Love and Music

Conditions

At 11:30 PM, Rahul called up Arshi. Arshi decided not to pick up the call. Arshi was way too much surprised with the events of the day. She had never expected anything like what just happened. The day was too tiring, and Arshi was unable to sleep that night. Arshi had no plan but to oblige to what Ishaan offered. Arshi lay on the bed with the pillow pressing against her head. She was weeping. Arshi could not find a single thing that she could do not to get Rahul removed from the album except to accept Ishaan's offer. Rahul called up again at midnight. Arshi had nothing else left than to agree to Ishaan. So she decided to take Ishaan's proposal, but she had no idea how she could not let the world know about it. 

Arshi could not sleep that night and used that night wisely on deciding how she could get away from Rahul. Arshi agreed, "I am going to avoid Rahul no matter what. I will not go with Rahul, and I will not stay back in the studio when Akshat sir is not there. I have to stay away from Rahul at any cost. I don't want him to think that I am doing it out of compulsion. I need to ensure that it looks as if I am marrying Ishaan by choice. I can't afford to get Rahul's voice replaced in any of the songs. I want him to be a part of the album at any cost. I have to start it now. Arshi could not stop crying at all. She wept till the wee hours of the morning after which she went on to the washroom to freshen up. Rahul called up again in the morning. She did not pick up the call and also restricted Rahul's account on Instagram, decided to block his other numbers too. She could not afford to have Rahul's number flashing on her screen and not pick up the call. Rahul messaged her asking if she was alright. She read the message and left it as seen. 

Rahul was astonished by Arshi's cold behaviour towards him. He knew that something was wrong but had no idea about it. Arshi got out of bed and went to make coffee for herself and then went for a shower. As she returned from the shower, Mom had made some Upma for breakfast and they all sat together for breakfast. During breakfast, Mom and Dad asked her about Ishaan. She wanted to scream at them, "It is because of the meeting last night that my life seems to be falling apart." Mom asked, "He is a nice guy. I am sure that he will keep you happy. What have you thought about the proposal?" Arshi replied, "Give me some time to think." Arshi had some condition that Ishaan had to accept after which she would consider his proposal. Arshi after her shower called up Ishaan to meet him. Ishan obliged, "I shall send you the address where we can meet, don't worry it will be a secretive place where no one can see us." Arshi was okay with it as long as she could talk to Ishaan and make everything crystal clear with him. After an hour, Arshi got a message from Ishaan that read, "5:00 PM. Cafe Bistro. See ya there." Arshi read it and replied, "Okay."  

Arshi left home at 4:45 PM to meet Ishaan. She reached at 5:10 PM. She saw Ishaan seated on a chair in a secluded corner where he seemed like a silhouette. She went ahead to Ishaan. Ishaan stood up to give a hug and she stopped him by just pushing him away. She sat opposite Ishaan and said, "Let's get to the point directly. I am ready to accept your proposal but I have a few conditions. First, I am ready to get married only after the release of Bhoomi with Rahul's voice in it. Second, Rahul should not know that I am getting married to you. Third, "we will stay separately after we marry and you will not stop me ever from any of my studio sessions or live concerts. That is all." Ishan smiled, "I agree to all your conditions except one that is Rahul will get to know. Anyway, he will get to know. I am sure you would love to call him for your wedding. I agreeing to all your conditions. But then the release of Bhoomi will be on the day of our wedding. Is that okay?" Arshi nodded. After that, she left immediately. Arshi had got 18 calls from Rahul that she had ignored with a lot of pain. 

Arshi got a call from Radhika who had called her to inform that she had planned a small get together via zoom. She agreed to join. It was to be held tomorrow evening or day after tomorrow. 

Rahul again called Arshi at night and she did not pick up. She saw a number of DMs on Instagram Message Request from Rahul as she had restricted him. Arshi read the message, "Arshi. Is everything okay? I have called you a number of times and you do not seem to pick up my call. I hope we are going well with everything. I know I am behaving weird since a few days but I never intended to. I was just worried if we actually have a future together. You know that I love you a lot and I don't want to lose you at any cost. You make my imperfect life perfect. You have no idea how important you are in my life and losing you would be like; losing a part of my own self. I am sorry if I have hurt you with my behaviour. You have been a perfect girlfriend taking care of me and being with me forever but I haven't been a good friend too. I am sorry. I hope my apology will be accepted and please can we be given a chance. With love- Yours forever, Rahul" 

Arshi had tears in her eyes. She died a million times reading that message. She could not do anything. She replied, "Rahul. All is okay. Don't worry. Stay Happy. Bye." She wanted to write more but she had to sound cold so that Rahul could forget her and move ahead. She hoped that Rahul would not be very affected but deep within, she was aware that she was breaking off as an individual and was also hurting Rahul. She did not care what she was going through but the fact that she was hurting Rahul killed her, again and again, a million times. It was painful for her. ut she had no other option to save Rahul except doing what she had been asked to by Ishaan.