"God knows what would have happened, if it weren't for that lawyer!" Bebe said, sinking on to the couch. Her heart still trembled with fear. "Yes, Bebe. How can someone be so kind?" Prakash agreed with. "I'm.. I'm so sorry I suggested the Sinha's. It's my f..fault that this happened to Neil. I—.." "Mom.. there's no fault of yours. We all failed to understand them." Neil squeezed Shweta's hand. "But— you just got settled. And all these.." Shweta just couldn't control herself. Her heart was aching for Neil. He slowly shook his head. "What..?" Shweta was now confused. "Mom, I.." Neil tried to say. Avni's lovely face, her grace replayed in his mind. Neil took a deep breath. "I love someone else.." His words were as if they exploded a bomb at the scene. Bebe And Prakash were on their feet in a split second. "What? What are you saying Neil?!" Bebe's voice was loud. Neil slowly nodded his head. Shweta clapped a hand on her mouth. "There was nothing between Jia and I.. I didn't realize how hopelessly in love with HER I was.. until I accepted your proposal and got married.." Neil lifted his head and searched on everyone's face. "And you planned to spend your whole life like that..? You couldn't tell us..?" Bebe asked again. Neil shook his head. "Aye Neil! You're a cop! Doesn't have courage when it comes to love?" Bebe Exclaimed, half smiling. Her eyes were filled with tears. "It's good that at least this whole thing ended! Tell me who it is..! We'll.. we'll get you married. In a more colorful way!! Ah my child has finally grown up! He's in love Shweta!!" Bebe hugged Neil tightly, Shweta joined them. "Tell me who it is?" She asked Neil. Her motherly instincts wants to hug him more tightly. Her guilt has faded away, with this news. "Avni.." Neil's voice was was almost a whisper, barely audible to the three others. The love and lust in his eyes, didn't need any more explanations. "Avni..? Isn't that.. that Lawyer?" Prakash's Said, Ashe tried to recall. Neil smiled and nodded his head. "Oh my!!" Bebe laughed and hugged Neil more tightly. "I told you, my child has lion's eye! His choice ca never be wrong!!" Neil laughed. "Does she know? Tell me more.." they dragged Neil to the couch, to milk out the whole story. Jia was officially out of all of their lives.
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"YAYYYYY!!" Noya screamed from top of her lungs! "Hush!" Avni was worried. Noya jumped down from the arm of the couch and grabbed on Avni's shoulder, turning her into rounds. "OMG!! Finally he asked you out!" She couldn't hold her excitement! "Who did?" Asked Ryan and Nikhil who came in. "Neil asked out Avi!" Avni's eyes widened. "The cop asked out the lawyer?!" Nikhil was surprised! "Oh my god I So knew these two had something going on!! What even woman!! You've hurt me so badly!! You don't have any idea on how many sleepless nights I've spent on your thoughts, baby!!" Ryan acted out a few lines. Avni bursted into laughs. Noya rolled her eyes. And then held Avni's shoulder. "They are the perfect match for each other." She smiled, her eyes welling up. Avni hugged her tightly. The whole group join them in. Their joy was doubled.
Although, Avni wasn't so happy. She and Neil haven't even met after all the incident. He just sent her a few messages. Explaining that he had divorced Jia, and told his family about Avni. How excited they were. At the end of the letter, he had mentioned how much he loved her and had asked her out. Avni haven't sent a reply yet.
The afternoon sun was killing Avni, she wasn't used to the hot climate of Mumbai. She was busy, helping out at the Mehendi of Noya, which was a repeated ritual, as Noya's relatives arrived late to India and wanted to re-do the mehendi ceremony. Avni picked up little Ian in her lap, he was Noya's brother's two years son. Both of them headed to the refreshments table, as Ian was thirsty. Avni was careful, but she accidentally stepped on her dhupatta and tripped over. She squeezed her eyes, but held Ian tight in her arms as they were about to hit the floor, but some strong arms caught both, hugging them both tightly. Avni opened her eyes and saw Neil's face dangerously close to hers. Ian was sandwiched between them. Neil's lips curved into a smile, he brushed a strand of hair from Avni's face. The moment was broken by Ian, who stirred in Avni's arms. She quickly got off from Neil, taking Ian with her.
"Whatta fall Ms.Lawyer! Superman was all ready for the save!" Ryan teased, pretending to be serious. Avni showed him a face, and walked off with now crying Ian.
Avni walked into the front porch of the Mansion, to collect a post She've forgotten to take. She was wearing a printed Pyjama pant and a cotton white T-shirt, with a cardigan. She collected the envelope and turned around to the door, where a figure stood at the entrance. "Can we talk?" Neil's voice rose goosebumps on Avni's skin. He headed to the stairs while Avni was processing her emotions, she had to follow him in silent steps.
The moonlight was showering on the little ferns grown on the terrace. The sky was clear, Avni swore she saw a galaxy of stars. She took slow steps and held on to the railing, Neil was standing a few steps apart. There was silence for a long moment. Cool breezes kissed on her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Avni quickly draped the cardigan around her body, hugging her hands close. Neil noticed her movements, thats when he decided to talk.
"As you said, you've left me in your debt eh?" Neil's voice hitched Avni's breath. The mockery in his voice created a lump in her throat. "That's why you didn't give me an answer.. cuz you did such a huge favor for me.." Neil pursed his lips and looked at Avni. "Neil, I didn't mean it that way.. I just said that in rage..!" Avni tried to say. "No I really am at your debt. But.." he then moved close to her. Avni was still in her posture, now leaning her back against the railing. Neil out his both hands on the railing, from the sides of Avni, trapping her in an embrace. "..the immense love of me for you, is the only thing I have, to return the favor. His voice was now a whisper. Avni looked at his face. It was still the same face, she has fallen into. The perfect shape, the perfectly trimmed beard, the fancy hair of him.. Avni absent minded lifted her hand and caressed on the side of his face. Neil closed his eyes with her movement, her knuckles rubbing on his cheek and then to the jawline. He snacked an arm around her waist, and avni's other hand was now tangled in his hair.
Their feelings doesn't need an explanation. The love between them doesn't need a verbal communication. Just a mere touch of the other person, settles everything in place.
