Chapter 21:

It was daytime and indeed it was a hot day whether we talk about outside or inside the Sukoon home. The temperature of the Sukoon house was increasing with each passing second. Avni was glaring at Neil. Neil and Neav got up. Avni came to Neav and held his arm.

Avni: he is not your father, did you get that?

Neil got shocked.

Neil: Avni?

Avni stood properly.

Avni: and you, what do you think of yourself? Who are you to say that you are his papa? You are not his father.

Neil: Avni.

Avni shouted: Juhi. Juhi.

Juhi came there. Neil looked at Juhi.

Juhi: what happened?

Avni: take Neav inside.

Juhi looked at Neil who also looked at her and blinked his eyes. Juhi nodded and came to Neav. Neil kept his hand on Neav’s head who looked at Neil and Neil signed him go. Neav looked at Avni and then Juhi took Neav from there. Avni and Neil looked at each other.

Avni: what do you think of yourself, han? What did you think that you will play your game and I will not understand anything? What are you trying to do? You are brainwashing my child. You are trying to make him against me.

Neil shook his head.

Neil: no, you are misunderstanding me.

Avni: no, I am understanding you now. I was mad before now I have seen your true color.

Neil got shocked.

Avni: you are trying to snatch my child from me by showing the power of your money.

Neil got angry.

Avni showed him a finger to warn him.

Avni: but remember my one thing, Neav is my son and I will not let you snatch him from me. And I am warning you last time, stay away from my son else I will file a complaint against you. Mind it.

Neil looked at Avni angrily. Avni turned and was going.

Neil: Neav is my son and you can’t keep him away from me.

Avni stopped and didn’t turn to Neil. Neil caught his hair and closed his eyes to calm his mind. Neil took a deep breath and looked at Avni.

Neil: look, Avni, we should talk.

Avni turned to Neil and came to him.

Avni: nothing has left to talk about. Our ways are separated six years ago now you go your way and I will go my way.

Neil: and our son?

Avni got shocked.

Neil: where will he go? With whom he will live?

Avni: he is my son so obviously he will live with me. My son will be with me.

Neill got shocked.

Neil: then I will file a case for Neav’s custody.

Avni got shocked.

Avni: you are threatening me?

Neil came to Avni and stood beside her. Avni turned to him.

Neil: No, I am telling you the fact. I am trying to win your trust but if you have made up your mind that you will not come with me then what would I do? I should have to do something to keep my son with me. He is also not happy here.

Avni got angry.

Neil: if he will live with me then he will get the life that he wants and deserves.

Avni looked on.

Avni: you think that you will win?

Neil: yes.

Avni was angrily looking at Neil and got shocked.

Neil: yes, I think that I will win. I have everything health, wealth, and family. He will get everything there that he needs. His future will be secure with us.

Avni: who has seen the future? Maybe, time changes in the future.

Neil: right now, I have everything. I asked you to come but if you don’t want to come then I will take my son with me. By hook or by crook.

Avni: we will see.

Neil: this means you will not come with me.

Avni: No.

Neil got shocked and angry.

Neil: fine then will see you meet in the court.

Avni: sure.

Neil and Avni’s intense eye lock and then Neil blinked his eyes and he turned. Neil was going from there and Avni was looking at Neil. Neil went from there and Avni thought.

It was daytime, Neil was standing in the room with his friends. Vidyut and KK were in shock.

KK: what? Are you mad? You will file a custody case for Neav?

Neil: yes. And I am going back today.

Vidyut and KK got shocked.

KK: you wanted Avni Bhabhi back in your life and now when you got to know about Bhabhi, she is in front of you then you are making her away from you.

Neil: then what do I do? I am fed up with trying. I have tried every possible effort to pacify her but she is not ready to listen to me. It is not like she cannot forget anything. The thing is she doesn’t want to forget anyone. I am also a human being, I also get hurt. I hurt her and now she has made up her mind that she will seek revenge from me. Now she is hurting me.

Neil looked away and then he turned his face to his friends.

Neil: I accept that I did wrong and if she doesn’t want to forgive me then it's okay but why she is stopping me from meeting Neav. She hide about Neav from me and I understood her. I didn’t get angry with her still she is trying to keep Neav away from me. Neav is my son. I have the complete right to spend time with him. But no, she is becoming a wall between us… fine then now I will get custody of my son.

Vidyut: Neil, don’t take any decision in a rush. Think with a cool mind. Doing so can worsen the situation.

Neil: I have thought about everything. My decision is final.

Neil kept his hands on his waist and Vidyut and KK were looking at Neil.

On the other side, Avni was sitting on the bed in her room and Neav’s head was on her lap. Neav was sleeping and Avni was caressing his hair. Avni was lost in her thoughts.

Avni in her mind: Will Neil file Neav’s custody case?

Avni thought. Juhi came and stood at the door. Juhi thought and she came into the room. Avni saw her. Juhi sat on the bed and touched Neav’s arm. Avni smiled to see that. Juhi looked at Avni.

Juhi: Neil went back to Mumbai.

Avni looked at Juhi and she got hurt but she didn’t show that to Juhi. Avni looked down and caressed Neav's hair.

Later, Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position and was thinking.

Avni in mind: so you again went away leaving me alone. You again made me alone. You said that you will take me and Neav with you and you lost hope so soon. You said harsh words to me and when your turn came then you ran away and you claim that you love me... You never loved me. If your love was true then you would stand strong but no you gave up. You again left me alone.

Avni kept her head on the hardboard of the bed and closed her eyes. Tears fell from her eyes.

The next day, Neil was standing with his family in the living area and the family was in shock. Shweta’s eyes were teary actually everyone’s eyes were teary.

Shweta: you saw Avni there?

Neil nodded lowering his eyes.

Shweta: how was she and why did you not take her with you?

Neil got angry.

Neil: because she doesn’t want to live with me

Everyone got shocked.

Shweta: what? But why?

Neil: because she wants revenge on me.

Prakash: what are you saying, Neil? Avni must be angry. You should try to pacify her.

Neil: what do you think that I didn’t do that? I tried a lot but she was not ready to listen to anything and you know what your beloved Avni has done. She lied about my son from me. She hid him from me.

Everyone got shocked. Shweta smiled with teary eyes.

Shweta: Your son, Tillu?

Neil nodded. Neil narrated everything. Neil’s eyes filled with tears and was crying. Shweta and Bebe were also crying and Prakash felt bad. Neil sniffed. Neil went to sit on the couch and rubbed his hand with the second and held his fist. Neil looked at his family.

Neil: I tried a lot, Mom. a lot. She was not even allowing me near Neav. I bought toys for my tiger but she didn’t let him take them.

Neil looked up and cried. Shweta came to him and hugged him. Shweta consoled Neil and then they broke the hug. Neil wiped his tears and sniffed. Shweta went to get water for Neil and others sat on the couch. Shweta gave water to Neil and then she also sat on the couch opposite Neil.

Shweta: now what will you do?

Neil looked at his mother.

Neil: I have decided, I will get Neav’s custody. My son will live with me.

Prakash thought. Shweta and Bebe looked at each other. Neil looked at his family and then he thought.

Some days passed and it was nighttime. Avni was sitting on the bed in her room and was checking Neav’s diary. Avni heard the doorbell and looked up. Avni frowned.

Avni: who came at this time of night?

Avni got up and went to open the door and Juhi also came there but she stopped to see Avni. Avni opened the door and she saw a courier boy.

Avni: yes.

Boy: it is a parcel for Miss Avni.

Avni: I am Avni.

The boy gave the envelope to Avni and Avni signed the paper and then he went. Avni looked at the envelope and frowned. Juhi came.

Juhi: what is this?

Avni shook her head and said: I don’t know.

Avni opened the envelope and took out the letter and then she opened the letter. Avni got shocked to see the papers.

Juhi also read the papers and got shocked. Juhi looked at Avni who was looking at Avni.

Avni in mind: Court summon.

Avni thought.

Avni was sitting on the couch in the living area and Juhi was standing in front of her.

Juhi: now what will you do?

Avni looked at her and then she looked straight. Avni saw Neav was playing with his ball. Juhi sat on the other couch. Avni thought.

Juhi: what are you thinking?

Avni came out of her thought and said: hmm.

Avni looked at Juhi and then she sighed and remained silent for a few seconds.

Avni: I have to shift back to Mumbai.

Juhi got surprised and Avni looked at Juhi.

Avni: I don’t have any other option.

Juhi: what will you do there? Your job is here.

Avni: I will find a job there. Job is not my problem now. My problem is I don’t have any assets. From where I will get the lawyer and how will I pay Lawyer’s fees. I need the best lawyer because I know that Neil must have hired the best lawyer. And Lawyer’s fees is out of my budget.

Juhi felt bad and Avni got worried.

Avni: how will I arrange the money? Who will give me the money?

Avni thought.

On the other side, Neil was standing at the window and talking on the phone.

Neil: don’t worry, Mr. Sharma, Avni doesn’t have money to fulfill Neav’s basic needs. From where she will get the lawyer's fees. We will win this case on the first hearing.

Neil smiled and said ok. ok, bye, will see you tomorrow.

Neil cut the call and sighed. Prakash was standing at the door and he thought.

The next day, Avni came back home and was lost in her thoughts. Juhi saw her and she ran to get water for Avni. Avni came to the couch and sat there. Avni sighed and rubbed her face. A glass came in front of her and Avni felt someone’s presence she looked up and saw the glass and then she looked at Juhi. Avni smiled and Juhi also passed a smile to her. Avni took the glass and thought. Juhi sat on the other couch.

Juhi: what your principal said?

Avni: she accepted my resignation letter but she said that I am leaving in the mid of the month so I will not get my salary.

Juhi: what rubbish. The month will end in a few days.

Avni: I know but what could I do? She is the principal, I can’t fight with her… when a bad time comes then all the doors get closed.

Juhi: everything will be fine. If all doors are closed then a window will open from somewhere.

Avni lowered her gaze and the doorbell rang. Avni and Juhi looked there.

Juhi: I am going.

Juhi went and opened the door. A man was standing there.

Man: Miss Avni.

Avni heard that and she got up and turned. Avni frowned and Juhi called Avni. Avni came and was confused and then she got angry to see the man because she guessed it lawyer.

Juhi: she is Avni.

Man: Hello, Ma’am, myself advocate Manesh Singhaniya.

Avni: what do you want now? Is there any other summon left to give? Or Neil has sent the divorce papers?

Lawyer smiled.

Lawyer: no, no, ma’am, you are misunderstanding me. I am your lawyer. I will fight the case on your behalf.

Avni and Juhi got shocked and Avni frowned.

Avni: what?

Avni and Juhi looked at each other and then they looked at the lawyer.

Avni: you will fight the came for me?

Lawyer nodded.

Avni: but I didn’t contact you. I even don’t know you. Then who has sent you?

The lawyer smiled.

Lawyer: I can’t tell you that. I promised that person that I will not disclose its identity. You think of that person as your well-wisher.

Avni frowned.

Avni in mind: well-wisher.

Avni looked at the lawyer.

Avni: see, I don’t have money to pay your fees.

Lawyer: I have got my fees.

Avni and Juhi got surprised.

Avni: but who paid you the fees?

Lawyer smiled and said: that well-wisher.

Avni was looking at him.

Man: you just sign these papers and left the rest on me.

Avni: come inside, please.

The lawyer nodded and they came inside.

It was the time of the night, Avni came at the door and saw Juhi packing her bag, Avni frowned and knocked on the door. Juhi saw Avni and smiled.

Juhi: Avni, come.

Avni came inside and saw the bag.

Avni: are you going somewhere?

Juhi: No.

Avni: then?

Juhi: I am not going anywhere, I am coming with you.

Avni got surprised.

Avni: what, but…

Juhi: no but, no if, I am coming means I am coming.

Avni: your job?

Juhi: Vidyut already offered me a job in his company. At first, I denied but now I accept that.

Avni smiled.

Avni: you denied that because of me and now you accept it for me.

Juhi looked down and Avni felt lucky to have a friend like Juhi who is like a sister to her now and is her savior. Avni got emotional and hugged Juhi.

Avni: thank you so much, Juhi. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. You are a true friend.

Juhi also got emotional. Juhi wiped her tears.

Juhi: now stop it. You are a crybaby and you have made me that also.

Avni smiled and wiped her tears and they broke the hug and smiled to see each other.

After one day, an auto stopped outside Avni and Asha’s home and a suitcase came out and Avni got down. Juhi and Neav also got down and the trio looked at the home.

Neav: whose home is it?

Avni’s eyes filled with tears.

Avni: it is our home?

Neav: our?

Avni nodded while looking at the home.

Avni: hmm.

Avni looked at Neav and held his hand.

Avni: come.

Avni held the suitcase and they moved to the home. Avni saw the dust on the nameplate and Avni cleaned it with her hand and got emotional to see her mother’s name. Avni caressed the name and gulped. Avni was looking at the nameplate. Juhi smiled to see the nameplate. Neav was looking at Avni and the nameplate. Neav pulled Avni’s hand and Avni came out of her thoughts. Avni looked away and wiped her eyes. Avni smiled and looked at Neav.

Neav: what is written on it?

Avni smiled and looked at the nameplate.

Avni: Avni and Asha’s home.

Neav: who is Asha?

Avni sat on her feet and held Neav's arms.

Avni: She was my Mama.

Neav: Where is she now and why did she never come to meet us?

Avni got hurt and she held Neav's hands.

Avni: because she is a star now.

Neav: Star?

Avni: hmm.

Neav: I will tell you this later. Right now let's go inside. We have to clean the home before the tempo comes.

Avni got up and she took out the keys from her bag and opened the door. Avni saw her home and got emotional. Avni came to the table while looking around and kept her bag on the couch. Avni still remembered which thing is kept where. Avni moved around and this time she remembered her mother and Neil too because they had uncountable memories there. Avni saw the flashes with her mother where her mother was chasing her and then Asha caught her and hugged her from behind, Avni’s head was on her mother’s lap, her mother tickled her tummy, Neil came to Avni’s home for the first time, Neil captured her in his arms when she was crying and they kissed.

Avni came to the kitchen and looked around. Avni recalled that Neil was used to hug her from behind and then she came to her room and she saw the flashes of their romantic moment. Avni sighed and her eyes were moist.

The whole day, Avni and Juhi set the things and then she went outside to buy groceries.  Avni was passing by the road and she saw a flyer of a stunt. Avni was looking at it and thought. Avni again looked at the flyer.

The next day, Avni was standing and checking her handbag.

Avni: Juhi, I am going to give an interview. Come and shut the door.

Juhi came and Neil came there and stood at the door. Neil knocked at the door. Avni looked at the door and got shocked to see Neil. They were looking at each other and Neil looked down and then he came inside. Avni’s heart broke to see a lawyer with Neil. Avni looked down and Neil looked at the home and he got emotional to see it. Neil saw the flashes of their moment. Avni followed Neil’s gaze and then they looked at each other. Neil cleared his thought. Neil looked at the lawyer.

Neil: Law…

Neil’s voice cracked and Neil cleared his throat. Avni understood his situation. Neil signed the lawyer to give papers. The lawyer nodded and gave the notice to Avni. Avni saw the papers and got shocked. Neil gulped. Avni looked at Neil and then she again looked at the papers. Avni was shocked and Neil was looking at Avni who looked at him shockingly.

Avni: what is this?

Neil: you are educated. You can read these papers.

Avni got angry.

Neil: Anyway, it's a court order. I have gotten permission from the court, I can take Neil with me for a day.

Avni: Neav has never lived without me. He will not be able to adjust there. He will face difficulty.

Neil: you don’t worry about it. He is going to his home and he will enjoy it there. He will have great fun there.

Avni was looking at him.

Neil: Call my son.

Avni was looking at Neil and then she looked at Juhi who nodded. Juhi went to get Neav.

Avni: you sit, Mr Khanna. I will be right back with Neav.

Neil was looking at Avni. Avni turned.

Neil: one minute, Miss Avni.

Avni turned to Neil.

Neil: I was thinking that if we are doing everything legally then we should also think about our relationship.

Avni frowned.

Avni: what do you mean?

Neil: I am talking about us. Have you thought of living it up like this?

Avni: what do you want to say? Say it clearly.

Neil got irritated.

Neil: I am asking that you want to be in this marriage or you want a divorce from me?

Avni got shocked. She felt like Neil pulled the rug from under her feet. Neil was looking at Avni.

Neil in mind: Avni, once, just say once that you don’t want a divorce. I promise I will make everything fine. Please, say, you want to stay in this marriage. Please, say, Avni. Please, say.

Avni thought and she looked at Neil.

Neil: I think now is the time to put the matter aside. How long will we stay like this?

Avni sighed and her eyes were moist.

Avni: if you want a divorce then I am ready to free you.

Neil got shocked.

Avni: You can bring the paper whenever you want, I will sign.

Neil got shocked and angry too. Neil looked away to hide his pain and he got angry. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: ok.

Neil tried to stay strong and Avni was also trying the same. Avni turned and she went. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil looked here and there in anger and then she came with Neav. Neav saw Neil and got happy. Neav left Avni’s hand and Avni flinched. Neil saw that and he got shocked. Neav came to Neil and hugged him. Avni looked at her hand and felt a pinch in her heart. Neil smiled to see Neav and then he looked at Avni.

Neav: Superman, we are going to your home.

Neil smiled and sat on his feet and cupped Neav’s face. Avni looked at them.

Neil: yes.

Neav: my toys are there.

Neil: yes.

Neav: yes. let’s go fast.

Neil smiled and then he looked at Avni and felt bad. Neil got up and then he looked at Neav and forwarded his hand. Neav held Neil’s hand who looked at Avni and then he looked at Neav. Neil smiled.

Neil: come.

Neil was taking Neav from there and Avni was looking at them. Avni felt like she has lost the case before it starts. Neil and Neav went from there and Avni took steps back and then she ran to her room while crying.

Juhi: Avni.

Avni came to her room and looked at it. Avni came near the bed and fell to her knees. Avni cried bitterly and clenched the blanket. Juhi knocked on the door and she asked Avni to open the door. Avni wiped her tears and sighed.

Avni: I am fine, Juhi. I just want to live alone for some time… please leave me alone.

Juhi stopped and looked at the door and then she went from there. Avni cried and then she remembered something. Avni wiped her tears. Avni got up and she went to the couch. Avni's handbag was kept on the table and she took it. Avni took out a paper and kept the bag on the table. Avni saw the flyer and she thought.