A/N: I had expected this to go on earlier but thanks for my butter chicken fingers, I deleted half a chapter... But now I'm sort of glad I did, because I revamped the story a bit and gave it some more flavour... I hope you enjoy!!!

***

Kabir was on a roll that day. As promised, he went to home for breakfast before headed to Rahul Oberoi's office. He even managed to squeeze in a decent conversation with Arjun to find out what happened the night when he left Tara and Vishal's wedding. Then by 9am, Kabir was already in Rahul's office waiting for his arrival.

Rahul's looked exactly the same as the last time Kabir was here, except, there were more posters and awards lining the wall.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Rahul announced as he entered the room. "I had something to do earlier."

"It's ok, sir," Kabir replied.

"So," Rahul said as he sat in front if Kabir. "I really liked your new song and I think it has the potential to help you bounce back into the music scene."

"I sense a but," Kabir responded.

"But," Rahul continued, confirming Kabir's suspicions. "What I'm concerned with is the audience reception. You've been out of the music scene for such a long time and furthermore, with so many controversies surrounding you, I'm not sure if it'll work out."

"Please Rahul sir," Kabir pleaded. "Just give it a try. If you're worried about my behaviour, I assure you that nothing like that will ever happen again. We can go public with my treatment, link it to an alchoholism awareness program or something to prove that I've changed. I'll even sign a contract if you need me to."

"I really want my rockstar back too, Kabir," Rahul confessed. "That's why I set you up with Dr. Raina. But you have to think rationally, this is a business and businesses are about the profits. If your next album doesn't do well, it's going to be harder for you to continue your career."

"So there's no other way?" Kabir asked.

"I don't know if Sunny has told you about this but," Rahul revealed. Kabir sat up straight in his chair, his curiosity perked up. "But with all the buzz around Vishal's wedding and you guys being there, we have received quite a number of requests to bring VKAS back..."

Rahul left his statement hanging in hopes that Kabir would understand but Kabir only stared blankly at Rahul. The room was quiet for a while before Kabir burst out laughing.

"I'm being serious, Kabir," Rahul huffed in exasperation. "VKAS was, and even up till today, still is our company's biggest and most popular discovery..."

"Sir, it's not possible!" Kabir interjected. "Even if I agree to it, not everyone will."

Arjun won't, Kabir thought to himself.

"Just give it a try," Rahul prompted, sympathetically.

"Thank you for your help, Rahul sir," Kabir said as he rose from his chair. "I'm sorry for taking so much of your time."

"Kabir, please consider reuniting VKAS," Rahul said. "If not for the fans, for yourselves."

Kabir faked a smile and left Rahul's office. When the door closed behind him, Kabir let out a huff of breath. He already had an inkling that this might happen. What made him think things would go back to the way it was? That people would readily accept him with open arms after everything that has happened? Despite all the therapy...

Therapy! Raina!

How is he going to tell Raina about this?! She's going to be so disappointed! Ugh!

"Kabir!"

Kabir sighed as he turned around at the familiar voice. Honestly, he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.

"What do you want, Sunny?" Kabir asked.

"Looks like the meeting didn't go as planned," he replied.

"Sorry, " Kabir apologized. "I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"Let's talk in my office," Sunny offered. "That's if you're not heading anywhere soon."

"Sure," Kabir responded and Sunny led him to his office.

Sunny's office was everything Kabir imagined it to be. It was quirky, filled with momentos, gifts from fans and plenty of photographs.

"Welcome to my office," Sunny  announced. "Please take a seat."

Kabir sat down on a chair opposite of Sunny.

"So, what happened in there?" Sunny asked.

"VKAS happened," Kabir answered.

Sunny cocked an eyebrow in confusion.

"Rahul sir wanted VKAS to reunite before he's willing to release a new album," Kabir continued. "But we both know that's an impossible task."

Sensing Kabir's distress, Sunny comforted him.

"You know the boys and I are willing to do anything for you, right?" Sunny spoke up.

"Tell that to Arjun," Kabir scoffed. "He was the reason the entire band was dismissed."

"I understand," Sunny told him. "But to be honest, you can't blame him entirely. Arjun was young and easily influenced. He isn't as tough as you or as persistent as Ayesha. Have you ever thought about things from his perspective?"

"Not really," Kabir admitted. He then playfully nudged Sunny's foot. "Since when did you turn into Dr. Raina? You're Sunny, aren't you?"

"Of course!" Sunny exclaimed. "Do you see me wearing a dress?"

"Actually..." Kabir started before being cut off by Sunny.

"Don't answered that," Sunny said. "It was a rhetorical question."

A genuine smile pulled at the edges of Kabir's lips.

"Have a talk with Arjun," Sunny advised. "Who knows, things might turn out fine in the end?"

"Like that's ever going to happen," Kabir scoffed.

Before anything else could be said, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Sunny hollered.

Kabir and Sunny simultaneously turned to face the door, only to meet with a sheepish looking Ayesha but a confused expression quickly replaced it.

"Kabir?" Ayesha asked.  "Why are you here?"

"I should ask the same thing about you," Kabir replied. "Sunny invited me to have a chat with him."

"Oh," Ayesha nodded. "I'm sorry to say this, Kabir, but you'll have to cut your chat short.  Sunny's supposed to have lunch with me and you're not invited."

"Ouch," Kabir joked. "I feel so left out."

"Shut up," Ayesha mockingly scolded Kabir. "You can have your bromance session another time. We have something important to attend to."

"Fine," Kabir 'relented'. "I'll see you guys later then."

"See you," Sunny said as Kabir left the two of them alone.

Ayesha made sure Kabir was out of earshot before she spoke.

"What was that about?" Ayesha asked.

"Rahul sir shot down Kabir's dreams of releasing a new solo album," Sunny revealed.

"What?!" Ayesha exclaimed. "Why?"

"Kabir's reputation preceeds him," he answered. "He isn't sure how the public..."

"But he's changed," Ayesha cut Sunny off.

Sunny got out of his chair and walked over to Ayesha. He then took both of her hands in his and looked into her eyes.

"I know that," he said. "And Rahul sir knows that. But Ayesha, Kabir's career is on the line right now. If the album doesn't do well, it might be the last album he's ever going to release."

She nodded.

"Fine," she huffed. "I just hope things would go well for Kabir."

"I know it will," Sunny told Ayesha. "You just have to believe in your brother and your husband."

"Why?" Ayesha asked. "Do you have some magic spell that can change everything?"

"Maybe," Sunny grinned. "Ok, enough about this. Let's leave this depressing topic and head out for lunch."

The two of them then strolled hand in hand out of the office.

***

Worried, was an understatement for Raina. It was well pass lunchtime and Kabir had still not updated her about his meeting with Rahul Oberoi.

"Dr. Raina?!" A voice called out, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked towards the source of the voice only to be met with the concern face of Dr. Malhotra.

"Sorry," she quickly apologized. "How can I help you, Dr. Malhotra?"

"Forget about that first," he replied. "Are you alright? Is there anything bothering you? This is the first time that I've seen you so lost in your own thoughts."

"I'm fine," she sheepishly answered. "You were saying?"

"It's about Kabir Varma's case," Dr. Malhotra revealed. "I understand that the session this week is the last one, am I right?"

"Yes," she replied. "Is there a problem?"

"There's no problem," he answered. "However, I also know that, although the both of you aren't dating, you two seem close. I just want you to be careful around him after this."

"I understand, sir," she responded. "I wouldn't let my personal life affect my professional life."

"I know you wouldn't," Dr. Malhotra said. "But I'm afraid Kabir's might."

"What do you mean?" Raina asked.

"Kabir's a public person after all," Dr. Malhotra said. "Being affiliated with him means that you're also putting yourself out there with him to be scrutinised, both, personally and professionally. I can't help but be worried for you, Raina. You're like a daughter to me and I don't want you to get hurt."

Raina nodded in response.

****

Rahul Oberoi was at a crossroad and whichever path he chose would have a significant impact on someone's life.

When Kabir mentioned going public with his treatment, he was shocked. Rahul had previously considered this option to "re-introduce" Kabir but due to the negative stigma that might come with it, he chose to forgo that option. Furthermore, if he disclosed any detail regarding his treatment, he was sure the press would never leave the doctors alone, especially, Dr. Raina.

On the other hand, if Rahul chose not to go with that option, Kabir's career would be at stake, given his alcoholic reputation. Having a VKAS reunion tour was a good idea until that night when he had a chat with Arjun. Arjun was comfortable where he was, not to mention, he's actually good at what he does. Why would he go back to a life where he had to constantly live in his brother's shadow? Rahul thought Kabir would give it one last try and talk to Arjun but that plan of his backfired as well. Rahul knew of the volatile relationship between the brothers, as well as between Kabir and Ravi Desai. However, he never realized the extend of it until the band split.

Rahul let out a sigh in frustration. After trying for three years, Kabir had finally regained his senses and was willing to work on his career once more. He didn't want to say it earlier, but truthfully, Kabir's the company's and Rahul biggest discovery. He remembered the time where a wide-eyed, starstruck Kabir entered his office for the first time with nothing but a demo CD and a whole lot of confidence that VKAS would be India's biggest and most famous boy band. Rahul really admired Kabir's confidence and his ambitious attitude. Not only that, he had a certain innocence that came with it. When the band split, things took a toll on Kabir and slowly, his personality started to change. He had let fame get to his head which caused a downwards spiral towards the path of destruction. Rahul was lucky he and Sunny managed to help him before it was too late.

"Sunny," he spoke into the phone. "Can you come to my office, please?"

It didn't take long for Sunny to arrive and soon, they were seated at Rahul's desk.

"It's about Kabir," Rahul started. "As you are aware, he came in this morning with a proposal to record a new album. I turned it down."

"I know," Sunny replied. "He told me."

"I hope you won't blame me for it," Rahul said. "But a lot of things have changed since the last album Kabir released..."

"I understand, sir," Sunny responded, cutting him short. "Kabir's fan base isn't as huge as it used to be and a lot of people are weary of Kabir. And to top it of, the music scene isn't what it used to be. This situation isn't exactly ideal for Kabir to release an album at the moment."

Rahul marvelled at Sunny's rationale.

"What do you think we should do then?" Rahul asked.

"Honestly," Sunny replied. "Nothing. I know the hype of seeing VKAS back together had heightened during Vishal's wedding and naturally, you'd like to go in that direction to bring back VKAS. I have an idea but I don't think Kabir would like it."

"What?" Rahul asked.

Sunny pushed his phone across the table, it's screen facing Rahul. It was a video of some sort. The moment Sunny hit play, Rahul immediately knew what it was. It was a recording of the Sangeet performance.

"Where did you get this?" Rahul asked.

"One of the guest recorded it and sent it to me," he revealed. "Apparently, Vishal and Tara had warned against taking videos during the wedding and posting them online. They didn't want their whole wedding to be a media circus"

"So," Rahul nodded. "You want to leak this?"

"I'm giving you the liberty to choose whether to leak it," Sunny told him. "But if you do, I suggest calling Dr. Raina and Dr. Malhotra to warn them first."

Sunny slid his phone across the table.

"Your call, Rahul sir."

***

A/N: Woah!!! Sunny!!! Are you going to be the villain in Kabir and Raina's relationship??? And Mr. Rahul Oberoi sir, I hope you make the correct decision...

Let me know what do you think of this chapter and I'll see you in the next...

Btw, anyone watched Avengers Infinity War yet??? I so badly want to fangirl right now!!!