Dhruvee007 like I said the next chap is dedicated to u as your birthday gift here it is .. sorry that it got delayed

After eating Avni went to get her bag while Neil wondered where was avni going.. Neil saw her go and followed after few mins to see her zipping her bag taking few of her stuff

Neil:what r u doing?

Avni:Neil i wont be here for few days so take these medicine on time and do tell maa or Bebe if u need anything

Neil: where r u going

Avni:to stay at the metha mansion for few days so u have some freedom.. no lectures from me she said shrugging her shoulders

Neil was getting mixed feeling he was surprised and worried at the same time

Neil:but y r u going?... avni looked at him confusingly

Avni:maa wanted me to stay there for few to spend some time and even bebe and Shweta maa agreed..she walked out of the room while Neil wasn't happy with the news

Neil pov
Neil:wait wait wait.. y am I feeling like worried.. she is only going to the metha house for few days and then will be back.. I sounded so... weird I guess when I asked her... like the thought of her not been here giving me medicine, taking care of me, scolding me will feel like something will be missing.. in these few days I can feel her absence be it even for few hours and here she will be gone for few days...... Neil.. neil just calm down.. u have other things to do that can keep u busy right... don't think and stress too much.

He walked downstairs to see avni sitting next to neela on the couch and went down before they left.

Neela: shall we leave now she said looking at dayawanti

Dayawanti:of course

Avni moved to hug shweta, prakash and bebe.. while Neil looked on sadly not knowing y he is feeling like that when the metha family came to hug him, he moved his eyes away from avni and looked at them..

30 minutes later

Neil was pacing in his room back and forth with hands on hips ...

( it's only been 30 mins without avni and this is Neil's state... bechara.. )

He looked at the time which showed 2:30pm.

Neil:what's the point of looking at the time. It's not like it's going to go in a quick mode

while walking his feet got hurt thanks to the bed leg

Neil:great today is just not my day he said annoyingly and sat on the bed holding his feet tightly to reduce the pain.

At that time Shweta walked in and saw Neil in that position

Shweta:oh my gods tillu what happened she said walking towards him and sat down.

Neil:nothing mom I was walking and by accident hit my feet against the bed leg noth.....before he could continue shweta spoke.

Shweta: what shall I do with u tillu always in a rush... avni is right u never take care of yourself properly and just do what u want to do...no wonder she came to check on u all the time.

Neil: mom.

Shweta: be quiets... it's good she called me and reminded me about your medicine.. otherwise if I hadnt come here u wouldn't let us know about your injury...

Neil in his head: great she had to call mom and remind her to have my medicine .. she could have called me directly and tell me but no this is avni.. he thought annoyingly at the fact that she didn't call him

Shweta: wait here.. I'll get some ointment... she said seen little bit of blood near his toe.

Once shweta left Neil got busy looking at his wound.

Neil:if avni was here this wouldn't have happened to u.. and y r u so careless.. she has gone for few days and u r acting like she has gone for a month.. urgh this feeling... what is it... he said grabbing the bed sheet with the other hand confused with his emotions

Meanwhile at the metha mansion avni excused herself saying she is going to keep her bag in the room once she came into her room she placed her mini bag down and smiled... last time when she came was during her pag phere time which wasn't long ago but still it felt like it's been long

Avni:even if it's been a short period of time it still feels like a long time.. she looked around to see the pics on her wall which wasn't taken of but saw new ones added next to the old one.

However her eyes stopped on a picture which had her and Neil posing with their caps... seen the pic reminded her of Neil... she had called Shweta few mins ago reminding her about to give Neil his medicine and saw how neela and Aladdin were smiling at her making her confused.

Avni: I hope Neil has taken his medicine... I'm sure he has.. as Shweta ma would have given it to him...

She looked at the picture again when a frown appeared on her face.

Avni:y was it like Neil was acting different today.. he was actually answering me back otherwise I would usually get small answers from him and that to in a different way but today.... she got a little thoughtful

Avni:no avni maybe u r just overthinking. This is kadhoos khanna ... she said shrugging it of not paying much attention and went down.

It was around 7pm

Somehow Neil's time went quickly as Ali had came over to see him and then he spoke to Vidyut on the phone.. he then had dinner with everyone downstairs while Shweta gave him his medicine and also got some scolding from bebe for not taking care while prakash was enjoying all this with a smile.

After sitting with the family Neil came into his room... which for some reason felt empty for him.. he looked at the couch which avni usually sleeps on and sat down on it...

Neil: y does it feel different without u avni.. it feels like something is missing.. now I just feel like annoying u like old time... just to see u get angry while it makes me laugh knowing that anger won't last more than a minute... what has changed in these few days that I somewhere just want u to be around he thought.. he rested his head on the cushion while still thinking with one hand behind his head and the other on his stomach when sleep took over him after a while

Bebe who was going to her room stopped when she saw Neil bedroom door opened.... when she came inside she looked towards the bed to find the bed empty and frowned to not find Neil there but then her eyes moved towards the couch and saw her grandson sleeping there.

Bebe: this boy fell asleep here... when he could have slept on the bed.. she smiled and took the blanket from the bed and covered Neil with it stroking his head when she remembered something.

Flashback
Bebe: avni beta get another blanket.

Avni:ji bebe she said walking to the wardrobe.. as avni was about to come back with the blanket she was nearly about to bump into the small table when everyone told her to be careful and due to that happening Bebe, prakash and shweta also saw the pillow and blanket on the couch

End of flashback

Bebe:that time I knew avni was sleeping on the couch... but now seen u sleep here on this couch I can say that somewhere u r missing her tillu otherwise u wouldnt have slept here.. and I hope u r realising that .. she smiled and caressed his head once again and turned off the lights and closed the door before going

Avni was with riya on the terrace while they were speaking to Juhi about the sangeet on the phone

Juhi: girls listen.. sangeet is in few days how about u come to my place the day after tomorrow so we can practice a day before the sangeet.

Avni: y not tommrow.

Juhi:because tomorrow i have to go and teach dance to some students

Riya:fair enough for us.

Juhi: besides I'm sure we all will remember the steps clearly

Avni:hello I'm not good at dancing

Riya: correction u wasn't now u r

Juhi: exactly I can remember how u danced at my engagement... Avni facepalm herself while Riya giggled

Avni: yeah after all u r our dance teacher nobody can make any mistake if u teach them

Riya: exactly by the way u r showing us the steps right.

Juhi: of course not it's my sangeet and for once I
Would want someone else to teach me.and I know someone.. she also helps out at the work shop and also is mama's friends

Avni:ohhh that's nice.

Juhi: ok now good night and see u both the day after tommrow

Riya/avni:bye they both said together..

Riya:chal avni let's go to sleep too... I have to reach to work early.. Avni nodded and hugged Riya and both left to their room.

As Avni got to her room she closed the door and took the pillow and blanket moving towards the couch.. she placed her pillow on the couch and was about to lay down when she stopped realising what she is doing

Avni: what's wrong with u avni.. this is your room.. u r not at the khanna house but metha house... how did i not remember that this is my room.. u r mad Avni totally mad.. she got up and took her pillow and blanket and placed it on the bed... however she smacked her head playfully with a smile on her face not able to forget what she did right now.

Avni: there is no kadhoos khanna so u can sleep on your bed.. besides he will be sleeping peacefully on his bed and u can enjoy on your bed for few days she said laying down and closed her eyes.

The screen split into two one side a sleeping Neil on the couch and the other side avni on the bed. With both having a small smile on their face

The next day.

Avni was sleeping peacefully.. aman came into the room slowly and went near her.. he moved his face closer to her ears and after 3 seconds

Aman: diduuuuuuuuuuu he said loudly in her ear making avni get up with a jerk.

Aman cracked up seen Avni reaction while she was still recovering from the mini attack she was about to have

Aman: omg....diduuu...jus....just look at....your expression

Avni: aman ke bachien she said grabbing a pillow to hit him while he moved away still laughing.

Aman:I should have taken a picture but may be next time. He said running out of the room with avni running after him

Avni:aman stopp

Dayawanti who was doing aarti with neela and nanno came out to see aman and avni while ketan came out his room hearing all the noise and alladin who was sitting on the couch looked up... riya who was doing her hair came out to see what all the noise was all about.

Riya:what the hell aman she said when he took of her clip and messed her hair.

Avni:aman I said wait

Riya: hold on avni let me join u to catch him she said running behind avni while the whole family was watching with amusement

Riya and avni somehow got to aman and pushed him on the couch.. both took a pillow and started hitting aman with it

Aman:arien stop will u beat me black and blue I'm not even married yet

Riya:u should have thought before annoying us

Avni: now pay for it... and both started hitting him while all chuckled seen a scene like this after a long time.

Ketan:ok enough now.. let him breath

Riya:dad don't support him

Ketan:I'm not ...but just see there is two of u and he is all alone beside he is your younger brother na

Avni:chachu don't give him too much love

Dayawanti:stop now come all everyone get back to what u was doing..

Avni:aman metha watch what I do to u she said smiling naughtily and winked at riya... and both left while aman shrugged it of thinking Avni wouldnt do anything.

Later on after breakfast avni was trying to get in contact with sahil or diksha..since they worked in the same office she thought if she could get through one of them it would be great so that she can know how they r doing and also if there is any problem at the orphanage

Avni: where r these two.. they r just not answering .. as avni was saying this Dayawanti entered the room

Dayawanti:who isn't answering avni.

Avni turned around to see dayawanti

Avni:dadi I was trying to call bua and my friend but they r not answering

Dadi: I had tried to call diksha during your wedding time but she didnt answer but later on i had seen her voicemail that she sent me earlier where she mentioned she is going out of country for some NGO work and the network may not be good there thats y

Avni:oh no wonder .. dadi my friend would be with bua then since they work together.. I was worried for a second.. I'll call at the orphanage to see how things r then. .. but wait did u want anything.

Dayawanti :no actually me and Fatima were planning to watch a movie so thought u might want to join us since neela and hetal went out and it's only us two

Avni: give me few mins and I'll join u both.. Dayawanti nodded and left.

Dayawanti: ok

Avni called at the orphanage and got to know things r going ok...she told her workers to call her if any problem and ended the call.

She went down and spent time with dayawanti and nanno watching movie.

Meanwhile at the khanna mansion

Neil was sitting downstairs while playing a game in the game room.. however his mind kept drifting back to what avni must be doing at the moment and then convinced him self that she will be coming back tomorrow anyway trying to act cool

Bebe: Neil

Neil: haan bebe.

Bebe: shall we make brownies she asked knowing her grandson was lost in his thoughts and decided to drift his mind

Neil:u r making them he asked smiling

Bebe:yes only if u would help

Neil:of course bebe he said and got up ...there was three reason as to y he said yes one was because he wanted to keep bebe happy not wanting to give her any type of "stress* second was he wanted to distract himself from thinking about avni for a bit and third was brownie is his favourites and he can never say no to that

Neil got busy in helping bebe make some brownies while he would now and then keep licking the batter enjoying the chocolaty taste while Bebe smile and then told him to concentrate

Later on in the evening.

Neil was in his room after that as vidyut had called to update about the culprit they had caught while Neil added few of his tips

Once he ended the call he looked at the time

Neil: just few more hours and then u will be back Avni he thought smiling... he didn't know y he was happy that he would be finally seen her tomorrow and she would be back in this room and back in the khanna mansion.. he then tried to behave normally not wanting to smile stupidly in front of his family and went down after controlling his new unknown feelings

He went down to see his mom and bebe sitting on the couch smiling away on the iPad.. ... he was wondering what they were doing when they heard avni's voice. He slowly moved behind shweta and bebe who were busy speaking to avni and also made it sure to not let Avni see him behind shweta and bebe.. he silently reached to a corner where shweta and bebe were sitting and saw avni from a distance.

Neil smiled seen her happily talking away to shweta and bebe... while she was telling them what she did and also enquired about what they did.. Bebe told avni that she and Neil made brownies and avni made bebe promise that next time bebe has to teach her the special recipe of how to make brownies to which bebe agreed on.

Avni: acha I wanted to say that tomorrow I.....but suddenly her screen went blank

Shweta: where did she dissapear

Avno: great I forgot to charge my iPad... what will happen to u Avni she said shaking her head.

Bebe:maybe network problem.. or battery

Shweta:maybe.

Avni:I'll call them in a bit and tell them that I'll be staying at Juhi house tomorrow for rehearsal... otherwise they would think I'll be coming back tomorrow.

Bebe: how long will it take for prakash to get here

Shweta: he should be coming any moment

Bebe: till then let me call Neil.. she said about to get up

Neil:I'm here bebe... shweta and bebe turned around hearing his voice

Bebe:what were u doing there

Neil: u both were speaking to avni and I didn't want to disturb u

Bebe: didn't want to disturb us or wanted to see avni she said teasingly... Neil was taken back

Neil:no... I didnt..U know dis... he was saying when bebe interrupted

Bebe: no I'm silly to think like that... of course u wouldn't want to disturb us I mean y would u want to see avni right... Neil again got surprised with what bebe said

Shweta:chalo bebe let's get dinner ready till then.. Bebe nodded and both left while she looked at Neil from the corner of her eyes before going.

Shweta and bebe were getting everything ready when she received Avni call

Shweta:bebe one minute avni is calling she said and answered.

Avni: shweta ma I'm sorry I had forgotten to charge the iPad and realised after when my screen went blank

Shweta: it's ok beta me and bebe were thinking something like that would have happen... what time u coming tommrow

Avni:ma actually me and riya will be going to Juhi house to stay there tomorrow as we will be practicing for the sangeet and also help her family with All the arrangements so I'll be coming back The day after tomorrow once The sangeet ends.

Shweta:ohh.. ok that's fine avni we will see u at juhi sangeet then.

Avni:ok Shweta ma.. and is Neil taking medicine on time

Shweta:no problem and yes he has to after all me and bebe r after him all the time.

Avni:ok bye she said smiling

Once shweta cut the call she told bebe what avni said and bebe nodded.

At dinner time

All were seated to have dinner

Prakash: Neil if u r going to pick Avni up tommrow don't go alone take the driver..
Neil was about to nod and speak when Shweta spoke

Shwwta:prakash ji avni isn't coming tommrow... Neil looked at shweta straight away with a frown

Prakash:I thought she was coming tommorw

Bebe:she was but avni called shweta and told her that she and riya r going to juhi house tomorrow for sangeet rehearsal so we would see her at the sangeet...

Neil wasn't happy hearing this... he somehow finished his food and left to his room giving an excuse to rest.. while Bebe told him to take his medicine as she will come to check... Neil nodded and left

Once he reached to his room he sat on the couch.

Neil: just dont think about her Neil... otherwise u will lose it.. over here u were waiting for her to come back but no madam will be staying with juhi and riya for dance rehearsal.. now doesn't she rememeber that I need rest or if I'm taking medicine.. fine Avni don't come back soon even I can stay and enjoy without u he said to himself but even he knew that wasn't true...

The next day.. at the metha mansion Avni and riya had planned last night on how to give it back to aman after what he did yesterday.

Avni and riya walked into aman room without making a sound.. they went near him and both looked at each other naughtily

Avni:ready she whispered

Riya:absolutely.. they looked at aman smirking and started their work

Aman woke up after an hour... he got up and went to the washroom to freshen up ' meanwhile.. Avni was in her room getting her bag ready to take to Juhi place as after the sangeet she will be going directly to the khanna mansion while riya packed her clothes to take... Neela, hetal were in the kitchen getting breakfast ready while dayawanti and nanno were in the hall talking... ketan and Aladdin were sitting on the dining table reading the newspaper

All were busy when suddenly they heard a loud scream .... without thinking aman came out of his room running downstairs while all looked up.. neela and hetal came out of the kitchen to see what happened while avni and riya slowly came down seen aman state and controlled themselves from laughing

Aman: omg there is a scary clown in my room someone please save me.. he turned his attention towards the others ...he saw hetal and neela first looking at him shockingly but then they covered their mouth trying to stop from laughing. He then turned to look at ketan, Aladdin, dayawanti and nanno and saw how they were covering their mouth to stop laughing too and then looked at his two sisters who tried to keep a staright face but ended up laughing he suddenly looked at the mirror that was on the wall and saw that the clown was none other than him

Dayawanti : aman... beta what have u done to yourself y have u got make up all over u.

Avni and riya looked at each remembering how they had put lipstick, eye shadow, eyeliner mascara and blusher on aman .

Aman: I don't know dadi when I woke up this is what my state was like. Nanno went towards the girls

Nanno: did any of u do this she said eyeing avni and riya ..' when aman heard nanno ask the girls

Aman : nanno y r u asking them

Nanno: because I had seen them go to your room when I was coming down

Aman : what!.. then it definitely must be avni didu or riya di

Riya : arien aman it could be that someone else must have applied make up on u she said trying to be all innocent

Aman : riya di my darling sister even u know that no stranger would walk into the mansion and none of the elders would do this.. so its means one of u have done it

Avni : say cheese aman baby .. with that she quickly took a snap before running away

Aman : didu delete the picture now

Aman : aman I didn't take the picture so that I can delete it and this is what u get for doing such small pranks

Aman : didu im warning u

Avni : im not scared of u.. and she ran to her room.. Aman was about to run behind her when Riya got hold of him so that she can stop him from chasing avni and took him to his room to clean up his makeup while still laughing.

After that avni and riya had breakfast and left to go to Juhi place... once they reached there they waited for few other girls to come.. while the chrographer was also on the way

Meanwhile at the khanna mansion... Neil had again slept on the couch.. he became upset when he realised avni wasn't going to be back today

He went to the the wardrobe and took his clothes to go and change.

After having breakfast he was sitting in the garden a little frustrated thinking about avni staying at Juhi place means he would see her tommrow..

Neil: yaar avni y did u have to stay there for the night u could have came back... I have this urge to see u but how can I... if I go to Juhi place then all will get doubtful and would also question me... but what if I go to Juhi house without getting caught.. I may get a chance to see avni for few mins without anyone knowing... but what if my plan backfires... if I go alone giving an excuse mom and bebe would probably decide to come with me and I'll get caught think Neil think.. there must be a way ..he was so lost in his thoughts when suddenly he heard Ali's and vidyut voice .

Vidyut/ Ali: hey Neil.. both said at the same time.

Neil got up and and hugged both of them.

Ali:how r u feeling now

Neil:better.. he said sitting down...suddenly he got an idea to go to Juhi house and looked at ali and vidyut

Vidyut:what happened Neil what r u thinking about

Neil:arien nothing i was just thinking it's your sangeet tomorrow

Ali:tomorrow we will dance like nothing

Neil:by the way don't u think that our dance should be the best out of the girls.. Vidyut and Ali looked at each other then at Neil

Ali:it will be the best yaar after all we will be practicing naa today

Vidyut:haan and that's y we came to get u so that we can practice a little bit as the chrographer plans to come at 6pm later on today .

Neil: I know that but don't u think we should know what type of dance the girls r going to do and also the choice of song ...so that we r prepared

Ali: u do have a point.

Neil:see.. I heard mom and bebe say that the girls will be at juhi's place rehearsing.. how about we go there sneakily with out getting caught so that we can see what they have planned

Vidyut:won't that be risky though

Neil:.come on vidyut it's going to be your sangeet after all.. and been the groom your performance should be the best... I mean think our rehearsal is later on so before that we can see how the girls r performing and once we know we can decide how to make our performance even more better.....and even if we don't go im sure the girls performance will be better no matter how much we practice as don't forget juhi is a dancer.

Ali:Neil is right if we know what they r doing then we can outstage them doing something better... Neil smiled as one wicket was down

Neil:exactly and once we know how they r dancing then ...he said leaving it incomplete

Vidyut was thinking.. when Neil spoke again

Neil:ok fine let's leave it we will do our rehearsal and work hard so that our performance is good... after all cheating is not good too and besides I don't really have an interest on going there to see.. i just said this as i wanted the boys to perform well especially u

Vidyut: no u r right this is an amazing idea.... I think we should try it.. after all we r police officers and it's easy for us to get to places with out getting caught..

Ali:mate what about me..

Vidyut: don't worry even though u r not a police officer u r good at doing stuff like this.. like during college days meeting Riya secretly.. ali smiled widely

Neil pov
Neil in his head: y am I actually doing this... y can't i figure out as to y I want to see avni that is making me do all this.. what is that string that is pulling me closer to her .. what is this feeling which I'm not able to understand he thought.. he came back to reality when Ali spoke

Ali:so shall we go

Neil:yeah not that I have any interest but let's go he said trying to act like as if he doesn't care but from inside he was all excited.

1 hour later all 3 reached to juhi place.

Vidyut: let's go through the window its eaiser to get in from there

Ali: what if someone is in the kitchen

Neil:we can check and get in when nobody is there. .

They all sneaked towards the kitchen window .. Vidyut made sure to look carefully to see if anyone was in the kitchen or not and luckily nobody was there... he signalled Neil and Ali who came near and all three got in without making a sound.

They all slowly got out of the kitchen and walked towards the hall where Juhi was among with Avni Riya and few other girls. They hid behind the pillar and at the moment avni dissapeared from there to get some more cd's

Neil's eyes were looking for one person but he couldn't see her.. all 3 saw how all the girls were dancing..

The music had changed... riya got in the centre and started to practice an hot item dance while following the choreographer step who was in front.

Ali got up suddenly in excitement and shouted

Ali: wow riya baby.... vidyut got up to stop ali but it was too late all the girls stopped to see Ali and vidyut while neil crawled away without getting caught and ran into a nearby room to hide

Neil was keep on looking back to see if nobody had caught him while entering the room when suddenly he bumped into someone.

While on the other hand avni was busy collecting all the cd and as she was walking towards the door while reading the list of track on the cd but as she heard the door open she looked up and saw Neil looking backwards while running into the room and before she could stop him he turned around and both bumped into each other

Avni fell on top of Neil while he was on the floor... avni had closed her eyes holding Neil tightly while Neil hands were protectively around her when they fell

Avni opened her eyes and looked up to see Neil beneath her...neil and avni wasn't able to look away from each other.. they continued to stare at each other for few mins... due to the wind avni's hair stared to come on her face.. Neil frowned not been able to see her face and slowly removed the strands of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ears while not breaking the eye contact

(Pic credt as usual my suku baby)

Few mins later they heard shouting from the dining hall making them come out of their trance

In the hall Ali and vidyut were trying to save their life from running one end to another while the girls were trying to get hold of them and finally did

Avni got up followed by Neil.. both looked at each other and at the same time said

Avni/Neil: what r u doing over here.. instead of answering Neil decided to irritate avni and said

Neil:u r so clumsy... can't u walk properly... because of u I fell... he said purposely... Avni glared at Neil and placed her hands on her hips..

Avni: oh hello u came here sneakily.. so its your fault and don't u feel ashamed..u r an ACP but act like a theif... and y did u come here in the first place she said folding her arms

Neil didn't know what to say.. he was thinking of an answer to tell avni as he can't tell her that he wanted to see her.. he pretended that he was about to say something when luckily they heard a sound from the hall again with this time banging sound on the table..

Avni and Neil looked at each other and both went down....to see the girls arguing with the boys.

As soon as the girls saw avni .. riya and juhi were surprised to see Neil too. While avni was surprised to see Vidyut and Ali.

Riya: Neil u r here too

Juhi:I'm surprised that u came with these two.

Avni:what is Ali and vidyut doing over here she asked looking at the boys..while all 3 gave a sheepish smile

5 mins later.. the other girls had surrounded the boys keeping them in the middle while juhi, avni and riya also stood in front of them waiting for them to answer

Avni:is anyone going to speak? She said looking at all 3 or them..

Riya: Ali.. if u don't speak then.. Ali spoke seen riya glare at him

Ali:riya.. baby... actually we came here.. because.. so that we.. haan Neil ... neil will tell u all.. Neil first was shocked when Ali said his name and then glared at him

All the girls glared at Neil while he gulped and looked down

Neil:actu.. I...actu..ally......we...we.. the thing is...the thing is.... this happened because of u vidyut... he said first stuttering and then shouted on vidyut...

Vidyut was surprised when Neil shouted at him all of a sudden.

Vidyut: what?... Neil what did I do.. u r the one who said that... but vidyut couldn't complete his sentence as Neil covered vidyut mouth with his hand

Neil: vidyut... mere bhai u r the one who was eating our brain in the morning saying I want to see my Juhi.. I want to see her as I'm missing her so badly... now see because of seen your Juhi we all got trapped he said nervously and also tried to sound honest

Juhi smiled hearing that

Juhi:aww vidyut is that true..

seen the sitatuon ali comes forward.

Ali: haan Juhi Neil is right... this is the reason as to y we came here as he didn't want to come alone so we thought we would join him and we didn't want to disturb any of u that's y we were waiting for u all to finish your practice..

Neil moved towards vidyut making sure nobody hears them

Neil: if u want to be saved from this situation then just agree to whatever I'm saying he said whispering in vidyut ears.

Juhi: aww vidyut that is sweet of u... but we were going to meet tomorrow anyway right

Vidyut:yeah I'm sorry we disturbed your practice. We will leave now.

Juhi hugged vidyut while Ali moved to hug riya...Avni smiled and looked at them when she jumped hearing Neil speak and turned to her right seen him stand next to her

Neil:by the way best of luck for the sangeet tomorrow..

Avni: it's not a competition..

Neil:I know but be it groom or bride side they will make sure to perform the best..

Avni: good luck to u too then she said rolling her eyes..

The boys left after while the girls decided to practice..

As the boys were near the car..

Vidyty: Neil y couldn't u say that this was your idea

Neil:yaar if I told them then think how they would have reacted and besides this was all I could think of

Ali: yeah u actually saved us..

Vidyut:but in a way it was fun.. u handled it well despite blaming it on me.. Neil smiled and vidyut smiled back and all got into the car.. Neil was somewhere at peace that he got to see avni...

Time went quick with the boys and girls practicing.. Avni went back to place the cd in the room when she stopped remembering what happened when she had bumped into Neil.

She recalled how he was speaking to her few hours ago and frowned.

Avni: I can't be wrong... Neil was speaking to me... but there was a change ... there was a change right?... since I met him after so many years he didn't talk to me nicely be it talking indirectly, replying back in an angry way or just completely ignoring me but... but today it didn't feel like that.. it was like.. Neil was talking to me.. my Neil who always irritated me... my bestie who never missed a chance to pick on me....

Suddenly she recalled not since today but few days back when she was at the khanna house she recalled how Neil was speaking to her as if answering in that way to annoy her... just like old days on how he would love to argue with her so that she gets annoyed...

She sat on the bed remembering how Neil was speaking to her all this time but she never payed attention to it that much.. but now she can clearly see the change..

(Flashback moments)
Neil:not really but I thought if I walked few steps and u saw me or found out then your lecture would have started about taking help and all... and i don't want a headache in the morning u see

Neil: yeah lecture I was been nice by not saying long lecture he said stretching on the word long

Neil: I feel it is just imagine when u start u don't seem to stop he said

Neil:oh and by the way I forgot to tell u before but don't moan and tell mom and bebe everything that Neil said this or that otherwise I will have to say sorry.for the sake of it u see..

Neil:don't worry I won't take time like u...give me two minutes

Neil: as usual moaning.. we don't have time to argue.

Neil:yeah we can clearly see that now...

Avni: what am I going to do with u Neil.. u r confusing me.. the way u answered me... on one side it felt like it's u but on the other side what if I'm wrong... also when I was leaving for metha mansion Neil never asked me before be it like where I'm going... y am I going... but this time He did.. is the old Neil coming back or am I just over thinking... she sighed and got up

Avni: take a break avni.. maybe u can ask Neil all this after.. maybe he is melting towards u.. maybe she said staring at nothing.

After rehearsal Neil was in his room... he was smiling while leaning against the window frame..

He recalled how avni was on top of him.. while he was able to see her so closely.. the way he tucked her hair behind her ears... while he had seen her close her eyes for mere section when he did that and then opened them to look back at him... the way her nose flared in anger when he annoyed her making him chuckle slightly... now he couldn't wait for tommrow as finally after sangeet she will be coming back home... he didn't know what it was.. but he was happy that he will see her in this mansion again..

The next day went quick for everyone.. all tried to finish of their work early so that they can reach to juhi and vidyut sangeet which was held in big hall.

Avni was wearing a crop top floral lengha.. she had put on big earings with little bit of sindhoor and then placed the small mangalsutra around her neck which was making her look even more beautiful... she then applied mascara and light make up and then brushed her hair... after that she applied gloss on her lips and then left to check on juhi who was getting ready.

Juhi was looking beautiful with the lengha choli which she was wearing while riya was wearing something similar to avni.. riya made both of them pose with her and took a quick picture and then went downstairs where Juhi's parents were waiting for them..

Once they reached to the place vidyut came with DD and ragini... after a while the metha family came followed by Ali and then the khanna family..Neil got out of the car...he looked at his family who arrived behind him in another car.. as they walked in all loved the way the hall was decorated.. juhi parents and ragini welcomed them and the other guests who were arriving to

Neil walked to where Juhi and vidyut were sitting while riya ali and dd were next to them... he was looking around to see where avni was but couldn't see her anywhere..

Neil:hey guys.. all hugged Neil

Dd: sir jee it's good to see u after a long time he said giving Neil a quick hug while Neil smiled at dd behaviour.

Neil:thanks dd..

Vidyut:what happened Neil y r u looking around... Neil became alert

Neil:no I actually was looking at the decoration it's quiet good..

(I won't go to deep into the sangeet)

Suddenly he felt avni's presence and turned to see her walking towards them while talking to the dj on the phone...for a second he couldn't take his eyes of her .. the way she was looking was making him feel something tingle inside him

Avni:ok...yup see u in a bit bye.. she said hanging up. And stood next to dd as in opposite Neil.

Juhi: what happened what did the dj say

Avni:he will be here in 5 mins and it won't take him long to set things up so chill she said looking at juhi and the rest.. but her eyes landed on Neil lastly... and there he was back on her mind again... only she knew how she stopped herself from thinking about his behaviour... and here was kadhoos khanna right in front of her.

Ali:so ready for performance... Avni turned to look at all. While Neil looked at avni now and then

Riya: Of course we r.

Soon the dj had arrived while the guest had come to.

Juhi and vidyut got on the stage holding hands while all were seated at a table.. the gang were sitting at a table together..

Vidyut: ladies and gentlemen... we thank all of u who actually r here to celebrate our sangeet with us.

Juhi: we hope u all enjoy this function to the fullest and bless both of us with all your love . We hope u enjoy all the performance

All clapped when juhi and vidyut walked down the stage and sat down while Ali went up the stage

Ali:well what can I do nobody can find a better host than me and being their friend I couldn't deny them... so let's start with the first performance which will be from the bride and groom parents

All clapped while ragini and juhi's parents went up the stage... and three of them danced on sasural gendha phool ...once done all clapped and three went down while Ali came back

Ali:awesome now the next performance is by me , Neil and dd..(yup dd also was rehearsing with them). Avni and all clapped... she was happy to see Neil dance after so many years as he had skipped it during juhi's and vidyut.engagement.

All three got into position and first danced on Dil Chori - Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety

Avni mouth was a little open seen the way Neil danced.. she never expected him to dance like this so freely.. for her this didn't look like it was kadhoos khanna dancing but the old Neil dancing.. she turned to look at the khanna family and also saw the happiness and surprised look seen their son/grandson dance like that... making her smile slowly.

The next song that played was dil da mamla hai dilbar from hey baby ... making everyone cheer for them

Last but not the the least they dance on disco disco - a gentlemen.. vidyut and the boys gang got up and clapped.. while all 3 hi fived and hugged each other.

Riya:calm down down.. don't forget the girls r yet to perform she said walking on the stage .

Ali took the mike of her.

Ali: yeah right let's see how u girls will perform.. after all it would be difficulty to match up to our steps

Riya:avni baby come on let's show them she said looking at avni who got up.. she looked at her family who clapped for her and then walked toward the stage to see that naughty smile on Neil's face.

Neil:all the best he whispered while walking past avni while she turned around to look at him...

Soon the lights went off
After few secs the lights were turning in different colours and all saw riya in the centre... she was going to perform on dilbar dilbar from Satyamev Jayate

Ali's mouth was open seen riyas performance while some were whistling seen her dance.. Ali found her dance to be even more hot than what she was practicing

Soon when she finished Avni came taking her position
She was going to dance on cheez badi mast the new version.

Neil was leaning forward with hands clapsed togeter while watching avni dance.. he never would have seen her dance like this and that also on this song.. he was laughing thinking if avni was the same as before she would have created a drama if she was told to dance like this.

Once Avni finished the dance Riya joined her on the stage for both to perform on the song together on Nachde Ne Saare from baar baar Dekho while juhi's parents and ragini joined them at the end.. all clapped after the performance ended

Riya:now its time for the bride.. Juhi baby come on..

Vidyut got up and took Juhi to the stage while all cheered for her..she was performing on Pallo Latke from Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana

Once completed it was vidyut turn who danced on Tenu Leke Main Javanga from salaam - e -ishq

Once he finished performing he went down while ragini came up

Ragini: I.hope u all enjoyed the performance.. we all practiced to perform for this sangeet but now I would like the soon to be bride and groom to do a couple dance together.. where no rehearsal is needed.... but I also want their friends to join them too Avni Neil... Riya Ali... she said some other name from the youngsters

Avni looked at Neil who looked at her when ragini said their name.. she didn't know what to do as all were getting up to go on the stage... for her she and Neil were married but inside the closed door it was all different...only they knew how both behaviour was toward each other.. how Neil's behaviour was toward her now was still on her mind .. she was lost in her thoughts when she saw a hand appear in front of her and looked up to see Neil standing in front of her.. she slowly placed her hand in his while all the thoughts dissapeared... and walked to the stage while the song Mere rashke qamar (imagine which ever version u like) played.. Neil placed his hands around avni waist while her hands were on his shoulder both slowly moved in rythm..while others were doing it in a similar way too..

he twirled her twice before pulling her back making their nose collide.. they were lost staring at each other while the family was happy seen this.. neela and alladin looked at each other seen how avneil were dancing . while dayawanti and nanno turned to look at bebe who was recording this.. shweta held prakash hand seen the way avneil were dancing while hetal and ketan prayed silently that avni and Neil stay happy with each other

Once the song ended avni and Neil looked at each other.. ragini told the guest that food will be served while entertaining songs played in the background

All were slowly getting off the stage

Avni:Neil ....she called out when he took few steps... he turned around looking at her

Neil:yh?

Avni: can we talk? ...please... Neil looked at avni for few secs before he could reply juhi's parents came and dragged them down so that they can eat

On the table dd.. riya and ali sat next to each other while juhi and vidyut also next to each other so our darling avneil had to sit next to each other.

All were chatting while avni was looking at Neil now and then from the corner of her eyes and Neil was able to sense that and looked at her few times but concentrated on talking to others

Soon the guest was leaving while ragini and Juhi's parent were giving them a thank u gift

At the end the khanna family and metha family also decided to leave Avneil hugged their friends and then moved to hug the metha family

Shweta: avni beta u come with Neil.

Avni:ok ma she said thinking she has a chance to talk to Neil

As soon as they got in the car... Neil made a call to dd while putting on his Bluetooth on his ears... avni was waiting for him to finish his call but he was busy telling dd to give him all the updates about the 'recent case along with others.. avni sighed as it had been 15mins while Neil was still on the phone .. she was lost busy looking out of the window when she finally realised the car stopped

She turned to look at Neil who took his bluetooh of and turned to face her

Neil:ice cream ?

Avni:sure she said not able to deny... they both got outside the car and she relaised they were near the beach

Neil walked towards the ice cream stall while avni went and sat down on one of the rocks.. after a min Neil came with the ice cream and sat down next to her

Neil: here u go

Avni:thank u.

They silently ate the ice cream while avni was thinking of how to start talking.. Neil placed his ice cream cup down and looked ahead

Neil: u know avni it felt like something broke inside me... I felt incomplete when u left... and then after that mithali left us all.. somewhere shattering me even more... at that time when u left just writing a letter I was hurt, angry, frustrated, sad... life just felt different despite having everyone u both were not there... especially u... i was angry at u and thought when u call from London I'll shout at u but u never called.. a week was all I waited because I know if u don't call in a week time means u won't call.. may be because of our friendship since childhood I somewhere knew...I let it be that way...that it was your decision to leave us and not be in contact.. if I wanted I would have called u.. but seen no type of contact from u i knew u made up your mind.. somewhere i didn't like how u left... after mithali death I told all not to contact u... giving some type of excuse but somewhere I didn't want u to find out about this because of how u left.. I don't know how I changed... I did hang out with others but there was always an emptiness... then I saw u after 3 long years.. for a second I was happy seen u but then I stopped myself thinking u left.. there was no contact ... so there is no friendship between us... I tried to control my anger but it just came out on u... then u found out about mithali... in anger I felt that u probably have sympathy and I didn't want that avni.. u offered to be friends again but I was scared to be friends with u.. I know the importance of u in my life Avni.. and when u wasn't there it was different.. I don't know how to explain it .. I didnt know if i could accept your friendship thinking what if u left again... best friends r not meant to leave right they r meant to stay for life Avni. He said

Avni had turned to look at Neil when he started to speak.. somewhere her eyes filled up when he was speaking.. the ice cream in her hands fell down as she was so engrossed hearing him speak... now she was able to tell this wasn't her kadhoos khanna but her bestie Neil.. she took his hands and intertwined her finger with his placing there intertwined hand on her lap... Neil looked at her and then their joint hand on her lap.. both stared at it

Avni: I didn't know i caused so much pain... Neil at that moment I didn't know what do... everything happened so quickly.. be it with my feelings changing for u... maa and papa passing away .. that was the last thing I expected .. everything happened all at once.. I didnt know how to handle such things.. u told me that u all will be there for me and I knew that.. but I still didn't have a big heart where I would see u and mithali together.. but u still told me that u both will keep distance when I'm there.. and trust me I would never want u both to do that because of me... I felt the right thing to do was go with diksha bua to London.. maybe a change was all I needed.. u r right I tried to control my self from contacting u all especially u.. and I knew if I didn't call u in a week's time u would know not to expect a call from me after that.. somewhere life changed for me.. I did miss maa and papa... but I started to deal with it... Neil I know how hard it was for me to leave all of u behind...when i was coming back my mind only was thinking about u all.. then that day I saw u at the airport but u clearly didn't speak to me.. and I knew that u was angry at me... then after that I got to hear about mithali death .. it was not sympathy Neil.. I just felt hurt and sad that I wasn't there for u when u lost your love.. but u was there when I lost my parents.. then I decided I'll try and mend things with u and calm your anger but everytime it backfired.. I lost hope when u actually said all those things to me and accused me of been selfish and that's y I left khanna mansion that day because somewhere your words hurt me really badly .. but fate had something else planned and we had to get married because of bebe.. i didn't know how things were going to be between us as it was already bad between us.. but now.. ever since u fell ill .... ever since u started speaking to me i felt it was my old Neil who annoyed me.. who loved teasing me and play pranks on me but somewhere I thought I was over thinkiing.. but after this I know it's the Neil I knew since childhood she said looking up at Neil who also had tears in his eyes

Neil: we both have been in pain avni... and may be we just needed each others support to get that peaceful and warm feeling.

Avni: does this mean we r friends again now she said getting up and stood in front of him not letting go of his hand yet.

Neil looked at her and got up.

Neil: I wouldn't have said all these things to u or spoke to u if i didn't want to mend things and become friends

Avni: u don't know how happy I am she said hugging him throwing her hands around his neck

Neil:I relaised when I had fallen ill nobody can look after anyone the way u did .. despite been cruel to u saying those harsh things ...u still took great care of me.. he said hugging her back. While avni smiled.

Avni:I missed u Neil... I missed u.. despite been around u i missed my bestie Neil

Neil: I missed u too Avni .. i misssed u to.. im also sorry fo my behaviour i was so rude to u as i couldn't take it that u left and that also by leaving a letter and never contacting and I'm glad we r friends now.. I'm glad i fell ill as I was able to realise your worth

Avni: I'm sorry too.. for not contacting.. for making u feel like this.. if I had contacted u once I had reached to London then u could have shouted at me.. vent your anger so that At least we would have been in contact but I didn't do that.. and I'm sorry for not been there for u when u needed me the most.

Neil: let's forget all this and start over again he said breaking the hug and cupped avni cheeks wiping her tears while she also wiped his tears

Avni: Neil.. now what?

Neil:what do u mean?

Avni: Neil we got married because of bebe health at that time we were not on talking terms but agreed to get married but now what do we do.

Neil:nothing.. Avni frowned

Avni: what do u mean nothing... we can't live like this for the rest of our life right.

Neil:I don't have a problem.

Avni:what?

Neil:first listen to me

Avni: ok go ahead. .. Neil placed both his hands on avni shoulder

Neil: avni I know we got married in such circumstances... yes I did plan to get married to mithali in the future but destiny had other plans... here I got married to u.. somewhere now I'm happy bebe chose u to get married to me

Avni:y?... Neil smiled

Neil: because rather than marrying a stranger I would rather marry someone who I know and spend the rest of my life with that person which is u and somewhere im glad we r married because if i had married a stranger I don't know if she would have understood me and vice versa

Avni: so we just leave things at it is

Neil: yes the only difference is that we r on talking terms.. and I hope u don't mind us spending our life with each other.

Avni in her head: y would I mind Neil.. I fell in love with u.. I always wanted to be as your life partner even if it means spending the whole life as friends and not two people who love each other.

Avni:of course Neil .. besides it also won't break our family's heart... Neil nodded that somewhere Avni agreed.. and was happy at the thought that he convinced her to keep this marriage and stay as friends.

Precrap: suku se pucho

Hey guys...so enjoyed all the birthday treats
Well I'm glad u all did
I hope u all love this chap as I was actually excited to write this..
Thanks to all those who voted and commented for the previous chap.

I just have a request to the silent readers if u don't want to comment that is fine but at least vote please

Again suku helped me me this chap.. yes I did start it of suku but u continued it for me and gave all the ideas where I was able to write all this and the pic credit also goes to u SukanyaSarker

Will be waiting for all the comments (lamba ones since this is the longest update I ever posted come on 9975 words is a lot usually it's alway a 3000 something...) and votes so keep it coming.

What! Not following zn_creation yet then go and do it now

Lots of love
Sonali