Tu Jo Mila

A trip together

"email this ppt to me. I will have a detailed look. All of you can leave now!"
Neel was listening to a presentation in his office but can't concentrate on it. He looked through the glass door at Avni's table, which is vacant. It was almost a week since the mishap in the celebration party. Avni hasn't come to office yet. She is on medical leave. He didn't listen anything the project head had presented for the last 20 minutes. That's why he asked him to email the ppt.

Staff nodes and leaves.
Neel : What happened to me I was never like this. I have changed alot in a week. Am I missing Avni? No Neel what's this? Focus! Focus on work.

He sipped his strong coffee and opened the file infront of him. But his mind is deceiving him by roaming around Avni. Finally after 30 mins of trying , he accepted the defeat and closed the file.

" I think I should go and check on her. That would help me to keep her out of my mind. The more I try to restrain, the more I struggle. Do I really love her?
I will kill DD. He has put me in trouble."

Suddenly he saw an email pop up. It was from the foreign client whose work is taken care by Avni. They have invited  Neil and Avni to come over for further discussions and formalities. Neel's face brightened with happiness. He has got a genuine reason to visit Avni now.

Neel reaches Mehta house in his car, he rings the calling bell. the maiď opened the door.
Maid: Aap kon?
Neel: mein Neel khanna. Neela aunty kaha h?
Maid: madam bahar gayi h.
Neel: Avni?
Maid: Wo apne room mei h. Upstairs.

Neel goes to Avni's room. Avni was sitting in a swing listening to
music. Her eyes are closed. Neel hesitates to enter the room. He stares Avni. Her hair strands
are moving in the fresh air current from the balcony. He felt so relieved laying his eyes on her. God knows how he stopped himself from visiting her. DD has almost become like a detective who pursue Neel to check if he is going to meet Avni. Neel very much wanted to strangle him death for troubling his mind.
Suddenly Avni knitted her brows and opened her eyes.
Avni: Sir!
She stood up in a hurry.
Neel: Sorry. Actually, I came to inform you a glad news. Neela aunty was not
here and maid told me that you are in the room. So I..
Avni: oh, Its ok sir. please sit down.
Maid entered with coffee for both of them.
Avni: What's the news sir?
Neel: Our Malaysian client has invited us for a discussion.
Avni: That's great. Congrats sir.
Neel: thank you. When you will be completely alright?
Avni: I am almost ok now. Plaster will be removed within 2 days.
Neel: Good. I need your passport.
Avni: Why?
Neel: For the
formalities. You are also accompanying me to Malasya.
Avni: But..sir..
Neel: what happend? you are the
incharge how can you backout & you just now told that you are fine.
Avni: Sir, my mom..she will be
alone here. Can you please take someone else with you?
Neel: That'll be unprofessional Avni. You have many friends here, right? Do some arrangements. You can't avoid this.
Neela comes hearing this.
Neela: What's the matter Neel?
Neel tell everything.
Neela: Don't worry about this dear. I can manage for 10 days. I will call Mitali here. Neel, Avni will be accompanying you.
Neel looks at Avni.
Avni: yes sir(hesitated).
Neel: You can call me Neel. In international companies those who have same qualification call eachother by name.We are going to one such place so avoid calling me sir. And  you are not a trainee anymore.
Avni: ok sir.
Neel gives a look.
Avni: oh sorry, Neel.
Neel gives a wide grin. How melodious is his name when she says it.
*In Vidyut's office*
Balu: Boss, (Nervous ) A bad news. Vidyut frowns.
balu: Neel is going to meet
that Malasian Clients this week.
Vidyut:( smile)Who told that this's a bad news.This's what I wanted. Now the ball is in my court. Get ready for a trip. he smirks.

After 2 days..*Mehta house*
Avni is packing her bag. Neela is helping her. Mitali is also there.
Neela: Have you forgotten something?
Avni: No maa. All set.
Neela: Really? Then what's on the table?
Avni sees her
laptop charger there.
Avni: Oops! Thank you maa.
She picks it and hugs Neela.
Avni: I will miss you maa.. I just want to end these 10 days somehow and come back soon.
Neela: buttering?
Avni: No maa. I really don't want to go.
Neela: ok ok. Please don't make me emotional. Once you are gone, we have planned alot to enjoy ourselves, right Mitali?
Mitali: ofcourse.
Avni: seriously ! You too Mitali! Here I am leaving to an unknown place alone and you both are planning to party without me?
Avni's eyes popped out.
Neela: (hugs her tightly and says emotionally) we were kidding. I don't want to see off you with tears thats why. Tumhare bina mujhe bhi acha nahi lagta. Avni also hugs Neela.
Mitali: Don't worry Aunty, Avni is going with Neil for an official trip. She is not Marrying someone and leaving the home.
Avni glare at Mitali.
Neela: That's why I am so relaxed. only Neel can handle my Avni.
Avni: Kya?
Neela: Ye sab chodo. Don't forget to call Amol.
*Khanna house*
Neel is also packing. Swetha is helping him. Then comes DD.
DD: It seems Neel is going somewhere. Swetha: Isne tujhe bataya nahi? He is going Malaysia to see a client.
DD: Alone?
Neel: Matlab? Do you think that I am not able to go alone?
DD: I was just asking. Why are you
angry? If you are going alone, then what is the need of this second ticket? (he takes out tickets from
his pocket) Neel snatch it from him.

Neel: How the hell you get it?
DD: Prakash uncle gave it to me to give you.
Swetha goes out of the room.
DD: What did you think? If you didn't tell me I will not get to know? I know you are going with Avni.
Neel: Why would you ask if you knew already?
DD: Care to explain why didn't you tell me?
Neel: I don't care! Neel smirks .
Neel: By the way, Mom doesn't know that Avni is accompanying me. So.. be careful when you talk with her.

DD: oh my.. which means you started hiding things from your mom too! And that's not a good sign. All these lead me to the conclusion that you are in love.

Neel: Not again DD. You know mom's behaviour and what she thinks about Avni. That's why I didn't tell her. You are in love with Sunehri because of that you think everyone around you is in love also. I don't love Avni. I just.. just care for her. That's all. Anyway, I m getting late. Bye.

Saying this he snatched the tickets and left carrying his luggage.

"Fine Neel. You are denying it. But I hope these 10 days will change your attitude. Let's see." DD thought.
To be continued.