Part 14 Suffocating Arnav

Arnav didn't think about MUSIC. Neither he composed any tunes nor did he touch any musical instrument. He was getting mad doing nothing. He was wandering around RM. Nani was noticing him roaming here and there. He wanted to read some books but he had only music related books. As per Khushi's challenge, he should not THINK of music. So, he didn't touch those books.

"Chotte... what happened to you? Why are you roaming at home doing nothing...?" Nani asked as she never had seen him like that.

"Oh... Khushi..."

Cutting him,

"Khushi? Chotte, instead of being restless, THINKING ABOUT HER, why don't you call her and ask whether she ate anything or not?" Nani asked.

"No, Nani... nothing is like that" he went to his room.

Though he was not thinking about the music he could not be thinking about the challenge he had with Khushi. He wanted to try his best to show Khushi that he could be thinking of nothing for two days. But he could not deny it, it was damn hard to push the time. But he got relaxed as Khushi will come tomorrow to RM. Then it won't be hard for him to pass the time. The next day will fly away in a blink of an eye. Arnav thought.

Arnav decided to watch a movie to pass time. So, he turned the TV on and started changing channels. His hand stopped when he saw, Shraddha Kapoor singing the SUN RAHA HAI NA TU song in the Ashique2 movie. He could not hold himself from thinking of Khushi. How beautifully she sang this song the other day...! What a fetching voice she had...! His face wore an adorable smile. He kept the remote down and watched the movie.

*Khushi will also become a star like this for sure... she is a talented girl who has a very nice voice. Don't know how would she stand in this field. Why should he bother about it when I'm here for her?* he thought something without understanding anything.

He didn't stop with that. When Shraddha said, HE IS MY WORLD in between the song TUM HI HO,

"Would Khushi be like this girl? Of course, she gives heed to others' feelings and relationships. Her relationship goal will be noticeable. She is something different who speaks with her heart" he thought.

"What kind of challenge she threw on me... Damn... I should not think about anything beyond music and if I think of something beyond the music, that is the thing that makes me happy... Khushi and her ideology..." he smiled.

Arnav didn't realize that he kept on thinking about Khushi and he was smiling too.

Shali Vilas

Anjali disconnected the call and looked at Khushi who was playing with Shali.

"Khushi, they confirmed that they are coming tomorrow evening at 6o clock," Anjali said excitedly.

Khushi nodded ok. She became dull. She thought to go to RM if the groom's family came to meet her a little earlier but it seemed there was no chance to do it. She sighed.

That's when Anjali got a call from Shyam. She attended it.

"Hello, Shyamji... I was supposed to call you" she said excitedly.

"What's the matter Rani Sahiba, you sound happy?"

"Yeah... I'm happy because I'm going to complete my sisterly duty" she said puzzling.

Shyam frowned. What she was talking about?

"What do you mean, Rani Sahiba?"

"I have found a good alliance for Khushi and..."

Even before she completed,

"Whaaaat? Have you gone mad? What the hell you have done?" he shouted.

"What happened, Shyamji? Why are you getting temper?" Anjali asked getting shocked.

Khushi was listening to her talks with Shyam and she understood Shyam's reaction to that matter.

"It is a good alliance, Shyamji... the groom earns in six digits, he has his own house, and only son of his parents..." she said the same to Shyam that she told Khushi.

"So what? She is a small girl. Why don't you let her be happy? This is not your duty but you are thinking of her as a burden" he howled.

"Stop talking rubbish, Shyamji... Why are you getting angry now? What did I do that you are shouting at me?" she too shouted.

"You are doing utterly wrong Rani Sahiba... did you find the alliance with Khushi's acceptance or not?"

"She is so much fine with the alliance. After getting her acceptance only I started searching for a groom. And our good luck, we got a good alliance soon. They are coming to meet her tomorrow. It doesn't mean, her wedding is fixed. I just am trying my best to be a good sister..."

"No, Rani Sahiba..."

"Shyamji... I think you are under some stress... you are showing someone's frustration with me..."

"Listen Rani Sahiba... what I'm saying is..."

"You don't have to say anything. They are coming tomorrow. Let them meet Khushi first. We will decide everything later"

Shyam sighed.

"Ok, do whatever you want. I'm coming to India next week. To tell you that only I called you"

"Is it? Ok... you, yourself will appreciate me if you meet the groom's family"

Khushi gulped down hard.

"Ok... don't finalize the alliance until I come to India and meet the family" Shyam put a condition.

"How could I finalize the alliance before you meet them, Shyamji?" Anjali asked.

"That will be good. Bye"

"Bye..."

Anjali disconnected the call.

"I don't know why he got angry and shouted at me," Anjali said frowning.

Khushi somewhat guessed that this alliance would be rejected. She remembered what Naniji said. If Shyam rejected this alliance for any reason, he had not changed his mind yet. In case, he accepted this alliance, he was a changed person now. She thought.

The next day

Arnav came downstairs to get fresh and sat in the living room. Of course, he was expecting a person who could make him forget his TIME. He wanted to pass that day. He faced a tough time passing the previous day. Today, it won't be hard for him as Khushi would come up with many topics to discuss with. He was waiting for her with a lot of expectations. Time passed... but she didn't come till afternoon. Arnav lost his patience as it became worse than the previous day. don't we know, that TIME won't even move a little if we want it?

"Why the hell she doesn't come?" he thought gritting his teeth. His expectation became frustrating.

"Or... does she want him to realize *his interest* in her absence? Maybe... she would think in all directions... she will try to win the challenge. That's why she doesn't want to give him company to pass time" he supposed.

Nani came out of her room and saw him sitting in the living room.

"Chotte, didn't you go to recording today?"

"Oh...I don't have any"

"Oh... let's have dinner"

Arnav nodded yes and came to the dining with Nani. HP brought lunch to the dining table.

"Nani... did Khushi say anything about her today's program?"

"No, Chotte... why?"

"I thought she would come to RM today"

"Oh... but why?"

Arnav got stuck.

"I would like to make her sing again... that's why"

"Ohh... that's nice... shall I call her?"

Arnav so wanted to say no but he didn't. Taking her mobile, Nani called Khushi. Khushi didn't attend the call as she put it in silent mode. She was busy with Anjali in the kitchen. it was Anjali's request not to attend any call as it would spoil their work. Nani kept her phone on the table with disappointment.

"She didn't attend the call... don't know why. She never avoided my call before. I hope she is alright..." She said worriedly.

Arnav also was worried. Why didn't she attend Nani's call? He wished he could meet her.

"She will call me if she sees my missed call"

Arnav nodded yes but she didn't call Nani back as she didn't check her mobile till night.

To be continued...