Love and Music

After long.

The next morning Arshi got up later than usual at about 9 AM to find over 20 missed calls from Anushree, Esha and Radhika, all were close to the midnight. She hoped that they were all fine. She immediately called Anushree. Anushree informed that Radhika had some work but could not contact you, so she called Rahul and Rahul called me to enquire about you. Are you okay?" Arshi replied, "Yes, I am I just overslept ignoring my alarm. I will talk to Radhika and call you in some time." Anushree answered, "Yeah, sure. Bye." 

Arshi got off the bed, sliding her phone into the pocket of her pyjamas, she headed to the washroom to freshen up and then to the kitchen to make coffee and breakfast. She then called up Radhika, after setting in her room with a mug of coffee and a granola bar. 

Arshi spoke, "Hey, Radhika. Good Morning. You had called up." Radhika answered, "Yes, I had. Akshat sir had asked to call up for a meeting in the studio as all the soundtracks from Bhoomi except one is ready. so he wanted the entire team to sit down together and listen to the songs." Arshi asked, Yeah, That is great and when is that scheduled for?" Radhika said, "Today evening at 5:30 PM. Will you be there?" Arshi replied, "Positively." She thought for some time and continued, " Radhika, I am sorry for that day. I should not have been so rude to you. I did not mean to." Radhika interrupted, "It is completely okay. But tell me something else. Did you mean it? I mean are you leaving Rahul and marrying Ishaan because he is financially more capable and independent?" Arshi was silent. It did not make sense for her to hide it from Radhika if she had already told the truth to Esha and Anushree. She asked, "What do you think, Rad? Why do you think I would have done this or taken such a step?" Radhika answered, "I know it as the fact that the reason is something different and not trivial. You loved Rahul, and that love for him is still there. I can see it. Please, Arshi, tell me. What is the truth?" 

Arshi said, " Radhika, you know I love Rahul, and I will love him forever. I am not even willing to get married to Ishaan, but  I am doing it out of compulsion. I will never leave Rahul, for no amount of money, for no amount of love, for nothing except Rahul himself." Radhika questioned, "What do you mean, Arshi? Is it for Rahul that you are doing all this? If yes, I just want to tell you that he is the one suffering the most here. I know Rahul for years now, but he has never been so weak emotionally and mentally."

Arshi said, "He will be fine soon. But the truth is I don't want to be without him. I love him the most, and you know that. The thing is Ishaan happens to be Manish's cousin, and he wants us to get married. I denied, but then he threatened that he would replace Rahul's voice in all the songs of Bhoomi with Vashishth's voice. I don't want that. I know how much he has worked a lot on this album. It is something that is the closest to his heart, and I know how much pain he will undergo if his voice is not there. I don't want to see him that way. The only option I have is to marry Ishaan for Rahul. I don't want Rahul to know this or else he would prefer his voice being replaced rather than me getting married, even if his success is unsure if I don't marry Ishaan."

Radhika was stunned, "Arshi, you cannot be sacrificing your marriage and life by marrying a stupid man like Ishaan just because you want Rahul to be there as a part of Bhoomi. Don't do that. Your love for Rahul is known to us; you need not prove it by doing this. Please. It is a sincere request. Moreover, the songs are already mixed with Rahul's voice." Arshi answered, "I cannot help it now, Radhika. My marriage is in three weeks on the day of Bhoomi release itself.  I don't trust Manish and Ishaan anymore. Manish has mixed the songs with both the voices, Rahul as well as Vashishisth. That is what I think. I cannot afford to underestimate Ishaan. He must have planned something. I know he is crazy." Radhika asked in a sad tone, "Is there no solution left?" Arshi replied, "I, Esha nad Anushree came up with just one solution, and that is a sudden preponement of the album, and that will be weird, but that is the only solution." 

Radhika thought about for some time and said, "I can try that. I will try contacting the distributor. If we can submit the album by the next three days, the release can be preponed. I will talk to Akshat Sir and Rahul." Arshi interrupted, "Don't inform Rahul about the reason behind it. You may tell Akshat sir the truth but not Rahul." Radhika said, "Okay, Don't worry at all. I shall do something that can help. But I will just tell one thing, You truly love Rahul with all your heart, like no one else. I was right, though, that it is love that you have for him in your heart." Arshi smiled and apologised again for that day. Radhika, "Chill, Arshi. It is okay. I am your friend, and I understand. 

The evening

Arshi and Radhika arrived together, and Akshat sir and Amit sir were already seated in the studio. Only Rahul was to reach. Rahul came in about 10 minutes, and all of them sat together to hear the songs. The session continued till 8:00 PM. All the songs had turned out great. They all left after the session ended. Arshi and Rahul sat for some time in the studio and had a cup of coffee after which they left. The time passed in silence, but there was communication via the eyes. 

Arshi and Rahul, after returning were contented with the time they spent with each other. They were hoping for a bright future, even though Arshi was well aware that their future was dark.