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"This is all because of Sweta Ji and her influence over Neela. Or my wife had never talked in that tone she talked to me today" Reyaansh uttered showing of a conceited eye rolling.

"Hey don't go there. My wife is a sweet lady" Prakash protested with a fake glower but next moment he beamed.

"She can't turns me down like that?" Reyaansh ignored his protest and muttered puffing out breath after breath.

"By the way what happened? Aisa kya hogaya? kya kehdiya Neelaji ne ki tu itna bharak gaya hai?"
What did she do?" Prakash casted him a quick flummoxed gaze then pulled his gaze back on the plate full with home made snacks that the maid served both of them when Reyaansh walked in.

"Suddenly she is getting all irked on me, getting on my nerves accusing me as if it is not my place to think about my daughter's future but only she can" Reyaansh scoffed, absent mindedly playing with few beads of salted kaju on his plate watching them very keenly while his mind is else where.

 
"Why didn't you talk to her first before you did something like that? Look ladies don't like when you take decision on their behalf for your children. By the way what you did this time?" Prakash let out a chuckle watching his friends ranting since he stepped in. He is clueless waiting for his friend's reply.

"And what about she keeps secret about my child? What about she don't bother to tell me anyday soon if I haven't pulled that stunt? the one I did calling kabir. This woman was never going to tell me I can bet" Reyaansh crucified.

"Kabir?" Prakash gaze furrowed in confusion.

"Kabir. Kabir Sinha. I already told you about him" he told him when their kids was sophomore.

"You did? When? I don't remember" Prakash replied with unsure tone.

"I did, years back"

"Oh, So what about him?" Unwanted but Prakash grew curious. A smitch.

*

"Humm...." Prakash hummed being thoughtful when Reyaansh enlightened his true intentions about kabir. His frown deepened listening to Dr.Roy and he looked more tense than his friend. His bit his lips growing fidgety having dilemma if this is the right time to confide everything to his friend about Avni and Neil. However all his tension elevates by the soliloquy Reyaansh spat the next minute.

"And now she just realised she should let me know that Avni is in a relationship like in a serious relationship with a guy. God knows who. Can you believe she didn't care to tell me his name when I asked her like thousandth times. She is getting all nerves on me for calling kabir and here she is the one who didn't think it is important being a father, that I should know about the stuffs going on in my daughter's life, until this fucking evening. Like what the hell was she thinking of herself all the while hiding things from me? She thinks she has done the best thing keeping me in dark the whole time? And here you are saying me to fucking keep my temper in check?" Reyaansh barked at his friend harshly and Prakash has lost his talking ability in response to his speech. Because his heart is haywire what he heard just now. He swallowed hard having a premonition_that something is going to happen unpleasant. His head pickled.

"Listen there is something I think I should tell you at this point. I mean you should know this thing...." Prakash decides to say him the truth. His reluctant tone and words grabbed Reyaansh's attention he snapped his head towards him. His beady gaze is over him silently daring him the look_I swear to god mate if you utter a single word owning up about you knowing it too.

There is a deep frown took place over Reyaansh forehead watching Prakash this oddly edgy. And then the phone on the coffe table awfully rings Prakash kept it there once he took his seat on the couch in drawing. And it halts both their attention over it.

It's Neil's number dancing on the screen getting eager to be received. Prakash took one glance at screen, swiped upward the reply and quickly brought it to his ear knitting his eyes with suspicion. And Reyaansh shifted on his seat in a little discomfort watching his friend's facade changed into grim replying to that call. Roy's eyes narrowed when they met Khanna's concerning ones looking at him before he cut the call immediately and rose off his seat abruptly.

*

"God damn she is sick. Avni is sick. How?" Reyaansh squealed growing frantic on his seat next to the driver seat while Prakash holding the steering wheel driving as fast as he can following all the traffic rules under his frenzied state of mind.

"Come down she will be fine" Prakash said eyeing impatiently at the red light when it will turn to green. In his head He is as panicked as Reyaansh but he has to appear much calm, or his friend would go nuts if he does the same.

"I can't believe Neil is the guy. Never thought of him like that. Avni loves Neil? This is bullshit. And you are telling me now? Like seriously? you guys betrayed me.
And there Neela going all over me this evening gushing over me incited Kabir at our place purposefully, like I have done some fucking sin trying to fraternizing Kabir and Avni.
God, you guys have made such a fool of me. I'm feeling so left out, divvy right now" Reyaansh ranted his disappointment. Irk laced in his voice followed by his facade. If he knew he is literally the last person knowing it. Reyaansh gulped at the thought feeling terrible for his friend.

"None has made a fool of you. We were just waiting for the best time that's it. And what about Neil? My son is a good guy okay! " Prakash replied with an annoyed tone speaking that last statement. His face serious, tone clipped, eyes straight ahead on road. He has never thought of Reyaansh could be this narking to handle in situation like this. Because he thought of him getting infuriating but never pictured of him riled up. Well huffy is tolerable, under controllable than dealing with a incandescent Reyaansh Roy who is not ready to understand, give a ear full to anyone.

"To hell with your fucking best time Prakash. Being my friend you ditched me, didn't you?
I'm not telling your Son is a bad guy, never meant it. This is something can't be happened between two of them Prakash. And you are.....well, already know the reason why." Reyaansh glowered threw his friend a disconcerting gape then looked away. His chest rising and falling getting more infuriated with the whole truth.

Well,Thank God he isn't that bad in blurting out his malcontents the way everyone thought of him would going to react in a typical way. Atleast Reyaansh is much sober than the Reyaansh Prakash had pictured would be_ him is appearing all berserk, getting all hard over the entire news.
Surprisingly He is acting much composed than he should be, he is actually being understanding, obviously if we ignore the part he is annoying in a worst way. Despite the reaction he is actually giving is much better than using any accusative words in anger which he shall regrets later.

Neil can't be the guy in my daughter's life. It's not he is a bad guy or I don't like him. This is not happening. I'm in effing shock at the moment to think straight actually. Reyaansh ran his hand through his head breathing harshly. His head is in mess at the news Prakash blurted out at the drink table when Reyaansh was all  mad, distraught blaming Neela for being so onerous to him regarding his cause behind calling kabir.

"For god sake would you please stop panicking Reyaansh? Our priority should be Avni now, nothing else. Let's not talk about all this at this moment. This is not the right time to go all spiteful " Prakash reprimanded. However a guilt washed over him for keeping things from his friend, when he has every right to know not at the very beginning but before everything gets out of control.
But in most of the cases like this the fact is we just can't reveal the stuff when we know we have to wait for the right time. That's how Prakash put his friendship aside, choose Neil and Avni over anything.

"She is in God damn hospital Prakash my daughter is sick and I have no clue how" Reyaansh softly mewled, sighing heavily. Prakash is feeling sorry for him, his state at the moment.

"Reyaansh calm down. Everything will be fine. Neil was there, he has already taken her to the nearest clinic. Trust me nothing serious is there happened to her or I would have known it by my son's tone of speaking.
By the way Did you call Neelaji?" He enquired looking at Reyaansh who is clenching his jaws, then he darted his focus back ahead on the road. They have almost reached.

"Yes she said she is on the way, she must have reached by now I guess" Reyaansh shooted the reply scoffed in indignation.

*

Neela

Since Shweta is not in her usual mood and Bebe is looking tensed, I think I have already guessed it, why she has called me to meet here, in a random park 'to talk' not in Khanna Mansion like always she does.

Shweta is not a hiting around the bushes type. And honestly speaking I like this quality about her personality the most. It's make a conversation easier and less complicated. So I replied to her those questions initially she attempted to get into a colloquy, as calmly as I could.

I threw my gaze unpurposely ahead, saw few kids playing football, few little girls holding hands smiling, singing some songs they must have learn it from their day care. There is a person or two atleast in every sitting bench capturing the space lounging and chatting.

"So you knew from the very beginning about my Son and your daughter, yet you decided not to let me know a single thing?" Her statement caused me darted my gaze at her.

"I wasn't at the very first but later yes, I knew it" I admitted.

"I'm not sure if we will get along anymore, after today"

"Me either. It's okay if we can't"

"It Seems like nothing bother you anymore" she let out a scornful smirk then said again.
Ditto mine" her voice curt, very clear.

"You know why I'm against this relationship?" Shweta scoffed. Now she has my all attention, which I hadn't a minutes before. I gingerly glanced at both the person when I saw her discreetly took a seat next to me and Bebe on a chair facing two of us. There was an awkward silence around us before she broke it through and initiated the conversation, which saved me from not to be the first to speak. Because she called me, didn't I.

It's been a week we actually talked or had any get together at her place, neither mine. This morning She has called me to meet me in this park two kilometres away our house, hence I wanted from her to start first.

"Yes I know. And I very well knew it when I got to know all these, that's exactly how your reaction would be. To be honest I'm not that surprised" I stated keeping my voice calm and causious. I have no intention to fight with her. Not even if she starts.

"Great, whilst you already know then there is nothing to pretend from my part, that I can't except Avni as being my daughter in law. This can't be happened. I can't let this happen" she blatantly expressed herself and I can't be sufice sure than this, that she wouldn't be someone facile to deal with. Isn't she quiet predictable?

"I can understand that. But don't you know, nothing is in our hand Shwetaji. We are already off that limit. It's not us to decide for two adults who they choose to be with" I simply replied and looked straight into her eyes. Try to put some sense in that stubborn head of her.

"You haven't listened to me properly Neela. I told I can't let this happen, I won't. If not in a easy way then..." She stopped leaving her sentence incomplete but I want her to finish it and I pushed her.

"Then...what?"

"Shweta enough" Bebe butted in stopping Shweta not to say things she may regret later, as she always does to her. But this time I want to hear it, therefore I encouraged her to spell it for me.

"No Bebe let her finish. Or what Swetaji say it, so that I can understand where we are standing, into this whole thing" my voice too composed yet firm.

"Okay fine. If you really want me to utter it then I have no other option" Sweta took a deep breath before she continued. As if something she don't want to say but she have to.  Thereafter the thing she said, it absolutely swept away the ground that was holding me firm until now. I stared at her for few seconds blankly being startled first then felt terrible then my inside fumed by the rise anger.

" May be then I'm not gonna keep your secret a secret forever Neelaji. I can't let Neil do the biggest mistake of his life and let my family get into the mess along with two inconsiderate fools in love or whatever stupid thing they calls it." She stated in treacherous tone, the tone I have never heard of anyone talking in before. My heart beat raised at her threat. Unbelievable.

"Shweta just shut your mouth, you don't know what your are talking. This is not the place to talk all this" Bebe interrupted again broke my speechless state and this time I raised my hand to stop Bebe instead. Her concerned gaze fall on me and I saw there ashame.

"I very well know Bebe. This is about my Son, so let me finish" Shweta was unfazed as always, not realising how much she is hurt me enunciating those few words adding into her speech. I have never felt this disgusted before for anybody the way I'm feeling right now. 

"Well I can spare you an entire week, to get you a decision into this Neelaji" she is persistent, spoke mercilessly. I found her tone stern, heartless. I just kept looking at her in effing shock. The more I stare the more my distaste grew bigger for her. She is such a terrible person I never saw it coming until this second.

"And all these while you have been saying me Avni is no less than your own daughter? You just blackmailed me!" As soon as I recovered I couldn't help it but let out a sarcastic chuckle which caused my blood boiled at the scene than Shweta's did from my stringent tone.

My conflicted subconscious screamed at me to say her much more hurtful words than she said to me, but I'm not her, I'm Neela Roy. I can't be her, not now.

"Yes I did. You are not in my situation. You won't understand. " She shamelessly admitted and looked away rudely. Bebe bit her lips she seems mortified with the entire scene, because her meticulous glances were over me. She tensed sitting there being the audience at our exchange of phrases after phrases. And honestly speaking, at this point, I don't care anymore who is understanding and who's not, who will support or who wouldn't. At the moment only my priority is my daughter, no one else.

"Yes you are right I won't understand. Actually, I pity you Shwetaji. Being a mother you couldn't understand your son, nor his wishes. It's true I'm not a biological mother to my child Avni, but guess what? no one would ever understand her the way I can. We have a special bond you know?" I meant each syllable I have uttered to her with all my strength and bitterness. There is no chance I can put some sense in her; howbeit, she has already made up her mind.

And then in a less than a second I'm on my feet. Bebe mimicked my action. Ofcourse much slower in her own version. Pretty obvious as per as her age permits to rise off her seat that fast. Her face was on verge of a cry, so was mine but I hid it skillfully not be weak in front of that eye-less, obtuse woman.

"Definitely I'll try my best not to cross your path ever again. And also warn my child to do the same." I said in a clipped tone holding much determination and much seriousness than she did. At this point I'm glad I already talked to Neil about it, or else god knows how I will able to tackle this situation. I have to talk to Ayan and Neil soon. Neil first I guess. There is no one I can trust on this, except these two.

Avni came to our life as an extra added happiness which before her was limited among three of us_Me, Aravi and Reyaansh.

Being a mother to my child It's time for me to do something for her, for her happiness. And this time nothing can stop me doing that.

"Have a nice. day. you. two" I somehow mumbled under my cracking voice, then grabbed my bag harshly off the spot that I kept it on my side before I took my seat on that wooden bench.
I didn't look at the lady sitting facing me. I don't know her since long. Though I can feel her eyes on me all the while, but have no nerves to look into those eyes. I truly have no heart to get into any conversation with that callous woman.

"Neela rukja" Bebe cried out.

"It's over Bebe" darting my gaze blinking away an unshade tears I whispered, not sure if Bebe had heard me. Because she called me one more time which I dodged it off again.

I have no mind to listen to that elder lady who I always consider a mother figure, though there is no point I'm going to hold grudges or something like that over her, but there is nothing to say more so I walked out of the spot holding a heavy resentful heart. I don't know this Shweta and the way she talked to me today. She is not worth my time, not anymore.

This new Shweta was suffocating me, I din't want to be there a second more.

I knew people show their true colours but never thought of Shweta would be this brutal. How could she blackmail me? This breaks me the most, not those words she said being over protective of her Son.

After feels like ages my ph vibrated and stopped, when I took it out of my bag the incoming call has already turned into missed call. There are two missed calls I have missed from Reyaansh. Why he is calling me?

Frowning I thereupon dialled his number.

~~~~~~~~

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