They both were hugging each other tightly while Avni was snuggling in his chest as if inhaling his manly scent which always soothe her and makes her feel good, he was holding her tight as if trying to protect her in his embrace away from the cruel world which have spoiled her life with their poison. Avni held his arm which was caging her back and placed it on her waist while she cuddled more into him. He got confused with her action but understood it when she was making him trace her waist gently.

He at once understood that she was trying to rub the touches of Dayavanti's bodyguard through him. His eyes filled with tears and traced their way towards her hairs. She felt wetness in her hairs so she looked at him and saw him crying. She at once wiped his tears and cupped his face in order to know what's wrong with him.

Neil - Don't feel this Avni. ( crying ).

Avni understood that he got to know the reason behind her sudden action. She felt guilty for making him cry.

Avni - I am sorry.. ( guilty ).

Neil - You need not to be. Whatever happened is a past now you have to decide your present and future Avni. I know that this inner turmoil, these inner demons keeps on haunting you believe me it's very difficult for me and dad to watch you undergoing this torture everyday but give yourself some more time.

Avni cries.

Avni - I .I.....I... want....to.... ( fumbled )

Neil wipes her tears and held her hand, he embrace her in his arms and whispers sweet nothings in her ears. She felt good cos of his gesture. Neil kissed her hairs and was playing with her hairlocks in order to calm her down. This actually worked and she became normal.

Neil - ( still hugging her ) Now tell me what's wrong.

Avni - I sometime feel disgusted Neil. I know I was suffering from drug addiction in fact I am still suffering but I lost my everything due to my addictions.  Everything... ( teary eyes ).

Neil knew what she's referring to and it pierced his heart. Though she is trying to move on but these suppressed emotions are still haunting her which needed to be released before It's too late.

Neil - What do you mean by everything ? Huh ?

Avni - It's just ...

Neil breaks the hug and made her face him.

Neil - Tell me Avni, What do you mean by everything ?

Avni - Neil....I....I....lost..my .... ( fumbled ).

Neil - Virginity. ( teary eyes ).

Avni nods and looks down. Neil made her face him.

Neil - Listen to me very carefully, this virginity is not everything. The most important thing you lost in your addictions was your own self. You lost yourself in the lanes of those harmful addictions. Avni losing yourself is the biggest curse and now you are trying to find yourself, trust me soon you will get that inner peace that is missing from your life.

Avni - You know why I always used to hide my feelings from you ?

Neil - You should definitely tell me this.

Avni - Because I thought that you deserve someone better than me.

Neil - I don't deserve better, you know why ?

Avni nods negatively.

Neil - Because I have the best. ( smiles ).

Avni cups his face with her shivering hands.

Avni - I am very lucky to have you in my life.

Neil held her shivering hands in his warm ones and place tender kisses on them.

Neil - Your body still demand drugs ?

Avni - Sometimes.

Neil - How you used to manage ?

Avni - ( shocked ) you will be upset.

Neil - I won't. Tell me ..

Avni - I...I... used to harm myself for this reason as well cos I was caged in my emotional mess.

Neil - You won't do this again. Right ?

Avni nods.

Neil kissed her forehead and joins his forehead against hers.

Neil - Come Avni, let's have dinner.

Avni - I don't want to have.

Neil - You have to eat or else how will you become strong. After your recovery we have to fight battle against Dayavanti for that you need to be strong.

Avni nods and they both went downstairs. After having dinner, Neil made her sleep peacefully and left the room for meeting Prakash who returned from the party.

Prakash - Everything fine ?

Neil - ( sighs ) Yes dad, she's ready for fighting the battle.

Prakash - What you did ?

Neil told him everything and Prakash was having pride smile on his face.

Prakash - What have I done to deserve a son like you Neil ? Your mom would be very happy when she will see that her son have grown up as a humble and genuine man. ( teary eyes ).

Neil - It's all because of you dad. You always gave me best preachings. Thanks for being in our life as our mentor. ( smiles ).

Prakash went inside Avni's room and caressed her head gently.

Prakash - Just wait for some more time Ashish, you will get to see your brave and happy daughter.

》》》》》》》》》》》》》《《《《《《《《《《《《《

Time lapse of few days.

Avni was all fine now, her wounds were recovered and she was taking training under Neil for gaining her lost confidence.

Morning 5 am.

Neil - On your mark, get set and go..

With that they both started racing as it was their daily routine. Everytime they raced Neil won and he always ignited a fire in Avni that she will have to win this race someday.

Avni was focussing her mind on her track and was having only one thing in her mind that she have to give her 100%. She was trying to match Neil's pace but he was faster than her. She again tried but failed to do so,  at the end she ran more fast and came upto Neil's level and within few minutes she overtook Neil. Neil was shocked but at the same time happy with her progress. She won the race against him for the first time. More than her, he was happy. He ran towards her and engulfed her in his arms.

Neil - I am so happy that you won love  ( kissed her hairs ).

Avni - And I am so happy that you lost the race love. ( She teases him and giggles.)

Neil smiles.

Neil pulls her closer.

Neil - You know, how much I was waiting for this day, when you will beat me and I will do happy dance.

Avni smiles.

Neil - Now come, time for next training.

Avni - Yes sir.

They both reached Khanna mansion and started their training sessions.

Neil - Ready for self defence training Avni.

Avni - Yes.

Neil came for attacking her through backside but she held his hands and made him kiss the ground by using self defence techniques taught by Neil.

After that they fought with each other by using bamboo sticks but Avni eventually dominated in this session as well due to her focus.

After that Neil made her do proper breathing exercise and yoga.

With that their initial training sessions came to an end.

In evening, Neil returned home and saw Avni painting her creativity on the canvas. He smiled and went inside his room.

After sometime, he came into her room and saw that she painted a Phoenix who is rising from the ground with fierce eyes and wings. Neil smiles and pats her back in pride. She saw him and throw her into his arms. He caress her back.

Neil - So, my phoenix is ready for today's sessions as well. Right.

Avni nods.

Neil - Who is Dayavanti Mehta ?

Avni - An old lady with illegitimate thoughts.

Neil - Who is Gyatri Mehta ?

Avni - Devil disguised in mother's look.

Neil - How you classify people who pass baseless views regarding you ?

Avni - Jack of all traits master of none.

Neil - Who is Avni Mehta ?

Avni - Right now a survivor and soon to be a winner.

Neil smiles and kisses her forehead.

Neil - You will rise and will shine bright in that sky.

He hugs her.

Neil - We are going somewhere today.

Avni - Where ?

Neil - Come with me.

( Here it ends. Do drop your views.)

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