AvNeil SS~Entwined Destinies [Part 2] - Page 3

The night moved at its own pace, but for a certain Neil Khanna it appeared longer who wasn't able to sleep or rather someone's thoughts that didn't allow him. He couldn't find an apt adjective, mesmerised, spellbound or attracted; Avni Pareikh got into his head and was driving him crazy. The woman was a deadly combination of beauty with brains, a woman who knew when, where and how to use words which influence people's thoughts. And she had a voice of a nighingale, he realised listening to her singing in the cafe.

If he said he didn't know her earlier, it would be a blatant lie. In fact, he was one among her avid fans who wait every Monday night at 9:00 p.m for her bulletein. Withing a span of four years, she was a familiar figure in almost every household where men would plead their wives and mothers to flip the channel to her news instead of the regular saas-bahu saga that the women prefer.

Neil got down from his bed, asured he wouldn't get an iota of sleep that night. He walked to the kitchen, hoping to find something eatable. After much digging into the shelves and the refrigatrator, he found coffee powder, sugar cubes and a packet of milk. Mixing all the requirements together, he waited for the coffee to brew. Once done, he switched off the stove and drained the dark bitter liquid into a cup and walked back to his room after switching off the kitchen lights.

Once back to his room, he picked a random book from his shelf and walked to the bed. Switching the bedlights on, he settled on the bed and opened the page from where he had to continue, sipping the coffee occasionally. He read until his eyelids became heavy and then dozed off leaving the book open. The pages flipped due to the wind from fan and stopped on a particular page which read:

When you fall in love, it is a temporary maddness. It errupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots are to become entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day.

For that is just being in love, which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away.

Next Morning

At Vrishabh

7:00 a.m.

The sun was above the horizon, casting a bewitching spell on the sky as it took up the artist's brush and painted the otherwise blue sky in hues of orange and red.

Avni loved sunrises, not just for the magnificent art that the god of light created but also the hope the new morning instilled in her. Standing in the balcony, she inhaled the fresh air of the new day before doing her daily exercises and yoga.

8:00 a.m.

Combing her hair into a messy bun, she took a good look of herself in the mirror ; yellow sleeveless T-shirt with a white shrug and blue denims with no accessories except for a wrist watch that was clasped on her left hand. Huge, round spectacles rested on the bridge of her nose. Giving a flying kiss to herself, she came out of her room with her mobile and a side bag.

"Good morning, maa She addressed Neela who was setting up the breakfast.

"Morning bachcha Neela responded warmly, taking her seat.

The mother-daughter duo chattered away about mundane things while munching onto the special 'Alu Paratha' made by Neela.

"Ok maa. Gotta go. Ali just informed me about the missing case of another woman in our city. Have to investigate on this. Avni hurriedly spoke, wearing her shoes.

"Sometimes I wonder whether you are a journalist or a police officer. Neela remarked to which both of them shared a heart laugh. Few seconds later,

"The duty of keeping their country safe does not rest with police officers alone. It is a collective responsibility of the journalists of the nation. Avni replied. Neela nodded with a smile.

"Bye maa. Will be late. Try not to strain yourself at the NGO 'k Avni pecked Neela's cheek before waving at her.

At the same time, Neil walked out of his house bidding his mother a bye. Both looked at each other, awkwardness filled in the air. Greeting each other with a smile, both proceeded to the elevator.

"First day here? Avni asked him, with initial hesitation.

"Yeah He replied, unsure of what else to say. Avni nodded.

"How will you go to your station? She asked.

"Maybe, book a cab. I hope OLA works here. He answered.

"Ok came her reply.

The lift reached ground floor and the doors opened. He took out his mobile and began typing the address when he heard Avni say,

"Well...umm..Neil you can come with me-- "--only if you don't mind she added the latter part to avoid any embarassment.

"I hope I am causing any inconvenience. Neil asked.

"Of course not She replied. A smile settled on her lips by the time.

"Lead the way, lady.

Within minutes, Neil found himself in her car beside her. The radio was switched on with some romantic song being played. The drive went peaceful with the regular traffic jams and ear bleeding honking of horns. She dropped him at his station.

"Thank you so much, Avni

"My pleasure.

============================================

Done with the second chapter. Let me know how good (😊), bad (😕) or worst (🤢) it was.