Posted:
Neil fastened his pace. He shouldn't have left the venue in haste. In his eagerness to reach Juhi in hospital, he for a moment forgot that it's his wedding. He was too eager to go and meet Juhi. For a moment he thought Juhi will have more info on Ragini Pandit's son and he leaped.
Mistake. Big mistake he muttered. I shouldn't have left my bride alone at the altar.
All these things could have waited. It was their moment and he ruined it. Neil never felt so angry on himself before. How could he do that? He berated himself in his head. How can he let her down? How can he ever ask for her forgiveness when he himself doesn't forgive him for this? How could he ever convince her that all he was thinking is the danger Pandit's son poses to Avni. He can't see her walking towards her death one more time.
He knocked on the door of her house, Avni Aisha's house. He knows he will always find her here. No matter where she lives, this will remain her home forever. The house is completely under darkness. Still, he was sure she is there.
Avni, I would never let you down again like this ever. Please open the door, I beg you.
He murmured to himself and raised his hand to knock the door again. Before he knocked again, She opened the door.
There she is, still in her wedding gown. With moonlight shimmering down on her veil, she looked like an angel with an aura. He looked at her beaming eyes and he knew instantly he has broken his promise of never breaking her heart. Her pursed lips, slightly puffy eyes, and her uneven breathing told him all he wanted to know.
He gulped down the urge to take her name. Unable to utter a word, lost in his guilt, Neil stood there staring at Avni. Even before she uttered a word, he could sense the resoluteness in her eyes. He feared the worst. Tears welled in his eyes at the thought of Avni leaving him. How can I let this happen? Avni is my life and I can't let her go.
"Avni..I am sorry ". He mouthed the words, as affectionately as he could, desperately searching for words to get her back.
"Neil"
"Avni, I am sorry" He took a step towards her hurriedly.
"Its ok Neil" Came her reply. Wasn't she going to ask why he did that?
Avni let him come in and switched on the light. Neil glanced around the empty room and realized his bride spent her afternoon crying in darkness and his heart skipped a beat. It is all his mistake. Will this mistake cost him his life? He needs to speak up now.
"Avni..Please, I know what I did was a grave mistake. But can you please forgive me?"
Silence
He can't bear the silence anymore. In a sudden move, he grabbed her shoulder and told her intensely.
"No Avni, I am so sorry and I mean it. You will have to accept it. I will never let you go because of my mistake. I would do anything, anything to correct that mistake Avni. I would do anything to make you stay in my life Avni...Don't leave me Avni"
She just stared back at him.
"Avni please say something." Neil was almost on the verge of a breakdown and he squeezed her even more tightly.
"Neil, you are hurting me". For a moment Neil wondered what she meant, before releasing her shoulder. He cupped her face, looked into her eyes, while his very being screaming at him for letting her down, he said.
"Sorry"
Avni smiled the same smile which conceals a thousand wounds to her heart. The same smile which made his heart ache many times before. He knew she will always forgive him no matter what, But the hurt he caused by abandoning her at the altar, she can't hide it from him with that smile.
"It's ok Neil. I just needed some time for myself to think. That's why I didn't come home. I know, you might have left for something urgent during the wedding. But you could have told me and go, You just rushed out."
Her smile never faded while she complained but he could hear her unsaid doubts. He would always hear her heart.
What has he done? How does he fix it? Probably he should just tell her whats in his heart.
"Avni I love you"
He looked at her face for a response and none came other than a wide smile. He smiled too and not waiting for her reply he bent down to take her lips to his. He could feel her surprise at this unexpected movement and her first instinct to pull away. He held her close while he felt the smoothness of her love. Reluctantly, she fell into his tune and eventually found her rhythm.
Moments later, Neil slowly pulled himself out of their first kiss. Avni's face has turned into a hue of beets red and he could spend eternity watching her blush like this. She looked ethereal in her white gown. That is the love of his life, he exhaled at his wife's breathtaking beauty. A blushing Avni is a sight to behold.
"And I declare us as Husband and Wifey ow and till eternity." He whispered in her ears.
He could sense her easing up.
"Neil...I..."
He waited patiently. Avni always takes her own time to express her feelings.
"Neil, I don't know Neil...I..." Avni searched for words.
"Neil, I don't know how to say this Neil..."
He didn't let her complete the sentence.
"Avni, You know what is in my heart."
"I know, just that I want to make myself clear". She looked in his eyes and replied in a low still firm voice.
"I know why you always stare at me Neil, I know what's in your heart".
A smile grew on Neil's face. "And?"
It was her turn to surprise him now. She leaned up and pressed her lips against his. Neil took a while to realize what she is doing and by that time Avni has already pulled out. Avni has her own unique way of expressing her feelings, he doesn't need any more affirmation of her love. He knew she loves her.
"Avni" With a slight pull he hugged her fiercely.
"I promise I will never let you down."
Avni smiled wholeheartedly. She can never leave him ever. She always knew in her heart that she mattered to him the most. No matter what he did today, Avni knows Neil has only one priority and that's her. She hugged him back and let her slither into his hug and his life even more.
This is home,
his arms wrapping her tightly,
never letting her go,
this is home.
"Ok Wifey, Let's go. I need to go home and get ready to take babe's scoldings"
Avni quizzically asked, "'I' need to go home?".
He let her out of his hug and lift her face with his finger.
"Yes dear, as much as I want to take you home now with me forever, I have to drop you at Neela ma's place"
"eh, Why?" A slight panic crept into Avni's voice.
"Or else how will Neil Khanna's baarat come to your house?"
Avni's eyes beamed in surprise.
"Let's get married again Avni. With all the rituals and blessings, let me take my bride home. Let us have that fairytale wedding you dreamed off where you become Avni Neil Khanna."
Neil looked into her eyes.
"And this time, I will make sure that it is the correct bride, No mistakes" He added teasingly.
"Neil, I love you.". Tears trickled down her cheeks while she mumbled it.
Avni could not even finish the sentence before Neil pulled her for a fiercer kiss.
************************************************
A small OS mostly from Neil's perspective. Do read and comment. Appreciate the feedback.
Thanks,
Sree
