Neil shifted on bed and his eyes flicks opens. He blurring looks at something feeling heavy on his chest.

He rubs his eyes with his fingers and opens eyes again to get shocked seeing Avni snugging into his chest. He frowned and was confused wondering how did she landed in his room when he clearly remembers after dinner she went to sleep in her room.

He wasn't able to understand how she landed in his room that too on his bed hugging him but nevertheless he shook his head and leaning down he heard few whispers.

" don't leave me Neil"

" no don't hurt me"

" help me! Leave me alone"

" Neil, be with me"

Neil's heart broke seeing her so helpless, even in sleep she couldn't be peace. His mind wasn't working when he hugged her back pulling her in tight hug. His hand caressing her back.

Neil : I have got you! No one will harm you! I promise you! I am with you!

He whispered in soft voice and pulls duvet over them. He knew he was wrong hugging her without her permission but also his heart didn't allow him to leave her like that in this state.

Unknowingly he slept hugging her close to his chest like his entire life depending on protecting her from the world.

Next morning, the sun raised fell on their faces. She again snuggled into his chest hiding herself from the sun. She felt so comfortable and protective in his arms. She can never deny that.

Her eyes flicks opens and a content smile appears on her face as she untangles herself from his chest and glanced looking at his face.

Avni ( mind) I don't know what will help next. How ruthless you may be in others eyes but for me you're my hope. My hope that will win someday. I don't know if I am liking liking you or not but one thing I know my heart carves to be in your arms. My heart feels safe with you. I know you will not send me back in the hell.

She stares his face who was sleeping with frown on his face. She caressed his face removing the frown from his face. She smiled and quickly withdrew her back seeing his stirring in sleep.

She glanced at the clock and quickly jumped down the bed and rushed outside of the room.

As she left Neil opens his face and placed roamed his hand on his face smiling to himself.

Neil : I am still waiting for the day when you will admit that you have starts liking me.

He grins like a fool and getting down the bed went to fresh up.

He got dressed in his office attire and moves to dressing table, he wore his favourite brand watch and puts the cologne on his body.

He ruffles his and picking up his phone and bag headed downstairs.

He saw the maid setting up the table. He puts his bag on the couch and headed to dining table.

Neil : can you call Avni down?

He asked the maid who nodded her head and went upstairs but soon came back looking at Neil in worried.

Neil : what happened? Where is she?

Maid : sir... she didn't responding. I called her few times but she didn't respond or I heard any noises from inside.

Neil freaks out and getting up from the chair ran upstairs knocking Avni's room door.

Neil : Avni! Open the door.. Avni open the door.

He banged the door and looks at the maid who stood there worriedly.

Neil : why are you standing? Get the the spares keys.

The maid nodded her  head and rushed to get the extra key for the Avni. She comes back and passed it to Neil.

Neil fiddling with his fingers and hoping she is okay quickly opens the room. He pushed the door and enters to get shocked seeing Avni lying on the floor unconscious.

He ran to her and placing her head taps her cheeks.

Neil : walk up Avni!

He tried to waking her up but no respond from her side. He didn't how she fell unconscious when she was okay when she left his room.

He looks at the maid and asked her to the doctor.

A tear rolled down his cheek falling it on Avni's face. The maid was too stunned seeing her boss crying for the first time.

Neil picks her up in his arms and placed on her bed. He sat beside her holding her hands and continues keeping her stable. She might be unconscious but she could feel him close to herself.

His family doctor arrived and checks Avni. He then looks at Neil who looked and worried and broken.
He definitely understood seeing Avni in this state made him think about his past too.

His past hasn't stopped haunting him either. His pain wasn't suppressed even after so many years passed.

Doctor : Neil she is okay! You don't have to worried.

Neil : why did she faint? What might have happened? She was fine while ago?

Doctor : she fainted because of stress or past trauma. Do you know anything? She has been staying with almost a year now. Has she spoken to you?

Neil : no! She hasn't! Is she okay?

Doctor : yes she is okay! I have given her injection. She will up in an hour or so. You don't worry. Bring her to checkup regularly. She need therapy. You should take her where you had yours done.

Neil didn't say a word but kept looking at Avni. His family doctor advising to take care of Avni left the room.

Neil blankly stares Avni and unknowingly his hand roamed her face. He recalled Morning incident.

He sighs and leans his head back to headboard and sat there waiting for her to open her eyes. He wouldn't be in peace till he doesn't hear her voice or believes she is okay.

His eyes snap out from his thought as he felt a hand entwining his hand and her voice cricked.

Neil : hey! You okay!

Avni : I.. how.. what happened..

Neil : it's okay! You don't need to remember. Do you feel okay?

Avni nodded her head and looks at his attire then the time.

Avni : you didn't go office?

Neil : office isn't my concern at the moment. My concern is your health. Why don't you take care of yourself? I got so worried.

Avni : I am sorry! I don't remember. I have blur memory..

Neil didn't want her to her remember.

Neil : it's okay! You will take a day off and rest. I don't want to hear anything. You don't disobey me.

Avni : but! I had meeting.

Neil : I don't care! You will not go to work. I have many employers who can handle your meeting in your absence. You are not going and this is my decision. Understood!

Avni: okay! Can you call aunty?! I need to use washroom.

Neil : I will call her! You rest.

He bends down and kissed her forehead making her shock. He ignoring her expression left the room to call the maid who comes in the room and helps Avni out.

Neil taking his phone out and dials his office number.

Neil : hello shivangi! I need you to fill a form for Avni absence. She isn't well and won't be coming today. she dropped me a message. And I will be away from office. So handle in my absence.

Shivangi : okay sir!

Neil ended the call and went back to his room changing himself into casual clothes.

He then comes out of his room and headed to Avni's room to check upon on her.

He knocks the door and enters when he heard her voice.

He comes inside and saw her having the soup that was brought by the maid.

Neil : how are you feeling now?

Avni : horrible! I don't like this tasteless food. Why are you torturing me?

Neil: it's your own betterment.

Avni: why aren't you in office?

Neil : I have taken a day off. I will manage my meetings through zoom calls. You don't need to worry about that. You need to look after yourself. Finish your soup then sleep.

Avni : I can't go to sleep. I don't feel like sleeping. Please don't be too hard on me.

Neil sighs and sat opposite her.

Neil : I won't force you to sleep. Is there something you to do?

Avni : I kinda of want to watch something. Can I use your laptop? Or read a book? Can I use it?

Neil shook his head and chuckles.

Neil : off course you can! I will get you a book. What kind of genre you like?

Avni : mystery and romance!

Neil : I don't have those books in my study room. I have dark books.

Avni : oh! I will just watch a movie.

Neil : I will purchase some books in the evening, while you watch a movie after having the soup. I will grab my laptop.

Avni nodded her head and Neil went out of the room to grab his laptop.

Avni finished the soup and gulped the medicine given by Neil who told her to eat before he left the room.

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