Chapter 3
Avni opened her suitcase, thinking what to wear for her pag phere. In the last 10 years, her wardrobe had completely changed to western dresses.
Neil saw all this and straight away went to bebe's room, to bring something. Avni opened the box, it had a blue saree. He said "Avni you know is ghar ka har ek member tumse kitna pyar karta hai. Bebe ne tumhari sari sarees chupake rakhi thi, taki mujhe tumhari yaad naa aaye,aur woh khud move on nahi kar paa rahi thi"
Avni knew the amount of pain she had given to this family due to her actions was not forgive able. Hence her only motive at present was to bring back the happiness in this family which was lost long time ago.
Honouring,Neil's wish she wore the blue saree, the red bangles and mangalsutra. While hubby dear was observing his wife in mirror reflection so as not to disturb her while she got ready. His mind just said beautiful, when she turned up to say "Neil, lets go"
Neil stopped her and put kala teeka behind her ear to say " kya kare zamana bahut kharab hai,kahi meri khoobsurat wifey ko kisi ki nazar lag gayi toh"
Breaking their eye lock, Shweta entered the room to say "Avni puttar tu lag to badi sundar hai. Par where is sindoor. Oye tillu le ye dabbi aur bhar de apni votti ki maang"
Neil hesitated initally, but he had to take the box from her mother. And turned back to Avni. Just then, Shweta received a call on her mobile and he signalled Avni to fill her maang,which she did.
As she left the room, Neil said "Avni kya cheez meri hai aur kya nahi yeh mein ache se janta hoon. Mujhe pata hai in 10 saalon mein kafi kuch badal gaya hai, woh mein hi tha jisne tumhare maang mein use bhara bhi tha,aur vidyut se bachane ke liye hataya bhi tha. Aur meri family ko bacahne ke liye tumhe apna sab kuch kho diya jisme yeh sindoor bhi tha. I will never enforce myself on you. Ab jab tak tum mujhe dil se apna pati nahi maan leti. Mein tumhari maang nahi bharunga"
Avni heard his words carefully and a proud smile ran through her face.
As they sat in the car, Neil asked her to fasten the seat belt before the left for Sukoon house. Avni started the FM radio which accidentaly played the song "yeh moh moh ke dhaage ". As the lyrics came "tu hoga zara pagal, tune mujhko hai chuna,kaise yeh tune unkaha sach suna". She smiled thinking even without saying a word how much Neil understood her, he was ready to give her that time and space needed to absorb him in her life.
They arrived at Sukoon house, when Sunheri did the aarti, of the new damad with nak kichna rasam. Tara Sitara,served them with kheer and left the house for some work. While Neil also excused himself after having some kheer for some court related work.
Avni was alone, when Sunheri asked "Avni tu wahan khush toh hai naa. Joo tujhe chaiye tha, teri perfect family ab woh mowgli ko, aur tujhe mil gayi hai naa"
Avni nodded and replied " haan sunheri, mujhe woh mil gayi, par jo 10 saal ke ghaav the naa woh itni jaldi thik nahi honge. Mujhe adjust hone mein time toh lagega. Maine jis pehchan ko 10 saal pehle chod diya tha, ab wahi meri nahi pehchan hai,jise mujhe accept karna hoga. Chal par chod naa in baaton ko. Yahan par sab kaisa chal raha hai".
Sunheri answered" tu yahan ki chinta mat kar. Tujhe pata,mujhe as a dance teacher job mili hai, aur tara sitara ne bhi tutions lena start kar diya hai. Aur shaam ko hum log activity classes bhi lete hai bachon ki. Toh ab financially koi problem nahi hai".
Avni was very happy to hear all this, and said " aur in sab mein tumhari madad kisne ki". She replied "Neil ke papa ne"
Avni couldn't understand why papaji was doing all this. Just then mowgli came back from his school bus with daisy,pinky. Soon Samrat too joined them after his college day ended.
They enjoyed their evening, playing games, chit chat. Neil also arrived to pick them up. Mowgli said "papa apne jaisa kaha tha maine waisa hi kiya. Maine mumma pe nazar rakhi thi ki woh kahi bhaag na jaye"
Neil replied "good job mogli" as he handed him few choclates to be given to everyone in Sukoon ghar.
Avni was miffed and she took Neil to a lonely corner to ask " yeh sab kya hai Neil, tumne mowgli ko kyun kahan nazar rakhne ke liye".
He retorted " woh isliye wifey ki tumne humari suhagraat toh kharab kar di. Aur subah humara beta aake puch raha tha Papa meri baby sister kab aayegi. Mujhe darr tha ki tum kanhi bhaag na jao,phirse first night ka naam sun ke,isliye maine mowgli ko tum pe nazar rakhne ko kaha tha"
A goodbye was done and all three arrived at Khanna house.Avni went into search for Prakash,but he was nowhere to be found
She asked Shweta"Mummy ji ,woh papa ji kahan hai,mujhe unse kuch kaam tha"
Shweta replied "kaam se yaad aaya ki asjkal unko bahut kasm hai, ek mahine bad retire hone wale hai.ab neil toh unka kaam sambhalne se raha,toh dusron ko kaam samjhana padega naa phir"
Avni herself thought who will handle khanna industries, if Neil is not interested,someone from family needs to take ownership now.