It was the time of the night, the moon was shining on the sky and the Khanna mansion was shining on the earth. Inside the Khanna mansion, the guests had gone. Only the Khanna family and the Mehta family were present there.

Ashish: Ab humain bhi ijazat dijiye. Humain bhi chalna chahiye.

Prakash: Itni jaldi, abhi to hum free howe hain. Hum ne theek se Avni beti se baat bhi nahi ki.

Everyone smiled.

Ashish: Ab dair bohat ho gai hai.

Shweta: To aaj raat yahan stay kar lijiye.

Neil’s face lit up and the Mehta family was surprised. Ashish and Dayawanti Mehta looked at each other with greed and they smiled.

Nm: Nahi hum yahan kaise reh sakte hain?

Ashish and Dayawanti Mehta got angry.

Neil: Kyun nahi, Neela Maa? Yeh bhi to aap ka ghar hai?

Avni looked at Neil.

Nm: woh to hai lekin phir bhi.

Bebe: Phir bhi kya? Bhai, aaj raat to yahan rehna parega. Bus.

Nm: Ab, Bebe, Avni ko subha college bhi to jana hai.

Shweta: To yahan se chali jayegi. Neil bhi to college jayega na.

Shweta looked at Neil.

Neil: Han. Main Ja. Un. Ga.

Avni: ab, mere books aur bag ghar per hain.

Neil looked at Avni.

Bebe: Yeh to hai.

Neil: College ke raste main hi Mehta house aata hai. Pehle Mehta house chalenge. Tum apna bag le lena phir college chale jaenge.

Shweta: Yeh bhi sahi hai.

Prakash: To bus tey raha ke aap log aaj raat yahan rahenge.

Ashish remembered something.

Ashish in mind: Kal subha to Raju paise le kar aane wala hai. Agar parcel time per nahi diya to garbar ho jayegi.

Ashish thought.

Ashish: Ab phir kabhi hum yahan stay karenge. Aaj humain jana hoga.

Avni was surprised because she thought that Ashish and Dayawanti Mehta would say yes to staying with her but Ashish denied it.

Ashish: Subha kam per bhi jana hai. Phir kabhi stay karenge. Aaj humain jane dijiye.

Neil looked at Ashish.

Prakash: Theek hai ab aap itna keh rahe hain to theek hai. Lekin agli baar main aap ki ek nahi sunoga.

Everyone smiled. Neil got sad.

Everyone came to the door.

Shweta: Avni, beta, tumhare sare gifts maine room main rakhwa diye hain. Main kal bhijhwa dungi.

Avni smiled. They moved out. Both families met. Avni and Neil met their in-laws. Avni and Neil looked at each other.

Neil: Bye.

Avni: Bye.

Avni turned to the car and the Mehta family got into the car. The car went from there. Neil was looking at the car. Neil sighed and thought.

It was the daytime, Avni, Neil, and other students were present in the classroom.

Teacher: So, students, today I want to ask you all a simple question and you all have to give your opinion on it. Did you get that?

Students: Yes, Sir.

Teacher: Good. Ok. So, the question is according to you what does success mean?

The students were surprised. Avni, Neil, and others thought.

Teacher: I am giving you five minutes to think.

Everyone thought.

Teacher: OK so, five minutes have passed now I think sab ke answers tiyar honge. OK, so we will start from here.

A girl got up.

Girl: Sir, success means money.

Teacher: Money. OK. Anyone else?

Juhi raised her hand.

Teacher: Yeh, Juhi.

Juhi: Success means freedom to do anything. We can buy anything we want if we become successful.

The teacher made a face.

Students: What will you buy? Makeup.

Neil and the others smiled and Juhi got angry.

Juhi: Get lost.

Teacher: Behave everyone. Anyone else?

The students gave answers one by one. Neil raised his hand.

Teacher: Yes, Neil.

Avni looked at Neil who looked at her. Neil got up.

Neil: Famous. Success means popularity. When people start to recognize you then it means you have achieved your success.

The teacher thought and nodded.

KK: Wah mere shair kya jawab diya hai.

Everyone laughed and Avni thought.

Teacher: OK, sit.

Neil sat. The teacher looked at Avni.

Teacher: Avni, you say.

Neil looked at Avni who got up.

Avni: Sir, according to me, success means achieving your goals. Money, freedom, and popularity are the aspects of success, not success. For example. Mostly students of this college belong to a rich family means they have money and freedom but they don’t have their own identity. They are still known by their parent’s name because they have not achieved anything till now.

Neil was shocked and he realized that he is also known by his father’s name.

Avni: Some students who are sports person, singers, or have some talent, they are popular but still they are not successful so I don’t think that money, freedom, and popularity are success. You have to become a brand. You have to make your own identity for success.  If you become a brand and make your own identity. If you influence others that they want to be like you then I think you have achieved success. You are an inspiration for others. People want to be like you. For me, this is a success.

The teacher smiled and clapped. The students clapped and Neil also clapped but he was lost.

Teacher: Very good. Sit down, Avni.

Avni nodded and sat. Neil thought.

Teacher: the purpose of asking this question was that everyone’s thinking is different from others. You will achieve in your life what you will think. For example, if you think that success means money then you will work to earn money because you want it. If you think success means popularity then you will focus on it. The important thing is you have to make a goal. You have to be focused in your life else you will never get success.

Neil thought and nodded. The bell rang.

Teacher: OK so, the class is over. You all can go but think about it and set the small goals in your life. It will help you to achieve your destination. It will help you to fulfill your dreams. Hmm.

The students nodded and the teacher smiled. The teacher went and the students went. Neil thought. Avni got up.

Neil was passing by the corridor and he was lost.

Avni and Neil were standing in an empty classroom which was not their class. Avni was looking worried.

Neil: Kya howa? Tum itni pareshan kyun ho?

Avni looked at Neil and then she shook her head by bowing it.

Avni: Nothing.

Neil held Avni’s arms who looked at the arms and then she looked at Neil.

Nei: Say, my love. Asi konsi baat hai jo tumhe tang kar rahi hai.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: Say. Tell me.

Avni: I am worried about my future.

Neil frowned.

Avni: Mujhe dar hai ke main apne dreams ko pura kar bhi paungi ya nahi. Main life main successful ho paungi yaa nahi.

Neil was confused and then he smiled.

Neil: That’s it. Bus itni is baat. Itni si baat ke liye itna stress le rahi ho.

Avni was looking at Neil. Neil cupped Avni’s face who looked at Neil’s hands and then she looked at Neil.

Neil: Avni, my love, I love you and whatever I have is yours. You don’t need to worry about your future. Your future is safe. Whatever is mine will eventually be yours after our marriage.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Avni: What do you have?

Neil was surprised.

Avni: Hmm, what do you have? Kya hai tumhare pass?

Neil: Avni, I have everything. Home, Money, Health, Wealth. I have everything. Khanna Enterprise is one of the best enterprises. My dad is one of the richest businessmen in our country. He…

Avni: Exactly, your dad is one of the richest businessmen in our country. Your dad. Not you. What do you have your own? Tumhara apna kya hai.

Neil: Avni, jo kuch bhi Dad ka hai woh mera hi to hai.

Avni shook her head.

Avni: Nahi, Neil, woh tumhara kaise howa? Woh sab to tumhare dad ka howa.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: Yeh un ke struggle, un ke hard work ka sila hai jo unhe mila hai. Un se pucho is ki qadar. Unhe pata hogi us cheese ki qadar jo unho ne kamai hai. Tumhe to sab bana banaya milega tumhe is ki qadar kaise hogi. Tumhe is ki qadar nahi hogi, Neil. Tum isay sambhal bhi nahi paoge kyun ke mehnat kya hoti hai tumhe to yeh pata bhi nahi hai.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: yeh jo kuch bhi hai woh tumhare dad ka hai unho ne is banaya hai, isay khara kiya hai. Yeh un ki mehnat ka natija hai ke aaj log unhe pehchante hain. Un ki apni ek identity hai. Tumhare pass kya hai? Kuch bhi nahi. Tum aaj bhi Prakash Khanna ke bete ke naam se jane jate ho.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: Tumhari apni koi identity nahi hai. You don’t have your own identity.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: Prakash Khanna ke bete hone ke ilawa tumhari apni koi pehchan nahi hai.

Neil was shocked. Avni was looking at Neil.

Avni: Waqt humesha ek sa nahi rehta. Jab mushkil waqt ayega to tum us face nahi kar pao ge kyun ke tumhe hamesha se sab kuch easily mila hai. Struggle kya hai tumhe pata bhi nahi hai.

Neil: Avni, main manta hun ke meri life easy rahi hai lekin koi bhi pehle se sikh kar nahi aata. Sab ne yahan aa kar hi sikha hai. Hum abhi college main hai. Jab agaye barhen ge to hum bhi dheere, dheere sab kuch sikh jaenge. Dad ko bhi to un ke dad ne mere grandfather ne sab kuch sikhaya. Main bhi sikh jaunga.

Avni: Kaise? Tumhe to apni responsibilities ka koi ehsaas hi nahi hai. Tum life ko le kar serious hi nahi ho. Jab aaj tumhara focus apni studies per nahi hai to future main business per kaise hoga. Tum bus apne dad ke paise per hi jeeyo ge.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: Tum se hard work nahi hoga and isi liye tumhare sath mera future kabhi secure nahi ho sakta.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: Mujhe nahi lagta ke humara sath main koi future bhi sakta hai.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: Hum kabhi ek nahi ho paenge.

Another shock for Neil.

Avni: We should think about our alliance again.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: I am sorry, Neil, but we don’t have any future together. We don’t have any future together.

Avni said while taking steps back: we don’t have any future together (Neil was looking at Avni). We don’t have any future together. We don’t have any future together. We don’t.

Avni turned and ran.

Neil: Avni.

Neil woke up with a jerk by calling Avni.

Neil: Avni. Avni, no.

Neil was panting and he looked at the room. Neil was shaking. Neil’s heart was beating fast. Neil looked around and he was confused. Neil realized that it was his room. Neil was panting. Neil closed his eyes and sighed. Neil rubbed his face and then he ran his hand through his hair. Neil was still shaking from the inside. Neil turned his face and saw the jug and glass. Neil leaned and took away the lid of the jug. Neil took the jug and glass and poured water into the glass with shaking hands. Neil drank the water and sighed. Neil kept the jug and glass in its place. Neil ran his hand through his hand and sighed. Neil thought.

Neil recalled the words, “Avni: Tumhari apni koi identity nahi hai. You don’t have your own identity.”

Neil: Meri apni koi pechana nahi hai. Sahi to kaha Avni ne ke meri apni koi pehchan nahi hai. Sab mujhe Prakash Khanna ke bete ke naam se jante hain. Meri Apni koi identity nahi hai.

Neil thought.

It was the daytime and the sun was shining over the College building where the students were busy in their activities. Avni, Neil, and other students were in the classroom and the lecture was going on. Avni was trying to focus on the lecture and this time, she was not alone. One more person was trying to focus and it was Neil. Vidyut and KK were talking and were having fun. Neil looked at them with irritation and then he tried to concentrate. KK chuckled. Neil turned.

Neil: Stop it, yaar, KK. Lecture sune de.

Avni and everyone were shocked. This time, Juhi was also in the class coincidently. Avni was looking at Neil shockingly. Neil looked at the board and he found the lecturer shocked. Neil frowned and he realized that the sir was looking at him. Neil looked around and found everyone looking at him. Neil looked at Avni who was also looking at him shockingly. Neil felt awkward and he lowered his gaze. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked away. Neil was feeling odd.

Lecturer: OK, now everyone concentrates here. Today, first time, The Neil Khanna wants to listen to the lecture.

Neil looked at the lecturer and everyone chuckled except Neil’s friends and Avni. Avni felt bad and she looked at Neil who felt humiliated. Neil was about to get up but Avni kept her hand on his hand. Neil looked at the hands and then he looked at Avni who was looking at him. Avni signed Neil sit. Neil looked at Avni for a few seconds and then he sat. Avni smiled and looked at the lecturer. Neil was looking at Avni who was listening to the lecture. Neil smiled and looked at their hands. Neil looked at the board and he recalled the lecturer’s words and got upset. Neil thought.

It was the time of the night, Shweta was passing by the corridor carrying a glass of milk in her hand. Shweta entered Neil’s room while saying, Tillu, yeh…

Shweta looked at the room and she was shocked to see something. The glass fell from her hand and she was just looking at the room.

Neil was sitting on the bed and the books were kept in front of him. Neil was studying. Neil heard the sound of falling something and he looked at Shweta. Shweta was looking at Neil shockingly. Neil saw the pieces of broken glass and he was shocked.

Neil: Mom.

Neil got up from the bed and put on his slippers. Neil came to Shweta and held her arms.

Neil: Mom, what happened? Are you OK?

Shweta looked at Neil shockingly.

Shweta: Han.

Neil frowned.

Neil: Kya howa?

Shweta was looking at Neil and she checked Neil’s forehead and neck. Neil was confused.

Neil: Mom.

Shweta: Tillu, tu theek hai na?

Neil was confused.

Neil: Main theek hun mujhe kya howa hai. Meri baat choriye, aap bataen aap ko kya howa hai?

Shweta was still in shock.

Shweta: Main theek hun. Tu theek hai na.

Neil got irritated.

Neil: Mom, I am fine. Aap baar, baar ek hi sawal kyun puch rahi hain.

Shweta: Tu theek hai to tu parhai kyun kar raha hai?

Neil was surprised.

Neil: What?

Shweta: Tillu, tu parhai kar raha hai. Tu parhai kar raha hai. Tu.

Neil got irritated.

Neil: Han, main parhai kar raha hun. Sab karte hain maine koi teer nahi maar liya. Subha se sab ase hi behave kar rahe hain. Ase dekh rahe hain mujhe jaise main duniya ka athwa ajooba hun.

Shweta: Na. Na. tu Ajooba thori hai tu to mera Tillu hai. Woh to tujhe kabhi parhte nahi dekha na to is liye aaj thora shock ho gai. Tu parhai kar. Khub mehnat kar.

Shweta stumbled from the piece but Neil held her by saying. Mom.

Neil: You OK?

Shweta nodded.

Shweta: Yes, I am fines. Main tere liye dodh lai thi woh to gir gaya.

Neil: It’s OK. Bheema Di ko keh kar saaf karwa dijiye.

Shweta: Woh main karwa lungi tu parhai kar. Main tere liye dusra dodh lati hun. Nahi sirf dodh nahi aaan main tere liye badam wala dodh lati hun. Badam khane se dimagh taiz hota hai. Main abhi ayi.

Neil was about to stop her but Shweta went. Neil saw the pieces and thought.

Neil: Yes, Mom, mehnat to mujhe karni pare gi. Mujhe apni identity jo banai hai. Main khoob mehnat karunga aur apni identity banaoga. Mujhe khud ko Avni ke kaabil banana hai.

Neil thought and smiled.

It was the daytime and the sun was shining over the College building where the students were busy in their activities. Neil entered the classroom and Avni was already sitting on the seat. Neil saw Avni and he thought. Neil looked around and Avni saw him. Neil came to Avni who was looking at him but Neil was looking at the backbenchers.

Avni: Hi.

Neil looked at Avni and then he again looked at the students. Neil said Hi while looking at the students. Avni frowned.

Neil: Hum yahan nahi beth sakte.

Avni was confused. Neil looked at her.

Neil: Yeh log humain parhne hi nahi denge.

Avni was shocked to hear Neil.
Neil looked at the students and then he looked at Avni.

Neil: Get up.

Avni was confused.

Avni: What?

Neil: Get up, we will not sit here. Get up.

Avni was confused but she got up. Neil looked at the front and saw a weak boy who wore glasses.

Neil: Come.

Neil moved and Avni also moved to the other side of the desks.

Neil: Hey.

The boy got up to see Neil. Neil pushed him while saying: Jaa, jaa kar Ali ke sath beth.

Avni was shocked and she looked at Neil. Ali also looked at them. Neil looked at Avni and then he pointed at the seat.

Neil: Betho.

Neil sat and Avni was shockingly looking at Neil. Avni looked at the boy sadly who looked down and then he went to sit with Ali. Avni looked at Neil and she moved to the seat. Avni sat on the seat and she looked at Neil. Neil opened his notebook and looked at it. Avni was looking at Neil. Neil felt Avni’s gaze and he looked at her.

Neil: Kya howa?

Avni: Tumhe Anil ko ase push nahi dena chahiye tha.

Neil: Maine push kab diya. Maine to bus usay side kiya.

Avni made a face.

Avni: Usay push karna hi kehte hain.

Neil: Maine aram se kiya.

Avni looked away.

Avni: tum se baat karna hi bekaar hai.

Neil frowned and he was confused about what he did. Neil was about to say but the lecturer came and everyone looked at him.

Avni and Neil were listening to the lecture carefully. Avni noted down the points and Neil also started to make notes. Avni was shocked to see Neil writing. Avni looked at Neil and then she looked at his hands. Avni again looked at Neil. Neil’s concentration was on the board. Neil felt Avni’s gaze and looked at her. Neil sighed what happened and Avni shook her head. The lecturer saw them.

Lecturer: Mr Neil Khanna.

Avni and Neil looked at the lecturer.

Neil: Yes, Sir.

Neil got up.

Lecturer: Aap khud to parhte nahi hain aur jo class ki topper hai, jis main parhne ka passion hai aap us ki par hai bhi kharab kar rahe hain.

Neil was shocked and Avni looked at him.

Lecturer: Usay lecture per focus karne nahi de rahe.

Neil: Sir, maine kuch nahi kiya.

Lecturer: Shut up. Ek to ghalti karte ho upar se yeh attitude. Shame on you.

Neil bowed his head.

Lecturer: Sit down and now concentrate on the lecture and also let others concentrate.

Neil nodded by looking down and Avni felt bad.

Neil: Sorry, sir.

Lecturer: Sit down.

Neil sat and Avni was looking at him.

The lecture resumed and Avni looked at the front and then she looked at Neil.

Avni: I am sorry.

Neil looked at Avni and then he looked straight.

Neil: It’s OK. Now concentrate on the lecture else the sir will scold you.

Avni nodded and looked at the front. Avni looked at Neil from time to time who was looking straight and was noting down the points.

It was the time of the evening, Neil was trying to solve a problem but he was not able to do that. Neil tore the page and crushed it. Neil threw the paper and the floor was covered with the pages. Neil tried again and again but no use. Neil threw the papers and ran his hand through his hair. Neil sighed and tried again. Neil watched the lecture on the internet and then he tried but no use. Neil hit the bed in frustration. Neil sighed. Neil was panting.

Neil: Kya karun? Kaise solve karun kuch smajh hi nahi araha. Yeh parhai warhai mere bus ki baat hi nahi hai. Mujhse nahi hogi yeh. Kisi kaam ka nahi hai tu, Neil. Kisi kaam ka nahi hai. Tujhse kuch nahi hoga. Kuch nahi.

Neil sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

Neil thought.

Neil: Nahi, Neil tujhe try karna hoga aur karte rehna hoga. Tu ase himmat nahi haar sakta. Tujhe yeh karna hi hoga. Tujhe khud ko Avni ke kaabil banana hai aur us ke liye tujhe hard work karna hi hoga. Yes, tujhe hard work karna hi hoga.

Neil thought and nodded.

It was the morning time and the sun was shining over the college building. The students were busy in their activities. Avni was passing the corridor and Neil also came there hurriedly. Neil saw Avni going and he faced Avni’s back. Neil thought and then he looked at Avni. Neil ran to Avni and he stopped at some distance.

Neil: Avni.

Avni stopped and she looked here and there and then she turned. Neil ran to Avni and stopped near her.

Neil: Kahan jaa rahi thi?

Avni: Library.

Neil: Oh.

Avni: Kyun? Kuch kaam tha.

Neil: Ab, han, nahi.

Avni was confused.

Neil: Ab, han. Mujhe tumse kuch kaam hai.

Avni: Bolo.

Neil looked at Avni for a few seconds. Neil hesitated.

Neil: Woh mujhe tumhari help chahiye thi?

Avni: Help? Kaise help? Ab, mera matlab bolo.

Neil: Mujhe accounts ka ek chapter smajh nahi araha. Mujhe kuch doubts hain us main. Agar tum mujhe samjha do gi to…

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Maine bohat try kiya lekin.

Neil hesitated.

Neil: Mujhse nahi howa agar tum help kar do to.

Avni was looking at Neil. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked down in awkwardness. Avni smiled to see Neil.

Avni: Library chalen.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Hmm.

Avni: Library chalen. Tumhe kuch doubts clear karne hain na. To library chalen.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Means tum…

Avni nodded.

Avni: Chalen Library.

Neil: Nahi, library nahi. Kahin aur.

Avni: Kyun? Library main to books bhi hain aur silence bhi hum ache se parh paenge.

Neil: Mujhe library main suffocation hoti hai aur wahan students bhi ajeeb nazron se dekhen ge so wahan nahi.

Avni: Library nahi to phir kahan?

Neil thought and scratched his chin.
Neil’s face lit up.

Neil: Ek jaga hai.

Avni: konsi?

Neil was looking at Avni and he smiled.