I entered the parking lot and heard muffled noises from somewhere.

I turned around and saw no one.

I just shrugged and continued walking towards my private parking space.

Then I heard those noises again.

I turned around and started moving towards the area from where the noises were coming.

Then I saw a sling bag lying on the floor.

This is Avni's!

Shit!

I messaged David my bodyguard and also driver.

I followed the noises and then I heard a man talking

"And why did you have to come in between when we had to shoot that Singhania?"

He is definitely talking to Avni.

I fastened my steps and saw that someone hit on Avni's head from behind before I could do anything the rod hit avni's head and she went unconscious .

I attacked the person holding Avni from back and then held Avni so that she wouln't fall.

Just then David bought the security and they held the 2 of them.

"What the fuck were you guys doing when they entered?" I asked agitated.

"And nobody was watching the fucking cctv!" I asked looking at them with furious eyes.

Then I looked at Avni unconscious and immediately picked her up and made her sit in the backseat of the car.

I gestured David to drive the car while I sat on the backseat with Avni and was trying to wake her up.

Please be okay!

"Call the doctor, mom!" I said as I called mom and hung up.

We reached. I again picked her up and without thinking about anything I took her to my room. Mom came following me.

"What's wrong?" She asked me worriedly.

"The same attackers, mom!" I said gritting my teeth.

Suddenly the door swung open and Tanvi, Raghav, Mihir, Adnya entered the room.

"Where is the doctor, mom?" I asked trying to be really calm.

But I had no patience left in me. Seeing her in this state.

"Veer, calm down! She will be fine." Raghav said patting my shoulder.

"It doesn't seem so!" I snapped.

Mom sat there beside her on the bed ,stroking her hair.

"The doctor is here!" Mihir said.

The doctor came forward and checked on her.

"She is fine. I have given her an injection. She will be up in no time. There is nothing to worry about." The doctor said and Raghav walked him out.

I was just pacing around in the room, running my hands frustrtatingly in my hair.

"How did it happen?" Tanvi asked.

"All because of her being stubborn. I told her a numerous times that she should leave the office with me, it is not safe. She just sneaked out! I can't believe her. Why is she so irresponsible?" I ranted still pacing around.

I called the security head and asked him about those 2 guys who attacked her.

He said that they have the footage as proof and have got them arrested but need me for statement.

"Yess.... and I need you to change the security team. I pay them to work & not to do such blunders." I was yelling on the top of my voice because I was beyond pissed.

What if I wasn't there on time?

I don't even want to think about it.

Then I heard Adnya calling Avni's name and I looked at her.

She just opened her eyes and was blinking may be trying to adjust the light.

I felt relieved at that moment.

Thank God!

Everyone started asking her numerous questions and mom went to prepare something to eat for her.

Tanvi made her sit up.

I just went towards her and embraced her tightly. I don't care if there are spectators I need to know she is fine.

"Can You let me breathe?" I heard her muffled voice.

I backed away but still had my hands around her shoulder.

"Why'd you sneak out? Can you start being responsible for once Avni?" I asked her glaring at her.

She needs to understand the seriousness of the situation.

"Can you stop being grumpy for a second?" She asked me rubbing her eyes.

"I am not even fully concious yet!" She said pouting.

I smiled at her.

Troblemaker!

She is always been like this. Does something irresponsible and gives me that face. I am not letting her go with this now.

"I know this is not the time but Awwww!" Mihir said.

"Shut up Mihir!" We both said simultaneously and he earned a smack from Adnya.

"Why would you disturb them? Stupid!" She huffed and left the room.

Mihir followed her.

Mom entered with a soup bowl and ruhi holding her hand. Ruhi climbed the bed and adjusted herself between her thighs.

"Careful Ruhi... Avni is hurt." I said to her making her sit properly on my lap so that she won't hurt her.

"You know when Grandma is hurt I kiss her, she says she feels good after that. Can I do that to you?" Ruhi asked hesitantly.

Avni picked her up and said to her "Please do it fast. I want to get better faster." With this she forwarded her cheek.

Ruhi giggled and kissed her cheek.

"Avni... Let me feed you the soup. You'll feel better." Mom said and I got up from the bed.

"Aunty I am fine really. Now that Ruhi has kissed my pain away I am better." She said and winked at Ruhi.

I just stood there admiring her.

She loves everyone as their own. That is what I adore about her. She has immense amount of love for everyone.

And she has some magic otherwise Ruhi has never opened to anyone except family. She doesn't talk to anyone. And here she is kissing her better.

I shook my head and smiled at her.

Mom was not taking any of her tantrums and fed her the soup. She made numerous expressions while having it. But ofcourse who can win with Mom.

I chuckled at her.

"Don't you think you are smiling a little too much since the day she is back?" Tanvi asked as she stood beside me.

"Yess.. Maybe... Honestly, I don't know why? If that is what you are going to ask me next." I said still looking at Avni with Ruhi in her arms and playing with her.

"Atleast you've accepted the fact. I thought you would glare at me and straight away deny!" Tanvi said chuckling and kept her head on my shoulder. I held her shoulder and said

"Am I that grumpy?" I asked her mischevoiusly.

"Arghhh....You have totally emersed yourself in work Veer. Live a little, laugh a little. You have a permanent frown etched on your face. Don't take all the responsibilities on your shoulder. Make time for yourselves too." She said smiling at me.

"V... Tanu come here!" Ruhi called us excitedly.

"What is it baby?" Tanvi asked moving towards her.

I went towards them and sat on the edge of the bed.

Looking at Avni's smiling face. They all were laughing about something but all my focus was on her.

I was about to lose my sanity when i held her unconscious in my arms.

Why?

Why is it that just a smile from her makes my day bright?

Yeah... maybe because there was a time when we were so comfortable with each other. She was like the integral part of my life which I lost ofcourse and maybe just maybe I left my smile with her over there only.

Because she was the reason for all my smiles!

And now that I see her here before me I feel like the same Veer all over again who would chase her through the house and tickle her, who would do the stupidest thing just to make her laugh.

I went downstairs thinking about how the times changed. Today she sneaked out of the office so she wouldn't have to ride with me. And there was a time when she whined about going on a drive with me.

A dry chuckle left my lips.

"Hey buddy.. What's wrong?" Raghav asked me.

"Just thinking about something!" I said distractedly.

"And that is?" He asked again.

"I am a fool. Wo har cheej sambhal ke rakhti thi. Movie k tickets bhi. Par main use sambhal ke nahi rakh paya."

(She used to keep everything carefully like a treasure. Even the movie tickets but I couldn't keep her.)

I said with my head hung low.

"Veer! Are you okay?" Mihir asked keeping his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah... I am fine." I said as I looked at them with the same masked face which I have practiced all these years and have mastered it.

"I just miss us!" I said to Raghav with a smile playing on my lips.

"Then apologise!" Mihir said & shrugged.

I wish it was that easy!

But I chose to ignore them and left for my room.