He had started the car by that time, since we were getting late and with the first sound of the key-less engine, he looked at me, asking me to continue, with the question.

I started," Abhi...I just wanted to ask ki..."

Before I could complete  my question, his phone rung.

He disconnected the Bluetooth and said that it was his mother's call, so

He talked for about 3 minutes and I could make out that it was something important.

At last he spoke," Lekin mujhe 40 minutes lagenge mom – aaj traffic bohat zyada hain."

"Par main jaldi aata hoon, aap dhyan rakhna." This was his last statement.

"All okay Abhi?" I asked him, with concern.

"Ahh...really sorry yaar... actually mom ko kuch urgent kaam hain...so I will drop you to the party, go back home and then I will come back."

"Aunty ghar pe akele hain kya?" I asked.

"Yup" he replied instantly. We all knew that his father had expired, so this might be a silly question – which I asked.

"Toh if it is urgent, we can first go to your home." I tried to help him.

"Nahi re – it's already 9:25" he looked at his watch.

"I will drop you first – toh at least you don't miss the party." With a comparatively gloomy look, he answered.

"Arre...that's okay." We continued our journey, to the pub.

In the next 10 minutes, we received 2 calls – one from Kabir and the other from Shreya, both with the same question – "Where are you and how much more time, to reach?"

At 9:45pm, the most wonderful event of the evening took place.

We got struck in a traffic jam and now, the traffic policemen have closed all the dividers.

Ideally, with the entire traffic – we were supposed to reach the party by 10:00pm,

But now, it would definitely go to 10:30pm.

He received another call from his mother at 9:50pm and this time – it meant to be more serious.

I guess, he was unable to tell this to me, so I myself spoke – "Abhi, sun – I will look for Uber/Ola, tu ek baar ghar pe jaa."

He was startled for a second, and I could actually make out – that he was gloomy. However, I was not sure – what was the reason behind him being sad.

At first, he said NO – but later seeing the emergency of the situation – I checked for cabs.

And to my greatest pleasure, there was not a single cab available in that traffic jam, which could reach our location – within 15 minutes.

At last, I myself agreed that both of us would travel to his home and then go to the party – no matter how much time it takes.

I could see that he was really sad and disappointed, taking the blame of – me not being to attend the New Year party – upon himself.

But I consoled him – saying that traffic and unavailability of cabs – are indeed the valid reasons.

If you take my personal opinion, I wasn't unhappy.

Yes, a little sad, at first – that I couldn't attend my first-ever New Year Party with the Infosys colleagues.

On the other hand, going to Mr. Mantri's home – was at the end – a magnificent event.

Through the lift, we reached the 4th floor and there it was – MR. ABHIMANYU MANTRI, written in bold in the nameplate outside the flat no. 401.

His mom opened the door, looked at him and smiled at me – as we entered his peaceful abode – an authentic 3BHK flat for 2 people – a mother and a son.

I tried to touch his mother's feet, out of respect – but she resisted.

Abhi asked me to sit in the drawing and got me a glass of water, before he went into one of the rooms – with his mom for some work.

It was indeed a startling house – with wooden flooring in the drawing and had some beautiful paintings on the wall – with some initials written at the bottom.

I got up from the couch, and wondered the certificates – attached in the glass frames – reading the titles.

The most remarkable one – was the rank holder of IIM INDORE – MR. ABHIMANYU MANTRI.

Just then, I received a call from Kabir again, after rejecting 2 of his previous calls.

I answered, wherein he directly questioned – where were we and how much more time – will we require to reach?

He also said – that he was ready to come – to pick us up.

Nevertheless, I resisted – saying that the roads have been blocked and there's no way in reaching easily.

I did not mention about us – being at Abhi's place, I do not know why – but this seemed to be incorrect.

After 20 minutes, he came back with his mom and fetched the car keys – kept at the table – wherein Aunty reached towards me.

"Beta, I am really sorry – mere wajah se aap logon ka itna time waste ho gaya – aaj toh aapki party bhi hain" I felt embarrassed when she spoke this way.

"Auntyji – please aisa mat kijiye – waise bhi raaste block ho chuke thee and traffic bohat zyada hain." I consoled her.

In the meanwhile, ABHI came and informed that the main flyover, which connected our area and the area of our party-place has been blocked, because there have been some 50 youngsters on the road – excessive enjoying the New Year Eve.

Aunty seemed to be a little gloomy and I did not like this.

Her phone rang – and she went into the room – to get it.

Abhi walked towards me, this time he held my hand and spoke – "Hey Ayesha, I am really sorry!" I just couldn't believe this.

"Are you insane?" I commented.

He smirked.

I continued," Look now – its already 10:30pm and we have 90 minutes remaining."

I spoke like SRK – "Aur tumhare zindagi ke yeh nabbe (90) minute, tumse khuda bhi nahi cheen sakta."

He laughed as I continued," Now Mr. Mantri – do whatever you want to – but make me celebrate the New Year tonight!" I purposely spoke this statement, unknown to its consequences.

Aunty came outside and asked about our plan – to which Abhimanyu replied – that we are going and I will message you the time – by when I will be back.

She said – "Sambhal ke jaana" as we left his home.

While getting into the car again, I commented," Kya yaar Abhi, tune meri kuch khaatir-daari hi nahi ki?"

"I am sorry Thakur Ji, but I will try ki main aapko..."

"Oh sorry...tumko"

"Aaj ki raat – enjoy kara sukoon!"

"Iss safar mein neend aisi kho gayi,

Hum na soye, par raat – thak ke soo gayi!"

"Acha ek baat bata – wapas party mein jaana hain?" he asked.

"Dekh...agar jaana possible honga – toh thike – lekin...."

"NAHI GAYE toh bhi chalega" I smirked and he understood.

Exactly at 11, we went to another club and I actually see him enjoy to the fullest, we danced till 11:45pm and then, he suddenly held my hand and told me to come out, with him.

More than the NEW YEAR EVE, I was happier to see him dance this way, and it was indeed fascinating.

It felt as if – the actual ABHIMANYU MANTRI – the calm and composed man of the office – was actually "gayab".

Later, he drove the car at a very high speed, and exactly at 11:55pm, we were at his place.

As soon as we entered, he asked me to enter the balcony – and went inside.

I sat on the chair and was anxiously waiting.

Meanwhile, I checked my phone – and saw 7 missed calls from my friends – especially Kabir and Shreya.

I messaged Shreya on personal chat – that I am safe and cool – don't worry – she replied with a thumps up – as I was a little annoyed with Kabir – for continuously calling us.

Suddenly, the lights went off and a timer of 60 seconds played in the background.

I smiled and was anxious, nevertheless – was excited as well.

"Abhi...tu hain kya?" I anxiously asked, but to no avail.

Finally, when the countdown reached till 10 – I could feel as if someone was near me – and suddenly I grabbed his hand –

At 12:00, at the stroke of midnight –

The golden lights in the balcony were on – there was a cake in front of me – with a kitkat on the top and Abhi standing beside me.

This seemed indeed romantic as he made me hold the knife and smiled at me –

"Aisi muskaan jisko dekhkar, dil deewana ban jaaye!"

All of a sudden, when he insisted to cut the cake – I had this ILLUSION in my mind – that I, Ayesha Thakur –

Directly pushed the entire knife in his stomach and killed ABHIMANYU MANTRI.

I was shocked with tears in my eyes, as I was imaging my worst-ever nightmare.

"Ayesha...what happened?" "Are you crying?" he distracted me.

I whispered in his ears – "Abhi, I have started imagining you to be happy!"

"Happy

With

Me"

And in that one single second, he was completely shattered. He was anxious and scared. His heartbeats had increased and his face turned pale.

"Abhi...before I cut this cake – I want to ask you a question."

"Ayesha...it's already 12 – cake cut karne ke baad, joh puchna hain – woh puch lena." He frowned.

"I am sorry Abhi – but I want this clear – right now – please" I pleaded, in a very stern look.

He was annoyed, this was clear from his face – but I was stubborn at that moment.

"Abhi...look, I have got to know from several people – that you have had a dark past – and you have always been the secluded and single person." He gave a very serious look, as I continued.

"But I just want to know- WHY have you been doing this?"

"Pichle ek-do mahino mein...maine yeh jaana hain –

That, there is an entire different, happy and joyful ABHIMANYU MANTRI – behind your stern behavior."

"Why don't you live your life properly? Why......." he was no longer normal, as he had tears in his eyes, though he tried to hide them. I could not control myself and started sobbing.

He interrupted in between, and continued – "Ayesha listen, I am in no mood of talking about this. Na toh abhi aur na hi baadme. So please can you...."

I interrupted," But problem kya hain ABHI, why do you want to stay unhappy, when you CAN live a normal happy life?"

"Ayesha...stop" he screamed.

"No Abhi, I won't." I shouted louder.

"What dark past are you hiding from this world?" I frowned.

"Why are you hiding your feelings?"

"Kya tumhare man mein...kisi ke liye bhi...koi feelings nahi hain?"

"Haan Abhi...don't you love someone?" I actually pushed him, because I was frustrated and my eyes were red in tears.

"Ab chup kyu hain tu? Bol na bol..."

"Kya tujhe kabhi kisi se pyaar nahi hua?"

"OR you are just the most unlucky boy, begging for sympathy?" I had no control over my words, as he screeched and wept.

"Tell me Abhi...why are you scared of being loved?"

"Ayeshaaaaaaa..." in his loudest voice and wildest nature.

"Just shut up!" a perfect expression of anger and regret, he shouted on my face.

I broke down and bitterly cried. He turned the other way round, and after a minute, came towards me with his red eyes.

"Ayesha listen..." he tried to hold my shoulders, so I could look up to him, but I pushed him behind and shouted-

"Abhi – you had asked me one question – in the car - and I promised that I will answer it.

Today, at the same time, I want you to answer one question –

I took a deep breath, held his hand – looked straight into his eyes and spoke –

"You had asked me -

Do you like Kabir Chaudhary?"

Now I want to ask you that –"

Both of us were sobbing, when I observed his hands and then his face –

"Abhimanyu Mantri, (I screamed on his face)

Do you like Ayesha Thakur?" (He was taken aback)

On the count of 3, both of us answered together –

"NO"

"Joh mujhse pyaar karta tha,

Usse pyaar na kar saki.

Aur jisse main pyaar karti thi,

Usse pyaar karva na saki."

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.