Ananya had just woken up and was rubbing her ankle. It seems the accident that she had intentionally caused to enter Neil's life and to ensure he does not marry Riya, had actually hurt her! She had been willing to take that risk and after all, having taken Dayawanti's bullet in her chest, she was no stranger to pain..

Anyways, Ananya got up and hobbled around the house on her foot, trying to get work done. She had nothing urgent for the day, just some research she further needed to do on Dayawanti and her family. Something that she could have done from the confines of her house, which she very much was bound to today, due to her foot injury!

The doorbell rang and Ananya cursed to herself, it was a pain to walk, leave alone walk to as far as the door! She opened the door in bit of a huff and her eyes widened at what was in front of her..

It was Neil Khanna, standing with a smile and with her anklet dangling from his hand. Ananya was not prepared to see Neil, she was probably in the worst home clothes she had in her wardrobe and her hair was in a disarray!

Neil seemed to have noticed none of this as he smiled brightly like blokes do and said - "Ananya! I did not know we will meet each other so soon!"

Ananya (visibly surprised muttered under her breath) - "Nor did I"

Neil - "kuch kaha kya?"(Did u say something)

Ananya (now passively smiling) - "nahi Neil. I guess you have come to return my anklet! Thank you very much."(No Neil)

Neil - "you are welcome Madam! And by the way, you are looking smashing this morning!"

Ananya looked at Neil suspiciously. There was no way she could have looked smashing! She felt clumsy and under-dressed. But then she saw the honesty in Neil's eyes.. This guy really thought she was looking good even in this state!

She was genuinely happy that Neil had come, as she subconsciously wanted to see Neil even though she had been totally unprepared to see him! Ananya thanked Neil post taking the anklet and invited him in. Neil sat on the couch and saw her trying to limp about the house.

Neil - "Hey ananya, kahan ja rahi ho!"(Where are u going)

Ananya - "just getting some coffee for us Neil. It seems you are an early riser. But i was so tired after yesterday's incident that I just woke up!"

Neil (getting up and walking to Ananya. And then bowing down to her playfully) - "Allow me lady! mere rehte hue your bearing pain and making coffee for me is just not allowed!"(With my being there, your...)

Ananya protested but then sat on the sofa and watched Neil making coffee in the adjoining kitchen. She was full of guilt and sadness as she looked at him going about happily in the kitchen making efforts for her. Was her revenge worth hurting this sweet guy? She was not so sure now that Neil was right in front of her!

Ananya was brought out of her reveries by Neil clicking his fingers in front of her eyes and breaking her thoughts.

"kin khayalon mein khoyi hui ho madam!", he said offering her a mug of steaming hot and strong coffee, just what she had needed!( In which thoughts are you lost  madam)

Ananya gladly accepted the mug of coffee and clearing her throat she said - "kuch nahi Neil.. bas was thinking about how we met. I want to tell you something.."( Nothing neil..)

Neil looked at her with an honest and expecting look as he prompted her to talk.

Ananya continued - "Neil, I do realise that you are in my house immediately the next day after we first met. I am not a kid Neil. I can read your emotions and I can feel mine as well. But I would like to clarify to you that I just want to be friends"

Neil's shoulders dropped a little at this and he was still holding his breath trying to see where this was going!

Ananya continued - "Neil you have been extremely good to me. And for reasons that I cannot tell you.. I just want to be friends. Will this be ok with you?"

Neil paused to think for what seemed like a very long time and then kept his mug.

He looked down at the table and then breaking the suspense looked up with a dead serious look in this eyes - "Ananya.. I do not know what I am feeling for you. But I think you have realised that I have started caring for you. Unless there is someone else in your life or you are put off by me.. Allow me to care for you for some more days. I do not know what your reasons are, but I have a strong feeling that you need my friendship as much as I need yours. We both seem to have gone through some tough times earlier in our lives. And I just want to make it better for you. Just doing that will probably make my life better as well!". He then looked at her earnestly and said - "I leave the decision to continue with this friendship with you. I cannot promise you where it will take us, or if it will go anywhere.. But I promise I will always be a gentleman and go by your wishes. You know what Ananya, I am engaged to a girl called Riya on my mother's wishes. But I have a sad past over which even my prospective marriage with Riya did not tide me , but just one meeting with you worked wonders. You are good for me Ananya, in any form that you will have me! Even if we dont stay friends, I am going to break off my engagement with Riya now, anyways we have not exchanged any rings.. Meeting you showed me a mirror into my soul and confirmed to me what I had really wanted! And I will be forever thankful to you for that!"

Ananya was stunned to hear all this. Neil and Ananya was almost baring their souls to each other, their conversation already had the footprints of how old friends would talk.

Ananya's life till now was revolved around her one goal - her revenge. That had not given her any happiness, but now there was a chance that she might get some happiness while also being able to keep Neil away from Riya.

Ananya smiled to herself. She did not know whether she was avenging her mother by putting Neil away from Riya or whether she wanted to protect Neil from Riya and her murdering family. But Ananya took a resolve within her heart at that very moment - She will not let Neil get married or get cheated by the Mehta clan.. She will protect him and the goodness within him. She will be his friend. This is what both of them deserved..