Shweta: This is my younger sister, Shikha. She is a very successful doctor.
Shweta proudly introduced her sister to the Mehta's. As the Mehta's greeted Shikha, she on the other hand, was on edge being in their presence, something that Neil noticed, as well as being curious about. The Khanna's and Shikha were seated in the Mehta's living room, and casual conversations on the wedding function preparation between Shweta and Dayavanti dominated the discussion among the families. Neil's eyes wandered away inattentively from the conversation, as his eyes sought something, or rather, someone else. Shikha, similarly to Neil, was anticipating someone's presence. Both were completely disinterested in the conversation on the wedding functions, and were fixated on seeing Ananya. At that moment, Avni walked down the stairs, whilst she wearily looked on at the gathering in the living room. She was not in the mood to put up with any one of their taunts, so attempted to silently walk out of the house, hopefully without attracting any of their attention, and to avoid garnering further taunts and criticism. Her footsteps stopped when Neela appeared at the doorstep of the Mehta Mansion. Both families turned to see Neela, who had already made her way through to the seating area, and asserted herself among them, much to the chagrin of Daya, Diksha and Ketan.
Neil: Hello Neela aunty! We were all just discussing about the sangeet. Join in! Oh! And this is my Aunty, Shikha.
Neela and Shikha exchanged subtle smiles with one another, as they put up the facade of being strangers among everybody. Neela looked at Shikha, whilst gesturing questionably towards Neil, signing Shikha, to ask whether she had told Neil everything as she had explained. Shikha nodded the slightest in assurance. Neela exhaled lightly in satisfaction and relaxed. This whole exchange went unnoticed by everybody, except Avni, who had noticed Shikha and instantly recognised her, only to be shocked to hear Neil introducing her as his aunty. Avni was in disbelief as to how Neil and her coincidentally seemed to be linked at all paths.
Shikha turned to see Avni looking at her teary eyed. Shikha returned Avni's expressions, as she was overjoyed and emotional to see Avni.
Shikha: ANANYA!? Oh, my gosh...IT IS YOU! I can't believe it.
Shikha looked slightly from the corner of her eyes to witness the reaction on Daya's face, as did Neela too. Daya, as well as the rest of the people present apart from Neil, were shocked to see Shikha walk to Avni and embrace her affectionately. The Mehta's and Shweta stood up from their seats, appearing utterly bewildered, and annoyed to see that Shikha somehow already knew Avni and they were both embracing tearfully.
Shweta: Shikha! Do you know this Ananya?
Shweta failed to hide the disgust in her voice. Ever since Ketan's lie and emotional blackmail failed Avni's plan to expose the Mehta's bankruptcy and marriage truth, Shweta had quickly returned to her anti-Ananya stance, which Neil was not happy about, as since he had been told the truth about Dayavanti, he was not pleased to see that Shweta has gone back to hating Ananya and happily arranging his wedding to Riya.
Riya and Daya gritted their teeth together in annoyance at seeing the love between their new enemy, Ananya, and a family member of their soon-to-be-in-laws.
Shikha: Yes, Shweta Di. I've known Ananya and her mother for years.
The Mehta's and Shweta's eyes widened from surprise, apart from Neil, whose lips turned up from the corners into a slight and sly smile, as he admired the spectacle that his Maasi was creating. He secretly hoped that this small revelation would curb the antics of his mother and the Mehta's against Ananya.
Shikha: Actually, Ananya's father was a patient of the doctor I was working under as a student. I quickly became very close with Ananya and her mother. Unfortunately, her father passed away, and after that, I continued to meet and keep contact with them for years.
She looked away from her astonished and annoyed audience to turn to Avni.
Shikha: I'm so happy to see you and know you are here. Now I can finally catch up with you. The plus side here is now you are older, so we can speak like best friends with one another. You will be helping me with all the arrangements, okay?
Avni first turned to get a glimpse of everybody's reactions. Dayavanti looked murderous. Naturally! Riya looked like she was about to tear her own hair out, out of frustration. The poor thing! Amol and Diksha looked irate. And Neil...well...his expressions were confusing. He looked a little too pleased with this development. Avni turned back to Shikha and nodded in confirmation. Riya huffed in disbelief. Shweta, although unhappy about this, softened her expressions.
Shweta: Of course, Ananya dear. Ummm, my sister is right. You must help.
Neil raised his eyebrows in surprise at his mother's drastic change in behaviour. However, he could see the irritation in her face, despite the happiness she was trying to feign in her voice. Neil walked to Avni and Shikha, and talked to Avni.
Neil: Ananya! You're Riya's friend, then you and I became good friends, and now you turn out to be my Maasi's old friend. I guess our bond just keeps increasing day by day...
Shweta and the Mehta's fumed hearing the last line, and by witnessing the proximity to which Neil was stood in front of Avni, but Neil was well aware of this, and intentionally started choosing words to get a reaction out of them.
Neil: ...but I have a request for you.
Ananya: What kind of request, Neil?
Neil: I have an idea to have a dance competition between the bride and groom's family. There will be two performances from each side. Amol and Diksha Bua from Riya's side, and from my side, Ali of course, but I want you to dance from my side. And this is a request from your friend as well as the groom of your best friend. You will fulfil this request, won't you?
Riya: Neil! What are you saying? Why do you want Ananya to dance on your side?
Prakash: Yes, Neil! I don't understand this. Do you care to explain?
Shikha: Oh gosh! I will explain. This was my idea more than Neil's, but Neil liked my idea. Basically, the idea of this competition is that there will be two performances from each side. One will be a modern dance performance, whilst another will be a traditional style. For Bride's side, Diksha will be traditional, and Amol, the modern. For Groom's side, Ali will be modern and Ananya, the traditional. I would do it myself, but I told Neil that I have had a pain in my left leg since weeks, and I wouldn't be able to dance properly, so I thought that if I choreograph Ananya, and she performs for me, it would be the same thing as if I was performing. That's why!
Shikha then recalled making this plan with Neil earlier, to distract everyone during the sangeet, in order to give Neela the chance to check Daya's room thoroughly for anything suspicious, but there was more than one reason for her plan, thinking of which, made her smile in hopefulness, as she looked at Neil and Avni.
Neil: Yes Riya! Are you jealous that I'm stealing your best friend?
Neil smirked teasingly, as Riya forced a fake smile. He then winked at Ananya, who blushed ever so slightly. Neil, noticing the coy smile, and flush of pink that appeared on her cheeks, looked at Ananya admirably. As their audience shifted their focus back to the preparations, and Riya became animated on talks about ideas for her sangeet attire, Neil shifted himself closer to Ananya. Avni looked up to meet Neil's eyes when she noticed his closeness, and looked over her shoulder to see whether anybody noticed, but everybody was engaged in discussions. She shifted her eyes back to Neil, who leaned closer towards her, till his lips touched her ears, and his breathe hit her neck, sending chills down her spine. He whispered softly into her ear.
Neil: I can't wait to see your dance. It will be a nice change to see your legs do something other than threaten to break my bones.
At this, Neil chuckled quietly. Avni was too exasperated by the physical proximity between them two, to be able to display annoyance for his teasing. As his face moved away from her ears to meet her eyes, Avni looked lovingly at Neil, as she blushed. Neil gulped down slightly and then lightly exhaled, as he took in the sight of her dilated pupils and flushed cheeks. He was elated as he noticed that he affects her. His expressions changed, as he looked mischievously at Avni.
Neil: Are you okay Ananya?
Avni: Yeah! I'm feeling fine, but why do you ask?
Neil: Just, you look very flushed and red in the face, so I thought you were either feeling too hot, or unwell.
Neil shrugged his shoulders innocently as he spoke. Avni became self-conscious at Neil's observation. Neil smiled as he saw Avni's reaction.
Neil: Now that I'm looking at you better, it looks like you are blushing. Now what could possibly make my feisty Miss. Ajooba blush?
Avni looked up suddenly to meet his gaze, as she was stunned once again at his observations. She also felt a little joy in hearing him address her as "My, indicating that he considers her his own. She quickly collected herself.
Avni: Why on earth would I blush? I'm not blushing. It's just that, I'm not much of a dancer, and Shikha wants me to dance, and that too... traditional.
Neil: Yeah! Even I don't know what Maasi was thinking. How on earth can she expect YOU of all people, to be able to dance gracefully, with legs that were made to only make grounds shake and cause serious damage to people? I wonder how you would do if it was dandiya? Extra safety precautions would be put in place in case you got over excited with those sticks and turn them into lethal weapons.
Neil started chuckling as he saw Avni's cheeks go from a light pink, to her entire face turning into a crimson red. He laughed as he imagined smoke coming out of her ears.
Hearing his laugh, Riya and Shweta became distracted from their conversation, and looked with concern at the duo.
Neil: Anyways, traditional dance forms are for delicate, elegant and beautiful girls. Not for a war-machine on legs like yourself.
Neil continued to laugh at Avni's expressions, as at this point it looked like her veins were about to burst from her forehead. Riya looked sombrely at their light-hearted exchange, as she thought why she had never seen this jolly and playful side of Neil when he was with her, until he was with Ananya. Shweta turned her eyes to look at Riya's expression in pity. Avni calmed down slightly before she continued to speak to him.
Avni: So, what are you trying to say? That I'm ugly and unattractive?
Neil was slightly surprised by her question. He then slowly looked up and down Avni's body and then back to her face to look at her eyes and her lips appraisingly. At this point, Neil's cheeks were flushed.
Neil: I never said that. I was just merely pointing out that only beautiful and graceful girls can carry out traditional Indian dance forms, and your self-doubt on your own ability to be able to perform implied that you don't think you are beautiful or graceful.
Neil grinned proudly at his intelligent and quick reply that could save him from getting a punch from the beauty stood in his presence.
Avni: Do you know what? I will do this! I'll do it to shut your mouth and prove that I can do anything. That I can break bones and win hearts.
Neil was unable to disagree with her last line, as he blushed.
Neil: I can't wait!
Avni walked away, and out of the house, as Neil's eyes followed Avni's trail, wondering why her presence affected him so much. His thoughts on Ananya were disturbed by remembering Juhi. He realised that he was becoming too inclined towards Ananya, and felt a pang of guilt as he took out his phone and looked at Juhi's pic.
Neil: I'm sorry Juhi! I don't know what has gotten in to me. It feels like my heart is in two different places right now. Is this wrong?
Neil looked with guilt at Juhi's picture, as on the other side, Neela, Avni and Shikha were outside in the garden, discussing their plan for the sangeet.
Neela: This will be the perfect time to try and look for evidence against Dayavanti. When all the dance performances are going on, I will go up to her bedroom and check for evidence. I will also hide a small camera in her and Diksha's bedroom to keep an eye on them.
Avni: Cameras?
Shikha: Yes! This was actually Neil's idea to install camera's in both Diksha and Daya's rooms. He will be providing Neela with the best camera's possible that are small enough not to be seen and easily hidden out of sight, but also record everything they say and do in the room.
Neela: I will be keeping a close eye on the footage from the cameras. Neil gave me this responsibility as he doesn't like the idea of watching over camera footage from ladies' rooms.
Avni: Yeah! Neil is like that. Never forgets his principles no matter what.
Neela and Shikha both turned with raised eyebrows towards Avni as they smirked, looking questionably at her confidence on Neil. Avni blushed and turned to walk away to escape their questions.
Avni: I have some work to do. I'm going!
Shikha and Neela smiled as they remembered Avni's blushing.
Shikha: And part two of our sangeet dance competition plan is to make sure that Neil's eyes are on Avni the whole time, and not on that Satan's spawn, Riya. Of course, Avni and Neil don't need to know this part of the plan.
Shikha smiled and bit down on the corner of her bottom lip in determination. Neela was taken aback.
Neela: Hang on! So, this was why you planned all this?
Shikha: It's not the only reason!!!
Shikha looked innocently at Neela and smirked.
Shikha: C'mon Neela. Can't you see what I am seeing. Neil and Avni are perfect for one another. Also, I never thought Neil would ever think of any other girl after Juhi's death. I want him to move on, and Avni's whole life can't be spent on taking revenge from Daya. Sooner or later, Daya and her family will be punished for their crimes, your father, Ayesha and Avni will get justice, and Avni will get her brother back, but after that, she needs to think of a future for herself. And I see that she has a future with Neil. What do you think?
Neela: I think you are right. You know, since what her father, Ashish did, she hated men and the word love, but since the moment she met Neil, I have seen how she trusts him and respects him so much. My Avni, who hated and could never trust a man, now trusts a man and looks up to him with respect. Only a man of true virtue and with good qualities can make such a place for himself in my daughter's heart.
Shikha: So, then we can agree that whilst exposing Daya, we can also work on stopping this marriage, and bringing these two together.
Neela and Shikha smiled determinedly.
CID
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