# NEIL POV
He wasn't jealous. Of course he wasn't.
He was just concerned...and slightly curious. The two of them had disappeared for a long time. He looked at his watch to confirm. 17 minutes to be precise.
Riya was talking about a destination wedding, and something about diamonds. He couldn't pay attention because it was gnawing him inside that the two of them were gone so long. It was just curiosity. He was a police officer. He had to be suspicious about...missing people. What could they be talking about?
Had Ali taken the plunge and asked her out? Or was he going to be friends first? Would they spill all their secrets to each other before they decide to take the next step?
He had seen the way Ali looked at Ananya. He had seen the same depth of emotion he saw only when he talked about his childhood love, Avni.
His love.
He clenched his fingers tightly into a fist. Ali could not have fallen in love with Ananya. That shouldn't have happened. It wasn't...normal.
He stood up suddenly startling riya who was apparently deep in conversation with him. Why couldn't he give riya an ounce of attention? His mom turned to look at him, a smug expression crossing her face. She was the only one who could read his disinterest.
"I have to make a call" he explained hastily, and strode away. He was feeling uneasy and the only way he could clear that was to find the two of them.
He walked to the garden sure that he would find them there. It was the general direction he had seen Ali dragging Ananya towards. He briefly considered the ramifications of what would happen if Ali did profess...an interest in Ananya.
Would she tell him yes? He had seen the way she looked at him. The way she avoided being around him for too long. Was she afraid Ali would see something in her eyes? She was skittish around him, but they still seemed to have strings attaching the two of them. He grits his teeth in irritation. He couldn't understand why, but the thought of Ananya and Ali together made him downright irritated. He felt like punching something, or maybe arresting someone.
What if they got married? He would have to be around them together every time he met Ali. And that would be...inconvenient.
He paused for a second. Why was he thinking they would get married? They hadn't even talked properly. And why was it irritating him so much? He was worried about Ali. That is it. Because he wasn't sure about Ananya. She had the power to hurt his friend. And he would hate to see that.
He started walking and stood near a turn hidden from their view.
Ali was holding Ananya's face in his hands.
His nails dug into his palms, leaving crescent shaped cuts.
He felt like an intruder and he hated it.
"Just tell me once. Just once. I won't ask any questions. I will always be with you. Please..." Ali's voice broke in the end, seemingly overcome by emotion.
He held his breath, worried about Ananya's answer.
"Yes." She replied tears streaming down her eyes, just like the tears pooling in Ali's eyes.
They stood still for a moment. And then Ali pulled her into a hug. And she hugged him back.
He turned away, unable to watch further but snapped a dry twig in the process.
The two of them turned towards him jumping apart.
He stared at Ali, refusing to meet Ananya's eyes.
He turned and walked away but could hear Ali running after him, calling his name.
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