Next morning....

Avni woke up and found Neil to be nowhere in the room.
She heard clicking of the door knob. She was scared as hell. What if its chachi?

She closed her eyes in fear. She opened them when she heard a familiar voice.

Neil: Its me.
He said and walked up to her. He sat on the bed besides her and cupped her face.

Neil: Why were you so scared?
He whispered.

Avni: I thought it's chachi.
She said looking downwards. He lifted her face up.

Neil: I've got the money. We'll leave in a while. I've got you some clothes. Go freshen up.

Avni nodded.
She took the clothes and went into the washroom. She bathed and wore her saree. It was a plain peach saree with a little work on its borders.

She stepped out of the washroom just to witness everyone standing in the Hall. She went there. Chachi was counting cash from a suitcase kept in front of her.

Chachi: Hmmm... This is enough. Its more than I actually spent. But I won't return it. You may leave from here now. I don't want to see your filthy face again.
She said to Neil.

Avni looked at Neil who stood there silently. He turned around, moved towards Avni. He grabbed her hand and moved out of the house.

He made her sit in the car and started driving.

Avni: Are you OK?

Neil: Yeah, why?
He asked confused.

Avni: Nothing. Actually I thought that you're a little upset about leaving that house.
She said slowly.

Neil: Avni, that house was a living hell for me all these years. I never had the courage to go against chachi. But I don't know, I just couldn't stand her attitude towards you. Knowing that I was doing this for you gave me courage  to finally step out of that hell.

Avni smiled at his honest confession.

Soon they reached. The locality was quite simple and calm. Neil parked the car.
They stepped out and Neil started walking towards their new house holding Avni's hand.

It was a small and simple  house. It was a single room with a small single bed and a kitchen slab in one corner. Their was a window just above the bed. Their house was on the third floor.

Avni was observing the room while Neil was looking at her embarassed. She turned to look at him.

Avni:  What happened Neil?
She asked worrying.

Neil: I'm sorry. I couldn't arrange for a better house.

Avni: It needs a little bit of cleaning. Else, it's perfect!

Neil: But still...

He couldn't continue because Avni placed her lips over his and kissed him gently. He was shocked at first but after realising that Avni was biting his lower lip waiting for him to respond, he started responding. He kissed her gently. Their lips moving in a perfect sync.

They broke apart for the need of oxygen. They rested their foreheads against each other's.

Avni: I said its perfect. Stop blaming yourself for everything. OK.
She whispered still breathless.

Neil: OK.

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