RishD5  The chapter you'd been waiting for 😉

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Sometimes, the only reason why you won't let go of  what's making you sad is because once, it was the only thing that made you happy.

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The group was lazing around in Siddhant's room. Well, all of them, except Tanay and Ayaan who were only-god-knows where. The girls were seated in a corner and gossiping; more like drooling over a certain actor whose film had just released. Kavya and Ruhika's mood was a bit low. As for Kavya, she was concerned about the whereabouts of Tanay and Ruhika; well, she missed Arnav's company.

Nikhil and Siddhant were sitting on the couch and had a bored expression on their faces. Listening to the 'talks' of these girls had always made them grumpy and they thought where had the other two guys gone.

Exactly at that moment, Ayaan and Tanay graced the room with their presence. Tanay came towards Kavya and pecked her cheeks while hugging her from the side. And just like that, her mood skyrocketed.

He then went to where the three guys were sitting and joined in their conversation. Eventually, it was just him and Ayaan talking, while Nikhil scrolled through his news feed on his mobile. And our Siddhant, he was damn annoyed by the behaviour of his friends. Frustrated, he stood up throwing his hands in air and whined," Guys come on yaar, we're on a freaking trip and have done practically nothing in the past days. Aren't you all bored?"

"Dude do you have a better plan?" Nikhil asked, glued to his Facebook posts.

"First you keep that thing down. And yes we have a better option," he replied smugly.

"And what is that," asked Nikhil, still not leaving his phone. And the next moment, his phone was taken ; more like snatched away from him. "Hey!"

"Now will you all please listen to me," Siddhant requested," As it's a Tuesday, the hotel's having a karaoke night near the beach. Pure Bollywood songs. We'll go there, it's far better than doing nothing in this room. And yes, you're not getting this back." He motioned towards Nikhil's phone. And thus started a mad chase between them.

"Stop!" Aarushi's voice boomed in the room. "You both," she pointed towards Siddhant and Nikhil," Stop running around like monkeys. Sid, give him his phone and everyone, we are going for karaoke. No ifs and buts." And all of them gaped at her. You see, the after-effects of seeing Aarushi angry, which are very rare.

All of them compiled to her order and in no time, they were on the beach, where a makeshift stage was set up for the night. Many people were present there, enjoying themselves to their heart's content. Shanaya, being the most excited for karaoke, volunteered to go first and everyone hooted for her. The song she got was Uff from Bang Bang. She sang freely and well, danced too. It was almost like she really meant those words for someone.
Who knows, that doubt could be true.....

As she returned, she squealed," Uff mere dil mai thodi khali  si jagah  thi!! Gosh, it's so much fun!! Ru you should seriously go next."

"Nope Shanaya. My singing partner isn't here, and I don't feel like performing without him," she said, directing towards Arnav. They both made a great pair and always insisted on singing together.

"Ruhi give it a try yaar. You'll enjoy yourself," Kavya said and all others joined. Receiving encouragement from all of them, she decided to go. And boy, did she enjoy! As a cherry on the cake, the song she sang was one of her favorites, Meherbaan. After it got over, she couldn't help grinning.

For a while after that, all of them just sat on the sand, enjoying the melodious songs and criticising the cacophonous ones as well.

Suddenly, Nikhil got up and announced that he'd be going next. As he saw the name of the song, he said," This song is dedicated to someone very special. You have no idea how important you are to me, girl." He winked and the audience clapped and wolf-whistled. None of his friends knew who this special someone was.

Tumko choo le jo hawaa , usse chhoona chahun mai
I don't wanna go on and make castles in the sand
Tu jo sang chale, na honge tanha raaste
I'm gonna love you like no one ever can
Ke kab tak mai rahoon akele
You know I need you by my side
Ke kab tak mai jiyun akele
That one thing I have realised

If You Hold My Hand,
Badal jayegi Meri duniya
If You Hold My Hand,
To mil jayegi sabhi khushiyaan
If You Hold My Hand,
Nikhar jayegi meri duniya
If You Hold My Hand,
O baby I'll never let you go...

O..You calling out for me..
You calling out for me....O
You got me on my knees for life

Hey mujhko jo mil jayo tum,
Tum ko sar-aankhon par rakh lunga mai
Baby I'll be there for you forever
Kehta aaya hu mai time and again
Ho..tu jaane na yeh, how I need you
Like a bird that's looking for the sky
Mai jaanu tere bin mai kya hu
Oh baby I'm just another guy

If You Hold My Hand,
Badal jayegi Meri duniya
If You Hold My Hand,
To mil jayegi sabhi khushiyaan
If You Hold My Hand,
Nikhar jayegi meri duniya
If You Hold My Hand,
O baby I'll never let you go...

O..You calling out for me..
You calling out for me....O
You got me on my knees

You calling out for me..
You calling out for me....O
You got me on my knees for life

As he came back after his wonderful performance, his gang teased him about the 'news' he gave in the beginning.

He blushed by the continuous comments made about his someone special and raked a hand through his hair after sitting near Aarushi. She raised her eyebrows suggestively and nudged him with her elbow.

" You idiot! You found a girl and never bothered to tell me?" She accused.

"Nothing like that moti," he said, lazily draping an arm around her.

"Wait, were you even planning to tell me?" She asked and as an afterthought, added," Oh ya, after having kids right?" She scoffed and jerked off his arm.

"Tussi naraaz ho? Tussi naraaz na ho," he said making a puppy face.

"Way to ruin a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai dialogue. Nikhil, please don't ruin those by your renditions," Aarushi told him.

"Only if you talk to me," Nikhil stated childishly.

"On a condition," she stated blankly. Receiving a nod from him, she said excitedly," Okay, so... I get to know everything about her! And by everything I mean every single detail."

Nikhil sighed heavily. He knew that Aarushi won't budge this time. Making sure that no one else was listening to him, he thought about his someone special, and facing Aarushi replied," Okay. So, where do I start from? I know her since a long time, like really long; more than I can even remember, and over the years, I've fallen in love with her. I guess the first time I realized my feelings was when she was at her most vulnerable state and seeing her like that, it just broke something inside me. At that moment I knew that this girl was going to be the death of me. She doesn't consider herself to be pretty but to me, she's really very beautiful, not only in her appearance but also on the inside. She always keeps her friends before her and is super-ready to help them at anytime of the day. I mean she's very selfless and I'm kinda afraid of that," he paused for a moment," I love the twinkling of her eyes whenever she sees something she likes. Her angelic face, it's full of innocence. That cute smile of hers.... Every time she laughs, I fall more in love with her. I love her voice, it's a treat to the ears of the listener. I love the way she ties her hair in an unruly manner and when she tucks them behind her ear, God, I just go bonkers over that. And when she rants, I feel like listening to her all day and night....And you know what? Sometimes she behaves so childish, just like you." He poked her nose with his forefinger and she frowned a bit. " But to be honest, I love even that. Everything about her is just so...so....I can't explain it."

Aarushi looked at him with awe. She was dumbstruck at the end of his long speech. "Woah," she breathed out," Nikhil Arora, you surely are whipped. I can see how much you love her. You know what, she's very lucky. And hey, you told me everything, but her name! Tell me, who's she? Is she someone from our group? Ruhi? Shanaya? Oh shit! Don't tell me it's Kavya! God you're-"
Her rant was interrupted by Nikhil -
"Woah, woah, ....calm down woman. Nope, calm down child." As soon as he said child, Aarushi smacked his shoulder and he groaned.
"Okay, I'm not revealing her name. That much information is enough for one day," he said and faced away from her.

"That's so not fair Nick!" She whined," Please tell me, pretty please?" She even batted her eyelashes at him.

"I'll surely tell you later, not now," he promised.

Aarushi humphed and was about to say something when her eyes caught Kavya on the stage. Shee realized that she'd gotten so busy in Nick that she almost missed her bestie's song.

Kavya, who was waiting for the song to play, looked at Tanay, who was smiling at her. As the familiar notes of the song reached her ear, she mouthed 'For You' to Tanay.

Kehte hai khuda me iss jahan mai sabhi ke liye
Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye
Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishara
Maano mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye

Kehte hai khuda me iss jahan mai sabhi ke liye
Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye
Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishara
maano mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye

Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kaise hum jaane hume kya pata,
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta

Tu humsafar hai, fir kya fikar hai
Jeene ki wajah yahi hai marna issi ke liye

Kehte hai khuda me iss jahan mai sabhi ke liye
Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye

Meherbaani jaate-jaate mujhpe kar gaya
Guzarta sa lamha ek daman bhar gaya
Tera nazara mila , roshan sitara mila
Taqdeer ki kashtiyon ko, kinara mila
Sadiyon se tarse hai jaisi zindagi ke liye,
Teri sauhbat mai duayein hai ussi ke liye
Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishara
Maano mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye

Kehte hai khuda me iss jahan mai sabhi ke liye
Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye
Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishara
maano mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye

Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kaise hum jaane hume kya pata,
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta

Tu humsafar hai, fir kya fikar hai
Jeene ki wajah yahi hai marna issi ke liye

Kehte hai khuda me iss jahan mai sabhi ke liye
Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye

People appreciated her as she descended the podium. She came towards her group and occupied her former position, that is in the arms of Tanay. Everyone hooted and cheered for Tanay, telling him to give an 'answer' to her song. Tanay just waved them off, not wanting to sing as according to him, he sounded like a dying whale. Almost everyone tried to persuade him but he didn't budge. Defeated, they looked at Kavya expectantly.

"What? I'm not taking part in this. But seriously guys, why are you forcing him. Let him be na," she defended.

"Oh ! We all forgot that she'll obviously defend her boyfriend. Bro, this is the last time we're leaving you," Siddhant commented, " So, who's next?" He narrowed his eyes and looked at his friends. "Ah yes! Aarushi !!"

"Nope. Not me. I can't sing, I'm very bad at it," she deadpanned.

"Oh please madam !" Shanaya opposed," You're one of the best singers amongst us. And hello, you were the one who said 'No excuses or ifs and buts.' Remember?"

"Ugh," Aarushi groaned, " Fine! I'll go."

"Wohoo"

"Go Aaru!"

Aarushi climbed the stage and the song rolled on. Listening to the tune, she grinned. It was her all time faourite song, and she knew the lyrics by-heart. But, at the back of her mind, she knew that this song would  bring back the unpleasant memories and she may break at some point. Pushing away these thoughts, she started singing the first few lines.

Mai tenu samjhawan ki,
na tere bina lagda je
Mai tenu samjhawan ki,
na tere bina lagda jee
Tu ki jaane pyaar mera,
Mai karun intezaar tera,
Tu dil tu yon jaan meri....
jaan meri.... jaan meri

Mere dil ne chun laiya ve, tere dil di aa rahan
Mere dil ne chun laiya ve, tere dil di aa rahan
Tu Jo mere naal turehta, turpain meriyaan saaha
Jeena mera, haaye,..Hun hai tera,
Ki mai kara, tu kar aitbaar mera

Mai karun intezaar tera,
Tu dil tu yon jaan meri....
jaan meri........jaan meri

Mai tenu samjhawan ki,
Na tere bina lagda jee

Ve changa naiyon kita beeba...
Ve changa naiyon kita beeba
Dil mera tod ke
Ve bada pachtaiyan ankhan,
Ve bada pachtaiyan ankhan,
Naal tere jod ke

At the end of the song, she smiled, teary-eyed. A huge round of applause was heard after the end of her song. She came towards her group where everyone was complimenting her. She smiled weakly and mumbled in a low but heavy voice, " I'll just come," before making her way to the ladies room.

Ayaan was a bit confused by this.
'Why did she go away like this? Is something wrong?'

Tanay, Kavya and Nikhil were tensed after seeing this. They all had the same thing in mind. ' The fragile Aarushi .' Excusing herself, Kavya followed Aarushi.

As Aarushi came out of a stall, Kavya gave her a stern look.

"What happened Kavya? Why are you here, enjoy the songs there, I just came to freshen up," Aarushi said in a normal voice.

Kavya gave her a look which said 'do-you-think-I'll-believe-that-shit.'

"Aarushi Malhotra, no need to fake all this. I know very well that you were crying. You sang the song, even when I gestured you to stop. Why, huh?" She said, her tone softening by every sentence," Why do you always have to hurt yourself! You know that.....that song, what it does to you. Then why?" She grasped Aarushi's shoulders.

"Nonsense. Who told you I was crying or that song affected me? It is merely a song, not some deadly weapon."

"Rushu, I know that you're still not over what happened all those years ago. Sure as hell that song affects you, bringing back all those memories! And don't you dare lie to me. Don't do this to yourself Rushu, please," Kavya said in a serious tone.

"I can't just forget all that Kavya! You think I haven't tried in these six years?" Aarushi burst out," Some things, they can't be changed or forgotten for that matter. The pain, it always remains there, reminding you of it. And now, I don't even want to forget all that, because you know Kavya, it was the thing that made me strong. And anyways, it's okay to shed a few tears instead of trying to forget it, failing every single time and making yourself more vulnerable." Saying this, Aarushi shrugged and then smiled.

"You're impossible Aarushi," said Kavya, as she captured her in a tight hug.

"I know," she smiled sheepishly and continued," You go now. Someone must be missing you badly."

With a tinge of red on her cheeks, Kavya pointed at Aarushi and said," You,... come fast."

As Kavya returned, she was met by two anxious faces, asking her what happened back there. She shook her head, mumbling a 'nothing' whereas Tanay and Nikhil shared a look of confusion.

Soon afterwards, Aarushi returned, looking as joyful as ever. She resumed her place beside Nikhil who questioned her by raising his eyebrows. She kept her palms on his shoulder and rested her head on them. This gesture of hers was enough for him to know the answer and he draped an arm around her waist.

As the two of them were conversing in soft whispers, no one could make out what they were talking about.

"Oye moti, listen..."

"Hmm...."

"Do you know where is she?"

"Who?" She asked raising her head.

"Veronica! Who else," he shrugged nonchalantly and in the next minute, received a smack on his shoulder. "Ah! Are you planning to bruise my shoulder Aarushi!"

"You sicko ! Just some time back you were drooling over your dream-girl and now! Ugh!!" She groaned in disgust.

"Hey, hey...chillax okay! No need to overreact. I was just asking, because, you know...," he tried to think of an answer.

"Yeah, yeah.....because?" She scoffed.

"Because...because when she's around, troubles are bound to happen!" He completed.

"Ya right!" She said bored," Apparently she doesn't like all these stuffs. I quote," imitating a typical girly accent, she continued," You know this karaoke is not my type! And there'll be so many insects!! I may catch some disease there. No ways I'm going to the karaoke. I'm better off to some club. You all can continue.' I doubt she even knows basic Hindi, let alone sing Hindi songs."

Listening to her, Nikhil broke into fits of laughter. Aarushi made a face and said," Seriously Nick, she's so annoying. The hate comes from the bottom of my heart."

"You think I'm annoying? You dumb woman!" Nikhil said in a high-pitched tone and both of them erupted into a boisterous laugh.

'Nothing's gonna ever affect him,' she thought shaking her head,' But at least he knows how to cheer me up.' With this thoughts in mind, she smiled brightly.

Amidst their small moments, they failed to notice the looks of longing Ayaan had been giving them every now and then.
'What have I done to receive this behaviour from her? Why doesn't she talk properly to me? Is it due to the past? Aarushi, please don't behave like this. I'll do anything to make things fine between us.
But she'll not listen to my words, then how should I explain it to her? Maybe through a song.......... Yeah! That's the best option.'

With an idea in his mind, he got up and went towards the guy managing the karaoke system. After having a talk with him, he grinned widely.
'I just hope you get my message Aashi.......'

As the ongoing performance ended, Ayaan went on the stage and started with a random song. He had decided to sing his selected song later, but even the first song seemed to convey his thoughts.

Waqif toh huye, tere dil ki baat se,
Chupaya jisse tune kaynaat se
Wakif toh huye, tere uss khayal se,
Chupaya jisse tune apne aap se
Kahin na kahin teri aankhein, teri baatein, padh rahe hai hum
Kahin na kahin tere dil mai, dhadkano mai, dhal rahe hai hum

Tu har lamha, tha mujhse juda
Chahe door tha mai ya pass khada

Uss din tu haan udas rahe
tujhe jis din hum na dikhe na mile
Uss din tu chup-chaap rahe
tujhe jis din kuch na khahe na sune
Mai hoon ban chuka, jeene ki ek wajah
Is baat ko khud se tu na chupa

Tu har lamha, tha mujhse juda
Chahe door tha mai ya pass khada

Lab se bhale tu kuch na kahe
Tere dil mai hum hi toh base ya rahe
Sansein Teri iqraar kare
Tera haath agar choo le, pakde
Teri kwahishein kar bhi de tu bayan
Yahi waqt hai inke izhaar ka

Tu har lamha, tha mujhse juda
Chahe door tha mai ya pass khada

As he finished the song, he signalled the man. Just after a moment, Ayaan's selected song started.

Pass aaye, dooriyan fir bhi kam na hui
Ik adhuri, si hamari kahani rahi
Aasman ko zamin, yeh zaruri nahi, jaa mile...jaa mile
Ishq sacha wahi, jisko milti nahi, manzilein......manzilein

Rang the noor tha, jab kareeb tu tha
Ek janat sa tha, yeh jahan
Waqt ki ret pe kuch mere naam sa
Likhke chhod gaya tu kaha...

Hamari Adhuri Kahani........
Hamari Adhuri Kahani........
Hamari Adhuri Kahani........
Hamari Adhuri Kahani........

Throughout the song, his eyes were only on Aarushi, wanting to know her reaction. When he looked at her after his turn was over, he found her happily chatting away on her phone. Receiving no reaction from her whatsoever, he was a bit disheartened.
'I need to do something more than this,' he thought determinedly.

After a couple of minutes, the lights on the beach dimmed and a guy's voice boomed," This song is for someone very special. For the one who has kept me awake in her dreams. This song is for the love of my life, for my Heeriye...."

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Umm...Hey all......
(Peeks out from a corner)

No, I'm not dead yet.......
I know I haven't been updating regularly and I'm really sorry for that.
First Diwali, then a trip and then I fell sick so I couldn't write this chapter.
The plot was set in my mind but I had some trouble writing it down......
And I seriously didn't want to write just for the sake of it..

I had been planning this chapter since a very long time and I didn't want it to be crappy.......
I stopped procrastinating and completed this as soon as I was completely fine and also, I needed to type all the lyrics of the songs used. (which is very tedious if you ask me)
It was due to all this that I took a long time.
But finally, this chapter is uploaded 😀
I don't know if you noticed but this chapter is the longest I've written even if I don't count the lyrics.....

Okay, so enough of my excuses,
Coming back to the chapter, how was it?
Was it boring? Or ok? Or bad?

What do you think about the small speech Nikhil gave to Aarushi?
Wasn't it cute?
Any guesses who is his 'special someone'?
And who was the guy in the end who declared his love?
Was it Tanay?
Or Nikhil?
Or Ayaan?
Or Siddhant?
Or Someone else?

Find out in Chapter 15
(I'll try my best to upload it by Monday/Tuesday)

( Songs used in this chapter:-
If You Hold My Hand - ABCD2
Raabta (Female Version) - Agent Vinod
Samjhawan Unplugged - Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania
Tu Har Lamha - Khamoshiyan
Hamari Adhuri Kahani - Hamari Adhuri Kahaani )

How many of you saw Gerua?
Gosh! The locations in that song were like ah-mazing !!
And the song....just ❤️❤️
I didn't like the trailer though.

Last but not the least — Happy Thanksgiving to all those living in America!

End of my ranting now,
It's like really late here, so.. Bye

~ Manasi ❤️