They both looked at each other, past memories flooding
back but more especially the last time they ever saw each other.
*****************************************************************************************************
“Thanks for doing this you
guys. You know ever since you two started doing shows together because of your
chemistry crowd numbers have doubled. This isn’t even a concert, it’s just one
of my dance shows but because word spread you two were performing the tickets are
sold out,” Avani said all in one breath. They both laughed and Avani looked at
them with a what’s-so-funny expression. “Breathe Avani,” Arnav said, “You’re my
best friend. Of course we’d do it for you.” Khushi smiled, “He’s right. We’d do
anything for you.” That was the last thing they got to say to her before they
were announced on stage and walked on. The music started playing and everyone
started screaming. The moment Khushi started singing there was silence...
Saans mein teri
saans mili to
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Saans mein teri
saans mili to
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Rooh ne chhoo li
jism ki khushboo,
Tu jo paas aayi
Tu jo paas aayi
Tu jo paas aayi
Saans mein teri
saans mili to
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
When your breath
mixed with mine
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
When your breath
mixed with mine
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
The soul touched
the body’s fragrance
When you came
close
When you came
close
When you came
close
When your breath
mixed with mine
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
They sang together standing on
opposite ends of the stage. They moved
closer, standing in front of each other...
Kab tak hosh
sambhale koi,
Hosh ude to ud
jaane do
Dil kab seedhi raah
chala hai
Raah mude to mud
jaane do
Tere khayal mein
doob ke aksar
Achchi lage
tanhaai
Saans mein teri
saans mili to
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
How long can one
remain in control
If your senses
let go then let it go
When has the
heart gone on a straight path
If the path
turns let it turn
When I’m often
drowned in your thoughts
Loneliness feels
good
When your breath
mixed with mine
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
They looked into each other’s
eyes. Lost. Unaware of the thousands of people watching them...
Raat teri baahon
mein kate to,
Subha badi halki
lagti hai
Aankh mein rehne
lage ho kya tum,
Kyon chhalki
chhalki lagti hai
Mujhko phir se
chhoo ke bolo
Meri kasam kya
khaayi
When the night
is spent in your arms
Morning seems
very light
Have you started
living in my eyes
Why does it keep
spilling
Touch me again
and say
Have you taken
my oath
Arnav took her hand in his,
linking their fingers...
Saans mein teri
saans mili to
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Mujhe saans aayi
Rooh ne chhoo li
jism ki khushboo,
Tu jo paas aayi, mujhe saans aayi
Tu jo paas aayi , mujhe saans aayi
Tu jo paas aayi, mujhe saans aayi
Tu jo paas aayi
When your breath
mixed with mine
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
I was able to
breathe
The soul touched
the body’s fragrance
When you came
close, I was able to breathe
When you came
close, I was able to breathe
When you came
close, I was able to breathe
When you came
close
They sang the last verse without breaking their eye lock and once Arnav
sang the last note they turned towards the audience , still holding hands, and
took a bow. Khushi spoke, “We’d like to thank everyone for coming here tonight
to support Avani and her dance troupe and we sincerely hope you have enjoyed
the show.” She looked towards Arnav who was now speaking, “Could you please
welcome back the Mastana Dance Troupe back on stage for the last time tonight.”
With that the crowd screamed and cheered and welcomed them back while the two
singers went backstage to their dressing rooms.
Fifteen minutes after the show had ended Arnav was still sitting in his
dressing room, lost thinking about their performance, when Khushi barged in
shutting the door behind her locking it to make sure no one else came in. Arnav
stood up in surprise and started walking towards her when she put her hand out
in front of him asking him to stop. “Khushi, what happened? Why are you ...” he
trailed off. “I’m going to talk and you’re going to listen. You’re not going to
interrupt me and you’re not going to question anything I say,” Arnav was
totally taken by surprise at what Khushi had said because it didn’t sound like
her but nonetheless he agreed. She turned away from him unable to look him in
the eyes, “It’s over Arnav. Whatever we had between us is over. I thought I
could handle being in a relationship and this whole idea of love but it turns
out I couldn’t. I’m not made for this and anyway I’m a superstar. I’m at the
height of my career Arnav and the last thing I need is a distraction. It was
nice while it lasted” Arnav couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All this
time, everything she did, everything she said. She was playing with me? Despite
being a rock star Arnav was never a playboy. His father had always taught him
to respect women and he did. He never used them. She unlocked the door and was
halfway out when he asked, “Did you ever love me?” he noticed her hesitancy to
answer the question. “No. I never loved you,” Khushi said firmly. With that she
closed the door behind her and walked out of Arnav’s life forever.
*******************************************************************************************************
Here they stood after six months, seeing each other for the first time.
“Come here Arnav,” she heard his mother Mrs Raizada say. Khushi sat down as
Arnav approached the family. Arnav sat
down next to his mother on the couch. “Sheela, this is my son Arnav Singh
Raizada or ASR as everyone like to call him. I proposed him for marriage to
your daughter,” she said excitedly. Arnav looked from his mother to Khushi. He
had a look in his eyes almost as if he’d been brought back to life. “Yes, we’ve
heard much about him. Quite the rock star he is. As I said we have no issues
with this proposal and we’ve already spoken to Maya and she’s quite pleased
with it actually,” Yug replied. Maya?! His mother fixed his wedding without telling
him? Without asking him? To a supermodel? How could she do that to him? Khushi
noticed the shocked look on Arnav’s face at the mention of Maya. “Arnav!” they
heard a shout from upstairs. Arnav breathed a sigh of relief, “Coming Di,” he
shouted upstairs. He stood up and addressed the people sitting with his mother,
“It was nice meeting you. Please excuse me.” With that he jogged to the
staircase and took the stairs two at a time and ran to his sister’s room. She
was standing outside and looking over to where she had a clear view of the living
room. She had called him to save him from doing something disastrous. They
heard their mother chat with the Guptas a little while longer before she
escorted them out. Just as they left Arnav’s father had returned from the
office.
Anjali, Arjun, Avani and Arnav had immediately gone downstairs at the
sight of Raj Singh Raizada. He noticed the disturbed look on the four faces
standing in front of him and the pain in his son’s eyes. “What happened?” he
asked apprehensively. Anjali stepped forward and explained what had happened to
her father. Raj didn’t seem too surprised by what he heard. He turned to his
wife, “Is what she saying true Sadhna?” Sadhna didn’t seem the least bit
worried about the situation and simply answered his question with, “Yes, it’s true.”
Raj sighed and sat down on the couch closest to him the rest of the family
still standing. He rubbed his temple. “Why would you do something like that?”
he asked his wife. She rolled her eyes and answered, “Because I should get to
pick what kind of daughter-in-law I want and who she is.” Raj stood in front of
his wife, “You knew that Arnav loved Khushi and you know he won’t marry anyone
besides her and you still proposed he marry Maya, knowing she’s Khushi’s
sister?” he asked his wife accusingly. “I don’t want a superstar in my house. I
don’t want that worthless no good singer as my daughter-in-law. She doesn’t
deserve to marry my son. Her sister on the other hand does. What’s the problem
if I prefer a down to earth model rather than a stuck up singer?” she asked
matter-of-factly. “MOM!” Arnav’s voice boomed through the mansion, “Don’t you
dare say a word against her.” Sadhna Raizada could not believe that after all
that girl did to him he’s still defending her. “You are unbelievable Arnav.
After all this time you still defend her. She’s an egoistic, back-biting little
b*tch that used you to get famous,” she said outraged. “I told you not to say
anything about her. And she didn’t use me to get famous. You’re forgetting that
before we met each other KKG was ASR’s biggest competition. I am not marrying
Maya and that’s it. No discussion,” Arnav stated before storming upstairs with
Avani following suit. “Did you see that Raj?” Sadhna asked her husband turning
towards him. “What? He didn’t do anything wrong. I stand behind my son and his
decision Sadhna and I think Anjali and Arjun do as well,” Raj concluded and
headed off to his study with Arjun to discuss business. Sadhna looked at her
daughter who just shook her head and walked away.
The moment the Gupta’s reached home Khushi ran to the garage, got in her
car and sped off. She was doing a performance for charity concert that was to
feature a range of different singers. She headed to the stadium, parked her car
and bolted for the dressing room. The moment she closed the door she burst out
crying. She cried her heart out at the thought of Arnav marrying Maya. There
was a knock and the door and Khushi wiped away her tears, “Come in.” The lady
at the door breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank god. I thought you weren’t here
yet. The first two acts are done and yours is fourth. Get ready and come back
stage you’re done,” she said smiling. Khushi nodded and said, “Sure Riya.” She
closed the door leaving Khushi alone and Khushi got dressed and curled her hair
before heading backstage. She looked for Riya sauntered over towards her. “I’m
ready,” she said just as the previous act came off stage. “Perfect timing. Go
break a leg,” Riya said before ushering Khushi on stage. She looked at all the
people in front of her waiting to hear her sing. She indicated to one of the
musicians behind her to give her the violin.
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