Chapter 30:

It was the time of night, the moon was shining in the sky over the Venue which was decorated beautifully from the outside and inside. The people were enjoying the night there. Avneil was also standing with their friends. 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 the person was none other than Maya. Neil looked at Maya and then he looked at Avni. Avni looked at Neil whose eyes were on her. Avni looked down. Juhi and others saw Maya. Everyone got alert except Juhi because she had not seen her before. Neil moved a step to Avni and stood with Avni. Maya saw them and she smiled. Maya came to them with a boy. Avni was not looking at Maya.

Maya hugged Vidyut and congratulated him.

Vidyut: Thank you.

They broke the hug.

Vidyut: Ab, Maya.

Juhi was shocked. Juhi looked at Maya and Vidyut.

Maya: And Maya, she is Juhi. My girlfriend.

Juhi looked at Avni. Maya came to Juhi and hugged her. Juhi was puzzled. Maya saw Avneil. Maya met KK and Sonia and she looked at Neil and forwarded her hand.

Maya: Hi, Neil.

Avni looked at Maya's hand and she was surprised because Maya always hugged Neil when they met. Avni also realized that Neil had not hugged any female friend during the Party. Neil smiled and shook his hand to Maya's hand.

Neil: Hi.

Maya forwarded her hand to Avni and said, Hi. Avni shook her hand to Maya's hand and replied to her, Hi. Maya smiled. Avni noticed a man with Maya. The man met everyone and shook hands with them.

Maya: Good to see you too together after years.

Neil smiled and Avni was looking down. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: He is Kabir, Maya's husband.

Avni was surprised so she looked at Neil who nodded. Avni looked at Maya and Kabir. Avni looked at Neil again who was looking at her. Avni was surprised and then she remembered Neil told her about Kabir. Avni lowered her gaze.

Maya talked with Vidyut and looked at Neil who was ignoring her. Maya felt bad so she went from there. Avneil was looking at Maya and then Neil looked at Avni who thought something.

Sonia: By the way, Neil, you have changed yourself completely.

Avni was looking at Sonia. Neil smiled.

Sonia: You know, Avni, Neil don't let any girl come near him. He doesn't hug girls.

Avni was surprised. Avni looked at Neil who also looked at her and then Neil looked down while smiling.

Sonia: Not even his best friend Maya. Now they are not like before. Neil is loyal to you.

Avni looked at Neil who also looked at her and then Neil looked down.

Avni in mind: Neil was always loyal to me. I misunderstood him.

Avni thought.

Avni in mind: Am I overreacting?

Avni was lost.

Avni in mind: I admit that I misunderstood him but one thing is also there Neil hid the things from me. He lied to me and behaved that way...

Avni was thinking.

Avni in mind:  The story is not only of that one day. The story is of the journey of three years. It is not about one day. It is about three years.

Avni was lost. Neil was looking at her and he sighed. Neil looked at Avni's hand and then he looked at Avni. Neil thought and looked at the people. Neil held Avni's hand who looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil. Neil acted to look at the people but Avni was looking at him so Neil lowered his gaze. Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Avni looked down and then she looked here and there. Neil was disappointed.

Maya was looking at Neil from time to time. She missed the old days and wanted to spend time with her best friend. Avni looked at Maya who was looking at Neil. Avni felt uneasy. The flashes started to hunt Avni. Avni moved from there and Neil saw her. Neil came to Avni. Avni wiped her sweat.

Neil: What happened?

Avni shook her head and was panting.

Neil: Then why are you panting?

Avni gulped and Neil went to get water. Neil came back and made Avni drink water.

Neil: Feeling better.

Avni nodded and gulped. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni talked while looking down: I want to go home.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Now?

Avni nodded.

Neil: OK. First, meet Vidyut and Juhi then we go.

Avni nodded.

Neil: Come.

Avni and went to Juhi and Vidyut.

Neil: Vidyut, now we take your leave.

Vidyut: This early.

Juhi: Avni?

Avni: Juhi, I am not feeling well and Neav is also with Mummy Ji and Papa so...

Juhi: But...

Avni: Please understand.

Juhi saw Maya who was looking at them. Avni followed Juhi's gaze and then Avni and Juhi looked at each other. Juhi nodded.

Juhi: OK, I understand, you go.

Avni smiled. Avneil met Vidyut and Juhi and then they went from there.

Avneil came to the car and got in it. Neil started the car and they went from there. On the way, Avni rested her head on the seat and closed her eyes. Neil looked at Avni and then he focused on the road. Neil smiled.

Neil: Tired.

Avni nodded and said, hmm.

Neil thought.

Neil: Avni, trust me, nothing was between me and Maya.

Avni opened her eyes and looked at Neil.

Neil: I was loyal to you and still I am loyal to you. I have never thought of any other girl except you. I only love you, Avni. I...

Avni: I trust you.

Neil paused for a while. Neil looked at Avni for a few seconds. Avni looked at the road and then she looked at Neil. Neil looked at the road.

Neil: Wh, what did you say?

Avni: I said, I trust you. I know you were loyal to me.

Neil got happy and he smiled. Neil bit his lower lip and smiled. Avni smiled to see Neil. Neil remembered.

Neil: Avni, trust me, I promise, I didn't know that Maya was coming to the party.

Avni looked on.

Neill: If I knew then I would not bring you there. I completely forgot about her. I...

Avni: I know, you had no idea about her arrival.

Neil was surprised. Neil looked at Avni and smiled. Neil focused on the road.

Neil said while smiling: OK.

Avni again rested her head and closed her eyes. Neil looked at Avni and was looking very happy.

Soon, Avneil reached home. A car stopped outside the Khanna mansion and Avneil got down from the car. They moved to the mansion. Avneil entered the mansion.

Neil: First, let's pick up Neav from Mom and Dad's room then go to the room.

Avni nodded. They went to their parent's room and they knocked on the door. Shweta was standing in the room. She looked at the door and went to open it. Avneil was waiting and Shweta opened the door. They passed the smiled at each other.

Neil: Neav?

Shweta turned and pointed at Prakash and Neav. Prakash was sleeping while hugging Neav. Avneil smiled to see them. Avneil and Shweta looked at each other.

Shweta: Grandfather and Grandson are sleeping peacefully by hugging each other.

They smiled.

Neil: I.

Neil signed at Neav.

Shweta: Let him sleep here tonight. If his sleep got disturbed then he would not sleep for hours.

Avneil smiled.

Shweta: So let him sleep here.

Neil nodded and Avni thought. Neil looked at Avni and his heart broke to see Avni lost. He understood what Avni was thinking.

Avneil came into the room. Neil closed the door and Avni stopped. Neil turned to Avni who didn't turn to her. Neil saw Avni and lowered his gaze to think and then he looked at Avni. Avni didn't turn and moved to the cupboard. Avni took her clothes and went to change. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil came to the bed and sat on the foot side. Neil thought.

Neil heard the sound of opening the knob. Neil looked at the door and Avni came out. Avni saw Neil and then she avoided eye contact. Neil got up and was looking at Avni. Avni came forward and stood at some distance. Avni was looking down. Neil got worried.

Avni: Good night.

Neil smiled and nodded.

Neil: Good night.

Avni went to bed and Neil was looking at her. Neil was relieved because he thought today Neav was not with them so Avni would refuse to sleep on the bed.

Avni sat on the bed and lay. Neil was smiling looking at her.

Neil came after changing his clothes and he came to the bed and saw Avni. Neil lay on the bed and thought. Neil turned to Avni and thought. Neil moved to Avni and hugged her from behind and touched his face on Avni's face. Avni flinched and opened her eyes.

Neil: Please don't push me away let me feel my peace.

Avni didn't react. Neil got emotional and kissed Avni's cheek. Avni felt bad and tears also formed in her eyes. Neil hid his face in Avni's neck and cried. Avni gulped and Neil sobbed. Avni kept her hand on Neil's head and Neil smiled while his whole face was wet. Avni touched Neil's face with her hand. Neil smiled and sniffed. Neil wiped his tears and touched his face to Avni's face. Neil smiled and sighed. Neil closed his eyes and slept by sticking to Avni. Avni thought.

It was the time of morning, Avni and Neav were sitting on the bed. Avni was packing Neav's bag. Neav looked at Avni and then he looked at the picture frames of Avni where Avni was wearing Saree. Neav looked at Avni who was in a casual suit.

Neav: Mama.

Avni looked at Neav and then she said Hmm while keeping Neav's book in the book.

Neav: Why you don't wear Sarees?

Avni stopped for a while and then she looked at Neav.

Neav: My friend's Mother wears Sarees. Why you don't wear it?

Avni was puzzled.

Avni: Ab.

Neil was standing at the door. Neil thought and smiled fakely. Neil came into the room and Avni saw him. Neil sat behind Neav on the bed and held Neav's arms. Neav looked at Neil. Avni looked on.

Neil: Because Mama is unwell.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neav: unwell?

Neil: Hmm. You know, she was in hospital.

Neav: But now she is fine.

Avni was looking at them.

Neil: Yes but still she has a walking problem and if she wears a Saree then chances are there that it will stuck in her feet. If it happens then Mama can fall.

Neav was surprised. Avni looked down.

Neav: Oh.

Avni looked at Neav.

Neil: Yes. Once Mama recovers then she will wear a Saree.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Right, Mama.

Avni kept the geometry box in the bag and closed the zip.

Avni: Ab, Neav's bag is packed. I am going to get his lunchbox.

Neav got sad and Neil's smile faded. Avni got up and went from there. Neil and Neav were looking at her. Neil looked at Neav and smiled fakely. Neil talked to Neav who smiled fakely.

Some days passed like this but no change in Avni's behavior. Neil and Neav were missing Avni badly.

It was the time of the evening, Neav was sitting on the sofa in the garden area cupping his face, and was lost in his thoughts. Neil came there in search of Neav and looked around. Neil saw Neav and frowned. Neil came to Neav and smiled. Neil sat beside Neav and ruffled Neav's hair. Neav side-hugged him.

Neil: What happened, tiger? What are you thinking?

Neav sighed and looked at Neil.

Neav: Papa, I am thinking about Mama.

Neil frowned and lowered his gaze.

Neil: She has changed a lot.

Neil looked at Neav who was looking at him. Neav and Neil lowered their gaze. Neav looked at Neil.

Neav: Papa.

Neil looked at Neav.

Neav: I am missing old Mama.

Neil was shocked. Neil felt bad. Neil side-hugged Neav.

Neil: Don't worry, soon old Mama will come back.

Neav: You know, Papa, she was used to playing with me. We were used to playing, going out, and going to eat ice cream. Mama was like my friend...

Neil felt bad.

Neav: Don't know what has happened to her now. I am missing old Mama.

Neil sighed and looked at Neav who wiped his eyes. Neil was shocked.

Neil: Haye, tiger.

Neav looked at Neil and smiled. Neil cupped his face with one hand and kissed his forehead. Neil thought to divert Neav's mind. Neil smiled.

Neil: Ab, tiger, come, let's play football.

Neav smiled and shook his head.

Neil: Come on, Tiger. I am feeling bored. Come let's play.

Neil got up and picked up Neav with his arms. Neil made Neav stand and then he took him from there and they played football.

Avni came to the balcony and saw Neav and Neil playing. Avni smiled. Neil saw Neav smiling and Neil sighed.

Later, Neil was sitting on the couch in his room joining his fingers at his thought. The lights were off. Neil was lost in his thoughts.

Neil: Is our mistake that big that has no forgiveness? That Avni can't forgive us? I admit that I hurt her at an extreme level and I deserve it. Trusting me again is difficult for her. It is not that she is not trying. She is also trying to be normal but she is facing difficulty... Fine, I am ready. I am ready for any punishment but Neav. Why she is doing that to him? He is missing his mother. If she can't forgive me then fine but she may forgive Neav. Her silence and reserved nature are affecting him... I talked to her but still, she is the same... I should talk to her again. She has to be normal with Neav.

Neil thought and nodded.

It was the time of night, Avni came into the room while carrying the jug of water and Neil was sitting on the couch. Neil looked at Avni. Avni came into the room and kept the jug on the side table. Avni saw Neav and smiled. Neav was sleeping. Neil was looking at them. Neil got up and set his shirt. Neil went to close the door and Avni saw him. Neil turned and thought. Neil came to Avni and held her hands in his hands. Avni looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil. Neil sighed.

Neil: I want to talk to you about something important.

Avni nodded.

Avni: Say.

Neil: not here. Neav is sleeping. Come with me.

Neil took Avni from there to the balcony.

The moon was shining in the sky and Avneil was sitting on the couch on the balcony. Avni was looking down and Neil was also looking down.

Neil: Avni. Neav is missing you.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: Your reserved nature is affecting him. Your ignorance is affecting him.

Avni thought.

Neil: I am afraid, Avni, if it continues then we can lose him.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: it can affect his mental state.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Avni, don't forgive me but please behave normally with him. Don't ignore him. He is missing the old days when you were used to playing with him. You were used to taking him out. You were like his friend. He is missing his friend Mama. Please give him his older Mama. Please become like before to him. Please.

Avni nodded.

Avni: I am trying.

Neil: He is your son, Avni. You shouldn't need to try, you should be normal with him. He is a kid if he said something in anger then you should ignore that instead of getting angry. You should talk to him and explain to him instead of keeping your distance from him.

Avni thought. Neil looked at Avni and held her hand in his hands. Avni looked at the hands.

Neil: Avni, Neav is a kid. He wants attention. He needs our attention. He wants a normal happy family like you wanted in your childhood.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: You also craved for a family. You can understand his condition more than us. Please don't do that to him. Be normal with him. Return him, his older Mama. Please.

Avni nodded. Neil smiled.

Neil: Thank You.

Avni nodded.

Later, Avneil was lying on the bed and Neav was sleeping in the center. Neil was sleeping and Avni was lost in her thoughts.

It was the time of the morning, 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. Neav was in shock to see the view in front of him.