I Nervously tapped my foot in front of my dad's office room feeling anxious. After the incident in principal's office dad has stopped talking with me completely .He ignored me like a worm; at home and everywhere. I think the last time he saw me was when I was in hospital. That day he looked so devastated, his eyes were filled with sadness and worry. I could feel he was hurting watching me all again in the hospital bed struggling with life and death but he didn't spoke a word more to me . He just stayed beside me all silent like he was punishing me for my deeds. How badly I wanted to hug him? Say sorry for all my terrible mistakes  but I knew I couldn't .He was angry .More than angry he was  disappointed with me.

After that even I  didn't made any conversation with him .I knew he needed space for calming down. But right now I need to talk with him about Avni. she needed job and dad can only help her. 

"Calm down Neil! "

I took a deep breath and knocked the door twice. I waited for  few seconds before a voice called from inside.

"Come in!"

I gulped and Slowly opened the door entered inside. I hesitatingly looked at my dad who was already starring at me with a shocked expression.

"Hi dad." I whispered lowly.

"What are you doing here?" Dad asked sternly .I starred at him with hurtful eyes . He didn't even greeted me but it's okay this is what I deserve .

"I came here to talk dad!" I mumbled.

"I'm busy right now. we will talk at home so leave!" dad said dismissively without even glancing at me. I felt my eyes burn with tears threatening to fall but I controlled myself.

"It's about Avni dad." I told him drinking back my tears.

Dad stopped whatever work he was doing .

"What did you do this time?" he asked angrily. I felt my heart drop with pain. This is what my dad thinks of me now? A jerk!

"I didn't do anything dad . I need a favour....I mean help." I trailed off.

"What?" Dad asked astonished.

I walked closer to the dad and took a deep breath.

"Dad listen, Avni... she needs job urgently . I knew because of me she stopped coming here but right now she needs job immediately but I don't know why? So... I want you to recruit her again in this company but job should be work from home as I know after college it's really difficult to come here and do the work so...."I rambled and sighed. I looked at dad he was frowning but i knew he understood what I meant.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked after sometime.

"Its because I wanted to rectify my mistakes dad . Even though I knew non of this would actually compensate my deeds." My shoulders shagged as I said. Sadness filled my heart making me hard to speak few syllables out.

Dad didn't said anything.He just starred at me. I bit my lip with nervousness.

"Avni Is capable and you knew too, dad. She left job because of me but now I'm telling you "I took a deep breath.

"Please help me... by helping her dad. " My voice cracked as few tears spilled down my eyes.

 "Please dad!." With that I left the office.

AUTHOR'S POV -

"OH MY GOD PARI ! LOOK AT THIS!" Avni screamed looking at her phone. Her eyes were wide as two cup saucers. 

"Oh my god What happened?Why are yo screaming like that." Pari who just came out of the bathroom yelled running towards avni.

"Look at this Pari, Offer letter from khanna industries that to work from home.." Avni frowned as she read offer details and salary.

"Oh! that's it .You scarred me." Pari huffed crossing her arms to chest.

"It's not just it. Look it's from khanna industries you know right what that mean?" Avni mumbled lowly.

Pari went to Avni and hugged her tenderly.

"I know what do you mean but Avni this is the best offer you would get , work from home and salary! God ..it will really help you from debts." Pari said with a bright smile.

"But.." 

"Look I know you are thinking about Neil but he has changed right? he would never interfere in your matters again."

"But how can I accept just like that.They haven't even took any interview of mine before asking me to join for that much salary?" Avni whispered.

"Don't be stupid Avni ,Think about your sister and mother .This is the best opportunity for you to get rid of vidyut ." Saying this pari left leaving Avni alone in her thoughts.  

******

Next day college hours got too hectic for both Avni and Neil because of the continuous lab work and lectures. They both wanted to talk a lot with each other especially Avni; but they didn't got a second to even share a small conversation. At lunch time, Avni was so happy that at least they would get some time to chill but their physics sir took Neil away for some work leaving Avni disappointed.

Finally, last bell rang making Neil and Avni smile. Neil quickly packed his bag and went to Avni who was busy writing something in her notebook.

"MS. Topper! Class is over. Now cease this work and pack." Neil chuckled.

"Shut up Alien." Avni glared at him for which he grinned.

"So, what's up! Sorry, it's late to ask but really I didn't had time to talk." Neil said as he sat next to her.

"I Know Neil. Don't apologise." Avni smiled.

"So are you staying...for library?" Neil asked doubtfully remembering yesterday's incident of her going home in hurry. He still don't know whether his dad offered a job to Avni as he haven't heard anything after last night encounter with his dad.

"Yup but not for library." Avni's voice snapped Neil out of his thoughts.

"What? Aren't you coming with me?" Pari piped in as she looked shocked. Neil frowned as he didn't understand her.

"No, sir gave me some work to do so I've to stay here until I complete that." Avni said.

"Ho!" Pari and Neil said in a unison.

"Yup."

"You go pari, I will stay here and then drop her at home safely." Neil said.

"Can I trust you?" Pari narrowed her eyes at Neil.

"Hundred percent sure." Neil smiled brightly.

"Okay, if she isn't home safely trust me Neil Khanna I will personally torture you and then give you painful death." Pari warned.

Avni chuckled at her friend's threat while Neil grinned knowing pari is capable of doing everything.

*****

"Avni, did you see the time? It's past five o'clock. We should leave before it get dark." Neil mumbled as he helped Avni with the work.

"I know Neil what should I do? Do not complete this work when sir is waiting for me at staff room?"

"I know what he is doing. He is making you do all the work. Seriously, you went to his room for at least three times for submitting the work he had given, yet work is incomplete why? Because he is assigning you with loads of work again and again. Why don't you tell him to stop" Neil said angrily as scribbled notes harshly.

"He is our professor Neil. I can't just go and tell him to stop." Avni reasoned.

"He is professor I agree but he can't load his work on his students especially on you." Neil whined.

"So, he can load on other students?" Avni asked sarcastically.

Neil rolled his eyes.

"So, what now? Is work completed?"

"Yes but he told me to bring some old students assignments which are in the store room. We get them and dump them on his face and leave. Okay?" Avni grinned.

"Happy because you said dump on his face." Neil chuckled. Avni rolled her eyes.

"Don't dump please! I was joking." Avni mumbled.

Neil grinned.

"Seriously!" Avni scoffed hitting Neil on shoulder with a book.

"Okay Topper!" He laughed out loud making her smile.

*****

"Did you find the files?" Avni huffed as it's been fifteen minutes since they were in search of the old files.

"Did you find?"

Avni rolled her eyes.

"If I found would I ask you?" Avni said sarcastically

"Smart topper!" Neil smirked.

"I think we should go to the last row maybe we can find them there!" Avni said as she slowly walked to the last corner of the storeroom with Neil behind.

"What if we won't find file here MS topper?" Neil snickered.

"Shut up and search!"

******

"Oh god! Who left the storeroom open? I swear these students." College peon muttered looking at the open lock of the storeroom.

"I have to complaint principal for this. Such an irresponsible behaviour by the students. Don't have a common sense, who will leave lock to the door and leave store room open?" Peon fumed locking the room door.

On other side Avni and Neil who were engrossed into their work didn't heard someone closing the door of the storeroom.

"Finally! Now I will dump these things into his head." Neil said enthusiastically.

"Neil!" Avni warned grabbing some files from him.

"Okay fine Sorry. Let's go before someone lock us in this room." Neil grinned walking into the door.

"Don't jinx it Neil." Avni mumbled checking the files. Neil didn't reply.

"Why are you silent Neil? Why aren't you opening the door?" Avni looked up from files and saw Neil starring at her with a worried expression.

"No! Don't tell me we are locked up. I will kill you Neil." Avni gritted her teeth as she clenched files tightly.

"Sorry Topper, we are struck!"

******

Hehe! I hope you enjoyed. Don't forget to vote and comment. From now, I will try to publish two updates a week.