Chapter 20 - "A Stab In My Heart"

After finally having my dinner and spending some time with my family, I retired back into my room, tired.

But, no night could be spent without talking to her. And so, I dialled her number. After two, three rings, she picked up.

"Hey," I heard her lazy voice.

"You were sleeping?"

"Of course Neil! Owls are awake at this hour only."

I chuckled at her statement, "Okay you sleep then. I'll sleep too."

She hummed and after murmuring a small bye, I disconnected the call.

The next day, I went to meet her at a cafe.

I was as usual late and there she was, waiting for me, at a table beside the large glass window.

"Hey!" I greeted, taking the seat in front of her.

She waved back, smilingly.

"So? Did you order something?" I asked, slipping my phone in my pocket.

"Nah! I thought I will once you are here." She replied.

I smiled a little and ordered her cold coffee along with my doughnuts.

I turned towards her now, finally looking at how beautiful she looked. With a slight make up and the off shoulder black top, she looked breath taking and that perfect smile of hers completed her look.

"You look beautiful." I uttered, getting hold of her hand.

"You look handsome." She smiled, winking.

I cackled, lightly.

"Where are you coming from? Hostel?" I asked, after a while.

"No. I forgot to tell you. I cancelled off my admission from the hostel. I'll now be taking a van service from my home to the college daily."

"Huh? Why?"

"Kya karti hostel mein reh ke? It's no fun without you guys." She frowned.

"Uh! Avni. Come on. Wese bhi konsa hum tumhare sath hote thay?"

"Rhea used to be there na. It'll make me miss you guys more. So, bas! Let's not talk about it." She said, tightening her tiny hold on my hand.

"Okay madam! What else should we talk about?"

"Us." She smiled making me smile too.

"Acha tell me. When did you fell in love with me? Like, when did you realize it?" She asked, like an eager five years old kid.

I chuckled, "I don't know, like the time you told me that you loved me, I wasn't sure if I actually loved you. But then, when I went up to my room, Ali and DD came to me and they just did something that made me praise you in a way that told clearly how much I have been in love with you. Later, they went back and I literally realized my love for you. Simple!"

"Impressive. You guys were talking about me and you were obviously thinking about me, that is why I wondered why did I hiccup all that night!" I laughed at her talk.

"Where's that fish key chain by the way?" I crooked my brow, hiding my smile.

"It's in my bag and that is not with me right now." She smiled back.

"You know I have always loved fishes. Out of all the animals, fishes are my favorite. Though it may sound childish, but it's true. That is why Neela Maa gifted me everything fishy fishy on my first birthday. Even the cake was a fish shaped!" She grinned, telling me that, her mind taking her back to those precious days of her life.

"Papa died after I celebrated my third birthday. I don't even remember his face clearly but there are pictures. After that, Neela Maa had been my mother as well as father." She spoke, lost, as if she was really reminiscing those days.

I rubbed her hand with my thumb, listening to her intently.

"You see this ring?" She forwarded her left hand that had a delicate ring in her third finger. "Neela Maa says that Papa gave it to me before he died. So, I don't take it off." I could see her smile a bit.

"I miss him at times. Like, I feel his absence. That's all." She looked at me. I could see her eyes moist.

I smiled at her, "More power to you."

"Oh! What's your ring for? I have seen it many times and even thought to ask you about it. But couldn't." She said, pointing towards the ring in my hand.

"Ah this! I don't know. I have been wearing it since I knew myself. Dad doesn't let me take it off. There must be some history behind it. Leave it!" I shoved it off, literally not knowing what this ring was for.

The waiter arrived and it was quite late, I wondered.

"So late?" Avni said.

"Actually Ma'am, I am sorry. Your order was prepared but it fell off my hand so we had to get a new one." The waiter mumbled, putting the things on the table.

"It's alright." She smiled at him and he went back.

Before I could start eating, I heard my phone ringing.

"Dad" flashed on the screen.

I picked it up as she sipped her coffee.

"Yes da-" I had to stop speaking as I heard his enraged voice from the other side, "Better be home in the next ten minutes or this date of yours will be spoiled."

I didn't have the chance to retort back as he disconnected the call. 

Avni shot her head up, asking me what went wrong. "I guess there's some problem. I have to go. I am sorry Avni." I spoke, getting up. 

"It's alright Neil. You go. Your family might need you." She smiled, getting up. I pressed a soft kiss on her forehead before rushing out. 

I reached home in a hurry. Upon entering, I saw Dad pacing around in the hall while Mom and Bebe sat on the couch. 

"Dad." I managed to spit out. I saw his head turning into my direction immediately. The rage in his eyes made me stumble upon my own steps. "I told you Neil! I told you. I asked you to be in your limits. I asked you to leave her. Why didn't you get that? Why?!" Dad shouted, his fists clenched as he stopped near me. It was the first time that he was so angry. I had never experienced this side of him. 

"Dad. What's wrong? I love her. I was about to tell it to you all." I managed to not fumble. 

"Shut up! Okay. Shut up!" He again made my heart skip a beat. "Dad please. At least, you can tell me what is wrong, right?" I tried to act stronger though his tone was scaring me too much. It wasn't that I was weak, but it was Avni's matter this time. Despite trying hard, I fell weak. 

Dad caught my hand and pulled it up in front of my eyes. "You see this ring, eh?"

Looking at the ring, I felt my heart beat unusually fast. Expecting it to be not what I thought it to be, I nodded, my hand trembling. 

I looked into Dad's eyes, full of anger as he bursted out, "You are already engaged to someone since your childhood and it is quite serious!" 

Dad left my hand and it dangled beside my body, lifeless. I stepped back, my lips quivered as I tried to sink in the reality. A tear slipped down my cheek only to get drenched in my collar. I felt the life inside me get out of my feet as my knees went numb. Not able to get my hold anymore, I fell on the couch behind me with a thud, a loud gasp escaped my lips. 

"You are already engaged to someone since your childhood and it is quite serious," it ranged in my ears as Avni's face flashed in front of my eyes. Sitting there lost didn't help so I just got up and ran towards my room. 

Locking the door, I lied on the bed straight, hugging my pillow, soft sobs escaping my lips every now and then. 

Why do parents do this to their children? I never knew my family could be so conservative. I mean, they literally tied my knot to someone I haven't even seen for once. How could this be true? Avni! I couldn't leave her. I couldn't hurt her once more. This shouldn't be happening. I will have to fight for us. I wouldn't let Avni sink into darkness once again. 

With the thought, I ran out of the room. I reached the hall, finding them still there. 

Dad looked at me, his eyes softened a bit. "I will never marry anyone else except Avni. Everyone, get that straight to your heads." I shouted, raising my finger. Within the next instant, I received a tight slap on my face from Dad. 

I looked at him, tilting my head helplessly. "I love her Dad. I love her." My voice held restlessness. I didn't know when did I fell so weak but it was it was. 

"I told you it is serious. You have to marry the girl I have chosen for you." Dad's voice softened and it was as if he regretted slapping me. 

"Who is that girl?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "You remember my best friend, Vineet?" He asked. I nodded, remembering the time when I was five that he passed away. "She's his daughter. It was his last wish to get his daughter married to you. I have to fulfill that." 

"You can ruin your son's life for your friend's wish?" I asked in a voice almost inaudible. 

"If DD wishes anything before dying, wouldn't you fulfill that?" He retorted, his voice laced with helplessness. It stabbed me right in my heart, realizing he was helpless and not selfish. I swear, if the same situation had to be faced by me, I would do the same. 

Looking at him, I turned around to walk back to my room.

###

So! *Evil Laugh! 

Expectedly shocking or unexpectedly shocking?

Well, sorry but no sorry. 

Do tell me who do you guys think is the girl Neil is asked to marry. What do you think would be his next step? Do share your guesses. 

Till then, Much Love.