Hey guys, keep the votes going! And the comments - it is super to know your views :)

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The rain increased a little in intensity. But Neil hardly noticed. Normally he would have noticed for Avni's sake and tried to take them towards some cover from the rains. Avni realised he is too much into his thoughts. She kept her hand on his shoulders. The sea was now raging in front of them.

Avni - "Neil, high tide aa rahi hai.. Seems it is a full moon night..Chalein?"(High tide is coming..shall we leave?)

Neil nodded his head absent- mindedly and Avni took his hand and got up, pulling him up as well from whatever thoughts he was surrounded with. She knew he loved Juhi a lot, she also knew he somewhat loved her, or was smitten by her, or something else. But she knew that first and foremost he was her excellent friend and support in this world where she had so few. If she had to choose someone as a friend or a lover, she would have chosen - Neil. She wondered at where her thoughts were going, did she see Neil both as a friend and as a lover?.. She shook her head now, while holding Neil's hand in one hand of hers - it seemed it was definitely the sea playing with their minds and thoughts.

Avni - "Neil, saamne ek coffee shop hai.. wahan chalein?" (There's a coffee shop ahead. Shall we?)

Neil would have said yes to anything she would have asked right now. But he smiled at this. That is what he loved about Avni - she enjoyed the beauty in small things. For her the time spent was more important than the material things. She was.. wonderful! It was Neil's turn to shake his head, - 'stay in the moment bro... stay in the moment..'., is what he told himself as they crossed the road hand- in- hand.

If only Avni would have asked Neil instead of speculating about his thoughts, things would have been clearer to her - that yes Neil had had a painful past he recalled sometimes, but he was more hopeful about his present with Avni. That the pain he felt after separation from Juhi was a lot but still lesser compared to the pain he sometimes felt when he was with Avni and still not able to proclaim her his openly, still not able to love her to his fullest extent. Neil was a sorted guy generally and he did not understand how to deal with the vagaries in life. He was analytical and used to formats and structure while Avni was the chaos that had entered his life, and he still longed to leap into those chaos against every fibre in his being that warned from away from them.

Neil and Avni entered the shop, still hand in hand. The shop was relatively empty and they got a nice view. Both of them were slightly wet from the rains and were now feeling the chill. Avni made Neil sit and said - "kya order karna hai sir?", (What do you want to order sir)
with a mock salute. Neil laughed at this and asked for some hot drink. She went to order two coffees for them.

"NEIL!?"

Neil looked up to see Mitali, his colleague standing over his head.

He stood up - "Hey Mitali!"

Mitali hugged him sideways and said - "Wow. Mr Neil Khanna. Maine to ummeeed hi chodd di thi tumko office mein wapas dekhne ki. Par tum jaisa non time wasting aadmi abhi kaam kyun nahi kar raha and ek coffee shop mein chill out kaise kar raha hai!" ( I lost hope of seeing you in office. What is a serious guy like you doing chilling here)

Before Neil could say anything, Avni came back with their order and smiled formally at Mitali. Mitali's eyes went big and round on seeing Avni - "Ohhhh! So the rumours were true! The great and most eligible bachelor Neil Khanna has married chhup chup ke!"(Married secretly)

Neil rushed his hand through his hair - "Nahi yar koi chhup ke nahi. But haan bahut jaldi ho gaya sab! Kal main office join kar hi raha hoon so tum dekh bhi leti ki all is normal! And how rude of me, Mitali, meet my wife - Avni"( Nothing secret about it. But hurried yes. Tomorrow I'm joining back office so you'd have seen all is normal.)

Mitali and Avni shook hands warmly at this. She invited Mitali to join their table and Mitali did. She was waiting for a friend who had not come yet. The three started chatting and soon it was obvious to Avni that Mitali and Neil were very close, of course nothing more than that, mostly..

She retreated a bit into her shell, and was surprised at her own behavior! She wondered if she was getting jealous! But decided against it.. She decided that this is what friendship was, something that she had missed out on all her life!

After sometime, Mitali's friend came and she left the table, but not before warmly hugging Neil and shaking hands with Avni. While she touched Neil, Avni felt something in the pit of her stomach, but was not sure if it was something real at all!

Soon Avni and Neil decided to leave for home. Neil was quiet and busy driving, he was satisfied with the evening they had had together! Avni was also happy but was a bit disturbed, she was not sure why!

Neil saw some bumps coming ahead in the road and said - "Seatbelt pehen lo Avni.. ". (Avni wear seat belt)
Avni did not notice what he said as she was lost in her thoughts.

Neil - "Arre!" and then he stopped the car slowly by the side. Avni now looked at him, surprised. Neil then bent across her and pulled her seat belt to make her wear it. He then got back into his side and said - "Kin khayalon mein khoyi hui ho madam! Kitna happening day tha na" (What thoughts are u occupied with madam. What a happening day!)

Avni remembered meeting Nanno and Ali and warmed up -"haan Neil. It was one of the best days in my recent life."(Yes)

Neil - "Which was the best?"

Avni - "Matlab..?"(Means)

Neil, loosening his seat belt and looking seriously into her eyes now - "Avni. matlab saaf hai. I just want to know that which day was the best in your recent life?"(Meaning is clear)

Avni started introspecting now, and without her wanting, only certain moments flashed in her mind. Surprisingly all of them had Neil in them! She recalled when she was in his arms in the bicycle stand, completely soaked and wearing his shirt! She thought of when she was hugging him and kissed him, for God's sake she had kissed him on the lips in that weak moment! But then a lot had happened since then and she did not know where they stood, nor did she want to confront it. But it seemed that Neil wanted to sort out things right now! She vaguely remembered the moment Neil had held her and she had felt so warm, also the moments when he was marrying her. She realised something strongly now. Neil could see the determination firming up in her eyes and he was waiting for her words..

Avni looked up at Neil, and opened her lips. She meant to utter three words that Neil had been waiting for so long now..

Neil looked at her patiently and smiled. She smiled back and said softly - "Neil, I lo.." and then there was a deafening bang, and their car had flipped and upturned sideways, with smoke coming out of the engine..