His heads starts throbbing as he leans back on the chair closing his laptop. He closed his eyes and starts pressing his forehead to relieve the pain but it looked like the pain won't go away.

Neil sighs and opening his eyes picks up the phone saw the time. It was 11 o'clock. He was alone in the office trying to complete his pending work. He kept the phone down and thought to get home and take some rest.

He quickly wrapped his work and getting up from the chair, he held the blazer in one hand and taking his stuff in another hand he walks out of the cabin after switching the lights off and closing the door of his cabin.

He walks in the car park and opening the car door he got inside. He placed his stuff on the passenger seat then fastens the seatbelt before he drove to khanna mansion.

He unlocking the door he gets out of the car and taking his belongs he headed towards the entrance.

He pushing the door enters inside and turns the light on. He the turns around locking the door behind him.

He climbs the stairs was about to head to his room but stops he got near the guest room where Avni was staying.

He didn't know why he stopped there but something erupts in his heart and wanting to check on her.

He sighs and thought upon checking on her before going to his room. He gently pushed the door and enters. He got shocked as he then turns the light on.

Her body shaken up, sweats forming all over her body.

Neil throwing his stuff on the floor rushed to bed and jumping on the side he starts caressing her hair and starts whispering sweets words to her.

He looked stunned seeing her this state. His heart broke seeing her like that. He didn't knew why but it remained him of his own past. Seeing her this state brought tears in his eyes.

Neil : it's okay! It's okay. I am here with you.

He was really concerned about her. He heard few mumbles as she starts opening her eyes in jerk and she sat on bed pushing his hand away and panting loudly.

Fresh tears brimmed in her eyes and let them roll down her cheeks. Her breath heavens as she tries to calm herself from the nightmare and panic attack she got a while ago.

She didn't acknowledged his presence she was too busy fighting with her own battles. As she felt a hand on her shoulder, she quickly flinched away and turns her head around staring at him who looks very terrified seeing her like that.

Neil : I am not going to hurt you. Are you okay?

She looks at him confusingly. Why wouldn't she confused. No one ever asked her if she was okay? All she heard her about herself was worthless, unwanted, burden and what many not.

Neil didn't knew what to do so he slides his arm around her shoulder and pulls her in side her.

She was in her own world to understand anything. Feeling such warm warmth she hid herself into his chest and wraps her arms around his waist hesitatingly.

Neil gently pats her head and waits till she feels better.

Neil : I don't know if I should be asking you or not, but I also feel need to ask this. Are you okay?

Avni didn't response but tightened her grip around his body.

Neil sighs and thought of something.

Neil : I have better idea. Do you feel sleepy?

He looks down and saw her shaking her head. A small smile appears on his face.

Neil : do you want to go out? It will make you feel better. I can grab coffee for us then we can sit in garden.

Avni didn't break the hug but tilts her head up staring him and bobbed her head cutely.

Neil : why don't you wrap yourself in shawl and I will meet you in the living hall.

Neil break the hug and was about to get down the bed but stops as he felt her holding his hand. He turns and looks at her.

Avni : don't leave me..

She spoke quietly and hopes he won't leave like everyone else did.

Neil : okay! We will go together.

She nods her head and looks at him. Neil sighing to himself got down the bed and moving near the closet he took one shawl out and walks to bed.

He gives his hand to Avni who looks at him before placing her hand on his.

He wraps shawl around her shoulder and holding her hands he walks out of the room with her.

They both walked down the stairs , moving to kitchen Neil looks at Avni.

Neil : do you feel hungry?

Avni : no!

Neil : I will make coffee then we can go in garden and sit.

Avni didn't respond but watched him as he rolls his sleeves up and starts making coffee.

She never had chance to drool over mens because those men's who came in contact with her always give her negative vibes with Neil she didn't why she felt safe with him.

He wasn't like him who used to torture her, Neil something like him. She wanted to know more about him but how can she expose herself.

Was she ready for this new world. Will she ever go back to him or the hell she lived entire life since after her parents passed away.

Neil flicks his finger on her forehead making her come out of the thoughts she was zoned out while he made the coffee.

Neil : where are you lost? Let's go!

He handed the cup to her and taking his he walks to garden followed by Avni.

They both sat down and starts sipping their coffee in silence.

Neil looks at Avni while sipping his coffee. He tried reading her facial expressions, by seeing her in that state earlier he understood she had panic attack or suffering from past trauma.

They were very much alike each other but different past trauma hitting them. Neil just knew one thing, he couldn't let her slip away just like he let himself slip away.

He didn't want another Neil khanna who is sex and alcohol addicted. He didn't want Avni to become like him, there was something that was pulling him towards her, his heart was yelling at him to help her out.

Neil puts his cup down and looks at Avni who looked lost sipping her coffee.

Neil : avni!

He calls her out making her flinch but looking at her she got relieved.

Neil : sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. Can I ask you something?

Avni looks at him and nodded her head not knowing what he will ask but boosting some confidence in herself thought to share it with someone or might be stranger in next day and forget her soon as she leaves this place.

Neil : where is family? Do you have family who we can contact?

Avni didn't looked surprised hearing this question but this question many thoughts bolted up inside her heart.

Avni : my family.. I don't have one.

She bluntly spoke staring into his eyes, he looked shocked hearing her being so much blunt about her family.

Neil : how you come in front of the car? Shouldn't be at home at night? You know it's not safe to walk middle of night in isolate place.

Avni froze hearing his question and looked away. He too noticed and thought to let this conversation slide away.

Neil : it's okay! You don't have to answer if you are not comfortable. Since you will be staying with us. Why don't you open with Bebe? She is my grandmother. She won't hurt you. Be with her and feel safe and comfortable in the house. You won't see me much but Bebe will stay with you.

Avni just nodded her head.

Neil yawns and glances at Avni who looked up in the sky staring the stars.

Neil : we should go and sleep.

Avni : you can go! I don't feel sleepy.

He sighs knowing those sleepless nights after woken up by the nightmares. Neil shook his head and laid himself on the couch itself in garden and closed his eyes.

Avni sighs and removing the shawl from her body covers his body.

Next morning Bebe walks out in the garden and saw them. Neil sleeping on the couch and Avni leaning her head against the couch.

Bebe walks to them and was surprised seeing Neil sleeping like that. She couldn't believe her eyes, he was asleep without frowning or shivering. She then looks at Avni who looked very uncomfortable sleeping in sitting position.

Bebe sighs and shook her head seeing two grown up sleeping like a child.

Bebe moving to Neil starts waking him up.

Neil open his eyes and looks at Bebe, his gaze fell on Avni who looked uncomfortable. Neil sat up yawning and stretched his body ignoring Bebe question mark gaze on him.

He quickly glancing at Avni got up and sprints away from there leaving Bebe shock and confused.

Bebe shook her head and sitting beside Avni starts waking her up. 

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