Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

23. The Call

Aman walked into the green room and closed the door shut behind as fast. He'd spotted Neha, Armaan, Jasleen step out of here around five minutes ago. They were probably discussing some last minute sync stuff – with Arnav. He had been busy checking up on the last minute admin stuff with the team right then, which is why it took him about five minutes or so to finish up on that, before stepping in here to just ask Arnav – if his phone had buzzed with Rajesh Maan's call.

It was difficult for him to digest the bit that, hours had passed since him knowing the truth from Khushi and yet he hadn't called.

This was so unusual. What if the man was planning some other sick mindgame in the while?

But when he finds Arnav smiling away to himself in the moment, looking into his phone lounging in the chair instead, he can't help but ask first on that – " what are you smiling on that way? surely, a text from Khushi? what she saying? Wishing well, for the concert , I am sure...brother..,"and with that he takes a seat in front of Arnav.

Arnav looks at Aman at that and puts his phone aside in front as he answers grinning - " yes, that ofcourse, and also the bit that how she's so excited for my arrival in Fiji already. Her mum's actually decided to have me stay at the guest room nearest to her space, and that's got Khushi all taking my case being like - but you most surely cannot sneak in to be with me – Arnav on nights, once everyone is asleep and I just texted her – that I am most surely going to do just that...obviously,"he finishes with a chuckle.

Aman smiles at that on reflex now as he says - " most surely then...I am going to have to make sure...that we free up your schedule for that week.."

Arnav nods grinning - " I know you are the best business manager ever, Aman. You will make it happen.."

Aman nods at that as he asks now taking a deep breathe - " okay...I know...you are all set for the concert...all last minute preps done... we go live on stage in 35 mins...but I can't help but ask you this in the moment...has he called? Rajesh Maan? You missed his call or what? I mean, I can't digest the fact that he hasn't called yet when its been hours...since he knows..."

Hmmmm.

That makes Arnav admit now looking at his phone – " but somehow, Aman, I am not surprised at all, that he hasn't called yet...even though yesterday I was assuming differently"

That surprises Aman yet again – "why do you say that??"

Arnav fills in – "because, ever since I heard what Khushi had to say about his reaction last night over dinner + at breakfast at their end hearing all the details she filled them up on, its been clear, all he wanted to do was just cover it all up in front of Khushi with sweet acceptance pretence in the moment, which is why, my gut then told me, that he'd probably call me after Khushi left to join her work unit and when he was alone...he most surely couldn't risk khushi and her mum listening on...and now after I heard all that I did + Khushi's mum reaction, I think my gut tells me...that I was right in my hunch all along...her mum wasn't in this ever...with Rajesh Maan, she surely doesn't know herself...you remember how my mind would sometimes wonder – what if both her parents were on this collectively but it was just him that made the call upfront??"

Aman nods – " yeah..we both thought that initially.."

Arnav sighs – " but apparently, its quite clear, it was just him...."and he adds eyeing his phone now – "also, now that I know Khushi had left and is with her work unit, maybe, he'd surely find a way to be alone and then buzz me...he knows from Khushi, that my old Mumbai number is the one...I still use...."