Avni strolled along the beachside. The wind was stroking her hair ever so lightly. There was a chill in the air. She shivered a little and lifted her shawl to cover her shoulders. Night lamp posts have lit that lounge area as if it was the day. She walked towards the beach where it was darker. She needed a place of shadows to think and clear her head.

It has been a week since she has come to Goa. She met Vidhyut, became Mishti's governess and got permission from Vidhyut to go the summer camp, everything going as per the plan. She has to plan now how to take Mmishti safely back home. Her heart ached when she thought about Mishti.

How can a child be so silent all the time? How can a person scare a little kid so much that she is even scared to talk? Vidhyut R, I will not leave you like this to harm the child more.

A slight noise and the screeching of some bird pierced the otherwise still night. A shiver ran down Avni's spine and she stopped. Normally she was always very alert about her surroundings. But on Leela's private beach she didn't expect anyone to come and harm her. She turned to see what disturbed the bird on the beach. 

Nothing. 

Darkness wrapped everything near the beach, even the sky seemed like a dark cloth covered in clouds.She hesitated a bit still moved closer to the waters. A strong hand enwrapped her right wrist and pulled her towards him. The suddenness of that action left her without balance and she fell hard on him. Despite the panic settling in her, she could smell him. 

Neil

"Avni"

She blinked and looked at him unbelievingly. 

How can he be here?

As if he heard that question, Neil smirked 

"Avni, I told you. You will always find me near you, no matter where you go."

"Neil, you...how..." Avni's voice trailed off.

Neil whispered in her ear with his low, yet fierce voice.

"I always knew where you were Avni. I knew you would do something like this so I kept a tracker in your luggage."

"What?" 

Remembering the unnecessary beeps while scanning the luggage in the airport, anger rose in her voice 

"You kept a tracker in my bag! How can you?" 

Avni tried to pull away from his firm grip in vain. Neil hugged her tightly. 

"Enough Avni, I can't do this anymore. At home, I have calmed down everyone now. If they know that you have come to Ragini Pandit's son's lair, I do not know how everyone would have reacted. So I never told them you are here. I know that's what you wanted. But you can't take such a risk for me Avni. Enough is enough. Let's go home"

"Neil"

Avni could feel the pain in his voice. She felt bad leaving him in such a spot. 

He doesn't deserve this, she doesn't deserve this, but she has to do what is needed. There is a small child who needs her, who needs a father, who needs a mother. She has to be the voice of that kid whose mute screams goes unheard every night. It does not matter if the kid is Neil's kid or not, Mishti is Avni. It is like looking back to her past.

She shivered at the thought of Mishti. Neil held her closer.

"Avni, It is windy here, let's go back." 

Avni noded. She always knew Neil will find her eventually. But she didn't expect this soon.

They walked back to her room together.