Chapter 33:

It was the time of night, the moon was shining in the sky and it peeked into a room where Bebe was standing in the center and she heard the knock on the door. Bebe looked at the door and Prakash and Shweta were standing at the door. They came inside.

Bebe: shut the door.

Shweta nodded and she closed the door. Prakash and Shweta came to Bebe.

Prakash: What happened, Bebe? Is everything alright? You called us urgently at this time of night. Everything is fine?

Bebe nodded and said hmm.

Bebe took a breath.

Bebe: I want to talk to you two about something important.

Prakash: Say.

Bebe: Pack your bags. We are going to Pune tomorrow.

Prakash and Shweta were surprised.

Bebe: There is some emergency in the family.

Prakash and Shweta got worried. Prakash was about to say.

Bebe: We will say this to Avni and Neil.

Prakash and Shweta frowned.

Shweta: Means?

Bebe looked on.

On the other side, the moon peeked into Avni and Neil’s room which was lit by dim light, and Avni and Neil were on the bed. Neav was sleeping in between Avni and Neil. Avni and Neil were well awake and were thinking about their life.

In the Bebe’s room, Bebe was standing with Shweta and Prakash.

Shweta: Bebe, do you think that it will work?

Bebe looked on.

Shweta: I mean, when last time, we went out of town, the situation started to get worse between Avni and Neil. They fought and Avni…

Bebe nodded her head and sighed.

Bebe: This time, nothing will happen like that. This time, Neav is with them. They will not fight in front of him and most importantly, they have gotten their lesson now they will not repeat their mistake.

Prakash: They are Avni and Neil, we can expect anything from them. They can do anything.

Shweta: That’s true.

Bebe: Hmm, you are right. We can’t trust them but this time, in this matter, I can trust them. They will not fight.

Prakash: I hope so.

Bebe nodded.

Bebe: Pack your bags. We will go tomorrow's evening.

Prakash: But tomorrow is the wedding of Mishra’s son.

Bebe palmed her forehead.

Bebe: I forgot about it. OK. We will go the day after tomorrow.

Prakash and Shweta nodded. Bebe thought.

The next day went well and at night time, the family went to the wedding. Avni and Neav were at home. Avni saw the time on the wall clock and it showed 10:15 p.m. Avni thought and looked at Neav who was filling the colors in his drawing. Avni thought.

On the other side, Neil had no idea about the family going to the wedding. Neil was sitting on the bed resting his head. Neil was moving his chair and was lost in his thoughts. Neil’s phone rang and Neil took his phone. Neil was surprised to see Avni’s number. Neil thought and picked up the phone.

Neil: Hello.

On the other side, Neav was on the phone. He was standing near the bed and Avni was sitting while holding Neav.

Neav: Hello, Papa.

Neil expected that.

Neil: Yes, Tiger.

Neav: Where are you, Papa? Mama is asking for…

Avni was shocked and she kept her hand on Neav’s mouth. Avni shook her head.

Avni whispered: Don’t tell him that I asked you to talk.

Neil frowned.

Neil: Hello.

Avni signed Neav to talk.

Neav: Papa, where are you?

Neil: In the police station. Why?

Neav: It is too late now and Dadi, Dadu, and Bebe have gone to a wedding. I and Mama are alone at home.

Neil frowned.

Neil: Wedding?

Neav: Yes. Please come fast. We are waiting for you and Mama has not eaten anything.

Avni palmed her head and Neil made a face. Neil smiled and Avni glared at Neav.

Neil: Neav, ask Mama to not glare at you and heat the dinner.

Neav giggled.

Neav: Mama, Papa is asking you to not glare at me and heat the dinner.

Neil smiled and Avni got embarrassed.

Neil: I am coming, Tiger.

Neav: OK, Papa, bye.

Neil: Bye.

Neil cut the call and sighed while smiling. Neil thought and got upset.

Neil: You can call me by yourself. You don’t need to use Neav to get information about me, you can call me by yourself.

Neil thought.

Later, Neil came home and he entered the room. Avni avoided eye contact. Avni went to get dinner and Neil was looking at her. Neil smiled and shook his head.

Avni and Neil were having dinner silently. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked down. They had dinner and lay on the bed. They thought about their life.

The next day, the whole family was present in the dining area and were having breakfast. A fork and spoon were in Neil’s hand.

Neil: Pune? Today?

Avni and Neil were surprised.

Bebe: Yes, there are some emergency.

Neil: What happened?

Bebe: They didn’t tell me clearly. They just asked me to come with Shweta and Sunny.

Neil: Should I come with you?

Bebe had a bit. Shweta was shocked.

Bebe: umm hmm.

Bebe chewed the food and gulped.

Bebe: You stay here. If you come with us then who will be with Avni and Neav?

Avni was looking at the family. Neil was about to say.

Shweta: Yes and Avni and Neav can also not come with us. Neav’s studies will be disturbed.

Bebe: True and you also go to the police station. How can you come?

Neil looked on and Avni looked at Neil.

Bebe: It’s OK, we will manage and if needed then we will call you there.

Prakash: Yes, Neil. Bebe is right. If needed then we will call you there.

Neil thought.

Neil: OK. As you say.

Neil looked at his family and he got suspicious.

It was the time of the evening, the whole Khanna family was present outside the Mansion. Avneil met the family and Neav also met them.

Shweta: Tillu, take care of yourself and also of Avni and Neav.

Neil nodded and Avni looked at Neil.

Shweta: And please come home on time.

Neil: OK, Mom.

Shweta smiled and hugged Neil. Shweta, Prakash, and Bebe got in the car and Avneil and Neav waved their hands. The family went and Avni sighed. Avneil looked at each other and then they thought.

The day went normal. The next day, Avneil and Neav had breakfast together. Neil wiped his hands and mouth.

Neil: Neav, where is your bag?

Neav: On the couch.

Neil: Get it then I drop you school.

Neav nodded and he went. Avni got up to go behind Neav. Neil saw Avni and thought. Avni turned.

Neil: Avni.

Avni looked at Neil who got up.

Neil: Bheema went with the family. Bebe took her with her. Almost the entire staff is on leave. I found out about it today. Only Kishan and Pragya are at home.

Avni nodded.

Avni: They are also going to their Village today.

Neil was surprised.

Neil: What? How can they go? Cancel their leave.

Avni: They will come back by tomorrow. There is a wedding in their village.

Neil: But who will be here with you?

Avni: I will manage.

Neil: But.

Avni: They will go in the evening. You will come till then.

Neil thought.

Neil: That's right but...

Avni: I will manage. Don't worry.

Neil: OK if you say so. Let them go.

Avni looked on.

Neil: Means no one will be at home except us.

Avni shook his head. Neil nodded. They remained silent for a moment.

Neil: Take care of yourself and do tell me if you need anything.

Avni nodded. Neil lowered his gaze and nodded.

Neil: OK.

Neav came while carrying his bag. Avni took his bag and kept the lunchbox in the bag. Avni made Neav wear the bag and gave him a bottle. Neil smiled.

Neil: Ready?

Neav: Yes.

Neil: Let's go then.

Neav: Let's go.

Avneil smiled. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Take care of yourself.

Avni nodded.

Avni: Take care. Drive safely.

Neil nodded.

Neav: Bye.

Avni kissed Neav's cheek.

Avni: Bye.

Neil came to Neav and forwarded his hand. Neav gave his hand to Neil. Avneil smiled. Neil looked at Avni and nodded. Avni nodded. Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: Come.

Neil and Neav went and Avni went behind them. Neil and Neav get into the car and Neav waved his hand.

Neav: Bye, Mama.

Avni smiled and waved her hand until the car went out of the main gate. Avni sighed and went inside.

Later, Neil was sitting in his cabin and discussing a case with the team. Neil closed the file and gave it to the police officer. The team went from there and Neil sighed while running his hands through his hair and his eyes were closed. Neil stopped and he remembered something.

Neil: Today is my meeting with the Commissioner.

Neil closed his eyes.

Neil: I forgot about it completely. I will be late in the evening.

Neil thought. Neil took his phone and dialed a number. The ring was going.

Neil: Hello, Vidyut.

Vidyut was standing in the corridor of his office.

Vidyut: Yeah, Neil, say how are you?

Neil smiled.

Neil: I am fine. How are you, man?

Vidyut: Good.

Neil: OK, ab, Vidyut, I have some work with you.

Vidyut: Say.

Neil: Vidyut, the family has gone to Pune and almost the whole staff is on leave. Don’t know for what reason. Now, Avni and Neav are alone at home so if you don’t mind then can you ask Juhi to go to our home to give a company to Avni? Actually, I will be late in the evening. I have a meeting.

Vidyut: Of course, Juhi can go. Why would I mind?

Neil: No, she works there so…

Vidyut: NO, issues.

Neil smiled.

Neil: I should KK to send Sonia but Avni and Juhi are best friends so I thought they would have a good time.

Vidyut: Right.

Neil: Ab, I would call Juhi but I thought she would not pick up my call sooo… you know.

Vidyut: Neil, why are you becoming formal? Come on, we are friends.

Neil lowered his gaze and smiled slightly.

Vidyut: Juhi is in a meeting. She comes out then I will send her to Bhabhi. OK?

Neil: OK and please remember it. Don’t forget it.

Vidyut: Don’t worry.

Neil: Thanks. Bye.

Neil cut the call and sighed. Neil saw the time on his watch and then he took a file.

On the other side, Vidyut got busy with his work and he forgot about Neil’s call. Juhi came to his room with the team and they discussed the project.

The day turned into the night and the weather was cloudy. The clouds were ready to shower the rain. Avni was sitting on the bed and Neav was doing his homework. Avni looked at the clock and the clock showed 08:25 of the night. Neav looked at Avni.

Neav: Mama, Papa didn’t come till now, it is night now and the rain will start anytime.

Avni thought and she looked at Neav. Avni heard the thunder and she got worried. Neav got scared and he jumped to Avni.

Neav: Mama.

Avni captured Neav into her arms.

Avni: Neav, what happened, Baby? Everything is fine. It is the sound of thunder. You know about it and have heard about it earlier also. It rained a few days ago then we heard it. You didn’t get scared that time now what happened?

Neav: I was with Bheema Di and Raja Uncle and everyone was at home today we are alone.

Avni was hurt.

Avni: But it is not the first time, we are alone. We were used to leaving alone.

Neav looked at Avni and was still hugging Neav.

Neav: That thing was different now we have a family.

Avni was surprised to hear Neav. Avni just looked on. The light went off. Avni looked around. Neav hugged Avni more tightly.

Neav: Mama.

Avni: Ssshhhh… relax, it’s ok. It’s ok.

Avni tried to find her phone on the bed. Avni got her phone and switched on the flashlight.

Avni: Come, let’s check what happened.

Neav shook his head.

Avni: Neav, if you do this then how will I check what happened?

Neav: I will not go.

Avni sighed and thought about what she does now.

On the other side, the rain was running outside the police station where Neil was working on a case and the table was filled with the files. Neil looked at one file and then he looked at the other file. Neil notes down the points. Neil heard the thunderstorm and he looked up.

Neil: This rain.

Neil huffed because of the tiredness. Neil looked at the files. Neil closed all the files at the side and took one file. Neil was studying the file and his phone rang. Neil took his phone without seeing the caller ID.

Neil: Hello.

Neil heard the other side and he was numbed to hear that.

On the other side, Avni was sitting on the bed while hugging Neav.

Avni: Hello, Neil.

Neil was numbed and Avni checked whether the call was connected or it got disconnected.

Avni: Neil? Hello. Neil?

Neil came out of his thoughts.

Neil: Hmm.

Neil looked at the phone and he kept the phone at his ear. Neil smiled and his happiness was on Cloud Nine.

Neil: Ye, Yeah, Avni.

Avni was worried.

Avni: Neil, where are you? It is raining outside. I and Neav are alone at home.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: The electricity has also gone out. Don’t know what has happened? Neav is scared and is not letting me go and check.

Neil: You two are alone at home?

Avni: Of course. Did you forget the family is out of town?

Neil: No, but I asked Vidyut to send Juhi to you.

Avni frowned.

Avni: Juhi.

Neil nodded.

Avni: No one came.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: We are alone and the electricity has also gone out. Please come home fast.

Neil: I am coming, Avni. I am coming.

Neil closed the file and got up while saying.

Neil: I am coming.

Neil took away the cell phone from his ear.

Avni: Neil, listen.

Neil heard Avni and again he kept his hand at his ear.

Neil: Yes, Avni.

Avni: Drive safely.

Neil smiled and nodded while gulping.

Neil: OK.

Neil and Avni cut the call. Avni thought and Neil took the key of the car and stuffed the phone in his pocket while going.

It was raining. Neil got in the car and he started the car. Neil drove to his home and he was driving at high speed. Neil ran his hand through his hair and wiped his mouth. Soon, Neil reached home and he got out of the car. It was raining and Neil looked at the home. The lights were off. Neil ran inside and he went to check. Neil checked but he was wet so he didn’t touch the board. Neil went from there.

Neil entered the room while calling Avni’s name. Neil’s phone was in his hands. Avni and Neav saw Neil and smiled.

Avni: See, Baby, Papa came.

Neil came to them and sat on the bed.

Neil: You two are fine?

Avni nodded.

Avni: Yes, we are fine but Neav is very scared because of darkness.

Neil nodded and caressed Neav’s hair.

Neil: I am going to fix it. Just give me five minutes to change my clothes.

Avni nodded. Neil got up and went to change and then Neil checked the light and fixed it. The Khanna mansion was lighted with lights and Avni and Neav were in the room and it lighted. Avni smiled and looked at Neav who was in her arms.

Avni: See, Neav, the electricity came back.

Neav smiled and moved back. Avni cupped Neav’s face and kissed his forehead and cheek. Neil came into the room and Avni and Neav looked at him. Neil smiled.

Neil: Haye, tiger.

Avni and Neav smiled to see Neil.

Neav: Papa.

Neav got up and Neil came to the bed. Neav hugged Neil and Avneil smiled. Neil kissed Neav's hair.

Neil: My Tiger got scared.

They broke the hugged and Neav nodded.

Neil: Why? You are my Tiger. You should be brave.

Neav: Electricity went off. It was darkness all around.

Neil: Aww.

Neil cupped Neav's face and kissed his forehead. They smiled. Avni got up and Neil looked at her.

Avni: Neav, you stay with Papa. I am going to get the dinner.

Avni looked and Neil. Neil and Neav nodded. Avni smiled to see them and she went from there. Neil was looking at her. Neil smiled.

Avneil and Neav were having dinner and Neil looked at Avni. Avni felt Neil's gaze and she looked at Neil. Neil instantly looked down and had a bit. Avni thought and looked down. Avni was angry with Neil. Neil looked at Avni from time to time and when Avni looked at Neil, he looked down. Avni fed Neav and they had dinner.

Later, Avni was petting Neav's head who was sleeping and Neil entered the room. Avni looked at Neil who also looked at her. Avni looked away and Neil raised his eyebrows because it was the second surprise of the day for him. Neil understood that Avni was angry with him for not informing her about his coming late but this time Neil felt a joy to see Avni's anger. Neil smiled and looked on. Neil closed the door at his back and then he turned and locked the door. Neil turned to Avni who was petting Neav’s head. Neil thought and looked at Avni. Neil was happy but he was also scared thinking about Lady Don Avni.

Neil came to the bed slowly and sat on his side. Neil looked at Avni and then he thought while lowering his gaze. Neil looked at Neav and smiled.

Neil: He slept.

Avni: Hmm.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: What happened to you?

Avni shook her head.

Avni: Nothing.

Neil saw a glimpse of older Avni in Avni. Neil was surprised.

Neil: Avniii… I.

Avni got up and moved. Neil was surprised and he got alert. Neil saw that Avni was going to the cupboard. Neil got up from the bed hurriedly and he went behind Avni. Neil held Avni’s hand.

Neil: Avni.

Avni flinched and was in shock for a while. Avni turned her face and looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil who was panting because he got up in a hurry to stop Avni. Avni and Neil were looking at each other. Avni was angry and Neil was scared and nervous too. They were just looking at each other.