Last Shot : Not So Perfect (?)

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Umm. the date...So What say Neil"

That desolated soul in Avni must be cursing me inwardly for flirting with Neil like that! But just a teensy bit more!

"Tomorrow? But Avni we have planned group studies tomorrow right?" Here he comes, can't exclude Avni from a thing he does! However, this is exactly what I am relying this plan upon!

"No. No problem. Kabhi aur kar lenge group studies. You both should go Neil." Her voice shivered like she is freezing! But the temperature is perfectly ideal! Rather quite humid as it's mid-summer!

"You really want me to go? What if I fall from the mountains?" Neil seems to really love staring at Avni, especially in front of his supposed date which is the poor lonely me! Ouch!

"I will chop your head if you say this type of shit again." That hissing which Avni projected got my eyebrows lifted immediately!!

"Don't worry I will not let you fall Neil. " Putting the coquettish tone possible, I fluttered my eyes trying to stare into his deep orbs!

"Oh, I forgot, see she will catch me Avni! Guess you won't need to worry much Hmm!!! Guess you have finally found the perfect one for me bestie...How will I ever pay you for your generosity?" That is a thousand percent a sarcastic smile I am seeing on Neil's face as he too arched his eyebrows.

"Waise, Hiking does sound so romantic Avni! We should plan the details no? the weather is..." Is he seriously on a date with me?

And making both of us flabbergasted Avni's eyes sparkled with salt water, "Umm.. Excuse me. You two continue, I am not feeling so well. Guess I caught a cold! I am going!" With a jerk, she stood up as tears must be rolling down and she ran away before any of us would even pronounce a letter!

"Why do you always do that to her?" The nerve in my temples got on fire as I thundered at Neil!

"Excuse me?" His calm aura fueled my anger more as he stood up shadowing Avni's trail.

"You moron! Why do you always hurt her like that?" I shouted again but did he care?

His enlarged eyes were glued towards that girl who he cherished utmostly yet proclaimed as a mere friend!

"What the hell..." Following Neil's horror gazes I found Avni in the arms of some unfamiliar guy who straightened her up with care!

That airhead must have tripped as usual! But Neil's green eyes are something to be watchful of.

He didn't waste a second to dash towards Avni, quickly dragging her towards himself like the possessive lover he was!

"Hands off from her." A slap landed on that guy's hands!

"He just saved me. I was going to fall." Avni tried to explain.

"I can see, I have eyes! well." Turned towards the guy, "Thanks for saving her dude. Now I am here." Neil gritted as his eyes shot a crazy glower.

He must've been happier if Avni would've fallen on the ground instead!

"Whatever. Bye, cutie pie!" I stifled my laugh at that guy's amusing comment as both Neil and Avni gaped at him while he royally ignored Neil and gave a peculiar grin to Avni before exiting!

"Why did he call you cutie pie haan?" Neil obviously had to yell!

"Cause I am cute!"

"Shut up. Is this a damn place to trip and fall?"

"Are there specific places to exclusively trip over? Why are you so mad at me? Anyway, I was leaving only! You enjoy your DATE. Plan the details!"

I didn't realize Neil could whine so helplessly, "I hate it when someone touches you." He muttered under his breath but we all heard it clear as the sky.

And that's it I stepped in between, "What a double standard Neil. I am sick of all the drama now!"

Ignoring their shocking expressions I continued my rants, "Are you blind for real or a psychopath who loves inflicting pain on those people who love you the most?"

"Have you lost your nuts?" Neil asked me while folding his arms across, his calmness is quite dangerous!

"Oh! Honey, Mines are perfectly fine. Tell me about you!

Here you can't even see if someone is near Avni but you dude are on a spree planning dates every day? Hypocrite much?"

"I didn't ask any of it. And what has suddenly happened to you?" He looked at me throw his narrow gazes.

While I went haywire with his carefree attitude and vague replies, "You love dodging others' questions a lot, don't you?

Let me be fcuking straight with you both then. This girl here is madly in love with you. Then why are you hurting her so much? Planning a date is something but then you are taking her like a trophy to your dates, sharing unwanted details about a date which is supposed to be enclosed between two people only! What's wrong with you Neil Khanna? You enjoy all the attention little too much?"

"I reiterate I have not asked any of it. Ask her why she keeps planning my dates with those stupid girls.

Or even you in this case. If she wants to torture me like this then I won't leave her. She has to go through this same pain and irritation she is causing me to endure."

"Pain? What pain? It's Avni who is in pain.

She is not your personal property Neil that you decide to toy with her like this. Grow up!"

"Enough with the nonsense! Avni is my best friend. I will do whatever I want with her. You are none to interfere!"

"I am also her friend. Maybe you know her for a long time but I love her no less. She is very dear to me FYI.

And a spineless guy like you doesn't even deserve her friendship.

Who can't even confess his love.

You just make her sad Neil."

"Listen...You don't know anything about us...So don't you dare say..." The rest is history!

Inhaling a lot of oxygen, I reopened my eyes as Avni's voice called my name, "Gauri. You need to apologize to Neil." For the first time, I heard Avni's cold voice.

"Why Avni? So that he can hurt you some more?" I scanned each of the movement Avni made, seeing how her face hardened up, "Why are you enduring so much pain and heartache?"

"I said say sorry to him damn it.

I can't see anyone talking to him like that. Also because of me?

You are his friend as well but can't you read him?

He can never hurt anyone, Gauri. And me? Neil can't even bear it when I am a little sad. He is the reason behind my smiles, all my happiness.

You know what hurts me? If someone misunderstands him!" She was not even looking at me properly, her doe-shaped eyes sparkling like quartzes!

"Actually, he is right. It's all my fault. I know he loves me.

I knew that for ages. But I was so stupid, so weak thinking it will ruin the friendship we have. Create problems between our families!

It was me who kept pushing him away Gauri."

"But why would you do that Avni? Family matters can always be solved. Why did you push him away and kept hiding under the curtains of friendship? The love between you two is so evident!"

"I thought.

I am not.

Good enough." Her slow voice quivered terribly as saltwater made its way out of her pretty eyes!

"So you wanted to find who is good enough, the ultimate best haan?? Toh aab aise kyun roo rahi ho haan?" Neil sounded immensely emotional as he glanced at a sobbing Avni before continuing, "See?? How brainless she could get. And here am the one getting accused as well as slapped!

Still, I can't stop loving you..my little dummy!!" Wiping her tears, he pinched the bridge of her nose, "Now you stop with all this stupid sadness and smile for me. I have not seen how dummies smile for ages now!" He tightly enveloped his arms around her as if she would flutter away!

"Gggrrr. Stop calling me that!! I will punch you so hard you Stupid ass!" With all the happy tears Avni couldn't hide that beautiful smile which was ought to induce a laughter riot!

"Ah at last they realize!!!

Waise ye accha hain, Avni you got so mad on my innocent little slap but here ready to punch and what not haan? Baas baas, Safayi ki zaroorat nahin hain, sab samajhte hain hum.

Akhir haq toh tum hi jataogi sari!" Delivering a wink, I grinned hard at those two cuties as Avni blushed profusely, "Leaving the teasing aside, I am really sorry Neil. I might have gone a bit overboard! But... He didn't let me complete while shaking his head, "It's fine. I guess this scolding session from you was much needed! So, Thank you, Gauri!"

Turning towards Avni he cleared his throat, "Aahhm.. So. This time everyone is here. Even your arrogant egoistic bestie got slapped for you, what better proof do you need??

And I am saying it, Mehta. Don't you dare to duck it as a joke like the last time." Don't tell me I am seeing a nervous Neil, now that's a treat!!

"I. ..." Must be one of the longest pauses as Avni's eyes grew wider with anticipation, "Love You, Avni Mehta." We all heard Neil heaving deeply before letting his confession out, gradually, "It's cheesy but I have to say. If you want to search the perfect one for me and look in the mirror, you will find her, always in my arms!!!" That cute furry ball blushed in absolute crimson, trying to cover her face with her palms!

But the mischievous spirit in Neil grabbed both her hands immediately, also pulling her shy frame closer to him!

Planting kisses on Avni's knuckles, Neil continued ever so cutely, "And I am so sorry for making you cry doll. But you've tortured me so so much! Now better say yes! Warna..." And his possessive voice returns along with the fake warnings!

"Kyun? Tum samajh nahin saktey? Bada vashan mara na thodi der Pehle, Harwaqt alfazein bayan zaroori nahin hoti!!!" We all laughed when Neil gasped out at the swift punch Avni landed on his shoulders!

"See how cute they look when they are together! Awww!!! Bless them!! Thu thu...nazar na laage!!" Admiring both the love birds I squealed in happiness as Avneil holding hands, walked together towards the sunset!

Not to mention how cutely they must be bickering like always!

"Chalo thank god. The cutest love story of our college reached its romantic destination!" Omkara sighed in relief with a huge grin on his face.

"I tell you! Kabhi kabhi log na itnaaa bewakoof hote hain. Aankho ke samne pyaar hote huwe bhi samajh nahin paate. Ullu kahike."

"So true! Wish us the same!"

"Means? By the way Om. Thank you so much. I wouldn't have pulled this whole fake date thing off without you.

I wouldn't last a day without all your help at this college!!" I really meant every word as he gave me one of his modest beams!

"The feeling is mutual my friend!

Waise abhi ka kiya plan hain? How about we see a movie tonight?" Seeing that eternal orange star sinking down in the pool of nature we both commenced our journey towards the backstreet.

"Sure. I badly need some entertainment!"

"What about that mountain hiking tomorrow? You and Me?"

"Tomorrow? I just said that to irritate both Neil Avni. But tomorrow am busy yaar. Maybe the day after tomorrow?"

"Hmm. But I will not be here. I am going to my hometown for ten days!"

"What!! Nooo. Ten days? What will I do without you in these ten days? I'll surely get mad without you Om!"

"As if you are sane right now? Who gave you that wrong idea miss Phooljhari?" Grinning at me teasingly he tapped on my chin as my mouth opened widely!

"Kiya kaha..Haww Phooljhari? Called me insane! Ruk ja Om ki bacche! Batati hoon phooljhari kise kehte hain!" And I missed grabbing his shirt just by a few centimeters!

Ah! Having a true friend is blissful, really!

"Tum kuch samjhogi tab toh bacche honge na mere!" Being chased like a goose Omkara smacked on his forehead, running in full speed, and mumbled, "Please god give her some sense so that she can see beyond matchmaking others and concentrate on us!!! My little phooljhari. I love you so much!"

~❀~The end~❀~

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