Part Thirty: Grand Finale
Delhi:
Purple Aquarium Studios
9:15 AM
Conference room is buzzing with press and media personnel, but the crucial presence is limited to the main handlers Suhaani and Sharma who are dealing with legalities and official formalities that Shaantanu and Khanak were aware of. It's been three weeks since they celebrated their magical Karva Chaut which was followed by not so magical back to back recording and sit-ins with the creative team to finalize the composition and sealing the songs for the official Album. Promotions and photo-shoots were also part of the package, but they contributed significantly to their already tired mind and bodies as work kept them on their toes all the time. She would literally force him to chew down his food as he was careless about his nutrition; while he made sure she went straight to bed as soon as they reached home without having to worry about mundane chores. Life was busy for them, but the end result was rewarding as they sat here in the middle of it all; being praised and admired for their hard work and dedication towards music. It was all worth it because at the end of the day they felt accomplished in their achievements and the togetherness they shared in fulfilling their dreams and promises.
"Tum dono ready ho press ko chooti si sneak peak denay kay liye…? They'll just ask a few questions…and we'll wrap it up right after that…" Suhaani came and stood next and questioned them both.
"Main toh ready ho Di…lakin Wifey here seems nervous…" He look over at her and catches here fiddling with her navy blue chiffon dupatta that no longer matched her crisply ironed churidaar she was wearing.
"Arey Khanak…itni nervous kyun ho…? bus thode sawaal honge aur phir Album kay baray mein koi aik baat keh dena and that's it…Main hoon yahaan…Shaan bhi hain tumharay saath, infact bilqual barabar mein tumharay…" Suhaani assures her lovingly and smiles looking down in her innocent vulnerable eyes.
She thinks for a moment as Suhaani and Shaan exchange knowing looks, and then turns to him, reaches for his hand under the table. He smiles and lets her delicate palm fit in where it belongs perfectly; Suhaani smiles softly watching them in their moment of togetherness. "Main inka haath pakro toh koi problem toh nahi hogi…?"
"Bilqual nahi pagli!.. Jub iss badmaash ko nahi hain toh dunniya mein kissi aur ko kaise ho sakti hain…?" Suhaani answered looking over at Shaantanu who was grinning at his wife's vulnerable nature and Suhaani's motherly tone that she usually used to pacify Sia.
She feels her tensed muscles begin to relax as his gentle grip assures her of normalcy in the midst of all the galore and flashes from the press. Suhaani allows the reporters to ask questions one at a time and they both begin to answer them politely one at a time. They get inquired about their beginnings and initial interest in the field as well as their marital status, how it affects their compatibility when working. He answers honestly but professionally and she maintains discretion on certain things, but gives away just the right amount of truth that she feels is necessary to justify her response. Reporters are pleasantly surprised to find cool and calm rising talent that is not hungry for extra attention and is extremely generous when it comes to recognizing the staff and every single member that contributed towards their first Album. It doesn't take long for the "Rockstar" couple to make an impressive first impression with the public.
"Alright people…we'll be concluding it now..app sun apni baqi ki saari queries Launch kay liye note down kar le as they'll be answered there…vaise bhi sirf do din ki hi toh baat hain…" Suhaani came forward and made her announcement that made reporters turn off their bright camera light and microphone.
They were being thanked in dozens as the cluster of reporters came forward and personally expressed their gratitude for permitting them with their time and answers. Khanak was politely smiling as he did all the hand-shaking and minimal talking. Sharma and some of the staff members led the people out of the conference room, leaving Khanak, Shaantanu, and Suhaani to finally let go of their formal personalities that were playing their dutiful roles respectively.
"See Wifey that wasn't all that bad now was it…?" He questions as she audibly sighs in relief, still sitting next to him and holding his hand.
"Yeah Right! App khud toh "Mr.Popular" ban gaye apnay confidence se abb main kya karo meri personality he asi hain…"
"Jaanta ho meri Ms.Khamoosh…"
"Oye Rockstar! meri chooti behn ka itna acha aur pyaara naam kharaab karnay ki koi zaroorat nahi hain…Sia ko bataogi toh bahut laray gi tumse apni Aani ki kahtir…" Suhaani scolds him playfully from across the round table as she is able to hear there tussle now that they were the only occupants in the room. Shaantanu laughs out loud at her threat as Khanak gives him a confident smirk.
"Viase Angel hain kahaan….?" Shaantanu questioned standing up from his chair as Khanak lets go of hand and gets up herself.
"Pre-School ka first day hain ajj…she'll be getting off in an hour…" Suhaani informs them both as she checks her watch on her wrist and picks up some files with her free hand.
"Album ki vajah se Shaantanu aur main itnay busy thay kay Sia ko time he nahi de paaye…ajj shaam aggar app free hain Di toh hum sub mill kar kahein bahir chalte hain…" Khanak suggested as she walked up nect to Suhaani, Shaantanu was close behind as well.
"Haan ajj toh celebration banta hain…Wifey kafi dino se Chinese ki zidd bhi kar rahi thi…" Shaantanu revealed looking over at Khanak and then at Suhaani who was ready to head out.
"Fine….tum dono meray manah kar nay say maanay vaalay toh ho nahi, aur phir Sia will be delighted to have dinner with her two favorite people in the whole wide world…! Mujhay call kar dena nikal ne se phelay and I'll get there with the little one…"
"Okay then, we have a plan…" Shaantanu confirmed with a warm smile, standing next to Khanak with his hands tucked in his jeans.
"Haan aur tum dono please ghar chalay jao and take some rest…itnay haftoon se iss Studio mein apna pura din ghuzaar rahay ho, must be exhausted…" Suhaani instructed looking at the couple before she waved them good bye and walked out the conference room.
Meanwhile, Adi is waiting outside their Studio door which is down the hall from the conference room on the same floor. Shaantanu and Khanak are taking their time in walking back to it as they stop to chat with their recording editors and creative head who wanted to congratulate them on their big accomplishment.
"Vaise humaray ilawa Maam kay Bahi kafi dair app ke Studio kay bahir wait kar rahay hain app dono ka..I think he wanted to be here on your big day…" Verma, their creative head informs the couple casually pointing towards the Studio down the hall without realizing the influence the news had on them.
They both exchange an uncertain look before she makes a run for their Studio and he follows as soon as he excuses himself from the company that was encircling them in the lounge. She finds herself sprinting through the long hallway, not hearing her husband's faint voice calling out her name as he follows behind her. Fresh tears come streaming down on her warm cheeks when she visually confirms a familiar back that stood few feet from her. Her husband is now next to her as well, he realizes that she has not said or done anything to get attention from the standing figure in the front, her words are nowhere to be found, but she feels her husband's support around her and hears him speak up for her. She is conscious, she confirms to herself.
"Bahiyya…?" Shaantanu moves her rigid body forward along with him as he calls out softly and waits for him to turn.
"Shaantanu…Chutki…" He smiles warmly and pauses to take a good look at them before questioning cautiously "Hum kahein bhet kar baat kar saktay hain…?"
"Jee..please ander aaye na…" Shaantanu opens the Studio door and leads him in; Khanak hesitates but Shaantanu pulls her in and walks with her towards the couches as Adi waits for them to be seated before seating himself on the opposite couch.
There is complete silence in the room as the three of them try to get comfortable with the scenario. Shaantanu gently places his hand on Khanak's as she sits next to him staring at the carpeted floor while Adi observes the changes in his Chutki's behavior. Was she not happy seeing him?
"Umm…voh mujhe Madhavi anuty ne yahaan ka address diya tha…vaise toh apartment ka bhi diya tha per iss waqt tum dono yahi hogay toh maine soocha yahi mill lo…"
"Kyun Bahiyya?!" Khanak speaks up sternly, cutting off Shaantanu's intention of welcoming him and shocking Adi with her sharp tone.
"Apni Chutki ko dekhna tha maine iss liye…"
"Lakin voh toh yahaan nahi hain…ussay toh app ne alag kar diya than a…durr rehnay aur rakhnay ka vaada liya than a?!" She breaks free from Shaantanu's grip and springs up from the couch in anger.
"Galat tha main…bhool hogai mujh se…"
"Lakin baray toh kabhi galat nahi hotay…app ne yahi seekh di thin a mujhay…?" her eyes are just as fiery as her tone, Shaantanu decides not to intervene in the middle after Adi gestures him to stay put while standing to face his sister.
"Jaanta tha tum bahut gussa hogi…yeh bhi jaanta tha kay mujhe meri ki hui galti ka ehsaas aik baar phir dilao gi… Lakin yeh nahi jaanta tha kay itnay ghussay mein bhi apni choti behn ki ankhoon mein…uss kay ansoon mein apnay liye pehle se bahut zaayda pyaar aur izzat dekhoon ga…" Adi's words soften her within seconds and a fresh bunch of sparkling pearls bulge out from her lids when he comes forward and frames her in his arms. She is inconsolable for sometime, relishing in her older brother's protective hold while her husband is silently watching and thanking God for restoring his wife's happiness.
"Toh apnay Bahiyya ko maaf kiya?" Adi questions as he lets go of her and she straightens herself a bit.
"Jee…lakin app ainda kabhi aisa nahi karay gay…promise kijiyay..?" She extends her hand out to him and smiles through her tears when he seals the promise by placing him palm on hers.
Shaantanu invited Adi to join them for lunch at home, but he insisted on staying right there in their Studio and ordering some food while updating them with his transition to Mumbai and the new business opportunity with Raichand's. In return Adi gets to hear about Shaantanu and Khanak's music ventures and the upcoming Album; they even invite him to join them for the grand launch which was in two days from today.
"Main zaroor aata lakin ajj shaam ko hi meri Mumbai vaapsi ki flight hain…vahaan per kal subah main head quarters per suppliers kay saath meeting hain…lakin abb hum milte rahay gay, especially jub tum dono Mumbai move jao gay.."
"Jee...main bus is launch kay intezaar mein hoon…Dad ko humaray talent per yakeen karna he hoga iss baar…" Shaantanu said with a determined tone in response to Adi.
"Lakin voh toh yakeen kar chukay hain…In fact Mumbai mein media ko briefing bhi di thi tum dono ki upcoming Album ko promote karnay kay liye…"
"App such keh rahay hain Bahiyya…?" Khanak beamed in excitement as Shaantanu looks at Adi in disbelief.
"Haan…Mumbai mein Khandelwal industries ne apnay har aik office mein tum dono kay promotion posters post kiyay huye hain…Akshay se meri mulaqaat do din pehlay hi huyi thi aur hum lunch per sirf tum dono ki baatein aur music kay junoon ko discuss kartay rahay…voh bahut khush tha."
"Iss ka matlab Bahiyya aur Dad dono maan gaye…Khanak abb hum ghar vapis jaa saktay hain apno kay pass…Daadi was right aik din toh unhay humay accept karna he hoga…"
"Jee…aur voh din ajj hain Shaantanu…! abb app kay Papa humse naraaz bilqual nahi hain…durr ho kar bhi humari khushi mein khush hain…humaray liye itna sub kuch kar rahay hain…" Khanak assured Shaantanu lovingly, embracing him in a side hug while sitting next to him, Adi was glad to be the bearer of good news for the young couple.
"Vaise Daadi aur Madhavi aunty ne tumse kiya vaada nahi tora…Akshay aur Sunil Uncle ko tum dono kay success kay baray mein Sir.Shekhar ne khud bataya tha jub voh Mumbai aaye thay kissi kaam se…" Adi revealed another detail that Madhavi had filled him in with before coming to Delhi
"Sir.Shekhar ne… lakin voh toh humse contact mein nahi thay..?" Shaantanu asked confusingly looking over at Khanak who was definitely hiding something under her half smile.
"Umm..voh..Di…I mean Suhaani Di aur main toh thay Sir se contact mein…" His wife surprises him yet again with her sly nature.
"Oh I see…that explains the late night calls or Di aur tumhari ghantoon ki shopping…vaise mujhay iss plan mein na shamil karnay ki saaza milay gi tumhay…"
"Haan Chutki…Shaantanu ko toh bata dena chahiyay tha…vaise bhi tum don okay ideal professor Launch per arahay hain… Keh rahay thay iss baar shayaad Delhi permanently move hojaaye…iss ki koi khass vajah?"
"Suhaani Di…finally Di ko unn ka kohya hua saath vaapis mill jayega aur Sia ko aik bahut loving aur caring Papa…!" Khanak reveals yet another reason for Shaantanu to stare at her in shock as Adi laughed out loud at his brother-in-law's vulnerability.
Things had worked out quite beautifully for the young and talented "Rockstar" couple and just like today they made everyday special in one way or another. Familial reconciliations and new promises and hopes wait for them back in Mumbai as they wound up their life in Delhi. As singers they have a long way to do from here and as man and wife they were enjoying the bliss that they found in togetherness. Life gave them great opportunities but it also gave them challenges and they faced them all together because no matter what how hard it got they still had each other to count on…to fight with…to make sweet love to…to hold on to…to cry with…to cherish…to simple fall in love over and over again.
...Kahaani Mohabbat Ki Thi Mukhtasir...
(I hope you enjoyed it)
The End
Edited by imane568 - 14 years ago
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