It was the fourth consecutive day that Neil was coming back to an empty home. Apartment! He wanted to run after Avni & stop her the moment she stepped out of here. But he knew that she was right about the fact that they both needed time & space to think through things. In the last four days, Neil had realised that he had started to harbour deep love for Avni in his heart. And, he had also come to the realisation that the only thing holding him back were his own insecurities & fears! 

With no appetite for food, he was about to retire to his room when his gaze fell on a glass jar lying on the floor of Avni's room. It had probably stumbled down on the floor. Sighing, he walked inside the room & turned the lights on as he picked the jar up. 

He was about to place it on her study table when he read the label that was sticked on it. 

"Avni's Birthday Wishes!"  - the label read. 

Neil bit his lips as he titled his head while observing the jar. It had some colourful chits inside it. Shaking his head, he tried to put it back on the table & leave but his curiosity & the need to feel somewhat closer to Avni made him open the jar & take one of the chits out. 

He unfolded the small piece of paper & found something scrawled on it with pencil. 

"6th Birthday 

I wish for a doll house!"

Smiling to himself, he put the chit back & took out another one. 

"8th Birthday

I wish for a garden of sunflowers"

He took out another one, as he put the one in his hand back in the jar. 

"11th Birthday

I wish Neil to come for my birthday."

~

"13th Birthday

I wish to make Maa-Papa proud. And, I wish Neil to be happy."

~

"15th Birthday

I wish I win the drawing competition. And, I wish Neil gets a new camera."

~

"17th Birthday

I wish I pass Math test. And I wish Neil recovers from his fever soon."

~

"19th Birthday 

I wish Neil comes home this year."

~

"21st Birthday

I wish I get selected for my interior designing course. And I wish to see Neil."

~

"22nd Birthday

Neil!"

Neil felt his cheeks were wet from tears by the time he finished reading all her birthday wishes. 

How could one love someone so much that they pray for their well being even on one's own birthdays?

He was afraid of being left alone, of her finding someone better. How could he just fail to see that she didn't want better. She wanted him. She prayed for him. And, it would be a shame if he let her go! Because he so desperately wanted her back!

 Neil knew & accepted the fact that life had not been fairly generous to him, but Avni's love had also helped him muster up enough courage to not let his past ruin his present or his future, with her! He knew for a fact that he wasn't probably the best man that Avni could get, but he was willing to be that man, the one she deserved & wanted to have. He was done living with this feeling of loneliness that had become a constant dull ache in his chest. He was willing to come out of his shell, for Avni! May be, he hadn't experienced happiness yet, but he could still try & find it with her besides him. 

_______________  

To say the least, Avni was miserable the last four days. The only time she smiled was when she was talking to her parents at video call. They hadn't missed the sadness in her voice & had asked her what was wrong multiple times. Neela, her mother had even asked her if it was something concerning Neil. Avni had always doubted that her mother had a hint about her feelings for him. But, not wanting to think too much over it, she shrugged the thought off as she read her book while sitting in her friend's room. 

Avni's brows furrowed in confusion when she heard her phone ringing. Who was calling her at eleven in the night? Grabbing her phone, she saw that Neil's name was being flashed on her screen. With escalating heartbeats she contemplated if she should pick the phone up or not. Before she could come to a conclusion, the ringing stopped. Sighing, she put the phone back on the nightstand only to pick it up immediately when it started ringing again.  

A - Hello. - she spoke slowly. 

N - I'm standing in front of your friend's house. Could you please come down? - she heard him say in his deep velvety voice.

Avni jumped up from the bed as soon as she processed what he had just said. With eyes widened in surprise, she walked up to the window as she pulled the curtain away. She spotted him standing in front of the building as he threw a stone with his foot while looking down at the ground. 

A - Aap yahan kya kar rhe hain itni raat ko? - she asked as she watched him walking on the pavement while he made sure that he only stepped on the brown tiles & skipped the white ones. 

"I'm seven years older than you!?" The man is still a kid. Main inse toh jyada hi samajhdaar hun! - she rolled her eyes at the thought!

N - Tumko dekhna hai, please aao na niche! - he said as he titled his head sideways. Avni wanted to kiss his pookie-self then & there!

A - Aa rhi hun! - she shook her head as she disconnected the call & rushed downstairs after informing her friend about the same. 

Neil was still busy with his march on the pavement when Avni reached there. He only noticed her when she cleared her throat in order to gain his attention. 

N - Ah, Hey! Hi! - he said with a small smile on his face.

A - Kyun bulaya hai? - she asked as she folded her arms across her chest.

N - Um, btaya toh! Tumko dekhna tha! - he said sheepishly as he stepped closer to her.

A - Dekhiye! Aap- - she started as she pointed her index finger towards him but couldn't complete her sentence when Neil wrapped his finger around hers.

N - Come with me! - he whispered as they were so close that they were breathing the same air now.

A - Ne-Neil! I -

N - Please! - he cut her midway as he tugged on her finger.

Avni just blinked her eyes in a response & started walking besides him as he still held on to her finger. Both of them could faintly feel each others' pulse from where there fingers were interlocked. Neil smiled while looking at their hands as he leisurely walked on the dimly yellow lit streets with her. Their pulse was in sync!

Avni could finally feel the knots in her chest unfolding themselves as she walked with Neil besides her. She could feel the cool night air brushing against her, washing off the feeling of despair & agony. Her hair had loosened up because of the wind & a few strand that escaped her messy braid were now tickling her neck & cheeks as they blew with the air. 

N - I didn't know you liked me back when we were kids! - he said slowly while looking at her.

A - I didn't like you, I loved you! Still do. - she told honestly as she looked him in the eye. 

N - Are you not resentful? You know, that I, uh, I didn't make any move? - he asked vulnerably.

A - No. Main gussa nhi hun, Neil, bas thoda thak gyi hun! I'm scared that.... that you'll never make a move! - she told as her voice cracked a little.

N -  Avni, this is me, making a move! - he told as he turned to her side & brushed his knuckles on her jaw. Do you think you can give me one more chance? - he asked with hopeful eyes.

A - Kyun? You no longer want to create a fuss about you being older than me? Ab aap pehle aagye toh main kya karun! - she rolled her eyes. 

Neil laughed at her stupid taunt as he pulled her towards him by tugging at their intwined fingers. He brushed away the hair strands falling on her face & tucked them behind her ears. Her hand's grip tightened on his arm as she tried to balance herself. 

N - Ab tumhare sath hi har jagah jaunga, hm! Promise. - he assured as he put a languid kiss on her cheek & then dragged his lips along her jaw. 

Avni pulled in a long breathe as she tried to stand straight with his arm's support. Her knees had started feeling wobbly & heart was beating thunderously against her ribcage. 

N - Avni? - he called as he pulled his lips away from her jaw.

A - Hm? - she asked while blinking her eyes.

N - We need to run now! It's 11:30 already & we have a movie to catch at 11:45. C'mon, run! 

Before Avni could fully register his words, he had already grabbed her hand & started running along with her following him behind. 

A - Neil, what are you doing? Slow down! - she shouted as she tried to maintain his pace.

N - C'mon, Granny! Run. We don't want to miss the start of the film. - he laughed while she gave him a look.

Avni held his hand tightly as they ran on the vacant dim-lit streets, she felt the wind gushing over them. She herself burst out laughing as she heard him laugh when he saw her trying to manage the hair that were falling on her face because of the wind. 

"I think love would feel like a cool breeze on damp summer nights! "

Avni was out of breathe when they finally stopped after ten minutes of running. However, when she looked around, she became even more confused than she already was. 

A - You said we've a movie to catch. But this is a garden, Neil, not a theatre. - she blinked her eyes in confusion as a frown marred her face. 

N - This garden hosts open-theatre movie night once a week. Ali was talking about this from quite some time now, & I figured that they're playing Ajab Prem Ki Gazzab Kahani tonight. I remember you had posters of Ranbir Kapoor in your room back then. So, uh, I just thought, you'll like watching the film. - he scratched the back of his neck as he looked around while tapping his foot on the ground out of nervousness. 

Avni couldn't believe all this was actually happening & she wasn't making things up in her head. In an attempt to testify her theory, she pinched Neil's arm making him groan out loud. 

N - Ow! We don't have to watch the film if you don't want to, Avni! Why are you hitting me? - he exclaimed in pain.

A - Are you...real? Where is my dorky nerd Neil? I'm sure he won't even know about this film. - she spoke incoherently with an expression of exasperation on her face.

N - I'm not that old either, okay? - he rolled his eyes.

Grabbing her hand, he led her inside the garden after buying two tickets. They sat on the grass under the starry night sky as the movie started playing. Neil was completely focusing on the film just as the nerd he was, as he sat leisurely there while holding Avni by wrapping his arms around her stomach as she sat in the space in between his legs. Avni leaned her back against his chest as she put her hands on his while they were wrapped around her.  

Neil placed a long kiss on the space between her neck & her shoulders when the song Tera Hone Laga Hoon started playing, & Avni had never liked the song better. It was her favourite song from now on! It was their song! 

"or may be like a rewatch of one's favourite comfort movie!"

It was three in the night when they finished watching the movie. Neil stood up from his place & then helped Avni up. He saw Avni shivering a little as the cold wind blew when they walked out of the garden. He pulled her to his side as he wrapped his arms around her while she could only manage a shy smile. 

N - There is this really nice self-service coffee place around here. You wanna go? - he asked as they started walking on the pavement. 

A - Yes. Let's go! - she agreed happily as she flashed him a smile. 

Avni had wrapped her arm around his while he had his other hand in his jeans pocket as they walked on the pavement. They reached the cafe in about twenty minutes & since it served 24x7, they made their way inside without any hassle. Neil made Avni sit on the table next to the window as he himself went to make some coffee for them. 

Avni smiled at him when he came back after ten minutes with two large paper cups in his hand. 

N - Your hazelnut latte, Miss! - he bowed in front of her as he placed the hot drink on the table making her laugh.

Avni blew on the drink for a bit before taking a sip while Neil looked at her expectantly. 

A - Um, the coffee is nice, but I think I like the barista better! - she laughed.

N - Is that so? - he smirked. Well, glad to inform you, the barista doesn't mind serving you coffee every morning along with a little taste of his gorgeous self too! - he winked making her cheeks go red.

Avni muttered a "Besharam!" under her breathe as she rolled her eyes & looked around the cafe while trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. 

"or may be like a hot hazelnut latte on a really cold day!"

Both of them, sipped their coffee in comfortable silence as Avni stole glances at Neil while he was outrightly staring. He held her hand in his as he put it against his chest, right above his heart & looked into her eyes. 

N - Can you feel my heartbeat? - he asked while she just managed to nod while blinking her eyes. Avni, I've never felt as peaceful as I do with you! Look, to be honest with you, your parents never left me alone after, well, - he sighed, after I lost my parents. And, I even found great friends in Ali, Rhea & Tripti. But, even after all of it, I...somehow always felt lonely! If someone sees from the outside, I'm in a good position in my life, I've a great profit-making company, the business is thriving & I'm healthy & everything else is perfect. I honestly, am grateful to God for all this. Neither is my life like one of those cliches where the rich & young CEO is a rude dick. No! I've a much better life than that, but Avni, there had always been a void that I felt in my life. - he involuntarily tightened his hold on her hand against his chest.  And, then, all of a sudden, you came! The little kid who used to follow me around sneakily & bring me chocolates from her pocket money in an attempt to lighten up my mood. I don't know when you turned from that little kid to this wonderfully gorgeous woman who helped me deal with all my hardships & pain. I'm still not over them, but I promise you, I'll try, I'll try my best to be the man that you deserve, Avni! Can you please trust me with this? - he asked with baited breathe.

Avni was too emotional to word out her feelings. It was her dream! Her deepest desire! Her earnest prayer! So, she answered him the only non-verbal way she knew. Standing up from her seat, she walked around the table & sat on Neil's lap as she hugged him, burying her face in the crook of his neck as tears fell freely from her eyes. 

Neil hugged her back with all his might as he wrapped his arms around her waist & pulled her closer. 

A - I know, I know that you're older than me, & I know that you have this subtle fear of being left alone, of having an empty future! But, Neil, I want you to know that no matter what, you're always going to find me standing besides you. From the very beginning I had known that you've this focused mind & restless heart, I had known that you're a reserved person by nature & it takes you time to open up & to let people in. But, it never deterred me from loving you anyway. I just want you to know that all this while trying to running with life, don't start running away from it. Allow me to hold your hand & don't let go. I promise you, we'll make it to happiness together. Because, I...I love you, I love you so much, Neil! - she said as she looked at him with her teary eyes.

N - I love you, too! - he whispered as he smiled at her.

Avni rubbed her thumb pad across his forehead as she tried to smoothen the creases that were forming there, she then dragged it down his nose & her thumb then found a comfortable abode on his lips. She rubbed it on his lower lip as she placed her lips on his forehead. She then kissed both of his cheeks before placing her lips on his mouth. 

She didn't know who started it, but she found her fingertips clutching the hair at the back of his head as she sucked on his lips feverishly. Neil tugged upon her braid as he plunged his tongue inside her mouth & sucked on her tongue. His hands travelled up & down her back while she felt his muscles quaver under her touch. Neil could feel his heart drumming in his ears as he deepened the kiss while his hands continued to explore her curves. He wouldn't have stopped if he hadn't felt Avni gasping for breathe. Pulling back, he put his forehead against hers as both of them closed their eyes for a moment. 

A - I can't breathe. - she heaved.

N - You want me to help? - he smirked as he tried to take hold of her mouth again.

However, to his utter dismay, before he could capture her lips, she put her hands on his mouth as she shook her head. 

A - Promise me you'll try to give up smoking! - she blinked her eyes making him smile against her hand that was still there on his mouth. 

N - I promise I'll give up smoking. - he said as he grabbed her hand & put it on his shoulder making her smile.

Neil wanted to kiss her more but had to stop himself as more customers started pouring in. 

N - Ghar chalein!? - he asked hopefully as he looked at her.

Avni smiled at him as she nodded, making him smile wildly. Grabbing her hand, he led her out of the cafe while she followed behind. It was almost dawn now. The sky was a dark blue shade as the stars had started fading. They saw people delivering milk & newspaper as they walked out of the cafe. They were walking out of the lane when Neil observed that an old lady was arranging flowers in her small shop.

Smiling to himself, he walked up to the shop while Avni followed him in confusion. She watched him as he bought a bunch of sunflowers. After paying the lady, Neil turned towards her while she looked at him with her amusing gaze. 

N - For you, my Sunshine! These flowers are for you so that you know that my life has been blooming since the time you've entered it. The grey clouds are brighter now & the sky is a clearer blue! You bring sunshiny hopeful mornings to my cold lonely nights! Thankyou, and I love you! - he smiled brightly.

"I think it would feel like spring & all things alive!"

Avni smiled at him as she took the flowers from him while her eyes teared up again. 

N - Arre! Abhi kyun ro rhi ho? Are you allergic to sunflowers? - he asked with a frown.

A - You're such a pookie! - she laughed through her glassy eyes as she hugged him while wiping her happy tears. 

N - Waise, we still have a few more things to do! - he spoke mischievously as he hugged her back.

A - What? - she asked in confusion. 

N - A relaxing hot water bath after a long exhausting day, & a peaceful sweet slumber next to your beloved! - he told as he blinked his eyes innocently while her expression turned into one that of shock as realisation dawned upon her. Toh...ghar chalte hain! Phir we'll take a long bath together! Okay, beloved?- he said with a dimpled smile as he wiggled his eyebrows with his eyes twinkling in mirth.

A - Absolutely not! - she exclaimed as she smacked his arm & ignored the sudden heat crawling up her cheeks. Kaam pe nhi jana aapko!? - she said as she tried to sound strict. 

N - Ek din toh chutti le hi skte hain! - he rolled his eyes.

A - Haan, Bilkul sahi! Le skte hain ek din chutti. - she smiled extra sweetly as she flashed him a toothy grin. 

N - Tum ek baar mein maan gyi? - he confirmed warily.

A - Mr. Khanna, main apni baat kar rhi thi! - she grinned again. Aap abhi mujhe ghar leke jayenge, mere liye breakfast bnayenge aur, phir, aap office jayenge! Smjhe? - she blinked as she started walking. 

N - But why? - he groaned out as he walked behind her.

A - Jitna wait aapne mujhe krwaya hai, this is your punishment. Okay, Beloved? - she blinked as she stifled a laugh! 

N - C'mon, Avni! You can't be serious right now! - he exclaimed.

A - Oh! But, I am, Neil. - she nodded. 

N - Fine! - he exhaled loudly. I guess, I'll just wait! - he mumbled under his breathe but she heard it anyway. 

Avni shook her head while she stifled her laugh as she thought she'll plan something special for him for tonight! 

_______________

A/N : 3780 words! 

Thanks for reading till here. Means A LOT! 

Warm Regards, 

Nerdy Turtle! 🐢