Chapter 09:

It was the time of the morning, the sun was shining in the sky and it peeped into Avni and Neil's room where Avni entered the room and she went to the cupboard. Avni took out Neil's clothes from the cupboard and smiled to see them. Avni came to the bed and kept Neil's clothes on the bed and then she kept Neil's other things like cell phone, wallet, keys, and hanky. Avni was smiling. The door of the washroom opened and Avni looked there. Neil came out while wiping his hair with the towel and his eyes fell on Avni who smiled to see her. Avni smiled and she looked at the clothes. Neil also looked at the bed and got surprised and happy to see his things there. Neil came to Avni and his towel was hanging on his shoulders. Neil hugged Avni from behind and touched his cheek to Avni's cheek. Avni smiled.

Neil: thank you.

Avni: anything for my hubby.

Neil smiled and then he thought.

Neil: Avni, you are not upset with me, right?

Avni frowned.

Avni: upset?

Neil nodded.

Avni: why would I be upset with you? What have you done to me?

Neil: we have just got married and I am going to the police station. I should have given you this time. I should have spent time with you but I have to go to the police station.

Avni smiled and turned to Neil. Neil was looking at Avni sadly and Avni cupped Neil's face. Neil was holding Avni's waist.

Avni: I understand, Neil. I know, your job is really very tough and challenging. I am not upset with you.

Neil smiled.

Avni: even, I am feeling proud of you that you are sincere to your work and to the people.

Neil smiled and kissed Avni's forehead. Avni closed her eyes and was smiling. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: thanks for understanding me.

Avni smiled and Neil hugged her.

Neil: I love you, Avni.

Avni: I love you too, Neil.

Neil smiled and sighed happily.

Some months passed and Avni was a happily married couple and they went on their honeymoon also. They were enjoying their married life.

One day, the sun was shining in the sky over the huge building of the mall where Neil was passing by the corridor carrying a shopping bag in his hand. Neil was smiling and he looked at the side. Someone called his name and Neil turned his face here and there and then he again heard his name and turned.

Maya was coming to him and Neil was surprised to see her. Neil smiled.

Neil: Maya, you.

Maya came to him and they hugged.

Neil: when did you come?

Maya: a few days ago.

They broke the hug.

Neil: and you didn't inform me.

Maya: oh hello, Mr, you have forgotten your friends. We chat in our group but you never get involved in it.

Neil smiled looking down. Maya noticed a shopping bag in Neil's hand.

Maya: you came on shopping without your wife.

Neil looked at Maya and then he looked at the shopping bag. Neil smiled.

Neil: Well, I came without my wife but I have come to shop for my wife.

Maya frowned.

Maya: means?

Neil: means, I came to shop for Avni. It's her birthday the day after tomorrow.

Maya: oh.

Neil: yes.

Maya: hmm, wife's slave.

Neil: No, wife's loving husband.

Maya nodded and then they smiled.

On the other side, Avni entered the mall with Shweta. She came to buy some things and her clutch was hanging across her shoulder. They talked and moved forward while talking. Avni and Shweta entered the elevator and it moved up. Avni and Shweta came out and they talked. They got separated.

Avni was passing by the corridor and she turned her face. Avni looked here and there and then she stopped. Avni felt that she saw something and she thought. Avni turned her face and she was shocked to see Neil sitting with Maya in the café. They were smiling and talking. Two cups of coffee were kept on the table. Neil showed a box to Maya. Avni couldn't see the gift but she guessed that it is a pendant or bracelet. Avni got shocked. Avni was looking at them. Avni thought and she took out her phone from her clutch. Avni dialed a number and kept her phone on her ear.

Neil was sitting in the café and his phone rang on the table. Neil saw Avni's number and he got surprised.

Maya: hmm, wife's call.

Neil smiled and took his phone. Avni was looking at them and she saw that Neil kept his finger on his lips and asked Maya to keep quiet. Avni got shocked. Neil received the call.

Neil: Hello, yeah, Av

Avni: where are you?

Neil got shocked and frowned. Neil looked at Maya and thought.

Neil in mind: If I told Avni that I am with Maya then she will make an issue of it.

Neil was thinking and Avni was waiting for his reply.

Avni: say, Neil, where are you?

Neil came out of his thoughts.

Neil: hmm... ab, aa, I, I am in the police station.

Avni got shocked.

Neil smiled fakely and said: where can I be at this time... Ab, Why?

Tears formed in Avni's eyes. Avni wiped her tears.

Avni: nothing.

Neil found Avni's voice heavy.

Neil: Avni? Are you ok?

Avni sighed.

Avni: yeah. Ok, bye.

Avni cut the call and she fumed. Avni ran from there.

Neil looked at his phone and was confused. Neil thought.

Maya: what happened?

Neil looked at Maya and said: hmm.

Neil thought.

Neil: ab, nothing. She cuts the call.

Maya: then why called?

Neil shrunk his shoulders.

Neil: don't know.

Maya: Neil, don't mind but don't you think that Avni is clingy?

Neil looked at Maya.

Maya: at your wedding reception, she had not left your side for a second and was clinging to you.

Neil: yeah, she is a little bit clingy but it is her love for me. We both are possessive for each other.

Maya raised her eyebrows and said: whoa, possessive. Not bad.

Neil smiled.

On the other side, Avni came to the washroom and she stood holding the sink. Avni looked at the mirror and she saw the flashes where Neil was showing the gift to Maya and they were smiling. Neil asked Maya to keep quiet.

Avni heard: ab, aa, I, I am in the police station... where can I be at this time... ab, Why?

Avni cried.

It was the time of the evening, the sun was shining in the sky and it peeped into Avni and Neil's room which was dark. Only a beam of light was coming from the curtains. The door was locked and Avni was sitting on the bed. She was thinking about Neil and Maya and her eyes were teary. Avni looked at the roof and was trying her best to not cry. Avni thought.

Avni in mind: history is repeating itself. Everything is happening the same, as it happened with Mama. A third person came in between them and here also...

Avni stopped and thought.

Avni: will Neil also leave me like Mr. Mehta?

Avni got shocked.

Avni: no, I can't live alone now. I can't. I am used to living with Neil and a family now I can't live alone. I, I can't see Neil with any other girl. No.

Avni cried.

Avni: Don't know how Mama handle that heartbreak. I can't handle it. I just can't handle it. I can't. Neil is mine. This family is mine. I will die if they parted away from me. I will die...

Avni cried and panicked.

Avni: I don't even have a child for I will live. Hhhhow, how will I live alone? I. I. IIII can't.

Avni cried.

Avni: I can't.

Avni cried bitterly.

It was the time of the night, Avni was standing near the window and was lost in deep thought. She was thinking about her life and was in a night dress.

Avni in mind: today, Neil lied to me. But was this the first time he lied to me? Today, I caught them maybe they meet daily.

Avni thought.

Avni in mind: Maya came here on our reception day. This means they are meeting since then.

Avni got shocked and hurt. Avni's eyes got moist and she looked at the moon. Avni smiled.

Avni in mind: How stupid I was? How can I think that someone will love me, will make me a part of his life? When your own father abandon you then how could you expect love from anyone else? You have spent your whole life alone, no one loved you then how can someone love you now? No one can love you. Love and family are not in your fate.

Avni was looking at the sky.

Avni: I miss you, mama.

A tear fell from her eyes. A wiped her tear and sighed. Avni was standing there for a long. Neil entered and he saw Avni standing near the window. Neil smiled and he came to Avni. Neil hugged Avni.

Neil: Hi.

Avni smiled.

Neil: what happened? Angry with me?

Avni shook her head.

Neil: I am sorry, Avni, I got stuck in a case.

Avni nodded.

Avni: hmm, the case must be very important.

Neil smiled and said: yeah, you know Commissioner Sir, itself came there to check the progress. That's why, I got late. Sorry.

Avni: it's ok, you get fresh, I get your dinner.

Neil: had you had your dinner?

Avni nodded and said, yes, I had my dinner.

Neil: oh... ok. I also have my dinner.

Avni got shocked.

Neil: Actually, Commissioner Sir gave a treat to the whole team. I didn't want to go but he insisted so I couldn't deny it.

Avni smiled sadly thinking that he had dinner with Maya.

Avni: Okay then let's go to sleep.

Neil looked at Avni from behind who freed herself from Neil's grip and turned to go. Neil held Avni's hand and pulled her back. Neil again captured Avni in a hug from behind and turned her to the window. Neil was smiling.

Neil: you are angry with me?

Avni shook her head.

Neil: then why you are looking dull?

Avni: nothing. I am tired and sleepy. I was just waiting for you.

Neil raised his eyebrows.

Neil: tired and sleepy?

Avni nodded.

Neil made a sad monkey face.

Neil: but I had some other intentions.

Avni didn't react to it. Neil rubbed his nose and lips on Avni's ear and cheek. Avni closed her eyes but not because of anticipation. Neil hid his face in Avni's neck and Avni got irritated.

Avni: Neil, please.

Avni jerked away Neil and freed herself. Avni went away. Neil looked at Avni and smiled.

Neil in mind: I know, you are upset because I came late. Avni, I was not with the commissioner sir, I was with the team of event planner and was planning for your surprise birthday party.

Neil smiled and came to Avni.

Neil: ok, I am sorry. Come, let's sleep.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled. Avni and Neil went to bed. They covered themselves with the duvet and lay on their sides. Neil was laying on his back and Avni's face was on the other side. Neil turned his face to Avni and smiled. Neil thought and then he moved to Avni and hugged Avni from behind.

Neil: What happened if we can't romance? I can sleep hugging you.

Neil smiled and Avni gave no reply. Avni's eyes were closed and Neil kissed Avni's cheek.

Neil: I love you.

Avni felt a sharp pinch in her heart and Neil looked at Avni. Neil felt strange because Avni never did that. Neil looked confused and he thought that Avni is upset that's why she did that and Neil smiled. Neil closed his eyes and Avni opened her eyes. Avni thought.

The next day went normal. Neil went to the police station and Avni was still thinking about her life and future. Avni had a headache because of stress. At the time of the night, Avni was standing near the window and was lost in her thought. Avni was missing her mother and she had a habit of standing near the window when she thinks.

Avni: only 15 minutes are left to my birthday but no one remembers my birthday. It is my first birthday after our marriage and I thought, it will be grand but here no one remembers it.

Avni looked at the sky.

Avni: I wish, you were here, mama.

A tear fell from her eye and Avni wiped it. Avni sighed.

Avni was lost in her thoughts and two hands held her waist. Avni flinched and looked at her stomach. Neil hugged Avni from behind and he got cozy with Avni. Neil rubbed his lips at Avni's ear and his eyes were closed. Avni closed her eyes.

Neil: what are you doing here?

Avni moved her head in anticipation. Neil hid his face in Avni's neck and nuzzled there. Avni got lost. Neil looked at Avni from behind and he took out a pendant from his trousers pocket and he put on it on Avni's neck.

Avni frowned and her eyes were closed. Neil moved to Avni's ear.

Neil whispered: Happy Birthday, My love.

Avni got surprised and emotional. Neil saw Avni from behind and was smiling. Tears started to fall from Avni's eyes and she gulped. Neil hugged Avni from behind and encircled his arm around Avni's neck.

Neil: how did you like the surprise?

Avni's tear fell on Neil's arm and Neil got shocked. Neil looked at Avni and got shocked to see her tears.

Neil: Avni?

Neil turned Avni to him who was crying and looking down. Neil cupped Avni's face but they heard the knock on the door and they looked there. The Khanna family was standing there. A cake was in Shweta's hand. Bebe and Prakash were holding the party popper.

The Khanna family: Happy Birthday.

They smiled. Avni turned her face and wiped her tears. Neil smiled to see the family and then he looked at Avni. The Khanna family was smiling and they looked at each other and then they came inside.

The Khanna family again said Happy Birthday.

Avni looked at them with tearful eyes and smiled. The Khanna family got shocked.

Prakash: what happened, my child, why are you crying?

Avni got emotional and cried. Prakash moved to Avni and cupped her face.

Prakash: kya baat hai, Bacha, Papa ko batao. (What's the matter, my child, tell it to Papa).

Avni wiped her tears and cried like a child. Prakash turned to Neil.

Prakash: what has happened to her?

Neil got shocked.

Prakash: you must have done something.

Neil got shocked.

Neil: me? I swear, I had not done anything. I even gave her a birthday gift. You can ask her.

Shweta: then why is she crying?

Neil: I don't know.

Avni wiped her tears and sighed.

Avni: Neil has not done anything.

Neil: see.

Shweta: then why are you crying?

Avni looked at Shweta and was still crying. Avni shook her head.

Neil cupped Avni's face and smiled: What happened, Avni, why are you crying, yaar?

Avni shook her head and wiped her tears but fresh tears fell from her eyes. Bebe smiled.

Bebe: I understood, why she is crying?

Everyone looked at Bebe. Neil moved his hand back.

Shweta: why?

Bebe moved to Avni.

Bebe: Because she has become emotional because she must have felt that we have forgotten her birthday.

Neil looked at Avni. Baba caressed Avni's hair.

Bebe: right.

Avni nodded while wiping her tears.

Neil made a face. Prakash looked at Avni and Shweta made an aww face. Neil smiled and shook his head.

Neil: that's it. Avni, you scared me.

Avni looked at Neil cutely and her nose turned red. Neil found Avni cute.

Neil cupped Avni's face.

Neil: how can I forget your birthday, hmm? I was busy with preparations.

Avni: preparations?

Neil got surprised and the Khanna family made a face.

Neil: ab, woh, woh...

Shweta: now, no need to hide. You got caught.

Avni looked at Shweta.

Shweta: he planned a surprise birthday party for you.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled sheepishly. Avni got surprised.

Prakash: but it is not a surprise anymore because he spoiled it.

Neil made a sad face and then he looked at Avni who was looking at him. Neil smiled.

Bebe: ok, now leave it, and let's cut the cake.

Avni smiled and wiped her eyes. Neil took the small table there and kept it in the room near the bed. Avni sat on her knees and Neil sat beside her. Avni cut the cake and everyone sang a happy birthday song and bust the party popper. Avneil covered the cake with their hands and smiled. Avni fed the cake to Neil and others and she smiled to see her family. Avni's eyes got swelled because of crying. Avni sighed and smiled. Neil smiled to see Avni happy.