It was the time of night, the moon was shining over the the Khanna mansion and it peeked into Avneil’s room where Avni was sitting on the bed and Neil was sitting on the couch. Neil thought and then naughty Neil woke up and he smiled. Neil nodded and he looked at Avni.

Neil: ok, Shuna. Is it ok?

Avni was shocked.

Shanaya: yes. It sounds so nice from your mouth.

Neil smiled and Avni got angry.

Neil: so sweet.

Shanaya: Main aap ki bohat bari fan hun. I just love the way you talk and the way, you desrcribe love is, is just outstaning.

Avni raised her eyebrows and Neil saw Avni from the corner of his eyes. Neil controlled his smile.

Shanaya: and jab tak main aap ki awaz nahi sunti mujhe nend hi nahi aati.

Avni raised her eyebrows and Neil smiled to see her expressions but he acted that he is smiling because he is talking to Shanaya.

Shanaya: I also follow you on social media. You look so hot in police uniform.

Shanaya laughed. Avni fumed and Neil stole gave at Avni who looked him and Neil looked at the laptop instantly.

Shanaya: you are so dashing. I like your every post.

Neil: Thank you. Thank you so much, Shuna. Thank you.

Avni looked at Neil like a hungry lioness.

Shanaya: and I made an edit for you. I tagged you on that and you liked my edit.

Avni was looking at Neil like she is ready to hunt him.

Neil: really?

Shanaya: yes. Even you shared that on your story.

Neil: ooo yeah, yeah, I remember that. That was so beautiful.

Shanaya: thank you.

Neil smiled and he looked at Avni who was red now because of anger. Neil smiled. Neil talked to Shanaya and Avni was looking at him angrily.

Neil: yeah, say.

Shanaya: I want to dedicate you a song.

Avni fumed. Neil smiled.

Neil: oh so sweet. Say.

Shanaya: falak tak chal sath mere.

Avni was shocked and she got angry.

Neil: ok. I love this song.

Shanaya chuckled and Avni got angry.

Neil: ok, Shanaya, I really enjoyed talking to you.

Shanaya: same here.

Neil: ok, bye.

Shanaya: Bye.

Neil cut the call.

Neil: so, it was Shanaya. Such a cute girl.

Avni narrowed her eyes.

Neil: OK, So now it is time to say bye but will meet you soon. As I always say, Phir milenge. So show ko khatam karte hain Shanaya ki request ke sath. She dedicated me a song, Falak tak chal sath mere.

Neil played the song and removed the headphones. Neil sighed.

Neil: cute girl.

Avni got angry. Soon, the show ended and Neil got up. Neil sighed and stretched his body.

Neil went to get fresh and then he came back. Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position. Neil sat on the bed at the foot side and he turned to Avni who was ready the book or I say, she was pretending to read. Neil saw Avni is ignoring him so he thought. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: kya kar rahi ho?

Avni: I am washing the utensils.

Neil nade a face.

Neil: very funny.

Neil: mera matlab tha ke kya parh rahi ho?

No aswer. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil faked a smile.

Neil: coffee piogi?

No reply.

Neil: Avni!

No answer.

Neil: Avni, main tum se baat kar raha hun.

Avni shut the book and kept it on the bed angrily.

Avni: Nahi.

Neil flinched.

Neil: Aram se, Avni, itna chilla kyun rahi ho?

Avni: Main chilla rahi hun? Main?

Neil nodded and said, han.

Avni: han, ab to mera bolna chilana hi lagega na tumhe. Ab social media per beautiful, Sweatie, Cutie, Shuna jo mil gai hain.

Neil was looking at Avni and then he burst into laugh.

Neil: don’t tell me, tum Shuna se jealous ho rahi ho.

Avni: Jealous my foot.

Neil was laughing. Avni got angry.

Avni: Neil, husna band karo warna dant tor dungi tumhare.

Neil stopped laughing instantly and then he laughed.

Avni: Neil.

Neil: Yaar, is main jealous hone wali kya baat hai?

Avni: Main jealous nahi ho rahi.

Neil saw Avni in anger and he stopped laughing. Neil thought now it is going beyond the limit. Neil signed relax.

Neil: Relax. Main Mazak kar raha tha.

Avni looked angry. Avni tried to control her anger.

Neil: acha batao coffee piogi. Acha feel hoga.

Avni: Nahi. Jaa kar apni us Shuna ke sath pio na. Kitne pyaar se Shuna, Shuna kar rahe the. So sweet. Thank you so much, Shuna. Falak tak chal sath mere.

Neil was smiling.

Avni: Jao. Jao apni Shuna ke pass. Jaa ke apni Shuna ke sath coffee pio. Waise bhi jab tak woh tumhari awaz naa sune usay nend kahan aati hai. Jao us ke sath falak ghumne. Falak per jaa kar coffee enjoye karo.

Neil was smiling.

Avni: Main chali sone.

Neil was shocked. Avni slided and layed while covering her completely with the duvet. Neil smiled and Neil came to Avni while crawling like babies. Neil layed while hugging Avni and he took off the duvet from the face of Avni. Neil touched his head. Avni looked angry.

Neil: Main to Mazak kar raha tha, Yaar. Tum hi batao tumhare meri life main aane ke bad maine kisi aur larki ke bare main socha hai, hmm. Tum to meri jaan ho, Yaar. Meri lifeline. Main to bus cher raha tha tumhe.

Avni looked at Neil who pinched his throat.

Neil: sachi.

Avni looked straight.

Neil: Yaar, sham ko tum mujhe keh rahi thi na ke main girls ke sath flirt karta hun bus mujhe mauka mil gaya aur main tumhe cherne laga.

Avni: ase koi karta hai. tum jante ho main pregnant hun phir bhi.

Neil: sorry. Kya karun tumhe tang karne main maza aata hai mujhe. Adat hogai hai tumhe pareshan karne ki.

Avni remained silent.

Neil: I promise, agaye se asa nahi hoga.

Avni: promise?

Neil: Paka promise.

Avni smiled and looked at Neil who also looked at her. Avni looked straight.

Avni: theek hai mauf kiya.

Neil smiled and kissed Avni’s cheek. Avni smiled.

Neil: thank you.

They smiled.

Avni: Main janti hun ke tum aur mardun ki tarha nahi ho aur mujhse bohat pyaar karte ho. Main janti hun sab. Pata nahi kya ho gaya tha mujhe. Shayad hormonal changes ki waja se mood swings ho rahe hain.

Neil nodded.

Neil: Hmm, maine parha tha article main.

Avni looked at Neil who looked at her.

Avni: article main?

Neil nodded.

Neil: hmm.

Avni turned her face again.

Neil: Main pregnancy ke bare main parh raha hun ke kya karna chahiye, kya nahi. Kya khana acha hai, kya nahi and et cetera. Us main mood swings ke bare main likha tha.

Avni: hmm. Pregnancy main mood swings hote hain shayad mere sath bhi asa hi ho raha hai. sorry.

Neil: it’s ok. I understand.

They smiled.

Neil: Ab batao coffee piogi?

Avni smiled.

Avni: Nahi, mujhe abhi sona hai aur tum bhi coffee choro aur so jao. Abhi thori dair pehle to coffee pi hai.

Neil smiled.

Neil: hmm. Mujhe bhi nahi peeni main to bus ase hi tum se puch raha tha.

Avni looked at Neil who smiled. Neil pecked Avni’s lips and they smiled to see each other. Neil touched his forehead to Avni’s forehead and they were smiling.

Neil: I love you.

Avni: I love you too.

They smiled.

Days turned like the pages of the book and four months passed.

In these four months, Avneil were busy with their life. Avni was busy with her orphanage and Neil with police station and Radio station. Neil daily went to the police station and Avni to the orphanage. Neil was sitting on the floor of the home and a deadbody was kept there. Neil covered the face of the body with the whitesheet. Neil got up and he looked around and walked around. Neil looked at pictures and he looked for the proofs.

On the other side, Avni was standing with the kids at the Sukoon house and a kid was adopted. The kids hugged the adopted kid and others also hugged him. Avni also hugged the kid and cupped his face. Avni kissed the kid. Everyone was standing outside the Sukoon house and the kid got in the car and waved his hands. The kids also waved their hands and they were sad. The car went from there. Avni sighed. Avni looked at the kids and she felt bad.
Neil had also the responsibility of Neav and Avni and also had to bear Avni’s tantrums and her mood swings.

One night, Avneil was sleeping on the bed and Avni’s sleep got disturbed. Avni felt hungry. Avni woke up Neil who woke up with a jerk. Neil asked Avni what happened who told him she is hungry. Neil got up and he went to the kitchen. Neil cooked Poha for Avni and then he fed Avni. Avni smiled.

Avni and Neil were sitting on the couch and Avni felt to vomit so she ran. Neil was shocked and he called Avni and ran behind her. Avni vomited and Neil rubbed her back. Avni washed her face and Neil grabbed the towel instantly and gave that to Avni. Avni wiped her face and Neil cupped her face and asked her is she alright and Avni nodded. Neil gave support to Avni and took her to the room. Neil made her sit while resting her head at the headboard. Neil took out his hanky and wiped Avni’s forehead. Avni smiled to see Neil and held his hand. Avni pulled Neil’s hand who understood and sat beside Avni who rest her head on Neil’s shoulder. Neil smiled and kissed Avni’s hair. They looked at each other and Neil cupped Avni’s face and kissed her forehead. Avni smiled.
Avneil went to the hospital. The doctor did Avneil’s sonography and Avneil got emotional to see the baby and their eyes got moist. They looked at each other and then they looked at the screen. They smiled and a tear fell from Avni’s eye. Neil wiped his eyes.

Neil was taking care of Avni and fed her fruits, juices and medicines. Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position and Neil was feeding her fruits and then she fed juice to Avni. The Khanna family also took care of Avni and they fed the dishes to Avni. Avni was knitting the socks and Shweta came to her and gave her juice. Shweta saw the sock and took it. Shweta said, so cute. Avni smiled. Bebe also knitted the sweaters, socks and she showed to Avni. Neil came there and he smiled to se the clothes and talked. Bebe and Neil talked and Avni smiled to see them. Neil went to his side and sat. Neil saw the things and he picked them. Neil liked the things. Like this, four months passed and now Avni’s womb could be seen. Avni was also having pain in her stomach from time to time but she managed to hide it from Neil.

One day, Avni was laying on the bed and Neil was feeding the fruits to her.

Avni: bus, Neil, aur nahi.

Neil: kya nahi. Abhi khaye hi kahan hain.

Avni: abhi mann nahi hai.

Neil: thore se.

Avni shook her head.

Neil: acha ek.

Avni shook her head.

Neil: Ek, please ek.

Avni made a face and Neil fed her.

Neil: very good. Ek aur.

Avni shook her head.

Avni: nahi. Bus.

Neil: acha theek hai bad main kha lena but yeh nahi. Main fresh cut kar dunga.

Avni: ok, boss.

Neil smiled and Avni smiled.

It was the time of morning, Avni was standing in the washroom and she kept her hand on her belly. Avni squeezed her eyes. Avni winced. Avni was sweating.

Avni: Aah yeh dard.

Avni held the sink for support and she pursed her lips. Avni cried. Neil was sitting at the edge of the bed. Neil looked at the time and he thought.

Neil: yeh Avni itna time kyun laga rahi hai… Avni.

Avni heard Neil in the washroom and she got shocked.

Neil: Jaldi karo, yaar.

Avni pursed her lips. Neil waited for Avni and he got suspicious.

Neil: Avni aa kyun nahi rahi. Woh theek to hai.

Neil looked at the door of the washroom and he thought. In the washroom, Avni was in severe pain and Neil came to the door. Neil knocked the door and Avni looked at the door shockingly.

Neil: Avni.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Avni.

Avni was looking at the door.

Neil: Avni, tum theek ho?

Avni: Ha, han, Neil, main.

Avni pursed her lips and licked them.

Avni: Main theek hun.

Neil frowned.

Neil: Tumhari Awaz se to nahi lag raha.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: Main theek hun… bus do minute main aai.

Neil was not satisfied but he said, ok. Neil waited for Avni.

Avni turned and washed her face. Avni looked at the mirror.

In the room, Neil was waiting for Avni and the door opened. Neil turned and he saw Avni who came out. Neil hurriedly went to Avni and held her upper arms.

Neil: tum theek hun?

Avni was in pain and it was clear from her face. Avni nodded.

Avni: han.

Neil: kya han. Chehra dekho apna. Phir se nausea?

Avni nodded. Neil nodded.

Neil: come.

Neil took Avni to the bed and made a sit. Avni was panting. Neil made Avni drink water. Neil sat beside Avni.

Neil: feeling better?

Avni nodded. Avni thought.

Avni in mind: Aaj itna dard kyun ho raha hai?

Avni thought. Neil looked at her and Avni passed a faint smile to him. Neil looked worried.

It was the time of the evening, Avni was laying on the bed in Fowler’s position by holding her belly with both hands and now she was not able to bear the pain.

Avni: Please, Baby, himmat rakho. Please. Adha safar hum tay kar chukke hain baki adha baki hai. Please be strong.

Avni was in servere pain.

Avni: Abhi Neil bhi nahi hai ghar per. Mummy Ji bhi Bebe ke sath hospital gai hain. Abhi sahi waqt hai doctor se baat karne ka. Ab yeh dard bardasht nahi ho raha.

Avni looked at the bed but her phone was not there. Avni looked around and she saw her phone on the sidetable. Avni dialed doctor’s number.

Avni: Hello, doctor… Doctor, aaj bohat zyada pain ho raha hai. Mujhse bardasht nahi ho raha.

The Doctor was standing in the corridor of the hospital.

Doctor: kya?

Avni: Maine medicine bhi li hai lekin koi fark nahi para.

Doctor: Avni, yeh to hona hi tha. Maine pehle hi tumhe mana kiya tha.

Avni was listening to the doctor.

Doctor: maine kaha tha tum se ke jaise, jaise time guzre ga yeh dard aur barhe ga.

Avni was listening to the doctor and she was in pain.

Doctor: aur tumhari jaan ko khatra bhi barega.

Avni was listening and she was in pain.

Doctor: isi liye to maine tumhe abortion…

Avni screamed: Aah.

Doctor:  Acha, acha ek kaam karo. Maine tumhe jo medicines di thi un main.

Doctor told Avni about the medicine.

Avni: medicine?

Avni looked around and she saw the medicine box of the shelf.

Avni: ek minute.

Avni went to the shelf with much difficulty and then she came back to the bed. Avni put the phone on speak and kept the phone on the bed. Avni’s mind stopped working. Avni looked around and she went to bring water from the side table and she came back to the footside of the bed.

Avni: Ji, doctor, ab boliye.

The doctor told Avni and Avni searched for the medicine.

Avni: mil gai.

Doctor: isay le lo aur kal mere pass aao.

Avni nodded and she took out the medicine. Avni gulped the medicine with water and she took her phone. Avni moved away a few steps from the bed.

Avni: doctor, mere bache ko kuch hoga to nahi na.

Neil came there while carrying a tray of glass of juice and he was in uniform. Neil was smiling but his smile faded to hear doctor.

Doctor: Avni, risk bohat hai.

Avni was shocked and she got worried. Neil was also shocked.

Doctor: tum khud apni condition se bakhubi wakif ho. Maine tumhe pehle hi kaha tha ke jaise, jaise months guzrain ge ye takleef aur barhegi.

Neil was shocked.

Doctor: aur tumhari jaan ko risk bhi.
Neil was shocked. Neil rolled his eyes.

Doctor: Isi liye maine abortion suggest kiya tha.

Neil was showed and he felt like the thunder fell on him.

Avni: Nahi, doctor, kabhi nahi. Mujhe is bache ko is duniya main lana hai kisi bhi keemat per.

Neil looked at Avni shockingly.

Avni: chahe phir meri jaan hi kyun naa chali jaye.

Neil was shocked.

Doctor: Avni, tumhari jaan hi jaegi.

Neil was shocked and he felt like the floor has slipped from under his feet. Neil lowered his gaze and rolled his eyes.

Avni: Main janti hun, Doctor, aap ne mujhe yeh pregnancy continue karne se mana kiya tha.

Neil was shocked.

Avni: aap ne first day per hi mujhe bata diya tha complications ke bare main aur abortion karwane ka suggest bhi kiya tha.

Neil looked at Avni shockingly and the glass fell from his hand. Avni flinched and she turned her face. Neil was standing at the door. Avni was shocked to see Neil.

Avni: Neil.

Neil was standing at the door and he was in shock. Avni turned to Neil. Avni looked down and she saw the broken pieces of glass and then she looked at Neil. Neil looked at Avni and his eyes were moist and red. Avni was shocked to see Neil’s condition.

Avni heard the doctor and she looked at the phone. Avni switched off the speaker and kept the phone at ear.

Avni: Main aap se bad main baat karti hun, doctor.

Avni cut the call and she looked at Neil. Neil was looking at Avni and he proceeded to her. Avni was looking at Neil with moist eyes. Neil moved and stepped on the pieces. Avni was shocked.

Avni: Neil.

Avni looked at Neil shockingly. Neil was coming to Avni.

Neil said while coming to Avni: yeah. Yeah doctor kya keh rahi thi, Avni?

Avni was looking at Neil who was looking at Avni with blood shot eyes.

Neil: Avni, maine pucha doctor kya keh rahi thi?

Neil and Avni were looking at each other.

Neil: tumhari jaan ko khatra?

Avni looked on.

Avni: Neil.

Avni moved to Neil and was about to hold Neil’s arm but Neil jerked away his hand and moved back. Avni flinched and she was shocked. Neil was looking at Avni with red eyes.

Neil: Maine jo pucha hai us ka jawab do.

Avni tried to calm Neil.

Avni: Ne, Neil, meri baat suno.

Neil: is pregnancy se tumhari jaan ko khatra hai?

Avni was shocked.

Avni: Neil.

Neil: han yaa naa.

Avni: Neil, meri baat to…

Neil: han yaa naa.

Avni looked on and Neil was looking at Avni angrily.

Avni: han.

Neil was shocked and Avni’s eyes were on Neil. The anger ran inside Neil and Neil looked at Avni with blood shot and moist eyes. Neil pulled Avni to him by her arms and Avni flinched and she was shocked. Avni looked at Neil shockingly and she got afraid to see Neil’s anger.

Neil: itni bari baat tum mujhse kaise chupa sakti ho? Kaise?

Avni flinched.

Neil: tumhari pregnancy main complications hain aur yeh mujhe batana tum ne zarori nahi samjha.

Avni was looking at Neil sadly.

Neil: kaise kar sakti ho tum yeh, Avni? kaise?

Avni looked on.

Neil; itni bari baat tum mujhse kaise chupa sakti ho?

Avni and Neil were looking at each other and their intense eyelock. Avni’s was looking at Neil sadly and Neil was looking at Avni angrily. Avni could see pain, anger and sadness in Neil’s eyes. Avni felt bad. Neil tighten the grip on Avni’s arms and Avni winced. Avni looked at the shoulders and Neil followed Avni’s gaze and looked at the shoulder and then Avni looked at Neil who also looked at her. Neil lowered his gaze and he left Avni. Neil took a step back. Neil looked at Avni and showed his hands. Avni felt bad to see Neil.
Neil took the steps back and looked at Avni. Neil lowered his gaze and he went to the bed. Neil collided with the bed and fell on it. Avni was shocked to see Neil and she widened her eyes. Neil was sitting on the bed and he widened his eyes and gulped. Neil was shivering from inside. Neil was rubbing his hands. Neil thought and his eyes got moist.

Neil: yeh sab meri waja se ho raha hai.

Avni felt bad.

Neil: Main zimedar hun tumhari is halat ka.

Avni shook her head.

Neil: yeh jante howe bhi ke tumhari first pregnancy main complications thi, tumhe do saal pehle goli lagi hai main, main tumhare kareeb bhi kaise aa sakta hun.

Avni was shocked and she felt a sharp pinch in her heart to think that Neil is feeling guilty for their special moments.

Neil: Main asa kaise kar sakta hun. Mujhe distance maintain kar ke rakhna chahiye tha.

Avni got hurt.

Neil: yeh kya kar diya maine.

Neil ran his hand through his hair.

Neil: bohat bari ghalti ho gai mujhse.

Avni was shocked. How can Neil say that.

Neil: bohat bari ghalti.

Neil cried. Avni cried and then she came to Neil slowly. Neil saw Avni but he didn’t look at her face. Avni sat beside Neil and kept her hand on Neil’s shoulder. Neil jerked Avni’s hand and Avni flinched. Avni was looking at Neil.

Avni: Neil. Ek baar meri baat to sun lo.

Neil was lost in his thoughts.

Avni: Neil.

Neil got up with a jerk and Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: utho. Hum abhi doctor ke pass jaenge.

Avni looked on.

Neil: hum abhi isi time doctor ke pass jaenge aur abortion karwa kar aenge.

Avni was shocked and she widened her eyes. Avni got up and she was in shock.

Neil: chalo mere sath.

Avni looked on. Neil turned and he was about to move.

Avni: Nahi.

Neil stopped and he looked at Avni. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni said with shaking voice: Main kahin nahi jaungi.

Neil: dekho, Avni, mujhe koi behas nahi chahiye. Hum abhi hospital jaa rahe hain matlab jaa rahe hain.

Avni shook her head and she was on the verge of crying.

Neil: Avni… theek hai mat chalo. Lekin tumhe is bache aur mujh main se kisi ek ko chunana hoga.

Avni was shocked and she felt like Neil has pulled the floor from under her feet. Neil was looking at Avni.

Neil: tumhe yeh bacha chahiye yaa main aur Neav.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: mat bhulo, Neav ki custody mujhe mili thi.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: tum is bache aur hum main se kisi ek ko hi chun sakti ho.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: Neil!

Neil looked at Avni but he was not in his senses. Neil found Avni shocked and hurt. Neil looked down and here and there.

Neil: Avni, tumhe anyhow abortion karwana hi parega.

Avni was looking at Neil who was waiting for her reply.

Avni: ab yeh abortion nahi ho sakta. Meri pregnancy ko four months ho gaye hain. Ab abortion possible nahi hai.

Neil was shocked. Avni was looking at Neil. Neil got angry and he couldn’t understand what to do. Neil looked here and there and he saw his and Avni’s wedding picture. Neil took the picture and threw it in anger. Avni flinched and she shut her eyes. Avni looked at Neil who was shaking because of anger. Neil glared at Avni who was looking at Neil and then Neil moved from there. Neil was going and Avni was looking at Neil. Neil went and Avni’s eyes were on him. Avni was looking at Neil with moist eyes and then she looked at the broken picture frame.