Reconciliation

Chapter 6 : The Guess

Neil's rest of the day had nothing noteworthy of mentioning. Vidyut was being held captive only for one murder and with an influence like his, he could get out in 10 years.

"We need proofs. More. Of any crime that testified against him. Just keep pushing his sentence." Neil ordered his team, who began digging into files right away. Neil gave Mitali a series of questions to ask Ragini Pandit, to trap her rather. He knew in his heart it wasn't enough but it was the best at that moment.

"It's 6 now. Go home. Try talking to Avni. I've got it covered here." Mitali spoke reassuringly, patting his shoulder. Neil nodded and picked up Avni's sling bag from her desk which she had left just like that.

Shaking his head at her anger, he headed to Chamko cafe, which was a few meters away from the station. Ali was there, managing his prettiest cafe in the cheerful way that he always did. "Avni came here?" He enquired, after greeting his friend.

"Yeah. She sulked by the pond, ate a muffin and left." Ali answered, standing beside him. He looked at Neil and laughed. "What?" Neil asked tiredly. "You looking very husband-ish right now." Ali complimented, pulling the strap of Avni's sling bag that Neil was donning currently.

Neil chuckled and took Ali's leave. As he was driving, he stopped at a florist's and bought some morning glories for his starshine. Today was particularly a bad day for her and he absolutely hated the idea of her going through it.

Neil soon reached the Khanna Mansion and walked inside to be greeted by Prakash. His parents and grandmother had gone for a wedding the previous day. "Avni?" Neil asked, looking around. "I did not see her returning anytime after we came back." Prakash answered, frowning.

Neil rushed upstairs to Avni's room first only to find it empty. He then went to Neela Ma's room. There also, there was no sign of his wife. "Where's Avni?" Neela asked, looking behind Neil. "I should be asking that. Where's she? She left the police station hours back. I texted you to make her consume her medicines on time." He added, panic growing in his heart.

"I am sorry. My phone's gone for screen replacement." Neela replied apologetically, resonating the worry lines on her son in law's face. Neil went to his room and dropped Avni's bag on the bed. Then slumping besides it, he called her.

"Why are you calling me?" Avni's voice came, a lot clearer than phones generally allowed. Neil checked the screen in surprise and later realised that she was standing in front of him.

"Where were you?" He asked, unable to refrain his voice from sounding relieved. "Wasting time."  She replied coolly and started walking towards her room. She looked terribly weak and tired from her excursion.

Neil followed her and saw her struggling to untie the laces of her sneakers. "Wait Avi." He said gently and sank to his knees to untie them for her. He then relieved her feet of the sneakers and walked to her closet to fetch some casual clothes for her.

He saw Neela Ma passing by and said, "Ma please make dal rice or something light for her." Neela obliged at once and he helped Avni slip into some comfortable clothes meanwhile.

"I'm fine." Avni said timidly, trying to get up with a lot of effort. "It's okay...it's fine...Neela Ma's making you some food. And you'll feel better again." Neil said, almost in a way that you'd coo to a sick child.

"Where were you, Av?" Neil repeated, gently patting her hand. "Trying to be as productive as Mitali." She replied, turning her face away. Neil felt sorry that she was put off by him in front of the woman she was jealous of.

"I didn't mean that, I'm very sorry. I just can't let you be anywhere near him. You saw how he triggered you today." Neil said clearly. "He's the reason I suffered. It's some very poetic justice if I can push his sentence further." She pressed, looking at him hopefully.