Chapter 10:

It was the time of morning, the sun was shining in the sky and birds were chirping on the trees and in the sky. Avni was sitting in the restaurant and she was shockingly looking at a person. Avni got up to see the person. A man was coming to Avni by keeping his one hand in his pocket. Avni was looking at the man.

Avni: sir, you?

Neil was standing in front of her and he was smiling. Avni was just looking at him. Neil pointed at the chair.

Neil: may I?

Avni looked at the chair and then she looked at Neil.

Neil: thank you.

Avni frowned. Neil came to the chair and he sits.

Neil: aahh.

Neil looked at Avni who was just looking at him.

Neil: what happened? Sit.

Avni looked around. They were alone there. Avni sat.

Avni: sir, please, don’t mind but, please, sit somewhere else. I am waiting for someone.

Neil: for whom?

Avni looked at Neil. She again looked down.

Avni: a, a friend.

Neil: means, I am your friend?

Avni frowned.

Avni: what?

Neil: ab, you came to meet me and you are saying that you came to meet a friend so, so that means, I am your friend.

Avni: sir, sir, I think, there is some misunderstanding.

Nei smiled.

Neil: there is no misunderstanding. You came to meet a guy for marriage, right?

Avni was confused and shocked. She nodded.

Neil: I am that one.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: but mamma said her friend’s son is coming to meet me.

Neil was looking at her. Avni looked down.

Avni: sir, I think, mamma misunderstood something, you don’t worry, I will talk to her.

Avni took her bag and she got up. Avni moved to go but Neil held her hand and like always, Avni looked at the hands then she looked at Neil.

Neil: there is no misunderstanding, I went to talk to your mom.

Avni was shocked,

Neil: please, sit, I explain you everything.

Avni looked at the hands and Neil followed her gaze and then he left Avni’s hand. Avni looked at Neil who lowered his gaze. Neil signed Avni sit. Avni thinks and she sat. Neil too sat.

Neil: ab, yesterday, I went to meet your mother.

Avni: but, why?

Neil: to ask for your hand.

Avni was shocked. Neil leaned to the table and kept his arm on the table.

Neil: Avni, I am very ashamed of my act. I know, I hurt you but when I saw those pictures, my blood boiled and in anger, I said all those things.

Avni looked down.

Neil: I know, I did a grave mistake but you know very well about my anger.

Avni nodded.

Avni: yes, I know, sir, after all, I always become the victim of your anger.

Neil looked down. Avni was angrily looking at him.

Neil: I know. I am arrogant and rude at some times, I…

Avni: some times?

Neil looked at Avni and again he looked down.

Neil: mostly.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: but, Avni, that day, I was hurt more than angry. I was hurt to see those pictures. I was hurt to think that how can my Avni do that?

Avni: first of all, I am not yours and secondly, if we love someone then we should also have trust on that person and what did you do, sir, you accused me without knowing a complete truth.

Neil was looking at Avni.

Avni: you could think that those pictures can be morphed or anyone’s conspiracy. But, no, you accept that I am a culprit. You just lashed out at me and what not you said to me. And now, you are claiming that you love me. Like seriously?

Neil: I know, I did a mistake and I am saying sorry to you.

Avni: now, what would I do of your sorry? Now please, you forgive me and let me go.

Neil was looking at her. Avni was about to get up but her phone rang so, she took out the phone. Avni was numbed for a second to see Doctor’s number. Neil was looking at Avni and Avni picked up the phone.

Avni: hello.

Doctor: Avni, Neela Ji’s health has worsened, come to the hospital quickly.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: I am coming, doctor, I am coming.

Avni cut the call and kept the phone in the bag.

Neil: what happened?

Avni: Mamma is unwell, I have to go.

Neil was shocked. Avni took her bag and she got up. Avni ran.

Neil: Avni, stop.

Neil ran after her. Avni was going. Neil came on her way. Avni looked at him. Both were panting.

Neil: come, I drop you.

Avni: I will go myself, just leave my way.

Neil: Avni, I know a shortcut from here, I will get you there in ten minutes. In just ten minutes.

Avni thinks.

Neil: just in ten minutes.

Avni: ok.

Neil: come.

They hurriedly go. They got in the car and goes.

On the way, Avni was hell worried. Neil looked at her and then he focused on the road.

Neil: don’t worry, nothing will happen to Neela maa.

Avni looked at Neil to hear Neela maa. Avni got emotional.

Avni: Neela maa?

Neil looked at her. He looked down and then he looked at the road.

Neil: Ab, yeah, she asked me to call her maa so, I…

Neil licked his lips. Avni looked down and she looked out from the window.

Avni was fastly passing by the corridor and Neil was behind her. The doctor came out of the room. Avni saw him and fasten her speed. Avni came to the doctor.

Avni: how is mamma, doctor?

Doctor: she is better now, we gave her an injection of rest.

Avni sighed by closing her eyes and Neil was also relieved. Neil looked at Avni.

Avni: what happened to her?

Doctor: breathing problem.

Avni was shocked.

Doctor: she was not able to breathe properly. Avni, now, we should not do more late in operation.

Avni: then, do it.

Neil: don’t worry about the money, you just do the operation. I will give you as much money as you want.

Avni shouted: I don’t need your money.

Neil got hurt. Avni looked at the doctor.

Avni: Don’t worry about the money. I will deposit it in one or two days.

Doctor: Avni, the thing is, the boy who wanted to donate his kidney, he refused to give it.

Avni was shocked.

Avni whispered: what?

Avni thinks and Neil was looking at Avni.

Avni: now, what will we do?

Neil felt bad. Avni looked at the doctor.

Avni: I can give my kidney.

Neil was shocked.

Doctor: no, you can’t donate your kidney. You know that.

Avni looked down.

Neil: I will donate my kidney,

Avni was shocked. She looked at Neil.

Doctor: are you sure?

Neil nodded. A ward boy came to the doctor.

WB: doctor, there is an emergency in room number 36.

Doctor: ok, excuse me.

The doctor goes. Neil looked at Avni who was looking down.

Avni: thank you for the help. And…

Avni licked her lips.

Avni: you don’t need to donate your kidney. I will find some way.

Neil was looking at Avni.

Avni goes to meet Neela maa and Neil goes behind her. Neela maa opened her eyes and she smiled. Avni smiled slightly to see her. Neela maa was feeling low.

Avni: Do you enjoy teasing me? You almost took my life today.

Neela maa and Neil smiled.

Nm: Neil.

Neil: yes, Neela maa, how are you?

Avni looked at Neil.

Nm: I am fine. How was your date?

Avni and Neil looked at each other.

Avni: It was not the date and why did you lie to me?

Nm: you are still angry with him?

Avni frowned.

Nm: he is sorry, Avni, now forgive him. See, just for your apology, he came here yesterday. Who does it nowadays?

Avni looked down. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil smiled.

Neil: don’t worry, I will pacify her, Neela maa, you just have a rest.

Nm: Avni, forgive him for me, fights happen in relationships.

Avni: relationship?

Neil looked at Avni and then he looked down. Neil thinks. Avni looked at Neil and she understood to see him that he has created a story.

Nm: yes, relationship. Neil told me everything. You are angry with him because he was busy with his work.

Avni was shocked. She looked at Neil. Neil looked away.

Nm: and then you both had an argument and now you are angry with him, right?

Avni was looking at Neil.

Avni: hmm.

Nm: Avni, Neil is a nice guy, he really loves you, please forget everything and accept his apology.

Avni: ab, you have rest.

Nm: no, first, say, you forgive him.

Avni: ok, fine, I forgive him. Happy now.

Neil got happy and Neela maa smiled also.

Nm: very.

Avni: now, have rest.

Neela maa nodded.

Nm: ok, my mom.

Trio smiled then Neela maa closed her eyes. Avni moved to her mother, she caressed the hair of her mother and then she kissed her forehead. Neil smiled to see that.

Avni and Neil came out. Avni turned to Neil.

Avni: why did you cook up that story?

Neil: what would I do? You were not ready to listen to me.

Avni was looking at him.

Avni: then you will cook up a story.

Neil: Yeah.

Avni shook her head. Avni was about to move.

Neil: thank you.

Avni looked at him.

Neil: for the apology.

Avni: I did that for my mamma, not for you.

Neil: but my benefit is also in it.

Avni looked at him and then she goes. Neil turned and he was looking at her. Neil didn’t offer her a lift because he knew that Avni will not accept it now. Neil sighed.

Neil: soon, you will forgive me with your whole heart. I promise.

Neil smiled and then he took a deep breath.

Some days passed and Neil can also not donate his kidney because it didn’t match Neela maa’s but they got the donor and in two days, the transplant of Kidney will happen. Avni has sold her home but she asked the time of one month to leave the home.

It was the time of evening, the birds were flying in the sky. Avni was sitting on the couch and she was doing her freelancing work. She has decided to do it and will work in the café. The money, she will earn will be enough for her and her mother because now, after the transplantation, Neela maa will be at home so she should work from home and if needed then she will join a company but right now, she was not in a mood to join any company. Avni was working on the laptop by keeping it in her lap and she heard the doorbell.

Avni: Tch, now, who is it? People don’t even let a person do its work peacefully.

Avni kept the laptop on the table and she got up. Avni goes to the door and she opened it but as soon as, she saw the person, she got shocked.

Avni: sir, you?

Neil was standing at the door and he smiled to see Avni. A bouquet was in his hands and those were Avni’s favourite flowers. She loves roses of every colour but red was her favourite. Avni was amazed to see the roses. She looked at Neil who smiled.

Neil: can I come in?

Avni looked down and she nodded. Avni took a side and Neil came inside. Avni closed the door. Neil looked at Avni’s home.

Neil: Nice home.

Avni looked at her home and she smiled. Neil turned to Avni and passed the bouquet. Avni looked at Neil and then she took the roses. Avni smiled to see them.

Neil: roses are your favourite, right?

Avni looked at Neil because she wondered how he got to know.

Neil: Neela maa told me.

Neil smiled.

Avni: sit, sir.

Neil nodded and they goes to the couch and sat there.

Avni: what will you have, sir?

Neil: word sir.

Avni frowned.

Neil: now, you are not my employee then why you are still calling me sir? My parents gave me a quite good name, Neil. Don’t you like it?

Avni remained silent. Neil was looking at Avni.

Neil: anyways, I came to talk to you. So, Avni, now what?

Avni frowned.

Avni: what, what?

Neil: Now, things have changed between us, our families have accepted our alliance and I also like so, what is your opinion about it?

Avni: Sir, see, right now, I am not in a state to take any decision. At this time, my only priority is my mamma and I want to see her all fine and happy at any cost. She wanted to fix our alliance and if it gives her happiness then I am ready for it.

Neil looked down.

Avni: but, I can’t promise you or give you any commitment, I have many things to do in my life and marriage is of course not in my list at least not now.

Avni paused for a while and she was looking at Neil whose eyes were also on her.

Avni: so, don’t waste your time on me. You can get a better girl than me.

Neil: But, I want you.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: I love you and I don’t want any other girl than you.

Avni's eyes were on Neil who looked down. Neil took out a box from his pocket and he looked at it. Avni also saw the box. Neil smiled sadly and Avni looked at Neil. Neil opened it. Avneil looked at the ring. Neil smiled to see the ring.

Neil: I thought when I will propose to you then I will make you wear this ring but. But, I lost that chance because of my arrogance.

Avni looked down. Neil sighed and kept the ring on the table. Avni saw that.

Neil: I am keeping it here if you are ready for our alliance then wear it else… the rest is your wish. Don’t think that I am forcing you.  You are free. I will accept whatever will be your decision.

Avni’s gaze was on Neil who looked at her and then he instantly got up and goes. Avni was looking at him. Neil opened the door and he stopped. His heart was asking him to turn and see Avni and Avni was also looking at him. Neil did not turn and he goes from there. Avni looked at the ring and she thinks.

It was the time of the day, the birds were hovering over the hospital where Avni and Neil were standing on both sides of the bed. They were looking at Neela maa, Neil looked at Avni and then he looked at Neela maa. Neela maa took Neil’s hand in her hand and also took Avni’s hand in her second hand. Neela maa gave Avni’s hand to Neil’s hand. Avni and Neil looked at each other then they looked at Neela maa when she talked.

Nm: please, Neil, take care of my Avni. She looked rude but her heart is just like a child's.

Avni got emotional.

Nm: Neil, promise me that you will take care of her and will never leave her side.

Avni: Mamma, stop this sentimental drama, nothing will happen to you,

Neela maa smiled and Neil too smiled to see Avni’s anger.

Nm: Neil, promise me.

Neil kept his hand on Neela maa's hand because she kept Avni’s hand in Neil’s hand.

Neil: I promise.

Neela maa smiled and turned to Avni.

Nm: you also promise me that you will take care of your relationship with Neil and his family.

Avni looked away because Neela maa was losing hope that she will survive. Neil was looking at Avni.

Nm: Avniii…

Avni looked at Neela maa and she kept her hand on Neil’s hand. Neil saw the ring in Avni’s hand.

Avni: I promise.

Neela maa smiled and Avni instantly hugged her by keeping her head on her mother’s chest. Avni cried and Neil felt bad. Neela maa smiled.

Nm: aray, nothing will happen to me. Don’t cry, I will not go anywhere before seeing your children.

Neil smiled slightly. Neela maa kissed Avni’s hair.

Nm: my bacha.

A ward boy came there. Neil and Neela maa saw him.

Man: ab…

Avni moved away and she saw the ward boy. Avni wiped her eyes and she looked at Neela maa. Avni cupped her mother’s face and she kissed her forehead.

Avni: you have to come back to me.

Neela maa smiled but she did not promise her. Avni hugged her mother and squeezed her eyes. Neil was looking at them.

Neela maa was taken for the transplant and she was laying on the bed. Avni and Neil were moving along with the stretcher. Neil looked at Avni who was holding the hand of her mother and was not ready to take off her eyes from her. They stopped and Avni caressed the hair of her mother and she kissed her forehead then she smiled to see her mother and to make her feel good. Neela maa was taken from there. Avni was looking at the door and Neil was standing behind her. Neil kept his hand on Avni’s shoulder. Avni looked down and she turned to Neil who signed her by nodding his head and Avni looked down then she nodded. Neil took her to the bench by holding her shoulders and then he made Avni sit. Neil sat beside her and he held Avni’s hand in his hand. Avni looked at Neil and Neil signed that everything will be fine and Avni lowered her gaze and she nodded then she looked at the operation theatre. Neil also looked there. They were waiting for the good news and were worried also.