AvNEIL FF:Woh Humsafar Tha(Chapter21 pg33 parts1-2-3 pg 34,updated) - Page 3

CHAPTER 6

AVNI POV

TV reporter "Recently during a business expo held in New York, a terrorist duo attacked the building during noon. Reports tells us terrorists entered the building through the staff entrance, held some businessmen captive while not targeting the staff or women, the security in the building and NYP and force has successfully has killed the terrorists in an escaping shootout after shooting was heard from building's floor where some captives were held. Causalities recorded are a US based Indian business tycoon Shekhar Rajput,45 and Kane Chase,56 businessmen and two security persons..."

IN Rajput Mansion,

In the wake of Shekhar Rajput, People were mourning of tragedy that struck in there lives as a great, happy person has died and the stronghold of this house was no more but no one was that much sad than a girl sitting in a for corner hugging a toddler not shedding a single tear because a dear one was again lost to her.

She was blaming herself for it and her luck that always made the loved one go away. But she can't become weak now she was the head after her Shekhar uncle's death.

He was like a father to her almost and as close as her papa ji and her papa ji told her one-day quoting someone,

"You'll have to learn the art of choosing, gaining, losing, and refusing to win what we call Life, the game."

I choose to be a family member to Shekhar uncle and I gained his love as child and family in a foreign place and now when he was lost to her as others. She can't be weak in the eyes of others she refused to be.

She was now pillar in this household, heiress to this lonely fortune and its responsibilities after her uncle unfortunate death, as his last will stated.

As Shekhar Uncle's only child and her best friend Sejal died in car crash he was desperate in finding a support pole under the weight of his business not wanting to give it away his own lifetime work to just anyone in future.

A crash car has taken away his child, heiress to business and already widowed, he was all alone in his 40's. When an unexpected visit from Avni gave him comfort.

Avni didn't came here to 3 years ago as a substitute to their child but came to see her after a long time and spend some girl's time with his besties after her tragic love life in India.

As if the time was not right going on for everyone she learned her best friend has died in car crash after a speeding truck driver rammed her car off bridge, six months ago.

Shekhar uncle invited her in knowing her well from Sejal 's college days and a summer stay. Giving an account of his life he asked about Avni's and when he learned her situation offered a job at company in return to stay with him in the house, as he was all lonely.

Slowly building up her position in office she became almost an advisor to his business affairs while battling her own personal demons and problems.

From that day Avni promised herself daily,

"I am Avni Ayesha Khanna and I will be a better person for me, for everyone, for Neil because I was not a better person for you to love me."

"I will never forget what I am. for surely the world will not. I will make it my strength. Then it can never be my weakness. Armor myself in it. and it never be used to hurt me." as a lone tear escaped my eyes.

Staring in the mirror of my room with a cold exterior choosing it to be my shield, I said "I don't care what you think about me. I don't care about you at all."

But fate has a mind of its own. It can't let it happen.

NOTE: Here it is Avni, her life account for 3yrs but not complete. I quoted some of my favourite quotes in it, changing them a bit.

CHAPTER 7

AVNI POV

"Bhacha. Kahan ho? Ash. ASH."I cried.

A two year toddler was a tough work to handle that for sure that too a stealthy one as mine.

"Bhacha ma ke paas aaja. I am going to be angry now. ASHNEEL." I shouted and I heard running steps but not of Ash's.

I turned toward the door of the room just as a maid entered carrying a happy toddler with face covered with chocolate.

"Ma'am. Ash baba walked to the kitchen this time. And got interested in food making." Said Saroj, smiling.

"That I can see." I said with smirk on my face as I went to get the escaping boy for the arms of maid.

"Eating the food while making it?" as I took Ash in my arms wiping the chocolate from his face.

"I made food with Oj di and then, Ma. I ate the food. I made you a cake too with a minion face." Said excitedly, while trying to escape from my arms making it difficult to get his face clean.

"Ash stay still. Now what will you do today? I will take you to your favorite ice cream parlour if you be good. Ok." Setting him down on ground.

"Ma ko bahut badi deal settle karni he dada ke work me. Aap banoge mama's good boy? Ash?" I said staring in those innocent dark brown eyes with smiling face that reminded me of Neil.

He said in most cute child's voice while I cupped his face in my hands. "Mama's good boy me Ashh. I will play and play and run like The Flash'. I will go with Oj di to feed ducks in park."He said, smiling proudly pointing himself, planning his own day and then in seconds that happy face turned sad and confused.

"What happened Ash?" seeing this, I combed through his hairs with my fingers.

"Ma. When will Daada play with me? When? I made a pillow castle for him" I got quiet just thinking what to answer looking at the maid for help, remembering the incidents of the week.

"Ash, Daada ji bahut important work karne gaye he." "Unhe bahut time lage ga aane me. Ash." I replied with almost cracking voice.

"Koi nahi Ma I will play with you. I will make our own pillow castle to fight zombies." He replied as he came running to my arm to hug me.

"Saroj. I have a meeting in 3 hours so I will be going and maybe late ho jaye. Please Ash ko babysit kar lena till I am back. Make sure he takes his medicines and nap." I said to the maid while packing my laptop. Kissing Ash forehead, "Bye bhacha. I love you."

"And Be good and we will go ice cream parlor. Bye. Love you." I exited the room.

Nahi bhula payi me usse. Nahi kar payi promise apne se pura. God gave me reminder of it "Ashneel Khanna .

After coming to New York, I suffered from a week of sickness when I consulted a doctor she told me I was 4 weeks pregnant. And BAAMH! There went my plan of forgetting the past due to a single night of drinking, and a passionate night with more than friend slash husband and morning with huge hangover and awkwardness. There was I, PREGNANT.

Couldn't fate be more cruel. Obviously it can with me, never in my life things were normal so why now.

But whatever my Ashneel was my heart ,companion to my loneliness, this child was special to me. He was my life and I lived for him.

Sighing, I exited the mansion to the garage to reach my car. I sped towards the place meeting was scheduled and parked my car, where there were fewer cars. Frowning I entered the lobby and approached the employee behind the front desk.

"May I help you?" he asked, noting the navy blue pinstripe suit that defined my figure. "Yes perhaps," I said smiling slightly. He looked dazed "I was wondering where the Teshmark and SAGE were meeting..?"

"Oh. Yes Of course," he said "Ms.Khanna, Its on the tenth floor. Room 1231."

I arrived at the room exactly on time. Doors opened and people were talking amongst themselves. I spotted my seated beside my secretary and gestured to start the meeting. The presenter cleared his throat,

"Welcome to business proposal meeting b/w Teshmark's and Sage's" he said.

"Due to the recent devastating events, First clearing the doubts Ms. Avni Ayesha Khanna is now the president of Sage Co. and will be handling future deals and business from now on. So lets begin the meeting."

The meeting went slow but the deal was signed and it was finally over.

"Ma'am there is a meeting starting in half hour downstairs with the board of Sage co. You have to attend it to settle some matters."Recalled Charlie.

"Sure. I will be there." I replied , already out of the door.

My mind was swimming in exhaustion and I needed a break and a vacation but now was very bad time between Uncle's death and Company.

"Chalo chale next doomsday pe." I mumbled entering the Board meeting room.

Those old men was starting me as if they were expecting an old lady to be me but I smiled.

"Good Morning gentlemen. Lets start and wrap it fast." As if any thing was good this week.

An old man stood and greeted me very warmly "Ah! Ms. Avni we heard a lot about you from Shekhar. We are assured Company are in good hands" "Thank you sir." "So lets begins" I wanted to escape as fast as I can and hug Ash but no it had to go slow.

"We were discussing Company performance. Monthly Reports tells the sales and productions and numbers are good."he said nodding with other members.

"But our main branch of India in Mumbai is facing a profit loss, maintenance problem and complains are comings. Its just that you have to tackle Avni, its becoming a problem."Said the spokesperson of the board frowning.

Kyu phir se? Kyu phir se wahi?

"We will send a team from company to go and tackle it. Besides There is lot here do here." I said, giving out a solution without involving myself.

"No. Everything is going on here is fine. Every department is running smoothly. But there in Mumbai it is not or else we have to shut down there and we know only you could handle there."

Shutting the branch. NO. A week of Uncle's death and I'm already failing. So NO. "I will go myself and handle it" I said confidently yet feeling resigned.

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HERE it is CHAPTER 7 and Avni's ticket back to Neil. And the mystery toddler. 'Oj di' is Saroj Ashneel's babysitter/ big sister and head maid in mansion

Hope you like the chapter. Please comment and suggest ideas to show you love.

Thank you for all the comments and like. Will update next chapter soon.