ARSHI OS: Man on the Subway :)

"Ok...so groceries...new leash for Rambo from that fancy pet store...send the final assessment report tonight to Mr Wilkins...mark points to be discussed for weekend seminar...what else...uh...yes! Call Jiju to wish him happy birthday tomorrow...that's it I guess" Khushi thought aloud as she typed furiously on the daily notes app on her phone

She was sitting at her usual corner seat on the subway which she took every day from Lexington, where she worked as an Intern at Bloomberg to Grand Central, which was closest for her to get to her rented apartment.

It had become a routine for her since the past year or so; Get on the subway and go to work...get on the subway and come back home...all that happened in between was something she neither had the time nor energy to think about.

Ever since she had taken up this internship, her social life had become zero! And the only time she got to reflect on what her next day looked like was on her way back, cramped up in the subway for the 20 minutes she got to herself...like right now.

When the announcement for her station was called out, she saved her notes and dropped the phone into her bag before standing up to hold on to the rod above her head. She pulled her coat closer to her body and fluffed her hair with her free hand as they came to a halt at Grand central

Pushing her way amongst the crazy peak hour crowd, she quickly walked past the usual hustle bustle and got onto the escalator towards her exit. As per routine, she picked up the free local newspaper on the stand and walked out into the main hall, where the usual buskers stood entertaining the subway crowd...as if people had time for them.

But today, something unusual made her stop and turn towards the beautiful and soulful melody that seemed to have a hypnotizing effect on her. She back tracked her steps and went closer to the wonderful music wafting from the far end of the great hall, where more than usual people were standing in complete awe of the musician who was lost in his music.

Khushi slowly nudged past the large crowd and came to stand right in front of him, as his arms floated above the gleaming violin positioned on his shoulder and anchored beneath his strong chin...his eyes closed in concentration as the bow seemed to magically glide over the strings, producing the most beautiful music Khushi had ever heard in her 25 years of existence

So lost she was in the music, that she did not even realize when she sat by the small bench on the side, totally immersed in the gentle lull of the music, her chores completely forgotten in the trance that seemed to have gotten hold of her.

As the man finished playing the last installment of his piece, the entire audience erupted in a deafening applause as people praised him for his talent. The musician seemed to be shocked to see so many people and simply smiled at them as some came to say a few words and left him with generous tips

One person also gave him his business card, probably asking him to call for an audition or play at his daughter's birthday...but the man simply smiled gently at everyone as the crown slowly thinned out

When the last person had left and he had started packing up his instrument in the case that lay by his feet, Khsuhi came out of her stupor and realized that she had been sitting there since the past 20 minutes at least, without moving an inch...such was the pull of his music.

She watched him put all the money collected in a small bag and pick up the case carefully, which now held his prized instrument and then walk right up to her, making her catch her breath at the suddenness of it...and him...he was beautiful.

"Did you like the performance?" he asked Khushi in a husky voice as Khushi felt her cheeks getting warm...he really was as magnificent physically as was his music. She got up slowly from her sitting position and stood facing him with a small smile on her face

"It was marvelous...I don't think I have ever heard such heart stoppingly potent music" she said and then cringed at the words that seemed to have come out of her mouth involuntarily...she sounded like a cheesy groupie

He chuckled at her as she tried to compose herself at the way his face became more handsome "I was playing Bach...This is one of my favorite pieces...and since you liked it so much, I am hoping you will also leave me a generous tip" he joked, when Khushi nodded and gave him a bright smile...making him stop and stare at her.

She could feel his eyes becoming intense as he watched her...and wondered what he saw in her? Did he think of people like he did of music? Joyful...beautiful...sad, soulful...She really wanted to know more about him...did not want him to go away

"I don't think I can tip you with mere money...but I would like to invite you for a coffee? If you are free for it...that is" she said as an afterthought...what did she know about this man? He might be married with kids...or some murdered for all she knew!

"Arnav..." He said as she looked up in bewilderment "My name is Arnav...since we are going for coffee, I thought we should know each other'" he said cheekily as Khushi smiled and offered her hand "I''m Khushi" she said shyly as he shook her soft hand, his long musicians fingers caressing hers as they stood smiling at each other

xxx

Fifteen minutes later, they sat sipping their coffee at the nearby Starbucks...conversation flowing between them like a breeze "So finance was not your first choice?" Arnav asked her as she sipped thoughtfully on her caramel mocha before shrugging

"Not really...I was more into Marketing, but then somehow numbers started intriguing me...and before long, I shifted from marketing to finance and here I am today!" she said with a smile as Arnav nodded and bit into the cookie Khushi had bought for them

"That's good...many people don't realize what they want till it's too late...but doesn't your life get hectic? From what you've told me, you hardly have time for anything else" he said as his eyes crinkled, making Khushi want to reach out and smoothen them

"It's a bit crazy now because of my internship...but it was necessary...things will be much more smooth in a month or two...I've already been offered a job on permanent basis which will be less stressful...but what about you? You always wanted to be a musician? And have you ever tried for a more professional role?" she asked as Arnav grinned

"Yes, it was always about Music for me...my mother was a Cello player and the strings always attracted me...so here I am...doing what I love...as for being a professional...how do you know I'm not one already?" he asked her as she smiled and rolled her eyes

"Yes you might just be..., though I doubt a professional musician will play in a subway station" she giggled, making him join in "But if you are planning to do anything professionally, do it only if you really want to...though I must say, that you are depriving people of beautiful music if you never plan to go pro!" she said giggling as Arnav joined in

"Thank you for saying that, but I'm happy playing on the street and most people would say its best to go commercial...make some money while at it" he said as Khushi nodded in agreement

"Yeah, well to be honest it doesn't hurt if you can provide for yourself by doing something you love, but it's your decision in the end right?" she said as Arnav smiled gently at her and slowly held her hand that was lying on the table.

He looked deeply in her striking hazel eyes as she blushed various shades of red under his gaze "You know...in all that crowd, you were the only one who got my attention...and it wasn't because you are gorgeous, but because you seemed like the only one truly enjoying the music...as if my music reached your heart" he said as Khushi looked down before smiling shyly

"It did...It truly did..." she said as Arnav now clasped her hand tightly in his "Will you meet me again Khushi? Like on a date...? I'd like to tell you more about myself...and know much more about you" he said as Khsuhi nodded happily "Yes, I'd like that very much" she said as he picked up her phone and dialed himself before cutting the call

"I'll call you tomorrow...please pick up when I do" he said as she picked up her phone and saved his number "Of course I'll pick up Arnav..." she said as he smiled nervously at her, when she glanced at the time on her phone

"Shoot! Its 10 already...I gotta rush...umm...tomorrow...just call me and we'll decide where to meet" she said as both got up and walked out hand in hand. Arnav turned her around as soon as they stepped out and kissed her lightly on her cheek "Till tomorrow..." he said as he winked at her and started walking away while looking at her...she shook her head and said a quick bye before running off in the opposite direction...she had to find something good to wear tomorrow!

xxx

"Did you read the paper today?" Khushi's colleague and fellow intern Hannah, walked by her workstation, thrusting the paper in her face which Khushi picked up and left on the side for later "What happened today in mighyt New York!" she asked her as her friend picked up her phone and went on twitter

"Check this out...this guy was playing his violin at Grand central yesterday evening..." she started saying when Khushi leapt up and grabbed the phone from her hands...it was a youtube video of Arnav's performance last night in the great hall "What happened to him? Is he ok? I know him..." Khushi said as she tried to frantically find any dreadful news about Arnav

She had woken up today morning with a smile on her face as she read the early morning text from Arnav reminding her of their date today...he said he would call her after lunch to discuss and decide where to go. She had been in a great mood since then, but now Hannah's sudden coincidental news about him, had made her tremble in fear

"Nothing's wrong with him...it's who he is! And what do you mean you know Arnav Singh Raizda? Dude! Even the Prez has to book his dates for a concerto performance by him..." Hannah said as Khushi stood shocked at what she was hearing...the phone fell out of her hand as she picked up the discarded newspaper to read one of the city pieces that Hannah had thrust at her

"Grammy winning famous Concert Violinist Arnav Singh Raizada, delights Masses at Grand Central" the headline said in bold, making Khushi sit down and read the rest of it. Apparently it was a social experiment by NY times to see if anyone recognizes a maestro at work in their busy everyday routine life.

"Music " you need the give and take from the audience, the feeling of attention. It's not about me its about the music itself," Raizada told senior correspondent Jeremy Brown after his impromptu performance.

"I was a little bit surprised at how many people came. I was a little worried that when I agreed to do it that there might be only a handful of people and it might be embarrassing, so this far exceeded my expectations. I was so happy...and I must clarify that the money collected was given to charity" Raizada said as he spoke about the planned social experiment

"Khushi!...what happened?" Hannah shook her as Khushi came out of her stupor...she shook her head and was about to call Arnav to make sure all that she read was the truth, and why he played her like that...when her phone rang with his name

She took a deep breath and contemplated picking it up, when she remembered his words about taking his call last night. She walked out of the office into the quieter area and picked up "Was I too an experiment for you?" she said without any pleasantries. She could hear Arnav sighing at the other end as she waited patiently for him to say something

"No Khushi, you were not an experiment...I really wanted to know you and I hope you will forgive me for keeping the truth away from you...I really wanted to tell you, but I just couldn't" he said as Khsuhi took a deep breath and leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths to calm herself down

"You're not lying right? What we spoke yesterday...I mean, it meant something right?" she asked him as he chuckled and let out a sigh of relief "Off course it did silly...you did not see me as a famous musician, but just Arnav...and that is what I was hoping for...someone to know me as me...and it meant a lot to me...and that is why...I'm here at your office" he said as Khushi looked around, as if he would appear from anywhere

"I'm downstairs...waiting outside for you..can you come down?" he asked her as she smiled and cut the call before rushing out...she took the elevators and ran out through the glass doors to find him waiting outside with a bouquet of lilies. He looked very different from last night, with his hair slicked back, wearing an impressive long black coat and leaning against a limousine...

"You came" he said walking towards her as Khushi rushed towards him and stood just a few feet away "You came..." she said in a dazed voice as he laughed at their absurd conversation, making her giggle and walk right into his open arms

"I love lilies..." she said as she gazed up in his dark brown eyes, so full of warmth for her "I know, you told me last night..." he said as she smiled and wound her arms around his neck... "So you heard everything I said last night..." she said as he bent his head towards hers "No...you heard me last night" he said before pulling her closer for a kiss, their lips meeting in joy as their hearts sang the true music of love...