Chapter 10:

It was the time of night, the moon was shining in the sky and it peeped into Avni and Neil’s room where Avni was standing near the small table and a cake was kept on it. Avni smiled to see the cake and then she turned and went to the window. Avni looked at the moon.

Avni in mind: How strange life is. We think something and something else happens. I thought the family forgot my birthday. I even got sad thinking of that. But no, they remembered that. I am so stupid what I was thinking.

Avni smiled. Neil came to Avni and he stood beside her. Avni looked at Neil and smiled. Neil held Avni’s hand and turned her and then he held Avni’s second hand. Neil was hugging Avni from behind. Avni smiled and forgot every other thing.

Neil: Avni, don’t you think that nowadays you are standing here at the window too much?

Avni smiled.

Avni: don’t you think that nowadays you are hugging me from behind too much?

Neil smiled.

Neil: that I love too.

Avni: so I also love to stand here and look at the sky.

Neil smiled.

Neil: is that so?

Avni nodded and said, yes.

Neil smiled and Avni also smiled. Avni waited for Neil to say something. Neil thought.

Neil: Avni?

Avni: hmm.

Neil: did you really think that I forgot about your birthday?

Avni got surprised and got speechless. Neil looked at Avni from behind and he understood.

Neil: how can you even think that I can forget your birthday?

Avni remained silent.

Neil: hmm…

Avni: sorry.

Neil lowered his gaze and he got hurt. Neil closed his eyes and shrugged off it.

Neil: ok, leave it.

Avni smiled slightly.

Neil: You didn’t tell me how you liked my gift?

Avni’s smile faded and she remembered about Neil and Maya. Avni saw the flashes that she saw him giving a gift to Maya.

Neil: hmm.

Avni came out of her thoughts.

Neil: what happened, didn't you like it?

Avni got sad and she smiled fakely. Avni touched the pendant and looked at it.

Avni: it’s beautiful.

Neil: do you really like it or saying it just to make me happy?

Avni: No, it is actually beautiful.

Neil smiled.

Avni: Thank you.

Neil: thank you?

Neil curved his lips downward.

Neil: ok.

Avni looked at Neil who passed a slight smile and then he looked down. Avni felt bad and Neil looked at her.

Neil: anyways, are you excited about your birthday party?

Avni thought and then she took away Neil’s hand. Neil looked at the hands and then he looked at Avni. Avni turned to him.

Avni: I don’t want any party.

Neil got shocked and then he frowned.

Neil: what? What did you say? You don’t want any party.

Avni lowered her gaze.

Neil: but why?

Avni shook her head.

Avni: I just don’t want it.

Neil: but why? What’s the reason?

Avni: ase hi. (Just that)

Neil: Ase hi matlab? (Just that means)

Avni: nothing.

Neil gave a look to Avni who looked at him. Avni smiled to hide her pain.

Avni: What?

Neil: tell me the reason.

Avni: Nothing. I am just not habitual of it.

Neil: what does it mean?

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Avni, your life is changing now. In fact, it has changed then what is the problem?

Avni looked down.

Avni: I never have celebrated my birthday after Mama.

Neil was looking at Avni and he felt bad. Neil cupped Avni’s face and moved a step toward her.

Neil: Avni, at that time you didn’t have a family, you were alone but now you have a family. You are not alone.

Avni looked at Neil sadly.

Neil: and your family wants to see you happy. They want to celebrate your birthday, your success.

Avni looked down. She felt irritated.

Avni: I am feeling strange. I am ok, leave this party plan and all.

Avni turned and went to bed. Neil was looking at Avni. Avni lay on the bed and Neil was facing her back. Neil wondered that everything was going smoothly then what has happened to her suddenly. Neil thought.

It was the time of the morning, Avni and Neil were standing with the family. They took blessings from the elders.

Shweta: today is Avni’s birthday party. I am so excited.

Avni and Neil were looking at Shweta and then they looked at each other. Neil looked away.

Neil: there is no party. Avni refused for it.

Everyone got shocked and they looked at Avni who looked at them and then she looked down.

Bebe: what? But why?

Shweta: yes, why?

Neil: ask your beloved daughter-in-law.

Avni looked at Neil who also looked at her angrily.

Bebe: Avni?

Avni looked at Bebe and then she looked down.

Avni: I don’t want it, Bebe.

Shweta: but why?

Avni: nothing. I… it just that… I don’t want it.

Everyone was confused. Avni turned and went from there outside. Neil got angry.

Neil: see, you guys see her. She exactly said and did the same last night. She just walked away and slept.

Shweta: strange.

Neil: What is mine in it, it's her birthday if she doesn't want to celebrate it then it's ok, don't celebrate it.

Everyone was looking at him.

Prakash: don’t worry, I will talk to her. She will get agree.

Neil: no, no one will talk to her. Let it be. Just leave it.

Everyone made a face.

Neil: I will cancel the party.

Neil looked at the family and then he went from there. The family was looking at him and they looked at each other. Shweta shook her head and sighed.

It was time of the evening, Avni was sitting at the table in her cabin and was lost in her thoughts. She heard the knock on the door and looked there.

Avni: come in.

The door opened and Prakash came inside. Avni smiled to see him and got up. Avni saw a shopping bag in his hand and then she looked at Prakash who kept the bag on the table. Avni looked at the table and then she looked at Prakash.

Prakash: Avni, my child, a dress is in it for you. Get ready fast then we have to go.

Avni frowned.

Avni: where?

Prakash: ab…

Prakash thought. Avni was looking at him.

Prakash: ab, we have planned a family dinner tonight.

Avni: dinner?

Prakash: yes, dinner in a restaurant.

Avni was looking at Prakash confusingly.

Prakash: ab, you refused the birthday party so we thought to celebrate your birthday in a restaurant.

Avni was about to say.

Prakash: now no more arguments on it. Get ready fast then we go. Come on, fast, fast.

Avni was about to say but Prakash went from there. Avni looked at the shopping bag and thought.

It was the time of the night, a car stopped and Prakash got down from the backseat and then he went to the other side of the car and opened the door. Prakash helped Avni to get down from the car because Avni was blindfolded.

Prakash: carefully, carefully, yeah, yeah, yeah…

Avni got down from the car and was smiling.

Avni: now can I take off it?

Prakash shouted: no.

Avni flinched.

Prakash: ab sorry. Wait for two minutes only.

Prakash held Avni’s hand and took her from there. A door opened and the venue was lighted. Prakash opened the blindfold.

Prakash: now open your eyes.

Avni opened her eyes and she got surprised to see there. A crowd of people was standing there.

Everyone: Happy birthday.

Avni was surprised and she looked at the people. Avni saw Neil who was standing at the side keeping his hands in his pocket and looking at Avni while smiling.

Neil was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans with a pink coat.

Avni and Neil were just looking at each other and Neil looked down. Avni also came back to reality. Neil came to Avni who was looking at him. Neil held Avni’s waist and signed her come with his hand. Avni smiled and they came inside. Everyone met Avni.

Everyone was enjoying the party and Avni was very happy. Neil came to Avni.

Neil: How was the surprise?

Avni smiled.

Avni: it’s beautiful.

Avni intervened her arm in Neil’s arm.

Avni: thank you.

Neil smiled and kept his hand on Avni’s hand. They smiled to see each other but Avni’s happiness was of some time. Avni looked straight and she saw Maya. Maya came to them and Neil smiled to see her. Avni looked at Neil. Maya hugged Neil which broke Avni’s heart. Avni saw a new bracelet on Maya’s wrist and she thought, Neil gifted her that. Maya turned to Avni and hugged Avni and wished her a happy birthday. Maya gave a gift to Avni who thanked her.

Later, Avni cut the cake and she fed Neil and the others and then everyone was sitting at the table and talking. Avneil also came to the table. Avni was about to sit with Neil but Maya sat there and Avni was looking at her. Avni looked at Neil who was talking with Vidyut. Avni got hurt and she went to sit with Sonia. They start the dinner. 

Neil: I am just coming getting a drink for myself.

Neil got up.

Maya: one for me also.

Neil: ok.

Avni was looking at them and Neil went. Neil’s phone rang and Avni looked at it. Avni leaned to pick up it but Maya picked it up before her and Avni got shocked. Avni got angry and hurt too.

Maya: Hello…

Maya talked on the phone and Neil came and sat. Neil gave one glass to Maya. Maya gave Neil’s phone to him and Neil looked at it and then he took it.

Maya: DD called you to apologize because he couldn’t make it to come. Your phone was ringing so I picked it up.

Neil smiled and said: it's ok and thank you for attending the call.

Avni got hurt so, she looked down and got up. Avni went from there and Neil looked at her. Neil frowned. Neil thought and he got up.

Maya: what happened now? Where are you going?

Neil looked at her.

Neil: Ab…

Vidyut: Maya, let him go. It is his wife’s birthday. Let them spend their quality time.

Maya: when I have stopped him?

Vidyut was about to say.

Neil: guys, relax and stop fighting. Avni has left her food in the middle. I am going to see if everything is fine.

Vidyut and Maya looked at each other. Neil shook his head and he went to Avni. Avni was standing at the side near the table holding a glass of water. Avni wiped her tears. Neil came to her.

Neil: what happened?

Avni looked away and wiped her tears.
Neil: Why did you come here?

Avni: nothing.

Neil was looking at Avni and a frown was on his face. Avni looked at Neil and showed him the glass while smiling.

Avni: I came to get water for myself.

Neil: I went to drink water why didn’t you tell me then?

Avni: I wanted to say but Maya said before so I didn’t tell you.

Neil: what is in it if Maya told me?

Avni: nothing, Neilu. You have two hands then how would you bring three glasses?

Neil: in the tray.

Avni: oops, I didn’t get this idea. Sorry.

Neil made a face and Avni smiled. Neil smiled and shook his head.

Neil: crazy.

They smiled and Neil noticed Avni’s eyes.

Neil: had you cried?

Avni got shocked and she wiped her eyes while smiling and said: nooo… I had a headache that’s why, my eyes are teary.

Neil was not satisfied.

Neil: are you saying the truth?

Avni: yes, actually, papa blindfolded me in the car so I felt my head spinning, since then I have a headache.

Neil: oh, why didn’t you tell me earlier? Had you had medicine?

Avni shook her head.

Avni: No, I thought, I will have medicine before sleeping. What's the use of taking medicine now that I won't be able to rest.

Neil nodded.

Neil: it is also right.

Avni smiled.

Neil: should I press your head?

Avni: no, no, you go to your friends.

Neil made a face and he pulled a chair for Avni from the side and kept it near the table. Neil tried to make Avni sit on it.

Avni: Neil, I am fine.

Neil made Avni sit who kept the glass on the table. Neil was standing behind the chair and he pressed Avni’s forehead.
Avni was smiling and her eyes were closed.

Avni: Neil, I am fine.

Neil: my friends are not more important than you. They can wait for me. You are my wife so you are my first priority.

Avni smiled and opened her eyes. Avni thought. Maya was standing at some distance and she was looking at them. Maya wiped her unshed tears and squeezed her nose. She went from there.

Soon, the party ends and everyone went to their home and rooms. Neil entered the room and was holding his phone in one hand and looking at it. Neil stopped and he looked up. Neil saw Avni laying on the bed and her eyes were closed. Neil smiled and then he thought. Neil went to close the door and then he came to the bed. Neil kept his phone on the table and sat on the bed. Neil took the duvet and he lay on the bed. Neil was laying on the bed on his back and he looked at Avni.

Neil: Avni?

Avni: hmm?

Neil: had you have medicine?

Avni: yes, I have.

Neil: good. Now how is your headache?

Avni: better.

Neil smiled and said, ok.

Neil said good night to Avni and then he closed his eyes. Avni wished him too. Avni opened her eyes and thought. Neil adjusted his head and Avni turned her face to him. Avni turned to Neil. Avni kept her head and hand on Neil’s chest who smiled with closed eyes. Avni looked at Neil and smiled. Avni snuggled to him and Neil captured Avni in his arms. Avni smiled and then she thought.

Avni in mind: I have to do something. I can’t let anyone snatch my husband. I can’t drop the weapons so easily. I should try to save our relationship. I have to fight for my right and love. I will fight for myself. Neil is mine, only mine. I will not let a third person come between us.

Avni thought and looked at Neil who was sleeping. Avni snuggled to Neil and closed her eyes.

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 and as usual, she 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.

Neil’s phone beeped and Avni looked at it. Avni thought and she took Neil’s phone. Avni thought about whether she opened the message or not. Avni bit her lower lip and then she opened the message. Avni was shocked to see Maya’s message.

The message was: Good morning, hottie.

A kissing emoji was with it.

Avni got shocked and angry. Avni deleted the message. Neil came out and Avni looked at Neil. She got shocked. Neil was wiping his hair with the towel and was wearing a blue shirt over the vest. Neil looked at Avni and saw his cell phone in Avni’s hand. Neil frowned and came to Avni.

Neil: what happened? What are you doing with my phone?

Avni got nervous and start sweating. Avni tried to calm herself.

Avni: ab, ab…

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: why? Can’t I pick up your phone?

Neil made a face.

Neil: when did I say that?

Avni: then?

Neil looked away in anger. Avni smiled.

Avni: I am not getting my phone.

Neil looked at Avni.

Avni: don't know where I have kept my phone, so I was calling to my phone from your phone.

Neil: oh.

Avni: but it’s ok, you take your phone, I will call it from the landline number. Sorry, I took your phone without your permission.

Neil: Avni, I didn’t mean that, I just asked.

Avni nodded.

Avni: Hmm, it’s ok. No issues.

Avni again passed the phone to Neil.

Neil: call from it to your number.

Avni said while keeping the phone on the bed: no, I will call from the landline.

Neil got angry. Avni stood properly and turned. Avni was hurt because when Maya took his phone without his permission, he didn’t say anything and now he asked her why she took his phone.

Neil took his phone in anger and dialed Avni’s number. Avni stopped to hear the ring of her phone and Neil looked around. Neil turned and went to the couch. Avni turned. Neil took the cushion and Avni’s phone was ringing under it. Avni was looking at Neil who took the phone and cut the call. Neil turned to Avni and came to Avni who was looking at him. Neil passed the cell phone to Avni.

Neil: hmm. I did not mean why you picked up my phone. I was just asking that was there any call from anyone.

Avni was looking at Neil who signed her to take the phone. Avni took the phone.

Neil: you are my wife and you have complete right on me and on my things.

Avni looked down.

Neil: You can pick my things without my permission.

Avni and Neil were looking at each other. Neil took the steps back and then he turned and went to the bed. Avni was looking at him. Neil took his shirt and he took out the hanger from it. Avni slowly came to Neil and hugged him from behind closing her eyes. Neil stopped.

Avni: I am sorry, I overreacted.

Neil made a face.

Neil: say something new.

Avni tightens the grip.

Avni: sorry.

Neil: it’s ok.

Neil tried to move but Avni hugged him more tightly.

Neil: Avni, I am getting late for the police station.

Avni: first say you forgave me.

Neil: yes, I forgave you.

Avni made a sad pout and she broke the hug. Neil moved and was going to change.

Avni: Neil.

Neil stopped.

Avni: you change here. I am going out.

Neil thought and turned to Avni who turned and was going to the door. Neil felt bad.

Neil: get my tea (Avni stopped and her eyes were teary) till then I change my clothes.

Avni didn’t say anything and started to go. Avni was going and a hand held her hand. Avni stopped and she knew it is Neil. Avni didn’t say anything. Neil was looking at the hands and then he looked at Avni. Neil smiled and moved a step to Avni. Neil turned Avni to him who was looking down and tears were rolling from her eyes. Neil felt bad and he cupped Avni’s face. Neil wiped Avni’s tears.

Neil: Avni.

No reply.

Neil: Avni, look at me.

Avni looked at Neil with teary and red eyes. Neil felt a pinch in his heart.

Neil: why are you crying?

Avni wiped her tears and shook her head.

Neil: did I hurt you?

Avni looked at Neil and nodded. Neil smiled to see her cute expression. Avni squeezed her nose and hit Neil’s chest. Neil was smiling and he held Avni’s arms and then he hugged Avni.

Neil: I am sorry. I behaved rudely with you.

Avni shook her head.

Avni: no, I am sorry.

Neil: it’s ok.

Avni broke the hug.

Avni said while wiping her tears: You are getting late, you change your clothes till then I get your tea.

Neil: Get two cups.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil said while pulling Avni’s cheek softly: I want to have tea with my wife.

Avni smiled and Neil smiled to see her smiling.

Avni: I am just coming.

Neil nodded and Avni went. Neil sighed and thought.

Avni came with a tray of two cups of tea and sat on the couch where Neil was sitting. They enjoyed the tea with their chitchat and smiling.