Chapter 16:

It was daytime, the sun was shining in the sky, and was showering his love on the people. Neil was standing with his friends at the shop. Avni was coming to the same shop. Neil was looking at his wallet and he again felt the same. Avni was also feeling Neil's presence. Neil looked up and looked here and there. Neav stumbled and fell.

Avni: Neav!

Neil turned and Avni sat on her feet. Some men were standing in front of them. Avni made Neav stand and cupped his face.

Avni: you ok? Hmm. Aap ko lagi to nahi? (Did you get hurt?)

Neav was crying.

Neav: here, here it hurt.

Avni looked at Neav’s leg and saw his elbow and knee got hurt.

Avni: come, let’s go home.

Neil was looking here and there. The shopkeeper called Neil so Neil turned his face. Avni got up and picked up Neav in her arms and she took him from there. Neil gave the money and turned but Avni was not there.

Neil and his friends came to the car and they went from there.

On the other side, Avni did a bandage on Neav’s arm and elbow.

Avni: Juhi, I am taking Neav to the hospital… you know…

Avni looked at Neav and Juhi too. Neav looked at them and ran from there.

Avni: Neav.

Neav said while running: no, no, no, no, no, no, I will not go. I know, the doctor will give me an injection. I will not go.

Avni: Neav.

Avni went behind Neav and he went to the dining area. Avni went there and they were standing at both sides of the table.

Avni: Neav, come.

Neav: no.

Avni tried to catch Neav and then they were running around. Avni tried to trick Neav but Neav is Neil Khanna’s son how can he get caught. Avni was chasing Neav and then she stopped and was panting.

Avni: you were crying a while ago and now the pain flew away. You are running like as if nothing has happened.

Neav: I get fine in a bit. I am Neav. Neav…

Neav thought and Avni frowned.

Neav: Mama, what is my surname?

Avni got shocked and Juhi was also surprised. Juhi looked at Avni.

Neav: we have no surname.

Avni got shocked and her eyes got moist.

Flashback:

Avni and Neil were laying on the bed and their fingers were intervened.

Neil: Avni?

Avni: hmm?

Neil: do you like babies?

Avni frowned and looked at Neil. Avni smiled.

Avni: what?

Neil: I am asking do you like babies.

Avni: yes but why are you asking?

Neil: what do you mean by why are you asking? We will not have babies?

Avni: we will…

Avni stopped and looked at Neil.

Avni: what do you want to say?

Neil smiled and looked at the roof.

Neil: I am thinking of planning a baby.

Avni got surprised.

Neil: a cute little baby.

Avni smiled. Neil thought.

Neil: do you want a baby girl first or a baby boy?

Avni: I want a boy.

Neil: I want a girl.

They smiled.

Neil: nice.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Baby has not come yet and we are talking as the baby is here.

Neil smiled and thought.

Neil: Avni?

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: we also have to think of their name. Do you have any names in your mind? I mean had you thought about it earlier?

Avni nodded and Neil got surprised.

Neil: really?

Avni nodded.

Neil: why you didn’t tell me?

Avni: I thought when the baby will come then we will discuss it.

Neil made a face.

Neil: what names you have thought of?

Avni: If it will be a baby girl then the name is Navya.

Neil repeated: Navya.

Neil: and boy?

Avni boy? Neav.

Neil: Neav?

Avni: yes, Ne of Neil and Av of Avni. Neav.

Neil smiled while thinking.

Neil: wow. Neav. Neav Khanna. Neav Neil Khanna.

Avni smiled.

Neil: fantastic.

Avni smiled. Neil was looking at the roof. Avni looked at the roof.

Neil: Avni, when our baby will come into this world then our family will get completed.

Avni smiled and they turned their faces to each other. Neil kissed Avni’s hand who smiled and they again looked at the roof.

Flashback ends.

Neil's words echoed in Avni’s ear: Neav Neil Khanna.

Neav: Mama.

Avni came out of her thoughts and looked at Neav. Avni wiped her eyes.

Neav: what do I tell my teacher?

Avni frowned and looked at Neav.

Avni: teacher?

Neav: yes, she is asking my surname. Kids made fun of me.

Avni saw the flashes of her childhood where kids made fun of her. Avni came back to the real world again. Avni smiled and wiped her eyes. Avni went to Neav and sat on her knees. Avni held Neav’s arm and sighed.

Avni: hmm. Tell your teacher that we have no surname because we are special and unique. We don’t believe in surnames. We believe in making our own identity, and our name with our hard work.

Neav: hard work?

Avni smiled and pinched Neav’s nose. Juhi smiled and wiped her tears.

Avni: you will understand when you will be a big boy.

Neav: I am a big boy.

Juhi came to Neav while saying: yes, and now this big boy will...

Juhi said while carrying Neav in her arms in a bridal style: go to the doctor.

Neav: no.

Avni smiled.

Juhi: let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go.

Neav was crying no and was moving his legs.

Juhi: Avni, come.

Avni: yeah.

Avni thought and sighed. Avni wiped her tears and got up. Avni went to the couch to get her bag and then she hurriedly went behind them.

On the other side, Neil was sitting in the car and was thinking while keeping his arm on the window and keeping his hand on his mouth.

Neil in mind: what was there that made me feel that you were there? Why I am feeling a strange yet similar feeling here? Which thing is attracting me? Which?

Neil thought.

It was the time of the night, Neil was standing at the window and was looking at the moon. Neil was smiling. He was feeling fresh and happy. Neil sighed.

Neil: something. Something is here in this place. Something is in the air that is making it fresh. I am loving this place. I am loving it.

Neil sighed happily.

On the other side, Avni was also looking at the moon.

Avni: why I am feeling that you are here near me? I always feel your fragrance from Neav but today, I am feeling you near me. How could it be possible?

Avni and Neil were looking at the sky. Neil was smiling and Avni was sad.

The next day, Avni was dusting the shelves and Juhi came to her. Avni looked at her and found her nervous. Avni understood why she came. Avni looked at the shelf and resumed her work of cleaning. Juhi cleared her throat and Avni controlled her smile.

Avni said while doing her work: drink water.

Juhi made a face.

Avni said while doing her work: who is the Guy?

Juhi got shocked.

Juhi: how do you know?

Avni said while cleaning a vase: that’s not important. We live in the same home so, we cannot keep secrets from each other for a long time.

Juhi smiled.

Avni: since when it is going on?

Juhi: two years.

Avni nodded while curving her lips downward.

Avni: hmm and you didn’t find the need to tell me.

Juhi: I thought, you will get hurt when I will talk about my love…

Avni stopped and looked at Juhi.

Avni: why would I…

Juhi: I thought, you will remember…

Juhi stopped. Avni took a deep breath.

Avni: past has passed so let it be there… Hmm?

Juhi nodded. Avni nodded. Avni kept the vase there and turned to Juhi. Avni held Juhi’s arms.

Avni: I am so happy for you. I wish, your life will never be like mine. You live happily with your love and get every happiness.

They smiled and Juhi hugged her.

Juhi: thank you.

Avni: we will meet him when he comes.

Juhi nodded and they broke the hug. Avni tapped Juhi’s face. Avni turned and resumed her work.

Avni: so, when he is coming?

Juhi: he is here but he came to his friend’s wedding so he will meet us the day after tomorrow.

Avni took a picture frame of Neav’s childhood picture. He was a toddler in that. Avni smiled to see it. Avni was cleaning it.

Avni: ok… and what is his name?

Juhi: Vidyut.

Avni stopped and got shocked. Avni remembered Vidyut, KK, and others. Avni looked at Juhi.

Avni in mind: is he the same Vidyut? No, no, how can it happen? There are many people in this world with the same name. It won’t be him.

Juhi: this picture is so cute.

Avni: hmm?

Avni smiled fakely and then she looked at the frame and smiled.

Avni: at least, show me his picture.

Juhi: ok.

Juhi turn but she stopped. Avni frowned and Juhi turned to her.

Juhi: what is the need for the picture? We are going to meet him the day after tomorrow so you see him there.

Avni smiled.

Avni: ok.

Juhi: I am so excited.

Juhi hugged Avni who smiled and thought.

Later, Avni came to the living area where Neav was coloring his drawing and Juhi was working on the laptop.

Avni said while checking her bag: Juhi, I am going to buy some groceries.

Juhi: ok.

Neav: I will come.

Avni: no, yesterday also you got hurt.

Neav made a sad face.

Neav: I will buy ice cream for you.

Neav’s face lit up and Juhi cupped his chin while smiling.

Avni: Juhi, take care, and Neav, no masti and all.

Neav nodded. Avni smiled.

Avni: I am coming.

Juhi: yeah.

Avni smiled and went. Avni came out of her home and she moved to the road. Avni was walking on the side of the road and Neil was coming from the opposite direction but he was on the other side of the road and he was on the footpath. Other people were also present there. Neil was looking here and there. Neil was smiling and suddenly, he felt something and stopped. Avni also stopped and felt Neil’s fragrance. Neil closed his eyes.

Neil: again this feeling.

Neil's eyes were closed and Avni too did this but she didn’t want to feel it so she opened her eyes and sighed. Avni start walking and Neil opened his eyes. Neil turned his face and he got a 440-volt jolt because he saw Avni. He saw his Avni after six years.

Neil whispered: Avni.

Neil shouted: Avni.

But, Avni didn’t hear because of the sound of machines and vehicles. Neil tried to approach Avni but the road was floating with the vehicles. Neil looked at the vehicles and then he looked for Avni but his bad luck, Avni was not there. Neil crossed the road carefully. Neil looked around but Avni was not there. Neil checked around but no sign of Avni. Neil caught his hair and looked around. Neil thought.

Neil: she was Avni. My eyes can never deceive in recognizing my Avni. She was Avni. This means, I was right, I was right, it was you whom I felt yesterday. It was you. Means, you are here.

Neil smiled and tears formed in his eyes.

Neil: I saw my Avni. I saw her after six years.

Neil licked his lips.

Neil: now, I found you. Now I will get you back in my life and will not let you go anywhere.

Neil smiled. Neil looked up and he was shocked because he saw Avni going from there. Neil faced her back.

Neil: Avni.

Neil ran to her and came her way. Neil was smiling but his smile faded to see the lady because it was not Avni.

Lady: what?

Neil shook his head.

Neil: I am sorry. I misunderstood you someone else. Sorry.

The lady nodded and went from there. Neil was confused now.

Neil in mind: did I see Avni or it was my hallucination?

Neil thought while walking and Avni came out of the shop and went from his backside to the opposite direction.

At the time of the evening, Avni, Neav, and Juhi came to the café and were walking in a gallery.

Juhi: are you happy now?

Neav: yes.

Avni smiled.

Juhi: now we will eat two, two cups. One that Mama said she will buy and the second one is her penalty.

Avni: don’t be in delusion, you both will get only one, one cup.

Juhi narrowed her eyes: two cups.

Avni stopped.

Avni: then let’s go back.

Juhi and Neav: No, no, no, no, no.

They held their ear: sorry. One cup is enough.

Avni: good. Come.

Avni smiled and they went from there.

On the other side, Neil gave there with his friends and he kept his cell phone on the table. They sat at the table. Neil turned his face and he saw Neav sitting at the table. Neil smiled to see him. Neil frowned because he felt an attraction to him. His blood was pulling him to Neav. Neav looked at Neil and smiled. Neil also passed a smile. Neil's phone rang and he looked at it. Neil picked up his phone.

Neil: excuse me.

Neil got up and went to the gallery side and Avni was standing at the shop. Neil was talking on the phone and he turned his phone but a boy stood in front of Avni. Neil turned his phone and walked away while talking.

Neil: understood? Good.

Neil cut the call and sighed.

Juhi came to Neav and talked to him. Juhi gave him ice cream and they went from there. Avni was going from there with Juhi and Neav. Neil was coming from the opposite direction. Two men were coming while carrying a big mirror. Everyone got confused about where they passed and then Avni passed from one side with Neav and Juhi and Neil from the other side and once again, they couldn’t meet each other.

Neil stopped and frowned. Neil turned but it was too late. Avni had gone from there. Neil thought and he turned and then he went to his friends and sat. Neil was lost.

KK: what happened?

Neil: hmm.

Neil shook his head and said nothing and then he again got lost.

It was the time of the night, Avni and Juhi were having dinner with Neav.

Juhi: Avni, tomorrow we have to go to meet Vidyut.

Avni was about to have a bit but she stopped. Avni looked at Juhi and smiled.

Avni: ok.

Juhi smiled and Avni thought.

At the time of the morning, Avni was walking on the footpath and Neav was in school uniform. They were going to school.

Avni: Neav, come fast. We have already got late today.

Neav: I am walking.

Avni: if we get any auto then it will be good.

Neav: Mama?

Avni looked at Neav and then she looked straight. Avni was in a hurry.

Neav: we will go to meet Uncle Vidyut today.

Avni stopped and looked at Neav.

Avni: how do you know?

Neav smiled.

Neav: I am Neav, I know everything.

Avni raised her eyebrows and Neav winked which shocked Avni.

Avni: Neav?

Neav smiled.

Neil was driving the car and his friends were with him. Neil turned his face and saw Avni who start walking with Neav but Neil didn’t see Neav. Neil stopped his car with a jolt. KK and Vidyut got shocked.

KK: what happened?

Neil opened the seatbelt and hurriedly got down from the car. Neil looked there but Avni turned from there and then they got in the auto and went from there.

Vidyut: What happened?

Neil: Vidyut, I saw Avni there.

Vidyut and KK got shocked.

Vidyut: what?

Neil: yes.

Neil ran there and looked around but Avni was not there. KK and Vidyut came to him.

KKL you must be mistaken. You have seen someone else.

Neil: no, it was Avni. I can never make a mistake in recognizing my Avni. It was Avni. I saw her.

Vidyut: then where is she?

Neil was panting and he was speechless. Neil wiped his mouth and held his chin.

Neil: it was Avni.

Vidyut: ok. it was Avni. Now. Come let’s go.

Neil looked here and there and then they went from there to the car and Neil again looked around. Neil got in the car and start it but Neil was still confused.
Neil was driving the car and was thinking.

Neil in mind: since I have come here, I am feeling you and I saw you two times. It can’t be my thinking only. It is not my illusion. You are actually here.

Neil thought.

At the time of the evening, Juhi was sitting in the café and was waiting for Vidyut and Avni.

Juhi: tch, where are they?

A man was coming to Juhi and Juhi smiled to see him. Juhi got up and the man came to Juhi. Juhi and the man hugged. The man got revealed and he was none other than Vidyut, Neil’s friend.

Vidyut:  hey, sweetheart.

Juhi smiled.

Juhi: I missed you a lot.

Vidyut: me too.

They broke the hug and sat.

Vidyut looked around and asked while looking: where is your friend?

Juhi: she is on the way.

Vidyut: oh.

Juhi: and Neav is eating ice cream there.

They looked there and saw he was eating ice cream with his friend.

Juhi: If Avni saw this then she will beat us two with a stick.

Vidyut smiled. Juhi looked at Vidyut.

Juhi: Where are your friends?

Vidyut: they are coming.

Juhi: oh, ok.

Vidyut: They asked me to go first and spend some time with you.

Juhi smiled and said: so sweet.

Vidyut: by the way, you share Neav’s picture on your social media accounts but have never shared Avni’s picture.

Juhi: because she doesn’t like clicking pictures plus she always maintains a very low profile.

Vidyut: why?

Juhi: she has her own reasons.

Vidyut: ok.

Vidyut in mind: When the first time, you told me about your friend Avni, I thought she is our Avni but when you told me about her son then my all hopes broke. I thought about how she can be our Avni because Neil and Avni had no child… what will happen when Neil will hear Avni’s name. he will daily get hurt to hear her name.

Juhi was looking at Vidyut.

Juhi: What happened?

Vidyut smiled and shook his head. They talked.

On the other side, Avni was coming to the café and she looked up. Avni smiled to see Juhi but when she diverted her gaze to Vidyut then her smile faded. Avni got shocked. Avni was numbed.

Avni in mind: Vidyut.

Avni got shocked. Juhi turned her face and smiled to see Avni.

Juhi: Avni. Here, she came.

Vidyut smiled and turned his face. Vidyut got shocked and got up. Juhi was confused and she got up.

Vidyut: Avni Bhabhi.

Juhi got shocked.

Avni was in shock and then she heard a sound. The sound that she wanted to hear for six years. She craved to hear that.

Person: Avni.

Avni was already numbed and when she heard a sound, she felt a shiver run through her body. Her eyes got moist. Avni was standing there like a statue because she felt that if she turns her face then she will break into millions of pieces. Avni was in shock.