Chapter 44:

It was the time of the morning, the first morning of the new life of Avni and Neil. Avni wakes up and turns her face. She saw Neil is sleeping on his stomach by opening his mouth. Avni smiles to see him. Avni gets up and goes to Neil's side and covers him with the blanket and smiles.

Avni goes to the cupboard and looks at the dresses. She was confused and was biting her thumb's nail.

Neil: may I help you?

Avni turns her face and sees Neil is standing by keeping the hands in his pockets. Avni was still biting her nail. Neil chuckles to see her. Avni instantly keeps away his hand. She sets her hair to avoid her awkwardness.

Avni: ab you awake?

Neil: I think so.

Avni looks at him. Neil comes to her.

Neil: by the way, good morning. Happy first morning of our marriage.

Avni looks at him it was unexpected for her. She smiles.

Avni: you too.

Neil smiles and said, yaa.

Neil: by the way, why you are standing here. I have been seeing you for five minutes.

Avni: Actually, I am confused that which saree I wear?

Neil: let me help you?

Avni turns to the cupboard and Neil selects the Saree for her.

Neil: this, this will look good.

Avni smiles and takes that.

Avni: thank you.

Neil: my pleasure.

Neil smiles.

Avni comes out after changing. Neil was scrolling down the phone. He looks at Avni she was looking breathtaking and water was dropping from her hair, her face was glowing. She feels shy. Neil looks at her from top to toe. Avni goes to get ready she looks at Neil from the mirror who was looking at her. Neil looks away and Avni picks the earring. Neil's phone rings. He goes to talk out.

Avni was getting ready she saw the sindoor box and picks that. Avni fills her hairline and feels something in her heart. She wears the mangalsutra and her heartbeat increased she was feeling a new feeling, new emotions. Avni looks herself and touched her mangalsutra.

Later, Neil comes after changing and wipes his hair with the towel he forgets about Avni and comes out. His shirt's buttons were open. Avni looked at him and was surprised to see him. Neil's hair was wet and messed. Neil saw Avni is looking at him he looks at himself and looks at Avni he sets his hair and signs what by raising his eyebrows. Avni feels awkward and looks away. Neil smiles and closes his button.

Later, Avneil comes to the dining area and takes blessings from the elders.

Maddy: Avni, today is the first day and you should wake up early and you are coming now when everything is prepared.

Neil: Bua, I asked her to wait for me we will go together.

The family smiles and Maddy made a face.

Shweta: you did right and today is Avni's first day how can I let her do the kitchen's work.

Maddy: every girl has to do that. It is tradition.

Shweta: but where is it written that it has to be done on the very first day. She will live with us so she can do it any day.

Maddy: see Bebe, how Bhabhi is talking to me today we will go back that's why I asked. She always taunts me.

Shweta: when did I...

Neil rubs his temple and Avni was not liking that but she remains silent.

Bebe: enough now. The new bride is standing here and your catfight has started. Maddy, when Avni will cook something I will send that to you. It is her first day, let her get comfortable, to get habitual of this house what is the need to hurry.

Maddy: Bebe, we also did that. My mother-in-law made me stand in the kitchen on the first morning of my marriage.

Shweta: but I am not like your mother-in-law I will never force Avni to do something. Avni is my daughter, not my daughter-in-law.

Avni looks at her emotionally and smiles. Neil smiles and looks at Avni.

Prakash: and I will not let you do that. No one can force my daughter even not Neil.

Neil makes and face and signs what by his hand. Prakash side hugs Avni she looks at him.

Prakash: If Neil or anyone says anything to you, just tell me I will see them.

Avni smiles emotionally. She was overwhelmed by seeing their love. Neil understands her condition. He smiles.

Maddy: sab charha lo isay sar per. Kal ko sab pashtao ge phir mujhe mat kehna.

She goes and Avneil looks at her.

Bebe: leave her it is her daily routine. Come Avni, let's have breakfast.

Avni nods and all sit.

Bebe: Neil, Avni, you both have to eat from the same plate. It is our home's tradition.

Avni looks down. Neil looks at her.

Neil: Bebe, here... I mean.

Shweta: why are you feeling shy she is your wife.

Neil: yaa but...

Shweta: no but, no if you have to do it.

Avni turns the plate and Neil saw that. She gets a little amount of food. Shweta saw that and she comes and fills her plate.

Avni: mummy Ji, it's...

Shweta: umm.

Avni stops.

Shweta cups her chin.

Shweta: Avni, it is your home you don't need to hesitate. Feel free to do anything. Hmm.

Avni smiles.

Bebe: now feed each other.

Avneil were shocked.

Shweta: what? Feed.

Neil feeds Avni and she feeds him by looking down. These all things are new for her that's why she was feeling awkward.

All had breakfast.

In the evening, Avneil went to Mehta house where all were happy to see Avni. Ashish was not there. All hugs her.

Aman: Di, saree and all, hmm. Not bad. You are looking so different in it.

Avni and Neil smile. Arav comes by running and hugs Avni. She picks him and kisses him.

Avni: how are you?

Arav: good. I missed you so much.

Avni: me too.

She kissed him. All smiles.

Nm: Avni, you will stand like this the whole day. Neil, sit.

Avni: please mamma, don't be formal. I did not come here the first time.

All smiles and sits.

Avni: mamma, papa...

Nm: he went to the office for urgent work.

Avni: oh.

Avni in mind: for urgent work or to avoid me.

All talked and Ashish comes there. Neil meets him and Avni looks down she smiles to see Arav and talks to him.

Ashish: how are you?

Neil: good, how are you?

Ashish: fine.

They break the hug. Neil looks at Avni who was pulling Arav's cheek. Neil felt that Avni should do some efforts to patch up with Ashish but he doesn't know that she did enough but no use then she let the things go as those were going and after that day incident when she came back from the hospital she was really hurt.

Ashish clears his throat and Avni understands that it is a signal for her. Avni gets up and looks at him.

Avni: Hi, Mr Mehta, I mean papa, how are you?

Neil was shocked to hear that and all were tensed that again they will fight. Neil gets angry on Avni but he controls himself in front of the family.

Ashish nods.

Ashish: Neil, you sit. I am just coming.

Ashish goes and Neil gives a look to Avni she also realised that she should not behave like that but the way Ashish behaved with her the last night she was angry on that. Avni thinks.