BE MINE

Let's Pretend

I really miss what we almost had

Tina: By the way, where were you last night? When I came to meet you, Shweta Aunty told me that you had texted saying you would be spending the night at a friend's place.
Do I know him? I mean I don't want to sound like those intrusive girlfriends who always keep track on their boyfriends. Just asking. She gave a reluctant smile while fiddling with her bracelet.

Neil took a little long glance over Tina before replying to her.

Neil: I was with Avni. His expression was dead serious

Tina gave Neil a quick glance before rolling her eyes. "And doing what? cheating on me with my bestie?" she snorted a laugh shaking her head. Neil stared at her for few seconds then looked away. He heaved a breath his jaw clenched.

The door burst open, causing Shweta to come to a halt as she found Neil and Tina sitting on the bed.

Shweta: Tina. Glad you came here; time is running out. We need to leave right now so that Neil Sherwani and both of your ring selections can be completed on time. So, let's get moving. You two can talk for as long as you wish in the car. Puri zindagi milen gi baath karne ki.

Tina: Is Neela Ma ready? She asked getting up.

Shweta: Haan. She's waiting outside Chalo. She said this while taking Tina with her.

Neil grabbed his phone and car keys; he had no idea that Tina would be joining them until Shweta mentioned.

"Of course she will come, after all the ring selection must be done by you both," his inner self replied.

Neil: As the engagement date is approaching, I feel more suffocated. He spoke to himself.

"Neil hurry up" shweta said loudly from downstairs.

Without wasting anytime Neil headed down.

When he arrived outside, he found Neela standing with Tina and Shweta. He took Neela's blessings, with a warm smile.

Neela: Let's leave now. Tina. Beta, you go with Neil, and I and Shweta will arrive in another automobile. Tina grinned as Neela said this, while Neil felt uneasy.

Neil: We can all go in the same car if there are four of us, he replied casually, hoping to see a familiar figure join them; but there was no sign of her.

Shweta: Well, we thought we'd give you two some privacy, so hop in the car and we'll see you in the mall, at which she and Neela chuckled and walked to the car behind them, where the driver was already waiting.

Tina: Let's go, Mr America. She replied with a wide smile.

Neil took a long, deep breath and opened the passenger door for Tina.

Tina: Thank you, Mr America; you are such a gentleman. She remarked with a wide smile, and Neil offered a slight nod with a tight smile plastered across his lips.

He closed the door, walked to his side, and entered. He started the engine and drove out of the gate, followed by the car behind him.

Tina: Neil, you know how much I am looking forward to our engagement...I can't believe we will be engaged tomorrow. There will be so much to do, but the first thing I'd like to do is capture our first moment together when we make each other wear the ring.
We will...But she was unable to continue as her phone began to ring. Giving Neil a sorry look, as she answered it, he felt some relief pass over him.

*

Avni sat in her room, her laptop open with a blank page on the screen, papers tossed on the table as she gazed at it.