Chapter 69:
In the morning, the birds were flying in the sky. Some were hovering over Khanna mansion.
In the Khanna mansion, Avni was talking on the phone and walking to the bed. She was still in her nighty.
Avni: Congratulations Aman, I am so happy for you. I just saw your message. I had slept earlier last night.
Aman: don't lie, Di.
Avni: seriously Aman, I had a headache so I took the medicine and don't know when I slept.
Aman: you did not even wake up on the phone's ring.
Avni: I put that on silent mood so that no one disturbs me else it would ring the whole night. Else, is it possible that I do not attend your call?
Aman: you are ok, right?
Avni's eyes formed with tears. She smiles
Avni: yes, what would happen to me? I am absolutely fine and now very happy.
Aman: then why I am feeling that you are not fine?
She laughs and wipes her tears.
Avni: o my detective brother, nothing is like that I am absolutely fine.
Aman: but your voice is saying something else. Di, please tell me the truth, you are fine?
Avni suppressed her lips and gulps. She wiped her tears
Avni: Aman, mummy Ji is calling me, I will talk to you later.
Avni cuts the call. Aman looked at the phone.
Aman: again lied.
On the other side, Avni was crying. She wiped her tears and sighs.
Later, Neil comes back from the jogging. He did not sleep well last night. Neil saw Avni is wiping her hair with the towel. Neil lost to see her. Avni looked at him then she looked down and resume her work. Neil looked down and goes to the cupboard. Neil took his clothes and turned to Avni then he goes. Neil comes out by wiping his hair. He throws the towel on the other couch and Avni was sitting on the couch and looking at the magazine she looked up she again looked at the magazine and turns the page. Neil goes to get ready. Avni keeps the magazine on the table and goes.
Neil sat on the couch and thinks. Avni comes into the room with a tray of tea. She keeps that on the table and passed a cup to Neil. They were giving the silent treatment to each other. One was guilty and the other was hurt.
Avni: Kareena is not pregnant.
Neil looked at her.
Avni: Neela maa called and told me that Kareena is not pregnant.
Neil looked at her.
Avni: oh, I forgot to give medicine to Bebe. You have it. I am coming.
Neil knew she is making excuses because if she sits with him she will break down and she does not want that. Avni goes. Neil thinks.
Avni was coming down from the stairs and was ready to go to the office. Neil and all were standing in the living area.
Shweta: you are going, office?
Avni nods.
Shweta: we decided to go shopping we have very less time for all arrangements. Neela Ji and Sonia are also coming. Is it important to go now?
Avni looked at her. Neil was observing Avni.
Avni: aa, Mummy ji, yesterday also I did go so I have to go.
Shweta: can we make a plan for tomorrow?
Avni: no, no Mummy Ji, I have two meetings tomorrow so not possible. It's ok, you go, I will manage.
Shweta: ok, if you are saying then ok.
Avni sighs. Neil saw she is trying to hold her tears.
Shweta: but, thank God, Kareena is not pregnant.
Avni looked down.
Shweta: you know that, right?
Avni nods.
Avni: yaa, mamma called me.
Shweta: yes, she called me also and I am really upset with Kareena how can she lie about her pregnancy even Aman did not know about that.
Neil was shocked.
Neil: what?
Avni looked at Neil. Neil looked at Avni.
Shweta: yes, when Neela Ji took her to the hospital for a check and the doctor confirmed she is not pregnant then she confessed that to put pressure on Maddy Jiji, she did that.
Neil looked at Avni who was looking at her. Neil felt like Avni's eyes are saying that you said, I spoiled Aman now tell me who spoiled Kareena why she did the drama of fake pregnancy if his love for his sister is right then how her love is wrong.
Avni looked down.
Avni: I am getting late, mummy Ji. Bye. Bye Bebe.
Bebe: drive safely.
Avni nods and goes. Neil was looking at her by turning his face. Neil thinks.
In the nighttime, Avni was standing on the balcony and sipping a coffee. Neil comes into the room and saw Avni is not in the room he goes forward and saw Avni is standing near the rail. Neil shook his head. Avni sipped her coffee and moves her head to move the hair. Someone puts the shawl on her shoulder. Avni looked at her shoulder then she saw the person. It was Neil. Avni smiled to see him. Neil also smiles. Avni looked straight. Neil also turns his face and keeps his arms on the rail.
Neil: what are you doing here?
Avni: nothing, just enjoying the coffee and making plans for tomorrow.
Neil takes the cup from her hand. Avni looked at that. Neil turns the cup and holds the handle.
Neil: plan of what?
Neil sipped the coffee. Avni was looking at him. Neil turned his face. Avni looks straight.
Avni: office work.
Neil: really?
Avni nods.
Neil: office work or avoiding Aman's marriage preparation.
Neil passed the cup. Avni takes that.
Avni: there is nothing to avoid. Everything is clear.
Avni sipped the coffee and passed that to Neil.
Neil: clear? How?
Neil sipped the coffee. Neil passed the cup to Avni. Avni suppresses her lips and moves her finger at the edge of the cup. She moves her head and sighs.
Avni: I am going to London for one week workshop.
Neil was shocked. Avni sipped her coffee.
Neil: What?
Avni nods.
Avni: after two days.
Neil: you took that decision and didn't tell me?
Avni: I did not get the chance to tell you and everything is confirmed today only.
Neil: Avni, Aman and Kareena's wedding is in two weeks.
Avni turned her face and looked straight.
Avni: I am not invited to that.
Neil: not invited? You are Aman's sister you don't need any invitation.
Avni: of course not but you heard what Mr Mehta said that night. He clearly asked me to stay away from this matter so I am staying away.
Neil was looking at her. Neil turns his face and keeps his arms on the rail.
Neil: so you will come one week before the marriage.
Avni: no, I will directly go somewhere else. I got a big project so I want to monitor that personally.
Neil turns his face to Avni. He was standing by keeping his arms on the rail.
Neil: what will you say to Aman? What is his mistake in it?
Avni: nothing. The mistake is mine.
Neil was looking at Avni then he looks down and again looked at Avni.
Neil: you are still angry about that.
Avni shook her head.
Avni: no, I am hurt.
Neil looked at her.
Neil: I am sorry, Avni. I know whatever I said was wrong but I really don't like the way papa talk to you. He always blames you for everything. My anger was not on Aman and Kareena's matter. It was for you.
Avni looks straight and smiles.
Avni: yes, it was for me and you also blamed me. You know what Neil, I think, I am not hurt, I am done. I am done with all this shit. Means, the mistake is of anyone, put the blame on Avni. The culprit is Avni. I know, papa, no, not papa, Mr Mehta is angry with me and I am the reason for that but that doesn't mean that every time, everyone will make me stand in the witness box and accuse me for anything.
Neil was looking at her. Avni turns to him, Neil also stands properly to her.
Avni: I have done everything. I am the only one wrong here then ok I am wrong. Mr Mehta wants me to stay away now I will stay away from this matter, not only this matter but from anything. I always stand on the front now I will be nowhere in anything.
Avni looked at Neil she goes. Neil was looking at her. He thinks. Neil keeps the hands in his pocket.
Neil: this time wifey is very hurt. It is gonna be very tough to pacify her.
Neil sighs and think.