Riya - Neil please come home soon, Mehta family is here and they are irritating Avni. I can't handle her alone and they are refusing to leave.

Neil - Damm! ( frustrated )Why these both families aren't letting her stay in peace? I'm on the way Riya, please control the situation.

Call ends.

Neil immediately sat in his car and started driving towards his flat.

After sometime, he reached his flat and immediately went inside. As soon as he saw the scene playing in front of him, his jaw clenched in anger while he balled his fists. His heart painted when he saw Avni sitting in a corner, her knees pressed against her chest while her arms wrapped around her knees, her eyes were filled with endless tears while her innocent face was masked with fear. She was shivering terribly still Mehta family was refusing to leave her alone. He stood there silently as he wanted to see what they want from her but his heart is filled with pain when he saw her crying helplessly.

Aman - Avni we will give you all the love. Come to me. ( softly )

Avni - No no no. ( crying )

She picked up a vase from the table and threw it on him for defending herself, Aman though dodged it but was shocked after he witnessed her violent behaviour. No one knew what she was going through at this moment, her entire past was repeating in front of her eyes when she saw their faces. They thought that they will win her back by speaking some sweet words, little did they know how their refusal of help when she was begging for their support has affected her brain. Since, childhood she thought that her family would stand beside her when everyone else will leave her alone but her family members never gave her the comfort, love, care she deserved. They treated her like some collateral paper and when she became invalid for them, they ripped her apart and let her burn within the hell of helplessness. They all thought that Neil has brainwashed her about them but they will never realise that Neil was the only person who embraced her when she was thrown into the dark streets filled with her inner demons. She finds her home when his presence surrounds her but how can people cursed with a stone heart understand her pain? She again threw a decorative piece in Aman's direction but this time as well he dodged it.

Ashish - Avniiiii ! ( screams )

He came forward and was about to slap her but Neil held his hand tightly and was glaring Mehta family with bloodshot eyes.
Avni was whimpering silently as she was scared of Ashish. She thought that he will beat her like Arjun and won't show mercy on her but as soon as her eyes landed on Neil she smiles slightly and immediately got up from her position and wrapped her arms around his torso, seeking his comfort and crying silently in order to convey him that she was very scared. Neil yanked Ashish's hand away and wrapped his arms around Avni, caressing her hairs tenderly.

Neil - Baby girl stop crying, you know very well that I can't see you cry. ( caressing her back )

She snuggles into him and he tightened his hold on her.

Avni - Send them away Neilu. ( chocked voice) They will hurt me like him.

Neil - No one will hurt my baby. See, your Neilu is here na so no one would be able to harm my Avu.

He coos her lovingly and wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands were wrapped against his neck, he pulls her closer to him and took her in their bed room while whispering sweet nothings in her ears. He closed the bedroom door and positioned her on the bed while sitting beside her. She looked at him with her big doe shaped eyes filled with tears while her face was red. He kissed her forehead and again pulls her into his warm hug.

Avni - Please send them away. ( weakly )

Neil - I will baby but right now you need bath and good amount of food. My Avu is looking so weak and I know very well that rats are dancing in your tummy. ( while tickling her belly )

Avni bursts into fits of laughter and his lips curved up into a beautiful smile after seeing her happy. He took her inside the washroom and brushed her teeth. After brushing her teeth, he laid her on the bed and brought a bowl filled with warm water and a clean towel from the washroom. He stripped her clothes off while she looked at him in confusion.

Avni - I want to sit in that giant tub Neilu. Please fill it with bubbles like you always do. ( pouts )

Neil chuckles slightly and kissed her cheek.

Neil - No Avu, right now you are injured so you can't sit in bathtub but I promise when you will get well then I will fill your giant tub with lots of bubbles. ( smiles )

Avni - Promise. ( cutely )

Neil - Promise. ( smiles )

He gave her sponge-bath and made her wear fresh clothes. After dressing her he tied her hairs in a ponytail,wrapped nuptial chain around her neck and filled her hairline with a pinch of vermilion.

Neil - Omg! My Avu is looking so beautiful. ( dramatically )

Avni giggles.

Avni - Neilu you are a kid. ( stuck her tongue out )

Neil chuckles at her antics.

Neil - You sit here and I will bring your breakfast. Okay?

Avni nods, he kissed her cheek and walked out of the room.

When he came out, he saw that Mehta family was sitting in the living room waiting for him. Riya sensed the tension in the air when she saw Neil glaring at Avni's family.

Riya - Neil, I will prepare breakfast for Avni. She needs to take medicines as well.

Neil nods

Neil - Make something healthy Riya, she's very weak.

Riya went towards the kitchen.

Ashish walked towards Neil and stood infront of him.

Neil - Get out. ( sternly )

Ashish - Listen... ( Neil cuts him off )

Neil - If you want to talk then we will do it outside. I don't want to stress Avni, she's already going through alot.

Ashish nods and they moved out of the flat.

》》》》》》》》

Neil - Now tell me what do you want?

Ashish - We want to take her back.

Neil - We are married and as her husband I won't allow that.

Ashish - Your marriage isn't valid.

Neil - I have the marriage certificate if you are asking for proof but you don't have the right to ask for proof.

Ashish - I am her father. ( sternly )

Neil - Where this so called fatherhood vanished when she was begging for your help? You threw her in front of monster without considering the torture she was undergoing.

Ashish - Neil listen ...

Neil - You listen to me Ashish Mehta, for Avni I can cross every limit. If I can handover my own family to police for bothering my wife then think what I can do with you.

Ashish - Are you threatening me?

Neil - No, just giving you an advise, never mess with my wife or else you will face my wrath.

Ashish - We need to admit her at mental hospital for her proper treatment. ( sternly )

Neil - And who are you to decide this ? ( sternly ). I am the one who will take decisions regarding my wife Mrs. Avni Neil Khanna until and unless she gets fine. You lost your rights on her the day you disowned her for divorcing Arjun. I don't want to waste more time on these useless talks my wife needs me so get lost and please don't create any scene here.

With that he went inside his flat and closed the door on Ashish's face.

》》》》》》》

Riya - Neil is everything alright? ( concerned )

Neil - Yeah! ( sighs ) they are gone. I need to arrange a house for us and after Arjun's case I will proceed her treatment in London.

Riya - Here. ( forwarding the plates containing breakfast ) Don't stress yourself Neil, everything will be alright. ( smiles )

Neil - Hope so, thanks Riya for helping me.

Riya - Oh! come on, now you will thank me. Go and enjoy breakfast with Avni. ( smiles )

Neil smiles and went inside the bedroom. Avni was lost within her thoughts, Neil sat beside her and taps her shoulder breaking her trance.

Neil - What happened Avu?

Avni - Neilu, I'm missing Aahana. ( sighs )

Neil - She will be fine Avu and very soon she will come back.

Avni - Really? ( smiles weakly )

Neil - Really. ( caress her face ) Now let's eat our breakfast, I am very hungry.

Avni chuckles.

They both have their food and after that he gave her medicine. He laid her on the bed and pats her head making her sleep. He smiles when he saw the peaceful expression on her face and kissed her forehead. He laid beside her and pulled her into his arms. Soon sleep engulfed him as his source of tranquillity was wrapped into his arms.

After all the struggles, they are finally proceeding towards their happiness.

》》》》》》》

Do drop your views.

Much love,
Thanks 💖