"Malhotra don't dare blabber that nonsense all over again! I don't pay you huge so at every crisis you could come to me wagging your tail. Now Listen to me vary very carefully, Tomorrow at 9:00 sharp when I will enter my cabin I will see the Annual return report on my desk, GET IT?
He closed his eyes with frustration as he hang up the call making the poor man lose his sleep at the 11:47 in night. He was his Fifth victim in a row. Tightening his grip of the balcony railing he focused his vision ahead, In nothingness. He don't know what was that making him this restless with sudden urge to burn the world. Is it Malhotra and his good for nothing sidekicks or His messed up life? He knew later is the answer and the proof of that was lying on his bed in a deep slumber facing down with all her locks covering his face.
Since when did it happen this way? Since when did he started barking at his employees at midnight? Where did his level headedness and his control gone? Where is that shrewd Business magnet who never needed to flare his temper to get his work done? Where is that game changer Devil who could single handedly alter anyone's life? And who is this pathetic man instead who is wallowing and losing his senses over a WOMAN!
He shook his head as if trying to shake his inner FEELINGS', the word which he had discovered few weeks back and started to move towards his room realizing the amount of time he sacrifices on daily basis over this word like a lunatic. He enters in room with firm resolve to set his f**king mind right only to throw it out of the window next second as his eyeballs roam over her smooth creamy bare form facing down, seductively covered with duvet while she slept without the care of the world. Does she even realize what she did to him when she lay bare on his bed , facing down, with her locks sprawled all over her pillow, while his pillow stays there in her tight grasp, their scents entangled with each other in the plush white sheets like their bodies were couple of hours ago.
And then came the most dreaded question in his mind' Is he ready to let go all of this? HER?'
He was one of those who design their destiny with their own pen and make sure that even wind blow in the direction ordered by them and he had this belief until she came stumbling with a glass of whiskey breaking the shackles his arrogance of and pride that night, The school reunion.
His mind drifted six months back when he saw her first time after eleven years.
6 months ago..
His hawk eyes lazily scanned the place as he twirled his third glass of jacobsen's while taking in dazed glances thrown at him and he mentally did the eye-roll at the predictability. Attention was not new to him. Infact sometimes he menacingly thought if he seizes to exist , the media will go jobless.
Yes that's his life. Seems like a open book but when you closely its hidden under layers of wealth, charm success, power and controversies. Being sole heir to world's one of the leading Real estate and infrastructure firm might seems like ticket to luxurious flamboyant life but hardly anyone realize that nothings comes for free.
His was rudely shaken out of reverie by a annoying voice. There stood the reason of his destroyed one hour and forty eight minutes with equally annoying smile plastered on his goddamn face, His unfortunate childhood buddy Karan Kapoor. Unfortunate because he was on verge of getting killed today by him and he has no idea about it yet.
"So you're having fun I see he asked cheekily annoying him more.
"Don't worry you'll have more fun after we exit this drab house Neil sniggered showing him his fist.
"Are yaar! Look around you! Our school batchmates and you are meeting them after 12 years! Atleast pretend to enjoy! Karan was now getting irritated with his spoil sport behavior.
He knew Neil was not kind of person who held attachment to anyone, be it friends or family. He was always like this, a nomad, who never look back, who keep moving ahead like wind without any strings attached. But still He lives the moment. Old equations never mattered to him because he makes the new one everytime.
Neil rolled his eyes again paying no heed to his friend and making him sigh with sound.
"Did you visited home?Karan asked finally.
Neil nodded vaguely while texting on his phone.
"So how did that go? Karan tried to ask timidly. He knew Neil and his family are not exactly happy family kinds. Infact even being his childhood buddy he has only 2-3 times met his forever busy parents.
"As usual Neil replied still texting continuously. He knows there is no use of probing him hence he decided to change the topic.
"Come on dude , even I am getting bored with your one word answer spree. I wish Nisha was here atleast I don't have to sulk here with you Karan pouted like a girl.
"Last I remember you were the one who dragged me to this stupid place stating your loneliness while your lady love was in Mumbai. So Stop sulking if you don't want a black eye and broken jaw you thankless bas***d Neil was now agitated at the guts of his twerp bestie who was no less than a whining school girl at times.
"Yes but also for you to have a good time.Isn't it so fun to see everyone after so long. All juniors, seniors together! Everyone is looking so changed and different. You know Varsha Verma that bitch has married chopra industries chairman, that old hag and Rishab, that manwhee is a father of two kids, can you believe it and ... Karan was going on and on when interrupted rudely by Neil.
"Whoa Dude relax! I know you love Nisha a lot but please some distance boy! You don't exactly have to take her gossip aunty trait Neil said while incredulously staring him.
"Oh shut up, she is not like that, infact...Karan halted in between as his eyes caught something interesting.
"Oh man , is it Karan whispered slowly and Neil turned around to see what has made his chatterbox friend speechless only to get speechless himself.
" Avni Ayesha Haider
Neil was in stance as he tried to recall a smart, confident and annoyingly goody goody firecracker who was although junior to him but makes sure that even seniors dances on her command.
They belongs to a different leagues, with different lives, peer group and goals hence they never crossed each other but one or two times when they did , it was not something to happily reminisce about. If she was teacher's pet and worships rules, the one for whom the world is either black or white then he was the epitome of grey who takes sadistic pleasure in doing everything that's against rule. A righteous and rebel, They were!
But right now in he couldn't identify the irritating brainy prefect clad in buttoned shirts and skirts barely showing her legs like other girls of school in this Ethereal sexy diva adorning shimmering black saree with its pleats tucked at her lower waist showing off her tempting navel. As she gulps down another shot of whiskey taking her long waist length silky hairs to keep it on her right shoulder, her sleeveless low back blouse exposes her more of her bare back and waist. Her doe eyes which were full of innocence earlier were now smokey wild with kajal which no longer held innocence but rebellion. While her slender alluring figure tempting him to make a move on her but was this really Avni Ayesha Haider?
Neil's stance was broken by Karan's voice.
"yup! That pattakha who had that Vodafone puppy boyfriend Kabir ! Neha told me that they broke up long time back ! "Karan said in flow that's when he noticed a glint in Neil's eyes. That glint was enough to ring warning bells in mind.
"Are you serious? Not her yaar!Karan shrieked as Neil placed his beer on the bar counter making way towards her.
"Dude find yourself ride for the night Neil said as his eyes never leaving the lady in shimmering black!
"Are you MAD???? Have you forgotten last time drama? Pit kar aayega! Karan tried to stop him reminiscing last time craziness but only to get his pleadings ignored instead Neil turned half way to give him a dazzling smile with wink challenging "We will see!
Karan heavily sighed as he fished out his phone arranging car for himself after being ditched by his so called Bro' who now fled after the chic hoping to avoid possible show down that could happen any minute.
Neil reached at other side of party hall beside the counter she was leaning while mindlessly gulping her drink and nodding to the girl beside her. He decided to wait ogling her closely when he noticed its not only him but more then half of the men in the hall are doing same. That pissed him off because NK never likes other men taking fancy in his women.
' Wait Dude, you just saw her! When did she became yours'
Yes she is mine until I am done with her' He argued with his conscious.
That's when his internal discussion was interrupted by the stare the girl next to Avni was giving him .Instinctively he smiled awkwardly at her and the girl went to the dreamy mode and as if on the cue SHE turned around and that is when there eyes MET and the world was lost for them.
Neil saw series of emotions passing through her glossy deep eyes from confusion , recognization , appreciation (as her eyes take in the complete frame of him), self consciousness and finally indifference(forcefully imposed) .She surely has the most expressive pair of eyes he has ever seen in his life.
He quickly drifted back NK mode gathering his wavering desires and shifted her focus on the girl next to her.
"Hey gorgeous!
That's it and the girl was over moon and shakily nervous as if she just got kissed by Shahrukh Khan. Avni meanwhile stared weirdly at Girl and Neil.
On getting no response she walked over to them and take his hand out in front of her.
" You look even more amazing than before Abhilasha! Neil complimented while gazing Avni from the corner of his eyes who smirked while looking at her drink before gulping one more sip. The girl nervously smiling giver her hand in his looking star struck.
"Hi! Actually its Shivangi and thank you!! girl corrected him still blushing.
" Ohh Shubhangi , pretty name , just like the lady! Neil bit his tongue for his oversmartness and fire his charms again. The lady blushed furiously like a tomato after getting complimented from Neil Khanna , the man himself. Avni was finding this amusing for some reason.
"Thank you! You are looking Dapper like always Lady complimented him in awestruck.
Neil gave a sexy smirk to Avni with glint in eyes and responded " That's so sweet dear!
"Could you do me a favour babes?Neil cheesily asked her while shubhangi was in heaven!
The NK is asking HER a favour!!!'
She vigorously nodded her head "Sure sure Neil! Anything
"Actually my friend Karan, there look He pointed out to Karan who was in some far corner cluelessly wandering around fumbling with his cell "He just had a bad break up. I am sure he would feel much better if a gorgeous lady could spare a little time for him. And I can't find anyone better for this job? He said perfectly faking his expressions and discreetly eyeing lady beside her who he was sure did a eye roll in her head.
"Aww thank you Neil. I see what can I do! I'll be back Ish Shubhangi said to Avni who nodded in return and with that she started walking up to Karan blushing like a tomato at Neil's words . While Neil mentally patted his back for hitting two birds with one stone .
And turned to the bar asking for another beer, he felt her presence still there and smirk inwardly.
"Wanna try some Neil asked Avni signaling her the beer in his hand.
"No This is just fine Avni replied raising her glass.
After few moments of silence Avni burst into laughter confusing him.
"You're still the same Avni said when she was done with laughing.
"Overwhelmed that you remember me so well! Neil smirked while Avni too chuckled and replied "Oh come on, Don't feel so little of yourself yaar. I even remember the Jagdish watchman's name , so yours is not a big deal .
Neil grinned listening to the polite insult "Fabulous! Hey is that a same watchman who used to be your partner in crime back in your campaign against fun?
Avni naughtily sung still smiling "Yes the very same unfortunate who walked in with vinayak sir on your hot make out session with Natasha in School parking and rest . with that she trailed off.
Neil was amazed seeing this side of that old restrained Avni, chilled out and Bindaas. But something was there which bothered him. The hollowness in her laugh and no genuine emotion in her eyes.
"Hey making out in parking lot is thrilling! Who goes for conventional bedroom these days Neil uttered unintentionally in his husky voice chilling Avni to her bones gazing her face intently.
Avni gave him a sarcastic look.
Obviously this was expected of him. He knows that no one with two X chromosomes can resist her and he like any hardcore opportunist, took advantage of it. And man, he is proud of it. No girl in his life was consistent but his charm was!
To be continued...
PS: Just came across this piece while skimming through my documents.. Wrote Long time back, really long on some other couple but later lost inspiration. Do tell me if its worth continuing on AvNeil?
Arjun
Jhanak
Tum Se Tum Tak
