@cajahnavi350 thanks a lot for the wonderful words.

She did feel some weight was lifted after she spoke with him. Indeed she knows there is nothing anyone can do about the issues she has when she herself can't.

There Neil had visited Neela to have a chat with her. Looking at him she knew that it's something that's bothering him.

Neela- what's happening?

Neil-(sighs) I am missing the old days. At least she was speaking normally. Although she was this complicated but at least I was not at all observant about it.

Neela-( smiles lightly) it's just some change you will soon find a way out. Why are you so down today?

Neil- it's not that I don't want her to be the carefree girl but when today I sit and look at how she has  been through her life struggling all the way. How can she be able to trust anyone with her heart? Rather how will she come out of her memories and plights?

I might want to be there for her. I can't blame her for her thoughts and what else can I do so that she will be able to trust me?

She has a whole life in front of her but if she is just living like this will that be enough?

After Arjun I too had pushed people around me and not wanting to open up come what may. While mine was just a phase but for her it's her life. She has someone who died in front of her, somewhere getting punished for the same for years.

I can try to be a by her side but for her to take that is a big challenge whether we like or not as she has cultured herself in that way.

Neela could understand what he had to say and at the same time wanted to respect destiny and let nature set the course of action for them.

Soon they left,since Avni did not have the mood to go back home, she stayed back.

Neil too had to stay back as there was some patient who needed him.

She was as usual busy with the patients to keep her mind off wandering.

It was midnight 4 when Neil had completed the treatment for the patient when he saw her dozing in an uncomfortable position.

He could make out that she would strain her neck, so without disrupting her sleep, he softly adjusted her neck and left.

He was in the post op and had to wait till morning. He thought to sit beside her for a while.

He was just looking at the window she was facing. Indeed the night seemed quiet and beautiful unlike the turmoil she would be facing looking at the sky.

He was also tired and hence was leaning against the chair. Unaware that he too slept there.

Soon hours passed by and Avni finally woke up. Avni wanted to get up but could not as Neil was sleeping on her support. She tried to steady him but he was fast asleep.

Not wanting to disturb his slumber she sat there. For a while she was happy that there was someone with her. Not as anything but just a mere thought that someone was accompanying her made her feel good.

There Neil could sense some movement and understood that she had woken up but did not want to make her uncomfortable so pretended to be asleep.

After a while when she stopped moving he looked at her, there was a slight smile on her face.

By just staying for a while how can anyone feel so happy? Wondered he but the fact is right here with the lady's smile.

He then slightly moved and before he could realise it was her who held his head properly. He could see slightly from his eyes. She then adjusted the chair and made him sleep comfortably.

With that she just stretched and was leaving asking the nurse to inform the coming doctor of the status.

Since the nurse was kind enough asked her to go back home.

Nurse- didi! Ghar chale jao and so Jana. Aise hi kum kaam hota hai yaha ki aap raat mein bhi ruk gaye.

Avni- koi nhi Vimla. Hota hai vaise bhi kal mujhe neend nhi aa rhi thi isiliye ruk gyi mein yaha. Vaise bhi ek acchi baat batau? ... Aaj meri chutti hai so ghar jaake mein vohi karne wali thi.

Nurse- kya didi! Chutti ke din kaun hi hai jo sota hai. Bahar jao thoda ghumo , phiro and maze karo.

Avni- idea accha hai !! Let's see kya karti hu mein.

Nurse- vaise agar aapko nhi pata to batati hu, yahi paas ke ground me ek bada sa exhibition laga hai. Jaake kuch khareed lo apne liye.

Avni just winked and thanked her and left.

He wondered how a person can be so happy after having a bad mood the other night?

Soon he woke and was about to go when he thought to check on the children's ward.

The moment he reached there he heard the laughter in the ward. Easily blended was one of the big children with others. He wanted to capture that on his phone and so he clicked the images unaware of someone watching him.

As Ali too was passing by he looked at Avni enjoying with kids and then at this boy who was looking at them.

Ali- Yu aise taadna galat baat hai mere bhai.

Neil looked at him with a smile and replied- kisne bola tujhe mein taad raha hu. Doctor hu inka meri marzi jaise inspect karu.

Ali- sahi hai lekin doctor ho microscope nhi jo idhar se hi inspect kar loge aur vaise bhi bacche to bahana hai asli vajah to humari behena hai.

Neil looked at him with an irritated face.  Kia na tune start, subhe subhe hi kar dia start kya bolu ab mein tujhe.

In the meanwhile Avni came out of the ward and saw them chatting. She was about to go when Ali saw her.

Ali- accha ab hum aapke hai kaun wala vibe degi madam?

Avni- arey , i thought you were discussing something to baad mein milti.

Ali- koi naa! Aaj kal madam ka appointment lena padta hai milne. VIP Jo hai.

He liked looking at their banter. That's one of thing which might get her the true happiness in spite of many other things.

Avni- vaise aaj yaha kaise?

Ali- kuch kaam tha and then back. What's the plan for today?

Avni- aur kya hoga other than sleeping. And lastly dinner with my favourite thing?

Ali-(rolls his eyes) Avni! Zindagi mein hum ek baar jeete hai aur ek baar marte hai...

Before he could continue.

Avni- ab please ye mat kehna jaa jee le apni zindagi. Like dude where do you get all this from?

Karan too was passing by and saw these two monkeys and joined them.

Karan- dhanya bhaag humare Jo aap hume mile....(looking at Avni)

Immediately he had to hold his leg thanks to the lady who kicked him hard.

Karan- meine kya Kia ab..

Avni- you and this boy kya hai ye sab dhanya bhaag and all?

Karan- vaise sun na aaj na mujhe bada accha idea aaya hai.

Avni looks at his face and immediately - no... I am not in.

Karan- are sun to le. Aise kaise mana Kia?

Avni- Teri shakal pe likha hai ki tu kuch plan kar rha hai. Tere plans aaj tak kuch na kuch problem me daalte hai and isiliye..

Karan- isiliye hi to tujhe leke jaata hu. Daat kum padti hai.

Avni- ( irritated face) hu kaun mein? Mother India? Vaise tumhe last daat khaye time hi kitne hua hai? Is baar kaunsi ladki hai?

Karan-( looks lost) ek hi hai....

Again gets a smack at his shoulder

Karan- maara kyu hanikarak ladki?

Avni- what did you mean by ek hi hai? Aur kitni chahiye?

Karan- I mean vo Jo humko signal pe mili thi...

Avni- aur kisne bola she will be interested in you?

Karan- hey senorita! Except for you sab ko mein pasand hu and things fall in place when karan is there you know. Chal na!!

Ali- vaise problem to nhi hai . Teri to vaise bhi chutti hai. Aur chutti sone ke liye nhi hoti meri maa!!

Avni was irritated and made face

Ali- mu kyu bana rhi hai. I know Karan is boring but still...

Karan gave him a kill you look.

Avni- aur nhi to kya. Sab log ne laga rakha hai chutti sone ke liye nhi hoti. What if mujhe Sona ho? Nhi milega?

Neil was laughing at her antics as he knew she had been taught by someone earlier today and now again! Oops bad timing Ali!

Ali- nhi (pretends to think) so to tu sakti hai lekin... Chal na kahi bahar problem kya hai. Vaise bhi yahi rehti hai ya phir ghar me.

Avni- Aaj mein shopping pe jaa rhi hu. You boys enjoy by yourself.

Karan- kya lene jaa rhi hai( smirks) kiske liye lene jaa rhi hai? Kyu lene jaa rhi hai.

Avni- mujhe na lagta hai tum log ko subhe subhe hi kuch kaam nhi hai. And what do mean kya lene jaa rhi hai. Shopping ka matlab hota hai jo chahiye us se bhi jyaada le lo. Mujhe kaise pata hoga  kya lene wali hu?

Ali saw Neil listening to their banter and thought to get him in as well.

Ali- ab tu hi bata Neil. Insaan ko chutti pe kya karna chahiye? Vo bhi dosto ke hote hue.

Neil looked at him as if he dropped an unannounced bomb on him. Avni too tried to stay normal.

Neil- jisko Jo karna hai bhai. Let me go and change. Will leave in a while.

With that he went and Avni was bargaining with these guys. And finally she too started to leave.

At the entrance both again met.

Avni just briefly smiled and was about to leave when he said.

Neil- are you going home?

Avni nodded as yes and was moving when he again stopped.

Neil- let me drop you.

Avni - it will be the opposite travel for you. Let it be I will manage.

Neil- it's okay. Let's go

She knew protesting will be of no use hence she sat quietly.

Neil- so why were you at the hospital?

Avni- just to clear my mind

Neil- were you so filled that you could sleep on the chair instead of the dorm?

Avni- sometimes it's not comfort but the reality that kicks in to get you an escape for a period to face them more encouraged.

Neil- reality is the point of view that we have to analyse any situation. While yesterday you were upset about many things but one thing if that can help you. I assure you that all the questions you have in your life , I can't completely erase that but let's create a new memories.

Your fears, struggles and troubles I might not be the one available at that time to help you with that but going forward i want to be a part of this journey.

Avni was taken aback by his words and had no words to say. For him it were her eyes who said it all.

After composing her sudden reaction she said - thanks for the intent. Not many would have thought about helping me but your mere thought is more than enough for me to be greatful about.

My intentions were never of pushing you away or so but it's just the way it is. I have never been in anyone's company may it be the saddest of the sad days or happiest of happy.

For years I have managed like that and I wish to keep it the same. Please don't get me wrong you are not the one I am referring to but a lot of things happen when I have people around me and that ultimately doesn't go down well.

Neil stopped the car and looked at her - i know your worries and hassle which you are considering in mind. Let me at least try as I am one asking you for that, it won't be a problem.

Just think of it as my way to repay you back for all the help you did for Aryan.

Avni could not say anything given the sincerity in his eyes and just nodded.

After a while they reached her place and she invited him over for tea but he denied.

Neil- since you have the off today why not try and have the celebration for this milestone you took by having the dinner?

Avni agreed and left to get herself relaxed. Taking her own time to get ready with the hot shower. She sat in the garden writing her dairy.

Days passed by and so the circumstances. Today i have taken a step ahead and not sure what is in for future. Hoping things to finally fall in place.

Sipping on her coffee and enjoying the sunlight. She was engrossed in her bubble when she heard her phone vibrate.

It was a notification of the people missing her dearly. A smile came across her face and she texted back.

Avni- Hiiii Guys!!

Akash - uth gyi madaam?

Ali- haa log sothe hai aaj kal apni chutti pe.

Karan- dhanya bhaag humare Jo vip padhare!!

Avni - @karan 😡

Mitali- vaise aaj itne messages kaise?

Angie - kyunki liye we have to partyyyyyy!!

DD - waah! Let's go.

Sunheri- says the one on shift 🤣🤣

Avni- no party and nothing doing!!

Karan-🥹 kyun?

Avni- i am meeting a friend and already having dinner with him.

DD- ye him kaun hai bhaiyaa @ali.🤔

Ali- mujhe kya pata hoga. Mein kaunsa detector hu?

Angie - vaise who is the lucky one?

Avni- hai koi ... Baad me batati hu!!

Karan- 😞 Tera dhyaan kidhar hai , ye tera hero idhar hai!!

Avni- alright now stop everyone 🤫 see you guys tomorrow. Also let's have lunch together.

She ended the conversation after a while and went to complete some works.

Tbc