Chapter 18

                                    

                                          

It was daytime, in an old age home all were having lunch, the uncle and aunties were showering their love on Avneil and were serving them even giving them food to eat from their plates and feeding them. Avneil were very happy. Neil saw an aunty is sitting silently and is not eating anything and is wiping her tears. An aunty saw Neil looking at her. 
Lady: she came two months ago but still cries for her son who left her here after transferring her all property in his name. 
Neil looked at the aunty and felt bad. 
Lady: we all tried to make her understand the reality but our all efforts goes in vain. She said, she wants to feed her son once by her hand and today is her Son’s birthday she is in the delusion that he will come to meet her. She made his favourite dish for him. 
Neil looked at the lady, he got up and goes to her. Neil sits on his knees. Avni and Grand maa looked at him. 
Neil: hi aunty. 
Aunty looked at him. 
Neil: I am Neil, ab actually, I wanted to eat this pulao. Can I have it? 
Aunty nods. 
Neil: can you feed me? Actually, I love the pulao of my mother’s hand and by seeing it, I am craving for it so if you feed me then I will think that my mother fed me. 
Aunty got emotional. 
Aunty: I made this for my son, today is his birthday but I know, he will not come. If you eat it then I will think that I fed my son. 
Neil opened his mouth. Aunty smiled and wipes her tears she happily fed him. Avni smiled to see that. Neil also feeds her. He talked to her for some time. 
After lunch, Avni distributed the gifts and other things like shawls and dresses. Neil was looking at her. Avni’s hair was flying in the air, she was keeping them behind her ear. Neil smiled to see her and clicked some pictures of Avni. 
Later, Neil was playing football with the uncles and Avni came there, she was surprised to see that and stared at Neil then suddenly the reality hits her. She looked at Neil and recalled the day when they went to the orphanage. There he played with the kids.
Avni in mind: no Avni, not again. Don’t get into his trap again, this all is a lie, a hoax. This is not reality. Once you had done the mistake now not again. 
Avni looked at him and saw the genuine smile on his face. 
Avni in mind: but he looks happy, he was also happy at the orphanage too. He behaved nicely with all then why does he misbehave with me? Does he not love me? If he doesn’t love me then why did he come by bringing the proposal of marriage? What is the truth, whatnot, I am not getting anything. Which is his real personality, the one who he is with me or this one.  He is the same Neil who went to the orphanage with you and played with the children, he is the same Neil, who helped the needy people whom I love but… 
Avni looked at Neil who stopped and was panting and smiling. Neil was setting his hair with his hand. He turned to Avni and sighed, what by raising his eyebrows. Avni shook her head and looked down. Neil smiled. 
At the time of the evening, Avni met the Grand maa and waved her hand to all. Neil was looking at her. Avni and Neil got in the car and goes. The grand maa sighed. 
A car was moving to its destination, Neil was driving the car and after spending almost the whole day at the old age home, Neil was still feeling fresh and was feeling the energy in him like he got a booster. Neil looked at Avni who was looking out from the window. 
Neil: Today was fun, isn’t it? 
Avni looked at him. She smiled. 
Avni: hmm.