"AVNI!" Neil screamed at the top of his lungs. It was a deja vu moment. He had lost his first love to a car accident. He was not going to let that happen again. He came out his momentary paralysis and sprinted towards her at top speed and sent them both rolling on the road, with Avni in his arms.

"Pagal ho kya tum Avni! dekh ke nahi chal sakti? agar mein nahi hota tum mar jati!" he scooped her up bridal-style and placed her on one of the cafe's chairs. He was so worried that he did not even bother to look at the number plate of the car. He just screamed a "Chodunga nahi tujhe" at the car which was nowhere in sight, like the hero always did in movies.

"Toh?" Avni struggled to get up. "OUCH!"

"Dhyaan se!" he placed her back on the chair. he checked her legs and knees for any bruises as she had yelled in pain. "Avni, kaha hai chot?"

"Mera right leg me muscle cramp ho gaya."

"Iss samay?" 

"Ha, iss samay." Neil resisted the urge to roll his eyes and rubbed her leg. It was of no use. "Mera ghar paas ne hain. Tum raat vahi bitao gi." he again picked her up and seated her in his car. Luckily, Avni didn't protest. Or Neil would have had to carry an already Heavy girl who would have been shouting in his ears.

He started the car, but not before securing her seat belt. Avni seemed to be lost in herself. That didn't stop Neil from scolding her like a caring mother would chide her child. Both of them had forgotten about the divorce papers which were on the cafe's table or flying here and there on the streets or drowning in the small pool in the middle of Ali's cafe.

Avni stayed silent throughout the whole ride (Sometimes she held her leg and winced as it really hurt. She was having her own thoughts about Neil. How he would always come to save her from any danger and be her Knight in shining armour or how he would always worry like hell if she got a small blister in the kitchen. And how could she forget his possessiveness for her? this all led to one conclusion in her mind: he would give up his life for her. That could mean only one thing. 

She didn't realize that she was smiling until Neil said while opening the door, "Miss Ajooba, Kya soch rahi ho ki tum ek Cheshire cat ke tarah smile kar rahi ho?" he unbuckled her seat belt and carried her towards his apartment.

***

"Thik Ho gaya."she was barely audible. 

"Ab jao sone. Bohot raat hogayi hai." He looked out of the window. He knew it was an excuse and that she won't listen to him, God seemed to repay him for some deed and It started to rain heavily. " Lo baarish bhi hone lagi. Ab toh tum bilkul ghar nahi jaa sakti.

 He was walking out of the door to go sleep on the couch when he suddenly turned around, "Kuchh to bolo Avni. Jabse gaadi me bheti thi tabse kuchh nahi bola. Mute kyu ban gayi?"

That was the moment when Avni said the three magical words. No it was not 'I Love you', Avni didn't think that her tongue would be able to say that. So she went for the second option, "I believe you."

"Huh?" Neil was confused and took a few steps and sat on the bed to face her, "Tumhara matlab?"

She took a deep breath, gathered all har courage and finally the words tumbled out of her mouth as she held his hands, "Pyaar karti hoon me tumse." She said before they stared into each other's eyes. Neil definitely looked shocked. He was the first one to break the silence, "Pyaar karti hoon me tumse." he repeated her words. She faintly smiled which Neil returned with an ear-to-ear grin and hugged her tightly.

"Itne khush mat ho, patidev." she said after breaking the hug. "Tumne meri kabhi romantic side nahi dekhi hai isliye tumhe pata nahi hoga ki mein ek bohot hi badi romantic hoon."

"Par tum mujhse jyaada nahi ho sakti. I'm the King of Romance!" he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled himself closer.

"Bada aye king of romance. Me to maharani hoon!" she placed her hands on his chest.

"Me maharaja hoon!" their faces were inches apart.

"To dikhao mujeh." Neil had just brushed his lips against hers when she pushed him. "Itne bhi jaldi kya hai?" They both laughed. Neil stood up and started to walk out but Avni nervously called him, "Neil, Tum mere saath so sakte ho. Toh bhar kyu sona us uncomfortable se couch par?" 

"Arre baba, pillow to laane deti?"

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is it good? is it bad? pls tell