Love and Music

Clarification

The message that Arshi read gave her a chance to heave a sigh of breath finally and sat on the bedside. Arshi sat down, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She was hopeful that she would be able to set free. Anushree called up to check on her, "Arshi, is the release preponed?" Arshi regaining her mental composure and said, "Yes. It is preponed. It is scheduled the day after tomorrow."Anushree asked, "I am so happy for you. But there aren't being any promotions on social media going on now." Arshi replied, "Yes. Radhika has managed to convince Akshat sir to promote after or during the release. I don't know how she manages to convince Akshat sir so well. This would not have been possible without her." Anushree was delighted to know about it and congratulated Arshi. They both talked for some time, and then they disconnected the call. It was already 10:00 PM, and Arshi was hungry. So she sat in her room with her dinner and switched on Netflix to binge watch some series. After she was done with her dinner, she went off to sleep in peace. She was exhausted yet extremely happy with the proceedings of the day. 

Rahul had no idea as to why the album release was preponed, but he did not mind it all. What he enjoyed the most was that he was able to spend a lot of time with Arshi over video call after so very long. He felt at peace after speaking to her. Rahul was aware that she was going to get married to someone else, but their connection with each other was as secure as it was earlier. They still flirted with each other effortlessly. There was no awkwardness until the end when Rahul crept up the question of her marriage. She was hiding something huge and was in a dilemma herself, at least that is what he could figure out from the way she spoke. He hoped that she would be happy and that is all that mattered to him. 

ON THE DAY OF RELEASE

The morning for Arshi began at 6:00 AM. She got up and went for her workout. She returned at 7:00 AM. They were supposed to reach the studio by 9:00 AM. They had planned to release all the 18 songs of the album at a single go, on the same day. Arshi left home at 8:15 AM after having her breakfast, Pancakes and coffee. She was excited as to how the day would unfold. She had not informed anyone about the release and Manish too was unaware of it. Akshat sir had informed everyone categorically to promote it before a few hours of release and not earlier as it was supposed to be like a kind of surprise for the fans who had been enquiring about the album release since very long. She reached the studio at 8:50 AM, and Radhika was already there waiting for Akshat sir, Amit sir and Rahul. Akshat sir was supposed to forward the write up that they were supposed to put up on their Instagram stories and posts, that is how the entire promotion worked. Akshat sir had already put up a post on their Instagram and the others were also supposed to put it up. Rahul arrived after a couple of minutes later. Rahul and Arshi were called by Akshat sir to post on their social media handles and Radhika also put up a story related to the same on her Instagram. The release was scheduled from 12:45 PM onwards. They were to release all the songs by 5:00 PM and it was supposed to be a premier on Youtube. They all were looking forward to the release and were discussing about the expected audience. They had set an alarm for 12:30 PM and they were excited for the release. At 12:45 PM, they all sat together and waited for the premiere to start. 

The premiere of all the songs went Fine and there were over 100K views in every song within a couple of hours. They were overwhelmed with the response they got and there were a lot of people who had tagged them in their Instagram stories and posts. 

The release went well and Manish came to the studio at 5:45 PM. Arshi wanted to talk to Manish about Ishaan. She asked Radhika if it would be a good idea and Radhika said, "I think it is the best idea. I am really curios to know if Manish had actually agreed to help Ishaan. Everyone was busy with their social media, that is when Arshi went to Manish. Manish greeted her warmly, "Hey Arshi! Great singing here."Arshi replied, "Thanks Manish. I wanted to ask you something, if you don't mind." Manish said, "Go ahead." with a questioning look in his eyes. Arshi continued, "I am sorry if I am sounding odd but I really want a clarification on something. Did you promise to help Ishaan by replacing voices in the album?" Manish was astonished, "Arshi, I am a person who works on ethics and I do not mix up my personal and work life. I would never ever do that. But why do you think that I would ever do something as low as that. But who told this to you." Arshi was not sure if she should tell the truth or not and glanced at Radhika who nodded, signalling her to go ahead  and tell the truth. Arshi continued, "Manish, I don't intend to hurt you but Ishaan had compelled me to marry him or else he would replace the voice of Rahul and he is a dear friend of mine and so I did not want that." Manish interrupted, "And with what voice I would have replaced it with?" Arshi said, "You had Vashishth's voice too." Manish replied, "No, I did not have his voice. I was just given Rahul's recording." Arshi was stunned, "So you had not agreed to help Ishaan? He was literally blackmailing me about the same." Manish was furious. I am so sorry from his side. I never knew he was such a scoundrel. You were marrying him out of compulsion?" Arshi nodded, "But not anymore. I shall call off the wedding today itself. Manish, it is a request, Please don't inform Ishaan that I told you everything." Manish answered, "I shall not. Sorry for whatever he has done." Arshi strongly replied, "You need not be sorry. But Ishaan shall pay for this. Yes, Manish, Please don't give him any hints about the same. I want to be the one who unravels the truth." Manish nodded. 

The rest of the things in the studio went fine and they all sat for sometime chilling. Arshi had regained a genuine smile. As they all were about to leave, Arshi took Rahul with him to the corner of the studio, held his hand and whispered, "I love you, Rahul. I am yours forever."