Opposites attract

Chapter 24(Neil)

You are the same Neil from 5 years ago. Ashu's words rang in my ears as I saw her approaching me. I was the one who looked for her all around the resort for 4 hours. I was the one who missed my sister's mehndi ceremony because I was worried for her and at the end I was the one got blamed for it all because she had to go to office.
I was in no mood to face her right now. I don't want to create a scene here, so I stepped away from her and in to the crowd. I went straight to Rahul, who was standing by the bar. I stood beside him and ordered a virgin mojito at which Rahul looked me with suspicious eyes. He liked to drink alcohol. I didn't, obviously.

"Why are you avoiding your girl?", he asked me.

"What makes you think I am avoiding her?", I ask him instead of replying to his question.

"I saw her approaching you and you came here instead of talking to her."

"Well, that's not true and even if it was it is none of your business."

"It is my business, because you are my favourite brother and you are avoiding your love."

"Well that's where you are wrong. Yes I am dating Ashu but who said anything about love. We are together because it's easy not because we are in love."

"Cut the bull shit Neil, you were running around the grounds of the resort for 4 hours without food to find her. That my friend is called love."

"How do you....", I was shocked that he knew about what happened this morning.

"I knew it the moment you were missing from the mehndi ceremony."

"Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"I wanted to see how far you can go. Neil, listen to me you love than girl. Don't let her go because of some misunderstandings."

That couldn't be true. I didn't love Ashu. I love Dipti. I have always loved Dipti. I think about her every day. Except that's not true. I haven't thought about Dipti on a long time. At least not more than I have thought about Ashu.

"Can we talk?", Ashu's husky voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Sure bhabi, I was just leaving anyway.", he winked towards we and left with his glass.

Bhabi? Did he just really call her bhabi?

"I am sorry on behalf of Rahul. He is an idiot.", I say turning towards Ashu.

"It's okay.", she took a pause, "I wanted to apologize for what happened today. I had texted Yakshi that I was leaving. I didn't even think that she would be too busy to check her phone. I should have texted you probably.", she kept on saying things about the meeting was really important for her because of her sister. And I got it. I really did. I never thought that I would appreciate Ashu choosing work over Yakshi but I did because she didn't choose work, she chose her sister, her didi.

 "it's okay Ashu I overreacted I get it-", I wanted to continue but Yakshi came beside and started teasing us.

"Cummon love birds. This is my wedding function. Give me some attention. You guys have been with each other all day. Now just come and dance with me please. I need main character vibes."

And just like that we were pulled onto the dance floor. After that we didn't get any more chance to have a conversation.

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Next morning, I saw Ashu at the breakfast table but she was surrounded by her friends and I thought it was better if I stayed away from them.

Her parents had arrived and they had a small conversation with me during breakfast where her father warned me to keep his daughter happy. And trust, me when I say this I have every intention to keep all the promises I had made to her parents. After the breakfast, mummy told me to get ready for the bhaat function (a Marwari ritual between the bride/groom's mother and her brothers). After bhaat, I was busy attending the guests and asking them to have lunch.

Then we children sat by the pool for some time while the elders went to their rooms to have some rest.We gave each other curt nods and cute smiles when ever our eyes locked, but we didn't have any serious conversation because we were afraid that someone might overhear us. 

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I went to the sangeet party with Rahul and my eyes fell immediately on a girl wearing a floor length lilac dress. I recognised the dress and brown hair immediately. Ashu had her back towards me which gave me time to prepare myself. I got flashback from when I had seen her in that dress for the first time. I walked to her and saw her standing with Sahika and one of my cousins, Riya.

"Can I have a word with my girlfriend?"

Ashu's eyes widened as she saw mw standing there. "of course bhaiya. We were just leaving. See you later bhabi"

Bhabi again? What's wrong with my cousins? Ashu turned towards me in shock, "girlfriend huh? I nearly thought we broke up after what happened yesterday."

"No, not at all.", I took a deep breath to gain courage, "Ashu I can't break this fake relationship with you", I shut my eyes, "instead I want to start a real one.", I opened my eyes, "I love you popcorn."

Her eyes widened, she looked shocked. She started fidgeting with her fingers. She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened and closed again. She took a deep breath and then finally said, "Neil I-"But she was cut off by the anchor who announced the arrival of the bride and groom.

Shortly after their arrival, the anchor called us on stage for the first dance. We have practiced this dance a million times easily. But today each step felt different. Our matching clothes. Our coordinated moves. Our eyes looking at each other and during one twirl my girl finally said, "I love you too, Neil." Everything stopped at that moment, the music, the cheers even the world as my eyes locked with hers. The loud claps and hoots from the audience brought me back to the real world. As soon as the applause stopped, I pulled Ashu to the side of the room.

"Are you serious, please tell me you are serious popcorn. Please."

"I haven't been more serious about anything in my life."

I hugged her. I hugged her tight as if she would vanish if I loosened the grip.

But she didn't, instead she hugged me back.

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