Dropping Neil to airport and escaping from the media everyone decided to go Manik's penthouse. Everyone was excited to get together after the very long. They haven't been spending times together since MaNan's marriage and this seems to be the right time, they were going to miss Neil a lot though.

Manik starts driving the and glances towards backseat where his wife ditched him and sat with Avni. He isn't complaining but wanted his wife to sit beside him but nevertheless he let her sit at the back.

He turns the radio and focused on the road. He even glanced though side mirror and found Cabir's car following him and behind him were his security teams. His attentions turns to the girls who called him.

Manik : yes love! What happened? Are you okay?

Nandini : nothing happened mani. Have you got food at home? Do we have to grab anything?

Manik : oh shoot! I forgot. I didn't stock the fridge or anything groceries. Do you guys mind if we could to a market and grabs few things up before heading home.

Avni : no Jiju! Why would we mind. I know there is nearby market. You can stop there and we will pick anything that we wanted to cook.

Manik nodded his head and gestures Nandini to call Cabir informing about him stopping to a market. They stopped at a market and packing the car they all comes out covering their faces with goggles and hats. They started through the markets and picked out the groceries that they were required to buy.

Manik payed the bill and putting all of the groceries in boot settled back inside the and drove away.

They slouched on the couch soon as they arrived inside the penthouse and starts winching about their day. The girls shook their head and taking the groceries went to kitchen and got drinks ready.

Nandini and Avni carried drinks while Navya, Mukti and Alya carried different types of snacks. Nandini passing the drinks to everyone settled beside Manik who pulls her in a side hug while pecking her head.

All of them starts sipping their drinks while munching on snacks. Avni tried her best to be involved with them but she couldn't because she was missing Neil's presence too much. She looks at everyone who looked happy with their respective partners. Her thoughts were broken she heard phone ping with a message. She took her phone and looks it to see Neil's message. She ready it and smiles.

Neil : if you received this messages this means I'm on flight. I will miss you so much Avni. Be happy and safe during my absence. It time will pass very quick before we know it Avni. Phase take care of yourself and keep in touch. I will message when I reach there. Don't wait till too late. Bye. Take care.

She controls her tears and kept reading his message. Her gaze fell on his WhatsApp photo. She opens it and caressed it gently while gazing it so much love.

Avni ( mind) I miss you Neil. I miss you very much. It hadn't been an hour long since you left but I feel something part of my body is missing. I miss you so much. Please take care and come home. I'll be waiting for you. My prayers are always with you Neil.

She kept him in her prayers and looked at Cabir who called her name. She passed him a soft smile.

Cabir : are you lost Avni? I was calling you past few minutes. You didn't even respond back. You okay?

Avni : yes I'm okay Cabir. I'm sorry. I was just thinking about Neil. What were you saying?

Cabir : i was saying how about we spend our entire day at penthouse and watch something or play games. What do you think? It will be fun.

Avni : I would stay back. What are we going to watch? Any suggestions? Di will cook too?

She agreed immediately trying to be happy even though she terrible missed Neil but she wasn't going to ignore her friends. She has to be strong.

Nandini : we will cook. What kind of food do you guys want to eat? Indian or Chinese or something different? While you boys set up, we will cook.

Cabir : how about everything? It's already making me hungry. I would eat anything.

Manik threw a pillow at Cabir who ducks down whereas everyone chuckles at them.

Manik : my wife isn't going to cook for you. Love you don't need to over the board. Please cook whatever is easy to cook. Once we set up the novice then we will come and help setting the table

Nandini and smiles nodded her head while she leans kissing his cheek making the rest gush over them. They all starts chatting away and chilled before they starts watching the movie and cooking.

The cleaning the mess from the living room went to guests room and got changed into comfortable clothes. They already asked boys to bring their clothes who went back home and got their clothes.

Everyone gathered up in living room once again and starts diving the work. The boys went to Manik's movie theatre room while the girls moves to kitchen.

Nandini : what do you guys recommend? What should I make? I'm so confuse. Help me girls.

Mukti : how about we don't cook just order the food?

Avni : that's is not helping us Mukti. Di we shall we cook mixture of few cuisines? What do you say Di?

Alya : not a bad idea. We can do that but the questions, what are you guys going to make? I can help with chopping or cleaning but I can't cook.

Navya : it's okay Alya. We all can cook while you watch us. Let's not waste time and start cooking.

They nodded their head and took the ingredients and starts preparing food. In between Nandini looks at Avni and thought asking her about work.

Nandini : Avni. Can I ask you something? In between all this I forget to ask you about intern. When are going to join hospital? Have you applied it?

Avni stops chopping onions and looks at Nandini while tears streaming down her cheeks because of the onions. She grabs a tissue and wipes her face.

Avni : oh about. I forget to tell you. It even slipped out of my head. I have applied it in the same hospital as you di. I'm waiting for their response then will join. That reminds when are you joining back?

Nandini : I'll be joining back from next week. Mani is also started going back to office and my leave is ending end of this week. I haven't told Manik yet.

Mukti : Manik won't have any problem even you tell you in the morning Nandini. You guys understand each other so well. I didn't thought one day we will Manik like this. He's very good husband.

Nandini smiles and nodded her head while stirring the fried rice. All the girls were talking while cooking when the boys enters inside and looks at them.

Manik went towards his wife and wraps his arms around her waist and pecks her head making her smile whereas others shook their heads.

Cabir : wow! It's smells so good. What did you guys make? I can literally sit here whole day and eat.

Avni : you're so funny Cabir. Navya I feel so pity on you. How do you manage him? You don't never get bored because he has so many ways to make you happy.

Navya : oh Avni! Don't courage this man. He's so crazy and trust me his jokes you never want to hear.

Cabir : you're jealous of me wifey. Just admit. Thank you so much Avni for trusting me. I will tell you hundreds of jokes and make you laugh while Neil is away. This is what I can do for my best friend.

Manik : my brother will have a heart attack if he hears Cabir Dhawan calming him as his best friend.

Everyone chuckles including Avni who couldn't hold her laugh and burst out laughing so loud. Everyone stops laughing and smiles seeing Avni smiling.

Nandini : jokes apart Cabir. Don't you dare ruining my sister life. I don't want to see my sister being lien you. I really love and admire you but I can't tolerate another Cabir in the house. One is enough for us.

Cabir : I hate all of you! You're making fun of me. I really wished Neil was there. He would be with me.

Dhruv: is it Cabir? We all the truth. He would supporting us instead of you. This is so much fun than watching a movie. Shall we forgot about movie and witness Cabir show. What's say guys?

Mukti : guys stop teasing Cabir. Did you all forget how nasty games he can play with you all? If I were you then i would stop now.

Cabir : I knew it! My bestie knows me too well. Shut and wait watch how I take my revenge from you all.

Everyone stops teasing Cabir and Cabir smirks in victory watching them being scared but he didn't guessed his friends were worser than me.

The girls sets the tables and called everyone to come and have dinner. Everyone sat down and starts eating realising the food. Cabir starts praising the food and couldn't stop licking his fingers.

Manik : love. I had informed mom about us staying here. Even Amma knows Avni will be staying with us. I have spoken to them and they have no problem.

Avni : thank you jiju. Now I know why Amma wasn't worried when I spoke to few hours ago.

Manik : no worries Avni. You consider me as your brother then this at least I can do my sister.

She smiles and nodded his head whereas Nandini smiles seeing their bond but Cabir couldn't keep his mouth and said something made Avni choke on food.

Cabir : Manik considers Avni as his sister then at means Avni is also Neil's sister. I mean....

Avni starts coughing and Mukti who was sitting beside rubs her back while pouring a glass of water and gives you Avni who took and gulps it down.

Manik : Cabir. Do you wish your death? I'll kill you.

Cabir : no I don't! Am I wrong though? You tell me.

Manik took a fork and threw at Cabir who caught it and kept side while getting scared. Nandini looks at Avni and asked her.

Nandini : Avni! Are you okay?

Avni : yes Di I'm okay. And Cabir why would you mutter such nonsense when you the truth?

Cabir :I'm sorry but I was just pointing out the fact.

He winched a pain when Navya slapped his shoulder and starts scolding him. All of them were done with dinner and cleaning up headed go theatre room.

Everyone comfortable sat down with blankets around their shoulder. All the couples were cozy sitting beside each other expect Avni and Mukti.

Manik took a remote and puts a good movie on. Everyone got engrossed watching the movie while Manik glances at his wife who was also focused on the movie. He sneaks his hand under shirt and starts caressing her bare waist making her startled.

She turns head and looks at him who smirked in return and leans forward whispers while brushing his lips against her ears making her flinch.

Manik : love, shall we skip the movie and head to our room. I want to cuddle with you.

She glares him back and pushed his hand away and turns back to the screen. Manik didn't stopped and kept teasing Nandini. At one point Nandini gave up and she lets him whatever he wanted to do while she continued watching tv.

In London while Neil's flight landed and he checked out while walking out of the airport. He spotted his friend David waiting for him. He smiles and waves his hand while making his way towards him.

He pulls David into a hug and smiles widely seeing after so long. He really missed London and his other friends in London. Neil broke the hug and looks at him.

Neil :how are you David? I missed you so much.

David : I'm so happy to see you Neil back. I also missed you. More than me Ava missed you. She's waiting for you. She's really excited to see when I told her about you returning back to London.

Neil : even I missed my dear sister Ava. Please send my apologies to Ava. I won't be able to make it today. I just want to go home and sleep. I'll see her tomorrow in the office or come to my house afterwards. We can have dinner together and catch up. What do you say?

David : absolutely Neil. I'll speak to Ava. I'll drop you home then head back to home.

Neil nodded his head and they both settled in David's car. David starts driving while Neil leans back and looks outside of window feeling the breeze of London. His trance was broken by David.

David : how is everyone back in London? I really apologies for not attending Manik's marriage. How is he? It's ages since I have seen. Do you have his wedding pictures? I want to see who is lucky girl who dared to marry the greatness Manik Malthora.

Neil chuckles hearing David and took his phone out to show David a picture but stopped when he stares his wallpaper. He smiles as he stares his wallpaper that was Avni's photo which he recently changed that was taken when he took on her lunch few days back he returns back to London. David notices him staring at his phone and smirks knowing something.

David : am I missing something? It seems like Neil Malthora also has a secret? Do you want to share something Neil? I'm all ears to know.

Neil comes out of his thoughts and shuts his phone and stares at David while shaking his head.

Neil : you didn't miss anything David. I'll tell you everything very soon.

David nodded and drove off in silence. David dropped Neil to his mansion and bidding him goodbye went to his house. Neil enters inside his mansion and taking a long shower changed into his night attire and sitting down looks at his phone.

He checked the time and sighs thinking she could be sleeping by now. It's very late back in India. He drops a message to her regarding him arriving safely to London. He even messaged his family.

His eyes widened and looked surprised when she replied him back. He immediately dials her number.

Neil: hello Avni? You didn't sleep yet?! It's very late there. How you didn't sleep? Didn't I say not stay awake? It's not good for your health.

Avni : hello Neil. Did you reach safely? Did you eat?

Neil : you won't answer my question first. I arrived safely and I didn't eat because I had something to eat in flight. Now answer my question. Why didn't you sleep?

Avni : I couldn't sleep. We all slept watching movie together but my sleep broke as I felt restless.

Neil : hmm! I'm sorry for shouting at you. I was worried about your health. It's very late there. You should try to sleep. I'll call you tomorrow morning.

Avni : it's alright. I understand. Okay. Do call me tomorrow. Goodnight Neil.

Neil : yes I will call you tomorrow. Goodnight.

He chuckles and ended the call and falls down his bed and pulls duvet over him and closing his eyes slept.

~

Hope you liked the chapter.

Vote and inline comments.

~