Chapter 5: Dare You To Move

EDITED.

This chapter is going to be a little longer as I need to cover a lot of plot lines, so please oblige :) Thank you guys so much for the overwhelming response for my story!! I love you'll :D

FRIDAY MORNING:

"So Avni, start your story. Shuru maadu!" Vihaan said, as we weaved through the Bangalore roads after breakfast.

"My story?"

"You and Aarav! You told me you'd tell me, alva?"

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did!" He nodded feverishly.

How he managed to be so excited all the time was beyond me.

"I said I didn't want to talk about it then. What makes you think I'll talk about it now?" I asked, crossing my arms like a head mistress.

"Fine." He said slumping his shoulders and let out a loud sigh.

Number 1 Drama Queen ivanu, I thought to myself.

"You're going to make it hard for me if you behave like such a baby, you know."

"Then start your story already!" He literally bounced up and down in his seat.

Dear God, please let me reach my office in one piece. I will break a coconut and do Mangalarti tonight.

I took in a long dramatic breath and began my story. I mean our story. By the end, Vihaan knew all there was to know about us.

"Okay, so why again doesn't he want to marry you?" Vihaan asked. I was so surprised he had managed to digest everything.

"He isn't ready ante. And neither am I. I just need to know that this relationship is going somewhere and that I'm not wasting my time, you know?" I replied.

"Hey Avni, I just wanted to let you know that if you every need me, you know, as a friend or a shoulder to cry on or even a clown, I'm here for you." He said, totally out of the blue.

"Thanks, kano," I whispered.

"What about you Mr. I-Haven't-Been-In-A-Relationship-in-A-long-Time? What's your story?" I asked.

"Khushi and I dated for almost four years. She then dumped me to get with a rich hot shot." He said. He had suddenly zoned out, I could tell.

"Oh, shit. I'm so sorry." I mumbled.

"It's alright. It was more than a year ago. Plus, she became a real bitch in the end. In a way, I'm glad it didn't work out." he said shrugging.

"But still, I can't imagine what you went through, Vihaan. Now look at you! Hero neenu, Hero!" I said playfully punching his arm.

"Yeah, but I missed, no?"

"What do you mean?"

"Hero didn't get the girl this time." He said simply.

For the first time in the history of Avni Kashyap, she had been stumped.

"Okay! We're here!" Vihaan said ten minutes later.

As we drove in, I could see Disha waiting for me. I promptly jumped out of his car, hastily muttered a 'Goodbye' and 'Thanks' and made my way towards her.

As I was blindly walking, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Avni,"

"Hm?" I said and turned to face him.

"I'm sorry if what I said earlier made you uncomfortable." His eyes were piercing right into me and for the first time in the history of Avni Kashyap, she couldn't meet a man's gaze.

"Oh, that's okay, Vihaan. Parvagilla." I said still not meeting his gaze.

"For the record, if I ever had you as my girlfriend, one, I'd not treat you as a princess, you'd be my queen. And two, I would have told the entire world, a thousand times how lucky I am to have you. And that includes parents."

I stood there, my legs unable to move, in absolute shock, trying to process what he had just said.

"In fact," He leaned in to me, his voice was a whisper now, "I would have married you already, if it was up to me."

FRIDAY NIGHT

The entire day at work was a complete waste of time.

I sat glued to my seat and replayed the entire scene in my head a hundred times, each time feeling more and more dizzy.

AVNI GET A GRIP! HE IS OFF LIMITS!

Tonight, in order to "improve our relationship", Aarav had invited me to dinner at Mainland China.

I, being the major thindipothi that I am, agreed. I mean, come on! Who'd say no to Chinese food?

As I reached the restaurant, I was greeted by the warmest of hugs by Aarav.

Dinner went better that I expected. The food was delicious and Aarav was extra gentleman-like.

We spoke about a lot of things and I realized that maybe giving him a second chance was not a bad idea. I mean, he was really trying his best.

After dinner, we went on a small walk near my house, holding hands.

"I was thinking," Aarav began.

"About us?" I asked hopefully.

"Yeah. I think we should tell our parents after your birthday."

"My birthday? But that's all the way in October! It's just March now!"

"Yeah I know baby! I'll have enough time to prepare myself." He said.

Can he for once stop thinking only about himself?

"As you wish." I whispered, not wanting to bicker.

The night was beautiful. Until then.

SATURDAY EVENING

"Avni?" Rutu said when I was making up yesterday's wasted time at work.

"Yes, Chinna?"

"I was just thinking if we could go to Corner House? Just the five of us?" Naina asked.

"Say no more. Get everyone ready!"

We got to Corner House at 8:30 and as soon as my car stopped, the four of them pranced out and invaded the ice cream shop.

That night, the moon was especially bright, and it made me think of Vihaan and the brunch that was going to happen tomorrow. I felt my heart flutter with eagerness.

Everybody was busy stuffing their faces with their respective Cake Fudges and Death By Chocolates when Rutu, blushing like crazy, asked, "Avni, I was just thinking, are you going to be seeing Vihaan any time soon?"

Could she read my mind?

"Yeah, why?" I asked, trying not to smile too much.

"Cause he is like a total babe!" Amrita said fanning herself.

Amay looked like he was going to throw up.

"Didn't you girls have a crush on Aditya?" I asked

"We still do! But Vihaan is so cute, Akka! Well done." Naina giggled.

"Gosh, Ajji has completely ruined you'll! But I'm so going to tell him this!" I said.

"No! Please Akka, it'll ruin our rep!" Rutu cried.

I'm pretty sure their 'rep' had already been ruined, if Vihaan had noticed the way the girls were acting yesterday.

"What is with you girls and Vihaan? You turn into such weirdoes!" Amay said looking disgusted.

"Oh really? Says the guy who texts Priya all day, blushing like a little girl!" Amrita fired.

"YOUREADMYMESSAGES?!?!"

"Oh calm down Romeo. Everyone in our family knows you break into a chorus of Ishq Waala Love the minute you get a text from her!" She snapped.

Rutu, Naina, and I laughed uncontrollably, holding each other. Amay, on the other hand looked horrified.

After a lovely evening with my baby sisters and brother, we walked back to my car, arm in arm, looking like total dorks.

That's when I saw it. Saw him.

Aarav, with his friends.

Smoking.

I separated from my siblings to check if my eyes were failing me, but they weren't. It was definitely him.

Looking at him having a good time smoking with his friends, not giving a damn about the promise he had once made to me, made me sick.

Without another glance, I walked away.

Me: He smokes, Bhavna! SMOKES!

Bhavu: What? Who?

Me: Aarav!

Bhavu: Avnu, I'm calling.

I told Bhavu what I saw and cried to her for 15 minutes.

"What did I do to him that he has started treating me like a piece of garbage, Bhavu?" I cried.

"Avnu, I think you guys need to talk about this."

"I have nothing more to say to him." I scoffed. "I feel like I don't even know who he is."

"So what're you going to do? Let me tell you, do not, under any circumstance, settle. You'll regret it later."

"I don't know what to do, Bhavu. I'm so confused."

"Confused? Avni, this is your life that you're talking about!" Bhavna scolded. She had a point.

"Okay! Okay! I'm going to talk to him."

"Avni, are you happy in this relationship?" Bhavna asked.

"No, not anymore."

"Then walk away."

SUNDAY BRUNCH:
Vihaan:

It was 10:30 am and I was so damn nervous. Why did I tell her that on Friday? I bet she is completely creeped out by me. I mean, she looked like she was.

My mind had cropped out those big dark brown eyes of hers and fixed it in my head, and I just couldn't stop thinking about her.

I wore blue jeans and a white tee and left my hair to be styled by the wind. It never listens to me anyway.

"Dad, I'm going out for lunch, okay?" I said as I grabbed my keys.

"With Avni, Vihaan?" he asked trying to mask his smile.

"Uh, yeah. Why?"

"Just asked! Have fun!"

When I reached Blimey and glanced around, I spotted a girl with long, curly hair in the balcony.

That was definitely her.

As I approached, she turned around and gave me the widest smile I had ever seen.

I was a goner.

"Hey! You're here!" Avni said with her arms wide open.

"Hi!" I said and gave her a hug.

She looked breathtaking in her flow-y red dress.

"You look great!" I said.

"Thanks!" she said smiling widely. "Listen, I'm starving. Let's go eat!"

"So, what're you going to have?" I asked, saving that topic for later.

"Mm, everything looks great! You choose!"

Lunch with Avni was perfect. She was an absolute delight.

She was the biggest foodie I had ever seen and with the steady hogging of food, the conversation never stopped.

I have always been a silent guy. I keep my thoughts to myself and don't really have much to say about anything. But ever since I met this girl, she had shown me a side of myself that I never know existed! I was jabbering non-stop and she seemed to be so interested in whatever rubbish I had to say!

After what seemed to be a never ending lunch, I paid the bill and we walked out.

"Do you have somewhere to be right now?" I asked.

"No, why?"

"I thought we'd spend more time together, since you're free. I mean, it's a beautiful day." Oh my God. Who is this alien person and what has he done with Vihaan Rao?

"I would love that." She smiled.

"Let's walk?"

The first few minutes of the walk were silent, as I was too damn nervous to bring anything up, but it wasn't awkward. It never is with Avni.

"Hey Avni, I was wondering, what does your name mean?" I finally said.

"The Earth. And yours?"

"The first ray of sunlight that breaks darkness and brings purity." I said with a flourish.

"Oh wow, that's deep! It suits you actually."

"What is that one thing you want to do before your twenties get over?" I asked her.

"Are we playing twenty questions or something?" She giggled.

"No, just sumne asking." I shrugged.

"Oooh! I got one! Before I turn thirty, I should have traveled to at least six different countries. What about you?"

"I really want to try scuba diving." I said. Mine didn't seem as interesting as hers.

"That sounds so much fun! We should do that together!" she said. I felt a funny little jolt in my stomach.

"What do you look for in a guy Ms. Avni?" I asked.

"He must be smart, kind and independent. Oh, and he should make me laugh till I can no longer breathe. And you?"

"I'm sorry, but I am not interested in guys." I said quietly.

On hearing that, she laughed so loud, her voice tinkling like bells.

I could just keep looking at her all day.

"No stupid, what do you look for in a woman?" she said, still laughing.

"I don't know, I always had this thing where the girl I married would be my best friend."

"Wow." She whispered. "And does being good looking matter to you?"

"No! Of course not! If she is beautiful on the inside, that's more than I could ever ask for."

"Wow, Vihaan Rao. Very impressive!" she said, looking into my eyes.

"Thanks." I said, sounding very stupid.

"Okay, here's a big one- do you smoke?" she asked very seriously.

"No, I don't smoke or drink."

Her face suddenly broke into a wide smile.

"What if a guy is bald or a couch- potato or something?" I asked. "I'm sorry I'm stereotyping."

"I don't care. I'm not perfect to point fingers at others!"

"But you are perfect." Those words came out before I even realized.

She blushed, looked down at her feet and smiled. Looking at her, I couldn't help smiling either.

"You're pretty awesome too, Vihaan." she said, still not looking at me.

"Can I ask you something?" We had taken a turn into a road which was covered by the most beautiful canopy.

"Hm?" she finally looked up.

"I couldn't help but notice that something's been bothering you. Can I know what it is?" I couldn't help myself.

"How did you know?"

"I just do."

She told me all about how she found out that Aarav smoked. She looked so upset.

"Do you think you'll give him a second chance?" I asked.

"I don't know, I'm pretty confused."

"You know what? We are not going to talk about this anymore. Do you want anything to eat? Or are you full from lunch?" I asked.

"I can never say no to food! What do you have in mind?"

"Tell me, Miss Avni. How do you feel about Gola?"

"Oh my God! I love Gola!" her eyes lit up like a little girl. "Let's go!"

She grabbed my arm and pulled me to the Gola cart. She was so excited that she didn't see where she was going and slipped and tumbled into my arms.

When she fell, her curls softly brushed against my face, and I got a whiff of her fruity shampoo.

"I got you." I said.

We stared into each other's eyes. For some reason, I couldn't move. It was so Bollywood and cheesy. Yet, it was amazing. I could feel goose bumps rise behind my neck.

She finally moved away and straightened herself.

"Thanks for catching me." she said and looked down. "Oh no! My heels broke!"

"It's alright! You can walk barefoot right?"

"Yes obviously." She said and removed her heels. As soon as her left foot touched the pavement, she yelled in pain. "I think I might have sprained my ankle."

"Here, let me help you." I took her arm and put it across my shoulders and I held her waist.

My hands began sweating profusely.

We walked all the way to her car without saying a word.

"Are you sure you can drive?" I asked.

"Of course I can. Don't worry okay? I had a great time, Vihaan. Thank you so much." she said smiling genuinely.

"Me too, Avni. We should do this more often."

"Definitely! You really helped me keep my mind off many things. I owe you for that." her eyes glistened in the sunshine.

"Hey! What're you saying? I told you na? I will always be here for you."

She closed the distance between us and hugged me really tightly.

It felt good. It felt right.

"Call me as soon as you reach home, okay?

"Bye Vihaan." she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye." I said as I watched her drive away.

That's when I realized that my feelings for Avni weren't just of the "friendly" type.

I was falling for Avni Kashyap. Hard.

Author's Note:

Sorry for being a little late. This chapter was a little harder to write.

Few questions:

1. Do you think Vihaan will confess?

2. Do you think Avni will break up with Aarav?

Please do take the time in commenting your suggestions and please vote!

Thanks so much for your love! Until next time, A.

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