'Cause You're My HOME | A MiNeil Fanfiction | Patiala Babes | SouNoor

21. Glimpse of his past

In the midnight, still in each other's embrace, savouring the feeling, they were wide awake. Both were thinking about how life brought them together one day and built a connection in between, then parted, only to make them meet again. The feelings they had in their hearts for each other were growing profoundly and this time, Mini was happy. She had always caged her feelings, because she knew, that incident was a turning point in her life and if it was for a relationship or something, she had to be open about it, which she was reluctant to because firstly, she didn't want any sympathy from anyone for whatever happened, and secondly, she never wanted to bother anyone with her panic attacks and .....

But Neil, he was different. He never coaxed her to confide in him, she just did it everytime, without a second thought. It was so natural. He dealt with her panic attacks with no signs of irritation or judgements or something... And her past, about which she was very conscious, he himself was a part of it. He was there for her, then and now. She was feeling so satiated within, which was visible in her contented smile.

Whereas Neil, on the other hand, was so happy about the fact that she was finally out of her fear. The way she dealt with it, he knew that now she was over it. Yes, she may feel discomfort for some more time but the fear was gone. And the way she eventually realised that they had met in the past, was so ethereal and fulfilling to him. The events of her last were definitely terrifying, so haunting that he knew if anytime in his life those boys come across him, they will approach their death. But that was the least thing in his mind. Again, the thought of all those moments she would have spent alone, trying to overcome the incident, trying to forget it, fighting the horrible thoughts which for sure would have crossed her mind, her pain, ran through his mind. He looked down at her and overwhelmingly, kissed her hair. She looked up at him and smiled.

Mini: Can I ask you something?

Neil: Hmm..

Mini: What were you doing in the basement of that mall, that day? And that too in Patiala?

He pried his eyes away from her and took a deep breath...

Neil: I was just... Wandering around.

Mini: In the basement?

Neil: Yeah, basements are interesting places to just roam around. 😁

Mini: Stop lying Neil!! And it's not funny!! 😒

Neil: Ok, I'm sorry .. actually, I....

Mini: You?

Neil (with a forlorn look): Kuch dhundne gaya tha....

Mini: What?

Neil (coming out of his zone): I'll tell you in detail, some other day, okay?

Mini: But...

Neil: No buts and ifs... You should sleep now because this proactive brain of yours need rest too. The case is yet to be solved, you remember right?

She nodded and closed her eyes, while he caressed her hair, with closed eyes as a memory replayed in his head...

Flashback

Neil's mom: You have to do something Neil!! It was your responsibility to take care of her, now what will you do??

Neil: But mom, how come it becomes my responsibility? Nisha has always been a free spirited, footloose girl.. you always said that let her choose what she's doing, where she's going, who are her friends, whom she is close to... Don't interfere in her matters... And now when she's stuck in between, it becomes my responsibility? Wow!!

Neil's mom: Look, I know you're angry, and it is because you're worried for her. It's a fact that she has been careless, but I also know that you love her. Please go and get her Neil!! Your dad is trying, tu bhi jaa, and bring your girl back...