Mumbai was deluded yesterday afternoon onwards guys :) chose not to update the story in the interest of keeping phone battery maintained :) now safe and sound back home from office.
Hoping the municipal corporation wakes up. But grateful to mumbai police! I saw people abandoning vehicles and wading through waist deep waters trying to be safe. But saw the policemen too going about their duty in these conditions. Have new found respect for officers and force managing this.

On a separate note, Glad to inform avneil is at #107 in the fan fiction category thanks to your encouragement and support guys. Your votes and comments uplift and inspire me each time!

Now getting back to our story. Will probably sleep for a long time after this as exhausted! :)

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Prakash was glad to see Neil back. Neil looked much better without the blood on him..

Ali had reached there as well. And he had wanted to know how avni got so injured. Prakash had told him the entire truth honestly and unwittingly.

Ali walked to the front as he saw neil come in. And then he did something unthinkable. He held Neil by his collar. Prakash was stunned and tried to mediate.

Prakash -"Ali! Beta ye kya Kar rahe ho! Leave Neil!" (What are you doing son?)

Ali was looking at neil with a funny look. It was as if he was trying to assess Neil's guilt in all this.

Neil did not try to defend himself. If he wanted he would have stood over a defeated Ali in precisely five seconds. But he was non reactive, as if uninterested in defending himself.

Ali spoke in anger -"I'm seeing avni getting hurt for a second time Neil. First time she got a bullet in her chest from her own grandmother Dayawanti. And now it's you.."

Neil didn't speak anything still but something had touched him in this statement. His eyes were less hard now.

Ali continued -"tell me Neil. Was that girl juhi important to you over and above my avni? Did you hurt avni knowingly?"

Neil kept quiet.

Ali held Neil's collar tighter and then left it and pushed him back.

Ali -"I'm repulsed Neil. Repulsed by you and your priorities. I've known avni since childhood. I saw the love and trust she had in you. I'll not stop you from meeting her Neil. Only because I can't. She needs you..unfortunately only you can help and support  her to get out of this. But.. Know this neil. She's not alone. I'm with her. Nanno is alive and with her granddaughter. And this Ali will ensure that Avni always has a home to come back to. If you can't keep her happy Neil, then I'll.."

Ali then turned to Prakash and addressing him said -"I'm going to buy the injections that doctor asked and that were not available here "

And he left without a second look at Neil.

Prakash stepped forward towards Neil and kept his hand on his sons shoulder -"ye kya Neil. Why did you not defend yourself against Ali? Kuch Bola kyun nahi tumne? That why you really helped juhi and what you feel for avni?" (What's this neil..why did you not say something...)

Neil kept quiet with his head bowed down. And then looked up. Prakash looked at his son's eyes and he got his answer. Neil was not defending himself because he felt guilty for Avni's condition.

Prakash did not know what to tell Neil. Maybe he too believed somewhere inside that Neil was right in believing so..

Prakash did not want to unnecessarily complicate the situation. So he patted Neil and changed the topic.

Prakash - "Beta. It is time to see Avni. Go." (..son..)

Neil went ahead to the nurse and then entered the room to see Avni.