Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

4.The Pandora's Vortex

We both hear some hustle behind the door and Aman says – " okay brother...relax...you need to find a way to shift your focus now..Syna will be in any moment - and you surely don't need me to remind you why we are here...right now? right??"

I nod at that. Of course, I don't need a reminder. We are here in the recording studio today – to record a duet song – Syna wanted me to record alongside her for her Youtube Channel.She keeps doing this mixes of past Bollywood numbers for her channel and it's a big hit – all the time – online. Today we are recording – Khuda Jaane. I'v collaborated with her often for my mixes on my youtube channel too.We became friends – in the process off singing numerous duets/playbacks for Bollywood movies in the last couple of years. She helps me on occasions just like I chip in to help her. Like for example – tomorrow – she's going to be recording a song with me for my youtube channel.

The door opens and we both look up to see Syna walk in with her manager and she shoots me an instant smile as she says – "alrighty ASR ..my friend..all is set..we are good to go...is it okay if we start recording in ten?"

Aman shoots me a look to reconfirm and I nod in affirmation deciding to channelise all my emotional turmoil into my singing. Shouldn't be difficult. It's a romantic number on record. I just gotta think of Khushi minus the discovery of the bit that in reality today – she might not ever want to do anything with me. I just gotta focus on the part of me within – that's always hopelessly been in love with her.

Syna's Manager Rishi chips in now – " also..Rajat is coming in a shortwhile too right??so that we can also go through the bit he wants Syna too – with the lyrics for tomorrows recording for you ASR"

I affirm the same gesturing to all that I just need five minutes to get into the zone and I pick up a glass of water and make my way to the window to sip on it to relax my nerves as I overhear Syna, Aman and Rishi fall into discussion about Rajat's talent.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Rajat is another good friend of mine. I met him here in Bombay when I moved all those years ago.He's a lyricist. Found him scribbling away in his notebook in a restaurant I was singing in on one off my initial nights in Mumbai. We chatted and the common interest for music – and me as a singer and him as a writer led to a bond.He's doing quite good now for himself. He writes songs for so many Bollywood movies too – so many of the numbers iv play backed too – are written by him.

Actually you can say – both Rajat and me got our first big break together.So for all off my solo music albums – starting from my very first – Rabba Ve - he's written the lyrics for all the songs. I'v co-written the lyrics of just one song with him too. My very first – title track of my solo album – Rabba Ve. That's the one we wrote together. Post that – I trusted him enough to have him get it right with words. He simply gets what I want to express through my music in my solo albums and is able to get me the apt words to express.

And he is coming in today here to chat with Syna because – he(Rajat) came up with this idea to both Aman and me five days ago – about introducing a female/duet sort of new touch to another version/mix of Rabba ve through my youtube channel and we agreed almost instantly. Its my first song ever – any version of it is going to be super close to my heart.And the only female contemporary I could think off to ask to chip in on this last minute was – Syna. So yes – that's happening tomorrow..

I break outta my chain of thoughts as I hear Aman call out to me as Syna gestures us to get to the studio now for recording. Taking deep breathes – pulling myself together – I join all – falling into a casual chatter with Syna as she begins to discuss few musical points before getting into recording.