It was time of the night, and the moon was shining over the Khanna mansion. A car stopped outside the Khanna mansion. Neil got down from the passenger seat and he moved to the back seat. Neil opened the door and he helped Avni to get down from the car. Avni saw the Khanna mansion and her eyes got moist. Many memories engulfed her. Neil was looking at Avni and then he looked at his home. Neil looked at Avni and held her hand. Avni looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil.

Neil: welcome home.

Avni cried and Neil hugged her. Neil consoled Avni and everyone got emotional. Shweta wiped her tears. Neil kissed Avni’s head. They broke the hug and Avni wiped her tears. Neil gulped and his eyes were wet. Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: chalo, Avni, apne ghar chalo. Humara ghar tumhari rah dekh raha hai.

Avni smiled while she was crying. Neil held Avni’s hand and signed her come. Neil showed the way to Avni with his hand.

Avni and Neil came to the door where the Khanna family was ready to welcome Avni. Moghli was smiling. Shweta did Avni’s welcome and Avni saw the flowers were on the way.

Shweta: Aao, Avni, tumhare ghar main tumhara swagat hai.

Avni got emotional.

Prakash: welcome home, bacha.

Avni smiled and her eyes were teary.  Avni was unable to control her emotions. Neil held Avni’s hand and they entered the Khanna mansion together. Avneil looked at each other and smiled. Avni looked at her home with moist eyes. Now she can call the Khanna mansion her home. Neil looked at Avni and then he followed Avni’s gaze. Avneil smiled to see each other.

Bheema: Aap ka swagat hai, Bhabhi.

Avni looked at her and smiled.

Avni: kaisi hain aap?

Bheema: Main achi hun. Aap kaisi hain?

Avni: Main theek hun.

They smiled. Everyone looked happy.

Avni and Neil came to their room and Avni looked at her room. Avni’s luggage was kept there. Once again, Avni got emotional. Avni looked around and Neil looked at her. Avni came forward and Neil locked the door. Neil turned and he saw Avni and his room. Neil came to Avni. Avni felt Neil’s presence and she wiped her tears. Avni sighed to see the room.

Avni: kuch bhi nahi badla. Sab kuch waise ka waisa hi hai.

Neil shook his head and sighed. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: nahi, Avni, kuch bhi pehle jaisa nahi hai.

Avni looked on.

Neil: Maine mere ghusse ki aag main sab kuch jala kar rakh kar diya.

Avni looked at Neil. Neil looked at Avni and he saw the flashed where he burnt Avni’s things. Neil looked down because he felt guilty.

Neil: Mere pass jo tumhari cheezain thi maine jala di woh.

Avni was looking at Neil and she was shocked. Avni got hurt to think that Neil hated her that much. Avni gulped and she looked at Neil with moist eyes. Avni cupped Neil’s face.

Avni: It’s ok, Neil. Hum nayi yaadain bana lenge.

Neil looked at Avni and he was crying.

Neil: I am sorry, Avni.

Avni: it’s ok.

Neil gulped.

Neil: lekin sab kuch nahi jala tha. Mom ne aag ko time se bujha diya tha so kuch cheezain hi jail thi. Baki to maine trunk main dal kar storeroom main rakh diya tha kyun ke Mi…

Neil stopped and he looked at Avni shockingly.

Avni: Mitali ko acha nahi lagta.

Neil looked down because of guilt.

Avni: tum ne sahi kiya, Neil. Tum ne wahi kiya jo ek pati ko karna chahiye tha.

Neil looked at Avni who nodded.

Avni: Main hoti to main bhi tum se yahi expect karti.

Neil was looking at her. Avni nodded.

Avni wiped Neil’s tears and she said: chalo, ab in ansoun ko poncho.

Avni wiped Neil’s tears and Neil also wiped his eyes.

Neil: tum betho main change kar ke aata hun.

Avni nodded and Neil wiped his eyes. Neil went to the cupboard and he took his clothes. Neil looked at Avni who passed the smile to him. Neil smiled and then he thought.

Neil came to the bathroom and he hanged the clothes. Neil looked at the mirror and his eyes were red. Neil came to the sink and he was looking in the mirror. Neil saw the flashes of how he treated Avni when she came back and how Vidyut revealed the truth. Neil held the sink and closed his eyes. Neil felt guilty. Neil suppressed his lips. Neil opened his eyes and looked at the sink.

Neil: Main kitna ghalat tha. Maine Avni ko smajhne main bohat bari ghalti kar di. Woh to humain bachane ke liye hum se dour gai thi… aur maine, maine kya kiya. Us ke dil per na jane kitne zakham de diye.

Neil sighed.

Neil: Avni ne bhale hi mujhe mauf kar diya hai lekin main kabhi khud ko mauf nahi kar paunga.

Neil looked at the mirror.

Neil: Kabhi nahi.

Neil saw his image in the mirror.

On the other side, Avni was sitting on the edge of the bed. Neil came out the bathroom while wiping his hair. Avni saw Neil who saw her and smiled. The towel was on Neil’s shoulder and he came to Avni.

Neil: Avni, tum bhi change kar lo.

Avni was looking at Neil and she got up.
Avni: ab, main… doc, doctor ne arms ko stretch karne se mana kiya hai.

Neil: oh han. Tumhari to Sunehri help karti thi.

Avni nodded while looking down.

Neil: to ab?

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: koi baat nahi main kar lungi.

Neil was looking at Avni who turned. Avni was going.

Neil: Avni.

Avni stopped and she turned to Neil. Neil came to Avni who was looking at him.

Neil said hesitantly: ab if you don’t mind then… main tumhari help kar sakta hun.

Avni was surprised and she was looking at Neil. Neil looked down.

Neil: I mean, doctor ne tumhe arms ko stretch karne se mana kiya hai so main…

Avni looked down and Neil looked at her. Neil looked at Avni’s hand and held it. Avni looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil. Neil held Avni’s hand in between his hands. Avni looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil.

Neil: Avni, main janta hun ke dus saal beet gaye aur in dus salon main humare bich bohat si doriyaan agai hain. Humare bich ek awkwardness hai jo time ke sath hi jaegi. Lekin abhi tumhe meri zarorat hai. Tum khud se change nahi kar sakti tumhare zakham abhi fresh hain.

Avni looked down and Neil felt bad. Neil looked down.

Neil: it’s ok, Avni. I understand. Humain abhi ek lamba safar tay karna hai. Tumhara vishwas phir se jeetne main mujhe time lagega.

Avni looked at Neil who was looking down.

Neil; Main mom yaa Bheema Di ko bula kar lata hun.

Neil stole ke gaze on Avni who was looking at him and then he looked down. Neil turned and Avni held his wrist. Neil looked at the wrist and then he looked at Avni.

Avni: Kisi ko kahin jaane ki zarorat nahi hai.

Neil was surprised and he turned to Avni who moved to him.

Avni: Kisi ko kahin jaane ki zarorat nahi hai.

Neil was about to say.

Avni: Maine kaha na kisi ko kahin jaane ki zarorat nahi hai.

Neil looked on.

AvnI: aur yeh kis ne keh diya tum se ke main tum per trust nahi karti.

Neil looked on.

Avni: Hmm.

Avni cupped Neil’s face.

Avni: Neil, jitna trust is duniya mein main tum per karti hun na utna trust main kisi per nahi karti. Khud per bhi nahi.

Neil got emotional.

Avni: tum mere pati ho, Neil. Tumhara haq hai mujh per.

Neil shook his head and his eyes were moist.

Avni: aur tumhara farz hai mujhe protect karna, meri care karna aur yeh mera haq hai.

Neil looked on.

Avni: Jab humari shadi hoi thi to tum ne kabhi bhi apna haq mujh per nahi jataya. Kabhi mujhe force nahi kiya. Mujhe apna space diya aur mera intazar kiya ke main khud tumhe khud per haq dun.

Neil looked on.

Avni: Maine pehle bhi tumhe khud per haq diya tha aur aaj phir se main tumhe khud per haq deti hun.

Neil was surprised.

Avni: Main tumhari hun, Neil aur tum mere. Humare biche kisi kisam ki awkwardness yaa parde ki zarorat nahi hai.

Neil got emotional.

Avni: Hum ek dusre ki parchai hain phir humare pich parda kaisa.

Avni shook her head.

Avni: koi point nahi hai is main.

Neil: Avni, woh sab to theek hai lekin…

Avni: Neillll…

Neil stopped. Avni took her hands back.

Avni: hum itne time bad mile hain aur tum ne achanak se help ki offer kar di to main thora sa surprise ho gai. Thora sa jhatka to lagega na. Is ka matlab yeh thori hai ke main mana kar rahi hun.

Neil was surprised.

Neil: Means.

Neil wiped his tears.

Neil: means tumhe…

Avni looked down and blushed. Avni shook her head.

Avni: mujhe koi problem nahi hai.

Neil was surprised and his eyes were moist. Avni looked at Neil and then she turned. Neil smiled and he wiped his eyes. Neil unpinned the chunri and went to keep that on the couch. Neil went to the suitcase and he kept it on the bed. Neil opened it, and took out a kurti for Avni. Neil switched off the lights. Neil came to Avni who turned. Neil unpinned the saree and Avni squeezed her eyes. Neil saw Avni from behind. Neil closed his eyes to control his emotions. Neil turned Avni to him who was looking down. Neil changed Avni’s clothes and he didn't see her.
Neil cupped Avni’s face who looked at him.

Neil: Thank you, Avni. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you, mujhe khud per haq dene ke liye. It means a lot to me, Avni. It means a lot. A lot.

Avni was looking at Neil with moist eyes and she smiled.

Neil: thank you mujh per phir se bharosa karne ke liye aur phir se meri zindagi main wapis aane ke liye. Thank you.

Avni shook her head.

Avni: thank you, Neil. Thank you, phir se sab kuch mujhe lutane ke liye. Mujhe phir se sare rishte aur haq dene ke liye. Thank you.

Neil smiled and kissed Avni’s forehead.

Neil: I love you, Avni.

Avni smiled.

Avni: I love you too, Neil. I love you too.

Neil hugged Avni and they smiled while their eyes were moist. Neil kissed Avni’s cheek. They closed their eyes and smiled.

Neil helped Avni to lay on the bed. Neil went to his side and lay while turning to Avni. Neil lay with the help of his elbow and Avni was looking at him and she was smiling. Neil caressed Avni’s hair who smiled. Avni held Neil’s hand and kissed it. Neil smiled. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead and they looked at each other.

It was the time of the morning, the sun was shining in the sky and the birds were hovering in the sky and were chirping. In the Khanna Mansion, the Khanna family was sitting at the dining table. Avni looked at the food and her mouth watered. Avni gulped. Neil looked at Avni and found her looking at the dishes. Prakash and Shweta also felt that and they looked at each other. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her. Neil knew that he would melt so he looked away. Avni made a sad face. Neil looked at his plate and he acted to stir the spoon and had a small bit. Avni poked Neil’s arm who got alert. Neil looked at Avni who pointed at the food. Neil left the spoon.

Neil: Avni, no.

Avni made a sad pout.

Avni: thora sa.

Neil: No. Abhi kuch din tum yeh nahi kha sakti.

Avni looked at Neil innocently.

Neil: Avni, nahi. Yeh blackmailing nahi chalegi.

Neil looked at Avni who was looking at him. Neil made an urgh face and acted to scratch something.

Neil: aahhh. Avni, please mujhe ase dekhne band karo…

Avni looked on.

Neil: Mujhe acha nahi lag raha.

Avni: Acha nahi lag raha to thora sa khane do na.

Neil: Nahi, nahi, nahi.

Avni made a sad face.

Neil: Isi liye, isi liye, main tumhe niche aane nahi de raha tha lekin tum ne zid ki ke sab ke sath breakfast karna hai.

Avni made a grumpy face.

Avni: Akru, saru.

Neil looked at Avni and he was surprised to see Avni. Shweta and Prakash smiled. Moghli giggled and others looked at him, but Neil glared at him.

Prakash: Neil, thora sa khane de.

Neil: Dad, kaisi batain kar rahe hain aap. Abhi Avni ke liye yeh sab theek nahi hai.

Avni looked at Neil angrily.

Shweta: Avni, beta, abhi tu yeh kha le. Bad main tere liye kuch acha sa meetha bana dungi.

Avni looked at Shweta sadly.

Neil: Avni, yeh mou banana band karo aur chalo jaldi se breakfast karo phir tumhe medicine bhi leni hai.

Avni made a grumpy face.

Avni: Nahi. Maine nahi khane wali yeh khichri. Tum hi khao.

Neil: Khaa hi raha hun.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Jab se tum hospital thi tab se main bhi wahi khana kha raha hun jo tum kha rahi ho.

Avni was shocked. Avni looked at Neil’s plate and she was shocked to see the Khichri. Avni looked at Neil with moist eyes. Neil looked at Avni and he was shocked. Neil realized what he said and then he looked at Avni. Neil felt guilty.

Shweta: Beta, jab se tum hospital main thi tab se Neil ne ek lukma bhi khane ka nahi khaya. Us ne kaha ke woh bhi wahi khana khaye ga jo us ki Avni khaegi.

Avni was shocked and she looked at Neil who looked at her and then he looked down. Avni felt guilty.

Shweta: tumhe Khanna khilane ke bad woh aa kar wahi khana khata tha aur us ne tumhe batane se mana kiya tha.

Avni looked at Neil with moist eyes. Avni looked at her food and she started to eat silently. Neil looked at Avni. Neil and others felt sad to see Avni. Avni felt to vomit but she ate. Neil and others started to eat. They had the breakfast. Neil looked at Avni and he cupped her face. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Avni, main tumhara dushman nahi hun. Main janta hun yeh Khana bohat hi baysuad hai lekin main bhi kya karun main majbur hon.

Avni kept her hand on Neil’s hand.

Avni: I understand and I am sorry.

Neil shook his head.

Neil: it’s ok.

Avni: tum ne mujhe bataya kyun nahi.

Neil: taa ke tumhe bura naa lage.

Avni: itna pyaar karte ho mujhse.

Neil: is se bhi bohat zyada.

Avni looked on and Neil smiled. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead. Avneil looked at each other. Shweta and Prakash smiled. Shweta adored them. Prakash looked at his plate. Moghli also smiled. Avneil were smiling to see each other.

Moghli: Papa, mujhe school kon le kar jayega?

Prakash: chal, ready ho jaa. Aaj tujhe main school drop kar ke aata hun.

Moghli: aap dadu?

Prakash: han bilkul. Aur raste main icecream bhi khanege.

Moghli: yeah.

Everyone smiled. Avneil looked at each other and smiled.

After that, Avni was laying on the bed in a Fowler’s position. Neil entered the room and Avni smiled to see Neil.

Neil asked while coming to Avni: tum kab uthi?

Avni: abhi thori dair pehle.

Neil: oh, ok.

Avni found Neil smiling.

Avni: Kya baat hai bohat khush nazar arahe ho.

Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Neil came to his side of the bed and he lay beside Avni. Neil took a cushion on his lap. Avni’s eyes were on Neil who looked at her.

Neil: Bebe ki call ayi thi.

Avni was amazed.

Neil: tumhare bare main puch rahi thi. Tum so rahi thi so maine tumhe disturb nahi kiya.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Kya keh rahi thi.

Neil: Keh rahi thi un ka to mann hai ke pehli flight se wapis ajaen lekin Maddy Bua ki tabiyat theek nahi hai so unhe kuch din wahan stay karna parega.

Avni nodded slightly.

Avni: kaisi hain ab Maddy Bua?

Neil nodded.

Neil: pehle se better hain but doctor ne complete bed rest ka kaha hai.

Avni: Oh, ok. I wish, Maddy Bua jaldi theek ho jaen aur Bebe jaldi se wapis ajaen un ke bina ghar suna suna lag raha hai.

Neil smiled and nodded.

Neil: Hmm.

Avni: un ki aur Mummy ji ki nukjhuk mujhe bohat achi lagti hain.

Neil smiled and remembered something. Neil sighed.

Neil: tumhe pata hai tumhare jane ke bad sab kuch badal gaya tha.

Avni got upset.

Neil: Mom, Dad, Bebe, sab khamosh ho gaye the.

Neil looked at Avni and smiled but he looked sad and his eyes were moist: sab muskurate to the lekin sirf ek dusre ko dekhane ke liye. Andar se sab udaas the.

Avni looked down.

Neil looked around the room: yeh room, yeh ghar sab kuch udas the. Ek khamoshi si howa karti thi.

Neil looked at Avni who was looking at him sadly.

Neil: lekin ab tum wapis agai ho na. Ab phir se Mom, Dad, main, sab ki khushiyan aur hoton ki muskurahat laut ayi hai.

Avni smiled slightly.

Neil: sab ko jaise ek nai zindagi mil gai ho. Yeh room, yeh ghar, yahan ki har ek cheese, sab kheel uthe hain. Tumhare aane se yeh ghar chehak utha hai.

Avni’s eyes got moist.

Avni: meri waja se sab ne bohat suffer kiya hai na.

Neil was shocked and he cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: Nahi, Avni, jo kuch bhi howa us main tumhari koi ghalti nahi thi.

Avni was looking at Neil with teary eyes.

Neil: tumhe guilty feel karne ki zarorat nahi hai. Tum ne jo kuch bhi kiya woh humare liye liye.

Avni was looking at Neil and she was about to cry. Neil wiped his tears.

Neil: Acha, choro in sab baton ko.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: tumhe pata hai Mom apni bahu ke liye special meetha bana rahi hain.

Avni was wiping her tears and she looked at Neil.

Neil: jo healthy bhi ho aur tasty bhi.

Avni was looking at Neil. Neil smiled.

Neil: han… Kya baat hai, Madam, aap ke to badhe maze hain. Aap ki sasu maa aap ki sawa kar rahi hain.

Avni was looking at Neil and then she smiled. Neil smiled to see Avni. Avni wiped her eyes. Neil talked to divert Avni’s mind. They smiled. Neil side-hugged Avni who smiled and kept her head on Neil’s chest. Neil smiled. Neil caressed Avni’s hair. Avni looked at Neil and smiled. Avni thought and she looked at Neil. Avni was confused that she should talk to Neil or not. Avni looked at Neil and then she looked down.

Avni: Neil.

Neil was caressing Avni’s hair: Hmm.

Avni remained silent. Neil frowned and looked at Avni.

Neil: kya howa?

Avni looked at Neil who also looked at her. Avni moved away and kept her hair behind her ear. Neil was looking at Avni who looked at him.

Avni: Neil, tum phir se policeforce join nahi kar sakte?

Neil was shocked to hear Avni and the sadness was clearly shown at Neil’s face. Avni was looking at Neil.