I don't know about your past. But trust me, I will never judge you irrespective of anything or anyone.

Avni looked at him with surprise. He was really different from others!

And you can also share with me anything. Neil assured her as she looked at him contemplating her thoughts.

*****************************

She stood up and walked to the table. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly as she sighed. The emotions were wrecking her mind and she couldn't hold it in anymore.

Neil filled the glass with water and forwarded it to her. She looked at him and shook her head.

Everyone hates me.. she whispered. Neil stepped forward as he couldn't hear her properly. He placed his hands on her shoulder softly and pulled the chair besides him. He made her sit on the chair and kneeled in front of her.

Don't.. she muttered.

Avni let out everything you have buried in your heart.. sharing your pain will make you feel better.. Neil spoke softly. He could sense the turmoil of emotions in her eyes.

Why does everyone hate me, Neil? I always tried to make myself better for them but they pushed me away.. they stripped off my dignity and pushed me alone in the dark.. Avni said as tears freely ran down her cheeks.

Juhi is right! I don't deserve love! I don't deserve anyone!! She cried. Neil didn't stop her this time as he wanted her to let her emotions out.

She cried hysterically putting her face in her palms. Neil stared at her sadly as he listened to her blabbering. His eyes welled a bit. In the past few months, he always saw the bubbly side of her but he had no idea of her broken side. She was always polite and nice to everyone. In the office where employees hated their bosses, Avni had created a positive aura around in there. The respect for her was clear in their eyes.

He sensed Avni's breath becoming short. He held her palms and tried to comfort her. She hugged his waist and continued weeping. Neil looked at her in surprise but he did not stop her. He knew she was not in her senses.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, holding her gently. He stroked her hair slowly, trying to calm her down.

You are not alone Avni. You deserve all the love and happiness in the world.. just because some people rejected you and pushed you away doesn't mean you are not capable of love. There will always be a right person with whom everything will be right again.

Avni looked at him as she sobbed. Neil slowly wiped her tears and again kneeled in front of her.

There's no right person Neil.. This is not a fairy tale.. This is life! Avni snapped.

I know this is life.. and I am not asking you to wait for a prince charming.. a right person can be anyone.. maybe a friend or a family member or a stranger too.. but before expecting a person to come and accept you, you need to trust yourself and give yourself a chance. Sometimes self-love heals the wounds a stranger can't heal..

Do you always talk so poetic? Avni asked as Neil smiled at her.

Think upon it Avni. You will get your answers. Neil replied as he stood up and passed her a glass of water. She sipped the water thinking about his words.

Do you want me to drop you home? He asked. Avni nodded as she felt her head getting heavy. She knew she won't be able to drive herself home.

They walked out of the building and settled in the car. Neil drove off the place and looked at Avni who was watching out of the window silently. There was a comfortable silence throughout the journey. The car came to a halt near Avni's residence.

How about a coffee? Avni asked.

Maybe some other day. You need rest right now. Go home and sleep.. you will feel better. Neil smiled at her.

Please I insist. Avni said.

Neil nodded and stepped out of the car. Avni smiled and walked with him towards her apartment. She didn't know why she felt so safe and comfortable with him. For the first time in so many years, she felt like she could trust someone.

Neil looked around as they entered Avni's apartment. He sat comfortably on the couch as Avni went to bring some water. Her house was elegant and cosy. It wasn't though what he had expected. She was one of the top businesswomen in the country but yet she lived a simple living.

He looked at Avni as she walked into the hall carrying glasses of water. She kept them on the table and took a seat beside him on the sofa.

They both sat comfortably in silence. Avni sipped on her water thinking of the incident that happened in the office. She never showed her emotions in front of anyone. Not even Karan or Priya. Then why only Neil?

A slight fear crept into her mind thinking whether Neil would also judge her just like others. Neil looked at Avni who was lost in her thoughts. He cleared his throat breaking her reverie.

Don't think much Ms Mehta.. Neil said. He knew she was thinking about the office incident.

How did you know? I mean-- no I wasn't thinking about that.. I will make some coffee for us.. Avni blabbered as she walked to the kitchen without giving Neil a chance to speak.

Neil chuckled at her antics. No matter how much she irritated him at work, he adored her innocence. Her heart was just like a five year old. Pure.

His eyes suddenly stopped at a huge photo frame hanging in the hall. He walked towards it to have a proper look. It looked like a family picture.

There were two kids in the picture standing by the elders. Neil interpreted the little girl to be Avni. She looked adorable in the cute bunny t-shirt and shorts with two ponytails.

He looked at his watch realising he was late for home. He fetched his mobile from the table and messaged his mother. He knew she would be waiting for him and he didn't want her to spoil her sleep for him.

He walked to the kitchen looking after Avni only to find her looking intently at the boiling milk. He called out her name twice but there was no reaction. He walked by her side and switched off the stove.

He placed his hand on her shoulder and slowly turned her towards him. She looked at him as her eyes matched with his.

Is there something bothering you? Neil asked. Avni shook her head.

I am sorry.. I was just-- never mind.. she mumbled. She turned to the pan and moved forward to take it. She cried in pain as her palm came in contact with the hot pan. Thankfully the milk didn't splutter out.

Avni!!

Neil quickly took hold of her wrists and walked her to the sink. He let the water flow on her burnt skin. She tried to withdraw her hands as her skin burned more with the force of water.

Neil noticed this and thus took some water in his palms and slowly put it on her wound. She looked at him as her eyes turned glossy.

He made her sit on the kitchen table and opened the refrigerator to grab some ice. He pulled a chair besides her and applied the ice slowly on the burnt area.

What do you think were you doing Ms Mehta? What if the milk spilled over your hand? You would have burnt your hand! How can you be so careless? You were-

Neil calm down. I am fine.. Avni replied. She looked down trying to control her smile. Her heart fluttered over and over again. No one cared for her when she was sick or injured, let alone panicking over such a small wound.

Neil looked at her silently. How would he explain to her that her wounds hurt him more?

Maybe he himself didn't have the answer to this question!

----------

Avni stood in her balcony gazing at the sky. She felt various emotions rush over her mind. Life was never easy for her. People used her for their selfish motives and left her alone. There was a time when she thought she would die out of the grief. Years passed and the pain was gone and also her emotions. She was dead from inside.

But today she felt something stirring inside her. A person who didn't even know her properly stood by her side in front of everyone.

A strong smell of coffee hit her nostrils as Neil walked in with two mugs of coffee. He stood beside her as he passed the coffee to her.

You didn't have to do this Neil.. Avni said.

Oh come on! I make the best coffee. Try it once. Neil replied with a smile trying to lighten her mood. Avni smiled back and sipped her coffee.

The coffee was a little sweeter than what she preferred. She always liked less sugar in her coffee. But today she had it with a smile.

It's good..

Only good? Neil asked with a fake gasp making Avni smile.

It's amazing.. I never had such coffee before.. Oh god, I am so blessed to have such coffee made by Chef Neil Khanna who only knows to make a coffee.. Avni said dramatically.

Neil looked at her as he didn't know whether she was praising him or mocking him. His lips curved upwards as he chuckled.

For your kind information Ms Mehta, I know how to cook various types of cuisines. I am an expert. Neil flaunted.

Ok if you say so.. Avni giggled. Neil smiled as he looked at her, her soft giggles warming his heart. Her baby hairs softly touched her cheeks as she tried to push them back.  He forwarded his hand and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Avni looked at him as he realised what he did.

I am sorry.. I-

It's ok. Avni replied softly.

Kya tumhe sach mein laga ki mai Prakash uncle ko kuch-
(Did you really think I tried to harm Prakash uncle?)

Not even for a moment. Neil answered sternly.

What if I really did it? How can you trust me so much? Avni asked. Her eyes carefully looked at his expressions, waiting for his answer.

There's no answer to every question Avni. I do trust you. That's all. And I am not a person to judge someone without knowing the situation. Neil replied.

Avni looked away as she didn't know what to say. Trust. The word pierced her heart a million times in her lifetime. She felt like her past was playing in front of her eyes again and again. She clenched her eyes shut in pain.

Avni..

Neil's voice brought her back to reality. She looked around as she felt suffocated.

I also trusted someone a lot in my life.. but they.. she laughed bitterly as she narrated about her life. She just wanted to let out the pain that day!

Who are you talking about? Neil questioned.

My family.

Neil turned to her as she gazed at him silently. He could see hesitation in her eyes.

Avni it's--

No Neil.. I want to.. please

Neil nodded. They both looked at the view outside. Their eyes gazed at the moon who lit brightly in the dark sky. There was a moment of silence before Avni decided to speak up.

She started narrating her whole childhood and how her relationship was with her family. Her eyes welled up as she continued to look at the sky.

Neil turned to her as his heart grew heavy. He knew the importance of a family and could understand what she must have gone through.

After that incident mom dad sent me to Bangalore to Diksha Bua (Aunt). She made my life hell as she hated me. I-    
(Chapter 5)

She gulped her tears as the pain flashed back from the past.

She kicked me out of the house in the middle of the night.

Neil's eyes widened at her statement.

Inter college competitions were going on and I was representing my college but I couldn't reach there on time because Juhi locked me in the washroom. Principal had sent a warning letter to my parents. But that was just the start. Eventually I got into more mess and things went till my suspension.

Why did Juhi do all that to you? Neil asked.

She always hated me and still does.

Neil looked at her as he could connect the dots between all the events. He knew there was more to what Avni revealed about Juhi as her eyes held fear whenever she spoke about her. But he didn't want to pressurise her for anything.

And when I returned home during my vacations..

Flashback

Avni entered her house and met everyone. Ayesha gave her a Stern look.

Come to my room.. we want to talk to you.. Ayesha said as Avni nodded.

After sometime Avni walked to her room. She knew what was going to happen the next moment. She entered the room as her parents gave her a death glare.

Yeh Kya hai avni? Ayesha spoke and showed her the letter which principal sent them.

Mumma voh Mai..

Ayesha cuts her off.

Shut up!! I don't want to hear anything. I am tired of telling you to stop creating problems for us. Why can't you understand that!? Ayesha yelled.

Mumma.. Meri baat toh suno.. Avni pleaded.

Enough avni! Sahi keh rahi hai Ashu.. I feel ashamed.. I feel ashamed of being your dad. Ashish spoke.

Papa.. Avni mumbled as her eyes glistened with tears.

No.. I am tired of listening to your excuses. Pehle mujhe laga ki Ashu tumhe Bina vajah daat deti hai.. par aaj lagta hai ki voh sahi hai.. Ashish further spoke.

And we have decided that once you finish this year you will shift to our house in Mumbai and stay there and start your job.. Ayesha declared.

Avni looked at her in shock. How was she going to live alone in Mumbai? But she knew there was no point of further conversation as they would not listen to her like always. She turned and ran to her room.

She packed her bags and walked downstairs. The house suffocated her and she didn't want to live her anymore.

Aman saw her and stopped her midway.

Avni kaha jaa rahi ho.. yeh luggage.. Aman asked in confusion as she just arrived two hours back and she was all ready to go again.

Bhai.. Meri exams shuru hone vaali hai.. isliye mujhe vapas jaana hoga.. Avni replied and left without waiting for his reply. Ayesha and Ashish saw her going but didn't stop her.

Flashback ends.

Then? Neil asked.

When Bua kicked me out of the house, I had no place to go so I came to Mumbai without informing anyone. I barely had money to eat. I stayed on the streets and worked at a flower shop. After sometime with that money I rented a house and started looking for jobs. My family never tried to contact me. Then I met Mr. Kapoor who offered me a job at his company. I learnt a lot from him and he even helped me to start this company. Without his help I would have never reached here. He was a selfless human being. Avni smiled a bit.

God never lets down good people.. Neil smiled. The respect he had for her increased ten folds as he heard about her hardships. She was a pure soul who didn't deserve all this. But she was still a warrior!

I agree but I am not among those.. Avni replied.

Come again? I am definitely going to stop talking to you now.. Neil said dramatically. Avni chuckled at his words.

Thank you Neil.. Avni said as she finally turned to look at him. Her lips curved into a genuine smile.

Why?

For everything..

Neil smiled.

And yes.. Neil took a step towards Avni yet maintaining the distance between them.

You are not alone Avni.. I will always be there for you no matter what.. Neil promised. Avni looked at him unable to reply as her heart fluttered at his words.

You?

I mean Me, Bebe, Dad and Mom.. everyone.. Neil replied as he realised his words. He didn't want to make Avni feel awkward so he changed his words. Though his words weren't a lie, his family was hers too!

Avni was at loss of words. So she just smiled and nodded. Her heart was feeling something different today. She felt protected after so many years. She felt like she could finally call someone as her own.

But fear didn't leave her mind as something flashed her mind again.

********************************

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