Love In Silence

11.

Niti was speechless. She couldn't do anything but give him a tight hug. This was the second time she hugged him that night. Niti didn't realise when Neel fell asleep. She lifted him by his shoulders and laid him down on the sofa which was not big and comfy for sleep but was  atleast better than the cold floor.

She guessed and went Neel's room for bringing some sheets for covering him. She then looked around the entire apartment. It was weird how all the rooms even kitchen were cleaned but one corner of his bedroom was dirty.
*Stupid, he  hasn't bothered to cook this whole time. Is he even care about his health.*

She put all the garbage in the dustbin and cleaned that place. After that she went to the kitchen to make something to eat. She didn't eat her dinner and it was almost 12 at midnight.

She found everything in his kitchen after 4 - 5 minutes of deeply searching she finally found 2 packets of noodles that she could actually cook.

That's right she only can make disaster in kitchen. She couldn't do anything to this but only shame.

But atleast she knew how to made noodles. So she put the water on gas to boil. She prepared all the ingredients. (Which was few, she was lazy)

She suddenly started remembering what had happened a few moments ago. She could never have imagined  that behind  this kind, happy , cheerful was a boy who had already gone through a lot in his life. Neel was innocent at all this time yet he had to go through all this shits. This shouldn't happened to him.

Suddenly a urge hitted her mind that to protect Neel from this whole shitty and meanie world. She didn't like to watch him in this state it broke her heart.

After a long time she felt someone's concern. Whatever the other talk bullshit  about her , she still is in a category of homo-sepians. She has feelings too.

She was lost in her thoughts when Neel came from and said in sleepy voice "the water is already half boiling. Add the noodles, Niti."

She turned around and quickly backed away. Neel was standing very close to her. Niti tried to push him back by giving him a light push on his shoulder.

Niti complained  "god you scared the shit out of me." She actually looked scared.

Neel realised and put his hand on his neck and said embarrassedly "oh sorry, i didn't mean to scare you." Then she did not say anything. Neel was now standing next to her and silently watching her cooking.

They ate in silence. This time Neel signalled Niti to stop and he himself went to the kitchen put all the dishes in the washer.

When he came back he saw that Niti was getting ready to leave. He looked at the clock, it was 12:30.

"It's 12:30 , where are you going?" He said little annoying.

"I know it's 12:30 that's why I'm going my house. I haven't informed my parents yet and also I don't think I should stay here anymore I mean I came to check on you and now you seem fine to me." She quickly explained.

Neel didn't want Niti to go. Maybe he didn't want to be alone.

The truth is he felt lighter after telling his past to Niti. He liked how Niti didn't made him feel poor. She was just listening him attentively. Neel finds geniune care for himself in her eyes. Exactly the same care that he saw in the eyes of his mother , sister and Simi.

Neel was looking at the floor as if he trying to find a way to stop Niti. But nothing came.

"Then inform your parents. You are not going anywhere, it's late."
He said in serious tone.

"But I can't ..... It's just you...me...is ....?"

Neel understood her hesitation. He went closer to her and hug her gently "the truth is I don't want to be alone tonight. Please stay." Said Neel.

She just hummed in response.

"Umm.... Neel." Niti tried to remind him about their situation and said.

"Yeah... I know but please few more minutes. It's been a long time since I hugged someone other than Simi."

Now Niti also hugged him. They both stayed like this for a few more minutes when Niti's phone ranged.

They broke the hug. Neeti looked at him and he nodded in understanding. She checked her phone and it was from her house. He called back and informed them of his whereabouts. Then she came back. When she came back Neel had already put clean clothes on the sofa for her and he told her to change and then we could sleep.

"But... Neel"
She hesitated.

"Don't worry, we'll sleep in my bedroom. You'll sleep in bed and I'll on the sofa." He assured.

She nodded.

They were about to enter the bedroom when Neel stopped Niti. He made her sit on the edge of the bed. He also sat there and held both her hands.

Niti looked at Neel confused. His eyes were full of tears which were about to appear any moment but he was also smiling.

"Is he crying? Or is he happy?" Niti thought.

"Thank you Niti." Neel started speaking, "It was the death anniversary of my mother and sister. It's been almost 18 years but every year feels like it was yesterday. I still feel helpless and alone sometimes. You know I never told anyone about my past. It's not that I didn't want to but because no one ever cared about me. Nobody cares how I feel inside. They only see me as their entertainer. But I am human too. I also have a past. I also have things to share."

He stopped for a moment and sighed.
He started speakin again. "But when you came i didn't believe that actually someone came only for me and believe me this gives me hopes again.Thank you Niti."

And first time that night he hugged Niti with a smile.

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