*peeping out of the curtain* 👀👀

Check karo kisi ke paas joota, chappal, tamatar etc etc to nahi hai kya?

Huff....

Sorry guys I know this is super duper late. But please please bare with me... As this session is about to end we are being put under a huge pressure by the college. N number of assignments and xyz number of projects with exams dancing on my head. 🥺🥺

I cannot be regular but I'll try to update as soon as I get some time.

*********
Let's start. 😊

Neil opened the door with the spare key and went inside.

He was shocked to see....

The whole room is messed up.

But the one whom His eyes were searching, was nowhere to be seen.

Neil: avni.... (Softly) avni....

He searched in the bathroom.

She was not there.

Then he moved towards the kitchen counter.

His heart stopped beating for a while.

Avni was laying on the floor unconscious.

Her face was having tear stains. Hair messed up.

Neil immediately rushed towards her.

He placed her head in his lap and patted her cheeks.

Tears were rolling down his eyes. He was taken over by the fear of losing her 'again'.

Neil: avni... Avni aankhein kholo please... (Tears rolling down his eyes) avni please na...

He picked her up and layed on bed.

Neil immediately called a doctor.

Doctor checked avni.

Doctor: Mr Khanna... She's fine... Ab khatre se bahar hai... Par aisa lagta hai jaise kal raat inhe phir se panic attack hua tha...

Neil: sorry doc woh... Kal main yaha nahi tha...

Doctor: aapko samajhna hoga Neil.. Avni ki haalat bohut naazuk hai... Khud ko express na kar pane ka dar usko andar se barbaad kar raha hai... Aise akela chhod dena.. Isse uska dar insecurity aur badh jaayegi... Aap please dhyaan rakh na aage se...

Neil nods.

The doctor left.

Neil: avni... (Sitting on the bed near her) I'm sorry... Pease maaf kar dena mujhe... Pata nahi itna careless main kaise ho sakta hoon... I'm sorry..

Avni frowns in sleep.

She began sweating and shaking her head.

She got up with a jerk.

She was panting heavily.

She saw Neil in front of her and threw herself on him.

She hugged him tightly.

Neil was stunned by her action but composed himself and hugged her back.

Avni's tears were wetting his shirt.

Neil pats her hair in order to calm her.

Neil: avni, I'm sorry... Mujhe aisa careless nahi hona chahiye tha... I'm sorry please mujhe maaf kardo...

Avni broke the hug.

She looked at Neil.

Both share an 👀🔒👀
(Yaha bhi aagya yeh 😜)

Neil: (with teary eyes) I promise avni aage se aisa kabhi nahi hoga... Please mujhe ma...

He could not complete when avni placed her hand on his mouth and nods in no.

Neil smiles lightly.

Neil: ab main kabhi tumhe akela nahi chhodunga... (Cupping her face)

Neil kissed her forehead.

Avni closed her eyes feeling it.

Neil realised.

He seperated from her.

Neil: (looking here and there) I'm sorry... Woh galti... Tum fresh ho jao main breakfast bana ke laata hoon...

Avni nods.

Tears rolled down her eyes.

She silently went to the washroom.

Neil stood in the kitchen.

Neil: how could you Neil? Kiss kar diya tune.... Pata nahi kya soch rahi hogi woh...

He started making breakfast.

Avni came out sat on the bed looking at Neil.

Feeling a gaze at him Neil looked up but avni averted her eyes.

Neil continued doing his work.

Neil got the breakfast to avni.

He fed her.

Avni too made him have some.

Few days passed.

One evening avni was sitting in the balcony looking at the setting sun. She was holding a photo frame in her hand.

Avni smiled recalling Neil.

Avni's POV

Maa aap humesha kehte the na ki meri zindagi mein bhi ek farishta aayega jo mujhe duniya ki har buri cheez se bachayega... To shayad woh neil hi hai.
Thanks Neil meri zindagi mein ek angel ban ke aane ke liye.... Main tumse kabhi keh nahi paungi par... I love you Neil. Aaj se nahi balki college se... Tum mere senior the... Maine kabhi kaha hi nahi.... Humesha tumhe dekhti thi... Chhup chhup ke.. (Smiles) riya to kehti thi ki sach bata doon tumhe par.... Shayad main rejection se darti thi.... (Recalling her past) farewell ke baad jab ghar gyi to pata chala ki mom ka accident ho gya hai... Stairs se gir gyi thi... Mujhe dar lagne laga... Jab main mom ke paas gyi to (cries)

Flashback

Neela maa was laying on the hospital bed, looking tired and pale.
She had an injury on her head.

Avni silently went near her with baby steps.

She sat on the stool next to her.

Neela smiled weakly.

Neela: (slowly) baccha.... Apna khayaal rakhna...

Avni: maa doctor ne kaha hai aap jaldi theek ho jaoge..

Neela shook her head weakly and smiled lightly looking at her.

Avni felt something wrong.

She bit her lips to stop her crying.

Avni looked at neela...

Neela too looked at avni one last time and closed her eyes forever.

That day avni broke.

She could not say anything.

Soon the last rites were performed.

The very next day ketan took avni to shimla.

Avni was sitting sadly in her room when ketan came to her and said that he have decided to make avni marry vidyut pandit.

Vidyut was son of powerful ex-MLA he was a womanizer and gets what he wants.

Avni didn't want to get married to him but she had no way no reason to back off.

Soon she was married off.

On her wedding night vidyut came home drunk.

Avni was scared to see him like this.

She feared to loose herself to him.

She had always dreamt of giving herself to a man whom she had loved.

It was definitely not vidyut.

She wanted to get out of this marriage.

Two months passed.

Till now vidyut had never tried to come close to her.

He would spend his time out with call girls and stuff.

Avni was kept at home to work as his servant.

she was thankful to God that he hadn't tried to get her.

One day while she was preparing coffee for vidyut.

She accidentally dropped it on a file vidyut was working on.

Vidyut shot an angry gaze on her.

That was the day her hell begin.

Vidyut got up a yanked avni towards himself from her hair.

Avni hissed in pain.

She tried to get out of his grip but it tightened even more paining her.

Vidyut: you dumb woman... Ek kaam dhang se nahi hota tujhse?

He roared before giving her tight slap.

Avni lost her balance and fell on the floor.

Tears made their ways.

From that day onwards avni was a punching bag for him.

He would vent out all his frustrations on her.

Whenever she tried to resist she was given more of slaps and punches.

One day while avni was sitting in her room crying on her fate, vidyut came to her.

He sat near her while avni moved back in fear.

Vidyut: tumne abhi tak khana nahi banaya kya? (Feigning innocence)

Avni nods in yes.

Vidyut: bana diya? (Smirks) par mujhe to kuch aur ho cheez ki bhookh hai. (Eying her lips)

Avni's eyes widen of shock. She shook her head in no.

Tears began rolling down her eyes.

Vidyut: oh come on avni....jhoothi hi sahi....biwi to hona tum meri.... (smirks) aur isiliye main jo chahe woh karunga....samjhi tum? (Angry)

She joined hands in front of vidyut.

She was pleading him but that devil never payed heed to her.

He started moving towards her while avni moved backwards until she hits the wall.

Vidyut smirks.

His hands reached up to pull her dupatta.

Avni clenched it not leaving even for a millisecond.

He grew angrier and slapped her hard.

Avni hits the table blood began flowing from her forehead.

Vidyut ripped apart her dupatta and started to move ahead.

Avni decided to give one last try.

Her hand reached up for a vase placed on the table.

She smashed it hard on his head.

Vidyut stepped back holding his head.

Taking this as a chance avni ran away towards the hallway.

Vidyut got himself together and started shouting her name.

He was constantly demanding avni to come back.

But avni never turned back she gathered all her strength and ran on the road.

Vidyut was still following her. Avni sped up on an unknown road.

She was not aware that where that road will take her.

She looked back while running just to see if vidyut was there when she collided with someone's hard chest.

It was where she met Neil.

Flashback ends.

Tumhe nahi pata neil ki us din mere raaste mein aake tumne mujhe kitni badi mushkil se bach liya tha.. Jab tum mere aage ek diwar ban ke khade ho gye the main bata nahi sakti ki kitna sukoon mila tha mujhe. Kaash main kabhi bol kar tumse keh sakti ki kitna pyaar karti hoon main tumse... (Smiles through tears)

POV ends.

she got up and looked at the time it was almost time for Neil to return.

She went to kitchen and started preparing for dinner.

Soon the door bell rang and avni opened the door.

It was Neil she smiled widely seeing him but her smile faded when she saw that there was girl with Neil.

She frowns looking at her. Neil made way and brought that girl inside.

Avni stood quietly examining that girl.

Neil: avni... Isse milo yeh hai mitali meri friend and mitali yeh hai avni... (He stopped as there was nothing else to tell about avni) avni looks on.

She was brought back when mitali extended hand for handshake.

Mitali: hey avni... Kaisi ho?

Avni just smiles meekly and went away.

Both Neil and mitali sat on the couch. They were chatting and enjoying their time together. Avni stood on the kitchen making them snacks.

Mitali puts her hand on Neil's right thigh while they were laughing on a joke.

Here avni was burning in jealousy.

She was feeling hurt seeing Neil and mitali this close.

She deliberately threw a bowl on the floor.

Neil: avni are you okay? (Sitting there only)

Avni nods and signs.

Mitali: you should be careful avni...

Avni nods and turned her face.

Avni (in mind) careful ki chachi... Mera Neil hai woh kaise chipak rahi hai uske saath chipkali kahi ki... (Making faces)

Soon mitali left.

Avni and Neil both sat having dinner.

Neil started conversation.

Neil: avni... Pata hai mitai na meri training ke time se friend hai... Hum log ne saath mein bohut mazze kiye... Pata hai.... Pehle pehle jab hum mile the na sab kehte the ki ek din meri aur mitali ki hi shadi ho jaayegi (laughing)

Avni's heart sank listening this.

She silently stood up and went to the kitchen keeping her pate there. Soon Neil too finished and both went to sleep.

Neil on the couch and avni on the bed.

Neil slept immediately with a content smile but avni was wide awake.

She was thinking about mitali and Neil.

Avni: (in mind) main itna lyi soch rahi hoon.... Sach hi to kaha Neil ne... Mitali uske saath zyada acchi lagti hai... She is confident and independent hai... Aur main... Main to bas ek tooti huyi ladki hoon jo apne dil ka haal tak nahi bol sakti... Neil ko khush rehne ka pura haq hai par mere saath woh kahi khush nahi reh paayega... I think ab mujhe Neil se door chale jana chahiye... Bohut ho gya hai main ab us par bojh ban ke nahi reh sakti.

She wiped her tears and silently got up.

She went to the cupboard taking a bag out and started stuffing her clothes in it.

Tears were making there way down her eyes.

She went to the bed side table and saw Neil's photo there.

She picked it up but just then her hand struck with the glass and it fell down making a loud noise.

Neil woke up with a jerk.

He saw avni who was scared.

He immediately rushed towards her and cupped her face.

Neil: avni are you okay? Lagi to nahi? Bolo na.. Mera matlab tum theek ho na. Kahi lagi to nahi?

Avni just looked on.

Neil sighs and looks around. He frowns to see a bag packed with her clothes.

Neil: avni... Yeh sab kya hai? (Frowns)

Avni looks on.

Neil: avni main bol raha hoon kya hai yeh sab? (A bit sternly)

He saw a piece on paper laying on the bed. He immediately took it.

His eyes widen of horror.

It was a letter written by avni which states that she was leaving her since she don't want Neil to spoil his life for a broken girl like her. She also mentioned that Neil will always remain in her heart as a friend. And Neil should forget her.

Neil's eyes immediately turned red.

He clenched his jaw.

He was angry at her.

His hands crushed that paper he was holding.

He was shaking with anger. Tears were forming in his eyes.

Avni looked at him scared. She had never seen Neil so angry.

Neil: kya hai yeh sab avni?

Avni looked down not facing him.

He jerked her from her shoulders and made her face him.

Avni swallowed a lump down her throat.

Neil: tumhe lagta hai ki tum mere upar bojh ho? (Gritting teeth)

Avni nods fearfully.

Neil tightened the grip on her shoulder

Tears rolled down avni's eyes. She looked at him.

Neil takes a deep breath but his anger was no where to go calm.
He immediately placed his lips on her.

He attacked those soft lips harshly biting and sucking them.

Avni could not process anything she just held on Neil's shoulder. After venting out all his anger Neil left her.

He looks at her face.

Neil: (panting heavily) I love you avni... I love you.... Aaj se nahi kab se... I love you.... Tumne socha bhi kaise ki tum mujh pe bojh ho... Meri jaan ho tum. Us haalat mein maine dekha tha tumhe... Mar gya tha main usi ek pal mein.... Jaan nikal gyi thi meri... Mujhe..

Avni looked at him with welled eyes.

Neil realised what he had just done.

Neil: punishment thi yeh tumhaari... Yeh kiss mujhse door jaane ke baare mein sochne ke liye... Agar phir kabhi aisa socha bhi na to....

Avni still looks on.

Neil cups her face.

Neil: avni... Mujhe pata hai is tarah se nahi hona chahiye tha yeh par... Par main nahi seh sakta tumhe mujhse door. College mein jab tumhe pehli baar dekha tha Tabse hi pyar kar baitha tumse... Kabhi kaha nahi... Us din jab tum mujhe phir mili tab toot gya tha main us haalat mein dekh ke tumhe... Apni zindagi mein sirf tumhe chaha hai maine avni aur humesha chahta rahunga... Kabhi mujhse door mat jaana please...

Avni could not hold back anymore. She threw herself in his arms and wept. Those tears were of happiness... She got her love...

Neil hugged her back. Both stayed there for a while.

Neil wipes her tears.

Neil: avni i promise main bohut jald tumhe apna bana loonga... Bas tum mera saath dena...

Avni nods and kept her head on his chest while Neil leaned back to the headboard.

Both stayed in each other's arms that night.

Neil felt as if he had achieved all of this world. He smiled.

Avni on the other hand was wondering how could she be so Lucky that she got her love.

I think she had not yet known that love is to be claimed which Neil did today.

Now few days went by.

One evening avni and Neil were sitting in the balcony enjoying the sun set.

There was a knock at the door.

Neil: (frowns) is waqt kon hai?

He went to the door and looked the peephole.

He was shocked.

TBC...

Well...... Here it is...

Do tell me if you liked it or not.

One more part and this short story will reach its final destination 😉

Until then ...

take care
😍