Chapter 25:

It was daytime, the sun was shining over the hospital and inside it, Neil, Prakash, Juhi, and Vidyut were standing in the corridor where the doctor hurriedly went to the ICU. The staff was going and coming out. No one was ready to say anything. A nurse came out and Neil stood in her way.

Neil: What happened? Why anyone is not telling us anything?

Nurse: Sir, the patient is serious please let me go.

Neil and the others were shocked. The nurse went and Neil went to the door. Neil saw that the doctor gave an injection to Avni who was jerking.

Another doctor came and asked Neil to stay away. The lady doctor and nurse went inside. Neil looked there and they closed the curtains. Neil was shocked. Neil turned and his eyes were teary. Neil walked two steps and lost his senses.

Neil: Aaaavni… Aaavnniiii… my Avni… I want my Avni back. She is mine. Sheeee, she can’t go away from me. Iiiii, I will not let her go.

Neil turned while saying: I will not let her go.

Neil was about to open the door. Vidyut and Prakash held him.

Vidyut and Prakash: Neil.

Neil: leave me... I am going to my Avni. Leave me, I have to stop her else she will go away from me.

Neil freed himself and opened the door. Prakash and Vidyut tried to stop him but Neil went inside. The doctor and others saw him.

Lady Doctor: Who is he? Take him out.

Neil: I want to talk to my Avni.

The doctor looked at another doctor.

Doctor: he is her husband.

Lady Doctor came to Neil.

Lady Doctor: See, Mr, we are trying to save her. Please cooperate with us.

Neil: I came to cooperate.

Neil went to Avni and caressed her hair.

Neil: Avni. Avni, wake up.

Prakash and Vidyut were looking at Neil and then they were asked to go.

Neil: Love, love, please don’t do this to me… please calm down and come back to me. Come back to your Neil and Neav… Neav is waiting for you at our home. He wants his mother. He wants you. You won, Avni. You won. You won and I lost. Please come back, if not for me then for Neav… please come back… we love you.

Avni calmed. The doctor looked at the machine. Neil looked at the doctors, staff, and machines and then he looked at the doctor and Avni.

Lady Doctor: Talk to her, she can listen to you.

Neil looked at the doctor and then he looked at Avni.

Neil: We love you, Avni. We love you and if you love us then come back to us. We are waiting for you. Neav is waiting for his mama. You know, he said that he will eat only when you will feed him. You will not come back for him, hmm? You will not come back to feed him? Please come back.

Avni sighed and Neil was surprised. Everyone was surprised. Avni opened her eyes slightly. The doctor and others were surprised. Neil smiled to see Avni.

Neil whispered: Avni.

Avni looked at Neil and a tear fell from Avni’s eye.

Avni whispered: Ne… Neav.

Neil couldn’t understand but he nodded. Avni closed her eyes and Neil’s expression turned.

Neil: Aaavni… Avni.

Neil looked at the doctors. The doctor checked Avni.

Lady Doctor: She is fine. She slept because of the effect of the medicine.

Neil closed his eyes and was relieved.

Lady Doctor: It is a good sign that she opened her eyes. Let’s hope for good news.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: She has to come back to us.

Lady Doctor smiled.

Lady Doctor: Who is Neav?

Neil: Neav is our 5-year-old son.

LD: Oh, ok, he can’t come here. I wish he could come here. Sometimes, medicines don’t work but emotions work.

Neil thought.

Neil: I can take him here.

LD: Kids are not allowed here.

Neil: Cell phone?

The lady doctor shook her head.

LD: NO.

Neil thought.

Neil: Can’t you shift Avni to another room for some time? Neav is her medicine. Neav can treat her.

The doctors looked at each other and then they looked at Neil.

Neil came out of the ICU. Everyone looked at him. Juhi got angry. Prakash came to Neil.

Prakash: Neil...

Neil hugged Prakash and cried while smiling. No one can see Neil's face. Everyone was shocked.

Prakash: Neil?

Neil smiled while crying.

Neil: Dad, Avni opened her eyes.

Everyone was surprised. Juhi smiled and tears fell from her eyes.

Prakash: What?

Neil nodded and said: Yes, she opened her eyes. My Avni opened her eyes.

Prakash: This Means Avni is now out of danger.

Neil's smile faded and broke the hug. Everyone was looking at Neil.

Prakash: Say.

Neil: The doctor said that Avni is still in danger. She is not stable.

Everyone was shocked.

Neil: But she also said that Avni opened her eyes. It is a good sign. She said that if anyhow Neav comes here then Avni may get her consciousness.

Vidyut: means?

Neil looked at him and he narrated everyone.

Juhi: Then we should get Neav here.

Vidyut shook his head.

Vidyut: Kids are not allowed in the hospital.

Juhi: Then what will we do?

Neil: The doctors said that they have given Avni an injection. She will get her consciousness in two hours if not then it can be… risky.

Everyone got worried. Neil sighed.

Neil: I am going home. Mom called a while ago, Neav was asking for Avni and is not eating anything. I am going to him.

Vidyut and Prakash nodded.

Vidyut: You go, we are here.

Neil nodded and looked at Juhi who didn’t give any reaction. Neil thought and went. The doctor was sitting in her cabin and the door knocked. The door gave permission and Neil came inside.

The doctor was surprised to see Neil. Neil was looking at the doctor.

Neil came home and he heard Neav’s crying. Neil was shocked.

Neil: Neav.

Neil ran inside and he saw Neav crying and Shweta and others were trying to pacify him. Neil was about to move but he stopped. Neil ran to his room, took a shower and changed his clothes because he couldn’t go to Neav with those clothes. Neil came downstairs.

Neil: Neav.

Neav saw Neil and ran to him. Neil ran and sat on his knees. Neav came to him and hugged him. Shweta and Bebe sighed.

Neil: What happened, why my baby is crying?

Neil broke the hug and cupped Neav’s face.

Neil: What happened? You are my Tiger then why are you crying?

Neav: Mama. Mama.

Neav sobbed.

Neav: Mama…

Neil: We are going to Mama. Stop crying.

Neav was crying and he shook his head.

Neav: Mama went to her mama.

Neil was shocked.

Shweta: he is saying this for a half hour. He is saying, Mama came to meet me but her mama came and took her with her.

Neil was shocked.

Shweta: Mama is angry with me so she went to her mama.

Neil thought and panicked.

Neil: What?

Shweta nodded.

Shweta: Actually.

Flashback:

Neav was colouring the drawing and Shweta and Bebe were with him. Bebe got tired so she went to her room.

Shweta: I am going to get juice for you. Ok?

Neav said while coloring: I will have it when Mama comes.

Shweta felt bad and she went. Neav was doing his work and he heard something.

Neav heard: Neav…

Neav looked up and he saw Avni. Neav smiled.

Neav: Mama.

Neav ran to Avni.

Avni: Stop.

Neav stopped.

Neav: What happened, Mama?

Avni: Neav, I came to meet you last time. I am going with my mama.

Neav: where?

Avni: In the world of stars.

Neav was surprised.

Neav: Stars?

Avni nodded.

Avni: You and Papa don’t want me in your life na so I am going with my mama to her world.

Neav: I will come also.

Avni: No, Neav, you can’t come there. Your world is this and now that is my world. Now you have to live with Papa. Always be a good boy and study hard. You have to stand on your feet, hmm.

Neav nodded. Avni smiled.

Avni: Good boy.

Avni and Neav heard: Avni…

Avni turned her face and Neav also looked there but no one was there. Avni looked at Neav.

Avni: Now, my mama is calling me so I have to go.

Neav: Please don’t go.

Avni: I have to… promise me you will be a good boy.

Neav cried: promise.

Avni smiled and moved back.

Neav: Mama. Mama. Mama.

Avni vanished.

Neav cried: Mama…

Shweta came and saw him crying. Shweta came to Neav and tried to calm him but he wanted to go to Avni.

Flashback ended.

Neil was shocked.

Shweta: And since then he has been crying.

Neil was in shock and he panicked. Neil started to find his phone in his pocket and he remembered that it was in his pocket and he kept it in his room. Neil ran to his room and Neav stopped crying to see him. Neil came to his room and started to look for his phone like mad. Neil saw the phone on the bed and he took it. Neil saw that his phone is switched off. Neil was shocked.

Neil: shit.

Neil ran back and came to the living area.

Neil: Mom, your phone.

Shweta took her phone from the table and gave it to Neil. Neil dialed Prakash’s number.

Neil: Dad, pick up the phone.

Neil felt that Prakash picked up the phone.

Neil: Hello, Dad, Avni…

Prakash was crying and Neil was shocked.

Neil: Da… dad… dad, wwww… what happened?

Prakash: Avni…

Prakash cried. Juhi was crying while hugging Vidyut. Vidyut’s eyes were also teary. Neil was shocked.

Soon, Neil reached the hospital and he came to Prakash and others while running. Neil was panting. Everyone was looking at Neil. Prakash was crying.

Neil: Avni?

Prakash was looking at Neil while crying. Neil’s eyes got moist.

Neil: How did this happen? When I went from here she was all fine then how…

Vidyut: When you went from here, again her condition got worse. She started sinking. We tried your number a lot but it was switched off.

Neil was looking at Vidyut.

Juhi: Why would he worry for Avni?

Neil cried: My phone’s battery died.

Vidyut side-hugged Juhi.

Neil: Avni?

Vidyut signed at the door and Neil looked at the door. Neil slowly moved to the door and opened it. Neil entered the room and he heard the sound of machines. Neil looked up and saw Avni laying on the bed and the machines were connected to her body. The doctor was checking her. The staff saw Neil who came forward.

Neil: Avni?

Doctor: Mr. Khanna, she slept in a coma.

Neil was shocked and his heart broke into a trillion pieces. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked at the doctor.

Neil: How...

Doctor: We are also shocked. She was better but don’t know what happened suddenly and she…

Neil looked at Avni.

Doctor: We are sorry. We tried a lot but…

Neil was looking at Avni. Neil looked at the doctor and then he looked at Avni.

The doctor went from there. Neil moved to Avni and leaned toward her. Neil caressed Avni’s head and kissed her forehead.

Neil: Why are you doing this to us? You are seeking revenge from me. You are punishing me and Neav for our behavior. Hmm… fine, get angry with us. Beat me if you want but please don’t do this to me. Please come back.

Neil touched his forehead to Avni’s forehead and cried.

Neil: I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry.

Neil cried.

It was the time of the night and Neil entered the Khanna mansion with Prakash. Neil was walking lifelessly and Prakash’s condition was also the same. Neav was having dinner because Shweta asked him that she would make him talk to Avni when he have dinner. Neav saw Neil.

Neav: Papa.

Neil looked up and saw Neav. Neil wiped his tears with his sleeve and smiled fakely. Neav came to Neil and looked for Avni.

Neav: Where is Papa?

Neil was shocked and felt a sharp pinch in his heart. Everyone got emotional. Neil sat on his knees and he held Neav’s arms.

Neil: Mama went back to her previous home. There was some work. She asked me to tell you that be a good boy and do as everyone asks you in the home and don’t trouble Dadu, Dadi, and Bebe. She will come back soon.

Neav jerked Neil's hand and Neil was shocked.

Neil: You have also started to behave like Mama. You are also lying to me. You are making excuses from last night.

Neil felt bad and now he understood how Avni would have felt when Neav said harsh words to Avni.

Neav: I know, Mama has gone away from us.

Neil shook his head and held Neav’s arms.

Neil: No, Mama is fine and she went for important work. I would have made you talk to her but her phone fell and broke.

Neav: Again she broke her phone.

Neil nodded and Neav palmed his head.

Neav: Her phone is so old. She has repaired it many times. I have asked her numerous times to change it but she can’t.

Neil felt bad and guilty.

Neav: But it is not her fault. She always buys me things and doesn’t buy things for herself.

Neil felt guiltier and he saw that Neav is also realizing his mistake. Neil was surprised how can a five-year-old kid talk like that?

Neil smiled fakely.

Neil: ab when Mama comes back then we will gift her a new phone.

Neav got excited and nodded. Neil smiled.

Neil: Now go and have dinner.

Neav nodded and he went to Shweta. Shweta and Bebe wiped their tears. Neil was looking at them. Neil thought. Neil came to the bathroom and he gulped.

Neil’s eyes were teary. Neil ran his hand through his hair and cried. Neil came to the sink and held it. Neil squeezed his eyes and cried. Neil saw himself in the mirror and his eyes were teary. Neil opened the tab and washed his face. Neil stood properly and cried. Neil went to the shower and opened the tab and the water fell on him. Neil got drenched and then he fell on the floor and sat leaning against the wall. Neil sat there and cried. Neil sat there for a long and was lost.

Some days passed but there was no improvement in Avni’s condition. Neil started to go police station and now Neav’s responsibility is also on him. Neil tried a lot to console Neav. Neav daily cried for Avni and Neil felt helpless. Neil daily comes to meet Avni in the morning and evening.

It was the time of the evening, Avni was laying unconscious on the bed of the hospital. The door opened and Neil entered the room while carrying the bouquet. Neil smiled.

Neil: Hey, Wifey… sorry, I got late today. I got stuck in a case.

Neil came to Avni and kept the bouquet near Avni. Neil held his ears.

Neil: I am sorry. Please forgive your Neilu.

Neil’s eyes got moist. Neil smiled and wiped his eyes. Neil chuckled and sniffed. Neil was chuckling.

Neil: You know what Neav did today? Mom called me and told me that Neav opened the rope of our neighbor Mishra’s dog and when Mom asked him then he said that the dog was looking at him with hope so he opened his rope.

Neil chuckled and pressed his thumb on his eye.

Neil: Mom said that he is just like me.

Neil looked at Avni and kept his hand on Avni’s head and then he leaned to her.

Neil: But I want him to become like you. Now open your eyes and come back to us. Make Neav a better person. Only you can do this.

Neil smiled with teary eyes.

Neil: Now wake up and handle your son. Handling him is not my cup of tea.  I don't know how many criminals I have reformed in my police career, but handling Neav is not in my control. I can't handle him.

Neil chuckled.

Neil: So better you wake up and handle your monkey. His name should be Moghli, not Neav.

Neil chuckled and then he cried.

Neil: Please come back, love. Don’t punish me like this. Please.

Neil cried and kissed Avni’s forehead. Neil cried.

It was the time of the night, Neav was sleeping and Neav was sitting resting his back on the headboard of the bed. Neil was lost in his thoughts and then he looked at Neav. Neil thought.

The next day, Neil was combing Neav’s hair and the family was present there.

Shweta: Tillu, think about it again.

Neil: I have thought about it.

Prakash: Do you think it will work?

Neil: I hope so.

Shweta: Neav is a kid. He can't handle that trauma.

Neil's words echoed: he is Avni's son. He is strong.

Neil: he can handle every hard time. Avni has trained him.

Neav was looking at them.

Prakash: That's right but still he is a kid. It can affect Neav’s mental state.

Neil stopped his hand and thought. Neil looked at Prakash with teary eyes.

Neil: I don’t have any other option.

Prakash: Wait for some more days.

Neil thought and sighed.

Neil: I can’t sit keeping my hand on hand.

The family was looking at Neil and then they looked at each other.

Neil got up and forwarded his hand.

Neil: Come, Neav.

Bebe: Think about it again.

Neil: I have thought about it and have taken this decision after thinking a lot.

Neav: We are going to Mama?

Neil looked at Neav. Neil and others felt bad. Neil smiled and nodded. Neav got excited. Neil took his phone and stuffed it in his pocket. Neil took the keys and then he forwarded his hand and Neav held Neav’s hand and took him from there. Everyone was looking at them and they looked worried.

Neil was driving the car and he looked at Neav who was happy and excited. Neil thought and focused on the road.

On one side, Neil was taking Neav somewhere, and on the other side, Avni was laying on the hospital bed unconscious.