If it was possible, Avni and Neil's hold tightened. It was as if Neil understood her need to be loved, to be held and cared for. While he kissed her, his hands explored other parts of her that were till now Inaccessible to him somehow.

Neil held her waist and then moved his hand to her stomach and then explored her back. Avni was wearing a white lace night gown. Neil took off her gown and just the satin slip remained inside.

There was nothing beyond the slip. Neil and avni lied down as they continued kissing desperately, as desperate as a drowning person is for air..

As neil started planting kisses on her neck and was moving down towards her chest..avni said -"Neil...something is vibrating.."

Neil looked up and said lovingly -"sweetheart. You're not as innocent as you're sounding..".

Avni pointed down to his pants. And true enough something was vibrating.

Neil's cellphone was ringing in his pocket. Neil rolled his eyes as avni laughed and said -"maybe you should pick it up..."

Neil shook his head and started going back to start he was doing..

Avni pushed Neil playfully -"Neil really!"

Neil looked up and into her eyes. All he saw for himself was pure love.

Neil smiled -"My love. I'm taking the phone only because you're asking me to.. But stay put. I'll come back to this task soon enough..". Saying this he planted one last kiss on Avni's lips and got up and running one hand through his ruffled hair, he picked up the phone.

Avni got up and arranged her dress. She wanted a glass of water. Her mouth had dried up.. She blushed thinking of what had almost happened and was going to happen...

She thought something was funny as she was having water. And then realised that Neil had got a call but was not speaking into the phone. She looked back at Neil. And then it happened..

Neil's face looked bad. It was white in shock. He was looking at the wall clenching the phone. Avni ran to him -"Neil! What is it? Neil batao Mujhe "(tell me)

She thought the worst as she waited for Neil to answer. But he didn't. He didn't even look at her. He was lost. She took the phone from him and neil didn't protest..

Avni -"who's there.. Kaun Hai?"(Who's there)

There was silence on the other side. And then DD spoke up -"nahi bhabhi. It's nothing. Wo something came up and it was urgent to tell Neil sir.."

Avni -"DD don't test my patience. Respect me enough to tell me what is it?"

DD stammered. But he spoke clearly and the phone suddenly felt very heavy in Avni's hands..

DD said -"Juhi madam. Zinda hain. She is at the station looking for sir. It's urgent "(juhi is alive.)

Avni kept the phone. She could not process things now. If juhi was alive then..then Neil needed to go and check..but..

Avni looked at Neil. He was still lost. But a tear slipped his eye.

Avni took his hand but Neil didn't react. Avni got alarmed and hugged him. But.. Neil did not hug her back. He held his hands away. He was probably too shocked, he was still processing. And he was undergoing many emotions, but could not share them with avni..

Avni broke the hug and looked at Neil. He looked back at her. And then avni saw it...

He was not speaking but his eyes were expressive. Like all the pain in the world was in his eyes today.

Avni looked away. She knew these eyes too well. She had seen the same eyes in her childhood - those were her dad's eyes when he was stuck in choosing between her and the rest of the world.

Avni knew what her dad chose finally. The taste of rejection in a child's mouth is at its most bitter. And avni tasted it again, like bile rising up her throat..

Neil was looking helplessly at her now. Waiting for her to say something. And avni said this

-"you should go.. They need you there"

Neil did not have the guts to look into her eyes post that. He could not bear to look at her. He took his phone and car keys.

And then he left leaving the door closed on Avni's face.