h u r r i c a n e ( A x N ) ✔

10. Trust

Avni dubiously looked at Neil and DD's interactions. She was presently at the backseat of the car, with DD driving and Neil in front. Avni twirled her finger around the strap of her bag. What would happen when they manage to find Dayawanti Mehta and reveal her doings? Would Aman trust her? He would perhaps think that she assumed him to be a convicted criminal and that's why she had to take a helping hand from the police. And, she was not sure how Neil would react as well. What if something untoward takes place? Realising that there would be many 'what ifs' that would daunt her from accomplishing the last step of her mission, she decided upon something. 

Neil and DD were following the directions which led to Dayawanti Mehta.  Avni bit her lips and a location in the scenery outside caught her eyes. "DD, stop the car!" Avni exclaimed, and the car came to a rough halt. Neil turned to face Avni, he knew her for quite some time now and he was cocksure that some plots must be brewing up in her mind. The way her eyes were geared sideways, made it obvious that she was gauging the consequences of the plan she was hatching. DD looked at Neil, who had clenched his jaw. DD squinted his eyes, so Avni was up to something again, what if she tried to go and deal with Dayawanti Mehta again similar to when she had given them the wrong locations when Neela was kidnapped.

"Avni, don't try to fool us, we clearly know that you are thinking of handling this on your own," Neil stated firmly, looking at her in the eye. Avni released the breath she was holding, damn, she could not even use the excuse that she had concocted. Avni glared at Neil who adjusted the front mirror so that he could keep and eye on her, while he gestured DD to go forward.

Avni felt the series of doubts returning again. After all, to what extent could she trust Neil, he had tried to get her confess by lying, true, that was before he knew what she had been through but still, this was her battle! Call it her ego, her stubbornness or any another term but she had to face this alone, like she always did. She besides did not want to risk anyone, she was aware of the danger that loomed. 

Neil was conversant that Avni did not trust him, though, the sexual tension persisted between them, though he had emoted care towards her, this did not automatically mean that they had quit being nemesis's. He had still not gotten over her masquerading her identity and he knew that she had not forgotten when he had tried to extract the truth from her.  

Avni felt a grin threatening to spill from the sides of her lips, as she thought of alighting from the four-wheeler before DD could accelerate any further. Neil, on the spur of the moment, signalled DD to lock the doors and foiled Avni's plan. Avni gritted her teeth as she failed to open the door. Neil smirked triumphantly as her frustrated face materialised on the mirror. Avni felt anger getting the better of her and she avoided meeting Neil's gaze which would be beaming with victory. 

"DD, I think we should switch on the AC, because I feel heat blaring in all of a sudden," Neil provoked, chuckling, his eyes still glued onto the mirror. DD shook his head as he smiled. Avni ceded, aware that all the routes to escape were blocked by ACP Neil Khanna. 

Avni switched on her phone to see notifications of unread messages. Avni gently smiled upon seeing a message from Neela that they had managed to get possession of the 'Mehta Mansion' at the auction. The other message was from Ali, querying about whether she was all right or not. Avni decided against replying at the time. Feeling her morale boosted by the news she just received, she eliminated negative conclusions and settled on the idea that she would succeed in her aim.

Neil was curious to know what had made Avni feel so at ease. A few seconds back, she seemed restless and right now, she was completely relaxed. The two nearby dots on the screen captivated his attention. They were just a kilometre away now.

As the car pulled in, Avni's eyes shone with determination. She scruntinised the location where her brother was. It was a gloomy house, on the foot of a mountain. She could see some shadows and activity. She prayed that it was them because with the luck that she had, it could at the end turn out to be some other people. Neil ordered DD, to drive a bit further in order to avoid attracting unwanted attention. 

Getting down from the car, Avni shut the door, looking at Neil who tucked his gun at the back of his jeans. Avni tightened the grip on her bag, this was the moment she had been waiting for all her life. Her palms turned sweaty, it was now or never! Neil advanced towards Avni stealthily and placed his index finger under her chin, making her look at him. Avni blinked as she was reassured by the comforting depths of the umber that rimmed Neil's irises. Neil's hands trailed down to her shoulder, squeezing it gently," Avni, right now, I don't want to burden you with any questions and I  know that you don't trust me neither have you forgiven me for my doings," he paused, his eyes brimming with sincerity, Avni stayed quiet, unsure of what to pronounce. "But right now, I just know that I need to be with you." Neil concluded, his voice laced with urge, the urge of needing to hear her voice, at least once.

"Neil, I..I just want to get done with this alone," Avni pleaded, tireness apparent. Neil silently nodded. "I appreciate your help but if I have gotten this far, then please let me try and...alright, if there is any risk, then you can take charge," Avni added, taking his other hand in hers, holding it, feeling comforted.

Neil brought Avni closer to him as he engulfed her in a side-hug, breathing in her scent and knowing that she reveled in feeling him close to her, but something that she would never admit. Avni relaxed and shut her eyes, his hands on her arms felt so right. If she could describe it, it felt like the calm before the storm.... 

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Whoa! 4k+ views and 400+ votes in less than two weeks🎉🎊You guys are angels! Thank you so much for the infinite love and support and please keep them coming my way through your votes and comments 😚 On this note, let me reveal a few things about me : My name is Gavina, as some of you know by now, I'm 16, soon to be 17 on the 29th of December and I've started writing when I was only 10 but of course I improved to some extent, though my writing is not perfect.

There are various references to earlier episodes of Naamkaran in this part. There are some scenes which I altered to some extent because I felt that they would have suited the needs of this part. 

Take care, love you all *big hugs* ❤