h u r r i c a n e ( A x N ) ✔

11. Winds of the past

"Avni, " Neil whispered as his arms became a fraction tighter around her, an evil terror possessing his mind. What if she was harmed? Avni felt Neil's muscles flex, and she looked up to see him with a blank stare. "Neil, I need to go," Avni said as she felt her stomach somersault. Neil nodded and reluctantly freed her from his hold. Avni took a few steps further and she halted in her tracks. She turned back and mouthed a 'thank you' to Neil who acknowledged it and his hand reached the back of his jeans where his gun was tucked. As he watched Avni's petering figure, he trailed his fingers on the edge of the gun wondering whether he would need to make use of it.

The door creaked as Avni pushed it open and she flinched. She hoped that would not have alerted Dayawanti. As she crossed the threshold of the house, she was greeted with the smell of damp laundry and moisture. 

"You are finally here," A voice that Avni dreaded the most boomed, echoing across the space they were currently located. How could Dayawanti get to know about her identity? Avni briskly veered to find Dayawanti Mehta standing in front of her, her eyes blazing in fury...she could see a fire that threatened to burn the whole world down. Avni forced saliva down her throat as she could feel bile rising up. She could make out the faint sound of someone locking the door. Avni fumed as she noticed the smirk on Dayawanti Mehta's face growing heavier. Avni reeled in disgust at the sight of her so-called grandmother's face. 

Avni was aware that this was the last battle. "You snatched everything from me: my house, my wealth, my family but I will not let you take away my Amol from me, Avni " Dayawanti spat  as she moved forward to slap Avni. She was quick to react as she jerked her hand away causing Dayawanti to stumble. 

Neil felt sick. DD was back and they both were outside, waiting for any sign of danger. Neil had, without Avni's knowledge, pinned a microphone onto her clothes when he had embraced her. DD looked at Neil who gestured that it was time to get closer to where Avni was. This was too dangerous. Neil wanted to bang his head for surrendering to Avni's stubbornness. So far, he had only seen one side of Dayawanti, and Aman was not to be underestimated. 

Dayawanti was held by Aman who came to support her. Avni's heart sank. She could do this, this was not the time to doubt herself. "Aman, how can you stay with this murderer? She killed your parents for fuck's sake," Avni screamed, taking steps towards the two, only earning herself angered looks.

Neil and DD had already anticipated that the door would be locked and they had hence brought along screwdrivers to enter in stealthily. Neil's heart thudded with more vigour with each passing second.

"Just shut up!! Who are you to tell me what I should do? You are no one to me! I pity the ones who have the same dirty blood as you running through their veins," Aman reiterated, his face red with anger and Dayawanti grinned. She noticed her grandson reaching through the weapon that lied on the furniture behind. 

Avni's vision fogged. She knew that Aman would be difficult, heck, nearly impossible to convince," You should pity yourself then, because we have the same blood,". Dayawanti fumed," Stop it! he is my grandson, you have no right on him!". 

At the same time, Aman looked at Dayawanti through his peripheral vision, and slightly nodded. He had already been briefed about this situation and hence considered Avni's words as trivial and failed to recognise the truth. Dayawanti knew that she had lost everything all because of Ananya, alias Avni. Ketan and Diksha had been spying and they had managed to glean information that Avni was none other than Ananya Verma who had been into their lives, masked as a well-wisher. Aman placed his finger on the trigger, he was fueled by vengeance and lies fed to him. Today, no one could stop him from killing her as his conscience had been assassinated. Aman brandished the gun in Avni's direction. 

An ominous silence persisted. Avni's eyes grew wide with shock. It couldn't be! It simply could not happen! She had not finished yet. This was not scheduled. She knew that Aman was not perfect and he had so many vices but she deep down hoped that he would not resort to this. A second betrayal within the span of a week was too much and she hit the ground before the bullet could hit her.  As she waddled into a world of oblivion, she distantly memorised that Neil was in the vicinity.

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Avni moaned as her eyes fluttered open. Wait! She was back in the lodge where she had been staying. She was still in the clothes she had worn earlier on. Her head throbbed as she felt a migraine seeping in. She sat up on the bed, clutching her head in between her hands. Avni was alarmed as she heard the knob of the door being turned. She felt an array of emotions coursing through her as she saw Neil appear in the chamber, with a tray in his hands. Neil smiled as he saw her up and he hurriedly placed down the tray and rushed by her side.

Neil sat besides her," Avni, are you okay? We'll go and see a doctor tomorrow." Relief flooded Neil's face as he palmed her shoulder. Avni shut her eyes as she let her tears flow freely. She felt a blank space in her memory box. She remembered confronting Dayawanti and the last thing she remembered was Aman about to shoot her. She failed! She was not able to get back her brother and the worst part is that she has no awareness of the events that transpired right after. 

Neil grew conscious about what she might be going through and he cupped her cheeks and urged her come closer to him. Avni rounded her arms around his waist as she held onto him and weeped. Neil kept running his hand to and fro against her arms as he absent-mindedly connected his lips with her forehead, the feeling soothing Avni's soul.

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A part has been cut off from this chapter with the purpose of introducing it as a flashback in upcoming chapters. Thank you for your love and support and please keep them coming through your votes and comments❤

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