Serendipity

V

♪♫ Gair sa hua khud se bhi

Na koi mera

Dard se karle chal yaari

Dil ye keh raha

Kholun jo baahein

Bas gam ye simat rahe hai

Aankhon ke aage

Lamhe ye ghat rahe hai...♪♫

______________________

Evara was in a club, much to her dismay. Sameera had an amazing idea of going to a club. No one was free except Karan and Evara and now she was third wheeling.

She hated everything about clubs—loud music, crowded space, smell, and most importantly alcohol—but she came because she would do anything and everything for the people she loved that's why she rarely said no to Sameera. And Sameera had been asking to check the new club out for some time now.

Sameera and Karan were on the dance floor so took this as an opportunity to go to the restrooms. It was on the far back so it was quite a walk and she was sure she'd get a break from the loud music there.

The restroom was empty so she quickly did her business and came out. The corridor was empty when she came but now it had four men who almost seemed lurking around. She didn't get a good vibe from them and to not get into any trouble she turned to the other side of the corridor where most rooms are situated along with a back door. She knew self-defence but she wasn't dumb. One against four would be a very bad idea.

She started walking but the men started following her. Maybe she was just being paranoid but her gut was telling her another story so she decided it was better to be safe than sorry.

Suddenly, she was pulled around a corner and the person closed the space between them, pressing her into the wall but also hiding her from the men. She was about to scream or kick them when she saw the person's face.

Neil Khanna.

Why does it always have to be him? She thought.

She was about to say something when she heard one of the men.

"Where did she go?"

So, I wasn't paranoid, they were actually following me. She thought and subconsciously put her head on Neil's chest. It somehow gave her a sense of relief. She felt safe.

"They are gone." He whispered near her ear.

She looked up to see his hazel eyes examining her with concern. "Are you okay?"

The question; the careful, soft tone brought her back from the initial shock. She pushed him softly, he got the hint and stepped back. He was still close but at least they had some space between them.

"How is it that every time I get out of my house I have to see your face?" she questioned, his face showed confusion but soon it turned into a smirk.

"I don't know, maybe you like this handsome face." He was grinning as he gestured to his face.

"Huh! You wish!"

"I don't wish Ms. Kapoor. I believe in taking whatever I want because if I don't then someone else would." He said it as if it was a promise.

"What are you talking about?"

"The tray." He said.

Now she was confused. "The tray?"

"Yes, the tray which had cupcakes, muffins, and other things that I had made for my neighbour. You took it and never gave it back."

She knew what he was doing; he was distracting her and she gladly welcomed the distraction.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm not a thief. I'll return it as soon as I get home."

"You better!"

"You're exhausting!" she exclaimed.

"As if you're such a sunshine to be around." He retorted.

"Ahhh! Why are you so annoying!?"

"And you Ms. Kapoor are infuriating."

"Eva?" they heard a voice and turned to see Sameera and Karan looking at them weirdly.

"What happened?" Sameera asked.

"I went to the restroom. When I came back some men started following me. He pulled me here to hide me from them." She kept it short to not make them worry.

Sameera instantly pulled her into a hug while Karan talked to Neil. "Thank you for the save. I'm Karan Malhotra and that's my wife Sameera."

Neil put on a charming voice and shook Karan's hand. "I'm Neil Khanna."

Listening to that name, Sameera looked at Evara but didn't say anything.

"Come 'on, Eva! We'll drop you." Sameera said but was stopped by Neil.

"It's alright. I'll drop her." Both her friends gave Neil a look so he added, "I'm her neighbour."

At this, Sameera gave her a look that said they'd be having a talk very soon.

◀▩▶

She was in the car with Neil against her wish.

After the initial introduction, Karan and Neil talked some more and by the end of it, Karan promised that their next friends' dinner would be at his restaurant. After that, Sameera convinced her to go with Neil, Karan also looked tired so she agreed.

During the ride back home, none of them tried to initiate a conversation and she was glad. She knew they would end up getting into a silly argument.

They reached their apartments in silence. She was just about to open the door of her apartment when he broke the silence.

"I hope you return the tray soon."

She turned to glare at him, cursing him in her mind. "Stay here, I'll get it right now."

Before she could take a step he stopped her. "No, you're tired. Give it tomorrow."

Saying that he turned, stepped inside his apartment, and closed the door. She did the same but this time she was confused.

Neil seemed weird. Sometimes he is so annoying that she gets the urge to smash his head on the nearest wall and sometimes he is so considerate that makes her question if she judged him too soon.

She didn't know, however, she knew that she needed to stay away from the man. He crosses her mind more often than she cares to admit and that definitely is not good for her heart.