Avni sighed as she took a sip from the beer bottle. She wasn't a fan of house parties and this one sucked big time. She was here, just out of respect for her bestie, Ali. Thankful that she had found this less occupied swing in the balcony, she rested her head on the chain of the swing and continued gulping down the beer.
She closed her eyes as the wind played with her hair. How she wished that Neil was around. Neil, her pretty, perfect ex-boyfriend. To think about it, even after two months, she really couldn't pinpoint the reason why she broke up with a guy like Neil. Somewhere, she knew her ambitions were to be blamed. The ambitions to be a good journalist. A journalist who would only speak the truth to the public. But the journalist was now being wasted in as paparazzi news reporter who interviewed celebrities just for the sake of it. The only good thing about her job was Ali. He was her best friend and the only support when she was demoted for running a story about a scam she and Neil had exposed. Did I mention, that Neil is an IPS and was highly appreciated for solving the same case (unlike Avni), which caused her to become jealous and break up?
Sighing, she looked at Ali, who hovered over her face.
"You are wasted, buddy! Come, a spin-the-bottle game might help you!" He pulled her out of the swing. Cursing Ali, who dragged her in the living room, she sat on the floor and looked around. Personally, she just wanted to stand up and walk away but froze as her eyes met a dark shade of chocolate. She could never forget those eyes, no matter how wasted she was.
For Neil, it was just a stupid party DD had forced him to attend. How desperately he wanted to go back to the novel he was reading but was now stuck with this guy who was busy talking about his girlfriend and her brother, whose house party they were attending.
Neil had received enough female attention for the night and wanted to leave, but someone brilliant (Of course, his LOVABLE friend, DD) suggested a spin-the-bottle game to lighten the environment and to get to know the people around.
"Unlike the usual spin-the-bottle, here only dares will be given, DD said and smirked." Neil rolled his eyes and sat on the floor, knowing that if he walked out now, DD will call him a coward for his entire lifetime.
Avni gulped and stood up, but was forced to sit by a guy who sat next to her. Someone spun the bottle, just like her mind, that was spinning on its own speed. She prayed to the heavens above to spare her, but fate surely wasn't on her side today.
Aaliya linked her arms around DD and cheered.
"Come on, kiss one of the guys here!" Despite her haphazard state of mind, Avni rolled her eyes. How original! Avni wouldn't chicken out, obviously!
She looked at Ali, who was busy eying their colleague, Sana. Knowing that he had planned this party just to ask her out, she decided not to kiss him. DD was surely out of the question, Aaliya was one hell of a possessive girlfriend.
Neil sensed Avni's eyes on him and played with the threading's of the cushion that was in his hand. As much as he loved the idea of kissing Avni again, he knew she wasn't sober and that her moral compass would haunt her the next day. But when she walked up to him, he sighed.
Avni had no idea why she chose Neil. Other than the two guys, she didn't know anyone around, expect Neil and lately, well, she wanted Neil back. She knew she had behaved like an idiot and wanted to go back to Neil, and if this acted like a catalyst, why not?
He stood up and caressed her cheek. Ali looked at the two nervously. As much as he wanted to stop them, he knew how much the two idiots were in love, so decided to stay mum.
"Are you sure?" Neil asked Avni as he looked in her hazel large eyes.
"Aww, the two are so in love" someone yelled from the ground and everyone except their three friends giggled. Avni looked around at them, angrily. They just spoilt her moment. She pulled the Neil's collar and kissed him. Neil nervously placed his hand on her back, hoping that this wasn't a dream, but a reality.
Finally, the reality struck him and he kissed her back. He could feel Avni's heart beating fast against his own. Though he hated himself for thinking about the past, he was so happy to think of the days when they would be together, wrecking their heads on cases, enjoying warm cups of coffee in the rains. If it hadn't been for Avni's stupid boss, the two would have been still together
He never blamed Avni for breaking up. Many considered it heartless on Avni's behalf to break up for such a stupid reason, but he knew Avni. He knew that she would come back. And as he kissed her, his heart exploded with happiness. She broke the kiss and smiled at him. The sloppy silly smile she gave after she goofed up. He chuckled and led her outside the room.
"Good going bro," someone called over their shoulders and there was a huge riot of laughter, but the two ignored.
"I am so going to regret this," Avni said, more to herself. But she was blushing, and Neil wished she was sober. Neil knew that she was enjoying this, just like him. They walked down to the parking area of the building, awkwardly stealing glances of each other, she stopped walking and looked up at him.
Neil wasn't sure what to expect. After all, Avni wasn't someone who was easy to read. She would just end up doing the unexpected, just like she had done, a few minutes ago.
"I am sorry Neil," she whispered. He smiled softly at her and caressed her cheek.
"No big deal, Avni. I knew you would come back." He kissed her forehead. She hugged him and cried softly in his arms.
How much she missed him, only she knew. And being in his arms was oh so beautiful that she could hardly express in words.
Neil dropped her home and helped her to her apartment. After tucking her in the bed, he went to his home.
Next day, after freshening up, Avni checked her messages, and the one that made her smile read, "I am working on a new case, want to help me out? See you at 8, your place :)"
Things were going to be alright, weren't they? Oh, she had to thank Ali for throwing that boring party and Aaliya and DD for the "oh-so-original" idea of spin the bottle game.
Celebrity Fan Clubs
