Love Bites

Perfect Peace (5)

A/N : I have edited Part 3 & 4 of Perfect Peace and have added some more scenes there. You might want to read them before starting with this chapter. 

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Avni couldn't see Neil for the next three days. He had been out of the city for a match & was coming back today. However, there were slight chances that she would be able to see him for the next two days as he had another match. 

Neil had regularly video called Seher & they'd talk whenever he was free but his interactions with Avni were only limited to him asking her how she was doing & if she was eating well. He didn't engage in further conversation as he usually did & that scared Avni. Whenever she initiated any conversation, he'd just give a straight answer to her questions & wouldn't delve too much into it. 

She knew he was avoiding her. And she knew he was right in his place because she had pushed him away so many times, anyone would do that. But deep down, she also knew that he hadn't given up on her, he still asked her about her wellbeing & listened to everything she said with all his attention. 

However, she wanted the old Neil back - the one who would smile at her, with her! The one who would make her laugh with his silly jokes every chance he got! The one who would use stupid filmy tricks to lighten her mood up! The one who would act like he didn't see her cry but would silently take care of the problem so that she wouldn't feel embarrassed!

Two more days had passed & today Avni was finally going to see him - to wish him luck before his match. At the moment, she was in the parking lot of the stadium & was waiting for Shweta & Prakash to come. Together with them, she went inside the stadium as they all took their seats. Ali had come to greet them. There was still half an hour left for the match to start and, Avni saw it as her opportunity. She asked Shweta if  she could look after Seher whilst she was gone, & true to her nature, Shweta happily agreed. 

Avni made her way to Ali who was busy talking on phone when she reached him. Ali raised his eye brows at her to ask what she was doing there, while Avni mouthed "Neil". Ali nodded his head & led her up the stairs of the stadium & she followed him till they reached a hall. 

Avni observed that all the players along with the coach were gathered there. She spotted Neil in an instant. She looked at him and suddenly, all the exhaustion that she was feeling since the last five days immediately washed off. She felt as if her heart was at peace now & she could breathe free. 

As if sensing her gaze on himself, Neil looked to his left & there she was - standing with all her gorgeous charm! He blinked as he took her presence in & took in a deep breath in. He absentmindedly nodded to what his coach was saying when his eyes were still locked with hers. 

Once the coach left, Neil slowly walked up to Avni who was standing there, rooted in her step.  

A - Hi. - she whispered breathily. 

N - Hi. - he whispered back.

A  - Ah, Can we...talk? - she asked while he nodded. 

He knew what she was referring to. He had been deliberately delaying this conversation because he did not want to do it on phone. He want to do it in her presence, face to face. He believed he had crossed a line by pressing the issue of her past & he felt guilty for it. So, he had decided that he'd apologize. 

Reaching a small room which looked like a resting place, Neil led Avni in & closed the door behind him. 

N - Avni, I am sorry for that day. I shouldn't have behaved like that. It was rude & I crossed a line. So, I apologize for that, I will make sure it does not happen again. - he said while looking at his shoes while she looked at him flabbergasted.