Unplanned Time Spent!

Meera was seated in the bus which was crowded! Neel couldn't find any seat for him and so he stood!

She couldn't believe he was really helping her without her asking him and just why??

With no caution, he handed the bags he held to her, standing comfortably. The crowd didn't seem to disturb him as if an invisible barrier was keeping humans away from him!

What a way had she choose to describe it?

A shook escaped her at herself.

"I thought you were with me to help!!" Meera rolled her eyes.

"I would like you to realise that you're seated lady, unlike me," Neel smiled, "feel grateful for I didn't take the seat instead of you."

Meera and surprisingly the old lady who seemed to be in her seventies, seated beside her, rolled their eyes in unison.

"You have a very weak knowledge on how to communicate, young man," the lady shook her head disappointed while Meera held back her laugh, "I would suggest you learn how to speak well with your lady!"

Meera's brows raised at the lady's misconception, even before she could react, he chuckled, "And why does that seem to bother you?"

Meera's eyes widened more if not previously, while the woman really blinked twice at his reaction. Meera shook her head, he really is this way with everyone!!

"You lack manners!!" The old lady spat back, and of course Meera agreed, inward.

"Manners will get you nothing beneficial unless you're lucky!!" He said as if it was a matter of fact.

The bus took a halt suddenly, the old lady shook her head again as she got off the bus, reaching her stop.

"Scoot over, unless you would like to entertain yourself seeing me standing here the entire ride!" Neel said, his voice soothing enough to be considered a lullaby!

Only if what he said was soothing as well!

With a sigh, she scooted over, letting him have a seat. And as soon as he did, she handed him the bags he handed her a while ago.

"Just a reminder of your own reminder!" Meera smiled wide at him.

A smirk escaped him surprisingly.

They just sat silently the entire journey! Meera though occupied herself by looking out the window, he couldn't shake off the thoughts he was trying to put aside for a while.

Deep's actions would not be unpredictable for, he's forced.

However, Aarohi's actions indeed would be! Even after knowing, everything, why did she go there? To do what?!

Neel held back a chuckle, perhaps her trying to change things is what bothering him.

After all, he was still a human, and seeing her do things he couldn't do, was of course bothering him.

"Are you really a delivery man?" Meera's sudden question brought him out of his chaotic thoughts.

"Specific!"

Meera tilted her head towards him, his teal eyes immediately taking her view.

"Your attitude doesn't suit your profession!" Meera shrugged.

Of course!

"I work for a company!" Neel replied looking away.

Indeed, he wasn't a delivery man. And she could guess it, by the way how he came to deliver the important documents, back then.

The hour of journey screamed their silence later until they reached their stop! Hiring a taxi then was much easier.

As soon as she reached the orphanage, she met the mother, Neel just followed and observed her talking to the woman. Handing the woman the things she brought, Meera went to the church, and well he did as well.

When was the last time he visited a religious place?

Well, was it necessary to remember it back? He was sure it was years ago, and it wouldn't just come alone, instead, would bring along many memories, which he would definitely not like to recall.

He stood like a statue while seeing her pray.

"Done? Can we leave?!" Neel asked once she was done, turning to him.

Meera watched him with a frown, did he have any works? Ah, why would he assist her in the first place, if he really had any?

"We shall wait until the lunch break arrives. We can meet the children then!" She said with a smile.

Neel said nothing and just followed her with his usual cool stance of his hands being treasured in his pockets. He saw her greeting every teacher with a smile. He could see the wonderment in their eyes, about his sudden existence. Of course, he had seen the glimpse of the same feeling in the elder woman's eyes, when she saw him.

Meera didn't bother to clear their wonderment anyway.

Later they took a walk into the greenary of the garden. She appreciated the view in silence, the view of red roses standing proudly, greeting the sky. The bright morning of course was an invitation for the lazy grasshoppers. She watched them hop on to plants from one to another, their work continuous. Butterflies were as well present, like a served desert after a pleasant meal.

While Neel watched the only jasmine plant present, the pure white petals of the flower, reminding him of the lost pure, innocent childhood of his. The pure emotions.

"Your silence is something unbelievable!" He voiced with a sigh, a sigh that was a result of his inner feelings.

Meera turned to look at him, her hands still folded, her face which was calm till now, was ceased with a sudden frown, "I wouldn't like to receive the same accusations, repeatedly."

And for the first time, she could see a frown appearing on his face, "Pardon?"

Meera chuckled as she looked away, continuing her walk, "What was it, ah, talkaholic?!"

Neel laughed, his laugh almost a giggle, the giggle that surprised her, "That wasn't an accusation, lady."

"What was it then, mister?" She asked turning to him, yet her steps didn't halt! Meera facing him, walked against him.

"You could take it as an appreciation." He shrugged.

"Appreciating things you don't like? I doubt it!"

Neel shook his head slightly as he looked away, "Things you're to be appreciated for, doesn't always have to be likeable by others!"

Meera nodded understandingly at herself, "Am I to assume, you really didn't like it then?"

Neel looked back at her, her honey eyes piercing his teal ones, "I'm...not that sure!" he shrugged, looking away again.

Meera shook her head with a smile turning back.

Time passed as she became more comfortable with him, helping him explore more of the place, unintentionally, completely ignorant to Deep's once caution.

When the lunch break, finally had arrived, she took part in serving the children.

Neel stood their silently, leaning against the wall, until Meera looked at his side, her eyes almost scolding him.Oh, for what?

When she reached him, he looked at her with a frown, "You said you might be helpful!"

He did, but, even before he could utter any response, she handed him the bowl and just left his side.

What.... -a sigh- what was she even making him do? Did he do wrong coming here?

Too late to regret, he thought!

With a sigh, he joined her, time again passed as it flew.

It became a half-day for students as she came. Spending time with her.

Would their teachers not have any problem by this?

Neel chuckled, of course, they would not! She donates, and, money matters, after all.

He with a sigh again, got seated on a bench, in the garden, cause god, she didn't yet feel like done! After serving, he watched her have lunch, and in the meantime, the mother distributed few play things to the children, a part of what the lady provided her!

She called him to join the meal, but we'll, he didn't.

He really just didn't feel like to.

And now, seated here, he watched her play with the children. It's already evening and she still is here.

Neel leaned back, his eyes never leaving her. The sun was declaring his setting slow by slow, and it's effect only made her look more beautiful. Her hair swaying along the gentle breeze, her honey eyes reflecting the golden glow of sky, as she ran after the kids, playing like a kid.

Memories again embraced him. He was once a kid like them present here, running along the garden. He still vividly remembered the hands trying to catch him, their laughters still an audible echo.

With a shake of head, he closed his eyes resting his head against the bench-wall, he thought this woman would work well for a distraction. But, the more he spent time with her, the more was he finding himself, digging his own past.

Perhaps, he should just leave.

"We can leave!!" a sudden soothing voice made him open his eyes.

Meera stood ahead, her eyes looking down him. Neel just watched her in silence before a nod slowly escaped him.

After her saying the goodbye's, they left the place.

Hiring a taxi, they travelled back.

"Did I take too much of your time?" Meera asked as the driver continued driving.

Neel, who sat beside her, watched her in silence again.

His eyes held a glimmer of amusement, "Time well spent, considering the usual monotony," his tone casual, "and no clocks were harmed."

Meera chuckled at his quipping, as she looked ahead the way, he just turned away, taking in the view of outer world through the window.

The ride ended when they reached the bus stop nearer to her house. Instead of getting on into the bus, she decided to walk. And so did he walk along.

Until she reached home. The sun has already declared its goodbye for the day and the sky slowly started wearing the veil of darkness.

"Alright then, I'll take my leave!"

"Won't you come in?" She suggested.

His brow raised, "Is it you inviting me?"

"Hope you eliminate your unnecessary thoughts, for mister, I would like you to remember your food schedule today. You didn't eat." She shrugged as she opened the door.

Meera turned back, looking at him, probably waiting for his response.

Neel just watched her, was this woman crazy? Well whether she is or not, he surely was to help her in the first place!

Regrets, regrets, and, regrets!!

"This would definitely be an inappropriate invitation for, I might result in trouble?!" Neel responded in his very casual, nonchalant tone.

Is she to assume, was that a warning?

Better not.

"Hope you know, just know," Meera stressed, "that, the police station, is in walking distance!!" She winked at him before turning and getting into the house, leaving him to himself on deciding.

Neel laughed at it! She surely thinks she could just call a cop to save herself, if he indeed could be a trouble!

With a sigh he got in.