Chapter 18:

It was a sunny day, the Mehta house had shown there was complete silence. Neil was looking at Avni who was sitting by bowing her head, her eyes were tightly closed, she was clenching her scarf tightly as much as she can.

Shweta: oh that, that we know. Neil told us everything. I thought, there is something else.

Bebe: Yes, Neil told us that and we don't have any problem. Avni, herself told that to Neil and I really like that because if she wanted to hid she can hide it but she, herself told that to Neil that means she is honest. I must appreciate that.

Neela maa and Arnav sighs deeply. Avni was looking at Khanna family.

Bebe: and everyone do mistakes but the good one is that who learn from the mistake and correct it and Avni did that. We don't have anything related to her past we believe in today and today she is perfect in every sense and I believe that she will be proven the best wife, the best daughter-in-law.

Neil and Avni smile and look at each other.

Flashback:

After checking the reports. They talked about that.

Avni: so, what is your decision now?

Neil: I am ready to marry you.

Avni was surprised.

Neil: We don't have any other option and about this matter. I need to talk to a gynaecologist. Don't worry, I think, it is not a big issue we will find some way. I want to be honest, Avni, see our marriage is an arranged marriage so it will take time to create a strong bond and about fulfilling the wish of the family we can say that we need time we will manage everything.

Avni looks at him she thinks something and looks at Neil.

Avni: I want to tell you something else.

Neil frowns.

Avni: I was a drug addict.

Neil was shocked he was shockingly looking at her.

Avni: Neil?

Neil comes out of shock.

Neil: what?

Avni nods.

Neil: but you don't look like. I mean, you don't have any sign of a drug addict.

Avni: because I left it years ago. After my accident, after losing my sister, I left consuming that.

Neil looks at her. His heart was not believing that. Avni feels that.

Avni: but, I did not touch it for four years. I swear.

Neil was looking at her.

Avni: still you want to marry me?

Neil was looking at her. Avni was waiting for his reply.

Flash back ends.

Avneil were looking at each other they came out of their world by hearing the laughter of the family.

Prakash: so, let's discuss the marriage function.

Avni: ab uncle.

Prakash: Uncle? who is uncle here?

Avni frowns then she smiles. Neil was confused.

Avni: Papa.

Neil was a startled. He does not know why he is feeling happy.

Prakash: that's like a good girl.

Avni smiles and Arnav was happy that her sister got good in-laws.

Prakash: say, my child.

Avni: what about Aman and Kareena? I mean, we accept the condition now what?

Aman looks at her. He felt lucky that Avni is his sister she is his cousin but thinking about his happiness if he had a sister she would not do that.

Prakash: don't worry, now Maddy doesn't have any excuse she has to agree now.

Avni smiles and looks at Aman who was looking at her with teary eyes and guilt he looks down. Avni feels bad to see him.

Prakash: I must say, Avni, you are the best sister.

Avni smiles but it faded when she thinks something.

Shweta: so, I think we should do the engagement after one week and marriage in a month what say?

Ashish: as you say.

Bebe: Neil, Avni, are you ok with it?

Neil nods.

Neil: yes Bebe.

Bebe: Avni?

Avni nods by looking down. Neil understands her condition but they are helpless.

Nm: ab, if you tell us the date then we prepare for the wedding accordingly.

They discuss that.

Bebe: so, the 20th of August is done.

All nods. Avni was looking down.

Shweta: ok so, it is done. Now, your daughter is ours we will come to take her on the 20th of August.

Neil and all smiles and to hear that Avni feels sad and get emotional. That sentence brings thousands of thoughts in her mind that now she will leave her home, how she manages, how life changes, how strange it is that the home where she lives since childhood now she will leave that and will go to another home. Strangers will become her family and her family will come after her in-laws and many other things.

They hear someone's shouting.

Person: no.

They look there and saw Arav is crying. Arav runs to Avni and hugs her, Avni captures him in her arms. All feels sad to him and that little soul brings tears in everyone's eyes. Arnav smiles and looks down he tries to control his emotions. Sonia was standing near him she keeps her hand on his shoulder.

Avni: hey Aru, what happened?

Arav breaks the hug.

Arav: I will not let you go anywhere. You are mine.

Avni smiles but she was emotional her eyes were teary. Neil smiles to see their bond. Arav looks at the Khanna family.

Arav: please, don't take my Bua. If you want then take my all savings even my Peggy bank but please don't take my Bua.

Avni was looking at him. Arav looks at his family.

Arav: I will be a good boy. I will daily drink the milk, I will not trouble anyone. I will do everything, will listen to everyone please don't send my Bua, please.

Nm: Sonia.

She sighs to take him. Sonia nods but Arav hugs Avni. Sonia feels bad.

Arav: no, I will not leave Bua.

Avni: Aru, listen, baby.

Avni makes him away and cups his face she wipes his tears.

Avni: I am not going anywhere.

Arav: promise?

Avni: promise.

Arav: but they will take you on the 20th of August. I hear that.

Sonia: she is going to marry. One day, she has to go.

Arav sobs and turns to Avni.

Arav: but you are mine. I told you that when I will be a big boy then I will marry you.

Avni and all smile.

Avni: but you are so small.

Arav: but I love you and you also love me.

Arav turns to Neil.

Arav: she loves me you find someone else, Gorrila uncle.

Avni widens her eyes and looks at Neil and Khanna family. Avni holds his arm and keeps the finger on her lips.

Avni: shhh.

Arav looks at his family and all are keeping the finger on their family. Shweta and Bebe control their smiles by suppressing their lips. Neil glares at Avni who looks away to avoid eye contact. Prakash laughs to make the situation normal.

Prakash: it's ok. He is just a kid, it's fine.

All took the breathe of relief.

Neil: Arav, come here.

Arav goes to him. Neil holds his arms.

Neil: you love Bua?

Arav nods.

Neil: ok, I don't want to come between you two but what I do, no one is ready to marry me as I am just ok, ok.

Arav: you look good.

Neil: but not as much as you are.

Avni was looking at them.

Neil: you will get any other girl but if today this alliance broke then I will not get any other girl.

Arav: really?

Neil nods sadly. Avni smiles to see that.

Arav: ok then you marry her but promise me that you will take care of her and get her here every Sunday we will play.

Neil: Promise.

Arav: one more promise, you will not let the tears come in her eyes. You know she cries every day by hugging the photo frame of our family.

Neil and Avni were shocked. Even everyone was shocked they look at Avni. Neil looks at Avni who was looking at Arav she looks at all and avoid eye contact.

Arav: no one know about it except me because I heard her crying, I saw her crying. I always hide under her bed from the mamma then I heard her crying.

Avni: ab, aa, Arav.

Neil and Arav look at her.

Avni: ab, aa. Di, did you complete your drawing?

Arav nods.

Avni: go, good. Go and get it, let me see.

Arav nods and turns to go but he stops and turns to Neil. Avni gets worried. Neil was looking at her.

Arav: don't forget your promise.

Neil smiles.

Neil: never.

Arav smiles and goes. Avni sighs and saw Neil is looking at her suspiciously. She looks away and Neil gets doubted on her.