Date Night- AvNeil Two-shot (2nd part on pg 6) *completed* - Page 4

Neil clutched his wife as she raced her scooter through the streets of Mumbai. The cool wind gusted past his cheeks as he placed his head on her shoulder. They both didn't utter even a word. Words weren't necessary. It was their thing. They can be in each other's presence and enjoy each other's company even with the absence of words.

Some nights he takes his case files and Avni takes her novel to the garden area where they sit in comfortable silence and do their respective work. Sometimes Avni places her feet in his lap and sometimes he places his head on her lap staring at her while she stares at the starry sky. Those were his favourite nights.

As they went further away the scenery changed from the bustling traffic of cars and people to empty streets and pure air. Neil took a deep breath to take in the fresh air as it was a luxury he couldn't afford with living in the heart of Mumbai.

The further they went, more relaxed and rejuvenated he felt. He looked into the mirror which showed the image of his wife driving this thing, a smile dancing on her lips.

Avni looked into the mirror, made a face at him and quickly looked ahead. Neil's heart filled with happiness watching this playful side of his wife. He loves it but gets to see it very rarely. He, in turn, pinched her in the abdomen.

"NEILLL!!! Mat Karo!! yelled Avni while trying to maintain the balance of the vehicle. Chuckling Neil hugged her from behind, his arms holding her captive while she drove them towards their destination.

After a while, Avni stopped the scooty and got down only to remove a black cloth from her jean pocket.

"Hum kahape hai Avni? asked Neil who was scanning the place to know where they were. But it was a futile effort as the street lights in that area were dim and there was not even a single signboard in that area. Yet Neil felt the place is familiar as if he has been there before. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Neil tumhe maine kya kaha tha? No questions. Just do what I say! ordered Avni authoritatively.

She tied that blindfold on his eyes, blocking his vision. "Mujhe yaha sunsaan jungle me jaan semaarne ka iraada hai kya wifey? quipped Neil while adjusting his eyes to the darkness.

"Tumhe to mein Ghar pe bhi maar sakti thi. Itni mehnat karne ki jarurat nahi padti mujhe joked Avni.

"I am an IPS officer. Surely, it'll not be that easy to kill me, replied Neil, a frown marring his beautiful face.

"Sure. Whatever floats your boat hubby. I don't want to break the bubble that you are living in. said Avni furthermore incensing her husband.

"Accha ye sab chodo. Mere saath chalo she said holding his hand in hers and walking ahead.

"Waise tum maazaak kar rahi thi na? asked Neil impatiently "Bolo na.

Neil didn't get any reply from his wife. He kept walking with a pout on his face deciding not talk to Avni for making fun of him.

After walking for few minutes, Neil could smell the salty air and softness of sand beneath his feet. So, she had brought me to a beach, thought Neil.

"Agaye hum! she said enthusiastically while removing his blindfold.

Surprise, shock these words couldn't even describe what Neil felt after witnessing the picture in front of him.

She has brought him in the same place where it all started. The place where they got lost but ended up finding their destiny. She has brought him to the place where they first met. All the memories of their first meeting rushed past his mind. He remembered how when their eyes met for the first time, she had almost punched him in his face. How she had bickered with him almost the whole day. Neil chuckled after remembering how she had ordered him to remove his shirt and albeit being a trained IPS officer, he was scared for his virtue.

There on the beach where they first met, was a blanket, the area surrounding which was illuminated by the bonfire set up on the side of the blanket. On the blanket, a chocolate cake with his name written on it was kept. The cake may not be the most beautiful cake he had ever laid his eyes, but to him, it was the most special cake for him as he knows his wife has prepared it especially for him. I will happily die tonight eating this cake, thought Neil.

Apart from cake, she had also brought cupcakes from his favourite caf. There were several of them, an alphabet is written on each cupcake to form "HBD LOVE and a bottle of Chardonnay along with two wine glasses. Neil's heart filled with love for his better half who did all this for him.

Never in his dreams had he thought while leaving the house that Avni could have done arranged all this. She had literally sneaked him out of their house like a thief, drove him on a scooter through the streets of Mumbai to a place where they met and made all these arrangements, just for him. He felt so very special and thanked his lucky stars to have Avni as his partner.

His eyes glistened as she made him sit beside her. The cool breeze blew, making her hair float in front of her eyes. He gently took those mischievous strands of hair in his palm and put them behind her ear while staring into those beautiful eyes of hers. He cupped her face and thanked her for arranging this surprise.

She, on the other hand, took his palm in hers and kissed it. "There isn't a thing in this world that I won't do to see that smile on your face, my love she replied.

With love shining in his eyes, he cut the cake as she sang the birthday song for him. He fed her the cake and she did the same to him. He was really shocked to know that the cake was actually very good. He berated himself for doubting her abilities. He now knows nothing is impossible for his wife. He told her that and got her kick in return.

Avni poured wine for both of them, while Neil ate the cupcakes to satisfy his sweet tooth.

Neil spread his legs and asked Avni to turn, which she did without asking any questions. He pulled her towards his body, her back moulding to his chest and his arms and legs around her creating a little world where only they existed and no one else. They both were so close to each other as if their bodies have moulded together making them one. Not even air could pass from between.

"This the best birthday surprise ever Avni. Thank you so much wifey. said he to her running his lips on the smooth skin of her shoulder, kissing the spot where the shoulder meets the neck. Neil could hear Avni's heart beating as fast as a speeding train.

Avni who had earlier kept her head on his shoulder, turns around. She looks at him as if he is her everything. She looks at him as if he is her entire world. She then places her palm on his cheek and closes the gap between our lips. He doesn't respond at first. Avni withdraws clearly misunderstanding, but he breaks out of his stupor and without saying anything, capture her lips in his. Avni gasps in surprise, making it easy for him to enter her mouth. His palms roamed her body, which was awash with strange sensations as his tongue moved leisurely into her mouth, stroking hers and demanding a response. She then stepped in to play this sensual game of his. Her hands slipped around his neck, while her tongue stroked his, fighting him for dominance. A whimper escaped from her mouth, as Neil bit on her bottom lip and licked it. She rubbed his neck with her fingers and clung to him making his body alive with sensations. Their fight for dominance ends with a tie, neither of them bothered on not winning as they were too busy breathing heavily while staring at each other, their faces split into grins.

Avni pecks his lips once more and turns back around, sips on her wine and places her head on his chest. Neil kisses her hair and looks up at the stars glittering in the sky, illuminating the sky by the starlight, sipping his wine. He couldn't fathom what just happened. He couldn't believe they kissed, now after all this time. He knows now that his wife is ready to take their relationship to next level and he couldn't be happier. He couldn't wait to bring Avni back in their home, in their room. For now, he was just content in holding her close to him, on this beautiful starry night in the place where it all started.

Khanna Mansion,

3^rd December, 3:00 am

Later while fiddling with the lock of their home's backdoor, Neil smiled remembering how Avni pecked him repeatedly as he reluctantly got down from the scooter. She again wished him Happy Birthday and gave him a present. The gift box that he is currently holding in his hand, while he is trying to open the lock with his other.

The door suddenly opens, and Neil is shocked to see Bebe standing in front of him. Bebe pulls him inside, closing the door. She tells him she has waiting for him to return. Bebe gives him a jug of water and asks him to hurry back to his room as Juhi had gone to the kitchen in search of him after not finding him sleeping in his room.

As weird as Neil feels about this whole situation, Neil doesn't wait for Bebe to say it once again. He rushes to his room, locks the door so Juhi couldn't spy on him and goes straight to bed, Avni's gift still in his hand. He knows something is up with Bebe. If she supported Juhi, then she wouldn't have helped him now. He is determined to find the truth from Bebe tomorrow itself.

He opens the box to find the same watch which he was eyeing when they had visited the mall to buy clothes for Mishti. He also finds a small note inside the box written by Avni.

"Happy Birthday Neil. You are my life. I cannot describe my love to you and well I am not very good at expressing it as you are. You are the most selfless, caring and loving person I know and all I want for you in life is to be happy, and with me, because just the thought of you away from me kills me. I love you Neil. was what written inside it.

Neil kissed the note, took his other mobile phone and texted Avni "I love you too wifey. And you are bound to me for all your lifetimes. So, you can't get rid of me even if you wanted to. Get it wifey. Good night and dream of me because you are surely going to crash into my dreams.

That night Neil slept with the biggest smile on his face, wishing for a better future wherein his wife is in their bedroom, on his bed and in his arms.

-The End-