NOT PROOFREAD

"You are the best thing, I never planned."

It was already the weekend and Neil couldn't wait to start his job. Agreed, he is nervous. But, excited topped most of his nerves.

"Neil, Hi." he heard Ms. Esma's voice as he entered the café. She glanced at her watch on her wrist and furrowed her eyebrows and said, "You are early kiddo!"

Neil gave a nervous chuckle. "Um, yes Ms. Esma. I just wanted to learn a few things before i start the work officially." he said and scratched his neck nervously and added, "Is that okay?"

Esma chuckled softly and shook her head, "Of course, neil." and stared at him grinning slyly. "Now i understand why she adores you this much," she muttered to herself but neil did hear everything she said. A little too much clear, if anyone asks. 

Neil was not really surprised to hear that. As cocky as it sounds he knew this you know who- whoever is that likes him a little too much. And, she knowingly or unknowingly helped him a lot. For that, he'll eternally be grateful. 

Neil being nervous asked Esma about the things he had to handle in the cafe. As asked she just grinned happily and showed him the basics of everything and how they work in this cafe. Needless to say, he was definitely getting the hang of it. 

"Hey, kidoo" she called in between and said, "You are doing great. Don't worry about anything." 

Neil smiled genuinely and said, "Thanks a lot, Ms. Esma" 

--------

It's hardly been a week and Neil was trying his best to get comfortable at work. He is indeed working his a** off. Because he knew he shouldn't take this for granted. Agreed, his mystery girl helped him to get this job but that doesn't mean he'll be lenient. He didn't want to mess up the opportunity. And, he would be damned if he does that. Neav needed this and he would do anything to give neav the best of childhood.

The past week has been great. After Esma filling him in the ways the cafe would work Neil's nerves calmed a bit and he got a little confidence. 

"Hey man," he heard a voice greet him. 

Oh, in this one week of his time in the cafe he managed to get to know some people. Needless to say, they were beginning to be friends with our so-called bad boy.

"Hi Abhi." neil replied. 

There was a total of two people with whom neil shared this shift. Abhi and Aisha. And, to be honest he would be lying if he said he was not comfortable with them. 

There's something about working and talking with strangers, isn't it? They don't judge you and your past won't bother them. What all matters are how you function then and there. And, that was something neil had undergone very recently. He was grateful to his mystery girl for recommending this job. 

All this week he had been learning many things from his colleagues- Abhi and Aisha. They were very helpful and friendly. And, like that, once they got carried away and started talking about their earlier incidents at the cafe. 

And, then suddenly out of nowhere, they started talking about a girl who used to work in his place. But, then she found another job and quit it. 

He had no idea why he was so much interested. He still remembered the conversation they had in their shift, "Neil, you are lucky that she left this job. Ms. Esma is an angel, you would never get a boss like her." Abhi said nonchalantly. But, neil wanted to know more. He didn't know why. 

You know that feeling when someone talks about a person very vaguely and suddenly you want to know more about them. It is a very strange feeling, to be honest. 

Neil shook his head calmly and gave a slight smile. 

After the long shift, he left home and couldn't wait to jump on his bed and snuggle into his comfy blanket. To say he was tired would be an understatement. he was exhausted. And, unusually today they had many customers. He was not complaining though. He actually liked his job. Suffice to say, he was getting hang of it. 

As he opened the door and entered, the first thing he observed was, the house was soundless. He double-takes to check if the house he entered was his or his exhaustion was taking a toll. 

But, then he saw her. The little brunette was sitting down and leaning on the lounger. But, what amused him was everything was scattered around her. There are pens of different kinds, washi tapes, photos, and whatnot. Amongst all that, what caught his eye was her myriad of expressions. She was scribbling something on the book which was placed on a table in front of her. 

From blinking rapidly to scrunching her nose to twitching her lips, everything amused him. Slowly, he made his way to her and dropped his bad at a nearby table, and sat on the lounger so that he could see what was she working on. 

He expected her to acknowledge him. Instead, he got nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nada!

Perplexed. That was what he was feeling. What kind of masterpiece was she working on that made her not acknowledge his presence. He furrowed his eyebrows and leaned down so that his face was just above hers.

Irritated, "Whatcha doing?" he asked. 

"Jesus Christ, neil," she yelled making him close his eyes because of the howl. 

He didn't know she could yell. Wow, he thought and smiled to himself.

He just raised a brow and looked at her. She was already nervous about having him this close to her. She suddenly thought this guy don't know personal space and turned to him bravely. She slowly raised her hand and pushed him with her index finger and said, "It's nothing. Just a journal."

Neil was shocked at her gesture. But, he knew she was not just anyone. She was Avni, who was not afraid to show their place when needed. She was what, the perfect mixture of sensitive and strong. And, neil was proud of her. 

Neil snorted, "Really, avni? I thought it was a coloring book."

Avni glanced at him amusedly. Thinking, how did they get comfortable with each other to crack jokes and sarcasm without getting the other feel offended. What progress, she thought. 

Neil was equally shocked and slightly surprised about the way they were acting. But, as they see each other it had to happen one day and maybe today was the day, he thought.

"Oh, stop with the sarcasm, neil." avni said playfully and got back to what she was doing. 

Neil, who was a bit sad that avni wasn't giving him attention after his long day, which was totally absurd and he knows it, slowly slid next to her and peeped into her journal. 

She was pasting some pictures and writing long long notes which made neil faint. He is not the type who read paragraphs. But, it changed because of certain someone who always writes long-long notes to him. He chuckled at the thought and tried not to think about her when he was with avni. 

As she wrote and perfected it, he sat there silently and admired her. He wondered, how can a person be this selfless? He wondered what would have happened to siya, if avni didn't come into their life. He wondered what would have happened to him? 

To say he was grateful would be a little word. What he felt was much more. He owed her, simply said. 

But, amidst all the thoughts, he glanced at the journal once again and something struck in him. That handwriting, he thought. He had seen it somewhere. He really had. because, if there was something that would never betray him that would be his eyes. 

However, his admiring session breaks due to a loud cry. Avni immediately stops what she's doing and glances at the source and looks at the entity beside her. 

Gently, she places a hand on his forearm and says, "Go. Get some rest. I'll take care of her." and leaves to Siya's room.

Neil, who was still thinking, sighs and heads to his bedroom and jumps on his bed for some rest after his day of exhaustion hoping he would find his mystery girl- You know who. 

TADDA. Long time no see. How are you all? 

Peeps from the corner. I was kind of caught up with stuff. However, thank you for still believing in me and our story if you are here. 

A reminder- It is gonna be okay, whatever it is. This shall pass too. Stay strong. 

Fighting!! Love you all

Seneca : )