ManYa - Dheere Dheere se... (Continuing)

Chapter 15 - Mantu's Presentation

Mantu came rushing in Amaya's room as he was all sweaty and was heavily breathing. Amaya was working on something on her laptop and as she saw Mantu she hurriedly got up as she said, "What happened? Is everything fine Mantu? You look tensed...what happened!?" "Amaya, my whole presentation is left. I don't know what I'll speak in front of them. My company assigned me for this very important project. If I didn't get this deal, it will be a huge loss for the company as well as me. I'm so stressed, I don't know what to do.", blurted out Mantu in one breath. "First you calm down, second, have this water and third, don't think what will happen when you lose it, think about what will happen when you will grab it.", said Amaya as she gave him a glass of water. Mantu took the glass and drank it in one go.

"If I'll grab the project then I'll be promoted. And our company will be the biggest company in Banaras." " See, such amazing things, don't worry we will achieve it. Sit here comfortably, we will finish your presentation. Calm down Mantu.", said Amaya as she smiled and opened his laptop. Mantu explained Amaya his project and they started working on it. After 2 hours of work Mantu saw the slides. "They look pretty well. I just need to do some proof reading and finalize everything." "See, you did almost everything in Night only. You were worried for no reason. The presentation looks amazing." "Yeah I know that Amaya, I already worked on the presentation for 4 hours and it was just that it was all scattered and now when you sorted it out it looks less problematic and more impactful but...the problem is that I have never given a single professional presentation in my whole life. I am sure I'll forget everything when I'll reach there." "How you never gave a single presentation in your life. In college I used to give one in every 2 days." "Amaya your college was one of the world's finest college. They are there for a reason." "I am talking about my junior college, Mantu...I mean where I did my 11th and 12th. We had so many presentations on different topics.", said Amaya as she sat near him.

Mantu tucked her hairs behind her hair and hugged her. "But I didn't... help me Amaya.", said Mantu looking completely stressed but cute. "Okay, we will figure out something. Don't worry. First make notes of all the plus points of your presentation. And also, 1st point, always look extremely calm and polite. Remember 1st impression is the last impression. Whoever is standing in front of you should not make you nervous. Remember you need them but they need you as well. The point is you don't have a choice instead you are a choice for them. They can either choose you or reject you. And only that makes them superior." "Okay" "The point of this group presentation is to just compare all the companies who are competing with your company and who is the best among them. Tell me, is that an MNC!?" "Yeah it's an MNC" "Then show them you are a polyglot. As they need people who can speak in many languages. It will be your plus point among all of them as I know no body knows as many languages as you know in Banaras. That is your asset." Mantu nodded as he wrote all the points. Rachita knocked the door as she smiled naughtily. "Ahh! Good morning Rachi di.", said Mantu as he looked up from his laptop.

Everyone just woke up in their house. It was 9 in the morning. "Ahh! Di come na! Why are you standing! We are working on Mantu's very important presentation that he has to submit tomorrow. Help him with ideas na!", said Amaya as she typed something on her laptop. "Are you genuinely working or something else is going on.", said Rachita as she tried hard not to smile. Amaya looked at Mantu who was busy working and maybe missed it. Amaya signalled Rachita that nothing is going on like that.

"Mantu!!!!", shouted Uma as she entered the room. Mantu banged his head on the laptop as he said, "Hey Mahadev please help me! Please listen to me! Do some magic that she disappears from my life." Amaya smiled at Uma as Uma gave a fake smile too. "What are you doing here Mantu. Everyone is searching you downstairs. Come na!" "Uma don't irritate me, I and Amaya are working on my presentation, let us work. Rachi di can you please take her downstairs.... Amaya, what note I can make for this. Or should I change this." Rachita held Uma's hand as she realised that Mantu is genuinely engrossed in his work. "No! I just came here to let Amaya know that our marriage's date is fixed. It’s happening in 20 days.", said Uma viciously.

Mantu, who was till now working stared right at Amaya and then at Uma. Rachita looked at Uma and them at Amaya. Amaya too was shocked as she looked at Mantu but maintained her calmness. "Di can you please close the gate." Rachita nodded as she closed the door. "That is AMAZING Uma. Congratulations for attempting another failed antic on me. Do you really think that I'll get jealous and will not listen to Mantu and will go away. If you think that then there is no bigger fool than you.", said Amaya as she walked and stood against Uma. "Mantu has already confessed his feelings for me and so did I for him! Even then you think he will marry you then go ahead and marry him. He will never love you like he loves me. You will wear that sindoor, mangalsutra and stuff, but I'll be the actual owner of those things. Try it. I don't have any problem." said Amaya as she sat back again where she was sitting earlier. Uma closed her fists as blood boiled in her veins. "Di please take her out we need to work, I'll come down in an hour!", said Amaya with the same level of calmness maintained. Rachi di nodded as she took Uma away. "Don't dare to ruin my sister's life, or I'll ruin yours", said Rachita as she went downstairs.

There, Mantu punched the pillow and hid his face in the pillow. He was done with all this. He was now insulted in front of Rachita di as well. He hoped that at least Rachi di will support them but now he saw her support also going away. All thanks to his dear friend-cum-enemy. "Mantu, don't be so hard on yourself. Everything is fine. I told everything Rachi di yesterday only. She is very happy that we are together." "Really!?? She is!? She accepted me!", said Mantu as Amaya slowly placed his head on her lap and played with his hairs. Amaya nodded in affirmation. Mantu took a breath of relief as he dug his head on her thigh and closed his eyes. He found solace. He held Amaya's hand and kissed them softly. "You give me peace that no one has ever given me. I never have to hide something. Or to pretend someone I'm not! I can be me. I can cry and laugh. You understand me so much Amaya. Thank you!", said Mantu as he played with her thumb and looked in her eyes. Amaya placed her head on his as she said, "We complete each other Mantu but now let's complete your presentation." "Just 5 minutes more. Just 5.”