Chapter 56

                                    

                                          

It was the time of night, silence was all around. The raindrops were playing with the floor. It was raining heavily. 
Avni was standing at the door of the Mehta house hugging her mother who was confused. Avni was crying. Neela maa broke the hug and cupped Avni’s face. 
Neela maa: what happened, bacha? 
Avni sobbed. Neela maa thinks. She holds Avni’s shoulders and took her inside. She made Avni sit on the couch and goes to get water for her. Neela maa sat beside her and made her drink water. Avni sobbed. Neela maa kept her hand on Avni’s shoulder. 
Nm: what happened, Avni, tell me, I am feeling restless. 
Avni looked at her. She told her everything. Neela maa was shocked. 
Nm: Neil can do this, I can’t believe it. 
Avni: but, it is truth. Not only he but papa also betrays me. 
Neela maa was confused. 
Nm: papa? 
Avni nods. 
Avni: papa and Neil did a deal before our marriage that… 
Avni told her everything. Neela maa cupped her mouth. 
Nm: Ashish? 
Avni cried. 
Avni: why mamma, why did he do that to me? When he knew that Neil don’t love me then why did he force him? He was my hero. He ruined my life. 
Avni cried. Neela maa was also crying. Neela maa side hugs Avni and kept her head on her chest. They cried. 
On the other side, Neil was coming to his room. He stopped at the door and looked at the room. 
Song: humari adhuri kahani. 
Neil entered the room and looked around. He felt lonely and was missing Avni. Neil turned his face and saw his and Avni’s picture. Neil goes there and looked at the pictures. 
Paas aaye. 
Dooriyaan phir bhi kam naa hui 
Ek adhuri si hamari kahani rahi 
Aasmaan ko zameen, ye zaroori nahi 
Jaa mile..jaa mile.. 
Ishq saccha wahi 
Jisko milti nahi manzilein..manzilein.. 
Neil recalls the day. 
Flashback: 
Neil took Avni to the room by keeping his hand on her eyes. They were smiling. Avni was asking him and he gave her replies. Neil stopped and kept away his hand. Avni’s eyes were teary. 
Neil whispered in her ear: Now slowly open your eyes. 
Avni smiled, she opened her eyes and was surprised to see the wall which was decorated with picture frames. Some pictures were of Avneil, some were solo pictures. She got emotional. Neil kept his hands in the pocket of his jeans. Avni turned to Neil who raised his eyebrows to ask how is it. Avni hugged him in excitement. Neil smiled and hugged her back. 
Avni realized what she did. She broke the hug but Neil pulled her to him by her waist. Avni flinched, she looked at Neil who winked. Avni blushed And Neil smiled. 
Flashback ends. 
Rang thhe, noor tha 
Jab kareeb tu tha 
Ek jannat sa tha, yeh jahaan 
Neil touched Avni’s picture. He looked at their picture. He recalled the day when the whole family did the family photo shoot and their photos were also clicked.