Hello guys! I'm back!! Hope you all are doing well :) I've updated this story as soon as I got time after my exam. A long chapter awaits for you guys!! It's the longest I've ever written ( Pheww *sighs in relief*😌) !! And secondly, English translation of the dialogues is given right after the dialogues in (Bold) format. Just don't forget to read the lengthy author's note at the end of the chapter.
Happyy reading!

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Song- Lag ja Gale (remake)
Movie- Saheb Biwi aur Gangster 3
Singer- Jonita Gandhi

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Lag ja Gale ki phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho,
Shayad phir is janam mein, mulakaat ho na ho.
Lag ja Gale se, se.

With these lines finally the song came to an end. By that time, AvNeil also had reached their destination, that is, the beach. They spotted their family members at a nearby shack. The area around the shack was relatively quiet. Not many people were present around. As soon as Avni and Neil saw all of them, they made a run towards them. All of them smiled at the duo.

Bebe- Aaja puttar, give me a hug.

And both Avni and Neil launched themselves at Bebe. She was their favorite. The most wisest of them all, she was the epitome of goodness and wisdom. If they faced any problem, they could very much rely on Bebe for the best solutions. And that's why they loved her.

She was the coolest and the best person one could ever find.

Shweta- Childrens, where were you boths, haan?
Bebe- Ohfo, Shweta... Bacche abhi abhi aaye hain and you started with your interrogation... Arre atleast let them sit down and breathe. (Kids have come just now....)

Shweta bit her tongue in apology while others stifled a laughter that was about to escape their mouths.

Shweta- Sorries Bebe, woh kya hai na... I'm a mother and when these childrens come lates even by a seconds, I get anxious, you knows na... Toh I just could not stops myself... Sorry haan. (... The thing is.....)

Ayesha nodded while others gave a small smile as they saw Shweta opening up about her motherly nature. It wasn't something that she did very often, but when she did, it was a sight to behold. Avni went towards Shweta and hugged her tightly.

Avni- Shweta Ma, you don't have to worry. When we have a family like you people, then hum dono ko kuch bhi nahi ho sakta. Right Neil? (..... Nothing can happen to us...)
Neil- Yes Mom, nothing can happen to us, agar aap log humare sath hain. (..... If you all are with us.)

Avni looked at Shweta and said

Avni- See Shweta Ma, I told you na.

Shweta nodded smilingly and kissed Avni's cheek. Avni too kissed her back. Everyone looked at the duo lovingly while Neil pouted seeing the love between the two people.

Neil- Haww!! Bebe, did you see? They forgot me! Me! The Neil Khanna!

He whined while the others had a good laugh. Meanwhile, Bebe tried to pacify him

Bebe- Koi na puttar. Your Bebe is here na... Come I'll give you a kiss. Aaja mera baccha.. (Saying so, she extends her hands so as to hug Neil, while Neil lunges forward to crash directly into her arms) (No worries child.... Come my child.)
Neil- I love you Bebe!
Bebe- I love you too mera baccha! (... My child!)

Everyone smiled seeing them while Neil poked out his tongue at Avni who snapped her head in the other direction and hugged Shweta more tightly.

Ayesha- Accha, accha, now enough of showing affection to each other. Avni, Neil, go change into your beach clothes and then come and have something. Your clothes are there in that brown paper bag.
Avni- Yes Ma. Chalo Neil, let's go.

Neil just hummed in response and got to his heels. The duo then went to the washrooms and got changed. Avni was dressed in a sky blue beach dress while Neil was wearing a white T-shirt with black shorts. When they were finally returning to the shack, they saw everyone seated on the picnic mat and the aroma of the delicious food hit their nostrils and overtook all their other senses. And then they remembered, they didn't even have anything for hours. They hurried towards the shack and sat down cross legged. Avni took a deep breath in and exclaimed in a shrill voice

Avni- Poha! Yummm!!

And saying so, she dug her spoon in the bowl of Poha and as soon as she pushed the first spoonful of her favorite delicacy in her mouth, a soft moan escaped her lips.

Shweta, Bebe and Ayesha smiled at Avni and her childish antics. While Neil covered his ears and scrunched up his nose and closed his eyes and said

Neil- My dear annoying Miss Ajooba, I appreciate your enthusiasm on the mere sight of your favorite food item, but please spare me (folds his hands). I don't want to become deaf in my early teenage only. Please mujhe baksh do. (..... Please spare me.)

Clicking her tongue in annoyance and then royally ignoring his remark, Avni continued to savour her food. Who can continue to eat the lipsmacking Poha and not moan? Without a doubt, Our one and only the Neil Khanna.

Such a baboon, Avni thought.

After having her food, Avni looked at Ayesha and asked

Avni- Ma, you made the Poha, right?
Ayesha- Yeah, but how did you know?
Avni- Ma, I'm your daughter. I know the taste of the food you make. You know I prefer two spoons of sugar in Poha. And then garnished with Sev. And-
Ayesha- Accha haan baba... I accept it that you can recognize the food made by my hands. Happy?

Avni smiled at this. She looked at Neil who was still having his Pav Bhaji and shook her head in disapproval.

Avni- You are such a slow eater, baboon.
Neil (scrunching up his nose) - Haan toh? I am relishing the taste of the Pav Bhaji my Mom has made for me.
Avni- Whatever... Finish your food fast. I've to play.
Neil- Haan toh jao khelo na. Who's stopping you anyway? But let me savour the taste of my favorite food. (So go and play na.)
Shweta- Tillu, what is this, haan? Is this the ways you talks to your friends? Is this what I taughts you, haan?
Neil- Mom but she-
Avni- Aree Shweta Ma, leave it. Neil you've finished your food. Aao, let's play.
Neil- Hmm... Aa raha. (.. Coming.)

AvNeil were taking a walk by the sea shore while the whole atmosphere was blanketed in a comfortable silence. While walking, Avni bent down every now and then to pick up the sea biscuits and other sea shells that reached the shore after being swept away by the sea wave. The whole atmosphere was posing complete serenity while Neil was having a complete look at the beautiful girl walking beside him, completely unaware that someone was even watching her to their heart's content.

She looked so angelic!

Breaking the silence, Avni started a conversation.

Avni- Neil, you're going to Australia and tum to topper ho... Tum nahi rahoge to how will I pass my exams? (... You're a topper.. If you won't be here, how will I pass my exams?)
Neil- Bas... Itni si baat? Arre, I'll help you Miss Ajooba. What's there to worry when Neil Khanna is here right in front of you? Waise bhi, I'm your Messiah, so it's my moral responsibility to make sure that you pass your exams... Warna Ayesha Ma will beat the hell out of you... Right Avi?
(Winks in his usual swag) And haan, you can thank me later, when we pass out from school. (Just this much is your worry?..... And by the way...... Otherwise...)
Avni- You won't leave any chance to tease me, right? Jao, I'm angry at you now. (She crosses her arms at her chest and keeping a straight face, marches away from there). (Mutters under her breath) Baboon kahin ka. (This baboon.)

As she was going, Neil gave a cheeky smile. He loved to tease her as much as he loved her. Wait. What! Loved her!? No, no, (thinking to himself) Yes, I love her, but us tarah se nahi. I mean I love her like a best friend, and I don't want to spoil this beautiful relation I have with her. So yes, I love her, but like a best friend. Haan.... (And he trailed off) (... But not like that...... Yes.)

But she looks so cute with that angry pout.
My little angry bird.

As he was roaming here and there, he saw Avni coming towards him. He started acting as if he hadn't noticed her. When she finally reached there, he looked towards her and cocked up an eye brow, as if asking 'What?'

Avni- I'm still angry at you. Aur tum... Tum mujhe manane bhi nahi aaye. Mai abhi naraz hoon tumse. Did you hear it!? I'm. Still. Angry. At. You. (... And you... You didn't even come to pacify me. I'm still angry at you.)
Neil(acting indifferent)- Haan to, ab isme what can I do? Being angry was your choice, I didn't tell you to get angry like that (shrugs shoulders). (So what... Now what can I do...)
Avni- Haww... You don't even care if your best friend is angry at you. Huff...
Neil- Haan because I know ki tum mujhse baat kiye bina chain se so nahi paogi. To tumhara gussa rehna is of no use. Simple logic (shrugs shoulders). (... You can't sleep without talking to me. So your staying angry with me is of no use..)

Avni clicked her tongue in annoyance. And then started walking further while Neil followed suit. Trying to break the ice between them, Neil tried to initiate a conversation.

Neil- Avni... Woh I needed to talk to you before I go abroad.
Avni- Hmmm...

She replied, signalling Neil to continue speaking.

Neil- Woh Avni... Woh I... I love you.
Avni (giving a toothy smile) - Nice one, Neil. But I'm not falling for this.
Neil- No, I mean, I'm serious. It's not a prank.IloveyouAvniwillyoubemygirlfriend?

And he regretted the words as soon as they slipped his lips. Maybe he shouldn't have uttered them at all. What if she gets angry and breaks their friendship? No that can't be happening.

Damn his eagerness!

Avni- Huh, what?

And for a moment, Neil was relieved. You might be thinking Neil has some thinking disorder that he keeps on treading onto two different paths at the same time, but then he's a lovestruck teenager, after all. But then, he had to do that stupidity once again.

Neil- I said, I love you Avni will you be my girlfriend?

And for a moment, Avni had a blank expression as in she wasn't able to make out what the hell was happening at that moment. And suddenly, Neil broke out in fits of laughter. Avni blinked her eyes not able to formulate anything that was happening.

Neil- Lo- look at- at your face. It was a prank Avi!! (Between laughs) The Avni Ayesha fell for my prank (laughs). Apna chehra dekho Avni!! (Laughs) (... Look at your face Avni!!)

Avni- Nice one, Neil. I couldn't differentiate that it was a prank (Fake smiles).

As soon as her face's glow had doubled up, her smile faltered at the same lightening speed. She had finally hoped that Neil felt the same way she felt for him, but alas! She nodded her head in understanding and spun around and started walking while Neil rubbed away the lone tear that had escaped his eye.

If only she knew!

Avni- Waise Neil, what if you find a girlfriend there? Will you give her my place in your life ? (Hopeful eyes thinking that he'd deny that)
Neil (playfully)- What if I do? You never know, do you? (Cocks an eyebrow)
Avni (narrows her eyes) - I'll kill her with my bare hands. Woh tumhaari life mein meri jagah leke to dikhaye. Uska muh nahi tod diya to mera naam bhi Avni Ayesha nahi. (...Let her try to take my place in your life. I would change my name if I don't break her jaw.)
Neil (laughs) - Accha accha shaant maate. Why do you have to always be on Gabbar Singh mode, sabko maarne ke liye taiyar? Mujhe agar girlfriend mil gayi, toh main sabse pehle tumhe hi bataunga, and then you decide ki she's good for me or not, okay? (Okay okay calm down Miss.... Always ready to murder everyone? If I find myself a girlfriend, you'll be the first one to know...)
Avni- Hmmm... But don't you hide anything from me, yeh sochkar ki videsh chale gaye to mujhse kuch bhi chhupa paoge. Promise? (... Thinking that you went to abroad so you can hide things from me..)
Neil- Haan baba, promise. Waise it would be fun to see both of you fight for me. Dekhna yeh hai, ki jeetega kaun. (Laughs) (By the way... The thing to look forward is, who'll win.)
Avni- Neil, it's not funny, okay?
Neil- Toh maine kab kaha ki it's funny? (tries to hide his laugh which is threatening to escape his lips.) (So when did I say it's funny?)
Avni- Neil!! You're laughing!?
Neil- No, I'm not. (tries to hide his smile) Accha Avni, I'm tired now. Let's sit down now... Bahut der se we've been walking. (We've been continuously walking for a while.)
Avni- Haan chalo... (Yes, come...)

They finally sat down on the cool sands which was glistening under the setting sun. On one side, the moon was rising, while on the other side, the sun was setting down. It was a soul soothing place, away from the hauchpauch of the city. Both of them were looking at the sun, which looked like it was drowning in the sea. Some sea gulls were flying round and round above the sea, while screaming out their bird calls, proclaiming that now it was the time to retire for the day.

Breaking the silence between them, Avni spoke

Avni- Neil, tum Australia ja rahe ho. Nothing will happen to our happy family, right? (Neil, you're going to Australia...)
Neil- No Avni, till the time we're together and cross each and every hurdle, nothing will happen to our happy family.

Someone was watching them from behind from a little far distance.

Unknown voice/Person 1- Dekhte hain tumhaari pyari si happy family ko kaun humse bachata hai (Smirks). (Let's see who saves your lovely happy family from us.)

He calls someone on his phone.

Voice/Person 1- Sir. Woh yahin hai... Apne dost ke sath. (Sir, she's here only... With her friend. )
Person 2 on call- Yaad rakhna... Usko kuch nahi hona chahiye. Zyada se zyada kuch chotein, usse zyada kuch nahi. Agar aur kuch hua, to yaad rakhna, aage zindagi mein kabhi chalne layak nahi bachoge. (Do remember... Nothing should happen to her. At the most, some scratches here and there, nothing more than that. If anything else happens, then remember you won't be capable enough in future to walk without support)
Person 1- Aap chinta mat kariye... Apka kaam ho jayega... Jaisa aap chahte hain theek waisa hi hoga sab kuch. Main aapko baad mein call karke saari update deta rahunga. (You don't worry... Your work would be done... Just the way you want it to be executed... I'll call you later and give you all the updates)
Person 2- Hmm... Apna kaam dhang se karna... Koi locha (mistake) nahi hona chahiye. (Ends call) (... Do your work with diligence... There should be no mistake.)
Person 1- Now it's time to install that bomb in the washroom. Par uske pehle mujhe us Ayesha ko washroom mein bhejna hoga. (... But before that I need to send that Ayesha to the washroom.)

He sneaks to the shack where the family was stationed and takes all their baggages and hides them in the washroom without coming into somebody's notice. He leaves the bags there and installs the bomb there.

Back at the shack~

Shweta (surprised reaction)- Oh my Gods!
Bebe- Arre bhai... Kya hua Madam Madonna? (Oh dear... What happened Madam Madonna?)
Shweta- Bebe... Woh jo bags hum laye the... Woh gayab ho gaye! Usme humara kitna valuables samaan tha.. Hey Bhagwaan! Mother-in-law... The bags we bought are missing! There were many valuable things in those bags... Oh God!)
Bebe- Arre yeh kaise ho gaya!? Abhi toh yahin rakhe the... (Oh... How did this happen!? The bags were kept here only...)

They frantically started to search for the bags. Finally, they sat down and started thinking of a solution.

Ayesha- Don't worry, Bebe, Shweta ji... Let's search for Avni and Neil first. Then we'll search for the bags. It's time to go home as well...
Bebe- Haan puttar... Ja dekhke aa dono kahan hai. (Yes daughter... Go and see where the kids are.)
Ayesha- Ji Bebe. (Yes Bebe.)

Ayesha came searching for the duo. She spotted them sitting on the beach and engrossed in a serious conversation. She strided towards them and called out to her daughter

Ayesha- Avni! Avni baccha! Please come here... I need your help... Meet me in the washroom.
Avni- Coming Ma. Neil, main abhi aayi. (.... I'll just come.)

Saying so, she got up to leave. But then suddenly, Neil held her wrist. Avni looked down to see what was stopping her from moving. She was surprised to see Neil holding onto her hand.

Avni- Neil, what happened? Is there anything serious?
Neil (shaking his head negatively) - Nahi... Kuch nahi. Just come soon. Mujhe kuch theek nahi lag raha. (Nothing... Nothing at all... I don't feel something good.)
Avni (smiles) - Kuch nahi hua hai Neil. You're just thinking a lot. Don't worry, I'll be back in a moment. (Nothing has happened Neil....)

Wished it was true!

Neil nodded his head in understanding while Avni proceeded to go to Ayesha.

Avni- Yes Ma? What happened? Is there anything wrong?
Ayesha- Avni, hum jo bags laaye the ghar se... Woh achanak se kahin gayab ho gaye hain... Usme paise and all rakhe hue the.... We have to search for them. (.. The bags we brought from home... They have dissapeared all of a sudden... There was money and all other stuff kept in them...)
Avni- Okay...

Though Avni had said this in a normal tone, she didn't feel normal at all. There was a feeling that kept her nagging her at the back of her mind. She had told Neil that everything was and will be alright, but she herself was apprehensive about her statement that she had made earlier.

Avni- So where do we look for them?
Ayesha- Let's start from the washroom. Maybe someone played a prank and kept them there.
Avni- Okay.

Saying this, she proceeded towards the washroom with Ayesha. Suddenly she heard a voice, distinctly a child's wails. Hearing the cries, she stopped abruptly in her tracks. Seeing her stop, Ayesha stopped and looked at her quizzically.

Ayesha- Kya hua Avni? Why did you stop all of a sudden?
Avni- Ma... I heard a child cry somewhere near the washroom only.
Ayesha- Avni... Tumhare kaan baj rahe hain... Yahan tumhe kaun dikh raha hai apart from both of us? (.. Your ears are ringing... Whom can you spot here...)
Avni- Nahi Ma... I'm sure maine kisi bacche ki rone ki awaaz suni hai... And you know... Mere kaan bahut tez hain.. I'm sure there's some child here. (No Mother... I'm sure I heard a child crying... I have ears as sharp as a wolf...)
Ayesha- Par Avni! Meri baat to suno! (But Avni! Atleast listen to what I'm saying!)

But Avni was long gone in the direction of the voice behind the structure which was the washroom.Ayesha shook her head tiredly. She went inside the washroom and started searching for the bags. Her daughter was way to stubborn!

Little did she know that it was the last time she was seeing her daughter...

By then, Avni had reached the backside of the washroom. She was looking here and there for the child snd spotted a little girl at a bit far distance. She proceeded towards her.

At some other place~

Person 1 (smiling sinisterly) - Time for a showdown!
Saying this, he looked towards the direction where Avni had gone. Seeing that she was at a safe distance from the washroom, he finally pressed the button, and the countdown of the bomb began. 10...,9...,8...,7...,6...,5...,4...,3...,2...,1.

And suddenly, there was a deafening explosion. The washroom where the duo had gone had now been reduced to a rubble and only broken pieces of bricks and mortar were visible. A raging fire, waiting to consume every single thing that came it's way had erupted at the shack where Neil and the others were waiting for Avni and Ayesha.

But Ayesha was dead, and Avni too, was gone.

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Zindagi ka falsafa bhi bada ajeeb sa hota hai,
Bichhde hue ko na kashti na kisi tinke ka sahara hai.
Kuch yaadein rooh ko bhiga jati hain,
Bas kuch lamhon mein hi zindagi badal jati hai.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. If yes, then do hit the star icon and vote and comment too! If not, lemme know what improvisions do I need to do. I have no idea what I wrote in that shaayari/couplet. Please pardon for any mistake. And yeah, gear yourself up for an emotional ride from the next chapter onwards. And.... Where do you think Avni is? Who's behind this bomb blast?

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THANK YOU NOTE

Also, thank you guyyss for sooo much loveeee!! You guys are gems!! ❤❤❤

*(happy author noises)*

I was completely overwhelmed with the response I got on the previous two chapters (well one chapter and one promo; still) I literally did a victory dance at 2 am at night whenever a Wattpad notification showed up saying 'so and so has voted/commented/added your story to their reading list/followed on your story/you' and my grandma was like "What the hell has happened to you!? Which spirit has possessed you Khushi!?"😆😂😂
Now how do I tell her that it was my victory dance because we skyrocketed from 135 votes to 179 in just three days and that now we're a small si happy family of 32 people!!😂❤❤
These votes and comments mean a lot to me. And just like how an engine needs fuel to function, the same way we authors need your views, votes and comments to fuel ourselves for writing chapters and presenting them to you readers. We've reached 179 votes, 18 comments (well, that's something big for me) and 2.57k views. And that's huge for me, like really huggeee!! Thank you so much my dearest chotu si Wattpad family for showering me with this love!! I love you guys! ❤😘

*(gives virtual hugs and kisses (I know it's Corona going on, still 😬) and distributes slices of Pizza🍕 and asks 'Who wants a Pizza with Coke!?')*

Now coming on to the next topic, I wanted to connect with you guys and what better way is there other than me asking you random questions and you asking me and all of us answering them together? So I've decided that every chapter I update henceforth will have one random question at the end. And you have to give me your answers in the inline comment section. The same way you guys can ask me questions on any topic Or any stuff you would want to know about me. Just drop your questions in the inline comments and I'll answer them. Much like the 'Ask me Anything' session people conduct on Instagram. Simple enough?

So your question for today is~

Who is your favorite male actor in Television industry? (Apart from Zain Imam).
Mine is Parth Samthaan. (He's a very handsome man) ❤❤

So what are you waiting for? Drop in your answers now!!
And don't forget to vote. A few comments would also do 😉

*(greedy author noises)* 😁😬

And also, before I forget, I've updated my other story 'Kismats Konnections' and also 'Musings', where I've already updated two poems. I'd be very happy if you could check them out and lemme know your views.
Till then, stay safe. I'll meet you guys in the next update :)
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#StayHomeStaySafe
#TogetherWellFightCorona

Love,
Khushi ❤