Armaan closed his eye, feeling the music and getting in the feel of the song. He was recalling the times during college when Riddhima wasn't around and how much it had left an impression on him. The sleepless nights. The deep sorrow he felt that it wouldn't even let him cry. His wish to do anything just to get one word from her.

Aahatein kaisi yeh aahatein

Sunta hoon aaj kal aye dil bata

Dastakein dete hain dastakein

Kyun ajnabi se pal aye dil bata

Kuch toh hai jo neend aaye kam

Kuch toh hai jo aankhe hai nam

Kuch toh hai jo tu keh de toh

Haste haste marr jaaye hum

At the music in between, he still kept his eyes closed. When it was time to sing again, Armaan finally did open his eyes and looked at Riddhima through the glass. They may be Riddhima's words, but they expressed him. He believed he loved her with everything, that he was her shadow, and yet, he couldn't bring peace to her back then. He'd just hurt her.

Mujhse zyada mere jaisa

Koi hai toh hai tu

Phir na jaane dil mera kyun

Tujhko na de sakun

He knew this was how he felt during that senior year when he just couldn't tell her what he felt for her. He was afraid that she didn't return his feelings, he'd lose her friendship as well. And that was something he couldn't live without. And so, even though there was a havoc within him, he couldn't express himself. Even today, there was something he was afraid of, something that made him think everything was happening too fast and it's why he had to hold himself back from touching her because then he'd want to kiss her senseless. He was afraid if he let himself go, he'd be pushing her too far.

Kuch toh hai jo dil ghabraaye

Kuch toh hai jo saans na aaye

Kuch toh hai jo hum honthon se

Kehte kehte keh naa paaye

For years, they hadn't named their relationship. They had left it as friendship, but it had always been so much more. And now, this named relationship wanted to take them somewhere. He just didn't know where. As he looked at her once again through the two-way glass, he wished he knew what she was thinking about when she wrote these lyrics, for they tugged the hearts of his strings, forcing him to look for the depth in their current relationship. One thing, he was sure about. These words were written way earlier when things had taken the turn for worse in 12th just after annual celebrations, when they both were pretending that everything was perfect between them but it was far from it.

Jo humaare darmiyaan hai

Isko hum kya kahein

Ishq kya hai ik lehar hai

Aao iss mein bahein

Kuch toh hai jo hum hain khoye

Kuch toh hai jo tum na soye

Kuch toh hai jo hum dono yun

Haste haste itna roye

===

Sapna walked up to Armaan as he stood leaning against his black colored sleep Mercedes Benz with her arms crossed over her chest to convey she was pissed. "What now? Do you realize the very important interview I had to walk out of to fulfill your whims?"

He answered in her amused tone, "Ready for the story of your life?"

She rolled her eyes, scoffing. "More than what you've already given me? I highly doubt that."

He pushed off the car, taking off his sunglasses. The smirk still plastered on his face, he gave a slight warning, "Prepare to be shocked then."

She gave his outfit a look over. Crisp white button up and dark jeans. She narrowed her eyes before they caught up to him again, her arms dropping by her side as an idea hit her, "You aren't about to propose to Riddhima, are you?"

While walking inside the studio, he raised a brow. "Where would the shock be in there?"

She shrugged her shoulders. Now that she thought about it, it wouldn't be a shocking matter. Everyone was just waiting for it.

He added, "Besides, I wouldn't be doing that here in the studio."

Another point well made. It would be a fact that he was a romantic guy and studio? Well, that did not fall under the category as enthralling as his voice was.

She asked following inside, "Then what am I doing here? Something bad again didn't happen with your family, right?" The later part, she simply had to ask out of concern and because the last time he'd called her with a favor, it had been months back. And, the news of his sister being assaulted had not been of a good note.

He smiled briefly looking sideways at her to assure her it hadn't before leaning forward to press the button for the elevator. "No. Nothing bad."

She exhaled a sigh of relief. The two hadn't ever talked about the last news he had shared but the words were conveyed through the eyes. They may not be considered 'friends' but they had an unsaid understanding between the two. Wasn't it the reason Armaan kept on turning to her whenever he had something to share?

Stepping in the elevator and after the doors closed, she questioned. "So, when are you going to propose?"

He gave her a look and she chuckled. Ofcourse, he wasn't going to give up that information.

Still, she insisted. "Soon?"

He let out an inaudible chuckle, lowering his head and shaking it in amusement. The girl was relentless. And yet, he had a rapport with her that he didn't mind. "You'll know when it happens, Sapna."

The doors of the elevator opened and he waved at her to step out first. She did but commented, "Chivalry does not excuse you from proper answers, mister."

"You'll get answers in a minute," he answered as he led her towards the offices. Stopping in front of Mr. Malik's office, he knocked and then turned the knob to push the door in.

He was in the middle of a phone conversation, "No, I told you. I can't come back to States right now." He looked up when the door opened and paused his arguments on seeing Armaan. He hadn't thought that after yesterday's events, he'd be seeing him this soon. Then, his eyes traveled to Sapna and having watched a few of Armaan's interviews with her, he knew who she was. He spoke to the person at the other end of the phone, "I'll have to call you back, bye."

Placing the receiver in its spot, he blinked towards Armaan again. "Armaan. I wasn't aware..."

Armaan offered as he let the door close behind him, "This isn't a social call. I have some news to share."

Billy bit back his original comments and waved at them to have a seat. "What news?"

Armaan pulled out a sheet of paper that he had folded into his pocket. Unfolding it, he placed it on the desk, turning it so Billy could read. "I am going to host a non-profit concert and all sales from it will go towards these NGO's and you are going to approve it."

Billy scoffed in surprise, "All sales? You're crazy if you think I will approve this."

Armaan raised a brow, challenging him silently that if he cared to have a spot in his life, he was going to accept every whim of his.

Billy, however, did not play along. "Armaan, this is not business is concluded. Like you said, this is not a social call. So, as your investor, I am never going to let you jeopardize your career like this - even if what you are doing is for a good cause. I am here to establish your career, not give you the free reign to destroy it."

Armaan countered, "Destroy it? This is for a good cause. How can it destroy my career? It'll only give it a good name. Don't for a second think I chose to stay in business with you just because of music or because I needed the money to handle my dad's medical bills and keep the house running. I stayed because I want to do good in this world with my name and music. If you won't let me do that with my life, tell me now and we are done. For good."

"You can't walk away because I won't let you throw one concert."

"Really? You can't threaten to sue me this time, Mr. Malik. You absolved our contract. I am free to leave and start an independent career whenever I want." Armaan pointed out the facts of the agreement Riddhima had made with Billy when she signed on to sing in the third album alongside Armaan.

Billy opened his mouth but was at loss of words. What could he throw at him to counter? He did not much like arguing with Armaan but also, as a businessman and his investor, he was thinking of the big loss financially.

Armaan added in a calmer tone, "Now, I am trying to give us a chance to keep working together. The ball is in your court now."

Billy continued to remain silent for the passing seconds. Sapna did not know but he did catch the undertone in Armaan's words. He was giving Billy a chance of a work relationship to see if they could have a personal relationship in the future and Billy knew... this was the only chance he would get. He had to take it. Armaan had seen Billy's businessman side way too often. He had even known of his threats. And to forgive and forget all of those harsh methods, Armaan first wanted to see a change in him as a businessman before he would consider accepting the person he was.

Billy pointed out, not in a tone that would indicate he was arguing, but simply as a fact. "You can't throw a concert just like that. Even putting the sales aside, you have to pay the team who'll put the concert together."

Mimicking his tone, Armaan offered. "We made more than expected with the last album and if that profit still isn't enough, I have savings. I'll pay the loss from this concert but let me do this. It's something I need to do else I am no better than any other singer out there."

Billy could see Armaan was passionate about this. To a point, he could even understand why Armaan was more interested in philanthropy than just being a regular celebrity singer and enjoying the lavish lifestyle it got him. If he turned off his businessman side completely, he would even go on to say he was proud of his son and grateful for the upbringing he received that he turned to grow into this person. If asked, he couldn't be sure if he himself could have given Armaan such fine ethics and a will to do something amazing with his talent.

Billy nodded alas after considering it. "Okay."

Armaan's shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank you," he answered and looked at Sapna with a smile.

She smiled back, certainly feeling a sense of pride that this was his first plan of action into creating a better career for himself on his own terms, but also amazed that he spoke up to Mr. Malik, a personality not many dared to challenge because they were all aware of his rigid he could be in the way he worked.

Armaan knew it would take some convincing and somewhere, the relief was because Riddhima wouldn't be disappointed. He knew that whatever goodness she had seen in Billy's heart could often be overshadowed by the part that worried about money. So, even though he had decided to give him a chance, he first needed proof that the guy he had known the last four years was not all there was to his personality. Because if he was, Armaan wouldn't have been too sure that he wanted such a person in his life.

Just as Armaan and Sapna sat up to leave, Billy stopped them with last words, "And Armaan?" He turned briefly to look at him before he continued, "I'll cover the extra costs. No need to break your savings."

Armaan gave a brief nod of acknowledgement and also to convey that his efforts were appreciated. That it did earn him a point in Armaan's heart.

Sapna questioned once they were out of the office and walking back towards the elevators, "Amazing news, but where was the shocking part?"

Waiting for the elevator to come up, he answered. "If all goes well, you'll find out at the concert."

She narrowed her eyes at his cryptic answer but he smiled to himself. Somewhere, he was starting to hope that all things did go well. "Armaan, this is not fair. How does this come under me getting the exclusive?"

He sighed, knowing it was unfair because just the news of concert wasn't enough. So, he worked with words to give her an answer, "Alright, the exclusive is that the world knows I was adopted but they don't know who my real parents are."

Her eyes widened, ready to blast questions, but he pointed a finger at her in a warning. She huffed to express her disapproval of him keeping secrets from her.

===

@armaangupta: Mirchi Radio at 7 am with RJ Neela tomorrow guys! Tune in!

RJ Neela greeted her listeners a good morning before introducing Armaan for today's segment. Armaan had to get up at 5 in the morning to shower and have his driver drive him all the way to Mirchi radio show office by 6 and go over a rough script of the questions he would be asked during the show which would start promptly at 7. He had looked like hell, super tired from the last night recording, so he had been glad when Suvarna had food waiting for him when he'd arrived.

After the pleasantries, RJ Neela asked, "Armaan, there were rumors about you joining the US tour that is coming up. How true is that?"

Armaan answered, "I definitely heard the rumors too, yeah." RJ Neela laughed. "In all seriousness though, I have something better coming up than the tour."

"What can be better than the tour?"

"The new album. I promise you guys, it's going to be something you've all been waiting for."

"Hear that, guys? Now, Armaan, the past few days, you have been sending these tweets which are very secretive. Even your new album, all we have heard is Kuch Toh Hai."

"Yes, there is a surprise coming up for sure. It's going to be worth the wait that much I can say for now."

"C'mon, no hints?"

"Follow my twitter and Instagram?" He replied with a smirk and a wink.

"For sure you can count on that! On that note, here's a song by Armaan from his previous album that was a chartbuster and we're sure it's beats will be enough to start you day in a jovial mood."

She raised the bar to pay Buddhu Sa Mann that was kept in cue. While the mics were off, she had a sip of water. He asked her, "Mind if I make a quick phone call?" She waved at him to go ahead. He dialed Riddhima's number, and she answered within the first ring itself. "Hey... am I waking you up?"

Riddhima rushed out of the room to talk to him and let Khushi sleep in a bit more. "No, I'd woken up few minutes ago. Aren't you supposed to be live right now or something?"

"Yeah, but I have a few minutes. How is she now?" He was talking about Khushi, and the scare they had all gotten with someone from their past, Vivek, sending a parcel to Khushi's workplace that clearly showed he had been following her, and a note saying he was coming for her.

"Bad, Armaan." She answered with a sigh, rubbing her forehead with the headache she was feeling already. "She woke up three times over the night screaming with nightmares. I am thinking I'll just stay today. Keep her from going to work too."

Armaan countered, "No, don't do that. Let her go. Maybe work routine will distract her. Else doing nothing at home would drive her crazy."

"Yeah, I guess. It would have been hard to get her to call out of work anyway."

"Maybe I'll hire some bodyguards. You know, make sure she gets back and forth safe."

"Good luck. She won't make it easy for you." Riddhima knew how much she would hate that, but right now, she felt compelled to agree with Armaan. They had no idea what Vivek was capable of.

"She's my sister, Riddhima. I'll be damned if I let anything happen to her again."

"I know, Armaan. Calm down, I didn't mean it sarcastically." She replied in a calm tone, perhaps her headache had caused him to take her words differently, "It's just that she is going to feel suffocated if there are bodyguards. She could feel that she is constantly being watched, and with Vivek sending those photos, it's not going to help her feel better."

Armaan released a tense breath, figuring there was sense in her perspective. He felt powerless. "I have to do something though."

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out like we always do. Just focus on your interview for now, okay?"

"Yeah, and you take something for that headache, okay?" He told her and she replied in a positive before ending the call. It was a wonder he had figured out her headache just from her exhausted voice without her having to say it.

Armaan deposited his cell in the inside pockets of his jacket and sat back in the chair. Neela had ofcourse been curious the second she had heard 'sister' and 'Riddhima' in the same sentence. She wondered if Riddhima was this mysterious R. Gupta. "Everything okay?"

Armaan brought on his dimpled smile, "Ofcourse."

There was no time to push for answers since the song ended and the show producer cued them back in live mode.

===

authors note

HIGHLY unedited. If you see errors, and I am sure there will be tons, feel free to point them out. I won't mind :D

I'm debating right now if I want to write a chapter 25 (to give both prequel and sequel equal amounts of chapter) or go straight to epilogue... as it is, even with one less chapter, this book has more words than the first one... so while I decide that and it takes time, you can pretty much expect that it is wrapping up ):