Continuing Neil pov

I said "so Avni tell me more about your family."

Then she started" I have nani, mama mami and there daughter and son and I don't have any paternal side family."then she became quiet and said
"Let me tell you something"

I just nodded and signaled her to continue but signal me to come closer. Which I oblige and lean close to her and signal her to continue then she started to say "I didn't like their daughter she always makes comments about me and always trouble me in my school life. I didn't like her."

WHAT some random girl make my petals life miserable,I will not leave her.

My voice dropped to a low, commanding tone, my words laced with a hint of anger. "Didn't you tell your parents?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly as I awaited her response.

She replied" yeah, they try to talk with mama and mami but my nani said it's just a phase of teenage life and dismiss it."

I said with a deep voice" if she try to do something, you will tell me first ,Am I clear? "

She nodded and said" tell me about your family."

I hesitated, my words caught in my throat as I wrestled with the weight of my past. I didn't want to scare her, to shatter the fragile bond we were building. But I knew I had to tell her, to share the secrets that haunted me. Yet, as I gazed into her eyes, I knew it wasn't the right moment. She was just starting to open up, to trust me.

Lost in thought, I felt a gentle touch. It was a soft, soothing caress, a comforting gesture that spoke volumes about her compassion and empathy. I looked down, my eyes locking onto hers, and saw her stroking my hand in a gentle, reassuring rhythm.

My heart swelled with emotion as I felt a deep connection to this beautiful, caring woman. As I gazed into her eyes, I saw a spark of understanding, a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, we could face the darkness together.

She said" if you don't want then don't tell, take your time and then tell me."
How I cannot be greatful of this angle sitting infront of me and I hold her hand gently which was resting on mine and said" it's not like that I don't want to share but I...I." words caught in my mouth and unable to speak.

She exhaled and said" I will be right here by your side, whenever you need me. And when your heart is ready, when the words feel right, you can tell me everything. I will be here, listening to you, no matter what."
I am not going anywhere, I will be there for you and when your heart says then tell me."

I was just looking at her with heart eyes
, she is there for me, she is ready to listen me . And then I started to say" I have dadi whom I love the most, she is the one who takes care of me when I was little, for me she is my whole world " saw Avni ,like she wants to ask something and I know what she wants to ask.

I continued" I have a bua and her daughter. Bua is very silent and quiet, she lost her husband at a young age and after that my dadi live with her to support her, about her daughter she is a very sweet and silent type of girl, she treat me like her real brother. My dad, is the best father I can say but I sometimes feel awful that I can't express my feelings to him."

gluping the lump in my throat,
I pause and drown into my awful past.
Avni said "you know, if you don't want to, you didn't need to.

I continue before sighing " I have a very strained relationship with my mother and sister. It is that stain that can't be fixed because whenever I have tried, it broke me ," while talking about it , I started to think about my past.

I feel avni holding my hand tightly and said" I am here na, you can share anything to me, and whenever you are comfortable, just tell me.

I was just looking at her and said" what deeds I have done in my past to get someone like you petal.

I gently wrapped my fingers around her wrist, my thumb tracing the delicate curve of her pulse. Slowly, I lifted her hand to my lips, my eyes locked onto hers, drinking her beauty .

Her eyes, once bright and bold, now dropped, her gaze away from mine. She couldn't meet my eyes, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink .

While holding her wrist in my hand bring them to my lips and place a warm kiss .

she just looked down and was not able to hold my gaze on her.

I said" I think we should order.

She nodded .

I placed the order and looked towards Avni who was looking out of the window and she suddenly turn's towards me and said "what do you like the most in food?"

I said "I ate everything and didn't have a preferences.

But she pressed and asked "something you like when you were a kid.
I know she will not leave this topic so I said" I really like chole bhature."
She said "ok ."

And we started talking about our works.
In sometime our order came.
We started to have our dessert, I looked at avni who was devouring her pastry.

After sometime

We have finished our food.

So I asked her where she wants to go.
She said "I want to go shopping but I will go another day."

I said "So, what is the problem today let's go."

She again looked at me and then nodded slowly.

So we pay our bills.

And walked out of the restaurant and headed to our bike.

We headed off to the market which she told me.

We entered a local market and she took me to different stores in the market.

End of Neil pov

Author POV

Avni is doing shopping and Neil is talking behind her everywhere and helping her with stuff and holding the bags for her.

Now they are in a jewellery shop. Avni was looking for something. About Neil he was covering her from behind. So no-one can touch her, because this area is crowded.

She was looking through the jewellery for her and from back Neil called the shopkeeper and said "show the best jewellery you have."

The shopkeeper nodded and started to show Avni different jewelleries and suddenly Neil eyes caught a beautiful pair of payal.

And saw avni looking in sets of bangles.

So he asked" what happened petal."

She said in a confused voice "I don't know which one to take. You tell me which one looks good on me.

Neil said take a look around and find a beautiful pair of bangles with peacock design in it.

And said to the shopkeeper to show them.

He held Avni hand delicately, like she is made of glass.
Slowly make her wear them.

Meanwhile avni looking at Neil without blinking, just lost in him.
Neil said "Is your husband so handsome, that you can't take your eyes off.

A smirk formed on his face and he looked in her eyes,who now started to panic because she knew he will tease the hell out of her.

She just said before running out of the store" come outside, I am waiting.

He just chuckled at her cute antics, proceed to pay and bought the pair of payal which he liked for avni, he went outside and saw avni sitting on the bike.

Neil jogged towards her and said'' so what's next.
She says" nothing let's go.
While they are waiting on the signal ,Neil looked at her who had her head on his shoulder and her eyes twinkle with brightness. She was looking very peaceful.

Then the signal turned green and he headed off. Then Avni saw something and said" Neil stop."

Neil stop the bike hurriedly and turns to avni ,ask what happened,is there any problem Petal."Consern in his voice.

She chuckled awkwardly and said "that...ttt the..re is panipuri stole and I want to have them."
Neil exhale in relief "you scare me for a second, I thought something happened.

Avni said "sorry "feeling guilty .

Neil said "it's okay let's have them."
She nodded excitedly.
Then they headed to the stole.
When the vendor was giving them their plates avni said to the vendor "bhaiya make his pani puri less spicy.

Neil couldn't help but smile inwardly. She remembered he couldn't handle spicy food, and that small gesture touched his heart.

They started to have their pani puri Neil was eyeing avni from time to time, she was looking very cute,how her cheeks became puffy with every puri she ate, how her full concentration is on the pani puri.
After finishing their pani puri, Avni pays to the vendor.

Then turn to Neil and say" let's go and eat icecream "pointing towards the icecream parlour across the road.

Neil nodded and held her hand gently in his and started to cross the road.

Neil asked about the flavour she wants.
She replied " a hazelnut ."

Neil nodded and went to take the ice cream.

And after sometime come with a vanilla and hazelnut icecream.
And handover avni her ice cream,who started to eat her icecream happily and Neil can see she is looking like a child who is eating her icecream happily.

Avni saw him looking at her, raised her brows asking what happen. He just shook his head.

Avni had finished her icecream and had gotten some on her lips, Neil leaned forward and wipe her corner lips which make her gasped, Looking at him with shock wide eyes and then slowly turn into strawberry icecream.

Neil just casually said "there was some ice cream on your lips." Like he did not touch her lips .

She just nodded and said "let's go. Quickly ready to run outside.
But Neil grabs her hand and stops her from running.
And bend to her level and slowly whisper in her ear with a slight smirk on his lips" what happen to you petal, are you competing with tomato in redness.

She didn't said anything but started to push him to get free from him because now his teasing is too much for her, She just wants earth to swallow her.

Neil said "where are you running petal."

Avni just whined and said" stop teasing me."

Neil chuckled at her cuteness and said "okay okay, let's go."

Neil walks towards the bike while holding Avni's hand.And asked" do you want to eat anything else.

She said "no I am full."

Time skip

Now Neil was heading towards her home to drop her off, who has her head on his shoulder looking tired.
He wants to spend more time with her but he has to drop her home because she also have work tomorrow like him.

Now they have reached her home and Avni gets off the bike followed by Neil .
He slowly held her in his arms feeling relaxed, Avni also back hugged him finding peace in his arms.

They slowly pull away but not breaking the hug. Neil lean towards avni and slowly place a soft and gentle kiss on her forehead, stayed like it and Avni also close her eyes feeling his gentle touch, which make her feel relaxed.

He slowly pulled away and looked towards Avni whose eyes are closed, he rest his forehead against her and said "good night petal", Release her from his embarce.

She also says" good night Neil and message or call me when you reach home.

Neil nodded.

She walked towards her house, lastly waved towards him and he also waved back to her in response.

Time skip.

Both are now headed to their house and drifted into their dream lands.

End of author POV

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Very long chapter.

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