Chapter 66:

Ups and downs are part of life. Sometimes things work for us, sometimes against us but the cycle of life continues. The same thing was happening in Avneil life they sort out everything and lives happily. Sometimes Avni get frustrated because of the workload and Neil handled her, Sometimes Neil feels low because of the incidents that happen in the hospital and Avni consoles him. They supported each other. They understand each other and the workload of each other they never complain.

But one thing was there, Neil always tried to stay in his limits because Avni was still unaware of her feelings according to him. But the truth was something else she understood her feelings she understood that she is attracted to Neil and she was happy with Neil but she does not want to do any hurry in making any decision because their future is depending on it.

The sun rises and shines over Khanna mansion, Neil was wearing the watch while standing in front of the mirror. Neil looked himself in the mirror and ties the watch. Avni comes there and goes to the cupboard she takes out her bag.

Avni: ok, I am going. Maybe, I come home late.

Neil: going to Mehta house?

Avni: yaa, how do you know?

Neil: Neela maa called me and asked me to come.

Avni frowns.

Avni: really?

Neil: yeah, so I am thinking that we come home earlier then we go together there.

Avni: good idea. I also have no such work so I can come home earlier.

Neil: I will just do a visit to the hospital then I will come.

Avni: yaa, today you are off.

Neil: yes.

Avni: ok then I will come earlier.

Neil: ok.

Avni: Bye.

Neil: bye, drive safely.

Avni smiles and nods. She goes and Neil turns to the mirror and picked the hairbrush and get ready.

In the evening, Avni was getting ready, she was wearing a saree she rarely wears a saree but she was going to Mehta house so she wears that. Neil entered the room and was surprised to see Avni. Neil was staring at her. Avni saw him and Neil turned his face.

Avni: you came.

Neil said yes while looking away.

Avni: what happened?

Neil: nothing.

Neil goes to the cupboard and takes out his clothes and goes to change. Neil stands in the bathroom and thinks.

Neil comes out and was not looking at Avni. Avni noticed that. She keeps the hairbrush on the table and comes to Neil she turns Neil to her and closed the button of Neil's vest.

Avni: What happened, Mr Khanna? Why are you avoiding me?

Neil looks here and there.

Neil: no, nothing is like that. Why will I avoid you?

Avni: because I am wearing a saree.

Neil looked at her. Avni looked up then she resumes her work.

Neil remains silent. Avni holds his arm and closed the button.

Avni: Am I right? You did not give a reply.

Neil: what I say now?

Avni holds his second arm and closed the button. Avni cleans his shoulders and encircles her arms around his neck. Neil looked at her arms then at Avni.

Avni: looking handsome, Mr Khanna.

Neil smiles.

Avni: Am I not looking good?

Neil: you are looking gorgeous.

Avni: but you did not even look at me.

Neil: who said this?

Avni smiles.

Avni: what's the matter, Neil?

Neil: I just don't want to do anything that can build a wall between us.

Avni: are you talking about that night's incident?

Neil nods by looking down. Avni cups his face and makes him look at her.

Avni: we talked about that and I told you that don't feel guilty it was not your mistake.

Neil: I know but I don't want to repeat that thing.

Avni: have I stopped you?

Neil was looking at her.

Avni: you are my husband, you have right on me.

Neil cups her face.

Neil: I don't want to show my right, I want your consent.

Avni was looking at him.

Avni: I am ready.

Neil: no, you are not.

Avni: but I feel for you.

Neil: But not sure about it.

Avni: Neil, I want you to show your love. I want you to take a step ahead, not back. Please don't build these walls between us. Are you understanding what I mean to say?

Neil nods.

Neil: I promise, from tomorrow you will see a new Neil.

Avni: I will wait for tomorrow.

Neil smiles and kissed her forehead. Avni smiles.

Neil: ok, now let's go we are getting late. Everyone must be waiting for us.

Avni: everyone?

Neil looked at her and cups her face.

Neil: yes, everyone.

Avni looks down and moves away.

Avni: I don't think so.

Neil: he is your father. He loves you.

Avni: hmm. OK, you get ready. I am coming.

Avni goes. Neil sighs.

Avneil comes to the Mehta house and meets the family. They sit.

Arnav: how are you, Avni?

Avni: good. Where is Aman?

Everyone looked at each other.

Neil: what happened?

Nm: ab actually, I called you both to talk about him.

Avni and Neil looked at each other. Avni was worried as she knew about Aman's past. Neela maa was hesitating to tell them.

Nm: He is married.

Avni and Neil was shocked.

Nm: to Kareena.

Neil: what?

Neela maa nods.

Nm: he told me yesterday.

Avni: is he mad? When I assured him that I will get them married then. Where is he?

Nm: In the room.

Avni gets up and was going. Neil looked at her he goes to her and holds her arm.

Neil: Avni, stop.

Avni: leave me, Neil, I will not leave him today. Now he crossed all his limits.

Neil: I know, but it is a sensitive matter we have to deal with it with a calm mind. Calm down.

Nm: Kareena is pregnant.

Avni and Neil got another shock they turned their faces to Neela maa.

Nm: that's the reason that he told us the truth. Kareena is one month pregnant.

They heard the footstep and turned. Aman was coming from the stairs and bowing his head. Neil grins his teeth till now he was stopping Avni but now he was angry. Neil goes to him and holds his collar. Everyone was shocked they go to stop him but Avni folds her arms because she knew that how protective Neil is towards Kareena and she also thinks Aman did wrong. She can't save him every time.

Neil: why you did that? Do you even realise what you have done?

Arnav: Neil, leave him. Neil.

Nm: please Neil, at least listen to him.

Neil looker at Neela maa.

Nm: please.

Neil looked down then he looked at Aman and pushed him. Neil squeezes his nose and takes the steps back.

All were sitting in the living area. Sonia passed the tray. Avni picked the glass and gives that to Neil. He drinks and Avni keeps the glass on the table.

Avni: you ok?

Neil nods and squeezed his nose.

Aman: I know, we did wrong but we had no other option. Maddy aunty was looking for the boys.

Neil looked up.

Neil: you can tell us that.

Aman looked up.

Aman: I wanted to but you both were not here.

Avni: where did we go?

Aman: Jaipur.

Avni: we would come back what was the hurry?

Aman: Kareena was continuously crying and my mind stopped working so I thought that if you get married then she will not be able to do anything and we did that.

Avni gets up but Neil holds her arm and sighs sit. He makes her sit.

Avni: when we promised you that we will stand with you then why did you do that? We marry for you so that your and Kareena's relationship with not have any hurdle and you...

Neil: we can not blame him only. Kareena is equally responsible.

Neil looked at Aman.

Neil: I am saying this that doesn't mean that I forgive you, what you did, is completely wrong but you are not alone responsible for that.

Avni catches her head with both hands.

Avni: what did you do, Aman?

Aman looks down. Avni remembers something and looks up.

Avni: papa? Does Papa know this?

Neela maa shook her head.

Nm: no, he doesn't know that I...

Ashish: what I don't know?

Everyone looked at him and was shocked. Ashish was looking at them confusingly. All get up. Avni and Neil looked at each other then they look at Ashish.