Days passed, Avni got busy in her duty and she had made man enemies. Avni tried to give equal time to the family. Now Neil’s vacation got over. Now Neil had to go back home and then London and there was a debate in the mansion.

It was the nighttime, and the whole Khanna family was standing in the living area.

Shweta: Prakash Ji, aap aur Bebe chale jaiye na. Main yahan rehti hun Avni ke sath.

Avneil looked at Shweta.

Bebe: Main kyun jaun. Tu jaa main yahan rokti hun.

Shweta was about to say.

Avni: han, Mummy Ji, aap jaiye. Neil ke sath packing kon karwaga.

Neil made a face.

Neil: Main koi chota bacha hun jo Mom mujhe packing kar ke dengi.

This time, Avni made a face.

Avni: chote bache to nahi ho lekin har baar kuch na kuch bhul hi jate ho phir baar, baar bag khol khol kar cheezen dal rahe hote ho.

Shweta: rights.

Neil made a face.

Prakash: main to kehta hun aap dono hi chale jaiye.

Neil: aur aap yahan rahen ge. Right.

Prakash: Han.

Neil: Aur office kon sambhale ga. Kitne dino se aap yahan hain office ki kuch khabar bhi hai yaa phir aap ne Khanna enterprise ko tala lagane ka soch liya hai.

Avni made a face.

Bebe: shub, shub bol.

Neil: Bebe, main to shub shub bol dun lekin aap ke bete ke irade kuch ase hi hain.

Prakash: Maar khaye ga mujhse.

Avni: Papa Ji, Neil khud nahi jana chahta na is liye ase bol raha hai.

Neil made a face and then he looked away. Avni smiled.

Bebe: Prakash, tu jaa.

Prakash: Bhai, ab main thak gaya hun main bus aram karna chahta hun.

Shweta: Aram karna chahte hain yaa yahan se jana nahi chahte. Avni, Neil, baat yeh hai ke unhe wahan tum dono ke bina maza nahi aata. Ghar khali khali lagta hai.

Avneil smiled.

Avni: Yahan bhi to sab ke jane ke bad ghar khali ho jaye ga. Main police station chali jaya karungi. Aap akele reh jaenge.

Shweta: yeh to hai.

Avni: Aur Neil ko see off karne ke liye aap dono ka in fact aap teeno ka wahan hona zarori hai.

Bebe: yeh dono chale jaen main yahan rukti hun tere sath.

Shweta was about to say.

Avni: Aap bhi jaiye. Aap yahan kya karenge.

Bebe: kyun? Tu nahi chahti hum tere sath rahen? Tu ab akele rehna chahti hai.

Avni made a sad face and she came to Bebe. Bebe was not looking at Avni.

Avni: Bebe, ase nahi hai.

Bebe looked away.

Avni: Aap log mere sath rahen is se zyada khushi ki baat kya hogi mere liye. Main bhi aap sab ke sath rehna chahti hun lekin hum majbor hain. Meri posting yahan ho gai.

Bebe ignored Avni.

Avni: Bebe, main aap ke bhale ke liye keh rahi thi. Bebe, main subha police station jati hun aur wapsi ka koi time nahi hota. Aap yahan akeli hun gi. Aap ko BP ki problem hai. Agar peeche se kuch ho… mujhe aap ki fikar hai. Papa ka office hai unhe jana parega. Un ki liye mom ko bhi jana parega. Papa akele kaise manage karenge aur aap yahan akeli reh jaengi.

Shweta and Prakash nodded. Neil also nodded.

Avni: Aap log ka jab mann kare aap log yahan ajaiye ga. Mujhe teen saal tak to yahan rehna hi pare ga na.

Neil: Hmm. Mera bhi yeh late semester hai phir to main wapis ajaunga.

Prakash interrupted.

Prakash: han phir Neil business sambhale ga aur main yahan meri bachi ke sath rahun ga.

Neil’s smile faded and everyone smiled to see his expressions. Bebe didn’t smile. Avni looked at Bebe.

Avni: Ab to ghussa chor dijiye.

Bebe looked at Avni who made a sad face.

Bebe: Ab bus kar yeh notanki. Main smajh gai.

Shweta: kya?

Bebe: yahi ke Avni ko meri fikar hai woh teri tarha nahi hai.

Shweta: Ab main kahan se agai beech main.

Prakash: acha bus ab sab apne room main jaen aur packing shuru kijiye. Hum sab jaa rahe hain.

Avni looked at Bebe who spread her arms and Avni smiled. Avni hugged her. Everyone smiled to see them.

Bebe: Main smajh sakti hun tujhe meri fikar hai.

Avni smiled.

Bebe: Main to mazak kar rahi thi.

Avni smiled. They broke the hug.

Avni: I will miss you all.

The Khanna family: we will also miss you.

They smiled and Avneil looked at each other while smiling.

It was the time of the night, the moon was shining in the sky and it peeked into Avni and Neil’s room where Avneil was resting on the bed and Avni was in Neil’s arms. Neil was caressing Avni’s hair.

Neil: kal main yahan se chala jaunga. Kitni jaldi yeh din beet gaye kuch pata hi nahi chala.

Avni smiled. Neil sighed.

Neil: bohat miss karunga tumhe.

Avni: Main bhi.

Neil smiled and he sighed.

Neil: Kab woh din ayega jab hum sath hunge.

Avni: bohat jald.

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: aur hum to dur ho kar bhi paas hain na. Hmm.

Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Neil nodded and Avni smiled. Avni rested her head on Neil’s chest. Neil kissed Avni’s hair who smiled.

It was the morning time and Avneil was standing in the room. A bag was kept on the bed and Neil was ready. Avneil were looking at each other. Neil cupped Avni’s face who smiled. They were sad but they were trying to control their emotions.

Neil: Bilkul mann nahi kar raha yahan se jane ka.

Avni smiled.

Neil: bus yeh semester hai. Jaldi se yeh complete ho jaye phir hum sath honge.

Avni smiled and kept her hand on Neil’s hands. Avni blinked her eyes and smiled. Neil smiled to see her. Neil was looking at Avni and he kissed her forehead. They smiled to see each other. Neil kissed Avni’s cheeks who closed her eyes. Neil looked at Avni who opened her eyes and looked at Neil who was looking at Avni. Neil thought.

Neil: Ab abhi thori dair main hum chale jaenge aur us ke bad main London chala jaunga. Six months bad hum mil paenge. Avni, waise to tumhare sath bitaya gaya har moment mere liye special hai lekin main jane se pehle ek special moment chahta hun jisay ke sahare main yeh six months guzar paun.

Neil looked at Avni’s lips and then he looked into Avni’s eyes. Avni looked on and Neil was waiting for a green signal from Avni. Avni cupped Neil’s face and she leaned to him and parted her lips. Neil smiled and he leaned to Avni who closed her eyes. Neil moved to Avni and he was about to kiss Avni but they heard the footsteps and they looked at the door. Shweta came there and she saw Avneil standing by cupping each other’s faces. Shweta looked away and Avneil looked at each other. They realized their position and they moved away.

Avneil felt odd. Neil ran his hand through his hair and Avni wiped her upper lips and set her hair with her hands. Shweta looked at them. Neil smiled fakely and looked at Shweta.

Neil: M. Mom, aiye na.

Shweta: Nahi, main bus tujhe bolane ayi thi. Prakash bula rahe hain. Keh rahe hain jaldi aa late ho rahe hain.

Neil nodded and said, Ji.

Shweta nodded and she went. Avneil looked at each other and Neil sighed.

Neil: Ab jane ka time ho gaya hai. Humain niche chalna chahiye.

Avni was looking at Neil. Neil smiled and he turned. Neil moved but Avni held Neil’s arm. Neil looked at the arm and then he looked at Avni who was looking at him. Neil turned and took a step back to Avni.

Neil: kya howa?

Avni: jo kaam adhura reh gaya usay pura to kar ke jao.

Neil frowned. Avni moved to Neil and cupped his face. Avni leaned to Neil and she kissed Neil’s neck. Neil closed his eyes and Avni looked at Neil who opened his eyes and looked at Avni. Avni was looking at Neil. Neil saw the love and desire in Avni’s eyes and he got courage. Neil cupped Avni’s face and leaned to her. Avni closed her eyes and Neil kissed her. They got lost in the moment and then they looked at each other. They were panting and their eyes were moist. They looked into each other’s eyes and their eyes locked. Neil hugged Avni suddenly.

Neil: I love you, Avni. I love you.

Avni: I love you too, Neil. I love you.

Avni cried and then she wiped her tears. They broke the hug. Avni cupped Neil’s face and wiped his tears and then she kissed Neil’s forehead and cheeks. Neil smiled.

Avni: Mann laga kar padhai karna aur jaldi se wapis aana. Ab aur main nahi reh sakti tum se dur.

Neil smiled and cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: to kya main reh sakta hun. Main to tum se ek pal ki duri bardasht nahi kar sakta. Lekin kya karun jana to hai na.

Avni nodded.

Avni: isi liye to jaldi aane ka kaha.

They smiled and Avni sighed.

Avni: Acha ab jaldi karo warna is baar Bebe aangi.

Neil smiled.

Neil: woh bhi danda le ke.

They smiled and Neil talked and then he went to carry the bag.

Avneil was standing in the living area with the family. Prakash cupped Avni’s face.

Prakash: Mann to nahi kar raha tujhe ase akele chor kar jane ka lekin main yeh bhi janta hun ke meri beti bohat strong hai woh sab kuch akele handle kar sakti hai.

Avni: yeh to hai lekin bache chahe jitni hi bare kyun naa ho jaen unhe zindagi ke har morh per hamesha apne parents ki zarorat mehsoos hoti hai.

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: Aur ek life-partner ki bhi.

Everyone smiled. Neil smiled and he looked down. Avni looked at Prakash.

Avni: Parents hi apne bachon ki himmat bante hain.

Everyone smiled. Bebe nodded.

Prakash: Aaj hum jaa rahe hain but tu udaas mat hona hum jald wapis aenge. Hmm.

Avni smiled and nodded. Avni met the family and she took their blessings. Avneil looked at each other. The Khanna family nodded.

Bebe: Ab, bhai, chalo jaldi karo. Chal, Prakash. Chal, Shweta, tujhe kya alag se nuwata dun. Chal.

Bebe signed her. Shweta nodded and said han.

They signed each other and went outside. Avneil looked at each other and Neil came to Avni. Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: Ab mujhe jana hoga. Apna khayal rakhna, hmm.

Avni nodded.

Avni: tum bhi apna dihan rakhna aur pohanch kar mujhe call karna.

Neil nodded and said, OK.

Neil hugged Avni and sighed. Avni also sighed. They broke the hug and Neil held Avni’s hand. Neil kissed Avni’s hand who smiled. Avneil went while holding hands of each other. They came outside and left each other’s hands. They looked at each other. Neil moved to the family. The Khanna family got in the car and Avni waved her hand to the family. Avni looked at Neil and Neil waved his hand. Avni also waved her hand. They smiled. The Khanna family went from there.

Days passed and Avneil missed each other. They daily talked on the phone and discussed their day that how it went. Avni’s whole day spent in the police station and in visiting the crime scenes. Neil’s MBA was completed and the Khanna family went to the convocation. Avni didn’t make it. Neil got his degree and the Khanna family smiled and they got emotional. Neil showed his degree to his family and they smiled. Prakash and Shweta showed the thumbs up. Shweta looked at Prakash who wiped his tears. Shweta smiled and then she looked at Neil.
Neil came to his family and took blessings from them. Neil showed his degree to Prakash who smiled and tapped Neil’s shoulder and then he hugged Neil. Neil smiled and Prakash patted Neil’s back.

Prakash: I am proud of you.

Neil smiled and they broke the hug. Prakash cupped Neil’s face and kissed his forehead. Neil smiled.

Later, Neil talked to Avni on the video call who was sitting in the police station.

Avni: Many, many, many, many, many congratulations of the day.

Neil smiled.

Avni: I am so proud of you.

Neil paused and he felt like he had won the world. Neil did all that hard work to hear these words. Neil was just looking at Avni. Avni frowned slightly.

Avni: what happened?

Neil got his senses back and he looked at Avni.

Neil: Hmm?

Avni: maine pucha kya howa tumhe?

Neil smiled and shook his head.

Neil: Nahi, kuch nahi. Ab, thank you.

Avni smiled and then she made a sad face.

Avni: I am really very very sorry, Neil, main nahi aa payi.

Neil made a face while pressing his lips.

Neil: Avni, kitni baar sorry kaho gi. Maine kaha tha na it’s ok. Main smajh sakta hun, Avni.

Avni smiled. Neil realized the background.

Neil: Tum abhi tak police station main ho?

Avni looked at Neil for a few seconds.

Avni: Han woh ek case ke silsile main…

Neil: oh.

Avni: Yes.

Neil nodded while pressing his lips.

Avni: Ab mujhe pictures to send karo na.

Neil: Han, Mom se kehta hun aur friends se bhi kehta hun share karen.

Avni smiled and said, ok. Neil sighed.
Neil: Ab bus main jald se jald wahan aana chahta hun.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Ab aur wait nahi hota. Bus tumhe apni bahu main bhar ke zor se hug karna chahta hun.

Avni smiled and blushed.

Avni: Main bhi bohat miss karti hun tumhe aur us Sukoon ko bhi jo mujhe tumhari bahu main milta tha. Main meri sari thakan, sir problems bhul jati thi.

Neil frowned.

Neil: sab kuch theek hai na.

Avni looked at Neil for a few moments.

Avni: Han, sab theek hai bus ek case ki waja se thora pareshan hun. Anyways choro in sab baton aur yeh batao, Papa ka kya reaction tha?

Neil: bohat khush hain. Dad, Mom, Bebe, sab bohat khush hain. Dad ne kaha, I am proud of you.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Bohat acha lagta hai jab Dad yeh kehte hain.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Aur tum bhi.

Avni smiled.

Neil: itne saal maine waste kar diye but thanks to you, jis ne mujhe meri responsibilities ka ehsaas dilaya.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Maine aaj agar yeh MBA ki hai toh meri is achievement ke piche tumhara hath hai.

Avni smiled.

Avni: yeh tumhare apne hard work ka natija hai.

Neil: Lekin mujhe reality realize karwane wali tum thi.

Avni smiled and she heard a knock.

Avni: Neil, ab main rakhti hun, koi aya hai. Tum se bad main baat karti hun.

Neil: OK, bye.

Avni: Bye.

Neil cut the call and sighed happily. On the other side, Avni talked to the police officer and then the officer went from there. Avni looked at the table and she took a letter.

Letter: ACP Avni Neil Khanna, Aag se khel rahi ho jal kar rakh ho jaogi. Tumhari aur tumhare parivaar ki bhalai isi main hai ke hum se dur raho. Hum se uljho gi to uljh kar reh jaogi. Hum se jo takraya woh khak main mil gaya. Hum se takar lene ki ghalti mat karo. Aap ka shubchintak, Bharav Singh.

Avni looked up and she thought. Avni sighed.

Some days, passed and Avni did her duty with honesty. One day, Avni came home and the lights were off. Someone moved and Avni felt a moment. Avni frowned and she looked around but darkness was all around. Avni took out her phone and switched on the flashlight. Avni looked around and she felt a move behind her. Avni turned but no one was there. Avni thought and she remembered the letter. Avni took out her gun and she went to the switchboard. Someone was standing at her back at some distance. Avni was about to switch on the light and she felt someone behind her. Avni was about the hit her elbow to the person but the person held her from behind and took the gun from Avni and threw it on the table which was kept near the wall.

Avni: choro mujhe.

The man kept his hand on Avni’s mouth and Avni was wriggling but no use. Avni realized that the man was keeping his hand on Avni’s mouth softly.

Man whispered in Avni’s ear: Ssshhhh…

Avni frowned and the man took out something from his pocket. It was a mask and put it on Avni’s face. The man covered Avni’s face with it.

Avni: choro mujhe.

The man took Avni from there. The door of the room opened and Avni was taken there. The lights were on and the man left Avni. Avni took away the mask and she was panting. Avni saw the room and she was shocked because it was lighted by fairy lights. Avni looked around and the room was decorated with roses and candles. Avni thought. Avni turned and she was shocked to see the person because it was none other than Neil. Neil smiled to see Avni.

Avni: Neil!

Neil smiled and spread his arms and shrunk his shoulders. Avni smiled to see Neil and she forgot about Neil’s hilarious act. Avni ran to Neil and stood near him. Avneil were looking at each other and then Avni hugged Neil who also captured Avni in his arms. Neil smiled and kissed Avni’s cheek. Avni broke the hug and Neil was holding Avni’s waist. Avni cupped Neil’s face and she kissed Neil’s cheeks. Neil smiled and then Avni hugged Neil. Avni got emotional. Neil also got emotional and he caressed Avni’s hair.

Avni frowned and she remembered about Neil’s hilarious act and she broke the hug. Avni started to beat Neil. Neil was smiling.

Neil: Avni. Avni. Avni, yaar.

Neil was smiling.

Neil: kya howa? Maar kyun rahi ho.

Avni: kyun ke tum isi laiq ho. Ase koi karta hai. Mere hath main gun thi agar goli chal jati to.

Neil smiled.

Neil: chali to nahi na.

Avni: Agar chal jati to.

Neil looked down and then he looked at Avni who was looking at him angrily.

Neil: Kya yaar surprise dena chahta tha is liye asa kiya.

Avni looked on.

Neil: Waise tumhe ab tak meri adat nahi hoi. Mera touch pehchanti nahi ho.

Avni: Asi baat nahi hai woh Bh…

Avni stopped and looked at Neil who frowned.

Neil: Kya howa, bolo.

Avni started to beat Neil again to avoid the topic and to divert Neil’s mind.
Neil smiled and then he looked at Avni.

Neil: Pati ko marte sharam nahi aati woh bhi wedding anniversary wale din.

Avni was about to beat Neil but she stopped and looked at Neil.

Avni: Kya kaha tum ne?

Neil smiled.

Neil: Pati ko marte sharam nahi aati woh bhi wedding anniversary wale din.

Avni: Wedding anniversary?

Neil nodded.

Neil: Aaj date kya hai?

Avni: Aaj to…

Avni stopped and thought and then she looked at Neil who smiled. Avni saw the time and Neil also looked at the clock and then they looked at each other.

Neil: bara baje ke bad date change ho jati hai.

Avni was shocked and she looked down and then she looked at Neil who raised his eyebrows. Avni felt bad.

Neil: Bhul gai?

Avni smiled and shook her head.

Avni: Is din ko kaise bhul sakti hun.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Phir sad kyun ho gai?

Avni: tum mujhe surprise dene yahan tak aa gaye aur main... maine tumhare liye koi gift tak nahi liya.

Neil smiled and cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: tumhe thori pata tha ke main aane wala hun.

Avni: Main le to sakti thi na.

Neil: tum meri life ka sab se best gift ho. Tum mere sath ho mere liye yahi kafi hai. Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye. Tumhara sath hi mera gift hai.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Happy Anniversary.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Happy anniversary.

Neil smiled and he hugged Avni who also hugged him. They smiled and looked happily.