Avni clung to Neil as she sobbed and he kept holding her, whispering into her ear that he was not going anywhere and patting her head softly in an attempt to calm her down. Neil had never seen her this scared...this was his avni, she was a sherni, lady don! Seeing her so vulnerable and clutching to him like a child was heartbreaking for him. He wondered what this nightmare was that had her so freaked out and what had triggered such a nightmare in the first place! He pulled back a teeny bit and held avnis face in his hands and wiped her cheeks clear of the dampness and then pulled her back into him.Neil- avni, Kya hua? Avni- voh....voh, voh shaayad bura sapna thaNeil- haan, but Kya dekha? Tum itni ghabrai kyun ho? Aisa Kya dekhaAvni- looked up at him but said nothingNeil- avni....he said softly...Kya dekha?Avni- she turned back down and snuggled into his warm embrace and said- kuch nahi...Neil- avni....Avni- Matlab...yaad nahi...Neil sighed...he just continued to hold her tight gently rocking her and after a few seconds he said- tumhe seriously lagta hai that you will be able to hide something from me? Avni sighed back in response and nodded her head noNeil- phir koshish bhi kyun karti ho?Avni- but agar mujhe abhi nahi batana ho toh? She looked up at him with an utterly innocent expression as she asked him this....Neil- but kyun? Tumhe koi baat itna pareshaan Kar rahi hai ki tumhe nightmares aarahe hai...toh tum mujhse share kyun nahi karna chahti ho?Avni- looked down- maybe because I know it's actually all in my head....she said in a soft voiceNeil- ok...but even then, I would love it if you would consider sharing it with meAvni- nodded her head no- no, you will not like hearing it....it'll upset or anger you Neil- of course i won't like hearing itAvni looked up at him worriedly as he said thatNeil continued- I won't like it because it's bothering you. And anything that bothers you or has you feeling like this makes me also upset and angry at it! That's why I want to know...please avni...tum mujhse kuch bhi share Kar sakti hoAvni- Neil...she sighed...I know that. But please let it go. I don't want to burden you with things that are not even entirely real but just my messed up thoughts and my struggle to be....but Neil cut her off! Neil- kya? Kya kaha tumne? Burden? He pulled her up to eye level and said in his firmest tone ever...the one he usually used with criminals in his police station... he looked into her eyes- nothing related to you is ever a burden ! Do you understand? I love you! I love everything about you!Avni- thats not true! Matlab I know you love me....but you cannit possibly love everything about meNeil shook his head at her fondly and pushed back a strand of her hair and said- hmmm...try me!Avni- ok. Ok, what about when I cancel plans with you or I am not at home when you're free because I am at workNeil- hmm..pahle thoda bura lagta hai, but then I feel proud of how hardworking and dedicated you are and I love you for it! Avni- what about when I bring my work issues home and crib and grumble about my colleagues and boss. Neil- I love when you tell me about your day and also that I am the only person you share all that stuff withAvni- what about when I nag you to do things the way I want it done ....or I am super blunt when I talk to youNeil- I love that you boss me around...and I love that you have no filter with me.Neil- bas, ya aur bhi kuch hai? Avni looked stumped...she took an extra few seconds to think of something that she was sure he did not love about her and then as if she found the winner she looked up and said- what about when I get angry at you for stupid things...you always say I get angry too easily
Neil- hmm...that's true. But that's what I love most! Avni- looked up at him with an adorably confused expressionNeil- pata hai avni...gusse main tumhaare aakhein laal hojaati hai, aur gaal tamatar ki tarah laal he said caressing her cheek....aur tumhaare isi gusse main mujhe pyaar Nazar aata hai...dher saara! Kyunki jitna gussa tum mujhpar karti ho utna kisi aur par nahi kartiAvni- tumhe Mera gussa accha lagta hai? She asked incredulouslyNeil- hmm...after all kisi mahapurush ne kaha tha mujhse ki hum gussa sirf unpe karte hai jinse hum pyaar karte hai! They both had a flash back of avni saying those very words to Neil one time....they both smiled.Neil- And that's why main bhi sabse zyaada gussa sirf tum par karta Hoon....gussa bhi hota hai aur fikr bhi! He said in a sincere tone looking into her eyes...Avni broke out into a big smile and hugged Neil once again. She pulled back to place a kiss on both his cheeks as she said- thank you before settling into his arms againHer actions made Neil also smile.Avni- I love you Neil, so damn much.n I know..I know that I probably don't tell you this enough, but I do...I do love you so much...you know that right?Neil- uhumm he nodded..And I feel that love every single day sometimes even when you don't say anything...He said as he smiled his brightest smile and kissed her forehead.And just with that everything was right again for avni! She was at ease now. In no time she drifted into a peaceful contented slumber in the arms of her beloved husband...her worst nightmare laid to rest.

Not sure if this chapter works well at this juncture or not...lemme know what you think in your comments! Thanks for reading in advance. I am waiting to see all your responses....