It was the time of the morning, the sun was shining in the sky and the birds were hovering over the seas and the building. At the college, the students were busy with their activities.

Avni entered the classroom and she was going to sit on her seat. Neil came behind her and saw her. Avni kept her bag on the seat and Neil hurriedly came to Avni and held her hand.

Avni flinched and looked at her hand and then she looked up. Avni saw Neil.

Neil: Ab se tum yahan nahi betho gi balke mere sath meri seat per betha karogi.

Avni was looking at Neil. Neil took Avni to his seat and signed her to sit. Avni sat there silently. Neil smiled and sat beside her. Ali entered the classroom and he found the seat empty and then he looked at Neil’s seat and found Avni there. Avni looked at Ali sadly.

Later, Avni was passing by the corridor. Avni looked up and she saw Ali coming from the opposite direction. Avni stopped and Ali looked away and then he came to Avni. Avni was looking at him.

Ali: What did you want to say yesterday?

Avni was looking at him.

Avni and Ali were sitting in the canteen and Ali was looking down. Avni was looking at him.

Avni: This is my story and now I am under his debt. I can’t deny him for anything now.

Ali: Why are you under his debt? He did that to rectify his mistake.

Avni: Yes. But agar yeh sab nahi hota to aaj nahi to kal Papa aur Dadi meri studies band karwa kar hi rehte. Meri shadi us 40 years old government employee ke sath fix to kar hi chuke the na… yeh to Neil beech main aya. Anjane main hi sahi lekin us ki waja se main bach gai. Aur jo talwar mere upar latak rahi thi, jo dar tha mujhe ke Papa meri studies band karwa denge at least ab woh dar to nahi hai na.

Ali: To kya tum ab is alliance to accept kar logi?

Avni looked on.

Ali: is fake engagement ko real maan logi? Yeh bhi to force karna howa na?

Avni: He loves me.

Ali was shocked.

Avni: He confessed his love to me on New Year's night.

Ali: And what about you? Do you love him?

Avni remained silent.

Ali: say, do you love him?

Avni: There is no place for love in my life. At least, not now.

Ali: then you will let him do with you whatever he wants?

Avni remained silent.

Ali: It is wrong, Avni. Tum ghalat ke samne jhuk rahi ho.

Avni: I don’t know anything. As far as it is not affecting my studies and my Mama; I don’t have any problem with it.

Ali: You are doing it for money?

Avni was shocked. Avni got angry.

Avni: Do you think that I am a money-minded person? If you think then you don’t know me. I am doing it because I don’t want any hurdles, any obstacles in my studies. I want to complete my studies and want to fulfill my dreams and for that, I will do anything. Anything.

Ali: You will marry Neil if he asks?

Avni looked at Ali for some time.

Avni: Yes, I will marry him.

Ali was shocked and Avni looked at him for a few seconds. Avni held the strap of her bag and she got up. Avni took her bag and she looked at Ali who was looking at her. Avni went from there.

Later, Avni was sitting in her seat in her classroom. She was studying a book and pointing down the notes. Neil entered the classroom and looked around. Neil saw Avni sitting in his seat which is now their seat. Neil made a face.

Neil said while coming into the classroom: Tum yahan bethi ho.

Avni looked up and saw Neil.

Neil: aur main tumhe pure college main dhund raha tha.

Avni lowered her gaze and then she looked at her book. Neil came to Avni and sat beside her.

Neil: Yahan kyun bethi ho?

Avni looked up from the book and then she looked at her book.

Avni: Study kar rahi hun.

Neil frowned.

Neil: woh to mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Aaj library nahi gai.

Avni moved up her eyes from the book and then she made a face. Avni looked at her book.

Avni: Gai thi. Lekin phir yahan agai.

Neil: kyun?

Avni got irritated.

Avni: Kyun ke main ek bhoot hun.

Neil frowned.

Neil: Kya?

Avni: Main ek bhoot hun. Students mujhe dekh kar ase dur bhagte hain jaise main koi bhoot hun.

Neil: What?

Avni: Ji aur yeh sab sirf tumhari waja se?

Neil was surprised.

Neil: Meri waja se? maine kya kiya?

Avni: Kya kiya? Kya zarorat thi kal sab ke samne tamasha karne ki. Sab ke samne humare relationship ko reveal karne ki? kal se main jahan bhi jaa rahi hun boys ase dur bhag rahe hain jaise main koi bhoot hun aur girls mujhe ase dekh rahi hain jaise main chor hun. Maine un ki koi precious cheez chori kar li ho.

Neil was looking at Avni and then he burst into a laugh. Avni made an angry face.

Avni: Stop laughing. This is not a joke.

Neil stopped laughing and looked at Avni.

Avni: Tumhe pata bhi hai mere liye kitna mushkil ho gaya hai aana jana.

Neil: to is main ghalti tumhari hai. Tum hi ne mujhe challenge kiya tha na.

Avni: Challenge kiya tha ring pehane ka. Sab ke samne tamasha karne ka nahi. Tum ring pehan kar aa jate aur next day main pehan kar aa jati that’s it.

Neil: Aur main sab ko kya batata ke ring kyun pehni hai?

Avni looked on. Avni was speechless. Avni looked down.

Avni: Keh dete ke ase hi achi lagi to le li.

Neil: Achi lagi to le li. Do you really think ke is ring ko dekh kar koi bhi believe karta ke maine ase hi li hai. Main asi rings nahi pehanta. Stone rings pehanta hun. Sab ko shaq hota.

Avni: Shak hota na. tum kuch bhi bahana bana dete.

Neil: Kyun bahana banata sach batane main kya hai? Jab engaged hun to hun. Is main chupana kya?

Avni: to pehle kyun chupaya?

Neil: Pehle ki baat alag thi tab main serious nahi tha. M…

Avni: to ab serious ho?

Neil looked on and he leaned to Avni.

Neil: Bohat. Life main, main kabhi bhi itna serious kisi chez ko le kar nahi howa. Kabhi bhi nahi.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: Tum special ho mere liye, Avni. Bohat special.

Their eyes locked. Avni broke eye contact and looked at her book. Neil was looking at Avni and he smiled. Neil moved back and something struck in his mind.

Neil: Waise aaj bilkul wifey ki tarha behave kar rahi ho. Baat kya hai?

Avni looked up from her book and Neil leaned to Avni.

Neil: But jo bhi ho. I liked it.

Avni looked at Neil and their faces were really close to each other. They can feel each other’s breath. Avni fumed and they got lost in each other’s eyes. Avni and Neil were busy exploring each other’s eyes and the students entered.
The students saw Avni and Neil and they looked at each other. They thought that Avni and Neil were kissing. Avni and Neil looked at the students and Avni felt odd. Avni wiped her upper lips and took her hair behind her ear. Neil moved back. Neil looked at Avni and smiled.

Later, Avni was passing by the corridor and she saw two girls looking at her. Avni ignored them and was going.

Girl: You know, she and Neil were kissing each other. Maddy saw them.

Avni stopped.

Girl 2: Really.

Girl: Yes.

Girl 2: Asi dikhti to nahi hai.

Girl: Jo dikhte nahi hain wahi ase hote hain.

Girl 2: Hmm.

Avni looked at them and the girls stopped. Avni felt a pain in her heart and looked straight. Avni saw Ali. Ali also heard them and looked at Avni. Ali was looking at Avni with moist eyes.

It was the time of the night, Avni was sitting on the bed and she saw the flashes of how students gossiped to see her, how they moved away to see her, and how girls looked at her. Avni thought.

Avni: Ab log mere character per sawal utha rahe hain aur yeh sab sirf tumhari waja se hai, Neil. Sirf tumhari waja se.

Avni thought.

Avni: Chor na, Avni, logon ka kya hai humesha kuch na kuch bolte hi rehte hain. Akele raho gi to nerd kahen ge kisi ke sath nazar aogi to characterless kahen ge. Baat nahi karo gi to reserved yaa egoistic kehlao gi aur baat karo gi to chatterbox. Log humesha khud main achai aur dusron main burai hi dekhte hain. To phir kyun bura manana ase logon ka.

Avni thought.

Avni: Yeh sab chor, Avni, aur apni studies per focus kar.

Avni sighed and got up from the bed.

Some days passed and Neil never let Avni talk to Ali and other boys were away from her because of Neil. One day, Avni and Neil were sitting in their seat. The lecturer had not arrived so some students were sitting at the front of the seat. Some were standing and some were sitting in their seat. Everyone was busy with their chitchat even Neil was talking with his friends and he did Hi-Fi to Vidyut and Ali was talking with the boys. Avni was the one who was studying the book. Neil saw Avni and made a face.

Neil kept his both arms on the seat and stretched them while joining his hands. Neil yawned. Avni looked at Neil’s arms and Neil sighed. Neil stretched his body and Avni was looking at him. Neil looked at Avni and stopped. Neil composed himself and held his ear.

Neil: Sorry.

Neil signed Avni to continue. Avni looked at her book. Neil smiled and sat silently for a few minutes. Neil started to get bored. Avni was writing something in her notebook and she jerked her hair. Neil looked at Avni and saw that Avni’s hair was disturbing her and she was jerking her head. Neil leaned to Avni and kept her hair behind her hair. Avni looked at Neil who smiled. Their small eye lock and Avni broke that and kept her hair behind her ear. Avni looked at her book. Neil moved back.

Neil thought something and he smirked. Neil kept his arms on the seat. Neil took his pen and made a heart on Avni’s notebook. Avni saw that and she looked at Neil who gave a flying kiss to her. Avni was shocked and she widened her eyes. Avni looked at the students. Thankfully no one saw them. Neil smiled. Avni tried to focus on the book. Neil wrote "I" and then he made a heart and then he wrote "you". Avni was shocked to see that. Avni tried to ignore it and tried to write something. Neil took a pen from her. Avni looked at Neil with irritation.

Neil: Sorry.

Neil gave her pen back and sat properly. Neil thought something and smiled.

Neil sang: I love you.

Avni was shocked and she looked up from her book and then she looked at Neil.

Neil sang: I love you. I love you. Iiii… love… you.

Neil looked at Avni who was looking at Neil shockingly. Avni looked around and found students looking at her. Neil’s friends were also shocked. Ali got hurt. Avni looked at her book to avoid the awkwardness. Neil stopped and looked at Avni. Neil smiled.

Neil sang: Saaton janam main tere.

Avni looked up from her book.

Neil sang: Sath rahun ga yaar.

Avni looked at Neil who felt her gaze and looked at her.

Neil sang: Mar bhi gaya to main tujhe karta rahunga pyar.

Avni thought and she was confused about how Neil got to know that it is one of her favourite songs. Everyone was looking at them.

Neil sang: Sun meri shehzaadi main hu tera shehzada...

Neil leaned to Avni who looked at him.
Neil sang: Sun meri shehzaadi main hu tera shehzada...

Neil caught Avni in between his arms by keeping his hand on both sides. Avni was shocked.

Neil sang: Baahon mein leke tujhe main karta hu vaada...
Aai jan-e-tamanna meri main khake kasam teri
Yeh karta hu ikaraar,
Marr bhi gaya toh main tujhe karta rahunga pyar.

Saaton janam mein tere main saath rahunga yaar
Marr bhi gaya toh main tujhe karta rahunga pyar.

I love you. I love you. I love you. Iiii... Loveee youuuu...

Avni was looking at Neil who smiled and Avni lowered her gaze. Ali was looking at them. The students clapped to see them and hooted. Avni felt odd and Neil smiled. Neil moved back.

Avni kept her hair behind her ear and looked at her book. If she would not have attended the class then she would have gone from there.

Students: Once more. Once more. Once more.

Ali got angry.

Neil: Guys, guys, guys, relax. Sit. Sit.

Everyone sat. Some sat on the seat and some on the front of the seat. Neil thought and looked at Avni.

Neil sings: Mariz-e-ishq hun main.

Avni looked up from the book.

Neil: Kar de dawa.

Neil leaned to Avni and kept his hand on his chest.

Neil: Hath rakh de tu dil pe zara.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled.

Neil: Hath rakh de tu dil pe zara.

The lecturer came and Avni and Neil saw him. The students sat on their seats. Avni took a breath of relief. Avni thanked God and the sir in her heart. Avni kept her hair behind her ear. Neil looked at Avni and smiled.

It was time of the evening, the birds were hovering over the Khanna mansion and the sun peeked into Neil’s room where Neil was combing his hair and getting ready to go out with his friends. Neil’s phone rang and he looked at the bed. Neil kept the hairbrush on the dressing table and he went to bed. Neil picked up his phone and he was surprised to see the caller ID. Neil smiled because it was Avni’s call.

Neil: GF's call.

Neil smiled and picked up the call.

Neill: Hello, Janeman.

Neil said while sitting on the bed: Aaj kaise is na cheez ko call kar di. Meri yaad sata rahi thi kya? Hmm.

On the other side, Neela Maa was on call. Neela maa felt awkward.

Nm: Hello, Neil, main baat kar rahi hon. Neela.

Neil was shocked and he widened his eyes. Neil got up and the phone was falling from his hand and Neil was trying to catch it. Neil caught the phone but his foot slipped and he fell back on the bed. Neil’s phone was about to fall and Neil was trying to save it. Neil caught his phone and took a sigh of relief.

Neil: huff.

Nm: Hello, Neil.

Neela Maa checked whether the phone was connected or not.

Nm: Hello. Neil.

Neil heard Neela maa and kept the phone on his ear. Neil got up.

Neil: He. Hello. Yeah. Yeah, Aunty.

Neil gulped.

Nm: Ab, kaise ho, beta?

Neil: Main theek hun. How are you?

Nm: Main bhi theek. Beta, ek baat kehni thi tum se.

Neil: Ji, kahiye.

Nm: Kal Avni ka birthday hai.

Neil was surprised and he smiled.

Neil: kal?

Nm: Han, kal. Waise to woh apna birthday celebrate nahi karti. Kabhi kisi ne kiya hi nahi to us ne bhi nahi kiya.

Neil felt bad.

Nm: To agar ho sake to tum kuch special plan karo us ke liye. Neil, meri bachi bohat akeli hai. Us ke kuch khas dost bhi nahi hain. Tum kuch karo jis se usay lage ke woh khas hai. Woh bhi kisi ke liye maine rakhti hai. Agar tum kuch karoge us ke liye to usay acha lagega.

Neil smiled

Neil: Aunty, aap ne bohat acha kiya mujhe bata kar. Ab aap dekhiye ga ke main kaise us ke birthday ko special banata hun. Aur han Avni akeli nahi hai main hun us ke sath.

Neela maa smiled.
Nm: Thank you, beta. Khush raho.

Nm: Beta bhi kehti hain aur Thank you bhi kehti hain.

Neela maa smiled.

Nm: Bete ho to Maa kyun nahi bulate. Yeh aunty kyun.

Neil smiled and lowered his gaze.

Nm: Maa bulao mujhe.

Nm: OK, Aunty. I mean, Neela Maa.

Neela maa smiled
.
Nm: Acha, Neil, koi party wagera plan mat karna. Avni chir jaye gi aur han usay yeh to bilkul mat batana ke maine tumhe bataya yaa call bhi ki.

Neil: Ok, don’t worry, aun…

Neil closed his eyes.

Neil: Neela Maa.

Neela maa smiled.

Nm: Acha ab main rakhti hun. Is se pehle Avni ajaye.

Neil smiled and said, OK… Bye.

Neil cut the call. Neil thought and smiled.

Neil: Avni ka birthday. Hmm. Kuch to special sochna parega.

Neil thought.

On the other side, Neela maa turned and Avni was standing there. Neela Maa was shocked to see Avni. Avni was looking at her mother.