"I hope you like Chinese" out of the blue he asked, his words caused me to freeze in the mid chewing my food. That delicious sweet and sour crunchy prawn I was about to gulp.

Shit.

Neil: We can order you something else if you don't like it. I will not feel bad or upset if you want to eat something that you like, so you know what, without any thoughts just order anything that you prefer. Seeing that she was unable to respond, he said.

Avni: No, Neil, it's nothing like that. I apologise, actually I was at a loss for words, but the food is delicious. I'm comfortable with most foods, and Chinese food is one of them. Tina and I had a few Chinese meals together, so I didn't mind eating it at all. With a tense smile, she said. She knew what she said was true as she and Tina had few Chinese Meals together in the past..

Neil: Thank God. I'm sorry I had placed an order of Chinese food earlier on as it's both mine and Tina favourite. If only I had known the last minute of plan change, I would have allowed you to order whatever you prefer.

Avni: It's okay. None of us knew it would be a last-minute plan change she said as Neil nodded.

Avni: If Tina had arrived, what would have happened? With the exception of a few dishes, she barely enjoys Chinese food. She is also unaware that I have told Neil my favourite meal rather than hers. Neil believes that Chinese food is his and Tina's favourite, but if I could only tell him that it's actually my favourite and not Tina's. Fortunately, Tina is spared from such a disaster else if she had questioned Neil about why he had placed the order without asking her, things would have undoubtedly gone wrong. Her insides tightened at the mere thought of the scenario. She thought and made a brief, silent prayer, acknowledging that she had prevented Tina and Neil's relationship from becoming entangled.

She can never forget that during one of those days she had opened up her email and found his message asking about her favourite food.

Flashback

Neil: What is your favourite food ?

Avni : I like Chinese.

Neil: Same pinch. Chinese is my favourite too. Wow I like it that we have so much in common, don't you think so Tina?

End of flashback

It had been 10 minutes since the food had arrived.

Avni grinned at what Neil had said and took a bite out of her dinner. Avni, for once telling him how much she loves her job, as they both dug into their plates, talked about work.

She casually glanced at Nell as she took a sip of her drink, smiling as she watched him happily eat his food. Her thoughts then wandered about.

Avni: Oh god. I suppose I was just exaggerating things needlessly. Neil made no mention of what had transpired a few days before, and I was left wondering how I would confront him on my own, particularly if he brought it up. It's not my fault if I exaggerate, though, because the circumstances were such that I became anxious about how things would turn out.
For Neil, Tina is everything. There is no chance of him ever for feeling anything at all for a girl like me. It was ridiculous that at that point, I would have even considered such a thing. She pondered in her head.

Neil noticed that Avni was staring into space. To bring her back to the present, he clicked his fingers in front of her face.

Neil: Come on, Avni, you're just drifting off into space, I mean, the food wasn't too terrible. I'm often curious about what passes through your tiny head. With a lopsided smile, he said

Avni: Well, I can't disclose precisely everything. We must keep some things to ourselves. Also, the food is delicious and difficult to decline. She continued in the same light-hearted tone.

As Avni began to finish her dinner, Neil chuckled and shook his head while grinning at her.

Avni looked at the time after having dinner and interacting in light-hearted conversation about her work with Neil while he gave her some handful tips.

Avni: Neil. I think we should leave now.

Neil: Sure, I'll drop you since our destination is the same. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: Our destination will always be till halfway Neil. It can never be the same for us . She thought to herself.

Avni: Thank you but no thank you. I have got my car you see. She said getting up followed by Neil.

Neil: Okay but let me drop you till the car at least.

Avni: okay. She replied smiling at him.

Avni walked a step ahead while Neil was behind her. He rubbed the back of his head with an everlasting smile on his face. This was one of the best dinner he ever had. It felt like after so many days he enjoyed his meal since that incident that occurred with Avni few days back in the kitchen.

Avni: Bye Neil. She said once they reached near her car.

Neil: Bye. Thank you for coming. I really enjoyed. He said aa Avni opened the car door.

Avni: Well, I couldn't deny since Tina requested me. We couldn't keep the great Neil Khanna hanging right she said giving one of the most amazing smile and got into the car as she heard Neil laugh at what she said.

She waved to Neil, who returned the gesture as he backed away, watching her car pull out of the parking lot, but his smile never left from his face.

Neil cheerfully raced to his car and started to hum a song. When he thought back to his time with Avni in the restaurant, a broad smile kept spreading across his lips.

Starting the engine, he drove the vehicle out of the parking lot.

Thank you to those who took time out to read the previous Chap leaving your valuable comments and votes

Updated another chap. I know its short but it's better than making everyone wait.

Lots of love