Freshening up, Avni came downstairs & walked towards the kitchen only to find Neil setting the dining table up. For a moment, the scene looked so domestic & natural that Avni feared she could get used to it. 

N - Aa gayi tum? Baitho aur yeh upma finish karo jaldi se. - he said as he noticed her standing near the dining table. 

Avni silently pulled a chair out & sat as he put the plate in front of her. 

A - Tu nahi khayega? - she asked as she looked up at him.

N - Kha lunga! Pehle I'm gonna cut these fruits for you. - he said while slicing the bananas in to small pieces. C'mon start eating. - he said when he found her looking at him blankly. 

Avni averted eyes & looked down at her plate when he caught her staring. Giving her head a little shake, she started eating the breakfast that he had made. No doubt, she loved cooking. But there was a different surreal kind of a pleasure in eating when someone made food for you. Unfortunately, they had very early on found out that Karam was a disaster at cooking. So, it was Avni who cooked food while he did the dishes & cleaning. So, Neil making her breakfast was actually quite special & intimate for her than she would ever admit. 

N - Here. - he broke her line of thoughts when he spoke while putting the bowl of freshly cut mixed fruit in front of her. Finish up the upma & then eat the fruits, okay? Main green tea bnakar la rha hoon. - he said.

A - Arre itna thodi khaungi! - she furrowed her brows.

N - Kal raat mein bhi sirf noodles hi khaye the. Abhi finish all of it without any argument, c'mon! - Avni controlled the urge to roll her eyes at the way he was schooling her like a kid.

A - Tum bahot haq nahi jamane lag gaye ho? - she narrowed her eyes at him.

N - Kyun? - he smirked. Haq nahi hai mera? - he whispered huskily as he bent towards her while she reflexively scooted back in her chair.

A - Uh, Gr-green tea bna do! - she bowed her head down & shut her eyes close feeling embarrassed for stuttering like that.

She heard a throaty chuckle from him as he straightened up & walked into the kitchen.

Kya hai pta nahi, why does it become difficult to breathe whenever he comes close!?

Absolutely irked at her thoughts, she sighed & tried to bring her complete focus on the breakfast. 

Par woh bhi usne hi banaya hai! Why can't I stop thinking about him? Jab se aaya hai dimaag par sawaar hi ho gya hai!  

N - Here comes your green tea aur toast, mi 'lady! - he announced chirpily as he placed the tray on the table & smiled at her.

A - Thankyou! - she smiled courteously, definitely choosing to ignore the heat creeping up her cheeks.

N - You're welcome. - he placed his hand at the back of her chair as he leaned towards her. Always! - he whispered, tucking a hair strand behind before pulling back.

Avni literally swallowed the whole piece of chikoo down because of the stunt he just pulled & then coughed immediately. Neil bit back a laugh as he rubbed her back & handed her a glass of water. 

Visibly embarrassed, she looked down at her bowl of fruits & slowly ate, chewing on every bite properly.

N - Tum ready hokar ghar aajana. Karam Bhai isn't here, so I'll drop you hospital on my way to office, okay?  - he said, leaning against the edge of the table. 

A - Okay! - she nodded.

Avni exhaled through her mouth as she watched him disappearing from her sight as he walked out of the hall. But then furrowed her brows in confusion when he came back in. Almost jogging up to her.

N - Aajana. I'll be waiting! - he spoke hastily as he kissed her hair & went back. 

______________

The car ride towards the hospital was comfortably & soothingly silent. Neil did plan to talk to her about all the things that she had talked about herself last night but not at the moment. He knew & understood that there was already a lot for her on the platter to deal with. A dreaded conversation about her self-hatred was probably the last thing she wanted to do then. 

He stopped the car in front of the hospital & got off the car. Walking around the car, he opened the door for Avni before she could do it for herself. She took his hand as she come out of the car & looked up at him. 

While holding one of her hands with his, he placed his other hand on her cheek as he held her face in his palm. 

N - It will all be alright. Okay? - she nodded. Ghabrana nahi hai! Aur bas apni puri koshish karni hai. Sab acha hi hoga. Hm? - she nodded again. Smile? - he asked. 

Avni tried to give him a big genuine smile but it looked calculated & restricted, making Neil sigh. 

N - Maine itna khrab breakfast bnaya tha ki tumhari tabiyat khrab ho gayi aur tum smile bhi nahi kar pa rahi ho? - he asked dramatically. 

Now that made her laugh. And contagious as always, her laugh made Neil smile too as he quickly kissed the top of her head. 

A - Ab tum jao! Or else you'll get late for office. - she said.

N - Haan! Tum jao andar, I'll go then. - he said in matter-of-factly-tone.

A - Main bachi nahi hoon! - she rolled her eyes.

N - Haan, dekha maine kal maggie khilate time! - he spoke sarcastically. Ab chalo jao andar! - he pointed his brows towards the entrance of the hospital.

Avni sighed but decided to obey what he had said. Waving him a "Bye!" she turned around & walked inside the hospital while he waved back, leaning against the car.

______________

The day turned out to be better than she had thought it would. The patients that they had admitted yesterday responded well to the treatment & the their surgery was successful. She had even talked to the couple's kids as she brought them some chocolates. Their grandmother was a sweet lady & was taking good care of the kids. 

Happy with how the events turned out, Avni couldn't wait to share it with Neil. She securely put her coat & stethoscope in her locker when her shift ended. Wrapping her stole against her neck, she walked out of the hospital with brisk steps so that she could catch the first bus possible.

However, she frowned in confusion when she saw Neil standing on the pavement opposite to the hospital as he leaned against his car. Crossing the road, she walked up to him. 

A - Tumhara office time toh khatam nahi hua hai! Yahan kya kar rhe ho! - she asked with a frown.

N - Tumhari shift khatam ho gayi na! - he spoke flatly.

A - Toh? - she was even more confused now.

N - Toh maine early leave leli! Tumhe pick karne aaya hoon! Ghar chalein? - he explained.

A - Neil! Abhi office join kiya hai, aur abhi hi aise karoge toh kaise chalega! - she crossed her arms across her abdomen as she shook her head in equal parts worry & guilt.

N - Office tujhse zyada important nahi hai, Ladydon! - he told as if it was obvious for her to know already.  Ab chal baith! - he opened the door for her to sit in the passenger seat. 

Avni didn't know how to counter him on that & for once, she didn't want to. She wanted to take up all the love & care that he was showering on her. She wanted to soak herself in it till the point that she reeked of it. She wanted to see herself the way he looked at her. She wanted to not worry whatever the hell people were going to think & do what she wanted to do. And, she was going to do exactly that.

Nodding to herself, she sat in the car & her senses filled with his space which smelt like him. The same summer night perfume. She loved it. 

A - Arre yeh galat rasta leliya tune! Ghar jaane ke liye jo turn lena tha woh toh pichhe reh gaya! - she told him as she frowned.

N - Chill, Ladydon! Ghar bhi chalenge. Par pehle Bandra Stand jayenge! - he said, not looking at her as he focused on the road.

A - Kyun? - she asked.

N - Uh, woh wahan ek bakery hai, wahan se, uh, wahan se Kareena ke liye cheesecake lena hai! Isliye! - he nodded as he glanced at her. 

A - Jhoota! Kareena sirf Crumble-Pie Bakery ka cheesecake khati hai! - she rolled her eyes. 

N - Okay Fine! Mujhe tujhse baat karni hai. Isliye jaa rahe hain! - he told truthfully.

And all of a sudden, the enclosed space of the car was too small. She hated confrontations. How was she even going to explain all that nonsense that she had spat out in front of him last night. She knew it was nonsense. But sometimes, her emotions brought out the worst in her. They made her over-analyse & overthink each & every thing that happened around. 

A - Neil! Woh kal maine aise hi bakwas kardi thi yaar! Please let's just forget it. - she spoke as she tried to avoid the conversation. However, Neil was adamant.

N - Bahar aao! - he said leaving no room for argument as he stopped the car & parked it. 

A - Ghar chalte hain na, please! - she tried her luck once but it was of no use. Neil had gotten off the car before she could finish her sentence fully.

N - Avni, Bahar aa! - he said as he held the door open for her. 

Sighing, Avni came out of the car unwillingly as she frowned while looking down at her feet with angry & helpless eyes.

Neil did not say anything for a while as both of them just walked besides each other slowly on the narrow sidewalk near the water. Avni looked at the horizon as the sunset reflected across the water. 

Neil held her hand as he led her towards the edge of the soiled sideway & made her sit on one the clean rocks as he himself sat beside her.

N - Look at me. - he asked. All Avni wanted to do was run away but she very well knew that there was no escape. She had to do it someday! Taking in a deep breathe, she turned sideways to look at him. Now tell me truthfully that what you said about me sympathizing you, do you really feel that's true? Do you think I sympathize you? - he asked patiently as his eyes held her gaze.

A - Nahi, aisa nahi hai! I was just messed up in my own head with all those overwhelming emotions last night. Isliye bol diya tha! - she clarified as she felt guilty at the thought of hurting him.

N - Avni, Agar koi doubt hai bhi na, then please clear it. - he said as he kept his hand above hers which was resting on her knee. Because I do not sympathize you, okay? - he spoke stressing on each & every syllable clearly so that she could understand the depth of it. Why would I? Jo bhi hua past mein woh kisi ke control mein toh tha nahi, & you're one strong woman, you've dealt with it so well. Tu itni calm, composed aur gentle hai, main kyun sympathy feel karun tere liye? - he took her hand in between both his hands as he rested them on his knee. In fact main toh proud feel karta hoon ki tune sab kuch itna gracefully handle kiya hai. Main toh imagine bhi nahi kar sakta. You're so strong, Avni. I am so proud of you! You should be proud of yourself too, Sweetheart! - he spoke and Avni could feel the sincerity audible in his voice.

A - Main strong nahi hoon. Sirf pretend karti hoon! - she said as she looked down at their hands. Mujhe darr lagta hai, Neil. - she blinked her eyes as she looked up at him. 

N - Kis baat se darr lagta hai? - he asked as he brushed away her hair strands that were blowing across her face due to the evening breeze.

A - How do I explain? - she slumped her shoulders. Kisi baat se darr nahi lagta hai! I just...feel like, I think I won't be able to deal with it if I lose anyone of you people. Mujhe aise lagta hai ki sab mujhe Mumma-Papa ki tarah chhod kar chale jayenge! Isliye main khudse hi distance maintain karti hoon! - & it was finally out. The initial thought of all her overthinking. The root cause of all her aloofness. 

What she didn't know though, was that Neil wasn't going to let her shut down on him. He was going to try every passing day to crack those walls around her heart & he was going to set her free.

N - Acha, thik hai maan liya ki aisa ho jayega! - his thumb drew random patterns on her cheek. Par ek baat bta...agar tu pehle hi khudko itna distant karlegi toh waise bhi toh you're losing them! - he shrugged. Tu kabhi experience hi nahi kar payegi ki sab log teri kitni care karte hain, tujhse kitna pyaar karte hain! Are you willing give up on them because you're afraid of that one truth that is inevitable? - he asked patiently as he scotted closer to her. The urge to hug her & hold her close intensifying with every passing second.

A - Nahi, I don't want to give up! - she shook her head at the thought.

He noticed that she was squinting her eyes again & again as the sun hit them directly. Turning his position sideways, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder & pulled her closer to him so that she leaned against his chest. They sat with their back towards the sun now as Neil rubbed her upper arm while she inhaled his scent.

N - Avni, tu logon ko iss baat ki punishment nahi de sakti hai ki woh tere liye care karte hain, ya tu unke liye care karti hai! - he spoke slowly, trying to make her understand all the things he spoke & all the things he didn't! Yeh jo tera darr hai na, yeh tabhi jayega when you'll let them in. When you'll let them assure you that they're going stay. Koi tujhe chhod kar kahin nahi jaane wala hai! Understand? - he held her chin on his finger as he made her look up at him.

Feeling overwhelmed, Avni just nodded as she let his words sink in. He was right about the fact that she was anyways losing her time with her people when she could make the most of it. Being a medical student, she definitely knew that she had no control on life or death, but at least she could try to let herself enjoy whatever present she had. 

Aisa nahi hai ki usne koi nayi cheez btayi hai hai jo mujhe pta nahi thi, par shayad itna simply kisine samjhaya hi nahi. Yaa shayad maine nahi samjha! But from this moment onward, I'm going to be the Avni who I was before all these fears took over. I'm going to set myself free from all these mighty boundaries that I have created around myself. 

She hugged his stomach as she leaned against his chest with his arm still wrapped around her.

N - Avni? - he called, she could feel his chest reverberating against her hand as he spoke.

A - Hm? - she asked.

N - I want you to promise me something?

A - What, Neil? - she raised her head to look up at him. 

N - Promise me that you would share what you feel & won't keep bottling it up inside you. Mujhse nahi karna toh koi baat nahi, Karam Bhai hain, Kareena hai, Mom, Bebe, Dad! Everybody loves you, Avni! Please don't refrain yourself from their love. Baad mein life mein sirf regrets hi reh jaate hain, ki yeh nahi kaha, woh nahi kiya! So do & say what you want to. - he looked at her, in the eyes. Avni took in a deep breathe as she put her palm against his chest, right where his heart was.

A - I promise. - she spoke with determination. I'll try not to hide away my feelings & will try to open up. I won't push people away! - she said.

N - Pakka? - he confirmed, eyes holding the softest of expressions as he admired her confidence.

A - Pakka! - she smiled & he exhaled the breathe he was holding.

Neil kissed the side of her forehead as they sat their for sometime. No words exchanged, just the two of them sitting there with their feet submerged in water & watching the sky turning into pretty colours of sunset.

N - Ice cream khaani hai? - he asked while she nodded quite enthusiastically making him chuckle. Kulfi khaogi ya belgian chocolate hi? - he asked smilingly, knowing well enough that she'd choose the kulfi.

A - Kulfi! - she grinned while a hearty chortle left his throat.

N - Chalo, kulfi khilate hain tumko! - he said as he stood up & then stretched his hand out for her to hold.

Avni took his hand as she stood up & Neil intwined their fingers before she could pull back. Kissing the side of her head, he led her towards the ice cream vendor while she followed with a tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach. 

Buying two, Neil handed one to Avni, who took it gladly as she smiled at him. The sky was a shade of orange now with strokes of red & yellow painted beautifully as they walked on the sideway, watching the couples, group of friends enjoying themselves. 

Licking on his ice cream, Neil lightly nudged Avni's shoulder with his making her laugh. She nudged back lightly making Neil turn his head towards her to look at her. He could notice the blush that was adorning her cheeks as she tried to hide a smile while looking down at the ground. 

A smile found its way on his own face when he again nudged her slowly & looked ahead acting nonchalant. He was expecting her to say something but this time, instead of nudging him back, she shoved his shoulder with her hands. Startled as he was not expecting the move, he stumbled forward as the kulfi stick slipped from his hand & fell down. 

Avni's eyes widened in embarrassment when he turned to look at her with an expression of shock & disbelief on his face.

N - Meri kulfi gira di tumne! - he complained.

A - Toh tum baar baar dhakka kyun de rhe the! - she defended & Neil almost groaned out loud.

Kya hi banega humara! - he sighed as he did a silent prayer in his mind. Probably asking for patience.

Shaking his head, he walked straight leading them towards the car while Avni followed silently. She then tapped at Neil's shoulder making him look at her. 

N - Bolo? - he asked.

A - Tum yeh kha lo! - she forwarded her hand towards him so that he could take the ice cream from her.

Neil wanted to kiss her in that moment. And he wanted to kiss her bad. Earth-shattering, heart melting, insides clenching, blood rushing in veins kind of a kiss! 

Sabr! Beta, Neil!

He smiled at her as he shook his head & tucked her hair behind her ears. His fingers just couldn't stop themselves from touching her hair. There was always this itch to tuck them back whenever they fell on her face.

N - Tum kha lo! Mujhe waise bhi kam pasand hai. - he said softly making her frown.

A - Jhoot kyun bol rha hai? I know you like it. - she narrowed her eyes at him.

N - Share karlein? - he finally gave in. There was no point arguing.

It was funny how neither of them suggested to buy another one. Probably sharing was a better idea!  

Once done with the kulfi, Neil drove themselves home as Avni told him that the couple they had admitted in hospital the day before was out of danger. 

N - How are the kids coping up? - he asked as he glanced at her & then looked back on the road.

A - They're good. Their grandmother is taking care of them. - she told.

N - What do you think? When will the patients be discharged? 

A - It will take time, Neil. The injuries were really bad. But, they'll recover! - she spoke thoughtfully.

N - Hm. I hope they get well soon! - he said & Avni couldn't deny the way her heart skipped a beat.

Neil did not require to do something huge & grand to win her heart. The small little things were enough to make her happy. She respected & loved the way he was always so warm & concerned about people. He was a nice man. Genuinely. He didn't do it because it expected something in return, but just because he had goodness in his heart. 

A - I hope so too! - she smiled at him brightly.