Chapter 06:

The sun rises and birds were hovering in the sky. They were enjoying the soft breeze of the morning and were also in search of food.

The sun rays peeped in Neil’s room from the window where Neil was laying on his back. The sun rays disturbed his sleep and the chirping of the birds was also echoing in his ear. Neil stirred and frowned. A duvet was on Neil’s half leg as he removed it in sleep. His shirt’s buttons were open. Neil tried to open his eyes but again he shut them and caught his head.

Neil: Aah… my head.

Neil opened his narrowed eyes but her eyes were aching so he closed them and wiped them. Neil again tried to open his eyes and he opened his narrowed eyes. Neil looked at his room and then he sat on the bed catching his head. Neil thought that how he came there.

Neil: I was with my friends after the engagement party then how did I come here? Who took him here?

Neil thought and his head was aching so he caught his head closing his eyes. Neil saw the blur flashback where he nuzzled Avni’s neck and Avni was stopping him. Neil made Avni lay and he heard the heavy voices but nothing was clear neither his flashes nor the voice.
Neil opened his eyes with a jerk and was shocked.

Neil: what was that?

Neil thought and he closed his eyes but got no clue. Neil opened his eyes.

Neil: what happened last night?

Neil thought.

Neil: my friends forcefully made me drink… Avni was at home at that time… Don’t know how is she? I should go to her.

Neil was about to remove the duvet and he saw the buttons of his shirt are open. Neil held his shirt and was shocked.

Neil: this? Who did this?

Neil tried to think but no use. Neil ran his hand through his hair with closed eyes.

Neil heard: Neil. Neil, stop. Neil, leave me... Neil, no.

Neil opened his eyes shockingly.

Neil: what was that now?

Neil tried to think and saw the blur images and Neil was shocked.

Neil: Avni.

Neil looked up and here and there but Avni was nowhere.

Neil: where is she? I should go to her as soon as possible… I just hope something unwanted had not happened last night else I will never forgive myself… Neil, go and talk to Avni, only she can give you the answer to her questions.

Neil removed the duvet and wore his shoes. Neil closed the button of his shirt while getting up and going. Neil came downstairs and saw Shweta is serving Prakash and Bebe is also sitting there.

Shweta: no, Tillu has not woken up till.

Prakash: oh, he must have slept late last night.

Bebe: yeah, we went to our rooms but they were still partying with the friends.

They smiled and Neil was listening to them standing near the stairs.

Shweta: hmm, but don’t know when Avni went. She should have stayed here last night.

Bebe: hmm.

Neil thought.

Prakash: maybe, Neil would have gone to drop her home.

Shweta: point.

They smiled. Neil thought.

Neil in mind: means, Avni went from here before their waking up.

Neil thought. Shweta saw Neil.

Shweta: Tillu?

Neil looked at her and smiled fakely. Neil came to them. Neil wished them morning and they did the same.

Shweta: Seeing your condition, it seems that you have just woken up.

Neil smiled.

Bebe: hmm, they enjoyed themselves a lot last night, what say, Tillu?

Neil smiled and looked down. Neil thought and others smiled.

Neil: Mom, I have some important work so I have to go.

Everyone got surprised.

Bebe: now?

Neil nodded.

Shweta: have something then go.

Neil: no, it’s urgent.

Shwet: but…

Neil: Mom, please.

Neil turned and went from there.

Shweta: this boy.

Shweta sighed shaking her head and set on the chair. She picked up the plate and others were smiling.

On the other side, Neil reached Avni’s home and got down from the car. Neil hurriedly went to the door. He pressed the doorbell. Neil waited for some time and then he again pressed the doorbell. Neil pressed it again.

Neil heard: coming, wait a minute.

Neil stopped and waited for Avni keeping his hand on the side of the door. The door opened and Avni looked up. Avni got shocked to see Neil and Neil got relieved to see Avni fine but was also feeling guilty. Avni was looking at him and Neil lowered his eyes as he was not able to match his eyes with Avni's. Avni turned and went inside. Neil saw that and got upset. Neil slowly came inside and he came to Avni.

Neil: Avni.

Avni turned and went to the dining table. Neil was looking at Avni who started to clean the cleaned the plate and glass. Neil thought and he came to Avni who was cleaning the table.

Neil: Avni...

Neil waited for the reply.

Avni: say, I am listening.

Neil was looking at Avni like an innocent child.

Neil: Avni, I am sorry for last night.

Avni didn’t say anything. Neil saw that Avni is deliberately cleaning the table and Avni went away from him while cleaning the table and then she came near him but was still cleaning the table with the cloth. Neil thought and gathered the courage to ask the question. On the way also, Neil saw the blur images and heard their voice. He didn’t remember everything.

Neil: Avni, did something happen between us last night?

Avni stopped her hand and Neil noticed that. Neil looked at Avni and now he was sure that he had done something wrong. Neil was looking at Avni who again start her work.

Neil: Avni?

Avni left the cloth and took the jug and glass.

Neil: Avni, last night, we… I mean I…

Neil lowered his eyes. Avni stopped pouring water into the glass.
Neil: I am sorry for that.

Avni said while pouring water into the glass: nothing has happened between us last night.

Neil was shocked, surprised, and amazed. He got numbed but also got relieved.

Neil: wh, what?

Neil lowered his gaze and thought. Neil again looked at Avni.

Neil: are, are you serious? I mean, you, you are saying the truth?

No reply from Avni and Avni drank water.

Neil: Avni, I didn't want to drink. I refused to have that, but all my friends forced me and made me drink forcefully.

Avni heard Neil but she continued drinking water.

Neil: Avni, Avni, trust me, I refused them. They didn’t listen to me and made me drink forcefully with their hands.

Avni kept the glass and jug on the table and she turned to Neil.

Avni: oh yes, you are a small kid that they forcefully made you drink and you couldn’t do anything.

Neil looked at Avni sadly.

Avni: Neil, do you even have any idea what could have happened last night. You are a police officer, an ACP and you did that.

Neil looked down.

Avni: you, Vidyut, KK, you trio left there. DD took Vidyut from there. He was a man so he handled Vidyut but I and Sonia, we are ladies. Do you even know how difficult it was to take you to your room? We could fall from the stairs and Sonia… she drove the car with your drunk friend.

Neil: Avni, we were just celebrating… don’t know what came to Vishal’s mind, and he…

Avni: don’t blame him, you were also involved.

Neil: I thought to have one shot only but…

Avni: but I couldn’t control.

Neil: no, they made me drink forcefully with their hands.

Avni: oh shut up.

Avni turned her face and Neil was looking at Avni and then Avni again looked at Neil.

Avni: do you even realize what would have happened last night… in the effect of the drink, you were trying to force… force me.

Neil got shocked and he lowered his gaze in guilt.

Neil: I am sorry.

Avni looked at Neil and found him guilty.

Avni: I will forgive you on one condition.

Neil instantly looked up.

Neil: I am ready to do anything.

Avni: you have to leave alcohol.

Neil was looking at Avni.

Avni: promise me that you will never touch alcohol, not even occasionally.

Neil was looking at Avni and Avni forwarded her hand.

Avni: promise me.

Neil looked at the hands and then he looked at Avni who waited for him to hold her hand. Neil smiled and kept his hand on Avni’s hand.

Neil: I promise.

Avni smiled.

Avni: then I also forgive you.

Neil got happy and he hugged Avni in excitement who smiled and hugged him back. Neil kissed Avni's cheek as he was happy and relieved that he hadn't done anything wrong in the effect of alcohol. Avni smiled and something struck in Neil's mind. Neil held Avni's arms and broke the hug. Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: but Avni, how did this happen?

Avni frowned.

Neil: I mean, I remember a little that I.

Neil looked down.

Neil: I, I crossed my limits...

Avni: what did you remember?

Neil looked at Avni and then he again looked down in guilty.

Neil: I don't know what I have done last night. What has happened? Everything is blurry. I remember that I tried to force you. I heard your screaming and...

Avni: And?

Neil looked at Avni and then he looked down in guilt.

Avni: nothing has happened between us.

Neil: Thank God.

But a question arose in his mind.

Neil: then why my shirt's buttons were open?

Avni was stunned.

Avni: Actually.

Flashback:

Neil was nuzzling Avni's neck and Avni was crying.

Avni: Neil, stop.

Avni's tear dropped on Neil’s cheek and Neil looked at Avni. Avni opened her eyes and Neil got shocked to see Avni's tearful eyes. Neil thought something and he sat on the bed. Avni instantly sat and wiped her tears. Avni set her dress.

Neil: Avni, go from here.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: I am drunk and not in my senses. Go from here before I do something wrong. Just go from here.

Avni was looking at Neil and she felt bad. Neil got up and moved away. Neil stumbled and Avni immediately went to hold him. They looked at each other. A tear fell from Neil's eyes and Avni felt bad. Avni cupped Neil's face and wiped his tears.

Avni: don't overthink. Come and sleep.

Neil shook his head looking down.

Neil said while looking away: go from here.

Avni warned Neil: I am not going anywhere leaving you alone in this state. Come and sleep.

Neil looked at Avni who held Neil's arm and took him to the bed. Avni made Neil sit and Avni saw Neil is sweating. Neil rubbed his chest.

Avni: what happened?

Neil moved his hand: something. Something is happening inside me.

Neil wiped his sweat with his hand and then he ran from there to the washroom.

Avni: Neil.

Avni went behind Neil who vomited. Avni got shocked and rubbed his back. Avni got worried for Neil.

Avni: are you ok?

Neil nodded and Avni went to get the tissue. Avni came back and Neil was standing with the support of the wall. Avni wiped Neil's mouth and face and then Neil went to the sink and washed his face.

Avni took Neil to the bed and made him lay. Avni kept his legs up and removed his shoes. Neil rubbed his chest and Avni thought. Avni came to Neil and opened his shirt's button and then she sat beside him and pressed his forehead. Neil slept. Avni thought and then she got up and covered Neil with the duvet. After that, Avni went from there.

Flashback ends.

Avni was looking at Neil with a soft smile on her face and Neil was looking at her. Neil took a step to Avni and held her hand. Avni looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil.

Neil: Avni, I am really very sorry. I admit that I was drunk but it doesn’t lessen my sin.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: how could I try to force you? No one has the right to do something wrong, not even in a drunken state, not even me, and with you, absolutely no. no way.

Avni was looking at him.

Neil: I can't tell you how angry I am with myself right now. How could I even think of that?

Avni: Neil, you were drunk.

Neil: so… I don’t have any right to force you, not even in a drunken state.

Avni was looking at him.

Neil: I must have hurt you.

Avni was looking at him. Neil saw the mark on Avni’s neck and he got shocked. Neil took away the hair and got shocked. Avni got confused. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked at the mark.

Neil: I did it last night?

Avni was confused and then she remembered the bite mark. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at Avni shockingly. He was guilty.

Avni: Ne, Neil…

Neil: I want the truth.

Avni looked at Neil sadly and tears formed in Avni’s eye to think about that moment. Neil got shocked and he got angry with himself. Neil ran his hand in his hair.

Avni: Neil, Neil, relax.

Neil: how could I do this? How could I? How could I? How could I?

Neil took the glass from the table and throw it while saying: how could I?

Avni closed her eyes in fear. Avni looked at Neil who was shivering in anger. Neil caught his hair. Avni hugged him to calm him. Avni caressed his hair and Neil hugged Avni. The tears formed in Neil’s eyes.

Neil: I am sorry, Avni.

Avni: ssshhhhh, relax, Neil.

Neil cried and his tear fell on Avni’s shoulder. Avni got shocked and she broke the hug. Avni was shocked to see Neil’s tears. Avni cupped Neil’s face and wiped his tears.

Avni: Neil, you were drunk but in that state also you controlled yourself. You thought about me. My tears affected you and you moved away. You even asked me to go from there.

Neil was looked at Avni with teary eyes. Neil shook his head and sighed.

Neil: no, whatever you say but I have committed a sin.

Avni: No, you controlled yourself. If you didn’t have control then it was a sin.

Neil was looking at Avni.

Avni: I will not lie to you. I was hurt and I was angry with you. I also agree what you were trying to do was wrong but you stopped then how it is a sin?

Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: I am sorry.

Avni’s eyes got moist to see Neil’s condition. Neil looked at Avni’s neck and caressed the mark. Avni winced and Neil looked at Avni. Neil was bending under the guilt. Neil looked at Avni’s neck and kissed her there to soothe her pain. Avni squeezed her eyes and clenched her fist. Neil moved back and saw Avni’s closed eyes. Avni and Neil looked at each other.

Neil: I am sorry.

Avni: Neil, forget about last night. I am not angry with you anymore. Now please be relaxed.

Neil looked down.

Avni: you didn’t have breakfast, right?

Neil looked at Avni and he was about to deny.

Avni: superb, I also have not eaten anything till now… in fact, has not prepared anything, I also woke up now.

Neil remained silent.

Avni: you sit here. Main fatafat kuch bana kar aati hun. (I come by making something fastly.)

Neil smiled. Avni smiled and went to the kitchen. Neil went to the couch and sat there. Neil rested his back and head on the couch and was looking at Avni who was preparing breakfast for them. Neil smiled to see Avni.

Neil in mind: I am very lucky that you came into my life.

Neil smiled.

Soon, they were sitting at the dining table. They fed muesli to each other with their chitchat.

After breakfast, Neil was sitting on the couch and was thinking about something. Avni came there and her hair was tied in a loose bun. Some hair was on Avni’s face. Neil looked at Avni and Avni’s cuteness stole his heart once again. Neil got up. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: what happened?

Neil: ek hi dil hai mere pass, Madam, kitni baar chorain gi aap. (I have only one heart, Madam, how many times you will steal it)

Avni frowned and Neil smiled. Neil came to Avni and pulled her cheeks.
Neil: you are looking so cute.

Avni smiled.

Avni: I am cute, no doubt is in it… your condition is not good.

Neil frowned.

Avni: you were looking hot and dashing in this look last night but now you are looking ugly and dirty in it.

Neil got surprised and looked at himself. He was still in his yesterday’s clothes. Neil looked at Avni who held her nose.
Neil was shocked.

Neil: Avni?

Avni: what? one this smell of alcohol and top of that, the smell of sweat. This combo of smells will make me faint… go and change.
Neil made a face.

Neil: ok, I am going.

Avni: go quick.

Neil went from there.

Avni smiled and remembered something.

Avni said loudly: your clothes are in the cupboard. You forgot your new jeans and shirt here last time. It is in the cupboard.

Avni heard: ok.

Avni smiled.

Later, Avni entered the room for work. Avni opened the door and she stopped when she looked up. Avni widened her eyes. Neil was standing there and was wiping his hair with the towel. His hair was wet and was looking hot. Some button of his shirt was open. Avni got lost to see him. Neil looked at Avni who got alert. Neil caught her staring at him. Neil smirked.

Neil: checking out me, would be wifey?

Avni was surprised to hear wifey. Avni avoided eye contact.

Avni: n, no, I, I came for my work.

Neil raised his eyebrows and Avni stole her gaze at him. Avni went to the bed and start setting the bedsheet. Neil smiled and came to Avni. Avni felt that but ignored it. Neil cleared his throat.

Avni: have water.

Neil was surprised at first and then he smiled. Avni stood and turned to go. Neil held Avni’s arm and pulled her to him. Avni’s hands landed on Neil’s chest and Neil held her waist. Avni opened her eyes and looked at Neil who was looking at her while smiling. They got lost in each other’s eyes and their faces were close to each other. Neil looked at Avni’s lips and got attracted to them. Avni also got lost. Neil looked at Avni’s eyes and then her lips. Neil leaned to Avni’s face and Avni closed her eyes. Neil smiled and was about to claim Avni’s lips but Avni stopped him. Neil looked at Avni. Avni moved away and wiped her upper lips and set her hair with her hand. Neil thought something and looked at Avni with teary eyes.

Neil: Avni, you don’t trust me, right? You think I am Ashish Mehta.

Avni got shocked and turned to Neil.

Neil: you think like he betrayed your mother, I will also do the same. You don’t trust me.

Avni was looking at Neil and then she moved a step to Neil and cupped his face.

Avni: I trust you but I don’t trust my faith.

Neil was looking at Avni.

Avni: since my childhood, destiny has always played its game with me. I only have gotten wounds so now I am afraid what if I again lost my everything.

Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: just wipe this thought from your mind. From now on, only happiness will be in our life… no sorrow, no tears.

Avni smiled with teary eyes and Neil kissed Avni’s forehead. Avni closed her eyes and a tear fell from her eye. Neil and Avni looked at each other. Neil wiped Avni’s tears and shook his head. Neil spread his arms and Avni smiled. Avni hugged Neil who captured Avni in his arms. Avni’s eyes were closed and Neil closed his eyes. They felt complete.