A lush green garden filled with the aroma of different flowers, the chirping of birds, and enthusiastic giggles of kids who were having the time of their lives while playing with their friends. The entire view is mesmerizing except for a lonely young boy who was sitting on a bench away from others with his head buried in his tiny hands. He was lost in his own world thinking about his dear bebe who is admitted to the hospital and is going through some serious treatment. His trance was broken when a ball coming with full force hit his foot, he winced in pain and looked at the kid who threw the ball in his direction, the kid apologized and walked away after collecting his ball while the young boy kept on sitting there and rubbed his foot. 

'Do you want any help?'

The boy looked up and found a young girl of his age standing in front of him carrying a sling bag. He was too young to analyze the body language of any person, the only thing he figured out at that time was that her eyes also contained some sorrow and they both were sailing on the same boat. He shook his head and rubbed his wounded foot.

 The little girl sighed and sat beside him. She opened her bag and pulled out a pain relief spray as her mother makes sure to keep some emergency medicines in her bag every time she goes out to play. She forwarded the spray to him but he averted his eyes from her. He knew very well that she was trying to help him but his innocent self can feel her gloominess as well and right now he was trying to avoid conversation with a stranger due to his upset mind. The girl held his foot and sprayed the ointment at his wound making him wince due to the sudden contact of cold ointment with his injury. 

'Thank you.'

These were the first words he spoke to her while she nodded. 

'You know Ms. Marrie says that whenever we are stressed about something we should pen down our thoughts as it will help us in relieving our tension.'

 She pulled out a small writing pad along with a pen from her bag before placing them in his lap. 

'I hope this trick will help you.'

She said before leaving him alone in his thoughts. 

Neil woke up from his sleep and rubbed his eyes thinking about the same dream that makes an appearance in his sleep whenever he is stressed about something. 

After coming back from Chamko's Cafe, Neil was trying to go through some more details regarding the case but eventually drifted into sleep for some time. 

Neil - I wonder who was that girl who helped me in that difficult time. I wish I could get a chance to thank her for her help and apologize for acting like a jerk. 

Shrugging away his thoughts regarding that girl, he continues with his work.

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

Neela's Mansion

Neela - Where do you think Mehtas will stay after their house gets auctioned? 

Avni - I don't care about them, they can stay anywhere they want after all karma does strike hard. (blankly)

Neela - What about Aman? 

Avni - (sighs) Right now he is Dayavanti's Anmol. He would have his own share of miseries, Dayavanti has made sure to corrupt his goodness and convert him into an arrogant, selfish brat. 

Neela - He isn't familiar with the past Avni, so it's obvious that he would act like the pathetic Mehta clan, with time everything will be sorted. 

Avni - I hope so, are you ready for snatching away the perfect house of Dayavanti Mehta?

Neela - I think we are more than ready. (smirks) Now forget about this and tell me how is everything between Neil and you. (excitedly)

Avni - Fine. 

Neela - what do you mean by fine? Tell me everything properly. (rolling her eyes).

Avni - what do you want to know, kindly elaborate. (sarcastically)

Neela - Has Neil managed to increase your IQ in terms of romance? (raising her eyes).

Avni - Maa, stop asking me these types of questions. (annoyed)

Neela - Why? I know what poor Neil has to undergo due to his tube-light wife, so I am ready to share some tips with him. 

Avni - Don't even try to do that. Sometimes handling his actions becomes so difficult and here you are trying to make him weirder. 

Neela laughs. 

Neela - Ayesha ji has blessed you by sending a partner like Neil into your life. (smiles).

Avni nods.

Avni - I hope he remains the same when my truth is revealed in front of him. Neil and his family are giving me love and respect and in return, I am betraying their trust. 

Neela - Avni everything will be fine, trust me. Neil is not a coward like Ashish Mehta.

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

Evening time

Avni returned back from Neela's house and saw that the entire family except for Neil were going somewhere with their bags packed. 

Bebe - Ananya where is Neil? I told him to pick you up. 

Avni - Bebe, he was having an important meeting so he wasn't able to pick me up. 

Prakash - Actually, we have to go to a relative's wedding, Neil said that it's better for you both to stay back at the house. Do you want to come?

Avni - No dad, you all go. (smiles).

Bebe - Prakash, try and understand, her husband is not going, do you think she would be able to stay without him? (naughtily)

Everyone laughed while Avni was embarrassed. 

Avni - Bebe it's nothing like that. (nervously)

Shweta - Take a chill pill Ananya. Bebe likes to tease everyone. 

Bebe - No no madam Madonna, I don't like to tease 'everyone' (air quotes). In fact, I love to taunt you every now and then. (dramatically).

Shweta - so rude, bebe. (pouts).

Bebe - Whatever. (rolling her eyes)

Prakash - God! (facepalm) You both just need a reason for starting world war 3. Hurry up now or we will be late. 

Shweta - Wait, I haven't cooked the dinner for Ananya and Neil, give me some time...(Avni cuts her off).

Avni - I'll cook the dinner mom, you don't worry. 

Everyone hugged her and asked her to take care before leaving for their event. 

Avni - (to herself). Great Avni! From where you got the confidence to tell mom that you'll cook dinner? (sarcastically) Should I order food from a hotel? No, Neil needs to have a proper meal after his tiring routine. Youtube is the only option, come on Avni you can do it. 

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

After some time

Avni - Oh god! Why did you make cooking so complicated? (frustrated). 

She said while looking at the sticky flour covering her hands. 

Avni - why the hell it is sticking on my hands? Useless flour. I think we should change the brand, this one is of bad quality. (irritated). 

Unknown to her, Neil was leaning against the door with his arms folded and a goofy smile adorning his face. He was trying to control his laugh after seeing his wife's frustration. 

 He made his way toward his wife who was mumbling a series of curses under her breath. Neil wrapped his arms around her waist, making her scream due to the sudden contact. 

Avni - Neil, you scared me. (annoyed).

Neil - Oh really, wifey. I thought you said that you won't cook for your husband but here you are acting like a caring wife. (teasingly). 

Avni - Neil, I'm already irritated and you are ... (Neil cuts her off).

Neil - I surrender, you do your work, I'll do mine. 

Avni - Great! Leave me then. 

Neil - No, you carry out your cooking, I'll spend time with my baby. 

saying this he tightened his grip on her waist and caressed her clothed belly. 

Neil - Hey little one, how are you doing today? (softly). 

He started talking with their baby while trapping her within his muscular arms making her stomach churn due to his affection toward their child. Even she started enjoying his one-sided conversations and completely forgot about her cooking disaster. 

Neil - Umm, wifey I don't want to come into your hit list but I just want to ask a harmless question, are you trying to knead the dough for chapatis or you are trying some new recipe for a milkshake? (nervously). 

Avni came out of her trance and looked at the bowl before staring at Neil. 

Avni - You know what, you are distracting me. (grits her teeth). 

Neil - I didn't even do anything. (He pulled her closer).  If you are not able to focus on your work due to your handsome husband then how am I responsible for that? (teasing). 

Avni - Neillllll... (annoyed).

Neil - Yes wifey. (lovingly). 

Avni turned back and rubbed her hand filled with flour mixture on one of his cheeks making him surprised. Avni laughed at him while he smiles seeing her carefree smile. 

Neil - Revenge time, wifey. (smirks). 

Avni's eyes widened and she moved away from Neil. 

Avni - Neil you're irritating me that's why... I... (Neil cut's her off).

Neil - Reasons and tons of reasons, wifey. (shaking his head). We will listen to everything later.  (smirks). 

Avni was moving back while Neil was approaching her. 

Avni's back collided with the wall while Neil placed his arms on either side of the wall, trapping her within his muscular cage. 

Their faces were almost touching, their intimacy was having an alluring effect on one another, and the interconnection of their individual personal zones made them feel as if an invisible chord was binding them with each other. Neil caressed her soft cheek ever so smoothly making her breath hitch, she was surrendering herself in his aura while he was willing to let go of his restraints just for a few seconds. Neil leaned closer to her soft petals wanting to feel their tenderness while Avni closed her eyes in anticipation of his next action. Neil slides his nose on her face and rubbed his flour-covered cheek with hers making her gasp in surprise, she wasn't expecting that. He knew very well that she wouldn't have objected if they would have completed what they actually wanted to do a few seconds back but he wanted her to accept him completely just the way he has accepted her as his soulmate. 

Neil - Revenge taken, wifey. (winked) 

Avni rubbed her cheek and found it covered with flour. Neil wraps his arm around her and takes her toward the slab. He made her stand in front and himself stood behind her observing the bowl of the flour mixture. 

Neil - Let's do some damage control, shall we? (whispers in her ears.) 

Avni felt shivers after hearing his husky voice and nodded her head positively. Neil reduced the distance between them and pulled the bowl closer making sure to keep her within his grip. He added some extra flour to the bowl and held Avni's hands in a firm grip. 

Neil - Let me teach you the proper technique. (husky voice). 

He started kneading the dough along with Avni allowing her to shed her barriers and enjoy something as simple as cooking. After kneading the dough, Neil left her and she composed herself. 

Avni - I think, I should taste the curry. (mumbled) 

Avni tasted the curry that she prepared earlier and made a weird expression. 

Avni - God, what a disaster. (shaking her head). I put sugar instead of salt. (facepalm)

Neil - You go and clean yourself, Ananya. (smiles). 

Avni - I think we should order the food from outside. (sad)

Neil - I'll manage that, you go. 

Avni nods and leaves from there. 

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

After changing her clothes Avni moved toward the dining table and found Neil arranging the dishes. 

Avni - Neil you ordered the food? 

Neil - No, actually I just made a vegetable and chapatis. (smiles).

Avni - Neil you are already tired and you... (Neil cuts her off). 

Neil - Come on wifey, now don't tell me that a husband doesn't have a right to cook something for his wife. (winks). Now let's eat, I'm starving. 

He served her food before making a plate for himself, what gained Avni's attention was a small bowl of curry made by her lying on his plate. 

Avni - Neil, why are you eating that, it's too sweet. (shocked). 

Neil - It's made by you how can I not eat it? (raising his brows). 

Avni - But... (He put his finger on her lips). 

Neil - Ananya, efforts matter the most rest of everything can be ignored. (smiles). 

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

An Avneil special chapter for you all. 

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Much love, 

Thanks.