YASSSS! We are at #100 guys, in the Romance category. Par - sab maaya hai :P

Just loving your votes and comments. I took a look at the stats and it shows people from various countries reading the story. How awesome is that (assuming data integrity)! Lovely platform!

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Neil looked at Avni and once again his strong reflexes came into play as he stopped both of them from barging in a most violent way that would have definitely not been good for Avni especially in her state!

Neil was a statue till he noticed what is Avni's hands - "Arre! Ye kya hai! Tumko akela choda and you went shopping!" ( What's this. I left you alone and you went shopping)

Avni - "Neil! Ye shopping nahi hai. It is grocery to make our breakfast - poha!"( It's not shopping. I went to get grocery to make breakfast)

Neil smiled- "So sweet wifey! Par maine kal kaha tha na. Saare kaam main hi karunga. So I will cook and do the hard work, while you watch!"( I told yesterday I'll work)

Avni - "No way Neil. No way i will allow you to destroy my breakfast. I am making it for both of us. You can be my assistant and that is it!"

Neil gave her a mock salute and quipped - "Ma'am, Yes ma'am."

Both of them entered and started bustling about the small kitchen slab. Neil ensured he did all the heavy lifting, but allowed Avni to cook to her heart's content. He realised she made poha very well as the aroma came wafting towards him and he realised he was salivating!

They gorged upon it soon after like two hungry animals! Neil was ecstatic to see Avni eating something with such gusto! This way her recovery was not that far away..

After eating her full, Avni reclined back on the couch saying - "Wow! This was good. Chalo ab it is again time to be bored!"

Neil, looking up from his plate - "Kya matlab!" (Means?)

Avni - "Matlab it feels like I have been confined in rooms now for so long that it is not funny. Pehle Raghu ki jail, then hospital ki jail and now.."

Neil, his ears turning red - "What! What do you mean now! MAine tumko jail mein kaid rakha hai kya!"( Have  I kept you captive?)

Avni, looking mischievous - "Maine kaha to nahi hai aisa.. Par sach to tum bhi jaante ho Neil. Ye apartment aakhir hai to another room hi!"(I didn't say so Neil  but even you know the truth! This apartment is like just another room!)

Neil, with his mouth open in mock surprise - "Achcha madam. Chaliye ready ho jayiye. The princess shall be taken outside by her slave!" ( OK mam. Get ready.)

Avni, giggling now - "Princess! Slave! Ye sab kya laga rakha hai Neil. Koi disney movie hai kya!"( What's all this neil. Is it a Disney movie?)

NEil, bowing down to increase the drama now - "My princess. Main hoon to aapka slave hi. Well at least tab tak till you get alright ! So get ready, I will take you to a nice coffee shop nearby !"( I'm your slave only. At least till you revive)

Avni smiled, and then she got serious. She shook her head - "Nahi. Mujhe nahi jaana Neil" (I dont want to go Neil)

NEil, continuing his mock charade - "And madam ko kyun nahi jaana!"( And whys that)

Avni, looking a little serious now - "Actually, I am.. I am.. Neil my face .. I will not be able to face the stares of outsiders right now! It is ok, I will stay here only"

Avni realised there was silence now and she looked up. Neil had a serious expression on.

He then stopped his pretense. He came ahead and stood close to Avni and kept his hands on her shoulders - "Avni. Ye kisne kaha ki there is something wrong with this face. You look just fine. And koi stare nahi karega, kisi ke paas time nahi hai to look into what others are up to! Main bhi hoon na saath mein! I will take care. Dekhta hoon kaun kya karta hai.."( Nothings wrong with your face. No one will have time to stare. I'll see who stares!)

Avni looked at him for a second and then surprisingly for Neil, in a lightening move, she had closed the distance between them and hugged him tightly. Neil moved his hands from her shoulders to her back and held her well.

He then put his mouth to her left ear as he hugged her and spoke softly - "I told you Avni. It is always Us versus Them. And I am always with you."

Avni kept on hugging Neil after listening to this, never letting him go..