Neil looked exasperated now. DD entered right then and asked everyone else to leave the room.

Neil sat down with his head in his hands -"Kahan gayi wo DD. Kahan Hai avni?"( Where did she go DD. Where is avni?)

DD -"sir.. That's why I came. I found bhabhi..I myself saw her. But then i closed the door. I think you should be the first one she sees. She has gone through a lot and I want your privacy to be maintained "

Neil looked up with a vulnerable look in his eyes.

He got up and hugged DD. Then he left to see avni.

DD opened the door to the room where avni was kept and neil entered... DD then closed the door. Neil would call him if any help was needed..

Neil entered the room. It was definitely avni, in the same dress he had left her wearing that morning. She was lying down possibly sleeping in exhaustion. Neil went to the other side to see her face. He didn't want to disturb her. She was breathing normally.

Avni looked in bad state but at least she was sleeping.. This is the only positive thought Neil could bring into his mind. Seeing her in this state he recalled the night he had found the love of his life beaten up by raghu pandit and his gang..more dead than alive.

Avni was sleep but not at peace. Her face was exhausted and tear streaks were visible on her cheeks. The wounds and bruises she had on her face were old, given by raghu pandit. But the happiness Neil had succeeded in bringing on her face in all these days had disappeared as if it was never there. Neil sat and looked at her. Her ankles and hands were bound so tight that they were bleeding.

Neil started with unbinding her. He cut through the ropes and wires. It was tied with malicious intent and with brute strength. No doubt the young man outside had done it. Neil clenched and then unclenched his hands. He swore to get dayawanti and that man punished to maximum extent.

Avni was still asleep. Neil wondered if they had given her some drug and got alert. But she seemed to be normally asleep. Neil saw deep imprints of ropes on her wrists and ankles and decided to get some circulation going. She will need some first aid there but it could wait.

Neil started gently massaging her legs. Avni stirred a bit. She was waking up. Neil didn't want her to have any rude shocks. So he left her legs and sat by her head side. He lifted her head and gently brought her in a sitting position close to him..

He then put his arms around her and held her close to his chest. Then putting his face close to hers Neil said -"Avni... Avni Sab thik Hai. You're with me "(Avni all is well)

Avni had collapsed with emotional trauma and pain due to her brother turning out to be her torturer and a criminal. She was now regaining consciousness. In half senses, she felt someone holding her close to themselves. At first she felt safe and warm and then as she became more aware she panicked. What was happening? The person was talking to her.

Avni scratched the person face with all her strength and scrambled backwards with her eyes half closed. She kept shouting but it was coming out as a whisper due to her lack of strength -"choddo Mujhe. Dur hato.. Don't touch me " (leave me. Go away)

But the person came close to her again and held her tightly as if he was trying to calm her. Finally avni calmed down and heard a voice she knew -"Avni.. Avni baby. It's Neil. Neil.. I'm holding you.. Main hoon tumhare saath mein avni.. Baby try to relax please..avni.. "(I'm with you avni)

Avni stopped pushing Neil away and opened her eyes. Slowly Neil's face came into her vision. Avni looked at Neil for two seconds. He was looking at her helpless and hopeful. He looked tired and worried as hell.

Avni then did something she had not planned at all. She leaned forward and kissed Neil on the lips. And then she hugged him as he held her back tightly after initial surprise.

And in this position they kept on kissing in that dimly lit old room where avni had been held captive more than once . No one had rescued her. No one had been able to reach her. She had thought she will die here in this darkness. But instead she saw her Neil. She couldn't let him go now. He was her life line..

She didn't let him go. And they kept on kissing as if their lives depended on it....