"Av, here," Nandini chided running to Avni who was sitting on the sofa scrolling through her phone as she was the first to complete her packing --- it's always Avni who packs her things first.
Nandini handed Sara to Avni.
"I've lot left to pack, and your brother has been in the washroom for long now," Nandini rambled on, and walked towards her room back making Avni cackle.
Baby Sara, went full cheer mode as soon as she was in the arms of her favorite person, her Bua. "Prettyyy pretty dress na baby?" Avni cooed, fixing the little ones dress.
"Hansu, get me the comb and those cute scrunchies from Nandu that we bought last time," Avni told Hansika as she passed through. Hansika nodded and sauntered towards their bedroom.
Few seconds later, Hansika came back and passed her the pouch of accessories. Avni took the little comb and started combing the small baby hairs of hers and tied it in a pony.
"Now even more pretty Baby, right Papa?" Hansika cooed at the baby, turning her eyes at Ashish who came there along with Neela, carrying their suitcases.
"Yes, yes," Ashish agreed, and took the baby. Whilst all of them were graved by the baby, Manik and Nandini also came down from their room.
Soon after Riya and Ali, DD and the Khannas were also there. The baby, seeing Neil, jumped up and down in Ashish's hands, smiling with her gums and opening her arms. Neil and the others went awe, and Neil engulfed her soon, kissing her chubby cheeks.
"Acha, where is Manu and Nandini?" Bebe asked, diverting everyone's attention to the people yet to arrive.
"Here!" Manik shouted and walked alongside Nandini who hugged her mom and dad as soon as she saw them.
Whilst everyone were engaged with their luggage and small talks Avni was distracted with the way Neil had Sara in his arms. She was poking his trimmed stubble and giggling and Neil letting her do that while kissing her tiny fingers, or rubbing her stomach with his face and making her cackle, or talking to her in tiny and swaying her side to side.
She could see how good of a father would he become in the future.
"Oww," Neil rubbed the back of his head as Nandini poked him. She gave him a cocky smile and tried taking the baby from him. "From where did you emerge, you little devil?" Neil cussed at her, brows furrowed.
"Little devil Teri..." Nandini started off.
"Meri behen," Neil completed her sentence making her snarl.
"Gimme my baby, back." Nandini ordered and tried taking her, but Neil stepped back, poking his tongue out, teasing and angering her more.
"The baby you're talking about is my bhanjee, I won't give her to you,"
"She became my daughter and then you're bhanjee, now give her to me." Nandini demanded like a kid.
"Oye oye, bas Karo tum dono ki bakwass, chal," Bebe shouted and walked outside with the others. Nandini took Sara from him and walked away, rolling her eyes at him.
Then did, Neil turn and saw Avni standing while scrolling through her phone. She was looking so elegant and classy. She had a black crop top that matched with her Jeans and sneakers. She had her hand bag and leopard printed jacket on her hand.
Neil walked towards her and snaked his arms around her, pulling her closer. Avni, startled suddenly, gasped and looked at him, then smiled. Then she noticed that he was wearing the shirt she chose for him.
"This looks good on you," Avni complimented as she ran her hands through the fabric.
"I know right? I love your taste," Neil said and blew her a kiss.
"If you both are done, please get in," Manik shouted and laughed with Ali, walking inside.
Avni and Neil walked towards the back of the bus and placed their bags on. Then they got inside and sat next to each other. They were the last persons to get inside.
"Arey where is Hansu?" Prakash asked.
"Here!" Hansika replied as she got in and walked. As she looked at each side there were no seats for her saved.
"Come here," Neil called for her. It was a three person seat, and Avni moved a little so the three could adjust. Happily, Hansika climbed next to him after placing her hand bag on the shelf above.
The drive started. It was a 14 hour route to Udaipur from Mumbai. And it was exhausting as though its exciting. In the first few hours, everyone were active and then after few moments one by one, all of them started dozing off.
Neil pulled Hansika's head that was hanging as she was asleep and placed it on his shoulder, and slightly caressed her hair as though making her sleep peaceful.
It was these little things he does that makes her fall over and over again. Ever since Hansika had landed to India, he had considered as his own little sister, and takes care after her the way she does. She had been surprised with the way Neil and Hansu bonded so easily. Neil had told her how endearing Hansika is and how cute is it to hear her calling Avni Ammu. When he asked why she calls her that, Avni replied that when Hansika was little she couldn't pronounce correctly and she mixed Avni and Maa, and started calling her Ammu. And after Hansika called her that, Manik and the others also calls her that.
"Do you want to sleep?" Neil asked.
"No. Waise we will be stopping for dinner anyways," She told him. Then she peeked a little to see Nandini was asleep so was Manik, with her head on his shoulder while the baby was peacefully in a deep slumber in her Dad's arms, it'd be a task to wake her up for dinner. "They're so cute, na?" Avni asked as she leaned into his hand.
Neil turned his head and smiled at the scene, and then hummed a yes.
"Almost everybody is asleep, what do we do now?" Avni asked, holding into his shoulder, placing her head.
"Do you want me to show you what we can do?" Neil asked, inching closer to her. Avni, immediately understanding his intention, placed a hand on his lips, stopping him.
"Why don't you think like a normal person Neil?" Avni asked, hiding a cheeky grin.
"Nobody is normal when in love, Av," He popped up a reason.
Avni giggled softly, blessing his ears.
The bus stopped at a restaurant. And everybody got down one by one, except Avni and Neil. Avni kept nudging him to get so she could also get up and have some food to feed her rumbling stomach.
Neil peeked to see if everybody left and made sure nobody is in.
"Neil, what are you doing? Move I need---" Her rambles were ceased when he kissed her suddenly, hovering over her. Her eyes widened, but he was practically hovering over her, pressing her against his body.
"Dude, atleast let her breath!" Manik shouted along with Ali. Neil closed his eyes growled.
"Yaar what the--" Neil yelled but got cut off when Avni pushed him and moved out.
Ali and Manik bursted into fits of laughter and moved out of the bus. Neil was baffled, and frustrated. But nonetheless, Neil followed her. Before they were about to step up, Avni stopped and turned. Took her scarf and wiped the lipstick stain of his lips, and grinned at him, whilst having that red shade on her cheeks.
Neil let out a flustered chuckle, scratching the back of his neck.
》》》
