Chapter 38:

It was the time of the morning, the sun rises and people started their day. The moon was shining over the Khanna mansion and it peeked into Avneil's room where Neil got ready and was combing his hair. Neil saw Avni was looking at him. Neil kept the hairbrush on the dressing table and he came to Avni.

Avni looked at the bed and she took a vest from it. Neil turned and Avni made Neil wear the vest. Neil turned and looked at Avni. Avni started to close the button of Neil's shirt. Avni was closing the button of the shirt and Neil was looking at her lovingly. Avni looked at Neil and then she looked at the button. Neil smiled.

Neil: Don't worry, Avni, I will take care of myself.

Avni said while closing the button: Hmm.

Avni closed the button.

Avni: Done.

Neil moved a step to Avni and cupped her face.

Neil: Avniii... Avni, I know, you are concerned about my health but duty is also important.

Avni: You should have to apply for a leave for some more days.

Neil: Some more days? I was on rest for one month.

Avni; Still, you need rest.

Neil: I am fine.

Avni looked away.

Neil: Don't worry, I will have medicine on time.

Avni looked at Neil and was still not happy.

Neil: OK, Baba, I will try to come back home earlier.

Avni: Don't make promises that you can't keep.

Neil made a face. Avni made a sad face.

Avni: Once you get busy with your work then you will not have any sense of time.

Neil made a face and smiled. Neil was about to say but his phone rang. Avneil looked at the bed and saw DD's number. Neil looked at Avni who also looked at him. Neil picked up the phone and received the call.

Neil: Hello, Yeah, DD... You have reached...

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: OK, I am coming.

Avni was looking at Neil. Neil said bye and cut the call. Neil stuffed the phone in his pocket. Neil held Avni's shoulders.

Neil: Now, come on, give me a big smile so then I could be able to go.

Avni smiled slightly.

Neil: I said, big.

Neil made a smile with his hand and showed his teeth.

Neil: Like this.

Neil again made a smile with his hand and showed his teeth. Avni smiled and tension was on her face at the same time. Neil hugged Avni.

Neil: Don't worry and take care of yourself.

Neil broke the hug and cupped Avni's face. Neil kissed Avni's forehead and Avni closed her eyes. Avni looked at Neil who sighed.

Avneil was standing outside the Khanna mansion, Neil waved his hand to Avni who did the same. Neil got in the police jeep and Avni looked at DD who assured her by blinking his eyes. Avni nodded and smiled. DD got in the police jeep. Avni looked at Neil who waved his hand and Avni did the same. Neil went from there with his officers. Avni thought.

Later, Avni was sitting on the bed in her room and was waiting for Neil's call. Avni picked up her phone from the bed and looked at it.

Avni: Should I call him?

Avni thought.

Avni: What if he would be busy?

Avni thought while touching the cell phone on her chin.

Avni: Tch.

Avni kept the phone on the bed and got irritated.

Avni: That's the reason, I didn't want him to go police station. He is still on medicine and he...

Avni looked away and was worried. Her phone beeped and she looked at the phone instantly. Avni picked up the phone and opened the message. It was Neil's message.

Neil's message: I have taken my medicine.

A thumbs-up sign was with the message.

Avni smiled and sent the thumbs-up sign to Neil. Neil was sitting on the chair in his cabin. Neil saw Avni's reply and smiled. Neil kept his phone on the table while smiling and then he looked at the file.

It was the time of the evening, the birds were ready to go back to their home, to their nests. Avni was standing in the room and she saw the time. It shows 06:45 p.m. Avni got angry.

Avni: Now, it's a limit. 06:45. He said that he would come home earlier but he...

Avni felt the scent of Neil and she closed her eyes.

Avni whispered: Neil.

Avni opened her eyes and thought. Avni was about to turn but someone hugged her from behind. Avni flinched at first but then Neil kept his chin on her shoulder and Avni smiled. Neil looked at Avni who was smiling.

Neil: Why are you putting fake blame on me?

Avni frowned.

Avni: Means.

Neil: When I said that I would come home earlier?

Avni was confused.

Neil: I said that I would try to come home earlier.

Avni understood his point and remembered that she was angry with Neil. Avni made an angry face. Neil widened his eyes at first and then he smiled.

Neil: Angry?

Avni was looking away. Neil held his left ear.

Neil: I am sorry.

No reply.

Neil: I got stuck in work.

No reply.

Neil: OK, tell me why you didn't call me even once in the whole day?

Avni: I thought, it was your first day after leave so you must be busy.

Neil: But you could call me.

Avni remained silent. Neil felt bad. Avni saw him in the mirror and she thought.

Avni: I thought, you must be busy. But I asked DD about you and he also said that you are busy.

Neil smiled slightly. Neil thought that Avni called DD because she was still afraid of calling him. Avni noticed that. Avni thought.

Avni: You also didn't call me.

Neil looked up and saw Avni in the mirror.

Neil: if I say that I was waiting for your call then?

Avni was looking in the mirror.

Avni: I am sorry.

Neil smiled fakely.

Neil: It's ok. I know, there is still a gap in our relationship. But it's OK. We will manage.

Avni smiled slightly. Neil left Avni who turned to him.

Neil: Ab, I am going to freshen up. Please make one cup of tea for me.

Avni: I was going to make tea for everyone. You get fresh then we will have tea with the family today.

Neil smiled and said OK.

Avni went and Neil was looking at her. Neil sighed and thought.

It was a time of the night, the moon was shining in the sky. Neil was laying in Fowler's position on the bed in his room because he was feeling tired. Neav was sitting beside Neil and was coloring his drawing. Neil's eyes were closed. Neil's clothes were kept on the couch and Neav's clothes and toys were scattered on the floor. Avni entered the room and she saw the mess. Avni widened her eyes and opened her mouth. Avni stumbled on the toy car.

Avni: Ouch.

Neil opened his eyes and Neav also looked at Avni. Avni looked at the toy car and Neil and Neav also saw that.

Neil: You OK?

Avni nodded.

Avni said while looking at the mess: Yes, I am OK but what is this?

Neil looked at the mess and then he looked at Neav.

Neil: Neav, what is this?

Neav lowered his gaze.

Neil: How many times have Mama and I said to put your toys in the basket?

Neav: Sorry.

Neil: That's wrong, Tiger. You should learn to keep cleanliness.

Avneil looked at the couch and she was surprised. Avni raised her eyebrows and looked at Neil. Avni folded her arms.

Avni: Mr Khanna.

Neil and Neav looked at her.

Avni: You are giving a lecture to Neav but what is your opinion about that?

Neil frowned. Avni looked at the couch and Neil and Neav looked there. Neil was shocked and he looked at Avni who raised her eyebrow. Neil was shocked. Avni was giving a deadly glare to him. Neil gulped.

Neil: Avni, I... I.

Avni fumed. Avni came forward and she took Neav's clothes. Avni threw Neav's clothes on the bed and Neil flinched. Avni also took some toys and threw them on the bed near Neil and Neav.

Neil: Av, Avni.

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: What?

Neil got frightened and he shook his head. Avni was panting. Avni took a deep breath and took her hair with her ear.

Neil passed the glass of water to Avni who was standing at some distance.

Neil: Water?

Avni: Shut up.

Neil flinched. Avni looked at Neil. Avni started to pick up the things. Neav leaned to Neil.

Neav talked while looking at Avni who was picking up the things.

Neav whispered: Papa, old Mama came back.

Neil looked at Neav sadly.

Neav whispered: That silent Mama was better.

Neil looked at Avni and smiled.

Neil: No, Neav, this Mama is the best. I can't explain in words how much I craved to see this Tigress. My ladydon.

Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: I missed my angry bird.

Neav: Angry bird?

Neil was shocked and Avni looked at them. Toys were in her hands. She was hugging the toys.

Avni: What?

Neil and Neav looked at her. Neil shook his head.

Neil: Nothing.

Avni bent to take the toy. Avni thought and stood.

Avni: Why I am picking up this mess?

Avni went to the table and left the toys there. Neil and Neav were shocked. Avni turned to them.

Avni: I want my room neat and clean in ten minutes.

Neil gulped. Avni gave an angry look to Neil and Neav and then she marched out of the room. Neil and Neav looked at each other sadly and then they joined their heads.

Avni came out of the room and she stopped at the corridor. Avni smiled and she moved back without making any sound and saw Neil and Neav. Avni smiled. Neav started to pick up his toys from the bed. Neil thought and smiled.

Avni in mind: I know, what are you thinking? Why are you smiling? You are happy to see your lady don, your angry bird back. You wanted your older Avni back so from now I will try to be like that. I will do anything for you and our son.

Avni smiled and went from there. Neil was smiling and Neav was collecting his toys.

Neav: Papa, get up and help me.

Neil looked at Neav and nodded.

Neil and Neav cleaned the room and then Neil was standing near the couch and he picked up his clothes. Neil thought something looking at them.

Neil: I didn't keep my clothes here. I changed my clothes in the bathroom then how they came here?

Neil thought.

Neil: Neil, what are you thinking, you must have kept them here else how would they have reached here?

Neil shook his head.

Neil: Aah. Leave it and keep them in the basket else wifey will take your class.

Neil hurriedly went from there to keep the clothes in the basket. Neil came back and looked at the room. Neil took a sigh of relief.

Neil: Perfect.

Neil was about to move but something struck his mind. Neil thought and smiled. Neil nodded.

After some time, Avni entered the room and Neil was sitting on the edge of the bed. Avni saw Neil who also saw her and got up. Avni looked at the room and Neil followed his gaze and then they looked at each other.

Neil: Everything is perfect, your highness.

Avni looked at Neil and was surprised to hear "your highness". Avni looked at Neil for a few seconds and thought.

Avni: Hmm. Better.

Neil bent and said, thank you, your highness.

Avni was amazed by Neil's behavior. Neil came to Avni and bent again. Avni was confused.

Neil: Your night dress is also taken out. It is kept there on the bed.

Neil turned and pointed to the bed and Avni looked there. Avni was surprised. Neil looked at Avni who looked at him.

Neil: Wait, I get it for you.

Avni was just looking at Neil who turned and went to get the dress. Neil came back to Avni and passed the dress to Avni while bending in front of her. Avni was confused so she just took the dress from Neil. Neil stood properly and looked at Avni. Avni was about to go.

Neil: Wait a minute, Ma'am.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: You will change it by yourself or I...

Neil moved a step to Avni and looked at her lovingly. Neil kept Avni's hair behind her ear who closed her eyes. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her lovingly.

Neil: Help you.

At first, Avni didn't understand because of Neil's charm so she frowned. Avni thought and registered what Neil meant. Avni looked at Neil who raised his eyebrows. Avni blushed hard.

Neil: I don't mind if you ask me to...

Avni's cheeks turned red like a tomato. Neil smiled.

Neil: In fact, I would love it.

Avni shivered and she hurriedly turned and went to change. Neil smiled and shook his head. Neil sighed happily.

Neil: One more shade of my Avni. My Avni came back.

Neil smiled.

Neil: And now I will not let her go anywhere.

Neil smiled.

In the bathroom, Avni was blushing hard and her dress was hanging on her arm. Avni saw herself in the mirror and she moved to it. Avni saw the flashes of their recent moment.

Flashback:

1. Neil: You will change it by yourself or I...

Neil moved a step to Avni and looked at her lovingly. Neil kept Avni's hair behind her ear who closed her eyes. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her lovingly.

2. Neil: Help you.

3. Neil: I don't mind if you ask me to...

Avni's cheeks turned red like a tomato. Neil smiled.

4. Neil: In fact, I would love it.

Flashback ended.

Avni was thinking. Avni looked in the mirror and saw her red cheeks. Avni felt shy and she hid her face in her hands.

Avni came out and Neil was waiting for her. Avni didn't look at him and she went to the bed and lay there. Avni covered herself completely with the duvet and Neil smiled. Neil shook his head. Neil turned and was going to close the door. Neav came there. Neil stopped to see Neav and smiled.

Neav: Papa.

Neil: Hmm.

Neav: Papa, you are fine, right?

Neil nodded.

Neav: So, I can sleep here, right?

Neil got puzzled and he thought. Neil looked at Neav and nodded.

Neil: Yes.

Neav got happy. In the duvet, Avni took a deep breath because she knew that Neil would not stop and would tease her. Avni thanked God and Neav.

Neav came to Avni and lay while hugging Avni. Avni smiled and Neil was looking at Neav.

Neil in mind: It was my plan. I wanted to sleep like that... by hugging my wifey... My bad luck.

Neil glared at Neav.

Neil in mind: Kabab main hadi... hadi nahi hada. Yeh hada bhi to mera hi hai.

Neil sighed. Neil went to close the door and then he lay on the bed and his face was on the other side. Neil thought. Neil turned and faced Neav's back. Neil moved to Neav and lay while hugging Avni and Neav was in the center. Avni was surprised and Neav giggled. Neil kissed Neav's face.

Neil: Good night.

Neav: Good night.

Avni smiled inside the duvet. Neil switched off the lamp light and again hugged them. Neil and Neav closed their eyes and Avni took out her face from the duvet. Avni turned her face slightly to see Neav and Neil. Avni smiled. Avni's smile faded when she remembered something.

Flashback:

1. Neil: don't you have a mind (Neil touched Avni's side head) to understand that I am busy.

Avni: I, I am sorry.

2. Neil: aur asi konsi qayamat tot pari thi ke tum mere ghar aane tak ka intazaar nahi kar sakti thi. (And what storm was on the verge of breaking that you could not wait for my coming home?)

Avni remained silent. Neil turned to Avni.

3. Neil: hmm? Tell me... and it is not the first time when you have done this. You have been continuously doing it since we met.

4. Neil: you know what, Avni, now I am fed up of you.

Avni was thinking and she remembered that dreadful day of her life.

5. Neil: since we have got married, my peace has been destroyed. I have lost my peace.

Avni was shocked. Neil caught Avni's arms again.

6. Neil: you have snatched my peace from me. You have destroyed my life.

Avni was seeing the flashes and her eyes got moist.

7. Neil: I have never seen a clingy girl like you in my whole life. Wherever I go, you come with me to embarrass me. I feel suffocated. I feel suffocation when you are around me. You always hover over me like a satellite and you claim that you love me. Hmm? What type of love it is? This is what you call love? See, what you have done to me? You have destroyed me. You have snatched my peace from me.

Avni was looking at Neil with tearful eyes.

Avni was remembering the past and the tears fell from her eyes.

8. Neil caught Avni's arms.

Neil: why? Why do I not say anything? You doubt my love, raise a finger on my character and I can't say anything to you. Hmm. You know what, Avni, now, I am fed up of all this love drama. I am fed up of all this now. I, I feel suffocated. I feel suffocated with you.

Avni was shocked.

9. Neil: marrying you was the worst decision of my life.

10. Neil: it was the biggest mistake of my life. I cursed the day when I met you the first time.

11. Neil: I regret the day when I proposed to you. I regret my decision to marry you.

12. Neil: you claim that you love me. If you really love me then just get the hell of my life. Just get out.

Avni was lost in her thoughts.

13. Neil: I feel like if you stay in my life for some more days then I will definitely kill myself. I will go mad. Because I feel suffocated with you. Just get out of my life.

14. Neil: I hate you, Avni. I hate you.

Avni was completely broken.

Flashback ended.

Avni was thinking and tears fell from her eyes.

Flashback:

1. Neil: I have never seen a clingy girl like you in my whole life. Wherever I go, you come with me to embarrass me. I feel suffocated. I feel suffocation when you are around me.

2. Neil: You know what, Avni, now, I am fed up of all this love drama. I am fed up of all this now. I, I feel suffocated. I feel suffocated with you.

3. Neav: I feel suffocated with you.

4. Neil: You always hover over me like a satellite and you claim that you love me. Hmm?

5. Neav: You always hover over me.

6. Neil: I hate you, Avni. I hate you.

7. Neav: I hate you, Mama. I hate you.

Flashback ended.

Avni saw the flashes and she recalled the past. Avni squeezed her eyes and shook her head. Avni opened her eyes and thought.

Avni in mind: No, Avni, don't think about the past. The past has passed so forget it and concentrate on your present. Forget the past and don't think about the future. Just focus on your present and try to make it beautiful.

Avni nodded. Avni wiped her tears and sighed. Avni turned to Neav and Neil carefully and hugged Neav. Avni looked at Neil and Neav and she smiled to see them.

Avni: these two are my lifelines now I will live for them.

Avni smiled and adored her lifelines.