It was the daytime, the sun was shining over the Khanna mansion and it peeked into Avneil’s room where Neil was standing while holding Avni who was in pain.

Neil: Avni, kya howa?

Avni: Mera pain.

Neil looked at Avni's foot and then he looked at Avni. Neil gulped.

Bebe: Neil, Avni ko wahan bed per le kar chal.

Neil nodded and he picked up Avni in his arms. Neil brought Avni to the foot side of the bed and he made Avni sit there. Avni was in pain and Neil sat on the floor. Neil held Avni’s foot who winced. Neil looked at Avni and his heart was beating fast. Neil again held Avni’s leg carefully and checked her foot.

Neil: Kahan pain ho raha hai?

Avni held her ankle. Neil looked there and he noticed the heel in Avni’s feet. Neil got angry.

Shweta: Beta, dihan se chalna chahiye tha na.

Neil looked at Shweta and then he looked at Avni.

Neil: Ab itni bari heel pehan kar chalo gi to pair main mouch to aye gi hi na.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Kis ne kaha tha heels pehane ko.

Avni looked at Neil angrily and she was in pain.

Avni: Tum ne. Tum ne hi choose ki thi. Maine to tumhara dil rakhne ke liye le li.

Neil: choose ki thi na. tum keh deti tum heels nahi pehanti.

Avni: Tum mere Pati ho tumhe itna nahi pata ke main kya pehanti hun kya nahi.

Neil was surprised to hear Avni and he became speechless. The Khanna family smiled.

Bebe: Bhai, yeh to Avni ne sahi kaha. Tujhe pata hona chahiye tha.

Neil nodded while pressing his lips.

Neil: OK, it was my mistake.

Neil held his ear and said: I am sorry.

Avni was looking at Neil with a grumphy face. Neil smiled but then he looked at Avni’s feet and got shocked.

Neil: Avni ke pair pe to swelling ho gai hai. Humain isi hospital le kar jana parega.

Avni and others looked at Neil.

Neil: chalo, Avni, hospital chalen.

Avni: Lekin…

Prakash: Lekin teri flight hai abhi.

Neil looked at Prakash shockingly. Neil thought and looked down.

Neil: main next flight se chala jaun ga.

Avni: Kyun? Next flight se kyun?

Neil: Avni, tumhare pair main mouch ayi hai main kaise jaa sakta hun.

Avni made a face.

Neil: Tumhare pair ka X-Ray karwana parega. Doctor ko dikhana pare ga.

Avni: Main theek hun, Neil. Pehle hi tum ne apni bohat classes miss kar di hain ab tumhe jana chahiye.

Neil: Lekin.

Avni interrupted.

Avni: Main theek hun. Chalo, airport. Main bhi chalti hun sath main.

Everyone was shocked. Avni was about to get up but the Khanna family said: Nahi. Nahi. Nahi. Nahi. Nahi.

Neil held Avni’s arm and Avni looked at the family and then she looked at Neil who was glaring at her.

Neil: Pagal ho gai ho. Pair main mouch ayi hai aur airport jau gi.

Avni: To kya karun. Tum bhi to apni flight cancel kar rahe ho na.

Neil: Mere pass to reason hai na.

Avni: Main theek hun mamuli si mouch hai.

Neil thought.

Neil: Acha theek hai main jaa raha hun. Mom, Bebe, Dad, aap log mere sath airport mat chaliye main khud chala jaunga.

Avni: Kyun naa ayen. Main koi choti bachi hun jo sab log mujhe goud main le kar ghumaen ge.

The Khanna family smiled and Neil made a face.

Avni: Aap log jaiye Neil ke sath. Main theek hun.

Neil: Kyun main koi dodh peeta bacha hun jo dad mujhe plane main bithaen ge aur feeder de kar mujhe sula den ge aur phir pilot se kahen ge ke London le jaa kar isay is ke department ke head ko sonp dena.

Avni made a face. Avni was about to say.

Bebe: Acha bus. Ab bus karo tum dono.

Neil: Mom, Bebe, aap dono Avni ko hospital le kar jaiye. Balke Dad aap bhi Avni ke sath jaiye. Balke ek kaam karte hain hum sab sath main nikalte hain. Avni ka check up karwa ke phir main airport chala jaunga.

Avni made a face.

Prakash: Neil, tujhe flight ke liye late ho jaye ga.

Neil: Lekin Dad.

Shweta: Prakash Ji sahi keh rahe hain. Pata nahi kab doctor ka number mile. Phir X-Ray karwana parega. Time lag jaye ga.

Neil thought and Avni kept her hand on Neil's shoulder. Neil looked at the shoulder and then he looked at Avni.

Avni: Main theek hun. Tum jao. Hum tumhe phone per update dete rahen ge.

Neil thought and he looked upset. Avni blinked her eyes and assured him that she is fine. Neil nodded and he got emotional. Neil hugged Avni and the Khanna family looked here and there. Avni saw the Khanna family. The Khanna family signed with each other and they went. Avneil saw them and then Neil tightened the hug and squeezed his eyes. Neil opened his eyes and sighed.

Neil: Apna dihan rakhna aur doctor jo bhi kahen woh manana. Jaisa kahen waisa hi karna aur mujhe time to time inform karti rehna.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Yes, Boss.

They smiled. Neil sighed.

Neil: Mujhe tumhari fikar lagi rahe gi.

Avni: Main theek hun. Tum apna dihan rakhna aur khub mann laga kar parhai karna aur han choti, choti baton per yahan bhage, bhage mat aana.

Neil made a face.

Avni: Hum yahan manage kar lenge tum apni studies per focus karo.

Neil: OK, Madam.

They smiled and broke the hug. Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: Apna dihan rakhna.

Avni kept her hand on Neil’s hand. Avni nodded.

Avni: tum bhi apna dihan rakhna.

Neil nodded.

Avni: Ab tumhe jana chahiye warna flight miss ho jaye gi.

Neil sighed.

Neil: Bilkul mann nahi kar raha.

Avni made a sad face. Neil looked down. Avni slowly raised her hands and cupped Neil’s face. Neil looked at the hands and then he looked at Avni.

Avni: Jana to hai na.

Neil was looking at Avni and then he looked at Avni's hands. Neil looked at Avni. Avni realized what she did so she took her hands back. Avni looked down and felt awkward. Neil also looked down and then he looked at Avni. Neil smiled to see Avni who was red because of awkwardness. Neil just wanted to kiss those blushy cheeks but he controlled.

Later, Neil was standing at the airport and he was dialing a number. The vehicles were flowing on the road. A hospital was shown where Avni was sitting on the bench with Shweta and they were waiting for Avni’s turn. Shweta’s phone rang and Avni and Shweta saw Neil’s number. Avni made a face and then she smiled.

Shweta: Tillu.

Shweta picked up the phone.

Shweta: Hello, han bol, Tillu.

Neil: Hello, mom. Mom, Avni ko doctor ko dikhaya?

Shweta: Nahi, abhi orthopedist ke pass bethe hain. Abhi humara number nahi aya.

Neil: Mom, emergency main jana chahiye tha na.

Shweta: Tillu, gaye the wahan lekin koi accident howa hai so wahan per khare hone ki bhi jaga nahi thi is liye Avni ko yahan le ayi.

Neil caught his head and sighed.

Neil: Acha theek hai. Mujhe update karte rahiye ga.

Shweta: OK.

Neil: Bye.

Neil cut the call and thought.

Prakash: Kya howa?

Neil looked at him.

Neil: Orthopedist ke pass hain. Avni ki turn ka wait kar rahe hain.

Prakash nodded.

On the other side, Shweta sighed.

Shweta: yeh Tillu bhi na.

Avni smiled and then she winced because of the pain.

On the other side, Neil was standing at the airport and he was restless. Some time passed and Neil again dialed a number and kept his phone on his ear.

Neil: Hello, Mom, Avni kaisi hai? doctor ko dikhaya.

Avni was sitting on the bench with Shweta and they were waiting for Avni’s turn.

Shweta: Avni theek hai. Doctor ko dikhaya hai. Doctor ne X-Ray karwane ka hai. Abhi bus wahi bethe hain. Next number Avni ka hai.

Neil: OK, Avni theek hai na?

Avni signed Shweta to give her the phone.

Shweta: Le Avni se baat kar.

Neil: Ji.

Shweta gave the phone to Avni.

Avni: Hello.

Neil: Hello, kaisi ho, Avni?

Avni: Main theek hun, Neil. Tum please tension mat lo.

Neil was about to say but he heard the announcement. Avni also heard that.

Prakash: Neil, announcement ho gai hai.

Avni heard Prakash.

Avni: Tum jao, Neil. Apna khayal rakhna.

Neil nodded.

Neil: Tum bhi.

Avni: Hmm.

Neil: Mujhe update kar dena. Jahan chance mila main dekh lunga.

Avni: OK. Bye.

Neil: Bye.

Neil sighed and cut the call. Neil thought and sighed.

On the other side, Avni was also thinking.

Neil met Prakash and then he took his luggage and went.

An airplane took off and soon it landed.
Neil was moving and he was at the airport. Neil dialed a number and it was a video call. It was the time of the night, the moon was shining in the sky and Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position. A bandage was on Avni’s foot. Avni’s phone rang on the bed and she smiled to see Neil’s number. Avni picked up her phone and received the call. Avni and Neil saw each other and they paused for a moment.

Neil: Hello, kaisi ho?

Avni: Main theek hun, tum kaise ho? Theek se pohanch gaye?

Neil: Han pohanch gaya.

Neil looked up and then he looked at the phone.

Neil: Tum batao kya kaha doctor ne?

Avni: Doctor ne kaha mild sprain hai.

Neil stopped to hear Avni.

Avni: Bandage ki hai aur bed rest ka kaha hai aur kaha ke one week main theek ho jaye ga.

Neil: Paka. Koi ghabhrane wali baat to nahi hai na?

Avni: Nahi. Doctor ne kaha ke koi ghabhrane wali baat nahi hai. 7 to 10 days main theek se chalne lagun gi.

Neil sighed.

Avni: Bed rest bhi is liye kaha hai ke ankle per koi pressure na pare.

Neil nodded.

Neil: Theek hai, jaisa doctor ne kaha hai waisa hi karna. Koi kaam karne ki zarorat nahi hai. Rest karo.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Ok.

Avni remembered something.

Avni: Tum ne kuch khaya hai yaa sare raste ase hi stress lete rahe.

Neil paused and he got puzzled. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil was about to say.

Avni: Jhot nahi.

Neil got stuck. Neil shook his head and Avni was shocked.

Avni: tum ne pichle no, dus ghanton (09, 10 hours) se kuch nahi khaya?

Neil made a sad face. Neil shook his head. Avni was shocked.

Neil: Mujhe tumhari tension lagi hoi thi. Stress ki waja se kuch acha nahi lag raha tha.

Avni: Foot main sprain hi to tha.

Neil looked down and he started walking.

Neil: Main theek hun. Abhi apartment jate howe raste se kuch khane ke liye le lunga.

Avni: Hmm, ab phone band karo aur jaldi se jao. Kuch khane ke liye lo aur apartment main jaa kar rest karo. Hum bad main baat karen ge.

Neil smiled and said, OK.

Avni: Bye, take care.

Neil: You too, bye.

Neil cut the call and smiled. Neil went from there. On the other side, Avni was sitting on the bed and she was smiling. Avni shook her head.

Avni was sad and heartbroken a few days ago but as soon as Neil came, she felt better and got peace. Avni forgot about Ashish and Dayawanti Mehta and she spent those days happily.

Days passed like this and Avni prepared for the test and Neil was studying hard. They were focused. Neil gave his first semester and he came home on vacation. Avni and the Khanna family were very happy. Neil met the Khanna family and Avni and Neil looked at each other. Avni looked down and Neil smiled. Neil said, Hi to Avni who gave him a reply.

Avni was preparing for her test so she was studying hard but she tried to give equal time to Neil. Avni’s exam date was near and she was busy. One day, Avni was studying on the bed and Neil was feeding Avni with his hands.

It was the time of the night, Avni was studying while sitting at the table and Neil entered the room while carrying a glass and he came to Avni. Neil kept the glass on the table and Avni smiled to see him. Avni looked at the book and she didn’t drink milk. Neil made a face and he took the glass. Neil fed Avni forcefully with his hands who smiled and drank. Neil said, good girl. Avni smiled and she wiped her lips. Neil saw the milk at the corner of Avni’s lips. Neil leaned to Avni and Avni saw him. Neil looked at Avni. They looked into the eyes of each other and got lost. Neil looked at Avni’s lips. Neil wiped the corner of Avni’s lips and Avni looked down. Avni blushed and Neil smiled. Neil moved back and Avni turned and looked at her book to hide her blush. Neil smiled.

Neil’s vacation ended and he went back.

Avni was repeating the syllabus because her exam was on the next day. Avni’s phone rang. Avni looked at the phone and smiled to see Neil’s number.

Avni: Neil.

Avni picked up the phone and it was a video call now they talked on the video call though still Avni didn’t understand what she talks after Hi, Hello.

Avni: Hello.

Neil: Hi, How are you?

Avni: I am good, how are you?

Neil: I am also good.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Kya kar rahi thi?

Avni switched on the back camera and showed the books. Neil smiled. Avni switched on the front camera.

Neil: Maine disturb to nahi kiya?

Avni: Nahi. Nahi, main to bus repeat kar rahi thi.

Neil smiled and said, OK. Neil noticed the nervousness on Avni’s face.

Neil: Nervous.

Avni looked at Neil astonishingly. Neil smiled. Avni sighed and nodded. Neil smiled.

Neil: It’s ok. It’s normal.

Avni sighed.

Neil: don’t worry, sab kuch theek hoga. Mujhe pura bharosa hai tum per. Tum zaror exam pass kar logi.

Avni: tum mujhe aur nervous kar rahe ho.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Acha choro in sab bataon ko. Yeh batao ghar main sab kaise hain?

Avni: Sab theek hain.

Neil: OK, tum apni studies karo. All ka very best.

Avni: Thank you.

Avni smiled.

Neil: OK, take care, bye.

Avni: you too. Bye.

They cut the call. Avni sighed and then she looked at the notes.

The next day, Avni was standing in the living area with the family. She took blessings from everyone and Shweta fed her yogurt and hugged her.

Shweta: All the best.

Avni: Thank you.

Prakash: chalen?

Avni nodded. Avni waved her hand and said, bye to Bebe and Shweta. Avni turned and she was going with Prakash. Avni took out her phone from the bag. Avni smiled to see Neil’s number. Prakash smiled and he moved away. Avni saw Prakash and smiled. Avni received the call and Avni and Neil saw each other.

Avni: Hello.

Neil was sitting on the bed and the light of the room was on. Neil was sleepy.

Neil: Hello. How are you?

Avni nodded.

Avni: I am good. How are you?

Neil: I am good. So, jaa rahi ho?

Avni nodded.

Avni: Hmm. Abhi to wahan raat hogi na?

Neil smiled and nodded. Avni was surprised.

Avni: Tum abhi jag rahe ho?

Neil: Nahi, alarm laga kar soya tha. Tumhe all the best jo wish karna tha.

Avni was shocked. Neil smiled.

Neil: All the best.

Avni smiled.

Avni thank you.

Neil: Stress mat lena. Calm mind se paper karna. Ok?

Avni nodded and said, ok. The Khanna family smiled.

Neil: Ab jao. Ache se exam dena.

Avni nodded.

Avni: ok.

Neil: ok, Bye.

Avni: Bye.

Avni nodded. They cut the call. Avni sighed and smiled.

Avni gave the exam and she was waiting for the result. Avni was very nervous and she gulped. Neil called Avni and Avni received the call.

Neil: Hi.

Neil noticed Avni’s nervousness and Neil smiled.

Neil: Kya howa?

Avni shook her head. Shweta was sitting with Avni.

Shweta: Nervous hai result ko le kar.

Neil: Abhi tak check nahi kiya?

Avni shook her head. Neil smiled.

Shweta: Dar rahi hai. Na khud check kar rahi hai aur na hi mujhe karne de rahi hai. Prakash Ji abhi aye hain office se woh ab check karne arahe hain.

Neil smiled.

Neil: maine to check bhi kar li.

Avni got alert and her heartbeat increased. Avni gulped.

Shweta: Sach kya aya hai?

Neil made a sad face and Avni got nervous.

Bebe: bol na.

Neil: Mom, Bebe, Avni. Avni exam main.

Avni: Mera pass nahi howa na. Mujhe lag hi raha tha ke maine essay main garbar ki hai.

Neil smiled. Shweta and Bebe made a face to see Avni.

Neil: Ji nahi, Madam, aap ne koi choti garbar nahi ki balke bohat bari garbar ki hai…

Avni was about to cry.

Neil: Tum ne top kiya hai, Avni.

Avni was shocked. The Khanna family was surprised. Prakash also came there.

Neil: Tum ne top kiya hai. top.

Avni was in shock.

Shweta: Tu sach keh raha hai, Tillu.

Neil nodded.

Neil: Bilkul sach. Avni ne wahan apne bajaye mera number diya tha so mujhe to pehle hi call agai thi ke Avni ne top kiya hai.

Avni was shocked.

Shweta: Phir tu ne pehle kyun nahi bataya.

Neil: Main Avni ko tease karna chahta tha. Avni ka reaction dekhna chahta tha.

Shweta and Bebe made a face. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Avni.

No reply.

Neil: Avni.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled.

Neil: Kya howa?

A tear fell from Avni’s eye.

Avni: Tum sach keh rahe ho.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Bilkul sach keh raha hun. Main tumhari mark sheet bhi send kar deta hun tumhe.

Avni was looking at Neil and then she cried. The Khanna family and Neil got alert. They smiled. Shweta hugged Avni.

Neil: Hey, Avni. Don’t cry, yaar.

Avni cried and sniffed. Shweta cupped Avni’s face.

Shweta: yeh to khushi ke ansoo hain.

Avni smiled while crying and everyone smiled. Avni took the blessings from the Khanna family and they met her. Neil smiled. Avni sat back on the couch.

Neil: congratulations.

Avni smiled and wiped her tears. Avni sighed and thought.

Avni: Ab main Mama ko insaaf dilwa kar rahun gi. Ashish Mehta aur Dayawanti Mehta ko un ke kiye ki saza dilwa kar rahungi.

Neil nodded and Shweta kept her hand on Avni’s head and caressed her hair. Avni looked at Shweta with moist eyes.

Shweta: unhe zaror saza milegi.

Avni smiled and Shweta hugged her while standing next to Avni. Neil smiled.

Soon, the day of the ceremony of receiving of certificate came. Avni was sitting in an auditorium with the family. Avni went to receive her certificate and marksheet. Shweta was recording the moment and Prakash was holding his phone. Neil was on call. Neil was sitting on the bed and the lamplight was on. Neil saw Avni receiving the medal and she got her certificate and marksheet. Neil smiled. Neil felt proud of Avni. Avni sighed and looked at her certificate.

Avni came outside to talk to Neil. Avni called Neil who was waiting for her call. Neil received the video call.

Neil waved his hand like he wiped something: Hi.

Avni: Hi.

Neil: Many, many, many congratulations.

Avni smiled and said, thank you.

Neil smiled and then his expression turned sad.

Neil: I am really very sorry, Avni. Aaj tumhari life ka itna bara din tha aur main nahi aa paya.

Avni: Neil, don’t say like this. Tumhare apne exams hone wale hain ase main tum kaise aa sakte the. Acha kiya tum nahi aye. Mujhe bilkul bura nahi laga. In fact, agar tum aate to mujhe bura lagta ke tum apni studies ka loss kar rahi ho meri waja se.

Neil smiled.

Neil: I am proud of you.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Thank you. Ab tum apni studies per focus karo aur mujhe bhi yeh kehne ka mauka do; Neil, I am proud of you.

Neil murmured: usi ke liye to itni mehnat kar raha hun.

Avni was confused.

Avni: Kya kaha?

Neil looked at Avni and shook his head.

Neil: Kuch nahi.

Neil shrugged off his thoughts.

Neil: So, aaj ka kya plan hai? Koi party wagera.

Avni: Party ka to maujhe pata nahi hai lekin Aaj hum sab ka dinner per jane ka plan hai.

Neil groaned.

Neil: Aah, poor me. Wahan sab sath hain aur main yahan akela.

Avni felt bad.

Neil: Anyways, ek baar exams ho jaen phir meri vacation ho jaengi aur main wahan aaunga. Phir hum party zaror karenge.

Avni smiled.

Neil: acha ab tum jao sab ke sath enjoy karo. Have fun.

Avni smiled and said, thank you.

Neil: take care, bye.

Avni: you too, bye.

They cut the call. Avni sighed and she turned. Avni went. On the other side, Neil remembered the day when Prakash told him about his second position.

Flashback:

Neil was passing by the corridor and he saw the door of his room was closed but it was not locked. Neil opened the door and he came into his room. The lights were off and Neil switched on it.

The Khanna family shouted: surprise…

Neil flinched and he looked at the family. Neil was shocked and the Khanna family smiled. Neil looked at his room which was decorated. Neil looked at his family and he saw the table and a cake was kept on it. Neil was confused.

Neil: Yeh sab kya hai?

Shweta: Surprise.

Neil came forward and he saw the cake. Congratulations, second position was written on the cake. Neil was surprised and confused. Neil looked at his family.

Neil: yeh kya hai?

Shweta came to Neil and cupped his face.

Shweta: tu class main second aya hai.

Neil was shocked.

Neil: What?

Shweta nodded.

Shweta: I am so proud of you.

Shweta hugged Neil and kissed his cheek.

Shweta: I am so proud of you.

Neil was still in shock. Neil looked at Prakash who nodded. Neil was shocked. Shweta broke the hug.

Neil: Maine sach main second position li hai.

Shweta: Han.

Bebe: Isay khud ko yakeen nahi araha.

They chuckled.

Neil: Aap logon ko kaise pata chala aur Avni? Avni kya ayi hai?

Shweta looked at Prakash while smiling. Neil looked at Prakash.

Prakash: First.

Neil smiled and got happy.

Neil: Really?

Neil looked at Shweta who nodded.

Prakash: Principal sir ne call kar ke bataya.

Neil looked at Prakash. Neil smiled. Neil took the blessings from Shweta and Bebe. Bebe kissed Neil’s forehead and hugged him. Neil looked at Prakash and he sighed. Neil moved to Prakash and bent to take blessings from Prakash but Prakash held his arms. Neil looked at Prakash and stood properly. Prakash caressed Neil’s hair who got emotional. Prakash hugged Neil and tapped his back. A tear fell from Neil’s eyes and Neil hugged his father.

Prakash: I am proud of you, my son. Proud of you.

Neil felt like he had won the world. Neil got emotional and cried.

Prakash caressed Neil’s hair. Shweta and Bebe also got emotional. Neil wiped his tears and they broke the hug. Prakash cupped Neil’s face and kissed his forehead. Neil got emotional. Prakash kept his hand on Neil’s shoulders.

Prakash: Aaj main khud ko duniya ka sab se taqatwar insan mehsoos raha hun kyun ke aaj mera beta mera sahara banane ke laiq ho gaya hai.

Neil got emotional and Prakash tapped his face.

Prakash: proud of you.

Neil hugged Prakash.

Neil: Thanks, dad.

Prakash smiled and wiped his tears. Shweta and Bebe smiled and wiped their tears.

Prakash: Chal ab cake cut kar.

They broke the hug.

Prakash: Phir aaj hum sab dinner per chalen ge.

Neil wiped his eyes while smiling and then he looked at his father. Prakash kept his hand on Neil’s back.

Prakash: Chal.

They moved to the table. Shweta light the candle. Neil smiled and sat on his knees. Neil blew the candle and the Khanna family clapped. Neil smiled to see his family. Neil cut the cake and he got up. Neil fed the family and the family fed him. Neil smiled and sighed happily. Neil thought and he missed Avni. Neil smiled.

Flashback ended.

Neil smiled and his eyes were moist. Neil came out of his thoughts. Neil wiped his eyes and smiled.