AvNeil - A Special Bond of Destiny

Chapter - 18

When she came out of her room, he locked the house and held her gently by the wrist and walked her towards the car. He had rented a car just for this one special occasion. Avni sat beside him and buckled up her seat-belt. He followed suit and drove away from there. The journey was a silent one-with not much exchanged between them. Both were stealing glances of each other at regular intervals. Since it was a Friday evening they were held up in the traffic and were advancing slowly. To lighten up the atmosphere, he decided to play some music and switched on the stereo. To make things worse, the song "Aaj phir tumpe pyar aaya hai" blared through the player. Both Avni and Neil's eyes widened suddenly and they looked at each other. The minute they held each other in their gazes, it seemed like time just froze at that very instant. Both their eyes locked and none refused to look away. They admired each other through that intense passionate eye-lock taking in their features. They were suddenly snapped back to their senses by the loud jarring horn from behind. They looked away awkwardly and he continued to drive.

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They reached the Purple Orchid hotel and Neil pulled up at the parking lounge. "I am going to pick up Kanisha. please be here and don't wander away anywhere" he instructed her. She threw him a "Whatever" kind of look and was frustrated on hearing Kanisha's name. After a couple of minutes, she heard footsteps approaching closer. Neil opened the back door for her and ushered her in. The trio drove away from there. It was just a five minute drive to the party now, but Neil and Kanisha began discussing a variety of topics like there's no tomorrow. Seeing the duo exchange so much, and unable to hold back the annoying voice of the lady behind her, Avni turned up the volume of the stereo in frustration and jealousy. "What are you doing Avni? We are talking" asked Neil annoyed. "Well...you sh..shouldn't be talking.." she replied. "What? Why?" asked Neil softly. "Errrmm..ummmm...because you are driving..And while driving if you talk and do not concentrate on the road, it could lead to an accident you know" she said trying to cover up. Jealousy was writ all on her face but Neil was too preoccupied to notice it and moreover he was so excited that he decided to let go of another argument with her. When the trio approached at the venue, Neil handed over the masks that he had brought for them. Coincidentally he had brought one for Avni which complemented her dress perfectly. Their eyes briefly locked when he handed it to her. "Avni I need to take her in first. After I leave her inside, I shall come back and take you. I have only one invite." he told her. That she was disappointed would be an understatement. "Why should that random girl get preference over her? Why is she so important to Neil? Why is she here at all?" many thoughts crossed her mind and her face went in a frown. "Hmmmm" she muttered with a sullen face. Neil showed the invite at the entrance. The person at the gate was randomly checking the invite and letting the couples enter. Neil craftily slipped back the invite into his blazer instead of discarding it and entered along with Kanisha. They moved to a random corner and he asked her to wait there until he was back with Avni. He started walking towards the exit and then turned towards the parking lot. He walked to her side of the car and opened the door and held his hand out to her. She held his hand. Tears streamed down her eyes, and the mask perfectly concealed them. They walked slowly and Neil again handed over the invite to the guard at the entrance. The guard who was by now frustrated checking the invites just had a glance and let them in. They walked in slowly and approached towards where Kanisha was standing. Neil's eyes scanned the entire area around for Juhi while Avni's seeked Vidyut.

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The main organizer of the event invited the CEO of the company Mr. Batra, while the audience applauded as he walked up towards the stage. "Hello and Good evening to one and all and a very warm welcome for joining us today. I am here today so that I can meet all my employees personally and celebrate the success of Alexa Corp. The heights achieved by this organization has been possible only because of each employee gathered here today. Hadn't it been for your efforts, we would have not been able to make it as one of the top vendors in the current market. So, Congratulations! And I would like to thank each one of you for your special contribution. Please enjoy the party and I shall come around to meet you. Before that, I would like to open the dance floor and invite all the couples to come up here and grace this occasion" he said smiling while the audience cheered for him. The music began to play and all the couples slowly began gathering around the dance floor swaying to the music. Neil whispered into Avni's ears "You see that grey tuxedo-that is Vidyut and the lady in the purple gown is Juhi. We are going to follow them throughout the dance and switch partners slowly. Got that?". "Hmmm ok" she responded still not able to comprehend how Kanisha was going to fit in all this. Moreover, she had been expecting Neil to take Kanisha to the dance floor, but he had pleasantly surprised her. They slowly walked to the dance floor and began swaying to the music. Neil held Avni by the waist and Avni encircled one hand over his shoulder. Their hands clasped together and he swiftly led her to the music. Neil kept a close eye on Vidyut and Juhi and kept pulling Avni to whichever direction they were headed to. Neil was looking forward to a chance to swap Avni and get Juhi to dance with him, but each time he tried Juhi ended up dancing with someone else. Avni was constantly looking around to see if she could spot Vidyut. As they continued swaying to the music, they finally got an opportunity where each ended up with the one that they were intending to dance with. Avni beamed as she swayed along with Vidyut, and on the other hand, Neil's happiness knew no bounds. Juhi and Vidyut were oblivious about who they were dancing with, thanks to the masks. One final change of partners and Avni and Neil again ended up with each other. Without realizing that change, Neil and Avni held each other closer and in a compact grip. He spun her around and she twirled synchronously. He pulled her towards him in a swift move and she landed on his chest, while his face rested on her bare shoulder, as he held onto her firmly. Both were enjoying the moment until they realized the strong scent of each other. They were quite familiar now thanks to the numerous occasions when they had ended up with each other closer than required. They held each other in a strong gaze through the masks. Their brief eye-lock was broken by the loud applause and the sudden brightening of the lights. Neil held Avni and pulled her away towards where Kanisha was standing. Avni walked away from the duo to pick up a glass of juice. She didn't know what was bothering her more-the fact that she had just danced intimately with Neil or the fact that Neil took her back towards Kanisha, whom she couldn't stand, hardly even for a minute! As Avni walked away Kanisha spoke up. "So, you're telling me to believe you're not in love with Avni?" she said teasing him. "Of course not. I was thinking she was Juhi all this while." replied Neil justifying his move. "I have never seen you this close with Juhi also Neil. Whom are you kidding? You like this girl and so does she. How can you two not see it?" she questioned. Neil dismissed her words as he saw Avni approaching them. "You really need to get your eyes checked Kanisha. She is nothing more than a friend to me. And trust me we are just helping out each other" he said. "So, you do know what to do right?" asked Neil. "Aye aye captain Neil" said Kanisha as they both exchanged laughs, while Avni glared at the duo.

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The CEO went around meeting his employees until he met Vidyut. He complimented him on the success of the team. Vidyut began introducing his team members one by one. He finally called out to his secretary. As she approached, he told the CEO "Last but certainly not the least, meet my secretary Shanaya. She has been instrumental in helping me manage so many meetings and all my files". Listening to her name, Juhi's face lost color. Kanisha walked over with her mask on and side-hugged Vidyut and planted a kiss on his cheek. Vidyut was taken aback by her sudden advance but didn't want to create a scene. Juhi was raging with anger which was quite evident from her eyes through the mask and Vidyut didn't miss observing that. He certainly had to mentally prepare himself for the world war 3 that was upcoming in a few minutes. "It's a pleasure meeting you Sir" she said as she shook hands with Mr. Batra and Vidyut, while Juhi stormed away angrily from there. Meanwhile, Neil had called Shanaya and diverted her attention by telling her that he was a potential client interested in business with Alexa Corp and Vidyut. He kept her engaged in conversation whilst Kanisha did her job. Avni now put two and two together and realized what the duo had been up to. "So Kanisha was just a plan to create this fiasco. Neil you cheeky devil" smiled Avni. She wasn't sure if the smile was because his plan had succeeded or because she was almost assured now that there was nothing between the duo. Meanwhile, Kanisha too stormed away through the exit where she met Neil. "Mission successful partner" she said as she hugged Neil. "Thank You so much Kanisha" he smiled as he hugged her back warmly, but the hug wasn't missed by Avni who was standing a few feet away. She had been rejoicing just a couple of minutes ago until this sudden development took place. She had no idea why it pained her so much to see Neil with any other girl, let alone Kanisha.

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On the other hand, Vidyut excused himself and walked behind Juhi. "Juhi listen to me. It's not what you think. I can explain" he said fumbling and running beside her, as he tried catching up with her. She ripped open the mask and yelled at him "I'm going home. Are you coming Vidyut?". "Juhi please listen. We cannot leave this party midway. My CEO is here. it will look very awkward if I walk out in between. Please stay here for some time. Please Juhi. This is very important to me" implored Vidyut. "I am asking you for the last time. Are you coming or shall I go by myself?" screeched Juhi. "Fine go home on your own. I am not abandoning this party for a silly tantrum of yours. Goodbye" he yelled and walked back inside. Juhi walked outside with tears. She called out to a cab and returned home.

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Neil approached Avni and said "I shall drop Kanisha home and get back to pick you up. Please stay here. Do not go outside anywhere". Tears continued to make their way down. She was so annoyed with Neil that she decided to go home by herself. After ten minutes she stormed out of the party towards the exit. She walked towards the rickshaw stand and asked one of them, "I need to go towards Andheri. Can you please drop me there?". The man gave her a lusty look scanning her from top to bottom which made Avni uncomfortable. He replied "Sure Madam. Wherever you want to go" with a smirk. Avni was not comfortable with the way the man was looking at her, and so she decided against taking the rickshaw. "It's fine. I shall wait for my friend. Thank You" she said and started to walk away sensing something was amiss, when he held her wrist and said "And just where do you think you are going Madam? I told you right? Step in. I shall drop you" he compelled. "Leave me" yelled Avni, but the man was adamant in not letting her go. She tried pulling her hand away, but he tightened the grip and pulled her closer in an attempt to rip open her zip. He felt a sudden grip holding his hand and turned to face an enraged Neil. Neil pulled both his hands and beat him left and right. "How dare you touch her? How dare you place your filthy hands on her? You bastard.." he yelled as he beat the guy until he was black and blue. Avni was in utter shock, but also relieved to see Neil. She looked on as Neil beat the guy and involuntarily had her hands folded across her chest. After the guy implored him to not beat him and ran away down the road, Neil walked towards Avni. He held her hand tightly and pulled her roughly. He thrust her in the car seat and fastened her seat-belt while she looked at him scared. She could sense his fury in his actions. He drove away from there. He sped along the way scaring her out of her seat as he took swift turns and pressed on the brakes abruptly, on their way back. "Neil can you please slow down?" she said meekly. "Shut up!" he shot back at her. The rest of the journey continued in the same way until they reached home. He pulled her out of the car and dragged her into the house and pushed her inside. He bolted the door and walked towards her. She knew that the inevitable face-off was impending.

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Hello Dear Readers😀 back with an update.. thank you for all the feedback/suggestions ❤ I shall try and implement that going forward.👍Thoughts about this chapter?? Let me know🤗