Chapter 32:

It was the time of night, the raindrops were playing with the ground and the thunder was making the environment scarier. In the Khanna mansion, Avni was sitting on the couch and she flinched to hear the sound of thunder. Avni turned and looked at the window. Avni was looking worried and scared. Neav was standing at the door and was looking at Avni.

On the other side, Shweta was calling Neil back to back but Neil was not picking up the calls. Shweta and Prakash were looking worried and Bebe was also sitting on the couch keeping her head on her fist. Bebe was also worried.

Shweta: don't know where this boy has gone? It has been an hour, I am calling him but he is not picking up my calls. If he had some work then he would have informed us at least.

Prakash lowered his gaze. Bebe prayed for Neil. Shweta again dialed Neil's number. Neav was standing at the door and he heard Shweta. Neav thought.

In an isolated place, the raindrops were falling on the ground and it was raining heavily. Nothing was seen clearly. The lights of something were on and it was a car. The sound of the music was echoing and it was a ringtone. The car was standing at the side and inside it, the phone was ringing. It was Shweta's call. The phone was ringing and it got disconnected. It was the 35th missed call. Neil was sitting in front of it on the ground and he was drenched completely. Neil’s eyes were red and he was sitting by joining his fingers at his lips and his arms were on his legs. Neil was lost in his thoughts.

Neil saw the flashes where he got close to Avni and kissed her eyes, nose, and cheeks and then he kissed Avni’s lips but he got no response. Last night, he got some rays of hope that now everything will become fine between them. Avni is forgetting the past but today his all hopes are broken into trillions of pieces. Neil’s eyes got moist and he closed his eyes. It was raining but still, his tears could be felt. Neil sniffed. Neil kept his head on the car and took a breath.

Soon, the rain’s speed slowed down and Neil was still sitting in his place. Neil’s phone rang and Neil heard the low sound of it. Neil opened his eyes and raised his head. Neil sniffed and sighed. Neil got up and he moved to the driving seat. Neil got in the car and he took his phone from the passenger seat. Neil saw the caller ID and he was surprised. Neil was looking at the phone and it was Avni’s call. Neil thought and he received the call. Neil sniffed.

Neil: Hello. Yeah, Avni.

In the Khanna mansion, Neav was standing near the bed and Avni’s phone was in his hand.

Neav: Hello, Papa.

Neil felt a sharp pinch in his heart and his heart broke.

Neil: Neav. Ab, yeah tiger, say.

Neav: where are you, Papa? Mama, Dadi, Dadu, Bebe, everyone is worried for you.

Neil: I am coming, Tiger. I am on my way.

Neav: Come fast, Papa, Mama has not eaten anything since morning.

Neil was shocked.

Neil: What?

Neav: Yes. Please come fast.

Neil thought.

Neil: I am coming, tiger. I am coming.

Neav: OK, Bye.

Neil: Bye.

Neil cut the call and thought. Neil saw Shweta’s missed calls and he called her. Shweta was sitting on the bed holding her head. Shweta’s phone rang and she looked at the bed. Shweta’s face lit up to see Neil’s call.

Shweta: Tillu.

Prakash and Bebe got alert. Shweta picked up the call.

Shweta: Hello, Tillu.

Neil: Mom.

Shweta: Tillu, where are you? I have been trying your number for a long.

Neil: I am fine, Mom. I was stuck in a case.

Shweta: You should inform us. DD also didn’t know about you. It is raining outside, we got worried.

Neil: I am fine, Mom and I am coming. I will get late so you sleep.

Shweta: Sleep? How can I sleep until you come back?

Neil: I said, I will get late. It will take almost two hours to reach.

Shweta: Two hours?

Neil: Yes. That’s why I am asking you to sleep.

Shweta: OK. Drive safely.

Neil: OK. Bye.

Shweta: Bye.

Neil cut the call and thought. Neil closed the door of the car. Neil sighed and started the car. Neil went from there. Again the rain started.

On the other side, Shweta was standing with the family.

Prakash: What happened? What did he say?

Shweta sighed.

Shweta: He is coming.

Avni was standing at the door and she was relieved. Avni sighed with closed eyes and then she smiled. Avni’s eyes got moist.

Bebe: This boy. OK, then I am going to my room.

Bebe turned. Avni wiped her eyes and she went from there.

On the other side, it was raining and Neil was driving the car. The window of the car was open and Neil was drenched.

In the Khanna mansion, Avni made Neav sleep and she was caressing Neav’s hair. Avni was waiting for Neil. A car came to the main gate and it horned. Avni heard the sound of the car horn and smiled.

Avni: Neil.

Avni got up and went to the balcony. Avni saw a car coming inside. The car stopped and Neil got down from it. Avni smiled to see him. Neil thought and Avni was looking at him. Neil moved to the home and Avni hurriedly went to the room.

Soon, Neil came to the room and he stopped at the door to see Avni. Avni was waiting for him. Avni was shocked to see Neil drenched.

Avni: Neil.

Neil was looking at Avni. Avni came to Neil and held his arm. Neil looked at Avni’s hand and then he looked at Avni who dragged him to the bed while saying.

Avni:  You are completely drenched. How you get drenched?

Avni made Neil sit on the bed who was looking down and then Avni went to get a towel from the cupboard. Neil was looking at her. Avni took the towel and she came to Neil. Avni started to wipe Neil’s hair with the towel. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked down. Neil again looked at Avni and stared at her. Neil lowered his gaze. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: Neil, what are you waiting for? Remove your shirt. It is wet.

Neil was shocked and he rolled his eyes and then he looked at Avni who was wiping his hair. Avni looked at Neil and was confused to see him in shock. Avni thought and she resumed her work. Avni stopped because she realized what she said. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her. Avni felt odd and Neil looked down.

Avni: Ab, you change your clothes. I get soup for you till then.

Neil nodded while looking down and Avni nodded. Avni went from there and Neil was looking at Avni. Neil slid the towel from his forehead and kept it on his shoulder. Neil thought.

Neil came after changing his clothes and wiping his hair with the towel. Avni came to the room carrying the tray and a bowl was kept on it. Neil looked at Avni and stopped his work. Avni came to the couch and sat. Neil kept the towel on his shoulder and came to Avni. Neil sat beside her. Avni looked at Neil and she was stirring the spoon. Avni passed the spoon to Neil to feed him and Neil looked at the spoon and Avni was looking at Neil. Neil had that. Avni fed Neil soup. Neil had a few sips and then he took the spoon from Avni who looked at their hands and then she looked at Neil. Neil tried to feed Avni who was looking at him.

Neil: I know, you have not eaten anything since morning.

Avni was surprised and Neil signed her to drink. Avni had soup. Avni took a spoon and Avneil fed each other.

Avni: I am coming.

Neil nodded. Avni took the vessels and went to the kitchen. Soon, Avni came back and entered the room but she stopped when she saw Neil laying on the bed. Avni was surprised and she thought. Avni closed the door and she came to Neil. Avni saw Neil’s closed eyes but she knew he was awake. Avni thought and she went to switch off the lights and then she came to the bed and lay. Avni thought. Neil opened his eyes and turned his face slightly. Neil thought.

It was the time of the morning, the sun was shining over the Khanna mansion. Avni came into the room and Neil and Neav were still sleeping. Avni thought and she went to the window. Avni opened the curtains and the sunlight came into the room. Avni came to Neav and caressed his hair.

Avni: Neav. Neav, get up, baby. It’s morning.

Neil stirred but no effect on Neav.

Avni: Neav. Neav, wake up.

Neav stirred and turned his side. Avni made a face.

Avni: Neav, get up.

Neil opened his narrowed eyes and turned slightly. Neil saw Avni who looked at him.

Avni: Ab, get up. It is 7:15 a.m.

Neil looked at the wall clock and groaned. Neil sat on the bed.

Avni: Neav, wake up.

Neav: Mama, five minutes.

Neil smiled and leaned toward Neav. Neil ruffled Neav’s hair.

Neil: Haye, Tiger, wake up.

Neav: Five minutes, Papa and it was raining last night so school must be closed today.

Neil looked at the window and Avni followed his gaze. Avneil smiled and looked at each other. They looked at Neav.

Neil: It was raining last night.

Avni: Now the sky is clear and the sun is shining in the sky.

Neav made a face and opened his eyes. Neav sat on the bed. Avneil smiled.

Avneil: Good morning.

They looked at each other because they said together.

Neav: Morning.

Avni: Now get up and go to get fresh.

Neav: OK.

Neav removed the duvet and went to get fresh. Avneil looked at each other and then Neil looked down. Neil removed his duvet and wore his slippers. Avni was looking at Neil. Neil got up and set his shirt. Avni got up and came to Neil. Neil looked at Avni and he saw Avni rubbing her hands. Neil looked at Avni.

Avni: Neil. Neil, I…

Neil: I am sorry, Avni.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled. Neil cupped Avni’s face who could clearly see the pain in his eyes.

Neil: I am sorry, Avni, I crossed my line yesterday. I should not have gotten close to you without your consent. I should have been within my limits.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: I knew that our relationship is passing by a tough time and the situation is weak, I should not have kissed you.

Avni looked down.

Neil: I am sorry for yesterday but I promise you that it will not repeat again. I will never cross my limits. I will not get close to you without your consent.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled but Avni could see the pain behind his smile.

Later, Neil went to the police station and Neav to school. Avni was sitting on the bed and was lost in her thoughts. The day turned into night and Neil didn’t come home. The close struck 12 p.m. and Neil entered the room. Neil saw Shweta standing in the living area folding her arms and was waiting for him. Avni was also present there.

Neil: Hi, mom. Hi, Avni.

Shweta: Hi? Hi? Tillu, have you seen the time?

Neil looked at his watch. Avni lowered her gaze. Neil looked at Shweta.

Shweta: What is this, Tillu? Do you have some responsibilities towards your family or not?

Neil: I am sorry, Mom. Actually, a new case has come and I am working on it so I didn’t realize the time.

Avni was looking at Neil and she looked down.

Shweta: We understand your work, Tillu, but you should inform us at least that you will be late. Your phone was also off.

Neil: Sorry, Mom, I will be careful next time.

Shweta made a face.

Shweta: OK, now go to your room and get fresh. Avni.

Avni looked at Shweta.

Shweta: Give him dinner.

Avni nodded and Shweta looked at Neil and then she went from there. Avneil looked at each other.

In the room, Avni gave the dinner to Neil and sat on the couch because she knew that if she slept then Neil would leave the food. Neil had a bit and then he passed a bid to Avni. Avni looked at the bit.

Neil: you also have it.

Avni had the bit. Neil had the dinner and Avneil was looking down.

Some days passed and Neil daily went to the police station earlier and came home late in the night. Now it was his daily routine. The family noticed Neil’s silent behavior.

One day, Avni was sitting on the bed and Neav came to her. Neav sat on the bed and Avni smiled to see him but Avni’s smile faded to see Neav sad.

Avni: What happened?

Neav: Mama, what has happened to Papa?

Avni frowned.

Neav: He is coming home late daily. This whole week, he has done it.

Avni held Neav’s hands in her hands.

Avni: Baby, Papa is a police officer. His job is tough.

Neav: But he was used to giving us time now what has happened?

Avni thought and then she looked at Neav.

Avni: Ab, he has some work.

Neav: I am missing him. We haven’t played this whole week.

Avni felt bad.

Avni: Papa is working on an important case. Once, he will get free then he will play with you.

Neav: When he will get free?

Avni: Soon.

Neav made a face.

Avni: Ab, go and get your bag. You haven’t done your homework today.

Neav nodded and went. Avni thought.

It was the time of the night, the moon was shining over the Khanna mansion where Avni laying on the bed in Fowler’s position and Neav was sleeping near her. Avni was lost in her thoughts.

Avni in mind: So, you again started all that. You resumed your previous routine. Again you have started to come home late. Slowly, one by one you will again start all that. You will start to go to the parties. You will have alcohol and will start to ignore us. No, not start, you have started to ignore us already. You are going to the police station early in the morning and are coming late. Neav has also noticed it. You tried to make me understand that my ignorance is affecting Neav’s mental state. Will your ignorance not affect him? Your absence will not affect him?

Avni paused for a while and sighed.

Avni in mind: I knew, this all would happen and this was the reason, I didn’t want to come back into your life. I didn’t want to go through the same pain again. But I think this pain is written in my fate. I have to go through all that again. History will repeat itself but this time, an innocent soul will also suffer with me.

Avni looked at Neav and her eyes got moist. Avni gulped. Avni caressed Neav’s hair and leaned to him. Avni kissed Neav’s forehead and a tear fell from her eye. Avni wiped it and stared at Neav.

Later, a car stopped outside the Khanna mansion and Neil entered the mansion. Neil went to the stairs and Bebe was looking at him. Bebe thought.

Neil came into the room and Avni saw him. They did Hi and hello and then Avni went to get dinner for Neil. Neil looked at Avni and thought. Avni came into the room and she kept the tray on the table. Neil came into the room after getting fresh. Avni started to read a book and Neil looked at her. Neil started the dinner. This has been their routine for some days.

It was the daytime and the sun was shining over the police station where Neil was standing against the table and was looking at the board. A board marker was in his hand. Neil’s phone rang and Neil looked at the table. Neil stood properly and he went to his seat. Neil saw the number and frowned. Neil picked up the phone.

Neil: Hello?

On the other side, Bebe was on call.

Bebe: Hello.

Neil: Yes, Bebe. Is everything alright?

Bebe: Yes, everything is alright. Can you come home earlier today?

Neil: Earlier? Why?

Bebe: I have some work with you.

Neil thought.

Neil: OK.

Bebe: OK, I will wait for you.

Neil was confused.

Neil: OK. Everything is fine?

Bebe: yes, don't worry, you come home then we will talk.

Neil: Bye.

Neil cut the call and thought. On the other side, Bebe was also thinking.

At the time of the night, Neil knocked at the door of Bebe’s room and he looked around but Bebe was not in the room. Neil came into the room and looked for the Bebe.

Neil: Bebe! Bebe!

Neil thought and he went to bed. Neil sat on it because he was tired. Neil looked down and held his head. A hand caressed Neil’s hair and Neil felt that. Neil looked up and saw Bebe standing. Neil smiled slightly and then he looked down. Bebe looked on. Bebe sat beside Neil who was looking down. Bebe cupped Neil’s cheek. Neil smiled. Neil kept his hand on Bebe’s hand and kissed it. Neil got emotional because Neil wanted this care. Neil sighed deeply.

Bebe: What happened, Neil? What is bothering you, my son?

Neil gulped and was trying to control his emotions. Bebe looked on. Bebe lowered her gaze.

Bebe: Do you remember when you were a kid then, if you had any problem, you used to keep quiet and sit in a corner?

Neil smiled.

Bebe: And then I used to come to you and you would lighten your heart by telling your problems to your Grandma.

Neil was smiling.

Bebe: So come on today, your grandmother is with you again, now open your heart to your grandmother and tell her about your problem.

Neil looked at Bebe and then he thought.

Bebe: Say, Neil. Say your heart out, my child. Say.

Neil: Bebe, Avni.

Bebe was surprised and Neil gulped.

Neil: Bebe, I think. I feel I have lost Avni. I have lost my Avni completely. I have lost her forever… I admit, I made many mistakes in my married life and I am sorry for that. I am sorry for my every mistake and for every misdeed, I did. I realized my mistakes and I changed myself. I changed myself completely but still, Avni is not ready to forgive me. She is not ready to forget anything.

Bebe: Is it so easy to forget everything?

Neil was surprised.

Bebe: Is it so easy to forgive? What would you do if you were in Avni's place? Could you forgive her?

Neil looked down.

Bebe: Neil, she suffered when she was with you. Three years of your married life is no less than a roller coaster. She felt insecure. Her hopes broke, her dreams broke and then one day you asked her to go away from your life. You asked her that you hate her. You not only broke her heart that day, you broke her.

Neil looked down.

Bebe: And she went away from your life but her struggle didn't end there. The real struggle started from there.

Neil thought.

Bebe: A girl needs the most her family, her husband when she gets pregnant. She needs a family to take care of her, bear her mood swings, and fulfill her cravings.

Neil was looking at Bebe.

Bebe: But she had no one. Yes, she had Juhi to take care of her but she had no one to bear her mood swings, she had no one to fulfill her craving.

Neil felt bad.

Bebe: A girl needs proper rest in pregnancy but Avni worked to bear her expenses.

Neil felt guilty and looked down.

Bebe: But the story is not ended here.

Neil looked at Bebe.

Bebe: She worked till the last day of her pregnancy and then the day of her delivery came. The time, the moment when a girl wants her mother and husband with her. She was very frightened at that time. She thought what if something happened to me then who would take care of my child? What if something happened to my child then? Many thoughts were there and a severe pain. A bone-crushing pain. She wants her husband and mother but Avni’s fate. Neither she had her mother nor did she have her husband. She was all alone.

Neil thought and his eyes were moist. Bebe sighed.

Bebe: And then Neav came into her life and she became a mother. She made her child her life and she served her life to him. She raised Neav alone but her fate, her son also didn’t value her and a new suffering started.

Bebe sighed.

Bebe: Neil, She has suffered a lot since her childhood. First, her father abandoned her then you kicked out her of your life and then Neav also didn’t leave any chance to break her heart and she broke down. She had almost died. She always tried to stand strong and she stood strong but you and Neav broke her.

Neil felt guilty.

Bebe: You two broke her. Now it is not easy for her to forget all that and start a new life.

Neil: So she will never forgive? We will always live like this, like strangers. Bebe, I am also a human being. I also have a heart. I want joy in my life. I want happiness. I love her, Bebe. I love her. I want a normal married life. I want my Avni back. She could never forgive me? Will we live like this forever?

Bebe: Her wounds are still fresh. Give her some time and yes, give her immense love. She will move on one day. Just trust the timing of your life.

Neil looked down and gulped. Bebe caressed Neil’s shoulder and back. Neil was looking down. Neil gulped and cried.

Bebe: Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You just don’t lose hope and continue your efforts, hmm. She will forgive you one day.

Neil nodded and sniffed. Neil cried and Bebe captured him in her arms. Neil held Bebe’s arm and cried.

Avni was standing at the door and the tears were falling from her eyes. Avni heard everything. Avni looked at Neil and Bebe and she was crying. Avni went from there and she came to the terrace. Avni cried bitterly. Avni fell on her knees and cried her heart out. Once again she went through the same pain when Bebe was talking to Neil. She remembered everything and got hurt but this time, she was feeling bad for Neil too. Avni cried badly.