Ain't it funny
Destiny is pulling you back to me
Time waits for no one
I hope that nothing is changed
I've been thinking
I was taking more that I ever gave
I never thought you knew
The rules to my game
Here I am, turning back the pages
Of the book we wrote
Every word can be recreated
I want you to take no more
I'm coming one step closer to you
Now I'm on my way
Coming back to stay
One step closer to you
Gavin Christopher 1 step closer to you.
Neil held out his hand...it took Avni back to another time...
Neil, planned and executed every action according to his set of rules. A guy who was born with silver spoon, taking up the life of ACP, dealing with criminal day in day out, dishing out judgment as if he was born to do so...Avni could pileup million words to describe Neil but 1 thing she could not stomach was his acceptance of this farce of a marriage. Why can't he just let her go. She was pacing the room, when Neil had walked in and took hold of her arms, Avni flinched and moved away. Neil just raised his eyebrows in query...He needn't have worried, she thought grimly. She had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of any kind of response, not even a negative one. She would do what was demanded of her, just like she has done all her life
N: Where do you think you are going? His voice had cracked like whip as she had hurried from her room to the kitchen.
A: Kitchen. She said defiantly. She waited half expecting him to remind her that she was useless in the kitchen. She could burn water.
N: We are going out, get your duppata.
A: Out? But..
N: Get your duppata. I don't have whole day and we have a great deal to do...Neil held out his hand. Avni brushed past him and went to the car. Neil was always doing things without telling her. She had no difficulty figuring out the reason he was separating her from her former life and, at the same time branding her as his possession. And she was helpless against him. The streets rolled by, colours blending one into other as she took in the sights. How could the day be so beautiful and her heart so filled with sorrow?
And then they had arrived at Aishwarya Design Studio. She had tried numerous dresses. Avni had tried endless salwars, kurtas, dresses in silk, cashmeres, cotton, and all of it might as well have been made of sackcloth. She had no interest.
N: Tell me what you like.
Avni's answer was always the same. It doesn't matter. After a while, his answer became as predictable as hers. We'll take it all, he would say gruffly and eventually the boxes were stacked in the boot and back seat of his Toyota. That's how she got her red dress.
N : Shall we leave...he held out his hand. This time, she took his hand, trembling with a kind of trepidation. Neil felt her tremble. Very unlike Ananya. What's wrong?', Neil queried.
A: Where are we going and why did you kiss me the other day at the Chaat shop? The kiss had been killing Avni..with million questions.
Neil didn't even pause...I had to kiss you because the people I was investigating were there and I was caught unawares. I didn't want them to question you or me. Hence the kiss. I do know that kissing anyone without permission is not acceptable, I had to do it to save you. Don't worry there will not be a repeat performance.
Avni felt as if her world had fallen. She had no ideas why she felt so low. Neil didn't have any feelings for her. It was right. But she felt as if she was losing her purpose in life. What a mess. They reached the destination and Avni alighted out from the car.
She started as an arm slid around her waist. Neil smiled down at her. Hello', she said. I didn't see you coming. I must have been day dreaming.' He grinned. That's an understatement. You looked as if you were a million miles away. What were you thinking about?'
A: You! Avni thought. I was wondering where we were and if we are going to be late. What your clients would say?
N : We are not late enough. They've yet to begin. Show time. Put on your smiling face.
A: It's Mahler tonight, isn't it? God, I hate Mahler.
N: Only the Waheeds of this world like Gustav. The clients we are meeting today and the guy I need to put behind bars.
A: Ok, understood. I'll play the role. Avni shuddered as the discordant stains of the Fifth Symphony reached out to them. I guess it's going to be a long evening...
What good old Mr. Waheed planned on, Avni thought grimly later that evening was making a quick move on her. When Neil and Avni took their seats, protocol placed Mr. Waheed next to Avni and Neil besides Mrs. Waheed. Introduction were made and all 4 took their seats before the music began. At first Avni thought, it was her imagination when Mr. Waheed's hand brushed her thigh. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Of course, it had been her imagination. His face, set in rapt concentration, was turned to the orchestra. Five minutes later, his programme fell to the floor. Sorry,' he muttered as he reached for it. This time, his hand brushed Avni's breast. Sorry,' he said again. By the time the concert ended, there were half a dozen more sorries', Avni hadn't believed any one of them. No one could have that many accidents'. Avni wanted to kick him but it was Neil's police work. She didn't want to jeopardize anything. Mrs. Waheed was a poor soul. She looked so sad. Avni's heart went out to her. No wonder Mrs. Waheed had such sad eyes. Calling Mr. Waheed in on his nasty little game would only heap further humiliation on the poor woman's head.
She wondered what Neil would do if he knew what was happening. Flatten Waheed's nose, perhaps. When they were alone later, she'll tell Neil that Waheed was not only a criminal, a bore but also a boor. She looked up. Neil was watching her; she could feel the heat of his gaze. Beneath the table, Waheed was moving his foot against hers in a steady rhythm, but she was unaware of it. She was conscious only of Neil. His eyes were hooded, unreadable. Her cheeks flamed. What was Neil thinking? What was behind that dark intensity?
...tell your fortune.' Avni blinked. What?' Did you say something Mr. Waheed? The man smiled wetly. I said, if you give me your hand, I'll tell your fortune'. He was about to touch Avni's arm, when Waheed's hand was snapped off by non-other than Neil. I'll...' Waheed's voice rose in alarm. Hey! What's going on?' Avni's eyes widened as Waheed fell away from her. Neil had appeared from out of nowhere, and he stood between them, unmoving, unsmiling, as if he had been carved of stone. What the hell Neil? Your wife...' Waheed's face paled as Neil's hand tightened on his arm.
N: Exactly, Neil said in a malice-filled voice. My wife, Waheed. Not yours. Not anyone's. She belongs to me'. A tremor raced along Avni's skin. During the past couple of weeks, she'd forgotten that deadly possessiveness. It had made her wary of Neil the 1st time she had seen it. Neil's eyes slid to her. How long has he been pawing you?'
Avni swallowed. Neil...' Don't listen to her Neil', Waheed interrupted. Neil's eyes flashed. I asked my wife the question Waheed. Not you. Answer me' Neil said. Has it been all night?'
A: Yes.
N: Why didn't you tell me? Avni looked at Waheed's pale face. I thought about it. But Waheed is...' Mr. Waheed, Neil said with sarcastic deliberation, is a son of a bxxxh, and he's lucky I don't slam his head through the wall. He twisted Waheed' arm behind his back. Neil was a formidable enemy. To face his anger was terrifying. Before Waheed, could say another word, an army of policemen swarmed around them.
N: Mr. Waheed, you are under arrest for gun smuggling. Waheed's face was ashen. While you were enjoying the 5th symphony and pawing my wife, we closed all your activities. Saying that, Neil turned Waheed and punched Waheed on his face.
Anupamaa
