Chapter 26:

It was daytime, the sun was shining in the sky and the roads were floating with the vehicles. One of them was moving to its destination and Neil was driving it and Neav was sitting on the front seat. Neav was looking out of the window. Neav was looking excited but Neil was lost in his thoughts. Neil looked at Neav and he thought.

Soon, a car stopped outside the huge building of the hospital. Neav was confused to see it and he looked at Neil who opened his seatbelt and then leaned toward Neav and opened the seatbelt.

Neav: Papa, why we have come here?

Neil looked at Neav.

Neav: We were going to Mama then why we have come here?

Neil: We are going to Mama.

Neav: Then why we have come here?

Neil: I have some work here.

Neil moved back and opened the door of his car and then he went to the other side of the car and opened it. Neil brought out Neav. Neil looked at the hospital and thought.

Neil and Neav were passing by the corridor. Neil was holding Neav's hand. Neav looked around and he was scared.

Neav: Papa, why we have come here? When we will go to the Mama.

Neil looked at Neav and then he looked at the door. Neil stopped and he was also hesitating. Neil moved to the door slowly. Neil stopped there. Neil and Neav looked at the door.

Neav: Mama.

Neil looked at Neav shockingly. Neav looked at him.

Neav: I felt Mama's scent.

Neil was shocked.

Neav: Is she here?

Neil was just looking at Neav and then he thought.

Neil sat on his knees and held Neav's arms. Neil sighed.

Neil: Neav, listen to Papa carefully. OK?

Neav nodded. Neil looked on. Neil sighed.

Neil: You are Mama and Papa's strong boy, right?

Neav nodded.

Neil: You are our tiger, right?

Neav nodded.

Neil: And a tiger never gets scared. He also stands strong and brave.

Neav was looking at Neil.

Neav: What happened, Papa?

Neil got puzzled. Neil thought.

Neil: Neav, Mama is inside.

Neav got excited.

Neav: Really.

Neil nodded.

Neil: But she is not well.

Neav's smile faded.

Neil: and is angry with us.

Neav: Angry?

Neil nodded.

Neav: Why?

Neil: Because we hurt her.

Neav looked on.

Neil: So she will not talk to us and will not open her eyes but we have to try hard to pacify her. OK?

Neav nodded and said OK.

Neil smiled and cupped Neav's face.

Neil: My good boy.

Neav smiled.

Neil: And remember you are a tiger so don't get scared inside. OK?

Neav nodded. Neil looked on and thought. Neil got up and then he picked up Neav.

Neil: Are you ready to pacify Mama?

Neav smiled and nodded.

Neav: Yes

Neil smiled.

Neil: Yeah, that's the spirit.

They smiled. Neil raised his hand and they did HiFi. Neil's smile faded. Neil looked at the door and sighed.

Inside the room, Avni was laying on the bed unconsciously and the machines were connected to her body. The door opened and Neil came inside carrying Neav in his arms. Neil and Neav saw Avni. Neav got scared and Neil looked at him. Neil took Neav to Avni and they were looking at Avni.

Neav's eyes filled with tears.

Neav: Mama.

Neil looked at Neav and got emotional.

Neav: Papa, what happened to Mama? Why these wires are connected to her body?

Neil cupped Neav's face.

Neil: Mama is not well. Remember what I said outside. Mama is angry with us and we have to pacify her.

Neav looked at Avni.

Neav: Mama.

Neav held his ear.

Neav: I am sorry, Mama. Please forgive me and open your eyes.

Neil looked at Avni.

Neav: I promise, I will be a good boy. I will not ask for expensive things. I will daily drink milk. I will never throw tantrums on food. I will become a good boy and will listen to you. Please open your eyes.

Neil made Neav stand on the stool near Avni and was holding him. Neav made a crying face.

Neav: Mama, open your eyes. I am sorry.

Neav looked at Neil.

Neav: Papa.

Neil cupped Neav's cheek and was holding his waste. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Avni, your Neav is calling you. You will not listen to him. See, he is crying. Please wake up, love. Please wake up. Wake up for your Neav.

They tried hard but no use.

Neav: Wake up, Mama.

Neil was disappointed and his eyes were moist. Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: Mama is still angry with us. We will try some other day again.

Neav shook his head.

Neav: I will not go leaving Mama here.

Neil: Mama can't come. She is unwell.

Neav shook his head. Neav leaned to the bed holding it. Neil was holding him.

Neil: Neav.

Neav: Mama, wake up.

Neav's tear fell on Avni's hand and Avni moved her hand but Neil and Neav didn't see that. They were looking at Avni. Neav sat near Avni.

Neil: No, Neav, germs are there.

Neav didn't listen to him. Neav held his ears.

Neav: I am sorry, Mama, please wake up.

Neil felt bad. Neil cupped Neav's cheek.

Neil: Neav, baby, maybe the doctor uncle has given medicine to Mama. She was in pain.

Neav: Pain?

Neil nodded.

Neil: Hmm, we hurt her na so she was in pain.

Neav made a sad face.

Neil: Let's go home. We will come when Mama wakes up.

Neav shook his head.

Neav: If her sleep gets disturbed then she will again have pain.

Neav looked at Neil innocently.

Neil: Come on, now give a kiss to Mama, and then we go home.

Neav cupped Avni's face.

Neav: Mama, get well soon and I am sorry.

Neil's eyes got moist. Neav leaned towards Avni and his tear fell on Avni's cheek. Neav kissed Avni's forehead and Avni took a breath. Neav was scared.

Neav yelled: Papa.

Neil got alert. Avni opened her eyes and Neil picked up Neav. Neil saw Avni and he was surprised. Neil smiled.

Neil: Avni.

Neil kept Neav down and leaned toward Avni. Neil caressed Avni"s hair.

Neil: Avni.

Neil shouted: Doctor. Doctor.

Neil saw the button there and rang the bell.

Neav was looking scared. Neil's focus was on Avni.

Soon, a nurse came and she saw Avni. The nurse ran and soon the doctor came with the team. The doctor asked Neil to move back and Neil moved back. Neav held Neil's hand and Neil looked at him. Neil was surprised.

Neav: Papa.

Neil picked up Neav and cupped his cheek with one hand. Neil moved back and was taking steps backward to the door.

Neav: Papa, Mama.

Neil looked at him and got emotional.

Neav: Mama.

Neav cried and was not ready to go from there. It was getting difficult for Neil to carry Neav who was throwing his body.

Neil: Neav.

Neil was trying to handle Neav. Neil looked at Avni who closed her eyes slowly and a tear fell from Avni's eye. Neil was shocked. The doctor talked to the nurse and then they gave an injection to Avni. Neav was crying so Neil took him out.

Neil took Neav outside and made him stand. Neav tried to run to the room but Neil held him and captured him in a hug. Neav and Neil were crying.

Neil was standing outside the room and Neav was in his arms. The doctor came out and Neil became alert. The doctor looked at him.

Doctor: Congratulations she got her consciousness.

Neil smiled and tears formed in his eyes. Neil’s smile faded.

Neil: But she again closed her eyes. What if she…

Doctor: No. No. it happens. The patient takes time to recover. She will get her complete senses soon.

Neil: Are you sure about it?

Doctor: We are doctors, we talk according to our experience; the rest is in destiny’s hands.

Neil nodded.

Doctor: Coma is not a joke. People rarely wake up from the come. She is lucky that she got a second life.

Neil smiled.

Neil: We are lucky. We have gotten a second life.

The doctor smiled. The doctor excused herself and she went from there. Neil looked at Neil and cupped his face while smiling and crying.

Neil: You did it, Neav. You did it. Your love brought back Mama.

Neav looked on.

Neil: Mama is fine now. Soon, she will come back home.

Neav smiled.

Neav: Really?

Neil nodded and suppressed his lips. Neil hugged Neav. Neil cried.

Neil: Yes, my son. Yes. We won.

Neil suppressed his lips and smiled while crying. Neil broke the hug and cupped Neav's cheek.

Neav: We can meet Mama now.

Neil looked at Neav.

Neil: Not today. Now the visiting hours are ends.

Neav made a sad face.

Neil: Don’t worry, we will come back tomorrow. Mama needs rest, hmm.

Neav nodded and Neil cupped his cheek and kissed his second cheek.

Neil: My good boy.

Neav smiled.

Later, Neil was standing with the Khanna family. Everyone was looking happy and their eyes were moist.

Shweta: You are saying the truth.

Neil nodded with moist eyes and was smiling.

Neil: Yes, Mama, she woke up.

Shweta cupped her mouth. She came to Neil and cupped Neil’s face. Shweta hugged Neil. They cried. Everyone was crying.

The next day, Neil went to meet Avni and as usual, the flowers were in his hand. Neil entered the room.

Neil: Good morning, Wifey.

Neil smiled and came to Avni. Neil kept the flowers on the bed near Avni. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead who frowned and opened her eyes. Neil was surprised to see that. Neil caressed Avni’s hair who was looking at him.

Neil: Avni.

Neil kissed Avni’s forehead and he rang the bell. The nurse came and Neil talked to her. The nurse checked Avni and then she called the doctor who checked Avni. The doctor talked to Neil who smiled with teary eyes. The doctor went from there. Neil came near Avni and caressed her hair.

Neil: Welcome back, Wifey. I love you.

Neil kissed Avni’s forehead.

Some days passed and slowly Avni got her senses back now she was much better but she couldn’t talk still. Neil was prohibited by Juhi to come near Avni. Juhi was taking care of Avni.

One day, Neil, Juhi, and Vidyut were present in the room. Avni was looking at them. Juhi came near Avni and touched her forehead.

Juhi: Do you want to say something?

Avni nodded.

Juhi: Say.

Avni tried to talk.

Avni said with much difficulty: Ne…. Ne…. Ne..av. Neav.

Avni sighed. Neil became emotional.

Juhi: He is fine. He is at Home.

Avni looked at Juhi with teary eyes.

Later, Avni was laying on the bed and she felt thirsty. Avni tried to move but she was still weak. Neil was looking at Avni by standing outside the room. Neil saw that Avni is trying to pick up the glass. Neil instantly went to the door and he opened it. Avni sighed. Neil entered the room and Avni saw him. Neil came to Avni and took the glass. Neil made Avni drink water who was looking at him. Neil took out his hanky and wiped Avni’s mouth with it. Avni was looking at him and Neil avoided eye contact.

Soon, the day of Avni’s discharge came. Neil, Vidyut, and Juhi were present there.

Juhi: Avni, you will come home today.

Neil: Avni will come with me to the Khanna mansion.

Everyone was looking at him shockingly and Neil was looking at Avni. Neil came forward to Avni and stood near the bed. Avni was looking at him. Neil looked at Vidyut and Juhi.

Neil: I want to talk to Avni alone.

Juhi was about to say. Vidyut held her arm and Juhi looked at him.

Juhi: Vidyut, he…

Vidyut: Juhi, come.

Juhi: No, I can’t let him…

Avni: Juhi.

Juhi looked at Avni who signed her go. Juhi nodded. Vidyut looked at Neil and nodded. Neil blinked his eyes and nodded. Juhi and Vidyut went from there. Avni and Neil were looking at the door and then they looked at each other. Avni looked away and Neil sighed. Neil sat on the bed and Avni felt that so she looked at Neil. Neil held Avni’s hand in his hands and Avni looked at the hands and then she looked at Neil. Neil kissed Avni’s hand and Avni shivered. Neil patted Avni’s hand and he gulped. Neil looked at Avni.

Neil: Avni, I know, many things happened that shouldn’t have happened. I have made many mistakes. I hurt you a lot but Avni, I have realized my mistakes. After your going from my life, I realized that I am nothing without you, you are my everything, you are my life. I daily slept in the night with the thought that I would meet my Avni the next day and then one day, my prayers got paid off, I met you after yearning for five years but you refused to come with me. I got angry and I again hurt you. I didn’t want to hurt you. I tried a lot to control my anger, my emotions but I lost and I hurt you.

Avni was looking at Neil whose eyes were moist.

Neil: I gave you the wounds that could never be healed. I promised you that I would fill your life with happiness but I gave you the biggest wound of your life.

Neil sniffed and gulped.

Neil: Avni, I am sorry, I am sorry for every mistake, for every deed that I have done. Please forgive me and come back home. Our Neav and our family are waiting for you. Please come back home if not for me then come for Neav.

Avni: That is not my home.

Neil was hurt.

Neil: That is your home and will always be your home.

Avni looked on.

Neil: And this time you will come with me home. This time, I will not let you go away from me. This time, you are not permitted to go away from me.

Avni was looking at Neil who leaned towards her and kissed her forehead.

Neil: Today, we will go to our home and that’s final, and if you refuse to come then I will pick you up in my arms and will take you from here.

Neil smiled. Avni was surprised.

Neil: is baar dil wale dulhaniya le jaenge.

Avni smiled slightly. Neil smiled.

Neil: This time, no power can stop us from uniting. I will make you mine and will take you home with me.

Neil pecked Avni’s lips and Avni shivered.

Neil: Get ready wifey your life is going to change.

Neil smiled. Neil kissed Avni’s forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks and then he pecked Avni’s lips. Avni opened her eyes.

Neil: Have rest for some time till then I complete the formalities.

Neil smiled and moved back. Neil got up and went from there. Avni was looking at him.

Soon, the formalities were completed and Juhi and Vidyut were standing near Avni who was laying on the bed.

Avni: Juhi?

Juhi and Vidyut looked at Avni.

Juhi: Hmm.

Avni: This is a quiet big hospital. It must be expensive… why you brought me here… and who paid the bills?

Juhi and Vidyut looked at each other and then they looked at Avni.

Juhi: Avni, at that time my mind was not working and Vidyut said that this hospital is the best so we brought you here.

Avni was looking at them.

Avni: You shouldn’t have brought me here. It must be expensive. How will we pay the bills?

Juhi: ab, you don’t take stress now. Relax and leave it. The bills are paid.

Avni was surprised.

Avni: Bills are paid? Who paid the bills?

Vidyut and Juhi looked at each other and then then looked at Avni.

Juhi: ab we will talk about it later.

Avni frowned and she got suspicious. Avni was about to say.

Juhi: Ab, Avni… what have you decided, where will you go?

Avni looked on. Juhi and Vidyut were waiting for her reply.

Avni: I will go to my home, Avni and Asha’s home.

Neil entered at the same time and he heard Avni. Neil was shocked. Neil felt disappointed and was hurt. Avni and others looked at Neil and were surprised. Neil grinned his teeth and clenched his fist to control his anger.

The door knocked and Neil flinched. Neil turned and everyone looked at the door. The doctor came and Neil gave her the way. Neil looked at Avni. The doctor checked Avni who was looking at Neil and Neil was looking at Avni. The doctor talked to Avni and Neil’s phone rang. Neil took out his phone and saw Shweta’s number. Neil looked at Avni and then he went outside. Avni was looking at him. Vidyut looked at Avni and then he went behind Neil.

In the corridor, Neil was talking on the phone.

Neil: yes, Mom… OK. Ask Neav, Papa will bring Mama home at any cost…

Vidyut heard Neil and stopped.

Neil: Bye.

Neil cut the call and turned. Neil was about to move but he stopped to see Vidyut. Vidyut came to him.

Vidyut: Look, Neil, don’t take any decision in a rush.

Neil: I am not doing anything in a rush. I have thought about everything.

Vidyut: Ab…

Vidyut talked and Neil looked on.

Later, Avni was laying in Fowler’s position and was wearing a dress. Juhi was keeping a file in a bag and Avni was lost in her thought. Avni looked at Juhi.

Avni: Juhi.

Juhi looked at Avni and the bag was in her hand.

Juhi: Hmm.

Avni: You didn’t tell me who paid the bills of the hospital.

Juhi was closing the zip and she stopped. Juhi looked at Avni and thought. Juhi closed the zip and Avni was looking at her. Neil came there with Vidyut. Avni and Juhi looked there.

Neil: So, you are ready?

Avni looked on.

Avni: I will go back to my home.

Neil: Yes, we are going back home.

Avni: I am talking about my home. Avni and Asha’s home.

Neil looked on and Avni was looking at him. Neil made a stern face.

Neil: You can’t go there. You are under my debt.

Avni frowned. Juhi was shocked.

Neil: You have to give me thirty lac rupees.

Avni and Juhi were shocked. Juhi looked at Vidyut who signed her relax.

Neil: I paid all the bills of the hospitals.

Avni was shocked and she looked at Juhi who looked at her and then Juhi lowered her gaze. Avni was shocked.

Neil: So, you have to stay with me until you give me all my money.

Avni was shocked. Neil moved forward but he stopped at some distance.

Neil: You don’t have any other option, Baby… You have to come with me.

Avni was looking at Neil who smirked. Avni was surprised. Neil came near Avni and he took out a small box from his pocket. Avni got emotional to see that.

Neil: You are going back to your home so go like the daughter-in-law of the Khanna family.

Neil opened the box and took a pinch of Sindoor. Juhi was about to protest but Vidyut came to her and handled her. Avni was looking at Neil. Avni didn’t protest because she was still weak and her mind also stopped working. Neil applied the Sindoor to Avni’s hairline and Avni closed her eyes. A tear fell from Avni’s eye. Avni looked at Neil. Neil took out the Mangalsutar and put it on Avni’s neck. Avni was looking at Neil with teary eyes. Neil leaned towards Avni and wiped Avni’s tears.

Neil: Now you are looking like Mrs. Avni Neil Khanna.

Avni looked on. Neil picked up Avni in his arms in a bridal style. Neil smiled to see her. Avni lowered her gaze.

Neil in mind: I am sorry, Avni, I didn’t want to force you but you didn’t leave a choice for me… I promise I will make everything fine this time.

Neil smiled and Avni looked at him. Neil took Avni from there. Juhi and Vidyut were looking at them. Neil was carrying Avni from the corridor and Avni looked at the people. Avni felt awkward and Neil looked at her. Neil smiled.

Neil took Avni to the car. Neil opened the door and made Avni sit on the seat. Neil made Avni wear the seatbelt and they looked at each other. Their eyes got locked. They were just looking at each other. Avni broke the eye contact and Neil came back to his senses. Neil lowered his gaze and then he looked at Avni. Neil moved back and shut the door. Neil went to the driving seat and he got in the car. Neil started the car and they moved to their destination.

On the way, Avni was looking outside from the window. Avni smiled to see the city. Avni's smile faded and she got nervous about how she would face the family.

Soon, a car stopped outside the Khanna mansion. The Khanna family was standing there. Bebe was holding Neav's shoulders. Neil came out of the car and he smiled to see his family and then he went to the passenger seat and helped Avni to get down from the car. Avni looked at the Khanna mansion and got emotional. Avni smiled with moist eyes then she saw her family. Avni got emotional. Avni smiled with teary eyes and she saw Neav. Avni felt like she got her life back. Avni was just looking at Neav. Neil was looking at Avni and Neav. Neav was looking happy.