Written for the wattpad competition initiated by freakswithus

Plot of the story : set by freakswithus

Team Name: Vamp Scribblers

Contestant No: Two

Cover Credit Goes To : The Lovely _shetroublemaker

Character Names have been changed as:

Natasha: Avni Ayesha

Soham: Neil Khanna

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Fear. Unending, nerve wrecking fear coursed through his veins as he ran with all his might stumbling upon everything on the way. Desperate need to go back to his peaceful life was all that he wished for at that moment. But it was too late. If he had a chance to wish for something at this moment, that was to see his daughter's innocent smile, cuddle her in his arms with his beautiful wife beside him. His eyes welled up with fresh tears as these thoughts crossed his mind. Sniffing back his remorse, he found himself in the middle of an isolated ground, surrounded with trees which appeared haunted due to the approaching nightfall. The only sound that he could hear were his own gasps and puffs.

Suddenly, he became conscious of someone's presence behind him and cautiously turned back.

No one.

He let out a sigh of relief and turned around only to receive a tight slap on his face making him scream and fall down on the ground. Just as he was about to get up and run for his life again, he heard loud screeches of cars circling him as if he was a prey to these vultures. The cars came to a still halt and a slender milky white frame got out of it making its way to him. The click of her boots alarmed him as it came nearer. He gulped down his own saliva clearly knowing what awaited him.

'How are you Mr.Ali?'

Long wavy hair played with the blowing wind. This woman. The epitome of evilness. A playful smirk adorned her plush pink lips as she knelt down to the fallen down man and uplifted his chin with her one finger.

'Didn't you hear me? I hate when my questions remain unanswered.'

'Madam. Please don't kill me. Please.'

'Did you leak the information about our drug deal to police?'

'That..that..I..'

'Yes. You.. You.. Speak up!'

'I saw a young girl dying. I saw it with my own eyes.'

'So?'

'I have a daughter Madam. I realized I was doing wrong by helping in drug dealings. This is wrong.'

'Now you will dictate what is right and wrong to me? Do you know how many crores we have lost due to your self-realization saga'?'

'I will stay away from all of these. Please spare me. I swear I won't ever show my face again. Please let me go.'

She stood up and kept one of her legs on his right shoulder. She pulled out a gun and pointed direct at his head.

'Please please don't do this. My family will be left all alone. They need me. My daughter..'

' Saima right? You should have thought all this when you betrayed Hassan.'

'You are a woman. Please have some mercy.'

'This! Exactly this word does not exist for me. When the world has not shown an ounce of this so called mercy to me, why should I?'

'Please..'

She smiled and loaded her gun.

'Tell your dear Saima that I am NOT sorry'

Shot. Blood oozed out from his chest as he fell down and mumbled 'Avni..God will never forgive you'.

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Flashes of photographs and police sirens echoed in the south west area of Mumbai as the police force closely examined the dead body. The forensic experts were busy taking all the samples of finger prints and foot prints which can give a path break to this murder case. But, everything remained hopeless since all the signs were washed away due to the unexpected rains of the previous day. There were mild signs of a car chase on the ground. There was also a stamp mark of a boot on the corpse's right shoulder. Yet, everything partially destroyed due to the rains rendering them useless. The only clue they had is the bullet in the corpse's body. A tall, handsome man stood there observing the proceedings. His hazel brown eyes shined as his traces of thoughts raced from one point to another.

DD(a constable came and saluted him): Neil Sir!

Neil: Any clues DD?

DD: Nothing Sir. We were waiting for you.

Neil: Informed his family?

DD: Sir. His family has committed suicide.

Neil(shocked): What!?

DD: Yes. His wife has also left a suicide note. I have collected it.

Neil: We have to get past the culprits this time DD. There is no another go. Get everything done and send the body to postmortem. I want all the reports on my table by today evening. If anything unusual is found, fix a meeting with the doctor too. Clear?

DD: Yes Sir!

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In the IG office..

IG: Is there any starting points for this case Officer?

Neil: There are no help from police forensic research results. The body had gone for postmortem and the doctor had stated about a mild cardiac arrest soon after he was shot. She had also stated the possibility of a long chase. The only mark on his body was of a boot stamp on his right shoulder and a slap mark on his left cheek which looked like of a stout man's work.

IG: Hmm.Did you get any clue from his wife's suicide note?

Neil: Just that he was involved in drug dealings which we know earlier. Ali Haider was the one who helped the excise department in tracking down the drug dealings worth crores. It looks like a revenge murder. He must have gone against them and got killed. Sad part is that, his whole family committed suicide. That little girl.. anyways..

IG: What about the bullet specifications you were talking about?

Neil: Yes. This rare type of bullet that we found in the body had been used only once in Mumbai's crime history. That was.. That was when Officer Naik was shot dead while investigating the Andheri Bomb blast case 3 years back.

IG: Do you suspect of any connections here?

Neil: Strongly yes. Because a woman's suspicious presence was reported during the investigation of that case years back. Officer Naik being shot dead clearly means that he was close to the culprits. It was his conclusion that the bomb planter was a woman and I have been searching for her since then. Here also, the boot marks are of a woman boots and small size. I doubt both are the same.

IG: On top of that, we have also received impending danger of further blasts from our spies.

Neil: Yes exactly. May be this time, I can get hold of her. There is someone ruling her for sure. But, the girl can be a great break through. My focus is hence on that mysterious woman.

IG: Good Luck Officer Khanna. I am sure you and your team will track down the gang successfully.

Neil: For sure Sir. They have snatched my family from me. They have turned me into an orphan. I won't let it happen again to any one. Jai Hind!

IG: Jai Hind!

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Hassan Shah laughed like a maniac in the recent party he threw appreciating his team for their constant brave works. He had emerged as a famous drug dealer. He wanted to expand his deals to foreign countries too. But one wrong move from them and ACP Neil Khanna would not waste a minute to catch hold of them. Hassan had the best team leader in the form of a woman wounded by her past, blinded by her hatred towards the society. Since a bruised heart coupled with rage rarely differentiated between right and wrong, Hassan had managed to make the woman his puppet. Her innocence had been turned into venom and he made sure that she never got the thought of kindness towards anyone. She had evolved herself to be a daring and bold fighter and acted just the way he wanted every time he injected the manipulative hurtful words to her ears never allowing her to come out of her past.

More than anything, his eyes savored on her sexy body giving him a tough time to control his hormones. He had never got his hands run on her perfectly lined waist, toned breasts and shaped thighs. He had kept his desires aside in the hope of making her his one day. He could very well force her. But, he didn't want to lose a talented member from his team. He was sure that one day he would be able to have her all by himself. He smiled victoriously at the thoughts and started talking with one of his customer.

Hassan: Good evening Christopher. Meet Avni! The master brain behind this operation.

Avni extended her hands for a warm hand shake. She let out a feeble smile. Every time she came back from a mission, she got absorbed in her own pool of thoughts until Hassan pulled her back on track reminding her about her past trauma. Hassan signaled Christopher and he nodded in response.

Christopher: Avni Ayesha! Glad to meet you pretty woman. Ayesha Haider was your mother then.

Avni(gritted her teeth): Yes Christopher. She was my mother who got brutally killed by this society just because she fell in love with a Hindu man. Love triumphs over every evil they say. But Alas! I have witnessed something else. They stoned her to death for being unmarried and leading a life with an illegitimate daughter. I didn't get enough of her time. Before that, in front of me...

Hassan: That is exactly why we are ruining the society Avni. You want to do this since they ruined your family. Right?

Avni: Yes. I will never regret for making them suffer. People around us are so disgusting. I will punish them with no emotions. Zero emotions. I will!

Hassan smiled in satisfaction and nodded to Christopher.

Christopher: ACP Khanna is a danger to us. Its important to destroy every evidence he collects. I heard from one of my informers that he has decided to solve the chain of murder mysteries that we did. Some were our own people and some were not. He has got some break through it seems.

Hassan: Then it's a warning for us. We should be careful. We should destroy him and his evidences too. How about sending him for a tour of heaven?

Christopher(grinning): He would love it I guess!

Hassan: Some one should take the risk and go. Considering the sharpness of that man's brain, he must have already planned an encounter whenever someone attacks him. So, its important that someone gains his trust enough to be alone with that person and then we will make the move.

Avni: Can I go?

Hassan(looked at her): You?

Avni: Don't you have faith in me?

Hassan: Its not about faith Avni. Going to a police officer will not be as easy as what you have done till now. Its risky.

Avni: No problem. I will look out for an opportunity to come in front of him. Only if you trust me.

Christopher: She can!

Hassan(smiled playfully): Okay! Proceed then. Don't fall for his charm. He is a handsome hunk.

Avni(turned around to go): The love in my life had died along with my mother. It won't take a rebirth again. Good day both of you.

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In the vegetable market:

Neil: How much is for potato?

Shopkeeper: 60 per kg.

Neil: I asked potato. Not diamonds.

Shopkeeper: That is the market price Sir.

Neil: Okay. Let's discuss the price in detail. Come with me.

DD(came just then in uniform): Sir! Today's meeting is postponed to tomorrow. Can I just go home for lunch?

Neil(smiled): What is the need of permission DD? I want you to inform me and go because I get tensed not knowing your whereabouts. That's all. Go now. Sona must be waiting.

DD: I know your concern Sir. Thank you. I will be back soon.

Neil(turned to a frightened shopkeeper): Yes. So, what did I say? Coming to police station?

Shopkeeper: Sorry Sir! I didn't know you are a cop. I was trying to recollect your face. But..

Neil: Its not about me being a cop. Its about how you cheat the customers. If market price is decided, go by that. Why are you altering the price? Other common people also work hard to earn their livelihood. I have been getting complaints from consumers, that's why I came here. One more time I find this, you will be arrested. Understood?

Shopkeeper: Yes Sir. I won't repeat it.

Neil(attended his ringing phone): Good. Give me half kg potatoes now. No. I said that here. Yes DD. Anything serious?

DD: Yes Sir. Have got information about a woman trafficking eve being organised at the outskirts of Mumbai.

Neil: Plan accordingly. Get the team ready. Dress up as their customers and meet me there. Be careful that nobody doubts you.

DD: Okay Sir.

----------------------------------------------------

The evening was beautifully set up with shimmering lights and colorful curtains. The place disgustingly smelled of alcohol. Neil couldn't help but feel pity at the mentality of people coming here to enjoy at the cost of a random woman's respect. He signaled his team scattered over the area to be alert. He adjusted his Bluetooth device in his ear and spoke softly.

Neil: Alert. And don't barge in to raid. We have installed cameras here secretly. Let's see if some known personality turns up. Only then, this place can shut down fully since public uproar will be more.

Team: Yes Sir.

Loud music started playing and Neil's scrutinizing gaze met its destination on the face of a masked woman dressed like an Arabic dancer, dancing to the beats. Something about her eyes, those deep soul steering eyes had his heart melting. Hidden pain and anger were visible through them. She wore a pink revealing blouse with only a string to keep it intact. Backless, as the fashionistas call them. Her long legs were visible through her translucent pants. He thought about how uncomfortable it must be for that girl to dance in front of strangers in a pitifully seducing way. The women there moved here and there to entertain each of the customers.

Avni(thought): Come On. Raid the place Mr.Khanna. I am tired of dancing. Oh! How can he raid so soon! He should get a girl for himself from these lots. Only then, he can forge an acting of righteousness. How about going as a prey to him?

Before she could comprehend and act on her thoughts, she felt a manly touch on her belly from behind in the dirtiest way possible. It was one of the customers going gaga over her lethal beauty. He started squeezing and pinching her waistline demanding her to shake it more for him. Avni wished to punch him and show him his right place. But here she simply couldn't do it owing to her mission. And for the first time in these many years, she felt helpless. She felt those dirty hands playing with the strings of her blouse trying to get access to her breasts. She squirmed in his hold as quickly as she can. She broke out of the hold luckily, but her blouse string snapped open alarming her. Within seconds, she found her embraced by two masculine arms. Neil signaled the team to proceed and soon there were chaos all around. People were arrested along with a reputed MP who just came in for the treat.

Neil(whispered): Don't worry. I have come to save you. Nothing will happen. Just let me help you.

Avni relaxed in his hold and Neil started tying the loosened string of her blouse with utmost care not to touch her inappropriately. Nevertheless, his knuckles brushed against her naked back instantly sending chills down her spine. She clenched her fists tight and closed her eyes feeling a genuine hug after so long, away from her usual world. What was she experiencing in a minute? His assuring words and caring action made her feel human. Neil moved back and patted her shoulders smiling at her.

Neil: It's okay. I will get a proper dress for you. Please relax.

Avni looked up to his kind orbs. That value of kindness which she left long ago was coming back to her slowly in his presence. She nodded in response. Neil quickly ordered his team to wrap up and seal the place while he came out of the place with Avni. All the rescued girls collectively belonged from a distant village and were kidnapped by the racket when they were on an excursion from school. Avni was the only person who didn't belong to that group. Neil made her drink water and made her sit in his jeep.

Neil: There is nothing to be worried about Miss. I am ACP Neil Khanna by the way. May I know your name?

Avni: Ananya.

Neil: Where do you belong from Ananya? Your family?

Avni(with downcast eyes): I am an orphan and I am brought up in an orphanage near west Mumbai. I came here looking for a job since we have to move out of the orphanage after a certain age. Someone kidnapped me on the way and all I remember is being asked to wear these clothes and dance. They threatened to kill me and I did this.

Neil: Do you have any place to go here?

Avni: I don't know any one or any place at all.

Neil: Wait a minute. Why are you still in that mask?

Avni mouthed a sorry and quickly removed the Arabic mask on her face. Neil's heart unknowingly skipped a beat at the ethereal beauty in front of him. She had worn a silver nose ring absolutely adding up her simplicity. He adored the prettiness in front of him.

Neil: You are gorgeous Ananya.

Avni(mentally blushed at the most sincere compliment she had received in years and smiled at him): Officer, thank you for all that you did for me. I will be grateful to you. If you can, could you please find me a job here?

Neil: Well, we will talk about that later. I can't leave you alone here. For now, please come with me. We will figure out things later. You need rest now. Trust me; I won't harm you at all.

Avni(smiled): You have saved my dignity Officer. How can I not trust you?

Neil smiled and drove her to his home. He contacted Sona, DD's wife to come over to Khanna mansion for a while. He asked DD to pick up Sona from his home after he finishes off the work and head for home.

Neil: Please feel comfortable. I have arranged clothes for you. Till then, please use this room and take rest.

Avni nodded and went over to washroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and recollected the events of the day. She quickly washed up her face and Neil knocked on the door.

Neil: Ananya! There are some clothes arranged for you. I will be outside. You can wear one of those and come outside.

Avni: Okay.

Avni slipped on blue leggings with baby yellow kurti. She washed, dried and neatly combed her hair. She stepped outside the room only to find Neil arranging the dinner table along with a woman dressed in red salwar.

Neil: Hey Ananya! Meet Sona. She is my colleague's wife.

Avni: Hi.

Sona: Hi Ananya. Don't worry. You will be safe here. I have brought some clothes for you. We will go for some shopping tomorrow. Okay?

Avni nodded in response. Her thoughts traveled on her further plans as to how and when she was going to execute her mission. She had hid a phone secretly among her clothes which she managed to do again. She dialed Hassan while Neil and Sona were talking about the food made and hid the phone in her leggings. They started eating and Avni kept the first morsel of roti in her mouth and her eyes closed involuntarily. She savored the taste of homely food after a long time and she gulped in satisfaction. She got reminded of Ayesha and a teardrop fell from her eyes unusually surprising herself.

Sona: How's the food?

Avni: It's delicious. You are a great cook.

Sona: Yes it's delicious. But, Neil is the cook not me.

Avni: Really? Wow. Why would you make dinner? Where is your family?

Neil(with his usual smile vanished from his face): They are no more.

Avni: I'm sorry.

She saw the deep anguish flickering on his face which deep down pained her too for reasons unknown to her.

Neil: Anyways Ananya, Sona is the chief director of Khanna industries. She has acquired an MBA and since I get busy in office work, I decided to transfer the responsibilities to her. She is like a sister to me. You can work in Khanna industries as her PA if it's okay with you. What have you studied by the way?

Avni: Mass communication. But all my belongings are lost. I don't have any certificates.

Sona: That's okay. PA requires only planning and managing abilities. It would be great if you possess commendable communication skills too. All of these, you can ace with time.

Avni: I will try my best. Thank you so much. It means a lot.

Neil: Stop this thank you thread Ananya. We are friends now.

Avni's heart fluttered at the term. Friends. One of those many things for which she longed in her childhood. She never had any friends. Only crime partners, boss and customers existed in her world. Such an endearing term meant a lot to her.

Avni(mumbled): Friends..

Neil: Yes friends. Don't call yourself an orphan now. Counting DD in the list, you have three friends now. We will be there for you. Now smile.

Avni(smiled): Yes. Thank you Officer.

Neil: It's Neil for you. You can stay here if you are okay with it. If you don't want to, I need to check with my colleagues whether any of them can accommodate you. It's that, there might be some loop hole that is left in the racket case. It won't be safe for you to stay alone or in hostel. I hope you understand. I mean...

Avni: As you decide. I already said I trust you Officer.

Neil(rolled his eyes): There you go again!

Avni: Sorry! I trust you Neil.

That mere sentence did something to Neil. She felt like family. But his police instincts were strong enough not to believe some one so easily. He had inquired about the orphanage she mentioned and had checked for any suspicious records on her.

Avni fiddled with the hidden phone, silently had the dinner and left to room. She had managed to cover every way Neil could go to enquire about her. Once in her room, she messaged Hassan that everything was under control. She had no time to waste and had to get rid of the great ACP soon. It was not going to be easy and may require multiple futile attempts.

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Days passed and Avni started living a stable life as Ananya. She worked as Sona's PA and gradually the bond between them strengthened opposite to what Avni had wished for. She started finding it hard to conceal her inner conflicts and to not get bothered by these overwhelming people around her. Undeniably, the bond she shared with Neil was so strong that at times she started spilling the beans but became cautious suddenly. As she unwillingly started hatching plans to kill Neil, a weekend greeted her unexpectedly with Neil being home tired of working for long hours.

Avni: Neil! Are you awake or not?

Neil: I am coming!

Avni: I am hungry Neil. I am trying to make breakfast. But you know, I fail miserably in this. Come fast you idiot!

Neil: Oye! Do you even know the punishment for calling an IPS officer an idiot? I will put you behind bars I am telling you.

Avni rolled her eyes and looked at a shocked Neil. He suppressed his laughter on seeing her face smeared with flour.

Neil: What exactly is going on here? Is this a kitchen or a battle ground?

Avni: I can't make these rotis. Your bhindi masala is ready which only you can eat. Yuck!

Neil: So, what will you eat?

Avni: I can have with butter no problem. But I can't make these rotis. How even someone is making a circle with this!

Avni recollected adding a spoon of rat poison to the bhindi masala.

Neil: Come I will teach you.

Before she could protest, he came to stand behind her and circled his hands around her to make her hold steady on the rolling cylinder and started rolling out rotis. His hot breath fanned her neck and she gulped down her emotions. He kept on instructing her, constantly telling the tricks and steps to roll out a perfect circle roti. But, she shivered in his touch and stepped backwards closer to him.

Neil(whispered): Ananya..

Avni: Hmm..

Neil: Roti is ready.

Avni(shot open her eyes and turned back): Huh. Sorry. I just..

Neil(kept his index finger on her lips): Ssshhh.. Ananya. You are not the same feeble scared Ananya whom I first met. You have emerged stronger and talk freely now to people. I am glad that I could become a part of it.

Avni: Neil..

Neil: Come let's have breakfast.

-----------------------

Neil: Let me now pounce upon the bhindi masala!

Avni(couldn't contain the curiosity): How did you learn cooking Neil? I mean it's so difficult.

Neil: Nothing is difficult dear. Everything just needs some time. My initial posting was not here. It was near to Hyderabad and I started missing my mom's food. So she started instructing me on the phone and I learned slowly.

Avni: Do you miss your mom?

Neil: Yes. Just like you do.

Avni: How do you know?

Neil: I saw your tears on your first day here. I have not missed anything about you.

Avni(nodded): Yeah. How did your family..

Neil: Have you heard of Andheri bomb blast?

Avni started coughing badly choking on the glass of water. Neil rushed to her and patted on her back and pecked on her forehead instantly making her feel better. Neil smirked and went back to his seat.

Neil: My parents were right at the blast spot. They had gone to bring gifts for me. I was coming home from Hyderabad after being posted here. Their dead bodies greeted me once I landed here. I was left alone all of a sudden with no one by my side. It took months for me to come out of the trauma and befriend DD and Sona. They are my support system. Like family. Now you are added in the list.

Avni went down her memory lane to that day years ago when she planted the bomb in one of the teddy bears in a fancy shop on Hassan's instructions. Before Neil could taste the first bite, Avni caught his hand midway preventing him to have the dish, or more precisely the poison. He looked up at her with a questioning gaze.

Avni: I.. I just tasted the curry and its awful. It's very salty. No one can have it.

Neil: It has your efforts and priceless love Ananya. I can have it.

Avni: I told you. YOU WILL NOT HAVE IT! Give that to me!

Neil looked at her surprised at her outburst. She took the curry and poured it in the waste bin. She rushed towards her room and slammed the door shut. She slid down behind the door clutching her dress tightly breaking down into fits of sobs after so long. She screamed in agony and cupped her face tight in her palms. Her nails dug into her cheeks. Neil was repeatedly knocking on the door calling out to her.

Neil: Ananya! What happened? Are you hurt? Let me check. Open the door yaar! Please! Ananya!

Avni cried aloud letting out every pain in her soul. She thought of every moment she spent with Neil. Every single time he proved himself as a true companion. Each time he stood as her support system believing every lie that she told him. The poor soul lost every one in his life because of her. She killed them. How did she forget that in between of seeking revenge from the social brutalities that she and her mom faced, she was giving the same pain to thousands of innocent people like Neil who only wanted a peaceful life with his family? She unknowingly raised her eyes upwards seeking forgiveness from god. The childish face of Ali's daughter Saima flashed in her memory. Guilt coursed through her veins and she cried out loud. Time passed by and she decided to reveal her identity to Neil. She couldn't cheat him more. She had done a sin.

She opened the door and rushed to Neil with a determined face.

Neil: Welcome Avni Ayesha!

------------------------------

Neil stood in the hall with her phone. The same phone which she managed to hide all these days but slipped out of her abilities a few minutes ago and she didn't even notice.

Avni: Neil. Please let me explain.

Neil(wiped back his tears): You had a call from Mr. Hassan Shah. Do you want to call him back?

Tears rolled down Avni's face. She couldn't bear the disgust and hatred that Neil's face reflected then. She loved him. She loved him so much. She had come to kill him off and destroy the proofs. Instead, she became the proof of his love. She regretted each of her actions. Her eyes begged for forgiveness. Broken would be an understatement for Neil's condition. He was betrayed by his love. She turned out to be the killer of his entire family.

Neil(roared): Cheat! You bloody cheat! Didn't you even flinch for a second when you took advantage of my faith on you? I always found a mysterious vibe around you Ananya. Oh sorry. Avni! Never in my life had I thought of you being the sole reason behind every single pain that I have been going through since years.

Avni: Neil. Listen to me. I am sorry.. I .

Neil: Are you even serious? Sorry? For how many sins will you apologize? For taking the life of innocent people in the bomb blast? For shooting Ali Haider to death? For making a fool out of me?

Avni: Neil. I was wrong. I was all wrong. You have made me realize this. Please give me a chance. I will repent and reform myself to be a better person please. I don't warm to harm you. That is why...

Neil: Is that why you decided to feed me poison?

Avni: I was blind. I was following Hassan's instructions. I was a fool.

Neil: Let me take a bow Miss Avni! I mean look at you. Look at how low have you fallen in mere revenge? I feel pity on you. You could have just fed me the poison.

Avni(slumped on the floor): Please don't say that Neil. I love you.

Neil(screamed at the top of his voice): Love! My foot!

Neil knelt down to Avni's level and scowled in a deathly tone.

Neil: Listen Miss Avni Ayesha! Don't you dare utter a word again. I am going to make you pay for each of your sins. Even if you manage to escape from here, I will track down you. Is that clear? IS THAT CLEAR?

Neil ran outside in rage before Avni could even answer. She sat there too broken and guilt ridden for words. She raised her head hearing a knock on the door and ran to open the door. The scene in front of her made her freeze on her spot- Hassan Shah.

Hassan(smirked): Hi Avni! It's been a long time.

Avni(felt her face dry): Hassan..

Hassan: Yes. Tell me dear. Why didn't you complete your mission till now?

Avni: Hassan. We are doing wrong. He is a victim of our deadly actions. I can't do more. He is genuine and innocent.

Hassan: You regret your actions. More than that, you have fallen for him. Am I right?

Avni: Yes I love him. I want to get out of your dirty world. I have realized that I am a human too. I can't be this inhuman again. Please leave me alone.

Hassan: There is no point in taking you back when you regret Avni. Once you regret, you will never be the same. But, you know all my secrets. How can I just leave you alone baby?

Avni: What are you going to do?

Hassan(came near): I am going to finish you off. But before that, I have an unfulfilled dream of having a feast of your beauty. Once I am done with you, I will leave you all alone to the almighty upon whom you have restored your faith now.

Avni(with blazing eyes): Don't you dare Hassan Shah! Don't forget that I am still the strong headed Avni Ayesha!

Hassan: But you are a woman! And I have built this daring Avni. You won't be able to stand against me.

He pulled her towards him touching her inappropriately. She squirmed in his firm hold and managed to get out of it. She ran around trying to escape his filthy motive. She threw a flower vase on him injuring his forehead. He tore of the back of her kurti while she hissed in pain due to his nail scratches. She was falling weak drowning in the mental trauma of the day. She started getting thoughts that she was facing all these due to her own actions. It was her Karma that was biting her back. She started losing her morale and soon Hassan choked her with her scarf making her unconscious. He lifted her to bedroom and placed her on the king sized bed. He slowly took off her kurti leaving her in her upper inners. Before he could do the worst, a strong masculine hand stopped him . Hassan turned around only to meet the raging eyes of ACP Neil Khanna.

Neil: How dare you lay your filthy hands on her? How dare you!!?

He started beating him black and blue until DD pulled him back.

DD: Sir! Stop it! You will kill him.

Neil: He ruined people's life. He manipulated this girl and made her do the unthinkable. He had the audacity to even think of her this way? You bastard! She is my lifeline. I will support her. Do you hear me? DD! Take him away. He should be hanged to death. Start the formalities. Avni will testify against him.

DD marched outside dragging a brutally injured Hassan with him. The police jeep drove away from Khanna mansion leaving a baffled scared Neil trying to wake up Avni.

Neil: Avni! Avni get up yaar! Please get up.

Avni slowly opened her eyes too numb to react on anything happening around her.

Avni: Did he rape me?

Neil: No dear. He didn't.

Avni(sat straight on the bed while Neil made her wear another kurti): Why? He should have raped me. I deserve this kind of punishment.

Neil: Avni. I am sorry to shout at you like that. I felt like a joker and I don't know what did I tell you. You are repenting and that is the best thing about it.

Avni(went berserk): No Neil. No. That is not enough. I deserve the filthiest punishment of the world. Please let Hassan have me. Let him rip me apart. I deserve to be harmed by that bastard. Neil! Are you hearing me? I am a heartless cruel woman! God knows how many families I have turned into cemeteries. I don't deserve your love. I only deserve to be a feast for him. His mistress.

Neil(flung a tight slap on her face): AVNI!

Avni looked at him and bore her gaze into his soul. This man was broken by her betrayal but was contented of her repentance.

Neil: Shut up Avni! Shut up! Take in deep breathes and calm your self down. Go take a shower and come.

Avni silently obliged and took a shower, changed her clothes and came out. By that time Neil had cleaned the house and the atmosphere radiated calmness. Neil made Avni sit on a chair and took her hands to his.

Neil: Avni. I love you. Nothing can change that fact. Realizing mistakes is the biggest proof of change. Can you believe in my love?

Avni(started crying): I love you too. I love you so much. I believe everything about you. I am sorry Neil. You lost everything because of me.

Neil: You were just a puppet of Hassan Shah baby. Everything will be fine. The case hearing will begin within two days. I have to arrest you. Will you give testimony against him?

Avni: Yes. I will. I will seek forgiveness and face the law. I want to embrace my life with you after washing off all my sins.

Neil: Our love is not weak Avni. We will face it together.

Neil leaned in to slightly place a kiss on her rosy lips and sealed their love with unspoken promises.

The belief and faith they had in each other crossing all the hurdles were enough to conquer the evil. Love transforms people. Love makes one realize the worth of one self. It teaches us sacrifice, patience and the utmost important lesson of forgiveness. It gives thousands of hardships to us, but ultimately all of us want to live.

You know why? Because...

Life is beautiful.

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