Love and Music

Meeting Her Parents

Rahul was excited as he woke up in the morning. It was a day he had waited to meet her parents. Arshi had managed to successfully build a beautiful bond with Ma, Baba as well as his friends. He also hoped to do the same. He was supposed to be going to Arshi's place in the evening for dinner. He freshened up, got a mug of coffee for himself and sat in the balcony to call Arshi. Before he could give a call, Akshat sir called up. Akshat sir said, " Can you come for the last phase of editing. The voices have been recorded well. Good work, Rahul and Arshi too." Rahul answered, "The entire editing is over, sir." Akshat sir said laughingly, "No. Actually, our bad cop, Amit wants some changes in the final song. Ask Arshi if she too can join." Rahul, for the first time, was not very happy about going to the studio. He agreed and asked the time. Akshat sir wanted it to be in the evening and Rahul also had to go to meet her parents. Rahul said, "Sir, I shall confirm with Arshi about the timing." Akshat sir said, "Yeah sure!" 

Rahul got up from his bed and called up Arshi. Arshi picked up before the first ring was over. Arshi greeted, "Good Morning, Rahul." Rahul said, "Good Morning, Arshi. I have a piece of bad news for you." Arshi feared and asked, "What happened?" Rahul said, "Nothing to get worried about. Calm down. Akshat sir wants us to be at the studio today for some last moment editing as per Amit sir's guidance." Arshi was relieved on hearing this and said, "What is the bad news here, Rahul? It is okay. What is the timing?" Rahul said, "Anytime in the evening. I don't want to again cancel my trip to your place." Arshi smiled and said, "We can complete the work in the studio and then we can directly head over to my place for dinner. Is that fine?" Rahul answered, "That sounds perfect. So what is the time I should confirm with Akshat sir and Amit sir? 5:00 PM sounds okay to me. What say?" Arshi replied in the affirmative. Rahul agreed to pick up Arshi from her home, then move for the studio session and then directly return to Arshi's place to meet her parents. Rahul was going to have a hard time as he had to go to the studio with an extra pair of clothes, that he could change to in the studio before meeting Arshi's parents in the evening after studio session. 

Arshi had prepared a menu for dinner and handed it to Lata di to prepare the food. Arshi prepared lunch for herself alone as her parents had been to an aunt's place. Arshi prepared a veg tortilla. She had a late lunch at 3:00 PM while watching some youtube videos. As she kept her plate in the sink and returned back to her room, she got a call from Rahul. Rahul had called up randomly to speak to her and the call lasted for an hour. They hung up just so that they could get ready for the work in the studio. Arshi's parents arrived while she was getting ready and they asked about where she was going. She answered that she, Rahul, Akshat sir and Amit sir had some work in the studio. Mom asked, "So, Rahull would not be coming over today?" Arshi answered, "No, From the studio itself, we both will come over here." Mom and Dad went off to the room to rest for sometime. 

Arshi left as Rahul gave her a call to come downstairs. Arshi and Rahul reached the studio before Akshat sir and Amit sir. They reached at about 5:10 PM. Arshi and Rahul made all the required changes and the end result was beautiful. The work was over by 7:00 PM. Akshat sir and Amit sir left as soon as the work was over and then Rahul went to the washroom to change his clothes. He was wearing a T-Shirt, Jacket and a pair of denims. Arshi thought that he looked very appropriate and need not change but Rahul convinced her to wait till he changed to a lovely shirt, formal pants and a blazer. He was looking awesome, completely dressed to impress yet not too over board. Arshi was spell bound and said, "Rahul! You look great. I skipped a heart beat. My goodness!" Rahul blushed and hugged Arshi. 

Arshi offered to drive and Rahul agreed. They both were silent throughout the car journey. They reached home at 7:30 PM. Arshi rung the bell, Rahul was nervous and shared it with Arshi as they waited near the door. Mom opened the door. Arshi went inside and Rahul followed. Rahul warmly greeted Mom and Dad by touching their feet. Mom and Dad were visibly impressed. Mom said, "I got to know about you after Ishaan broke off. I am so thankful to you to have saved her that day." Rahul said, "Mom.. I mean Aunty, it is fine. I am happy that Arshi is safe. Ishaan was very cruel to her that day. I wish I had known earlier but Arshi hadn't informed me about it. I wish I wouldn't have let that happen to her." Mom instantly liked Rahul. Arshi said, "Mom, Rahul has played a major role in whatever I have achieved and he was the one who helped me in every concert, its practice and also for the songs that I worked as a producer and everything else." Mom said, "It makes sense why Arshi fell in love with you." Rahul smiled, "Not at all Aunty. She has been the sweetest." Arshi smiled and said, "Can we get done with this praising sessions. High time with all of this." 

The conversations went off very organically and they enjoyed the conversation about music, life, love, each other and everything else. Mom and Dad were sweet with Rahul and the vice versa. Rahul left post dinner. Arshi went to see him off downstairs. Arshi's parents were waiting for Arshi and they collectively said, "Rahul is very sweet. It makes sense why you both are still together despite the work schedule. Have you met his parents?" Arshi replied in the affirmative. Mom continued, "How are they? What do they do?" Arshi answered, "Ma is a Kashmiri singer and is very popular. Baba is a producer in Bollywood." She went on talking about his parents. Mom and Dad were astonished to see that Rahul was so humble and down to earth despite his influential background. Mom asked, "Are you sure about him? Are you both ready to be together for the rest of the life after an official bind like marriage. It is a sacred thing. Remember that. I want you both to be very sure with the decisions you take before you get married." Arshi understood her concern and reassured her and Dad that they will take their time to be sure about each other. Dad said, "Whatver you decide, we both are with you and Rahul. Rahul is a nice guy." Arshi was happy that her parents were so receptive. Mom asked, "Will you quit touring and singing after marriage, in case you both decide to get married anytime soon? I would suggest that you get that cleared out with Rahul. " Arshi said, "Don't worry, Mom. I am not going to quit music and I have already spoken to Rahul about it and Ma and Baba are very comfortable with me touring. Moreover Rahul and me work together so that is not an issue at all." 

Arshi went to her room, changed her clothes and called up Rahul. She conveyed everything to Rahul as Mom said. Rahul spoke, "Mom and Dad are so sweet. I never thought that they would be accept me so well. " Arshi replied, "Mom and Dad are very happy after meeting you. Mom really likes you a lot and they are moe than happy if we wish to be together or plan to get married anytime soon. I am sorry if I sound weird but I don't want to get married now. Like we both are doing so well in terms of our career. So I think it will be better if we just take it slow." Rahul said, "Arshi, I am so relieved. I was of the same opinion and I was sceptical if you would understand or not. I am so happy after hearing this." Arshi smiled, "Good to know that. Lastly, I wanted to ask you something. Will Ma and Baba have any issues if I wish to continue with music, concerts and tours after marriage?" Rahul reaffirmed, "Not at all. Ma and Baba already know how important music is for you and me. They will be proud if you continue with your work, music and tours." The call went on till 1:00 AM,lasting for an hour and a half.

Rahul decided to inform his parents that he had met Arshi's parents and they are very happy with each other. But they needed time to focus on their careers. Arshi wanted to inform the same to her parents and headed to their room. They both were awake and she went to the room to inform them. They agreed and said, "No hurry. Take your time. Happy that you both have settled it out." 

Rahul and Arshi went off to sleep with a smile on their face. They had  a flight to catch next evening for a concert in Dubai that was scheduled after two days.