Arshi SS: Love or Marriage Pt8, Pg 67, 26/01 - Page 40

Shalimar, the Indian restaurant where Lavanya and Arnav's band was playing at, was crowded. But Shyam and Khushi managed to find a seat right in front of the stage. Lavanya had reserved a table for them, and they found themselves seated next to NK. Khushi waved at Lavanya as soon as she sat down and her eyes searched for Arnav. She finally found him, dressed in a simple white shirt and faded blue jeans, talking to the person behind the sound controlling devices. She waited for him to look at her, but he was busy talking to the sound guy. Her mind was so focused on Arnav, that she failed to hear Shyam calling her. She jumped, when Shyam gently touched her shoulder. She turned to him and nodded, pretending to hear what Shyam was saying, her thoughts still on Arnav.

Arnav walked on to the stage and placed his guitar next to his stool. He froze. He knew she was there, in the room with him. He closed his eyes. He remembered her fingers on his back as she embraced him, her soft chest pressed against his hard one, her hair brushing against his chin, and the sweet aroma of jasmine. His eyes flew open. No. I won't think about her. She is here with her husband. She has made her decision, to be with him. Arnav walked to Sam, who was sitting behind the sound controller. As he talked to him, he could feel her eyes on him. Get a grip, dude. Why would she look at you, huh? He controlled his urge to turn around and meet her eyes, and continued talking to Sam.

The room broke into applause, as Parminder Singh, the owner of the restaurant, walked to the stage to introduce Arnav, Lavanya and the rest of the band, their friends, Vikram, David and Michelle. The group took their positions on the stage as the applause faded. Arnav played the lead guitar. Lavanya was the vocalist and also played the violin. Vikram took his seat behind the drums and David behind the keyboard. Michelle picked up the bass guitar and played a quick tune. The crowd cheered and settled down as Lavanya walked to the microphone.

Khushi and NK clapped and swayed with the music. Lavanya had a beautiful voice, Khushi noted, as the song started.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM0i8bhdVmw[/YOUTUBE]

"Naye naye naina mere dhoonde hain, dar badar kyun tujhe.."

Why do my eyes look for you everywhere..

Her heart soared and she closed her eyes enjoying the song. She saw Arnav's face in her mind, their first encounter and the cup of hot chocolate afterwards. The feeling of freedom, the happiness and the level of comfort she shared with him. Her eyes flew open, as she heard Lavanya's voice ..

"Zara zara udne ko karne laga dil mera."

My heart wants to fly now, little by little..

She was confused, unsure of why she felt so happy every time she was with Arnav, so happy that she felt like she could fly!

"Main pareshaan pareshaan pareshaan pareshaan", Lavanya sang.

I'm disturbed and confused

Khushi took a deep breath and tried to shake her mind off her feelings. She wanted to look at Arnav, to see if he was looking at her, but she chose not to look at him. She wasn't sure how she would react if he were looking at her.

"Raahon se teri, judne lagi hain, judne lagi hain"

My paths are getting connected to yours

Khushi moved her eyes slowly and looked at Arnav. Their eyes met.

Arnav played the guitar, watching Lavanya sing, dreamy-eyed with a faint smile on her face. He knew she was looking at NK as she sang. But Arnav wouldn't take his eyes off Lavanya. He knew NK was sitting next to Khushi, and if he looked away from Lavanya, he would be tempted to look at Khushi.

Flashback.

"Of course, Arnie. It's all set up. You have nothing to worry about." Sam said, smiling at Arnav.

"He knows that, Sam. Thanks for your help, dude." Lavanya's voice made Sam look up. Arnav exhaled deeply, knowing what Lavanya was going to tell him. She touched his arm and leaned closer.

"Khushi is here. She is sitting with NK. Don't be rude, go say hi." Arnav looked at her, unsure of what to say. His thoughts were interrupted as applause started. He smiled, as he leaned closer and spoke in her ear, so that she could hear over the applause. "And I would have, but now the show's about to start." He smirked and walked towards the stage, leaving Lavanya with a concerned look on her face.

"Main pareshaan pareshaan pareshaan pareshaan"

Lavanya's voice interrupted Arnav's thoughts. He scoffed, that makes two of us. He remembered the day he first met her, when she fell into his arms. He had been overjoyed at meeting her. She was unlike any girl he had ever met. He had started falling in love with her, when she had disclosed that she was married! He had decided that day that he would stay away from her, but then every time he saw her, his heart went into overdrive. How could he ignore his heartbeats? Why did his heart go crazy over her, when his mind warned him not to? And then there was that embrace. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on the song. Then he remembered.. how she had leaned closer and their lips had almost touched.

His eyes flew open and he looked towards the table where NK was sitting at. Their eyes met.

No one else was in the room apart from them. Arnav watched as Khushi's lips parted and she started breathing heavily. His gaze affected her, he realized. If only she could hear the pounding in his chest. He waited for her to look away, she didn't. He tried to pull his eyes away from her, he couldn't. They looked at each other, their eyes speaking volumes, what their voices couldn't.

The applause broke their trance and Arnav turned to look at Lavanya, as he realized she had been talking to him. Khushi turned to NK and smiled as he cheered. She didn't realize Shyam had been staring at her during the song. He looked away as Khushi smiled at NK. His eyes moved towards Arnav, who was walking towards the center of the stage. Shyam watched as Arnav whispered something to David, who looked confused.

"Are you sure, dude?" David asked, worried. "We haven't practiced that song." He turned to Vikram, who shrugged his shoulders, and added. "I think I have played it once or twice. I am cool with it."

"Arnie, what are you doing?" Arnav ignored Lavanya, as he sat down on the stool.

The lights dimmed, and a spotlight shined on Arnav, as he started playing his guitar. He looked up and smiled, as Lavanya's voice echoed in the room. She was looking at him, her eyes twinkling. She had a naughty smile as she shook her head. He formed a quick thank you with his lips, before singing,

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAGaIR7RXuE[/YOUTUBE]

Arnav looked at Khushi, as he continued to sing. He felt the words flow straight from his heart. He could sense his pain .. he remembered the tears.. the night after Khushi had left, when he couldn't sleep' and the nights after, when he hoped she would come back. Many times he had wanted to go to her house and tell her how much he needed her in his life, but had stopped himself. He wanted her to be happy, and for that he knew he had to let her go. But today after their eyes met, he knew.. he knew Khushi felt the same. He had to tell her how much he missed her, how much he wanted her back.

Khushi sat up straight on her chair, shivering, as each word touched her heart and her soul. She could feel his pain. Could he be.. could he be singing about me? Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes met his and she knew.

The crowd roared, as the song finished and Khushi excused herself. Shyam smiled and stood up, as she stood up from her chair and walked towards the restroom. His eyes looked at Arnav, who had gotten off the stage and was following Khushi. Shyam walked towards Arnav and followed him till the door of the women's restroom. Arnav waited at the door, unsure of what he was doing. What did he think he could do? Sing a song and convince her to come running back to him? What was this, a cheap romantic comedy where all it took was a mushy song to get the girl? Arnav looked up as he saw Shyam walking towards him.

Shyam smiled seeing Arnav's shocked face. He extended his hand, and said, "You must be Arnav. I am Shyam, Khushi's husband. That song was beautiful."

Arnav carefully regarded Shyam's face as he spoke and then relaxed. He smiled and nodded, as he took Shyam's hand in his. Shyam chuckled and added, "You must really miss some girl."

Arnav's eyebrows shot up. He stammered, "I.. I .. I mean it's just a song."

Shyam folded his arms and smirked. "Really? Just a song huh?"

"Yes." Arnav said with a stern expression. He stepped closer and said, in almost a growl. "I know Khushi came back to you. But I swear if you ever hurt her, I will come after you. Remember that."

Shyam raised his eyebrows and stepped back. He chuckled, "So I hit the target, didn't I? Aww.. don't you love it when little boys have crushes."

Arnav fumed and stepped closer. "She is a really good friend and I care about her."

Shyam rolled his eyes. "Well she is my wife and I know how to take care of her. But if I need tips, I will remember to ask you. After all I should thank you for taking good care of her when she came to you." He added with a wink. "But well, she did come back to me, so I guess that should imply that I take better care of her, don't I."

Arnav's hand curled into a fist, but he stopped, just as the door opened and Khushi stepped out. She looked at Shyam and then at Arnav, confused.

"Khushi, I thought you might have gotten lost." Shyam added, putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Shyamji, I don't feel so good. I have a headache. Shall we go home?" Khushi looked at Shyam, ignoring Arnav.

"Oh, let's go then", Shyam gently touched Khushi's forehead and then caressed her hair. Arnav clenched his teeth. He turned to smile at Arnav and walked away with Khushi.

Arnav watched Khushi walk away. He waited for her to turn and look at him over her shoulder, but she walked away, leaning against Shyam. Arnav's shoulders drooped as he felt a tug at his chest.

My lappie charger isn't working, so need to run out to get a new charger. Will post the next update later today!