Hey guys,

We are finally at the end of our suspenseful tention filled journey!

I will not say too much except that it'll answer ALL your questions & give you a few you did not even expect!!

So without wasting much of your time, Happy Reading!

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Chapter 10: Pakode!

Today was an important day for Neil. If all went according to plan, it would mark a major turning point in his & Avni's life!

She had been trying really hard to get him to confess about his 'secret' activities to all. But he had been escaping her efforts time and again because this was 'his production' and he wanted the 'final reveal' to be 'directed' by him only, hence today's housewarming party!

Their friends didn't know it yet, but they were in for a big surprise! Everything was ready. Now all he needed to do was hope that his lady enjoyed his final surprise!

By all known standards, Neil's party was a roaring success. The house was filled with natural laughter and warmth. Everyone present was enjoying themselves! The food, drinks, & company were all beyond compare!

Unknown to Neil's intentions, Avni too was happily chatting away with Mitali when suddenly a hush fell on the room!

Disconcerted, Avni turned around to find Neil bent on one knee in front of her, arms extended, holding a cloth covered tray in his hands!

The anticipation in the room for what was coming next was almost palpable!

Amidst so many watchful eyes, Avni raised anxious ones towards Neil. But the gentle encouragement there, gave her the courage to come forward and unveil the tray.

Underneath, she found the now discernible envelope sitting atop a plate of mix pakoras.

At the collective gasp from their audience, Neil immediately declared, "Hey! Don't look at me like that! I'm just the messenger guys!"

Narrowing her eyes at Neil's balant deception, Avni nonetheless opened the envelope to read the note from her lovable & cute yet lying, stubborn, mastikhor, Secret Admirer.

This one read:

'Avni,

I Love You!!

Not just because of who you are But also because of who I am when I am with you!

My heart is all wrapped up in you, just like these pakoras are wrapped in their batter.

So, Please Be Mine!

Promising to be Yours Always,

Your Not-so Secret Admirer,

Neil!'

In that moment, time stopped for Avni! These were the very words that she had been waiting to hear for so so long!

The people around her disappeared and only she & Neil remained!

Her happiness knew no bounds! She wanted to dance with joy and scream her contentment to the world!

More than that, she just wanted to jump up & hug & kiss Neil senseless! But her natural competitive spirit rose to the surface pulling her back from the brink of ecstasy!

She couldn't just let him treat her like this...pulling her close one minute then pushing her away the next!

He needed to be taught a lesson! She knew he had planned this event specifically for this purpose only. And now his plan was about to enjoy a Avni style 'tadka'!

Ignoring the whispered sharing of details around the room, Avni gently tapped the shoulder of the still kneeling Neil.

He immediately sprung up & tried to take Avni's hand in his. In his eagerness, what he missed was the devilish glint in his lady's eyes!

The murmurs in the room died down the moment Avni harshly pulled her hand from Neil's! The expressions on his face were almost comical...an unholy mix of suspended delight and astonished disbelief!

Looking at his face, it took all of Avni's efforts to not Laugh Out Loud! She employed heroic efforts to control herself and not spoil the ensuing fun!

"But...", he tried. "I need time to think Neil, I can't decide just like that!", replied Avni harshly, cutting him off mid sentence.

"But Avni...listen...", Neil tried again, but she just imperiously held up her hand to make him stop.

"Neil please, uptil now, you've done whatever you've wanted to. But this is my life & I will make my decisions without any pressure from anybody!", Avni said a bit roughly.

The festive atmosphere had suddenly taken a turn towards tenseville.

Avni's behaviour was astonishing for everyone! Her rudeness was unwarranted and thoroughly disproportionate against Neil's actions!

"If I had proposed to some other girl...", began Neil peevishly.

"Don't you dare Neil Khanna", Avni's stormy response immediately cut Neil off. "Aisa sochna bhi mat!", she threatened!

"Merey alawa kisi aur key baarey mein socha bhi to...", saying so she advanced towards Neil aggressively.

Holding him by his collar with one hand and poking his chest with the finger of the other, she boldly declared, "tum sirf mere ho, Mrs. Avni Neil Khanna key, samjhey?"!
The stunned silence that met Avni's fiery announcement made her realize what she had uttered in the heat of the moment and in front of how many!

She instantly raised contrite eyes towards Neil only to find him grinning like a loon with suspiciously wet eyes!

Dazed at what she had inadvertently let known to others, Avni was even more amazed at her husband's relaxed reaction at the whole situation!

She couldn't fathom how Neil was so cool about her outing their well-kept secret so unceremoniously and that too in front of all their friends! In his place she would have blown a gasket by now!

Biting her lips in uncertainty, hesitantly Avni began, "Neil I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to..." But Neil didn't let her finish! Shaking his head in the negative, he took her clasped hands in his own & gently brought her closer to him.

Looking deep into her soul through her eyes Neil sincerely said, "why are you sorry sweetheart? You don't know how happy you've made me today! When it has always been me wanting to shout out my claim on you, today it was you, Mrs. Avni Neil Khanna, who staked her claim on me, that too publically! By asserting your right on me so openly, you've fulfilled my deepest desire!"

Avni looked on in wonder as Neil continued, "I couldn't have asked for a better gift today. Happy First Anniversary Wifey!", saying so he gently gathered his still shell-shocked biwi in his arms & lightly butted his head against hers!

"Happy Anniversary Neil", she returned shyly.

"So?", he asked a confused Avni. "What's your answer to your Secret Admirer's request?", he teasingly reminded her.

Looking deep into her husband's love-filled eyes, Avni replied, "Always!"

The sudden hoots, cheers, and clapping brought the already-married love birds out of their own intimate cocoon to realize that they had an audience who though had heard & seen everything, were still confused!

Slinging his arm against a surprisingly shy Avni and tucking her close to his side, Neil explained to everyone present, how they had met almost a year & a half ago & after a 6 month courtship had gotten married with the blessings of both their families!

But considering they were still building their professional careers in their respectively chosen fields, they had decided to dedicate themselves wholly to their trainings & to begin their married life in earnest only once they were a bit settled!

But being so near yet being unable to openly display their feelings for each other was hard on both of them.

Unable to bear this distance and for a chance to cheer and tease his Wifey a bit, had what made Neil come up with this Secret Admirer plan!

The 10 food gifts was a total random choice of number & items on his part, though each food item had a special memory attached to it which was a treasure for both Avni & Neil.

Also, even though they hadn't planned on revealing their relationship yet, Neil was not unhappy! He could now publically romance his wife as he had been wanting to do for ages!

That statement was met with more hoots and cat calls!

Leaving the revellers to themselves, Avni and Neil once again turned towards each other.

"I Love You Avni", confessed Neil softly. "I Love You Neil", confessed Avni equally softly. "Promise me that you'll continue writing me these love notes", demanded Avni. Without missing a beat Neil promised, "Forever!"

A little apart from all the joyous celebration, sat a sad lonely soul, lamenting this turn of fate, when a sympathetic hand on his shoulder short-circuited his melancholic thoughts!

Startled, he looked up to find a pair of sympathetic eyes offering comfort & support to his dejected spirits.

Taking solace, he shook sad thoughts out of his head and gave a tentative yet genuine smile to his well-wisher. Determined, henceforth, to not look back & only move forward!

The End

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So, how was it? Did we manage to shock you? Gave you a surprise you didn't even expect? Are you happy about the twist or not? Comment & let us know!

Also Epilogue Anyone.??

Love
Riyal