"Tum bin, main bin baat ka, Tum ho, tabhi kuch baat hai!"
It had been a week since Neil used to go to Avni's place for the singing sessions with Neela. He was pleasantly surprised at how better he had got with his sleep. He hadn't had any nightmares in the last week & was definitely getting better at handling his anxiety.
Neela & Ashish were extremely welcoming and warm towards him, & he actually felt natural in their presence, like he could be himself! Avni's presence obviously was something that he had grown used to & sometimes he even wondered if he'd improve so much if she wasn't there.
At the moment, he had come for a morning swim at the pool in their complex when he saw Avni sitting by the pool with her feet emersed in water as she fiddled with her fingers. Confused, he walked up to her & sat beside her but she hadn't noticed him yet.
N - Avnii? - he called making her look up at him with a slight jolt. Are you okay? - he asked.
A - Uh, yes! I'm good. - she said with a small smile.
N - You look worried. - he observed her sigh.
A - My senior secondary's result will be out today! I'm nervous. - she told as she look at the water.
N - Ohkay! But where are you nervous? I'm sure it will be great! - he gave her an encouraging smile.
A - I don't know! I'm getting jittery. - she told truthfully.
N - It will be fine, Avnii! - he spoke slowly. You want to take a dive in the pool? - he asked in order to distract her.
A - No, you go! I'll just sit here. - she said making him sigh.
Avni watched Neil get up from where he was sitting besides her & jump into the pool. He swam for a while before coming to her while he was still in the pool. She was just sitting there when he grabbed her hands & pulled her inside the pool & Avni could only manage to let our a yelp when the cold water welcomed her.
She held onto Neil's shoulders as she tried to catch a breathe while he held her firmly by her waist.
A - You are such a brinjalhead, Neil! - she smacked his shoulders while he just laughed.
N - C'mon, let's race! - he said as he started swimming towards the other end of the pool.
A - Hey, wait for me! You're cheating! - she shouted as she followed him behind.
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Avni was tapping her foot on the floor continuously as Neil tried to open the website where the results were to be announced.
Neela - It will be alright, Bachha! Calm down. - she said as she hugged Avni while sitting besides her.
N - It's out. - he said & Avni bit her lips in nervousness as she tightened her grip on Neela.
Neil entered Avni's roll number on the portal & patiently waited for the results while Avni was a mess of nervousness & anxiety. She had her eyes closed as she chanted some inaudible prayers while Neela held her close to herself.
N - Avnii, it's 95%. Look, you've a distinction in all the subjects! - he exclaimed as soon as the marksheet flashed on the laptop screen.
A - What? - Avni opened her eyes in shock as she looked at the laptop screen.
Neela smiled wildly as she hugged her daughter & placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Avni smiled brightly at her as soon as her mind processed the results & she exclaimed in excitement while Neil just watched their interaction with a smile on his face.
Neela - I'll go get some sweets! - she announced as she went to the kitchen.
N - Congratulations, Avnii! Tum toh topper nikli yaar! - he said as he grinned at Avni while she grinned at him back.
A - You know, I was so nervous. There is this college & I really wanted to get into it. I didn't know what I'd do if I didn't get into it! - she told while he listened patiently.
However, before Neil could reply, Neela came inside the room with sweets in her hands & stuffed some in Avni's mouth. She then turned to Neil & fed him too.
Neela - I'll go inform your Papa about the results, okay! - she said while Avni nodded.
Avni picked one piece of the motichoor laddoo in her hand as she turned to Neil & stuffed it inside his mouth before he could retort. She then wrung her arms around his neck & kissed his cheek leisurely as she hugged him.
A - I'm so excited, Brinjalhead! - she exclaimed as she kissed his other cheek. An involuntary smile graced Neil's mouth as he hugged her back while his cheeks tinged a shade of pink.
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Neil had just come out of a long shower when he heard his door open with a thud. Shaking his head, he walked towards the hall to see her.
N - Ji, kahiye? Kaise aana hua? - he asked as he dried his hair with a towel while she just rolled her eyes at his dramatic question.
A - Papa is getting me new phone & Mumma is taking me out for shopping tomorrow! - she told as she tried to not get disappointed over the fact that he was wearing a T-shirt right now!
N - And? - he asked as his brows furrowed in confusion.
A - Aren't you going to get me a gift? - she asked as she stepped towards him.
N - Oh! - he realised. Uh, okay! Tell me what do you want me to get you? - he asked sincerely.
A - First promise me, you won't deny! - she demanded.
N - Uh, ohkay! Par bolo toh kya chahiye?
A - Nhi! - she shook her head. Pehle promise karo!
N - Acha Baba! Promise. I won't deny.
Avni inhaled deeply as she looked up at him and brushed her fingers against his. She rubbed her thumb across his knuckles as she held his hand while he just looked at her in confusion.
N - Kya hua, Avnii? Batao kya chahiye?
A - Tum...college rejoin karlo, please! I want you to complete your degree. - she spoke slowly as she watched his reaction.
N - Avnii. - he closed his eyes as a sigh left his mouth. You know, I can't!
A - No, you can, Neil. Don't you want to work? This degree will help you get a job & then, in the long run, you can opt for freelancing like you've always wanted to. C'mon! - she urged.
N - Avnii, I- Wait! How do you even know about me wanting to do freelancing? - his brows furrowed in confusion.
A - I asked Ali. - she averted eyes but her thumb kept rubbing his knuckles.
N - Avnii, I do want to work & open my own architecture firm. But, I don't think I'll be able to pull it off. I don't want to destroy this too! - he spoke with restlessness evident in his voice.
A - Neil, you're letting the opportunity go anyways, if you don't even try once! - she held his face in her palm as the other other hand was still intwined with his. I'm just asking you to try once. I promise I won't force you if you don't feel good. But, just unfreeze your semester & go to the college for a week. That's all I ask. - she spoke patiently as if talking to a scared child. Moreover, you promised me, so now you can't deny! - she blinked her eyes making him chuckle!
N - The things that you make me do! - he whispered as he exhaled. Why can't I say no to you? - he wondered out loud.
A - Well, it's just my amazing-self that you can't resist! - she chirped making him smile. Now, go sleep, Brinjalhead! - she pecked his cheek & ran out of his apartment.
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Ali shoved the cushion into Neil's face the moment he entered his apartment.
Ali - Saale, main tereko do saal se keh rha hoon ki degree complete karle. You never paid any heed to me & now you're rejoining college because Avni asked you once! - he exclaimed while hitting him with another cushion. Tere jaisa bewafa maine kahin nhi dekha! - he shook his head dramatically as he sat on the sofa.
N - Tu mereko maarne aaya hai yahan pe? Aur, Rhea kahan hai? Tera control button ussi ke haath mein hai! - he rolled his eyes as he placed the cushions back on the sofa.
Ali - Topic mat change kar! - he spoke.
N - Haan toh, ab main usko mna nhi kar paaya toh main kya karun! - he spoke grumpily as he averted eyes from his friend. As if a child complaining about himself that he couldn't deny her.
Ali - Umhmm! - he smirked. That whipped already? - he looked at Neil with an amusing glint in his eyes.
N - Tu bakwaas kam kra kar! Aur jaa ek chai bna mere liye! - he said as he turned the TV on.
Ali - Waah! Kya hospitality hai aapki, Khanna Saab! Apne ghar mein mujhe chai bnane ko bol rha hai? - he tsked in fake disappointment.
N - Oh, you remember this is my house? Toh yeh realisation tab kahan jaata hai jab tu Rhea se ladd ke yahan aa jata hai! - he mocked as he turned on the cricket match.
Ali - Haan haan! Ab tujhe mera aana kyun pasand aayega! Ab toh koi brinjalhead bulane waali mil gyi hai! - he chuckled & sprinted into the kitchen before Neil could hit him with the cushion.