AvNeil OS : Not jealous, okay?

Since Avni has gotten married to him, a lot of things have changed. Neil teaches her everything about being an ideal bahu, quite literally, from how to dress properly,to how to use the shower and Ali thinks sometimes he just exaggerates (see the shower part above). And should we talk for a second about the unbearable sexual tension between the two of them? Like the first time Avni had to cook something different , and she obviously didn't know how to cook: Neil obviously cooked for her and offered to cut the salad(which was way too green for Ali's liking and apparently Avni's too). Offered. To cut. The goddamn salad. Ali rolled his eyes and felt the urge to stand up and run for his sanity. Fast.

And, for God's sake, don't remind him of the moment Neil leaned forward and cleaned the ketchup off Avni's cheek (yeah, don't ask how it ended up there) with a napkin. He almost ended up taking the phrase "I need a brainwash with bleach quite too literally. Oh, and that time Neil taught Avni how to wash the utensils properly. The only thing Ali saw before running back the hallway he arrived from was Neil behind Avni pressing against his back as he massaged both their hands with the soap and muttering a song happily. He nearly choked on his own spit and tripped in the haste of going the farthest possible.

And don't even ask him about that time with the shower because, really, he had a very hard time to forget that. Neil and Avni coming out of the bathroom completely soaked. "The shower broke and I had to help her, right?, yeah, sure. Everyone would totally believe that. Especially with all the little gestures that might look insignificant to everyone else, but Ali knows they are big signs of "I'm so in love I'm almost ashamed" because he knows Neil and he knows he's so gone it's ridiculous. The way they look at each other for too long, the way Neil walks beside Avni so close they're almost touching, the way he smiles at her or laughs when she does something funny, the way his gaze is always drawn to her lips, the way she leans into his touch, the way his own touch lingers on Avni's skin, the way he rests his hand on Avni's shoulder whenever he can, the way he hesitantly grips the fabric of Avni's saree to pull her closer when he thinks no one is looking.

It makes Ali want to scream at them that they're so f**king obvious it's getting pathetic. Or maybe close them in a closet and let them get on with it already. He can't do it anymore. It's not that they're annoying, they're just so embarrassing sometimes that Ali almost feels out of place. And plus, he kinda hopes for that, because Neil always seems so damn happy around Avni, who worships him in return.

In the end what makes it happen is the bitter taste of jealousy in Neil's mouth, the one that you can't wash away with beer easily. That kind of jealousy that makes it hard to think straight and clenches your throat, making everything hard to swallow. They are in a club all together (well, it's just Ali and Neil now) and Neil is trying so hard not to scream, Ali can see his frustration clearly in the way he grips the neck of the bottle and avoids looking at the main counter, where Avni is currently talking to a man. What Neil fails to notice is that Avni keeps glancing back at them every now and then with a unreadable expression. If Ali knew a tiny bit of what the hell was actually going on, he would swear Avni almost feels uncomfortable and is looking for help. Which makes little sense and a lot of sense at the same time.

What he knows is that the man came not so long ago, introduced himself to them and talked a bit with them, flirting and winking, before jokingly asking Avni if she wanted to offer him a drink. Of course Avni was too kind to decline the offer, so she ended up being dragged away to the counter for some privacy with the man (Karan? Ali thinks her name is Karan). Ali swears he has never seen Neil so nervous before, he's taken the form of a huge ball of frustration, anger and disappointment that irradiates discomfort everywhere.

And he knows what's going on with Neil: he is jealous. Yep, jealous. It takes Ali all he has not to smile because this might be his chance to finally come clean. Neil drowns his beer and groans, before standing up and telling Ali to just leave. "What about Avni?" Ali asks fighting a smirk because, ha!, he hit the target. Neil glares at him and then at the couple at the counter, quickly looks away when Avni tries to make eye contact, and grumbles, "She knows the way home. She can return when she's done with her Prince." He tries to sound normal and casual, but he actually ends the sentence with more poison that he intended.

Ali fails to fight his amusement and laughs, hands covering his face. "What the f**k is so funny?" Neil snaps as he slams the money on the table. It takes Ali a while to be able to speak, "Dude, it's just so obvious." he says between chuckles. Neil keeps frowning, but his face earns a slight shade of pink that Ali surely doesn't miss. "I don't know what you're talking about." he says putting his jacket back on. Of course he doesn't know.

It's all funny and hilarious until Neil turns to the counter again and his face goes from white to blue and finally red in three seconds. Ali follows his gaze and, oh. The man's lips are halfway towards Avni's ear and the man is still, not getting away from her, but not even getting closer. Ali has an instant to register the situation before his brother is charging the two and roughly grabbing Avni by the sleeve, "Excuse me, dude, but my wife here and I need to talk." he growls and the next thing Ali sees is Neil trailing Avni outside with his hand fisted in the fabric of Avni's saree. He can't help but laugh again. He glances towards the guy who's still startled by the scene and frowning, shrugs and gets out, reaching the car and leaning against the hood.

He can see and hear the two of them who are trying (without success) to go hiding behind a nearby tree, but they're talking way too loud not to be heard. Avni complains about the hard grip Neil has on her arm and Neil has to remember that she's fragile now and she can feel pain and discomfort. When they are behind the tree, Neil suddenly turns around and pulls Avni by the waist, cupping her chin and pressing their mouths together. Avni grumbles something against his lips grumpily, before dropping the matter with a muffled sigh and clutching at Neil's leather jacket, pulling him closer.

When Neil pulls back, he looks straight into the cerulean eyes before him and says upset, "I'll never let anyone take you from me again, sounds good enough?" Avni nods and gently runs her fingers on Neil's lips, as if to apologize. Ali sighs happily and smiles to the sky.