So, Hey everyone!

I hope y'all are doing fine?

Apologies for being late but this update has a little twist in it!

Warning - This is the longest chapter I have wrote, totally - 4885 words.

So, stay free before reading, haha!
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You start missing the person in their absence, a lot. For 5 years I had kept myself away from Relationships, the kind of relationships which will hurt me. I thought only love hurts but sometimes closeness hurts. Sometimes, even friendship hurts.

From all my heart I do consider Neil as my best friend and that is why just 2 days without him feels so worst. The morning seems uninterested without morning coffee on his bed. My nights are sleepless without his sweet 'Good Night, Avni'.

When he left I hoped we will at least talk by phone but no. There was not even a message or call from his side, that made me upset. Then I thought maybe he is busy or maybe he forgot, so, I called him but he didn't receive it. Then I texted him but I didn't get a reply.

Two freaking days. Just two days and I'm acting so stupid. He didn't call to talk with his kids then who am I to him?

Avni, once again you are repeating the mistake you made 5 years ago. Don't be close to anyone, everyone will leave one day. Enjoy your single life, be free, live single happy freedom life.

I sit on the bench after completing few rounds. If Neil was here he would have ordered me to run 2 extra rounds for sure, though I don't accept his orders he uses silly sentence as 'Niam and Navya should call you Ms. Lazy' 'Did Avni Parikh give up already?' and unwillingly I have to run two extra rounds.

Not interested to jog anymore I march towards the cafe where I and Neil drink Apple juice. I take lazy steps towards the cafe, hoping to get a reply from him I check my phone but just like last two days he has not even seen it, I hope he is fine.

You know Neil has that awesome personality that when he walks people turn back to see him again. Like his walk is magic, talk is magic, everything about him is interesting except his bossy behavior.

"Good morning, John." I smile at John, a waiter who gets my order ready as soon as I and Neil enter. Entering in I move towards our favorite corner spot.

After few minutes John comes as he keeps two glasses of Apple juice in front of me. "Neil is not here, you should have got one." I look at him giving a small smile.

"Ma'am from 2 days you are saying the same yet you end up ordering one more glass again and drink it in the name of Neil Sir. So, I thought however I should get one again let me get it now only." I look at him blankly, how stupid of me I drink Apple juice in the name of someone who doesn't even care to reply to me.

"If you don't want I'll take this glass." He picks one glass from the tray.

"Let it be, you have got it so I'll drink it," I say as if I am drinking it because he has got it.

"See, I told you." He controls his laugh and walks away. Avni, get a grip on yourself, you are not going to drink this Apple juice on his name today no matter what.

It is surprising Neil knows everything about my likes yet he asks his kids to play games with me so that we get to know each other, seriously.

I drink my glass of juice as I check my phone. My eyes go wide as I see Neil online on WhatsApp.

"Yay! He is online." I shout at top of my lungs. I don't know when I got up and started jumping like a monkey.

"Oops! Sorry." I speak embarrassed as I sit back in my place.

Quickly I open the phone to find him offline. He didn't even see my message. I don't know why but suddenly I feel like crying, I feel like stupid. My phone rings in my hand, excitedly I glance at it only to find an unknown number. I disconnect it angrily. It rings again and again, irritated I answer it.

"Listen, whosoever it is, you are not on my contact list so I don't know you nor I am interested to know you. So shut the hell up and don't you dare to call me again because even if you call I am not gonna receive it as I am blocking your number right now." I say in a go, disconnecting the call I block the number.

I glare at the Apple juice kept in front of me. "You are his glass, I can't kill him or scold him so I am gonna kill you. But first I'll scold you." I take a close look at the glass and hold it through its neck.

"No, I am not gonna drink his glass of juice today," I say to myself when my mind asks me to drink the other glass of juice as well.

"Hello." A voice demands my attention, I roll my eyes irritated then glance at the owner of this voice.

"Good morning, Ms. Pareikh." DD stands there in his usual smart boy attire. How can I forget this man he keeps calling Neil whenever we are playing or talking.

But I like this guy. He's so damn friendly. Though I have met him just thrice his behavior itself says everything about him.

"Can I take a seat here?" He points at the seat which Neil usually occupies.

"Yeah, please." I nod at him, I smile at him awkwardly when he sees me holding the neck of glass as if killing it.

"Problem with the glass?" He chuckles looking at my weird behavior

No dude, problem with the person who has to drink this but isn't here!

"No, No, please drink this." I forward the glass towards him.

"Thanks." He mumbles as he gulps the juice in a go.

Finally, Finally, Finally! I didn't drink the juice in the name of Neil today. Just once you come back Mr. Khanna I'll kill the hell out of your life and replace it with my heavenly anger.

"I was getting bored without Neil Sir in the office. So thought to take your company as Bebe and Shweta Aunty will also come today so I have to be free to pick them up from the airport." I nod at him.

"How did you know I am here?" I enquire, because as far as I remember only I and Neil know about our visit to the cafe in the morning.

"Uh, Bhabi, Neil Sir says everything to me." He chuckles but the next second his face turns pale as he realizes what he called me.

"Bhabi? DD, remember last time you called me with the same name." I roll my eyes. "Then you said I am just like Neil's wife so by mistake you called me bhabi. What reason you have now?"

"The same reason. You are exactly like my bhabi." He fake chuckles.

"Listen to me very carefully." I slam hard on the table. "I am polite, very polite, but I don't like when someone compares me with others." He flinches a little surprised.

"Exactly! Just like this bhabi was, feisty." He says slowly looking a little fearful.

"DD, man! You call me Avni, okay? I am not someone's wife nor I am similar to anyone. Got it?" I try to explain to him keeping the volcano inside me.

"Yes, I got it." He gives me thumbs up. "Can I say something?"

"Yeah, let's talk while walking back to the flat Niam and Navya might be waiting." Picking my bag I start walking while he follows me.

"I wanted to say that no matter what you say but you do look and behave just like my bhabi." I close my eyes in irritation then glare at him.

"If you see her someday by any chance you'll agree." He answers shrugging. "Besides I don't get why you are angry. You are angry because I am comparing you to someone or because I am comparing you to Neil Sir's wife? Hmm?" He smiles at me and then the realization hits me I am sounding as I am jealous of Neil's wife. I stay silent while DD is smart enough to ignore the topic.

We walk in silence for some time, then I speak out something which I wanted to do from the time Neil left. "DD, do you know where Neil has gone?"

He looks at me with a confused look then adds, "I know where he has gone but I can't tell you because that's secret."

I sigh and roll my eyes, then I hear him speak again. "However, I can say you that he didn't go to meet his wife."

"Why are you telling this to me?" Though a relief passes through each part of my body after listening to him still I act opposite.

"Because you wanted to know that." He chuckles and I stand there with an agape mouth.

"DD, stop laughing!" I glare at him.

"Okay okay. Sorry. You should serve me breakfast now as I told you something which you wanted to hear so badly." He laughs as we enter the elevator.

"Not at all. Still, I'll serve you breakfast because you gave me company. I was feeling so bored without your boss at the cafe." I smile at him, his company isn't bad.

We reach Neil's flat, DD excuses himself as he gets a call. I open the door, the disaster was not at all shocking. I and Neil are used to this mess in the morning just after returning from the cafe.

"What the hell Navya." Niam closed his eyes frustrated when Navya poured the entire glass of milk on him.

"Sorry Bro, but you shouldn't have said I am stupid! Eating chocolates are peace not childish behavior." The little Ms. Attitude rolls her eyes as she keeps her hands on her hips.

"You know what? Today while you were taking shower I tore your pink frock." Navya's face loses its spark as she makes a crying face. "I'll take shower and clean myself but who will stitch your frock, Nav?" Niam asks laughing.

"I'll stitch her frock." I go towards them as I throw my bag on the sofa. "Navya, do you think your brother will destroy your favorite things?" I sit on my knees as I make Navya understand. No matter what Niam will not make her cry. They'll fight with each other but never make each other cry.

"Of course I know he won't. That's why I am not shouting at him." Navya chuckles as she hugs me.

After pulling out the hug I see Niam standing there with a silly smile, just like his father. Then he comes towards us, I and Navya look at each other then at him confused.

"I love you both so much," He says cutely, I and Navya were busy doing aww and he hugged us both as he brushed his milky hairs on our cheeks.

"Niam." I shut my eyes irritated by the smell of milk. "I love you both!" He pulls back smirking, again, just like his father.

"I hate you, bro," Navya adds as she puts the angry face on.

"Well, don't expect a 'Same to you' from me." He chuckles and runs from there while Navya chases him.

Niam and Neil are synonyms of each other. Whenever I see Niam, I see Neil in him. Their choices in food may be different but dressing sense to sleeping style to hairstyle to eating style and talking style is a carbon copy. Though Neil is a bit hot and Niam is damn damn damn cute!

"Stop it. Get ready, let's have breakfast." I yell at them and move into the kitchen.

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My morning went busy with Niam and Navya. As I teach them few steps of Taekwondo. They are strong and talented. Neil was saying he had done homeschooling for them.

Navya will always have a set of questions for everything while Niam will observe and understand but if he finds difficulty he would ask a simple question and take the information easily.

They are just opposite of each other. It's clear Niam is 50% of Neil, maybe, Navya is 50% like her mom as she is already 20% like Neil.

DD dropped Navya and Niam to their classes as he was leaving to pick Neil's Mom and Bebe from the airport. Meanwhile, I made lunch and cleaned the home.

Reaching my flat I spend some time with my friends then complete some of my work. I keep on checking my phone from time to time hoping to get a reply from Neil but as usual unseen.

"It's time you should go and pick Niam and Navya," Zar says as she writes something on the paper.

"Yeah, you guys continue. I'll see you later." I get up handing the laptop to Myra. "Besides, my part of the work is done now it's your guys' work," I add taking my car keys.

"Yeah. I have understood the plan I'll check the ways we can execute it." Myra answers, her gaze fixed on the laptop screen.

"See you later, bye." Wearing my shoes I exit from our flat. Entering my car I go straight to pick Niam and Navya.

As soon as I enter the gate I see Niam carrying Navya on his back, my heart crushes in pain as I see Navya whining.

Quickly, I run towards them. "What happened?" I ask as I pick Navya in my arms.

"Her leg got sprained during practice, the result of overacting." Niam glares at her.

"You stop scolding, bro. It wasn't intentional. Who hurts themselves wanted? Nobody." She sniffs rubbing her eyes.

"It's okay, happens. You fall, You get up, you fall again, You get up again, this is the process till you reach success." I wipe her tears giving small pecks on her cheeks.

"Yeah, reaching success means doing hard work not overacting." Niam rolls his eyes. "Ma'am I know I know, please I'll show you the steps." He mimics Navya's tone and walks towards the car.

I chuckle at Navya's pouty face and follow Niam. "You should wait, sweety, have patience. Teachers will show you." I explain to her as I settle her in the car.

"I was just excited." She looks down with a disappointed face, how cute she is.

"It's fine! To be honest I am also just like you, impatient." My remark brightens her face as she kisses my cheek.

"Here." Niam passes her water bottle. Soon after they both settle properly, I take my seat and drive off.

Theirs banters go on as they discuss with me how much they enjoyed and the new steps they learned.

"Ouch!" Navya exclaims when she tries to get down.

"Have patience." Niam glares at her before getting down from the car.

"It's okay to be impatient. Ms. Powerful is also impatient." Navya chuckles while Niam takes her bag and bottle.

"You are just impossible, Nav!" He exclaims, laughing to myself I get down. Picking Navya in my arms we three entered the elevator. It straight took us to Neil's flat.

"DD, if you don't have the keys who has it?" The voice hit my ears as soon as we enter the floor.

"Bebe, actually Bha.." DD's words were cut off by Niam's excited tone.

"Bebe!" Niam shouted in excitement as he rushed towards the woman standing there wrapped in a purple silk saree.

Niam hugged her. "Take me there!" Navya jumped in my arms. Balancing her I start to walk. That's when I notice the other woman standing there wearing yellow Kurti, a white dupatta covered her chest, two hands holding bags, a smile settled on her lips - I guess, she is Neil's mom. It's hard to say at whom she's smiling, me or Navya.

"Bebe, Dadi, I missed you both!" Navya states happily as she leans forward and gives quick pecks on both the woman's cheeks. They pull her cheeks and smile at her.

"Hello, I am sorry, you had to wait outside." I apologize, feeling genuinely sorry as it's not an easy task to travel from one city to another and wait outside the door.

"DD left before me so the keys were with me." I glance at DD then smile back at them.

Neil's Bebe runs her hand through my face, I flinch a little, yet I admire the lady in front of me, feeling the love of elders is so good feeling.

"It's not your mistake, don't apologize." She smiles at me. "Now, come on, open the door. My legs are paining already." I nod at her smiling, I pass Navya to DD. Niam complains how Navya overacted and got hurt while I open the door for all of us.

Soon all settle in comfortably. I get busy applying an ice pack to Navya while the little dramatic girl shouts every time the coolness touches her skin. Her sweet pout, whenever I give her a stern look, is so cute.

Soon after applying the ice pack to her, I quickly make lemon juice for all of us. I serve to them as soon as it's ready, they happily accept it.

"Neil talks a lot about you guys." I smile at Neil's Bebe and Mom.

"He says a lot about you too! Avni does this, that, and all stuff." His mom smiles at me. "We couldn't control ourselves and came to meet you as soon as we got a chance."

"Shweta is right. Thanks for being with my child." His Bebe says smiling warmly at me.

"Ms. Strong, one of my cars is missing," Niam shouts from his room.

"Take a look clearly Niam," I shout back, he and Neil will not find anything.

"I already did, will you please help me out." He shouts back and I already imagine him sitting on the bed instead of searching.

Sighing to myself I keep my glass of juice on the table and head towards Niam and Navya's room. As I had expected I find him rushing towards the toy corner of their room as soon as he hears my footsteps and pretending to search for the car.

Sitting next to him I roll my eyes. "Stop being like your Papa!" I state then roam my eyes around the place, then I pick the box which looks untouched for now as everything is scattered around.

Just when I am about to open the box Niam holds my hand. "Oh, thanks! I remember last time I had kept my car in this box." He passes a grin while I glare at him.

"Then why didn't you check it before?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Uh.." He bites his tongue, "Oh, yeah, that time maybe the box was playing the role of 'Mr. India'. So I couldn't see it." He shrugs chuckling, I roll my eyes then chuckle, he manages to make me smile just like his father.

"Can I say something?" I nod at him as we both make ourselves comfortable on the floor. "Bebe likes you!" I couldn't understand anything by his words yet his words managed to bring a smile to my face.

"So, consider yourself lucky. It's not every day my Bebe blesses people with her special love." He chuckles. "And the way Dadi was smiling at you I can say she is happy with you."

"They are special to you?" I ask seeing the peaceful smile on his face.

"Nope, very special. I love them so much. You know why?" He glances at me, I shake my head. "Because they love Papa a lot. They support him every time, whenever he needs them they'll be with him." He looks ahead, how mature he is with words and feelings.

"You know the girl whom we refer to as 'Mom' is the girl I hate from the bottom of my heart." He speaks slowly, I see the moisture in his eyes.

"Niam." I keep my hand on his shoulder. "No matter how she is, she is your mom," I explain to him, he leaves a low chuckle.

"Mom is someone who loves their kids not the one who roams around my papa to get his attention." He drinks back his tears as he takes slow breaths.

"Ms. Powerful, where are you?" Navya shouts from down.

"I am coming, Navya," I answer back.

"Neil doesn't like your mom?" I enquire still in shock.

"Let's go down before Navya comes up." He gets up taking his toys and exits from the room.

What is all this? I can't force Niam to say me everything nor I can ask Neil, he has his own private life. But these thoughts are troubling me a lot.

"Ms. Powerful." Navya's whining voice broke my thoughts, keeping everything aside I get down through stairs.

"Yes?" I raise my eyebrows at her who is sitting on her Bebe's lap.

"Chocolate please." She forwards her hand.

"Navya, first lunch," I state. "Did you all eat lunch?" I look at Neil's Bebe, Mom, and DD.

"Nope and I am already hungry, Bhabi." DD states as he keeps his phone in his pocket.

"DD." I glare at him, he closes his eyes and bites his tongue. What's with him calling me bhabi? But Niam hating his mom?

Still keeping every damn confusion in my mind, I walk into the kitchen and arrange the table for everyone.

All start eating while I feed Niam and Navya who are busy sharing their experience in kickboxing classes. While serving food when I addressed Neil's Bebe as 'Aunty' she lovingly asked me to address her a Bebe only. While I call Neil's mom Shweta Aunty but she had mentioned I can call her 'Mom'. I don't know she was joking or serious yet I accepted it as a joke and addressed her as Aunty.

I find their gaze always on me, while I am serving, feeding Niam and Navya, scolding DD for eating so little food, when I apply an ice pack on Navya's leg when I went upstairs to check on Niam's toy. I feel a little uncomfortable by their stare but when I look at them they would pass lovely smiles to me.

I take a seat at the table and make a plate for myself. Just when I am about to take a spoon full of rice in my mouth the bell rings. I put back the spoon on my plate, who might be? Neil can't be here he has gone for a week and it's just two days. The bell rings continuously without a gap, I get irritated.

I hurriedly go towards the door while Bebe, Shweta Aunty, and DD pass each other confused look. I swear if it's Myra or Zar I'll pour the cold water on their heads.

I open the door angrily, I wasn't expecting an unknown girl to be standing there. Her thin figure with a face decorated with tons of makeup made her look like a joker.

"Yes?" I plaster a polite smile on my face covering my frustrating face.

"Move!" She states rolling her eyes as she pushes me and gets in.

What the hell!

I spun her around forcefully, she looks at me irritated. "What kind of manners is this? I asked you politely, you shouldn't have pushed me."

"What the fuck!" She tries to free her hand from my tight grip.

"Mind your language. There are kids over there." I point at Niam and Navya who are sitting in the dining hall. I leave her hand, she stumbles a little.

"You idiot. You don't know how to respect your boss's wife? Mrs. Khanna, I am." She grits her teeth and adds the 'Mrs' tag with proudness in her tone.

"Out of all your rubbish talk, I got two keywords - Respect and Mrs. Khanna." I fold my arms. "It's surprising that you know Respect word exists when you don't even use that. The most important thing, Mrs. Khanna, it doesn't matter to me whose surname you use.

If I start respecting I also respect a cockroach who is walking silently in the sink but I never respect people who show useless attitude and use someone's name to show the power.

Just so you know Neil is my friend, not a boss." I snap my fingers at her. "I hope you got it!"

"Ria!" Bebe's warning voice stops her from arguing further.

"Shweta Mom, you guys left me alone at the airport." She enters and takes a seat at the dining table. "Never mind I somehow managed it."

"Niam, Navya, how are you cuties?" She throws a sweet smile at them. Niam silently gets up and leaves from there and sits on the couch. Navya rolls her eyes and licks her fingers which are dripping with melted chocolate.

"Here, I got a chocolate for you." Ria passes the chocolate bar to Navya. At first, Navya gets excited as a smile forms on her lips, soon she shakes her head, stating, "I have many chocolates. I just ate one so you can take this."

Not wanting to interfere in their family matter I sit next to Niam. Navya joined us and we share a little conversation. Answering Navya's silly questions I and Niam laughed.

Soon Bebe and Shweta Aunty joined us. DD left stating he has to take a look at the office. Everything was perfect just Ria's presence was spoiling everything. She would speak only about how Neil has managed the business so well and she is so damn proud to be his wife.

Bebe didn't leave a chance to taunt her now and then when she overacts. When Shweta Aunty speaks with Ria sarcastic tone was audible in her voice. I couldn't control the chuckle that left my mouth when Navya asked her to go and sit silent.

One thing I have understood no one loves or likes Ria.

The bell rang, Niam answered the door as I was busy doing Navya's hair. Niam comes back with a smile on his face, Myra and Zar stood behind him.

"Wow! If I am not wrong you are Mr. Khanna's Bebe and Mom?" Zar states as she shakes hands with them. Bebe and Shweta Aunty nod happily. Myra and Zar introduced themselves and both settled on the couch next to me.

"Neil says a lot about you guys. How you take care of him and he also shares Bebe's tips regarding life's point of view. Also, Shares Shweta Aunty's recipes." Myra speaks as she recalls whatever Neil has shared about them.

"Right! Aunty, before going back you should at least cook something for us." Zar adds, thankfully Bebe and Aunty smile at them. My friends are weird when they mingle with someone they'll accept them as theirs but when they don't mingle they'll make sure to ignore them peacefully.

"He also says a lot about you three " Shweta Aunty smiles at us.

"Really? What does he say?" Myra enquires completely showing her interest.

"How Avni takes care of his home and him as well as Niam and Navya. Also, how you guys accepted him as a friend and your Sunday Special with kids. That weekend as well." Shweta Aunty's words surprised me, I didn't expect he'll say all things to her.

"Oh hey, I didn't see you." Zar points at Ria who is busy on her phone.

"Neil never mentioned about her, did he?" Myra asks more like asking to herself.

"Maybe she is his friend." Zar shrugs as she takes a look at Ria.

"I am his wife," Ria announces as she smirks at Zar.

"What? Like really?" Zar throws her hands in the air. "I didn't know Neil has this bad choice." The atmosphere turns silent with Ria fuming in anger.

"Oh, I am sorry if you felt bad but eh, I couldn't even imagine you being Neil's wife. Besides Neil never mentioned he had a wife alive walking on this planet earth."

"Zar, enough." I spare a glance at her seeing Shweta Aunty and Bebe's silence.

"Avni, you know she behaved rudely with Eva in the basement. I have no interest to make fun of her." Zar grits her teeth while Ria rolls her eyes as she clicks her selfie.

"Eva? Where she is?" Bebe enquires as a smiles forms on her lips. "Neil had told about her, she is my friend's daughter."

The chit-chatting went on. After a while, Bebe decided to spend some time with Niam and Navya. Since I and my friends were busy I left with them. Bebe and Shweta Aunty are here they'll take care of Niam and Navya.

Though Navya and Niam wanted to come with me I still convinced them to stay here with their Bebe and Grandmother. I know they wanted to come with me to avoid Ria but I can't take them with me when their family is here.

What is the matter with Ria and Neil's family? Did Neil do a love marriage without his family's will? Even if he did, why do Niam and Navya hate her? I am sure now Neil has come here to keep Ria away from his kids. If he has this much problem he should have just gave divorce to her! Urgh, Mr. Khanna why is your life so messed up?!

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So, how was it?

I know I know a lot of questions running in your mind. Everything will be answered one by one.

I know this one was too boring, but it was needed so that you understand everything a little.

Neil's life is messed up! You'll get to know everything soon. The next update will tell you where he has gone.

On the other hand, Avni's life has a small broken past which will be disclosed soon.

Do vote, comment and share your views.

Thanks for the love in the previous chapter.

Thank y'all!