LIES

20. COMFORT

On the ride back to his house,  Neil thought about what just aarohi said, it's not he is afraid of work he has to, he already made up his mind, but same time her family can do this job better since they are her family after all, he already feeling guilty about not informing them, but he kind of knows, how her family will react to this situation but is he ready to care of aarohi, as complex as she is, she is so hard to read, and her keeping herself in a box, isn't going to help him either, and top of that, and The pain around his chest, it's getting worse

He reached his home, and he was about to open the gates when her sister exits from the gate
"Omg bhaiya, you are here, I missed you so much," said a cheerful night
"I missed you too, kiddo, where are you off to, on weekend," said Neil with a smile
" just going to meet some friends,  what happened to you,  you look like shit," said Nishta
"Language is, what if Tai ji heard you," said Neil
" Sorry, but explain your look to me" asked nishta
"Long story, if I start telling you, you can't meet your friends on time " replied Neil trying to dismiss her question
" Okay,  but you gotta tell me soon, come home, the house looks empty without you," said Nishta
"Soon, now bye," said Neil entering the house
" Hey,  Neil welcome back," said an enthusiastic parth
" hi bhaiya, I am not here to stay long,  I have to get back" replied Neil moving toward his brother
" We miss you a lot, the house got so quiet without you in it, when vansh is coming back," asked parth while hugging Neil
Neil relaxed into his brother's arm
" maybe next week, I don't know," said Neil now breaking the hug
" What did you just say, you missed me, and house miss me, seems like I am rather in demand," said Neil with his iconic smile
"Now stop, don't climb the mountain, what's with this look," asked parth
"Long story, will tell you in free time, where is Maa? couldn't find her here," asked Neil while looking all around in the hall
"She is visiting the temple, could be back anytime,  go have a bath before, she comes to scold you for not Taking care of yourself," said parth
" yeah, good idea bro, seems like my company rather making you smart," Neil said with a cheeky smile
" oye, I am your big bro, now go," said parth while patting Neil's back
Neil then went to his room, with a smile on his face, the smile which is gone or rather say been hiding for a long time now, especially in her presence,  what it was supposed to mean, is she was not good for him, should he take up on her offer and inform Goenka's about her condition,  with these thoughts on his bath Neil entered  his bathroom and about to take a quick shower
After taking a quick shower,  Neil quickly get some clean clothes in his bag and descend the stairs, that's when he saw his mother on a sofa chair, it was a strange pull but right now, he doesn't want anything, other than her mother warm hugs, he straight went to her, and sat down near her feet and put his head on her lap, she is rather surprised but return his affection, with her affection full gesture,  putting her hand on his and soothing it before speaking
" Neil,  no one told me, you were home,  I would have made something for you, tell me what you want to eat, " said Manjari with a warm smile on her face
"What I need is right here," said Neil softly while putting his hand on her hand
"What's bothering you, Neil,  tell your mother," said Manjari in a serious voice
" How did you know, that something is bothering me," asked Neil while raising his head a little so he can see her face
" I am your mother son, and mother knows if his child is disturbed or not," said Manjari while touching his hair affectionately
"Maa, there is a friend of mine, who is sick currently, my friend ask me to help me in this situation, and at the same, my friend told me I can bail out anytime I want, if it's too much for me, what should I do," Neil asked manjari with a sad voice, he doesn't want to tell her about everything, but he can't stop himself before telling her what's exactly bothering him
" Harsh ji told me about your sick friend,  Abhimanyu informed him about that" replied Manjari
" Neil,  if your friend wants you that means your friend trusted you, in tough times,  and you meant something to them, that's why among all others your friend ask your help " replied manjari softly
" and about giving you the option to bail out, because your friend doesn't want to put pressure on you, that doesn't mean your friend doesn't want you, your friend puts a great deal of trust in you, and that's why your friend asked you in the first place," said Manjari in a serious voice
Neil understood what he has to do, all of his doubts were now clear, by her words of wisdom,  he missed this, her mother makes everything better, and he is now very much sure, he should be the one aarohi trusted the first place, and she didn't doubt him, she is doubting herself,  Neil is going to take care of her like he promised he will
" I will pray for your friend to get better," said Manjari
" I know you will " replied Neil again putting his head on her lap
Gosh this is his comfort, his mother, his family,  this is so refreshing to him, he is so ready, ready to take on the world, his world, her world

That's all from this chapter
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