h u r r i c a n e ( A x N ) ✔

12. Haven

Avni was caged within Neil's arms, her haven. Neil involuntarily withdrew himself for a moment. Avni wiped the trail her tears had paved down her cheeks. She took in her appearance. She felt dirty : her clothes had the scent of damp laundry, the side of her forehead was caked in blood. She must have hit her head when she fell unconscious, hence the injury. Avni rose from the bed, swinging her legs to  the side. Neil's back was turned to her and when he turned to face her and saw her state...he understood what she must enduring. He picked up the glass of water from the tray and handed it over to her with a tablet in his hands. 

Avni breathed in. She felt hollow. Neil chuckled," It's just a painkiller Avni, I'm not planning to drug you any time soon." Avni forced a smile. She still could not get herself to believe that it was all over. She refrained herself from asking Neil about the dwellings of the day. She wanted to prepare herself to hear about whatever occurred first. Neil urged the Avni to gulp down the medicine which she did. Avni handed over the empty glass to Neil absent-mindedly. Neil felt like his heart was made of plumb as he felt it get heavier as he watched Avni's lifeless state. As if on cue, Avni spoke.

"Neil, I'm going to have a shower. I'm not feeling well," Avni muttered, avoiding to face Neil. Neil nodded and proceeded to the terrace, guessing that she required personal space. Avni took some clean clothes and proceeded to the bathroom. 

After locking the door and getting the tap running, Avni let out all her emotions. Hoping the sound of the water pattering against the tiles would camouflage her cries. As Neil plopped himself on a chair on the terrace, he tilted his head backwards, admiring the way the hues of pink and orange merged together. Birds flapped their wings, hoping to seek their nests before the sun completely set. Flashes of the day's happenings invaded his mind, disturbing him. He gulped as the thought of relating it to Avni. How would she feel? It was her aim, her motive in life which she had bred and that kept her alive. He knew how vulnerable and shattered she must be at the moment. Neil grew unaware of the slipping time as he wavered between thoughts, paralleling to Avni. Avni felt lighter as she washed away the dirt from her. Her breaths grew unsteady as she rewinded to some hours ago. 

Neil massaged his temple, hoping to ward off the stress. He was alerted as he heard the shower stop running. He kept his gaze locked on the bathroom door. Within minutes, he heard the door being unlocked and he sighed of relief. Neil's heart wrenched in pain upon catching sight of Avni's pallid face. He got up and entered the room. 

Avni bit her lips as their eyes met. She knew that she could not shelter herself away from him for too long. Neil kept advancing towards her, like a moth attracted to a flame. Avni looked away, screwing her eyes shut. Neil hurled Avni in his arms, providing her with the support she needed. Neil smiled as he felt his shirt growing wet, he somehow felt that though she would take time to admit it, the bud of trust was already growing between them. Avni held onto Neil, wringing her hands around his torso as she sobbed into his chest. 

Neil waddled to the bed, with Avni still attached to him. He got her to sit down and knelt down in between her legs, cupping her cheeks with both of his hands. "Avni, I know you need time and right now, you need to rest. Just forget about it for the time being," Neil's voice was smooth and clear. It was like a magic spell as Avni's clenched fists stopped shaking and the velocity of tears streaming down her face reduced. The sobs that rocked through her body came to a still as she brought herself to terms with what happened to some extent. Avni brought her hand to hold onto Neil's wrist as she looked into his brown orbs. 

"Neil, I failed. I..what answer will I give to Ayesha ma? I was not able to seek justice for h..her.." Avni mumbled as her lips wobbled. Neil brought himself to sit besides her on the bed, his hands still framing her face. "Avni, you've done more than she expected you to.." Neil breathed as he rocked her in his arms. Avni felt her erratic breaths getting back to normal as she looked up to him. 

Neil gently traced the wet trail on her cheeks. Avni managed to half-smile as he tapped her red nose and his lips curved into a smile. Avni felt all her worried evaporating into the thin air as Neil closed the one-inch distance between their lips. Avni felt as light as a feather as his lips moved against hers, in a rhythm unknown to them, which they soon grew accustomed to. It comforted her more than words could ever do...

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