Chapter 27:

It was daytime, the weather was quite good. The birds were flying in the sky and the Khanna family was standing outside the Khanna mansion. Avni was looking at Neav with teary eyes and a smile was on her face. Neav started running and Neil was surprised. Neav came to Avni and hugged her. Avni was weak so Neil instantly held Avni’s arms and Neil said, Neav.  Avni held Neav.

Avni was smiling with teary eyes. Avni frowned and she looked at Neav.

Avni: Neav.

Avni tried to take Neav away but he was not ready to leave her.

Avni: Neav.

Avni forcefully took away Neav and Avni and Neil were shocked to see Neav crying.

Avni: Neav.

Avni sat on her knees. Neil was shocked.

Neil: Avni.

Avni cupped Neav’s face.

Avni: What happened to my Baby? Why are you crying?

Neav: Why did you go away from me? You never missed me?

Avni felt bad. Neav again hugged Avni and Avni also captured him in her arms. Avni smiled while crying. Neil wiped his tears and sniffed. Avni broke the hug and cupped Neav’s face. Avni wiped Neav’s tears.

Avni: Mama has come back now stop crying. Don’t cry.

Avni kissed Neav’s whole face and then she again hugged him. Avni saw the family. Avni looked at Neav and made him away holding his arms.

Avni: now don’t cry. Smile.

Neav smiled. Avni smiled and looked at the family. Avni kept her hand on the car to stand. Neil gave her support and made Avni stand. Avni looked at Neil and then she looked at the family. Avni slowly moved to them and they moved to her. Neil held Neav’s arm and made him stand in front of him. Neil held Neav’s shoulders. Avni stopped and looked at the family. Shweta came to Avni and cupped her face. Avni bent to take her blessing but Shweta stopped her and Avni looked at her. Shweta made Avni stand and gave her blessings. Avni smiled. Shweta hugged Avni and kissed her hair.

Shweta: We missed you a lot.

Avni smiled. Avni looked at Prakash and broke the hug. Prakash came to Avni and kept his hand on Avni’s head. Avni was looking at him. Prakash cupped her face.

Prakash: You were so angry that you didn’t even come to meet your family.

Avni lowered her gaze.

Prakash: What was our mistake? Was our relationship with you just because of Neil? We are no one to you?

Avni shook her head.

Prakash: Then why you didn’t come to meet us?

Avni said innocently: You also didn’t come to me.

Prakash: We are elders. We had to come to meet you, hmm?

Avni shook her head.

Prakash: Then?

Avni: I thought you all are angry with me.

Everyone was smiling with moist eyes.

Prakash: Why would we? What have you done with us?

Avni looked on. Avni looked at Neil who looked at her and then he looked down. Avni looked at Prakash.

Prakash: and why you went leaving your home? Why didn’t you kick out this idiot from the home?

Avni, Neil, and others smiled.

Prakash: You should have asked him that it is your home and you will not go anywhere leaving it.

Avni smiled. Prakash cupped Avni’s face.

Prakash: We didn’t only call you our daughter, we have accepted you as our daughter. You are our daughter.

Avni smiled with teary eyes. Avni held her ears and Prakash took his hands back.

Avni: I am sorry.

Everyone smiled.

Prakash: I am forgiving you this time but if you do it again then I will not forgive you.

Avni’s smile faded and Neil’s too. They looked at each other and then Avni looked at Prakash. Avni smiled fakely. Prakash hugged her. Avni got emotional. Neil smiled. Bebe came to Avni and Avni and Prakash saw her.

Bebe: Only you will shower your love on your daughter or will give a chance to others.

Avni and the others smiled. Avni broke the hug. Bebe sighed.

Bebe: By the way, I am angry with you, but still, I am helpless in front of my heart.

Avni, Neil, and others smiled. Neav looked at Neil who also looked at him and smiled.

Avni held her ears and said, sorry.

Bebe: Hmm. OK, I forgave you this time but don’t repeat it.

Neil looked at Avni who smiled fakely. Bebe kept her hand on Avni’s head and kissed Avni’s face cupping her face. Avni smiled and Bebe hugged her.

Neav: Mama said right, everyone loves her a lot here.

Avni looked at Neav and broke the hug while smiling.

Neil: Hmm.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Everyone loves her a lot here.

Avni and Neil’s eyes locked. Avni looked down and then she looked at Bebe. Avni smiled. Neil looked down in disappointment. Neil shook his head and wore a fake smile.

Neil: Ab, let’s go inside. Avni needs rest. The doctor has prohibited her from standing for a long.

Shweta: Oh yes.

Prakash: And you are telling us this now.

Neil made a face and Neav giggled keeping his hand on his lips. Neil glared at him.

Neil: Shut up.

Neav: Mama.

Avni was smiling.

Prakash: Neav, you come to Dadu.

Avni smiled. Neav went to Prakash and Neil to Avni. They moved to the mansion and Neil helped Avni to climb the stairs. Shweta made Avni wear the Chunri and Avni got emotional. Shweta welcomed Avni like a new bride. Avni came inside and she looked at the mansion. Avni smiled but her eyes were moist. The memories engulfed her and Avni saw the flashes of good moments. Neil was looking at Avni and he came to her.

Neil: Let’s go to the room. You need rest.

Avni didn’t say anything and Neil picked up Avni. Everyone was surprised.

Neav shouted: Papa picks up Mama.

Avni flinched. Avni and Neil looked at him. Avni felt odd and Neil smiled to see her red cheeks.

Avni: Ne, Neil… Neil, put me down.

Neil: Why? See, our son is so happy.

Avni looked at Neil who was smiling. Avni looked down because of awkwardness. Neil smiled. Neav jumped and clapped his hands.

Neav: Papa picks up Mama. Papa picks up Mama.

Avni saw Neav and smiled. Neil looked at the family and nodded. They also nodded. Neil took Avni from there.

Neil was carrying Avni from the corridor and Avni was looking at him. Neil felt that Avni’s gaze was on him.

Neil: Wifey, nazar lagane ka arada hai kya?

Avni felt awkward and looked down.

Neil: But you can stare at me, you have a right.

Avni looked at Neil and then she avoided eye contact. Neil smiled to see her. Avni looked at the corridor and smiled. They reached the door and Neil made Avni stand. They looked at the door. Avni’s heart started to beat fast. Neil sighed to see the door.

Neil: You know, Avni, I am also going to our room after six years.

Avni looked at Neil shockingly.

Neil: When you left me, I also left this room.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: How could I live in this room where my Avni would not have been with me?

Avni smiled lowering her gaze.

Avni: You are talking as I left you but the truth is I didn’t leave you; you asked me to go away from your life.

Neil looked down. Avni looked away. Neil smiled fakely and wiped his eyes. Neil opened the door and Avni looked at the door. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: I asked you to go away from my life and today I will bring you back to our room.

Avni looked on. Neil opened the door and Avni looked at the room. Neil picked up Avni who flinched. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Welcome back.

Avni lowered her gaze and Neil took Avni inside. Avni looked at the room and got emotional. Neil made Avni stand. Avni looked at her room with teary eyes and many memories engulfed her. Avni saw the flashes of their sweet moments. Neil also got emotional after all he also came into his room after six years. Avni was smiling and a tear fell from her eye. Avni gulped. Avni remembered something and her smile faded.

Flashback:

1. Neil: Don’t you have a mind (Neil touched Avni’s side head) to understand that I am busy.

Avni: I, I am sorry.

2. Neil: aur asi konsi qayamat tot pari thi ke tum mere ghar aane tak ka intazaar nahi kar sakti thi. (And what storm was on the verge of breaking that you could not wait for my coming home?)

Avni remained silent. Neil turned to Avni.

3. Neil: hmm? Tell me… and it is not the first time when you have done this. You have been continuously doing it since we met?

4. Neil: You know what, Avni, now I am fed up of you.

5. Neil: Since we got married, my peace has been destroyed. I have lost my peace.

Avni was shocked. Neil caught Avni’s arms again.

6. Neil: You have snatched my peace from me. You have destroyed my life.

7. Neil: I have never seen a clingy girl like you in my whole life. Wherever, I go, you come with me to embarrass me. I feel suffocated. I feel suffocation when you are around me. You always hover over me like a satellite and you claim that you love me. Hmm? What type of love it is? This is what you call love? See, what you have done to me? You have destroyed me. You have snatched my peace from me.

Avni was looking at Neil with tearful eyes.

8. Neil caught Avni’s arms.

Neil: Why? Why do I not say anything? You doubt my love, raise a finger on my character and I can’t say anything to you. Hmm. You know what, Avni, now, I am fed up of all this love drama. I am fed up of all this now. I, I feel suffocated. I feel suffocated with you.

Avni was shocked.

9. Neil: Marrying you was the worst decision of my life.

10. Neil: It was the biggest mistake of my life. I cursed the day when I met you for the first time.

11. Neil: I regret the day when I proposed to you. I regret my decision of marrying you.

12. Neil: You claim that you love me. If you really love me then just get the hell of my life. Just get out.

13. Neil: I feel like if you stay in my life for some more days then I will definitely kill myself. I will go mad. Because I feel suffocated with you. Just get out from my life.

14. Neil: I hate you, Avni. I hate you.

Avni was completely broken.

Flashback ended.

Avni was lost and tears fell from her eyes. Avni came back to reality and she looked at the room.

Avni: N… No, Iiii… I can’t stay here. Iiii… I can’t.

Neil: Avni…

Avni looked at Neil and gulped. Neil saw Avni is sweating and he looked around. Neil saw the jug of water and he went to bed. Neil poured the water into the glass and came to Avni. Neil made Avni drink water. Avni was shaking. Neil hurriedly kept the glass on the side table and he came to Avni. Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: What happened?

Avni gulped and shook her head by looking down.

Neil: You ok?

Avni nodded by lowering her gaze. Neil sighed.

Neil: Come. Sit.

Avni shook her head.

Avni: I will not stay here. I will stay in the guest room.

Neil got shocked and he thought. Neil gave a stern look to Avni.

Neil: Why?

Avni didn’t look at Neil and didn’t say anything.

Neil: Answer me.

No answer.

Neil: You have to stay here.

Avni: I didn’t say anything when you took me here but now I can’t stay here. I will stay in this home until I pay back you, your money but I will not…

Neil kept his finger on his lips.

Neil: Ssshhhh…

Avni looked at Neil who was looking at Avni angrily.

Neil: Avni, my son and family also live here. They are happy today after days and I don’t want anything that hurt them. You will stay in this room that means you will stay in this room. Got it.

Avni was about to say.

Neil: You have no choice. You are under my debt so you have to do what I will ask you.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: Mind it.

Neil side-hugged Avni and held her hand.

Neil: Come, you need rest.

Avni lowered her gaze. Neil took Avni to the bed and made her lay.

Neil: You have rest. I am going to get fresh.

Avni was looking at Neil who was also looking at her. Neil looked down to hide his pain and he went to the cupboard. Neil took out his clothes and he went to get fresh. Avni thought.

In the bathroom, Neil was standing.

Neil: I am sorry, Avni. I am behaving rudely with you but what do I do, you are not listening to me normally.

Neil sighed and saw himself in the mirror. He went near it. Neil thought and sighed.

In the room, Avni was laying on the bed and Neav came into the room. Avni smiled to see him. Neav came to Avni and sat on the bed.

Neav: How are you, Mama?

Avni smiled.

Avni: I am fine.

Neav: This is your and Papa’s room.

Avni remained silent and lowered her gaze. Avni nodded.

Neav: This is so beautiful.

Avni smiled.

Neav: You know I, and Papa were used to staying in another room.

Avni looked on.

Neav: But this room is so beautiful

Neav: You know, I missed you a lot.

Avni smiled.

Neav: And I also followed your orders. I didn’t trouble Dadu, Dadi, and Bebe. I listened to them and did as they asked.

Avni: Good boy.

Neav looked around and Avni followed his gaze. They looked at each other.

Neav: Where is Papa?

Avni pointed at the bathroom.

Avni: He went to get fresh.

Neav palmed his head and Avni smiled.

Neav: Oh God, I guess he forgot about the surprise.

Avni frowned.

Neav: Papa and his habit of forgetting things.

Avni smiled. Neav looked at Avni excitedly.

Neav: Mama, you know I and Papa have a surprise for you.

The door opened and Neil came out while wiping his hair with the towel. Avni saw Neil. Avni lowered her gaze and looked away. Neav saw Neil and he got up from the bed.

Neav: Papa (Neil looked at Neav) you forgot about the surprise.

Neil smiled

Neil: No, I didn’t forget about it. I was waiting for your coming.

Neav: Then let’s give it to Mama.

Neil smiled and he went to the cupboard. Neil took out a gift and came to the bed. Neil sat on the bed. Neil signed Neav to hold it. Neav and Neil together gave the gift to Avni.

Neav and Neil: This is for you, Mama.

Neav: She is not your Mama.

Avni and Neil smiled.

Avni: What is this?

Neav: Take it and see.

Avni smiled and took it. Avni was about to keep it.

Neav: Open it.

Avni looked at Neav and got puzzled. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her. Avni tried to open it.

Neil: Let me help you.

Neil took the gift from Avni and he opened the wrapping. They saw the box of the cell phone. Neil opened it and took out the cell phone. Avni was surprised. Neil smiled.

Neil: Hmm, this is for you.

Avni looked on.

Avni: What will I do with it?

Neil’s smile faded.

Neav: Your previous phone broke so we bought this phone for you.

Avni: Thank you, Neav, but I don’t need it. What will I do with this expensive gift?

Neil looked on.

Avni: Neav, you keep it. You always wanted a phone and asked me to buy you a phone. You keep it.

Neav: No, Mama, I don’t need it. I have realized the value of money. The phone is of no use to me. I wanted it to play the games that’s it. If I want to play the game then I will play it on your or Papa’s phone.

Avni was surprised. Neil smiled and caressed Neav’s hair.

Avni in mind: it took me five years to make him understand this thing and here he realized it in months.

Avni thought.

Neav: Take it. Please.

Neil passed the cell phone to Avni who took it.

Neav: It is nice na.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Let’s click a selfie. A family selfie.

Neil took the phone from Avni and he moved to her. Neil clicked their selfies. Neav turned to Neil and Avni. Neil showed the picture to Avni.

Neil: Nice, hmm.

Avni smiled slightly.

Neav: Papa.

Neil was looking at the phone.

Neil: Hmm.

Neav: Now we will live in this room?

Neil looked at Neav and smiled.

Neil: Hmm.

Neil cupped Neav’s cheek.

Neil: Now, you, I, and Mama will stay here.

Neav: Yes. Now I will also sleep with my parents like my friends.

Neil smiled and Avni was shocked. Neil looked at Avni and his smile faded.

Neav: Papa will sleep on that side, I will sleep in the center and Mama will sleep on this side.

Avni was shocked.

Neav: Yes. I will sleep in the center.

Avni was looking at Neav and thought. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: Yes, Neav, you will sleep in the center.

Avni looked at Neil shockingly. Neil cupped Neav’s face.

Neil: You always wanted it, right?

Neav nodded and Avni felt bad. Neil smiled.

Neil: Now, your wish will fulfilled.

Neav smiled and Avni smiled to see Neav.

Later, Avni was laying in Fowler’s position on the bed and Neil and Neav came. A tray was in Neil’s hand and a bowl was on it. They came to Avni and sat on the bed. Neav climbed the bed from the footside and sat beside Avni.

Neil: Have it then you have to have medicine.

Avni nodded lowering her gaze.

Neav: I will feed Mama.

Avni smiled.

Neil: It is hot. First I feed here then you feed her, OK?

Neav nodded.

Neil: Good boy.

Avni and Neil smiled. Neil stirred the spoon and then he blew the soup and fed Avni. Neil wiped Avni’s mouth with a hanky. Neil fed a few spoons to Avni and then Neav fed her and Neil wiped Avni’s mouth. After feeding Avni, Neil gave her medicine.

Neil: Neav, stay with Mama. I am coming.

Neav nodded and Neil went. Avni’s head was spinning and she held her head. Avni rubbed her head.

Neav: What happened, Mama?

Avni looked at him and smiled. Avni shook her head.

Avni: Nothing.

Neav: Your head is aching?

Avni nodded.

Avni: Yeah, my head is spinning.

Neav started to press Avni’s forehead and Avni looked at him. Avni smiled with teary eyes. Avni held Neav’s hand and kissed it. Neav smiled. Neav cupped Avni’s face and kissed her forehead. Avni closed her eyes and then she looked at Neav. Neav pressed Avni’s forehead and Avni got relief. Soon, Avni slept. Neil came and looked up. Neil stopped and smiled to see Neav and Avni. 

It was the time of the night, the Khanna family was present in Avneil’s room. Prakash, Neil, and Bebe were sitting on the couch. Neav was on Prakash’s lap. They were talking and smiling. Shweta fed Avni and Avni smiled. Everyone was happy.

Prakash: OK, now it is too late. We should go. Avni also needs rest.

Avni got nervous.

Bebe: Yes.

Shweta caressed Avni’s hair and cupped her cheek.

Shweta: Have rest. Good night.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Good night.

Prakash came to Avni and kept his hand on Avni’s head. Avni smiled.

Prakash: Good night.

Avni: Good night.

Bebe wished Avni and the family met Neil and Neav. They went. Neil closed the door and Avni got nervous. Neav jumped on the bed. Neil turned and saw Avni who looked at him and avoided eye contact. Neil came forward.

Neil: Neav, change your clothes then sleep.

Neav nodded and he went to the cupboard. Neav went to change. Neil looked at Avni who was looking here and there.

Neil: Relax, Neav will sleep in the center.

Avni looked at him and she looked down. Soon, Neav came and he lay on the bed. Neil covered Avni and Neav and then he switched off the light but the lamp light was on. Neil came to his side and lay. Neil turned to Avni and Neav. Neav looked at Avni who smiled to see him and then he looked at Neil who also smiled.

Neav: Mama, you also turn to me.

Avni smiled and turned to Neav.

Neav: Good night, Mama. Good night, Papa.

Avneil: Good night.

Avneil looked at each other. Avni avoided eye contact. Avni kept her hand on Neav and Neil also kept his hand on Avni’s hand at the same time. Avneil was surprised and they looked at each other. Avni was about to take her hand back but Neav kept his hands on their hands. Avneil saw that. They looked at each other. Avni looked at Neav who closed his eyes and Avni also closed her eyes. Neil was looking at them. Neil admired Avni and Neav and he slept while looking at them.

The sun rises with a new day, a new hope, and a new challenge. Avneil and Neav were sleeping and Avni stirred. Avni stretched her body and opened her narrowed eyes. Avni wiped her eyes and saw her two lifelines. Avni smiled to see them and kept her hand under her cheek. Avni admired them. She really craved for this moment. Neil stirred and Avni instantly closed her eyes. Neil stretched his body and groaned. Avni smiled with closed eyes that he is still the same Neil. Avni controlled her smile and acted to sleep. Neil opened his eyes and saw his lifelines and he got fresh. Neil smiled to see them. Neil kissed Neav’s forehead and then he got up and went to Avni. Neil sat near her and caressed Avni’s hair. Avni clenched the pillow. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead and smiled.

Neil: Good morning, Love.

Neil smiled and then he went to get fresh. Avni heard the sound of closing the door and Avni opened her eyes and looked at the door. Avni thought.

Later, Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position and Neil made Neav ready. Avni smiled to see Neav. Neav came to Avni and climbed on the bed. Neav kissed Avni’s cheek. Avni smiled.

Neav: Bye, Mama, and take care of yourself.

Avneil smiled.

Neil: come. I drop you school.

Neav got down from the bed.

Neav: Dadu said today he will drop me school.

Neil: OK. Come I take you downstairs.

Neav: OK.

Neav looked at Avni and waved his hand.

Neav: Bye, Mama.

Avni waved her hand.

Avni: Bye.

Neav went to Neil who forwarded his hand and Neav gave him a hand. Neil turned and they went.

Soon, Neil came back. Neil entered the room. Avni and Neil looked at each other. Avni avoided eye contact. Neil came to her.

Neil: Avni, come, have a shower.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Then I get your breakfast.

Avni: You will give me a shower?

Neil looked at Avni and looked on. Avni was looking at him shockingly. Neil thought and smirked.

Neil: Yes. Why?

Avni was shocked. Avni avoided eye contact.

Avni: No need for it. I can have a shower myself.

Neil tapped his feet on the floor. Avni was surprised and she looked at the floor and then she looked at Neil.

Neil: No, I want to give you a shower.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: You and I under the shower and…

Avni felt awkward. Neil closed his eyes.

Neil: Ssshhhh…

Neil looked at Avni and suppressed his lips to control his laugh. Neil controlled his smile.

Neil: I can't wait anymore. Come. Let’s go.

Neil moved to Avni.

Avni: Stop.

Neil looked at her.

Avni: Don’t come near me.

Neil got hurt and moved back. Neil sighed. They heard the knock on the door and Avni looked there. Neil turned. A lady was standing there with Shweta.

Neil: Please, come inside.

Avni looked at Neil who turned to her. The lady and Shweta came.

Neil: She is a nurse. She will give you a sponge bath daily.

Avni was surprised and she felt odd. Neil talked to the nurse and then he leaned to Avni to pick up her.

Neil talked in a low voice.

Neil: I know my limits.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: I will never come close to you without your consent.

Avni looked down. Neil picked up her and went to the washroom.

Later, Neil fed Avni. Neil kept the vessel on the side table and his phone rang. Neil took his phone from the table and saw DD’s call. Neil got up.

Neil: Hello… OK, I am coming.

Avni looked at him. Neil cut the call and turned to Avni who looked away.

Neil: Avni, I have to go to the police station. I will ask Mom to stay with you.

Avni nodded.

Neil got ready and came to Avni. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead.

Neil: Take care. I will come soon, hmm.

Avni was looking down. Neil went. Avni was looking at him.

Later, Avni was alone in the room and she was thinking about something. Avni looked at the phone which was kept on the side table. Avni was looking at the phone and thought. Avni took the phone and thought while biting her lip. Avni dialed a number. The ring was going.

Avni: Hello…

Avni thought.