Chapter 13:

The sound of laughter was echoing in a dense forest. Avneil were sitting around the fire on the foldable chairs. They were talking and laughing. A snake was looking at them. A scorpion was moving on the tree and it fell from it and moved to Avneil's side. Avni was listening to KK’s story and the scorpion came to her feet. Avni moved her feet back and kept a leg on her leg. The scorpion passed from there.

Neil was sitting with Avni and Neil was cleaning his hand by rubbing them together. The scorpion climbed on his shoe but Neil got up and it fell from his feet. Neil went to the side to wash his hands. The snake was looking at Avneil and their friends and he moved but Neil passed by him so he stopped and looked at Neil.

Neil was washing his hands and the snake moved to him. The snake bit Neil  and Neil screamed. Avni and her friends heard the scream of Neil and they turned their faces.

Avni: Neil.

They got up and saw the snake. Avni’s eyes widened. The snake went from there and Vidyut clicked its picture because he knew that the doctor will ask about the snake. Neil fell to his knees and held his leg above the ankle. Avni and others ran to him. Neil was in immense pain. Avni sat beside him and kept her hand on his shoulder.

Avni: Neil.

Neil: Tie a cloth on my leg here.

Neil moved his leg and pressed.
Everyone looked around. Avni took off the ribbon bandana from her hair and tied it on Neil’s leg.

Vidyut: we should take him to the hospital.

KK nodded. They were about to move to get the keys but Neil's leg started to shiver because of pain and he fell back. Neil left his body and he fell on the ground and was now laying on the ground. Avni panicked and she looked at Neil’s leg. KK signed Vidyut to come and they turned and were going to get keys. Avni took up the pant and saw the bit mark. Avni couldn’t think much and started to suck.

Sonia got shocked.

Sonia: Avni.

Vidyut and KK turned and they got shocked. They also shouted “Bhabhi. Vidyut took the keys and they ran back.

KK: Bhabhi, what are you doing?

Avni didn’t listen to them.

Vidyut sat and held Avni’s arm.

Vidyut: have you gone mad?

Avni turned and resumed her work.

Vidyut got angry.

Vidyut: crazy girl, why are you putting your life in danger?

Avni: Vidyut, Neil is my life if something happened to him then I would also not survive. I will die.

Avni sucked and then she felt dizzy and fainted there but Vidyut held her in his arms.

KK: oh no.

Everyone got shocked. Neil was in immense pain so he didn’t hear anything.

KK picked up Avni and Vidyut picked Neil on his shoulder. Sonia collected the phones and kept them in the bag and they ran from there.

Soon, they reached the hospital and Avneil were taken to the emergency ward. KK and Vidyut were panting and they wiped their face. They sighed.

KK: I think, we should call Prakash uncle.

Vidyut: no, not now, they will get worried. We should wait for the doctors to come out. Let’s see, what they will see.

KK nodded. They waited and the doctor came there. Everyone moved to them.

KK and Vidyut: Doctor.

The doctor signed them, relax. They were looking at the doctor.

Vidyut and KK were standing in the room and Neil was laying on the bed there. Neil got his consciousness and he tried to open his eyes. Neil saw the blurred images and then he saw Vidyut and KK.

Neil: Vidyut. KK.

They smiled. Vidyut kept his hand on Neil’s shoulder.

Vidyut: yes, how are you, buddy?

Neil nodded with closed eyes.

Neil: Avni?

KK and Vidyut got shocked and they looked at each other. Neil opened his eyes and looked at them.

Neil: Avni?

KK smiled fakely.

Neil: Bhabhi is fine. She is at home.

Neil frowned because as if he knows then Avni is not from those people who go home when their loved ones were in the hospital.

KK: Though she didn’t want to go but we forcefully send her and asked her that we will call her when you get your consciousness.

Neil closed his eyes and said: Thank God, she went else she would have eaten my brain. She has become a headache.

Vidyut and KK got angry. Vidyut was about to say but KK held his arm and signed no.

Vidyut looked away.

The whole day passed but Avni didn’t come to meet Neil which made Neil worried and he found it strange.

Neil: Strange. It has been so long, Avni hasn't come to meet me. Avni is not one of those people who sit at home in this situation... I just hope that she is fine.

Neil thought.

On the other side, Vidyut and KK were standing outside the ICU and were looking at it. Inside it, Avni was laying on the bed and an oxygen mask was on her face. KK looked at Vidyut.

KK: I think, now we should tell Neil about Bhabhi’s condition.

Vidyut thought.

Some more hours passed and now, Neil got worried. Vidyut and KK were there.

Neil: where is Avni? Is she angry with me?

KK and Vidyut looked at each other.

Vidyut: Actually, Neil… Bhabhi is allergic.

Neil and KK got shocked. KK was looking at Vidyut and then he looked at Neil.

Neil: what?

Vidyut: yes. Maybe there was something in the forest to which she is allergic, so she is at home.

Neil: that’s why, I didn’t want to take her with us there. See, what happened? How is she?

Vidyut: she is fine but the doctor prohibited her from meeting people.

Neil nodded.

Neil: oh, that’s why she didn’t come to meet me. I also wonder why Avni hasn't come to meet me yet.

Neil thought,

Neil: give me your phone. I want to talk to her.

Vidyut and KK got shocked.

Vidyut: she is not able to talk because of an allergy.

Neil got shocked and felt bad.

Neil: I want to go to her.

Vidyut and KK got shocked.

Vidyut: no, you can’t.

Neil: why not. She is my wife. She needs me.

Vidyut: the doctor has prohibited her from meeting people.

Neil felt helpless and made a sad face. Vidyut and KK felt bad.

KK: don’t worry, she is fine.

Neil nodded and thought.

Later, a nurse entered in Avni’s room and she checked her. Avni stirred her hand and the nurse saw that. The nurse checked Avni and then she immediately ran from there. Avni opened her eyes slightly.

The doctor checked Avni. Avni was weak.

Avni: doc, doctor.

Doctor: yes, say.

Avni: my, my husband?

Doctor: he is absolutely fine. Don’t worry.

Avni was relieved but she will not get peace until she sees Neil with her eyes. The doctor checked Avni and then he was standing with KK and Vidyut.

Doctor: congratulations, now she is out of danger.

Vidyut and KK smiled and they hugged each other.

Vidyut and KK: thank you so much,
doctor. Thank you.

Doctor: you're welcome.

The doctor nodded and then went from there. In the room, Avni was thinking about something and was looking worried.

Avni: don’t know, how is Neil now? Where is he?

Avni thought and the door opened. Avni looked at the door and Vidyut and KK entered.  Avni smiled to see them.

Avni whispered: Vidyut, KK…

Avni: KK, Vidyut, Neil?

They smiled to see each other and then they looked at Avni. They saluted Avni. Avni smiled. They moved to Avni.

Vidyut said while coming to Avni: so, you saved your husband, hmm, you wonder woman.

Avni smiled and her eyes were moist.

Vidyut: how are you now, wonder woman?

Avni: I am fine, tell me how is Neil?

KK: your Neil is absolutely fine.

Avni got relieved.

Vidyut: and it is because of you.

Avni smiled with moist eyes.

KK: now get well soon and handle your Neil… He has literally become our headache.

Avni smiled, and Vidyut smiled.

KK: We enter the room and he starts to say Avni, Avni. He has become a crybaby. Who always cries Avni, Avni.

Avni smiled with moist eyes.

Vidyut: get well soon.

Avni nodded while smiling.

It was the time of night, the moon was shining in the sky over the building of the hospital. In one of the rooms, Neil was laying in a Fowler’s position with closed eyes. Neil was thinking about Avni. He would have been discharged from the hospital till now but due to the pain in his side and because of some problem in his reports, he was still in the hospital even on the second day. The door opened and a frown appeared on Neil’s head. Neil opened his eyes and then he raised his head. Avni entered the room and Neil was surprised to see her. Neil smiled.

Neil: Avni.

Avni turned and saw Neil. Avni smiled to see him and she got relieved. Tears formed in her eyes and she moved to Neil who forwarded his hand. Avni smiled and gave her hand in Neil’s hand who made her sit near him. They were looking at each other. Neil hugged Avni and Avni smiled with teary eyes.

Neil: Thank God, you came. I thought, you have forgotten me.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Can this ever happen?

Neil smiled.

Neil: I missed you so much.

Avni: I missed you more.

Neil: yeah that’s why you came today.

Avni smiled and remained silent. Neil broke the hug holding Avni’s arms. Avni looked at him.

Neil: by the way, how are you now?

Avni thought and Neil found her lost.

Neil: what happened? Why are you silent?

Avni: Nothing. I was wondering, how did you get to know about my allergy?

Neil smiled.

Neil: Vidyut told me.

Avni: oh.

Neil: how are you now?

Avni: I am fine. How are you?

Neil: I am sitting in front of you all fine.

Avni smiled.

Avni: good. I talked to the doctor before coming here and the doctor told me that you will get discharged tomorrow.

Neil: Yes.

They smiled.

Avni came out of the room and she looked up. Avni stopped and saw KK and Vidyut. Avni smiled and came to them.

Vidyut: see, he is fine. We told you but you didn’t listen to us.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Thank you for taking care of my Neil in my absence.

They smiled. Avni thought.

Avni: KK, Vidyut.

KK and Vidyut were looking at Avni who was looking at them.

The next day, they got discharged and no one told Neil about Avni’s act of forest. Avni took care of Neil and Neil started to go police station. Avni got worried for Neil’s health and she became more protective. Avni daily called Neil.

One day, the sun was shining in the sky and it was the time of evening. The police jeeps and ambulances were standing in an isolated area. Neil sat near the dead body and was wearing gloves in his hands. Neil checked it. Neil’s phone rang who got up and took out his cell phone from his pocket. Neil made a face and looked away.

A constable whispered to the other: I can bet that it is Sir’s wife’s call.

Second constable: I also know it, say something new.

Neil heard them and looked at them. They looked down and then they smiled looking at each other. Neil’s phone again rang. Neil picked up the video call.

Avni: Ne…

Neil said while grinning his teeth: what happened, Avni?

Everyone smiled. Neil looked at his team and felt awkward.

Neil whispered: can’t you understand I must be busy that’s why, I am not receiving the call.

Avni got sad.

Avni: I…

Neil: Avni, I have work so don’t call me again.

Neil cut the call and Avni got upset.

Avni: I just called to ask, had you had your medicine?

Avni was hurt. Avni sent the message.

Avni: please don’t forget to have your medicine. That’s why, I called.

Avni sent the message and thought.

Neil’s phone beeped and he read the message. Neil felt guilty for being rude and he understood why Avni called because he forgot to have medicine sometimes so Avni reminds him. Neil touched his phone with his head while closing his eyes. Neil groaned. Neil looked at the phone and sighed. Neil was about to call but someone called him and Neil turned his face. Neil stuffed his phone in his pocket and went there. DD showed him a man’s bracelet. They talked.

At the time of the night, Neil came home late and was exhausted. They did Hi, hello and then Avni went to get dinner for him and Neil drank water. Neil went to change and then he laid on the bed. Avni came back with a tray in her hands and she found Neil sleeping. Avni made a sad face.

Avni: Again, he slept without having medicine. What do I do of him?

Avni sighed and went to keep the tray on the table and then she came back to Neil.

Avni: Neil. Neil. Neil, wake up.

Neil talked but his eyes were closed.

Neil: what happened, Avni, let me sleep.

Avni: have dinner and medicine then you sleep.

Neil: I had that now let me sleep.

Avni frowned.

Avni: you had your medicine?

Neil nodded and all the time, his eyes were closed.

Neil: now, let me sleep, I am tired.

Neil turned his face and kept a cushion on his face.

Neil: please switch off the light.

Avni was looking at Neil and she sighed. Avni did as Neil said and then she looked at Neil. Avni thought.

At night time, the wind was taking the clouds with it and it was like the train of clouds is passing from there. The clouds hid the moon behind it and the plants, trees were dancing to the music of the wind. The wind was hitting the doors and windows of the houses and other buildings. The curtains of Avni and Neil’s room were also flying because of the wind where Avni was sleeping on the bed but Neil was missing from the bed. 

Avni’s sleep got disturbed because of the sound of falling of something. Avni opened her eyes and flinched. Avni looked here and there and sighed. Avni closed her eyes. Avni heard the sound of talking and she frowned. Avni opened her eyes and tried to hear. Avni turned and got surprised to see Neil missing. Avni frowned and she heard Neil who said “Mayaaa” Avni looked at the balcony and the sound was coming from there. Avni got shocked. Avni got up and she went to the window.

Neil was standing on the balcony and was talking on the phone.

Neil: Maya, I am with you.

Avni got shocked and felt a sharp pain in her heart. Tears formed in her eyes.

Neil: we will handle it together.

Neil made a face.

Neil: who said that? I love you, Yaar.

Avni got shocked. She felt something broke in her. Avni took steps back and was in shock. Avni heard laughter of Neil and she felt that Neil and Maya are laughing at her.

Neil: ok, now, wipe these all negative thoughts from your mind and sleep. Everything will be alright. We will find some solution, ok?

Neil heard the other side.

Neil: that’s great, will meet you tomorrow.

Avni looked at the balcony.

Neil: ok, bye.

Avni turned and hurriedly went to bed. Avni sat and covered her with the duvet and then she lay. Avni was crying and she hid her face in her arm which was under her head.

Neil cut the call and sighed. Neil shook his head and thought. Avni heard the sound of switching off the lights so, she wiped her tears and sighed. Avni closed her eyes. Neil came into the room and he saw Avni sleeping. Neil faced Avni’s back. Neil smiled and came to the bed. Neil sat on the bed and covered himself with the duvet. Neil moved to Avni and lay while hugging her. Neil smiled and kissed Avni’s cheek. A tear fell from Avni’s eye and Avni wiped it carefully. Avni suppressed her lips and kept her hand on her mouth to control her sobbing.

The next day, Avni went to the office and Neil also went somewhere. Avni knew that Neil went somewhere but where, she doesn’t know. In the evening time, Avni was sitting on the bed in her room and Neil came there while smiling. Avni saw Neil who also looked at her and got up. Neil came to Avni and was looking very happy. Avni was confused to see Neil.