h u r r i c a n e ( A x N ) ✔

16. Parfait

~ One day after ~

"Avni !" Neela exclaimed as Avni and Neil crossed the threshold of the former Mehta house. Avni ran in Neela's open arms, seeking a sense of comfort. Neela divulged that Ketan and Diksha had been jailed for their wrongdoings. Avni also chimed in, filling everybody up on the evnts that had transpires, excluding her and Neil's moments.

Neil smiled at this reunion. He was glad that Ali and Neela had confronted him and shed the light upon Avni's shady past. He knew she veiled with a cloud of mystery. That had always intrigued him and piqued his interest. Next to him, stood Ali, a smile plastered on his face. Neil knew that Ali would be heartbroken upon knowing about him and Avni. Deep down, he felt guilt settling in. Ali had poured his feelings to Neil, waxing lyrical about his childhood friend Avni whom he had not met in years. 

Neil clenched and unclenched his fist frantically. He felt like he was snatching Ali's right. He knew that Avni saw nothing more than a best friend in Ali. Still, Neil could not stop the guilt from stiffling him. Avni was oblivious of Ali's feelings towards her. Would she stay by Neil's side after knowing about Ali's feelings? Neil sighed, hoping to untangle the knots of nervousness in his stomach. 

Avni felt better. She was surrounded by her close ones, Neela, Nanno, Ali and Neil. Ali had engulfed her in a hug, expressing his happiness over the downfall of Dayawanti and consoling her over Aman's death. Avni noticed Neil's face tense up. She worried when she saw him heading out if the house. Avni slithered away from Ali, going after Neil, hoping to find out what perplexed him.

"Neil, wait up!" Avni hastened her steps, calling out Neil. Neil, stopped in his tracks,  biting his lips. As he turned around to face Avni, he was greeted by her confusion, as well as Ali, who trotted behind her.

"Avni, I can't be selfish. There's something that you need to know before we take things further," Neil reflected, his eyes wavering between Ali and Avni. Ali furrowed his brows, dubious of whether Neil was going to reveal his feelings to Avni. He was no fool, he had sensed some changes in Neil and Avni's relationship when they arrived an hour back. The way Neil stared at her..the way Avni repeatedly tucked strands of hair behind her ear to camouflage her cheeks which had been hued light pink under Neil's gaze. Ali felt his heart sinking. He had waited years for her. But upon glancing at Avni again, he unveiled the satisfaction written on her face. Ali had anticipated to see Avni crestfallen. She lost Aman, the reason why she had fought death and taken so many risks. Ali knew Avni inside out, he noticed the glint of sadness in her eyes, but he saw something else, and that something else reinvigorated her. Ali broke his chain of analysis upon hearing Avni's voice.

"What is it Neil? What should I know about?" Avni beseeched, clutching Neil's arm. Ali sighed as Neil looked at the former. "Ali is best suited to tell you about it," Neil drawled, feeling Avni's grip around his arm loosen. Avni shifted her gaze to Ali, who looked away from the two of them. Hesitantly, he met their gazes, and breathed in.

"Avni, I love you, I always did. I waited for you during all these years. I was convinced that you would be back, " Ali stated, looking at Avni's ranging emotions. He shut his eyes, looking away, noticing Avni glance at Neil. Ali's suspicions were confirmed and he turned away making his way to the house's backyard.

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Ali wiped the tears streaming from his eyes as he heard footsteps behind him. "Ali, don't you dare hide your feelings any longer from me," Avni sternly said. Ali stubborn in his stance, refused to turn back, but he still uttered," Avni, I'm sorry. I know that you and Neil feel something for each other and believe me, I am happy knowing that you are happy, be it with me or somebody else. This heartbreak will fade but the bliss you experience with Neil will remain etched and this itself beings me immense joy,".

Avni could not stop her eyes from watering at Ali's honest confession, so did Neil. Neil squeezed Avni's shoulder motioning her to go forward. Avni took steps forward and reached for Ali, hugging him and thanking him for his endless support. Ali patted her head. Neil smiled as Ali grinned and gestured Neil to join the hug. 

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Avni sat in the backyard, by the small pool present over there, her legs dipped in water as she recollected how the night after their confession, Neil and her sat up till the wee hours of the morning talking and clearing all misconceptions. She recalled how they lied beneath the stars in each other's arms. She was bloody shocked after Ali's confession. Her heart wrenched with guilt, she hated herself for hurting Ali, but she failed to emote any further emotion than that of friendship for him. She was touched by his gesture and she felt like she was blessed for having such angels in her life. 

As the sun set, she could not shun thoughts of Aman from clouding her mind. She knew that he tried to kill her, but still she was convinced that it was all due to his bad upbringing. Avni flinched, feeling a hand upon her shoulder. She smiled seeing that it was Neil. 

"Avni, I know that you are blaming yourself for Aman and deep down Ali as well," Neil paused looking at Avni who nodded blankly, and he resumed," quit it Avni, I also feel bad for Ali, but Aman, he tried to kill you for fuck's sake!". Neil tried to prevent his anger from spilling. Avni closed her eyes momentarily," Neil, no matter how he was, he was my brother,". Neil nodded, not saying anything further.

Neil carefully brought forward his other hand which was behind his back. He was aware that Avni was upset and he knew the perfect way to cheer her up. A look of confusion crossed Avni's face as Neil slid down next to her, causing the water in the pool to from circular patterns as he dipped his feet inside. She raised her eyebrows looking at the white bathrobe in his hands. Neil chuckled," Keep it Avni, you can wear it when you miss me,". Avni gasped, splashing water on him for his cheesy joke. Neil tried to dodge in order to avoid Avni but he ended up mirroring her actions.

Neela smiled as she saw Avni and Neil drenching each other. She took notice of the flying sparks between the two of them. She drew the curtains to the window that gave a glimpse to the backyard and walked to hall, glad that Avni had found her happiness.

"Stop!" Avni exclaimed, choking with laughter as they put an end to their water fight. Neil's arms found their way around Avni's waist. Avni looked up at Neil, mouthing a 'thank you' to which he responded by leaning forward and linking their lips as dusk set in.

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Hey there,

Thank you so much for 10k + reads!🎉🎊 You guys are angels 💖 I love you all❤❤ Thank you so much for your love and support till date and please keep them coming through your votes and comments.There is a last part left for this story. I had initially intended to keep it to not more than 10 parts but it turned out to be much more than that since you guys motivated me to go on. 

Take care *big hugs to each and everyone of you out there who is reading this*

P.s: Not proofread since I am sleepy xD