Avni aren't you ready yet Sunehri asked ,rather screamed out seeing Avni sit still on the chair,holding her dress with her right hand and gazing at it like some bad dream.

Nahi Sunehri, mujhse nahi hoga,I'm not coming she said with the still blank expression on her face,looking here and there and finally looking at the pink gown that was on her lap by now,still not able to comprehend her thoughts.

No way Avni, you are coming and that is final Sunehri said sternly,pulling up Avni from the chair and making her stand properly.

Sunehri please,I can't face him ,waise it is not necessary that I should come Avni said, trying to defend her stand.

It is necessary for you to come Avni,Neil invited each and every member of sukoon ghar and that includes you too Sunehri said,leaving no other chance for Avni to  defend her decision to not attending the birthday party of Neil.

Par Sunehri..

No ifs and buts,you should come.I am going now.By the time we all are ready,you  should also be ready and that is final Sunehri said before leaving the room.

******

Kids are you ready Sunehri asked the kids gang who were sitting on the living room all set for the party.

Yes we are they screamed out loud in excitement.

When are we going for the party,Sunehri didi ,Mowgli was the one to shoot the question.

In a few minutes Sunehri said with a slight smile on her face.

Isn't Jaan didi coming with us? Pinky asked with curiosity.

Yes she is Sunehri said, making all the children scream out loud in happiness.

Sunehri, how is Avni said, from behind,slowly coming out if her room, rather hesitantly and the nervousness visible clearly on her face.

Avni was wearing a baby pink gown along with matching accessories.Her hair was left open which was curled towards the end.In total she was just looking like a diva.

Wow,you look gorgeous Sunehri said,still not able to take her eyes from Avni wh9 was looking deadly gorgeous.

If this is how my reaction is,then how is Neil going to react seeing Avni like this Sunehri  told to herself, smiling at her own weird thoughts.

Am I really looking good Avni asked,still confused whether she was ok or not.

Sunehri slowly came near Avni and whispered in her ears Neil will be drooling over you today.

This changed the expressions on Avni's face.She said to Sunehri in a small voice Aisa kuch nahi hai Sunehri,hamare beech mein aisa kuch nahi hain,he just hates me now.

She quickly wiped her tears ,without the kids noticing it and sprang outside sukoon house as fast as possible, indicating the others to follow her.

Sunehri(in mind):Everything is going to be fine very soon Avni.

****
Along with Neil's birthday party,it was also a party conducted for the promotion of KK'S latest movie.KK was really tensed about how it would turn up to be while Neil was all cool and started giving him lectures on how to reduce stress.

Bro,I dont think I will be able to stay here anymore, KK spoke with much tension walking here and there aimlessly.

KK it is ok,everything will be fine Neil said ,patting on his shoudlers to comfort him.

Bro,you sure about that KK asked him still not convinced with his answer.

Offcourse KK ,after all your hardwork won't be wasted Neil spoke ,smiling at him assuringly.

Thanks bro KK said, before hugging Neil.

****
Sunehri ,do I really need to come inside Avni again asked Sunehri, still hesitant to open the door and enter the hall.

Avni,you have to Sunehri said sternly,looking at the children who were coming from behind.

Rather hesitantly and tensed,Avni pulled the door open and entered inside the hall,followed by Sunehri and the children.

As she walked inside, she started looking here and there,checking whether Neil was standing anywhere nearby.She didnt want to face him,after what happened 2 days ago.

As she walked forward further, she bumped onto someone and uttered an immediate sorry as a reflex without even checking who the person was.

Neil!! ,the name came from her voice so naturally as if it was stuck to heart.

Hearing the voice Neil turned his face to look at her,but before  she could speak anything further, he pulled himself away from her,turning back and walking to where KK was standing, totally ignoring her.

Avni had already anticiipated sucha reaction from him ,but still it pained her to see him avoiding her as if he never knew her in life.

She also walked back to where the children were sitting and talking while Sunehri Tara and Sitara were busy talking to each other and laughing in the nearby corridor totally ignoring Avni.

Everyone's attention turned to one direction, in the centre of the hall when they heard KK's sound on the mike.

Friends, may I get your attention here please.So as you all know it is the promotion party of my new film.But before that we have something else to celebrate,and you know what is that,it is a birthday party.You must be wondering whose birthday it must be,so let me tell you,it is my brother's birthday.Now again you people must be confused thinking how can I have a brother when I am a single child of my parents,but trust me,he is more caring and supportive than a real brother.So let me welcome my brother as well as the birthday boy onto the stage.Put your hands up for Neil Khanna guys.

As the cheerings continued Neil came onto the stage, rather unwillingly.

He said to KK in a low voice KK,what was the need for all this?

It is needed bro,it is your first birthday after meeting me,so I thought to make it special.Now smile and cut the cake,man.

Neil understood that he had no escape from there.So ,without any hesitation he blew the candles and cut the cake while Avni glanced at him from far away with happy tears in her eyes.This was one of the happy days in her life,her Neil's birthday.

Avni (in mind):Happy birthday Neil.

As Neil cut the cake everyone clapped and sang the birthday song.Neil happily cut the first piece and gave it to KK and then to the children gang who were beyond happy to receive the cake from his hands rather than having it on a plate.Avni stood there watching all this and felt a deep contentment inside her heart.

Avni chalo,let's have some wine or something Sunehri said to Avni, Tara and Sitara pulling them along with her towards the drinks counter.

I dont want Sunehri, you guys go and enjoy Avni said,pulling her hands back from Sunehri.

Avni yaar, dont be a spoil sport ,why do you needy to be always moody like this, come on ,let's have some fun today,after all it is your Neil's birthday right,so be happy Sunehri said again pulling Avni towards her side.

Teek hai, I will come Avni said following Sunehri.

As they proceeded to the juice and wine counter,Avni accidentally took one or three shots which she mistook to be wine as it was placed in the juice and wine counter and not in a separate counter due to lack of space and Avni didn't know that.

Sunehri, tumhe pata hai I am very happy today

Haa ,mujhe pata hai,it is Neil's birthday right.

You rightly guessed it she said giggling and winking at Sunehri.

Sunehri felt Avni's behaviour a little odd,so she asked her Avni did you get drunk accidentally.

Nooooooo she screamed out and Sunehri had to close her mouth with her hands to prevent Avni from screaming further.

Kya karun mein,how am I going to take care of her now Sunehri thought,with a much tensed face.

As Avni moved further backward, happily singing a song to herself she hit on someone's back and she automatically mumbled a quick sorry and that is when the person turned his face towards her and offcourse it was Neil.

Avni kya kar rahe ho tum he asked confused.

She quickly turned towards his side ,held his collar and asked What should I  do?

Neil she got drunk Sunehri quickly said ,so as to not create any further suspicions in Neil's mind.

Teek hai ,main handle karlunga Neil said, assuring Sunehri that everything will be fine.

Par Neil..she will trouble you a lot Sunehri said ,still not convinced by Neil's reply.

No Sunehri, I can handle her ,bharosa nahi tumhe mujhpar.

Aisa kuch nahi hai Neil, par

Then I will handle her,you enjoy for the time being Neil said holding onto Avni's waist for support while she laid her head on his shoulders while her hands were clutched around his chest and shoulders.