Avni sat under the shower as she watched the blood trickle down from her arms, she curled up into a ball and began to cry. Neela was worried.They all were. Maybe Neela had made a mistake calling Neil here as he aimlessly banged the door. Yes she phoned him. She thought maybe he could get through to her. Maybe he would be able to save her from the fire burning within her. Neela knew her daughter, she was stubborn but above all she was scared. To many wrong things had happened to her, she was mentally and physically broken and it scared Neela that slowly her daughter was slipping away. Neela looked at Neil.She could still see the undying love for her daughter in his eyes and she knew Rhea had trapped him and used it against Avni,she also knew that Neil had now told Avni but she knew her daughter,she was to stubborn.

Neil continued pounding against the door. His patience loosing him with every passing second, and that when he decided it was best that he broke the door, he stood back before running into the door breaking the lock in the process. The entire family rushed in and looked around the room, she wasn't in there. Neil's heart skipped a beat. Silence grew amongst them as they heard crying from the bathroom. Neil rushed forth "Avni...Avni open the door." Neela looked at Neil for the second time as he spoke addressing all of them "I can handle this, you guys go..." Aman spoke up "Jeju are you sure that a good idea?" Neil looked at him "You called me jeju right?...so have faith in me...i won't let her down again." They all looked at him before exiting from Avni's room. Neil looked down at the door before once again breaking it down, entering hero style. His heart dropped. His life line, his Avni..was fading from him. He ran forth and turned of the shower before sliding down next to her and pulling her into his embrace. She felt a muscular pair of arms pulling her into a embrace from the darkness surrounding her. She fought the embrace, as Neil held on tighter. Eventually she collapsed into the embrace, sobbing into his chest, her fist clenching his shirt pulling him closer. He looked down at her arms his heart sinking at the cuts that grazed her beautiful arms. He wanted to heal her. But it would take time. He knew that. Her sobbing continued;he knew it was only a matter of time before she broke like this, all the pent up emotions from her childhood to what he did and to top it off Dayawanti's sudden return he knew she would become like this. Neil had told Neela the truth with the whole Rhea thing and as Neela told Nano the two older women forgave him. The sobbing died down, he looked down at Avni who was shaking against him as her eyes sparkled with water, he sighed mentally before swiftly moving and picking her up bridal style, he carried her out and placed her on her bed. He searched for the first aid box a sense of deja vu overcoming him as he reached over to take her arm, Avni crossed her arms over her chest as Neil's pleading gaze met hers. "Avni don't be stubborn let me clean them up." She looked at him "Leave them...just like you left me." Their eyes looked onto each other. She stood up to move away but Neil was faster he lightly shoved her back down grasping her arm and cleaned the cuts and bandaged them, she fought him but his grip was stronger as was his patience, he waited for her to calm down before moving to clean the other arm as she looked at him intently. For once she wanted to let him in. Her mind was screaming 'NO' but her heart was vulnerable, she needed assurance, she needed someone just for a while...she needed him. Just as he was about to leave he felt a small tug on his hand, he looked down to see Avni's hand intertwined with his own he smiled mentally as Avni spoke "Stay. Please. Just till i fall asleep." He nodded his head and taking of his shoes sat on the side next to Avni. Avni launched herself onto him, her head lying on his chest and arm wrapped loosely around his side and her other clasping on to his shirt. He inhaled her scent and smiled as he played with her hair. She loved the way he played with her hair..it was her weakness as well as the sound of his heartbeat. She closed her eyes, her breaths evening out as Neil looked down at her caressing her face, she leaned into his touch and let sleep consume her. And soon he too dosed off into a peaceful slumber. Neela,Nano, Ashok and Aman looked into Avni's room and smiled at the sight in front of them.Misunderstandings were getting cleared. Slowly.

*FOLLOWING MORNING*

Avni woke up feeling refreshed. For the first time she finally had a decent sleep and she owed that to Neil. She smiled slightly and turned to her side only to find no one sleeping besides her, she was confused but she still remembered Neil's daily routine he would always get up at the crack of dawn but what stunned her was how he woke up without disturbing her, she shook her head slightly before going to wash up. Today was Saturday and she didn't have work but she still had pending work to do. She walked out of her room dressed in some joggers and a tank top not expecting anyone to be at home, as she walked down the stairs her gaze fell on the people in front of her- the entire Khanna family along with her own (including Ashok and Aarti) were sitting at the table as Neela served everyone. Neela noticed that her daughter had halted at the stairs. Neela smiled "Aree Avni." Everyone turned to look at her as she became conscious of what she had worn. Neil looked at Avni and choked on his water. Everyone turned to him, he smiled assuring them that he was fine before the attention launched itself back on Avni. Wow, thought Neil,she looked sexy in her chilled out look, her top exposing her waist and hair sprawled over her shoulders. Avni whined mentally- she really couldn't be bothered to deal with anything right now but Neela had whispered in her ear that she had an announcement to make and for her mothers sake she decided to go with it. Avni turned to look at Neela "Ma you sit i'll serve you and everyone else." Neela smiled as she sat down. Avni began serving her mother before moving on to Aman, Ashok, Ali and DD. Neil then spoke "Avni could you please put the stuff in my plate." Avni didn't say anything, she just moved and began serving him as his eyes locked onto her figure, the exposed skin was making him crazy;how he wanted to touch her but he restrained himself with great difficulty. Once everyone was served, Neela spoke "So i called you all here for a reason, my business has decided to run a NGO in commemoration of Ayesha ji." Avni's eyes became moist "We are having a banquet to help raise funds as it is a charity and spread awareness and so you all are invited." Avni pushed her chair back and launched herself at Neela hugging her "Ma...Thank you. Thank you so much." Neela smiled at her child. Shweta then muttered "Gods know why you would want to make NGO in honour of a slut." Everyone heard it. Avni's hands clenched into fists but Neela's pleading gaze signalled her to leave it. But Avni couldn't take it. She wanted out, "Well i'm going for a jog. Anyone want to come?" Aman was gazing at Karena which Avni thought was cute. Ali too was staring at Rhea shamelessly. She laughed mentally and then looked to Ashok who had his hands full with his daughter. She sighed. She could really use the company. Neil then spoke "I'll come with you, if you don't mind...My jog was completely wrecked this morning." His harsh gaze falling on Rhea who looked uncomfortable. Avni's mind was telling her 'No No No' over and over again and even her heart was saying the same thing- the first time they actually agreed on something but what she said shocked him and her as well "Sure why not." She mentally slapped herself. As her conscious screamed 'Avni your stupid. No your mega stupid.' She sighed knowing she couldn't back out. He excused himself to go and grab his gym clothes before asking for a place he could change. Ashok led him to his room and a few minutes later Neil emerged from the room. It was Avni's turn to choke. Neela, Nano, Bebe, Ashok,Prakash, Ali, DD, Aman, Karena and Maddy smiled at the two. Ali had spoken to Neil this morning and finally after a explanation from Neil, Neil was forgiven. DD to forgave Neil. The boy squad was united and Neil couldn't be happier, he finally got his friends back. Avni looked at Neil's form, he too was wearing joggers and a tank top;the tank top that highlighted his abs and his muscular arms were exposed. Avni's conscious taunted 'So miss Ayesha how you going to control yourself' She was mentally battling with herself-she had actually lost the plot, Neil broke her away from her thoughts "Shall we go." Avni could only nod but the minute she walked out the door she spoke "Okay so i usually jog to the park, do a few laps and then jog back- sound good?" Neil nodded. Avni looked at him "And Neil...Thanks for last night, i really needed it." He sincerly smiled at her as he spoke "Avni you don't need to thank me, i stayed because i wanted to." They smiled at each other as Avni said "Okay lets leave all that, try and keep up." "Is that a challenge Mrs Khanna" Avni only smiled before sprinting off. Neil managed to shout "HEY I THOUGHT WE WERE JOGGING." Avni only laughed as he ran after her. They reached the park shortly as Neil panted- she was Damn fast and surprisingly not as out of breath as he was "So Mr super cop seems like your fitness levels are close to shit." She smirked and offered him water, he too mentally smirked mentally saying 'Well wifey, if you can tease me so can i.' He poured the water all over his body, the droplets trickling down his face down his neck and underneath his top. Avni gulped slightly and was mentally telling herself to control-if she had her way she probably would of kissed him but she couldn't, she didn't have the right too. She sighed mentally looking at Neil "You coming or what?" She then ran on, as he sprinted after her. Her mind was currently battling itself-call it WW3 if you must, she wanted him- but after everything and to top it off timing too- Dayawanti was back and was probably thinking of a ways to kill the people who were against her, she couldn't put him in a situation where he could end fighting for his own life. Suddenly her ankle twisted causing her to hurl to the floor, her jaw clenched in pain as she held onto it. Neil ran towards her "Avni are you okay?" She didn't say anything she just closed her eyes in pain he then took her foot in his hands "Can't you be more careful, what if something else had happened to you." His concern warmed her heart but her mind was screaming at her that it was fake. Gently he took her trainer off examining it, she applied slight pressure causing her to jolt up as did he- feeling her pain. He then spoke "Its not broken just bruised slightly, can you walk?" As she moved to get up she would have collapsed back to the floor had Neil not caught her on time, he bent down picking her up bridal style before walking back to her house. When he reached he was bombarded with questions which he answered calmly. He then proceeded upstairs placing her on her bed telling her to stay off it until the swelling goes down, he walked out to have a quick shower and change into his clothes. Once he was done he walked past Avni's room only to see her standing up and taking some files out. His temper rose in concern "Avni what are you doing, i told you na, stay of your foot, but you don't listen. of course you wouldn't listen- you always seem to think that you are right but let me tell you that your not." By the end he was breathing heavily, he sat her back on the bed and got her the files and notes she needed. Aman and Ali followed by Ashok and Aarti entered Avni's room making themselves comfortable, Neil to took a seat by them as they began chatting about whatever boys tend to talk about, Avni was getting frustrated with noise but tried to focus on her work but these boys were talking so loudly. Aarti who was sat next to her looked at Avni. Avni took a cushion that was laying and chucked towards the boys "Shut up i'm trying to do some work." "So when did we stop you" retorted Neil. Rhea had entered and took Aarti with her before Avni could say anything, Ashok just said "Avu leave it, its fine." Avni's mind was uneasy, she knew her cousin sister, she wasn't far off from the Devil. All the older people were out preparing for the banquet. Suddenly bawling was heard followed by shrieks of pain. The boys fell silent as Avni's heart stopped, she stood up forgetting about her foot and ran out of the room towards the crying , the boys quickly following suit. Avni stood shocked Aarti's hand was completely burned, and wailing in Rhea's arms. Avni rushed forth taking Aarti out Rhea's clutches and trying to calm the crying child. Avni blew on the burn as the boys came in. Tears came to Avni's eyes as she spoke "We need to take her to the doctor, this isn't a mild burn." The boys nodded and quickly drove to the nearest hospital. Aarti didn't want to leave Avni but the doctors took her away. Avni's breaths became un even as she turned and looked at Rhea. She slapped her the sound ringing "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO A CHILD, ARE YOU SICK IN YOUR MIND, YOU COULD HAVE FUCKING KILLED HER THE WAY YOU WERE GOING, I SWEAR TO GOD RHEA WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING, YOU FUCKING BITCH, THIS IS ALL YOUR GOOD FOR DESTROYING OTHER PEOPLES LIVES;SORT YOURSELF OUT. I SWEAR IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO HER YOU WILL HAVE TO FACE THE WORSE OF ME AND BELIEVE ME SHE'S NOT NICE. GET OUT.GET OUT OF MY FACE BEFORE I DO SOMETHING I WILL REGRET." She pushed her, as Rhea rolled her eyes leaving. The doctor came out as Avni ran limping as she enquired about Aarti "That child is brave, and she's also lucky to have a mother figure like you, your love has healed her, she'll be fine just put this medicine on her burn to help with the pain." They thanked the doctor as Ashok took Aarti in his arms. Avni's limp was growing heavy as she struggled to keep herself up right. Wordlessly Neil bent down and picked her up, Avni grasped onto him as he carried her.

TBC

Hey guys.....What along update. So a banquet..What do you guys think will go down there? Neil and Avni's relationship seems to be healing but maybe something will happen to through that all back- Do comment your thoughts on what you thought of this chapter and your thoughts on what might happen next, i would be interested to know. Don't forget to vote and follow too. Thank you all.