Chapter 15:

It was the time of the night, the moon was glowing in the sky. Neil came to his car hurriedly.

Neil said while trying the key of the car: I will make everything fine.

Neil opened the car’s door and he got in it. Neil drove to his home. Neil was driving his car at high speed. Neil wiped the sweat from his forehead and then he wiped his tears.

Neil: I will make everything fine. I will mend our broken relationship. I will make everything fine.

Soon, Neil reached home and he got down from the car. Neil ran to the home and entered. Neil stopped in the living area and looked around. Neil felt a strange type of silence and void in the home. Neil ran towards the room.

Neil stopped at the door and said: Avni.

Neil saw no one is there and a fear engulfed him. Neil came forward and looked at the room. Neil heard a sound and looked at the bed. Neil was shocked to see a paper and paperweight was kept on it. Neil got worried and a shiver ran through his body. Neil hurriedly came to the bed and took the paper. Neil wiped his eyes and sniffed.

Avni’s letter: Dear Neil, you are reading this letter that means I have gone far away from you and your life.

Neil got shocked. Neil rolled his eyes in shock and then he looked at the letter.

Avni’s letter: is it possible that my Neil, sorry, not my, you are not mine now.

Neil felt a pinch in his heart.

Avni’s letter: is it possible that Neil asks something to Avni and Avni doesn’t give him that. Never.

Tears formed in Neil’s eyes and he wiped them with the back of his hand.

Avni’s letter: It can never happen. I fulfilled your wish and gave you what you wanted. Hope, now you will not have any complaints from me... I am sorry, Neil. I am sorry for spoiling your life. I never realized that I have become a hurdle in the way of your happiness. I thought I am taking care of you. Because of the workload, you have health issues that’s why, I was calling you again and again. I have lived a long period of my alone so when I got love and family, I got worried… I got worried about what if, I lost my love, my family and I became possessive for you. I became greedy.

Neil felt guilty for his behavior and his eyes got blurry. Neil wiped his eyes with his finger to read the letter because the letter was in his hands.

Avni’s letter:  and when I saw you with Maya then my fear increased and I started to behave oddly. Then the snake bit you and your health was also not good, I felt more fear and became more protective and possessive. I thought, it is my care for you but no, I was wrong, it was clinginess.

Neil gulped and wiped his tears.

Avni’s letter: I always thought that as a wife, it is my right to call you, to hold your hand and roam with you. I felt that I have complete right on my Neil. I didn’t realize that my presence around you suffocates you. I hadn’t had an idea. Trust me, Neil, trust me if I had an idea that you are feeling suffocated with me. I am suffocating you then trust me, Neil, trust me, I would have gone away from your life a long time ago.

Tears formed in Neil’s eyes. Neil closed his eyes to clear the vision and wiped his eyes with his arms because the letter was in his hands. Neil sniffed his nose and resumed reading.

Avni’s letter: anyways, it is late but is right also, now everything is clear like a glass and nothing has left between us so, I am going away from your life. Neil, I am not taking anything from here because when you are no longer mine then what will I do of those things?

Neil felt his heart heavy.

Avni’s letter: Everything is kept in its place, I have not taken anything except the two things, Mangalsutra and Sindoor. I have kept their price in the cupboard.

Neil got shocked to read that. He can’t believe his eyes.

Avni’s letter: though these things are priceless to me but still I have kept their price in the drawer of your wardrobe...   Don’t know, how I will live, how I will survive without you, whether I will be able to or not. But one thing is clear, I will not come back to your life now.

Neil got shocked.

Avni’s letter: don’t think that I am writing this all to make you feel guilty. I just want to clarify myself. Ok, so now it is time to go. I am going now and please don’t try to find me because you will not be able to… I wish you a very happy life ahead. Live happily and yes, find a nice girl for you and be careful this time, don't bring a clingy girl like me this time too. Now you will think that am I mad that I will find another like you. Hahaha... Bad joke.

Neil cried and wiped his tears.
Avni: be happy, Neil, and start a new life. I will always pray for your happiness. Now, it’s a final bye. Have a peaceful life. Good Bye. Your Avni.

Neil was looking at the letter and tears fell from his eyes. Neil moves steps to the bed and fell on it with a thug. Neil was heartbroken. Neil cried.

Flashback ends.

Tears fell from Neil’s eyes and was lost in the past. Avni’s letter was in his hands. Neil’s hand touched the picture frame of Avni which was kept on the table and it fell. Neil came out of his thoughts and he saw that. Neil was shocked and then he looked around. Neil thought and realized that he had lost in his past. Neil thought.

Neil’s point of view:

I tried a lot to find you. I spread my team in all corners. I didn't leave a single place. Bus stand, taxi stand, Railway station. Everything. I checked the CCTV’s but no sign of your anywhere. You, you just vanished… many things were in my heart to tell you. I wanted to apologize to you, wanted to clarify my side, want to say how much I love you but you didn’t give me a chance and went away from my life. You didn’t even find the need to tell me that you… a new member is coming into our life.
Neil’s eyes were teary so he closed his eyes and then he looked at the side. He was trying his best to not cry. Neil wiped his unshed tears.

On the other side, Avni was sitting on the bed near his son leaning to the hardboard of the bed and a pillow was in her lap.

Avni’s point of view:

The journey after that was not easy. Only I know how I passed the nine months of pregnancy. I really wanted Neil beside me but I couldn’t go back. When I reached Kashid, I was all puzzled, I had no idea how I will start a new life there that too with a tiny soul inside me.

Flashback:

Avni was standing at the side of the road and she touched her belly. Avni suppressed her lips and cried.

Avni narrated with the fiction: I didn’t have much money and I need the job but who will give me the job? I had work experience but I didn’t have any certificate. Who will trust me that I had handled the Khanna industries plus I had to make my profile low. I didn’t want to be recognized and got caught. I was worried about my child’s future. I passed some days in the hotels anyhow and then one day, I met my friend… Juhi.

Avni was passing by the road and she collided with Juhi. Avni said sorry. Juhi looked at Avni.

Juhi: Avni!

Avni got shocked.

Juhi: what you didn’t recognize me? Oh come on, now I have not changed this much that you don’t recognize me. Me, Juhi.

Avni frowned and then she remembered. Avni got happy.

Avni: Juhi.

Juhi: yes.

They hugged.

Avni narrated: My and Juhi’s story is not so different. After my Mama’s death, I shifted from Mumbai to Lonavala. It was my mama’s favorite place. There, I met Juhi. She lived with her parents. We became friends and had a great bond. One day, Juhi’s parents died in a plane crash and then her uncle took her from there. We were in contact for some time but then it broke also and we moved on in our life and then we met again that day. Maybe, destiny had some mercy on me.

Avni and Juhi were sitting in the café.

Juhi: that’s so sad.

Avni looked down.

Juhi: now, what will you do?

Avni shook her head while suppressing her lips.

Avni: I don’t know. Right now, I am living in a hotel and finding a job for me.

Juhi: you come with me to my home.

Avni got surprised.

Avni: No, how can I live there?

Juhi: Why not, I live there alone.

Avni: that’s fine but I…

Juhi: Avni, I know you are a very independent and self-sufficient girl and do not take favors from anyone. But, Avni, think about this little soul who is inside you. For it, come and live with me.

Avni: ab…

Juhi: you can save your money this way.

Avni hesitated.

Juhi: ok, Baba, when you get a job then we will share the rent. That’s fine for you?

Avni looked at Juhi.

Juhi: to be honest with you, Avni, I am fed up with living alone. I will also get a company.

Avni thought.

Juhi: ok, now, no more thinking, come, let’s go to your hotel. We will grab your bag from there and then we will go to our home.

Avni: I don’t have any luggage. I have just bought two, three dresses here.

Juhi felt bad.

Juhi: come.

Avni smiled. They got up and went from there.

Avni narrated: and then a new journey started. Juhi helped me a lot. I don’t know how I would have survived if Juhi was not there with me. She was like a savior to me. I got a job in a school because I found it more convenient. Days passed and with each passing day, it was getting more difficult for me and I started missing Neil more and more. I can’t explain how badly I wanted him. There were some complications in my pregnancy so, I wanted Neil beside me. So many dreams I had about this phase but nothing happened as I thought and then the day come for I was waiting. Literally, I counted days and then my patience and my prays got paid off.

Avni was in the labor room and was in severe pain. The doctor and nurses were handling her. Avni was shouting two names “Mama” and "Neil". She wanted these people with her at that time and then the sound of a crying baby echoed in the room. Avni stopped and her breath stopped for a time and then she fell back on the pillow. A tear fell from Avni’s eyes. Avni saw her baby with blurry eyes and smiled faintly. Avni fainted.

Avni narrated: and a little cute prince came into my life. He was just like Neil.

Avni was laying on the bed of the hospital in a Fowler’s position and her baby was laying beside her. Avni smiled to see him and played with his fingers.

Avni: you are so cute. Your hands are so small. You are so small. You are my cute little prince. My Neav.

Avni remembered something and smiled with teary eyes and then she got sad.

Avni: I never thought that I would bring you into this world by hiding you from your father. I am sorry, baby for keeping you away from your father, keeping you away from your father’s love but what do I do? Mama is helpless, she doesn’t want to become a burden on your papa but Mama promises you that she will give you the love of mother and father too. I will give you the best of the best. I will give you the happiness of this whole world.

Avni's eyes were teary but she smiled.

Flashback ended.

Avni was thinking.

Avni’s point of view:

Honestly speaking, if I could survive without Neil then it is because I have his sign, his shadow with me. After that, I don’t know how five years passed. Everything had come back in its place. My life had come back on the right track. Life was not smooth but life satisfaction was there. The only complaint that I have with my life was that I was not able to fulfill Neav’s demands. He wants the best of the best but I don’t have much money to fulfil his luxurious demand. He wants a luxurious life but still, everything was going well but then.

On the other side, Neil was sitting on the couch and Avni’s picture frame was kept on the table.

Neil: Six years, six years. I spent six years of my life in guilt. I was angry with myself. I waited for you. I had complete faith in love. I knew, one day, I will find you and that one day came but…

Flashback:

It was the time of the morning, the moon peeked into Avni’s room and the alarm rang. Avni stirred and woke up.
Avni turned her face and smiled to see her lifeline sleeping peacefully near her. Avni smiled and moved to it. Avni caressed his face and kissed his forehead.

Avni: Neav. Neav. Neav, wake up, Baby, it is time to wake up and go to school.

Neav: No, Mama, I don’t want to go today.

Avni: why?

Neav; I don’t want to.

Avni: no tantrums. Get up, we will get late.

Avni sat and made Neav sit whose eyes were closed.

Avni: get up.

Neav ruffled his hair and Avni remembered Neil because he also does this.

Avni in mind: he is just like you, Neil.

Avni smiled.

Neav: I will go on one condition.

Avni: now what do you want?

Neav said while spreading his arms: A new bag and a stationery set.

Avni made an angry face.

Avni: we have bought a new bag two months ago.

Neav: I don’t want that. Varun has bought a new bag, I also want a new bag.

Avni: Neav, baby, we have a fixed budget of a month. Already we are out of budget this month because we bought your school uniform and you demanded a water bottle now I don’t have much money. I will buy you a new bag next month.

Neav: This is your every-time drama. You always do this.

Avni looked at Neav who got up and went to the washroom. Avni thought.

After that, Avni prepared breakfast and got ready. Avni was arranging the dining table. Juhi came there and side-hugged Avni and gave a flying kiss to Avni and did the same with Neav who was sitting on the chair sadly.

Juhi: what happened?

Neav: nothing.

Juhi stood properly and signed Avni what happened.

Avni: he wants a new bag and a stationery set.

Juhi: that’s it, we will buy it today itself.

Neav’s face lights up.

Avni: No need for it.

Neav got upset.

Juhi: Avni!

Avni: Juhi, you have spoiled him. You fulfill his useless demands that’s why he is becoming more demanding day by day.

Juhi: Avni, I have only one nephew, if I will not fulfill his demands, then who will?

Avni made a face.

Juhi: please na, Avni.

Avni sighed and Juhi smiled. Neav was sitting by bowing his head and he stole gaze on Avni.

Juhi: Thank you. We will go today, Neav.

Neav got up and hugged Juhi.

Neav: Thank you, Masi.

Juhi: your welcome, darling.

Neav ran from there.

Avni: Neav, finish your breakfast.

Avni heard: I am done, Mama.

Avni glared at Juhi.

Avni: Juhi, it is extravagant. If we fulfill his demands like this then he will use to it then how will he value things?

Juhi: he will understand everything with time. Don’t worry.

Avni: do whatever you want. You aunt and nephew are out of my control.

Juhi smiled and came to Avni. She hugged Avni who was Angry.

Juhi: you are our Mummy, you will control us.

Juhi laughed and Avni smiled. Avni held Juhi's arm.

After that, they went to school and continued their daily routine.

On the other side, a jeep stopped outside the police station. A man got down from it and was wearing a police uniform with sunglasses. He wore a police cap and he moved to the police station with his swag. It was none other than Neil. Neil entered the police station. Everyone saluted him and greeted him. Neil removed his sunglasses while going. He went to his cabin. He kept his cap and sunglasses on the table and then he sat. Neil took a file and opened it. Neil heard a knock on the door.

Neil: come in.

DD entered and saluted Neil. Neil nodded.

Neil: DD, where is the file of Sharma’s case?

DD gave that to Neil. Neil took the file and opened it. Neil checked and they talked. Neil closed the file.

Neil: Ab, DD, you know that I am going on a one-week leave.

DD nodded.

Neil: so…

Neil talked to DD and DD nodded.

DD: Ok, sir.

Neil nodded and said: you may leave now.

DD nodded and saluted Neil and Neil nodded then he went. Neil resumed his other work. His phone rang and he picked up the phone.

Neil: Hello...

Neil worked hard the whole day and on the other side, Avni, Neav, and Juhi were enjoying the ice cream at the ice cream parlor. They were talking and then they saw Neav’s face and they laughed because the ice cream was on his upper lips and nose. Avni took the tissue and wiped it.

At the time of the evening, Neil entered the Khanna mansion and he saw Shweta is busy collecting the newspaper. Neil slowly moved to her with tiptop steps and suppressing his lips. Neil reached Shweta and made a bhoo sound. Shweta flinched and Neil laughed.

Shweta: Tillu.

Shweta kept her hand on her heart and sighed with closed eyes.

Shweta: Tillu, you scared me.

Neil chuckled and Shweta showed her hand. Neil acted to save him and block and he was laughing. Neil hugged his mother and kissed her hair.

Neil: oh my cute mother. You got scared?

Shweta smiled.

They broke the hug and Neil held his ears. Shweta took them away and kissed his forehead while cupping his face. Neil was smiling.

Shweta: you came at the right time. I was going to make tea. You go and get fresh then we will have tea together.

Neil: yes, boss.

They chuckled and Neil went to the stairs and went from there. Shweta sighed.

Shweta: no matter how hard you try but I know that you miss Avni a lot.  I am your mother, I can see the tears in your eyes that you try to hide behind your smile. I hope you two meet again. God, please do some miracle.

Shweta sighed.

The door opened and Neil entered the room. Neil looked at the room and it was not Neil’s previous room. The day, Avni left him, he also left his room the next day. Neil entered and kept his things on the bed and then he went to the cupboard. After that, Neil had tea with his family and Avni had tea with the Juhi. Avni thought something and smiled. She remembered the old days.

The day converted into the night. The moon was shining and the leaves were flying on the isolated road where a man was coming from the opposite direction. He was slowly walking on the road like he was lost in his thoughts. It was Neil and he was walking lifelessly in the middle of the road because he was lost in his past life. Neil saw flashes of their happy moments and his eyes were teary. Neil saw the flashes of when they met the first time, Neil went to Avni’s home. They kissed. Neil proposed to her, sliding the ring on Avni’s finger, their engagement, their wedding, their consummation, and other happy moments. Neil looked up and saw the moon. Neil moved to the side while looking at the moon. Neil stopped and ran his hand through his hair and held his neck. Neil sighed.

Neil: six years, six years have passed since we got separated. Six years have passed since you have left me. For six years, I am waiting for you. Your memory still pierced my heart like a dagger. Come someday, come someday to meet me like a soft breeze of wind and touch me. I miss you, love. Now come back to me. Come back to me, love.

Neil closed his eyes: please come back. I miss you, Avni. I miss you. I love you.

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

Neil opened his eyes and cried. Neil fell to his knees and cried.

Neil cried: I love you.

On the other side, Avni was passing by the corridor and she heard Juhi.
Avni stopped.

Avni: Juhi is awake.

In the room, Juhi was sitting on the bed and was smiling.

Juhi: I will talk to her tomorrow now she and Neav are my only family… don’t worry, she is a sweetheart, she will understand me… I love you too.

Avni got surprised to hear that. Avni thought and looked at the door.

The next day, Avni was going to the market with Neav and a car stopped at some distance. KK and Vidyut got down from it and then Neil got down. Neil kept his step on the road and he felt something. On the other side, a breeze touched Avni’s face and she stopped. Avni closed her eyes and kept her hand on her chest. She felt Neil.

Avni whispered: Neil.

On the other side, Neil also closed his eyes and felt Avni.

Neil whispered: Avni.

Neil opened his eyes and looked around. Neil thought.

Neil in mind: this strange feeling? What is this strange feeling? No, it is not strange. It is a similar feeling. I am feeling like this after six years. It is you, Avni, it is you. Why I am feeling that you are near me. I can feel you, Avni. I can feel you.

Neil looked around.

KK: Neil.

Neil looked at him and KK signed him come. Neil nodded but he looked around. They went to the shop.

Avni opened her eyes and thought.

Avni in mind: Neil? No, no, it can't be possible. How can he be here? It is my hallucination. Nothing else. Nothing else.

Avni sighed and asked Neav to come.

Avni was coming to the same shop where Neil was standing there.