Journey

Can it just be a bad dream?

Neil pulled onto the driveway outside the airport and glanced over to Avni, sitting on the seat next to him, talking over her phone. She was leaving. And Neil is already feeling an emptiness within him. She was dressed in a white top, with a blazer on, and matching pants. Her hair was tied up, with a scarf around her neck. Neil only knew the reason for that. He smirked to himself and checked the time. "You gotta move or you'd be late." He reminded Avni. She quickly get out of the car, while still on the phone. Neil loaded her luggage on a trolly. Avni put her phone down moving close to him. However, Neil was trying to avoid eye contact. He gave a small peck on her cheeks, gesturing Avni to leave. She felt weirdly uncomfortable with this behavior of Neil, but could not interrogate much.
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(A/N: the circumstance mentioned here is the Guru Maa case. Except it was Neil who got into rang mahal to save Juhi. Later he himself went to Goa to save Misti. I didn't wanted to extend the track, since I noticed the majority of the Fandom did not liked it. So I'll start it from where Neil trying to explain it to Avni 🙂)

Although Avni left for a week, she had to extend her trip for two weeks. During which Neil always checks on her, every now and then. He did plan to fly over and surprise her. But the circumstance that a raised, changed his whole plan.. in fact, devastated his life. Avni noticed the changes. His calls weren't long enough, always being on a rush. She felt that he wasn't open enough recently. Easily runs out of topics to talk on. Avni consoled herself with the thought that they haven't been together for long. Hence it might be the reason.
Avni searched the waiting area, pulling the trolly forward with her luggage. Neil wasn't anywhere in sight. She did inform him the landing time. Avni shook her head. He must be trapped with an important work. But she felt really uncomfortable. She grabbed a cab and drove home. The gardener helped her with the luggage while she walked up to the front door. She stopped half way through the hall, with the voice of a small kid talking from inside. She walked to the door, to find Neil on the couch, with a toddler on his lap. Bebe, Shweta and a lady sitting opposite to them. Bebe first noticed her. "Avni!! When did you come?? Oh my child!" Bebe crashed her into a hug. Neil stood up, he was surely surprised at his own negligence. Shweta followed Bebe, they were so happy to see her back. "Neil did not inform us about your return." Shweta was confused. Avni looked into Neil's face, who was in a deep thought. Everyone else's expressions changed as well. Avni was closely examining it all, as her sixth sense warned her that something was really wrong.
"Superman, who is this?" The tiny little voice brought everyone to earth. Neil looked on to her, his mouth opened and closed, as if he have run out of words. "She's the Supergirl of this Superman." Shweta replied. "But you said you are his supergirl?" She shooted her next question to the young lady in the room. Everyone glanced at her. Avni was now very uncomfortable, as if all this was not her concern. She kept on taking a look on Neil and shifting it to the lady. "Um, Misti. Lets go inside with me, I have got something for you." Shweta lifted the girl in her arms, gesturing the lady to follow her. Bebe came to Avni, and asked her to get some rest before dinner time. She caressed on her cheek and left. Avni was confused than ever. Whats going on? She looked at Neil, who was still avoiding to look at her. Just then Avni's phone buzzed. "Hi Mama... No I called because Neil wasn't answering his phone. But I'm home now....yeah... you too. Love you." She hung up. And walked to her room, leaving a still startled Neil at the living room.

Avni got ready in a few minutes. She have to go to office and send the case documents to the UK branch immediately. Neil dropped her to office and waited until she was done. They drove to an apartment which Neil had rented out for his personal use. Avni walked in with Neil, who closed the door behind him. Avni was indeed longing for his warmth, after all these days. But did not have the guts to make a move because of the silence between them.
"How are you?" Neil asked. Avni's heart sank. The distance between them hurt her. All she could do was stare at him, speechless. Neil sighed heavily. "Avni, please never think that I regret whatever happened between us. Never even think for a split second that I don't love you. Marrying you, was the best decision ever in my life! But... what I am gonna say now... will be hard to process. It will hurt you, I know... but it is the truth... which I desperately want to change but am completely helpless!" His eyes were welling up. Her heart was racing.

(A/N: Neil then explained his past. Juhi's story, her accident, rang mahal, Misti, Vidyut)

Avni took a few steps backward. She did not understand anything he said. Her body was trembling, tears rolling down her cheeks. What has just happened? A few days back she thought she was the luckiest women alive. She thought no one could love Neil as much as she did. She dreamt so much about their future.. everything shattered in a glimpse. Avni sank on to the bed with a thumb. Neil moved to her side in a glimpse. He cupped her face and carefully lifted up. The sight broke his heart into pieces. "Avni, I am responsible for this state of yours. But I have no option of reverting it back, even if K desperately want to. I felt of my existence after so many days. You changed my life. You gave me a new life! And trust me, I wouldn't want anyone else to be in your place. Yet I know it would be impossible for you to have it that way in this circumstance, so, I do not want to force anything on you. The choice is yours. And I have no complaints.." He sobbed. Avni slowly touched his hands on her cheeks, and moved them away. She got up from the bed and slowly walked out of the room, and out of the apartment. Neil taking her spot on the bed, burying his face in his hands, sobbing aloud now..