The sound of sea waves crashing against golden sand in contrast to the silence of the night was providing a different sort of tranquility to my soul. The infinite number of stars sparkling in the dark sky had a mystery of their own.

Since the time we have left Neela Maa's home , Avni has not even once asked where I am taking her. She was busy in her own thoughts . I have not yet figured out what I am going to say to her. Though Avni was in her dreamland yet there was a sense of calmness in her eyes ; Eyes which were blazing with fire in front of Dayawanti Mehta few hours ago .

Sitting beside Avni here since the last fifteen minutes , Avni has not uttered  a word . It seems as if she is searching something amidst the feeling of waves softly touching her toes . The humid and salty breeze is playing with the strands of her hair making my hands itch to place her hairs behind her ear .

The soft glow of moonlight on her face was making her look like an angel who has just descended from the stars above.

As I glanced towards her hand which was resting beside mine, I couldn't help but close my eyes and ask for a wish from the shooting star passing through the sky.

A wish for a future when I didn't have to hesitate to hold her hand ,

A wish for a future when her sitting beside me will be normal, maybe a bit closer ,maybe her head will be resting on my chest ,

Maybe , Maybe....

As I brought my hand near her and held her hand , Avni turned towards me quickly as if she was broken from a trance .

" Remember Avni , how the same sea had been witness to our first meeting "

"Of course I remember Neil", she replied with a smile gracing her lips.

I turned completely towards her and said,"I want this majestic sea to be witness of our new journey together from here on . Avni , I don't know how, when, and where, but you have made a special  place for yourself in my heart which I had not known existed till now. I don't know what I feel for you but I know that I don't want you to leave me , Not Now , Not Ever. I want you by my side in this journey of life because you make me feel complete . "

On not getting any response, I continued ," No one will force you to do anything . Do what you want , what your heart wants . I just wanted to tell you what I feel. The final decision will be yours ."

As soon as I completed my sentence , Avni stood up and the thought of her leaving me was enough to make me feel lifeless.

"Neil"

A hand was stretched in front of me and as I looked towards the beautiful brown eyes of owner , I felt a ray of hope in my heart.

I took Avni ' s hand and followed her deeper into the water till water reached our knees. As she turned towards me , I swear I saw the most beautiful angel smiling in front of me .

"Neil " , looking upwards she said ," See , how these stars are brightening the dark sky above . My life was just like this dark sky before meeting you but without even my realizing , you became my star and removed the darkness of my life . I am selfish enough Neil to not let this star away from me , Not Now , Not Ever ."

I felt a sudden surge of happiness in my heart . I could hardly contain it . I didn't even realize when I had pulled her towards me and placed my lips on her forehead until I felt her soft skin beneath my lips and heard her gasp .  Lingering my lips a little longer, I pulled back and as I saw in her eyes , I realized just like these waves , I have finally found my shore by my side .

Finally , I have completed this . Thank you everyone who voted on previous chapter .

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