Chapter 17:

It was a day time, Khanna mansion had shown where Neil entered the home and finds his family in the living area. He thinks and goes to them.

Bebe: here Neil comes.

Neil: what happened?

Bebe: nothing but what happened to you? You daily come and wish us but today no hi, hello, what happened?

Neil looks at her.

Neil: I want to talk to you all.

All gets tensed and get up they move to him.

Shweta: what happened, Tillu?

Neil: ab, I decided to marry Avni.

The Khanna family shocked they looked at each other.

Neil: I proposed to her, and she accepted my proposal.

Shweta: Tillu, what happened suddenly?

Neil looks at her.

Shweta: see, if you are doing this for Kareena then don't do this. We will find some way. Don't sacrifice your happiness for her.

Bebe: Shweta is right, Neil and marriage is not a game of one, two days. Think wisely. Don't take any decision in a rush.

Neil: Bebe, Mom calm down. I am not doing this only for Kareena nor I took this decision in a rush. I thought a lot and, then I came to the conclusion that Avni is a nice girl. She is independent and always take a stand. You saw that how she convinced all to wait one year for Aman and Kareena's wedding. I always wanted a girl like her who take stands, who should be independent and Avni has all those qualities which I want in my life partner. I have many reasons to marry her. I admit that one of them is Kareena but except that she is independent, we know her and also her family they are good and one day I have to marry someone then why not now, why not she?

Prakash: your all talks are right but if you are doing this only for Kareena then don't do this, I will handle Maddy.

Neil: no dad, I thought about it and I like Avni. As I said that she has all the qualities which I want in my life partner.

Bebe: ok, if you are saying then it must be true.

Neil holds her arms.

Neil: Trust me, Bebe, I am fine with this decision. I did not take this decision under any pressure and you all also like her, right?

Shweta: yes but...

Neil: but what? I am OK with it and we decided to marry as soon as possible.

All shocked.

Shweta: but what's the need to hurry. You are our only son we have some dreams, some wishes of your wedding and you are rushing it.

Neil smiles and pulls her cheek.

Neil: my dear mother, who stopped you? Do whatever you want, happy.

Shweta smiles.

Shweta: by the way Tillu, what Avni called you?

Neil shocked.

Neil: ab, aan, mo, mom, I have some work so I am just coming, ok.

Neil goes from there. Shweta and all smiles.

Shweta: I hope, he is doing this with his wish.

Prakash: don't worry, Shweta. I saw some feelings in Neil's eyes for Avni.

Shweta: I also feel that but still, I am worried for him.

Bebe: don't worry, our Neil is mature he takes decisions wisely and he also knows that how to give respect to the relations.

Shweta nods.

Bebe: and I also feel that Avni is the right choice for Neil. I was impressed with her when I first time saw her. I really wanted her to become my Neil's bride.

Shweta: anan. Not, Neil. Gorilla's bride.

They laugh.

On the other side, Neil entered the room while smiling he stops and smiles.

Neil: you call me, Gorilla, right? Now, you will become Mrs Gorilla.

Neil smiles then he remembers something and thinks about that. His expression turned to serious.

At the time of the night, Avni came to the living area and saw that all are sitting in the dining area she came to them and all look at her.

Avni: ab, aa.

Avni was fidgeting her hand she never felt that nervous in her life. Avni closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

Avni: ab, I, I am ready to marry Neil.

All looked at her, then at each other.

Avni: in one, two days Neil and his family will come to talk about the alliance.

Ashish looks at her.

Avni turns and was going, Aman instantly came to her and holds her arm. Avni turns to him.

Aman: you are not going to do this. I will not let you do this sacrifice. I will forget Kareena. I thought everything, I am going to London for studies and with time I will overcome it.

Avni was looking at him.

Avni: done? You are done with your bullshit.

Aman was about to say but Avni stops him by showing her hand.

Avni: enough, now listen to me. In one, two days Neil and his family will come to talk about the alliance. We decided to marry and that's final now no more talks. Yes, if Bhai, papa or Neela maa has any objection about it, then I will do what they say. But, I don't think that they have any objection they also wanted it, right?

All look at her. Neela maa thinks, Arnav also thinks.

Aman: but di.

Avni: you don't need to think about it and concentrate on your studies, that is more important.

Aman looks down.

Avni: don't worry, Aman I took this decision after thinking. Neil is a nice person. One day I have to marry then I do it now or after some days what's the difference in it. At least, I know him if tomorrow, I decide to marry someone whom I don't know or who just pretend to be good just to come in my good book and, then will show his true colour after the marriage then what will we do? At least, I know Neil, I know he is what he shows. And it's saying that a known enemy is better than a fake friend.

Avni smiles. Neela maa and Arnav shook their head at her example.

Avni: and Mr Gorilla is good. It will be fun to live with him as I love to pull his leg.

Aman and all smile except Ashish.

Aman: Gorilla? Like seriously, di. At least now don't call him Gorilla.

Avni: why? Why not I call him, Gorilla. He looks like a Gorilla then what do I do?

Neela maa shook her head while smiling. Arnav and all smile.

Aman: no one can win from you. Do whatever you want, call him whatever you want as he is going to be your husband.

Avni smiles faintly. Ashish gets up. Avni looks at him.

Ashish: does he know about your past? Does he know that you...

Ashish stops.

Nm: Ashish!

Avni looks at him. Avni nods.

Avni: yes, I told him everything. He has no problem with that.

Ashish and Neela maa look at her. Avni thinks.

Avni in mind: he also knows that you know. But, the reality is something else, no one will get to know the complete truth. I will not let to come out that. That truth will go with me from this world.

Avni thinks.

After two days, the Khanna family and Mehta family were sitting in the living area of Mehta house. Neil was waiting for Avni he looks here and there to see her.

Prakash: now, when kids are decided to marry each other then we should accept it.

Ashish: yes, you are right.

All smiles.

Prakash: we were business colleagues now our business relationship is going to turn into a family relationship.

All smiles.

Shweta: we liked Avni when we first time saw her I really wanted to make her my daughter-in-law.

All smiles.

Bebe: by the way, where is Avni? Call her. We want to spend some time with our daughter-in-law.

Nm: she is in her room. Sonia, bring Avni here.

Sonia nods. On the other side, Avni was sitting in her room in front of the mirror and her eyes were teary.

Flashback:

Avni and Riya were sitting on the bed. They were setting their make-up kit. Riya applied the lipstick.

Riya: Avni, when a boy will come to see you for marriage then I will make you ready.

Avni: ha, ha, ha. In your dreams. That day will never come.

Riya: why?

Avni: because I don't want the boy to run away to see me.

Riya frowns.

Avni: yes, if you make me ready then the boy will run away because your makeup sense is a disaster.

Riya: oh please. It is better than yours.

Avni: what a joke?

Riya glares at her. Avni smiles.

Riya: you?

She picks the pillow and Avni too and they start fighting.

Flashback ends.

Avni was smiling with teary eyes, then she hears the sound of a door knock and wipes her eyes. She saw Sonia and smiles.

Sonia: Avni.

She smiles and comes to her. Avni gets up.

Sonia: looking so gorgeous.

Avni smiles.

Sonia: let's go, they are calling you.

Avni nods.

In the living area, Neil was waiting for Avni he looks down and hears the sound of bangles and looks up.

Neil saw, Avni is coming with Sonia. Neil lost to see her. Even in a simple dress, she was looking gorgeous. Avni was coming downstairs and looks up she saw Neil and again looks down she was feeling conscious she never thought that she will marry the person whom she always ignores.

Avni comes and Neil gets up. He felt like he should stand up so he gets up. Avni greets all.

Bebe: come, sit with me.

Avni smiles and goes to sit with Bebe.

Bebe: you are really beautiful.

Avni smiles.

Shweta: so, now when Neil and Avni, both are here so can we decide the date of engagement.

Neil looks at Avni who looks at him then she looks away instantly. Neil smiles.

Ashish: yaa sure. I hope, you all know everything about Avni's past.

They frown. Neil looks at his family then at Avni who was looking at him.

Shweta: what past?

Ashish: that Avni was the drug addict.

Avni squeezed her eyes and clenched her fist tightly. Neil looks at her and feels bad.