Love Bites

To Be With You (6)

Avni sat on the back of her legs as she wrapped her arms around his neck & pulled him in for a hug. He rested his head against her chest as tears fell from both of their eyes relentlessly. Her chin rested at the top of his head as she rubbed his back with her hand. 

A - It's over, Neil! It's all over! And, I'm here to listen. Right besides you, always! - she whispered in his ears. 

Neil tightened his hold on her waist as he pulled her more towards him while she ran her fingers at the back of his head. 

N - I don't know how do you do it, but, I can feel my nerves calming down whenever you're around! - he mumbled.

Avni reluctantly pulled back from the hug and wiped the tears from his face as she rubbed her thumb on his cheeks, near the creases of his eyes. 

A - You're going to be alright. You've handled it so well, Neil! I'm proud of you. - she spoke making him smile a little. 

She took in a deep breathe & she hugged him back as she put her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeats while he wrapped his arms around her waist. 

A - Why don't you live with your family, Neil? - she asked after a few minutes of silence.

But Avni regretted asking the question when she saw his expression turning into one that of misery & grief once again. 

N - My..my Mom committed- - he sighed as he closed his eyes & shook his head. My Mom gave up on life when I was seven! My Dad & I - -we, we drifted apart after her. - his shoulders slumped. I know for a fact that he cares for me & I do too, but we just don't know how to talk. And, who is even going to start the conversation? I guess, both of us are just waiting for the other! Bas, Bebe hain, jinse kabhi kabhi baat ho jati hai! That's all about my - family! - a sigh left his mouth.

A - I can not even imagine how tough it must have been for you! - she said as she looked up at him while still hugging him. I wish we had met before so that I could have been with you!

A small smile stretched across Neil's lips when he heard her. 

N - You're here now. - he said as his fingers entangled themselves in her hair. 

A - I'm here. And, I am not gonna go! - she mumbled as she kissed the fabric of his shirt over his chest & then put her head back against his chest.

They sat there for sometime in that position while Neil kept playing with her hair stands mindlessly & she just kept hugging him. It was only when Avni's phone rang that they pulled back from the hug. 

It was Neela who had called to ask if she was alright & when she would be coming back home. Avni told her that she'd be home in a minute & then disconnected the call. 

They got up from the sitting positions & moved down to their floor. Coming out of the lift, Neil sluggishly dragged his feet towards his apartment when Avni held his hand. 

He turned to look at her & raised his eye brows at her as he tilted his head a little.

She didn't say anything. Just held the sides of mouth in her hand & raised herself on her toes. Neil just watched her as his eyes widened the size of saucers when she placed her lips on his cheek & kissed him with her eyes closed. Neil closed his eyes when her lips lingered on his cheek for a while before she eventually pulled them away. 

Neil could feel that the earlier kiss was just out of admiration & attraction. But, this, that she had just given him, felt like a promise. He felt like she had sealed a promise with him that he would always be cared for, by her!