Rudra started moving his hand towards avni with a pinch of sindoor. Avni closed her eyes tightly not able to do anything.

A bullet hits Rudra's hand & he pulled his hand back with a jerk. Avni opened her eyes and found ashish, aman & neil standing there. One of the police officer shot at Rudra's hand.  Avni tried to run towards her family but rudra held her from behind & pulled a gun from his pocket & pointed at avni's head.

Rudra: Don't come forward otherwise your avni won't be alive.

Ashish: Wait, stopp. Leave her, we will let you go I promise just leave my daughter please..

Rudra: You can't do anything to me anyways. I am not afraid of you all. But this girl, I am not going to leave her. If I am not able to destroy her life, I will finish her life.

Aman: Nooo.. stopp. Please stop.
While aman is trying to divert his attention. Neil left the place quietly. He went behind rudra & held his hands from behind freeing avni from his clutches. Aman pulled avni near him & hugged her tightly.
Neil punched rudra very hard right on his face. Rudra also fight backs. Neil kicked him. Then holds his collar.

Neil: How dare you touch her?
He punched rudra again.

Neil: How dare you force her to marry you?
He punched him again & again.

At last some officers held neil otherwise he may do something wrong in his anger. And they pulled rudra who is lying on ground but still looking at neil angrily.

Both ashish and aman hugged avni with teary eyes checking if she is hurt somewhere. But there is minor injuries only.

Aman: You are fine right?

Avni nodded her head with teary eyes.
Avni then looked towards neil, who is standing little away smiling looking at their happy family moment. She goes towards him.

Avni: Thankyou so much neil.

Neil: Its okay avni. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
He said with a smile.
Avni also smiles a little..

While rudra is going with police, he snatched gun from an officer & shooted towards avni.

Neil (shouted): AVNIII..
Neil was smiling at avni when he randomly moved his gaze upwards & that's when he noticed rudra having a gun which is pointed at avni. Soon Neil's angry expressions turned into shock and then fear & he reacted instantly pulling avni aside with him. He hugged her tightly hiding her in his arms.

The sound of the gunshot took everyone's attention. Fortunately, neil reacted on the right time hence the bullet hits on the wall. Police dragged away rudra in their jeep snatching the gun from him & hitting on his head. He became unconscious.

Avni is still in shock with this sudden attack to take away her life, she started shivering with fear. Neil sensed her condition and started caressing her hair. She closed her eyes and cluched his shirt tightly feeling safe in his embrace.

Aman and Ashish came there, neil broke the hug. Aman & ashish took avni in a group hug together.

Ashish: Princess you are fine right?
But avni didn't responded anything.

Aman: Champ, don't be scared everything is fine now.
Still avni didn't responded, they broke the hug & looked at her face only to find her unconscious.

Ashish: Princess..

Aman tapped her cheeks lightly but no response.
Aman: Champ wake up. What happened??

Neil: We should take her to hospital maybe she is unconscious due to shock.

Aman: You are right neil. Papa let's go to hospital.
Aman picked avni in his arms & they left towards hospital in the car.

____________________________

Avni opened her eyes slowly when she gained her consciousness. She is lying on hospital bed, with all the family members & closed ones surrounding her. Her parents were sitting on her both sides. Neela caressing her hairs with moist eyes while ashish is holding her hand in his.

Neela: You are ok na baccha?
Avni blinked her eyes with a small smile.
One by one everyone comes to meet her. Neil left the hospital after he get the news that avni is all fine now.

Jaanvi hugged her tightly.
Jaanvi: Pagal ladki, abse na main 24hour tere sath rahungi bodyguard ki tarah Taki tu chah kar bhi apne liye koi problem na create kar le..

Avni: 24 hour.. don't do this torture with me yaar.

Jaanvi: Hawww.. torture.. tujhe tolerate karna hi hoga yeh torture.
She slapped her head lightly but then hugged her again.
I love you yaar Avi..

Avni: I love you too jaan..

Gayatri: Jaanvi move now, let us meet her also.

After their little get together. Avni was discharged from hospital as doctor said there is nothing to worry. She just fainted due to shock & weakness. Her bp was also low, but now she is fine so they can take her home.

_____________________________

1 week later...

Aman: Champ you sure you want to go college today?

Ashish: Yes princess, I think you should take some more rest.

Avni: Dad, bhai I know you all are worried for me but I am fine now. It's been a week already I am sitting at home. And he is in prison now, so how much time I will stay inside being scared.

Dayawanti: Haan jao aur phir se koi blunder kar ke hi aana. Pariwaar ki izzat ko toh dooba hi diya hai. Ab kya baki hai..

Ashish: Maa aap...

Dayawanti: Bas Ashish, bohot sun li maine tum sab ki. Yeh mat bhoolo ki I am your mother. Now I will do what is right..
She left from there.

Neela sat beside avni & caressed her cheeks lovingly.

Neela: Baccha don't feel bad for whatever maa said. She was also very worried for you. But you know she have old thinking that's why.

Avni: I know mom, she loves me. And her concern is also right. I troubled you all so much. I am sorry

Ashish: No beta, don't feel like that.

Aman: No dad, she is absolutely right in this. You really troubled us a lot champ. We were searching for you because you are a trouble for us. Everyone was crying and praying for your safety because you put yourself in that dangerous situation.
Aman said angrily then turned his face to the other side..

Avni hugged him.
Avni: I am sorry Bhaii.. I am very sorry. I didn't meant to hurt you. I know you all were so worried for me. But I.. I am so..sorry bhai..
She started crying..

Aman kissed her forehead & wiped her tears.
Aman: It's ok champ. But next time if you said like this then I will trouble you a lot.. You just stay our chotu sa champ, no need to think so much like elders. Let's go, I will drop you to college now. And wear this before that..
He said handing over a box to her.
Avni opens it, there is a beautiful watch inside.

Avni: Bhai, it's so beautiful. Thankyou so much.

Aman: Welcome champ, wear it now.

Avni: Now? But...

Aman: Champ, wear it now only.

Avni: Ohk fine.

Aman: Cool.. let's go now. And don't remove this watch from your hand ok.

Avni: Ok boss..

Aman (in mind): It's for your safety champ. This watch have a tracker inside. We can't stop you from going to college but I can't take any risk regarding your security. Rudra is in jail for time being, but his parents will definitely try to take him out with their influence. And once he is out he maybe try to harm you again. So we have to be very careful and alert this time.

______________________________

London University;
In canteen..

Avni entered in canteen after finishing her extra classes, as she was absent in university from more than a week so she is taking some extra classes to cover her syllabus. Jaanvi & Neil's class was over an hour back so Jaanvi is waiting for avni in canteen & neil thought to give her company.
Avni moved towards a table where jaanvi's bag is kept but she is missing. Neil is buying a water bottle from the counter.
Avni kept her bag and moved towards him.

Neil saw avni approaching towards him so he thought she is going to ask him about Jaanvi.

Neil: Jaanvi must be coming, she went to washroom I guess.

Avni: Ya i know that, she texted me.

Neil: Oh ok then you can sit till then. Want something to eat or coffee??

Avni: No I don't want anything. Actually...

Neil: Then how was your classes? Tell me if you need any notes.

Avni: No it's ok. Everything is fine. I wanted to say that..

Neil: Ok, you want to go home maybe.

Avni: Will you just let me speak atleast? First listen what I want to say. I don't need any notes, I don't want any coffee, & I was not going to ask you about Jaanvi. Is that clear??
Avni said frustratingly while neil just replied very innocently.

Neil: Yes, clear.

Avni: I wanted to talk to you.

Neil: Me?

Avni: Yes you

Neil: Now what I did that you came to fight with me?

Avni: Why will I fight with you stupid?
She said with a confused face.

Neil: Because you do that always, whenever you talk to me.

Avni: Listen neil, I am sorry.

Neil: What? Did I heard it right? Avni mehta is saying sorry to me? Am I dreaming or what?
He said dramatically.

Avni: I am serious neil.

Neil: Haan to when I said you are joking?

Avni: Listen to me please.

Neil: Go ahead, am listening.

Avni took a deep breath & started saying.

Avni: I know I fight with you always but it's not because I hate you or something but don't know I just like to argue with you. Also that day, I didn't thanked you properly. Bhai told me that you helped them a lot, from my kidnapping till the time they found me you was there. Thankyou so much for being my brother's support when he was panicking for my safety. Thanks a lot for saving my life neil. I really can't thank you enough for each & everything. I always irritate you but still you helped me & my family. I...

Neil kept his finger on her lips to stop her saying any sorry or Thankyou further.
Neil: Shhh avni enough now. It's ok, we are friends right? Even I irritate you a lot but that doesn't means I hate you. I really like your angry face when you argue with me over anything. But it was about your life & I will always try to help you throughout my life.

Avni smiles at his concern & he also gave her a Sweet smile. However everyone thinks that these two are friends cum enemy. But the truth is those small fights is just a way to irritate each other & seems like these little fights is bringing them closer. And now this huge incident also. It isn't love till now or maybe it is. But there was fear, insecurity in neil when she was in danger. And somewhere with her family members avni was also remembering neil, though as a friend but she was missing those little banters with him.

Their eyelock broke with a sound.
Jaanvi is coughing, standing there in front of them. She is watching their position, Neil's finger on her lips & both are looking at each other.

They looked at jaanvi then at each other. Neil removed his hand & both are embarrassed now.

Jaanvi: May I know what was happening here in my absence?
She said while raising her one eyebrow.

Neil: Woh actually.. yes your friend talks too much that she wasn't stopping so I had to put my finger on her mouth to shut her.

Avni: Haan right.. wait what you said I talk too much? Neill...

Neil: See just now you was saying such a long dialogue of sorry & thankyou. But now you are fighting again.

Avni: Ok ok, Its not my fault anyways. You started first.

Neil: Not me it's you..

Jaanvi: Not again guys please..

Both looked at each other then burst into laughter.

Avni: Ok, jokes apart.. let's have some coffee.

Neil: Sure

********

So here is another update people. Let me know if you like it or not.
Waiting for your sweet comments..

Next one will be soon.

Much Love
Alia❤️