There in the abandoned warehouse.

" From Karan. Your very own business rival partner, a player and your ex-best friend " mithali sniggered making neil ultimately, thoroughly helpless.

Hearing this neil was utterly stuck. He knew, someone was looting their shares and all, but didn't think it would be Karan. His own best friend.

It was Karan, behind the mask of their rival company. Who always used the cryptic messages to aggravate neil.

Now, neil was sure; he would not leave Karan alive, ever again.

" What, no way! " neil tried to reason more to himself.

" You don't believe me? " mithali pouted.

" God, Never, not after what you did, " neil yelled.

" Bu-but " she fake stuttered, pouting resulting in the flowing of artificial tears.

Wow, she thinks its cute.

" Get a life! " neil murmured

" What? " she asked again.

" Nothing " neil huffed in annoyance.

" But what i said is true. It is Karan. Do you want to see him? " mithali asked, hitting at the right spot unknowingly.

" N-no! I don't believe it's him " neil refused to give in. He couldn't believe that this was all caused by his long lost best friend.

Neil didn't stop looking for him even though; he caused real damage. Neil couldn't understand why Karan did all he did.

But then, avni was there to calm neil down, telling Karan is blinded by love and would do anything if needed. Even, if the killing was enough to bring the love- he lost back.

Mithali sighed in annoyance while neil was so adamant about believing it was his friend.

She just got up and asked peter to get some food for neil and left pondering about her next move.

~~~~

Avni smiled to herself and being determined she said " Got it! " she thanked God and said determinedly " I am coming for you neil and i will never break my promise. "

She reminisced their first meeting and immediately fought a smile.

As said, it was an arranged marriage. Neil's momma fancies Avni as a qualified wife for neil. But, only after meeting her parents, interacting with them, getting familiar with each other.

She couldn't take a chance. After all, Neil's the only one son for her.

And, he certainly deserves the best.

So, being an arranged marriage their both parents had suggested to meet up somewhere that day. But, for neil; he was already occupied with some party that day, where everyone was meeting up.

Neil, being neil he couldn't say no to his momma and break the heart of the girl he never met. So, he agreed to meet up at the same venue as their party.

He asked her to come to the same location. And she came.

There was a huge bungalow, which was now adorned with all kind of lighting, making it look sparkly. Dusted thoroughly, everything was spotless, and Avni instantly fell in love with the interior.

It's like a medieval castle, and she felt like she was out of place. Her thoughts were interrupted by an entity who was grinning at her profusely and took her hand, gesturing her to come in.

After coming to light, he introduced himself " Hey, i am neil "

" Avni, " she said and gave that innocent smile that can melt anyone.

Glancing at her, he felt some sort of spark and pride. He liked her instantly.

" Um, so? " Avni asked, trying not to sound different.

But, neil seemed to understand her worry and said, " Don't worry. I am here; you are not alone. You don't have to feel out of place. You are with me, " he reassured her, tapping her hand and holding longer than needed.

That's when Avni felt something. He was a complete gentleman.

" Thank you, " avni mumbled slowly.

" Aren't you supposed to be with your friends? Mom told me you are here for some reunion party? " she spoke, trying to make a conversation.

" Yeah, it's a reunion. But, I don't feel like it. And, if i go there, who will give you company? " he said cryptically.

Avni laughed and said, " It's okay. I'll be here. Go, " she shooed him.

Avni was enjoying herself listening to the songs and having a virgin mojito when she felt a hand tap her shoulder.

Turning, she came to face neil. Looking at him, she instantly brightened up.

" Avni, this is Karan. My best friend, " he said, pointing at the man beside him.

" Hi, Karan, " smiled avni.

But, there was no response. He just nodded and left, making Avni confused.

" Did i said something wrong? " avni asked neil.

Neil sighed, " No, it's not you. He's dealing a lot. "

" Ooh! Tell me if i can help in any way, okay? " she smiled.

Neil was happy to have someone like her in his life. He didn't know what to do. To hug her or to hide her from this cruel society. But, when the time comes, he would do both. That's for sure.

In a single meeting, she had won his heart just like he did to her.

" Definitely, " he said and kept looking at her.

Their staring session got broke when he heard someone call his name.

" Neil, Mithali said she would be late " someone from the group yelled.

Neil huffed, looked at avni who was already tired. " Doesn't matter. We are leaving, " neil said to that person.

He said his goodbyes and thank you to everyone who got here and took Avni's hand and left.

That was just a starting for both.

And, that was the beginning of something new.

That's when neil realize; it was the same place he was kept in.

" This is the place we had our party, isn't it? " he spat at mithali.

Mithali smirked " Oh, yes! "

" Why, this place? " he asked.

" This was the place i was supposed to meet you, not her. This was the place where you should've waited for me to come. Instead, you left, " mithali said without any emotion.

" Mithali. Stop doing this, " neil sighed.

He couldn't fight anymore. He just wanted to go home and cuddle with his love. It's been days, since he saw her, held her in his arms. And, he missed her more than anything in this world.

He needed her.

" Why, neil? Why should i stop? Now, finally i got you, and your douchebag of your wife will be dead in— "neil harshly stopped her

" What the bloody hell, mithali " neil roared. " I am silent, that doesn't mean you talk all utter nonsense. First; avni isn't a douchebag, " he gritted his teeth, obviously having a hard time controlling his emotions " and secondly; she will not be dead. I would make everyone's life living hell if they even try to touch my avni. Never forget that "

Let's say, mithali wasn't scared after watching neil in this state, would be a lie.

Because she was a bit scared of what neil would do.

That's when they heard a loud bang from the main door.

" Peter, go check, who's there, " mithali said in a dull tone.

Peter sighed and headed to the living room of the dusted bungalow, leaving the other two bodyguards- his acquaintances behind.

Heading to the door, Peter was shocked to see what caused the bang.

But, he smiled, causing the entity frown in confusion and asked, " where is mithali? Will you take me there? "

" Yes, of course, " he said and took that entity to where everyone was there.

Hearing the footsteps, all of their heads snapped to them except one, who was daydreaming about his love;avni, frowning.

The entity smiled inwardly looking at him. But, became furious looking at his state.

" What was that sound about, peter? " mithali asked in a boring tone and snapped at their direction when there was no response.

" Wh- what are you doing here? " mithali screeched.

" What do you think? " the entity replied.

Immediately Neil's head snapped to that voice and got his smile back into his handsome face.

" Avni, " he muttered. More like a reassurance to him that she's here.

Avni just smiled at him and turned to face mithali.

" What are you waiting for boys, fight her. Kill her, " she yelled.

"Oh, really? " avni snickered. " Show me what you got boys! " she said and winked at neil.

Neil sat there, watching with pride.

The second bodyguard was precisely on Mithali's side as he and he lunged at avni.

Avni immediately ducked and kicked his shin, making him fall. But that didn't stop there. He pulled her with him making her fall down too.

Mithali laughed out loudly, making avni furious. Furious, avni is never good, thought neil.

Avni got up and composed herself when another bodyguard came into the picture, and he was carrying a knife.

" Avni, careful " neil voice echoed.

" when i am not careful, neil " chuckled avni trying to lighten up the situation.

Neil face palmed himself and smiled, looking at his love.

His lady don. Only his.

The other bodyguard came onto her with the knife. But, before he hit her or cause any damage avni caught hold of his wrist and twisted it till he left the knife and kicked in his tummy.

This made him fall to the ground, groaning while catching his tummy.

The second bodyguard did not accept his failure and lunged at avni once more. But, this time from behind with a rod.

Avni couldn't see him. Before he would hit her, she heard neil yelling

" Avni, lookout "

Turning back, she saw a hand holding rod, and the same person fought the bodyguard and fought with him, till he was unconscious.

" Peter, what did you do? " mithali yelled lunging after peter.

But avni came in between and raised her eyebrows, crossing her hands.

" I am gonna come back for you neil, " she said and ran out of the room, god knows where.

Avni turned to peter and said, " I don't know who you are, but thank you so much for helping us " she thanked him and moved to neil.

Peter had a soft corner to Avni and neil. Listening to their story, his heart melted. And, hence, he decided to help them, rather than that witch.

Avni slowly approached neil and removed all the ropes stroking the place where it had made a scar.

When He was finally free, he just stood up and engulfed avni in a bear hug forgetting every pain.

Pulling off, he stroked her cheek as she winced, " What's wrong, love? " he asked.

Avni immediately melted hearing him calling the sweetest endearment.

" Nothing. I am just happy to see you " avni said, tears glistening her eyes.

" Don't cry, sweetheart. It's all over " neil shushed her.

But, a question remained in his head, " Who did this avni? Who was behind all of it? " neil asked seriously.

Hearing this, Avni's face immediately paled and tried to change the topic. But, neil was adamant about knowing the person behind this.

" It was Karan, wasn't it? " asked neil making avni widening her eyes.

" Tell me, avni please, " he asked vulnerably. Avni's heart broke, and she just nodded in a yes.

" I am gonna kill that bastard " he roared and was heading when avni spoke.

" I already knocked him unconscious. Don't worry, " she said, making him sigh in relief.

" I missed you so much avni, and i am so sorry! " neil said finally.

" I missed you too, neil. So much and it's okay " avni reassured him.

" We have to go to cops avni. We shouldn't let them wander " neil uttered with all seriousness.

Avni gave a mischievous look, and before he tried to decode it, they heard sirens.

" What did you do, young lady? " neil asked avni, amused.

" Oh, nothing much. Just said the entire thing to kaka and asked to get cops, as soon as he can, " said avni smiling.

" I am so proud of you, baby! You are so genius. Oh, how much i love you— "

He stopped when avni was pulled out from his hold. When he saw, mithali holding a gun to Avni's temple, he lost it completely.

" Neil, i love you neil. Why can't you choose me? What did i ever do? " mithali sobbed. Her voice is cracking.

For the first time, avni felt bad for mithali.

Neil was enraged. He couldn't get the picture of avni being held with the gun against her temple. It was ao disturbing.

But, once looking at avni, she asked him to calm down and speak to mithali as it's the best way to control her right now.

" Mithali! You don't love me. Because, love is not made this way. I love avni. " neil tried to explain.

" I am gonna kill her, " mithali screamed, not caring to hear neil.

If avni wanted, she would have escaped from her hold in a second. But, she wants her to understand this. And, for that, mithali would only listen to neil. So, she is ready to do whatever is needed.

Neil slowly approached mithali cautiously and started speaking " Mithali. Love doesn't work this way. You never have control over your feelings. I love avni. I do. She's my life. And, i would be ready to fight as many wars as needed to acquire her. She's mine. And the same way i am hers. "

Mithali sighed and left avni, pushing her to neil and dropped the gun.

" Why me? Why do i have to lose everything. " mithali sobbed kneeling.

" Hey, it's okay. Someone, somewhere is waiting for you too, " said avni.

" I am so sorry. I just lost everyone, and—- "

Avni sighed and approached her, " Hey, you have us. Neil's your friend. That means you are my friend too. Never think you are alone in this vast world. No matter what, when, you have us with you. You'll find us every time having your back in difficult times " avni makes her stand and hugs her.

" Thank you so much. You are the kindest person I've ever met. Neil, you are lucky to have her. "

" Indeed, i am "

" I am fortunate to have him too, " avni mumbles making everyone laugh.