Ali helped Avni to the room and she passed out. Neil was mad at everyone including himself. He gave Avni so much pain. He knew he had to deal with the girls, but he wanted to deal with them in his own way. After a few hours when everyone was at the bonfire, Neil went to Avni's room.  

"Avni, are you there?" Neil said, knocking at the door. The door was open. He walked in and saw Avni wrapped in a blanket. He saw her- she was half asleep. He tried to wake her up and felt her face, it was burning- she was sick. 

"What do you want from me Neil?" Avni questioned weakly. Neil could not see her like this. It was paining so much. 

"Avni is that it? I mean are you not going to do anything?" 

"What do you mean? Do you want them to insult me? Was that not enough for you?"

"Avni, you've got to answer them back" Neil said with a force.

"What will happen if I answer them back, they are not the only ones talking about it. How many mouths can I shut Neil? There's nothing in my hands." Avni said.

"Are you serious? Avni think about it, what if your mom was here? Could she see you break down like this? Would she not stand up for you? I know Avni that you can't control everything but you can try. You're not the one at fault- it's just that those people need a tight slap across their faces and only you can do it Avni. You have to stand up for yourself- you have to. Come get up! you're not staying here. You're coming to the celebration and you're gonna answer them back. Get up Avni. I said get up!" Neil ordered her, like he was her dad. She understood him. 

"Waise tum itne bure bhi nahin" Avni said wiping her tears. "Tum chalo, main aati hoon" Avni got up and Neil left. 

"Aaj tumhe pata chalega ki Avni Ayesha kaun hai" Avni said to herself. 

Avni reached the event. She was dressed up. She looked at Neil. He gave her a thumbs up.

"I know you Avni, you are much more than this. Show them that you can defeat them. Show them your lady-don avtaar" Neil said. 

"I don't think I can do this.. but I have to, it's important." Avni said.

"What do you mean? Mujhse toh junglee biliyon ke tarah ladti ho, chalo ho jao shuru" Neil winked at her. "So guys, to make this evening special, our friend Avni is going to sing for us. SO please give a round of applause for Avni... Parekh" Neil looked at her. 

Avni started: "this song is for my roommates- dedicated to Juhi, Riya and Mitali and everyone present here." Avni looked at Mitali:

"Aye zindagi qatra hoon main
Ya main hoon dariya tumhara
Aye zindagi zarra hoon main
Ya main hoon saara zamaana
Ik baar aankhein milake bata to
Kya naam hai mera...

Chaand hoon main ya chaand ka tukda
Ya main hoon daag tumhara

Aye zindagi qatra hoon main
Ya main hoon dariya tumhara
Aye zindagi zarra hoon main
Ya main hoon saara zamaana

Main chadhta savera
Ya hoon kaali raat
Ya mit mit ke banti hui qaaynaat
Main girta sitaara hoon
Ya hoon falak
Ya waqt ki aankhon se tooti palak

Hai ugte sooraj ki mujhme tapish
Hai jalti sitaro ki mujhme khalish
Ya mitti ka chota sa main hoon diya
Maa ne se re raaz roshan kiya

Aye zindagi main roshni
Ya main andhera tumhara
Aye zindagi main hoon marham
Ya zakhm main hoon purana
Ik baar aankhein milake bata to
Kya naam hai mera...

Chaand hoon main ya chaand ka tukda
Ya main hoon daag tumhara
Aye zindagi qatra hoon main
Ya main hoon dariya tumhara
Aye zindagi zarra hoon main
Ya main hoon saara zamaana"

"Aur mera ghar aur dharm, haina Juhi and Riya" Avni looked at them:

"Main mitti mein hoon main chattano mein bhi
Main oas mein hoon
Main toofaano mein bhi
Ik naam mein kaise samaa paaungi
Main banjar mein hoon
Main baharon mein bhi

Main vaani gurbaani azaano mein bhi
Main vedon mein hoon
Main quraan mein bhi
Ek dhaam mein kaise samaa paaungi
Main gumbad mein hoon
Main minaaron mein bhi

Ae zindagi main hi Aleph
Main Omkara tumhara
Ae zindagi main hi khudi
Main khudara tumhara
Ik baar aankhein milake bata to
Kya naam hai mera...

Chaand hoon main ya chaand ka tukda
Ya main hoon daag tumhara
Ae zindagi qatra hoon main
Ya main hoon dariya tumhara
Ae zindagi zarra hoon main
Ya main hoon saara zamaana"

Lastly, she looked at Neil:

"Iktara Meera ka
Doha Kabire ka
Iktara Meera ka
Doha Kabire ka
Main khaali pyala hoon pagle fakire ka
Aaghaaz koi na anjaam hai
Mera toh koi bhi nahi naam hai

Toh kyun tu tere rakhwaale ghera lagate hain
Rasmon ke pinjre mein qaid karaate hain
Kyun daam dete hain thappa lagaate hain
Mujhse kyun main ki jung karaate hain

Main behti nadi hoon mujhe behne do
Main pal pal sadi hoon mujhe rehne do
Dhaara ki tarah main zameenon mein
Main dhool ki tarah
Main hoon aasmaano mein

Teri hi beti hoon ae zindagi
Mitaaye mitungi na main do jahaano se
Ae zindagi tu hai meri
Main hoon sirhaana tumhara
Ae zindagi ik sach yehi
Baaki hai jhoota fasaana

Ik baar aankhein milake to maano
Nahi koi naam mera...
Nahi koi naam mera...
Nahi koi naam mera...

Naamkarann
Nahi koi naam mera...
Naamkarann
Nahi koi naam mera...
Naamkaran
Nahi koi naam mera...
Namkaran..
Nahi koi naam mera..."

Everyone was silent. Neil was teary-eyed. She gave those girls the best reply. Neil was proud of her- that was her, his Avni.

"Thank you Neil" Avni said softly. Neil just smiled as he had no words.

*******

Powerful lyrics eh?

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