IN THE PRESENT.

Abhi was breathing heavily, he was unable to control his tears, when he spoke -

"I got the news that Kavya was no more."

"Jhooth......" I, Ayesha Thakur, screamed loudly at him, since I was no longer able to control my senses.

"Kya....?" With his red-wet eyes, he stared at me.

"I mean...I mean...ahh"

"Tumne toh kaha tha, Kavya ko - ki tum usse terrace pe milne waale ho,

Phir tum kahan thee, jab tumhe pata chala - ki Kavya is no more." I hollered at him, nervously.

Abhi did not answer, his head was still hanging down, as big-big drops of tears fell down his cheeks.

"Where were you Abhi?"

"Kahan thee tum?" I shouted.

"Main...ahh...main room mein" he was crying and stammering at the same time.

"Main room mein tha..."he answered.

For the next two minutes, both of us - were frightened and devastated.

Both of us were crying and were unable to control our emotions.

But after two minutes, Abhi got up from his chair, moved towards me and stared at my wet eyes, when he spoke, in a screeching tone -

"Ayesha...just tell me the TRUTH -

Tum Kavya ko kaise jaanti ho?"

This time - I could actually sense ANGER - from his body language and speaking tone.

Abhimanyu Mantri was angry.

"Abhi...listen...I wanted to tell you..." I tried to explain him, but he again shouted angrily -

"Ayesha....just answer my freaking question -

Tum Kavya ko kaise jaanti ho?"

"Abhi...ek second...let me explain..." I tried to control his anger, but he shouted at me again -

"Ayesha...I just want a freaking answer -

TUM KAVYA KO KAISE JAANTI HO?" this time, I broke down crying and yelled -

"Family Friends...." I shouted.

"I and Kavya - we were family friends"

I continued my story -

"Mere aur Kavya ke dad kaafi close friends thee"

"Jiske wajah se - humaari families, ek dusre ko jaanti thi."

"I accept the fact that
- for BBA, both of us, chose different colleges."

"Lekin MBA ke liye - I was selected in IIM INDORE."

"MBA mein bhi, hum dono ke courses alag thee -

Tumhara aur Kavya ka - MBA in Business Management tha,

On the other hand,

Mera tha - MBA in Finance"

Yes, I accept that MBA ki two years mein - you and I - we never met personally.

But I and Kavya used to meet, since I was one year younger to you guys.

Jab tumhara final year, matlab second year tha -

Tab I was in my first year of MBA.

So, interviews and exams ke wajah se - shayad tumse kabhi mulaqat nahi hui, but I and Kavya, again became close friends.

I still remember, each and every word, which Kavya spoke.

She always used to talk about you and the relationship which you shared with her.

I could actually see the happiness on her face, her facial expressions and her emotions depicted - the bond which both of you shared.

Abhimanyu was a little shocked and capricious, while he continued to listen to my explanation.

"Abhi..." I held his hand.

"When I got to know about Kavya's death - it was indeed heart-breaking.

Nevertheless, I knew - that the person most affected from Kavya's death - would be none other than - Abhimanyu Mantri.

Uss din - when we rushed to the hospital - I was waiting for you to come, but you did not come, I don't know WHY.

His expression changed a little.

Later, I got to know that you were called to the police station for investigation.

But at the end, it was stated in the police report- that she herself committed suicide.

But, at the end, my heart did not accept this fact -

I always used to think - why did Kavya commit suicide?

I could actually see his anger turning into fear, as I continued.

I tried to contact you, but it never happened.

Also, during your final exams of your final year - you only attended the college for exams and left immediately.

So, I never got an opportunity to have a talk with you or share your pain.

Now, I clasped his hand more tightly, and moved towards him, speaking -

"Abhi, I understand the pain, you have been through. It is never easy.

However, when I came to Mumbai - in my first month of working at Infosys - I got to know that you are the same ABHIMANY MANTRI -

- the one from IIM INDORE

- the topper of the batch

- the Kavya's Abhi

Abhi...I will tell you the truth -

You always asked me na, that why I wanted to know your story OR why am I interested to know your dark past?

I will give you the answer -

Because I am myself a part of this story.

Now, you can also ask me, that why didn't I tell you, about my involvement in this story?

The answer is -

I did not want to hurt you.

I always thought - that if I initiated the conversation about Kavya and told you everything - you will go back into depression.

Yes Abhi, I understand that it's not easy to cope up - with such a huge loss.

But at the end, both of us know - that Kavya always wished you to smile.

That is the reason, I never revealed my friendship with Kavya.

It's just that -

I thought that you will be hurt, if I tell you everything at first place.

And I did not want you to feel bad, be heartbroken or stay depressed.

I took a deep breath and both of us stopped crying.

Abhi,

After all this explanation, if you still feel that whatever I have done is wrong, you have all the right to stay angry.

Par maine yeh sab sirf isliye bola, yeh explanation isliye diya - kyunki main nahi chahti thi - ki humaare beech mein koi misunderstandings ho.

He still remained silent, as I stopped speaking.

After a few seconds, he moved his hand, which I had held and he stood up.

He started walking out of the terrace, towards the stairs.

"Abhi..."

"Sirf ek aur baat kehni thi -"

Although he did not turn back, but he stopped, once he listened to my words.

"Agar main ek second ke liye, tumhari aur Kavya ki kahani puri tarah ignore karu -

Toh maine sirf ek cheez notice ki hain,

Ek cheez experience ki hain -

Joh main tumse share karna chahti hoon.

Ek baat yaad rakhna,

Yeh lines,

Kavya ki friend - Ayesha nahi bol rahi hain -

Yeh lines, ek normal Ayesha Thakur bol rahi hain -

Aur woh baat yeh hain ki -

"Abhi, I have started imagining you to be happy!"

"Happy

With

Me"

It's just that -

I have started loving you, Mr. Mantri.

And yet again, to my utter disappointment, he did not turn back. He abruptly walked and left.

TO BE CONTINUED.