Love Bites

Ineffable Bonds (3)

After a lot of brain storming & a very consuming day at work, Neil finally reached home only to find Avni standing there. 

N- Avni? What are you doing here? -he asked as he watched her standing in front of his main door.

A- First serve me food & then we'll talk. -she said in a duh-tone. 

Sighing, he opened the door & both moved inside. While Avni made herself comfortable on the sofa, Neil moved to the kitchen after freshening up. 

A- Suno, make it a little spicy, okay? Aur, biriyani mein ek bhi elaichi nhi hone chahiye! -she instructed while scrolling her phone. 

N- Any other specific instruction, Ma'am? -he said in his sarcastic voice. 

A- Um...No! Nothing as of now! -she told while he shook his head as a chuckle escaped his throat. 

After serving food to the both of them, Neil finally asked the reason of her showing up at his place at this hour of the day....well night literally! 

A(sighs nervously)- Woh....I...I..went to...Meera's college. -she told not meeting eyes with him. I met-

N- So, Miss Knight in armour Mehta again took it all in her own hands! -he cut her short, exactly understanding what she had done! 

Avni just pulled out a poker face & concentrated on her food to avoid his questioning but he was better than that! 

N- Punches or kicks? -he asked with a straight face, making her look at him. 

As soon as he asked the question, a huge smile broke out on Avni's face. 

A- Five punches & two kicks to the guy & four kicks to his friend along with the threatening that you're just about to catch them! -she proudly announced. 

N(sighs)- Avnii...I understand that you're furious about it, par tumhe kuch ho jaata toh! What if they were more in number? Mujhe toh btana chahiye tha na! -he voiced out out his concern. 

A- Agar tumhe btati toh tum unhe directly arrest karlete....mujhe unhe punish nhi krne dete! -she told as if it was not at all a big deal. 

Neil knew that there was no sense to talk about it now as she had done what she had done, & to be very honest, he really liked this bold & courageous Avni. Yes, he indeed was concerned about her safety but even he knew that she was capable enough to protect herself. Silently, looking at her enjoying her food, he smiled to himself. 

N- Tum ghar kab jaogi? 

A- How rude, Neil! What is this behaviour?

N- I meant....I'll drop you. 

A- Main....ghar nhi jaungi! - she announced while averting his eyes. I mean....I know that I'm strong....but what if they trace me down & come to my home along with a troop of goons? Main sabse toh akele nhi fight kar paungi naa! Toh....I'll stay here! Tum sofa par so jao & I'll use the bedroom! -she announced as she kept her plate in the sink & then moved to the room while all Neil could do was to look at her in utter shock & amusement! 

This was how things always ended up among them. Neil would never stop her from doing anything, he just always let her be. And, the beauty of their relationship was that whenever something bad happened, instead of blaming each other, they used to find solutions to solve the issue. It wasn't the first time that Avni had taken things in her own hands, but she did it only because she knew that Neil will sum it all up & talking about him, he silently enjoyed everything that Avni did, & took care of the messes in silence, in her absence, as if it was his responsibility. And, no! They were definitely not a couple!  

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Avni woke up to a delicious breakfast in the morning. By the time she showered, Neil had already got ready for work & had even placed the food on the dining table. 

A- Suno, tumhari shirt pehni hai, jaldi-jaldi mein apne kapde laana bhul gyi thi! -she told as she stuffed a toast in her mouth. 

N- Tumne abhi tak meri black shirt toh wapas di nhi, ab white wali bhi pehen li! 

A- Why are you so miser, ACP? Leke bhaag nhi jaungi tumhare kapde! 

N- Really? Toh phir please mere dono shirts dry-clean krwa ke wapas dena! -he gave her a tight smile while she mimicked his words making him chuckle. 

A- Drop me to hospital, tumhe toh supermarket jaana hoga na! -she smirked while his face turned red. 

N- Eat up silently & clean the table. I am waiting for you in the parking! -& he was out of sight the next minute. 

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After dropping Avni to the hospital, Neil headed to the police station. Today was the day when they were going to catch Meera's culprits. The police force had gathered enough proofs against the accused & no pressure from higher ups could stop him from arresting the bastards & putting them behind the bars. 

Just when he, along with a few other officers, started to drive towards his house, his phone buzzed. It was a video message from some unknown number. Suddenly not feeling too good about it, he opened the chat box & played the video only to be shocked by the visual that played in front of his eyes. 

Folding his palm in a fist he gave  a call on the number from which he had received the video. 

The call was answered exactly after three rings & all this while Neil could actually hear his heart beating so loudly as if it could pop out any time. 

N- Listen, you bastard! A single scratch on her & I promise you, you'll be begging for your death! -he said over the phone, getting silence from the other side as response. 

"Listen officer, if you want this girl to be alive, stay away from me & close the case, or else I can't guarantee her life!" -finally a was heard from the other side. 

 N- Let her go! -he said through gritted teeth. 

" Stop chasing me & I will, or else, she won't make out of here alive. And, I hope you know who my father is." 

Before Neil could answer back, a beep sound was heard, indicating that he had disconnected the call. 

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