Neil parked his car and then helped Avni out of it. He opened the door and led her straight till the bedroom and then went about setting the stuff in order. 

Avni lied down on the bed as she saw and heard Neil doing it. She thought about what had happened over the past few days. She and Neil were betrothed a few days before and now she had broken that marriage to him mentally. She had no regrets. She saw in him her love and her friend, but to remain tied down to him would mean to submit to each whim and fancy that crosses a man's mind, and she was not prepared for anything but complete devotion and expected the same from her man. If he could not do so, she would not torture herself in that sham of a marriage anymore.

Avni knew her views were idealistic, maybe too much so. But her views protected her from the pain that she would feel other wise. They were a shield. Since childhood she had developed certain philosophies, and now it was time to live them. Except that she could not understand one thing, why was Neil still investing time in her. She was a lost cause after all.

As she lay down alone thinking these depressing thoughts, Neil sauntered in.

Neil - "Madam. Today is your first day outside of hospital food. Let me whip up something."

Avni - "No. I will order something simple and healthy from outside"

Neil - "Oh. So you want to take away my chance at revenge away?"

Avni was surprised - "Revenge?"

Neil - "Yes madam. Jo maine aapke haathon ka bana poha itni baar khaya hai. Aur chai itni baar pi hai. Without any complaints if I may add that! Ab it is time for giving it back!" (I have eaten your handmade food and tea..now it is time to give it back to you!)

Avni smiled despite herself - "Jaisa tum chaho Neil. I am not particular about food" (As you wish Neil)

Neil blurted out - "IF not particular then why make faces at hospital food! Caught your lie!"

Avni - "NEIL! Now will you torture me with your poor jokes since i am a captive audience. Thodi humanity rakho please and make something tasty for me!" (Keep some humanity..)

Neil grinned and gave her a mock salute and then he left the room. Avni had softened a bit. Her idealized version of the world and things had perhaps made her react a bit hardly on Neil. Even though it had given her peace, but was she right? She shook her head, she cannot be going back on her decisions now. She had to be stronger than that!

Soon Neil came in again with some piping hot meal and they had a blast after that! They joked and ticked each other off and then made up in the usual way through more jokes! 

Neil was happy and Avni was happy. If anyone had seen on the outside they would have thought them to be the most loving husband and wife. But the invisible wall stayed between them, they both did not acknowledge it. 

A couple of days passed away like this. Avni was getting better with Neil at her side. They did not want to think about it much that what would happen after she recovered..The time together seemed more precious than ever as the sword of doomsday of separation hung on their heads.

A nurse would visit each day to give Avni some injections and a sponge bath. That day she called off sick, as Neil tried calling for another nurse Avni stopped him..

Avni walked up slowly to him and made him keep the phone - "Let it be Neil. I can do it myself.."

Neil - "What injections or bath?"

Avni - "Both."