Avni soon composed herself. Prakash said in a heavy voice -"main Neil se baat karta hoon beta.."(I'll talk to neil)

Avni shook her head -"no Papa. Aapki daughter itni weak nahi Hai. I'll take care. And Papa, if there's one thing I've learnt from life, it is that we cant and shouldn't change people. If you have to hold someone too tight it's anyways a useless relationship..."(..your daughter is not  so weak...)

Prakash and DD looked at her amazed. She had undergone alot of trauma in life. And her perspectives still reflected an innocent faith in life. They respected her more after every interaction with her. DD grew glum, why couldn't Neil sir see what avni was going through? Had he become so blind? So selfish?

Avni went inside. Shweta was flattering juhi and busy making her feel comfortable. She ensured Neil stays together with juhi... And neil stayed.

When the Pooja was about to start, Neil came up to avni.

Neil -"chalein? We need to sit by the Holy fire "(shall we go?)

Avni -"why"

Neil -"why as in? Avni because we are..."

And then Neil stopped. And he understood. And he couldn't speak up...

He just asked avni after sometime -"please..."

Avni nodded and got up. They did the Pooja.

After that all guests were left talking with the hosts and avni went through the rooms of the mansion. She had many memories attached...

Meanwhile Neil was called in a corner by his father Prakash.
"Neil. Ye kya chal raha hai beta. Why's juhi here? Why's avni sad?"(What's going on..)

Neil hung his head.

Prakash -"you know what. If avni is not asking you for an explanation then I'll. Tell me what's going on your mind "

Neil spoke slowly -"I'm confused "

Prakash waited for him to explain himself.

Neil -"juhi went through the worst things a girl can go through. And I wasn't there for her. I thought she is dead. I didn't rescue her "

Prakash -"what about my daughter avni?"

Neil kept quiet. And then said -"i love avni. But..."

Prakash -"but? Love is not conditional Neil "

Neil kept quiet.

Prakash -"do you still love juhi? Then leave avni. I cannot tolerate my daughter going through this indignity "

Neil looked up, pained -"dad. I'm guilty for what happened to juhi. I loved her alot and I still care for her. But Avni... Avni is my responsibility and my love.. She's my wife and I have accepted her as my partner. But I don't know what to do now that juhi is back. Its like I'm stuck in doing what is correct and what will hurt avni. Also in guilty, of giving time to juhi while avni is there in my life. "

Prakash -"Does avni know all this?"

Neil kept quiet. He loved avni but he cared deeply for juhi. He didn't know what was right any more. He didn't know how to explain it!

Avni went through a lot that night. The insult of Shweta's taunts. Shweta's sighs that juhi would have made a great daughter in law. And Neil's silence throughout.

By the time the evening was over, Avni was decided. She was better alone...