I, Ayesha Thakur, was quite attentive, as my MAN - Abhimanyu Mantri, continued his story of IIM INDORE -

**************************************

'I' refers to 'Abhimanyu Mantri'.

I was in a dangerous dilemma, when all of a sudden, someone else approached her.

At first I was disappointed, but then – I got to know that this SOMEONE is none other than, my favorite –

"Hi! I am Pratyush...

Pratyush Sharma" he spoke, a little louder, so that his voice reaches upto the next table.

Although it was evident, that he actually wanted to greet the girl – who was sniveling, the one whom I had described previously,

But nevertheless, the other girl answered –

"Hi Pratyush...

I am Preeti"

"Ahhh...Preeti Sikka...?" Pratyush again questioned, with a smile on his face.

"Haan bro...tujhe kaise pata!" Preeti exclaimed delightfully.

Flaunting his hair, with his hand – Pratyush spoke in style– "Bas yu hi. I was pretty sure about this one."

"Are you an astrologer or something like that?" Preeti again questioned surprisingly, whereas I suspected, whether she is reacting in a surprising tone or a mocking one.

On one hand, our Sharmaji blushed, on the other hand – I glared at her other belongings and then at my watch – which showed the time 6:45pm.

"Arre...by the way –

This is my friend – Abhi...

Abhimanyu"

I suddenly got up from my chair, and raised my hand for a shake –

"Hey!

I am Abhimanyu" Preeti gave a firm handshake with her soft hands, and then I continued –

"And yes, main bhi MANTRI hoon!" I smiled at her, as she giggled loudly, while both of us stared at our SHARMAJI – as he was embarrassed.

"I am really sorry Ms. Mantri"

"But I need to take your leave now"

"Will definitely have a talk later."

My first handshake with Preeti, ended on a non-conversation note, as I lifted my bag – pulled it around my back – and walked towards my favorite destination of the Institute.

I could hear Pratyush saying in background –

"Toh tumhara surname MANTRI hain?"

"Haan bro!" Preeti chuckled.

Although I did not turn back, nevertheless I was sure – that the girl, sitting with Preeti Mantri – whose description had already startled my eyes – turned back and stared at me, as I left the canteen hall abruptly.

Exactly at 6:59pm, I was on the terrace.

I kept my bag, on a dry corner – opened the collar button of my shirt and folded it- till half sleeve.

Rubbed my hand against my hair – flaunting them, in a no-man's area, since nobody was present there, to applause my soft hair.

Turning on some music, I played my favorite Bollywood tracks in my mobile, and standing on the edge of the terrace, with my hands in my pocket – I simply closed my eyes and felt the cool breeze touching my face and moving my hair.

I was in deep thoughts, when suddenly somebody gave a tap on my right shoulder.

In a fraction of second, I turned around.

It was the most beautiful evening of my life because I had the most beautiful girl of my life – standing right in front of me.

With an expression of recognition on her face, she exclaimed –

"Hey..."

"Mr. Mantri"

When your infatuation recognizes you, without an introduction, you are basically frozen

Frozen in Love!

I simply stood there like a statue, I had so many words in my mouth – but I couldn't speak anything but admire her beauty.

Since I did not speak a single word, she herself continued –

"Hawaa itni bhi thandi nahi hain – ki tum freeze ho jaonge" she laughed.

Her laughter – it was so fascinating – I could see the curve of her smile increasing – every micro-second and the way she put her hair, behind her ear – just like Ayesha does.

I still did not speak anything – because I was madly in love with her smile.

It was so adorable – that I made my mind – that I will never let this smile fade off – from her face – no matter what.

"Excuse me" this time, she spoke with a stern look.

"I hope – I am correct with your name."

"Abhi.....

ABHIMANYU....MANTRI

Right?"

I had no idea, what made me speak this –

"Yes...You are right"

"But do I know you?"

"What the hell is wrong with you ABHI, yeh tune kya bol diya" I spoke to my heart.

"Toh tu itne time se, mera naam soch raha tha?" she asked, why was I quiet for last 2 to 3 minutes.

"Ahhh....haan...haan" I muttered.

"Ahh...I mean YES"

"Actually main tumhe jaanta nahi hoon, par tum mujhe jaanti thi – isliye I was trying to remember your name" whatever came in mind, I was simply reciting – without even thinking before.

"Oh okay!" she glared at me, as if I was a madman and an over-thinker.

I personally did not like expression, so I took a deep breath – calmed down my spirits - and got back to my original self – THE ABHIMANYU MANTRI.

"Ahhh...have we met before?" I asked her solemnly.

"Haan shayad!" she chuckled.

"I am the same girl, who was sitting beside you in the canteen, 15 minutes before."

"Ahhh...beside as in – on the other table, beside yours."

"In front of - your Ms. Mantri!" she exaggerated on the word 'your Ms. Mantri'.

At first, I smiled at her – and looking at me – she herself started laughing.

"Shayad hum pehle...kabhi nahi mile" I exclaimed.

"Haan...par

Par tumne...mere baare mein kahi-na-kahi toh suna hi hoga" she answered.

"Aur woh kyu?" I questioned back.

"Because aadhe se zyada bache – humaare batch ke – baatein kar hi rahe hain" she exaggerated the number, I felt.

"Par shayad main – tumhare category mein aata hoon." I tried to impress her, with my statement.

"Meri category...matlab?" she curiously asked.

"I am sure – ki tum inn 'aadhe se zyada wale bachon' ki category mein nahi ho –

Because tum apne aap ke baare toh – rumors nahi failaonge

Aur maine waise bhi – kuch suna nahi hain – toh isliye –

Both of us – belong to the same category." I confidently spoke.

"Not bad Mr. Mantri – you are pretty good with your logics – this will help you in BBA" her normal words of appraisal felt like some golden trophy.

Both of us – simply stared at each other – as we were the only 2 persons – standing on the highest terrace of the IIM INDORE.

"By the way, if you don't mind me asking –

Hain kya yeh rumors?" I interrogated.

She folded her arms and stood, with the support of some wall and continued –

"Ansh ko jaante ho?"

I winked with my left eye and spoke –"Sorry par main nahi jaanta"

I purposely lied to her.

"Toh tum college mein jaante kisse ho?" she mocked/teased me, with that question.

"Ideally, yeh hum sabka 1st year hain – toh hum sabhi new hain"

"Aur rahi baat jaan-pehchaan ki – toh main unhi logon ko jaanta hoon – joh mere dost hain ya joh mere dost ban sakte hain" confidence was seeping through my words.

"Yeh joh dialogues tum bol rahe ho – yeh already script mein added hain – ya tumne on the spot banaye hain" she started giggling.

"Ahhh...yeh automatically aate hain – situation ke anusar" I replied.

She walked and stood beside me – grasping the steel railings with her hands.

"Haan right – kaafi adequate situation hain – dim lights, cool breeze, beautiful view, standing at the top." She glared at me.

"Exactly...see we are in the same category" I commented.

Now, this was a little over-cheesy.

"Toh tum bhi yahan har roz aati ho?" I asked her.

"Har roz nahi...but jab bhi icha ho – this is my favorite place.

Just like – it is yours." Her words were captivating.

"Aur yeh tumhe kaise pata?" I intrigued.

"Zaahir si baat hain Mantriji – ab koi insaan, shaam mein 7 baje – apne roommate SHARMAJI ko chodke – sabse alag – aisi jagah pe kyu aayenga!" I LOVED HER FOR HER WORDS.

We talked for about 10-15 minutes, about our respective classes and she also said that she had a break-up.

Although she did not describe the entire story, but since she was a little sad – while speaking about it – I did not enquire more about that topic.

Nevertheless, I was sure – that I was successful enough to get a smile on her face and make her laugh – after her so-called recent break up and this made her admire me.

Finally, at 7:35pm, we walked back to our respective hostels and at the end, she bade the goodbye, saying –

"Hmm...it was nice talking to you Mr. Mantri" she raised her arm for a shake.

"Ahh...I will repeat the same words – because we are in the same category" I smirked, as she laughed.

"Okay then – Bye Abhimanyu!" she was about to turn around – when I quickly exclaimed –

"Hey..." she looked back capriciously.

"Humne itni baat Karli – but tumne apna naam hi nahi bataya Kavya" I looked into her eyes, when I spoke this statement.

At first, I felt that this was an appealing statement – for her – to create a charming image of me – in her heart.

She stood close to me and whispered –

"How about Ms. Mundhra?" she smirked as she stared into my eyes.

"An MM for an MM" she did it again, her words made me fall in love with her, the love at first sight.

"Oh yeah!"

"Ms. Mundhra and Mr. Mantri"

"MM and MM"

"Mere naam ko tumhare naam ka sahara chaiye

Samajh gaye ho – ya aur koi ishaara bhi chaiye!"

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.