I have got thoughts more tangled than my headphones

Neil took a big breath and turned around to walk towards Khanna mansion. He reached and spotted the Main door open.

As he entered, he noticed Shweta keeping plates on the table while a staff member assisted her in placing other items.

Shweta was ready to head to the kitchen when she noticed Neil approaching her.

Neil: Morning mom. He said giving her a side hug.

Shweta: Morning, Tillu. You are actually on time for breakfast. Would you like to freshen up first, or have breakfast?

Neil: I'll freshen up after Mom. Right now, all I want is a strong black coffee.

Shweta: Okay. She was about to go but paused and turned to Neil.

Upon noticing Neil at the dining table, Prakash and Bebe arrived and took a seat as well.

Shweta: When did you start drinking black coffee again? As far as I recall, you had black coffee while we were in London. Since we returned, you've been drinking regular coffee.

Neil: I don't like regular coffee anymore. Black coffee is something I'd like to continue with; it's bitter and strong, but it's better, he muttered, closing his eyes and pressed his forehead. For others this might seem to be a random answer but for Neil regular coffee had connection to Avni.

Bebe: Shweta, let him have his black coffee. Why are you questioning him like a police officer. Prakash chuckled in response, but went quiet as Shweta glared at him.

Shweta: I was only asking like that, Bebe. I'll go ask the cook to prepare you black coffee. She caressed Neil's hair and went to the kitchen.

Neil flashed an empty smile, usually he would be smiling his heart out seen such banter between  Bebe and Shweta but today wasn't the day. The staff handed him his coffee, which he gratefully accepted and took a long sip, enjoying the strong, rich flavour.

Bebe: Shweta, has Neil's sherwani arrived?

Shweta: Ji Bebe. Neil, try it on so we can see how it fits you. I thought you can try it yesterday, but you did not return. The store owner told us to bring it back today if any adjustments needed to be made so that he could return it to us before tomorrow evening.

Prakash: If changes are required, Neil will have to remain there until it doesn't fit perfectly.

Shweta: that is the only option. Also, we will decide on the ring till then.

Neil was not interested in the engagement matter, so he took out his phone and checked his texts to see what Avni had sent to Shweta. His finger began to caress the message that she had delivered.

Suddenly he came out of his small moment when he heard Shweta call out his name loudly.

Neil: what happened mom?

Shweta: Neil, you really need to quit drifting off during important discussions. Anyway, after breakfast, try on the sherwani to check it out and then freshen up.

Neil nodded slowly.

After breakfast, Neil tried on the sherwani with little interest. Shweta noted a few loose areas.

Shweta: Tillu, before showering, leave the sherwani on the bed. I'll come collect it in few minutes.

Neil went to the washroom. Taking off the sherwani, he slipped on a bathrobe and walked back to his room, tossing the sherwani on the bed before stepping back to the washroom.

few minutes later, Shweta returned when she heard the shower running. Her smile faded when she spotted Neil leaving the sherwani on the bed as if it was his daily outfit.

Shweta: What should I do with this boy? she stated, folding the sherwani. After placing it in the bag, she left his room closing the door.

Meanwhile at the Metha mansion

Avni had never spent so much time in the shower before. The incident from last night was just stored in her memory.

She stood in front of the mirror, a towel draped around her body. Droplets of water trickled down her skin. Her wet hair was loosely wrapped in a towel.

Even though she was staring at her own reflection in the mirror, for Avni, her eyes were portraying that little moment, which still made her heart beat quicker with a tingling sensation in her stomach.

Avni
My fingers skimed my lips, relieving the touch of his lips over mine. A shiver ran down my spine, I can still feel his taste in my mouth. Still it feels like a dream. Did I really kiss him?

"And I hope soon he remember it" my subconscious without any panic of the repercussion blurted out, which made my breathing laboured, heartbeat rapid.

"Please God do not listen to her. Neil is better off me. He don't deserve me, I did worst to him." My voice came out as a whisper as i looked at my form pleadingly in the mirror.

"Instead Why don't you let him decide what he deserves and what he not?" There is a voice I heard retorted me very harshly. I think that day is not much far away my head would burst out.

*

Neil came out after 20 minutes. He was wearing only jeans, no shirt. Taking care of his damp hair with a towel he walked to the wardrobe.

Tina, who entered the room, noticed Neil's bare back, it seems like he is searching for something in wardrobe while rubbing a towel in his hair.

Tina tiptoed reaching him, she wrapped her arms around Neil from behind.

Tina: Hey, Mr. America. She said teasingly.

Her action turned Neil stiffened, his hands freeze as the towel slid off his grasp feeling Tina this close.

Swiftly blurred visuals flashed before his eyes; they weren't clear, but he could make out faint noises that were both Avni and him. Undoubtedly, something took place yesterday. But what?
He was able to remember a very small detail of him calling Avni's name, and it made him feel something. Even thinking about it made his heart skip a beat.
He knows that he must keep this to himself since he is forbidden to ask her anything because it would not be appropriate, especially considering how badly things ended.
and he can't be sure how true it was because he was drunk at the time. Knowing that he knew Avni had been there ever before Advay had contacted her, could he be hallucinating with all of these hazy images?
Although he had no answer for it, his heart was racing as though it were trying to get him to find the answers to his questions.

Tina: Aww, is Mr America that shy that he can't face me? She spoke again in the same teasing way, causing Neil to break out of his thoughts and glance at Tina, who was standing in front of him now with her hands around his neck. He was so deep in zoning out that he didn't realise when Tina made him turn to her.

Neil: It's not like that. I wasn't expecting you to be here, he stated with a faint fake smile.

Tina moved her hands away from his neck as Neil grabbed a shirt and put it on; for the first time, he struggled to button his shirt.

Tina: By the way, you wanted to speak to me about something two days ago, correct?
I'm sorry I didn't get to call you back that night because rehearsal was until late night, making me feel hell exhausted. Yesterday, when I got up to check my phone in the morning, I realised my phone battery was dead and my friend also had a different charger, so I had to wait until I got home to see the number of missed calls, I had gotten from you.
I was unable to call or message you back because I had to head to rehearsals, and one of our team members hurt her ankle and when I came to meet you yesterday evening, I found out you weren't at home.
But now that I'm here, you can talk about whatever you want, and I'll listen. She stated as she was playing with his button all this time.

Neil headed towards the dressing table as he began brushing his hair.

Neil: It's fine, Tina; there's no need for any explanations because I realised it wasn't important anymore. He muttered, getting lost for a second as he placed down his brush and headed towards his bed to put on his snickers.

Tina came and sat down on the bed next to him, watching Neil knot his snickers laces.

Tina: Come on, Neil, you must have had something you wanted to discuss or you would not have called me. So, what did you want to talk to me about?

Neil gave Tina a brief glance before speaking.

Neil: I was thinking about cancelling the engagement. He said it nonchalantly, as if he were cancelling a trip. He wasn't technically lying.

Tina looked at Neil as she seen him take his phone and wallet. She shook her head and smiled at him.

Tina: Tum bhi na Neil, your comic timing is too bad. She shook her head at him, smiling

Neil looked on seriously but then faked a laugh and turned to Tina.

Neil: Absolutely. That was the worst one. He replied with a sour smile.

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

Hey guys here is the next chapter. Thank you to those who commented and voted for the previous chapter and took time out to comment we appreciate it.

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