"Ayesha...now –

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

Both of us, had tears in our eyes, as I tried to console her –

"Shreya..." I tried to embrace her, but she pushed me back.

"Ayesha...just stay away."

"Just stay away and let him decide." She left, closing the door - with a loud BANG.

The shed tears from my eyes, spoke my entire agony – because it has no longer the same pain. The 2 major reasons being –

1. My Best Friend – who has helped the most – in the past few months in Mumbai – was no longer happy with me.

2. That evening, on the terrace of our office – Abhi was definitely sorry for his actions – but had he actually changed – or was he still bearing the dark past within himself – which I always wanted to know and reveal.

Furthermore, I was hardly aware – that in the upcoming few days – I am going to shed the most tears of my life – although some of them might be the happy ones, as well.

I tried to call Abhi, but to no avail.

"Guys, what plans for the Valentine, haan?" Anand asked to all of us.

I got up – saying that I want to use the washroom, as I was not interested to be a part of the discussion.

At 5:30pm, on 12th February – although it was the break time – I was still working on my laptop, sitting at my desk.

Some of my friends persuaded me to join them – for the break – but I rejected directly, saying I had some important work to do.

After a while, with my stubborn headache – I was no longer able to control – and sank down – with my head under my hands, on my table.

"Filter coffee...?" somebody spoke, as I exclaimed without even looking at him –

"Thank you so much Abh...."

Expectations went wrong!

As I could see Kabir standing right in front of desk, with his cute smile – lending out the filter coffee – which he had brought for me.

"Thank you Kabira!" I took a sip and smiled.

That evening, while going back home – I wondered about my expectations and was I actually unsure about my decision, if at all my imaginations went true.

The following situations and repercussions seemed to be evident, and were disturbing my mind –

1. On one hand, Kabir loves me the most – and he will always keep me happy, no matter what.

2. Secondly, I do bear feelings for ABHI, and this time – in spite of knowing his dark past – in spite of my real intention – in spite of him being never ready to change – I have started liking him.

3. I had come to Mumbai – for my friend – and that PREGA NEWS – always reminds me of her shadiest past, that unknown antiquity.

And finally, the day came –

When many things ended and many things began.

I still remember Shekhar Sir's words – "I am sorry friends, but you have to be present tomorrow – WE WILL HAVE A HALF DAY.

At 8:00am, while I was having my breakfast – I saw a notification popping on the home screen of my phone –

"Guys, after the office – lunch at KA Lounge." Kabir had messaged this and some of my friends had already agreed to this, including Abhimanyu (strange though).

The office day was quite normal, nevertheless – while leaving there was again a small chaos.

"Who will be travelling in whose car" the unspoken question in every person's mouth.

I had this intuition in my mind, that I will get the things clear with ABHI – before going to lunch – but he was pathetic.

Neither he picked up my phone before reaching the office nor did he have a talk in the half-day at office.

With utter confusion in my mind, as we reached the parking – Abhimanyu as well as Kabir – both of them had their cars ready.

Kabir had an SUV – which is definitely more spacious but Abhimanyu's black Cruize – always looked classy and ecstatic.

Destiny prevailed, because Kabir had his car parked – in front of Abhimanyu's car and I smiled at him – as I sat in the former's car and we reached our destination by 1:30pm.

Now Kabir and Abhi had actually planned the entire event and we had a hall booked on the 2nd floor, with snacks and lunch – at the buffet – speakers and dance floor set and proper arrangements.

Nevertheless, I was very anxious and nervous and so was my room-mate Shreya, because she had her own plans which might change our future.

At 2:30pm, while others were enjoying themselves, I called Abhi.

I walked towards one corner of the hall, and on the call, spoke –"Abhi, listen – I don't know what is happening – but please tell me one thing" I was anxious.

"Ayesha, listen – you don't worry – you are going to receive the most beautiful surprise of your life."

He declined the phone, before I completed my talk and now I was agitated and frantic.

Just then, the lights went off –

And suddenly, someone came near me – held my hand – and asked me to walk.

I could feel that this person, was none other than – the MAN of our office – Mr. Mantri.

"Abhi..."

"What are you doing?" I asked, as he suddenly whispered in my ears –

"Ayesha...shh"

"Maine bola tha na – you are going to receive the most beautiful surprise of your life."

I promise – for that 60 seconds, I had my imaginations reaching another level. The only thought in my mind – was Abhi asking me for something or proposing me – in front of all my people.

On one hand, I could hear the other people murmuring about the lights and the unanimous actions, but on the other hand –

I had a smile on my face, whose curve was increasing with every single step that we took.

After a few steps, we stopped –

And I could make out – that he got a mic for himself.

Abhimanyu spoke in the darkness – with the mic near his mouth –

"Ladies and Gentleman," my heartbeats augmented.

On this unforgettable occasion of Valentine's Day,

I want to perform an act of benevolence." Now, I could feel that he had loosened the grip of my hand.

"I want to take the advantage of this opportunity and present before you – a new made-to-be couple of our office."

I could hear the sound of his footstep, as he took few steps back – away from me.

"So, presenting before you – "

I was anxious and nervous when he spoke,

"Ayesha Thakur

And

(My excitement, nervousness and exhilaration had reached its limits)

Kabir

Chaudhary"

With a single bang, the lights were switched on – and in the middle of the large rectangular hall, amongst all our friends, who stared at us from their respective seats,

I could see Kabir Chaudhary – sitting on his knees – with a ring in his hand.

Right beside him, Abhi walked behind, giving a frowning smile, as he turned and strolled out of the room.

"Will you be my Valentine?" with utmost passion, Kabir proposed.

"Kabir please!" I could not control my emotions.

"Ahh okay!" he held the mic close to his mouth and then spoke-

"Ayesha,

Will you be my Valentine PLEASE"

I was totally blank – with thousands of thoughts – revolving in my mind and my heart. I started sniveling, when he spoke –

"Ayesha, please jaldi jawaab dedo, MY KNEE IS HURTING"

I softly whispered – "Kabir, can we talk about this in person?"

The audience of this event chuckled a little, and my frustration increased –

"Ab Ayesha bolegi –

This dialogue was spoken by Abhay Deol to Kalki Koechin in ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA"

"Hey Ayesha,

I know you do – just say a YES" he admired, and I could see that he was more agitated.

I spoke with a stern look – "Kabir, please get up"

He stood up and looked at me, his smile had frowned.

"Kabir listen, there's a lot more to discuss – so can we have talk about this somewhere else?" I requested him to move from this place, the people around.

"Ayesha sab log dekh rahe hain – you cannot do this right now" both of us frantic.

I was no longer able to make a direct contact with him. I lowered my eyes – and the tear drops wetted my eye.

"Ayesha listen..." this time – his voice felt rude.

"I love you and I know that you do love me back...."

He had not even completed his statement, when I screeched in a loud noise – "NO KABIR!"

Controlling my tears, taking a deep breath –

"I do not LOVE you, because I love Abh....." 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.

"Qayamat toot padhti hain-

Tera naam sunne par...

Kyunki auro ke mooh se tera naam,

Acha nahi lagta hain"

"Ab Naam tera – aise likh chuke hain

Apne Dil par...

Ki tere naam ka bhi koi mil jaaye

Toh mera dil dhadakne lagta hain"

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.