Chapter 31:

It was the time of morning, the sun was shining over the Khanna mansion and the birds were hovering over it. Inside the Khanna mansion, Neav entered the room while carrying a sipper bottle. Neav looked up and was shocked to see something. His eyes got widened. He opened his mouth. The sipper bottle fell from his hand.

Avni was standing in front of the dressing table. Avni flinched to hear the sound of falling something and turned. Avni was wearing a red Saree and was looking stunning. Neav was just looking at Avni. Neav came to Avni.

Neav was just looking at Avni. Neav came to Avni.

Neav: Who are you?

Avni frowned.

Neav: and where is my Mama?

Avni: Neav?

Neav was surprised.

Neav: Mama! Mama, is this you?

Avni was confused. Neil was standing at the door leaning to it. Neil was smiling and admiring his wife. Neil stood properly and he was coming to them but his eyes were stuck on Avni. Avni looked at Neil and felt awkward. Avni took her hair behind her ear. Neil was looking at her. Neil looked at Neav and sat on his feet. Neil held Neav's arms and turned Neav to him. Neil cupped his face.

Neil: Yes, she is your mama.

Neil pointed at the picture frame.

Neil: See there.

Neav looked at the picture frame and then he looked at Avni who smiled. Neav looked at Neil who nodded. Neav looked at Avni. Avni sat on her knees and she held Neav's hand in her hand.

Avni: I am your Mama. You wanted me to wear Saree so I fulfilled your wish. You wanted to see me in it, right?

Neav nodded. Avneil smiled. Neav cupped Avni's face and kissed her forehead. Neil smiled and Avni got emotional.

Neav: You are looking beautiful.

Avni smiled and she took Neav's hands and kissed them.

Avni: I am sorry, Neav. I made you away from me. I hurt you a lot, right?

Neav shook his head.

Neav: No, I hurt you.

Neav held his ears.

Neav: I am sorry.

Avni shook her head and took away Neav's hands. Avni hugged Neav.

Avni: I am sorry, Baby. I promise I will not ignore you from now on.

Neil smiled.

Neav: I am sorry, Mama. I promise, from now I will never misbehave with you.

Avni smiled with moist eyes. Neil wiped his tears and smiled.

Neil: Ab, you both will shower your love on each other or will give me a little of it.

Avni and Neav looked at Neil.

Neil: It's ok. I am coming myself.

Neil hugged them. Avni felt odd and Neav giggled. Avneil smiled to hear Neav.

Later, everyone gathered for the breakfast. Avni was feeding Neav with her hands. Neil and the others smiled.

Neav: Mama.

Avni looked at Neav.

Neav: I want to eat that dish.

Avni looked at the chickpea dish.

Avni: No, Neav, it is too spicy. You can't eat it.

Neav made a sad face. Neil smiled and thought.

Neav: I want it.

Neil: Me too.

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: You also can't eat it.

Shweta: Sorry, my children. Actually, I added chili powder to it two times.

Everyone looked at her.

Avni: Don't say sorry, Mummy Ji, we understand. It happens.

Neil nodded.

Neil: Right.

Shweta smiled.

Avni: Neav, you eat it today, I will prepare for you this tomorrow. I promise. OK.

Neav smiled and nodded.

Neav: OK.

Avni touched her face to Neav's face and kissed. Neil and the others smiled.

Neil whispered: I wish, I also got this treatment.

Avni and Neav heard. Neav giggled and Avni felt awkward. Neil smiled to see Neav and then he looked at Avni.

Later, Avni was sitting on the bed and was folding Neav's clothes. Neav entered the room and came to Avni. Neav sat on the bed. It was Sunday so everyone was at home.

Neav: Mama, what are you doing?

Avni: I am folding your clothes. I was free so I thought to arrange the wardrobe.

Neav: Are you done?

Avni: Almost but why?

Neav: I want to sleep in your lap.

Avni looked at Neav. Neav was looking sad.

Neav: I miss sleeping in your lap.

Avni was looking at Neav and felt a sharp pain in her heart. Avni took the clothes and kept the bundle of clothes at the side. Avni signed Neav to come. Neav smiled and he moved to Avni. Neav lay his head in Avni's lap. Avni smiled and caressed Neav's hair. Neav looked at Avni and smiled. Avni also passed a smile to him. Avni was caressing Neav's hair.

Neav: Mama.

Avni looked at Neav and signed what with her eyebrows. Neav signed on his forehead. Avni smiled and got emotional. Avni kissed Neav's forehead who smiled with closed eyes and then he looked at Avni. Avni sang the lullaby Aa leke chalun tujhko ek ase desh main. Avni was caressing Neav's hair and Neav was adoring his mother. Avni was also looking at him. They felt like they had met after ages. Soon, Neav slept because he got peace. Avni got emotional to remember her mother. Avni got lost in her childhood memories. Avni looked at Neav and smiled with tearful eyes.

Neil entered the room while looking at his phone and then he looked up. Neil smiled to see the view in front of his eyes. Neil felt a joy in his heart and he smiled. Neil came forward and Avni saw him. Avneil smiled. Neil came to the bed and sat on it. Neav was sleeping on the one side so Neil sat on the other side. Neil was looking at Avni and Neav. Neil thought and looked at Avni. Neil was lost and then he again looked at Avni. Neil slowly lay on the bed and lay his head on Avni's lap. Avni was surprised and she looked at Neil. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: I also need peace... please give me, my peace.

Avni was already getting emotional. Avni caressed Neil's hair. Neil smiled and closed his eyes. Avni was caressing Neil and Neav's hair. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Avni?

Avni looked at Neil who signed on his forehead. Avni was surprised.

Neil: Please.

Avni lowered her gaze and Neil got upset. Neil lowered his gaze. Avni leaned to Neil and kissed his forehead. Neil was surprised and looked at Avni who lowered her gaze. Neil smiled. Neil moved up and kissed Avni's cheek who was surprised and her breath stopped.

Neil: Thank you.

Neil laid again. Avni felt shy and Neil was enjoying Avni's blush after days.

At the time of the evening, the family spent their quality time in the garden area. They decided to play cricket. Ladies vs. Gentleman. Bheema was umpire. Bheema threw the coin in the air. Avni and Neil were standing with her. The ladies won the toss and they chose to bat.

Avni and Bebe came to bat. Prakash threw the ball to Bebe who hit the ball and Neil caught it. The boy’s team celebrated. Bebe glared at Neil who held his ears. Avni smiled. Shweta came to bat. Shweta came to Prakash. Avneil frowned.

Bebe: Wife’s power.

Shweta whispered: If you out me then get ready to sleep on the couch of the living area for a week.

Prakash was shocked and he got scared. Prakash gulped. Avni frowned and Neil made a face. Shweta took her position. Prakash threw a slow ball to Shweta who hit six.

Neil: Dad.

Neil spread his arms what and Prakash avoided eye contact. Prakash threw slow balls. Avni and Shweta made a run on the last ball and Shweta made 16 runs. Neil got angry. The over got completed. Now Avni and Neil were opposite to each other. Neil threw the ball and caught it. He was giving attitude to Avni who took her position. Neil shook his head. Neil threw the first ball to Avni who hit the ball slowly. Neil smirked to see Avni, which boiled Avni’s blood. Avni looked at Neil and took her position. Avni tightened the grip on the bat and Neil threw the ball. Avni hit the six. Neil was surprised and Avni looked at him angrily. Neil threw the balls and Avni hit two more sixes and Neil was shockingly looking at her. Neil was surprised to know that still Avni plays well. Avni hit two fours and she scored 26. The total score of the ladies' team was 42. The gent’s team had to make 43 score to win the match.

Now it was the turn of Gent’s team.

First Prakash and Neav came for the batting. Shweta balled Prakash and she winked at him. Prakash widened his eyes and the ball hit the wicket. Prakash got out and he was shocked. Neil and Neav made a face. Shweta and Bebe celebrated and Avni smiled. 

Neil came to bat and Shweta balled him. Neil hit two sixes. Neil and Neav ran and made a run on the next ball. Shweta got puzzled and she threw down a slow ball to Neav. Avneil smiled. Shweta threw balls to Neav and she delivered no ball also. Neil and Neav made a run on the last ball. The over got completed so Neav scored 18 and Neil made 13. Avni came and Neav was ready to bat. Neil smiled to see her. Avni threw the first ball to Neav and he hit the ball. Neil and Neav ran and made one run. Now Neil and Avni were opposite to each other. Neil smiled to see Avni. Neil winked at Avni who was surprised. Avni looked at the family members and no one noticed them. Neil smiled and Avni looked at Neil. Neil gave a flying kiss to Avni who widened her eyes and her breath stopped. Neil smiled.

Neil: Avni!

Avni came out of shock and looked at Neil. Everyone looked at Neil.

Neil: What are you waiting for? Got scared.

Avni gave a look to him. Everyone looked at Neil.

Neil: Ball.

Avni looked down and nodded. Neil smiled.

Bebe: Yes, everyone, take your position.

Avni was going to take her position.

Neav: Mama.

Avni looked at Neav. Neav showed thumb up.

Neav: All the best.

Neil was surprised and Avni smiled. Avni did the same. Neil and the others smiled to see them. Avni took her position and then she ran. Avni delivered the ball and Neil missed it. Avni smiled and Neil smiled to see Avni. Avni delivered the next ball and Neil missed it. Neil was shocked to see Avni’s balling. Avni again threw the ball and Neil hit the six. Neil smiled. On the next ball, Neil and Neav took two runs. Now they needed three runs on one ball.

Avni and Neil were ready. Avni ran and threw the ball. Neil hit the ball. Shweta ran to catch the ball. Neil and Neav ran to make the score. Shweta took the ball and threw it to Avni. Avni was ready to catch the ball. Neil and Neav made two runs. Neil was coming to make the last run. Avni caught the ball and hit the wicket. Neil came and he collided with Avni. They were falling. Neil held Avni’s waist and they fell on the ground. 

Neil was on Avni and their eyes were closed. Avni's hair was on her face. Everyone was surprised to see them. Shweta and Bebe opened their mouth. Avneil opened their eyes. Neil was lost to see Avni. Neil took away the hair from Avni's face. Avni closed her eyes and then she looked at Neil. Avni and Neil got lost in each other's eyes and others were looking at them. Prakash looked at Neav whose mouth was open and Prakash went to him. Prakash kept his hand at Neav's eyes and closed his eyes too. Neav took away the hand and Prakash looked at him. Prakash again kept his hand at Neav's eyes who again took away his hands.

Prakash: God.

Prakash picked up Neav in his arms and he was taking him from there.

Neav shouted: Mama.

Avni and Neav were lost in each other's eyes but they came back to reality to hear Neav. Avneil looked at Neav and Prakash stopped and then Avneil looked at each other. Avneil felt awkward. Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Neil moved away and they sat. Neil got up and he forwarded his hand to Avni. Avni looked at the hand and then she looked at Neil who signed her to hold his hand. Avni gave her hand to Neil who pulled her up and Avni hit his chest. They looked at each other. Neil smiled. Neav came to them running and Avneil looked at him. Avni moved away from Neil who looked at her.

Neav: Mama, you won.

Avni smiled and sat on her knees. Avni held Neav's arms.

Avni: We all won. We spent our quality time successfully. Hmm.

Neav nodded.

Neav: But I am happy you won the match.

Avni smiled and hugged Neav. Neil and the others smiled to see them.

After the match, they had evening snacks and tea with their chitchat. Neil looked at Avni and Neav who were talking to each other. Neil smiled to see them.

It was the time of the night, the moon was shining over the Khanna mansion and it peeked into Avneil's room where Avneil was on the bed and Neav was sleeping in between them. Avni was also sleeping but Neil was well awake. Neil was smiling.

Neil saw the flashes of the cricket match. Neil was smiling. Neil saw the flashes of their falling and they got lost in each other's eyes. Neil sighed happily.

Neil in mind: Today, I saw a glimpse of old Avni. I think, now I will get my Avni back soon. My ladydon.

Neil smiled.

Neil in mind: I wish what I am thinking may come true soon.

Neil sighed.

The sun rose and people started their day. The smell of tasty breakfast was flying with the wind and was passing by the streets. In the Khanna mansion also Avni was busy in the kitchen and was fulfilling the promise that she made to Neav.

Avni was preparing breakfast and her hair was caught in a loose bun. Some strands of hair were on her fast and her saree was folded on her waist. She was looking cute and someone was adoring her by standing at the window. It was Neil who was looking at her. Avni prepared the breakfast and she wiped her hands with the towel. Avni sighed happily.

Avni: Done.

Avni smiled. Neil got alert and he hid. Avni went from there. Neil saw Avni going and he smiled.

In the room, Avni came out after getting fresh and a towel was in her hands. The water was dripping from her hair. Avni stood in the room and she wiped her hair with the towel. Neil was coming to the room and he stopped when he looked up. Neil saw Avni and he was mesmerized to see Avni who was wiping her hair with the towel.

Neil took two steps to the room and he closed the door at his back. Avni heard the sound and she looked at the door. Neil locked the door and he turned to Avni who felt shy. Neil smiled to see Avni and he saw the water dripping from Avni's hair. Neil got attracted to Avni.

Neil slowly proceeded to Avni who got nervous. Avni looked at Neil's feet and her feet started to move to the side. Avni got nervous and was moving back. Avni's back hit the wall and looked at the wall. Neil caught Avni in between his arms. Avni looked at Neil and their noses touched. Avni's breath got uneven. Neil smiled. They were looking at each other.

Neil whispered: If you look gorgeous like this then how will I control myself?

Avni felt shy. Neil saw the water dripping from Avni's hair. Neil held Avni's chin and lifted her chin. Avni was looking down. Neil kissed Avni's forehead and Avni closed her eyes. Neil dragged his nose and lips to Avni's nose and kissed Avni's nose. Neil kissed Avni's eyes and caressed his cheek to Avni's cheek and kissed it. Neil kissed Avni's second cheek and then he looked at Avni who's eyes were closed.

Neil looked at Avni's lips and then he looked at Avni's closed eyes. Neil looked at Avni's lips and he leaned to them. Neil claimed Avni's lips and Avni clenched her fist. Neil didn't get any response. Neil held Avni's waist and caressed it but no use. Avni opened her fist and then she clenched her saree tightly. Neil squeezed Avni's waist but got nothing. Avni clenched her saree more tightly and a tear fell from Avni's eye. Neil felt Avni's tear.

Neil looked at Avni and tears fell from Avni's eyes and Neil was shocked. Neil looked down and then he looked at Avni. Neil took the steps back and Avni looked at Neil with moist eyes. Neil lowered his gaze and then he looked at Avni. Neil was shocked and hurt too. Avni was looking at Neil who turned and started to go. Avni was looking at Neil who opened the door and his eyes were moist. Neil went from there.

Avni was looking at the door and Neav came there.

Neav: Mama.

Avni looked away and wiped her tears.

Neav: Mama, sign my diary. You forgot it yesterday.

Avni nodded and took the diary from him. They went to the bed and sat. Avni signed Neav's diary and sighed. Avni looked at the door and she thought.

The whole day, Avni waited for Neil but there was no sign of Neil. The day converted into night but still Neil didn't come home. Avni was sitting on the edge of the bed and was waiting for Neil. Avni was looking worried. Avni heard the sound of the thunder and she looked at the window. Avni got up and got worried.

Avni was walking to and fro in the room and was worried for Neil. Avni was rubbing her hands.

Avni: Neil. Neil, where are you?

Avni was walking into the room. Avni heard the sound of raindrops and she stopped. Avni looked up. Avni was shocked. Avni moved a few steps and she was looking at the window. Avni looked on.

On the other side, Shweta was standing in her room and was looking worried. Shweta was dialing a number. Shweta kept her phone at her ear. Prakash was also standing there and he thought.

Shweta: Tillu, pick up the phone.

Shweta cut the call.

Shweta: Tch.

Swheta again dialed the number. Prakash thought. Shweta again and again dialed Neil's number but got no response.

On the other side, Avni was standing near the window and was looking at the rain.

Avni in mind: Neil, where are you? Please come back. God, please bring back Neil home safely.

Avni sighed and looked out from the window. Avni was waiting for Neil and was looking worried.