Neil got up after sometime. Avni struggled to get up after being tied up for so long. Neil supported her but her legs gave way and neil picked her up.

While avni was in his arms Neil lifted her up further to keep her close to his chest. He then walked out of the room. DD was waiting at a distance.

Neil -"DD. I'm taking her home. All is ok. Complete the formalities and keep police security for my apartment for next two days till avni and I shift to this house "

DD saluted saying yes sir to neil.

As neil carried out avni to the car, somewhere along the way she asked to be kept on the ground. She wanted to walk by herself. But still needed Neil's support as she was limping. Halfway exhausted she sat down on a bench before the car. And neil remained standing beside her.

Neil  -"ab kaisi ho avni? Kahan pain ho raha hai?"( How are you. Where's it paining now?)

Avni looked at Neil and shook her head  -"no I'm OK Neil "

Neil -" Haan so to dikh raha hai. Chal to Pa nahi rahi ho. Abhi to last attack se thik bhi nahi Hui thi and now this ", saying this Neil's voice broke and he looked the other way.  ( That I can see. You're not able to even walk)

Avni didn't say anything but just wrapped both her hands around Neil's waist and leaned her head around his body. Neil turned to support her head with one hand. It had been a long day. He realized both of them need rest and before that avni needs to be taken home and settled.

Neil was too tired to drive but he again helped avni get up and they walked to the car. As neil was about to get in the car, someone got ahead and opened the door before Neil could.

It was Ali. As neil looked at him tired Ali said -"yar Neil. Itna sab ho Gaya and you didn't tell me. Wo to acha Hai ki I happened to call DD to check upon you guys and he told me. "(..it's good that .)

Neil -" sorry yar. Time hi nahi mila. It has really been a very long week or two now.."(Didn't get time)

Ali -" keys de. I'll drive you guys home. I can do this much at least. And I can see you are too tired to drive. Also avni needs you "

Neil didn't have energy or any reason to protest. He made avni sit on the back seat. And then started coming in the front seat to sit beside Ali.

Ali -"arre Neil. You sit behind  comfortably please. Also avni needs you. I'll drive alone "

Neil nodded his head and looked gratefully at Ali. He went inside and sat beside avni. Avni was too exhausted to talk to Ali and it was showing now.

Neil gave Ali directions to his apartment. And then put his arm around avni as she was already dozing off. Ali started the car.

Neil noticed Avni's hands as she slept in his chest. They needed bandage. He was sure her legs needed as well. As avni leaned more and more on Neil, he let her lie down. Finally he made her completely lie down on the backseat with her head in his lap.

Avni was asleep soon and neil started thinking about the day. He had bought Avni dayawantis mansion only to have her kidnapped and restrained in the same mansion. Who knows what dayawanti would have done if Neil hadn't guessed her scheme and acted in time.

Neil shuddered thinking of losing avni and his hand inadvertently started caressing her hair. Slowly Neil's eyes also closed.

In sometime Ali parked the car in front of Neil's apartment and then looked back. And then he was surprised and smiled. Neil was asleep as well. He was holding Avni's head in his lap with one hand and holding her shoulders with the other.

Ali opened the door and then shook Neil to wake him up, which Neil did. His eyes were red now with exhaustion. Neil got out and then went back on the seat to slowly pull avni out without disturbing her sleep. He picked her up and Ali helped him till the apartment. After that Ali patted Neil on the shoulder and left.

Neil kept avni on bed. Then he went back and made sure the door was locked. After that Neil went back to avni and covered her with a sheet. He started to go to sleep on the couch but suddenly avni held his hand.

Neil turned surprised to see her barely awake.

Avni -" Neil mat jao. Please aaj saath raho "(Don't leave. Pls stay)

Neil slowly disengaged his hand and then walked to the other side of the bed and got in. Avni turned his way and he hugged her sideways. Then they slept in that position for hours.

Neil woke up again at night. He saw avni was sleeping peacefully at some distance. He pulled her towards him and held her close again and slept again. He had tasted this and was not going to let it go!

When avni woke up that night. She felt Neil's arms around him and his chest as a hard pillow on which she was sleeping. She smiled without moving. She'd never been more comfortable while sleeping. She kissed Neil's chest and shortly after that fell asleep again.