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 as at least she will be with him.. near him

Avni: can I ask u something?

Neil: u never took permission to ask me before..

Avni:because things had changed so the habit changed a little.

Neil:go ahead he said nodding...

Avni: this is for real na ?.. I mean us talking.. u talking

Neil: of course it is Avni

Avni moved and hugged Neil

Avni: Neil... can we try to be like before...

Neil:we don't have to try Avni... things will be like before by its self... yes it will probable take a little time as we have missed out a lot in these 3 years but eventually we will get there... Avni smiled and closed her eyes taking in his scent.. while Neil didn't feel like leaving her thinking that he hugged her this close after a long time.

Avni:Do u know today I will be able to sleep peacefully not worrying about anything she said looking up at him smiling while they stayed in the hugging position

Neil: y is that he asked playfully.

Avni:becsuse I don't have to deal with kadhoos khanna anymore as my neil.. my bestie is back she said pulling his cheek.. Neil smiled but then slowly that smile vanished from his face

Neil: avni once again I'm sorry.. u came to stay at the khanna house to mend things with me... somewhere I felt that I shouldn't have said all those cruel things to u but before I could realise I said all that to u.. I was able to see how hurt u were but I guess my ego didn't allow me to stop u and u left... u r not selfish Avni and i didn't mean any of those things that I had said to u...u know when u actually sang that song it reminded me of our college days including our childhood days... it somewhere made me forget my anger for u especially when i saw u cry i felt like comforting u at that Time... but then.. I came back to the present and all those feelings went away he said cupping her left cheek... avni smiled with tears in her eyes she blinked them back and looked at him

Avni: arien yaar enough now.. Yes I was hurt but u know na I can't stay angry with u that long.. After few days my anger slowly melted towards u but still I wanted to show that your words hurt me really badly.

Neil: I won't repeat such things.. avni promise me one thing

Avni:what?

Neil:that u won't ever leave again... no matter what the problem is we will deal with it together...

Avni: but what if I have to go one day like i have work and all there

Neil: that we will see but for now promise me

Avni thought and then looked at Neil

Avni: ok I promise.. but i may go there for few days now and then

Neil huffed making avni laugh

Avni:shall I tell u something important.... u know I'm dissapointed with one thing

Neil:and what is that

Avni: that u r not scared of cockroaches... Neil raised his eyebrows

Neil: like seriously ? Is that an important thing...

Avni: what...that was something important.. I mean the way i would put a cockroach on u.. the way u would get scared and bring the house down by screaming as if something major happened.. I won't be able to witness all of that.. she said sadly while Neil rolled his eyes.

Neil: u and your love for cockroaches

Avni:yup I loved them because I got to annoy u but now I can't love them anymore.. she said in a little dramatic way.

Neil: avniiii

Avni:let's go im sure everyone must be wondering where we r

Neil: hmm let's go

As they were walking back to the car... Avni looked at Neil who was walking beside her with a small smile

She remembered how during the old days they would be comfortable around each other be it holding hands, her hand around his arm, him resting his head on her shoulder and vice versa, and other small gestures towards each other..

She smiled and lifted her hands slowly and placed her hand around Neil's arm... she saw him look at her first with a little surprised look...but then a small smile coming on his face while blinking his eyes..

Avneil reached to the car and Neil opened the door for her while she sat down and he went towards the driving seat.

They didn't speak in the car it was silent but comfortable. This is how they were.. even if they didn't speak while been in the same room they still had that comfort level

Thanks to less traffic they reached home in 20 mins

Neil:avni u go in I'll just park the car

Avni:ok.. as Avni got out and went in... Neil was parking the car

Bebe:look here comes Avni.. she said seen Avni at the door

Shweta who was giving milk to bebe looked towards the main door

Shweta: beta where were u.

Avni: woh maa me and Neil  went to have ice cream.. bebe who was having her milk nearly chocked

Bebe: puttar did i hear right?

Avni:haan bebe...she said with a confused smile

Prakash: puttar ji what r we missing out on I mean u and Neil went to have ice cream.  I mean Neil came with u,

Avni: we r back to been friends now.. actually we went to the beach but there was a ice cream stall so yh plus we cleared whatever was in our mind. I mean even I didn't expect Neil's anger to melt towards me.. he took me there and started to speak

Shweta: avni... now I'm sure u will bring back the old Neil she said walking up to Avni

Avni: I will try my best shweta ma.. the main thing for me would be to make Neil love life again. somewhere he stopped doing that

All nodded

Neil: hey every one how comes u all r awake

Prakash:well we r glad that we r still awake as we got the best news

Neil frowned looking at every one and then looked at avni who smiled

Neil: what good news dad?

Shweta: that the two childhood besties r friends again.

Neil first was surprised and then smiled seen his familys excitement

Bebe in her head: in these 3 years Neil's smile shows his happiness after such long time... his smile can be seen in his eyes all thanks to Avni.. Avni is my ray of hope and i believe we will get our old Neil back soon.. as bebe thought this she looked at shweta who looked at her and nodded and both knew they thought about the same thing

Prakash: I think we all should get some sleep it's quiet late

Avneil said good night to all went to their respective rooms

Avneil were walking towards their room

Neil: what's your plan for tomorrow

Avni: again meeting up with the girls as we need to get some things ready for the next function..

Neil:I see

Avni: u going work tommrow.

Neil: yup

Avni: Neil u better take care of yourself properly... and please if it does rain by any chance and u r out investigation do make sure u have an raincoat on she said as they entered their room and Neil closed the door

Neil: well i do take care of my self it wasn't my fault that i fell ill this time.

Avni gave him a *yh right* look and went to change in her pjs while taking it out from the wardrobe.. till then Neil was reading dd message which he sent updating about a case

5 mins later avni came out in her pyjamas.

Avni:Neil go and change now

Neil: hmm he said looking up casually to see avni and for a sec he recalled the old avni who was a total tomboy and laughed as she never wore these type of pjs 3 year back and if she was told to wear it back then.... he thought about her reaction and chuckled

Avni: what so funny she said turning around to look at him as she was brushing her hair

Neil: I'm just remembered how u hated wearing girly clothes and look at u now wearing these type of pjs he said trying to stop chuckling.

Avni: so what's so funny in that she said walking up to him

Neil: I'm just imaging your reacipn like I still remeber when we had to wear traditional outfit at college once and how u reacted.. so it cracked me imagining what if u was told to wear it pjs like this

Avni: see i was comfortable back then and I'm comfortable now too with whatever I wear ok

Neil : if u say so but u can always wear my tracksuit like before i won't have a problem.

Avni:Neill enough now ok

Neil: what? I didn't say anything wrong I'm just saying u r always free to wear my clothes if u want we all know u loved been a tomboy..

Avni glared at him and quickly picked up the pillow  and started hitting Neil with it... after few beatings he escaped while avni chased him ...and he ran from her

Neil:avni have some respect u shouldn't be chasing a decent police officer like this

Avni:respect my foot she said trying to hit him with the pillow but missed.

Neil jumped on the bed and got hold of another pillow  and started hitting avni while she tried to aim at him too....

Both continued attacking each other

Avni:stop she said and sat down with her legs foldded while Neil looked at her and laid down 

Avni looked down at him and saw Neil looking at her... suddenly both burst out laughing.. loving how they got childish for few mins 

Avni: chalo good night Mr khanna. She said looking at Neil who was laying on his back. . She was about to get up when Neil grabbed her hand

Neil: where r u going

Avni:to sleep on the couch

Neil:no way u won't sleep on the couch.. I will u sleep on the bed

Avni: Neil it's fine u can sleep on the bed I'll sleep on the couch

Neil:no u sleep on the bed

Avni:Neil i said na

Neil:even I said na

Avni:just sleep here I don't have a problem sleeping on the couch

Neil:Avniiii sleep on the bed... means sleep on the bed he said sitting up

Avni:  Neil please let's not argue on this now

Neil:I'm not u r ... as usual stubborn

Avni:so? Even u r stubborn but no u can't  just agree with me she said getting up and took a pillow

Neil:because I don't want to and it's decided u r sleeping on the bed he said quickly  taking a pillow getting up and quickly walked to the couch and laid down while avni looked at him with her mouth open

Avni:u r impossible

Nei:good night he said turning to look at her and then rested his head again on the pillow..
Avni shook her head and took a blanket.

Avni: u needs this as it's cold she said covering him properly while Neil gave a warm smile for that gesture

Avni: good night Neil

Neil: good night..  Avni walked over to the bed and laid down... both closed their eyes at the same time  aftet recalling their talk at the beach

The next day avni woke up.. she was getting her clothes when she heard the alarm go off and turned around when she heard Neil yawn and stretch his harm.

Avni:good morning

Neil:.morning he said rubbing his eyes

Avni: u should have slept a little longer.

Neil: nope...  since I fell ill I have Been waking up late so don't want to make it as a habit

Avni: as u wish. I'm going to get ready ok

Neil: avni let me go

Avni: no I'll go. I won't be long

Neil: that's what u think let me go

Avni:yaar let me go

Neil: just give me 10 mins ok

Avni: no u give me 10 mins ok

Neil quickly got up and grabbed his towel from the rack.. he looked at avni who was closing the wardrobe and was about to turn to go to the washroom

Neil: hey mom good morning.. u need anything..

Avni turned around when she heard Neill speak.

Avni: where is shweta maa Neil she said looking towards the bedroom door and found it closed.. once she realised what just happened she heard the washroom door close

Avni:neilll she said loudly and walked towards the washroom door and kncoked on it

Neil:yaar avni I just got in... at least let me take a shower properly

Avni:Neil.. stupid I didn't like the prank u just played

Neil:so deal with it.. just like before... he said from the washroom 

Avni: urghhh I hate u Neil khanna.. But don't worry I'll definitely get u back she said

10 mins later Neil came out and Avni glared at him while he whistled... she smacked him with her towel before going to the washroom  while he laughed..

Once Avni came out she saw Neil wasn't there and got ready to go downstairs wearing casual clothes making sure to put on a bit of sindhoor and her mangalsutra on

Once she went downstairs she saw Neil sitting with prakash and talking about something.

Avni: good morning she said moving to hug bebe and Shweta and then moved to hug prakash.

Shweta: chalo u both can talk on the dining table too while having breakfast she said to prakash and Neil

At the dining table Avni sat down while Neil came and sat next to her... all started serving themselves

Shweta:tillu what time will u be back today

Neil:don't know mum it depends

Shweta: avni what about u

Avni:even I don't know maa

Shweta: well u both come back soon. this house is lonely without u both

Bebe:haan u would find it lonely after all u don't like my company

Shweta:Bebe when did i way that

Bebe:u didn't but u probably mean that

Prakash: come on at least u both dont start.

Neil: avni where r u meeting riya and juhi

Avni:at the mall.

Neil: I'll drop u off..

Avni:ok she said smiling.

Once all finshed eating breakfast avneil decided to leave 

In the car Neil drove out of the khanna mansion.

Avni: Neil we haven't told the gang about us resolving things right

Neil: right

Avni:so lets give them a surprise

Neil:y a surprise?... we can call them now and let them know

Avni:urghhh.. stupid .. they do deserve a surprise I mean they have tried to make us patch up...so at least they should get this sweet surprise.. their reactions would be worth seen

Neil:I guess u do have a point.

Avni:yup so what time do u think u will finish today?

Neil:don't know but I guess about 6 or 7.. otherwise a little late

Avni:ok then.. if u finish early do one thing u and Vidyut arrive at ali's cafe as he closes around 7... we can meet up there and let the gang know then

Neil: perfect..

Avni:.their reaction would be worth seen Neil she said smiling.. Neil looked at her for few secs and smiled seen her reaction and shook his head while looking back on the road.

Neil: by the way I must say u have become smart over the years... Avni stopped smiling and looked at Neil

Avni: what do u mean.. I was smart before and still am

Neil:if u say so.. I mean I know u won't accept it but it's the result by staying with me

Avni:it's the result by staying with me she said imitating him while Neil laughed

Neil: u look cute like that

Avni: be quiet .  If that was the case then y couldn't u think about it first if u consider yourself to be smart

Neil: actually i wanted to see if u could think of something good like that

Avni:really she said sarcastically... and then pinched him on his arm

Neil :ouch.. shameless women im driving he said Playfully

Avnil: ohh I didn't know that as I'm not that smart enough according to u

Neil laughed which annoyed avni more and she crossed her arms looking out the window   

Neil decided to play the radio... Avni calmed down a little after hearing the song play .. once they reached outside the mall Neil parked the car on the side

Neil:here u go ma'am we have arrived to the mall

Avni: thank u my personal driver she said pulling Neil's cheek

Neil: ouch

Avni:see u later and take care of yourself ok

Neil:ok now go.. Avni smiled and moved to hug Neil.. Neil smiled and moved forward seen her gesture

Avni: bye she said smiling

Both about to move away when avni mangulstra got tangled to Neil's button... making their nose collide.. they looked at their mangulstra and then at each other  noticing how close they were with their nose touching and lips not too far away..  both got lost into staring at each other not able to look away...without any type of moment they continued to stare at each other as if trying to see what each other's eyes were trying to say... ADHM tune playing  in the background

Suddenlg they heard a car beeping sound making them come back to reality..

Avni: great this had to get stuck now she said looking at her maguatrua which was around Neil's button 

Neil: wait let me do it.. Avni nodded both concentrating on now to untangle it

Neil carefully removed her mangulstra of his button  

Avni:thanks she said smiling

Neil:now go before riya and juhi call u..

Avni smiled and got out of the car.. as she was walking she turned around and waved at Neil who waved back at her before she entered inside the mall

The girls spent their time... choosing jewellery to match their outfit for the mendhi function... (sorry guys I did a blooper in this as in all my  stories i have put mendhi first then sangeet but over here  its sangeet then mendhi which I'm sure doesn't matter) and also go to salon to get some manicure and pedicure done.

Meanwhile Neil reached to the police station he entered the cabin to see Vidyut  sitting on his desk working on a file.. Vidyut looked up when he felt someone standing there and saw Neil

Vidyut: man this cabin was boring without u he said getting up to hug Neil

Neil: trust me even I missed been here.. resting seemed a lot harder I would rather work he said and suddenly Neil remembered how Avni took care of him and a small smile came on his face

Vidyut frowned seen Neil smiling while lost looking at god knows what

Vidyut:Neil..  bro.. what r u thinking about he said shaking him slightly

Neil: urgh nothing much just happy to be back to work he said shrugging of as to y he smiled like a fool

Vidyut: right.. any ways this is the update of the criminal we caught before  u actually fell ill he said picking up a file and handed it to neill while dd said he updated u the other bits

Neil looked at the file while Vidyut was including other bits in it too

Two hours later they finally took a break after discussing before Neil enquires the criminal in his way...  suddenly vidyut received a call from juhi

Vidyut: hey juhi

Juhi:hey .. is Neil with u ?

Vidyut:yup Y?

Juhi:put it on loud speaker and I'll tell u

Vidyut:ok it's on loud speaker now tell us.

Juhi:actually I wanted to know what time u guys finish today ..

Vidyut: around 7pm but y r u asking.. neill understood that Avni must have convinced the girls to hang out at the cafe later on and smiled secretly

Avni: vidyut the thing is we thought y not hang out at Ali's cafe later on u know since we haven't done that for a a while.

Vidyut: not a bad idea

Avni: yeah but ask that kadhoos khanna of yours if he is interested.. Vidyut looked at Neil who kept a straight face

Neil: im ok with it and tell her my name is not kadhoos khanna.

Riya: guys stop.. so it's decided we will meet u at Ali's cafe at 7pm

Vidyut: cool see u later

Time went quickly

The girls reached to Ali cafe while he had snacks prepared and was placing them on the table.

Ali: hello ladies he said hugging all of them one by one and lastly Riya holding her by the waist.

Riya:I just hope Vidyut and Neil come on time..

Ali: by the way what was the occasion for this small get together

Avni:nothing much...   u know to relax and enjoy and your cafe was the best place for this

Ali: that is true he said happily

Avni:i'll be back she said going to the washroom

Neil and vidyut arrived at the cafe... Neil saw Ali, juhi and riya but didnt see avni and wondered where she was...

Avni came back and saw all had sat down while she saw Vidyut and Neil had arrived too...

Avneil looked at each and smiled...

Avni:hey Vidyut she said coming and sat down next to Riya opposite Neil

Ali:man we r spending time like this after so long

Riya:yup

Vidyut: got everything u needed?

Juhi:yup all done.... Neil gestured Avni to start while she nodded taking a sip of her milkshake

Avni:umm guys I need to tell u all something...she said seriously.. which everyone noticed

Riya: what happened babes?

Avni: actually the thing is.. gosh I don't know how to tell  u all... she said

Avni could feel all the gaze on her she tried to avoid the gaze of everyone on her and played with the straw that was in her milkshake glass

Juhi: avni what happened all of a sudden... u was completely fine but now the way u r speaking sounds so serious

Avni:because it is serious and i didn't tell u anything not knowing how u all would react

Riya: u r scaring us now

Avni got up and walked back and forth while all looked at each other then at avni.. Neil was watching all this keenly

Vidyut:avni please tell us

Avni: ok I'll tell u all but please calm down ok she said walking near Neil and sat down on the spare chair next to him.. while none payed attention that she was sitting next to Neil

Ali:just say it

Avni: the thing is.....we..  me... oh god ok .. WE PATCHED UP she said loudly hugging Neil sideways resting her head on his shoulder... while he allowed his smile to finally show

They both looked at each other as Avni broke the hug while wrapping her hand around his arm

Neil:  r u all going to say anything he asked.. both he and avni looked at each other and then at the rest who just looked shocked and confused at the same time

Riya:am I dreaming ?

Juhi:someone pinch me

Ali:wake up Ali wake up he said rubbing his eyes

Vidyut: r my ears even working properly..

All spoke taking turns while avneil enjoyed their reaction

Neil:nope u r not dreaming and here is a pinch he said to both Riya and juhi while pinching juhi

Juhi:ouch

Avni:and u r awake Ali this is for real and vidyut u heard the correct thing we patched up

Gang; how and when they said at once loudly while avneil laughed and filled the gang in as to how they patched up and spoke their hearts out

After they told them they both looked at all of them..and then both avneil were enfulged in a big hug by the gang.

Vidyut:damn this is still shocking for me

Riya:same

Ali: these two act so well .. avni didn't let u girls figure anything out and Neil didn't tell u anything vidyut

Juhi:so true.. when we called vidyut to ask about the plan they acted like they dont care and don't want to talk to each other

Avni:arien come on we wanted to see all your reaction together

Neil:and it was worth it..

Avni:thanks to me she said giving a big smile.

The gang enjoyed their time and this time they  had a chance to celebrate as avneil finally became friends again

Avni: wait and watch once we reach home Neil khanna u played a prank on me in the morning now it's going to be my turn she thought

Precrap: we won't tell right suku till then u all can imagine what Avni plans to do

Phew so anotjer chap done

Thanks a ton for all the lovely comment  and vote for the previous chap trust me that what the HIGHEST VOTES AND COMMENTS I EVER RECEIVED

So big hug from me.
Will be waiting for all the lovely comments and votes so come on in waiting

Lots of love
Sonali