Once they were back from the family trip to Mahabaleshwar they had to settle into the regular routine. Neel was back to work and avni was giving neela a helping hand with the NGO. She was auditing the NGO expenditure and also making an inventory to help Neela. But on the side she was also looking at job opportunities. Now that she felt like things were back in place she wanted to get back to work because she always wanted to be an independent career woman. She got caught up with revenge and subsequently all the other drama that happened. But now she wanted to look for a job and get back to her passion. And now with neel in her life she was feeling very inspired to write as well. Infact she was secretly back to penning her thoughts again. Like in the past she was devoting an hour a day to writing. Sometimes it was just personal writing but now she had the seed of an idea for a script as well and she wanted to develop it. She also thought about talking to Neel about her career aspirations. She knew he would be supportive because he was neel khanna but avni wanted to make him a part of all her decisions. But she also wanted to tell him after she had something substantial like an interview call. She had actually started looking and applying even when the whole chuhi drama happened Just as a distraction from all the drama but she hadn't followed up on it. It had been 10 days since their family trip and Avni was busy with NGO work and Neel had a new case. He was working long hours and only had time to have an early breakfast with Avni and then to sleep next ti her at night. But he made it a point to come home every night and they always held each other and slept.But this weekend both avneil were looking to spend some more quality time together since Neel had wrapped up his latest case and Avni also was done with NGO work. Plus she wanted to talk to him about an interview call that she had received. SO when Friday night rolled around both Avneil were very excited and looking forward to just being together. Neel came home earlier than usual. He was back by 6pm and avni was also just back from the NGO. Both of them pulled in their cars at the same time and excitedly jumped out of it to run upto each other

Neel gave her a warm hug and said- thank god wifey weekend hai!

Avni- I know she exclaimed!

They broke out of the hug and walked into the house hand in hand.

When they got home it was unusally quiet. When they asked bheema she said prakash had gone for office work to Bangalore and bebe had received news of the death of some family friend so she had gone to Chandigarh and shweta had decided to accompany her. They had left a note because they knew both avni and neil were busy with work. Everyone was going to return only on Sunday evening.

Neel looked positively thrilled at the prospect of having alone time with wifey.

He looked at Avni raising his eyebrows suggestively with a naughty smirk on his face- Wifey dear lagta hai bhagwaan ne bhi meri sunli. Its just you and me! And he pulled her closer by the waist!

Avni- Neel , tumhaara dimaag ne humesha ek hi track pe rahta hai na. She was trying to wriggle out of his hold but he only tightened his grip on her.

Neel- that's true. Policewaala hun na, toh main apne missions aur cases ko le ke bahut focussed hoon! he said with twinkling eyes and a mischevious grin

Avni- accha she teased him. Even though neel was excited aout alone time she had seen him carefully. He had dark circle sunder his eyes, he looked really tired and she knew that he had been working very hard last 2 weeks. So she said- Ok mr husband, since we have all the time till Sunday evening, abhi tum jao freshen up karlo. I have a surprise for you!

Neel- Surprise, kya baat hai wifey! Kya hai? He asked eagerly

Avni- mr.supercop, have patience. If I tell you, how is it a surprise?!

Neel- ok fine he said and went up to freshen up.

Avni meanwhile set her things down in the living room, took a quick shower in the guest room changed into her pajamas and decided to make her husband her famous hot chocolate. It was one thing that she always whipped up very well. She had some secret ingredients which she added to it and she had always used it as a stress buster rigjt from her college days and she was sure neel would like it. She also decided to whip up some snacks for him. SO she made bread pakoda which again she was very good at. She had always had very limited cooking skills but after her time in jail she was a bit better now because she had got a nack of all the regular khaana and also proprtions of how to add condiments etc.

When Neel walked back down after a long relaxing shower he felt a nice aroma wafting out of the kitchen.

Avni- Neel- tum please upar jao. Me leke aati hoon.

Neel- its ok Avni, I'll help you out.

But avni turned off the stove and blocked his way and literally dragged him back up saying it was a surprise and led him back into their room. She asked him to sit there and went back out locking the door for good measure.

Neel had learnt to just give in to his wifes stubborn demands. He actually enjoyed being bossed around by her, having her order him to do just everyday things- like not leaving the towel on the chair/bed, insist on him eating breakfast before leaving, or having her pick out clothes for him if she didn't like what he had picked out- all of these things made him feel warm and fuzzy because it felt like she was opening up more and more each day and haq jataofying on him. And he was loving waking up every morning to her kiss. She was now an early riser post her jail time and she was up at 5 everyday to exercise. Even though initially her waking up early upset him because it was a reminder of her tough life in jail now he saw the positive side of it. And that was the fact that every morning when she woke up she would gaze at him lovingly, caress his face and give him a peck and whisper an I love you. What she didnt know was that he knew she did this everyday. The first time he woke up because she sensed her touch but he had decided to pretend to be asleep because he felt like she might become conscious if he woke up and also becase he realised that early mornings were her ME time- she would do her exercise routine, and take a shower before waking him up. And he wanted her to enjoy her own space too. So even though he only woke up at 630-7am everyday he would always be half awake at 5 waiting to feel her kiss and hear her whisper of I love you and then have her pull the comforter snugly over him before she got off. It was a very domestic and everyday gesture and it warmed his heart thinking of it. HE was lost in his thoughts when he heard the door open and his wifey walked in with a tray .

Avni- Tada! She said as she placed it all in front of him.

There was a cup of hot chocolate and a bowl full of bread pakodas with ketchup on the side.

Neel- Pulled her onto his lap once she had set the tray down and gave her a peck on the lips- itne pyaar se banaya hai toh khud hi khila bhi do na he said.

Avni- Actually I have a better idea.

Neel- whats that?

Avni- I'll show you f you just listen to me without questions...deal?

Neel- ok fine he said

Avni got off his lap pulled him up as well. She pulled the beanbag placing it in front of the bed . Then she dragged the food laden table in front of him and indicated him to sit on the beanbag. She then got on the bed behind him and pulled him back placing her hand on his shouders.

Neel was very puzzled by what was going on. And started to say wifey tum kya

Avni shh.. I told you no questions. Now you help yourself to the hot chocolate and the bread pakoda and let me take care of the rest.

And then neel felt her fingers on his neck and shoulders as she felt her kneading beginning to give him a massage. And instantly he relaxed and let out a happy sigh

Neel- MM...that feels good baby.

Avni- smiled and said- good. Abhi tum aaram se khao and enjoy the massage. She worked her way across his head,neck and shoulders applying firm pressure with her delicate fingers getting rid of all the knots. It felt really amazing and soothing and her hot chocolate was no other word for it- absolutely divine. HE wasn't sure what she had added into it but it was just yummy and the crispy bread pakodas were a perfect accompaniment to this evening of pampering he was getting from his wifey. As her nimble hands worked on him he was transported to another world. When she touched a slightly sore spot on his neck he let out a small moan and avni said- oh sorry- dard hua

Neel- nahi voh pahle se hi thoda dard kar raha tha

Avni- Neel, pahle batana chahiye tha na. Ruko

And she got off the bed and quickly made her way to the cupboard and fished out the medicine box and found the balm

And then she came back to him and said chalo shirt utaro apni

Neel- Seedha shirt utaro, not bad wifey! I'm liking this naughty side of you baby he said with a wink

Avni- Dimaag hai ya gutter?! Balm lagane ke liye bol rahi hun.

Neel- ok fine, daant kyu rahi ho he said with a pout

Avni- actually tumne kha liya hai toh chalo bed pe let jao.

Neel- obediently came and lay on the bed face down, shirt off.

Avni- used the balm and once again began massaging, working her way down from his neck and also over his back. She worked on lossening all the knots. Initially she was sitting alwardly on the side but since neil seemed to be giving appreciative noises when she massaged his back she figured it would be better to sit straddling him so that she was in a better position. SO she sat with her legs on either side and continued the massage. While Neil was enjoying the feel of his wifes fingers on his body , it was working like magic, he was feeling so relaxed. She was applying just the right amount of pressure and the combination of her massage along with the nice snack and hotchocolate he had just had was making his eyelids droopy .

Avni on the other hand was not doing well- because now that her husband was bare bodied and lying beneath her- what started off as an innocuous massage was really turning her on. It was no secret that her husband was extremely fit. He was not too bulked up, but had a well defined physique and in her eyes he was just perfect. Although she had seen him shirtless a couple of times, physical intimacy was fairly new to them. And now rubbing her hands on his well toned back and shoulders, his warm skin her mind was filling up with the same gutter thoughts that she was chastising her husband for. She leaned in closer applying more firm pressure on his upper back and couldn't control her instinct to press a kiss against his neck. She gave him a flutter of kisses along his neck and upper back when it suddenly occurred to her that he was far too quiet. Ususally when she kissed him he was vocal about how pleasurable he found it, but today there was silence. She looked at him in confusion and realised suddenly that he was asleep! She smacked herself mentally and when she thought of what neels reaction might be when he found out that she was so turned on while he had peacefully slept, she went red with embarrassment. She shook herself out of it and moved off him, giving him a peck on his cheeks and pulling the comforter over him and adjusting the AC temperature for him. As she watched him sleep she felt like her heart would burst with the amount of love she felt for him. This man, this perfectly chiselled handsome man who was not only beautiful on the outside but also the inside, HE was all hers. He was her husband- hers to love, hers to protect and hers to cherish forever and the thought made her dizzy with happiness.

She dimmed the lights leaving only the nightlamp on and softly padded out of the room taking the tray with her. She then helped herself to a cup of her own special hot chocolate and decided to work on preparing for her interview. She was going through the expected questions and mentally planning her responses to them. It had been a long time since her last interview- which was a placement interview when she finished college. She had been at the same company for 3 years so she had not had any further interview experiences. Avni was always a meticuolous planner so she looked up the profiles of the topbrasss of the management of the company. She made notes on their work so that she could slip in timely comments to them when she met with them. She knew that making a good first impression would be key and although she knew it was only her first interview after a long break from work she needed to be positive and have good explanations for her break from work and what she has accomplished in the time. She also thought of her response in case she was asked about her criminal record! She didn't know how thorough a background check they would do but she was preparing herself for the worst! She put her portfolio in order. She was busy on her laptop in the study on all this for over 3 hours now when she heard neel call out. She shut her laptop and made her way out of the study.

Neel- Avni kahan ho tum?

Avni- Neel, uth gaye tum? How are you feeling now

Neel- much much better wifey. Tumhaare haaton me jaadu hai I swear. All the pain and soreness is GONE. And what did you add in that hot chocolate yaar- it was divine!

Avni- smiled at him and said- main apna trade secret nahi bataungi. It's a special recipe! U set for dinner?

Neel- Haan chalo.

Neel helped her bring out the food from the fridge and warm it up and then set the table.

As they served themselves and started eating Neel asked her- vaise tum study main kya kar rahi thi

Avni- voh actually theres something I've been meaning to discuss with you. Why don't we talk after dinner?

Neel- ok neel smiled

Once they wrapped up dinner they headed back upto the room, avni grabbed her laptop from the study and they made themselves comfortable on the couch.

Neel- ok wifey batao.

Avni- Neel voh actually main pichle kuch dinon se jobs dekh rahi hoon. Like I told you I was a copywriter and pichle kaafi donon se main soch rahi thi about getting back to work but with all the stuff that kept happening I didn't have a chance to really seriously work on it but now I feel like I'm ready to get back to work. She paused looking at him nervously

Neel- sat quietly not reacting yet. After a few seconds he said- kab se dhudh rahi ho

Avni- actually I was thinking about it when we had rescued mishti but I didn't anticipate everything that happened afterwards so then dobara abhi seriously I started looking at stuff for the last 2 weeks..

Neel- gave no response

Avni- pulling his hands onto her lap. I know Neel mujhe ye tumhe pahle batana chahiye tha. It's a big decision for me and I know that I should have kept you in the loop early. I should have maybe talked to you even before I started looking...I wanted to. But there was always so much going on and I felt like it would be best to tell you when I had something concrete, atleast like an interview offer or something...she trailed off

Neel- so do you?

Avni- do I what?

Neel Have an interview?

Avni- Ya she said nervously. SHeforwraded her call letter email on the laptop to him. And theres also some background about the company and stuff here in this folder...

Neel was silent. HE read through the email, the background of the company- it was impressive. It was a good place, great reputation, not the most established but not a baby start up as well. Once he read through everything he placed the laptop back on the table and was still silent

Avni nervously said- Neel please kuch toh bolo...

Neel however looked down at his hands not reacting yet

Avni had panicked now. Neel I'm sorry neel. If ur not happy with this decision, if you think its not the right time I'll not do it. Its just an interview. And only the first one. I can cancel it or postpone it...Please tum naraz mat hojao. I'm really sorry neel. Aage se main tumse pahle baat karungi and then plan stuff...I was just not sure if anything would even materialise and I didnt want to get my hopes up...but I know I should have told you sooner. She was rambling nonstop..

Sudddenly neel cut her off with a kiss

Avni was at first too shocked to respond but slowly she started kissing him back.

Sometime later when they were both out of breath and broke apart

Neel- I'm sorry avni.

Avni- Kya? Tum kyun sorry bol rahe ho?

Neel- I'm sorry that meri vajah se tumhe apna career, apni life hold pe rakhni padi hai.

Avni- Neel tum kya bol rahe ho, aisa kuch nahi hai. She cupped his face forcing him to look at her.

Neel- Aisa hi hai Avni. I know ki tum kabhi mujhe bologi nahi but it's the truth. I know ki pahle apne revnege ki chalte you took a break but once we had got dayawanti arrested you must have planned to get back but kuch na kuch drama hota raha. And even when I should have put an end to everything, after you risked your life and rescued mishti...even after that so much happened! I'm sorry avni...meri vajah se...

Avni- interrupted him- neel CHUP. Ek dum chup. YE kya nonsense bole ja rahe ho. We've already discussed all this. JO hua, jaise hua,etc etc. Ab bas. Its all over and behind us. You are not responsible for anything. Infact if anything you are responsible for fixing everything, for fixing me, my life. She moved closer to him cupping his face making him look into her eyes- you are the reason that I'm finally in a place in life where I'm sorted, happy and feel confident about putting myself out there- to look for a job and go through the grind...beacause I know I've got you. I know you will always be there for me.

Neel saw the truth and sincerity in her words and in her eyes and finally gave her a smile. Then he moved to hug her- and whispered in her ear- Ya, you got that right. I'm always there for you whenever you need me.

Then as he withdrew, he looked at her with a big smile and said- we should celebrate this wifey- You have an interview call- this is BIG! Congratulations baby and he moved to give another tight hug

Avni- thank you. But neel itsjust an interview. Its not like I got the job. Lets see how it goes. I have a lot of weaknesses to address...my long break after my previous job, and if they do a background check I may have to talk about my criminal record- even though I have been acquitted of all charges. But it's a lot of explaining. I dunno. Its not going to be easy...

Neel- hey hey...I know. Its not going to be easy. But think about this, They have offered you an interview means that they saw potential in your application, in your previous track record. Despite all the obvious flaws they have still invited you to interview. So you need to be confident and show them why youre awesome!

Avni- just smiled at his words of encouragement- thank you neel. But youre my husband so obviously you will say good things only but honestly I'm not feeling too bright about my chances. I'm happy I even got a call. But lets see...I don't want to get my hopes up. Vaise bhi tumhe kaise pata that I'm awesome at my work. Tumne toh kabhi dekha bhi nahi

Neel- I know, but I also know that you are my avni. I know your personality. I'm sure ki tum bahut zyaada commited aur disciplined employee hogi. Detail oriented hogi- maine dekha hai tumhaari planning skills. I'm sure tumne interview ke liye bhi question and answer ki list already banana shuru kardi hogi.

Avni- just sheepishly smiled at his accurate analysis of her traits

Neel- And I know that you are creative- maine dekha hai jab tum baat karti ho, jab tumne mishti ko apne on the spot invented stories aur songs bhi sunayi thi... I've seen it in your eyes how passionate you are about your field-jab tumne uska zikar kiya tha uss din beach pe. Infact maine soch rakha tha ki I should talk to you about getting back but tum as usual mujhse kahi zyada aage ho! Avni- I know ki cakewalk nahi hoga but jitne tough situations aur haalaton ko tumne dekha hai, uss sab ke aage this is nothing! And most of all I know ki tum ek baar jo thaan logi, voh definitely poora karogi!

Avni just smiled and gave him a tight hug. Thank you. I feel better now.

Neel- Good and remember I'm always gonna be there for you as your personal cheerleder. HE caressed her hair and just held her.

His comforting touch and his word of encouragement made her feel positive about the whole situation. And she was feeling a lot more optimistic now about the upcoming interview.

Avni- accha chalo enough talk now. Lets go sleep now.

Neel- nahi, lets do something na...koi movie dekhte hai na...anyway I took a nap in the evening.

Avni I know mister, but I didn't, so I'm tired.

Avni slipped into bed with him and said- ok I'll tell you what. Lets watch a movie but I might fall asleep midway so you cant yell at me if I do.

Neel- As if I could yell at you?!

Avni- please haan neil...ye acting toh mat karo tum. Mein ginau tumhe ki tum mujhpar kitni baar chilaye ho aur gussa hue ho?

Neel- accha ok ok gussa kiya hai. Aage se nahi karunga thik hai- promise

Avni- promise waapas lo she said

Neel- hein?

Avni- maine bola promise waapas lo

Neel- kyun?

Avni- because mr.husband I want ki tum mujh par gussa karo. Gussa bhi hum unse hi hote hain jinse hum pyaar karte hai, haina. She winked

Neel- wow ms.ajooba tum toh bahut smart hogayi ho! I should take this on record...so that next time we have an argument and you are upset at me getting angry with you I can use this as evidence.

Avni- Ok mr.supercop. Please ab chalo

They lay in bed snuggling together as usual watching a movie on the laptop. Avni as she herself had predicted had nodded off midway through the movie on neel's chest. Neel just looked at her fondly and gave her a goodnight kiss and slept off after finishing the movie.

Please drop a comment if you enjoyed reading this :)