Love Bites

Ineffable Bonds (2)

Standing in front of Meera's house, Neil took a deep breathe while Avni was a little hesitant. Just when she was about to ring the door bell, she found her hands shivering & heart racing at an unusual speed & all of it obviously didn't go unnoticed by Neil. 

N- Avni, its okay. You can do it. We'll just try to talk to her, nothing about the incident. Hm? -he comforted her by holding both of her upper arms from behind. 

Still in his hold, she titled behind a little in order to look at him as he passed her an encouraging smile. 

A- I don't know! I don't know....what she must be feeling right now! What if she thinks that we're here to sympathize her or something!

N- That's what I'm saying, Avni. We'll just talk about all the general things, her studies, her career aspirations, if she would like to assist you in your hospital. Hm? Just the general things. Okay? -he told her after turning her to face him, still holding her arms. 

A- Tum saath mein hi rehna, thik hai? 

Neil just smiled at that & held her hand in a frim grip. 

N- Chalo! 

They rang the bell which was answered by Meera's father. He recognised Avni as the doctor & was quite surprised to see her there. 

A- Namastey Uncle! Hum yahan Meera se milne aaye the. Just to check if she is doing okay! -she told.

The old man just nodded as he let them in & guided them towards his daughter's room. 

"She has not cried even once since the incident. Is it normal?" -he asked in a low voice. 

N- Don't worry, sir. She'll be fine & I promise you that your culprits will be behind the bars soon. 

Nodding at Neil, he opened the door of a room & they found Meera there, lying on the bed, lifelessly, staring at the ceiling for no apparent reason. As they entered the room, Avni's grip on Neil's hand tightened at little, & in a reflex, he massaged the back of her palm with his thumb pad, moving it there in circular motions. 

Relaxed  a bit, she looked at Neil once & then moved towards Meera. She sat beside her & caressed her face with her hands. 

A- Hi Meera! I am Avni, your doctor. -she told but in vain, there was no response from Meera. Meera, see I've got a book for you on human anatomy, that must be your favourite subject, right? -she tried again after gulping the clog that had formed in her throat, but this time too, there was no answer. Its...its okay..if you don't like anatomy, just tell me what do you like to read, I'll get you that. -& this time, there was an answer!

M- Papa, please ask them to leave! I don't need their sympathy. -she said while Avni flinched at the harsh tone. 

Inhaling deeply, Neil moved towards her as he stood besides Avni.

N- Meera, what happened shouldn't have happened! But we're not here to sympathize you, rather we're here just to let you know that you still are same Meera who, I am sure had aspirations & dreams & ambitions. So just stop lying here on this bed & get up to fight those who did this to you! Take your time, think & then tell us, we're always there to help. -he said with finality audible in his voice.  

After five minutes of deafening silence, Neil grabbed Avni's hand to make her stand up so that they could leave. Although unwillingly, she got up & they moved towards the door, only to be stopped by a voice. 

M- He was a friend of mine! -Meera said. 

Both Avni & Neil turned around & rushed upto her. Avni sat beside her  & this time, Meera too was sitting. Neil heard her by standing besides Avni. 

M- He had asked me out & I refused. I don't know what got into him that he did this to me! He is the son of the secretary of the CM. So, there is nothing that I can probably do to get justice. This is what happens in our society, right? -she looked at Neil. The powerful always get away without any hindrance & the victims are left to suffer! 

N- This won't happen to you, Meera, and I will take care of that. Just tell me everything about the people who did it & I promise you, they'll be begging for death! 

Seeing the determination in Neil's eyes & encouragement in Avni's, she told them everything about the guy who had done such heinous thing to her. All the while, Avni was holding her hands as a gesture of encouragement while her parents were sitting besides her.

N- Meera, you really are a very strong girl. And I ain't saying this just for the sake of saying, you really are strong & now, I want you to be fearless too! Go out & live your life just the way you used to! 

A- Yes Meera! We're not saying that things will be all the same, but nothing should stop you from achieving your dreams & goals. Be the change that you want in others, and, I assure you that I & Neil will always be there for you, just a phone call away! 

M- Thanks Doctor! Thanks Officer!  -she nodded at them while they smiled a little in response. 

N- Meera, we'll keep you posted about the case details. Okay. 

Giving an assuring nod to her & her parents, Neil grabbed Avni's hand & led her towards his car. 

N- Avni, I'll drop you to the hospital & then I'll go the station, okay? -he said but she was too engrossed in her own thoughts to spare an ear to him. 

N- Avnii! Kahan khoyi huyi ho yaar! -he shook her by her shoulder, thus breaking her reverie.

A- Ah..Kuch nhi...tum jaao station, I'll take a cab. 

N- Why? I'll drop you! 

A- Arre! Tumhe left jaana hai, aur mujhe right. So, I'll go! 

N- Uh..nhi woh, mujhe hospital ke paas wale supermarket jaana hai. Toh tumhe drop bhi krdunga! Chalo, ab baitho!

Giving him a look, she sat into the car & closing her side of the car, he sat too & they drove to the hospital. They reached the hospital in about twenty minutes & getting off the car Avni looked at Neil. 

A- Police station ke paas bhi ek supermarket hai & it accommodates more supplies than the one here, ACP Khanna! -she smirked while he opened & closed his mouth like a fish hoping that something would come out but it never did. 

Scratching the back of his neck he waved bye to her & while she laughed. 

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