"I do not LOVE you,

Because...." I had no guts to complete this statement.

Because, I did not have the guts – to recite his name.

While he glared at me, with his eyes red – due to the humiliation, I was embarrassed.

Without speaking anything else, I strolled out of the room, towards the terrace, just to cry my heart out.

He yelled my NAME from behind,"Ayeshaaaaa" but I continued to walk and I did not turn back.

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

Yes, dear readers –

Start assuming, because things are going to take – a drastic turn.

So, let's continue –

Since I had come to Mumbai, for the very first time – I was shattered and broken.

I was remembering each and every statement which I spoke to Abhimanyu Mantri and was unable to control my tears.

That day, I left his home abruptly at midnight and we did not have a talk after that.

Nevertheless, I was indeed glad - for one of my intuitions were turning into the bitter truth.

"Hey Diary,

Today, I am sad

When I am talking about – the MAN –

The man who did the wrong thing WITH HER.

Nevertheless,

TODAY, when I am talking about that bad MAN,

I am happy for my friend –

because today, THE MAN cried – and I was sure of my intuitions.

I have to challenge him and more than that –

I have to challenge myself – because every tear which he sheds – might make her happy but will definitely make me sad.

Lastly, I just know one thing – he will always be my INFATUATION – no matter what."

I closed my diary and got ready for the next day at Infosys Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai.

For the first week of January, there were several rumors about the New Year Night. Colleagues asked – where were both of you, why didn't you join, something happened and many more.

Both of us answered – we were at our respective houses.

On one hand – Kabir always got a smile, with some of his antiques and on the other hand – I couldn't the find the smile on Abhimanyu's face – the one, which I found on the eve of 31st December.

Days passed by, as I daily looked at my secret bag – just wondering how I will succeed in my quest of love and truth.

Little did I know, that after some dark nights of the previous days, there would also be the brightest sunshine of affection?

"Chale canteen?" I asked Shreya as she nodded with a yes.

Some of the other colleagues walked with us, while I could see – that Abhi's chair was empty.

I looked around for him – and assumed that he might be on the terrace.

At the counter, when Kabir ordered for all of us – our respective choices – Shreya asked for an extra filter coffee – getting one for ABHI.

We got the trays in our hand, walked to our desks and his coffee lied there on our table – since Shreya had been to the washroom.

What struck my mind, I have no idea – but all of a sudden – I lifted his as well as my cup of coffee – and walked towards the terrace. Kabir called out from behind asking where I was going, but I ignored.

He was facing towards the open side – with his back towards me. I called out his name – "Abhimanyu".

I stood beside him, as he looked towards me. I handed over his coffee and he expressed gratitude – "Thank you!"

Both of us took a sip from our respective cups as we stared at the horizon.

"Ek baat bolu Abhi..."

"Haan" it sounded sweet.

"Yeh gallery/terrace/balcony – these open structures -

All these seemed to be the most important locations of my life.

Kyunki, apni sabse MEMORABLE MULAQAT humesha yahi hoti hain"

Hardly had I completed my statement, than he dropped the cup of coffee – "Oh Shit!" he chuckled.

I gave a wicked smile," Coffee itni buri bhi nahi thi!"

"I am sorry Ayesha!" he looked at me preciously.

"Don't worry – it was not my coffee, you can get another one – from the canteen." I frowned.

He made a sound of annoyance, but continued speaking –

"Don't worry"

"I am not sorry for the coffee, which I mistakenly spilled."

He made me move a little away from the spilled coffee and then, staring into my eyes spoke –

"Also, I am NOT sorry for what happened on the night of 31st December"

"And yes, I am NOT sorry for the way I shouted on you."

"To add on to this, I am NOT sorry for not sharing everything with you – while you wished to solve my problems."

"Oh I forgot, I am NOT sorry – for not staying happy, but I want to tell you – that this is my new normal."

"Haan, I am NOT sorry for the abrupt behavior on that night."

"Lastly, I am NOT at all sorry – for that answer!"

With every statement of his, my happiness increased by leaps and bounds.

"Ayesha"

"But I am sorry for one mistake –"I capriciously looked at him.

"I am sorry – for drinking your FILTER COFFEE."

He took hold of my cup and took a sip FROM MY CUP – giving a look – as if it was the most delicious coffee – he had ever tasted.

I raised my hand – fetched my cup back – and took a sip – from the same cup. It was indeed adorable, as I blushed.

"Abhi..." we heard a noise from behind, which caught our attention. It was a distraction which I did not want – but as expected it was Shreya and Kabir.

"Tum log kar kya rahe ho?" both of them rushed towards us.

Before I could say anything, Abhi continued – "Arre kuch nahi yaar, yeh Ayesha mujhe filter coffee, peene hi nahi de rahi hain."

He took the cup again, from my hand, and chuckled.

"Arre..." I took hold of the cup again, as it was going fun and held it near my mouth to take a sip.

THIS TIME, I TOOK A SIP – FROM THE SAME CUP.

"Acha...Toh ek baat batao...

woh coffee kisne girayi?" Shreya pointed towards the spilled coffee.

"Ahhhh...." I coughed, and automatically dropped the other cup of coffee as well, as it spilled on the ground.

I started laughing and so did the MAN beside me - and both of us went insane. Controlling our laughter, Abhi spoke –

"Woh aisa hain ki –"

He glared at me for a second, and both of us continued together –

"Dono FILTER COFFEES – humne girayi hain!"

I loved this moment.

That evening, when I came back home – I was in the most exultant mood – only to find someone else in a desolate form.

Rather – in an annoying form.

At 8:00p.m – Shreya entered my room – as I was browsing through my phone – seeing that I had received a notification of message from Kabir.

"Ayesha – listen, tujhse kuch baat karni hain –"

For an instance, I was actually scared – what happened to my best friend – all of a sudden?

I asked her to sit and she continued – "Dekh Ayesha, i will tell you the truth..."

I sat like a sincere student and asked her to tell whatever she wanted to –

"Do you like Abhimanyu?" she asked, and I was sabotaged.

"Bro...ekdum se kya ho gaya...why are you asking me this way?" I tried to change the topic.

"Aur yeh bata...do you know about Kabir?" she again asked something, for which I had no answer, SOLEMNLY.

"Know...as in?" I questioned.

"Tujhe pata hain na – that Kabir loves you!" she exclaimed.

"WHAT...Kabir LOVES me...?" this was more of an estranged question, I asked.

"Arre matlab,

He definitely likes you,

Yeh toh tujhe pata hain na?" and this was more of a statement, which she spoke.

"Ahhh...haan...I mean – uske baaton se lagta hain aise!" I covered the topic.

"Lagta nahi – he is very serious about you." Shreya further continued saying that he was very concerned when I was with ABHI, on 31st December. Also, many-a-times, he had been asking and looking after me – indirectly and directly.

She also examined and probed that – Kabir believes that I am reciprocating his feelings.

"Oh Shit" I murmured to myself. She looked at me, confused and tensed and spoke –

"Look Ayesha, first tell me – tujhe Kabir pasand hain kya?"

I was speechless as I had no answer – "Ahhh.... Pata nahi yaar." It seemed depressing – and at the same time, I felt bad for Kabira.

"Ayesha...are you mad?" she arrogantly spoke.

"What?" I exclaimed.

"What is wrong with you Ayesha?" she shouted and then continued – "Acha ek baat bata – do you like Abhimanyu?" she was no longer the sweet Shreya – cause she was serious and hyper, this time.

I was again silent, because I did not want to break my best friend's heart and ruin our friendship – since I know, that she definitely liked the MAN of our office – Mr. Mantri.

At the same time, I did not want to lie her, as it was against my conscience.

She again shouted as I agitated," Ayesha, answer yaar,

bata na – tera aur Abhi ka kuch chal raha hain kya?"

"Bol na..." she frenzied.

"Haan" I cried.

"I have started liking him, but I don't know about him."

"Wah!" she unpleasantly clapped – "Kabir likes you and now you like Abhi."

"Hell yaar Ayesha!" she exclaimed, and seemed a little anxious.

"Ayesha...now –

"What if I tell you that – I also like ABHIMANYU" she screamed.

TO BE CONTINUED.