Avneil Shot: Unraveling of Truths, Emotions and Individuals

A new day had dawned. The early hours of mornings are really peaceful and many individuals find it to be their time of reflections and contemplations. However, the tranquillity found outside was the complete opposite of what a particular person was feeling. Inside of him a typhoon was wrecking chaos. He was more than furious. Sitting in a corner of his room, the question playing in his mind on a loop is;

"Why did you hide Mowgli's truth for ten years Avni?

A query whose only answer is Avni herself but neither our dear wounded hero would not go to nor let come in order for him to obtain his clarifications.

Glancing at the window, he saw that the sun was just arising and suddenly he started feeling suffocated in the room. Past memories were flooding in and impulsively he set out for a walk, unknown to the path and location he was heading to.

Walking aimlessly for a while, surrounded in the thoughts of a certain someone, accompanied with extreme amount of explosive anger, he collided into a stranger. Muttering a low sorry without looking at the individual, he continued his walk. But he stopped his strides when he heard the voice of whom called him out.

"Neil Sir!

It was none other than Ballu. Yes, the accomplice of Ragini and Vidyut. It took all of Neil's effort to face that individual who had conspired and executed the enemy's vicious conspiracies.

"What do you want now?, Neil asked harshly.

"You are not fine Sir.

"It's none of your concern.

"I thought you would be happier given the fact that Avni is alive.

Neil just pursed his swollen eyes at that statement. Ballu understood that the couple were facing difficult times. Neil started walking away when Ballu startled him for the second time that day

"I need to unburden my heart about the happenings of ten years before

Neil was already drained emotionally with what had occurred in the past few days. He was going to snub Ballu when his heart whispered to actually give that guy a chance. He gestured towards a bench in a secluded corner as the lane had just started getting populated. Settling themselves on their seat, he noticed the stubble and the disarray of clothes on Ballu. He was surely unrecognisable if not for his voice. He was fidgeting with his fingers when he took a deep breath and the words that would change the direction of Neil tumbled out;

"You do know that Vidyut was obsessed with Avni. Even when she got out of jail through your efforts, he continued weaving dreams that Avni would be his. Hence, he made his master plan. Vidyut's men were disguised as the employees from the photo studio. On the day that Neela got killed, there were four people present on the first floor. Taking advantage of the short circuit that was caused deliberately by Vidyut's men, my former boss drugged your father, Prakash Khanna. In that state, he ordered your father to kill you so that Avni could become his believing that she would break ties with her husband's killer. Instead Neela saved you and took the bullet. Vidyut had even made a video of the whole ordeal. He blackmailed Avni into marrying him using that footage. I even got kidnapped when I was about to meet you to give the proofs. When I got out of his clutches, it was already late. Avni had been declared dead in that fire and Vidyut jailed. Now when I got to know that it was an act, I wanted to give you this pen drive. It has all the proofs Vidyut's illegal works as well as evidence of all his murders and conspiracies. I do not know why I held onto this for a decade but now my guilt has lessened. I will take your leave now.

Ballu placed the pen drive in Neil's hand and left the place.

Behind, Neil was experiencing a whirlpool of emotions. Anger, shock, fury, agony, pain and all other emotions were surfacing continuously, like laps after laps. Avni sacrificed that much for his father. His emotions were choking him as he tried to come to terms with these facts. He realised in that in his anger, he judged Avni harshly and regretted all words that spit out of his mouth like shards of glass. His emotional turmoil went from bad to word. She really did protect all of us; from agonising pain, subjecting herself to loneliness.

He wanted to meet her desperately,

AVNI!

Sukoon Ghar

Sleepless nights and heartache is the only companion Avni has had the past few weeks since Neil came to know that she was alive. It pained immensely to hear those harsh words from Neil but she steeled herself from break down thinking back to the decision she made ten years ago. She decided to have this lone time for herself at the cracking of dawn before the bustling activity of the orphanage and Sunehri's constant nagging about telling Neil the complete truth started. She took out her diary and poured all that she was experiencing in it. This might be a notebook to other people but it contained much more than that. Avni was so immersed in writing that she did not realise that the sun was blazing its rays. Mowgli's entry in her room shook her out of her task. He cutely demanded his mom to get him ready. Remembering that its was the kids' admission in school today, she pushed back the thoughts of Neil and her situations at the back of her head. She busied herself with the kids.

Neil went to his house after his conversation with Ballu. He checked out that pen drive and it was as if lightning and thunder had fallen on him. Ballu had been right. Vidyut had indeed blackmailed Avni. He regretted his words more now. His head throbbed with the unexpected revelations and he laid down on the couch. He slept for nearly half day and his family did not disturb, agreeing that he needs rest. Waking up, the first thing he did was call his lawyer home, the one who was handling Avni's case and gave him the pen drive. Though he looked a complete mess, he took his car and drove towards the place he was always pulled to; Sukoon Ghar.

Opening the door, Sunehri was surprised to see Neil. Behind her, the house was disorganized. She welcomed him inside.

"I'm sorry for the mess. I am actually in the middle cleaning the house

"Where is Avni?

"It is the kids' admission today and then she, along with Tara-Sitara took them to buy their uniforms and stationary

Neil just nodded his head

"When will she be back?

"In the evening. You can wait for her if you want. Her room is the last one on the left side. Wait there, I'm going to dust this room

"Thanks

Sunehri went back to her chores. Ever since Neil entered the orphanage, she has been having positive feelings.

Inside her room, Neil saw that it was furnished with the necessary furniture. There was a cupboard, desk, dressing table, bed and side table. On the walls, there was lots of photo frames hanged. He could make out from the pictures that Avni's smile was not genuine. He continued to move around the room when the corner of a tanned notebook came to his attention. Something pulled him to this object. Opening it, he realised that it was Avni's diary. His conscience chided him for invading her personal space but his quest to find the answers to his questions took over. He did not know that the diary would plunge him into Avni's life for the past ten years.

(The italics is going to be the entries in the diary)

"Today, I came to Kashid with Mishti. It is paining. I feel alone without my family. But,I cannot fall weak. Vidyut is still looming over

"At a time when I am supposed to be happiest, I am sad. I cannot even share the news with anyone. My family is going to be unaware that it is going to expand. Sunehri, Tara and Sitara have been of great help to me and starting the orphanage. I miss everyone.

"The doctor dropped the news that the pregnancy is complicated and my life would be in danger if I choose to go ahead. This baby will come into the world

"Today, Veer Khanna is born. He is so tiny, cute. I wish Neil could be here

"The kids had food today. I do not mind going to bed on an empty stomach provided that the kids' needs are catered for

"Those goons came today. We will need to move out. It is not safe anymore. I will sell my earing that I bought with my internship salary to arrange for the money

"Neil hates me. I will not reveal the truth despite his insults which brake my heart.

"Mowgli's truth brought about a storm in our lives. How could I inform of his existence when I fear if Vidyut comes to know about him. I do not want to endanger his life. My heart is pierced when he is referred as an orphan.

Neil's waterworks would not stop while and after reading the diary. The emotions, words were so raw that it hurt him more.

Avni came back from the outing. Sunehri just told her that she had a visitor in her room. Thinking about who it could be, she was as if electrocuted when she saw Neil sitting with her diary in his hand and the tears rolling out of his eyes. She knew that everything was exposed. The build-up tiredness, emotions which were held back inside her took a toll on her health. She had not been eating properly and that day she skipped all her meals. The shock played its role and she fainted there itself.

Neil panicked seeing Avni. He lifted her and put her on the bed. He informed the other adults and they took care of the kids. After the doctor's visit he came to know about her malnutrition and insomnia. Avni was currently resting as she had been injected with sleeping medicines. Neil sat by her side and held her hands with his own. Taking in her form, his tears rolled more. Her eyes were puffy and had bags, her face was extremely pale and her weight loss was apparent. Ha stayed in that position the whole night, blaming himself for her current condition.

Waking up feeling better after a whole night of sleep, her sleepy eyes came into contact with bloodshot ones, recognizing them immediately. She jerked up, holding her head which was heavy with her hand. Neil settled her comfortably and gave a glass of water.

"Neil, Avni said.

"We will talk later. Have your breakfast first.

Neil brought a breakfast for both and they ate in an awkward silence. Dropping all the cutlery in the kitchen, he returned to find Avni trying to get out of bed. Anger surged within himself and he got her back on the bed.

Taking his place beside her, a few minutes of silence prevailed.

"Why did you hide all these matters Avni?

That question broke Avni dam and the tears just came out. He allowed her to cry, sensing that she needed it more. That morning led to a lot explanations being made, promises renewed, relationships saved and a better future.

It is quite a long one. Constructive criticism is appreciated