It is 2:40 AM. The flight just took off from the runway.Avni is sitting in window seat and Neel next to her. Both of them are looking away from eachother as they are in cold war.
Few minutes after take off Avni feels intense pain in ears. She hold her both ears.
Avni in mind: oh.. I can't handle this. Does anyone feels like me? Nobody is looking like having any problem. Uff! Should I ask Neel for help? No.... no way. He is being too nosy these days which is very irritating. Moreover he was mocking me saying I am flying for the first time. I can't ask him. I will call air hostess. That would be better.

She try to press the calling bell. Then Neel notices.
Neel: What happened?
Avni:None of your business.
Avni turn towards
the window.
Neel: You feel pain in ears?
Avni: Nope!
Neel: Then why are you holding your ears? Do one thing. Just gulp down a few times. It will help your ears relax.
Avni look at Neel in a confused manner.

Neel in mind: This adamant girl is not going to listen to me anyway. I should do something.
Neel takes out the ear plugs and give to her.
Neel: try this

Avni doesn't respond.
Neel in mind: This much ego!
Neel came closer to Avni and put his both hands on either side of her head and turned her to face him.

Avni's eyes went wide seeing Neel so close all of a sudden. She was tongue tied and stared at Neel in shock. Neel smiled inwardly seeing her reaction. She is so cute when shocked he thought. Without hesitating for a second Neel inserted the ear plugs which was in his hands to Avni's ears. Then only Avni understood what just happened. She released a sigh of relief. Neel chuckled looking at her.

An Air hostess (AH) appeared near them suddenly which made both of them alert about the surroundings. AH: Excuse me sir &
ma'am, Would like to have your pre-booked breakfast?
Neel: Sure.
AH serves them Breakfast and leaves.
Avni: I'm not in position to have
breakfast.
Neel: Have it no? We will take half a day to reach Kuala lampur.
Avni: I just wanna sleep. Please don't disturb me.
Neel: As you wish.
He savours the food served by the AH. Avni tries to sleep.

The AH goes to a private
chamber in flight and gives a thumbs up. It was Vidyut's chamber. He nodes & smiles.
After some times Avni feels something strange. She looks at Neel and shocked to find a fainted Neel. He is
resting his head on breakfast table. Avni panicks.
Avni: Neel.. hey... what happened?
She held his face and tried to wake him up.
Neel..Neel..
No response from Neel.
Avni immediately called for help. "Help. Help..Medical emergency...Help... "
Cabin Crew members reach her and understand the situation.
Cabin crew member: Madam.. Please dont panic. Be seated.. Avni checks neel's
pulse which is very week.
Avni: Please do something his pulse ia very week. Help.
Cabin crew
member: Ma'am I have informed the caption about it. we will be landing in half an hour at Bangkok. And have informed the airport staff. They
will make arrangements. Calm Down!

But calmness was way far from her panicked mind. She held Neel's hand and stared him worried.
*****
Avni looked inside the ICU through the glass door. Neel is lying on the bed with an iv on his right hand some other advanced medical equipments attached to his left hand and chest. She felt whatever happening is just a bad dream. She is confused what to do. Then a doctor comes. Avni rushes to the doctor.
Avni: Sir..I' m bystander of Neil khanna. What happened to
him? Is he alright?
Dr: He consumed something poisonous Avni: What? It's not possible.
Dr: You could bring him at right time. If you were a little late. I can't say
what would have happened. Poison was mixed with food. We cleared the stomach and treatment is
started. He has not started responding to it. Let's hope for the best.
Avni looked at Neel with teary eyes.

Dr: You both are Indian right?
Avni: yes.
Dr: me too. I am Barun, Barun Sobti. If you need any help you can contact me.He leaves.
Avni sniffed and looked at Neel who is unconscious. She felt a pang in her heart.
Suddenly she remembered:"Neel had food from flight. Did someone purposely poisoned his food? As far doctor said this can't happen by mistake. Did anyone tried to... Holly shit!"

* At Khanna house*
Swetha: Bebe , I feel so uneasy, don't know why. Neel has not called yet. Wo tik se pahucha hoga ya nahi?
Bebe: Arey ab raaste mein hoga. Don't worry, he will call once he reach there.
Swetha: Bebe, lets go to temple. It will sweep away my unwanted worries. Bebe: Tik h.Chalo.

At night.Avni is waiting outside the ICU.
Avni : Why nobody is updating anything about Neil? Is he ok? God.. please please don't let anything happen to him.
Then she sees a nurse come out from ICU. She briskly approached the nurse.
Avni: Hello.. How is Neil? Is he alright?

Nurse: Are you Mr. Neel Khanna's bystander? He is awake now
and he is out of danger.
Avni beamed in happiness.
Avni: Thank you. Thank you so much. Can I see him?
Nurse: Sure.

***
Meanwhile at airport,
Vidyut and team are waiting in Airport searching for Avneil.

Vidyut: Any clue where they have been taken to?
Balu: Neel was unconscious and in critical condition. He was taken to hospital by the airport authorities.

Vidyut: And Avni?
Balu: She is fine. Actually she didn't have it. I came to know that authorities have started an enquiry regarding this incident
Vidyut: Where is Sheena? Did you instructed her to how to give statement?
Balu: yes sir.
Vidyut: did she dispose the food remaining and the drugs safely? Tell her that she will get what I have offered her.
Balu nodded.
Vidyut: words!!!
Balu: yes sir. He trembled in terror.
Vidyut: let's move!
****
Neil felt his head is spinning. He couldn't open his photophobic eyes.
"Neel"
He heard someone calling him. He could feel the concern in that female voice. He slowly opened his eyes and his blurred vision sticked to the girl standing in front of him. He could hear the beeping of some machines nearby.
" Where am I?"
"Neel" He heard the voice, this time very close to him. He felt a tender touch on his forehead which soothed his pain. Neel blinked a few times to clear his vision and saw the pretty face showing immense concern to him.
"Avni"

To be continued.
Thanks for reading.