Thank you everyone who read and voted for this story to make it win!!

28/11
You have suddenly disappeared? I hope there's nothing major.

2/12
Are you coming back anytime soon?

5/12
Still not here? There's no fun without you. Come back soon :(

7/12
Now don't tell me you'll reply only once you'll be a Mrs XYZ :)
Btw you are yet to tell me about your Fiancè ;)

9/12
Hey @Prudent_Prutha,
I don't know what went wrong so abruptly that I'm getting this silent-treatment, not that I have ever heard your voice. Just so to let you know, I'm not going anywhere if that's what you wanted. I'm gonna continue our routine, even if that'll be one-sided. :) :)
~@Awaara_Baadal

He ran his fingers tenderly over the scribbled ink that had been smudged over few spots by his tiny tears. Its been two days since his last message that also went unanswered. Suddenly a feeling as heavy as being rejected ensnared his heart.

Fiddling the pen between his two fingers, Neil contemplated on writing another message before deciding against it for reasons he couldn't lay his hands on. He neatly folded the paper-note and hid it inside 'their' favourite Novel that had paved the path of their connection and communication - "The Notebook"

Carefully stacking the shabby-looking book deep inside the forgotten shelf of an old-Romance aisle, Neil headed to the dine-in part of the Book-Cafe, eager to drown his disappointing helplessness with the bitter-sweet Coffee.

"Leaping Windows" - a quaint little Cafe-Library housed along the silent valley in the outskirts of Mumbai, offering delicious coffee with a good read of books spanning around the languages and genres - had been a chance finding of a lazy Rainy Day of his life. And so was Her.

This place oozing with a peculiar scent of new pages of heartwarming literature admixed with freshly brewed Caffeine had soon found the place in his daily routine. And so did She.

It had all started a few months back when he found himself stuck in this Book-Cafe owing to Rains. It wasn't hard to leave behind the annoyance and love this place for it had lots to offer. It had rekindled his love for reading that had been lost somewhere along the process of growing-up.

Soon he settled himself with an old-world charm Romance Novel - 'The Notebook'. It was almost like the outer-world ceased to exist until he reached the last page with evident dampness grazing the corner of his eyes.

Out of habit, he flipped the last page of the book that is usually left blank. This was not.

There nestled a cute message by a like-hearted stranger who certainly had shed some tears like him.

31/1/18
Love is not only about growing-together, but doing it meaningfully, holding onto it when your senile cells conspire to erase his memories and all you ever want to remember is him, albeit in patches. I wish an Allie to all the Noah out there. ♥
~@Prudent_Prutha

29/7
Hey @Prudent_Prutha
When It's not possible to take another breath knowing that the air will be forever devoid of her essence, that's when True Love is!
Wishing you the same.
~@Awaara_Baadal

30/7
@Awaara_Baadal
Damn! You hit the right cord. Living together and dying together! ;)

6/8
@Prudent_Prutha
Wasnt expecting a reply to that but assuming you are here for a re-read. Well no complaints there, as I am doing the same.

Days rolled into months, they had filled the last page by the little exchange of their thoughts and a part of themselves to each other. Soon, they started using paper-notes.

Those notes had been the sole witness of a brewing Friendship and a possible Love that's beyond the fascination of external-beauty. Until, that one day, when he had reached a deadlock followed by complete silence from another side.

***

The New Day was no different for Neil, as he took the long strides towards his desired shelf with the same restlessness. Holding the novel in his tremulous hand, he flicked through its pages to spot the folded note stuffed within.

What stared back knocked the wind out of his lungs yet blew a new life to his heart.

12/12
Hey @Awaara_Badal
Sorry for being MIA.
Went to the office's field-trip.
What all did you read in these days?
Btw neither a Mrs nor engaged, kicked that guy out for asking me about my Virginity.
But can't say for long, Maa had another one lined-up for the coming week. Will never understand her obsession for Arranged-Marriage.

13/12
Finally, heard from you.
I might have some news for you too, but let's wait for it.
What you think is a "must" in a guy to marry you?

14/12
A book-lover! 'The Notebook' lover! That's it!

***

"Neil Khanna?" A gorgeous woman -with a book in her hand - asked pointing a finger towards him, as he waited at a Cafe for the girl his parents wanted him to meet.

"Yes! You must be Avni Pareikh?"

He can't help but feel an unseen thread of bond tugging him towards her as they shook their hands.

After the pleasantries were shared, the coffee was served and a comfortability began to settle, she asked him something that left his mouth wide-open.

"Do you like reading books? Have you ever read 'The Notebook'?"

"Nope," Neil replied with a mischevious glint in his eyes while she remained poker-faced.

After a polite formal evening, as Avni wished him goodbye, he unusually demanded her to check the backside of the bookmark in her book only to earn a quizzical frown from her before following his instructions.

@Prudent_Prutha
Don't Reject me
because I lied
I want to fall
in love with that book
all over again,
by reading it
together with you.
I have been meaning
to tell you this since long,
I Love You!
~NEIL KHANNA

Btw, I could finally
decode Your name
Prutha = Earth =
AVNI = To be Mrs Khanna ♥

______________________________________

P.S.  "Leaping Windows" mentioned in this story is a real place, I have been to it! But it offers more comics and children entertainment than novels! 😄😄

To think of it, The Word limit did pose a challange to constrict this story, and hence their real meeting had to be rushed!

But but but, If readers are interested i may expand this same concept in few more shots. Also Avni ka reaction and answer janna hai ki nahi??? But that will take some time, coz i have lots going on at the moment!

I had literally lost my interest in writing one-shots, but thanks to SA9reader sanju's persuation skills I wrote not one but two! 'Ehsaas' was the other one! But rule is rule, so 'Scribbled' went for competition and Ehsaas was posted in my os book!

The whole intention to take part in "Du-Coeur" was never to win, but to see whether My Writing, My style, My Voice and My words stands out or not, albeit with an anonymous tag! And the comment section, my inbox, Sanju's inbox, all were the proof of my win, way before results!!!

Thank u so much to the readers who gave me the immense pleasure of being recognised purely by my ideas and words! There is no better win than this!!! #Gratitude

And lastly thanks to Team Du-Coeur for giving us this platform to showcase our talents, hidden behind the curtains of anonymity! An absolute fair and safe play!

Much Love