Preeti got up from the other bed, while Kavya moved ahead, towards me –

And then,

She slapped me tightly.

"OH SHIT..." Preeti exclaimed.

When I moved my head, to its normal posture, staring at her – I could see big-big tears in her eyes – as she came forward and hugged me tightly.

"Abhi...tu pagal hain kya?" I could sense, that she was crying and trying to speak – doing both the actions at the same time.

I clinched her and cuddled her softly to calm her down.

Then, I replied –

"Haan...main tujhpe pagal hoon"

Preeti suddenly exclaimed – "Wah! Mr. Mantri"

Kavya moved back and screeched loudly – "Shut Up!"

I wiped her face with my handkerchief, and then she continued –

"Ek toh pehle khud, 5 to 6 days, mujhse baat nahi karta"

"Aur phir ekdum se – submission ke, ek din pehle yeh PURA PROJECT bana ke de deta hain"

"Are you totally insane?" she was very angry, annoyed and loud.

So basically, the fact was –

I made a new project, staying awake all night, for my Kavya and then, I had asked – Preeti to give it to her.

"Ek baat bata –

You LOVE me, because I made your projects?"

Or you HATE me – because I did not talk to you?"

"Frankly speaking, in the second case, galti tumhari thi – tumne woh line boli thi – which was totally incorrect."

I gave her these two options.

"Idhar Aao..." she spoke, a little softly.

"Kyaaa?" she was actually inaudible, at first.

"Idhar Aao" this time, she was loud enough, since some of the other girls of the hostel, stood outside the door of the room, which Preeti had closed.

"Ek baat yaad rakhna Mr. Abhimanyu Mantri –

"Ab mujhe tumhari ek AADAT si ho chuki hain –

Ek aisi aadat –

joh chahte hue bhi,

Main nahi chodh sakti."

"Toh ab tum kitni bhi koshish kar lo –

Par yeh baat toh tay (fix) hain –

Ki KAVYA MUNDHRA,

ab ABHIMANY MANTRI –

Ke zindagi ka ek PERMANENT hissa ban chuki hain –

Aur ab –

mera tumse, ek permanent connection ban chuka hain –

Joh sirf, tab hi tutega –

Jab ya toh tum mar jaonge,

Ya phir MAIN."

I simply repeated each and every word in my mind, which she had spoken and then exclaimed,

"Hey Bhagwan!"

"Yeh ladki – din bhar

Kitni negative baate karti rehti hain...

Marna – maarna falana dhimkhana etc etc.

Kabhi thodi pyaar-mohabbat ki bhi baatein, kar liya kar!"

I winked at her, laughing.

"Achaji..." she gave an attractive look as I embraced her from behind, with my hand around her waist and her hand above my hand.

A minute later, while we were moving to and fro – like a dangling doll, she lifted her left hand and pulled my left cheek softly, while I admired her presence.

With that soft cuddling – we realized that – no matter what – we can always be together – in any situation or circumstances.

Now, in the upcoming 1 and a half year, I had met Kavya's family and Kavya introduced me – but only as a best friend of Kavya.

On the other hand, on my side – I revealed the truth to my sister.

At first, she was angry – but then, I promised her – that no matter what, I will never let this hamper my exams, results and future.

My sister always used to remind me that – since my father was no longer alive – I myself have to build my own career.

I myself have to earn money for my living after I complete my graduation.

I myself have to earn respect in this competitive world, for me and my mom – to stay happily.

I myself have to work hard, either with my business or my job – because I do not have a family business, which I could easily inherit.

These words, sometimes caused a lot of pain inside my heart, but at the same time – I treated them like my daily motivation.

The motivation which makes me strive hard and perform better, in every situation of my life.

At the same time, it was Kavya – who often motivated me.

The only thing – which I did not like about Kavya – was the fact that she was not much concerned about her future.

She had been raised up in an environment, wherein her wishes were easily fulfilled.

She often used to think, that she will simply complete her BBA and then MBA from IIM INDORE – and then after a year or so, she would get married to a good man.

Yes, she was indeed beautiful, she belonged to a good and well-to-do household and after our 2.5 years of relationship, it was evident that she was ready to spend her life with me – ABHIMANYU MANTRI.

On the other hand, it was seldom – when I used to think that – I need to work even harder – if I want to ask Kavya's hand for marriage.

But after all these points, the most adorable quality of Kavya was her understanding nature.

She knew that my father was no more, and she understood each-and-every sorrow of mine.

She was never attracted towards the outside glittery appearance of things. Rather, she often noticed the deeper meaning of our relationship and she would always appreciate – the small-small efforts, which I undertook – to get a smile on her face.

She never demanded some materialistic pleasures from me.

On the other hand, she made me live an amazing life.

"Woh kehte hain na –

Usne mujhe Zindagi jeena sikhaya"

On one hand, I used to help her in all the exams. I studied the entire day, and then at night, I would make her understand all the topics and clear all her doubts.

As far as the projects, assignments and all the other things related to academics were concerned – I would never let her worry.

Though she herself used to complete all the things, but at the same time – I would help her, to enhance the quality of her work.

In all the co-curricular events and activities, both of us were always together or in the same team.

We had our own group of friends, who used to enjoy – each and every occasion of the college – to the fullest. Therefore, wherever I could help her – I would go to every possible way – which includes - a little cheating as well, during the exams as well.

Nonetheless – she was never behind in the race, to make my life wonderful.

Since she was from INDORE herself – in the first 2 years, we used to go on memorable rides throughout the city.

Both of us looked sexy together – but at the same time – both of us were typical FOODY.

Both of us were pure Vegetarian and belonged to authentic Marwadi families, so the question of tasting new dishes at each and every destination, which we visited, was out of question.

She made me live my life to the fullest and made me enjoy each and every moment.

Whenever I was in a sad or gloomy mood, due to some of my personal problems – Kavya, with her crazy antiques – was always successful to bring a smile on my face.

Whenever I tried to persuade her to study, somehow or the other – she forced me to bunk my classes and spend our time together.

Whenever I was applauded by one or the other Professors, or when I stood first in the batch –

Kavya was the most excited person to hear this news. In fact, she was happier than me – for my achievement.

It was she – who used to take me for treats or celebration, and made me enjoy my achievement.

Touchwood, but we were one of the most perfect and adorable couple of our batch – and some batch-mates were a-little jealous of us, and we pleasantly ignored them.

To add on to this, even if some teachers/professors were suspicious about our relationship, nobody used to question us because OUR RELATIONSHIP never affected our studies or our academic plans.

Since my only aim for the 3 years, was to emerge as the topper of our batch in BBA – I achieved it with flying colors.

On the other hand, she scored more than 80% in her final exams of 3rd year – and her family was very happy.

I think, we were successful enough to prove the world that –

It is not necessary that relationships destroy our careers, if we are actually in a serious relationship –

The happiness, the future and the career of your partner is more important than your love for them.

And implementing this fact in our lives, we often used to flaunt our relationship.

FINALLY, the most precious, beautiful and memorable moments which I always cherished spending with her –

Were the ones – on the TERRACE.

The highest terrace of IIM INDORE was our favorite meeting place – where we, only KAVYA and ABHIMANYU –

Used to fight, cry, console, forgive, cuddle and enjoy ourselves to the fullest.

And in this way, I experienced and spent my 3 years of BBA in IIM INDORE – the most precious 3 years of my life.

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

(In present)

I, Ayesha Thakur, was recording each and every word- which Abhimanyu was speaking.

After taking a sip of hot coffee, he continued saying -

"Finally, after the completion of BBA in 3 years, when we finally began with the 1st year of in 2014 at IIM INDORE –

After completing the first semester, came the news – which brought in the best and the worst moments of my life.

While he was thinking about some other moments of his life, I simply whispered –

"I know Abhi...after all –

meri entry bhi toh yahi hui thi" I whispered.

Although, I thought that I wasn't quite audible, yet all of a sudden, he nervously questioned –

"Kyaaa?"

"Naa jaane kyu,

Dil kheecha jaata hain tumhari taraf.

Kahi tumne mujhe paane ki,

Dua toh nahi maangli!"

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.