Love Bites

To Be With You (5)

"Fida hoon main toh ek nazar, bas ek nazar tak ke!"

Neela was surprised when she saw Avni standing in front of the mirror as she tried to comb her hair. The girl had always been the tomboy who just wanted to wear baggy jeans everywhere she went, so seeing her in a beautiful mid-length white dress that reached up to her knees felt mildly shocking. And, to top it all, she even spared some time for a hair-do when all she had ever done was a high pony-tail. 

A - Mumma! Could you please help me with this braid. My hairs are getting tangled up in the comb & my arms are starting to hurt now! - she whined as she turned to her mother with the comb dangling from her hair. 

A chuckle escaped Neela's mouth as she walked up to her daughter & made her sit on the dressing table. She gently untangled her hairs as she parted them from the middle & made neat braids with the hair on the side. 

Neela - Have you wrapped the gift up, Avni? - she asked once she was done with her hair.

A - Yes, Mumma! - she told as she smiled brightly while looking at herself in the mirror.

Neela - Okay! Enjoy yourself but come back home on time, alright! - she said as she placed a kiss on the top of her head making her giggle. 

A - Okay, Mumma. Bye! - she said as she kissed her cheek & rushed out of the house with Rhea's birthday gift in her hand.

_______________

Neil was tying his shoe-laces when he heard his door open with a bang. Knowing fully well who it would be, he turned his head up to look at the girl from the next door. Neil had not intended to but he couldn't help but notice how surreal she looked. 

White was definitely her colour, he concluded! 

He also noticed that she had definitely put an extra effort to look good for the party. Her nightsky black eyes were lined with kohl & she had put some gloss on her lips. She wasn't wearing her regular oversized clothes - which she looked adorable in by the way!, but he thought she looked dreamy in that white dress that hugged her body perfectly. Few strands of her hair were falling on her face & Neil literally had to put his hands in his pockets to stop himself from tucking them behind her ears. 

N - You almost look like a girl! - he laughed as he tried to disregard his weird thoughts. 

A - What? - she asked as her mouth was agape in disbelief. The nerve of this guy! She had put in so much of efforts & that was what he said! 

N - Uh, Why are dressed like that, huh? Gotta impress some boi? - he spoke nonchalantly, however, his heart waited for her answer with a baited breathe.

A - Why? Are you jealous? - she said as she rolled her eyes.

N - Main kyun hone laga jealous! - he spoke too fast as if he had already prepared the clarification in his head.

A - Toh faaltu sawaal mat puchho, aur chalo! We're getting late. - she was beyond annoyed now!

She turned around & started walking outside the apartment when he held her hand & stopped her. Avni found Neil nervously biting his lips when she looked back at him & a frown marred her own face. 

A - What happened, Neil? 

N - I really don't think I should go, Avni! Please, can I just not stay home? - he mumbled. 

A - Neil, you're doing this for Rhea. You do know that she is so excited for her birthday, right? - she spoke gently as she stepped towards him.

N - But, there will be too many people. I can't. Rhea will understand. - he spoke.