ArHi OS DJ Play our song

Arnav stood still contemplating what had just happened. Here he was with Khushi still in his arms as the audience applauded, bringing them both their attention back to the hall.
What had just happened? What had he just done? Did he aid Khushi to win? Didn't he say that he wouldn't be there to support her if she fell?? Then why did he unconsciously move towards the stage to dance, to aid her. He let go of her waist and stood still. His eyes occasionally darting sideways studying her. Khushi stood as usual mesmerizingly beautiful. Her fingers played with her saree pallu, giving away her hidden tension and turmoil. Was she also just as confused as he was?

Arnav last recalled standing with the audience, waiting in anticipation for Khushi's last performance. Did he want her to win? Was he hoping she would lose? He didn't know. He wasn't sure of a lot of things when it came to do with Khushi. It was like something in him was slowly being inched open. Didn't she say he had locked his heart away. Then why was he actually feeling more alive  tonight, especially after her last performance of mocking him. He should have been angry. He deserved to be angry. Yet he laughed. Yes, as Di said for the second time, he laughed out loud. Was it her performance or the fact that she was the only one who noticed little things about him. Little things that meant nothing to anyone else but seemed to be everything to her. How did she do that when he always was looking for a reason to be angry with her, to hurt her, to push her away. Yet she pushed him away when she was hurt. Because he hurt her with his words. He had failed to notice that she was not acting but was truly hurt. Why was she at his pool in the first place and what made her upset? Was the competition too much for her? Was she worried that if she had lost, he would demand something from her, something that she could not give? Again he wasn't sure but he stood with  a strong fascade, waiting for her performance.

But it did not start. Nothing. She stood on the stage, alone. Completely alone. Where was her damn partner and why had she not shown up!!! How could she let Khushi down at her moment of need when victory was truly within her grip. He felt his anger increasing. Nobody did that to Khushi. Nobody had the audacity of treating her that way, apart from him. But it was different with him, he reasoned. He was doing it to protect her. To push her away so that she wouldn't get burnt by him. He had a reason. Though his inner resolved was no longer convinced.

He turned his attention to buaji and Payal and watched as Payal tried numerous attempts in vain to get hold of Sarita. What were they now going to do? He watched as Payal shook her head signaling to Khushi and khushi's shoulders drop, dejected. No, this couldn't be happening. She stood still searching the crowd but she still stood there. It reminded him of the day when he had forced her to model for the calendar and she stood there in red saree, looking similarly at him, hoping that he would agree to her wearing the saree and not that stupid dress. He couldn't say no. How could he? Even when he didn't want to, her beauty and innocence took over him and he could not let those eyes look away from him in disappointment.

Could he allow that today?
Without an answer, he felt his legs took over him and carried his body towards the stage. He removed his suit jacket and folded his black shirt. What was he going to do? He still wasn't sure. He walked towards the light crew and DJ who stood still, more like shell shocked at the fact that the great ASR was contemplating talking to them. He had that effect on others, yet not on her. He smiled.

"Dim the lights and once I'm on stage,  switch them back on." He commanded. They nodded with their mouths wide open. "What's wrong?"

"Sir, you are going to dance?"

"Who said anything about dancing?" Arnav asked them. Was he going to dance?! He was not sure. It was ages since he last dance. Actually it was at Di's pre-wedding do, before mama left him completely. He closed his eyes. What was he thinking? He immediately backed away from the stage and turned, but not before his eyes caught a glimpse of Khushi retreating towards his direction. Was she going to admit defeat? He face sullen. No!!! He would never let that happened. As long as he was still alive and breathing, nothing would hurt her, Nothing. Not even him.

He turned around and marched towards the stage with new found resolved.

"What m'm..mu'.usic sh'sh'should we pl'pl..play?" The DJ stammered.

"I don't know. Play something you think is suitable!" ASR barked.


The DJ scrambled his CDs and ipod collection and found the perfect song "Teri Meri". He had been watched Khushi the whole evening. Who couldn't. Who wouldn't. But one thing he did notice was her eyes were only on ASR and likewise. Could there be something?! His suspicions further confirmed when after her last performance, he stood aghast expecting the mightly roar of ASR but found him smiling and laughing. ASR laughing? The ASR! The mightly ASR???!!! And now he was about to dance?! He knew the Raizada family for a long time. He was their faithful DJ and had entertained in all their parties. They were known to throw amazing parties but tonight, he felt it was different, more special. Tonight,  he had finally witnessed ASR becoming more humane. Could this be because he had finally found his khushi?! He wasn't sure. But he was going to help them on their journey of realization. He watched ASR stand in front of Khushi, blocking her path of stage. The DJ closed his eyes, mumbled a slight prayer and pressed play!