AvNeil OS- Happiness or Identity

I am desperately waiting for a "sensible and emotional" conversation between AvNeil since a long time now, but CVs don't seem to be interested in showing such a scene, so I do something that I am not-so-good at, write one😆. Hopefully, you like it😳

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AvNeil OS- Happiness or Identity

I stared at the gushing water that hit the foot of the hill I stood on. The memories of Dayawanti shooting me and Neil trying to save me from 'suicide' came back to me.

"Phirse suicide karne ka plan hai?" I turned to look at him.

"Kyun bulaya hai mujhe?" I turned my back at him as tears gathered in my eyes.

"We need to talk," He replied, and I knew he was coming closer. I wiped my tears and faced him.

"There is nothing left to talk. Tumhare Bebe ko main aur mera Bhai galat lagte hai, hume woh najayaz samjhati hai, and that's it!" I tried to sound firm, but my voice cracked.

"Aur mujhe kya lagta hai, main kya samjahta hoon, yeh bhi utna hi matter karta hai, do you get that Mrs. Avni Ayesha Khanna?"

My heart thudded like crazy against my ribcage as I looked in his molten chocolate like orbs.

My name, my identity. He had said it just like that, with a tinge of frustration in his voice, but he had no idea how beautiful it sounded. How pure he made it sound. He made it sound as if it was meant to be like that.

He held my hand, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"We both know this is not it is supposed to be, Avni," he spoke softly, and I felt shivers running down my spine as his skin brushed against.

'Be strong Avni,' my head chided. 'He is shouldn't be leaving his family for you,'

"Then explain, how it is supposed to be, Mr. Neil Khaana," I folded my arms across my chest and masked an annoyed expression.

"Do you consider us, this marriage important?" He questioned me instead. His eyes bore into my soul, searching for the answer I was not really sure of.

I tried to speak but words failed me and looking in his eyes only made me stammer more. I looked away.

"Avni, answer me, kyunki iss sawaal pe kai jawaab teeke hai,"

"Jaise?" I looked in his eyes this time. I didn't want to be another Ayesha Maa who would wait for her husband or Neela Maa who would wait for the love she deserved. I wanted to be Avni Ayesha.

"Your Ayesha Maa wanted to be with her husband, so she waited for him Avni, similarly, do you want to be in this relationship?" "And wait for you?" I spoke and regretted. I had stated my insecurities.

"Nahi, I am not like your father. I promise main tumhe wait nahi karwaunga. For me, both, my family and you matter, and it will be difficult for me to choose between the two,"

Was history repeating itself? The images of Papa not coming to the marriage hall flashed infront of my eyes. My grip on my bag tightened as I fought those memories.

"Look, I'll try my level best to convince Bebe,"

"To accept an illegitimate child as her daughter-in-law?" I snapped back, angry at my own self. I bit my lips to control my anger as he stared at me, eyes widened.

I noticed that he had fisted his palm and exhaled. This was his way of controlling his anger and I knew my words were sharp, but lips speak what the heart knows, don't they?

But what followed was not what I had thought of. He held my hand and pulled me closer to himself, he sharp breaths falling on my lips and the smell of his perfume hitting my senses. His eyes staring into mine, with nothing but rage in them.

"My wife isn't illegitimate, do you get that? She is Ashish Mehta and Ayesha Haider's daughter, she is Neil Khanna's wife, and she is one of the most beautiful souls I have seen, and no person who gives up on her freedom for an unknown family is illegitimate, according to me,"

"Aisi identity ka kya faayda Neil, jo apno ko apno se tod de? Jo naam milke bhi adhoore se lage? Kya farak hai tum mein aur mujh mein? Haan mere Maa-Papa ne shaadi nahi ki thi, par unhone wahin rishta nibhaaya jo tumhare Mom-Dad ne nibhaaya, it wasn't just physical, it was about their love, Neil, I lost my control over my words as I threw myself into his arms. I felt him rub his palm on my back as tears escaped my eyes.

"I know Avni, par tumhare wajood ka, tumhare Mom aur Dad ke rishte ka, tumhe, Aman ko, yaa kisi aur ko koi explanation dena zaroori nahi hai. It was pure, it was beautiful. Tumhari Mom ne woh sab kiya jo unhe apne bacchon ke liye karna tha, and I respect her for that.

I smiled as I heard that my mother had gained the respect she had always deserved. I broke the hug. He wiped my tears and cupped my face. His question came back to me and as I stared at me, I found the answer.

"Neil, I don't want a fate like Ayesha or Neela Maa, because main unki tarah strong nahi hoon, par haan sacch kahu toh I want to be with you in this marriage. I may sound selfish, but for the first time, I am happy ki tumne mujhe galat prove kiya. Main tumhe deserve karti hoon ki nahi, I am not sure, but maybe there is a bond that we share, jo shaayad itna weak nahi ki aise hi toot jaaye,

He smiled at me. But my head was still filled with the thoughts and words of Bebe.

"Neil, tumhari family?

"Woh tumhari bhi family hai Avni, and I trust my wifey, woh unka pyaar deserve karti hai, aur paa hi sakti hai, mera dil kehta hai, He pointed to the right side of his chest.

"Tumhara Dil left mein hai,

"Toh kya hua? Tumhara toh right mein hai naa? I nodded and wiped my tears and smiled at him.

The water was still gushing against the hill foot, but this time, I was more interested in staring at the man who promised me something that I always had desired, an identity and happiness.

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Criticisms awaited😆