Tu Jo Mila

Confrontation

Avni was coming down the stairs. Suddenly, someone comes infront of her making her stumble due to the unexpected confrontation.
Who is this man? He seems familiar but I can't remember him.

"Hello Avni, enjoying the trip?" The man asked with a smirk on his lips.

" Sorry, Do I know you? " Avni was wondering how come this man knows her.
But the man was not willing to clear Avni's doubts.
"You may not be knowing me but I know you..." He shifted closer to Avni."... very well.  By the way, how is Neel doing? Is he alright now?"

Suddenly Avni's pupils dilated.
Avni: You were.. you were in Mumbai airport that day?
Man: Oh, your memory is sharp. Yes, it was me. (with a wiered smile)
Avni: (with a shock) Vidyut....?

Man claps and says: Wow..Avni, you are right. It's me Vidyut..

He starts to walk aroud Avni. Avni's eyes cautiously follows him.

Vidyut: So Avni, l like chicks. Especially beautiful ones like you.
Avni fists her hand  in anger.

Vidyut:  But you are not just beautiful but smart too. A rare combination!
Avni: You think you are the only smart person in this planet?
Vidyut: (laughs) oh! Thanks for the compliment. I really like you. That's why I came to personally meet you and warn you.  First and last warning. Don't dare to mess with me.

Avni: Oh, (sarcasm) The Vidyut.. R is giving me warning? Which means I have done something which terrifies you. Well I am proud of myself.

Vidyut:(with amusing smile) Avni... Avni.. Avni.. what an attitude but don't fly so high, your fall will be so deep. You don't have any idea who I am and what I am able to do.
Avni: I very well know you.  A ruthless, spineless smuggler.
She says it looking in his eyes and Vidyut eyes turn red in anger. It was first time someone is talking to him like this. He raises his hands to slap Avni. But Neil comes in between and hold Vidyut’s hand.
Avni was surprised by Neil's presence.  Neil turns away Vidyut's hand in anger.
Neil: how dare you to raise your hand on Avni?
Seeing Neil Vidyut smile sarcastically.
Vidyut: Hey.. Neil, Hope you had a good veccation in Bangkok.
Neil: Vidyut..(shouts)
Vidyut: sshhh...Don’t raise your voice here. This is not India.  I just came to advice Avni to stay away from our matter.
Avni: I don't need your advice.
Vidyut: (smirks..) you are just a girl otherwise I would have.... You be in your limits.  That would be better for you.( He looks at Avni with bad intention but Neil comes in between.
Neil: I have already told you stay away from her.
Vidyut: (sarcasm) Sorry..sorry.. Never knew that you have a soft corner to her. Good..very good.   But, what is she to you? Let me guess..  
Neil : Shut your bloody mouth..
Neil held Viyut by his collar and punched hard on his face. Suddenly some policemen arrives there.
Police man: Hei, what's happening here?
Vidyut: (smiles) nothing sir. We are friends and meeting after a long time. Right Neil?
Neil leaves Vidyut.
Police man: Show your ids. Police check their passports.
Police man:Don’t make a scene here.
Neel: Sorry sir.
Police man:  Both of you leave this place.
While keeping the passport in his pocket it fell down from
vidyut and avni notices it and place her foot on it and capture it. Neil and vidyut were talking to
police so they didn’t noticed it. Avneil go in one way and Vidyut the other way. They turn back and glare eachother.
At night: Avni is laying on the bed, she can’t sleep. She checks the time again and again.
Avni: Uff... I don't think I can sleep to night.  What about Neil? Has he slept or not? He has changed a lot recently. Or am I noticing these things lately. He is being very protective to me. I don't need anyone to protect me, I can handle everything myself.  I can understand him being protective but what confuses me is... his tiny sweet gestures.  I can't imagine what would have happened in the lift if I couldn't turn my face. It would have been a bizarre.  Everything has changed between us. Us? When did this "us" come? I should stop thinking about him and get some sleep.
She hides her face under the pillow. This time she remember their dance at the party. She gets up and throws the pillow to a corner.
" why can't I get him out of my mind?"
She looks at her phone. Time is 1:30 am.
***
In Neil’s room, he is also awake and thinking of Avni with a smile on his face. He is remembering
all the things happened between them from their first meeting. Car crash- confrontation after interview - their diwali celebration- misunderstandings - how did Avni proved her innocence - How did he pacify Avni in party - Their dance- convincing Avni for trip - How they were sleeping in hospital holding eachothers hands - lift incident etc. He takes his phone and look at the photo of them which was taken on
the day of the party. Neil was giving flower bouquet to Avni and someone photographed it. He goes to the balcony with phone and look at the sky. The hotel building has a squre shaped atrium with a swimming pool at the centre. The ceiling of the atrium was open giving opportunity to enjoy the sky view from the swimming pool.  All the rooms' balconies faces this atrium. Neil looked at the balcony which was opposite to him. It was Avni's balcony.
" She must be sleeping"  Neil muttered.

To his surprise he saw Avni who was opening the sliding door of balcony the very next moment. He smiles at her. Avni also gives a surprised smile.
Neil text to Avni: Why are you awake?
Avni reply: Not sleepy. You?
Neel: I am having a sound sleep ; ) .

Avni Smiles looking at Neil.
Again Neil texts: I am also not sleepy. Let's go somewhere.
Avni: where?
Neil: Wait, I will come.

Then Neil goes inside. Avni still stand there confused.
Avni : what should I do? Is it a good idea to spend time with him when I am struggling to keep him out of my mind?
By the time she heard a knock on the door. It was Neil.

Neil: Hi.
Avni stood there with no reaction.
Neil : Avni, shall we go?
Avni: um.. I..
Neil: Oh sorry. I assumed that you would be comfortable to come with me. If you don't want to come, it's ok.
Neil said disheartened.
Avni widened her eyes with surprise.  She felt a pang in her heart seeing Neil's dull face.
Avni: No.. no.. nothing like that. Let's go.

They reached the atrium and sat on a reclainer beside the swimming pool there. The cool air embraced them. The full moon was shining above them. Avni looked at the sky. " Look how beautiful the moon is. " She said excitedly.  They silently looked at the moon for sometime. Then, Neil shifted his eyes to Avni. He saw a slight smile appearing on her lips. A beautiful smile bloomed on his face too. They were sitting so close that Avni's hair locks flying in the breeze caressed Neil's face. Then Avni turned her attention to Neil.
Neil: Coffee? (He asked to hide the fact that he was looking at her.)
Avni: where do we get coffee now?
Neil: There's a 24hrs cafe in the hotel. I will go and get it.
Avni nodes.
Avni in mind: What happen to me? Why did I agree to come here? Because of his puppy face? Since when did I start to fall for that? 
Neel comes with two cups and gives one to Avni.
Avni: Thanks. 
She smiles seeing that Neil has brought cafe latte for her.
Avni: How do you know I like cafe latte?
Neil : I can read people's minds. He said in a dramatic way.
Avni: oh really? Then tell me what I am thinking right now?
Neil: Simple! You think that I am lying and I can't read your mind.
Avni knitted her eyebrows at Neil.
Neil gives a winning smile: See I told you.
Avni: That was obvious. Anyone can guess it.

They took a sip from their cups.

Neil: Ok. Then I will tell you why you were not sleepy. You were thinking about someone, right?
Avni : (coughs..) wh.. what? NO!
Neil: (with a naughty smile) see told you. The way you shouted confirm it.  Do you want me to tell that person's name?
Avni shocked in terror!

Neil:Why are you so tensed ?  By any chance,  were you thinking about me?
Avni took a sharp breath and widened her eyes. She gulped.
Avni thought: This is growing more and more awkward. I shouldn't give in. She aquired some fake confidence.
Avni: No. I was thinking about Ali.
"Ali?" Neil felt something exploded in his brain.
Avni: Yes he is my childhood bestie, you know. I miss him.

Neil looked away from Avni and gulped down his anger.
Neil in mind: Why she has to mention him at out romantic late night coffee date? I thought she was thinking about me. But... Does she love him?

" Excuse me! I have an urgent call to make. " Neil said out of nowhere.
Avni frowned: Now? But it is too late.
Neil: It is a European client. You go and take rest. Tomorrow we have an important meeting.
Neil walked away from there instantly leaving Avni in a pool of thoughts.

To be continued.