As they we're about to near the stairs Neil stopped her.

Avni: now what... Neil looked at her and intertwined his fingers with hers

Neil; since we r married everyone would expect us to come down like this

Avni: Neil u do know that we r planning to end this marriage right ...not keep it

Neil: ufff u r going to stay as miss Ajooba

Avni: shut up

Neil: no ...now listen to me I know we r ending it soon but let's show our family we r trying to adjust to this relation as all of them know we didn't want to get married but we had to ( guys in case if some of u have forgot then let me remind u that Neil doesn't know about dayawanti debt thing) so when we part ways

Avni: we can tell them we tried but it didn't work out she said finishing of what Neil was trying to say

Neil; bingo.

Ali: hey what r u two doing here still... avneil turned to see aliya walking up to them

Riya: we thought we would be late

Neil: nope just on time

Ali: let's go then

Avneil walked down first while aliya was behind them.

Everyone saw four of them walking down and clapped for the two most amazing couples

Prakash and Shweta guided them towards the stage

Prakash: thank u to all of u who always come to celebrate our happiness with us. We don't want u to just come and celebrate because we called u but we want u to be here with us so that u can enjoy with us and consider this your own happiness. I hope u all enjoy this reception party and bless both of my sons and daughter in laws

Ali was a little surprised and got a little emotional he knew Shweta and Prakash loved him but never knew that they would say it publically

He felt Neil hand on his shoulder and looked at him who blinked as if understanding what was going in Ali mind

Shweta: so please feel comfortable drinks and snacks will be served to u times to times and if u needs anything specially do let us know

Akash: ok ok now that uncle and aunty r done with their speech it's our time and u know what happens when us youngsters r taking over right he said walking up the stage with Kia

One of the guest: of course we know it will be full on masti he shouted...while all laughed

Akash: exactly paji.

Kia: so let's play a game this will be something different...my lovely friends u all can sit down and enjoy the game for now she said to aliya and avneil

Akash: Dd, Aman , Kareena come up.

Aman and Dd got up from their seats and ran to the stage while Kareena followed

Akash: right so the game is called stand up and sit down games

Nanno: stand up and sit up game she said confusingly while looking at dayawanti.

Akash: don't worry guys I'll explain it ...in this game we will ask u all questions for example if u all know how to make tea then stand up, if u were born in this month then sit down and so on

Kia: so lets begin we Request all of u to stand up she said while handing Dd Aman and Akash papers which had different questions

Kia: so I will read out the first one: if u love dressing up sit down...Akash rolled his eyes as most of the ladies sat down.

Akash: if u get scolded by your wife then sit down ...with that half of the men sat down

Dd: fathers who love their daughter to stand up...all those father who love their daughter stood up. Avni eyes fell on Ashish when she saw him stand up while he gave a small smile.

Avni looked down and then she felt Neil elbowing her making her look at him.

Neil: be happy he said which made Avni slightly smile

Ketan placed a hand on Ashish shoulder while the khanna family and metha family were happy seen Ashish stand up

Kareena: if u ever faced an embarrassing moment then sit down
Many sat down while Aliya and avneil laughed a little seen half of their family members sitting down

Aman: stand up if u have made magi nodded at night
All the youngster stood up

Dd: danced at a funny song in public then sit down few men sat down

The questions like this continued while the rest were enjoying with some laughing moments

Drinks and snacks were been served to the guest time to time

Kia: ok so now will be paper dance so I request all the couple including my darling friends to get up

Avni: This Kia had to make us dance. Y couldn't she allow us to sit and watch the others dance

Neil: come on miss ajooba I thought u was great at dancing

Avni just glared at him while Neil chuckled

Aman: ok so I'm sure everyone is aware of how the paper dance is done every time the music stops your paper will get smaller each time and which ever couple Manages to win this round gets a price.

Avneil and aliya got up along with the other couples and got on the dance floor where there was enough space for many to gather for a dance

Avneil and aliya were in the centre while the rest surrounded them

All were given papers which were kept under their feet

Avni took of her heels

Neil: what r u doing

Avni: taking my heels off so that I don't step on your feet once the paper starts to get smaller...now I hope u don't have any problems with that mr question mark

Neil: not at all miss ajooba he said understanding what Avni was saying .

Soon Aman started the song on a small Romantic number
The first few rounds were easy for everyone but once the paper started to get smaller it was tough for some

Few started to lose balance and step out of the paper which made them lose the game while the rest continued to dance.

After the paper was getting smaller where everyone was finding it hard to stand...

Neil: step on my feet

Avni did as Neil said while she placed her hand on his shoulder and his were around her waist both slowly moving their bodies to the music

Neil: I must say U r smart that u planned before what u was going to do in this round

Avni: I actually am u just didn't know about it she said shrugging her shoulders

Soon the paper was folded for the last time

Only avneil aliya and few couples were left

Neil picked Avni in his arms while she was surprised

Neil: I agree we don't have a husband and wife relation and both of us r pretending but the thing is I don't like losing while playing a game

Avni: is that so mr super cop

Neil: yes miss ajooba

Soon the game finished with avneil aliya and another couple wining the round

Guest were served different variety of food and also before they left they were given a return gift for coming to the engagement

Ashish moved to avneil when the metha family were saying bye to aliya

Ashish: me and ketan will come to pick u and Riya up

Avni just nodded slightly and looked to the side ...to make the situation lighter Neil spoke

Neil: don't worry uncle we will make sure Avni and Riya r ready and I hope U get to spend some amazing moment

Avni looked at Neil while Ashish smiled

Ashish; thanks Neil and now u can't call me uncle as I'm your father now

Neil: ji papa

Ashish: bye he said touching avneil cheeks and left

Later on at night Avni was taking of her earrings while Neil went to change

Neil: Avni u can go he said coming out of the washroom

Avni: ok she said getting up to change while Neil went to grab some of his files

Few mins later Avni came out in her night gown and she saw Neil was busy in some files

Avni: Neil

Neil: hmmm he said glancing at Avni and then back at the file

Avni: won't u sleep

Neil: I'll sleep later Avni u can sleep

Avni: i can't

Neil: if u r not sleepy then u can watch tv or do something till u r not tired he said typing something on the laptop while glancing at something in the file

Avni shook her head and went towards him and took his file

Neil: Avni year what is this

Avni: Neil I meant I can't sleep because u r sitting on the couch

Neil: so ? Go and sleep on the bed

Avni: what did we decide ? That both of us will sleep on the bed in turns right

Neil: Ariel Avni it's ok for now just sleep on the bed from tommrow ill sleep on the couch

Avni: yh and then U will keep on saying the same thing every time...Neil come on just get up and do your work on the bed

Neil: Avni just sleep on the bed yaar I don't mind sleeping on the couch

Avni: even I don't know come on get up.

Neil: Arien yaar see I won't like it if u sleep on the couch

Avni: y? Can't I sleep on the couch? Does their have to be a specific reason no na then get up she said pulling him up and pushed him towards the bed

Neil: Avni...listen he said turning but Avni didn't listen and gave him his files

She took a pillow and slept on the couch while Neil sat on the bed

Neil: Avni i seriously don't mind sleeping on the couch

Avni: even I don't now stop speaking tomorrow U will get to sleep on the couch and I'll sleep on the bed and we will take turns to sleep on the bed. Good night now don't disturb me

Neil shook his head while looking at avni who had her eyes closed...he smiled and continued to work on his case

The next morning avneil woke up and got ready to go down. They were greeted by Bebe who just came back from the temple and gave the aarti thalli to avneil.... after that Prakash and Shweta and aliya came down.

Prakash: chalo lets have breakfast as after Ashish ji and ketan ji will be coming to pick Avni and Riya up

Shweta: haaan lets go and also Ali and Neil u both make sure u pick up the girls on time.

Neil: dw mom we will go together to pick them up

Bebe: uff we could talk while having breakfast too

Prakash: by the way where has Maddy gone

Kareena: she said she had to go for some important work mama ji

Prakash: no problem

All sat down for breakfast while one of the maid served food .

Ketan and Ashish arrived after while Neil and Ali took their blessing the elders of khanna family greeted them.

Avni moved to hug ketan once Riya moved away.

Ashish also expected a hug from Avni but she just stood next to ketan but he didn't get disappointed as he kept reminding himself that Avni decided to give him a chance

Four of them left while Neil went to the police station and Ali went to the cafe

40mins later at the metha mansion

Neela had reached to the metha mansion since dayawanti had told her to come there... both were busy getting things ready to make while diksha and Hetal were helping her

Soon they heard bheema coming in the kitchen to say that Avni and Riya arrived

All four went out to welcome them.

Avni: where is Nanno

Neela: bacha she has gone to the hospital to Meet one of her friends

Avni: and nanu

Neela: he went with Aman to get u and Riya a gift

Riya: gift she said excitingly.

Dayawanti: Arien at least sit down and talk.

Soon Aman came with hemant and Nanno also came after a while.

All had lunch together

Avni Riya and Aman were in riya room talking when Ashish came

Aman: dad aap.

Ashish: haan woh I thought if Avni wasn't busy then I'll take her out for
A bit.

Avni: y she blurted out

Ashish: so that I can spend time with u and make it up to u for all the years that we didn't get to spend with each other

Avni: that was your choice.

Ashish: Avni please ...u promised to give me a chance right then please do.

Avni: I did...but how can u act all normal

Ashish: I'm not but superstar I'm just trying to make things better between us .

Aman: Di go please

Riya: haaan babes

Avni: fine

Ashish bought Avni near the beach

Avni: y did u bring me here

Ashish: don't u remember this place

Avni: of course I do this was the place where me maa and u always came to enjoy

Ashish: let's sit somewhere

Avni didn't say anything and followed Ashish and both sat on the stone

They were silent for few mins before Ashish spoke

Ashish: Avni I know that I can't go back in the past and change things...maybe I still would have hated u still now if that act was not played in front of me..but im glad Neela and Aman did that...he was about to continue when Avni interfered

Avni: how I wished if u believed me all those years back but somewhere u made me feel that I'm actually responsible for maa death. Despite having a father I lived without 1 but chachu always made me feel special. I always yearned for your love and tried to speak to u but U never bothered and acted like u have only one child ..so then I didn't bother and left it

Ashish looked at her and saw how she was looking ahead, not looking at him at all he took her hands while she was about to remove it

Ashish: please...Avni stopped ...allowing him to hold it but didn't look at him

Ashish: when I had come I saw how ashu was coming behind u ....she was trying to call out to u but u wasn't listening...she tried coming after u but with that she tripped...I didn't know what to do Avni...because at that moment I saw how u were angry and ashu was trying to calm u down...then came another shock were our Aman was saved but Ashu didn't have much time...my heart and brain stopped thinking what could be right and wrong...all I saw was how u was angry and Ashu was coming behind u and with that she tripped...Ashu was a big pillar in my life Avni...I just couldn't get that fact out she is no more...when I tried to think about her this particular scene kept playing in my head...my brain just completely stopped working that u would never harm Ashu in any way. But I never knew when my anger increased for u and how I distanced myself from u.

Avni: and that has changed equation between us ...how shall I forget what happened and move on...it's not that easy '....your words were like a knife which was stabbing my heart every second.

Ashish kneeled in front of her

Ashish: if someone is truly sorry then u will feel it and also see it in their eyes and that's when u should give them a chance...that's what Ashu use to say right ...Avni looked at Ashish when he said that as she knew Ayesha always told her this as this is what she kept telling Avni whenever she had to forgive her friends

Avni looked at Ashish she was angry and upset with him but she also could see he was truly sorry

Avni: it takes time to forgive too... to try and forget all those harsh words...whenever I see u I try hard not to think but all your bitter words comes back to me.

Ashish: I promise Jaan I'll make it up to u no matter what. But u keep your promise of giving me a chance

Avni: I never broke my promise...I just don't know how to forgive u because I don't want to forgive u for the sake of it...I'll be honest it will take some time

Ashish: thank u superstar he said bringing her hands to her lips and kissed it

Ashish: I wished if I was able to see u grow up into a beautiful girl but its my bad luck that I missed it he said cupping her cheeks ...Avni looked at Ashish with tears in her eyes

Suddenly ashish phone rang to see it was dayawanti

Ashish: haaan maa

Dayawanti: Ashish where r U and Avni ?

Ashish: I was just trying to get things sorted with Avni.

Dayawanti was happy when she heard that

Dayawanti: so what is the progress

Ashish: there is a small progress but it will take a little more time to earn my superstar forgiveness he said looking at Avni who was looking at him with her eyebrows raised

Dayawanti: I would have allowed u both to spend time but don't forget that Neil and Ali will be coming to pick up the girls so make it soon

Ashish: don't worry maa

Avni: shall we go she said getting up and was about to leave when Ashish stopped her

Ashish: Avni

Avni turned around while Ashish walked to her

Ashish: thank u

Avni: for what?

Ashish: for giving me a chance...Avni just nodded and walked ahead

Two hours later Neil and Ali had reached to the metha mansion to pick up the girls and quickly bid bye to everyone and left

In the car

Ali: so what did u girls do today he said turning in his seat while talking to Riya and Avni who were sitting at the back...however Avni was too busy looking outside lost in thoughts

Riya: that's our secret Nothing for u to know about

Ali: acha ji is that so...Neil lets also have a boys day out and we will keep our secrets he said

Neil laughed and casually looked at the rear view mirror where he could see Avni was busy looking outside and he could clearly notice she was not paying attention to them

Neil: what happened to Avni

Riya looked at Neil and then at avni

Riya: don't know maybe she is thinking about Ashish Chachu

Ali: did anything happen ?

Riya : Haan actually....Riya told the boys how Ashish took Avni out and what happened at the beach since Avni told her when she came back home.

Ali: hey Avni he shouted out loudly few times which made her come out of her thoughts

Avni: huh ?

Ali: what happened we have been calling u for so long and u r not talking

Avni: nothing was busy thinking about something

Neil: if u think about something too much then let it be...don't let it effect u too much because the more u think about it the more u will be confused...so just go with the flow he said giving a glance at avni through the mirror

Avni looked at Neil when he was speaking

Riya: I told them.

Avni: what shall I do...I don't know how to forgive him so easily because it's not that simple.

Neil: come on miss ajooba the Avni I know she can forgive anyone at the right time... u just need to spend time with him Avni...make a new bond with him.

Ali: ok lets not think about this otherwise u will be even more confused

Neil: how about we have some pani puri he said stopping the car when he saw a stall

Avni: never say no to pani puri no matter what mood u r in.

All four got out of the car and went to the stall.

Ali: lets have pani Puri race me and Riya in 1 team and u both in 1

Neil: uff I hope u can help me win this Miss ajooba

Avni: don't ever doubt on me mr question mark I'm a better partner anyone can ever have

Neil: we shall see

Avni: we will

Riya: ok let's start . Luckily there were two people helping out at the stall
5 mins later
Riya : come on Ali u r too slow

Ali: slow? Hello madam I'm the one who is eating faster than u and u r saying I'm slow when u r the one who is slow as u r afraid your lipstick will get ruined

Neil: damn Avni I'm happy u r my partner

Avni: I told u she said placing a pani Puri in her mouth

Ali: Arien bhaiya hurry up he said eager to win the game

After few mins

Riya: ok I give up I can't she said

Ali: oh come on Riya

Riya: no she said holding her stomach

Avneil were happy and did a small cheers with their pani Puri and ate it

Neil: this was fun he said drinking some water

Ali : it surely was

Riya: urghh y isn't this camera working properly wait guys let's take a quick selfie and then go

Ali: first sort your camera out he said but in return he got a glare from Riya

Avni was wiping her face while Neil looked at her Casually and noticed some puri crumbs near her lips

Neil: Avni you got Crumbs near your lips he said showing her

Avni tried wiping it

Avni: now

Neil: Ita still there

She tried wiping it again but still had some left so Neil took the tissue from her and wiped it

Neil: there u go

Avni: thanks she said and drank some water from Neil bottle which he offered her and all this didn't go unnoticed by aliya who were smiling

Riya: come on my camera is working let's post on insta
Avni stood at the front with Riya while the boys behind and all pointed at the pani puri stall posing

Once they reached home they were greeted by Bebe and Shweta

Shweta: finally u guys came ..what took u all so long

Riya: we went to have pani Puri on the way

Shweta: pani puri without me next times I will be comings too

Bebe: haan that's all u can think of right....anyways I'm sure u all wont be eating now right

Neil: no Bebe we r actually full

Bebe: ok but there will be food in the fridge if u all want some

Shweta: chalo now sit we want to give u something aliya and avneil looked at each other and sat down

Bebe: here u go she said handing the two envelopes one to Ali and the other to Neil

Neil: what is this

Shweta: see yourself

Ali and Neil opened it and other their eyes widened

Ali and Neil: honeymoon tickets they said at the same time

Avni was shocked while Riya was surprised

Neil: Bebe what was the Need for this

Bebe: what do u mean? Don't u ever plan to go on a honeymoon

Neil: I don't mean that but u didn't have to do this for me and Avni

Shweta: y? What problem have u got

Neil: I have no problem but isn't it too early for us to go on a honeymoon

Bebe: not at all.

Neil: do one thing let Riya and Ali go alone for now me and Avni will go some other time as I have some cases pending

Bebe: well those cases can wait

Neil: Bebe try to understand

Bebe: no u understand I have asked your commissioner and he said those cases can be handled by Dd too and u can have some time of work

Shweta: and why r u sayings no when the rest r not sayings Anything

Neil: I'm saying no because I have work

Bebe: and like I said your work can wait and also could be handled by Dd so now there shouldn't be any problem she said getting up to leave along with Shweta

In avneil bedroom...Riya and Ali were sitting on the bed looking at avni and Neil who were annoyed

Avni: couldn't u say no when your family was telling us to go on honeymoon

Neil: oh miss ajooba were u sleeping when I was saying it won't be possible for us to go

Avni: couldn't u persuade them more she said walking up to Neil

Neil: y? Was I saying some speech where I had to convince them

Avni: no not a speech but u did have to convince them in some way right

Neil: if that's the case y didn't u try

Avni: how can I say something I'm new in this house... u should know how to persuade your family

Ali: guys relax

Neil: what relax? U and Riya won't have a problem going on a honeymoon as u both love each other..but here the case is different he said pointing at him and Avni.

Riya: Avni..babes ...Neil did try so many times to tell the family that u both won't be able to go but they still didn't agree right

Avni: stop taking his side Riya

Neil: she will take my side as she knows I did my best

Avni: I did my best she said imitating Neil while he glared at her

Ali; ok enough now!.. agree that u don't want to go. reasons known to only us...but the family don't know that...they feel that with this honeymoon u both can spend more time with each other

Riya: just tag along they will be happy...bedsides u both have decided to go with the plan soon right so for now don't worry

Ali: just think u r going on a holiday not honeymoon.

Avneil looked at each other and gave it a thought

Neil: u r right

Ali: Avni?

Avni: yeah I agree too. We could enjoy it as a normal holiday she said looking at Ali and then Neil

All four were unaware that Maddy was standing outside the room.

Maddy in her head: y doesn't Avni and Neil want to go on honeymoon? ...and Ali said something like reason only known to them while Riya mentioned about some plan...something is fishy for sure but what?....she looked at four of them and left from there.

Will wait for all the votes and comments do let me know

Thanks for all the lovely comments for the previous chap and also for all the votes it means a lot

Sorry for the spelling or grammar mistake

Also our Shivanshimshra has conducted a awards for the writers so go on the link below or on shivi profile and click writers awards and nominate your favourite writers in the categories they deserve.

https://my.w.tt/1jFL1FVd9O
Lots of love sonali