It was daytime, the sun was shining and the birds were hovering in the sky. In an academy, the trainees were standing in the large ground and three girls were trying to climb the rope. The sun was shining over the ground and its rays were falling on Avni’s face who was laying on the ground and she was in pain.

Avni was lost and Avni saw a blurred image of someone. Avni blinked her eyes and tried to clear her vision. Avni saw the person and she was shocked. Avni’s vision got clear and she saw Neil. Avni was surprised. Neil smiled.

Avni whispered: Neil.

Neil sat near Avni.

Neil: Get up, Avni. Utho aur apna task complete karo. Tum ne mujhse promise kiya tha ke tum laro gi, himmat nahi haro gi aur jeet kar aogi. Tumhe jeetna hai, Avni. Utho aur phir se shuru karo.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: Yaad hai na humara sapna. Tum ne kaha tha ke tum humare sapne ko totne nahi dogi usay sach kar ke dikhao gi. Get up, Avni. Get up. Get up. Apna promise yaad karo, Avni. Apna laksh yaad karo. Get up.

Avni looked on. Avni tried to get up. Avni sat on the mattress and she held her ankle.

Neil: Avni.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Get up.

Neil signed at the rope and Avni looked there. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Get up. Tumhe jeetna hai.

Avni looked at the other ropes and the trainees were trying to climb. Avni thought and she looked at Neil.

Neil: get up.

Avni suppressed her lips and she tried to get up. Avni’s friends got happy and the trainer also got happy. Avni tried to get up.

Neil: come on, Avni, get up. Get up fast.

Avni got up but she was not able to stand. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: come on, Avni, you can do it. Come on.

Avni smiled. Avni held the rope and she tried to climb. Neil and the others smiled. Avni started to climb and her ankle was paining. Avni looked down.

Neil: Niche mat dekho. Upar dekho.

Avni looked up. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Tumhari manzil wahan hai.

Avni looked up.

Trainer whispered: come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on.

Avni looked at the trainer who nodded. Avni suppressed her lips and she tried to climb up and up and she reached the end. Avni again heard the gunshot and this time, Avni was ready for it. The trainer and Avni’s friends smiled. Avni looked at Neil who showed thumbs up and Avni smiled. All the ropes were connected to the steel pipe. Now Avni had to hold the pipe and she held it. Avni looked at Neil who nodded. Avni passed the pipe by hanging on it and she looked at Neil from time to time. Avni held another rope. Avni had to come down with that rope. Avni held the rope with her legs and then she held it with one hand then she left the pipe and held the rope with the second hand. Avni slowly came down. Now Avni had to jump from there. Avni looked down and she gulped. Avni looked at Neil who showed a thumbs up. Avni closed her eyes.

Avni: Mujhe jeetna hai. Mujhe mere aur Neil ke sapne ko pura karna hai. Mujhe Maa ko insaaf dilwana hai. Mujhe yeh karna hi hoga. Come on, Avni, jump.

Avni opened her eyes and she looked down. Avni thought and she gulped. Avni was not afraid of the height. Avni was afraid what if her foot would have gotten fractured then. Avni sighed and she left the rope and jumped. Avni jumped on the mattress and she didn’t fall back. Everyone was happy and smiled. They clapped. Avni looked up and smiled. Avni looked at Neil who was smiling. Neil showed thumbs up. Avni smiled and then Neil vanished and with him, Avni’s smile also vanished.

Avni looked around to see Neil but Neil was not anywhere. The trainees came to Avni and Avni looked at them. They congratulated Avni but Avni's eyes were finding Neil. Avni smiled fakely. The Trainer came to Avni and Avni saw him. Everyone stood properly.

Trainer: Weldone, Cadet Number 20. Well done.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Thank You, sir.

The trainer nodded. Avni felt pain.

Trainer: How is your foot?

Avni: Fine, sir.

Trainer: Good but still go to the dispensary and have a check-up. I don’t want to lose my best cadet.

Avni smiled.

Avni: OK, Sir.

The trainer nodded.

Trainer: take her to the dispensary.

The trainees nodded and the trainer nodded. Avni and others saluted him and then the trainer went. Two girls held Avni’s arms and took her to the pharmacy. Avni winced.

Later, Neil was sitting by resting his head on the headboard of the bed in his room. Neil sat with a jerk.

Neil: What? Tum theek to ho na? zyada chot to nahi ayi?

Avni was standing near the counter. She was about to say.

Neil: X-Ray karwaya? Main wahan aun kya? Main abhi ticket book karta hun.

Avni: Neil. Neil, suno to.

Neil stopped.

Avni: Main theek hun, zyada chot nahi ayi. Minor sprain hai. Thanks to the mattress. One week main theek ho jaye ga.

Neil: same pair main laga hai kya jis main pehle laga tha?

Avni: Nahi. Dusre main

Neil: Dihan kahan tha tumhara.

Avni made a sad face.

Avni: Woh gunshot se dar gai. Jab task explain kiya gaya tha to us main gunshot ke bare main nahi bataya ga tha.

Neil: Asa to karen ge na. Wahan tum sab ko IPS Officer ki training di jaa rahi hai to tum log ko physically aur mentally train to karen ge na.

Avni: True. But suno to… Asli baat to tum ne suni hi nahi. Chot lagne bad bhi maine task complete kiya woh bhi sab se pehle. Main task jeet gai. Sir bohat impress howe mujhe se.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Woh to pehle hi tum se impress hain.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Acha sach, sach batao zyada chot to nahi lagi.

Avni made a face.

Avni: Nahi. Agar zyada chot hoti to kya main abhi phone per tum se baat kar rahi hoti. Main yahan khari nahi hoti balke room main bed per pari hoti.

Neil was shocked.

Neil: Tum khari ho?

Avni: Han counter per. Wahi to sab baat karte hain.

Neil closed his eyes to calm himself.

Neil: Tum ne pehle kyun nahi bataya. Avni, tum bhi na. Ab room main jaa kar aram karo. Aur ainda dihan rakhna. Two months main 3 bar chot lagwa chuki ho.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Chot kha kar hi to sikhen ge.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Bina chot khaye bhi sikha jaa sakta hai.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Chalo ab jao rest karo aur apna dihan rakhna.

Avni: OK, tum bhi apna dihan rakhna. Bye.

Neil: Bye.

They cut the call. Neil was smiling. Neil thought and he sighed. On the other side, Avni was standing by holding the receiver of the phone on her chest
Avni smiled and shook her head. Avni thought and she blushed. Avni kept the receiver and smiled. Avni was going from there by holding the counter and then she took the support of the wall.

Days passed and Avni got well. Avni tried to do her best. Avni and Neil didn’t talk for a week and they missed each other very much. Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position and she was looking sad and bored.

Avni: Ek week ho gaya hai meri na to Neil se baat hoi hai aur na hi ghar main kisi se. Bohat yaad arahi hai sab ki. Kitne din ho gaye hain sab se mile, sab ko dekhe. Pehle to phir bhi sab se phone per baat ho jati thi ek week se to woh bhi nahi hoi.

Avni made a sad face.

Avni: Main theek hun ab chal sakti hun lekin phir bhi baat nahi kar sakti. Agar call kiya na to sab mujhe danten ge. Sab. Bebe se le kar Neil tak sab. Kyun uthi jaga se.  Aram se betha nahi jata. Rest karne se to pata nahi kya takleef hai isay. Ek jaga teek ke to beth hi nahi sakti yeh aur pata nahi kya kya… aur yeh Neil… waise to badha sweet, innocent banta hai lekin dantne main woh bhi koi kasar nahi chorta. Aur kehta hai ke main tum se pyaar karta hun. Asa hota hai pyaar, hmm. Idiot, Sadhu, Akroo.

Avni made a sad face and she thought.

Avni: waise sab kehte to sahi hi hain. Meri bhalai ke liye hi kehte hain. Avni, sab tujhse bohat pyaar karte hain. Bohat lucky hai tu ke tujhe itna pyaar karne wale in-laws mile hain. Itna pyaar karne wala pati mila hai. Maine to kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ke mujhe shadi ke bad itni pyaar karne wali family milegi aur Neil… us ke bare main to kahun hi kya. Us ki jitni tareef ki jaye utni kaam hai.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Sahi kehte hain log ke humain kisi cheese ki ehmiyat ka ehsaas tab hi hota hai jab woh cheese hum se dur ho jati hai. Mujhe bhi Neil ki meri life main importance us ke London jane ke bad hi hoi. Jab woh mere pass tha tab maine us ki qadar nahi ki aur aaj us ki ek jhalak ke liye taras gai hun.

Avni realized that she misses Neil a lot and she was amazed to realize that. Avni thought.

Avni: Kya ho gaya hai mujhe. Miss to Neil ko main pehle bhi karti thi lekin aaj kal yeh ajeeb so bechani kyun hai?

Avni thought.

Avni: Shayad sab se dur hun is liye aur phir pehle Neil se video call per baat ho jaya karti thi. Ab to kitne din ho gaye hain sab ko dekhe hoye. Shayad isi liye ab sab ko bohat zyada miss karne lagi hun.

Avni thought and she turned her face. Avni saw a picture frame of the family and she smiled. Avni took the picture frame. Avni smiled and caressed the picture frame.

Avni: My perfect family.

Something came into Avni’s mind.

Avni: Meri dramebaaz perfect family.

Avni smiled.

Avni: I miss you all.

Avni smiled.

Avni is cured and she can walk much better now. Avni’s training started again. Avni came for the jogging where other girls were present. All the girls stood in rows. The trainer smiled to see Avni

Trainer: Cadet Number 20, good to see you back.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Thank you, sir.

Trainer: How is your foot now?

Avni: Much better, Sir.

Trainer: good.

Avni smiled. The Trainer sighed and looked at the girls.

Trainer: so, girls, let’s start?

Girls: yes, sir.

Trainer: then come.

The trainer turned and they went for the jogging. Avni’s foot was aching but Avni ran. Avni slowed down her speed at a point and then she stopped. Avni was panting and she sighed. Avni started again and completed the round. Avni reached the last. Avni made a sad face.

Trainer: It’s ok. We understand. You will be fine soon.

Avni nodded but she was not happy.

Trainer: come.

Avni nodded and she came to the girls and stood at her place. Her friends tried to cheer up Avni who smiled slightly but her mood was not good.

The next day, the cadets had to run while holding the guns. Avni took her gun and she caressed it. Avni thought. The cadets stood in 5 rows and they did the march.

One day, all the girls were standing on the ground. Avni and others looked around. The target boards were kept at a distance and the guns were placed on the table. Avni looked around and there was a complete setup. A line was marked on the ground with white chalk. Avni thought.

Girl: Yeh sab kya hai ab?

The trained heard her. Avni looked at the girls.

Avni: aaj se humari asal training shuru hogi.

The trainer smiled.

Avni: ab tak to hum training karne ke liye train ho rahe the. Aaj jaa kar humari training shuru hone wali hai.

The trainer came forward.

Trainer: Absolutely right, Cadet Number 20.

Everyone looked at the trainer.

Trainer: Your real training will start from today.

Avni smiled.

Trainer: Kya aap sab ko woh targets dikhai de rahe hain?

Cadets: yes, sir.

Trainer: Good. Aap sab ko groups main distribute kiya jaye ga. Har group main 7 cadets honge jo ek sath training karenge. But you have to shoot one by one. Sab ko wahan us table se guns uthani hain us ke bad aap ne yahan is point per khare ho kar target per fire karna hai. That’s it.

The girl whispered: That’s it. Fire karte hi humare sansain nikal jaen gi aur hum that’s it ho jaen ge.

The second girl smiled. Avni heard them and she smiled.

Trainer: everyone got it?

Cadets: Yes, sir.

Trainer: Koi shak.

Cadets: No, sir.

Trainer: Good. Let’s start.

The trainer signed to his staff and they started the preparations. The cadets start the tasks. The first girl missed the target. She made a face and Avni thought. One girl’s hand got injured. Avni and others got alert. A girl shot the target and everyone clapped. Some were happy and some got angry. Avni smiled. The second team came and some hit the target and then a girl shot but she fell back. Avni and others were shocked. The girl got up and she felt awkward. Avni and others clapped to cheer up her. Now it was Avni’s team's turned.

One girl missed the target and Avni was getting nervous. Avni sighed. The second girl also missed the target. Avni got more nervous. Now it was Avni’s turn. Avni closed her eyes and sighed. Avni went and took her position. Avni closed her eyes and sighed. Avni aimed at the target and tried to focus. Avni blinked her eyes. Avni shut her one eye.

Avni heard Neil’s voice: Avni, focus. Kisi bhi aim ko hasil karne ke liye focus hona bohat zarori hai. Apne target per focus rakhna.

Avni in mind: Focus, Avni. Focus. Focus.

Avni sighed and she tried to focus. Avni pressed the trigger and the bullet flew to the target. Everyone’s eyes were on the target. The bullet hits the target and it hits the chest of the target. Avni looked at the target and she was shocked. All the girls were shocked. The trainer was also shocked. The trainer smiled and he got really very happy.

Trainer: Yes. Yes, yeh hoi naa baat.

Everyone looked at the trainer and they were still in shock. One girl clapped and then others clapped. Avni’s friends and other girls got happy and some girls got jealous. Avni smiled but she still couldn’t believe that she hit the chest. Avni looked around and she saw the trainer who showed the thumbs up. Avni smiled. The trainer clapped. Avni smiled and her eyes got moist.

Later: Avni was talking on the phone and of course, it was Neil.

Avni: I can’t believe it, Neil. Maine bilkul point per hit kiya.

Neil was sitting on the bed and he smiled.

Avni: sab ne itni clapping ki. Pehle to sab bilkul shock ho gaye the. Bilkul numb. Dusron ka kya kahun meri apni halat asi thi lekin phir sab ne clapping ki aur mujhe bhi kuch hosh aya. Main bata nahi sakti, Neil, main kitna khush hun.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Woh to tumhari awaz se pata chal raha hai. Very good, Avni, keep it up.

Avni smiled and then she thought.

Avni in mind: mujhe tum se hi to himmat milti hai. jab bhi kadam larkharate hain to tumhari kahi hoi baat yaad aati hain aur phir himmat khud ba khud hi aa jati hai.

Neil: Ase hi mehnat karti raho, hmm.

Avni nodded.

Avni: hmm.

Neil: aur batao.

Avni: Aur.

Avni talked and Neil listened to her. Neil smiled. Neil just wants Avni to talk and he listens to her for hours. Neil realized now Avni had changed a lot. There was a time when Neil was used to talking and Avni listened to him but now the situation is versed and Neil was loving it.

Warden: now, your time is over.

Avni looked at the lady and nodded. Neil heard that.

Avni: Acha, Neil, ab main rakhti hun.

Neil: OK, apna khayal rakhna.

Avni: hmm, tum bhi.

Neil: ok, bye.

Avni: Bye.

Avni kept the receiver and she looked at the warden. Avni smiled and the warden signed her to go. Avni nodded.

Avni: Good night, Ma’am.

Warden: Good night.

Avni nodded and she went from there.

On the other side, Neil was sitting on the bed and his phone was in his hand. Neil shook his head and thought.

Neil: Waqt bhi kitni taizi se guzarta hai. Mano jaise kal ki hi baat ho jab mere college ka first day tha aur main Avni se mila tha. Kaise dari si, sehmi si khari thi. Kitna danta tha tu ne usay us din.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Us ke bad bhi woh ase hi rehti thi. Sirf kaam ki baat aur humari shadi ke bad to bilkul hi shant ho gai thi yaa yun kahun ke Neela Maa ke jaane ke bad woh bilkul shant ho gai thi. Kitna tarasta tha us se baat karne ke liye especially yahan aane ke bad. Phone per kuch bolti hi nahi thi. Aur ab dekho kaise baat karti hai. Kitni excitement se baat karti hai. Bolna jo shuru karti hai to bolti hi jati hai. Mann karta hai bus usay suntan hi rahun.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Such main kitni taizi se waqt guzarta hai. Pehle ki Avni main aur ab ki Avni main bohat fark hai.

Neil smiled and he switched on his phone. Avni’s picture was on his wallpaper.

Neil: Avni, main janta hun ke tumhare dil main mere liye kuch hai. Tum bhi mere liye wahi feel karti hon jo main tumhare liye karta hun bus keh nahi pati. Kab sikho go apne dil ki baat kehna, Avni. Kab. Mere kaan taras gaye hain woh three magical words sunane ke liye. Kab kaho gi tum woh three magical words. Kab.

Neil sighed and looked at the phone. Neil caressed the picture frame. Neil smiled.

Days passed and Neil studied hard and on the other side, Avni also performed her hard work. Avni completed all the tasks and she won many tasks. Avni ran fast, she did exercises with more energy, she tried to complete all the tasks in a minimum time and she did that. Avni aimed at the target and she shot all the points which were mentioned on the dummy and target. Avni was laying on the ground and she aimed at the target. Avni hit the bullseye. Avni smiled and she got up. The trainer was happy with Avni. Avni passed the difficult tasks like crawling in the mud, and passing the hanging ladders while hanging on them. Avni climbed the wall with the help of rope and she also mounted the mountain and many other tasks. Avni completed all the tasks effectively and then the day came for Avni, Neil and the Khanna family waited. The day of passing out.

The academy was decorated. The family of cadets was also sitting there. The chief guests and other guests were present there. Neil was standing at the side with his family. Avni saw Neil who was finding her. Avni smiled and she came to the Khanna family while smiling. Avni smiled to see them and her eyes got moist. Avni saw Bebe and she moved to take the blessings. Bebe stopped Avni and kissed her forehead. They hugged.

Bebe: I missed you.

Avni: I missed you too.

Avni saw Shweta and she broke the hug. Avni moved to Shweta who held Avni’s arms and then she cupped Avni’s face. Shweta kissed Avni’s forehead and hugged her.

Shweta: Meri bachi.

Avni smiled and they broke the hug,

Shweta: kitni kamzor ho gai hai. Theek se khana nahi khati kya.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Khati hun lekin ap ke hath ka khana bohat miss kiya.

They smiled.

Shweta: ghar chal phir khilati hun.

Avni smiled and she looked at Prakash. Avni took his blessings and he stopped her. Prakash showed his hand and slapped Avni’s head playfully. They smiled and hugged.

Prakash: kaisa rahi training.

Avni broke the hug.

Avni: Bohat achi.

They smiled and Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her. They just looked at each other and felt like they had seen each other after ages.

Neil: Hi.

Avni: Hi.

Neil smiled and Avni also smiled.

Someone called Avni and Avni nodded. Avni looked at the family.

Prakash: Jao, Beta.

Avni: Sorry.

Prakash: koi nahi aaj to hum ghar jaa rahe hain na wahan batain hungi ab. Tu jaa.

Avni smiled and looked at Neil who nodded. Avni smiled and went from there. The Khanna family smiled.

Everyone was sitting on the chairs. They saw the drills and other activities. The Cadets got the medals and Avni also came there. Neil and the Khanna family were happy and they felt proud of Avni. They clapped. Avni looked around and she saw her family. Avni smiled to see them. After that, they took the oath. Neil felt proud of Avni and his eyes got moist. The Khanna family smiled and Prakash wiped his tears. Prakash sighed and Shweta caressed his arm. Prakash smiled.

Prakash: I am fine.

Neil looked at Prakash and he smiled. They looked at Avni.

Avni got the award of the best cadet. Neil smiled and clapped for Avni.

The Khanna family was standing and they saw Avni coming. They felt proud to see the medals. Avni came to them. They saluted Avni who smiled. Avni’s friends came there and they met the Khanna family. The trainer saw them and he came to them. Avni saluted the trainer. The trainer nodded.

Avni: Sir, yeh meri family hai. Yeh meri Bebe hain, Harleen Khanna.

Bebe greeted the trainer who nodded.

Avni: Yeh meri Mummy Ji hain, Shweta Khanna.

Shweta greeted the Trainer who nodded.

Avni: Yeh mere papa hain, Prakash Khanna.

They shook hands and said, Hello to each other.

Avni: Aur yeh…

Neil looked at Avni who was looking at him.

Avni: yeh mere husband hain. Neil Khanna.

Neil felt a joy in his heart.

Trainer: Oh.

They shook hands.

Trainer: Hello, how are you, young man?

Neil: I am good. How are you, Sir?

Trainer: I am good.

They smiled.

Trainer: Avni Neil Khanna ek bohat hi talented aur smart girl hai. We are proud of her and we are sure that she will go so far. She will be an honest police officer.

Avni smiled.

Trainer: Maine aaj tak bohat se cadets ko train kiya hai lekin Avni jaisa koi nahi hai. Is ki dedication, focus aur is ka hard work alag hi level ka hai. She is a very hardworking person.

The Khanna family smiled.

Trainer: you are very lucky, Young man that you got her as your wife.

Neil smiled and looked at Avni who looked down.

Nei: I know.

Avni blushed and Neil smiled to see them. They talked.

There was a party in the night. Avni and her friends clicked the pictures. Neil smiled to see them. Avni was standing with the family and the plates were in their hands. They were talking at smiling. Neil and Avni looked at each other and smiled.

Avni met the seniors and she enjoyed herself in the party. Avni met her friends and then she met the trainer and warden. They shook hands.

Trainer: All the very best for your future life.

Avni: Thank you, sir.

Trainer: and make a call to me if you need any help.

Avni: Ok, sir.

The trainer nodded and they smiled.

Later, Neil loaded Avni’s luggage in the trunk of the car and he shut the trunk. Neil cleared his hands and came to the family.

Prakash: Ab tum dono car main jao. Hum plan se ayen ge kal.

Avni frowned and Neil made a face.

Neil: sath main chalte hain na.

Bebe: Naa Bhai, hum thak gaye hain. hum se car main travel nahi hoga.

Neil made a face because he understood their plan. They want Avneil to go alone because Avni will go to join her duty in another city.

Avni: Aap log rahen ge kahan?

Prakash: Hotel main.

Avni: Phir sab sath main rehte hain.

Shweta: tum dono jao na. Hum kal ajaenge.

Neil: OK.

Avni looked at Neil who signed Avni to come. Avni nodded and she met the family. Avneil got in the car and they went. The Khanna family smiled and they looked at each other.

The night converted into a day and the sun was shining in the sky over the beach. Some people were there. Avni and Neil came there. Avni smiled and Neil frowned. Neil looked around and then he looked at Avni.

Neil: Avni, hum yahan kyun aye hain?

Avni was looking at Neil who looked at her. Avni smiled.