Chapter 38: 38."Did You Forget?"
As Bheeshma recounted how he met Chaitra, the girls clung to me, their curiosity piqued. Ammu, seated comfortably on my lap, smiled as she listened, while Anu rested her head on my shoulder, her eyes shining with interest. Raji sat close, leaning in to catch every detail. Seeing their fascination, I couldn't help but smile.
As the girls listened, their expressions ranged from admiration to joy. Anu, her head resting against my chest, smiled up at me, her eyes twinkling with warmth. I hugged her gently, feeling a deep sense of contentment.
Just then, my mother's voice called out from the dining room, "Guys, come here. It's dinner time!"
I replied, "Yes, ma!" Then, turning to the others, I said, "Let's go."
They nodded, and we all made our way to the dining table. The room was filled with the comforting aromas of home-cooked food, and the table was set with a variety of dishes that made my mouth water.
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As we settled around the table, the atmosphere was warm and filled with laughter. My mother had outdone herself, preparing all our favorite dishes. For dessert, there was a bowl of sweet, creamy kheer.
We all took our seats, and I found myself between Anu and Raji, with Ammu and Bheeshma across from us. My father, who had returned from his walk, sat at the head of the table, while my mother bustled around, making sure everyone had enough to eat.
As dinner concluded, I turned to Anu and Ammu. "Let's go," I said.
"Where?" Anu asked, puzzled.
"To drop you home, of course," I replied with a smile.
Ammu interjected, "No, you don't have to."
"Why?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Because we're staying here tonight," Ammu said with a playful grin.
I nodded in understanding. After spending a little more time in the hall, we all made our way to my room. As soon as we walked in, Raji jumped onto the bed, stretching out with a sigh. "I'm so tired today."
I smiled at her, then watched as Anu and Ammu also sat down on the bed. "Are you all going to sleep here?" I asked.
Ammu, with a playful glint in her eye, said, "Yeah, do you have any problem with that?"
"Why should I have a problem when beautiful girls like you are sleeping beside me?" I responded with a chuckle. "But the bed space might be a bit tight for all of us."
The girls exchanged glances and smiled. "We can adjust," Anu said confidently.
"If you say so," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me at the sight of their camaraderie. It seemed Anu and Ammu had grown close during the time I was in Nellore.
As we settled in, the room filled with a comfortable silence. Raji was already half-asleep, her breathing steady and calm. Anu and Ammu were still chatting softly, their voices blending into a soothing murmur. I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment as I watched them.
My phone suddenly began to ring. Checking the caller ID, I saw it was Seenu. Smiling, I answered, "Ha, my dear friend, how did you remember me?"
"Krishna, you aren't picking up Paani's calls, and now he's been pestering me non-stop, calling again and again and asking about you. I know you're back, so I told him you'll meet him tomorrow," Seenu said, sounding exasperated.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, it seems he really got on your nerves. But don't worry, I will meet him tomorrow."
"That's good," Seenu replied, relief evident in his voice.
"So, how's the Marvel movie doing?" I asked, changing the topic.
"It's doing well. We're making a good profit, and we even received a thank-you email from the Marvel team, appreciating our efforts," Seenu reported.
"That's great! I knew this movie would open the doors for superhero films among Indian audiences. And what about Hotstar and Netflix, the investments I asked you to look into?" I inquired.
"Yeah, I'm working on it. But are you sure about investing in them? Do you really think they'll grow in the future?" Seenu asked, sounding a bit uncertain.
"You don't have to worry, Seenu. Just trust me Bro," I assured him.
"Okay, if you say so," Seenu replied, his tone more confident now.
We chatted for a while longer, catching up on various things before I finally ended the call.
Putting my phone down, I noticed the girls looking at me curiously. "Who was that?" Anu asked.
"It was Seenu," I replied. "We were discussing some business matters and catching up on a few things."
Hearing this, they nodded. I got up and started walking toward the door when Ammu said, "Krishna, where are you going?"
"To make some coffee," I replied, turning to look at her.
"Why? Don't you want to sleep?" Anu asked, sounding concerned.
"I have to write some songs for our upcoming release with Mr. Vikramaditya's company," I explained.
Anu and Ammu nodded in understanding. Then Ammu said, "Make a cup of coffee for me too. I want to help you."
Waving her off, I said, "No, you don't have to."
"But I want to," Ammu insisted.
Sighing, I gave in. "Okay."
Anu chimed in, "Me too."
I nodded. As I was about to open the door, I heard Raji's voice. "One for me too, Krishna."
Turning back in surprise, I asked, "Weren't you just asleep?"
Raji smiled mischievously. "But I'm awake now."
With another sigh, I opened the door and made my way to the kitchen, the girls following behind. The house was quiet, the only sounds coming from our footsteps and the soft rustling of leaves outside the window.
Entering the kitchen, I started to prepare the coffee. The familiar aroma of freshly ground beans filled the air, a comforting and invigorating scent.
As I was making coffee, Anu asked, "Krishna, when are the songs you're writing going to be released?"
"Not anytime soon," I replied. "I told Vikram I'd give him the songs and start recording after we come back from your friend's wedding."
Anu nodded in understanding. Raji, curious, asked, "Then why are you writing them now?"
"I'm writing them now so that once they're done, we'll have nothing to worry about and can enjoy ourselves during the trip," I explained.
They all nodded in agreement. Raji then asked, "What type of songs are you going to write, and how many?"
Before I could answer, Ammu chimed in, "It's five songs—two in Telugu and three in Hindi."
Raji nodded again. "But what type of songs?"
"Mostly romantic," I said.
Anu, smiling playfully, hugged me from behind. "So, romantic, huh? For us?"
Seeing this, Raji and Ammu joined in, hugging me as well. I smiled and said, "Of course, it's for my girls. Who else would I write them for?"
They all smiled, their warmth enveloping me. Once the coffee was ready, we made our way back to the room. Entering, we moved to the gallery, placing the coffee cups on a small table. We all sat on the sofa, enjoying the cool night breeze and the comforting silence.
We sipped our coffee quietly for a moment, the rich aroma filling the air. The gallery offered a serene view of the night sky, stars twinkling like distant promises.
"I love nights like this," Ammu said softly, breaking the silence. "It's so peaceful."
"It is," I agreed. "Moments like these make all the hard work worth it."
Saying that, I got up from the sofa and made my way to the study table. I picked up a notebook and a pen, then returned to the gallery and sat down on the sofa. The moon was shining brightly, casting a serene glow over everything. The silence around me was calming, making it easier to think about the songs I wanted to write.
As I began to write, the words flowed effortlessly, inspired by the tranquility of the night and the presence of the girls. They were peeking over my shoulder, trying to see what I was writing. Their curiosity brought a smile to my face.
After writing for a while, I finally finished the songs. With a sigh of relief, I said, "Finally done." Anu, who was beside me, leaned in eagerly and said, "Let me look." Her excitement was infectious, prompting Raji and Ammu to chime in, "Me too, me too!" Smiling at their enthusiasm, I handed the notebook over to them.
As they eagerly flipped through the pages and read the lyrics, I explained, "I wrote two songs in Telugu and four in Hindi." Ammu, curious, asked, "Four?" I chuckled softly and nodded, saying, "Yes, four. I haven't posted any new songs on YouTube for a while now, so I thought it was time to write some new ones."
They nodded understandingly as they delved into the songs. "The first Telugu song is 'Samajavaragamana', and the second is 'Gudilo Badilo Madilo'. For Hindi, the first is 'Bol Do Na Zara', the second is 'Khairiyat', the third is 'Khamoshiyan', and last but not least is 'Kabhi Na Kabhi'. Some I wrote before, and some I wrote just now. So, what do you think?"
They looked up at me with bright eyes, expressions filled with delight. Anu, Ammu, and Raji chimed in almost simultaneously, "Those songs are awesome, Krishna!" Their words warmed my heart, and their hugs filled me with a sense of accomplishment. "Haha, I'm glad you like them," I replied, a wide smile spreading across my face.
Their happiness was infectious, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for their support and encouragement. Seeing the girls appreciate my work made it all the more fulfilling.
After a moment of shared joy, we settled back on the sofa in the gallery, the night wrapping around us with its peaceful embrace. The moon continued to cast its gentle glow, illuminating our faces as we basked in the aftermath of creativity and camaraderie.
"I can't wait to hear you sing these," Ammu said with excitement, breaking the tranquil silence.
Anu's spontaneous suggestion to record a song for YouTube caught me off guard. "Now?" I asked, a bit surprised by the sudden request. Anu nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, now please!"
Before I could protest further, Ammu and Raji joined in, echoing Anu's enthusiasm. "Yes, Krishna, let's record a song for YouTube! We really want to hear it," they chimed in, their smiles infectious.
Realizing their genuine excitement and knowing how much they enjoyed my music, I relented with a smile. "Okay," I finally agreed, unable to resist their enthusiasm. Their happiness was contagious, and I couldn't deny them this moment.
Getting up from the sofa, I headed into the room to grab my camera and guitar. Adjusting the camera in front of us, I sat back on the sofa, the girls opposite me, eagerly awaiting the performance. I adjusted my guitar and glanced at their faces, seeing their anticipation and joy. It filled me with a sense of purpose and gratitude.
Looking into the camera, I began with a smile, "Hey, guys, Krishna here again with a new song. It's been a while since the last one, but I think it's about time. By the way, if any of you commented on the last video and I missed it, I apologize. I've been a bit busy with work lately and unable to reply. So, sorry for that. But now, without further ado, let's begin with the song. This one is called 'Kabhi Na Kabhi.'"
I strummed the first chords, feeling the familiar melody flow through me.
"Kabhi na kabhi to miloge humko yakeen hai
Kabhi na kabhi to miloge humko yakeen hai
Teri zindagi meri zindagi hai..
Tere bina na hum jee sakenge yahaan ek pal"
As I continued to sing, the atmosphere around us transformed into a melody, weaving through the air like a gentle breeze on a summer evening. The soothing chords of the guitar resonated with the heartfelt lyrics, carrying emotions that seemed to touch each of us in a unique way.
"Hoga jahaan pe andhere ka savera
Hoga waheen pe hamara bhi basera
Manzil wahen hai jahaan hai tumhara nishaan ho..
Jeena hai mar jana hai [Mar jana hai]
Kuchh aisa kar jana hai [Kar jana hai]
Zinda rahe pyaar ki dastaan.. dastaan.. ho.."
Anu, Ammu, and Raji sat around me, their expressions reflecting the mood of the song. Anu had her eyes closed, soaking in the melody with a serene smile on her face. Ammu gazed at me with admiration, her eyes filled with a quiet appreciation for the music and the moment we were sharing. Raji, always playful and energetic, swayed slightly to the rhythm, her fingers tapping lightly on her knees, completely absorbed in the song.
"Dil pe khayalon ki barf jami hai
Bheega hai aalam, nigahon mein nami hai
Kis bhool ki jaane humko mili hai saza ho..
Sab zakhm gehre se hain [Gehre se hain]
Lamhaat thehre se hain [Thehre se hain]
Tham jayega dard ka silsila silsila ho..."
With each verse, the lyrics painted a picture of longing and hope, resonating with our own experiences and emotions. The room seemed to shrink around us, encapsulating our bond and the warmth we felt in each other's presence. It wasn't just about singing a song; it was about connecting through music, letting it weave threads of shared memories and feelings that bound us together.
As the chorus approached, I glanced at each of them, and they met my gaze with understanding and affection. There was something magical in that moment, where words melted into music, and music transcended into shared feelings. It was as if the song had found a home in our hearts, echoing our unspoken thoughts and emotions.
As I sang the final lines of the song, the melody lingered in the air, casting a spell of serenity and warmth over us:
"Teri zindagi meri zindagi hai
Tere bina na hum jee sakenge yahaan o...
Teri zindagi meri zindagi hai
Tere bina na hum jee sakenge yahaan.. o.."
I let the last note fade gently, a smile spreading across my face as I looked into the camera. "Thank you for listening. I hope you liked the song. See you guys in the next video." With a final wave, I closed the camera, ending the recording.
Turning to face the girls, I asked, "So, what do you think?"
Before I could brace myself, they leapt up and jumped on me, wrapping me in a collective hug. Their voices overlapped as they expressed their joy and admiration.
"It was awesome!" Anu exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"We really, really liked it!" Ammu added, her face lit up with a radiant smile.
"And we enjoyed it so much!" Raji chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious.
I laughed, feeling a rush of happiness at their reactions. "Well, thank you then," I replied, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.
Raji, still holding onto me, looked up and said excitedly, "Let's upload it!"
Anu and Ammu nodded eagerly in agreement. Seeing their excitement, I couldn't help but smile. "Okay," I agreed.
We got up from the sofa and headed back inside the room. The air was filled with an electric sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
Seated in front of the computer, I uploaded the video and began the meticulous process of editing. The quiet clicks of the keyboard and the occasional hum of approval from the girls filled the room. After what felt like hours, I finally completed the editing. With a satisfied sigh, I opened YouTube to upload the video to my channel, MusicMelodies.
As the page loaded, my eyes widened in shock. "What the hell is this?" I exclaimed, staring at the screen in disbelief.
Ammu, alarmed by my tone, hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
I looked at the girls, my voice filled with incredulity. "What's with the subscribers and views?"
They crowded around me, peering at the screen. Anu's eyes went wide with surprise. "Three million views and eight hundred thousand subscribers!"
Raji, ever the calm one, said, "Just that."
I turned to her, stunned. "Just that? You think it's just that? I only uploaded a single video and it's already gotten this much attention!"
Raji met my gaze with a knowing smile. "Why are you reacting like this? Did you forget that your voice is divine? When we were in school, you sang a song at the annual gathering. After that day, every morning, there were love letters on your desk. Did you forget?"
Ammu looked at me with newfound admiration. "There's a story like that about Krishna? I didn't know."
I shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Is that really necessary to mention?"
Raji's smile widened, and Anu interjected, "Let's see the comments." We all nodded, focusing on the comment section.
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