Chapter 19:
It was a time of the night, there was complete silence, but silence speaks louder than words. The Khanna mansion had shown where Neil was sitting on the bed and thinking about Avni.
Neil: why I am feeling that Avni is hiding something today the fear and grief was clearly visible on her face. When Arav told me about her crying suddenly she panicked that means she is hiding something, something very big which she does not want to be revealed at any cost but what?
Neil paused.
Neil: she is not a drug addict there are no such signs but she left it... but still there must be some signs but she is perfectly fine and in her blood report there was no such thing then why she is saying? Maybe the doctor did not write about that. But why I am not satisfied, I can't believe that she was a drug addict, she doesn't look like but why she will hide?
Neil thinks.
Neil: maybe to save someone, but whom? Someone close one... Avni and her cousin were in the car... maybe her cousin was a drug addict and after her death, Avni is trying to save her dignity so no one can say harsh words about her. If I were at her place I would do that. Yes, I am sure that she is hiding something very big. But how will I know about it she will not tell me.
Neil thinks.
Neil: Is my interfere in her past, good? Is digging past, right? What If she got to know about that how will she react? What if she thinks that I don't trust her that's why I am digging the past?
Neil rubs his temple.
Neil: What do I do? I am so confused.
Neil thinks.
On the other side, Avni was sitting in her room and thinking about Neil.
Avni: Neil is a doctor he must get doubted on me. Today doubt was clearly visible on his face I should do something to divert his mind.
Avni thinks.
The next morning, the Mehta family was sitting at the dining table.
Nm: Ashish, after one month Avni will go from here at least now let her sit here with us and let her make some memories that she can cherish later.
Ashish thinks he gets up and goes. Neela maa sighs sadly and Arnav thinks.
Avni was getting ready for her office she heard the knock on the doctor and stopped she recognize it by just hearing the knock who it is. Avni thinks she slowly goes to open it as she knew who it is.
Avni opened the door and she guessed it right, it was Ashish.
Ashish: Come for the breakfast we all are waiting for you. Come fast.
Avni looks at him. Ashish goes and Avni smiles with teary eyes she sighs deeply to control her emotions. Ashish comes back, all look at him then Avni comes after him and everyone's face light up. They smile. Ashish and Avni sit. Avni looks at the vacant chair.
Nm: today I cooked your favourite flattened rice and today I will feed you with my hand.
Avni smiles.
Sonia: and here is your juice.
Aman: and I also prepared this bread and butter for you.
Everyone smiles.
Neela maa feeds Avni she smiles.
Avni: enough mamma.
Nm: what enough? you just ate two spoons.
Avni: no it's enough.
Sonia: ok, have this juice.
She makes Avni drink with her hand. Arnav smiles.
Avni: umm,
Her mouth was full. Avni gulps.
Avni: enough bhabhi.
Sonia: but.
Aman: bread and butter?
Avni: no. What happened to you all. The marriage date is just finalised. I am here the whole month and after marriage also I will be here in this city, I am not going to Antarctica or Mars.
Arnav smiles and other makes face. Ashish hides his smile but Avni saw that. She smiles.
Avni: I know I am going to marry Gorilla but don't worry he is vegetarian he will not eat me.
Nm: Avni, bad manners. He is your would-be husband.
Avni: so what I have decided that I will call him Gorilla after the marriage also even I am thinking that I will ask the priest to call him Gorilla during the rituals how cute it will be when he said that from now Gorilla and Bride are Husband Wife.
Neela maa smiles and for their shock, Ashish laughed like a minion. All look at him they were surprised because almost four years, after four years they are seeing him like this. Avni was happier as she always thinks that because of her Ashish changed.
Ashish: Avni, you and your jokes.
Avni also forgets everything.
Avni: seriously papa he looks like what I do.
Ashish laughs and Avni too. All were looking at them.
Arnav in mind: this all is because of Neil, something is him he had changed Avni that too without doing anything. He brought the old Avni. I knew it, my heart was saying that only Neil can do it and I was right. Today after four years papa and Avni are laughing like before. Neil will bring back the happiness of our family I am sure about it.
Arnav smiles.
Avni and Ashish did Hi-Fi and laughs then reality hits Ashish and he stops laughing and was painting, by seeing him serious Avni also came back to reality she was panting they compose themselves and drink water they look at each other as they did the same things.
Avni: ab, aa I am getting late, so, I should leave now, bye.
All replied her she goes. Neela maa thinks. Arnav assures her that everything will be fine. She nods.
Some days pass and Avneil did not meet with each other even not tried to meet as they were busy with their work. One day, the Khanna family was sitting at the dining table.
Shweta: Bebe, it's been almost one week but Avni and Neil did not meet once they are going to get married but they are zero percent excited for that.
Bebe: right, we have to do something. Why don't we arrange a dinner for them?
Prakash: good idea Bebe but I don't think that they will get agree or if they get agree then that will be for us they will just go and come back we should think something else.
Bebe: like?
Prakash: why don't we all go for a family trip, both families.
Shweta: but there they will not talk because of us.
Bebe: one minute Shweta. Sunny, what is in your mind?
Prakash smiles and narrates his plan. They smile.
Shweta: awesome.
Prakash: In this way, Neil and Avni will get the chance to know each other and both families will also know each other.
Bebe: sounds good.
Shweta: yes.
Bebe: ok then let's do it. Talk to Mehta's.
Prakash nods.
Then Prakash and Ashish were talking on the phone.
Ashish: ok as you wish.
Prakash: ok then we will go one day after tomorrow, ok.
Ashish: ok.
Later, Khanna family told that to Neil he was shocked.
Neil: what?
Shweta: yes.
Neil looks at her.
On the other side, Avni was sitting on the couch and Neela maa told her she was more shocked than Neil she gets up and shouts, what?
Neela maa and all shocked to hear her scream.
Nm: yeah.
Avneil were looking at their family.
Avneil were shocked but what about you? how the trip will go? Wheather Neil and Avni will come close or things will become worse? Will Neil tried to know the truth and how Avni will handle Neil and her anger which never leave her. So many questions and answers will only be given as the story will progress.