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Glimpse into the past

May not be able to update for next few days, here is a an update that is filled with emotions and Avneil to hold you over until  I can update again. Enjoy!

Part Five

"You know Neil I can't control my blushing when I am around you," Avni slurred.

Neil tried to keep his composure. He hoped Avni would not recall these moments when she was finally sober.

" Why can't you control it. Do you have any issue with me?," he asked amused.

She nudged him.

"Mera kabhi boyfriend nahin tha. I am used to the way you look at me. Because no one ever gave me that attention to me before," she admitted.

Neil turned solemn.

He stroked her hair.

" You know you are beautiful right?"

She merely nodded as she leaned against his chest.

She popped up her head one more time.

" Why are you nice to me?"

Then before he could answer the gunshot went off in the distance.

Neil was out of his reverie when he noticed Avni had emerged before him , now her hair was wet from a shower and she still wore his t-shirt and a pair of yoga pants.

" Why didn't you wake me up? I was smelling like vomit," she exclaimed.

Neil rolled his eyes.

" I have smelled worse then that before. I am a cop after all," he hissed.

She straightened up from her outburst.

" By the way how are you feeling?," he asked with concern.

He wished he had kept a closer eye on how long she had been inside the washroom.

" I just drank too much champagne right? I feel a headache but overall I guess I am ok.."

She suddenly stumbled.

He caught her in a firm grip.

"Avni you are burning up. Let's get you bundled up. We can learn self-defense later," Neil said as he picked her up and placed her back in bed.

"Don't forget Neil," she whispered as he held her close and tried to give her his body heat.

" I will not break my promises to you Avni," he pledged as he stroked her hair.

" Papa called me his superstar, but he left me. Will you leave when things settle down too?," she asked.

Neil grasped her hand in his.

He kissed her hair. He couldn't explain why or how he was getting so drawn to Avni so quickly.

But one thing he knew he couldn't leave her. Even if circumstances tried to separate them like they almost had days before their wedding, he would fight tooth and nail to get back to her.

" Rest Avni. I will be right here when you wake up," he promised her.

She snuggled close to his taut muscled chest.

His arms wrapped around her waist.

It was in that moment he realized why he had not fallen in love before this moment. Avni Parikh was the only woman who could make him feel all these emotions all at once without trying too hard.

Neil was only able to sleep a few hours. He felt Avni's forehead. The fever was down. He decided to check in with DD before he arranged for their next travel destination.

" DD I want information about Avni's father. Maybe whatever happened with him could be related to the case Avni is involved in now," Neil stated.

" Theek hai Sir, I will look into it. I will keep you updated. As far as I know Vikram Thakkar has not made any moves to leave the city," DD reported.

Neil turned solemn.

" Be alert DD, I think one of his men was here in France last night. I will be taking Avni to our next location soon. Once he is trapped we can prepare Avni for the trial," Neil stated.

" Theek hai sir. I will keep you updated," DD promised.

Neil looked over at Avni who was now awake and staring up at the ceiling.

He wasn't sure how much she heard.

"Neil I guess since you are looking into my past, I might as well tell you what I recall from that night," she whispered.

He gave her his full attention.

She pulled back the t-shirt somewhat to show him a scar.

"You might have noticed that last night."

She paused noticing his concerned expression.

" I was shot at the night I followed my father for his meeting in the factory. I thought I was trying to save him. But I became the weakness he could not afford," Avni stammered.

Neil released a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"They kept beating him as I laid there bleeding, begging them to not hurt him," Avni admitted.

Neil rushed to her side and held her.

"It wasn't your fault Avni," he whispered.

She clutched at his shirt.

"Maybe it was out of my control Neil, but still wished I could have helped him.," she sobbed.

He pulled back and looked at her firmly.

" If we find them, can you recognize who was there that night?"

She nodded.

"One of them that was there a few weeks ago when they murdered that manager Mr. Trivedi. He looked familiar," she muttered.

" Relax. DD will start prepping for the trial with the lawyers. When we go back, you have to be strong enough to face them. We will get through this together," he assured her.

" I am sorry Neil. I dragged you and your family into my messes," she declared.

" Shh relax. See your fever is down. You need some food to build up your strength. I will call for our food," Neil stated warmly.

She kissed his cheek suddenly.

He paused astonished she was warming up to him.

" Thanks so much for everything Neil."

"You are more than welcome wifey!," he said with glee.