In a dark room sat a person with violin in his hand. Humming a tune with closed eyes. Listeners would surely have a bittersweet experience hearing it out.

The serene look on his face can say that even though he is not at ease but is now at rest.

Neil-mere aasman ko zameen mil gyi.......(gets lost in flashback)
It was just the day when DD and Ali met with avni.

Everyone were tensed yet pretending to be happy.

Somewhere Avni was feeling guilty and unsure of her decision which she had taken. Ali too after a huge mellow drama calmed himself and started to persuade her to get her treatment done.

Karan to had arrived and was just pretending that Avni wasn't in the room and he was speaking to Aryan and others.

A teardrop slipped from Neil's eyes, which he quickly wiped away. Avni did noticed it and excused herself saying that she has an important call.

Karan was speaking about the development and supposed procedure for the next 6 months.

Every one was listening as if some life changing news. The procedure was let's say a long way to overcome but the most safe way.

She had made up her mind and here all are looking for ways.

Karan had asked the renowned dr Anderson about the opinion who recommended the course of action. Just the thing left was to convince Avni.

All of them steadied themselves to make her agree but Neil didn't uttered a word. DD silently sat beside him to give him the silent support which he needed the most.

He was just thinking about a way that can help her change her decision and inturn was helpless for any solution.

He gathered himself and went towards Avni only to be shocked at the sight where now she was talking with his scrap that her family. He knew that she was not ready for it and it was the last thing she wanted but his pleading forced her to even ruin her image infront of her family.

He waited for the call to end , once done he charged at her.

Neil-problem kya hai ha tumhari?  Kyu call kia unko? Aur kitna hurt karogi khudko aur unko? Treatment nhi karvani phir kyu unko call kia?

Avni-(breaking the grip) kyunki ab mujhe koi bharosa nhi hai khud par. Kitne din tak rahungi , kya hoga kya nhi aur isme mein tumhe tadpa nhi sakti. Ye safar mere akele ka hai aur isme tum aa gye. Ye jo ansu hai na tumhare...bade pareshan karte hai. Din raat mujhe aur bhi khokla kar rhe hai. Meri kahani ab khatam ho gyi hai Neil par tumhari to baki hai na?kyu mein ek aur paap karu?

Neil- to mat karo?(cupping her face) mat karo kuch bhi.....bas reh jao mere saath mere paas bina koi ateet ke bojh ke.

Slowly Avni started to walk backward while Neil desperately tried to hold her.

Avni-Nhi Neil!!(not meeting his eyes) agar ab zinda reh gyi to kuch aur hi ho jayega..

Neil had it enough and left from the place.

DD and Karan too saw the scene and went towards Neil to speak with him.

Karan-I know ki hum jyaada nhi jante but Neil tumhe dekh ke lagta hai ki tum use apne paas se jaane nhi doge but vo ab rukegi nhi lekin...

Dd-lekin (looking at Neil) agar kuch aise ho jaye ki unki sabse important cheez ko kuch ho jaye tab to vo manegi.

Neil-aur vo kya important cheez hai.

Both karan and DD looked at each other and finally spoke..

Neil was not ready for that but ultimately he agreed as that was only the option.

On the other end at khanna mansion.

All sat still......... No voice came out, no tears just the audible heart beats which were erratic by now. Eyes looking at each other to confirm and minds just zoned out
Yes, a phone call which Prakash by now got weird feel was the one who shook the entire being of his and his family.

All were sitting in the living room preparing for a distant relatives wedding when again a ring broke their conversation.

Bebe- kon hai Prakash itni raat gae..?

Prakash saw the number and made a face

Shweta-baccho ki tarah kya mu bigaadte ho kaun hai bhai.

Prakash- aur kaun ye wrong number wala pata nhi har 15 din me ek baar call karta hai...is baar to had ki kar di 8 hi din mein...

Shweta - waise ye accha hai (narrows her eyes) apni anniversary date yaad nhi lekin wrong number ki itni details.

Prakash answered the call and kept it on 🔊

Prakash- kya hai bhai...wrong number ji ab to na aapne had kar di 8 hi din mein call kar dia? Mujhe to ye lagta hai ki aapko mere aavaj se kuch hai....hamesha sunte ho aur rakh dete ho...atleast naam to bata do ki number save kar du.....

Before he could continue he heard a sob from the other end. Immediately three of them got cautious about the caller.

Prakash- hello......aap theek to hai?...dekhiye aap kaun hai mujhe batao kuch problem hai kya..?

Bebe gestured him to stay silent and let her speak..

Person- kya kare jab problem hi khud aapko yaad karegi to?

All were shock....blood all drained and breathes hitched.

Bebe-(in a shaky voice ) kaun ho tum??

The person continued with her sobbing and more clear cries.

Bebe-meine pucha kaun ho tum?

Person- mein ranchod hu .......jisne rann chodha tha Bebe.

Bebe closed her eyes as a pain as if a fresh whip was given to her.

Bebe- puttar........ Kaha hai tu?

Prakash was having tears but still shocked while Shweta was holding bebe for support.

Avni-bas....bhatak gyi thi aur jab aana chaha to kinara dur nikla....socha ki ab jaane dete hai to phir taqder ne phir kisi apne se mila dia.....mummy ji mujhe maaf kar dijiye, papaji mujhe please maaf kar dijiye...bada pareshan kiya hai maine sab ko.

Shweta-(in hurt) kyun kia tha? Mujhse kuch hua ya mein itni buri thi ki........

Avni-nhi!! Please aisa mat boliye sab meri wajah se hua tha sab kuch. Na mein juhi ko lati na hi ragini pandit aati. Aur na hi vidhyut....sab kuch meine kiya tha.......tabahi macha di thi sab ne.... isiliye

Prakash- isiliye apne parivaar ko , Apne papa ko chodke chali gyi??(in anger) ek baar bhi mud ke ye nhi dekha ki Bebe ka, Shweta ji ka mera kya hota??

Bara bar hai atleast Neil ko to is se nafrat hai kyunki aaj agar sun leta to sue bhi karta. Ek baar bhi meri Yaad nhi aayi? Har 15 din me call karke ye busdillo ke tarah kaise jeene lagi tum....tum meri Avni nhi ho tum to Avni Ayesha Neela ki beti ho hi nhi sakti.

Before he could continue Bebe stopped him and he left from there still bebe and Shweta were there.

Bebe-Krishna ne ran chodha tha sach ke liye bache agar tujhe lagta hai ki Jo tune kia vo sahi tha phir koi pareshaani nhi ....par hume bada dukh pohuncha hai tujhse....

Avni- aur hona bhi chahiye....meine kaam hi aisa kia hai...bebe, mummy ji ho sake to mujhe saza dene zaroor aana.....mujhe intezaar rahega

She ended the call and was probably that's when Neil had seen her.

Shweta- Bebe...ye kya hai??(while crying and hallucinating about the call)

Bebe- ye samajh ki ab dukh ke badal zhad gye hai shweta....teri beti zinda hai. Upar wale ne teri aur Neela ki prarthna sun li.

Shweta-bebe.....(smiles while remembering the talk) m..muj..mujhe milna hai us se!! Please!(broke in cries)

Bebe-(in a happy tone) Haan kyu nhi? Hum kal hi jayenge!

Prakash-(in a broken tone) hum nhi jayenge!

Bebe-Prakash(in astonished voice)

Prakash-(in anger) Haan nhi jayenge!! Bebe vo chali gyi aise hi bina mere, Aapke , shweta ji ke, Neil ke baare me soch ke! Ye meri bahu nhi ho sakti......meri bahu to meri beti thi, ek dum bete ke tarah. Jhoot ko na bolne wali, sach ka saath dene wali aur apno ke liye jeene wali. Ye to....

Shweta- bas kijiye Prakash ji....maana ki Avni ne jo kiya vo galat tha lekin humari hi bacchi hai na....hum nhi maaf karenge to kaun karega? Aur ab humare alawa hai bhi kaun uska??

Prakash- hum maa baap hai isiliye kuch cheeze hume bhi seekhani chahiye use.....jinko use maaf karna hai kare lekin mein itni asaani se nhi karunga.

Bebe- baap hai tu( as if making him understand) tujhe to sabse jyaada uske baare me pata hona chahiye.....vo gyi thi lekin har bar lagatar wrong number ka call
vo tujhe karti thi....na mujhe , na Neil ko, na Shweta ko....kyu?

Aaj bhi uske liye tu hi mayne rakhta hai.....ab to mein ye soch rhi hu ki jab jab usne ghar choda hai....hum hi hai uske piche ...jara socho is baar bhi agar....(and her voice gave away)

Prakash-(with more irritation) par phir bhi is baar koi mere aur uske bich nhi aayega...aise bhi thodi hota hai mujhe kaise chodh ke chali gyi (grumpy face)

Shweta-(shaking her head) Kuch nhi ho sakta inka.

Both went to their respective rooms.... though sleep was far away as they got what they were longing for so long...

His reverie was broken by a call.

Person- excuse me sir!! So u tell that you have seen love from every angle is it?(Neil nods)

Neil-in my case yes!!!

Person- so tell us was the tune which you were playing dedicated to her!!?

Neil-wasnt it obvious?

Person- so why was it having a feel of bitterness coated in sweetness??

Neil-(laughs while remembering the flashback)

Again-

Two days later

All had tried to convince the lady luck to agree but she was hell bent over her denial

In all this Neil had not even tried once but his actions were a complete opposite. He was dull all the days , completely work oriented....not eating and no sleep. Avni was seeing this and was worried but was stopping herself to give any signals that would wake a hope.

Ultimately when he arrived at 11 in the night all were in the living room. Speaking about Neil and his behaviour. Avni even though gave an uninterested look was all ears to the talk.

He saw them looking at him which shock!

Neil-what..? Why are you all looking at me with shock? What's wrong?

Avni-(in shock) Ne...Neil.....tu...tum.....you sit quickly........aru...c..otton... quickly (while crying)
Before Neil could sit properly he started to stumble. Avni was in the quick reflexes and grabbed him....made him lay on the sofa.

Avni-(in shaky tone) Ka...Karan....look at him....his..nose bleeding!!

Karan quickly started to check the beats and looked at him.

Karan- get sugar and salt water quickly.

Neil- hey!! I am good buddy!(in almost unconscious state)

Avni-(in anger) LET.HIM.DECIDE.THAT!

Neil looked at her in admiration and also with hurt or let's say sadness.

BACK TO PRESENT

NEIL-(with a sweet smile) well ! It is and trust me each and every part of it was the one which made me think that I am going mad over her again and again. Life is never a cakewalk or icy ...... It has to have the ups and down which we need to understand and to overcome them there are two options....one you run away or you embrace it.

Other person- some say it is painstaking to wait, some say that more painful is moving on .....but don't you think it's worst when you only don't know whether to wait or move on?

Neil-(in a sarcastic way) I understand the feels bro...... Like a part of me aches at the the thought of her being so close yet so untouchable right......

Again goes back in past

After Karan checked him out, he was not so sure about the symptoms and so he asked for a blood test with an ECG.

After a day came a report of his having a brain tumor....due to the injury that caused a prolonged clogging of blood during the fight with vidhyut's men as neo.(the breaking of jail by Avni for Neil , the kaali maa avatar)

Soon this brought a tsunami in the room. They didn't knew for whom to mourn and whom to rejoice. Avni was like a complete dead person by the news whereas for Neil it was a casual thing nothing to be worried about. While others were half mad at the craziness of him and her.

Neil could not see her like that so thought to confront her so he went to her room.

Neil-Avni! Aise kyun baithi ho niche? Khade ho jao aur baitho bed par.

He had to literally lift her up and make her settle on the bed.

He made her ly on his lap and started to soothe her hairs. Slowly and steadily Avni's dam broke and she started to cry.

Neil-aren't you happy that I would be accompanying you to the heaven as well

Avni-I failed Neil...... To save you.... I was never meant to come in your life...... I ruined your life......mummyji , papaji, bebe........I failed them Neil. I ......

NEIL-shhhhh!! You didn't Avni (in a coarsed voice) I failed and see now Neela maa made that easy for me now I am at peace avni.

Avni-(with hurt) but what about me?? You are at peace but I am not....(gets up and grabs his hand) please Neil maan jao na please.....I don't want you to .....(she couldn't even utter the word and here she thought that he can imagine the same)

Neil- kya Avni(in tears) kya man jau? Aur kyu? jab mujhe kuch hua to....you can't even say the word and here you everyday with each passing moment you are ready to step closer to death and want me to sit and stay happy......move on!! How?  (Wipes his tears )
That's not the topic now anyways I too am tired of everything it's good that I too can rest in peace now......

Avni-no!!(raising her voice) you can't....! You have to.,.

Neil-not without you and if I have to then you are free from me but let me be on my own. You don't get to decide what I want.

With that he walked away leaving her in a painful state of her thoughts and emotions.

Back to present
Neil-(with thin teary eyes) sometimes relations are like glass, it's better for us to let them be broken rather than hurting ourselves by putting them together.

Same person- won't that be giving up on your love?

Neil-who says so..agar vo wakai me tumhare liye hai to puri kaynat bhi tumhe milane mein jut jayega.

Third person- to kya tab tak bas aise hi hurt hote rhe?

Neil- but the sad fact is that you don't stop loving the person even if it hurts. It's like either u always love them or you never been

Another one- but does that love meets you with same intensity and dedication which you have??

Neil- ..... EXPECTATIONS.......

Flashback
Avni was in delima yet she knew that now she has to convince Neil for treatment.

She pleaded, begged, cried and god knows what she did but Neil didn't agreed. He had made himself really clear that either she agrees or she won't ask him.

All of the family were concerned about both of them. If it was in aryan's hand he surely would have dragged both of them together with their ears.

This happened when Avni finally due to dehydration collapsed while running behind Neil.

Neil quickly rushed at the sound and saw her bleeding due to sharp cut on her hand.

Neil- Avni!!(in desperation) open your eyes.(tears coming) Please Avni stay awake. Dekho you wanted me to listen to you na? I will..... Please open your eyes.

He took her to her room and settled her there. He quickly tied cloth to the bleeding wound and called karan.

Hopefully all were in the living room so they too rushed to help.

Karan checked her out and came out. Looking at their tensed faces.

Karan-(looking at Neil) nothing to worry about just dehydration. Thode time mein theek ho jayegi.

And was about to go when Neil too left the passage in anger. DD was gonna go behind him when karan said he would look out.

Karan went behind and saw Neil getting into the car. He quickly grabbed the handle before it got closed.

Neil-let me go!!(with tears)

Karan- listen this is needed. Let me speak.

Neil-(crying) none of it was needed,nor me meeting her again, nor her torturing herself, nor my family knowing and not her tears. I love her from earth to sky but that does not mean she would do the same for me. She is stressed even now because she got to know about my illness and not because she is ill. I am just working her up. I can't see her like this.

Karan - nor can we. Will you please understand for her to live there's only one thing most important and that is you. She always use to say that she could have easily defeated vidhyut but then who would have saved you from her. Did she had defeated vidhyut and stayed there with you all ,she would have been the most happiest but here it's exactly opposite. None of the things I said happened and here she is counting her breaths to go away. Her intensity of love for you is so strong that she left her weapons and herself just to keep you safe.

Now let me drive and you sit silently without saying anything.

Karan drived the car to secluded cliff with beautiful greenery.

After reaching there both sat quietly on bench unlike their state of mind which was restless.

Karan- I was really good at my work and by god's grace I still am. Everyday people come to me with their helplessness. Some which they have created and others that god have naturally gifted to them. You know what is the irony in case of doctor's!??

(He looked at his palms with sad smile and when he felt Neil looking at him he looked at him with the same pain)

We are dedicated to make lives around us happy and gift them life but when the situation arises where we can't.... it's not only the person loosing his life or the family loosing their member...... it's a complete throwback to our confidence, knowledge and peace.

We know that at times we say lie that patient is or will be alright because we know that if we would tell them the reality it would not only break the family rather the pateint too would loose the zeal to heal.

And my experience says it all Neil. I know that for now my lie or rather our lie is causing her stress but without stress no one can be motivated to take steps ahead. Had you not been faking your illness , she would have easily left her desire to live and all of your and everyone's expectations would have shattered.

Remember one thing Neil... it's the same boiling water that softens the potato whereas it still does hardens the egg. So the circumstances would be same everytime , it's just the never ending attempts of individual to save each other.

Present.

Neil- It's sometimes we have to be silent too, so that we make them realise our presence essential for their existence rather than forcing them to remember.
Also we can always remember that we all have idea about how the other person is expected to lead his life whereas when asked about ourselves we have none.

Well (looking at his watch) I think that now it's time for wrap up anyone with one last quick question before we wind up?

Person- and what if this whole pravachan of  yours was very boring for me to listen??

Neil with a smile quickly looked at the direction of the person.

Neil-(smirking) cause it was meant for those  who have that mental stamina to know things unlike some of my dumb friends. So ladies and gentlemen let's see you all tomorrow.

With that all the crowd started to vacate the place while Neil settled himself on the table . The waiter came and handed him hot sizzling and rejuvenating tea. He started to take slow sips of it.

Whereas Karan was looking at him with satisfaction yet some pain still visible. Whereas Ali and DD in their own way were bantering about stuffs.

Neil was looking at them with a smile .

Karan the most calm and quiet among them took the head.

Karan-so again the same story.

Neil-(with smirk) well! We can say in a new way like ....uhmmm....yes ....remake. But mind you the content remains the same.

Ali- yes! You are a love guru right?? Whom everyone should consult with.(Neil nods) so why don't you go and suggest sunheri to accept DD?

Neil-cause DD although loves her but never conveyed the same to her.

Dd- (as if offended) are you even by my side? Didn't you saw me proposing her? Or you forgot my dates with her?

Karan-(rolling his eyes) yea !! Yea! Giving a watermelon and proposing would be the best ever proposal isn't it? ( Ali and Neil controlling their laughter) . Oh!! And how I forget going to temples are dates!!?

DD was now pouting and the others were in laughing sessions.

Neil-I (controls his laugh) maybe a advisor but for him .....only(looks at sky with hands joined) he can help. I am still underqualified for that level.

Dd- that was just over the board sir. Anyways I don't need your help. I will get her to say yes! That's a promise.

Ali-is it?

Dd-cen percent.

With that DD left and so did Ali as he had to look for the things in the cafe leaving Karan and Neil.

Now was the real talk gonna happen.

Karan-(with folded hands) so!!!

Neil-(as if mimicking) so?

Karan- you know what I am talking about and dare you try to escape this time. I know that both DD and Ali might have started to ignore the topic to let you be but not me.

Neil-(turning serious) and exactly what do we need to look here?

Karan - that you can't live in dilusion nor can you run away from the facts.

Neil-and what are the bloody facts(furiously) nothing but those which give you pain and nothing else. What happened you knew right. It's 2 years ..... You know what does this time span means?

We talk but we don't, we are close yet so far from each other, we both love yet we can't express. What more facts do you want to know more or do we need to see here?

Karan- the most biggest of all.....and that is even after everything you still love her the same when you first fell in. Tum use phir bhi chahte ho neil.

Neil-(a bit sad and teary face) yahi to meri majboori aur uski sazaah ki mein use aaj bhi utna hi chahta hu. You know what thak gya hu mein . I know ki use meri zarurat hai,abhi nhi shayad har waqt jab se haath thaama tha but ek ye bhi fact hai ki meine lakh koshish ki par hum us nadi ke do kinaare they jo kisi bhi mod par ek nhi hote.

Karan-aur vohi do kinaare chahe kabhi bhi ek na ho par aakhir jab baat samandar ki ho to dono mil hi jaate hai. Sahi Kaha tha tumne ki shayad tumhe pata tha ki use pakadna zaruri hai aur ab mein ye keh rha hu ki Neil uska haath pakadte hue ab tumhe bhi kisike saath ki aadat ho gyi.

Neil-(with almost no hope) sab kuch theek hota agar aaj Neela maa.....

Karan- aur vo hoti to bhi yahi kehti ki jab tak tum dono ek dusre mutually settle nhi hote to vo bhi kuch nhi kar sakti. Tum ye nhi samajh rhe ki Neela maa tumhari help kaise karti thi ya yu kahu ki tab tak tum ready they samajhne ko....lekin ab....

Anyways Neil mein ye end tak karte rahunga waha aryan ko nhi sun ni aur yaha tum.

Neil- (in a sad voice)...na hi koi awaaz hui,
                                      ....na hi koi tamasha.
                 .....badi khamoshi se dokha de gyi,
               .....jispar hum sabko barosa sa tha.

I know ki tum kahoge ki ye uske haath mein nhi tha ..... We can't predict it before.....blah blah but you know what when you truly are in love na
... Then love don't require the details about place,time,clothes, situations because they are made up for each other as such that they reside in each other even after being apart.

Karan- and why don't you get it that she really did love you and that was the reason she opted for cure??

Neil-(smirks at him) yes!!! She did and what did she landed herself on?
Didn't you saw that the efforts to save her life by her were just as bestowing donkey to carry weights??

And if she did agree than tell where is she now?? Can you tell me??

Karan-(sighing) she would have Neil! If that accident didn't happen!!.

Neil at once after the remembrance of accident left the cafe without looking back at Karan.

Karan too sighed and silently prayed for everyone's happiness.

Sorry I know I am late but please bare with me .