The Perfect Stranger (Completed)

Chp 4: MORNING BELLS

It was early morning.Avni had just put her alarm on snooze just to grab those few precious minutes of sleep before she finally woke up.The loud buzz from the doorbell brought her out of her slumber.Unwillingly she got out of her cozy bed. Rubbing her eyes she went to the kitchen to get the milk pot.Lazily she walked to door , opened it and extended her hands holding the utensil.

''Kya doodh wale bhaiya...itni subah subah kyun aa jate ho neend kharab karne'' her eyes were burdened with sleep and rubbed them with her free hand.

''Richa hai?''

''Kyun ? Usse kya kaam aapko? ''

 The man cleared his throat and asked again.

''Is Richa at home?''

This time she opened her eyes wide enough to a tall figure in front of her.She ran her eyes to the top of the masculine body to see his smiling face.

''Neil!!!!! '' 

''Yes that would be me''

''Itni subah subah yahaan kaise?''

'' Ankhon ke saath kaan bhi nai khule ab tak? Richa se milna hai''

She looked so adorable in her night suit and unkempt hairs, still sleepy , that he felt like pulling her cheeks.

'' Come in.Have a seat '' she said pointing to the sofa in the living room.Neil made himself comfortable as Avni went to check on Richa.She came back moments later.

''She is not home.Probably went for her morning walk''

''Oh.Ok.I'll wait here then '' he replied calmly.

'' Itna bhi kya urgent hai jo tumse ruka nai gaya? Subah hote hi aa gaye?''

'' She told she wanted to meet today itself.I will be busy the rest of the day.Meetings lined up.So this was the only time left''

'' Bulake khud hi chali gayi??!!. Make yourselves comfortable here.I'll be back in a few minutes.And don't go wandering around here''

''Yes Ma'am''

Avni came back minutes later.She looked refreshed. Her hairs were now tied back in a high ponytail.She was dapping her face with a towel.It took one raised eyebrow from Avni for Neil to realise he was staring at her.

" Good morning ''  Neil said without looking at her and pretending to read a magazine.

'' Its upside down'' she replied.

''What??'' he was confused.

'' The magazine''

Embarrassed he put it down on the table.She went inside the open kitchen and started looking for something.

'' I'm hungry.Can you make me something to eat?'' .

If it were anyone else he probably would never have asked this.But strangely with her all his inhibitions went for a toss.

''Do I look like your cook'' she replied curtly.

'' No.He isn't this pretty'' 

She pretended as if she didn't hear him.She ransacked her brain to come up with a reply immediately, just enough to avoid the awkwardness brought on by his reply.

''Tumhare ghar pe khana nai banta? Breakfast karke nikalna tha ghr se''

''Didn't get time to eat.I wanted to be on time''

''Fine.Mujhe kuch banana nai aata.Bread hai.Butter aur Jam bhi hai.Will that do? Chalega ?''

'' Daudega.Bahut bhook lagi hai''

Avni arranged everything carefully and tidily on a serving tray.She put two coffee mugs with it and walked out of the kitchen with the tray.

'' Breakfast '' she declared cheerfully.

She handed  him over his coffee mug.

''Black coffee.You remember!!'' 

He smiled, not because it was exactly what he wanted but it was because  it meant she cared about him more than she showed.

''No! We didn't have milk''

'' So how is your coffee normal?''

'' Because I used yesterday's left over milk for mine.So there was none left for you''

''Oh really?.Anyways you remember you owe me a favor right?''

'' I just made you breakfast.Doesn't that count for anything?''

He took a bread ,buttered it and started devouring it before he spoke again.

'' You fixed me breakfast.You didn't make it''

''Its the same.That makes us even''

'' Not at all.I want to meet your boyfriend''

Avni almost choked on her coffee.

''Why?'' she asked wiping the spilled coffee.

'' Just to make sure he actually exists''

'' You think I made him up???''

'' The spilled coffee is giving me reasons to"

''He is real''

''Fine then let's meet up tomorrow for dinner.I'll inform Richa too.It will be like a double date"

"Double date? Kiske saath Neil?'' questioned Richa who had just returned. 

'' Avni and her boyfriend''

'' Avni tera boyfriend hai?? Who is it?" said a a shocked Richa

''Main kal milwati hoon sabse.I'm getting late now.Lets me get ready"

''So early? You still have time na?''

'' Nai. There is some change in management, so have to report earlier."

Saying so Avni hurried back to her room.She came back minutes later wearing a Jeans, top and tied back hair.She walked fast towards the door and made her exit avoiding further questions.