A little thing called FIRST LOVE ft.Avneil

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

For the past two days, Avni had been carefully avoiding Neil, and he had noticed. The constant absence and cold glances from her end were starting to weigh on him heavily. Even DD could tell that something was off, and although he understood the reasoning, he couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Neil’s dejected state. Still, he’d made Neil promise not to push Avni to explain herself.

That afternoon, Neil sat slouched on the lawn in front of the college, his gaze lost somewhere in the green of the grass, the usual spark in his eyes dulled with worry and confusion. DD, standing nearby, shook his head with a sigh, finally deciding it was time to say something.

"Neil, do you want to talk to Avni?" DD asked gently, breaking the silence.

Neil lifted his head, his face lighting up instantly, though his voice came out soft, almost hesitant. “Yes.”

“Alright, go and talk to her,” DD said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “But remember, don’t pressurize her to explain why she’s been avoiding you. Just… take it slow.”

“Really?” Neil’s face transformed, a renewed energy radiating from him, almost like a light had been switched on.

“Yes, but—” DD began, ready to reiterate the instructions, but Neil didn’t let him finish.

“I got it, DD! I won’t push her,” Neil repeated eagerly, almost bouncing on his feet now. Without another word, he turned and dashed toward the campus building, his eyes scanning for Avni.

DD watched him go, unable to stop a chuckle. Seeing Neil so smitten and animated felt strange yet heartwarming. With a shake of his head, he laughed softly to himself. “Who would’ve thought Neil Khanna, the one everyone admires, would turn into a lovesick puppy?”

With that, DD strolled back, knowing his friend was in for a challenging but, hopefully, fulfilling conversation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

As Avni walked towards the canteen, clutching her books and nervously glancing down at her keypad phone, she suddenly saw Neil coming her way. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Avni froze, a sudden panic washing over her. Without a second thought, she turned around, ready to walk back the way she’d come. But it was too late—Neil was already jogging over to her.

“Avni, what happened? Why are you avoiding me?” Neil's voice was direct, the frustration clear as he questioned her. Avni stopped in her tracks, her heart racing. She didn’t know how he had sensed her distance, but now she was too stunned to come up with a quick excuse.

“No, I’m not,” she managed, her voice barely steady. She took a step forward, trying to escape his gaze, but her pace slowed as she felt him walking beside her.

“But just now, you saw me and then turned back to—” Neil started, only for Avni to cut him off.

“I just remembered that I have to return this book to the library,” she lied, hoping the excuse sounded casual enough. “Today’s the last day.”

Neil looked at her, sensing her words weren’t entirely true. But, recalling DD’s condition to not pressurize her, he swallowed his questions and simply walked beside her in silence, hoping that staying close would ease whatever was bothering her.

Avni, still feeling his presence beside her, became more anxious. I’m trying to avoid him, but he just isn’t taking the hint. What should I do? Just then, her eyes landed on KK, who was standing a few steps away. An idea sparked.

She picked up her pace toward KK. “Hi, KK! You told me you had a doubt in commerce, right? I’m free now and heading to the library. Come, I’ll explain it to you,” she said in a single hurried breath, turning to Neil without missing a beat.