Avni could see how his eyes were so red and knew he must have cried before getting drunk

Avni:I'll tell u tomorrow come sleep on your bed she said about to get up but Neil pulled her back making her sit down

Neil: i don't want to sleep there I want to sleep here

Avni:ok u sleep here I'll get your duvet

Neil:no it's too hot he said and took a pillow placing it on avni lap and rested his head on it while he legs dangled on the edge of the sofa

Avni: Neil at least get up then let me sleep

Neil: no i want to sleep like this he said childishly

Avni:Neil

Neil:please he said making a puppy face while avni rubbed her forehead.

Avni: but u won't be comfortable

Neil:i will be ok now let me sleep he said taking one of her hand and placed it on his head and took her other hand while holding it making avni finding it weird

Neil: stroke my hair please.. mom does that and  It feels good

Avni nodded and stroked his head she decided once he falls asleep she will move away carefully.

Neil turned sideways resting his face close to avni stomach breathing in and out slowly

While that made avni feel something different.. the way his breath was fanning her dress she was able to feel it as if he was fanning her bare stomach Thanks to the material of her clothes been thin.. Neil moved his face even more closer to avni stomach while she became still.

Neil:don't stop keep caressing my hair he said tapping on her hand that he had held... avni looked at Neil and then slowly caressed his hair... not knowing that this is the start of feeling new emotions for her new friend who soon will be the love of her life.

Avni: neil?

Neil: hmm he said with his eyes closed.

Avni: i hurt u na.. she knew Neil was drunk yet she asked him this.

He turned in her lap looking at her and then lifted his hands.

Neil: haan this much since I didn't get my.drink   he said showing a small gap between his fingers.

Avni: I'm sorry... Neil smiled slowly and turned his face towards her stomach falling into a peaceful sleep while avni looked at him still caressing his hair

The next day

Neil woke up due to the sun ray coming into the room.. he opened his eyes to see avni face when his eyes widened to realise he was sleeping on her lap while holding her hand. And got up straight away

While avni opened her eyes due to the swift movement of Neil and saw him standing with his  eyes widened

Avni: neil she said getting up seen his reaction.

Neil: i did something stupid na

Avni: no u didn't.

Neil:then how was i sleeping on.. u know.. your..  your lap.

Avni: u wanted to that's y...even though I told u too.

Neil:I'm sorry because of me u wasn't able to sleep properly

Avni: I'm sorry too.. Neil looked at her.

Neil: it's ok.. I'll freshen up he said and was about to move but avni held his hand

Avni: can we please talk until I don't say it I will be restless.. Neil looked at her while avni made him sit down and sat next to him.

Neil: avni there is seriously nothing to talk about u don't have to worry

Avni: there is.. even though I was annoyed I should have been careful with my words.. I didn't mean to hurt u Neil.. I know how much u was attached to juhi in fact how u still r and think about her when ever she is mentioned.. Neil even though u deny it I know u was hurt badly and I'm extremely sorry.. I actually feel so guilty that because of me u had to go through that pain again and seen u in that state last night shows how much my words hurt u And.....

Neil: shhh he said placing his finger on her lips and then slowly wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

Avni looked at Neil and was still when he placed his finger on her lips she then felt his hand wiping away her tears and then felt him clasp her hand with his when he spoke

Neil: u speak a lot... now u listen to me.. haan I do remember my past moments with Juhi and remember that fateful day when she passed away ...yesterday that happened too.. but that doesn't mean that I was hurt because of your words.. u didn't say anything like that which would hurt me.. I was only hurt that I wasn't able to save her ...her memories always makes me happy and sad... but it has nothing to do with u hurting me because u never did.. maybe I would have been hurt if u said something  really bad about Juhi and me but u didn't.. Avni u r my friend a very good friend ( adizaaa ahem ahem lost track again sorry) and I know u won't do anything intentionally that would hurt me.

Avni: y did u get drunk then

Neil:Kya karoon I felt like becoming a devdas he joked

Avni: if I didn't say that then u wouldn't have become  drunk

Neil:uff.. miss ajooba get one thing straight into your head.. u r not a fault understand.

Avni: but I'm still sorry.

Neil: theek hain meri maa I forgive u for no fault of yours  he said folding his hands

Avni: I'm not your maa she said wiping her tears laughing slightly.

Neil: come here he said pulling her for a hug which she responded too.

Avni: now go and freshen up she said moving away from him

Neil: of course.. plus be ready

Avni: ready for what.

Neil: forgot the dare I gave u ? He said raising his eyebrows

Avni: nope how can I. She said rolling her eyes

Neil: good girl

Neil went to freshen up while avni took out her clothes once Neil came out avni went to get ready.

Once avni came out she saw Neil all ready talking to shweta on the phone

Avni: so what do i have to do She said brushing her hair

Neil looked at avni and got up while placing his phone in his pocket

Neil smiled and walked to her

Neil: remeber for one whole day u have to do whatever I say

Avni: how many times r u going to repeat the same thing

Neil: as many time I want to 

Avni: shoot

Neil: ok so the first thing u have to do is...he stopped and looked at avni.

Avni:continue

Neil: call your dad and speak to him... ask him how he is and all.

Avni: what? Neil.. but before she could continue Neil spoke

Neil:no arguing u have to do whatever I tell u

Avni:but y this?

Neil: just like that he said shrugging his shoulder.

Avni stood rooted in her place ... Neil picked up avni mobile and gave it to her while avni looked at him . and  took her phone

She took a sharp breath and slowly called on metha mansion landline

Hetal:hello ? She said answering the phone

Avni: chachi it's me Avni

Hetal: avni beta how r u.. I hope all of u r enjoying in goa

Avni:I'm good chachi she said looking at Neil

Neil: go ahead he whispered

Avni: chachi woh.. I.. the thing is.. I wanted to know.. chachi.. she didn't know how to say to give it to ashish as she stopped calling him papa long back. ..

Hetal:avni beta what happened y r nervous.. tell me what happened.

Avni:nothing I wanted to ask who is at home right now. ..

Hetal:along with me it's maa, aman came over an hour ago and ashish bhaiya is also here ..

Avni: can u give him the phone..

Hetal: aman ?

Avni: no.. give it to him

Hetal:him... u mean ashish bhaiya she said realising

Avni: haan

Hetal:hold on I'll call him

Avni heard hetal call out to ashish

Dayawanti:hetal beta what happened she said coming out of her room

Hetal: woh avni wants to speak to ashish bhaiya

Ashish who was coming down with aman stopped hearing what hetal said and quickly walked down

Ashish:what did u say he asked hoping he didn't hear wrong

Hetal: avni asked for u

Ashish quickly moved and took the phone

It was silent from both end

Ashish:hello?  He spoke After a min

Avni looked at Neil who gestured her to speak

Avni:hello

Ashish: how u superstar

Avni:I'm good.. what about u

Ashish:the happiest person right now.

Avni: did u eat she asked since Neil gestured her

Ashish: haan what about u

Avni: going in a bit.. what is your plan for today

Ashish : nothing was spending time with aman.

Avni:make sure he is studying well she said

Ashish:i will jaan

Avni:  take care of yourself bye

Ashish:avni...Avni placed the phone back near her ears.

Avni:haan

Ashish: thank u

Avni:it's ok she said without asking for the reason and cut the call

Neil smiled looking at avni

Avni:y did u tell me to do this.

Neil:I'll tell u later ...now come let's go down for breakfast and After u have more things to do he said walking forward while avni stood in her place looking at Neil..and then followed him

When they reached downstairs they saw aliya already sitting

Ali:right time we already placed the order so breakfast should be coming In a bit he said as avneil sat down

Riya: what happened avni u ok? She said seen her quiet.

Avni: yh all good she said forcing a smile and looked at Neil who smiled at her and looked away.

Ali:.so all sorted between u both?

Neil: nothing was wrong in the first place.. let's drop this matter besides I'm enjoying the bet I gave miss ajooba... avni glared at him

Riya :I'm excited to know what u will be making avni do the whole day

Neil:y don't y ask your sister i already gave her a first task

Ali:bol avni what did Neil tell u to do.

Neil:leave it I'll tell u.. I told her to call ashish uncle and ask how he is and all

Ali and riya looked at Neil with their eyes widened and then looked at each other.

Riya: u actually made her do that she asked looking at Neil and then at avni

Neil: haan

Avni:can we please drop this and talk about something else.

Ali: so where shall we go then?

Riya: let's take a tour around some of the famous area

Neil: not an bad idea..

Ali:finally breakfast is here.

2 hours later all four left to see some amazing locations in goa while riya was in charge of taking pics where she had also captured some candid moments and not forget group selfies... they also made sure to do a bit shopping.

Neil and avni somehow sent Ali and riya away for sometimes so that At least aliya  can enjoy their honeymoon and not ruin for them . avneil sat down

Avni: Neil

Neil:hmm

Avni:y ? She questioned

Neil: because I want to see your relation improve with him

Avni: u really think that it will improve quickly

Neil:maybe not but if an effort is made from one side only then it may not work but if an effort is made from both side then maybe it will improve quickly.

Avni: u really think so

Neil: I'm just telling u what I feel is right  avni.. u promised your dad that u will give him a chance but for that u also need to take a step forward to improve the relation between u two.

Avni: what if we r confused and not sure what to do

Neil: allow this heart of yours to take the decision not your mind and see where it takes u

Avni looked at Neil while he looked ahead and then turned to look at her smiling a little.

Neil: now r u ready for your next task.

Avni:great what is that

Neil: promise me something 

Avni:what ?

Neil:until we r here u will enjoy .. not for the sake of it but u will let yourself enjoy without holding your true emotions back

Avni: what made u think that I'm holding my emotions back

Neil:u r the one who mentioned it.. the way u told me about that small Avni that enjoyed life to the fullest that believed in fairy tales.. let that avni come out

Avni: what if that avni gets hurt again.. it's best if she doesn't

Neil: she won't because she will have so many people to take away her pain... Avni I promise until we dont end this marriage... I will make sure that old avni that everyone talks about is back again

Avni: don't waste your time Neil there will be no point

Neil: that we will see

Meanwhile in Mumbai at the parikh mansion

Neela was sitting in the garden still thinking about ashish words.. she did answer him back the other day but it still felt like someone was stabbing her heart so many times
.
Ashish:neela

Neela turned to see ashish and got up

Neela:now what else is there left to say ashish she said turning away from him

Ashish looked at neela and then moved towards her and held her shoulders turning her to face him

Ashish:I'm sorry.... I was so harsh on u and said whatever came in my mind

Neela: which can hurt anyone badly

Ashish:neela I'm sorry I was so angry that I didn't think of what I was saying.. but then maa and everyone told me my mistake and that's when I knew I was wrong... the things u did for my family and children.. nobody else would have done that.. U have changed the meaning of a step mother neela and I'm thankful to u he said holding her hands

Neela: I'm sorry for been rude but I don't regret whatever I said...if any one else said that to me then i would have answered them back like this.

Ashish smiled

Ashish: one thing is for sure neela if in the further I'm not there with my kids then i know I wouldnt have to worry for them as u will look after them well.. U r their main pillar

Precrap: Neil and Ali saw riya and avni playing in the pool with the kids.. Neil looked at avni and smiled how she was playing with one of the kids.. his eyes just followed her each move not realising that the barrier around his heart is slowly been lifted up to allow it to fall in love but this time truely to the person that is made for him

Hey peeps how is everyone hope u all r good

Thanks to those who voted for the previous chapter and also commented

Hope u all love this one too will be waiting for all the comments and votes so keep it coming

If u haven't followed  WritersDomainAvneil then i suggest u to go and do it now

Lots of love sonali