Tum Mere Ho

Part Fourteen

Author's note: a filler update in a way, song above chosen for Neil's fears and feelings for Avni

Neil had one more day off from his usual duties as Acp. The family briefly celebrated the closing of the case together with tea and snacks.

Then they requested Avni and Neil to get some rest.

Neil pulled her close to himself.

"Tum theek ho?"

She merely nodded.

"I know you are concerned about your father's return," Neil started to say.

She shook her head.

"Just hold me Neil. I don't want to talk about the past or why Ashish Mehta is back after all these years. I feel so confused and betrayed," she admitted.

She sighed feeling Neil's firm body against herself.

He pulled back after a few moments.

" I forgot I brought you a gift other day. Let me go get it," he said.

Avni smiled.

How did she get so lucky?

"Please bhagwan let me with Neil for the rest of our lives," she pleaded.

He returned and she gained her composure quickly.

"Close your eyes," he whispered.

She felt something on her wrist.

"Yeh too bauth sundar hai Neil! Hope you did not spend too much," she stated.

Neil smiled.

"I know our first month anniversary was a few weeks ago. You got me that nice watch but we couldn't really celebrate because of the trial and I had a few complicated cases to work on. How about this coming weekend we go for a short trip to Goa? Just you and me? Relax by the beach and some romance.."

Avni blushed.

" Pelhe apna kaam. We don't have to go that soon. Whenever your duty doesn't demand your time too much, we can go for a mini getaway," she assured him.

Neil smiled mischievly.

" You know what I am thinking Mrs. Khanna?"

"Kya?"

" I have officially arrested you in the prison of my heart, it's time to rekindle some memories from our honeymoon," he said huskily.

She gasped as he grabbed her by the waist.

"Neil yeh .."

" I have to punish you for almost leaving me again wifey," he hissed.

He picked her up bridal style and brought her onto the roof.

It had started to rain.

He put her down.

He twirled her around as they both got drenched.

She slipped suddenly and he caught her.

She smiled and pressed her back to his taut torso.

He pulled back her neckline and kissed her bullet scar.

She sighed as she leaned into him.

He sensed something in his gut but he ignored it for now.

A moment later he was lost in touch but she pulled him inside with her.

His reverie broke and they changed out of their wet clothes.

She teased him after he dressed her wounds.

Avni pulled on one of his shirts as he stood amused.

Seeing his amused glance, she smiled innocently at him.

"What? I am cold," she hissed.

He shook his head and changed into dry clothes.

He later snuggled in behind her. He moved her hair to the side so he could lean his chin against her shoulder. He held her close to himself as if he would awaken to find her gone.

He was running as he heard a gunshot.

There was chaos around him. People running here and there.

He soon found her unconscious form like he had days before their wedding.

But this time she wasn't waking up. She lost so much blood. He stared at his hands in disbelief. He couldn't find where the blood was coming from so he could apply pressure.

He looked at a figure approaching them.

"You let her die Neil. You were too late."

Neil realized it was Ashish Mehta, his father-in-law.

"Let her go Neil. You cannot save her," Ashish declared.

" I won't give up! Not like you! You walked away from her when she needed you the most!"

Neil lurched awake.

Avni heard his shuffling around.

She sat up to see his face filled with perspiration.

"Neil kya hua?"

He was still in a trance.

"Neil!"

He snapped out of it and gazed at her carefully and recalling his nightmare he checked her for any fresh wounds.

"Tum theek ho?"

"Haan muhje kya huya hai? Main hoon tumare paas," she assured him.

He hugged her tightly and then sat back.

" I dreamed you were dying and that your father blamed me for your condition. You won't leave me right Avni?"

"Nahin Neil. I will not leave you. I don't care what his reasons were for leaving us years ago. What is between you and me will never falter because of anything else he says or does. I promise you," she assured him.

She leaned into kiss his forehead.

He relaxed feeling her touch. He pulled her back to himself and tried to calm his nerves. She stroked his head and within moments he was fast asleep.

"Neil everything you have done and given me, no one can undermine that in my mind. I will always be devoted to you," she whispered.