Chapter 29:

It was the time of night, the moon was shining over the Khanna mansion and silence was all around there. Inside the mansion, Avni was sitting in her room on the bed carrying her cell phone in her hand and Neav was laying on the bed. Avni was lost. Neav kept the tab on the bed and sat. Avni looked at him. Avni licked her lips and she kept the cell phone on the side table.

Avni: Ab, Neav, my phone’s battery is low and it is dangerous to talk on the phone when the battery is low… You don’t worry, Papa will come back soon.

Neav: Call him from this tab.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: Ab.

Avni switched on the tab. The tab’s battery was actually low. Avni smiled.

Avni: See, its battery is also low.

Neav: Now?

Avni: Now, you sleep you have to go to school tomorrow.

Neav nodded and lay. Avni leaned to him and caressed his hair to make him sleep. Avni thought and looked at the time. Avni was looking worried. Neav was looking at Avni.

Neav: One minute.

Avni looked at him. Neav sat and got down from the bed. Neav ran from there and Avni was looking at him.

On the other side, Neil was sitting in his cabin keeping his hands on the table and his head was on his arms. Neil was looking at his phone. Neil sat properly and saw the time on his watch. The time was 10:50. Neil sighed and was disappointed. Neil arranged the files and his phone rang. Neil got alert. Neil took his phone and received it without seeing the caller ID.

Neil: Hello, Avni.

On the other side, Shweta was standing in the living area. Shweta felt bad.

Shweta: It’s me, Tillu.

Neil’s smile faded.

Neil: Mom.

Shweta: Where are you, Tillu? It is too late. Neav is also asking for you.

Neil sighed.

Neil: I am coming, Mom.

Shweta: Come fast and drive safely.

Neil: OK.

Neil cut the call and sighed.

In the Khanna mansion, Shweta leaned to Neav and cupped his cheeks with one hand.

Shweta: Papa is coming.

They smiled. Avni was standing near the stairs and she heard them. Avni sighed and got relieved.

Shweta used her phone.

On the other side, Neil was lost in his thoughts and his phone beeped. Neil saw Shweta’s message and opened it.

Shweta: Avni is getting worried for you. Come fast.

Neil smiled slightly but then he became sad.

Neil in mind: If you worry for me then why you didn’t call me?

Neil thought.

Neil in mind: Don’t know, when I will get my old Avni back. Will I get it or…

Neil got upset.

Avni was walking to and fro in the room and Neav was sleeping on the bed. Avni heard the horn of the car and she smiled. Avni was happy.

On the other side, Neil got out of the car and moved to the Khanna mansion. Neil came to the room where Avni was sitting on the bed and was reading a novel. Neil smiled and shook his head. Avni looked at Neil and avoided eye contact.

Neil: You didn’t sleep till now.

Avni looked at him and got speechless. Avni was looking down.

Avni: Neav was not sleeping. He was waiting for you.

Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: But he is sleeping.

Avni: He just slept.

Neil: Oh, OK. Then why you didn’t sleep?

Avni: I was not sleepy.

Neil moved forward.

Neil: Why?

Avni ignored Neil’s question and closed the book. Avni kept the book on the table and got up.

Avni: Dinner?

Neil: Yes. But first, answer me why you were not sleepy.

Avni looked at Neil and avoided eye contact. Neil came to her and stood close to Avni. Avni looked at him and instantly she looked down.

Neil: I know, you still care for me so there is no need to lie. I know, you are awake for me and were waiting for me.

Avni was surprised and looked at Neil. Neil tapped Avni’s cheek and smiled. Neil took steps back and went to the cupboard. Avni looked at Neil and then she hurriedly went from there. Neil saw her and smiled. Neil sighed and thought.

Avni came into the room while carrying a tray of food. Neil was caressing Neav’s hair and he saw Avni who saw him. Avni took the tray to the table and Neil came there. Neil sat on the long couch and Avni sat on the single couch. Avni made a plate for Neil who was waiting. Avni got up. Avni turned to go but Neil held Avni’s wrist. Avni flinched and looked at their hands and then she looked at Neil who was looking down. Neither Neil said anything nor did he look up. Neil was just sitting by holding Avni’s hand. Avni was looking at Neil and thought. Avni looked at Neil and she sat beside him. Neil smiled and slid the plate to Avni and sat holding his hand with the second hand. Avni slid the plate to her and broke the morsel and took the veg dish Neil smiled. Avni fed Neil who was smiling looking at her. Avni fed Neil who also broke the morsel and fed Avni with curry. They fed each other and then Avni went to keep the vessels.

Avni came into the room and saw Neil standing in the room. Neil looked at Avni. Avni closed the door and went to the bed.

Neil: Avni.

Avni looked at Neil. Neil came to Avni.

Neil: Vidyut called today, Vidyut and Juhi are throwing a party tomorrow in which they will officially announce their relationship.

Avni nodded.

Avni: Hmm, Juhi came today to invite me.

Neil nodded and hesitated.

Neil: So, what have you thought?

Avni looked at him.

Avni: Juhi is my friend so I will go for her.

Neil smiled.

Neil: OK. We will go together.

Avni nodded and Neil smiled. Neil sighed and said okay.

Avni: Good night.

Neil: Good night.

Avni sat on the bed and set the duvet. Avni covered Neav properly and Neil was looking at her.

Avni and Neil were laying on the bed and both were lost in their thought.

The next day, Avni was checking for a dress to wear to a party. Neil entered the room and looked up. Neil saw that Avni was standing near the cupboard and he proceeded to her. Avni saw Neil and shut the cupboard. Neil smiled to see her and Avni saw a shopping bag in Neil’s hand. Neil followed Avni’s gaze and saw the bag.

Neil: Ab.

Neil passed the shopping bag to Avni.

Neil: I have bought a dress for you for tonight’s party.

Avni was about to say.

Neil: Please don’t deny it. Please.

Avni looked down and Neil passed the dress. Avni took the bag. Neil smiled.

Neil: Thank you. Thank you so much.

Avni didn’t say anything.

Neil: and please, Avni, get ready like before. Your Neilu is dying to see his old Avni.

Avni looked down and nodded. Neil sighed happily.

It was the time of the night, the roads were floating with the vehicles and the moon was shining in the sky. Neil entered the room and his breath stopped when he looked at Avni who was standing in front of the dressing table wearing his given dress.

Avni was putting on the earrings and was ready simply but still, she was looking beautiful. Avni’s eyes fell on Neil and Avni felt odd. Neil slowly came to Avni and his eyes were on Avni. Avni turned and looked at Neil but then she instantly lowered her gaze. Neil held Avni’s chin and lifted it up.

Neil whispered: Avni.

Avni felt a shiver in her body. Avni slowly raised her eyelashes and looked at Neil who was looking at Avni lovingly. Avni gulped. Neil smiled.

Neil: Looking beautiful.

Neil kissed Avni’s forehead and cheek. Avni squeezed her eyes. Neil looked at Avni who was standing by lowering her eyelashes. Neil held Avni’s arms and sighed. Avni looked at him.

Neil: Thank you for wearing this dress, you are looking so pretty.

Avni looked down and turned. Neil felt disappointed.

Avni: Ab, where is Neav?

Neil: He is with Mom. I have talked to him.

Avni nodded.

Avni: So when will we go?

Neil: When you say. I am ready. If you are ready then let’s go.

Avni: I am ready.

Neil: Then let’s go.

Avni nodded and she went to the bed to pick up her clutch. Neav entered the room and he was surprised to see Avni. Avni leaned to pick up her clutch and Neav was looking at Avni with open mouth.

Neav: Is she Mama?

Avni and Neil looked at him. Avni stood properly and Neil smiled. Neav rubbed his eyes with open mouth and Avni felt odd. Neav came to Avni and Neil also moved to them.

Neav: Mama, it’s you?

Avni smiled and Neil looked at Avni. Neil sat on his feet and held Neav’s arms.

Neil: Yes, she is your Mama.

Neav smiled.

Neav: Wow… Mama, you are looking so beautiful. Why had you not gotten ready like this before?

Avni looked down.

Neil: Don’t worry, Neav, From now onwards Mama will get ready like this.

Neav: Yeah.

Avneil smiled.

Neil: Now, we are going to the party, don’t trouble Dadi or anyone else. OK.

Neav: Don’t worry, Papa, I am a good boy. An innocent kid.

Avni smiled and Neil nodded.

Neil: That I know how innocent you are.

Avni smiled.

Neav: Of ho, you elders always taunt we kids.

Avneil was surprised and Neil looked at Avni who looked at him and they smiled. Neil tickled Neav.

Neil: You naughty.

Neav and Neil giggled and Avni smiled. Neil captured Neav in his arms and kissed him. Avni adored them.

The venue was decorated beautifully, People were going to it and inside it, the music was playing and People were enjoying themselves. Avni and Neil entered the Venue and they looked around. Juhi and Vidyut were talking to the guests. KK saw Avneil and smiled. KK went to Vidyut and Juhi and told them. Juhi saw Avni and smiled. Juhi came to Avni while running and Avni saw her. Avneil smiled and Juhi stopped.

Juhi: Now you are coming.

Avni smiled and looked down. Juhi hugged Avni who smiled.

Juhi: I was waiting for you for a long...

Neil and the others smiled.

Juhi: Thank God, you came. I thought you would not come.

Avni: Can it ever happen that Juhi calls and Avni doesn’t come?

Everyone smiled. Avni and Juhi broke the hug. Avni cupped Juhi’s face.

Avni: I am so happy for you.

Juhi smiled.

Avni: How are you?

Juhi: Now, I am fine. After all, my mother has come.

Everyone chuckled. Vidyut and Neil met. KK hugged Avni.

KK: How are you, Bhabhi?

Avni: I am fine. How are you?

KK: Good.

Vidyut hugged Avni.

Avni: Congratulations.

Vidyut: How are you?

Avni: I am fine. How are you?

Neil shook hands with Juhi. They met normally. Sonia came and met Avni.

Sonia: Hi, Avni, it is so good to see you.

Avni smiled and Sonia hugged.

Sonia: After such a long time.

They broke the hug.

Sonia: You haven’t changed a bit.

Avni smiled. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil in mind: No, she has changed completely. She is not my older Avni. My Avni was a tigress but she is a broke Avni. She is not my Avni.

Neil looked down.

Later, Neil and Avni were standing near the counter and Neil passed a drink to Avni and he took a glass for himself. Neil talked with Avni who smiled and answered him. Avneil saw that people were dancing and some girls were there.

Juhi and Vidyut were standing with KK. Juhi was giving a deadly glare to him. Vidyut got scared.

Vidyut: I swear, I haven’t called these girls.

Vidyut looked at KK.

Vidyut: KK, you.

KK was shocked and Juhi looked at him.

KK: No, I haven’t called them.

Juhi: Then who has called them?

KK: It must be Vicky’s work.

They looked here and there and saw a man dancing with the girls.

KK: See, he is there. I am 100 percent sure that it is his work.

Vidyut got angry.

Vidyut: This man…

Vidyut glared at the man.

On the other side, Avni and Neil were enjoying the drink and two girls were coming to them. Neil was looking at Avni and he didn’t see the girls. The girls came to Neil and touched his shoulder. Neil looked at the girls and Avneil was surprised. The girls tried to seduce Neil. Avni looked at Neil who was trying to keep away their hands and was stopping them. The girls stopped.

Neil: Sorry, girls but I am not interested. Sorry.

The girls went and Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Sorry.

Avni looked away and sipped her drink. Neil felt bad. Avneil was still standing there and again two girls were coming to him. Neil stopped them with his hand and held Avni’s hand. Avni looked at the hands and Neil showed the hands to the girls.

Neil: My Wife.

The girls smiled and nodded. Neil side-hugged Avni and nodded. Avni looked at Neil and the girls. The girls went from there. Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Avni looked away.

Avni and Neil were enjoying the party. Avni called Shweta and asked about Neav.

In the Khanna mansion, Neav was sleeping and Shweta talked to Avni and then Avni cut the call.

Neil: Neav is fine?

Avni nodded.

Avni: He is sleeping.

Neil smiled and nodded. Someone kept a hand on Neil’s shoulder and Avneil flinched. They looked at the person and it was Vicky. Vicky was drunk. Avni felt uncomfortable.

Vicky: Hey, Neil, my friend.

Neil: Hi. How are you, Vicky?

Vicky: I am fine. How are you?

Neil: Fine.

Vicky: Long time, hmm.

Neil smiled. Avni looked down.

Vicky: Now you are not coming to the parties also.

Avni looked at Neil who looked at her. Neil looked down.

Vicky: We have met after years and our Vidyut has also found a girl so it should be celebrated so we will celebrate it today… Waiter, two drinks.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Vicky. Vicky. Vicky. Vicky. Vicky. Vicky… Vicky.

Vicky: What happened?

Neil: Vicky, I have left alcohol.

Avni was surprised.

Vicky: What?

Neil: Yes.

Vicky: One drink.

Neil: No.

Vicky: Yaar.

Neil: No, Vicky. Thank you.

Neil made an excuse.

Neil: Vicky, Anand is calling you.

Vicky: Me.

Neil: Yes, you… There he is.

Vicky looked there.

Vicky: OK, I am going.

Vicky went and Neil sighed. Neil looked at Avni who looked away. Avni cleared her throat.

Avni: You have left alcohol.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Yes. The thing that became the reason for the dispute between me and my wife, I left that reason. I haven’t touched it for six years.

Avni was surprised and was looking at Neil. Neil smiled. Avni avoided eye contact. They talked and smiled. They were enjoying themselves.

Later, Vidyut and Juhi were standing on the stage. Avneil were smiling looking at them.

Vidyut: Good evening, my friends.

Everyone hooted.

Vidyut: As you all know today I invited you all to announce something very important and now the wait is over. Guys...

Vidyut held Juhi's hand in his hands.

Vidyut and Juhi: We are dating each other.

Everyone hooted and clapped. Avni smiled and clapped.

Vidyut and Juhi: and we are making it official today.

Every hooted. Vidyut took out a ring from his pocket. Avneil remembered their proposal. Tears formed in Avni's eyes and Neil looked at Avni. Vidyut sat on his knee and put on the ring on Juhi's finger. Avneil saw the flashes of their moment. Vidyut kissed Juhi's ring. Juhi blushed. Everyone clapped and Avneil flinched. They came back to the real world. A tear fell from Avni's eye and she wiped it. Neil looked at Avni and wiped his eyes looking away. Neil cleared his throat. Avni heard that and looked at Neil. Neil clapped and Avni looked at Juhi and Vidyut. Avneil clapped.

A trolley was brought on the stage. Vidyut took a bottle and shook it. Everyone hooted. Vidyut filled two glasses and Vidyut and Juhi made each other drink. They cut the cake and fed each other. Avneil smiled and clapped.

Later, Avni and Juhi were standing together and Juhi showed her ring to Avni who smiled. Neil was talking with KK and Vidyut. Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Neil sighed. Avni was smiling and was talking with Juhi. Avni turned her face and her eyes fell on a person and to see that person, her smile faded. Avni was just looking at that person. Neil was talking with KK and Vidyut. Neil looked at Avni and frowned at her. Neil turned his face to the direction where Avni was looking and Neil was shocked. Neil looked at Avni who was still looking at the person. Neil got worried. Avni was looking at the person and Neil was looking at Avni.

So, what do you think who can be the person? Why Avni was shocked to see that person?