The next day aman was making sure that everything is well arranged for the cocktail party and engaggemnt function and Kareena was helping him with the preparation

Aman: Kareena I will just go and call the Dj and make sure he reaches on time

Kareena nodded while aman went to make the call

Meanwhile Ali and Riya were at the airport waiting to locate two familiar face and after few mins they saw them

Riya: welcome back my sweethearts

Girl: thank u so much babes

Guy: I hope u haven't told anyone about us coming right

Ali: no yaar Riya told everyone that we have a surprise and they will get to know in the function itself

Riya: let's go u guys need to rest before the function starts

Guy: yeah that is a great idea

All four headed out the airport.

At the khanna mansion Neil had been trying so many outfits to wear at the function for the past one hour

Neil: mom can u just choose an outfit and end this torture

Shweta: oye Tillu how dare u call this a  torture. U need to look good in the mendhi function after all even the groom has to look handsome

Neil gave a pleading look to Bebe who was enjoying the scene while talking a sip of her tea

Neil: Bebe

Bebe: nope don't even give me that look I'm not going  to help u as madam madonna is right today

Shweta: by the way where is this Ali I told him to come here so he can try few outfits and this guy still hasn't came

Ali: u called Ali and here he comes he said walking towards them.. Shweta Bebe and Neil turned to look at Ali

Neil and Ali hugged

Bebe: what took u so long

Ali: was busy with something

Neil: thank god u came bro... mom please try some outfits on ali till then I will rest he said sitting next to Bebe

Ali: what happened to him

Shweta: he is moaning since he has to try so many outfits

Ali: what is the big deal in that

Neil: Ali try wearing different outfits for an hour then u will know what I'm going through ... Shweta rolled her eyes and looked at Ali who looked at her and both shook their head while looking at Neil

Meanwhile at the metha mansion

Riya was busy selecting similar  outfits for her and Avni as she knew how much Avni dislikes with selecting outfits and all

After few mins she found something similar for both

Diksha: Arien wah u found something for Both of u

Riya : Haan bua

Diksha: y don't u call Avni so that she can try the outfit and see if it fits her perfectly

Riya: no need for that I already have a spare outfit Of hers which she wore recently. Bhaiya u would be able to measure my sister old and New outfit to see if it's the same measurement right ?

Tailor: ji madam

Riya quickly went up to get m Avni outfit and gave it the guy while she went to try her outfit... after 10 mins she came down

Diksha: any changes needed ?

Riya: nope fits me perfectly

Diksha: even Avni one is perfectly fine I will send her outfit to the parikh house with the driver

Around 5:40

Avni was glad that Riya chose a nice outfit which was very comfortable ..she was putting on her earrings  when Neela came

Neela: bacha u need any help

Avni: Haan maa can u help with this necklace

Neela went towards Avni and stood behind her and helped her wear the neck piece once done she turned Avni Around

Neela: u r looking so lovely Avni I'm sure if Neil sees u then he will get lost in your beauty she said teasingly

Avni: nothing like that is going to happen mama me and Neil r just friends for now

Avni in her head: dadi I wish if u took help from maa or chachu then maybe I wouldn't  have to do all this today but what can I do I can't even tell anyone as I promised u.

Neela in her head: I know what u r thinking about bacha but this was the only way that we could think of to make u agree

Neela: bacha I know u r friends and there is no need for u to rush into this relation u both can take your own time

Meanwhile the methas had reached to venue.. ketan had noticed Riya was texting since they left from the metha mansion
Ketan: Riya is everything ok u have been on your phone since we left to come here

Before Riya could reply Ashish spoke

Ashish: come on ketan Riya would probably be texting one person right now and that is Ali he said teasingly

Riya: no no chachu in fact I was making sure that the surprise is ready that I was talking about

Diksha: look at this usually a girl would be happy thinking that it's her mendhi function and her saiyaaan would be coming too but here all Riya is thinking about is the surprise she has planned.

Few minutes later Avni reached with Neela aman madhavi nanno and hemant.

She saw Riya and went towards her as she was about to call out to her she felt someone cover her eyes

Avni: who is it she said trying to move the hands away but couldn't

Girl: guess karo. Avni frowned but soon a big smile came on her face

Avni: KIA she said moving Kia hand from her eyes and turned around to see her childhood friend in front of her. Both hugged each other tightly

Kia: yaar I thought u will take your time to figure out who it was

Avni: r u mad and when did u come back from your honeymoon

Kia: just today babes and I must say U r looking stunning

Avni: today? And where is akash she said ignoring  the compliment that Kia gave her

Akash: right here avuuuu he said appearing out of nowhere and hugged Avni while avni smacked him playfully

Avni: how many times do I have to tell u that don't call me avuu

Akash: so I want to call u Avuuu and I will continue too

Avni: whatever.. if u both came back today y didn't u let us know?

Kia: yaar this was meant to be a surprise for u all and only Riya and Ali knew about it

Avni: not fair Riya she said turning to look at Riya who winked and smiled at her

Kia: by the way madam how did u agree to get married

Akash: exactly u agreed to get married and when I asked u out years ago u broke my heart by saying no he said placing his hand on his heart making a crying face

Avni: what can I do. I couldn't let Kia heart break besides only she can handle u well enough

Akash: well I'm not that hard to handle

Kia: if only someone ask me she said rolling her eyes at akash

Akash : really then u could say the same about u

Riya: guys continue your  argument later

Akash: yeah so where we oh yes what won't  u agree to get married

Avni: the thing is dadi is not that well and when she asked this time I couldn't say no so agreed

Riya looked at avni in surprise as she though Avni would tell the plan to Kia and akash that she and Neil made

Akash: I don't believe that

Riya: y don't u go and meet the oldies till then.

Kia: yeah let's go and meet them but where r they...Riya looked around and located hetal with the others
Kia and akash walk to the Neela and the rest hand in hand.
Riya turned towards Avni

Avni: thanks if u didn't change the topic akash would have continued asking

Riya:  y didn't u tell them about the plan

Avni: I would have but then I want to ask Neil if he would be ok before telling Kia or akash anything

Riya was surprised but at the same time smiled she could see Avni as slowly changing

Neela  casually turns when she sees kia and akash walking towards them.

Neela: Kia akash what a pleasant surprise Kia and akash smiled and hugged Neela hetal and diksha

Dayawanti:if I'm not wrong then this is the surprise Riya was talking about right

Akash : absolutely

Diksha: u both had a long honeymoon... but thank god u both finally decided to come back she said teasingly

Dayawanti: diksha stop teasing them she said Seen Kia blush while akash was smiling

Akash: by the way dadi u haven't changed still looking fit and beautiful like always he said placing his arms around her shoulder while dayawanti smacked his chest playfully

Nanno: acha? So have we all gone old in these few years that U only find dayawanti ji fit and beautiful

Akash: of course not nanno u look sexy than before

Nanno: badmash does anyone call their nanno sexy

Akash: Haan me... all laughed

Khanna family finally arrrived and they were welcomed by ketan and Ashish while Ali and Neil took everyone blessing

Dayawanti was happy to see that at least Ashish was behaving well with the khannas

Ali: Unmm where is Riya and Avni

Daywanti: over there she said pointing to her right side

Ali and Neil saw Riya and Avni who were busy talking with Kia.

Ali: come let's go Neil as they were about  to leave Shweta teased Ali

Shweta: Haan Haan go after all u can't stay without the love of your life ali gave a smile and walked to the girls with Neil

Riya saw Ali and Neil walking toward them

Riya: look here comes Ali and Neil. Avni and Kia looked ahead to see the boys coming

Kia didn't miss the small smile that Neil and Avni shared

Kia: yaar Avni is that your fiancé?

Avni: hmm

Kia: he is damn hot yaar I swear if I met him before then surely I would have fallen for him

Riya: bad luck baby u r already married.

Kia: I know my mistake she said jokingly

Ali and Neil reached to the girls

Avni: Kia this is Neil he is a police officer and Neil this is ,,,but before she can introduce Kia to Neil Kia introduced herself

Kia: hi I'm Kia Avni Riya and Ali childhood  friend she said extending her hand for a handshake

Neil: nice meeting u Kia he said shaking her hand

Kia: can I ask u something

Neil: yeah sure

Kia: have u been handsome since childhood.. Ali Riya and Avni Smiled at Kia and seen Neil's expression

Neil: kya? He said making sure if he heard the correct thing

Kia: no I mean u r so handsome that any girl could fall for u.. Neil smiled and looked at avni playfully

Neil: thanks for the compliment it feels good when someone else compliments u otherwise people now a days don't praise u ..Avni knew y he said that while looking at him

Avni: that's because praising someone a lot would mean they would start to self praise themselves on everything she said glaring at Neil who smirked at her

Kia: ignore her ...self praising is not a bad thing. I must say Avni is lucky to get a handsome life partner like u Avni rolled her eyes while Neil grinned at her

Neil: thanks again

Kia: u seems like a nice guy Neil so friends?

Neil: friends he same smiling and Kia moved to give him a side hug which Neil accepted while avni shook her head

Avni: two self praisers becoming friends god knows what else I will have to witness she said mumbiling

Prakash was introducing avneil to some of his friends and business partners when suddenly the Dj made an announcement

Dj: this song is dedicated to the two lovely couples from their friends akash and Kia... everyone clapped while Ali and Riya cheered

The lights changed into disco lights.. akash made his entry soon followed by akash and  Kia both dancing on to the song let's nacho

Neil: who is akash he said leaning towards Avni ears whispering so that she can hear him

Avni: Kia husband and our childhood friend she said casually turning towards Neil who turned to look at her when she spoke and at that time their nose touched while they got lost into each other.

Kia moved towards avneil and placed her hands around Both shoulder jumping to the beats which made avneil come out of their staring zone and looked away while giving a sheepish smile to Kia while akash was between aliya dancing with them soon both Kia and akash pulled avneil and aliya to the centre to dance and all started dancing to the song matching the same step. Once the song finished  everyone clapped and avneil looked at each other laughing and gave each other a hi fi

Ali: woah that was fun

Akash: it surely was he said putting his hands around Aman shoulder while looking at Ali

Avni: akash this is Neil and. Neil this is akash Kia husband

Kia: Neil is a police officer akash

Akash: nice meeting u Neil he said moving to give a brotherly hug to Him

Neil: same here

Akash: I must say u must have some charm that Avni agreed to marry u as she has rejected many people which includes me he said dramatically

Neil: really. He said looking at avni and then at akash

Akash: really and I had no choice but to give my heart to Kia he said pulling Kia close to him

Kia: Neil ignore him u will have to get use to his flirting with everyone.

Neil laughed

Shweta: Avni Riya come on the mendhi ladies have come and Neela and hetal r waiting to apply a bit of mendhi on u she said coming towards them.

Kia : hi aunty

Shweta: hi but who r u said finally noticing  akash and Kia

Akash: u forgot us so soon aunty

Shweta: have we met before? She said thinking

Kia: Haan we had met at Neela aunty place for pooja and u had bought some ladoos that this stupid boy finished of

Akash: I was not able to help it the ladoos was tasty and sweet just like Shweta aunty

Neil: yaar at least spare my mom

Akash: no chance

Shweta: oh Teri now I remember akash and Kia right?

Kia: yep.

Shweta: sorry Haan we met few years back and after that never saw u so kind of forgot. Anyways Riya Avni come and Kia u also join and Haan u two also come after a while she said looking at Ali and Neil

Ali: for what ?

Shweta: forgot ? ..we apply a bit of mendhi in the grooms hand

Neil: mom is that needed I mean we r guys

Shweta: so? That has got nothing to do with the tradition

Ali: but aunty it's not necessary

Shweta: oh yes it is . my eyes r on u both akash beta u also keep an eye on these two

Akash: sure aunty . Shweta leaves with the girls

There were some ladies playing dhol while some where dancing in the middle... Neela applied a bit of mendhi on Avni hand ...she looked at Avni with a smile finally happy that her daughter is going to get married soon. Hetal applied mendhi on Riya hand and Riya gave a kiss on her cheeks both the mother moved away from their daughter handing the mendhi cone to the mendhi ladies who started to apply mendhi on Riya and Avni hand

Riya and Avni watch the girls dancing in middle and Kia also joined the girls after getting mendhi put on her hand

Avni and Riya were smiling seen their friend dance so freely the last time they saw her dance was in her own mendhi and sangeet function.

Ketan and Ashish were talking to Prakash and hemant... ketan turned to look at the girls and smiled seen them getting mendhi applied. Riya saw ketan look in their direction and he gave a thumbs up to which she smiled. Avni casually turned to look at Riya and saw her looking at ketan who was smiling at both when her eyes landed on Ashish and at the same time Ashish moves to place his hand on ketan shoulder when he realised ketan was looking elsewhere only to see him looking at the girls. God knows what happened but Avni and Ashish didn't  look away this time and for a sec both remembered a moment that happened years ago

Flashaback
Ashish was busy going through a file when an excited 6 years old Avni ran to his room

Avni: papa papa she said running to ashish and was about to trip when Ashish held her on time

Ashish: Avni carefully Meri jaan u ok? He said making sure she was fine

Avni: Haan papa I am your superstar and nothing can happen to your superstar understand

Ashish: yes my superstar now tell me what made u come running to me like this 

Avni: to show u this she said  showing her hand covered in mendhi

Ashish: mendhi?

Avni: Haan mendhi its nice naa?

Ashish: very nice but what is the special occasion to apply mendhi

Ayesha; no special occasion your daughter was after me for the past two days that she wanted to apply mendhi so today I decided to get mendhi applied on her hand

Avni: papa when I grow up and get married I will get mendhi put on my hands and it will have a very beautiful  design just like diksha bua had in her mendhi function

Ashish: of course Meri Jaan your mendhi function will be the best and grand

Avni: but u both have to dance a lot she said to Ayesha and Ashish

Ayesha: done

Avni: promise

Ayesha: promise

Ashish: pinky promise he said hugging Avni and Ayesha

End of flashback

Ashish looked away while avni also came back to reality and looked away trying to stop the tears from coming out... Ashish excused himself saying he had to make an urgent call

She composed herself when she heard Shweta voice and that is when she realised Neil and Ali were sitting with her and Riya now

Shweta: astha ji as per as the tradition can u apply a bit of mendhi on both the groom hand she said to one of the mendhi lady

She looked at Neil who gestured her asking what happened to which she just shook her head giving A fake smile

Neil: don't lie Avni your eyes r clearly telling a different story. Don't forget I'm a police officer.. he said speaking in a low tone that only she can hear

Avni: I'm fine Neil

Neil : again u r lying. Avni be honest and just say the truth otherwise if u don't want to talk about it then be clear that U don't want to discuss about it I will respect your decision but don't lie

Avni: I don't want to talk about it not at the moment she said after few mins

Neil: and I will respect that he said smiling at her.

Avni: Neil

Neil: hmm

Avni: as u know akash and Kia r my friends and I only told them the reason as to y we r getting married but haven't told them the plan we have made so r u going to be ok with it if they know

Neil: as long as they. Will support us and won't let anyone know I'm fine with it he said looking at her
Avni smiled at Neil

Avni in her head: I wish if i can tell u and the others the exact reason as to y I agreed to get married but I'm helpless Neil's as I promised dadi that I won't tell anyone. She came out of her thoughts when she hears the mendhi lady speak

Mendhi lady: what is the groom name she asked Avni

Avni was about to say that's it not necessary to write any name when dayawanti spoke

Dayawanti: Neil is the groom name. Before the mendhi lady could ask about Ali name he said it himself which made Everyone laugh

Ali: and make sure the name is written in big letter so that it's easy for me to find

Nanno: Ali that cant happen u have  to search for your name on Riya hand so no looking

Riya: sorry no cheating allowed she said looking at Ali playfully while he had a sad look.

Bebe: u boys got mendhi put on your hand now come on have some dinner

Ali: Bebe we will eat later with the girls

Bebe: but they r getting mendhi put on their hand so it will take some time and one of us will have to feed them. So come

Diksha: aunty what is the big deal even the boys can feed them she said winking at Ali

Ali: kya mast idea hain Diksha bua I love u he said throwing a flying kiss at her

Dayawanti : Harleen job u don't have time for your new two friends at least come and sit with us

Bebe: how can u forget u two I was busy meeting some guest but now I'm free she said sitting next to them

After 40 mins the mendhi ladies are finally done with the girls mendhi and Riya and Avni hand were fully covered with beautiful mendhi design

Shweta: come on boys get your food and also get Avni and Riya plate. She said to Neil who were drying their hand as they had washed their hand since the mendhi had dried up

Neil and Ali came back with Their plate along with Riya and Avni while akash and Kia joined them along with Kareena and aman

Ali had started to feed Riya and Neil was about to pick up Avni plate when she stopped him

Avni: Neil wait it's not necessary u eat I will tell mama or someone else to feed me

Neil: it's ok Avni I don't mind feeding u

Avni: I know u don't mind but all this is not needed right she said getting up to look for Neela when Neil nodded at her

Avni was about to move to look for Neela when Neela came along with Shweta

Shweta: oh kuddi where r u going

Avni: woh aunty I was looking for mama so she can feed me as Neil need to eat too and if he feeds me then his food will get cold

Neela: ok come I will ...but she got interrupted  by Shweta

Shweta: u don't worry Avni Neil can feed u and also manage to eat at the same time plus he is quick at eating so don't worry

Avni: but aunty

Shweta: no ifs or buts  come on and sit down.. tillu feed her.

Neil took a spoonful of food from Avni plate and fed her. Both looked at Kia when she spoke

Kia: tillu?

Avni: Haan Shweta aunty calls Neil tillu
But only Bebe and shweta aunty can call him Tillu she said looking at Neil who was trying to hide his embarrassment

Kia: how cute... Tillu sounds so cute Neil

Shweta: even U can call him Tillu Avni after all u r going to be his wife she said leaving from there along with Neela while avni smirked at Neil and he glared at her

Avni: calm down Tillu too much anger is not good for your  health she said trying to control her laugh while Neil was glaring at her putting a piece of roti in her mouth

All got so busy into talking that Neil didn't realise that he started feeding Avni food from his plate while her plate stayed untouched on the side

Once all finished eating

Aman: whose plate is that. Avneil and everyone looked to where aman was pointing at

Avni: that's Neil plate

Neil: no that's your pate my plate is here he said showing the empty plate

Avni: Neil that is my plate as u fed me from that

Neil: no this is my plate as I ate from this plate and I fed u fro... but he stopped when he realised he and Avni ate from the same plate

Kia: aww both of u ate from the same plate as u got busy in talking

Avni: Haan so we only shared a plate no big deal right? She said looking at Neil

Neil: yeah no big deal we r friends and as they say sharing is caring

Avni: guys I need to tell u guys something she said looking at Kia and akash

Kia: about what

Avni: as to y we agreed to get married to each other

Akash: I knew there must have been some solid reason so come on spill it out

Riya : not now it won't be good to talk about it over here  as if someone hears then there will be a problem

Kia: fine u will tell us at your place Avni

20 mins later aman was passing by when he saw Ashish

Aman: dad

Ashish turned around to see aman

Ashish: hey

Aman: dad actually I came to say sorry to u. I shouldn't have spoken to u like that at the engagement function

Ashish: it's ok aman he and patting aman shoulder

Aman: no it's not ok on but dad U need to respect my feelings for Avni Di as I love Both of u and I have a small request if u can't say good things  about Avni Di in front of me then please don't saying anything about her at all he said giving a small hug to ashish before walking away

Avneil were sitting next to each other watching Riya and Ali getting pics taken

Avni: I was thinking about the past

Neil frowned and looked at avni

Avni: when u asked me what happened and I said nothing at that time I remembered a moment where I was with Ayesha maa and Ashish metha talking about how grand my mendhi function should be.

Neil: and it was a grand function right?

Avni: it was but the excitement I had during that time is no longer in me. U know when I remembered that moment I looked at Ashish metha and when he looked at me I Knew he was thinking the same

Neil:. Y don't u talk to him Avni try clearing it all out

Avni: no like I said before I have lost all the hope of talking to him

Bebe: Avni neil u both come now

Neil helped Avni get up making sure her mendhi doesn't get spoilt.. they took few pics in normal pose and after ali and Riya joined them in last.. Avni and Riya were sitting in the middle with their hands up showing their mendhi design while ali and Neil sat besides them leaning against them all four having a small smile on their face

Avni went to the soft drink section where drinks were kept in a glass. She wanted to pick up the glass but then her mendhi would get ruined means she has to hear a long lecture from Neela

Avni: I will go and look for maa she said turning around when she saw Neil in front of her with a glass of juice in his hands

Neil: thirsty?

Avni: very.
Neil moved toward Avni and moved the glass towards her lips and Avni started drinking once satisfied she moved her lips away from The cup

Neil: want more?

Avni: no thank u .

Neil: anytime yaar

Avni was about to go

Neil: Avni stop
Avni turns around Looking  confusingly at Neil while Neil took tissues from the tissue box and went towards Avni

Avni frowned but stiffened when she felt Neil wipes the area around her lips so carefully this was the first time she was noticing his feature so closely.... the way he was wiping around her lips so slowly was Giving weird types of feelings

Neil: done he said throwing the tissue away and turned to look back at avni to see her in the same position
Avni who was still busy staring at Neil came back to reality when Neil waved his hands in front of her

Neil: what Happened to u

Avni: nothing come lets go she said walking away before Neil could question more

Precrap: 😜😜😜 I am not giving any precrap

First of all thank u all for all the motivating comments
I remembered  the scenes but not the exact dialogue however I tried my best with this chapter hope I did justice to it

Thanks to those who voted and commented for the previous chapter it means a lot I hope u all like this chap too will be waiting for all the votes and comments

Also as a reader I want to tell my lovely writers that i haven't stopped reading anyone stories I am still reading them and will comment soon as u all know how long my comments r and I love writing long comments so if u see I have update my story but haven commented for your story don't think that I have stopped reading

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Lots of love Sonali