directly to Rahul's room. MA was pacing around left and right in his room. She was worried. Rahul lay on the bed with a towel om his forehead that ma was probably using to sponge his forehead. She was genuinely concerned. She went and hugged MA, who was as worried as her and assured her that he would be okay. 

Arshi went and sat beside him and asked ma to rest for some time. She went to the kitchen to change the bowl of water that she used for sponging. She sat there, awake for the entire night.

At 7:30 AM, MA came to Rahul's room to check on him and found that Rahul was asleep, and Arshi was sitting there, beside him holding his hand. She had dozed off unintentionally. MA stood near the door and saw Arshi and Rahul. She was happy that Rahul had found someone who cared a lot for him, supported, and understood him. She went inside and placed her hand over Arshi's shoulder. She got up immediately. Arshia said, "Good Morning, Ma. I did not realize when I had dozed off. His fever has gone down. Don't worry." MA replied, "You are such a sweetheart. I have never seen a girl who cared so much for Rahul. Thank you." MA hugged Arshi. In this entire thing going on in the room, Rahul woke up listening to them. As soon as he woke up, he saw Ma hugging Arshi and said, "MA, as Arshi is here, you can't forget me like that." MA smiled and replied, "You have found a gem of a person for yourself." Rahul asked, "What are you doing here so early in the morning?" Before Arshi could reply, MA said, "You were down with a fever, and Arshi sat with you the entire night taking care of you. If you are feeling any better now, all credits to her." Rahul smiled and thanked Arshi. 

Arshi, MA,and Rahul had breakfast together after which Arshu left immediately as she had a lot of work pending at home. Rahul promised to pick her up at 6:00 PM for the studio session that Akshat sir had called for.