It was the time of the morning, the cool breeze of morning was playing with the flowers, and the sun was also shining on them. There was silence all around the college because students were in the classroom and some were in the library. Sobbing was echoing in the corridor and the crying could be heard but no one was there to hear the crying and sobbing of the poor soul. It was Avni who was crying leaning to the door. Avni opened her eyes. She thought and wiped her eyes.

Avni: yeh waqt aansoo bahane ka nahi hai, Avni, balke rasta dhundhne ka hai. Yahan se bahar jane ka koi aur rasta to hoga na. Yeh lab hai yahan koi window zaror hogi.

Avni wiped her tears and she got up. Avni started to find the way and she tried to open the window but it was jammed. Avni put her all efforts but no use. Avni went to the second window and she tried to open it. Avni grinned her lips and tried hard and the window opened. Avni smiled to see it. Avni went to get her things. Avni grabbed her things then she went to the window and went out from there.

On the other side, Neil and his friends were sitting in the classroom and were busy in giving the paper. Actually, others were giving exams and Neil and his friends were passing the time. Avni came there and stopped at the door. She was panting.

Neil and his friends were shocked to see her. They looked at each other.

Avni: Ma’am… may… I… come in.

Ma’am looked at her watch.

Ma’am: Miss Avni, you are 20 minutes late.

Avni gulped.

Avni: please ma’am, let me come inside.

Ma’am: rules are rules, you are late so you are not allowed.

Avni was shocked and Juhi smirked.

Avni: please, ma’am.

Another ma’am came.

Ma’am 2: what happened, Ma’am?

Ma’am:  Asha Ma’am, she is 20 minutes late and now she wants to attempt the paper.

Ma’am Asha: Ma’am, let her sit, she is a bright student.

Ma’am: but.

Ma’am Asha: please.

Ma’am looked away.

Ma’am Asha: Avni, how did you get late?

Avni looked at Juhi because she was the one who asked Avni that Ma’am was calling her. Avni understood Juhi planned to trap her. Ma’am Asha followed Avni’s gaze and saw Juhi. Juhi avoided eye contact and she looked at her paper.

Avni: Actually, Ma’am.

Ma’am: let it be, Avni. Go and start your paper; already you are late.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Thank you, Ma’am.

Avni looked at Ma’am Asha.

Avni: Thank you.

Ma’am Asha blinked her eyes and asked Avni to go.

Ma’am Asha: All the best.

Avni: thank you, Ma’am.

Avni went to her seat and sat. Avni saw the time on her water and it showed 09:28 am. Avni was shocked. She started her paper.

Avni was writing the paper and her hands were shaking. Her eyes were teary. Avni wipes her tears. She was writing and she sobbed. Neil looked at her and saw her wiping her eyes. Neil felt bad. Vidyut and KK also feel bad for her. Neil looked down. Avni’s vision got blurred because of tears. Avni wiped her tears. She sighed and resumed writing. The bell rang and Avni was shocked. The teacher was taking the paper from all. She came to Avni.

Avni: Ma’am. Ma’am, please five minutes, it is my last question. Only five minutes.

Ma’am: no, rules are rules.

Neil was standing in his seat and was looking at Avni.

Avni: please ma’am.

Teacher: I am sorry, Avni but I can’t help.

Ma’am took the sheets and punched them and Avni was requesting her. Ma’am went from there. Avni sat on her seat and cried.

Vidyut and Karan came to Neil who was looking at Avni.

Vidyut: ek question ke liye itna ro rahi hai. Mera to adha paper bhi nahi howa?

Neil looked at Avni.

Karan: han top to waise bhi isi ne karna hai phir?

Neil thought. Juhi came to them.

Juhi: behenji ke marks jo deduct honge, notanki kar rahi hai.

Neil didn’t like that.

Neil: Juhi, at least kisi ke rone ka Mazak to mat banao.

Juhi was shocked and she made a face folding his arms. Neil glared at Juhi and went from there. His friends were looking at him.

Vidyut: Neil, rok.

Vidyut and KK went behind Neil. Juhi shook her head and sighed. Juhi saw Avni and smirked then she went from there. She never cares for anyone.
Avni was crying.

Avni: sab khatam ho gaya, sab khatam ho gaya, ab main agaye kabhi nahi parh paungi, kabhi nahi.

Avni cried.

Avni was sadly passing by the corridor and her face was showing a deep grief. Neil and his friends were also present in the corridor. Juhi was standing with her friends who were also like her, heartless. Juhi saw Avni and then she winked at her friend. Juhi put her leg on Avni’s way and Avni fell. The students who were present there laughed at Avni.

Neil was shocked to see Avni on the floor. He is a spoiled brat but not a heartless person. Neil is an angry boy but he never laughs at anyone. He didn’t have any rivalry with Avni but teachers always praised her even his father so he got irritated and because of it, he didn’t like her but he is unaware of Avni’s side story, what challenges, she is facing to even come to college. Avni turned her face and she saw Juhi who busted the chewing gum balloon. Neil angrily looked at Juhi. Neil gave his book to Vidyut and was about to go to help Avni but Sunehri came there while running and sat beside Avni so, Neil stopped.

Juhi: aww, miss topper apni position ke sath sath khud bhi gir gai. Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch Tch . So sad.

They laughed and Neil got angry. Avni looked at the students and then she looked down.

Sunehri: tum theek ho?

Avni nodded.

Sunheri:  Avni, utho.

Avni nodded by looking down and she got up while carrying her books and bag. Sunehri was helping her to get up. Avni cleaned her hands and herself.

Avni: thank you, Sunehri.

Avni went from there. She passed by Neil who was looking at her but Avni did not look at Neil or anyone else, not even to those who were laughing at her. Neil thought and he looked at Juhi who was enjoying herself with her friends as if nothing has happened. Neil shook his head.

Avni went and Neil turned his face to see Avni. Neil thought.

It was the last day of the college and there were holidays before the next semester.

It was the time of the day, the sun was shining over the beautiful mansion and the Khanna mansion was written on the board outside the mansion and in the big living area, a lady of mid-40s was sitting on the couch and was arranging the bundle of newspapers and magazines. She was wearing a shirt with jeans and a flower was in her hair.

Lady: uff, this Bebe is to muchs jab dekho mujhe kisi na kisi kaam main phasa deti hain ab main masoom si, nani si jaan kya kya kaam karun. Khana banana, Tillu ki cheezon ka khayal rakhna… haye main Tillu ke kaam ko count hi kyun kar rahi hun.

The lady smiled while doing her work.

Lady: woh to mera bacha hai us ke liye to jaan hazir hai main us ka kaam nahi karungi to kon karega lekin yeh Bebe samjhen tab na. huff. Chal, Shweta jaldi se in newspapers ko storeroom main pohancha de. Is se pehle ke Bebe phir se aa kar teri phatkar laga den.

Yes, she was Shweta Khanna, Neil’s mother.

Shweta got up. She was about to go but her Tillu came. Neil came home where his mother was standing in the living area who spoiled Neil. His mother Shweta Khanna loves to break the legs of the English. She always tries to look modern so she wears kurti, shirts and jeans or suits.

Neil was lost in his thoughts.

Shweta: oh my Tillu, Maa da Ladla comes…

Neil looked at her and he stopped. Neil looked away and sighed. Shweta came to him and Neil looked at her.

Shweta: what happened, why my Tillu’s face is downs, hmm? Tell, tell.

Neil: Please, Mom, not now. I am not in a good mood.

Shweta frowned and Neil went. Shweta was looking at him.

Shweta: what happened to him?

She thought.

It was the time of the night, Neil was standing near the window keeping his hands in his trousers pocket and was thinking about Avni. Her crying face came in front of his eyes. He saw the flashes of how she was crying.

Neil: Is main itna rone wali kya baat thi?

Neil thought.

Neil: kahin mujhse koi galti to nahi hogai Juhi ka sath de ke.

Neil thought. He was lost in his thoughts and someone tapped his shoulder and he came back from his thoughts. Someone showed him milk and he frowned. Neil turned his face and he saw his mother. Neil took a breath and looked away because he didn’t like milk but Shweta daily gave him milk and forcefully fed him.

Neil: Mom, maine aap ko kitni baar kaha hai ke mujhe dhodh nahi pasand. Ab main bacha nahi raha.

Shweta: oye. Bache kitne hi bare kyun na ho jaen maa ke liye bache hi rehte hain.

Neil made a face.

Shweta: chal ab jaldi se pee le is se pehle tere dad aa jaen aur tere sath, sath meri bhi class lag jaye.

Neil: unhe to adat hai mujhe dusre useless bookworms ke sath compare karne ki. Ek woh Mishra Ji ka beta aur dusri woh Miss Av…

Neil stopped and he remembered Avni. Shweta frowned to see lost Neil. Shweta tapped Neil’s shoulder. Neil came back to the real world and looked at Shweta.

Shweta: oye, Tillu, kahan kho gaya?

Neil was looking at Shweta who signed what happened. Neil shook his head.

Neil: kuch nahi.

Shweta: acha chal ab fatafat yeh dhodh pee le.

Neil was about to deny but Shweta cupped his mouth and forcefully fed him milk. Neil made a face.

Shweta: very goods.

Neil wiped his mouth and looked at Shweta with an irritated face.

Shweta: chal ab main chalti hun. Good nights.

Shweta turned and she was going. Neil wiped the corner of his lips and said good night. Neil was looking at Shweta then he turned and looked at the moon.

On the other side, Avni was also standing near the window and was looking at the moon. She looked down and thought.

Days passed and Neil forgot about Avni and what he did with her though he was guilty in the initial days but with time, he forgot about that day and that act and the vacation ended.

It was the first day after the vacation and students were standing outside the college, in the garden and canteen, some were passing by the corridor and some were standing with friends. A bike stopped and the boy removed his helmet. Everyone present there looked at him and his bike. It was Neil who ran his hand in his hair and set them with his hands then he looked up, here and there. Girls literally drooled to see him and Boys drooled to see his new bike and some boys were impressed with his personality and some were just looking at his jacket. He is handsome no doubt but from his Bike to his sneakers everything was perfect after all, he is the only son of business tycoon Prakash Khanna who is itself a brand.

Neil entered the class with his friends while smiling at their joke but he stopped to see the empty front seat. Neil looked around but he did not find the person whom his eyes were searching for. Neil looked at his watch. Neil thought.

Karan: array, aaj woh behanji nahi aai.

Neil thought.

Neil in mind: Avni to sab se pehle class main bethi hoti hai phir aaj kya howa?

Neil thought.

Vidyut: chor na, acha hai nahi aai.

Juhi came from behind.

Juhi: exactly.

Neil looked over his shoulder but his gaze was lower, Neil looked up and he saw Juhi. Neil turned his face and he went to his seat and sat. The professor also came and others also set. Neil was looking at his watch and then he looked at the entrance. The class ended but there was no sign of Avni. Neil thought.

Neil in mind: Shayad aaj first day hai is liye nahi aai hogi. Chor na, Neil, tera kya jaye woh aye ya na aye. Why are you getting worried? Leave it.

Neil thought and he shrugged off his thought. Neil got up and went to his friends and then he forgot about Avni.

The sun was shining over the college where students were doing their work, some were in the classrooms, some in the garden, some in the canteen and some were in the corridor. Neil entered the classroom and to his disappointment, Avni was not there. Yes, Neil was disappointed because the whole week passed but Avni did not come to the college. Neil scanned the whole classroom but Avni was not there, Neil thought. The professor came and Neil gave him way and greeted him then Neil went to his seat.

After the class, Neil was passing by the corridor alone and was lost in his thoughts. Neil saw Sunehri coming from the opposite direction so, he stopped and thought. Neil looked at Sunehri and he wore a smile for buttering her and then he went to her. Sunehri stopped to see him.

Neil: Hi, sweetie.

Sunehri looked at him shockingly.

Neil: how are you?

Neil didn’t even know her name but he saw her with Avni many times. Neil acts like he is casually talking with her and is not affected by Avni’s absence.

Neil: ab. Waise tumhari friend kya naam hai us ka…

Neil acted to think. Neil squeezed his eyes.

Neil: han, Avni, woh aaj kal dikhai nahi de rahi. Kahin gai hai kya?

Sunehri: han, woh ab college nahi aaegi.

Neil was shocked.

Neil: what? Lekin kyun?

Sunehri looked at Neil and Neil understood her look.

Neil: I mean, ky, kyun? Mera matlab koi to waja hogi?

Sunehri: us ke ghar walon ne us ki shadi tay kar di hai.

Another shock for Neil.

Neil shouts: What?

Sunehri was shocked by his reaction.

Sunehri: han, woh actually, us ke papa ne ye shart rakhi thi ke agar us ki percentage 98 se kam ayegi to woh us ka college band karwa kar us ki shadi karwa denge.

Neil: what? Lekin, Avni ne to is baar bhi top kiya hai.

Sunehri: han lekin woh last paper main late ho gai thi na jis ki waja si us ki percentage 97 hogai to is liye ab woh nahi aaegi.

Neil: sirf ek percentage ki waja se?

Sunehri nodded.

Neil: is her father insane?

Sunehri: I thinks so, woh to pehle bhi usay parhana nahi chahte the lekin Avni ko scorlorship per admission mila to woh chup rahe. Us ke papa aur dadi to kab se us ki shadi karwana chahte the yeh ek mark to bus ek bahana ban gaya.

Neil thought. Now he understood why Avni was crying badly that day. The guilt engulfed him.

Sunehri: aur Avni ko to yeh bhi nahi pata ke us ki shadi ho kis se rahi hai lekin meri mom bata rahi thi ke us ka would be husband 40 years ka hai.

Neil was shocked.

Neil: what?

Sunehri: yeah. Woh government employee hai na is liye Avni ki dadi aur papa ne yeh rishta tay kiya hai.

Neil felt disgusting and he thought.

Sunehri: acha ab main chalti hun mujhe library jana hai.

Neil was lost.

Neil: yeah, sure.

Sunehri went. Neil recalled Avni’s crying face and his eyes filled with tears. If someone saw his teary eyes then that person would surely faint because Neil Khanna never cries.

Neil walked a few steps and he ran his hand through his hair. Neil stopped.

Neil: yeh kya kar diya maine, meri waja se Avni… Avni, kitni bari mushkil main phas gai hai.

Neil gulped.

Neil: na, nahi, mujhe kuch karna hoga. Kuch bhi kar ke Avni ko is mushkil se nikalna hoga warna main khud ko kabhi mauf nahi kar paunga. Kabhi nahi.

Neil thought.