Hi everyone!!

Here I am with a new short story.

Hope you'll like it.

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A girl is seen running on the road.

She wore a red coloured frock suit.

Her hair are a complete mess.

There are bruises on her face.

It seems like she is saving herself from a demon approaching.

She was running at her fullest until she collided with someone.

She fell at his feet... joining hands... shaking her head in vigorous "NO" motions.

She was sobbing it could be clearly seen bit with no noise.

Silent.

The man with whom she collided was a tall built fair skinned wearing a formal shirt and jeans.

He didn't knew who she was but felt a pang in his heart looking at her.

His face is shown and he is none other than Neil Khanna the most talented and bravest cop in the town.

He wanted the girl to get up but she refused.

Holding on to his feet more tightly.

He sighed and finally said.

Neil: hey utho kya hua hai? Are you okay?

Hearing someone else the girl reluctantly looked up.

Neil's heart skipped a beat looking at her.

He could not even say something.

The girl looked at him with pleading eyes.

Her face was swollen may be due to constant cries or because of the injuries she had.

Both just looked at ech other without saying anything.

Neil's trance was broken by someone calling.

Vioce: avni maine kaha wapis aao.... (Angry)

So that girl is avni...

This man was furious at her.

Listening this avni immediately stood up to run again but neil caught her.

Avni was pleading him to let her go but in vain.

Neil: bilkul nahi it's not safe and yeh jo koi bhi hai I'll see to it tum yahi ruko.

Neil turned to the man who was shouting for avni.

Man: hey! Chhod usse... Chup chaap mere hawale kar usko...

Neil: (looked at avni who hid herself behind him clutching to his shirt more tightly. He shifted to the man) nahi... Kon ho tum?

Man: pati hoon main iska... Mrs. Avni Vidyut Pandit hai woh... Mere hawale kar usko beech mein mat aa warna teri khair nahi hogi... (To avni, harshly) avni abhi ke abhi aage aao maine kaha... (Gritting teeth)

Avni shivered out of fear ans shook her head in NO vigorously.

She clutched Neil's shoulder more tightly.

Vidyut: avni... Tujhe samajh nahi aa raha hai kya..? main samjhata hoon....

He started to move towards avni.

He was about to grab her hand when Neil held his hand.

Neil: sochna bhi mat... (Nodding in no) agar uske taraf ek kadam bhi badhaya na tumhari taange tod dunga...

Vidyut: hota kon hai tu pati patni ke beech bolne wala?

Before Neil could reply a police patrol car came and stopped near him.

Few officers came out and surrounded them.

The officers saluted Neil.

Vidyut looked around confused.

Neil: ACP Neil Khanna... And you Mr Vidyut Pandit, are under arrest. Apni wife ko torture karne ke jurm mein...

Vidyut: torture...? Kya sabut hai tumhare paas? (Smirks)

Being the son of an ex-legislative vidyut was quite overconfident on his status.

He knew that he can't be arrested..

Neil: of course avni hai sabut woh degi tumhare khilaaf gawaahi...

Vidyut started laughing like a maniac.

Vidyut: yeh goongi (mute girl) (laughing) yeh kya gawahi degi?

Neil clenched his fist.

avni looked down.

Neil: main hoon gawaah maine dekha hai tumhe isse tang karte huye aur Phir yeh bhi to hai...

He took out his phone which had the vioce recorder on.

It recorded all of the things vidyut said.

Vidyut: tum?! Tum aisa nahi kar sakte...

Neil: le ke jao MLA sahab ke bete ko...

He had his fist clenched since he was controlling his anger.

His eyes we're going red with aversion.

He wanted to rip his body apart.

The officers came up and arrested vidyut.

Neil turned around to avni.

Neil: dekhiye avni ab aapko ghabrane ki koi zarurat nahi hai he's gone and you are safe...

He turns only to find her laying unconscious on the floor.

Neil panics seeing her like this.

Neil: (shouts) DD! Jaldi aao... DD!

DD came there.

Neil: jaldi gaadi nikalo... Humein ise hospital le jana hoga... Jaldi karo...

Neil had tears in his eyes he was just shouting at him.

DD had never seen him so agitated..

He had saved many lives but this time DD felt like he Is seeing a completely different Neil...

DD got the car Neil took her to hospital.

Neil's best friend and colleague Ali... Too came there.

He saw Neil standing in front of a room devastated.

It seems that Neil was fearing a loss of someone dear.

DD was confused of his reaction.

He still could not believe that his sir was crying for a girl whom he had known just for few minutes.

Ali signed him to leave...

Neil stood there still.

Ali approached him...

Ali: Neil...

Neil turned.

He hugged Ali.

Ali comforted him...

Ali: shhh.. Neil kya hua hai?

Neil: (Hiccuping) woh meri av...avni... Andar...

Ali: (shocked) avni!?

Neil nods.

Ali consoled him...

Just then the doctor came out..

Neil went to her.

Doctor: Mr. Khanna... She's out of danger. par aisa lagta hai jaise she has been tortured severely... Uske body pe kaafi chot ke nishaan hai... Sexual exploitation ke koi signs nahi hai which is a good thing. But mentally and physically she is broken... Abhi she is unconscious. Baaki sab unke hosh mein aane ke baad pata chalega... Take care...

Neil stood still listening what doctor said.

Ali thanked the doctor and looked at Neil.

He placed hand on his shoulder.

Neil hugged him and begun crying.

Ali made Neil sit on the chair and grabbed water.

Ali: Neil sambhalo khud ko....

Neil: Ali kaise sambhalu? Ek baar usko kho chuka phir dobara kaise? Kaise kho do main... (Biting his lips to control his sobs)

Ali comforted him.

Ali: Neil dekho humein us insaan ko saza dilwani hai jisne avni ke saath yeh sab kiya... Iske liye tujhe khud ko sambhalna hoga...

Neil: (nods) riya...

Ali: riya? (Confused)

Neil: haan riya ko phone karo usko bulao... Woh humein bataayegi... Pata chal jaayega ki hua kya tha?

Ali nods and went to call riya...

Neil got up he went to the window of the room where his life was laying lifeless bound to wires.

She had bandages on her hand and head.

There were marks of beating on her face...

She was pale...

Neil's POV

Kya ho gya hai usse... Aisa kyu hua uske saath... Aaj aisa lag raha hai jaise kisi ne meri jaan khich li ho mujhse ek baar phir (controlling tears) jab aakhri baar ise dekha tha she was looking beautiful... Full of life aur aaj... Aaj to jaise life...

Flashback:

Neil was in second year of his college.

It was the day when the freshers were supposed to join the college.

Neil was standing in the ground with his friends when he saw a girl wearing pink kurta and open hair approaching them.

Her eyes were beautiful... Big doe shaped black... Her cheeks had a hint of blush which was natural.

She just had kohl around her eyes in the name of makeup.

She was beautiful natural beauty....

Neil was bought back to reality by Ali...

Ali: oh bhai kaha kho gya hai? Class ki bell baj chuki hai nahi gye na to woh khadoos chidiya bahar uda degi humein.. Chal...

Neil could just nod.

His eyes we're still following that angel. But Ali dragged him along.

Soon they reached class...

The day went by but Neil never got a chance to find her again.

That night Neil went home... He was lost in her.

Neil: kon thi woh? She was so pretty... Uski aankhon mein khone ka mann kar raha tha... Par uska naam bhi to nahi pata mujhe... (Sad pout) koi na main kal usko dhoondhne ki koshish karunga...

He slept dreaming about her.

Next day...

He saw that she was with her friends they were chatting merrily Neil wanted to approach her but didn't dare..

Days rolled in and out.

Neil shared his feelings with Ali...

Ali: bhai are you okay? Matlab hadd hai yaar... Woh ladki ne aaj tak tujhe palat ke dekha bhi nahi uske liye tu exist bhi nahi karta...

Neil: yaar aisa nahi hai... Main jaanta hoon usne mujhe kabhi nahi dekha par uska matlab yeh to nahi ki kabhi bhi nahi dekhegi....

Ali: (shaking his head) kuch nahi ho sakta tera... Waise maine suna hai ki aisi ladkiyaan aksar bigdi huyi hoti hai... (Noticing his expression)

Neil: aisa nahi hai.. Pata hai us din jab main uske peeche jaa raha tha to usne ek uncle ko road cross karne mein help ki aur to aur baccho ki bhi khushi ka dhyaan rakhti hai woh.. Agar tumne aage se aisa kabhi bhi bola na ki woh acchi nahi hai teri band main baja doonga... (Warning)

Ali: (controlling his laughter) yaar accha sorry main to mazak kar raha tha... Tu to abhi se itna protective ho raha hai...not bad... (Raising eyebrows)

Neil looked down blushing.

Days passed Neil would look at avni from a distance he had never known her name.

Neither he tried to find out.

He was happy to see her safe and sound in front of him.

Days rolled into months and months into years it has been 2 years that Neil had a silent crush on avni.

Since their departments were different neil never got to know her name.

He wished that one day she herself would tell him.

Now is the day for Neil's farewell.

All the final years were assembled in the auditorium.

Their immediate juniors were also there.

They were happily chatting around.

When the lights dimmed...

The stage secretary came up and announced the program.

The items prepared started.

Stage secretary: now we have a very beautiful singer with us... Let's put our hands together for avni mehta....

All clapped...

Neil's heart skipped a beat.

The spotlight focussed on the centre if the stage.

He saw a very beautiful girl wearing a pastel blue frock standing in the middle of the stage.

She closed her eyes and started singing.

Neil was so lost in her soulful voice that he could not even feel that the song ended so soon.

He was lost in staring her.

He was bought back to reality by Ali..

Ali: oh bhai aise ghoorega to nazar lag jaayegi... Just go and tell her the truth... Bata de na usko ki you love her...

Neil: nahi ali main nahi bata sakta....

Ali: kyu?!

Neil: kyu ki main nahi chahta ki uski padhayi pe koi effect ho... Matlab i don't know ki woh maanegi bhi yaa nahi par yeh baat usko kahi na kahi to affect karegi na... And I don't want ki wov meri wajah se apne life mein compromise kare...

Ali: waah beta ji.... Dil mein hi rakh lo baatein... Aur agar tab tak koi aur le gya usko... to?

Neil: accha nahi bol sakta to kamse kam bura to mat bol... Noddles tera dimaag bhi kharaab hai baalon ki tarah... (Hitting his forehead lightly) sirf ek saal ki hi to baat hai... I'll tell her... Aur tab ki tab dekhenge..

Ali: (smiles) paagal awaara majnu ban chuka hai tu.... (Laughing)

Neil smiles and looks at avni who was now with her friends.

Flashback ends

Neil: shayad Ali sahi tha mujhe ussi din keh dena chahiye tha to shayad aaj tak aise akela na rehta... (Teary eyes) main aaya bhi tha par....

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Neil turns. It was Ali along with riya...

Ali: Neil Riya...

Riya: (greeting him) hi Neil sir...

Neil: hi riya... Main tumse kisi ke baare mein jaan na chahta hoon...

Riya: kis ke baare mein? Ali ne bhi kuch nahi bataya mujhe...

Neil: avni..

Riya: (shocked) avni!?

Ali: haan riya... Avni... Woh andar hai... (Pointing towards the glass window)

Riya goes to the window.

She is shocked to see her friend in such a state.

She had been a lively girl always happy and cheerful but now....

Riya: (turning towards Neil and Ali) kaise hua yeh sab? Avni kaha mili aapko? Kisne kiya yeh sab?

Neil: (controlling his tears) avni ke pa..pati ne... Riya tumhe humein batana hoga ki avni kr saath yeh sab kaise hua? Avni vidyut pandit jaise aadmi ke paas kaise gyi?

Riya: Neil sir mujhe nhi pata yeh sab kaise hua hai? Main sirf itna jaanti hoon ki second year ke exams ke baad avni ki mom ki death ho gyi thi... Usne college aana hi band kar diya.... I don't know but sunne mein aaya tha ki uske chacha chachi usse shimla le gye the... Par shaadi....

Neil tightens his fist.

Ali: iska matlab yeh hai avni ke Chacha chachi bata sakte hai ki kya hua tha...

Neil was about to say just then the nurse came up..

Nurse: sir patient ko hosh aa gya hai...

Neil: main mil sakta hoon?

Nurse: agar patient aapko jaanta hai to sure...

Neil thinks of something and shook his head in no...

Ali signals riya to go in.

Riya went inside.

Avni opened her eyes in smaal slits.

She saw riya in front of her.

She blinked to confirm whether it was real Or she was dreaming.

Riya: (controlling her tears) avni.

Avni opened her she saw riya clearly.

She tried to sit up.

Riya helped her.

She later engulfed in a warm hug.

Avni too closed her eyes feeling a safe warmth around her.

She let out a cry...

Riya: avni kaise hua yeh sab? Aur tumne ... Tumne mujhe bataya kyu nahi? Bol na..

Avni shook her head but never said a word.

Riya: avi kuch... kuch to bol na...

Avni shook her head in no...

Riya looked at her confused.

The doctor came in.

Doctor: hello avni how are you feeling?

Avni just nods.

Doctor: riya aap zara bahar jaaye Mr. Khanna aapko bula rahe the... Tab tak main avni ki examination karti hoon.

Riya nods and stands up to leave but avni held her hand and nodded no...

Doctor looks on.

Doc: riya aap yahi rukiye...

Avni looks relieved.

Doctor began checking her.

After certain test she went out of the room.

Riya too came along with her.

Neil and ali had seen all of it through that glass window.

Doctor came to them.

Doc: dekhiye... It's a good thing that she is conscious unke ghaav bhi theek ho jaayenge... But...

Neil: but what?

Doc: saare reports aur scans dekhne ke baad.... I think she can't speak like jo bhi uske saath hua uske baad she lost her voice..

Doctor went away.

Neil stood shocked.

He felt as if the rug has been pulled underneath his feet.

Tears rolled down his eyes.

Riya: kya!! Avni ki awaaz... She always wanted to be a singer aur yeh sab...

Ali comforted them.

Sometimes later avni was staring the ceiling blankly.

Neil enters.

Avni got alerted by the sound of door.

She looked at him.

Neil: hi... Avni ji... Kaisi hai aap?

Avni just nods her head.

Neil sat on the stool near her bed.

Neil: woh actually riya ko urgent jaana padh gya kahi.... to main aapke liye soup laya tha... Pilaa doo?

Since there was injury on her right hand, Neil offered this.

Avni looks on.

Thinking that she will refuse.

He sighs.

Neil: it's okay... Main nurse ko bhej deta hoon.

He was about to get up but avni held his hand.

Neil looks at his hand then at avni...

Avni nods in no.

Neil smiles a bit.

He sat back.

Neil happily fed her soup.

Avni looked at him.

She smiles a bit.

Neil left.

After two days...

In doctor's cabin.

Doc: I know it's hard but... Ek baar she comes back to her normal self hum usse therapy dene ka soch sakte hai... Because yeh loss of speech by birth nahi tha... It can be cured but for that avni ki mental health bilkul fit honi chahiye... Matlab agar woh aise logo ke saath rahe jo usse jaante ho... It'll be much better for her. Ek healthy environment dena usse bohut zaruri hai.

Neil nods.

Riya: par avni kaha rahegi... Meri landlord nahi maanegi

Ali: haan Neil yeh to humne socha hi nahi...

Neil: avni mere saath rahegi... (Sternly)

Ali: Neil are you okay? Tere saath kaise reh sakti hai woh? I mean aunty uncle?

Neil: dekh Ali main avni ko akela nahi chhod sakta is liye kahi bhi aur uske liye theek nahi hoga...

Riya: hum avni se hi puch lete hai if she's okay with it...

Both nods and went in her room.

Avni was now looking much better.

She gave a weak smile to riya.

Riya: avni tum Neil sir ke saath reh sakti ho kya?

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil looked at her with soft eyes.

Avni nods softly.

Neil smiled.

Soon avni was discharged and all went to Neil's condo...

Neil opened the door to let them in.

Avni looked around.

Soon Ali and riya left.

Avni sat on the bed

Neil came to her.

Neil: avni... Are you okay... Matlab tumhe koi problem to nahi haina? Dekho main jaanta hoon ki hum ajnabi hai par...

Avni kept her hand on his mouth and shook her head no...

Neil looks on...

Avni signs I trust you...

Neil smiles.

He served her with dinner and soon both slept.

Neil on the couch and avni on the bed.

Days rolled in and out.

Neil would go to the police station.

He will try to come soon.

Avni too was now getting back to normal.

She would still fear darkness.

She cannot stand lightening and loud noises.

Neil would try to be with her always.

He would comfort her.

They shared and equation of trust...

Avni would take care of his daily needs like she would make him his meals.

Other time she would spend reading books and painting.

Neil has already been told by the doctor that she should be kept busy so that she don't think about her past and worry.

Neil would daily check about what she painted today.

One day.

Neil was at police station.

He got a call.

Neil: kya!? Sacchi!? Okay haan main aaj aa jaunga... Haan haan pakka.

He hang up

Neil: aaj kitne dino baad main ghar jaaunga...

After sometime he left police station.

Prakash and shweta lived in a seperate house.

Bebe lived in London with her daughter.

For the time being Prakash and shweta were out for some business.

Today finally all of them were back.

They called up Neil for dinner tonight.

When he reached khanna mansion all greeted him with love.

They sat down.

Neil didn't even realised when the time flew by.

It was nearly 10 in the night.

He realised it only after listening a loud thunder that indicates the rain has started.

He went to the window and saw.

Neil: oh no!! Baarish... Aur itna time bhi ho gya hai... Mujhe pata hi nahi chala... Avni akeli hogi.... Mujhe abhi nikalna hoga.

He went to his family.

Neil: mom dad ab main chalta hoon

Shweta: Neil kaha jana hai?

Bebe: haan puttar bahar mausam bada kharab hai... Aur news mein bhi bataya hai... Mat ja...

Prakash: haan beta tumhari apna hi to ghar hai yeh... Aur waterlogging ki wajah se road bhi almost band hai...

Neil: nahi dad mera jana zaruri hai...

Shweta: oh what's tillu? Aisa kya hai tere us kamre mein?

Neil: mom woh....

He stops since he had not told anyone about avni.

Neil: kuch nahi.

Bebe: to bas final hai apne kamre mein jaa aur so ja...

Neil: ji...

He leaves for his room.

Neil: pata nahi avni kis haal mein hogi... Uska phone bhi repair ke liye gaya hai... Ali aur riya bhi out of town hai... Pata nahi kaisi hogi woh...

He sat on the couch worrying about avni.

Next morning the sun shone bright in an attempt to cover the discomfort caused by yesterday's storm.

Neil was still laying on the couch he woke up feeling the sun rays in his face.

He got ready really fast.

Bebe shweta and prakash were sitting on the dining table waiting for him.

He rushed down and directly went to the door without even looking at them once.

Prakash held his hand.

Prakash: oye rajdhani express kaha jaa raha subah subah breakfast to karle....

Neil: dad woh ek urgent kaam hai mujhe jana hai bye... Good morning everyone.

He left without waiting for their reply.

Shweta: (nodding her head in disbelief) yeh ladka bhi na...

They sat back having breakfast.

Neil reached his condo.

His heart was thumping against his chest.

Neil: pata nahi avni kis haal mein hogi...

He took a deep breath.

He unlocked the door with the spare key and pushed the door only to find......

To be continued...

Honestly I don't know what actually I hve written.

This plot was in my mind from very long now finally I published it.

Do tell me how it was.

Take care
❣️❣️