At khanna House, Avni entered the premises showing her office id to the security guard. On ringing the calling Bell. Maid opens the door.
Avni: I m coming from Neil sir's office. Can I meet him now?
Maid: Sure. He is in the room, First door at upstairs.
Though Avni hesitates first, she decides to go and knocks the door.
Neil: Come in.
Avni go inside & is shocked seeing Neil. He was shirtless. Avni soon turned back. Neil stood there awestruck for some second. " Is she for real?"
Avni: Can I turn back?
Neil: yeah... no no..wait a minute. He wears a T- Shirt.
Neil: ok, now you can turn.
Avni: (turns) Why did you say "come in" when you were changing.
He notice that Avni is a little bit nervous.
He smiles & looks Avni with his smoldering eyes. Avni becomes concious. Usually people get easily intimidated by her stern face but with Neil it is different.
Avni: I... I am asking you something!
Neil moves forward slowly.
Neil: I didn't know it was you. Why are you here by the way?
Neil slowly approached Avni and she moved backward until she hit on the wall. He stands very close to her.
Avni:I came with sorry and needed to say the file to you.
Neil gives an amused smile: Come again? ( He moves more closer. )
Avni: (tries to hide her emberrassment) I mean I came with this file... which... which needs... umm....
Neil: And? (He place one hand on the wall beside Avni.)
Avni: You...You are invading my personal space. Keep one hand distance... please. She pushes him.
Neil: ok. Fine. Now tell me.
Avni: What?
Neil: For what you are here. Did you forget?
Avni: Ha.. this is the TKR group's file. This needs your signature.
Neil: (with attitude)thats all? By the way, why are you fetching me file? This is not your job?
Avni: umm.. that... I was going home taking half day off. So I thought I will drop the file to you.
Neil: Why are you taking off?
Avni: Just a headache. May I ask you the same? You were also on leave.
Neil: (smiles) Did you miss me in the office?
Avni: No! Avni raised her voice in defence.
Neil: Why are you shouting? And why did you leave yesterday without a word?
Avni: Sorry. You were busy in catching up with family. So, I thought I should not disturb.
Neil: Mmm. Please take a seat and read that file for me.(Neil suppressed his smile seeing Avni's irritated face.)
Avni in mind: Read the file? Just now I said I have headache and he wants me to read the file. He is deliberately doing this to me.
Neil sits on the bed & Avni takes the sofa. Neil: coffee or tea?
Avni: No thanks. Let's finish this off.
Neil: Fine then.
Neil in mind: Why didn't she argue with me? I thought to trouble her but she gave in so easily!
Avni gives an expression like unbeleivable. Avni in mind: He looks just fine. My worry of him being unwell was pointless.

Avni starts to read the clauses Neil smiles.
$#######$
An hour ago...

Neil:Sunehri..
Sunehri: Yes. Neil sir.
Neil: Is Avni in the office?
Sunehri: She was here a minute ago. But she left office.
Neil: Why? Is she alright? Where did she go?( worry was evident in his voice)
Sunehri: Wow! Both care for eachother!
Neil:uhmm.. What did you say?
Sunehri: Nothing sir. She took an off due to headache.
Neil: Huhh. No.. what were you saying about Avni? Does she... care for me?
Sunehri: Oh that! Yes sir. She was missing you. So she is coming to see you.
Neil blushed hearing this. He felt his heart is doing a happy dance. But he has to compose himself before his employee.
Neil( controlling the excitement): Really? Did she say that to you?
Sunehri: No. She will never admit it. But her actions speaks for her. She is coming to see you there with a file.
Neil: Coming here? With a file?
Sunehri: I am pretty sure that the file is just an excuse. It was funny how she snatched the file from OA.
Sunehri smiles.
Neil: Ok. Thanks.
Neil hung up the phone with a chuckle.
$####$
Neil looks at Avni with a mischievous smile. Neil in mind: You can't withheld your feelings for me for so long Avni. It will show up eventually. Anyway this day off was worth it. You came to meet me at my home! But I want to listen it from you. You have to express it.
Neil slowly gets up and moves towards sofa and sit near Avni and starts staring her. Avni felt Neil's eyes burning holes in her soul. She looks at Neil only to get nervous at his proximity. A tensed Avni gets up from the sofa but she misplaced her foot.
Ouchh!
Avni closed her eyes thinking that she will touch the ground. But she didn't.
Avni in mind:Oh my God! Is it Neil's hands holding me?
She can hear her heart beating like she just completed a marathon run.
"Open your beautiful eyes Avni." Avni gulped hearing Neil's velvety voice. How am I gonna look at him now? She thought. "Did you really think I will let you fall?" Avni slowly opened her eyes hearing Neil again. "Don't look in his eyes." Avni's brain told her but it was already late. She followed her heart and looked at his captivating brown eyes.
What is happening to me? Why can't I look away? Avni thought.
Neil wished if the time would stop now, Avni will be in his arms forever.
CLING!!!
The sound of breaking a glass spoiled everything and made Avni and Neil separated.
Swetha:(shouts) Neil...
Swetha goes to Avni and pull her by her hand.
Swetha: Kya h ye sab? Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere tillu ke kamre tak aane ki. ( What is this and how dare you come inside my son's bedroom?)
Neil: Mom..aap galat samjh rahe ho. You are mistaken. She came to hand over me some files.
Swetha: Don't fool me tillu. I saw what she was doing. She was trying to woo you.
Avni is shocked at the acquisition.
Neil: There is nothing like that mom. I was just...
Swetha: Don't try to defend her. She was in your hands. This is what girls like her do to seduce rich, handsome men.
Avni: Excuse me madam, What do you mean by girls like me? I am not here to seduce rich, handsome men. I came with some official work.
Neil: Avni, I m sorry. You don't need to explain.
Avni: Please Neil, Madam is accusing me let me finish what I wanted to say.
Swetha: You call him 'Neil'? Isn't he your boss? Call him sir and be in your limits.
Avni: I am well aware of my limits and I am not looking for any advantageous affairs with your son. Sorry for creating a scene here sir. Let me take my leave.
Avni walks away from there.
Swetha: See how arrogant she is!
Neil: Mom, will you stop it please?
Neil follows her to downstairs but Swetha comes infront & stops him.
Swetha: where are you going Neil?
Neil: mom please don't stop me. I need to talk to her.
Swetha: You can't go after her. I am telling you. Who is important to you, me or her?
Neil: Are you out of your mind mom? Why did you talk to her like that?
Swetha glares at Neil.
Neil: Fine. I m not going anywhere. Happy?
Neil goes inside his room banging the door shut.
Avni is driving to her home. She
remembers Swetha's words and feels anger, agony, disappointment and what not.

She sees Neil's call is coming on her phone but she cut it and put the phone on silent.
Avni in mind: Why did I even go there? This is what Swetha ma'am thinks about me? Disgusting! I was being an idiot letting my feelings take over me. I wouldn't let anyone humiliate me. Now onwards, I will never talk to Neil apart from work related things. He is only my boss. Neil sir.

At night in Khanna house, Bebe comes to Neil’s room and knocks the door as it was
closed. Bebe: Tillu, aaja putar dinner kar le. (Come son, it's time for dinner.)
Neil:(do not open & says): Mujhe bhukh nahi h bebe. I don't want dinner.
Bebe: Aise kaise? Dekho mene tereliye tera fav. Rajma chawal banaya h. (Why so. I have made your favourite Rajma chawal today.)
Neil opens the door and let bebe in.
Neil: I don't want anything.
Bebe: What happened? You still have headache ?
Bebe sit beside Neil on the bed and careses his hair.
Neil: Mom is giving me headache now.
Bebe: I suspected it when she was gloomy today. What did she do?
Neil: Avni came from office today to show me some files for approval.
Bebe: Yes. I know.
Neil: And Mom insulted her saying she came to woo me. And I m really embarrassed because of Mom infront of Avni. Why is she talking like this? You know how Avni is. She was really hurt when she left here. She is not picking up my calls now.
Bebe face-palm herself. Bebe: Iss Swetha ki tho mein....! You don't worry. I will talk to Swetha and also with Avni. She will understand.
Neil: I don't know bebe.
Bebe: Don't worry. She will understand. I will call her today itself. Happy now? Come for dinner now.
Neil: I will come after freshening up.
Bebe: Acha. Tillu, Swetha is always like this. Making issues out of nothing but I have never seen you reacting like this. Kya chakker chal raha h? (What's happening)
Neil: umm.. bebe... Avni...(he stops and become blank) Bebe: ha, Avni (smiles) tell me tillu.
Neil: You know her. She she is very genuine, smart and hardworking employee.
Bebe:Wow, you are praising her so much. You must really like her!
Bebe gives a teasing smile.
Neil: No bebe!
Bebe: So you don't like her?
Neil blushes.
Bebe: Son, you can't hide it from your bebe. You are blushing.
Neil avoids looking at bebe.
Neil: Blush? What are you telling bebe?
Bebe: Fine. Fine. You don't have to admit it before me. But admit it yourself before it's too late.
She gently touches Neil's shoulder and leave.
Neil sighs. I have already admitted my feelings but what will Avni do now?
***
To be continued.
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