A/N : I have edited Part 3 & 4 of Perfect Peace and have added some more scenes there. You might want to read them before starting with this chapter. 

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Avni couldn't see Neil for the next three days. He had been out of the city for a match & was coming back today. However, there were slight chances that she would be able to see him for the next two days as he had another match. 

Neil had regularly video called Seher & they'd talk whenever he was free but his interactions with Avni were only limited to him asking her how she was doing & if she was eating well. He didn't engage in further conversation as he usually did & that scared Avni. Whenever she initiated any conversation, he'd just give a straight answer to her questions & wouldn't delve too much into it. 

She knew he was avoiding her. And she knew he was right in his place because she had pushed him away so many times, anyone would do that. But deep down, she also knew that he hadn't given up on her, he still asked her about her wellbeing & listened to everything she said with all his attention. 

However, she wanted the old Neil back - the one who would smile at her, with her! The one who would make her laugh with his silly jokes every chance he got! The one who would use stupid filmy tricks to lighten her mood up! The one who would act like he didn't see her cry but would silently take care of the problem so that she wouldn't feel embarrassed!

Two more days had passed & today Avni was finally going to see him - to wish him luck before his match. At the moment, she was in the parking lot of the stadium & was waiting for Shweta & Prakash to come. Together with them, she went inside the stadium as they all took their seats. Ali had come to greet them. There was still half an hour left for the match to start and, Avni saw it as her opportunity. She asked Shweta if  she could look after Seher whilst she was gone, & true to her nature, Shweta happily agreed. 

Avni made her way to Ali who was busy talking on phone when she reached him. Ali raised his eye brows at her to ask what she was doing there, while Avni mouthed "Neil". Ali nodded his head & led her up the stairs of the stadium & she followed him till they reached a hall. 

Avni observed that all the players along with the coach were gathered there. She spotted Neil in an instant. She looked at him and suddenly, all the exhaustion that she was feeling since the last five days immediately washed off. She felt as if her heart was at peace now & she could breathe free. 

As if sensing her gaze on himself, Neil looked to his left & there she was - standing with all her gorgeous charm! He blinked as he took her presence in & took in a deep breath in. He absentmindedly nodded to what his coach was saying when his eyes were still locked with hers. 

Once the coach left, Neil slowly walked up to Avni who was standing there, rooted in her step.  

A - Hi. - she whispered breathily. 

N - Hi. - he whispered back.

A  - Ah, Can we...talk? - she asked while he nodded. 

He knew what she was referring to. He had been deliberately delaying this conversation because he did not want to do it on phone. He want to do it in her presence, face to face. He believed he had crossed a line by pressing the issue of her past & he felt guilty for it. So, he had decided that he'd apologize. 

Reaching a small room which looked like a resting place, Neil led Avni in & closed the door behind him. 

N - Avni, I am sorry for that day. I shouldn't have behaved like that. It was rude & I crossed a line. So, I apologize for that, I will make sure it does not happen again. - he said while looking at his shoes while she looked at him flabbergasted. 

Why was this man hell bent to make her fall head over heels for him? All he ever did was try to make her realise her own worth & try to make her feel happy about herself. And, he was apologizing for it because he thought he had crossed a line? 

Avni made Neil look at her as she took her face in her palms. She could feel her heart racing at an abnormal speed & she could feel her skin heat up with desire. She kissed him on his lips as her hands fisted his hair. She had now almost thrown herself upon him & because of the sudden action, Neil stumbled back until his back hit the wall and his arms landed on her waist in an attempt to steady themselves. 

The moment Neil actually registered what was happening, he pulled her closer into his chest & kissed her back. He sucked on her lower lip earning a pleasant moan from her as his hold on her waist tightened. 

Avni could feel herself being consumed by the kiss. She traced one of her hands on his chest as their tongues fought for dominance. She needed this, she needed him! Much to Avni's dismay, they had to pull back to catch breath. 

N - What was that for? - he asked in shallow breathes. 

A - That was me wishing you good luck for your match, Neil. - she replied while he just blinked at her in equal parts shock & surprise. She chuckled looking at his dazed eyes as a blush crept up on her face. Neil, these last five days, when you were away, I missed you, a lot! And, I don't want to miss you anymore. I am trying to let go of my past & move on with life, will you please help me with it? - she hopefully asked. 

Neil just smiled in response as he kissed her forehead. 

N - I'll be there, at every step, Avni. All you have to do is ask! - he smiled.  

A - You know, I had once met this really crazy fellow in a theatre & he had taught me this really stupid trick - that whenever you're sad, you should close your eyes & picture the thing or person that keeps you going in life & then be that version of yourself that the said thing or person likes you to be! So, earlier, when I closed my eyes, I used to envision just Seher, but if you ask me now, its not just her anymore, Neil. - she looked at him while he looked back at her. 

N - Who do you picture now, Avni? - he whispered. 

A - You holding Seher in your arms! - she answered truthfully while he could not hide the grin that found home on his face. 

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If someone said that Neil was busy the following two weeks, it would be a clear understatement. He had two matches & the finals of the tournament at the end of the second week & to say the least, his coach wouldn't let him breathe. Neil was practicing day & night with little sleep due to the anxiety building up for the finals.

In these two weeks, Neil only saw Avni when she brought him coffee during the small break that she got at her work. They mostly conversed on phone while Neil was driving back to his home after the practice & he video called Seher during whatever little breaks he got here & there! 

Avni would drop by at his practice along with Seher on the weekends & those were his absolute favourite days of the week. Shweta invited Avni for dinner sometimes so that Neil could get some time with her & Seher. 

They had won the tournament & Neil had skipped the celebration party to get some sleep in his precious fluffy bed. 

It was now, day after the finals that Neil could actually feel his sour muscles because of all the physical activity during the last month. He almost wanted to go for a vacation to relax but Coach had specifically instructed not to, as he had to start practice from the next week for an upcoming tournament. 

To relax a bit, he planned an outing with Avni & Seher tonight. He had informed Avni that he'd be picking her up by sending her a text. When she asked him where they were going, he had simply said that it was a surprise. He could practically feel Avni rolling her eyes after reading the text. 

It was at 6:30 in the evening that Neil picked Avni & Seher up from their place & was now driving to the place he wanted to take them to. 

A - Neil at least ab toh bta do hum kahan jaa rhe hain? - she almost whined now!

N - Patience, sweetheart! - he grinned while she scowled at him. 

They finally reached their destination after forty minutes of driving, & when they actually reached the place, Avni was confused to say the least. 

Neil had stopped the car in the middle of nowhere. They were in the outskirts of Mumbai & through the dim street lights, Avni could see an old building that looked like someone's house. 

Neil got out of the car & carried Seher in his arms as he held Avni's hand & led her towards the house. It was locked making Avni look at Neil in confusion. Smiling at her, he unlocked it by taking out a key from his jeans pocket. He then put the key back in his pocket & held her hand again as he walked them through a passage which led to a staircase. 

Avni silently followed him up the stairs & the moment they reached on the top, Avni couldn't believe what she saw! They were standing at the threshold of a terrace which was decorated by fairy lights around all the walls. Avni noticed that a small dining table was set in one of the corners & in the other corner, a fluffy mattress was set decked up with a number of pillows. Avni found the set up to be so beautiful that she almost thought they were standing in front of a movie set! 

N - Come. - he smiled at her as he led her to the dining table. 

A - This is so beautiful! When did you set all this up? - she asked as she walked behind him while holding his hand. 

N - This is our old house. Now we use it for weekend getaways & all these recreational stuff you know! Since its in the outskirts, the sky is quite clear, & one can clearly see stars. So, I thought you'd like it. - he told making her smile. 

Neil made Seher sit between him & Avni at the dining table. The three of them had dinner while conversing about something or the other - well mostly Neil subtly flirting with Avni while Seher was busy enjoying the food. Neil had specifically ordered both of their favourite dishes from their favourite restaurant. 

Once done with the dinner, Seher settled at the mattress & just when Neil & Avni were going to sit, she objected by saying that she wanted to see both of them dance. Avni was surprised at the demand while Neil just grinned in response. However, they obliged the little doll as she played some song on Avni's phone. 

Neil pulled Avni closer as he put her hands on his shoulders & encircled his arms around her waist. He slowly swayed her as per the beats of the song as he smiled at her making her heart flutter & eyes twinkle. 

Avni felt the cool breeze that was embracing them as they slow-danced lost in each other's eyes. She could only hear her heart beating in her ear, the music long forgotten, as Neil neatly tucked a hair strand behind her ear, his finger tips lingering behind his ears as they drew some patterns over her sensitive skin. Avni clutched Neil's shirt tightly as she tried to stand straight while he was making her insides melt as he gazed at her with his beautiful hazel eyes. 

In a swift motion, Neil twirled her around making her laugh. Avni mistakenly stepped on her own saree while Neil was twirling her & because of the disbalance, her hands landed on Neil's chest as the rest of her body followed. Neil steadied her by holding her waist firmly and looked at her to make sure that she was okay. Avni had shut her eyes close because of the almost fall while a small smile made way on Neil's face. He flicked her nose with his index finger making her look at him. Their noses were almost touching & their eyes were fixed at each other when Seher laughed out loud. 

S - Momma, Neil saved you like Prince! - she exclaimed. 

Avni quickly drew herself out of Neil's embrace while he just grinned at Seher. Shaking her head in embarrassment & shyness, Avni quickly moved to the mattress & sat there while Neil picked Seher up in his arms & started tickling her. Avni watched both of them while they laughed their hearts out. Neil only stopped tickling Seher when she was a little out of breathe from all the laughing. 

He took Seher off his arms & made her stand on her feet as she ran to Avni & hugged her. Avni smilingly hugged her back while Neil slowly walked up to them. He sat besides them & took Seher in his lap. It was almost her sleeping time, so he made her lie on the mattress & slowly patted her head as he tried to make her sleep. Seher clearly objected at first, but then sleep took over. 

A - Neil, look at the sky. There are so many stars. Sheher mein toh dikhai hi nhi dete hain! And, the moon looks so beautiful today. - she whispered slowly as she looked at the sky.  [*You can't even see them in the city!*]

N - Haan, isi liye toh maine apna khudka chaand rakh liya hai! - he spoke as he pulled the most innocent expression on his face. [*Yes, that's why I have my own moon!*]

Avni just shook her head as she tried to wave off the blush that had started to creep up on her cheeks & bit her lips to fight a smile back. 

Neil exhaled a deep sigh as he lied beside Seher & gestured Avni to lie down beside her other side. He intwined their hands as both of them turned towards each other with Seher lying between them. 

N - Avni, I have never had this urge to make sure that someone is happy as I have now with you & Seher. Every moment, I have this constant need to make sure that you both are okay, happy & safe! It just...happened out of nowhere! I could never imagine I would ever love someone so much. Yes, I had always been a Bollywood kid thinking about having a filmy love story of his own, but now that I have you & Seher - I don't think anything or anyone could make me half as happy as I am with you! - he spoke & Avni could see the honesty in his eyes & could feel the truth in his voice. Avni, I am not asking you to give me any commitment right now, but please! just give me a chance to take care of you both! I promise I'll do my best. That's all I ask for - just one chance. I promise I will not break your heart & neither will I let anyone else break it. - he said with determination evident in his voice. 

A - Neil, I still am learning to move ahead & put my insecurities behind me, it will take time as all good things do. But, I do understand this fact that I am lucky enough to have met you! You bring me the confidence & strength that helps me to fight for myself, to show up for myself when no one else does! I know that you'll always be there for me & this time Neil, I won't be running away from you, you will aways find me walking towards you, towards my happiness! And, I certainly will not let you go because I am too scared to fall in love with you! So, please stay, Neil! - she said, her breath becoming a little heavy at the end. 

Neil supported his upper body weight on his arm as he leaned towards Avni to kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes as she sucked in a deep breathe while feeling his lips linger on her forehead. 

N - I & Seher want you to be this version of yourself, so that next time you get upset & picture us - please remind yourself how we want to see you! - he smiled while she smiled back.