Stay Away

16- Butterflies

             ******Now******

Vidyut pov:

   The car entered royally into the hotel. All I could see was people standing all over and smiling as I enterd. All were well dressed and good looking. Men were looking handsome and women were gorgeous. They made my award function look brighter.
I stepped outside and smiled at them all. I slowly made my way inside followed by my mother and the rest.

I noticed Akshaya inside the hall talking with the manager.
She wore a golden color dress which came up to her mid-thigh and a high pointed heels which together well expressed her curves, making her look so attractive. I wondered how she din't have a boyfriend.

She noticed me and made her way towards me...

"Hi handsome.... looking great in your new suit..." She said.

"Ha!!!!! Thanks. It's Manvi's gift for the day." I said.

"What????" The confusion in her face was so evident.

"She gave this to me........
and I just love it."

"Wow! This is amazing. Things are growing again between you two." She giggled.

"Thanks." I said, blushing at the thought of it.

"But don't forget one thing Mr. Shah... you have promised me to do something today."

"Ya! I do remember that. I hope everything goes on well."

"Where is she? I can't see her anywhere." She said searching around the hall.

"Manvi would come a bit late today. Some work delay it seems."

"And one more thing. You look so gorgeous today Akshaya." I added.

"Aah!!! thanks!." She replied.

By that time, the hosts of the event, the event managers and other important people occupied the stage and the event began. The host took the mike and invited me to the stage.
The claps rolled and I moved towards the stage. As I occupied my seat, the very general routine of the award function began.
They started talking in which I clearly had no interest to listen.
I started noticing people who had come for the day. I saw my mother in the first row with full exitment and pride. Then I noticed other big business men and women occupying the front rows. I even noticed Niharika there.

All were busy listing to the speaker.

After having a look at the entire place I fixed my view on the entrance expecting the most important person to arrive.  I don't know whether it was a minute or an hour or even a year later when I noticed Manvi entering the hall.

Everything around me stopped. I did not hear the man speaking next to me or the claps of the audience. All I could sense was she entering the place and all I could hear was the sound of her high heals clashing against the cold marble floor.

She wore a lemon yellow color gown which was flowing down till the floor. 'My god! The same color of my shirt. She has not changed a bit.' I smiled.
She looked so lovely in her gown. My thoughts went wild but I controlled myself.

As she entered she saw me and gave me a small smile. I smiled back and nodded my head in a gesture of welcoming her. She came in and took a seat.
'Fifth row third seat.' I noticed.

The event went on and I was invited to give a small speech. I stood up and moved towards the podium.

A big round of applause filled the place and gave my heart a warm feeling making it bit more comfortable to start.

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, But they will never forget how you made them feel. Be the change which you expect from others. A very pleasent day to all the dignitaries and the most lovely people seated over here. It is my pleasure and gratitude to be the person of honour over here today.
I seriously don't understand how life took such a drastic change in my life. I never thought that it would. I had gone through the toughest times which many could never even imagine. After my father passed away.... things were'int easy for me and my mom. We started from the scrach. Every penny mattered. Moreover it was not just a one time happening of sorrow, but it kept repeating itself. " I exhaled and looked at the audience. They were all completly silent listening to me.

"But things have changed. Life has finally considered being merciful. When I can do it.... why can't you?????
............... Thus I could like to end by coating the point that 'we always search for reasons outside to stay happy. But we never understand that we are only creating the reasons to make us stay away from happiness. Realise the actual inner peace and happiness.'
Thankyou" I said and moved away from the mike.
People started to stand up from their seats clapping really hard as I took back my seat.
That's when I noticed Manvi, glued to her seat and lost in thoughts. Tears were urging to rush down her chin but she controled it.

'Maybe I made her cry. Maybe things went emotional.' I thought.

Finally, after my speech the actual award presenting ceremony began.
First the awards were presented to certain hard-working and devoted employees naming them as the 'Best employees of the year.' Then they presented me with the award.

Finally the words.... "Thus it's time to celebrate" by the speaker brought me back into reality making me realise that it was also my time to talk to her.

To make her know that I still love the same way I did years back. Make her know that I cared, no matter what. Chills ran down my spine at the thought.

I noticed her raising up from her seat and moving towards the bar chair.

Akshaya gestured me to move towards her. And yeah, I did, finally. I mounted down the stage and moved towards the bar. I went close to her. That so close where her smell filled my nostrils.

"Maan...." I called.
She turned and faced me.......
Butterflies flew inside my stomach.

'My god! I know that this is going to be hard.'

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The time has finally come..... the time to know their reason behind the fight. The next chapter would tell the truth. Till then.... keep guesing.

Love you all!