Avneil were driving  for a long time now maybe half an hour or so. Neil stopped the car after sometime near a small park. He got down and gestured Avni to do the same. After both had gotten down, Neil walked to a bench outside the park and sat there. After sitting silently for sometime, Neil holding Avni's hand in his, gazing at the star filled sky, Neil broke the ice.

Avni?

Hmm ....

You trust me?

A lot. Why are you asking that, you already know that.

Just to assure myself.

Avni looked at him confused. So Neil said,

I just want you to be with me on your own will, not because your father asked you to.

Neil, how many times did I tell you that you are the first man I trusted after my coma . I always get good vibes around you. You make me feel happy and wanted, an important person. So if I can trust anyone blindly in this world it's you.

Thank you Avni.

Ek baat batau? Secret hai. Neil said after sometime.

Haan batao.

Your father asked me to click your pictures on his camera. Yaad hain Kareena ne hamare pictures kheencha tha ek camera mein. Woh tumhari papa ki hai. Baad main pictures dikhaunga main tumko. Socha tha ki yeh tumse chupke rakhu, but I was not able to. Yeh dekho...

He showed her the picture in which she was sleeping on his chest, the one he took in the plane. Her hairs were messy and she was sleeping peacefully in that picture.

Yeh kab kheencha?

Plane main, jab tum so rahi thi. But I never showed it to anyone else. Ek aur hai. Yeh...

He then showed another picture in which she had her eyes closed and her cheeks were red. She looked at the picture and slowly realised when it was taken. She looked at him and he confirmed it by saying,

On our first date, jab tume mujhse I like you bola tha. Tab kheencha tha maine. Cute haina? Aur ab blush math karo.

She turned the other side to hide her blushing self from him.

Ab hum chalte hai.

Haan. Jaldi chalte hai.

Ghar nahi Avni. Ek aur jagah jaan baaki hai abhi.

Ek aur jagah? Kahan?

It's a surprise. Wait.

He went to the car and brought a red satin cloth. He covered her eyes with it tied it at the back.

Now ready.

Neil, yeh uthro na. I can't see anything.

Buddhu! How can you see if your eyes are covered?

Nahi aisa nahi, I meant I won't be able to walk properly as I can't see.

That's the problem. Abhi solve karta hoon.

He liftef her in his arms and took her to the car. He made her sit properly, fastened the seat belt and sat on the driver seat.

Neil please na yeh utharo, please.

No. Tum chup baitho. Maine kaha na it's a surprise. Tho yeh kyu uthar du?

Hmmm. You are so...

Soo.... kya?

Nothing.

Sorry na baby, surprise haina isliye thoda sabr rakho. Wait I will play some music. You will be okay with it.

Haan.

He then played some song in the player and started driving. He too was humming the song and enjoying the cold wind that was hitting his face. Avni was wearing a jacket over her crop top, so she was not feeling much cold.

After a while, Neil stopped the car. He came out and went to Avni's side.

Hum pahunch gaye? She asked excitedly.

Haan. But thodi der aur wait karna hoga yeh utharne ke liye.

He picked her once again and started walking towards a large house. It was his. He made her stand at the doorstep and opened the door. He lifted her once again and entered inside, closing the door with his legs behind him. He then started climbing the stairs over there.

Stairs? She asked.

Haan. We are at my favourite place.

After reachimg the top, he walked a bit more and finally stopped. He made her stand and looked at his watch. A minute to go. He immediately took her to the balcony over there and made her turn towards one particular direction. He then opened her blindfold.

She opened her eyes slowly. She was in a dimly but beautifully lit place and there was cool breeze blowing. In front of her, in a small table, decorated in a simple yet elegant manner, was two coffee mugs, a covered bowl, and a tiny cake. She went closer and observed. The cake was clearly baked by Neil, by the look of it, it was decorated in the way he does. She saw that the coffee mugs contained hot chocolate, thick ones, it was still hot, but not much. Finally the bowl was left.

Neil came behind her and asked her to open it. She opened it and soon her eyes gleamed in excitement.

Poha! She shrieked.

Haan. I made it, especially for you.

He took out a small lighted candle from a bowl kept nearby and places it over the cake.

You will cut the cake first and feed me. Come on jaldi kaato.

Par yeh candle kyun?

Jaldi kaato. Sawal baad main karna.

Ok.

He handed her a knife and she cut the cake. The cake was very soft, she felt it while cutting.

Happy birthday Avni. Neil whispered in her ears, hugging her from behind.

Thank you Neil.

He took a piece of the cake and fed her. She too did the same.

Kaise bana hai?

Ekdum tasty. I loved it. She said.

You liked the surprise?

Hmm. Very much. She said and hugged him tight.

He hugged her back. He caressed her hairs and removed her from the hug. Then he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and muttered,

Happy birthday once again, princess.

She was feeling happy. It was the first time that she was receiving a surprise like this. All the past years, Neela Maa had also made cakes for her birthday, wished her, and pampered her but it never felt so special. She was very happy to have bumped onto him on the cliff. It was because of him that Ananya Verma had changed to Avni. His sweet and cute gestures always made her smile. She was really happy and thought to make him feel happy too.

So, she kissed his right cheek and then his left cheek and said,

Thank you so much for this wonderful surprise Neil.

It's okay. Ab poha khalo and tell me how's it.

He fed her a spoonful of poha and it was tasting really good. She closed her eyes savouring it's taste and he was looking at her expectantly. She then fed him some poha and asked,

Tasty haina?

Hmm. Tum batao. Maine banaya hai, toh it's obvious that I would feel thay it's tasty.

Neela Maa ka recipe hain na?

Haa. Tumhe kaise pata?

Pata chal jaata hai. And it was really tasty.

Really!  Jhoot math bolna. I know ki salt thoda kam hua hai.

Kisne kaha?

Maine.

Ohh buddhu, salt is perfect everything is perfect just like Neela Ma does.

Thank you Avni. Ab hot chocolate taste karo. Shayad woh ab hot nahi honga, let me get it heated.

Neil, yeh tumhara ghar hai?

Haan. This is my penthouse. Bebe's graduation gift.

The view from here is magnificent.

She said looking towards the distant forest. The  green trees were thickly growing and she could spot a small brook at some distance. Neil had left to heat the hot chocolate.

She now observed the balcony. It was a spacious one. A table with two chairs at one corner, a couch at the center and a mattress the other corner. The place was decorated with fairy lights and some candles. In the corner she could see a jar of fireflies. The jar was glowing and in the night it looked awesome.

He came back and kept the cups on the table. He then went to the jar and slowly untied it from the railing. He gave that to her and said,

Open it. There's a gift inside.

She slowly opened it. The fireflies immediately exited the jar, glowing in the night sky and the view that it offered was beautiful.

Wow. It's beatiful. She finally said observing the beautiful scenery presented by the fireflies along with the forest and the brook.

Now check the gift. He said impatiently.

Haan. Check karti hun.

She looked into the jar and found a small box in it. It was covered in red satin, she slowly removed the cover and looked at him who was eagerly looking at her.

Jaldi kholo use.

She opened the box. Inside was a beautiful bracelet, braced by
red satin again. She took it out. It was a platinum bracelet with white stones forming a beautiful pattern. The bracelet was not too heavy, but it was elegant and simple. He took it from her hand and made her wear it.

Perfect now. He said smiling at her.

Thank you Neil.

Ab taste the hot chocolate. It's special today, not the normal daily one.

Haan.

They both then headed to the table. Neil pulled out the chair for her and after she was seated, sat next to her. He then gave her her cup of hot chocolate. She sipped it. He was looking at her.

Kaisa hai.

It's delicious. You were right. This is indeed special.

Can you tell me what  special in it?

Haan. This one is very thick and the chocolate flavour is very much stronger and lots and lots of marshmallow fluff.

Wow. You got it soon. Par ek baat bhul gaya.

Kya?

Maine pyaar se bahut mehnat karke tumhare liye, tumhare b'day ka din specially banvaya hai. I had mixed some coffee in it. A bit of it, but maine add kiya hai. Flavour nahi aa raha hai?

The chocolates flavor is so strong shayad isliye nahi aa rahi hongi. But now I will finish it. It's so tasty.

She had the whole cup of hot chocolate, savouring the taste, closing her eyes. He was looking at her, and sipping his too. After finishing it she looked at him.

You need more?

Nahi. Chocolate overdose ho jayengi.

Yeh cake kaun kali karenga?

You.

You too have a small piece. Please...

Hmmm ok.

Chalo eat now.

They both had the cake. Neil must have really worked hard to make this cake. It was very soft and chocolaty and it's taste too was delicious,. She had never had a cake like this before. After finishing eating, Neil took out his handkerchief and wiped her mouth with it, he then wiped his mouth too. Then he took her to the couch and made her sit. He too sat beside her.

The two of them were sitting, with a comfortable silence engulfing them. Avni was enjoying the view present in front of her and Neil was looking at the moon. The cold breeze, caressed their faces once a while and Avni smiled feeling it. After atleast ten minutes of silence, Neil finally turned towards her.

Avni.
He called softly.

She looked at him.

After staring into each others eyes for long time, lost in the other persons eyes, communicating unsaid words through their eyes, Neil finally said,

I have fallen for you Avni, very badly and so deeply that I can't turn back now. And I really mean what I say.

She looked at him for sometime. She too had feelings for him, she know that she took had fallen for him, she had realized it a few days ago but she never thought that he would confess so soon. He had said about him liking her, and she too did, but it felt like it was a little early for her. But thinking once again she realized that he had not said I love you but had confessed that he had fallen for her. Then she too should say her feelings. So without thinking he hugged him tight and whispered, me too, in his ears.

Neil was very happy listening to this. He tightened the hug and muttered many things which was audible but not understandable. They both stayed in the hug, Avni, with her eyes closed and feeling his warmth, and Neil, muttering many things at a time, too happy that he can't handle it.

After a while, he said

Avni just feel what I'm doing ok?

Hmmm.

He slowly pushed her hairs aside and started writing on her bare back .( Imagine that scene in Naamkarann where Neil writes I love you on her back. But here she is not spelling the lettes that he is writing, she is just feeling it). After writing I love you he whispered in her ears

I really do and kissed beneath her ears.

Avni just came out of the hug and looked at him. He too satred at her. He then leaned forward slowly and kissed her on her forehead, lingering his lips for a long time over there. His eyes were open, watching her facial features.

Avni open your eyes. He said softly, his lips still on her forehead.

Remembering what had happened las time she opened her eyes in a flutter and was staring at his eyes. They were looking at each others eyes deeply. After a while, Neil broke the intense eyelock.

I would love look at your eyes for a lifetime. They are so beautiful Avni. Neela Maa sahi keh rahi thi, your eyes speaks a lot. Bas tum padhne nahi dete te mujhe, but aaj se main har din tumahri aankhon mein khoke woh saari unkahi baatein padh lenge.

Neil, you had given me the best birthday gift that I could ever get. Thank you so much.

From today onwards, you have every right demand anything from me, so no thank you will be entertained, samjha my dear princess?

Yes, my dear prince charming.

Neil's face had a huge smile listening to her.

He slowly got up from the couch, and went inside. He came back with the camera in his hands. He switched it on and started looking at the pictures. There were many of them, from the day reacjed London till today, most of her happy face was captured in it. He started swiping the pictures by clicking a button, and both of them were admiring the candids. The day they went to shopping, some from the amusement park, one was when she was wearing the shorts and crop top for the first time. Then there was the picture of both of them kissing and Kareena sitting above Neil.

Bebe ko pata tha? Neil asked loudly.

Bebe saw that? Avni too exclaimed. But then she thought about what Neil said,and asked him,

Pata tha matlab?

Woh, that day night Bebe had asked me whether we both had a fight. She said that Ashish uncle had noticed some  awkwardness between us. When I replied in a no, she compelled me to say the actual reason and I had said everything to her. But I didn't knew that she clicked this picture.

You said that to her?

Haan. Mostly if I keep any secrets, she would notice it quickly. And if required she would compell me to share it with her.

Hmm. You have such a nice and caring grandmother.

Now she's your Bebe too. And she likes you very much. Ab leave that.

He suddenly stood up from the couch and forwarded his hands towards her. She gave her his hand and they both walked to the hall.

Shall I dance with you, beautiful lady?

Avni nodded her head in a yes. Neil played the song in the speaker and took her to the centre of the hall.

(Ae dil hai mushkil for another occasion )

Tere Ishq Ne Saathiya
Mera Haal Kya Kar Diya...
Tere Ishq Ne Saathiya
Mera Haal Kya Kar Diya...

He circled his hands around her waist and she placed a hand on his cjeat and the other on his shoulder. They started swaying slowly to the song.

Gulshan Bhi Ab To Veerana Lagta Hai
Har Apna Hum Ko Begaana Lagta Hai
Hum Teri Yaadon Mein Khoye Rehte Hain
Log Humein Paagal Deewana Kehte Hain
Tere Bina,
Tere Bina..
Tere Bina...
Naamumkin Hai...
Zindagi Ka Guzaara Sanam...
Ho... Zindagi Ka Guzara Sanam...
Peyaar bahut
karte hai tumse
Ishq hai tu humara sanam
Ho ishq hai tu humara sanam

Neil removed one of his hands from her waist and joined it with hers and they started swaying in a circle. He then slowly removed his hand from her waist, she too removed her hand from his chest and he twirled her around.

Laagi Chhoote Naa, Laagi Chhoote naa
Laagi Chhoote Naa...
Ishq Ka Dhaaga Toote Naa...
Ishq Ka Dhaaga Toote Naa...

She was still holding his hands. He slowly went forward and hugged her from behind and started swaying slowly again.

Nainon Se Behtey Ashqon Ke Dhaaron Mein
Humne Tujhko Dekha Chand Sitaron Mein
Birha Ki Agni Mein Pal Pal Tapti Hain
Ab To Saansein Teri Mala Japti Hain
Tere Liye, Tere Liye...
Tere Liye... Is Duniya Ka...
Har Sitam Hai Ganwaara Sanam...
Ho, Har Sitam Hai Ganwaara Sanam...

Tere Naam... Hum Ne Kiya Hai...
Jeevan Apna Saara Sanam...
Ho... Jeevan Apna Saara Sanam

Neil turned her around and held her by her waist. She placed her hand on his chest and they were moving slowly eyes locked with each others. He then pulled her closer by both his hands on her waist, she was forced to keep both her hands on his chest now. He then looked into her eyes and lip synced the words I love you. She blushed looking down. He went forward and kissed her forehead and rested their foreheads together, as Avni had lifted her head now.

Tere Naam... Tere Naam... Tere Naam...

After the dance they both went to the balcony and layed on the mattress there. Neil had picked her up from the hall. They both were looking at the sky and soon both fell into a deep sleep and unknowingly they hugged each other in their sleep as the cold breeze was hitting them.

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

Finally, they confessed.
Hope you all liked the chapter.

This is the first time that I'm writing about dance, I really don't know how to write but have tried my best and hope you liked my choice of the song.