For you, I was a chapter
For me, you were the book

Neil looked at himself in the mirror, dressed in his sherwani, hair gelled up.

Neil: You'll be engaged to Tina after some time. The girl you had been emailing for years. You can do it for her and your family. He said to himself. The pain running inside him was evident on his face.

He turned around when he heard the click of his door opening and in stepped his family, including Bebe and Shweta bickering as usual.
 
Bebe: Haye Rabba. Kinna sona lag raha hai mera pota. Nazar na lagien, she said, placing kala teeka on the back of his ears.

Neil smiled. A forceful smile, which only he knew.
 
Shweta: You're right, Bebe. Our Tillu is so handsome that everything looks wonderful on him. I still can't believe he'll get engaged soon enough.
 
Bebe: For once, Madam Madonna, I agree with you *cough cough*. She rubbed her chest slightly.

Shweta: Bebe. You did not take medication.
 
Bebe: I did, Shweta. Don't make everyone worried; it was just a cough, she said, observing Neil's concerned expression.
 
Neil: Are you sure you're okay, Bebe?
 
Bebe: haan baba. There will be numerous problems at this age, but don't worry, your bebe can handle anything, just like I am handling your maa, she said. Making Neil and Prakash control their laugh.
 
Shweta: Absolutely... Wait what? She said, understanding what Bebe had said, and pouted at her.

Bebe: Stop making a face now. 
 
Prakash came towards Neil and gently squeezed his shoulders.

Prakash: Puttar. I know you are fully committed to this relationship. But if you ever feel like you need to talk to someone, if you have something you cannot discuss with anyone, realise that, as a friend, I will always be there for you. Hmmm,
Do not believe that just because you are getting engaged to Tina and will soon marry, you cannot share anything with me. I'll always be there for you, he said with a wide smile.
 
Neil looked at his family. He believed he was very blessed to have such a beautiful family who always provided soothing words. He stepped closer to Prakash and hugged him.

Neil: Dad, I love you. Thank you for always being there. He said, "All of you," he added, looking at Bebe and Shweta, who were also distraught.
 
Prakash: I love you too, mere sher. Now shall we leave?
 
Shweta: One minute, Prakash ji. Last-minute makeup touch-up. She added apologetically,
 
Bebe: Shweta. Neil is getting engaged, not you.
 
Shweta: bebeee. I understand that, but as Neil's mother, I need to look beautiful. She said, smiling brightly.
 
Neil: It's okay; we'll wait for you downstairs. Take your time.

Bebe: It's a good thing the function is at the Metha Mansion; otherwise, Madam Madonna would have made us late. Chal go, we still have time. She replied as Shweta hugged her and then headed to her room. 
 
Shaking her head, Bebe chuckled as soon as Shweta left.
 
At the Metha mansion.
 
Tina gazed in the mirror as Neela placed the necklace around her neck. Her eyes shifted to the shiny object on her neck, and her fingers traced it softly to feel the texture.
 
Tina: I may have gotten this, but I never imagined I'd look this gorgeous when I'm fully ready, she stated. Her make-up was perfect owing to the makeup specialist Avni had hired for her.
 
Neela: You look like an angel. Kisi ki nazar na lagien meri bachi ko. She said while taking some kajal from her eyes and placing it behind Tina's ear.
 
Tina held Neela's hand and turned around in her chair. She looked at Neela and kissed both of her hands, which caused Neela to smile with a small frown.
 
Tina: I never knew what a mother's love actually feels like. But the way you have made me feel all these years makes me believe that it would surely be like this. 
 
Neela smiled fondly at Tina and placed a soft kiss against her forehead.

Neela: You are also my daughter, so how can I not show this daughter of mine all the love she deserves? She said this while clutching Tina's hand.

They both looked towards the door as Shekar, Ashish, and Dayawanti entered.

Tina got up. A huge smile on her face as she saw how her dad was admiring her with all the love he has for her.

Tina hugged him as he came closer, wrapping his arms around her. A few seconds later, she moved away and noticed tears in his eyes.

Tina: Papa? What's wrong, she asked softly, grabbing on to his hands.

Shekar chuckled as he wiped away his tears.
 
Shekar: These are happy tears, beta. You are still that small Tina to me, and seeing you all decked up for the engagement made me realise how soon you will be getting married. How did time go by so quickly, Meri Bachi? He stated, trying not to cry as Tina's eyes welled up.
Ashish wiped his own tears and walked up to Shekar.
 
Ashish: Shekar, how dare you make Tina cry! Tina Beta, this friend of mine is insane. It's only your engagement, and he's acting like it's your wedding day, unless he's thinking of all the fantastic things he can do when you're not around. Shekuu. He said, and he placed his hand around Shekar's shoulder.
 
Shekar: You'll never change Ashish. Kuch bhi bolte ho. He said that with a chuckle.

Dayawanti: Chalo, at least our Tina smiled; otherwise, her pictures would have looked horrible if she had a tear-stained face. She said, making a face.
 
Tina smiled, and then a frown appeared on her face after hearing what Dayawanti said. She hurriedly walked to the mirror to check herself out again and breathed a sigh of relief when she realised her make-up was still up to date.
 
Neela: Shall we go down now?
 
All nodded while Neela helped Tina down the stairs. 
 
Soon enough, guests began to arrive. They met the Methas, Tina, and Shekar. There wasn't going to be a large crowd because the family member decided to invite only a few friends and family.

Tina, who was standing with her father and the Metha family, looked around as the guests started talking among themselves.

The Khanna family had yet to arrive at the Metha home.

Tina: Where is Avni? She whispered to herself while looking around.

Neela, who was standing next to her, smiled as Tina said that.

Neela: Your best friend is only here. She said, making Tina look at her as she adjusted Tina's earrings.

Tina: Neela ma, I can't see her. When I need her the most, she always seems to disappear. Tina stated so, and Neela chuckled, making Tina pout slightly.

Neela: Someone seems to be nervous.
 
Tina: How did you know? She asked, surprised.
 
Neela: It happens; we have all been there. Apart from that, Neil is the person with whom you would be getting engaged. Do not overthink it. She said while touching her cheeks.
 
Tina: I know, but I can't help it. She said quietly.
 
Neela grasped Tina's shoulder and gave her a side hug.
 
The Khanna family soon arrived, and they made their way towards the Metha family and Shekar, interacting with some guests on the way. Neil was not happy, but he forced a grin for his family and Tina's sake as he took everyone's blessing.
 
Ashish: What's this? You live only a minute away but still take your time getting here. He said it jokingly.

Prakash: Yaara, what can I do when Shweta takes her precious time getting ready?
 
Shweta. It's not like we are late, Prakash. Besdies, it's our son's engagement, so I should look well, she said, leading everyone to chuckle as Bebe shook her head at her daughter-in-law.
 
Tina then moved and took the Khanna family's blessing. While Shweta and Bebe blessed her, they also complimented her on her beauty.
 
Ashish: Neil Beta, why are you standing there? Come and stand here with your soon-to-be fiancée, he added, making Neil uneasy, while Tina shyly smiled and looked down.
 
He hesitantly nodded, but Prakash pulled him closer, making Ashish grab his hand and make him stand near Tina, who looked at him with a trace of blush before turning away after a few seconds.
 
He smiled at her, but the smile did not reach his eyes; instead, his gaze began to search for the one person who stole his heart but could not be his.

Tina: How do I look, Mr. America? She whispered, making Neil look at her. 
 
Neil: Pretty. He said it with a small smile, and he knew that was not a lie. Tina did look beautiful.
 
Before Tina could comment, the lights dimmed while all wondered what was happening except the Metha family. 
 
They spotted a spotlight on top of the stairs, and someone came out from the darkness.
 
As the person came out of the shadow, her smile was what made her look even more beautiful. 
 
Ashish: Uff, my daughter is looking so beautiful. She has gone on her dad by looks. He said, to which Neela rolled her eyes.

Neil held his breath for a second as he saw how gorgeous Avni looked, completely forgetting what occurred between them in the last few days.

Advay, who arrived at the Metha residence, entered while adjusting his sherwani stole. His eyes glanced around, seeing the lights dimmed and everyone focused upwards. Following their gaze, he looked up as his breath caught in his throat at how beautiful Avni was looking.

Avni: Tina and Avni. Avni and Tina. Everyone who has known us since childhood understands how inseparable we are. Tina has been a shield for me whenever someone has tried to criticise me, and she calls me her learning saviour for all those late-night notes and essays that she could never finish. We've always had each other's backs since childhood, and we can do anything for one another.
Even though our views on life changed as we grew older, one thing remained the same and got stronger. The bond we share.
From a distance, people may believe Tina just cares about herself and her appearance. Well, I won't lie about the appearance. Tina enjoys looking fantastic both while sleeping and when she wakes up. She said she was walking down the stairs, making everyone chuckle, while Tina had her mouth wide.
But, undoubtedly, only those who are close to Tina can see how kind and loving she is, as well as how hard she works to make her dream become a reality.
Tina was a girl who never considered marriage or dating, but as fate would have it, she is now all dressed up and looking stunning as she is all set to get engaged to the man she loves. Avni said when she reached the bottom of the steps.
 
Neil came out of his happy bubble and faced the harsh reality when he felt Tina wrap her hand around his arm and smile at him, which he reacted to slightly. He can't lose control now, not anymore. If he needs to move on, then he needs to get rid of those feelings, which he knows won't be easy. Taking a deep breath, he slowly moved his hands up and patted Tina's hand that was resting on his arm. Tina looked at him, her smile growing wide with that gesture. 

Ashish went ahead and took the microphone from Avni.

Ashish: To the man who also loves Tina, he said, gesturing at Neil. As all applauded.
 
Neil glanced up at Ashish, then his gaze automatically moved to Avni, whom he looked at seriously. Avni turned to face Neil, seeing the way he was staring at her at the time.
 
When she was walking down the stairs, frequently glancing at Tina, only she knew how she kept herself in control. A few times, though, she felt as though her eyes were betraying her, as she noticed the smile that was glued to his face as he was staring at her.
 
Avni noticed Neil clenching his jaws as he looked away. Taking the mic from Ashish, she decided to finish what she had to say.

Avni: Tina and Neil, congratulations on your engagement, which will take place sometime. Tina Your smile shows your happiness, and Neil, I wish you the best of luck in dealing with Tina and her antiques and spending the rest of your life with her with all the love you both have for each other. She said this without looking at Neil, who was annoyed since she knew precisely how he felt but was acting as if nothing had happened and she was completely clueless of anything.
We thank all of you for sharing this happy occasion with us. She finished by giving a staff member the mic.
 
Ashish placed his hand around Avni's shoulder and took her to where the others were as the lights came back on.
 
Neil looked at Avni seriously, but within seconds he moved his gaze away from her.
 
"This is already difficult," his inner self voiced out. 

Here is the next chapter guys.
Thanks to those who commented and voted for the previous chapter.

We just wanna say keep your seat belts on. 😁