It was just 2 days after the entire chuhi drama was over. Chuhi needed psychiatric help. Mishti would stay with the khannas till she recovered. Vidyut and ragini were in jail. Avni and neil were recuperating. Neil had taken 1 week off from work. Avni and Neel decided to go out for dinner. It was a nice hotel with live music. They reached the hotel , ordered food and were waiting for it to come. Suddenly Avni noticed 2 pretty girls at the nearby table who were all eyeing her husband like he was candy. Ofcourse she knew her husband was incredibly handsome but that didn't mean they could check him out so blatantly that too when they could see that he was here with her! She tried to distract herself but it was tough especially considering how obvious these girls were being and Neil looked completely oblivious to the attention. HE was trying to make some small talk but Avni was very distracted and getting upset. She decided to excuse herself to the bathroom and compose herself. She got up and walked to the bathroom. She went in to one of the rooms and tried some deep breathing techniques. She knew it wasn't neels fault that the girls were checking him out, but she was getting very upset. Just as she was about to step out she heard 2 girls come in and talk- A- Dude, that guy on the table near us is so hot!B- I know right! I think I'm gonna go make a moveA- But he looks like he's come with his girlfriend na.B- Who cares! She looks like such a behenji. I doubt he's going to be interested in her! Either shes just a friend or he's forced to be with her. Once he sees that he has better options, he'll ditch her! No guy has ever turned me down! A- Don't you think you're being over confident?!B- Dude its confidence. Plus have you seen that chick he's with, no fashion sense whatsoever! She looks so tired and shes not even wearing makeup. Who steps out looking like that when they re with such a hot guyA- The guy is definitely hot. If I didn't have a boyfriend I would make a move too!B- I don't have anything like that to worry about, so I'm going for it!Avni who had heard this exchange felt even more upset. She looked at herself in the mirror and she didn't want to admit to herself but she did look tired and weary. (she does look little tired- but that's coz sthe shole chuhi drama has taken a toll on her, shes got dark circles)Neel was obviously hot and she knew she was average looking. as she looked at herself she was only seeing flaws!She knew in the back of her mind that neel had told her he loved her but for some reason now she was feeling very insecure. She had always felt like she did not deserve neel and hearing all this stuff made her feel worse. She felt guilty about the way they got married and how selfish she had been. Although she knew that she hadn't really broken off the marriage of a couple that loved each other and it was only a business deal, she still felt guilty about the way the wedding had happened. Another lingering thought she had been having during the chuhi fiasco was that her husband obviously had prior experience . She was not his first love or his first relationship and she on the other hand was very inexperienced. She had not even had time to have a crush or a boyfriend, let alone love/relationships. And she was feeling everything for the first time with neil- the attraction, the butterflies in her stomach everytime she was near him and the tingly feeling, the gooosebumps she got when he hugged her or gave her a small peck. It was all super new to her and she didn't know how to move further. She was nervous and she didn't know how to make the next move or what to do. She didn't want to disappoint him and that thought made her more nervous. She looked at herself in the mirror with all these thoughts running in her head. And she was trying to shake herself out of it. She took a few more calming breaths and told herself that she was overthinking, things would get better. She washed her face and quickly made her way back to the table. She had just got seated when the girl from earlier made her way over and suddenly she walked past neel and pretended to trip and accidentally knock off the glass of water . Neel immediately stood up to make sure that she was ok (being a gentleman). Neel- Are you ok? Girl Oh ya, I'm fine. Thanks for asking. Btw my name is XYZ (immaterial !) and she put out her handNeel- oh hi, I am Neel KhannaGirl- Obviously flirting- its very nice to meet you Neel. SO what do you do?Neel- was a bit surprised by why this girl was flirting with him- he didn't want to be rude though so he replied- I'm a police officerGirl- Oh wow, No wonder you look so fit!Neel- little uncomfortable- Thanks I guess. HE was just about to sit down at the tableAvni- meanwhile was watching the whole exchange getting more and more worked up, upset.Suddenly the music changed, and there was an announcement for couples to hit the dance floorGirl- Would you like to join me for a dance ?Neel- Umm...no thanks. I'm actually here with ...Girl- cuts him off- I know you are here with her, but I'm sure she wont mind if I borrow you for 1 dance. Anyway you guys look like you are still waiting for your food.Neel- looks at Avni- who looks very upset and a little jealous- and though he would rile her up a little (he loved jealous wifey!) (unfortunately he didn't know what a TERRIBLE decision he was making)- Umm ok, sure.And he led her to the dance floorAs he danced with the girl, his eyes were only on avni. He could see that she looked upset. Girl realised he was not fully with her , so she turned them around so that she could block his view and was making small talk with him.Avni- was very upset- (thinking) The girl was right- she is incredibly pretty and confident, nothing like me! she just walked up and made her move and just like she said neel couldn't refuse her. No guy would refuse her! What am I even doing with neel? He deserves better. Not some average jane who has only lied to him and made use of his goodness. He has probably forced himself to try to love me only because we are married and he thinks of me as his responsibility. As she watched them dance, her eyes were tearing up and she couldn't watch any longer. She wanted to get up and leave. Meanwhile- Neel was gettick sick of this girls incessant chatter and flirting. He couldn't wait for the dance to be over. HE was trying to look at his wifeys cute jealous expression like the time in goa, but this girl was blocking his view. Finally the music stopped and Neelsaid ok I'm going to head back to my table.Just before he could leave- the girl pulled him back and kissed his cheek- You don't have to go back, why don't we head out and have a good time? (and winked at him)Neel- now he was very uncomfortable-replies curtly- I'm sorry but I have company. Please excuse meGirl- Are you serious? Why do you want to go back to dining with that behenji when you can hang out with me?Neel- now he was pissed- look Ms, that so called behenji is my wife who i love and I have no interest in spending any more time with you. So goodbye. And he turned to leaveBut when he looked at the table Avni was no longer there. (When she saw the girl kiss neel, she just left with tears in her eyes)Girl- Look, she is not even at the table. So forget her and lets danceNeel- Look Miss, I have already told you. I'm here with my wife. Let me go and yanked his hand away and ran out of the restaurant looking for his wifeyNeel- ran out but didn't see her. Now he was feeling extremely guilty- how stupid can you be neel! Because of your stupid act to see her jealousy you have hurt her and she has left! After all the drama in life, you finally had a chance to spend a romantic evening with her and what have you done?! Neel cursed himself!HE asked the watchman- who told him that he just saw a lady leave in the auto.Neel figured she must have gone home so he took the car and headed back.But once he reached home he grew more worried because avni was not there. His parents and bebe were surprised to see him back without avni and he quickly made some excuse and ran back out. Now he wondered- Avni where are you?!He decided to try the graveyard- but she wasn't there.Finally he went to Neela ma's houseNeel- Ma did Avni come here?Neela- No, shwetaji said you both were going out for dinner today? What happened? Neel- Voh ma, I'm an idiot. I did something to upset her and she leftNeela- Aisa kya hua?Neel tells her the whole storyNeela- Neel, ye tumne kya kiya? Tum jaante ho voh kitni sensitive hai phir bhi tumne aisa kyun kiya.Neel- Sorry ma, I know. but Maine socha nahi ki voh itni upset ho jayegi. Voh avni hai, itni strong hai, phir itni choti baat ke liye kaise itni upset kaise ho gayiNeela- exasperated - choti baat?! Neel , I know ki tumne ye masti main kiya hai but you still haven't understood avni completely. Voh aise maamlon main kaafi sensitive hai! Pata nahi kahann gayi meri bacchii- kya zarrorat thi ye sab karne ki- as it is she thinks she doesn't deserve you and now this! (and suddenly she stops talking)Neel- kya, kya kaha apne?Neela- realises that she has let slip avni's insecurity- trying to cover up- kya kaha? Avni sensitive hai neel. Anyway tumne usko phone kiya? Neel haan voh unreachable hai, but what did you just say? Aapne kaha ki she thinks she doesn't deserve meNeela- trying to cover up- nahi nahi umm...voh phirse call karo naNeel- ma, please don't hide it from me? Avni ne apse kuch kaha kya? What do you mean by she thinks she doesn't deserve me?Neela- sit down neel- explains quickly when and why avni said so- I know ki now juhi is gone but I don't know if avni still feels fully secure. I know neel ki tum us se bahut pyaar karte ho and avni bhi kahin na kahin yeh jaanti hai. But all this relationship stuff is very new to her. Use is sab me adjust karne ke liye thoda vakt lagega. I know my daughter. She's a little underconfident in all these matters. You are the first person in her life for whom she's felt like this and she probably is still little unsure about how to act and what to do- shes alwats craved a family, people to call her OWN.Neel-l- (internally) feels even more guilty now- Neel what have you done? Tumne anjaane main avni ko bahut hurt kiya hai. Neela ma ki baton se kaafi cheezein are becoming more clear to me, how did I not see this earlier! No wonder she's so hesitant when I try to get intimate. But doesn't she know that I love her and how important she is to me? I know this is new to her but why would she think she doesn't deserve me? I really need to find her and talk to herNeela- uska phone abhi bhi unreachable hai- Why don't you try her old house?Neel- thik hia, main usko dhoondta hoon. Aap fikr mat karo. I'll find her. If she comes here, just call me. Neela- thik hai tum apna dhyaan rakho aur meri bacchii ka bhiNeel- goes to her old house- as soon as he went there he could feel avni's presence there. HE knocked on the door, but no response.Neel- Avni, open the door !Avni- shocked that Neel found her- opens the doorNeel- barges in and engulfs her in a hug. Both of them just stood there not saying a word. A minute later, neel steps back and locks the door behind him and then turns back to avniLooking at her, his heart breaks. She's standing there with tear tracks on her face looking extremely tired and worn out.Neel- guides her to the sofa and sits down facing her on it and holds her hands.Avni kya hua? Tum aise bina bataye kyun agayi wahan se? Avni- didn't replyNeel- softly- avni- main tumse puch raha hoon- kya hua?tum kyun agayi vahan se?Avni- looking down- says nothing- Neel- decides to give her some time and space to compose herself and answer- he just held her hands.Avni- sorry, voh pata nahi, mujhe kuch thik nahi laga toh main chali gayi. Neel- hey, hey, look here. Look at me. Avni tum meri biwi ho. Tum mujhse kuch bhi share kar sakti ho. Toh poori baat batao mujhe. Tum itni upset kyun ho? Avni- kuch baat nahi hai, chalo hum ghar chlate hai and she got up.Neel- turned her back and made her sit down again. Avni please baby, I know ki uss ladki ko mujhse flirt katre dekhke aur dance dekh kar tum upset hogayi. I'm really sorry. Main masti kar raha tha kyunki tum jab jealous hoti ho toh bahut cute lagti ho isliye, but I didnt mean to get you so upset. I'm really sorry. Meri galti hai. Avni- kept looking down- its fine neel, maine hi overereact kiya.Neel- nahi avni- please mujhse baat karo. Please mujhe batao ki tum kya soch rahi ho. Avni- Neel, tum mere saath kya kar rahe ho? Neel- what do you mean?Avni- I mean, why are you with me? tum mere saath apna time kyun waste kar rahe ho.Neel- Avni, tum aise kyun bol rahi ho? Hua kya hai? What do you mean by time waste... You know I love you.Avni- are you sure about that neil? Maybe you only THINK that you love me?Neel kya?! Avni- haan, I mean why would you love me? Neel- realising that his wifes insecurities ran way deeper than he expected.- hey hey look at me- avni- tum ye kaise sawaal kar rahi ho? I love you. I love you for the amazing person that you are. Tumse zyada strong ladki maine aaj tak nahi dekhi. And you have the biggest and most pure heart. Avni- neel I'm not strong. It was just circumstances and I was forced to be the way I am. I know that we didn't have a good start to our relationship. Maine tumse jhoot bola, apne revenge ke chakkar main tumse dhoke se shaadi ki. Phir one after another kuch na kuch hota rahta hai jiske vajah se hum abhi bhi saath main hai. I feel like tumhe sirf lagta ha ki tum mujhse pyaar karte ho. But we are very dfferent people. Maine tumse dhoke se rishta joda hai but truth is I can never keep you happy. Mujhe tumhare aur tumhaare family ke ssath rahkar family waali feeling aayi isliye maine phir apne selfish reasons ke liye tumhe chod ke nahi jaa payi. But ab bas ho gaya, I know you deserve much better. Tumhe zabardasti mere saath rahne ki zarurat nahi haiNeel- getting angry- Avni ye kya bakwaas bole ja rahi ho tum? Tumhe lagta hai ki main tumhaar saath zabardasti rah raha hoon? Really?Avni- haanNeel- shaking her shoulders angrily- kyun lagta hai tumhe aiseAvni- neel we have nothing in common. Naa main good looking hoon, na smart hoon. I'm a danger magnet, kuch siyappa karti rahti hoon and you have to get me out of situations. I'm broken. I have too many issues and tum itne acche ho ki tumne mujhe iss sab ke bavajood accept kiya, mujhe fix karne ki koshish ki. But I'm not fixable. I dont deserve this love, your family. I need to step aside.Neel gripped her shoulders tight- he didn't know what to say to avni. He was both angry and upset. He didn't know what to say to her so he just slammed his lips onto hers. Avni was in shock and didn't react initially. But neel kissed her fiercely until she started reacting. After a few minutes they broke apart pantingNeel- forces avni to look at him. Listen to me avni. Listen carefully. Haan ye sach hai ki tum meri life main case ban ke aayi. Haan humaare rishte ki shuruat normal nahi thi. But jobhi hua hai- usme ek toh destiny ka haath hai aur baaki humaare choices hai. Tumhaare saath rahna ye mera choice hai. Maine yeh choice sirf aur sirf apne liye kia hai- kyunki mujhe tumhaare saath rahna accha lagta hai. Maine tumhe pasand kiya hai not because its some responsibility. I love the person you are. Haan tum impulsive ho, ziddi ho, danger magnet ho but tum bahut strong ho, khud ke liye or dusron ke liye stand leti ho, sahi cheez ke liye ladti ho. Tum khud broken ho but despite that you had the strength and grace to accept my baggage and flaws. Tum ne hamesha sirf sahi cheez karne ki koshish ki ,no matter how much it hurt you aur kabhi jataya bhi nahi. Tumne mera saath tab diya when everyone else was judging me- that too bina kisi sawaal ke. You just trusted me and stood by me. I don't know ki tum itni selfless ,itni nisswarth kaise ho but I love you for it. Tumhi ne mujhse kaha tha na, ki hum donon ek dusre ko kabhi nahi chodenge. Avni tum meri lifeline ho, tum ho toh main hoon. Tum nahi toh main bhi nahi. I don't know ki tumhe suddenly itna insecure kyun feel ho raha hai. Because the avni i know is bold, beautiful and confident. I need you to know ki tum mere liye- sabse zyaada important ho. Please avni samjho iss baat ko...I love you. I need you. Aur meri family bhi tumhaare aane se hi complete hui hai. Avni-had tears in her eyes- and hugs him tightNeel- hugging her back- accha shh...rona band karo. And kisses her forehead, caressing her hair. He held her until she quietened down.And then moved back to look at her. Even with red eyes, blotchy cheeks she was the most beautiful woman on the planet for him! He moved to place a kiss on her cheek and nuzzled her neck. He made her lie down on the sofa. And was on top of her, placing a trail of kisses on her neck. One hand was in her hair while the other was tracing patterns on her waist. Just as he was about to kiss her again, he looked at her and saw that she looked a little hesitant. Neel made avni sit up and stopped his ministrations. Neel- avni, please baby,kya hua hai. Mujhe saaf dikh raha hai ki tum mere paas aane se khush ho but suddenly tum aise hesitant ho jaati ho. I'm your husband, tum mujhse bina jhijke sab kuch share jar sakti ho.Avni- sorry neil. Mujhe nahi pata ki aage kya karna hai. All this is very new to me. Tumhe pahle se experience hai but I dunno what to do and I'm scared to do something that you may not enjoy.Neel- just cups her face and whispers- wifey tum sach me ek ajooba ho. First of all mujhe koi expeience nahi hai. Jab juhi ne kaha tha ki aisa kuch hua hai toh I had no choice but to believe her because I was so drunk that I didn't remember anything. But now as we know, usne sab jhoot bola tha. So actually ye sab mere liye bhi first time hi hai. So lets discover it all together. Just go with the flow baby. And tum job hi karogi I'm sure I'll like it because its you! Ok. And gives her a small wink.And they continued to explore unchartered territories through the night, giving themselves to each other. Neel had successfully reassured her of her place in his life and avni was finally at peace, all her insecurities laid to rest.
