It was the morning time, and the sun was shining over the Khanna mansion where Avni was sitting on the bed, a letter was in her hand and a bouquet was in her lap. Avni was looking upset and her eyes were moist. Avni looked at the door and she tried to see. Avni knew that Neil was present there. Avni wiped her face.

Avni: Neil… andar aao.

Avni waited for Neil to come.

Avni: Main janti hun, Neil, tum bahar khare ho. Samne aao mere.

Avni was looking at the door and Neil came there. Neil was looking down and Avni’s eyes were on Neil. Neil looked at Avni and then he looked down instantly.  Avni was looking at Neil who came to Avni slowly. Neil was standing in front of Avni like a culprit. Avni’s eyes were on Neil.

Avni: Betho.

Neil was looking at the floor like he was finding something on the floor. Neil sat on the bed and he was looking down. Avni took the letter and showed that to Neil. Avni looked angry.

Avni: Kya hai yeh sab, Neil?

Neil looked at the letter and then he looked down.

Avni: Neil, maine pucha, kya hai yeh? Kya sabit karna chahte ho tum yeh letter de kar?

Neil remaine silent.

Avni: tumhe kya lagta hai ke yeh letter likh kar sab kuch theek ho jaega. Main sab kuch bhul jaungi.

Avni threw the letter but it was just a piece of paper so it fell on Avni’s lap. Neil looked at the letter and then he looked at Avni. Avni was looking at Neil angrily so Neil lowered his gaze. Avni caught Neil’s collar who was still looking down.

Avni: Smajhte kya ho tum khud ko, Neil Khanna.

Neil was sitting by bowing his head.

Avni: tumhe kya lagta hai, kya sabit karna chahte ho tum ke sirf tum mujhse pyaar karte ho, hmm. Main tum se pyaar nahi karti.

Neil looked at Avni and he shook his head.

Avni: to phir is letter ka kya matlab hai? Kya matlab tha yeh likhne ka ke jab tak main tumhe mauf nahi kar deti tum mere samne nahi aoge. Emotional blackmail kar rahe the mujhe?

Neil shook his head.

Avni: han, Neil, tum ache se jante ho ke main tumhare bina nahi reh sakti hun, isi liye tum mujhe blackmail kar rahe the.

Neil: Nahi, Avni, asa nahi hai. Mera woh matlab nahi tha.

Avni: Phir? Phir kya matlab tha?

Neil looked at Avni sadly and then he lowered his gaze.

Avni: Is time jab mujhe tumhari sab se zyada zaorrat hai, tum apna hath chura kar jaa rahe the.

Neil looked at Avni shockingly.

Avni: tum to bohat kamzor insan nikle, Neil Khanna.

Neil was shocked and Avni was looking at Neil furiously. Avni’s eyes got moist.

Avni: Meri zindagi ke itne nazuk morh per jahan mujhe pal, pal tumhari zarorat hai wahan tum mujhe keh rahe ho ke tum mere samne nahi aoge.

Avni got angry.

Avni: dur se mera dihan rakhoge. Kaise? Kaise rakhte mera dihan dur se. Zara batana mujhe? Mujhe bhi to pata chale ke dur se kaise khayal rakha jata hai.

Neil was feeling guilty so he looked down.

Avni: Kya likha tum ne ke main hurt hungi tumhe dekh kar. Really, Neil Khanna? Hurt?

Neil lowered his gaze.

Avni main tumhe dekh kar hurt hungi lekin main yeh soch kar hurt nahi hungi abhi jab mujhe tumhari sab se zyada zarorat hai tum mere sath nahi ho. kya mujhe zyada hurt karega, Neil. Tumhe dekhna yaa tum se dur rehna?

Neil was looking down. Avni got upset and she felt Neil’s collar.

Avni: Aaj subha jab main uthi to main tumhara surprise dekh kar kitna khush thi. Main yeh soch kar khush thi ke mera Neil mujhe manane ki koshish kar raha hai. Lekin main ghalat thi, woh mujhe mana nahi raha tha woh to mera Mazak bana raha tha.

Avni cried. Neil instantly held Avni’s hand.

Neil: Nahi, Avni, asa nahi hai.

Avni was crying and she looked away.

Neil: Main tumhara Mazak banana ka soch bhi nahi sakta. Mera yeh matlab nahi tha.

Avni gulped.

Neil: Avni, yaar, main to bus tum se apologize kar raha tha.

Avni was looking away.

Neil: Mujhe laga tum mujhse ghussa ho agar main tumhare samne aunga to tumhari health per us ka asar parega. Isi liye maine likha ke jab tak tum mujhe mauf nahi kar deti main tumhare samne nahi aunga.

Avni wiped her tears.

Neil: Trust me, Avni, mera maqsad tumhe hurt karne ka bilkul nahi tha.

Avni was looking away.

Neil: I am sorry, Avni, please mujhe mauf kar do. I promise dubara yeh ghalti nahi hogi.

Avni was not looking at him and she was crying.

Neil: Avni, yaar please, rona band karo. Please, yaar.

Neil held his ear.

Neil: Dekho, maine mere kaan bhi pakar liye hain.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: I am sorry.

Avni looked away.

Neil: Ab to mauf kar do mujhe.

Neil felt helpless and he thought.

Neil.I promise, main ek pal ke liye bhi tum se dur nahi jaunga.

Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: woh promise mat karo jo tum pura naa kar sako. Tum bhi ache se jante ho ke tum chobis (24) ghante mere pass nahi reh sakte.

Avni looked away and Neil smiled slightly.

Neil: to tum hi bata do ke tumhari maufi ke liye main kya karun.

Avni remained silent. Neil thought.

Neil: Main, main.

Neil thought and he got an idea.

Neil: Han, main uthak bethak karta hun.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: jab tak tum mujhe mauf nahi kar deti main uthak bethak karunga. Han.

Avni looked away. Neil got up and Avni looked at him. Neil started sit ups.

Neil: One.

Avni looked away.

Neil: two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Neil was doing push ups and Avni was looking away.

Neil: aah.

Avni looked at Neil who was doing sit ups. Avni looked away. Neil got tired and Avni saw that in a full size mirror. Avni couldn’t resist anymore.

Avni: acha bus.

Neil stopped and he was panting. Neil sighed and squeezed his nose.

Neil: kya howa, tum ne mujhe mauf kar diya?
Avni nodded by not looking at him. Neil was looking at Avni. Neil sighed.

Neil in mind: Main janta hun, Avni ke tum ne mujhe mauf nahi kiya. Tum bus mujhe takleef main nahi dekh sakti. Aaj tum ne mujhe mauf nahi kiya shayad kal tum mujhe mauf kar pao.

Neil smiled. Neil sat beside Avni.

Neil: thank you.

Avni looked at Neil.

Neil: chalo ab breakfast karte hain. Thanda ho jaega.

Avni: Main fresh ho kar aati hun.

Neil nodded and Avni got up. Neil got up and gave way to Avni. Avni went and Neil’s eyes were on Avni. Later, Neil fed Avni with his hands and Avni also passed a bit to Neil who smiled and ate. They had the breakfast.

Later, Avni was getting ready in front of the dressing table. Neil was standing in the room. Neil saw her and he thought. Neil came to Avni who was wearing the bangles. Avni saw Neil in the mirror who smiled and moved to her. Neil leaned to Avni and he slided the bangles in her wrist. Avni was looking at Neil who also saw her in the mirror and smiled. Neil took the earrings and put them on Avni’s ears. Neil came in front of Avni and sat on his knees. Neil took a small box and opened it. Neil took a pinch and filled Avni’s hairline with it. Avni closed her eyes and then she looked at Neil with moist eyes. Neil took the mangalsutra and put it on Avni’s neck. Avni looked at Neil and she got emotional. Neil cupped Avni’s face and kissed her forehead. Avni was looking at Neil. Neil smiled. Neil got up and he took the hairbrush. Neil moved and stood behind Avni. Neil combed Avni’s hair. Avni was looking at Neil. Neil smiled to see Avni. Neil held Avni’s shoulders and kissed her hair. Avni smiled slightly.

It was the time of the evening, and the sun was shining over the Sukoon house where Avni was sitting with the kids. A plate of snacks was in her hand. The kids were playing. Avni was smiling to see them. Neav was also there. Neil came there and some shopping bags were in his hands.

Neav: Papa.

Avni looked at Neav and then she looked at Neil. Avni was surprised and others smiled. Neil smiled to see Neav and then he looked at Avni. Neil smiled. Neil came to them.

Sunehri: Aray wah, aaj to bare log aye hain.

Neil smiled.

Sunehri: tum betho, main tumhare liye chai le kar aati hun.

Neil: Aary nahi, nahi, main to Avni and Neav ko lene aya tha.

Avni was looking at Neil and she lowered her gaze.

Sunehri: kya, nahi, nahi, chai to pini hi paregi.

Neil made a face.

Sunehri: tum betho, main chai le kar aati hun.

Neil nodded and Sunehri went.

Neil: Bacho.

Neil took out chocolates.

Neil: chocolates.

Avni smiled and the kids got happy. Neil got up and moved to kids. Neil gave the chocolates to them. The kids got happy and Avneil smiled to see him. Neil came to sit beside Avni. Neil looked at Avni’s plate and he took snacks and ate it. Avni looked at Neil who was eating. Neil was not looking at Avni. Avni looked at her plate and Neil smiled to see Avni and he was chewing the food.

Later, Avneil got in the car and Neav sat at the backseat. Avni saw a shopping bag.

Avni: Neil, yeh bag yahan reh gaya kya?

Neil saw the shopping bag and smiled. Neil took the packet and passed that to Avni.

Neil: yeh tumhare liye hain. Tumhari chocolates khatam ho gai thi na so main le aya.

Avni was looking at Neil shockingly.

Avni: tumhe pata tha?

Neil nodded.

Neil: main roz check karta hun.

Avni was surprised.

Neav: Wow, Mama, aap ke to maze hain.

Avneil saw Neav. Neil smiled and he looked at Avni who also looked at Avni. Avni was not smiling but she was ok. Neil’s smile faded to see Avni but then he smiled. Neil started the car.

On the way, they had the ice-cream. Avni was eating like a kid and the ice-cream was on her nose. Neil chuckled and Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: kya howa?

Neil was smiling and he sighed one minute. Neav looked at Avni and laughed but the ice-cream was on his face too.. Neil clicked Avni’s picture and showed that to Avni. Avni widened her eyes and she cleaned her nose. Avni looked at the mirror and cleaned her face. Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: abay tu kya huns raha hai. Tere naak per bhi lagi hai.

Avni smiled and Neav tried to clean his face. Neil clicked his picture and showed to Avni. They smiled and Neav made a face.

Neil: ek family picture to banti hai.

Avni smiled and Neil tried to capture a selfie. Avni moved to Neil and Neav sat on the centre. Neil clicked their picture and showed that to Avni. Avni smiled. They smiled to see each other.

Later, Neil was standing with Prakash.

Neil: Dad, main RJ ki job se resign kar raha hun.

Prakash was shocked. Avni was standing at the door and she heard them. Avni was also shocked.

Prakash: tu sure hai?

Neil nodded.

Neil: Yes, Dad, mujhe meri family per dihan dena hai. Kuch months bad baby ajaega phir Avni ko meri zyada zarorat hogi. Ase main do, do jobs karna mushkil hai.

Avni was listening to them and she was shocked.

Prakash: Hafte main do din hi tera show hota hai aur woh bhi do ghante. Bara (12) baje tak to tera show khatam ho jata hai.

Neil: aur ghar aate, aate ek baj jata hai. Avni, akele kaise manage karegi.

Avni was looking at Neil with moist eyes.

Prakash: dekh, tujhe jo theek lage woh tu kare. Jahan tak manage karne ki baat hai to hum hain na Avni ke sath. Hum kis liye hain.

Neil was looking at his father.

Prakash: Yeh show karna tujhe pasand hai aur hafte ke do din hi to hain. Hum manage kar lenge. Zarorat pari to ek babysitter rakh lenge Avni ki help ke liye.

Prakash: baki tujhe jo theek lage woh tu kar.

Neil thought. Avni was looking at Neil.

Later, Avni was sitting on the bed and she was lost in her thoughts.

Avni: Neil ne yeh decision teri waja se liya hai. Tu subha se mou phulaye bethi hai. Tu ache se janti hai ke Neil tujhse kitna pyaar karta hai. Jaan chirakta hai tujh per. Aur asa bhi kya keh diya tha Neil ne jis ki waja se tu itna ghussa hogi. Us ne jo kuch bhi kaha woh is liye na kyun ke woh tujh se bohat pyaar karta hai aur tujhe khona nahi chahta tha. Agar tu us ki jaga hoti to tu bhi yahi karti. Neil aur apne parivaar ke liye tu un se dur gai thi na. Tu ne to Neil per chalne wali goli tak apne seene per li to agar Neil ne teri jaan bachane ke liye waise react kiya to us main kya ghalat tha. Tu sahi thi to woh ghalat kaise howa.

Avni thought.

Avni: aur us ne kaha na ke teri health per koi asar naa pare is liye us ne tere samne naa aane ki baat ki thi. Usay teri fikar thi aur us ke liye us ne sorry bola na. Us ne har baat ke liye sorry bola us ke bad bhi tu kis baat ka ego dikha rahi hai. Sab kuch meri waja se ho raha hai.

Avni thought and she looked at her belly and touched it.

Avni: Baby, aap hi batao Mama ko kya karna chahiye? Mama ko Papa ko mauf karna chahiye?

Avni smiled and she thought.

It was the time of the night, Avni was sitting on the bed in Fowler’s position and Neil was sitting on the bed with the support of pillow and his leg was down. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: tum RJ ki job chor rahe ho?

Neil got shocked and he looked at Avni. Neil sat properly and Avni was looking at him.

Neil: tumhe kaise pata chala?

Avni: Maine tumhari aur Papa Ji ki batain sun li thi.

Neil was shocked and looked on. Avni was also looking at him. Neil nodded.

Neil: Han.

Avni was surprised.

Neil: meri manangement se bhi baat ho gai hai.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: do months main mera contract khatam ho jayega phir renew nahi karenge.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: kyun kar rahe ho tum asa?

Neil: Jab tum ne humari batain sun hi li hain to tumhe reasom bhi pata hoga.

Avni looked down and Neil’s eyes were on Neil. Avni looked at him.

Avni: tumhe yeh karne ki zarorat nahi hai.

Neil was surprised.

Avni: yeh show tumhara passion hai. Tumhe acha lagta hai show karna.

Neil: Baat passion ki nahi priorities ki hai. Is time tum aur humare bache meri priority hain.

Avni looked on.

Neil: In fact, is time kya waise bhi tum aur humari family hi meri priorities hain.

Avni looked on.

Neil: Maine bohat soch smajh kar yeh decision liya hai.

Avneil were looking at each other. Neil lowered his face.

Neil: anyways, maine ek yoga center main tumhari membership karwa di hai. Doctor ne kaha tha tumhe exexcise karne ki zarorat hai. Wahan next week se new session suru ho raha hai. Next week se us ke liye ready rehna.

Avni was looking at Neil who looked at Avni and then Avni looked down.

Neil: ab, tum betho, main tumhare liye dodh le kar aata hun.

Neil kept his phone on the bed and he got up. Neil was going and Avni was looking at him. Avni thought.

Later, Avneil were laying on the bed and they were lost in their thoughts. Avni’s eyes were moist and she saw Neil over her shoulder. Avni turned her face and she thought. Avni turned to Neil and she moved to him. Avni hugged Neil from behind. Neil was surprised and he came out of his thoughts. Neil looked at his stomach and Avni’s hand was there. Neil thought and he heard Avni’s sobbing. Neil was shocked.

Neil: Avni.

Neil turned to Avni carefully and took Avni in his arms. Neil cupped Avni’s face.

Neil: kya baat hai, Avni, tum ro kyun rahi ho?

Avni looked at Neil and she was crying.

Avni: I am sorry.

Neil was confused.

Neil: kis liye?

Avni: maine tumhe hurt kiya hai na.

Neil shook his head.

Neil: Nahi.

Avni: han. Isi liye tum apni RJ ki job chor rahe ho.

Neil shook his head.

Avni: mujhe sab pata hai.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Nahi, Avni. Han, yeh sach hai ke main tumhare aur humare baby ke liye job chor raha hun lekin tumhari waja se se nahi chor raha. Main tum se ghussa nahi hun. Aur tum kyun maufi mang rahi ho. Maufi to mujhe mangni chahiye.

Avni was looking at Neil.

Neil: hurt to maine tumhe kiya hai. I am sorry.

Avni shook her head.

Neil: please mauf kar do mujhe.

Avni: Maine to kab ka tumhe mauf kar diya.

Neil was surprised and he got happy.

Neil: sach?

Avni nodded while smiling.

Avni: much.

Neil smiled and he hugged Avni who smiled.

Neil: thank you, Avni. Thank you so much.

Avni smiled while crying. Neil kissed near Avni’s ear. They broke the hug and Neil cupped Avni’s face with one hand. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead. They smiled. Avni thought.

Avni: please, apni job mat choro hum manage kar lenge.

Neil looked on.

Neil: Hum is bare main kal baat karenge.

Avni made a sad pout.

Neil: please.

Avni smiled and said, ok. Neil smiled and he laid his head on the pillow. Avni was in Neil’s arm and they stayed in that position for a few moments.

Avni: Neilu.

Neil understood that Avni want something and he looked at Avni who was looking at him.

Neil: kya howa?

Avni: bhook lagi hai.

Neil smiled.

Neil: kya chahiye?

Avni: Poha.

Neil smiled.

Neil: abhi aya.

Avni smiled and Neil left her. Neil got up and he went. Avni was looking at him and she was smiling. Avni thought.

Later, Neil fed Avni with his hands and they were very happy.

The next day, Neil took Avni to the Yoga centre. Neil shook hand witht the man and they talked. Avni’s trainer was a lady. They met her and started the session. Neil was present there for one hour. There was a break. Avni came to Neil who fed her water from water bottle and wiped her face and neck with the towel. Avni smiled and she took the towel. Avni wiped her face and neck. They smiled to see each other.

Some days passed like this and Avni joined the yoga centre and the instructor taught Avni and others the exercises and Avni did as she was asked. Neil was taking care of her. Neil daily dropped Avni to the centre and then he tried to pick up Avni from the Sukoon house at the evening.

It was the night time, the moon was shining in the sky and Neil’s voice was echoing everywhere.

Neil: Hello, welcome back to Rabta FM. Main hun aap ka RJ Neil Khanna.

Rabta FM was written on wall and Neil was sitting on the chair in the studio. Neil was wearing the headphones.

Neil: Mere pyaar doston. Pyaar naam hai emotions ka. Dil ke dil se connection ka. Do pyaar karne wale chahe kahin bhi rahen pass hon yaa dur matter nahi karta. Agar un ka pyaar sacha hai to duniya ki koi taqat unhe juda nahi kar sakti.

Avni was sitting in her room on the bed and she was smiling to hear Neil. A book was kept on the pillow in her lap and her hands were holding it. Radio and a glass of milk was kept on the side table of the bed.

Neil: Aagr do log ek dusre se naraz hain. Kehne ko Rishta khatam kar chuke hain lekin agar un ka pyaar sacha hai to woh jahan bhi jaenge ek dusre se takrainge. Ek baar nahi baar, baar takrain ge aur phir se ek ho jaenge. Magar shart yeh hai ke pyaar sacha hona chahiye.

Avni smiled.

Neil: Do log duniya ke do alag, alag kono main bhi rehte hunge na aur agar un ke beech woh connection upar se set kar liya gaya hai to woh dono zaror milenge. Kismat unhe us jaga le kar jaegi jahan unhe milna hoga.

Avni smiled and she remembered how she met Neil. Avni smiled.

Neil: ok so, pyaar ki pyaar bhari batain chalti rahengi. Abhi chalte hain ek caller ki taraf.

Neil got a call.

Neil: And here is a caller with us so let’s go and talk to her or him, I don’t know.

Neil smiled.

Neil: hello, who is with us?

The moon was shining in the sky, a girl was standing in the garden and she was wearing a white kurti.

Girl: your fan number one.

Neil frowned to hear the voice.

Neil: OK, Miss Fan number ono but what is your name?

Girl: oh come on, Neil Khanna, ab humain alag howe itna time bhi nahi howa jo tum meri awaz hi bhul gaye ho.

Neil was shocked and confused. Neil thought.