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Hola Peeps!

Aage badhein kya??

So sorry for this really long delay!

But trust me, jitna waqt lagaya hai na.. uthna hi pyaar se likha hai is part ko..

Please go on!

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Tara(laughed): Hahaha! You just said 'yes' to a proposal which you had been rejecting since the past six months? Seriously? Haha..!!

Avni: Tara.. Suno na yaar (Listen to me)

Tara: Kya sunoon ab? (What should I listen to now?) Was he that hot that you agreed in 45 minutes?

Avni(facepalmed herself): Tara.. Let me explain.

Tara(speaked sternly on phone): Ofcourse you should Miss Avni Mehta! You should explain as to what the fuck is the issue with you? I always told that your reasons to reject a person whom you haven't even met are baseless. How rude were you to everyone and now?

Avni: I felt a kind of security with him.

Tara: Ahaan?

Avni: It's like.. I felt everything is fine at that moment. There is nobody to judge me at all. I like that about him. And he is very keen on my studies too. I mean.. that's rare.

Tara(smiled): Yes. That's rare.

Avni(smiled): Tum samajh rahi ho na.. (You understand right?)

Tara: Ofcourse. But no reply has come from their side right?

Avni: Yep. He may also have his own concepts. Par..

Tara: Hmm?

Avni: I don't know. It feels like he is the one. What kind of a feeling is that? I don't know if he feels the same too.

Tara(smiled): Patience rakho baalike... (Be patient girl)

Avni: Two other proposals are alse there Tara. One family is coming tomorrow and one the day after that.

Tara(smirked): It's good na! May be you'll find someone from them better.

Tara imagined a 'not possible' expression on Avni's face and gleamed in happiness.

Tara(crossed her fingers and prayed mentally): Please Krishnaji! Put this confusion to an end. Aur disappointments math do. Please. Mujhe pata hai aap meri Avu ke saath kuch galat nahi karenge. Mujhe bhi Neil hi sahi lag raha hai.. (I know you won't let any wrong happen to Avni. I also feel Neil is the right one). Fingers Crossed!

###### At Khanna Mansion ######

Droplets on her downcast eyelashes...
Pink hue on her plump lips...
His footsteps approaching her...
Her slow but fierce gaze into his eyes...
Them being drenched in rain...
His decreasing distance from her...
One look onto her face...her smile..

Neil shot his eyes open and looked around puzzled by what he saw in his dream. He was leaning back on his cusion chair with legs crossed and raised to rest on the open window side. A faint smile crept upon his face.

Neil(to himself): What is wrong with you Neil? This is the first girl you met. Since the moment you met her, her eyes and lips never left your thoughts. Aisa kya hai khaas usmein? (What is so special in her?)

He pressed his temples and thought harder to find answers. He was scared to say 'yes' to the first proposal. It could have been a simple attraction. But at the same time, mouthing a 'No' and letting her go was becoming an impossible task for him. Just then..

Swetha (barged in to his room): Tillu! Tilluu! Sun na beta! (Listen to me son). Did you think anything about the proposal?

Neil(with shocked eyes): This soon?

Swetha: Ofcourse. Wo tumhe pasand hai?(Do you like her)?

Neil: Yes Mom. I feel she is one of a kind person. Educated, strong willed..But still unable to take any decision.

Swetha: Accha! You understood her this much in those few minutes? Not bad Tillu!

Neil(rolled his eyes): Mom! They have also not informed anything to us. What do you think?

Swetha: They may have other proposals to choose from too. I like her. She looks good, is educated and wants to be independent too. Just like how you wanted. And what will we parents do? We can just enquire about the family and background! That part is fine. Baki tho tujhe hi decide karna hai beta (Rest is upto you son). Take your time and think. It's a very important decision of your life. Be it a yes or No, we will have to inform them. Okay?

Neil nodded and Swetha left the room for his son to ponder on his thoughts.

###### Mehta Mansion ######

Tara(over the phone): Matlab, any decision will happen only tomorrow after the next guy comes and meets you?

Avni: Yes.

Tara: How was today's then?

Avni: He was also good. What was his name? Hmm....Mayank.

Tara: Good looking?

Avni: Yes. Not bad. He works somewhere in Qatar I think. Chachu was saying that when he enquired, everyone said only positive things about him. Financially super settled and he can even set up a job for me there. Aisa kuch..

Tara: Oh! That's very good then! He supports your job and has already thought of it too. Acchi baat hai na? (It's a good thing na?)

Avni: Hmm.. yes.

Tara(smiled knowingly over the phone): And now tomorrow?

Avni: Someone who works in a bank in Ahmedabad I think. One mister, Jay.

Tara: Let's see.

######The next Day ######

The two families sat in the hall and laughters echoed around. Tara looked at her father and recollected the conversation she had with him the previous day.

*********
Ashish(caressed her hair): Are you tired with all these ?

Avni(sighed): Dad. Promise me. Tomorrow's will be the last guy I meet for now. If something gets fixed among these, okay. If not, then let's give it a break. Please.

Ashish: I promise. If none of these proposals fit for you, then we will hault the process for some time. Okay?

Avni: Thankyou.
*********

And here was her Dad and Mom wishing every proposal to be the right one for her. They must be tired too. Just then, Jay's Bua spoke up.

JB: I am the only one who is talkative in this family. How is Avni waise? Is she of a reserved type?

Ashish: Not at all! She is a chatterbox.

Jay's father: That's actually good only. There would be some liveliness in the house.

JB: Jay finds it very difficult in Ahmedabad. Hence, we have taken a flat there and turn by turn go and stay with him. Sometimes his Dadi, some times his mother etc.

Jay's Mother: He is a very shy type and very sensitive too.

Jay's father: Let the kids talk. Right Ashish bhai?

Ashish: Yes Sure. Avni, please proceed.

Avni took Jay upstairs and sat him on the same regular chair. As she sat on the opposite chair, she fondly remembered that giggling face which she met a day ago and a smile appeared on her face unknown to her.

Jay(cleared his voice and in a low voice): Do you teach music here?

Avni(broke out from her reverie): Haan? Matlab..Haan Ji. (Yes).

Jay: Okay. I heard you worked in Mumbai. You stayed there alone?

Avni: Oh No. I have got friends there. We were in a working women's hostel. And you stay with your family?

Jay: Actually, Mumma, Daadi and Naani take turns and come to me. The food there is so bad and I am unable to survive so..

Avni: The food you get from outside is that bad?

Jay: Yeah. And I was missing home too.

Avni quickly remembered her conversation with Neil.

*********
Neil: Isn't it a thrill to do things on your own? I mean, I am lazy too. But still..

Avni: Yes! It gives me immense happiness when I become self sufficient.

*********
Avni (smiled at Jay and mentally admired Neil's concept of independence): Avni! Why are you doing this to yourself? C'mon focus here.

Avni gave her best to continue the talking mechanically for a few more minutes and then got up to go downstairs.

Jay: Avni..

Avni(turned and smiled): Ji?

Jay: I like you. Do you feel the same for me?

Avni( her heart constantly revolving around that single face which she met a day ago): Uhm.. I will inform my parents. Let things proceed in proper way.

Jay(smiled): Okay.

Avni(thought): Is this the shy person whom Bua talked about? Ajeeb hai! (Weird!)

######Downstairs######

Bua to Neela: He is very shy. I would rather say he always needs someone for his every other work. You know,very pampered.

Jay's Mother: Yes. She is right. Is Avni the same?

Neela(smiled): No. Avni is just the opposite. We didn't even have time to look after our kids properly. She does everything by herself. I would worry more if my son becomes late to reach home. In her case, I am too confident that she would manage and is sensible enough.

Jay's Bua: In that case Avni would do only good to Jay. He may learn from her too.

Jay's father: Acha Neelaji. We'll leave now. Let the kids decide and then we will talk.

Neela: Sure. Good day.

After everyone left Avni told about how he told he liked her etc.

Avni: He is too much a baby Mom! Bacche main baad me khud paida karoongi. Mujhe husband chahye.(I can give birth to babies later. I wan't a husband). I am not opening a day care.

Neela, Ashish and Aman laughed at her comments.

Aman: Di is right Dad. Though he looks good, I don't think this is right. It feels like a child marriage! Hahaha!

Ashish(laughed): So finale is between Mayank and Neil.

Aman: C'mon! It's not IPL😳 !!

Neela(laughed): Not a competition. But a tough choice may be.

Ashish: Avni is the one who should answer. Personally, I feel there are chances that Mayank can develop a complex. Even if he is proffessionally in a better position, he has got a diploma and Avni is a B.tech graduate.

Neela: I already had a discussion about this with his mother. She has assured that there would be nothing like that. She seemed to be fine with Avni's studies too.

Avni(lost in thoughts): But he didn't express anything at all. Is he fine with my studies? Or is he not? Kuch bola hi nahi. (He said nothing).

Avni(had her female ego tampering with her brain and didn't want to admit that she found Neil better as he was the same person whom she rejected for months): I mean, that can be just a character trait. Talking less.

Ashish: Neil looks better too.

Aman: But Ketan Chachu prefers Mayank's case.

Neela: Yeah. Says that he is well settled.

Ashish: Still, I find some mismatch when I think about he and Avni together. Whom did you choose Avni?

Avni(who was very clear in her heart, still wanted to avoid the situation of being teased to death by her family): Both are fine. I leave it to you. You can decide. And we can't judge anyone this quick too. Neil is easier to talk with and Mayank is a bit reserved. Other than that, all good.

Neela(closely observed her daughter): Then, let's think and decide.

###### The Next Day ######

Avni absent mindedly did something or the other in kitchen. She wanted to ask Neela about what they had decided, but didn't want to sound curious or interested about it. She lingered around Neela in kitchen, slicing or cutting veggies, drinking water etc.

Neela(was chopping cabbage): Jo puchna hai poocho.. (Ask what you want to ask).

Avni(startled): Nothing. I don't have anything to ask.

Neela(continued chopping finely): Humne Neil ko haan kar diya. (We said yes to Neil).

Avni: Huh?

Neela: Yahi poochna chahti thi na? (This is what you wanted to ask, right?)

Avni: Nahi..I mean.. Why?

Neela: Because they are from Mumbai itself. Mayank is from Kolhapur. And Ashish found Neil better.

Avni(faked surprise): Acha?

Neela: Haan. He told that already na yesterday.

Avni: Yeah. But, Mayank had better job etc. So I thought..

Neela: That's not the most important thing.

Avni(unknowingly heaved a sigh of relief and calmness overshadowed her face): Hmm..

Neela: At least not important than what you wish for..

Avni: Hm..Hain? Sorry? What?

Neela(still concentrating on chopping board): Kyun? Maine kuch galat kaha? (Did I say something wrong?)

Avni(surprised and looked at Neela): Aapko kaise pata? (How do you know?)

Neela(finally looked at her): Maa hoon main teri... (I am your Mom). That twinkle in your eyes when you talk about him won't go unnoticed by me however hard you try to hide.

Avni(smiled sheepishly): Wo. He is good Maa. I felt..like myself.

Neela(smiled): To bata deti na Avu. (You should have said that). Anyways, let's wait for their decision too. Now, go and have breakfast.

######Khanna Mansion######

After knowing from Swetha that Avni had agreed to this marriage, Neil got all the more confused and wandered in his room. He was constantly lost in thoughts even during having food which otherwise was his most favorite thing to do when he was home. He retired to his room and sat on his window side watching the sun shining bright. He could hear Prakash saying..

"Kya garmi hai Swetha ji! Phew! Halat kharab karke rakh diya hai. (What a hot climate. It's too tiring).

Neil(closed his eyes and prayed): Please mujhe koi tho signal de do bhagwan ji (Please give me any signal god). Am I thinking right? Is my instinct about her right? Is she the one for me? Why am I unable to get her out of my head? The kind of boldness and strength she personified, that positive aura around her and that personality oozing confidence - Don't they make her the prettiest? Main haan kar doon? (Shall I say yes?)

Just then, a yellow butterfly came into his room and sat on his knee. Neil opened his eyes and brought his eyes closer to the beautiful creature. It fluttered its fings and Neil noticed green and red colored shapes on the wings. He also found the black linings on them extremely attractive.

Neil(thought to himself): It's so Gorgeous. Looks like a garden in itself. Where did she get these pretty designs from?

The fly slowly moved its wings, flew and sat on his fingers. He noticed two small black colored eye shaped patterns on the tip of its wings.

Neil(smiled and thought): It seems like she carries the entire earthly beauty in her wings.

Suddenly it struck him hard and he recollected a line Prakash told him the day before..

*********
Prakash: Avni ka matlab jaante ho na? Bhoomi.. Earth. (You know Avni's meaning right? Earth).

*********

Neil smiled a contented smile and went close to the pretty butterfly. He blinked his hazel brown eyes and whispered..

"Hey Avni"

Slowly, the dark clouds started covering up the sky and cool breeze made its way.

###### Mehta Mension ######

Avni leaned on the pillar in her verandah and looked upwards only to meet the drizzling cool raindrops! She smiled and inhaled the smell of fresh mud. She looked at the drenched plants and flowers in her garden as if they were waiting for this splash since long. Avni extended her hands to feel the water and rain playfully danced on her palms..

Avni(whispered): Kahan thi tum? Itna intezaar karwaya tumne.. (Where were you? You made me wait for so long).

Neela( coming out to the main door): Look at everyone standing outside watching the rain. Everyone wished for the rain in this scorching heat. Finally...

Aman(came running from outside drenched in rain): Di! Baarish is baar bhi kuch khoobsurat sa tofa layegi aapke liye.. (This time also rain will bring you a beautiful gift).

Neela: You come inside first! Poora bheegke aya hai pagal! (He has come drenched fully!)

Ashish(stood in the hall and smiled): Mujhe lagtha hai yahi fix hoga. (I think this will get fixed). This unusual rain has already brought happiness to all.

Just then, Ashish's phone rang and he attended it. Neela saw him smiling and talking into the call while she observed the excitement in his eyes. She knew her husband too well. He hung up the phone and looked at Neela.

Ashish: Neil ne haan kaha hai.. (Neil has said yes.)

Neela(smiled through tears of happiness): I knew it. Avni and her friendship with rain...

Aman jumped in joy and hugged Neela.

Avni slightly turned her head sideways hearing the news and smiled. Ashish came and stood beside Neela watching Avni ahead of them playing with those lovely rain drops.

Avni(looked up into the sky): Akhir is Neele Aasmaan ne Avni ko cchoo hi liya.. (Finally, the blue sky has finally touched the earth...)

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Hope you enjoyed!
I really really want to know your opinion about this part.

Thank you and Meet you Soon!!
(Much sooner than before for sure)!!

Love♥️
Megha
#SpillTheQuill