Author's POV

It was their date, finally.

Neil wasn't one to daydream about going out with anyone because he was someone who was always practical and stuck to the present but Avni, she meant a lot to him. He wasn't sure when it happened, the way his perspective about romance changed a little, but he was really nervous when he asked her out in the middle of the make-out session which was rarely a Neil thing to do. However, the outcome was in his favour which kept him giddy throughout.

The misty atmosphere didn't dim the light that flickered over the butterflies fluttering in his chest. His eyes had a certain glimmer, raw and beautiful as he anticipated to capture the sight of the woman who he genuinely fell for.

As he watched, he caught her pacing towards the car dressed in a rich black sheath dress, hair falling partially to the right, slightly curled at the ends. He smiled as she opened the door and glanced at him with a nervous expression though it seemed like she was awaiting the event as much as him.

He saw her struggle to sit with the cut-out heels before she breathed a sigh of relief after situating herself comfortably on the seat and closing the door.

"Don't rush like that," He spoke, earning a breathy chuckle from her.

"Sure, Mr Khanna!" She returned a smile that seemed to mock him, for what he didn't have time figuring out.

She was startled when he suddenly shifted towards her, fastening the seatbelt for her. The proximity was not foreign anymore nor was it awkward when she looked with disbelief at the quite bold demeanour of him.

He tried to suppress the smug smile but when he winked he gave it away. She gaped at the audacity nonetheless, her gaze trailed to his beige pants and black button-up shirt that unexpectedly matched with her outfit.

Neil noticed and rose his brow, smiling ear to ear at her flushed cheeks despite the make-up which failed at covering it up. It was light, something he mostly saw on her when they went out which was only twice (considering this date).

He shook his head, smiling at the thoughts as he drove with the music being their favourite thing to enjoy with the comfortable silence.

"Did the meeting go well?"

"Ah.." He glanced at her once. "Yeah, it went well. It was sudden and I didn't expect it to happen today. Thankfully, it didn't last long because I didn't want to cancel our time together."

Avni caught his soft smile, her own gradually appearing at his words. He was always so direct, honest with his words and content with his feelings, and Avni liked it the way it was.

"I thought you were going to cancel," Avni spoke her thoughts which shocked Neil a bit but he smiled.

"I wouldn't like it if that were to happen."

"Same.." It was a whisper but Neil heard it. When they stopped at the signal, he offered her a fond smile that left her blushing, and Neil didn't mind one bit.

Neil didn't tell her any details but she was sure they were most probably going on a dinner date. Avni would like that since she was really hungry and she wouldn't want to miss the opportunity of eating everything she wanted to. Because if shoots were to happen, she would have to be on a strictly healthy diet that required nothing other than homemade food.

Hurts no one to have a cheat day!

Avni frowned having to wait, since the traffic was stuck, moving an inch per minute for a good fifteen minutes. "When is this going to clear?"

Neil chuckled, "Are you that hungry?"

Avni pouted, nodding. She was quite grumpy for a few minutes and it was quite a right guess for Neil.

After waiting for a long long time as Avni quoted, they reached a restaurant far in the city end, somewhere private. Avni thought Neil chose this because of her status, and as she put her opposition towards wanting to disrupt his privacy. She smiled when Neil helped her out and entwined their hands together, the feeling keeping her warm throughout the night.

They were guided towards the rooftop where the scenic beauty could be seen through the glass railing, chairs sat in a very spacious manner, giving people quite the personal space they wanted. It was lavish, suggestively lit up with beautiful lamp lights that shone in hues of midnight blue and olive green.

The restaurant was partially packed with high-profile people who were either on business meets or attending formal events. However, the terrace where they comfortably sat was only for trysts and romantic dinners. To say that, Neil booked quite a cosy and warm place and it was appreciated even though never spoken aloud.

They placed the order and decided to wait but the endless talks between them were regular. This was quite new to Avni since it didn't happen a lot. It was mostly a formality when she went to dinners, their discussions starting with favourite movies and ending with the stories of tiring yet fun shoots.

Avni realised that it was different being with Neil. It's been months since they've known each other and yet they are sticking together despite their fights and her deep annoyance of having a stranger invade her life.

But now, Neil was not a stranger anymore.

It was something beautiful, something to look forward to between them, where they learnt to enjoy the intimacy they shared even though they spent time more apart than together.

However, it didn't matter because it was not an easy thing to date considering their professions. While Avni was an actress who had long shoots even late at night, Neil was a police officer who served the people and had a duty tied to him which didn't give him the personal time he always wanted. But that was it. They both were devoted towards their professions and if they were comfortable and wanting so, they could be equally devoted to their hearts who wished to stay with the other.

"So...are we going to be official after this?" Avni asked, genuinely, fumbling with her fingers under the table.

At that, Neil smiled, "If that's what you want."

"What do you want?" Avni asked, eyes searching for honesty in the answer he would give while her heart gradually beat against her chest, the nerves building up and telling her a storm was to come sooner or later.

"I want to be with you." Just a mere sentence ignited her soul, driven by the greed to not let go and spend more time. But she knew, it wasn't easy. Neil wanted commitment, something she figured when they talked that day but Avni..what did she want?

She wanted a lot of things, maybe. But there was a blur lingering in front of her eyes, a list she couldn't decipher, a need she ran away from. She wanted her family, she wanted them safe, that's all. Even so, if Neil were to know about her past, she didn't know what was to come. Or worse, the past would come running back to her.

Her bad, it already did.

It was stabbing her gut one at a time and then waiting for her to heal only to stab her yet, again.

The more she tried to run away, the more it came back to haunt her.

So she settled to say what she thought
"I am very confused with what I want." She began, "I think very differently from you...you are practical, straightforward and you are clear. But my life, it's unstable. I don't know what's gonna happen next and...I definitely don't like my personal life to be on the news. It's all a blur. Do you get what I a-am saying?"

Neil nodded, though his smile faltered a little. "Maybe." He sighed, "You are very closed off, Avni. I think that's why it's a blur. Maybe you know what you want but you are scared. Are you scared?"

Avni didn't want the date to go this way – where they talk about how she was ignoring her truth and letting a mask fall over her, naturally accepting it as reality.

The reality was messy, flawed and imperfect. The world she lived in was previously the same but his little brother's demise changed everything because even though it had pretty happy moments, it hurt remembering. Everything reminded her of him.

So, she let herself wear a mask, live a life away from her family even though it was scary to be apart, just to protect what she had left. It was the only way to continue living a lie, living the roles of protagonists she took, yet loving the truth that was her family.

If Neil were to see all of her scars, it would lead her back to where it started and Avni didn't want that. She wanted everything to be the way it was. And she knew that would mean letting him go.

"Not really. I just like to stay like this – like just how it is. I don't wanna get caught up in family relationships when I know the limelight would ruin it."

"It will ruin if you let it get to you." He said, softly. "But if you don't see a future with me, that's okay."

Avni's chest hurt when he smiled at her even though disappointment flashed through his eyes, and he stared at the skyscrapers more than he did at her.

It hurt but maybe it was better than giving him false hope that Avni wished for a life where she settled. They were different in a lot of ways and even though they liked each other, sometimes it's not enough.

They ate in silence, rarely talking at a deep level, just complimenting the food and atmosphere here and there.

Avni hated that she ruined it, she ruined the date because she spoke what was on her mind. If she chose to lie, they would be laughing and talking just like they always did, and she wouldn't have to ruin the date he had very much anticipated.

"Try this with the sauce," Neil gestured towards the plate of chicken lollipops and the sauce, his face lighting up with a smile.

Avni smiled back and took a bite, devouring the delicious and savoury cuisine of the restaurant. "This place is great."

"I am glad you liked it." He smiled, and even though she thought she ruined it, Neil refused to let her think that way.

After they paid, the waiter had asked if he could have a picture. None of them minded as Neil clicked them a picture. The glances of the people were something that gave her the idea that they recognized her, and Avni put a little more blame on the cast.

By the time they could reach the ground floor, a few fans stopped and asked the same, leading Avni to glance at Neil with guilt as he had to click the pictures but considering the way he was smiling, he wasn't bothered.

They stepped out and Avni softly apologized because it was supposed to be their time together and they were interrupted. Even so, Neil dodged it saying it with a glimmer in his eyes, "They were happy to see you. I don't mind it."

Avni smiled and slid her fingers between his as they walked towards the car, surprising him a little who didn't do it because he was unsure if it would be risking a piece of breaking news if anyone were to see.

"Let's get you home, shall we?"

It was a quiet peaceful ride where Neil caught glances of his Avni who was talking quick naps in between, waking up just to sleep again with the music in the background playing as a lullaby.

He shook her slowly after they reached, removing her seatbelt and waiting for her to wake up. He took in her beautiful face and the dusty orange lipstick that was slightly smeared and faded. He brushed the hair off her face towards the back of the ears which earned a whine from her. He chuckled and called her again, leading her to wake up and apologising after.

Neil guided her upstairs because he was concerned about her sleepy state. She entered the code and stumbled a little because of the heels when Neil told her to be careful.

She was looking at him, smiling genuinely and drowsily mumbling that she enjoyed a lot. He pecked her forehead quick before saying goodbye. However, he was stopped in his tracks because of what she uttered.

"Stay the night?"

"What?" He turned to see her, blinking at him, fondly grinning, the faint tint on her cheeks telling she was embarrassed.

"I mean... nevermind." She brushed it off with a wave.

"I would but I think I should go home." He said, continuing after. "I don't sleep at home these days and Mom is quite worried. So I can't today..."

"Next time?" She asked, and Neil was sure he was going to drop at the boldness and the shyness of her at unexpected times.

"Next time!" He smiled back before he turned around to leave.

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what are your thoughts on Avni's conflict and the storm that is waiting to crush her? what do you think Neil's thinking about avni's confusing thoughts?