Month of March, and with no more chemistry lectures in morning, Raina started coming to work in his apartment early in the morning like months before February. Already ten days in the month, she didn't see him in any of the mornings. The house felt so dead in mornings compared to the afternoons. She kind of missed seeing that beautiful face and hearing that deep voice of his. When dusting the music room, she often found herself looking at his picture with a man she assumed to be his father, for a time longer than she used to. 'Why was she doing that?,' she asked herself. 'She didn't like the way he changed woman like an underwear everyday'. The voice in her head told her it was only because he was such a gorgeous man, the one that is difficult to overlook even if one wanted.

                                                                               ***

             Abhimanyu took an auto from his inspiration center and reached the P-series recording studio at 10 am in the morning. He was given a slot of an hour and a half at that time so that he could audition Radha Paudwal's daughter. Kulshan, owner of P-series, was going to be there too. He walked in the studio and Kulshan was already there. They greeted each other excitedly with a hi, and a handshake.

Kulshan: How are you dude?

Abhimanyu: Brilliant, how are you?

Kulshan: Wonderful, as always. He smiled.

Kulshan: How is work going?

Abhimanyu: By your grace, everything is going great.

Kulshan: I know, I am so thoughtful when it comes to you. He said after clearing his throat.

Abhimanyu: Always works for me. He said with a smile and his face lighting up.

Abhimanyu: You know, your this very attitude and, other small small gestures, I love them. He added.

Kulshan: Thank you, Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu and Kulshan sat on chairs brought by one of the studio boys. Sound engineer, and others involved with the recording were set. Abhimanyu took out the file with the print outs of the songs and looked in his wrist watch.

Abhimanyu: Isn't it already time? He asked Kulshan.

Kulshan: When did you become so punctual?

Abhimanyu: Let me jog your memory, I have always been a sucker for punctuality.

Kulshan: I thought you have always been a sucker for .... He smiled mischievously leaving his sentence incomplete.

Kulshan: Women. They are women. Cut them some slack.

              Few minutes later, Radha Paudwal arrived with her young and pretty daughter Diya Paudwal. Kulshan got up from his chair and walked to greet them at the door. Abhimanyu kept sitting, looking at the printouts of the song. It instantly drew the young girl's eyes to the man who didn't get up to greet her mom, a great singer of her time. She looked at him and her eyes got stuck on the most beautiful profile of a young man she had ever seen. She wanted to look away, but her eyes didn't budge. She kept looking at him while Kulshan spoke with her mom. Abhimanyu took a quick glance at her from the corner of his eyes without moving his face from the papers.

                 Kulshan walked mother daughter duo to introduce them to Abhimanyu who had not left his chair on their arrival. "I'm Radha Paudwal," Radha Paudwal said softly extending her hands to him. "Who hasn't heard your songs? I am a fan," he said politely in a deep voice, and got up to shake hands with her. Her daughter stood next to her looking at him and smiling. "My daughter, Diya Paudwal," she said introducing him to her daughter. "Hi, Abhimanyu Singh" he said with a smile without extending his hands. "Hi," she beamed.

          Kulshan left the studio after ordering a boy to get a chair for Diya. Abhimanyu told Radha how they were going to go about the audition. He said that being a playback singer herself, she must know everything, and must have guided Diya on that, but he still wanted to take them through the procedure. Diya wasn't really attentive and looked lost every now and then. "I think we should start," he said. His voice jerked her off her thoughts."Yes,"said Mrs. Paudwal.

             Diya rehearesed the first paragraph of song a couple of times with him while Mrs. Paudwal watched. He, then, guided Diya to a vocal booth with a mic, and everyone involved with recording took their spots. Mrs. Paudwal followed behind. He kept the song on the stand in front of her. He asked her to first sing a paragraph from any song she thought she sang well. After that a paragraph of the song he gave her without music, and then with music. He walked out the booth and Mrs Paudwal walked out few minutes later, after giving her daughter few tips. He took the seat next to recording engineer and Mrs. Paudwal took a seat next to him.

             Diya wore the headphones and began to sing her favorite song. Then, she sang the song from album that she rehearsed with him, without music. They turned on the music and she sang the song the same verse again. He didn't quite like it, but Mrs. Paudwal was all praise for her daughter's voice. He walked into the vocal booth and sang the first paragraph of song to let Diya know how exactly he wants it. "You sing good," she complimented him. "No, that's pretty mediocre," he replied. "You got that, right? Sing in a sexy voice with all the feelings". His hand was on mic, and she placed her hand on top of his hand. He smiled, "Well, now if you would let my hand go, I can go". "I am so sorry," she said taking her hands off his. "Never mind," he said smiling. He was an expert in the field to know about these accidents.

          He made her sing the same paragraph twice with the suggestion to bring more feel to the words. Radha Paudwal couldn't stop how good her daughter was sounding. He was quite irritated at the constant praise coming from her.

             The session ended as their time in the studio came to an end. "So, what do you say?" Mrs. Paudwal asked Abhimanyu. "I will have to go through the recordings again, hear them a couple of times more. We will mix it, edit it and after that only I'll be in a position to tell you something. A lot of people have to take a call on it together. It's not just my say," he replied politely. "But, ya you were good," he told Diya as her mom looked on. Diya felt happy and she immediately extended her hands,"Nice meeting you". "Nice meeting you too," he responded with a smile taking her extended hand into his. Radha and Diya Paudwal walked out of the studio to their parked car

Diya: How handsome this guy Abhimanyu is!

Radha: He used to be a model in his late teens, years ago.

Diya: Really?

Radha: Yes, Kulshan told me. He even featured in their three music videos when he was a model. And then when he offered him another video, he said he was interested in directing and not acting in it. Kulshan told he always believed in his creative ideas, and since some of the best shots in his own videos were his suggestions, he gave him his first music video to direct. When he started, he used to direct the remix music videos for other composers, and then he started directing videos of his own compositions which were part of various artists albums. This is his first whole album produced by Kulshan. Before, this he gave music in a film. What was the name of the film? Hmmmmmmm...I can't remember the name of the movie. Anyways, movie tanked at the box office, and though the music was good, it didn't get the kind of success it should have.

Diya: Have you met him before?

Radha: No, I met him for the first time today.

Diya: Is he also going to direct me in the videos? She asked excitedly.

Radha: Yes.

Radha: You didn't even want to do this, I had to literally pull you to the studio, and now you are so excited about being directed by this guy who doesn't show respect to senior artists. Don't even think of him. He is not a nice guy. He gets around, okay.

Diya: He didn't look like that to me.

Radha: It's not written on anybody's forehead. He is a womanizer. Kulshan warned me to keep you away from him.

Diya: Huh! Kulshan himself gets around a lot. She said as as they got into their car with a driver.

Diya: He didn't seem impressed by my singing? What you think?

Radha: No music composer goes wow before the song comes out. You were good. We know Kulshan. I'm sure you'll get it even if Kulshan has a little say in it. I am only worried about the music videos. His music videos are very sleazy. I don't want you to be presented like that. I'll talk to Kulshan about it.

Diya: All music videos are sleazy. What music videos has he directed?

Radha: Some of his hit videos that I can remember and Kulshan also mentioned Baahon Mein Chale Aao, Koi Lehri Babu, Tu Tu Hai Wohi, Kehdoon Tumhen , Chadhti Jawani meri ,Dekha hai teri Aankhon ko,  Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re, Leja Leja Re......

Radha told Diya about his albums as they drove home in their car.

                                                                         ***

           When Radha Paudwal walked out the studio with her daughter Diya, Sahil walked in to see Abhimanyu. He saw them walking out on his way in.

Sahil: So, how did it go buddy? He asked Abhimanyu who was all set to go with bag pack hanging on his one shoulder.

Sunil: Don't think he liked it too much. Sunil who was standing next to Abimanyu answered for him.

Sunil: I have to go. Bye.

Sahil and Abhimanyu said bye to him and Sunil left.

Sahil: Wow! Looking extra handsome today? He teased his friend smiling mischievously.

Abhimanyu: Oh, please! Nothing like that.

Sahil: I understand. First impression is important. He further teased.

Abhimanyu: Come, let's go.

Sahil: Where?

Abhimanyu: Outside. I need to smoke.

They went out and sat on a bench under a tree outside the studio. He kept his bag next to him on the bench, lit a cigarette and started smoking.

Sahil: You are going to tell me something or.... just smoke?

Sahil: I saw her on her way out. I don't know about the singing part, but she is not bad from videos point of view.

Abhimanyu: She is good, but not exactly the kind of voice that I want for my songs. Her voice gives you feel like you have heard it so many times before. There is no X-factor or individuality in the voice. Her vocals don't really lend anything definitive to the song. Not the kind that pulls you in and makes you listen to it.

Sahil: So, will it work or not?

Abhimanyu: It can. With multiple retakes of song, and vocal comping during editing, we can arrive at a decent album. But, it's going to be very stressful for her to record the same song twenty times or may be more, and it's also bogging for us to go mixing and then compiling it from so many different takes during the editing process. It also means it will take a lot more time than we anticipated to release the finished album.

Sahil: What are you going to tell Kulshan?

Abhimanyu: Let's see what he thinks of it. He has a good ear too. I have meeting with him in a few days on this. We are going to mix whatever we recorded today and then hear it and then take a decision together. Today, time was very less. I think I need one more recording session with Diya to go through few other songs.

Sahil: And what about other things..sparks .etc? He asked narrowing his eyes at him and smiling.

Abhimanyu: Yeah, she slipped a paper in my hand with her cell number before leaving. It says, call me.

Sahil: So, are you going to call her? She was pretty. He said with a big grin.

Abhimanyu: Are you out of your mind? No way. He said blushing.

Abhimanyu: You know, I don't do things before work is over. I don't do casting couch.

Sahil: I know, you keep it professional until work is done but it's first time your singer is also your model. So, what happens to your rules.

Abhimanyu: Who cares? There are plenty of fish in the pond too, not just in the sea. All you need is a fishing pole. A 'Pole', you got that? He smiled wide and Sahil smiled in response.

Abhimanyu: Anyways, call girls are always only a call away.

Sahil: You and your call girls. Don't they come expensive?

Abhimanyu: Ya, charges are high, but they know how to do it right. They suck it like a vacuum cleaner.

Sahil: That's exaggeration!

Abhimanyu: No, that's true, you never did one to know that. There are many good looking call girls these days. Most of them are young, college going girls living in hostels away from parents. They want everything too much and too early in life. They are into this expensive lifestyle with designer fashionable clothes to going to expensive restaurants and hitting pubs in night, and to afford all this, they either have a rich boyfriend, or become a part time call girl.

Sahil: Isn't it a bad thing?

Abhimanyu: It's bad, ideally shouldn't be like this at all, but...I'm not complaining. Makes my life easy. They are kind of doing social work for guys like me.

Sahil laughed a little at the comparison.

Sahil: Just like that call center in your that video, Tu tu hai wohi dil ne jise.

Abhimanyu: Yeah!

Abhimanyu: It's time I go home. My sweet home or else I'll miss my cook.

Sahil: You really like your cook's food.

Abhimanyu: Health conscious. You see, I don't like eating out much.

Sahil: Ya. Drugs, cigarettes, alcohol...all signs of a health conscious person.

Abhimanyu: They are signs that a man is not shy to take a woman to bed. If a woman is interested, she can just drop a few hints to him, and get what she wants. Women know they are a better bet than a man who has no ebbs.

Sahil: Really? I didn't know that. He said flashing a big grin.

Abhimanyu: Look at yourself.

Sahil: That's loyalty.

Abhimanyu: Hate the word.

Sahil: Just because you cannot be loyal to anyone?

Abhimanyu: May be I cannot, but more than that..... I don't want to be.

Abhimanyu: I'll go, or else Bapi will go. He said offering him some mouth freshener after he put some in his mouth after smoking.

Sahil: I'll drop you. He said taking the mouth freshener from him.

Abhimanyu: No, bye. I'll take an auto. He got up to walk to the gate of the studio.

Sahil walked to his car parked there, opened the door and looked at him at the gate.

Sahil: Sell your car! He shouted at him. Abhimanyu turned back and showed him a big grin.

Abhimanyu: I'll think about it. He shouted back waving bye to him.

 ***

                 Few days later, when Raina reached home after college, her mother told her dad's both the kidneys are gone and doctors have suggested kidney transplant at the earliest besides dialysis. Her mom told that she told her father that even if they use all the saved money, they still don't have money for it. Her mother was feeling bad that she was not well and now the burden of her father had also come." What did bhaiya say?" Raina asked her mom. "He said, he wants to help, but he doesn't have the amount of money required for transplant. Minimum four to five lakhs are required. Doctor's have suggested operation in a weeks time. He said it's impossible to manage or borrow  this much money from anywhere, and dad will anyways not quit drinking, and make the new kidney also useless. We can only afford few dialysis, and after that also he'll die and we'll lose him and money, both. That's what he said. I don't think we can do anything," her mother said and went to her maasi's room.

             Next morning she went to work in the houses as always. Whole day she thought about it in college, and decided to go and meet Abhimanyu in afternoon. She opened the door expecting him to be home, but he wasn't home. She decided to wait. After few hours lapsed, he made an entry with a girl. He was coming after a meeting with Kulshan at the studio.'Not again' his head went, on seeing her there.

Abhimanyu: What happened? Didn't you come to work in the morning today? He asked Raina who was standing in the living room. He noticed the curtains on the glass doors of living room pulled out giving a view of the landscape garden.

Raina: I did. I need to talk with you about something else.

Abhimanyu: Sweetheart, will you please go up and wait for me in the bedroom. I'll be right there. He told the girl he brought with him, and she went up.

He walked into the living room and sat on the sofa.

Abhimanyu: Can you please pull the curtains on? She immediately did and turned on the living room lights.

Abhimanyu: So yes, Ms. Raina, what can I do for you?

Raina: I need your help.

Abhimanyu: Last time, I heard correctly, you said you don't need my help.

She looked at him for a moment.

Raina: My dad needs to undergo kidney transplant surgery.

Abhimanyu: So, you want my kidney? He joked.

Raina: No, matching kidney is there, but we don't have enough money for the surgery.

Abhimanyu: You want me to pay for your dad's surgery, and may I know why should I do that? Why don't you go and ask other people you work for?

Raina: I am not asking for money. I want to know if I can get paid in advance, if I sing for you?

Abhimanyu laughed.

Abhimanyu: Go and open the door for Ms. Opportunity. He said gesturing towards main door.

She looked at him confused.

Abhimanyu: Ya, she is still there, waiting for you.

Abhimanyu: You think opportunity is nuts. No, not event that, you think opportunity sleeps, and you can wake it up whenever you want. No darling, it doesn't happen that way. Opportunity doesn't wait. It doesn't wait for anyone. If you don't take it, someone else will. You have to grab it when it comes. If you skip it or let it slip by then stand your ground, and be happy about it, and not repent. I am sorry, but you are late.

She kept standing for a while and he too sat there quietly for some time.

Abhimanyu: Are you expecting me to give you the money? He asked her.

She nodded her head.

Abhimanyu: Why me? Why don't you ask others?

Raina: Other people I work for, have families, and have responsibilities.  You are single and seem to be more well off than others.

Abhimanyu:  Just because I'm single, I should help you? He is not my father. If I keep helping every needy person, I will come on road. It's my money, and I have the right to enjoy it any way I like and not do any charity. It's not like I am related to you, or owe you anything.

Raina: I know you are not related to me and you are not wrong to refuse help to me, but my dad is dying.

Abhimanyu: Go save your alcoholic dad, so that he can beat your mom more black and blue.

Raina: So, what if he is alcoholic? He gave me birth. He is my father.

Abhimanyu: That's not enough! He said loudly looking at her.

After some moments of no words...

Abhimanyu: How much you want?

Raina swallowed the saliva in her throat.

Raina: Four lakhs. I need it urgently within a week.

He laughed out loud.

Abhimanyu: Wooh! You want me to give you that much on what guarantee?

Raina: I'll return it to you with interest.

Abhimanyu: Huh! If I lend you the money you want, you know, you'll become like this bonded labor in my house repaying it with your salary for years. Do you want to do that? You want to become bonded to me? 

Raina: Yes. 

Abhimanyu: No, I don't think it's right. I'm sorry, I can't help you.

He got up from sofa and told her to close the door as he went upstairs.

***

https://youtu.be/DNA8mcwVsQI

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Tu tu hai wohi dil ne jise  

https://youtu.be/w9yM_IgL4CA

https://youtu.be/_1uGNaE6qvU

https://youtu.be/5BV5OUgxk6Q

https://youtu.be/Y8UgwByJcyM

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https://youtu.be/G5y5adM2ZNo

https://youtu.be/TQR70KKYMmQ