Abhimanika – A short story

Love stories are eternal. Good love stories are hard to find, often, the magic of romance is lost between the spaces of the written word. Read this breezy, feel-good story of Abhi and her beau.

February 6, 2016

It is extremely tough to sit through budgeting meetings, more so when it is a Friday evening, and you discovered you are away from home. I just looked atmy phone to check time, the recently created WhatsApp group “Chatting Cafe” by my college friends is buzzing with notifications. I was eager to catch up with the messages, but the meeting just wouldn’t end.

I sometimes wonder from where my boss Sunita draws so much energy, especially during late evening meetings. We were finally done at 9:00 pm. I missed my customary Friday evening drink, only hoping I will be rewarded richly next day. I hopped into my cab, my Hotel is a solid one hour drive.

I rolled down the window, the hair on my forehead is dancing to the tunes of cool breeze, I opened my phone and started checking messages in “Chatting Cafe” group, There were just about 600 messages. I noticed a lot of Hey, Hellos to ones particular individual. My guess was right, it was Abhimanika.

8 years back

I was studying at Mt. Caramel college for Commerce. We were done with the last exam of our 2nd year finals. Varun and I reached Sangeet theatre exactly 5 minutes before the show started. It’s my favourite Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”. The only incentive for Varun was Scarlett Johansen, but I love Woody Allen’s narration, the raw emotions, the wanderlust he brings about to create magic on the screen. I continued to praise the movie, didn't stop my live-commentary, Varun didn’t care though, he was engrossed in the visuals. After the movie was over, while we were walking out, a girl called me. I paused and looked back. She stretched her hand and introduced herself, I am Abhi, Abhimanika. I was still puzzled why she introduced herself to me.

Abhi is a huge fan of Woody Allen too, apparently, she over heard my live commentary. She was impressed, while I was embarrassed. During the conversation, I learnt that she was one year junior to me in the same college.We pretty much watched every English movie in the next one year, had late evening ice-cream dates at Havmor, sandwiches at Universal, and dum- Biryani at Paradise. We were the “it” couple.

Abhi and team organised a solid farewell to our batchmates who were passing out of the college. Abhi and I slipped out to have a private moment while the party was still going on. We were holding hands and walking in the lawns. She was clad in a saree, she was beautiful. We never formally proposed to each other. I thought to myself “there cant be a better moment than this”. She was leaning her head towards my shoulder and smiling. I stopped and looked at her, she said what?

I was just gazing at her, I could sense my nerves get the better of me. Our silent symphony was broken by Varun. He was panting, running towards us. Abhi and I pushed away from each other. Varun continued to pant while asking “Abhi, is your blood group O-ve?” She sincerely nodded her head saying yes.He grabbed her hand and started dragging her saying he needs a donor urgently with O-ve blood for his Uncle who met with an accident. I tried to interrupt Varun “cant you find someone else?” Varun let her hand go Abhi looked sharply at me, she clearly didn't like what I said. She turned to Varun and said “let’s go”.

As the farewell was drawing to a close, I saw Varun and Abhi coming from the parking lot, they were both laughing. Varun knew what her blood group was, and played this prank on us; needless to say, we succumbed. I asked Abhi if she likes Varun more? Abhi got furious, we fought, didn't talk to each other for several days.After 4 weeks, I finally decided to put an end to the drama. Drove my bike to her house, only to realise that she’s relocated to another city.

There was a jolt, and the car stopped, I have reached my lloyd's Residency at Nehru Place. I paid the fare and walked into the hotel. I told the receptionist to keep my Bills ready as I am flying out to Bengaluru early next morning

February 7, 2016

It was still dawn when I stepped out of the cab and walked towards the entry gate of the Delhi airport. The early morning February air was pleasantly cold.I was travelling to Bengaluru to attend a college friend's wedding. It had been four years since we graduated from the same college. This wedding was also going to be a reunion of our batchmates. But what I didn't know was that the reunion would begin much ahead of time; right in the queue in front of the airline counter.I was almost sure it was she. Same height! Same long hair! Same complexion! Curiosity had my eyes glued to her. And then about 60-odd seconds later, when she turned, she proved me right. My ex-girlfriend stood two places ahead of me in that queue. We had never met after the college farewell.

- Open Face Team

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