Next day
University;

Neil: Come on avni let's start. Today I will be wearing my shoes, otherwise lady don will again hit me.

Avni: Don't worry today I won't hit you.

Neil: How? Did you learnt the dance overnight?
He said laughing slightly.
Jaanvi is also there looking at these two.

Jaanvi: Ok guys start now.

Neil held avni's hand & they started the dance. To his & jaanvi's surprise, avni danced really well. She did all the steps perfectly without hitting him.

In break time;

Neil: I see, lady don turned dancer. Yesterday you was doing so terrible then in a single day how you did this?

Jaanvi: What's the secret behind this avu?

Avni: Well, thanks for the appreciation guys but it's my little secret so I can't tell you.

Neil: What secret in this?

Jaanvi: Avi, you won't tell me also??

Avni: I will tell you later jaan. But you know I need to hide this secret from some terrible dancers who might stole my tricks.
She said looking towards neil.

Neil: Secret.. you.. wait did you just called me a terrible dancer?

Avni: Yes, a terrible dancer you are. Who was unable to teach me properly, that's why I was not getting the steps right.

Neil: Oh miss lady don, just doing some steps and you are blaming me for not telling you properly. Tell me from where did you learnt it?

Avni: What if I don't tell you?

Neil: Avni you..
He chased her around the rehearsal hall. Avni tried to hide behind Jaanvi but she moved aside. They both ran outside the hall in few minutes they reached the garden behind university.

Avni: You can't catch me neil..
She shouted while looking back at him & still running.

Neil: You have to tell me from where did you learnt in a day?

Avni's legs tripped, neil forwarded his hand trying to hold her hand but they both fell on floor. Neil is above avni. He kept his one hand below her head, so that her head don't hit the floor.

Dil mang raha hai mohlat
Tere sath dhadakne ki
Tere naam se jeene ki
Tere naam se marne ki

Neil smiles looking at her closed eyes. He removed hairs from her face, that's when she opened her eyes slowly.

Tere sang chalun hardam
Ban karke parchhayi
Ek baar ijazat de
Mujhe tujh mein dhalne ki

She is holding his arms while his one hand is still below her head.

Dekha hai jabse tumko
Maine yeh jaana hai
Mere khwaahish ke shehar mein
Bas tera thikana hai

Main bhool gaya khud ko bhi
Bas yaad raha ab tu
Aa teri hatheli pe
Iss dil ko main rakh doon

Neil moved his face forward towards her lips. Lost in the moment avni also stared at him then closed her eyes.

Dil bol raha hai hasrat
Har hadd se guzarne ki
Tere naam se jeene ki
Tere naam se marne ki

His lips was just about to touch hers but their moment broke due to some announcement about the function.
Avni opened her eyes with a jerk. Neil also became shocked about the recent happening that would have happened in some more seconds.
He looked at their position & immediately stood up from her. She also stood up, they both left from there in different directions being highly embarrassed.
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Avni goes to washroom and washed her face.

Avni: What the hell just happened in garden. How can we.. omg.. what's happening? I have gone mad because of this dance thing. How I will face him now?
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Neil: What's wrong with me? We were just about to kiss. And no one between us objected. It's wrong, she is my friend but don't know why it felt so right that time. How will I face her now?
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At night
Mehta Mansion;

Rehaan is again teaching dance steps to avni.

Avni: Rehaan seriously you are such an amazing dancer. I wonder how you are going in business field.

Rehaan: Thankyou avni. But dance is my passion & business is my profession.

Avni: You are very practical I see.

They both laughed at some conversation. While dayawanti and Ashish are standing at the door looking at these two.

Dayawanti: I told you na ashish, our decision will be right.

Ashish: We can't decide anything soon maa. Give them some time.

Dayawanti: I am giving them time, that's why I asked Rehaan to help her with dance so that they could spend some time together and know each other. And see, they are becoming friends.

Ashish: You are right maa but maybe it's just a normal friendship. We are not sure if they will like each other or not and we can't force our decision on them.

Dayawanti: We will wait sometime Ashish Don't worry.
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Dayawanti is sitting in her room.

Dayawanti: Everything is going on perfectly. I am just waiting for the day when avni will marry Rehaan.

FLASHBACK:-

18 years back When avni was just 1 year old & Mehta and khurana family was friends like family and neighbours too. Aman and Rehaan used to play together. Aman was 7 years and Rehaan was 5. Aman got his little sister & rehaan became very close to avni. After his school rehaan directly comes to mehta mansion just to play with avni.

Once avni was trying to climb the stairs but being just 1 year she was unable to do so & slipped down from 3 stairs but rehaan already saw this and catches her on time. He was so scared and worried for her. Everyone came there and they thanked him.

Dayawanti: Look how much rehaan cares for avni. He hurts himself while saving her.
She said looking at his knees from which blood is coming out. He actually hits his knees on the stairs while trying to protect avni.

Ashish: Your son is so responsible at this age only Navneet.

Navneet: And so protective for your daughter. When they will grow up, I will make your daughter my daughter in law.

Ashish: What are you saying navneet, they are just kids now.
He said laughing thinking this as a joke.

Navneet: I am not joking ashish, I am serious. Just imagine, we both are best friends now but then we will become relatives. And she is your daughter so I won't have any second thought before making her my son's wife.

Dayawanti: And we will be the luckiest to have rehaan as our son in law.

Ashish: If this really happens then I will be more than happy but we can't take their life decisions Navneet, let's leave this on them and their destiny.

FLASHBACK ENDS;

At that time only I saw the seriousness in navneet's words. He was really genuine about what he said. And seeing the things which happened with avni, this kidnapping and all. I know this will be the best decision for her if she get married with rehaan.
After so many years also he didn't changed, just like before calm, humble, soft spoken and sensible. I know he will keep avni happy always.

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25th anniversary of London University function..

Neil and avni danced on the song 'teri meri kahaani'.
They killed it with their amazing chemistry and dance steps. Everyone stood up and clapped for them. Even rehaan and whole Mehta family was there.
After the performance, everyone is backstage congratulating neil and avni.
Rehaan excitedly hugged her.

Rehaan: Avni.. avni.. you did it. You killed it avni. I told you na that you can do it and see you did it so well.

Avni smiled broadly and thanked him.
Avni: It's all because of you Rehaan, you motivated me so much and teach me so well that's why I am able to do it. Thankyou so much.

Rehaan: You are always welcome avni.
Both smiles at each other.
All this was witnessed by neil who was standing just behind avni. Suddenly anger built inside him and he left the place.
After thanking rehaan, avni started searching for neil but found him nowhere.

Avni: Yeh neil kahan chala gaya. He didn't talked to me after the function. Maybe he went home I think.
She became sad and soon everyone left to their homes.

_____________________________

Next day in university;
Avni found neil sitting on his place in class. She went near him.

Avni: Where you went yesterday without telling me?

Neil: Why should I tell you?

Avni: Arey, I was searching for you everywhere and you just went.

Neil: Why you were searching for me? There was so many peoples already.
He said in a irritating tone.

Avni: What do you mean by so many peoples? I wanted to talk to you, to thank you.

Neil: I haven't done anything to deserve your thanks. Say it to the one who is actually behind your hardwork.

Avni: What are you saying yaar? And why are you giving me so much attitude? I just wanted to say thanks for tolerating me so much during dance.

Neil: Accha, I am giving attitude. Then why are you even talking to me and wasting your time?

Avni: Are you serious?

He just took his bag and went outside the class. While she kept standing there with confusion.

Avni: What happened to him? Monkey
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Neil punched on the wall standing in corridor.

Neil: Why am I behaving like this? I shouldn't be so rude with her and what was her mistake? I am getting angry from the day I saw her hugging that boy, whoever he is why do I care?
Just leave it neil and focus on your studies.
He took a deep breath and left.
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To be continued...