Avni and Neil crossed the road, hand in hand. Avni was feeling much better now, even though even now she was conscious of being outside in the public with her facial injuries on full display. Neil's presence gave her strength and she realised that holding hands gave her extra confidence as well! Nothing else mattered after they held hands! And so they continued holding hands after they crossed the road. Neither of the two wanted to break that connection..

It was still ten minutes to go before they would reach Neil's apartment. Neil cleared his throat and looked towards Avni. He still wanted an answer to the conversation that Avni had left abruptly in the cafe, but he did not want to push her as well. It was not easy to put off Neil, in professional or personal life. When investigating something, he always got down to the bottom of it.

Neil - "Ms Avni Ayesha. How are you feeling after this great coffee date!"

Avni - "Date kaisi? Mujhe to bas bahar jaana tha" ( What date. I just wanted to go out)

Neil - "Oh! Aisi baat! Wo apni hi baat se, Wo apni hi baat se katra gaye! . .Kyunki saath mein ghoomne aa ke..Kyunki saath mein ghoomne aake, wo humko hi ghuma gaye!!"( Wow really!)

Avni looked at him amused at this poor attempt of shayari. She was a good poet herself but appreciated his efforts, especially as they were impromptu!

Avni - "Neil, ab captive audience bana ke torture karoge kya?!"( Will you torture me with your poem now)

Neil - "Arre captive! Yar I should be paid for this! Free ka ghar, free ka bodyguard, free ka cook and free ka slave! Ye sab mila hai tumko!" (How come captive....you've a bodyguard cook and slave for free )

Avni just smiled. What struck her was Neil was right in the sense he was truly doing a lot for her. Finally in her life, she was lucky..

Neil saw she was in good mood again and tried his luck - "Arre Avni. Wo I think tum kuchh batana bhool rahi ho. Wo cafe mein we started talking about what you were about to tell me in the car and.."( I think you're forgetting to tell something. In Cafe we started talking about...)

Neil stopped talking as listening to all this Avni stopped walking. They were under a tree now. Avni turned to face Neil.

She then put both her hands in Neil's hands and said - "Neil.. I know tum mujhse kya sunna chahte ho.."( I know what you wanna hear from me)

Neil's eyes grew more intense at this. He looked into her eyes intently and Avni's heart went out to him.

Avni  - "After going through all this with you. I do not want anything more than to tell you how I feel. But once I tell, it will be a one-way street and we cannot step back. Abhi mujhe bahut kuch karna hai. Dayawanti se badla lena hai. I do not know whether or not I will abide by the law in doing so. You being a police officer , I do not want to hurt you by first committing something to you and then devoting my life to something else. Neil I will still say, you deserve someone better than a person like me burning in the fire of revenge..I will consume you Neil, my revenge will consume you"(..I've to do a lot more  now...)

Neil kept looking at her, as if he was thinking intently upon what she just said. And then he held her hands back tighter - "Avni.. ab tak jo kuch hua, it seemed you got more hurt due to me than I due to you! Avni. Mujhpe bharosa to karo..I will help you in getting to your goal, in a legal way"( Avni whatever happened till now..trust me)

Avni - "She is very shrewd Neil.. And very cruel. You do not know my grandmother. People end up underestimating her and die. I have lost so much to her and I..", and then Avni stopped.

NEil - "Avni.. pls complete your sentence.."

Avni looked up at him again and took her hands from his hands. NEil stood a little defeated by this. Maybe Avni had chose not to trust him again..

But then to his surprise, Avni stepped forward and put her head on his chest. Neil was too amazed to react. He put one arm around her shoulder and pulled her more to himself. He used his other arm to lift her chin gently.

Avni kept looking at him and then stepped up to put her lips near his ears. And then Neil heard what he had wanted to hear for so long - "I have lost so much in life. But the one thing I can not lose is you Neil. "

To Neil, this was as good as the words he had wanted to hear. He craned his neck back and looked at her. And then he did something magical.

Neil brought Avni's face close to his. And then with the most gentle touch, kissed her lips..