"Yes yes, I am here in front of your building......No problem.....Flat No.104 right.......Ok I am coming." I hung up the call and went inside the building. This building is very tall, posh and clean; people residing here are mostly from upper class. Manav Arora is one of them. I wonder how magnificent his flat would be....

I rang the door-bell for fifth time and yet no response. Where the hell is this damn man? Just now we talked on phone and now he is taking too long to open the door.

Five minutes more and I will leave.

Door creaked open and he showed up. Finally!

He was looking very fresh and vibrant, I could even smell of his soap and cologne. I am sure he was taking shower.

"I am sorry for the inconvenience. I was inside the washroom. Please come inside." He ushered me in the living room and asked me to sit on sofa.

As I guessed, his house was very big and superiorly furnished, Very clean and neat. Walls were painted in cream and lavender colour combination. Ceiling was decorated in modern style.

"Please feel comfortable. What would you like to have, a tea or coffee?" He asked showing his charming smile.

"No need. Thank you." I said politely.

"I make awesome coffee. Please have it I insist." he urged.

"hm okay."

"Great. I will come back in just five minutes."

He was right when he said he makes awesome coffee.

"Thanks for the coffee. It was really good." I said honestly.

"I am glad you liked it."

"you live alone here?"

"Yes, I bought this flat recently. 4 months ago. This is near from my company where I work. Besides I like to have privacy. I meet my parents every Sunday. Sometimes they too visit here. I love this place and enjoy my own privacy." He explained.

"Cool"

"So, Drishti shall we begin?"

I stared him squarely. So now he's calling me directly by my name. Where are his manners? As if reading my thoughts he said,

"I will call you Drishti from now on and you can call me Manav." He grins.

"As you wish" I shrugged. "Do you have basic stuff relating to the drawing? That day I forgot to ask you to buy things we required."

"Oh no problem. I think I have all the things which we'll need." He said and went to one of the room and came up with big basket.

"See, I have almost everything, drawing books, blank cardboards, pencils, rubbers, rulers, sharpeners, oil pastels and water colours. Ooops! painting brushes are missing. I need to buy it soon." He smiled sheepishly.

"It's alright. Brushes are not required initially. You can buy it later. Today we will practice only lines suing pencil." I said

"Lines? Okay"

"Yes, different kinds of lines. Vertical Straight lines and horizontal straight lines. let's get started." I said, he nodded.

I took his drawing book and drew 10 vertical straight lines and 10 horizontal straight lines. Then I asked him to redraw them for 10 times. He did what I said.

After practicing it I asked him to draw them on the next page. He tried hard but he couldn't make it. I was encouraging him but every time his line came worse and worse. Uff I rubbed my forehead. Then I decided to use my last technique, which was really awkward to do with him but I can't just demotivate my student, I wanted them to learn it anyhow.

I went near him and put my palm on his and guided his fingers to make a proper straight line. I felt his eyes staring at me but I don't want to look at his eyes unnecessarily. I just want him to concentrate on drawing.

"Are you getting now how I am making lines? Now try again." I encouraged. he quickly averted his gaze off me.

Finally after half an hour practicing, he succeeded in drawing straight lines. He smiled contently seeing his lines which were quite better than previously.

I managed my classes and Manav's private coaching very well. It's already a month since I started giving him private classes of drawing. I always wonder, out of all kinds of arts why he chosen to learn drawing only. That too at the age of 28. Okay maybe I am overthinking because Age doesn't matter to learn any skill. But still I am curious to know his answer, today I will ask him.

Door was already open so I directly went inside.

His back was at me and he was colouring something, what is it he colouring? Ohh he is colouring sun set with oil pastels. He is improving in very short time I must say.

"Ahaan, Very good" I exclaimed. He turned around suddenly and collided with me. I got off balance but he caught my waist in time. Oh my god. This is so embarrassing.

"Are you ok?" He asked worriedly.

"I am ok. You can leave me now." His hands quickly left my waist and he stepped aside.

"I am really sorry. I was engrossed in colouring this picture and suddenly heard your voice. I didn't hear door-bell." He said awkwardly.

"Your door was opened already. I thought you kept it open for me."

"No. I didn't. Wait....now I remember. Khushi had come to meet me and she left just half hour before. I thought she locked the door. Maybe she was in hurry to go somewhere."

"It's okay. Next time be careful."

"Khushi brought these cheesecakes. You like it?" he asked

"Of course. Who doesn't like them?" I said smiling. He laughed.

"If you don't mind can I ask you something?" I asked hesitantly.

"Sure. Tell me" he said chewing his cake.

"Why you made your mind to learn drawing? I mean you could have go for other art skills."

"Ohh that just because in school days and even while doing engineering I wasn't involved in any type of talents. But lately I am getting enough time to do such things. Playing games on mobile or watching movies is too boring. You know after my degree, I have learned so many skills. I joined guitar classes, violin classes, cake baking classes. I enjoy very much learning such things. Just before starting drawing class, I had learnt dancing from my very good friend Sudhir. Shall I show you?" he asked enthusiastically.

"No. let's begin with our class." I said abruptly.

-----------------

"yeah yeah, don't worry at all. Parth is smart kid. He is doing very good in drawing." I was talking with Parth's mommy.

"Mam, please take his practice of flower pot. That is the subject for his next drawing competition." Parth's mommy said.

"Okay. No problem. I will take his practice, I am sure he will score in top three."

"Thank you mam. Bye"

"Bye"

"Bye mam" Parth said, "Bye" I bid him bye. Class was over. All students left.

...................

"This is my wedding card. How's it?" Lara showed her wedding card excitingly.

"Wow, it's very nice. I loved it." I exclaimed. "Congrats dear. I am so happy for you." I hugged her.

"Thank you" she smiled happily.

to be continued............

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