Neil gave avni a light smile

Neil: it's ok u dont need to be sorry for anything avni....Sahil is your friend.. u can go to dinner/lunch anything you want.. there is nothing to be sorry about.. i was just a little worried for you.. because   your phone was off.. Don't do that to me.. promise me, you will never switch off your phone no matter what

Avni eyes widened at Neil saying that she was able to tell by his word that he wasnt a little worried but very worried

Neil took her hands and clasped it with his and started walking towards the veranda...

once reaching to the veranda avni moved forward and placed both of her hands on to the railing ...Neil moved behind avni and placed his both hands on both sides with avni back was facing towards him.

Avni held her breath when  neil inhaled the sweet scent of her hair and on top of that him standing this close

Neil:I am no more a college guy or only your best frnd avni.. i am a cop now.. i have a lot of enemies.. they all r very dangerous.. i get threats everyday.. while i dont care much about myself but my family??...I cant evn think anything bad happening to them due to my job.. I know mom,dad, bebe.. all support me and r with me but that doesn't lessen my worries about them.. and now, you are my family too.. You always have been.. but now, you are my wife and that's put you on the top if someone want to take revenge on me. Being a wife of an police officer has its risk.. Your safety and well being is my first priority.. I will protect you my whole life.. But when i called u and didnt get through you..., avni you don't know what kinds of thoughts come to my mind.. so you have to be a little responsible because  of me.. and  never ever switch off your phone no matter who told you.....Please promise me.. you will do that for me..

Avni was listening to all this carefully she felt Neil push himself closer to her .. avni's heart started to beat loudly with the closeness and with neil's confession about how much he was worried for her.. avni moved  in his arms and was now facing him.. her face was very close to his..she took a deep breath..

Avni: i never thought  that way.. I can't tell you not to worry about us..bcoz that would be a lie.. you will worry no matter what.. i would do that too.. but I promise, we wont do anything to increase it... I promise you, i will never switch off my phone no matter what..

Neil placed his hands on her waist and  pulled her closer.. he hugged her and held her in his arms.. and after few mins avni placed her hands around him too .. for her it was a little insecurely  but then she relaxed  when neil kissed her hair.. they both closed their eyes and felt each others warmth

Both didn't know how much time had passed.. both drowned  in this peaceful moment.. It felt serene.. It felt home

After few mins avni slowly opened her eyes...she was able to feel the wind blowing softly while able to feel neil soothing heartbeats playing softly in her ears...a warm smiled spread though her face...she didn't want to break this moment this time but she knew she had to as it was quiet late too

Avni: neil its quiet late let's go to sleep she said looking at him while he still had his hand around her waist

Neil:ok he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.

He moved away from her but his hand moved down to her and intertwined their fingers...avni looked down at their fingers this wasnt new as neil held her hands like this before but something rolled in her stomach thinking what would have it felt like if neil had actually held her hand with love and not friendship wala love...she ignored those thoughts happy that at least she has neil be it as a friend

Been lost in her thoughts she didnt even realise how and when they reached to the bedroom

Neil: I'll be back he said going to the washroom 

avni got to her side of the bed facing the other way... as neil came he saw avni laying down and smiled...he got on to his side of the bed  facing avni

Neil: avni

Avni: hmmm she said turning to look at him

Neil:goodnight

Avni:good night she said smiling warmly and turned back closing her eyes while neil also closed his eyes....

They may have slept a little far from each other but later on their body found its way close to each other with Neil's hand on avni stomach  and face near her neck while avni hands on top of his...the moon shined brightly on to their face as they slept peacefully in each other arms

Next morning

Neil woke up and saw how his face was close to avni while the sun was falling on to half of her face making her look even more beautiful...he rested on his elbow as he continued watching her when his gaze moved to his other hand which was on her stomach while hers on top clutching his hand tightly... a smile crept on his face making his stomach roll and his heart beating fast as if it's doing a happy dance inside...neil bent down slowly and kissed her forehead and was about to stroke her hair when his phone rang...

He moved his hand away from avni stomach making sure not to disturb her and got of the bed grabbing his phone from the side table and answered it.

As he turned while been on the phone he noticed avni waking up due to quick movement not aware of how their sleeping position was before she woke up

Avni smiled back at neil while he smiled at her  been on the phone with commsioner and vidyut

Avni got up and gestured neil she is going to take a shower while he gave a thumbs up

15 mins later avni got ready and came out to see neil on the phone engrossed with a file...she didn't disturb him and got ready and then headed down to see if any help was needed

5 mins later neil finally was done and he went to the washroom after smiling as he knew how he had controlled himself from watching avni getting ready at the dressing table

After some time Avni had walked back into The room to see neil getting ready and went to get her phone

Neil: shit he said

Avni: what happened she asked walking to him

Neil: this he said showing the broken button

Avni: dont worry I'll sew it for u

Neil: it's ok I'll wear another shirt dont worry

Avni:neil it will take 1 min dw she said opening the drawer taking the container  got a needle and thread out.

She walked to neil as she put the thread into the needle hole

Avni: come here she said.

Neil walked up to her and stood in front of her

Avni started to attach his button to his shirt

As avni was doing her work neil was doing his work which was watching her closely ... he saw how her hair was moving about due to the slight breeze as the window was open...he saw how she bit her lower lips as she was working keenly in sorting his button out..... neil controlled his smile when his eyes moved to the sewing container on the table next to him.... he looked at avni and then at the sewing box and sneakily took the scissor from the box and hid it in his pant pocket so that avni doesnt use the scissors to cut the thread

As avni was done she was looking for the scissors in the sewing box

Avni: where did the scissors go she mumbled...neil heard her and tried to control his laugh

Neil: where was it ?

Avni:in this box...where did it go she said looking here and there

Neil: then it should be In the box who will take a scissor?

Avni: arien it was here only..or did I imagine ?

Neil: now what shall we do ? I guess I just have to wear another shirt as the thread cant stay hanging like this right he said pretending

Avni: no dw I will use my teeth she said...neil nodded

Avni moved forward slowly coming more closer to neil... both their breathing was uneven..while Neil was looking at avni lovingly..avni was looking at neil button trying to control her emotion...she bent her head and placed her teeth on the thread while neil clutched his hand able to feel her breath on his skin...both were close but one thing that was the same was that both of their heart was beating fast... avni then broke the thread with her teeth

Avni:all done she said not noticing Neil's expression as she was busy removing the left over thread from the needle

Neil was about to lift his hand up to cup her cheeks lost in trance when he heard avni gasp in pain brining him back to reality

As he moved closer he realised she was bleeding on her finger as she hurt herself with the needle

Neil:avni what did u do he said taking her hand in his and looking at it

Avni: arien Neil its noth....she suddenly stopped speaking as she felt neil put her finger in his mouth to stop it from bleeding even more .. a smile came on her face...she titled her head to the side and looked at Neil lovingly ...she was slowly lifting her hand to touch his cheeks

Neil: is it hurting he asked looking at her for a sec and then at her fingers as he had removed it  from his mouth

Avni stopped her hand midway as she came back to the present ...she clutched her hands brining it down and kept her head straight

Avni: it's ok neil its not hurting she said removing her hand from his

Neil: r u sure? Let me put Plaster

Avni: Neil's it's a small wound dont worry   u get ready and come down for breakfast she said giving a quick smile and headed out of the room

As she reached outside she rested her back against the wall and titled her head up

Avni's Pov

What was that, Avni? Bad very bad!! You know that you still have feelings for him but you swore not to let it show ever!! You promised. But the moment he showed a little concern over you, you melted like wax. You seriously are mad, Avni. Why do you keep hoping that Neil will feel same for you one day?? Surely, He is your best friend....but he will always only be a bestfriend, with whom you are tied-up to an unwanted(for him) marriage. That's the truth of your marriage. He is a caring person and he cares about you. Please don't romanticise his caring gesture into something impossible. You will only get yourself hurt. I still love him and I always will. I can't help it. But I can't let myself keep hoping that he will love me back. I can't have more heart ache. I can't mix his feelings and mine otherwise it will become complicated  which is what nobody wants..

Avni took a deep breath as if assuring herself in her head  and went down

At the dining table all had come and sat down for breakfast with causal talking going on

Shweta : oh gods I forgot to mention something she said as all were nearly done with their breakfast

Bebe:what do u even remeber

Shweta :bebeeee

Bebe:chal bol ab

Shweta : metha family has invited everyone for dinner

Neil sat up...he didnt mind going but sahil and avni spending time there didn't give him good vibes

Prakash:any special occasion

Shwets: not really just a get  together with avni and neils friends been there too

Bebe: that's good

Shweta : haan so prakash ji and neil please make sure to come on time... we ladies will be home only and good thing is avni will be with us too as she dosnt need to go for work

Neil: haan mom he said and looked at avni who was smiling happily while collecting the plates and went to the kitchen. While neil was glad that at least avni wont be going to the orphanage today

After breakfast prakash and Neil had left to go to their respective work while avni, bebe and shweta decided to go for some shopping

Later on in the evening all had come back early... bebe , shweta and avni were ready and were waiting for neil and prakash to come Down...first prakash came down and then followed by neil

Prakash: i was actually thinking lets go in one car it will be easier If that is not an issue

Avni: come on  that surely isnt an issue we have no problem

Neil: avni is right dad

Bebe:let's get going then.

All nodded and headed to the car prakash sat in the front with neil who was going to drive while the rest sat at the back...Neil had adjusted the rear view mirror and then soon drove of

30 mins later they had finally reached to metha mansion with constant shweta and bebe cute argument with the rest enjoying

all got out of the car ...Neil took a deep breath as he was not looking forward to meeting sahil .....as khanna family r walking avni stopped ... neil realised as he didnt find avni walking beside and turned around  to see avni standing while fidgeting with her eyes

Neil:avni  what happened he asked walking back to her whiile the metha family reached to the main door

Avni: neil something is in my eye she said trying to open it which was annoying her

Neil: wait let me help you he said as he moved closer to her and tried to open her eyes  blowing while  avni was fidgeting now and then

Avni looked at neil with her other eye as she kept her other eye open while neil was  blowing to remove whatever was in her eye but even with her one eye fully open she couldnt stop herself from adoring him

Neil: look it was a small eye lash which was annoying u he said taking it and showing her

Avni came back to present she felt her cheeks slightly go red

Avni:thanks she said slowly but neil heard her.

Dayawanti : neil avni what r u doing there? she asked as she opened The door to welcome the Khanna family

Avneil turned to look at khanna family and dayawanti l looking at them

Neil :lets go he said and started walking

Neil suddenly stopped and turned around

Avni had stood their with her eyes closed in stupidity

Neil: avni u coming ?

Avni looked at neil

Avni:yup I'm coming u go as I just forgot something

Neil nodded and started walking

Avni: shit she said under her breath as she massaged her forehead taking a deep breath

Once she felt she calmed down she started to follow neil who was near the main door as he waited for her seen her come

As they were entering inside his hand went behind her back allowing her to walk in first and then followed by him making butterflies run in her stomach....she clutched her hand into a fist and kept a normal expression

As all entered inside avneil saw their gang present too who was playing carem 

Avni: Aladdin where is sahil she said not noticing him around 

Aladdin: cooking in the kitchen with neela he said and cheered as he won the game

Neil watched as avni went to the kitchen

Ali: sahil seems to be cooking something delicious he said due to the smell

Vidyut : let's check he said while riya and juhi followed and Neil took a long deep breath and followed the rest

Neela looked up as she saw avni walking in followed by the gang and all saw sahil  in a chef attire cutting few other things to add in his food

Neela: I'm surprised to see u all in the kitchen at once she said chuckling

Ali:well the food smelt amazing and we also finished the game so thought y not check in the kitchen

Vidyut: damn sahil u cooking reminds me of college days  ...what say guys  he said looking at his friends

Sahil saw neil standing behind looking at him seriously

Ali: best days vidyut ...especially us cooking with our masterchef neil right he said making neil give a proud smile and look at sahil

Avni:I agree but u guys also need to try sahil's food its amazing

The smile from neil face disappeared while sahil smiled widely giving neil a look

Neil: come on avni u useto say nobody can match up to our food and it was the best

Riya : I agree

Avni: haan I did but sahil food is also good i mean i like both

Vidyut:na na na u have to choose one he said teasingly

Avni: vidyutttt

Ali:he is right I agree u cant change sides

Avni:but there is no sides

Ali:oh yes there is

Avni: noo there isnt

Sahil: well then avni is on my side as she loves my food and I'm confident she will choose my food over anyone else .. I mean neighbours loved to have my food along with the people at the orphanage in London .... I dont think neil can match up to me

Neil raised his eyebrows

Neela:hello hello hello before this yes and no game starts again why dont u just have a food competition..on one side sahil will present his food and on the other side neil as u all say he is your masterchef

Avni:maa what r u sa..but avni couldnt continue as neil spoke

Neil:I'm up for it he said looking at the rest and then at sahil

Sahil: so am I

Avni shook her head

Neela:ok then u both actually know where things r in the kitchen so we all will leave and u can make 2 dish and the 2nd dish will be something sweet.

Juhi: but neela aunty there shouldn't be any time limit as sahil already started cooking and neil hasnt

Neela:of course there wont be any time limit...they can take as much as time as they want now chalo get going she said pushing all out

Avni turned to look at neil who was looking at sahil...she then moved her gaze to sahil while at that time neil looked at her to see her looking at sahil before leaving ..  his jaws tightened

Sahil: though I know I will win but good luck for the sake of it

Neil ignored him and went to his side and checked in the fridge to see what to make

Sahil and Neil got started with making their dishes...sahil was half  already done with his first dish

Sahil looked at the way Neil was cutting the capsicum so fast along with the onions and tomatoes which seemed like a professional cutting

Sahil:not bad at least your hand moves fast

Neil: just like your tounge he said not looking at him

Neil got his pan heated up and started making his chilli paneer...once his vegetables were cooked he added the spice and went to the cupboard to get some soya sauce to add...sahil quickly used that chance and added few extra spoons of chilli powder and mixed it quickly and then pretended to check his own dish

Neil came back and added the soya sauce and was done as the same time as sahil

They both then got ready to make their sweet dish...neil was taking measurements  out few bowl.... as he went to the fridge to get the milk sahil took out 1/4  sugar from Neil's bowl.

Before neil could realise his sugar was less sahil got neil attention

Sahil: neil... make whatever u want but I will win this competition for sure

Neil turned to sahil

Neil: too much over confidence is not good... food is made with love not confidence ok he said and turned to make his sweet dish

Sahil had finished first and Neil finished 10 mins later and both took their food out in two sets of big bowl and placed it on their respective tray heading outside

Ketan:lo here comes the boys he said grabbing everyone's attention

Neela had told the elders about the compeition thing

Dayawanti: sahil what have u made

Sahil: I have made rajma chawal and rasgula

Ali:- my mouth is watery already he said making everyone chuckle

Dayawanti:Neil what about u

Neil: chilli panner and kheer he said.

Vidyut: oh boy I'm excited to try all of the food

All sat down at the dining table ...neil sat next to avni and shweta while sahil sat opposite them along with the rest

The staff started to add bit of rajma chawal and chilli panner on everyone plate

At first they tried Neil's chilli panner and at once everyone's eyes widened as their mouth was on fire

Avni: spicy she said as her eyes were watery and she gulped down some water while neil was confused as to how it became spicy as he had added less chilli powder

Neil:spicy?

Prakash: neil puttar did u make this chilli panner spicy thinking we r your criminals he said jokingly 

Sahil looked on with a smirk

Nanno: koi nahi we will eat with naan so it will be less spicy

Neela: maa is right...madhavi get some naan for everyone

Madhavi nodded while neil was disappointed

They all then tasted sahils  rajma

Vidyut:damn sahil this is amazing... but hey that doesnt mean I'll say neil is a bad cook he is the best still he said

Neil smiled

Avni : I told u he is amazing she said as she ate some more rajma chawal

Neil saw all praising sahil food but he was looking at avni who was eating sahil rajma

Neil didnt tocuh the rajma on his plate and ate the chilli panner

Shweta: neil it's too spicy dont eat it otherwise have some naan with it

Neil:I prefer having it alone maa he said eating his paneer which was spicy and his mouth was burning but he wssnt going to show it

Avni looked at neil confusingly as to y he is eating something so spicy

Next it was desserts turn and for the dessert everyone tasted sahil first this time and they loved his rasgula too
While tasting Neil's dish all liked it but found it less sweet

Shweta:Neil u added less sugar in your kheer but the colour is nice and it is well presentable she said

Neil frowned as to how both his food have not been up to the mark as he clearly remembers adding the right measurement

Dayawanti:its fine shweta besides it's good for harleen who has diabetes she said winking at bebe who rolled her eyes.

All got up while the staff had cleared all the plates and all

The rest went to sit while sahil walked up to neil

Sahil:confidence is always needed while cooking too not just love only

Neil glared at him and looked away

After some time all decided to leave as they had work the next day and all were saying bye to each other...sahil walked up to Neil and hugged him and neil had no choice but to hug him back

Avni had quickly gone to the kitchen and came back with a small container which she placed in a small plastic bag

Sahil:while cooking u should make sure to taste it and also see if your measurements r correct as anyone can add or lessen the ingredients for our food he said

Neil was taken back while as sahil moved away he smirked giving a thumbs down and neil understood now as to y his food came out that way

Neil: I had full faith on my food been good but maybe u must have thought....oh sorry known that my food will be better than yours for making u mess with my food he said and walked to the car not turning to look back at him

The Khanna family continued talking about the food while avni would tell about college incidents be it with the gang or sahil as all listened and laugh but neil would become serious when avni would talk about sahil

As all reached to the khanna mansion...they all said goodnight and headed to their room.

Avni told neil to go while she will give bebe her medicine and then come

Neil nodded and left while avni went to the kitchen to warm up milk and then to  bebe room

Bebe:puttar u didnt sleep she asked seen avni walk into her room with milk and medicine

Avni: no bebe I came to give u your milk and medicine.

Bebe: It was not needed beta ja go and sleep now

Avni nodded and went back to the kitchen and got herself her spoon and took the container out of the plastic back and headed up to the room

As she entered she said the lights dimmed and neil already laying on the bed with his eyes closed

Avni sat down on the couch and opened the container and started to eat the kheer neil made...even though it had less sugar she still ate as she knows how much efforts Neil's puts into his food that he cooks...plus kheer was her fav too so she couldn't resist having it and on top of that it smelt good too...

Neil who was awake but had his eyes closed...he slowly opened it....he had known avni had entered the room as the door opened and closed but not able to feel her on the bed next to him for a while made him curious since the bathroom door didnt make a sound

He opened his eyes slowly  and sat up carefully  to see her back facing him sitting sideways...

Neil ( in his head) : what is avni doing on the couch ?

He was about to get up when he saw her lift the container up a little making the kheer visible

Neil was surprised for a second... he saw avni changing her position a little making her side face visible and was able to see that smile on her face while eating the kheer he made

He wondered as to how he hadn't noticed her taking the container and felt happy knowing she is eating his kheer.A small blush crept on Neil's cheeks.. seeing Avni eating his 'not so good' kheer made his heart flutter. Losing a competition to Sahil, did not seem so bad now. He  ruffled his hair and pulled the duvet over his face, only his eyes were visible. Fighting a huge grin and kept secretly looking at his love, when the sleep came , he himself did not know. He felt at peace..

Precrap: none

Ok ok no glares now we know we took time to update this but we had our reasons

Hope u all love this chap and we will be waiting for all the votes and comments