Double update..Yayyyy😁 Wattpad is still not normal and I'm facing issues with uploading chapters🙁 So the next chapter might take some time since I am yet to start on it. Hope you enjoy this one! 😊 Please let me know how you feel through comments. I don't like to pressurize readers for votes/ comments, but I would love to hear some feedback. So if it doesn't take much time, please do drop a comment on how you feel about the story so far!🙂

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When Neil arrived home, he found Avni in the kitchen. It seemed like she was trying to prepare some food. She was chopping up some vegetables, lost in her own word of thoughts. He stealthily walked towards her and stood behind. Just for a split second, it seemed like she sensed the presence of someone around her, but immediately dismissed those thoughts and continued with her work. He slowly hugged her from behind encircling his right hand around her waist and rested his chin on her right shoulder, startling her. She was on the verge of yelling. Before she could pull that stunt though, he tightly gripped her mouth with his left hand stifling her scream. His lips grazed her ears, and he whispered huskily into her ears, "Avni I want to tell you something." She was finding it difficult to breathe, considering his proximity with her. He slowly released his hand from her mouth. It was then that she took a deep breath that she had been struggling to take in the past few seconds. "Hmmmm" was all she could manage to say. He tightened his grip on her waist almost meaning to pull her closer, and said "Do you want to listen to it?", his voice going huskier by the minute. Avni shut her eyes in response not sure how to deal with the sweet torture of his hands digging into her waist and his soft warm breath in her ear as he continued to speak hoarsely. "Y..y..yess" she replied stuttering. "Do you realize how stupid you are?" he said and immediately retracted his hands away from her waist. Stepping away from her, he burst into a roar of laughter. "Huhh?!" she said turning around, her face flushed and confused at the same time, unable to comprehend if she had heard him right. Did he just call her stupid? She planted her hands on her hips, and asked him, "What do you mean?" in a commanding tone. Not only was she embarrassed, but she was also disappointed. She wasn't sure if it was because he had called her stupid or because she was really expecting him to say something else. "You silly woman. You were sick all morning. You haven't even completely recovered. You should be resting in bed and not wandering about the kitchen trying to do work.", he yelled at her. "You are so rude to me..I was just trying to.." she was trying to retort back, but he cut her midway. "You just wanted to what?" he said irked. "I just wanted to make some food for myself. It was almost noon and I was beginning to feel hungry. Also, you were away and I wasn't sure when you would be back! So, I thought about making some lunch for us.", she said with a sad pout. That cute innocent pout of hers always did its magic. It melted his insides and his foul mood vanished in a jiffy. "Fine. But now you're going to sit down and instruct me, and I shall do all the cooking.", he said with a hint of a smile on his face, as he pushes her down on the chair near him. Avni gave directions, while Neil prepared the food. She rested her chin on her hand, as she continued to look at him with an 'oh he is too cute' expression on her face, while he was busy cooking. Her face lit up in a smile and a slight tinge of blush crept on her face. After some time, they sat to have lunch together. While having the food Neil said "Not bad. Your recipe turned out to be quite delicious. The food is tasting very good." "I know I'm awesome that way" she said raising her collar upwards, acknowledging herself. "Well technically speaking, you should be thanking me. Because I made it. It was my magical hands that gave the dish this amazing taste. Else your food is hardly palatable.", he retorted in an attempt to flip his earlier words. "Whatever!" she replied back in annoyance while he smirked. "You never have one nice thing to say about me ever, do you? Always ready to fire your taunts at me.", she hissed back at him and looked elsewhere, while he tried hard to stifle his laugh. After finishing up with her food, she was about to retire to her bed, when he suddenly stopped her by grabbing hold of her wrist before she could walk away. She turned around and raised her eyes, as if meaning to ask "What?". He advanced closer to her. "Do not forget to take your medicines", he said staring deeply into those almond shaped eyes of her. She was still wearing that sad pout on her face, indicating that she was still not over her annoyance. His hands were tormenting him to touch and feel her soft face, but he was fighting it hard by digging his fingers hard into his palm. "Alright. I shall take them. Thank You for preparing the lunch" she said still being exasperated. Unable to hold back anymore, he gave into his desire finally, walked closer towards her, and held her left cheek with his right hand. He stroked it gently as he said, "You are most welcome" looking deeper into her eyes. She flinched slightly and involuntarily closed her eyes in response when his hand touched her cheek, and in the next second opened them to be lost in his. Their eyes met. They gazed intently at each other, unable to look away. After what seemed like an eternity, their eye-lock was broken, courtesy Neil's cellphone. He immediately removed his hand from her face and walked away from there, before he lost his control and ended up doing something silly. It was now becoming difficult being around her – he could just not trust himself around her. Avni barged into her room, while a silly smile was still plastered on her face. She buried her face in her pillow unable to control those silly thoughts from entering her mind. "What the hell is happening to you Avni?" she questioned herself, but obviously she had no clue.

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It was around half past four when Neil met the man with the monkey. "So, are you ready to execute our plan of action?" he asked with a sly grin adorning his face. "Yes Sir. I am all set.", replied the man with a wide grin. Neil pulled out the lipstick that he had earlier purchased form the store. He smeared it all over the lips and face of the monkey as the other guy held it firmly to ensure it doesn't move. The monkey as it was well trained didn't show much resistance either. Vidyut drove back home at around 5:00 PM. He parked his car and got out to head home when the man whom Neil had hired walked up to him. "Sir. The back tire of your car seems to have been punctured. Kindly have a look at it and ensure that you get it checked by a mechanic.", he said with fake concern in his voice. Vidyut placed his bag on the headboard of the car. "Is that so? Let me have a look at it.", he said and walked over to the rear end of his car to inspect the tyre. The main joined him at the back and said "Yes Sir. The sizes look a bit different to me from where I am standing." While Vidyut was busy examining the tyre, Neil slowly walked up to the headboard, and carefully placed a banana inside the side pocket such that it was clearly visible from outside. After having positioned it carefully, he immediately ran and hid behind a tree in the vicinity. "It looks quite normal to me, but just to be on the safer side I shall have it checked tomorrow at the garage. Thank You however for informing me about it.", said Vidyut flashing a smile to the man, unaware of his intentions. The man handed the bag and helped Vidyut wear it in order to ensure he doesn't notice the banana. Vidyut expressed his gratitude and started walking towards his house. As he reached the gate and was just about to step inside, suddenly he felt as though there was something climbing up his back. Before he could even realize what was happening, he turned to see a monkey up his sleeve. The monkey continually kept switching from his left sleeve to the right in an attempt to grab the banana from his bag. Vidyut yelled trying to rid himself from the wretched creature. The guy who owned the monkey had set it free from its leash and on spotting the banana it had climbed up Vidyut in an attempt to fetch it. Finally, when the monkey could get hold of the banana, it descended from him and ran off towards a random direction in the road. His shirt was now not only crumpled but also imprinted with marks of the red lipstick courtesy the monkey. He walked into the house his hair all ruffled and messy, with his bag slumped across his shoulder. As soon as Juhi saw his shirt and his state, almost instantaneously all the color drained from her face.

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Meanwhile, Neil ran quickly back into his house after thanking and compensating the guy well for his help. He turned on the projector and proceeded to grab a few snacks from the kitchen counter, prepping himself for the fun show that he had been anticipating. Avni who had just gotten up from her sleep, walked slowly towards the living room with a confused look on her face. She was surprised to see Neil smiling. He seemed to be in a very good mood. "Neil, what are you doing?" she inquired softly. "Aaah my dear Avni. Your timing couldn't have been better.Please do come and sit beside me and let us both enjoy the very entertaining film that is going to play before our eyes shortly. After having witnessed this, I'm sure your fever will fly out of the window and you'll feel absolutely perfect in no time!" he said joyously, pulling her by her wrist, the excitement very evident in his voice. Avni knew that he was up to no good. Anyhow she wanted to know what exactly would be so amusing. So, she settled herself down on the couch beside Neil and stared at the screen before them. "Vidyut. What exactly are those marks on your shirt?" asked Juhi, literally throwing daggers at him through her eyes. "Sweetheart, you won't believe it. But the funniest thing happened with me just now!" replied Vidyut laughing. "Explain!" she said bluntly, anger gradually building up within her. "While I was just walking back into the house, from nowhere a monkey suddenly just leapt on me, ran up my sleeves and kept switching between my shoulders. I have no clue where it was from or why it actually behaved that way.", he replied still letting out small laughs at intervals. "And what are these red lip marks? Don't tell me that the monkey was so much in love with you that it decided to shower its love by kissing you.", said Juhi sarcastically rolling her eyes. Vidyut stood there dumbfounded, as he tried to turn backwards and pull his shirt trying to figure out what exactly she meant. On the other hand, Avni and Neil were laughing hysterically. Juhi held his wrist and dragged him into their bedroom and showed him his reflection in the mirror. "What is the meaning of this Vidyut?" she said her voice laced with hurt. "I have no idea how this happened Juhi. Please trust me. There may be a slight chance that the monkey had some lipstick smeared on it somehow which may have caused this.", Vidyut stammered in attempt to convince his innocence to her. "This is highly unbelievable Vidyut! Why don't you just spit out the truth?" yelled Juhi her eyes brimming with tears. Vidyut held her by the arms in a tight grip. "Juhi darling. Trust me. You have got to trust me. I really have no idea how these marks ended up on my shirt. I would never ever cheat on you. I can't even dream of hurting you my love.", he said looking deeply into her eyes. "I hope you are not lying to me Vidyut,because I love you so much. If I ever get to know you are cheating on me behind my back, I will leave and never come back to you.", said Juhi as those tears,she had been trying to hold back, made their way down her face. He immediately engulfed her in a strong bear hug and stroked her head comfortingly."Shhhh..Don't say such things to me. Do you think it will be easy for me to live without you? You are my life. Trust me when I say this. My life begins and ends with you. I really mean it. There is no room for any third person between us.", he said assertively. She hugged him back tighter and the hug slowly transformed into a kiss. Meanwhile Avni and Neil who had been enjoying the banter between the couple a few minutes ago were puzzled by this sudden turn of events. "Arrrggghh..How could all THAT end up like THIS?", yelled Neil as he pulled his hair in frustration. Irritated, he switched off the projector and sat with a long face on the couch, while Avni burst into peals of laughter. "Oh my God, look at you! All your plans end up backfiring on you. You're such a loser Neil" she said signaling a thumbs down at him. He had carefully laid out this plan and had put so much effort into it, and this was not at all how he had expected it to end. Though he now realized that Juhi was quite gullible and he shouldn't give up. Avni continued to laugh at him, while his temper was now slowly ascending. He tried to do a reverse countdown to get over how annoyed he was at the moment, but Avni continued to laugh, pointing her finger towards him. He stared at her and realized how insanely beautiful she looked whenever she had a bright smile or laughter adorned her face. But right now, his anger wasat peak due to his foiled plan and her laugh seemed more like pouring salt onhis wounds. Unable to keep his anger in check, he gave in and shut her up byramming his lips against hers. Avni who had been laughing all this while,widened her eyes in shock the minute her lips came in contact with his. He was kissing her roughly, gripping her hair tightly, not giving her chance to release her breath even for a second. Finally, when he felt that he was running out of breath, is when he decided to release her. The minute he detached his lips from her he rested his forehead against hers, as both of them were breathing hard trying to catch up on their breaths. Once she had regained her composure, she yelled at him "Damn you. What the hell do you think of yourself?Let me show you what I'm capable of." She held him by his collar while he had a confused look on his face. She pulled his head closer to her and latched her lips onto his. She yanked his hair tightly, giving him a rough kiss, more intense than the one they had shared a few seconds ago. He moaned into the kiss while she did not permit him to breathe even for a second. Once she had kissed him, she pushed him away snapping her fingers at him, in a manner as if to indicate to him that she is superior to him in this game. His face had a goofy grin as he tried to catch up with his breath and his eyes seemed hypnotized, as though she had cast a spell on him with that kiss. She looked away unable to face him, her heart still thumping loudly at her stunt. It was not a passionate kiss. It was more like a vengeful one- but it had left both of them burning from inside, maybe even yearning for more. Unknowingly, they were indeed getting fatally attracted to each other. Not knowing what to say to each other, Neil just walked out of the house up to the terrace to calm down his heightened hormones, while Avni retired to her room and sat on her bed. She was feeling better already – but she wasn't sure if it was due to the start of a misunderstanding that had been planted finally between Juhi and Vidyut, or if it was due to her brief 'kiss encounter' with Neil a few minutes ago. 'Why is it so difficult to ignore this guy? What was the need even to kiss him back? What is the need for you to be so impulsive Avni? Its high time you focus Avni. You are here for Vidyut. How has this handsome devil managed to divert you so much from your objective?' she thought, chiding herself. Neil on the other hand, sat on the terrace, reminiscing what had just happened between them. 'What was the need to kiss her? Was that the only way you could think of shutting her up? There were a zillion other ways you could have shut her up, but no. You had to go and chose this way!' he thought facepalming and cursing himself for his stunt. 'Why can't I just control myself in her vicinity. Focus Neil. You need to Focus. Not on Avni, but on your main goal for which you are here.', he sulked. Both made up their minds to keep minimal interaction with each other to not get swayed by their subconscious emotions – hidden so deep that they could not realize yet where this was leading them to.

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