Bound To Love

Avni

Chapter 21 - "Pushed Into The Dark"

N

eil went to his house and so did I. As soon as I entered my home, I saw Rhea and Ali seated on the couches with Neela Maa serving her popular cheese sandwiches. 

"Hello! When did you guys come?" I sat down with them, sipping some water from the glass. 

"It's just been around twenty minutes that they're here. Where were you?" Maa asked. 

I didn't know what to say. I thought I would just make up an excuse of being with Rhea and Ali but I couldn't since they were here. Neela Maa wasn't aware of my relationship with Neil till now and she knew I wasn't into boys much. I didn't know why I felt like I shouldn't tell her and I didn't. I knew even if I tell her, she'd support me. Still, there was that tug at the corner of my heart that restrained me from telling her the truth.

"She must be with Neil." Ali spoke. "Who Neil?" Maa asked, suspiciously. "Um, Maa, he is our class fellow." I clarified. 

"What were you doing with him?" She asked. "Maa why are you sounding like an interrogator?" I crooked my brows, licking my lower lip. 

"I am just sounding like a mother? Next time, I listen you were with any boy, you'll have to see the wrath of me."

Before I could say anything, I saw Neil entering the place with his unusually enraged face. Startled, I got up with the glass still in my hand, thinking it was all a dream. 

"Enjoying haan?" He stood right in front of me, his eyes holding something that alarmed me. 

"Who are you mister? And how can you enter my house like that?" Neela Maa came to stand beside us. 

"Your daughter knows me well. Right, Avni?" He spoke, turning back towards me. 

"What's going on Neil? What is all this?" I said, trying to keep my voice as low as possible. "I'll explain everything to you Maa." I looked at her and then back at Neil, "Come with me." I held his hand and began dragging him to my room, but before I could do so, he tucked me back towards him, "Why? Why not talk here?"

"Are you drunk, Neil?" It was Ali this time, who asked while Rhea kept on watching all of this, confused. 

"No! I am in my senses. I know what am I doing." He replied, his eyes fixed on me. 

"Neil please, Maa kuch nahi jaanti hein. For God's sake, stop it. We'll sort whatever this misunderstanding is." I again tried to stop him but all my pleads fell onto his deaf ears. 

"Neela Aunty." He turned towards her. "You daughter is in love with me." 

I closed my eyes tight when I felt both of their head turning towards me. In the next minute, I heard Maa's voice, " Avni?" 

I opened my eyes and looked at her, "Maa. This is true. I love him." I paused, turned towards Neil and spoke, "Why are you making it sound like it's a sin?"

"It IS a sin, Avni. It is." Maa shouted, making me tremble. 

"Maa. Wh-" She interrupted, "I just told you I do not want to see you with any boy and here this random guy is coming over to tell me what I don't know being your mother! Wow! Slow claps for you Avni!" 

"Maa. I can explain for the part that you did not know but why can't I be with any boy eh?" I spoke, a tear rolling down my cheek. 

"You guys can fight over it later. I want to talk to Avni right now." Without giving me a second to even think, he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the garden outside. 

"Leave me Neil!" I shouted but of no use. He left my hand once we reached the center of the garden. "What is all this? Speak up, Neil. What the hell were you trying to do?" I yelled at him, grabbing his collar, tears cascading down my eyes. 

He looked at me, something was there in his eyes that I tried reading but couldn't. In that instant, I found myself in his embrace, as he held me tight. I blinked, smiling, hugging him back. Feeling my shoulder wet probably due to his tears, I rubbed his back, knowing there's something more to it. His hold on me got tighter as if he was afraid he wouldn't get this chance again. 

I was startled when I heard him whisper in my ear, "I've never loved you. Neither will I ever. It was all just a game, like with those many girls. I am telling you because somewhere, you considered me your friend. Forget me." He pulled back, looking at me, his face blank. 

"Neil" escaped my mouth. "No! What are you saying? You love me, I know that. Did I do something wrong? Tell me, I'll apologize. But please, don't do this." I pleaded to his deaf ears, my eyes pouring out.

"Forget me" was all that I heard. "You told me that you loved me dammit!" I shouted, my breathe laboring. 

"I told that to many girls. Doesn't mean I mean it." He was super calm and that shocked me more. My happiness, my love, my life was being snatched from me and all I could do was cry. I shook my head, now able to cry vigorously, falling down on my knees. He did not look at me for once and walked away. 

He rushed into my life and I didn't expect him to rush out too. He betrayed me. He did.

Ve Changa Nahion Keetan Beeba

Ve Changa Nahion Keetan Beeba

(You didn't do the right thing, O decent one!)

But why did he do that? He told me he loved me, but then why?

Dil Mera Tod Ke

(By breaking my heart)

 Was the word 'love' really just a joke for him?

Ve Bada Pachtaiyaan Akhaan

Ve Bada Pachtaiyyan Akhaan

(These eyes regretted a lot)

Why Neil? Why? 

Naal Tere Jod Ke

(After they got connected with your eyes)

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