Neela placing the tray on side tables walks to Avni who was sitting in balcony zoned out. Neela sighing herself sat beside Avni who still didn't acknowledge Neela's presence.

Neela placed her hand on Avni's shoulder gaining Avni's attention. Avni looked stunned seeing Neela.

Avni : maa! When did you come?

Neela : what happened bacha. I have been noticing you since you came back from the camp, you seems very lost. Is something bothering you. You can tell me.

Avni : maa! I don't know how shall I tell you. Honestly I don't even know what I am feeling right my now.

Neela sighs and puts Avni's head on her lap and starts caressing her hairs. Meanwhile Avni feeling motherly warmth buries her face into Neela's lap.

A minute silence Neela looks again at avni and found her fallen asleep.

Neela smiles and kissing Avni's forehead lets her sleep.

Neela comes downstairs and found Ashish.

Neela : when did you come?

Ashish looks at Neela.

Ashish : just minute ago. Where is princess? I didn't see whole this week. Is she okay?

Neela : I really don't know what is going on with her. I tried talking to her but she hasn't said anything. I think you should talk to her. Maybe I should ask Manik. He might know what is bothering Avni.

Ashish : where is avni?

Neela : she is sleeping.

Ashish nods his head and excusing himself went to fresh up.

Neela taking empty glass that Ashish was holding went to kitchen to make some snacks.

Avni descending down the stairs found herself moving into kitchen as het stomach betrayed.

Avni smiles seeing Neela in kitchen and taking small steps back hugs Neela making Neela startled.

Neela : oh my god. Bacha you scared me. When did you come?

Avni : just while ago. What are you making maa? I'm really hungry.

Neela : my bacha is hungry. I made some panner roll.

Avni breaking the hug looks at Neela who passed her one panner roll. Avni smiles and feeling hungry sitting on kitchen slab starts devouring the wrap.

Neela : shall I make something else for you bacha?

Avni wiping her lips with napkins look at Neela shaking her head.

Avni : no maa. I'm full now. Is papa home?

Neela : he got home two hours ago. He must be in his room or study.

Avni : okay. I will go and see him.

Neela nods her head.

Knocking Ashish's study room Avni tapping her foot on the floor looks around till she heard Ashish saying 'come in'

Nibbling her lips lightly and fiddling with her fingers enters in the room and gazing up lightly stares Ashish who was engrossed reading a file.

Ashish feeling his  princess presence pretending being busy with his work as he wants his daughter to speak up.

She gathering some encourage clears her throat and looking at Ashish who drops file spoke.

Avni : papa.. can I have a word with you?

Ashish: hey princess. How have you been? Absolutely princess we can talk. Please come and have a seat.

Avni pulling the chair sat down and looks at Ashish who was trying to read his daughter thoughts.

Ashish : what do you want to say princess?

Avni : papa can we visit Mumbai?

Ashish smiles as she mentioned Mumbai.

Ashish : Mumbai? But princess I have loads of work to complete. I won't be able to go nether your mom will be?

Avni looks down thinking her plan failed. Ashish looks at Avni.

Ashish : princess I have better idea. Why don't you go Mumbai? I can make some arrangements for you there.

Avni : what will I do there by myself? I want you both to come with me. please papa.

Ashish thought for moment looking at Avni then nods his head making Avni squeal in happiness.

Avni thanking and hugging Ashish, jumping like a bunny hops out of the room and rushed to her room.

She excitedly falls on the bed and taking a pillow hugs it tightly.

Covering her face into pillow blushed like a mad girl. She sheepishly giggles before pulling the photo from the side drawer, and bringing it in front of her. She intensely gaze the photo before she brought the photo close to her lips kissing the photo.

Avni : I miss you so much Neil.. I will visiting your paradise very soon.

Keeping the photo back in the drawer she went back in times where she spend good times with Neil before he left Delhi.

The day after he left Delhi was the last conversation they had. She doesn't know why he hasn't been calling her or replying to messages. It has been 3 months since Neil had gone back to Delhi. 

A month later talking with Nandini she find out Neil has already went back to army as it was emergency call for the whole team.

Though she was very angry on Neil, that he didn't tell her or had messaged her about him backing to his mission, she has no idea when he will back again.

All she was hoping to see him again before she goes back to her duty which is in just a month later.

The day she found out he had left for army, she locked herself in the room and cried a lot.

Her parents tried a lot to figure out what was wrong with Avni but neither of them knew what Avni was going through.

In between Avni have realised what her future holds for her with Neil. She hasn't spoken to anyone about what she feels for Neil but sometimes things aren't hidden by the people who you surround with or loves you. Her feelings wasn't hidden. Avni knew what she was falling into.

She still had a hope, one day Neil will come back where she could tell him about what feels for him.

Visiting Mumbai did excite Avni. Avni's excitement wasn't hidden from her parents who felt happy and content seeing their daughter happy after very long time.

Neela knocks Avni's room door and pushing the door enters to see Avni sleeping.

Neela smiles and sat beside Avni, she softly starts caressing Avni's hair.

Neela : bacha wake up.

Avni feeling her mother warmth shifts her position and hiding herself hugging Neela's waist asleep again making Neela chuckle at her antics.

Avni : maa, let me sleep.

Neela smiles as Avni mumbled in sleep.

Neela continues to creases Avni's hair gently.

Avni yawningly snuggles into Neela.

Neela : still tired bacha?

Avni nods her head. Neela pecks Avni's forehead ask her to fresh up.

Avni sighs and getting up moves to washroom, meanwhile Neela went downstairs to make some snacks for father and daughter.

It wasn't been easy for Neil either. He was back to army. Hurdles didn't stop coming in their ways. First few weeks did went smoothly but later in week they were attacked. Many people who serves in army were injured.

Neil had to be strong and kept himself on toes preventing major loss. His teammates who were injured slowly recovered.

Meanwhile Neil being the captain and leading the team had a lot of pressure on him. He wasn't able to rest for months. Many weeks went sleepless for Neil. He had sacrifice his sleep for his country and whole family who was trusting them to protect them.

Neil only knows how he managed being with his team as captain and team leader, on other hand he hasn't forgotten about his love ones. Every morning, day, night in his prayers he didn't forget to mention them and praying for them safety.

He was longing to call one person who he was dying to see since he had returned back to work however, his dedication towards his country didn't allow to be selfish thinking about himself.

Neil tiredly crouch on the ground and gazed around to see everyone having a day off and relaxing themselves after months.

Neil sighs and closing his eyes found her face appearing. Neil snaps out of his thoughts as he heard one of his teammates calling him.

He turns his head around and found Sanjay with a cup of tea with few snacks in his hand.

Sanjay sat next to Neil and handed him the cup to which Neil took it and sipping.

Sanjay: how are you Neil?

Neil stops drinking and looks at Sanjay.

Neil : what do you mean Sanjay? How can I be? Feelings can't he explained seeing them suffer.

Sanjay sighs and keep his hand on Neil's shoulder.

Sanjay : they will be fine very soon and be stronger than before. I know last mission was reality of us. We have to protect ourself to protect our country Neil. Neil you're doing amazing job.

Neil: I know Sanjay. With all us together, no one can harm us nor our country. Where is rest of them?

Sanjay shrugs his shoulder as he opens of the crisp of packet and shoved it into his mouth making Neil chuckle at him.

Vicky pops behind Sanjay and snatching the packet of crisp sat other side of Neil.

Sanjay : what the hell Vicky? Didn't you just had thrice amount food?

Vicky : that got digested, and I'm very hungry.

Sanjay : idiot. Why are you eating my food then? Neil see he stole my food again.

Neil's ears went deaf knowing their fight and will not stop until he doesn't interfere between them.

Neil sighs and grabbing the crisps from Vicky's hand gave it back to Sanjay who smirks looking at Vicky.

Neil : stop it both of them. There is plenty of foods brought for everyone. Why are you both fighting over a packet of crisps.

Vicky was about open his mouth stopped as he heard someone yelling his name out loudly.

Vicky yelling back got up and ran behind the person who was yelling his name.

Neil shook his head and getting back went back to his dorm.

He slumps on the bed and opening his bag took a photo of his family. He smiles seeing the family photo.

Neil: I miss you all of them. I promise to protect everyone.

He puts the frame back and takes another photo frame out. He sadly smiles seeing the photo frame.

He crease the frame and looks at her smiling face. He secretly got this photo framed as he found in MaNan's engagement photo album.

Neil bringing the frame close together his lips kissed it.

Neil: I really miss you Avni. I know you've been hating when I can back without informing you. I am really sorry Avni.

Neil stares at Avni's picture until a tear drops on the frame. He wipes the tears and kissing the photo again puts the photo frame back in his bag.

Neil wiping his tears and composing himself went out of the dorm to see the boys diving into two groups to play the games that they usually do.

Neil chuckles and smilingly at them moves other side of site where they were staying for the mission.

Munching hot pakora with tea malthora sat in living hall watching tv.

Avni: wow, maa this so tasty. It's heaven with tea. I'm loving this.

Neela smiled and continues eating herself.

They were enjoying till Avni's phone rang.

Avni took her phone out from her pocket with her one hand and smiles brightly seeing the caller ID.

Neela : who is calling you bacha?

Avni : it's Bhai. He is video calling.

Neela smiles and asks her to answer.

Avni answers the call.

Avni : hello Bhai. How are you?

Manik : hello baby doll. I am good. How are you?

Avni: I'm good too Bhai. Chilling and eating yummy foods. Look what maa made for me.

Avni switch the Camera showing Manik the coffee table filled with yummy evening snacks making him grin at his kiddo antics.

Manik : maa, your daughter is teasing me. I hate it when you cook for her but not for me.

Neela giggles in the background making Manik pout but he was happy for seeing his sister happy and enjoying herself.

Avni showing tongue to Manik passed her phone to her parents who starts talking to Manik while she was enjoying the food and throwing few comments teasing Manik.

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Hope you have enjoyed the chapter.

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