AvNeil One Shot
A Game Called Love
~ * ~
"Thank you so much everyone, I can't express how grateful I'm to you all" Avni said as everyone cheered for her.
Avni and Neil have managed to send Dayavanthi, Kethan and Diksha to jail with the help of the gang and everyone gathered to celebrate it in Chumko cafe.
Surprisingly Riya helped them in it too. She tried her whole life to live up to her Dadi's expectations, moulding her the way her Dadi wanted her to be yet she is the one end up hurt, with nothing. She started seeing that side of Avni she was too blinded to see from childhood. She faked to help her Dadi and protected Avni all the way. Why won't she when Avni is her sister?
The Khannas were shocked to know everything. They felt bad for Avni. Even Shweta did. She felt disgusted at herself for hurting and bullying the girl who have faced so much in life. Prakash was proud of Avni and Bebe ... she felt bad for having that view on Ayesha as a home wrecker.
They still don't know that Avni will leave them once this is over. She hasn't told them yet. Neil hasn't returned from station. He is doing his best to retain them in jail. Though court gave judgement today to punish The Evil Mehta gang Neil hasn't returned. He just said he have some work to finish.
"He must be busy" Avni told to herself.
The disappointment of not having him around her is crushing her a little. Nano took her to the side and asked her when she would return home. She just escaped from answering it.
Does she want to go back?
She have to leave Neil now?
This marriage has to end?
She have to leave his family?
She knows she has to go back. She doesn't belong here. She has to leave him cause she spoiled his life by marrying him. Yes this marriage has to end and she should stop hurting the family's feelings.
Her mind told her all that but god's created heart told her something else, something which her mind wouldn't approve.
Her heart doesn't want to go back. It doesn't want to leave Neil and it wants this marriage to go on. It wanted to stay with that beautiful family.
Avni felt constricted. A battle within herself and she don't know how she will end up. She have her brother at her side now. She have her family now, her Neela maa, Nanno, Hetal Chachi and Riya and her best friend Ali. But ... Neil, the feeling of going away from him is not settling well with her.
Avni sighed as she saw the empty spot beside her. She wished he was here with her. At the same time she doesn't want him back yet. When he come back she has to part him and when he doesn't she misses him. It's cruel when she isn't sure of her feelings.
"Avni where is Neil?" Neela asked for the third time already and Avni has no accurate answers.
"He must be busy maa" Was all she could say.
"Baccha, go with the Khannas. Don't break this bond. You and Neil try and give a chance to this relationship, you'll work it out. Life doesn't give this for everyone. We should grab it when it's our reach. They are happy with you and I know you are happy with the Khannas too. Think over it Baccha"
Avni tried to deny her mother's words saying she can't force Neil but deep inside her she wish they could give this relationship a chance. Those pillow fights, teasings and above all his support ... he has become so close to her. He healed her slowly, his actions, his words, his everything.
"Where are you Neil?"
~ * ~
"Lonavala? But sir why are you there?" DD asked Neil in the phone conversation.
"It's regarding a case DD. Keep it with you that I'm in Lonavala ... Don't - Don't tell Avni or anyone that I'm here. It could get dangerous" Neil said.
"Okay sir but when will you be back?" DD asked sensing something fishy.
"I'm not sure DD" And with that Neil hang up.
Neil sighed as he placed his mobile on the coffee table. He went near the window and looked at the night sky, his hands in his pockets, his face tensed.
"I don't even know why I'm doing this ... I don't know why I'm hiding from you Avni" Neil thought "When I come back to Mumbai we have to part and that's not settling well with me. Do we have to part? Yes we have too, I can't force myself in your life. God I don't even know why I'm feeling this way"
Neil pulled himself away from the window and settled down on the bed, his face buried in his palms.
"Was Neela maa right? I - I love ... Avni?"
The moments he spent with Avni came crashing down in front of his vision and a smile tug at the corner of his lips. He remember all of them. Right from saving her ... correction right from pushing her from the bridge accidentally to now he remember all that.
Avni has secured a very special place in his heart. He can't turn away from her. But he doesn't want to force her as well. He likes her company, teasing her, protecting her and most important of all ... tagging her as his girl.
"Oh god! I'm in love with Avni!!"
~ * ~
"DD when will he come back?" That was the sixth time Avni called DD for the day.
"Bhabhi calm down. He just told that he's off on a mission and he will be back in few days"
"But it's been a week DD" Avni's voice cracked.
"Bhabhi! Don't worry, he was away for missions like this, he'll be fine" DD consoled her, sensing that she's about to cry.
He should tell her or not, he's not sure. But he sure felt Neil's reason as fishy. How come Neil can go to a mission without his knowledge about it. He just consoled her and hang up.
~ * ~
"Why are you doing this to me Neil? Where are you? I can't even have a second of peace. All I could think is of you. You could have at least informed me about this" Avni thought looking at the sky "I just wish you are okay. I don't know why I'm feeling this way. Neil just come back"
For the last few days Nanno was calling her back. Nanno doesn't have problem with Neil but if her child is not happy in the relationship she wants her Avni out of it. Neela keeps on telling Avni to give a try to this relationship. Neela feels that Avni will be happy in it and she deserves a family like Neil's.
Shweta aunty has turned so sweet with her. She apologized to Avni and claimed Avni as not only her daughter-in-law but also as a daughter. She calls Avni as Mrs.Tilu' now and takes care of her every needs and comfort her as well.
Bebe and Prakash are sweet as ever. Bebe specially made her father's room renovated with his things and presented it to Avni. She could feel her father there.
"Oh ho whats Mrs. Tilu is thinking?" Avni turned around as she heard Madam madonna's voice.
"Maa" Avni said "Nothing maa, just relaxing"
"Come here Avni" Shweta said sitting on the bed and patting the place next to her. Avni sits on her place
"Thinking about Tilu na, I knows it" Shweta said with a big smile.
"Maa no no I was thinking ..." Avni started but Shweta cut her in.
"Nah Nah Mrs. Tilu, don't lie now. It's showing on your face that you are tensed regarding Tilu" Shweta said holding Avni's chin and examining her face.
"Maa it's just ... I don't know Maa, it's been a week and not even a call from him" Avni said worried.
"Avni beta, don't worries, I can understands your feelings. You know at starting I too gets the same feelings. Tilu never informs us and goes on his missions but he comes back safely. I got habituated you'll too" Shweta said.
"Maa ..."
"Shhh, no words, Come, lie down on my lap"
Shwetha made herself comfortable on the bed. Avni sighed and rested her head in Shweta's lap. Shweta caressed Avni's hair, slowly cooing her to sleep.
~ * ~
"What? Lonavala?" Avni asked shocked and surprised.
DD felt guilty everything talking with Avni and he end up calling her and told that Neil is in Lonavala.
"Yes bhabhi, he said he's on a mission and it could be dangerous for you if you come there so he asked me not to tell you"
"Dangerous? DD, Neil ..."
"Bhabhi relax, Sir would be safe. I don't think he's on a mission. If he has one I would have known about it, it's something fishy"
"Fishy? Not in a mission? What are you saying DD? I'm going to Lonavala that's it" Avni said and hang up.
DD placed his mobile on the table and walked up to the window. He's kind'a sure that Neil is not on a mission and he has calculated what Neil's doing. He's not sure about this but it's a probability.
"By any chance Is Neil sir hiding from the confrontation he has with Bhabhi ji?"
~ * ~
Neil groaned as he heard the doorbell of his hotel room ringing. He sat up when the ringing doesn't stop and looked at his watch. It was around 7 pm. He sighed and went to get the door.
Just as when he open the door, he felt someone pushing him inside the room. He got unsteady due to his sleepiness and when he stood on his feet he was shocked to see Avni standing there. Behind her was DD grinning at him.
"Avni?!" Neil asked surprised and nervous. She glared at him hard.
"Okay my work is over, Good night guys" With that DD left the place closing the room door.
"Avni you ..."
"You were on mission right" Avni said in a gritted tone, glaring at Neil who was really shocked to see her here in front of him.
"Avni ... I can explain" Neil tried to smile sheepishly but end up getting scared seeing her glaring. Avni looked around the room. She rose her eyebrows on seeing the floor adorn with empty pizza boxes, cool drinks cans and KFC buckets.
"I can see you had quite an awesome mission here" Avni said stepping near Neil and took hold of his collar "What the hell Neil?"
"Avni listen ..."
"Listen? You don't even have an idea what I felt Neil! You went away without saying a word. You were unavailable all these days. I was scared each and every second, waiting for your call and you?? You are chilling here?? How could you? DD said it's a dangerous mission and I couldn't even sleep thinking about you. I waited for you everyday, every night and you?" Avni yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks, pushing him away by his chest. He moves back, letting her take out her anger.
"You have no idea ... no idea of what I felt! Why did you do this?" Avni was about to push him again but Neil reacted faster. He hugged her tightly, calming her. She wriggled and tried to come out of his grip but she couldn't. She end up sobbing and blabbering in his embrace of how bad she felt when he was away.
"Calm down Avni" He caressed her hair, letting her take out her anger and pain.
Neil was full of surprises. First Avni came to him and now she's pouring her feelings in front of him, crying for him. Does that means ... she feels the same way about him like he does? Does she love him?
"Avni I love you" Neil said in a breath and Avni who was blabbering stilled as she heard him. Did she heard it right? Neil ... loves her? She broke the hug and looked up to see him shocked and surprised.
Neil took hold of her face and rubbed away her tears, his eyes looking deep into hers. She stared back at him, her eyes filled with tears.
"Neil ..."
"Avni I love you! I can't hide it from you anymore. I don't mind if I keeping our friendship in the bid. I'm sorry that I lied and went away. I - I couldn't face you ...I'm sorry Avni ... I was scared that I had to leave you when I come home. Dayavanthi Mehta's chapter is over and our relationship will over too. I don't want this relationship to end. I know it's selfish of me, I can't force myself into your life but I won't deny anymore. I have loved you, I love you and I will love you forever. I don't care if you don't love me ba -" Before Neil could complete Avni who was listening to Neil's speech emotionally hugged him.
"I love you Neil"
A smile broke out in Neil's face as he hugged her back, his heart jumping with new bound happiness. His Avni loves him. His girl and he felt content and fulfilled at last.
~ * ~
"Neil it's freezing" Avni said rubbing her palms on her arms, trying to warm her up. Neil came from her behind and wrapped a blanket around her and hugged her from behind.
"You should have packed some warm clothes if you are coming to hill stations wifey" He said in a husky tone, his lips brushing against her earlobe.
"Um... ah, Neil you said you wanted to take me somewhere" Avni said nervously at the contact of his lips on her earlobe.
"Oh yeah" He left her unwillingly and turned her around "Come on, let's go soon"
He hold her hand and took her out not before teasing her how she's blushing at his touches. She could only blush more.
~ * ~
"Neil it's 12 am at Lonavala and you're blindfolding me? Seriously? I can't even see a thing?" Avni said, holding Neil for her guidance.
"That's the point of blindfolding wifey" He laughed while she pouted. He pulled her close to her and leading her the way.
"Arrgh what kind of game it is Neil?"
"Game? Oh yeah, a game it is wifey. A game called love"
~ * ~
"Oh my god!" Avni exclaimed as she took in the scene in front of her. The whole place was decorated in fairy lights and a bench was at the middle facing the sky, a cliff was in front of them. (A/N If anyone have watched Manmarziyan, imagine the scene where Neel takes Sam in Lonavala at night)
Her eyes instantly searched for Neil and she found him in front of her, on his one knee, holding out a yellow rose with red ending bouquet. Her breath got hitched.
Avni doesn't know about roses much but this one means friendship with love. He have offered friendship to her before, just as friend and now he's offering love with friendship. Her eyes starts to fill.
"Avni Ayesha, Will you accept me as your life partner and become Avni Ayesha Neil Khanna for forever?"
Neil's tone was so soft and Avni couldn't control her tears anymore. He didn't snatch her identity as Avni Ayesha. Instead he gave him to her, not so like the other men. She kneeled down in front of him in a nick of second and hugged him tight.
"I love you Neil" She said softly against his ear.
"I love you more wifey" Neil said holding her firm against him.
"I love you the most" They said at the same time, now wrapped in the blanket Avni had around her. Two stars broke down from the sky, blessing them.
Asish Mehta and Ayesha Haider finally felt at peace ...
~ * ~
Thank You for reading, It means a lot. Please do write lot and lot of AvNeil stories, Thank You.
Regards,
Nandhu ~
Cricket
Naagin 7
