Part 33 Favourite Song?

Arnav noticed Khushi's facial expression while singing the song. He somewhat understood her mixed emotions. He was sure what she was thinking. She should have thought that the song was for HER. That embarrassed him. An UNKNOWN... Or, maybe, a KNOWN fear suppressed his heart. He didn't know why did he sing the song. He listened to the song recently. Beyond his control, he thought about Khushi while listening to the lines of the song. Maybe, deep down in his heart, he knew the song suited her. That was why he sang the song when she asked him to sing. But how could he say the REAL reason to Khushi? He was sure she had a slight doubt on him about his feelings. She was in his house as a refuge. It was her current condition. She may leave his house anytime. He should not expect MUCH from her. Arnav didn't want to depend on anyone but his heart yearned for Khushi's presence. Yet, he didn't want to accept it... or, he didn't want to appreciate it. We knew he was scared to get into anyone and anything in the name of LOVE. He didn't want to face disappointment... especially from Khushi. If he faced such disappointment through Khushi, it won't be just disappointment but a disaster. He didn't think he could not bear the pain. The girl in front of him made such a change in his heart. But, he was not sure about it.

Arnav finished singing the song but Khushi was looking at him intensively. Arnav smiled at her.

"This is my favorite song... I like its mild music very much... I sing only this song if anyone asks me to sing" he voluntarily said that as he didn't want her to think that the song was meant for her.

Arnav didn't want to get disappointment but, his words absolutely disappointed Khushi. She gulped down the awkwardness. She thought something. Don't know why she was not ready to leave it easily.

"By the way, Arnavji, how come a romantic song with a deep meaning became your favorite song? Are not you a hater of love? Then, you ought to hate love songs also. How do you allow this conflict in your life?"

Arnav got stuck. What would he say? 'Of course, I sang the song, keeping you in my mind'? No way... Arnav Singh Raizada didn't have the guts to agree with what he felt in his heart for a girl. Or, maybe not now... he tried to manage.

"I didn't concentrate on the lyrics..."

Cutting him,

"Then how did you sing the song without a single mistake in the words, without concentrating on the lyrics?"

"I mean... my concentration was only on the tune..."

Khushi nodded ok with a smirk. The smirk looked like, *I don't believe your excuse* Arnav swallowed looking somewhere.

"You sing so nice," she said with a smile and stood up.

Arnav looked at her plainly. Khushi smiled at him and left the place. Arnav gulped down.

Khushi came downstairs thinking about Arnav's excuses. She saw Nani looking at her. Khushi smiled at her managing herself.

"Was that Chotte, who sang a song?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Is not his voice sounds sweet?" Nani said excitedly.

"Haan, Naniji, his voice is so sweet"

"But, why did he sing?"

"I asked him to sing, that's why he sang"

"Did you ask him to sing the song?"

"No, Nani... I just asked him to sing and he sang his favorite song"

"Favourite song? Since when did this song become his favorite? And from when did he start to sing?"

"Why Nani? Doesn't he sing? It's not his favorite song?"

"He never sang so far in his life."

"Whaaaat? Didn't he ever sing before?"

"Who has the guts to ask him to sing as you do? People would like to finish the work with him hurriedly as much as possible... then who will ask him to sing?"

"He could have sung without your knowledge..."

"Without my knowledge? His circle is very small... you know that very well. Aman and Alex are the only fellows who talk to him without caring about his tantrums. Even Nani and Akash fear talking to him freely. The much I know, Chotte didn't ever sing for any of them"

"Is it?"

"Why doubt? Let me clear it"

Nani dialed Aman. He attended it in the third ring.

"Sorry for the disturbance, Aman bituwa"

"Arrey... I'm totally free, Naniji..." Aman lied.

"I called you to know something"

"Tell me, Naniji"

"Do you know what's Chotte's favorite song?"

"Favourite song? The much I know, no song got the honor of being his favorite, Naniji"

"Doesn't he sing any song?"

"Sing and ASR? That would be the eighth wonder. He just hums the tune to explain the notes to the singer... he doesn't sing"

"He just did... that too, his favorite song... only for Khushi"

"Whaaaat? Really? What song?"

"Suno Na Sangemarmar..."

"Did you hear?"

"Yeah... I too heard it and wondered. You know how sweet his voice is?"

"Did he say the song is his favorite one?"

"Yes... not to me but to Khushi"

"What do you think about it Naniji?

"Whaaat?"

"Your grandson has fallen in love I suppose"

"I too... but..."

"He fears to open up... right?"

"Yes..."

"Are you fine with Khushi?"

"Two hundred percent..." Nani said smilingly, looking at Khushi.

"Done... let's see..."

"Bye..." Nani disconnected the call.

"Why Chotte lied to you unnecessarily? He could sing any song if he would like to sing, without lying..."

"What do you mean Naniji?"

"It's not his favorite song... Aman also said the same. he might have thought to sing it for you, I suppose"

Khushi became thoughtful. It was not his favorite song? Then why did he voluntarily say that it was his favorite song? Maybe, he didn't want her to take it wrong because the lyrics had a deep meaning. If he was worried about the lyrics so much, then why did he sing the same song? He could have sung any other song from HIS movies... What was there in his mind?

....................

Shyam was taken to police custody. His wife didn't say anything to save him. That turned opposite to him. But, Shyam didn't open his mouth about the call.

"I didn't have any wrong intention in my mind like you think" That was what he repeated.

"Mr. Jha... we will take the recording of your phone call with your sister-in-law. Then your condition will become critical. What say?" Alex said.

Shyam was horror-stuck. What will happen if Alex took the recording of his conversation with Khushi? His thievery would come out and his mask would fall down.

"Sir, why won't you trust me? Why would I eye on my sister-in-law when I have a beautiful and lovable wife?" he asked emotionally.

"You should have asked yourself this question, Mr. Jha... We are respecting you. That's why we are treating you with respect but it won't continue if you continue your stubbornness"

"Trust me, inspector... I'm innocent"

Alex looked at the sub inspector.

"Jamal, it seems he won't accept the guilt. Contact the control room and ask them to take the conversation between him and his sister-in-law" Alex walked out of the lock-up.

"Yes, Sir," Jamal said.

"Sir, you are suspecting me unnecessarily..."

Cutting him,

"Then, you should feel happy for us to take the recording. Then it will prove your innocence as you say, you did nothing. Let's see..." Jamal said.

Shyam gritted his teeth. He didn't expect, he would get trapped like this. He didn't know what to do. He will go to jail if they took the conversation.

"Sir, I would like to talk to my lawyer," Shyam said.

"Of course, you can talk to anyone after we surrender you in the court with the prof"

"Sir, don't I have the right to protect myself?"

"Mr... your wife knew you are in jail. Why doesn't she try to get you on bail?"

"Sir, you guys manipulated her..."

"A wife can't be manipulated easily. She has a strong doubt about you about her sister. That's why she doesn't want to get you out of jail until the truth is out"

Shyam was angry with Anjali. He could not believe she became firm in her stand. He didn't know when did she transform into such a strong woman. The much he knew, Anjali was a sentimental idiot. Just because she started earning money, how could she gain such confidence and guts? Could a woman change to this extent if she became independent economically? He remembered a famous quote WHEN A MAN EARNS MORE MONEY, HE NEEDS MANY WOMEN BUT WHEN A WOMAN EARNS MORE MONEY, SHE DOESN'T NEED A MAN. Shyam just crossed the quote with a smile when he read it, but he didn't know he will experience it in his life.

To be continued...