Undying Love |✔

Chapter 20- Leaving It All Behind

"I will feel better if you ... I mean both of you... um...attend my fresher's eve."
Amit's words were jumbled as he tried to invite someone to his fresher's eve, whom he had known for a day, officially.

It was the next day after all was forgiven.

Yesterday, he had left the shop with a heart light as a feather. After Avni forgave Amit with her genuine smile, soon followed by a nod and words, "I forgive you," it was like a million rocks were lifted from his heart, and he could finally breathe easily. He saw her face without frown or disgust, and it was a pretty side to look at.

He'd spent two more hours in the shop, lifting some heavy instruments and clearing some space for the new ones. In between all, Meera had come back only to inform that she was leaving. She'd left after requesting Amit to come on the following evening again, which Amit had agreed on to immediately. They had ended up exiting the shop together, which led to Amit dropping Avni off to her apartment building.

It had been a good evening, and they had actually talked like two sane human beings without calling each other names. There was no Mr. Dumb or Ms. Foul mouth. It was just Amit and Avni, who had left behind all the judgment where they belonged- in the past.

Now, as he finally paid for his purchase and Avni was marking the entry in her computer, Amit articulated these words without a second thought.

"Oh, there is no need for that, Amit," Avni replied with a smile.

He insisted once more. "It'll make me feel better. Otherwise, I'll think you haven't forgiven me fully,"

"I already did forgive you," Avni continued, "Besides your family must be coming to see your performance. It won't be appropriate for us to join," she stated further.

Meera, who was sitting on the couch and was flipping through a magazine's pages, shook her head but didn't interrupt.

"No, they won't be able to make it," Amit confirmed further.

Now was the right opportunity for Meera. She spoke before Avni could refute any further. "Oh, Amit dear! Don't worry. We'll be coming to attend your fresher's eve. When's it again?"

She ignored Avni's pointed look and smiled sweetly at Amit, who now was looking at Meera.

"This Saturday," he answered.

"Oh, don't you worry, son. It will be an honor for us to come see you perform," she replied a little too ardently.

"Thank you so much, Meera. It's settled then. I have two passes for the night. I'll hand them over to you as soon as possible."

He was now ready to go home and turned towards the door when Meera spoke in haste.

"What if we can't find you? And there is some trouble finding the seats, or...or can't find the exact location?"

She was rambling, she knew it. None of her statements made sense, but she didn't care. Her plan had worked when Amit did exactly what she had intended for him to do.

"Oh, yes," he went to the reception desk, took a pen from Avni and scribbled his phone number on a page.

"That's my phone number. If you've any trouble, just give me a call. I'll probably be on the backstage. But no matter what, I'll come and get you," he reassured and it was settled. They will be going to see Amit perform.

"Oh! That's so thoughtful of you, son. We'll surely be there." Meera smiled.

Amit bid his farewell for the night and went out the door.

Before the door fully closed on him, he heard Avni's muffled voice, "Why the hell did you do that, Nanny?"

"Language, Avni!"