FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE WAITING FOR NEIL TO FIND OUT ABOUT AVNI BEING THE ONE TO WRITE All THOSE EMAILS. BE READY IT'S COMING IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!!

*

Why am I so afraid to loose you, when you are not even mine?

Tina stepped forward and hugged Avni tightly, while everyone admired their bond.
 
Tina: I was really not happy with you since I didn't see you for the rest of the day. But after what you said up there, I forgive you," she replied with a wink when breaking the hug.
 
Avni: Well, the best has to be done, even if you drive me insane at times being my best friend. She smiled teasingly as she raised her eyebrow.
 
All this time Neil watched Avni with a deep frown on his forehead.
 
Neil: How can you be so oblivious, Avni? Why can't I make myself understand and still expect something from you? He thought in his head.
 
Avni casually looked ahead when she noticed Advay standing a little further away.
 
Avni pointed behind her and said, "Tina Advay."
 
Tina turned as she watched Avni approach Advay. Shweta and Neela smiled, pleased to see Advay, while Neil's gaze never left her. He felt a burning sensation inside him as he watched Avni throw her arms around his neck and advise resting his palm on her back as they hugged. The proximity of how close they were standing.

Ashish: Who is hugging my daughter in my own house, right in front of me, with others around? He said it in his usual dramatic tone, which made Shekar and Prakash shake their heads at their friend.
 
Neil closed his eyes; he had to control himself even when he wanted to beat someone up or throw something.
He moved away from everyone because he needed to clear his head after everything became too much for him. He needed to cool himself down before he snapped at someone.
He took a deep breath and stood near the window, rubbing the back of his neck. His heart was telling him to look behind him, but he managed to resist.
 
"Neurvous," he said, looking to his left to find Tina smiling.
 
Neil heard Avni laughing at something. "Probably something Advance said," his inner self commented.
 
Neil: I think so, he said after a few seconds, looking out the window before turning to face Tina when she spoke.
 
Tina: You know, I was nervous too, but Neela Maa's advice made me feel better. Although, I won't lie, I'm still nervous, but not as much as before.

Neil: I guess the feeling is new, so it will take some time to settle in.
 
Tina: Take all the time you want, Mr. America, but after we marry, I shall be dancing on your head all the time. She said it with her usual joking tone.
 
Neil chuckled slightly at Tina's humour. When he heard a lauging sound behind him again, this time including more voices.
 
Turning back, he and Tina noticed how the family members laughed at something Ashish had said to Advay.
 
Tina: Come, Neil. She took his hand and led him to where the others were.
 
Neil observed how close Avni and Advay stood.
 
Neela: Look, Tina and Neil are coming.
 
Hearing that, both Advay and Avni stared at them.
 
Tina: I'm sorry I couldn't say it sooner, but thank you for coming. She said, moving to hug him, to which he responded.
 
Advay: Thank you for inviting me; he said with a killer smile. 
It is lovely to see you again. Neil. He added with a little smirk after a few seconds while shaking hands with Neil, who forwarded his hand and shook it with a quick nod and a "same here."
 
Tina: I would have greeted you when Avni pointed to you, but she didn't wait for me and rushed straight for you. So I decided it would be better to give you guys some time, you see. she teased.
 
Avni's eyes widened as she looked at everyone who was trying to control their laughs, except for Neill; she didn't dare to look at him despite feeling his gaze on her.
 
Avni: Tina, shut up. It's not like that. She said, glaring at her and making her eyes wide.
 
Shekar: Well, here we go. They'll start the Tina, Avni, Tina, Avni tune.
 
Ashish: Beta, I believed you had found someone from the guest, but Neela informed us that this is the famous Advay, about whom my daughter is usually talking.
 
Advay, you are welcome to come here at any time, but please know that no one takes my position in my daughter's life. Deal? He pretended to be serious.
 
Advice: I will take care of that, sir. Don't worry, he said with a wink while playing along.
 
Ashish: Ahaan, I can see we'll get along well.

Dayawanti: Ashish, please spare Advay from your dramatic performance, she said, shaking her head at her son.
 
Neil's fist automatically rolled as he looked away. When he tries to move forward, someone says something that causes him to remain in the same position, and he won't deny that he didn't like Avni and Advay being teased about each other.
 
Suddenly, a few guests arrived where the elders were to greet them, while Avni excused herself under the pretext of checking on refreshments.
 
Neil saw Avni leaving, and his feet naturally moved in that direction. He stood away watching her instruct a staff worker before greeting a guest.
Taking a glass of champagne from a passing server, he gulped the liquid down swiftly
 
• 

Advice: What kind of boring function is this? No dance, no song, nothing. Advay crossed his arms, displaying his lack of enthusiasm for the event.
 
Exactly my thoughts are. Making an annoyed face, Tina joined. Advay.
 
Advay walked to Avni and extended his hands for her. Smiling, Avni takes it, and they walk to the centre. And the other couple joins them. Tina pulled Neil for the dance, and unwillingly Neil obeyed her, walking to the centre.
 
Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Lage Lyrics
Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage
Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage
Kiya Re Jo Bhi Tune Kaise Kiya Re
Jiya Ko Mere Baandh Aise Liya Re
Samajh Ke Bhi Na Main Samajh Saku
 
Advay looks into Avni's eyes and Neil's unwavering glances over them. 
Next to Neil and Tina, Shweta goes gooey over watching Avni and Advay together. Ladies whisper around shipping Advay and Avni already. They are actually looking good together, unlike Avni and Neil, because they look perfect together, which is still unknown to all.
 
Advay twirled Avni around a few times, doing a step and urging for her to copy. She chuckled as she followed his steps, oblivious to how everyone was admiring them. 
 
Neil's eyes focused on both Avni and Advay; flashes of her spending time with him and laughing freely flashed through his memory, and now it's Advay who makes her feel this way. A sense of loss ran through him as he missed those moments with her.

After a few minutes of being a dancing partner with Advay, Avni pushed him on his chest lightly. She took a few steps backward before walking away, blushing, then rolling her eyes at his silly acts.

Savero Ka Meri Tu Sooraj Laage
Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage
Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage
Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage

As soon as she turns Avni bumps into someone, her breath hitches when she is about to fumble on her feet, but the person close to her saves her. His arms go wrap around her waist, jerking her on her feet. Making her up. Their eyes lock, and everything blurs.

Chhune se tere, haan tere, haan tere Fikki ruton ko rang lage
Teri disha mein kyu chalne se mere Pairon ko pankh lage

As if time stills, when these lyrics come and convey their inner conflict. Her hands flat on his chest; she doesn't miss the thumping sensation of his chest, synchronising hers.

Raha na mere kaam ka jag sara Haan bas tere naam se hi guzara
Ulajh ke yun na sulajh main saku

Neil's eyes pleadingly said it all while Avni swallowed, feeling butterflies in her stomach. They couldn't look away; God knows how long they kept staring at each other.
There is a pause before Advay takes Avni's hand and swiftly moves her away. Neil couldn't take his eyes off of her walking away; he feels abundant; he feels helpless.

Jubaaniyan Teri Jhuthi Bhi Sach Laage

Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage

Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage

Tu Mera Koi Na Hoke Bhi Kuch Laage