Avni: its ok u don't need to be sorry

Karan: im really sorry guys ur mood got spoilt because of this guy

Neil: its ok karan no worries we did have a good time while we were here so dw

Karan: ok if u guys need anything else let me know... neil nodded while karan left.

Vidyut got up while neil sat down next to avni and forwarded his hand so she could place her hand on his... he started cleaning the wound and then applied the ointment... He could feel avni moving about slowly when he looked up he saw her eyes were closed and pain was evident on her face... he then blew on it so the stinging goes away while avni opened her eyes feeling him blow on her hand  He then put the bandage around her hand. Vidyut was observing neil at this time

Avni: no thanks

Neil: lets leave he said looking at vidyut  and got up...

All 3 got up and started to leave

Meanwhile at the restaurant everyone had ordered their meal and were eating.

The elders were busy talking about when the functions were going to be held

Bebe: we have two weeks and we need to decide when to start the functions so that we could also let the guest know.

Neela: bebe since we have two weeks how about we have few functions in the first week and then take  few days break and then have the other functions when the wedding is near

Riya: awesome idea I think u should leave the functions dates up to us youngsters we will get it sorted

Ali: exactly and we will add our own tadka to each function

Riya: correct

Prakash : then we also leave it up to u to let the guest know

Abhi: u don't worry about that uncle we will have it all sorted. He said smiling slightly thinking about avneil  getting married when there is too much problem

Dayawanti : that's done then we will let u know what functions r held and u can sort out the date.

Riya: Important announcement

Ashish: u always seem to have an announcement he said jokingly

Riya: not funny... What was I saying
oh yes... I will send some tailors to get measurements done as all the outfits for each functions will be done by my company

Ali: arien wah lets see how good your outfits r

Riya: better than whatever u have worn she said glaring at him while ali laughed.

Mithali : finally there is someone else who can answer back at ali...she mumbled 

She was about to sip her drink when she received a text from vidyut  which said
on our way to drop avni home... didn't go well...

mithali  forwarded the text to abhi who read the text and looked at mithali . Both thinking wt must have happened and how things were for avneil .

Meanwhile in the car avni was thinking about the incident that happened at the party and was thankful that neil and vidyut  found her on time. she was thinking about her incident and what happened with juhi... lost in her thought she didn't realise when they reached to her house...

neil didn't look at her but when he didn't hear the door open or close he slightly turned towards avni and could see that she was thinking about something...

He turned towards vidyut  and gestured him... Vidyut  rolled his eyes at neil and got out of the car and opened the door for avni... he tapped avnis shoulder which scared her as the incident was still in her mind.

Vidyut : relax.. its only us.

Avni: sorry

Vidyut : your house is here now... avni looked out to see the car outside the mansion.

She turned towards neil and for the first time he was looking at her but this time she couldn't see any emotion no concern or coldness just blankness on his face

Avni: thanks u for saving me today she said softly... neil looked at her for few secs but looked away.

Avni got out of the car.

Vidyut  gave her a small hug. She smiled slightly and looked at him and neil for few mins before walking into the mansion.

Avni went straight to her room  and closed the door... she decided to have a shower so she can feel a little better.... After 40 minutes avni came out drying her hair.

She felt a little better....When she was about to walk towards the dressing table she saw abhi in her room

Avni: abhi bhai when did u come

Abhi: about 10 mins... come here...

avni went near him and sat down next to him on the bed

Avni: what happened?

Abhi: u tell me what happened ...mithali  forwarded me vidyut  text when we were at the restaurant...

Avni looked at abhi for few secs and narrated everything that happened at the party while abhi was angry at the person who tried to force himself on his sister. Avni saw abhi angry look and squeezed his hand

Avni: im fine abhi bhai he was not able to do anything as vidyut  and neil came on time... even last time neil came on time when raj had molested juhi and this time even neil was there when the same thing was about to happen to me she said looking into space

Abhi: give him some time avni its not easy for someone to forget something like this... now come on get some nice sleep... he kissed avni forehead and left the room.

Meanwhile at the khanna mansion.

Neil walked into his room followed by vidyut

Vidyut : u still care for her... neil who was taking his watch of turned around

Neil: y u asking me that?

Vidyut : im not asking u dude...im telling u

Neil: then let me tell u no I don't care about her
.
Vidyut : don't lie neil when u were cleaning her wound I saw the concern in ur eyes... when that guy was touching avni inappropriately I saw anger in ur eyes as if u were trying to say nobody can touch her except u

Neil; its nothing like that ...out of humanity I was cleaning her wound vidyut  and yes nobody can touch her because in few weeks she will be married to me... She made my life a hell by accusing me. I will make sure her life is not great for her after two weeks.

Vidyut : u wont do anything like that neil... even if u try to I know u wouldn't stoop that low anyways gd night. He said leaving the room as he knew nothing can get into his friend head right now...

Neil went towards the balcony and stood there. Vidyut  words were coming into his mind along with the incident that happened at the party...

he walked towards his cupboard and opened it.

There was a small drawer placed inside the cupboard.

He took out the keys to open it and placed his hand inside to take an envelope out which had avni's name on it.... he looked at it with tears in his eyes but all of a sudden he angrily placed it back in the drawer and closed the cupboard angrily.

Next morning

Vidyut  was doing push up when neil joined him.

Both smiled at each other and continued with their workout.

Meanwhile at avni's place avni had got ready around 7am it self... when she came down she saw madhavi tai cleaning up as nobody was down yet.

Madhavi: avni didi where r u going.

Avni: I will be back soon just tell everyone that I have a surprise for them when they come and with that she left quickly while madhavi looked at her in a confusion and then continued with her work.

Around 7:30 avni reached outside juhi house.

When she went In she was greeted by lalit uncle who was reading his newspaper...

she took blessing of him and sat down next to him,

Lalit: what a pleasant surprise beta how comes u r here so early.

Avni: well I have come to pick juhi , I told her I have a surprise for her... I was going to come a little late but I didn't want to risk it as dad and abhi bhai would go to office and then probably mama and dadi would go and see how their business is doing.  me taking juhi to an empty house would be a waste and then she will have to wait till dinner time to probably meet everyone... lalit laughed seeing how avni spoke in one go

Lalit: so ur surprise for juhi is to take her to ur
place so she can meet everyone

Avni: bingo

Lalit: beta u do know that juhi would probably be sleeping

Avni: u don't worry I will wake her up... Lalit nodded and avni went to juhi room

When avni entered juhi room she saw her sleeping.

Avni moved towards the window and open opened the curtains so the sun light could spread into the room.

Avni went and sat next to juhi and tried to wake her up

Avni: juhi wake up come on it 7:30

Juhi: that is early let me sleep she said still with her eyes closed

Avni: ok fine sleep but then forget about ur surprise...

Hearing the word surprise juhi opened her eyes and looked at avni... she slowly got up and sat next to avni on the bed

Juhi: what is the surprise? Where is it?

Avni; well for that u have to get ready now come on get up and freshen up she said moving away from the bed and helped juhi to get to the washroom while juhi was having a shower

avni started choosing an outfit for her...

Around 7:50am juhi came out of the washroom and avni gave her the clothes and she went to the changing room to get ready.

When she came out avni did her hair.

Avni: juhi where r ur tablets?

Juhi: in the first drawer. Avni opened the drawer and placed the small packet in her purse

Avni: come lets go.

Avniand juhi headed out and said bye to lalit.

Juhi got in the car. But before avni started the car she blindfolded juhi.

Juhi: avni what the hell r u doing.

Avni: surprise is a surprise. I don't want u to know where we r going.

Juhi: ughhh I hate u

Avni; love u too she said starting the car.

Around 8:15 avni reached to the mansion a bit early because of less traffic.

She got out of the car and went to juhi side helping her get out of the car.

Juhi: avni at least let me take the blind fold off.

Avni: juhi just few minutes more I promise. Juhi nodded and avni.slowly started taking her when they entered inside and hid behind the pillar...

avni made sure if everyone was down yet. She slowly checked the dining area and saw everyone at the dining table and knew that nobody had started breakfast yet as madhavi and neela were bringing the food from the kitchen.

She went behind the pillar again and took out juhi blind fold but before juhi could speak avni covered her mouth.

Avni: shh don't talk loudly everyone is at the dining table.

Juhi looked a little confused but when she saw the other part of the mansion she knew she was at avni place.

Juhi: is everyone here? She whispered

Avni: yes when we go near the dining area u hide behind me. It will be a surprise for all of u to see each other at the same time. juhi smiled getting very happy.

Juhi hid behind avni while avni started walking ahead...

ashish noticed avni walking towards them

Ashish: avni beta where did u go early in the
morning. Madhavi said that u have a surprise for us.

Avni: haan papa I do

Dayawanti : what is the surprise beta.

Avni smiled and moved to the side so everyone can see juhi... abhi was surprised to see juhi... While ashish, neela, riya and dayawanti  were shocked but happy to see juhi after 3 years.

While juhi had a big smile on her face.. all moved towards her.  Neela held juhi from the shoulder and then slowly cupped her cheeks and gave a peck on her forehead.

Neela: I still cant believe u have finally came
back. How r u beta?

Juhi: all good neela ma... She said with tears of happiness in her eyes.

Ashish: beta u don't know how much we all missed u whenever I met lalit I always asked him when u would come back from new York. But he kept on saying u wanted to stay there a little longer.

Avni and juhi looked at each other.

Dayawanti : and here I thought u would come for ur best friends engagement but u didn't turn up and even lalit was out of station that day

Abhi: u guys r too much here juhi has came and u guys r just making her stand at least invite her to the dining table . But before that let me give u a big hug he said hugging juhi he said changing the topic so nobody questions juhi more

Riya: now only I am left. happy to have u back juhi di. Now come and sit with us and have breakfast she said taking juhi hand.. everyone sat down.

Dayawanti : avniI must admit ur surprise was the best

Avni smiled

Ashish: juhi beta when did u arrive in india

Juhi: I came yesterday uncle . So I called avni and she gave the idea of surprising she said looking at avni who smiled at her.

Neela: juhi here take some juice

Juhi: thanks neela ma

Riya: juhi didu u staying here till dinner time.

Abhi: y till dinner time juhi could stay here for the night or as many days as she wants

Juhi: that's sweet of u abhi bhai but u know dad would be alone and I don't want to leave him alone after so many years. The other nodded as they thought that juhi is probably talking about been in new York alone but only avni and abhi knew what she actually meant... and yes riya I will be staying till dinner time

Abhi: cool and we will come to drop u of. All continued having breakfast...

after 30 mins ashish and abhi had left to go office. While neela, avni, dayawanti , riya and juhi were sitting in the living area.

Riya: juhi di now that u r back let me tell u one thing

Juhi: what rii?

Riya: that yesterday we youngsters decided that we will make arrangements of the functions that will be held before the wedding.  once we r sure that is sorted we r going to make sure that the wedding goes well along with the other functions held after that so im sorry di but u have no chance to relax and im not asking u but im telling u that u r helping us out in this as we only have about two weeks before the wedding?

Juhi: of course im in riya after all its my besites wedding

Riya: cool and u will get to meet others by the way u haven't seen neil bhai yet. Juhi looked at avni and then acted surprise

Juhi: nope I haven't plus avni.didn't show a pic of him to me as she said when I get here then I would meet him in person.

Dayawanti : ok beta u guys continue talking me and neela have to leave for some event and then go to see how the workers r doing at the office.

Juhi: bye see u guy soon.

Riya: wait even I will come I just need to see an outfit before it gets sent off. All 3 left while it was only avni and juhi left

Avni: so how did u like the surprise?

Juhi: It was the best. Thank u so much u don't know how happy I was to see everyone,

Avni: im glad u liked it baby. Now here take ur tablet .

avni got juhi a glad of water and gave her a tablet.

Juhi: thanks

Avni: u want to rest for a bit as u woke up early, and u do seem a little tired

Juhi: yh I guess so chal lets go...

they headed to avni room. Avni covered juhi with the blanket and was stroking juhi head. ..Once she was sure juhi slept she went towards the table and sat down to continue working on the client file that she and mithali  were working on together. She was so busy into her work that it had been an hour that she had got a call from abhi. She quickly answered it so juhi doesn't wake up by the sound and went outside closing the door carefully.

Avni: hey abhi bhai.

Abhi: hey sorry I know I disturbed ur time with ur bestie but first I want to know  r the others around?

Avni: nope they all went out as they had their own work to do. Juhi is sleeping so I was doing my office work what happened though.

Abhi: avni do u member we went to the police station 3 days ago and the inspector said the case hearing is after 3 days meaning it was today?

Avni: today? Abhi bhai I actually forgot about it,

Abhi: yh it was meant to be in the afternoon around 12 but I didn't remind u as I didn't want u to attend.

Avni: what do u mean it was meant to be?

Abhi: the case hearing is tomorrow at the same time. if u don't want to go u don't have to

Avni: no abhi bhai I will come, I actually want to hear the court punish that guy she said angrily

Abhi: I know  avni  but I just didn't want u to be more hurt by seen him

Avni: abhi bhai I will be more hurt if I don't see him getting punished.

Abhi: ok do inform juhi though she will have to be at the court

Avni: I will do and what about lalit uncle

Abhi: I already spoke to him and he said he will be coming.

Avni: ok

Abhi : now I will leave u alone ok u do your work and I will go ahead with my meetings bye

Avni: bye abhi bhai...

once she cut the call she was thinking about how she forgot about the court hearing day. She went back to her room to see juhi sleeping peacefully she went to the other side of the bed and looked at Juhi while stroking her head. Thinking about all the incidents from meeting raj then Neil... then the incident that happened at uni which changed everyone's life and how she blamed Neil. While thinking about all this she didn't realise when she fell asleep.

Avni woke up after few hours when she saw the time it was about 1pm....She sat up straight and turned to juhi side but got confused when she didn't find juhi anywhere. She checked in the washroom but there was no sign of her She decided to go and check down while calling her name...mShe was about to call out to juhi again when she heard familiar voices coming from downstairs.

She walked down the stairs and was looking towards the hall when she saw. Shweta,  along with mithali , vidyut , Neil and bebe. Sitting with Neela, dayawanti  and juhi. She kind of relaxed when she saw juhi.

She walked  towards the living room

Neela : look here comes avni...

Everyone turned towards avni which made her awkward as she always hates it when everyone is always looking at her. She smiled slightly and bent to take shanti blessing while shweta  hugged her and made her sit next to her.

Shweta : beta u feeling ok

Avni:  yes Aunty y what happened

Shweta : no it's just that your sweet friend told us your sleeping so we thought u might be not feeling well

Avni: no I was just a little tired and didn't realise when I slept.

Bebe : beta y r looking a little tensed.

Avni: no dadi its nothing like that.

Neela: now that avni is here I will go and see if lunch is ready

Avni: nobody ate yet?

Shweta : no beta neela was going to serve lunch but I told her we will wait for u... neela come even I will help u... neela nodded and both she and shweta  headed towards the kitchen.

Bebe: so juhi... Now that u r here I hope u will be with ur best friend during all the functions.
Juhi: ji dadi.

Dayawanti : harleen I just remembered I was going to show u something come with me... both she and bebe also left leaving the youngsters alone.

Juhi: oye handsome y r u quite she said moving to neil and linked her arounds him.

Neil: y do u think like that?

Juhi: u r and since I came back from hospital u never called me or came to see me in fact I was surprised that this duffer came she said looking at vidyut .

Vidyut : oh hello this is not fair u call me a duffer despite the fact that I came to see u and neil didn't come to see u and u still call him handsome.

Juhi: that is because neil is handsome so I will call him handsome only and u r duffer so obviously I will call u duffer...

mithali  and avni smiled seen their small cute arguments..

avni casually looked at neil and saw him sitting in between juhi and vidyut  but he seemed comfortable and calm... though he didn't look towards her...

Avni looked away slowly and her thoughts went back to when abhi called her... after few mins she felt mithali  slightly shaking her.

Avni: what happened she said looking at everyone to see neil also looking at her.

Mithali : where were u lost juhi was saying something to u.

Avni: sorry what where u saying juhi

Juhi: I was saying y didn't u tell me about last night incident that happened to u at the party... u know vidyut  told me just now.

Avni: I forgot juhi  and I didn't want u to worry.

Juhi : what do u mean u didn't want me to worry if something like this would have happened to me then u...

juhi  stopped speaking as she realised what she was saying... Something like this had happened to her... tears started welling in her eyes before avni could go and comfort juhi .. neil pulled her in a hug...

Avni was not sure if she should go near juhi  as she was sitting right next to neil... she was thinking if she should go near juhi  or not but finally she decided she will...

avni got up and went near to neil and bent down sitting on her knees in front of juhi  who was still in neil arm. Avni took juhi  hand that was laying on her lap.

Avni: im sorry ... the reason y I didn't tell u was because I didn't want u to remember the incident that happened to u few years ago... I know u still haven't recovered with whatever happened in the past and it will take time. but juhi  raj will get his punishment he doesn't deserve to be set free after what he has done to u... if... if neil hadn't reached on time then he would have rap...juhi  vijay bhai called... tomorrow is the case hearing date. We have to go to the court tomorrow.

Vidyut : what time is the hearing date? Avni looked at vidyut .

Avni: at 12pm... the hearing date was meant to be today but it got cancelled...

while avni was saying all this juhi  looked at avni...

She moved out of neils arm and pulled avni in a hug.

Juhi : don't say sorry u r not at fault... but just tell me anything that happens...we have never hidden anything from each other. U all r here with me so with time I will recover. They both broke the hug and avni was about to go and sit back but juhi  held on to her hand.

Avni: what happened? Juhi  took neil hand and placed it on top of avni.. both were a little shocked

Juhi : I know things r not good with u both... but now u r both going to get married... u both need to be each other support system. I actually want to see that friendship between u two that I saw few years back...whatever happened has happened now forget it. For everyone sake... for both of ur family sake... avneil looked at each other...

Screen spilt into two...Avni looking at neil with a forgiving look while neil looked at her angrily.

Precrap: no precrap

So here is another update from me..

Thanks to the comments and votes on the previous chap

Will be waiting for comments and votes

Lots of love