It was the time of the morning, the sun was shining over the building of the college where the students were involved with their activities. Some were studying and some were having fun.

Avni was passing by the corridor of the college and was moving to her class. Neil was coming from the opposite direction. They saw each other. Avni smiled to see Neil who made an angry face and ignored Avni. Avni was shocked and confused about what happened to Neil suddenly. Neil passed by Avni and went from there. Avni turned and looked at Neil.

Ali came there and he saw Avni. Ali faced Avni’s back. Ali smiled.

Ali: Avni.

Avni turned and looked at Ali. Neil stopped and got shocked and angry. Neil turned and saw Ali coming to Avni.

Ali: Hi.

Avni smiled and replied.

Ali: Let’s go to the class.

Avni: Yeah.

Avni and Ali moved and Neil was looking at them angrily. Avni and Ali entered the classroom and moved to their seats. Neil came behind them and saw them sitting. Avni saw Neil who glared at her. Avni frowned. Neil ignored Avni and went to his seat. Avni was looking at Neil. Ma’am entered the class and Avni looked at her. Everyone got up and Avni got engrossed in the lecture and forgot about Neil.

Soon, the lecture ended, and everyone got up and started to go. The students came out and were passing by the corridor. Neil and his friends were also going. They were passing by the corridor and Neil’s mood was not so good. The students were gathered at the notice board.

Vidyut: Ab kya lag gaya notice board per?

KK: Hogi koi nai restriction. Neil, yaar, tu Uncle se keh kar is principle ka kuch karta kyun nahi hai.

Neil remained silent.

Vidyut: Uncle is ki baat sun hi naa len.

Neil glared at Vidyut who smiled.

KK: Chal dekh kar aate hain.

Neil: Tum log jao mujhe nahi jana.

Vidyut: chor isay, chal hum chalte hain.

KK nodded and they went. Neil went and stood at some distance.

Avni and Ali were also coming there.

Ali: Shayad koi notice laga hai noticeboard per.

Avni: Shayad exam se related kuch ho.

Ali: tumhe parhai ke ilawa aur kuch nahi sujhta.

Avni: Nahi.

Ali looked away and Avni smiled. They came forward.

Ali: Tum roko main dekh kar aata hun.

Avni smiled and said, OK.

Ali went and Avni was looking at him and other students. Neil was standing by leaning against the wall and carrying his jacket in his arms. Neil looked here and there and then he turned his face. Neil saw Avni who was looking at the notice board. Neil was just looking at her and then he thought something. Neil looked away. Neil’s friends came to him and they were smiling.

Vidyut: Notification of New Year party.

Neil stayed silent and was looking down.

KK: We will go hmm.

Vidyut: Of course, we will go. It will be fun. Neil, you will come right.

Neil looked at Vidyut. Ali and Avni were coming there.

Ali: You will come to the party, right?

Neil heard Ali and he turned his face. Avni smiled and shook her head. Neil was looking at her.

Avni: No, I don’t go to the parties.

Neil was looking at her.

Ali: What? You are joking, right?

Avni shook her head.

Avni: No, I am serious. I have never gone to any party.

Ali was shocked and stopped. Avni stopped to see him.

Ali: What? Are you human?

Avni smiled.

KK: Neil, you will come right?

Neil’s attention was on Avni so he said, hmm but he didn’t listen to what KK said. Vidyut and KK smiled and they did HiFi. They got busy in their talks.

Avni: No, I am serious. My life’s motive is to become a brand.

Neil was listening to Avni.

Avni: My dreams are big.

Ali: But nothing happens by leaving study for a day.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Ali, meri life tumhari life se bohat alag hai. Mujhe permission nahi hai parties main jane ki.

Ali: Yaar, ajeeb hai tumhari family.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Beti hun na.

Ali: So? Beti hona koi paap nahi hai.

Avni: Hai.

Neil and Ali were shocked.

Ali: Kuch logon ke liye beti hona paap hai.

Ali: Means, you will not come.

Avni: No.

Ali: Yaar, tumhare bina kya maza ayega.

Avni smiled and Neil got angry.

Ali: At least try.

Avni smiled. Avni and Ali passed by Neil who was looking at them. Neil thought.

Juhi was standing at some distance and was looking at Neil.

Juhi: This New Year party will be special for us. We will become one in this New Year Party. I will make you mine, Neil.

Juhi smirked.

Neil and his friends were passing by the corridor. KK and Vidyut were talking and Neil was lost in his thoughts.

Neil came to the garden area. Neil saw Avni sitting on the grass. Avni was studying and was making the notes. Neil smiled to see her because Avni was wearing the glasses. Neil found Avni cute. Neil was smiling but soon his smile faded. Ali came to Avni and sat beside her on the grass. Neil got angry and clenched his fist.

Neil: Yeh Ali har jaga kyun aa jata hai. Chipku kahin ka.

Avni smiled and Ali passed a packet to Avni who closed her books and took the packet. Neil got angry.

Neil: Avni, is Ali ko itna free kyun kar rahi hai? Maine kaha bhi tha Avni ko ke is Ali se dur rahe.

Neil got angry and something struck his mind. Neil thought.

Neil: Kahin main jo soch raha tha woh sahi to nahi hai?

Neil was shocked. Neil looked at Avni and Ali.

Avni was passing by the corridor and Neil came in her way. Avni flinched. Neil was angrily looking at Avni.

Neil: kya chal raha hai tumhare aur Ali ke bich?

Avni looked at Neil and she got irritated.

Avni: kuch bhi nahi. Principal Sir ne kaha hai Ali ki help karne ke liye is liye main us ke sath hun. Is ke ilawa aur kuch nahi hai.

Neil was looking at Avni.

Neil: Ab se tum us Ali se dur rahogi.

Avni looked at Neil shockingly.

Avni: But principle sir ne us ki help karne ko kaha hai.

Neil: Tum ne pure college ka theka nahi le rakha hai. Dur raho us Ali se. Ab se main tumhe us Ali ke sath naa dekhun.

Avni was looking at Neil who glared at her and then he went. Avni thought.

The next day, Neil entered the corridor and he found Avni standing with Ali and discussing a topic. Neil got angry. Avni saw Neil and then she avoided eye contact. Neil went from there and Avni turned her face and looked at him. Avni thought.

Avni and Ali entered together and Avni looked at Neil who looked away in anger. Neil looked at Avni and Ali and gave them a deadly glare. Avni looked down and went to her seat. Neil was looking at them.

Later, Avni was going to the library. Neil came in her way and Avni flinched so she took steps back. Neil was glaring at her. Neil held Avni’s arm and he took her to the room which was near them. Neil pushed Avni into the classroom and Avni turned to him. Avni looked shocked. Neil closed the door and he turned to Avni. Neil came to Avni. Avni was looking at Neil confusingly.

Neil: Maine kaha tha na tumhe ke us Ali se dur raho.

Avni was shocked.

Neil shouted: Tum meri baat sunti kyun nahi ho.

Avni flinched and shivered. Neil saw that and he felt guilty. Neil closed his eyes and caught his head. Neil sighed.

Neil: I am telling you last time, Avni, stay away from Ali else the consequences will be bad.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Mind it.

Neil glared at Avni and then he turned. Neil was going.

Avni: I and Ali are only friends.

Neil stopped for a few seconds and Avni was looking at Neil. Neil turned to Avni.

Avni: Nothing more is between us. Meri zindagi ka maqsad ek moukam hasil karna hai, pyar karna nahi.

Neil got hurt because if Avni didn’t love Ali then she also didn’t love him. Neil was looking at her. Avni lowered her gaze.

Avni: Ali needs my help in his studies and we are friends so I can’t deny him when he needs my help.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: I will help him whenever he needs me.

Neil got angry.

Avni: And about sitting with him then he comes to me. I can’t stop him coming with me.

Neil was looking at her. Avni looked at Neil and then she came to Neil and passed by him. Neil was looking at her. Avni opened the door and she went from there. Neil was looking at Avni and was in shock.

Later, Neil was standing in the corridor with his friends. They were talking. Juhi came to them with her friends.

Juhi: Hi, handsome.

Neil and his friends made a face. Avni was passing from there and Juhi saw her. Juhi thought and smirked. Juhi kept her hand on Neil’s shoulder. Avni saw them and she saw Juhi’s hand on Neil’s shoulder. Neil looked at his shoulder and then he looked at Juhi.

Juhi: How are you, baby?

Neil glared at Juhi who looked at Avni. Neil followed her gaze and saw Avni. Neil looked on and he remembered Avni’s words.

Flashback:

1. Avni: I and Ali are only friends.

Neil stopped.

2. Avni: Nothing more is between us. Meri zindagi ka maqsad ek moukam hasil karna hai, pyar karna nahi.

3. Avni: Ali needs my help in his studies and we are friends so I can’t deny him when he needs my help.

4. Avni: I will help him whenever he needs me.

5. Avni: And about sitting with him then he comes to me. I can’t stop him coming with me.

6. Avni went and Neil was looking at her.

Flashback ended.

Neil was looking at Avni. Neil held Juhi’s waist and pulled her to him. Avni and Neil’s friends were shocked. Neil was looking at Avni who was looking at Neil. Avni lowered her gaze and walked from there. Neil’s friends saw Avni and they were confused. Neil was looking at Avni who went from there. Juhi cupped Neil’s face. Neil looked at Juhi and jerked her away. Juhi was shocked.

Neil: Stay away from me.

Neil glared at her. Neil took his bag from the floor and he went from there by keeping the bag over his shoulder. Juhi was looking at Neil. Juhi looked at Vidyut and KK. They smiled and Juhi felt humiliated. KK and Vidyut went from there. Juhi was looking at them and then she thought.

Some days passed and Avni and Ali’s friendship was affecting Neil. Neil was getting frustrated. Neil daily taught Avni scooty and now Avni can ride the scooty. Avni was riding the scooter and Neil was sitting behind her. Avni stopped the scooty and Neil got down from it. Neil clapped and Avni smiled. Avni removed her helmet.

Neil: Weldone.

Avni smiled and sighed happily.

Neil: Now you can ride on the scooter. You can come to college on it.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Thank You, Neil.

Neil made a face and smiled.

Avni: Thank you, mujhe scooty chalana sikhane ke liye.

Neil smiled. Neil leaned to Avni who looked at him.

Neil: Anything for you.

Avni was looking at Neil who smiled. Avni was just looking at Neil. Avni and Neil got lost in each other's eyes. Avni broke the eye contact. Avni and Neil felt embarrassed and avoided eye contact.

Neil: Ab, kal college isi scooty per aana.

Avni smiled and thought. Avni was excited to go college on scooty.

The next day, the sun was shining over the college where Neil was sitting on his bike and his friends were sitting on their bikes. They were talking and smiling. Neil looked at the entrance. Neil was waiting for Avni. Neil saw the time on his watch.

Neil in mind: Yeh Avni abhi tak ayi kyun nahi hai. Abhi tak to usay aa jana chahiye the.

Neil thought and was shocked.

Neil: Kahin Avni, Avni ka ac...

Neil was shocked.

Neil in mind: Nahi, nahi asa kuch nahi hai.

Neil looked at the entrance and waited for Avni. Soon, Avni entered the main gate on her scooter and Neil smiled to see her. Neil sighed. Vidyut and KK saw Avni.

KK: Yeh kon aya hai scooty per.

Vidyut curved his lips downward and said, I don't know.

Neil smiled to see them and then he looked at Avni. Avni removed her helmet. Vidyut, KK, and other students were shocked.

KK: Avni?

Neil looked at him and smiled.

Vidyut: Avni scooty per?

They looked at Neil who smiled.

Vidyut: Tu ne...

Neil was shocked. Neil kept his finger on his lips.

Neil: Ssshhhh...

Neil looked around and then he looked at Vidyut. Neil signed him to talk slowly.

Vidyut whispered: Tu ne le kar di.

Neil nodded and his friends were shocked. They looked at each other and Neil looked at Avni who got down from the scooter and was going from there happily. Neil smiled to see Avni happy.

Some days passed. One day, Avni entered her home and she saw Neela maa. Avni smiled to see her and said Hi to her. Avni hugged her mother.

Nm: How was the day?

Avni: it was good.

Nm: Good.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Main fresh ho jati hun phir hum dono sath main lunch karte hain.

Nm: ok.

Avni smiled and she went to her room. Avni entered the room and closed the door. Avni came to the bed and kept her bag there. Avni noticed a box and frowned.

Avni: Yeh kya hai?

Avni opened the box and she was surprised to see a gown.

Avni: Gown?

Avni touched the gown and thought. Avni took out the gown and saw it. Avni liked the gown and smiled to see it. The door opened and Avni looked there.

Neela Maa was coming while carrying a tray of food in her hands. Avni looked at the gown. Neela maa saw that and smiled.

Nm: Shweta Ji ne yeh gown bhejha hai tumhare liye.

Avni was surprised.

Avni: Aunty ne?

Neela Maa nodded and she came to the bed. Neela Maa kept the tray on the bed.

Nm: New Year party ke liye bhejhi hai.

Avni: New Year party ke liye?

Neela Maa nodded.

Avni: Lekin main to party main jaa hi nahi rahi.

Neela Maa was surprised.

Nm: Kyun?

Avni: Maa, main parties main jati kahan hun.

Nm: Jati nahi ho to is ka matlab yeh thori hai ke is baar bhi nahi jaogi.

Avni: Maa…

Nm: Bacha, ab to Ashish aur Maa bhi tumhe nahi rokenge phir kya problem hai?

Avni: Maa, mujhe nahi pasand parties main jana.

Nm: Yeh kya baat hoi? Bacha, pehle ki baat alag thi ab tumhari engagement ho chuki hai. Tumhe Neil ke sath bahar jana chahiye. Jab se tum dono ki engagement hoi hai tum dono kahin gaye hi nahi ho.

Avni looked down.

Avni: Roz to college main milte hain hum aur raat ko bahar jate to hain.

Nm:  scooty chalane sikhne.

Avni looked at her mother.

Nm: Mana ke abhi is engagement ko secret rakha hai hum ne lekin engagement to hoi hai na.

Avni looked down.

Nm: Bacha, parhai per dihan dena achi baat hai lekin rishton ko bhi to nibhana hai na. Rishte bhi to sambhalne hain na.

Avni was looking at her mother and she thought.

Avni in mind: Rishte?

Avni thought. Avni looked at her mother.

Avni: Acha abhi choren in sab baton ko mujhe bohat bhook lagi hai.

Neela Maa made a face.

Nm: Khana main le ayi hun tum bus fresh ho jao.

Avni nodded. Avni foldsed the dress by keeping it on the bed.

The moon was shining over the Khanna mansion where Shweta was standing in the living area. Neil was standing near her. Shweta was talking on the phone.

Shweta: How are you, my childs?

Neil palmed his forehead and Avni smiled.

Avni: I am good, Aunty. How are you?

Shweta: What is this, Avni? Maine kitni baar kaha hai ke mujhe Mom bulaya karo.

Avni looked down.

Avni: Ji.

Shweta: Acha tells me that you liked the gown or not?

Neil got alert.

Neil whispered: Speaker. Speaker.

Shweta stopped him by her hand. Neil got irritated.

Avni: Gown is beautiful.

Shweta looked at Neil and showed a thumbs up. Neil did the same and Shweta nodded. Neil smiled and got happy.

Shweta: I have sents it for New Year parties.

Avni felt bad.

Avni: I am sorry, Aunty, but Main New Year Party main nahi jaa rahi.

Shweta was surprised and she looked at Neil. Neil signed what happened and Shweta put the phone on speaker.

Shweta: What? But why?

Avni: I don’t like parties. Main parties main nahi jati.

Neil thought.

Shweta: But you should go.

Avni remained silent.

Neil was thinking.

Neil in mind: I thought, she was not coming because of the dress. That’s why I bought that gown for her.

Yes, Neil was the one who bought that dress for Avni.

Neil thought.

Avni: Main apni studies ka loss nahi kar sakti.

Neil made a face.

Neil whispered: Bookworm.

Shweta made a face and then she smiled.

Shweta: Parhna achi baat hai lekin life main thora fun bhi to hona chahiye na.

Neil nodded.

Avni: Mera fun studies hi hain.

Neil looked away. Neil thought.

Neil in mind: Exams to New Year se pehle hain. Means, Avni bahane bana rahi hai.

Neil made a face.

Shweta: Ab beta, mujhe Tillu ne bataya.

Neil was shocked and Avni was surprised.

Avni: Tillu?

Shweta bit her tongue and looked at Neil. Neil spread his arms to sign what?

Neil whispered: Tillu?

Shweta held her ear and whispered sorry. Neil looked away.

Avni: Hello?

Avni checked whether the call was connected or not.

Avni: Hello, Aunty?

Shweta: Yeah, yeah. I, I means Neil. Neil tolds me about the New Year Party so I thoughts to buys a gown for you. Ab, I don’t have a daughter but I have gotten a daughter in your shape so I bought that gown for you. If you wear it then I will be happy.

Avni felt bad and Neil smiled and showed thumbs up.

Avni: I will try to wear it.

Shweta and Neil smiled.

Shweta: Ab, thank you, beta. OK, beta, ab main rakhti hun, apna dihan rakhna.

Avni: Ji. Bye.

Shweta: Bye.

Avni cut the call and thought.

On the other side, Shweta and Neil were standing in the living area.

Neil: Aap se itna chota sa kaam nahi howa?

Shweta: Maine kaha to usay lekin usay parhai karni hai to main kya karun?

Neil: Bahane bana rahi hai woh.

Shweta: Ab is main, main kya kar sakti hun. Aur tu mujhe ek baat bata ke tu ne yeh fake engagement to Avni ki studies complete karwane ke liye ki thi na.

Neil was shocked to hear “ Fake engagement”.

Shweta: to phir ab kya ho gaya hai? Tu Avni main itna interest kyun le raha hai.

Neil was shocked.

Neil: Na, nahi to. Aa, asa kuch nahi hai. Woh, woh actually mujhe. Laga. Ke. Us ke. Us ke pass dress nahi hai is liye, woh nahi arahi bu, bus is liye maine, maine dress le kar di.

Shweta was nodding.

Neil: That’s. That’s it.

Shweta: That’s it?

Neil: Yeah, that’s it.

Shweta: Oh, OK.

Neil moved his head and avoided eye contact. Neil went from there. Shweta was looking at him.

Shweta: Beta, Tillu, main bhi teri maa hun. Daal main kuch to kala nahi yahan to puri daal hi kali hai. Kuch to khichri pak rahi hai.

Shweta nodded.

Shweta: Pata lagana parega.

Shweya nodded.

Neil came into the room.

Neil: Yeh mom bhi na baal ki bhi khal nikalti hain. Main to ase hi gown le aya aur woh hain ke kuch bhi soch rahi hain.

Neil thought.

Shweta: Pata nahi sab ko is engagement se kya problem hai pehle Avni thi jo bus fake engagement, fake engagement karti rahti thi aur ab mom bhi shuru ho gai hain. Engagement ki hai. Real engagement ko fake ka naam de rakha hai.

Neil shook his head. Neil sighed and caught his forehead and then he ran his hand through his hair. Neil thought.

Some days passed and the students got busy with exams. Avni, Neil, and other students were present in the classroom. Avni was writing the paper at the full speed. Neil looked at Avni and he smiled to see her. Neil looked at his paper and he sighed sadly while looking at the paper.

Soon the exam ended and the last day of the year came. It was a time of the day and the sun was shining over the Mehta house where Avni was sitting on the bed and was preparing for the commission. Avni didn’t want to waste a day. Avni was studying and Neela Maa came to the room. Neela maa found her studying and she came to Avni. Neela Maa sat on the bed. Avni smiled to see her and then she looked at the book.

Nm: Tum aaj bhi books le kar beth gayi. New Year Party main nahi jana?

Avni: Nahi maa. Abi studies ka itna pressure nahi hai to main abhi commission ki preparation start kar sakti hun.

Neela Maa made a face.

Nm: Bacha, ek din se kuch nahi hota. Neil, tera wait karega.

Avni said while looking at the book: Neil ko pata hai main nahi arahi.

Nm: aur Shweta Ji. Itne pyar se dress di hai unho ne, unhe bura nahi lage ga.

Avni thought.

Nm: Jao, beta. Life main fun hona bhi zarori hai. Meri Zindagi to ghar main hi guzar gai.

Avni felt bad.

Nm: Lekin tumhe zindagi mauka de rahi usay khol kar jeene ka usay zaya mat karo.

Avni thought.

Nm: Jao, Bacha. Jao.

Avni was looking at her mother and she thought.

It was the time of the night, Neil entered the party and everyone’s eyes were on him. The girls were just looking at him and forgot their boyfriends. Neil was wearing a red suit.

Neil’s friends also came and stood at each side of him. Neil set his bow and hair.

Neil looked for Avni but no use. Juhi saw Neil and smirked.

Juhi: My boy came. Today, I will make him mine.

Juhi smirked. Neil looked around. The girls came and said Hi to Neil and friends. Neil ignored them and his friends enjoyed the treatment. Neil and Friends moved from there.

Neil and friends were sitting at the counter. The man looked at Juhi who nodded and the man nodded. The man gave the drink to Neil. Neil saw looking around.

Neil in mind: Avni, kahin dikhai nahi de rahi. Is ka matlab woh nahi ayi.

Neil saw Ali who was looking around. Neil got angry to see him. Neil took the glass and looked at it. Neil kept the glass on his lips. Neil was about to drink. Juhi was looking at Neil.

Announcement: Hey guys.

Neil stopped and looked up. Juhi grinned her teeth.

Boy: Now keep your hands on your heart because the special guest of this night has arrived here so give a huge round of applause for our special guest.

Neil looked at the entrance. The lights turned off and Neil looked around and then he looked at the entrance. A spotlight fell on the entrance. Someone stepped in the party and Neil was shocked to see the person. Neil was just looking at the person shockingly.

Now who came? Any guesses?