Journey

A third wheel?

Avni woke up to a blubbering Marshall. He was in between Avni and Neil who was wide awake, playing with Marshall. Marshall moved towards Avni and held on her face, and sucked on her cheek. "Good morning. Who just turned half an year?! Mommy's Marshi!" She kissed on his cheek, while Neil ate up His other cheek! He took Marshall into his lap and draped the other hand around Avni. "Still mad at me?" Avni shook her head, and caressed on Marshal's face. "Look at me.. your lies never hide from me you know." Neil's voice was so soft, Avni can barely hear him. She looked at Neil, who really seemed upset. Avni sighed. "I'm not mad.. I cant possibly be mad at you.. it's just that, we had you here after so long. But you were busy elsewhere. And.. I'm not saying that you have to get my permission to keep anyone here, but I would have been happy if you at least informed me before hand.." Avni was being honest. "I know I should have. But didn't really get time. Naina is very nice. We worked together for a while." Neil replied. Avni decided not to drag the matter. She got out of bed to prepare breakfast.
Neil left to work, promising to come back home early in the evening as Marshall will try first bite today! Neela, the Khannas And everyone gathered to Avniel's apartment by evening. DD helped Avni and made a little barbecue at the open terrace for everyone. Avni carefully puréed a mango, as Marshall's first food. The grandmas decorated the kitchen and living area, and put up a board on Marshall's high chair, which said "My First Bite". Everyone was waiting for Neil now. Avni paced up and down, but tried her best not to lose her patience. She have been trying to call Neil for an hour now, but no answer. DD have clarified, Neil wasn't in office either. Marshall was really cranky by now, he didn't nap in the afternoon. The scene in living room was now everyone was trying to pacify Marshall. Avni couldn't hold it anymore. She took Marshall from Bebe. "Lets eat baby, and I'll put you down for bed." The women helped Avni to feed the little one. DD and Prakash were busy taking photos. Avni later gave a shower to Marshall and handed him over to Prakash and joined the others for dinner. "Lets go! Marshi will sleep with Grampy tonight!"

"Haha I told you Mitali will not recognize me!" Neil laughed at the statement of Naina and opened the door to the apartment. Naina gave a quick hug and ran to her room, saying she was sleepy. Neil was startled however, seeing all the decorations around the house. It totally slipped out of his mind, that Marshal will have his first food today! Neil ran his fingers along his forehead. And slowly walked to check on Marshal. He was asleep beside Avni on their bed. Neil slowly lowered down and was about to shift Marshal to his nursery. "Keep him here. He've hit his head on the crib frame badly and is crying in his sleep still." Avni's voice brought a pause to Neil. "Hit his head? How??" Avni shrugged, Marshal was crying again. Avni's eyes were too filed with tears. "Shh.. come here." She wrapped her arms tightly around Marshal, and held him close to her. "Avni..." Neil began. "Not now Neil.. please." She sobbed, her voice barely audible.

Avni was busy in laundry the following morning. Naina was working at the kitchen counter, while Neil was at the other end of it, with Marshal. "Oh no.." Avni mumbled. "I forgot, it's Marshal's consultancy day, it's 10 already.." she   Hurried to clean Marshal, who was bubbling on a biscuit. "I'll take him? It will take time for you to get ready. We'll  miss the appointment." Neil offered. "Yeah! And I can come with you, Neil." Exclaimed Naina. Avni was about to object, but Naina took Marshal, and rushed to his nursery. Avni stood their like a statue, when Naina came out with the little one, who was dressed well. Avni had no courage to deny, she brought Marshal's file and handed it to Neil. "I wanted to clarify if the white patches on Marshall's skin is an allergy. That's it." With that, She left, not waiting for Neil to respond.

Things went on, not happening in favour of Avni, and now, Marshall was slowly getting attached to Naina. Avni did not have any problem with that, but Neil forgetting about important stuff about their relationship was unbearable for her. Avni drove all around the market searching for some good avocados for Marshal. She came home and puréed it well for dinner. "I'll feed him tonight!" Avni was just about to feed Marshal after all the hard work, when Naina offered. "Um.." "Marshi would eat, with Naina Aunty today!" She took the plate from Avni and started feeding. Avni looked at Neil, she was teary eyed. She slowly got up, and went inside. Neil quickly followed her. "Avni.." Avni quickly held a hand. "No.. If she's your friend, then ask her to stay in her limit. And not try to be a mother to Marshal" This in turn fumed up Neil. "Marshal's Mother? She's not trying to take your place. Just helping you out!" "I don't need any help. I'm staying at home so that I could take care of my son and husband." She objected but did not raise her voice. "Well I didn't ask you to stay at home! I know you are frustrated because you lost your position at the lawyer rankings. But I, did not ask ya to leave your cases. Marshal has a father and his grandparents who can take care of him!" Avni was startled. "So Marshal doesn't need a mother.. she was just needed to give him birth.." she mumbled. "Dont try to misinterpret my words! That's not what I meant." Neil warned her. "And you can't always blame me for creating the misunderstandings. Because this time, Naina did not do anything wrong, and you are taking her wrong." With that Neil left. Avni bursted into tears.. she's exhausted. Tired of fighting.

That day forth, there was a distance between the husband and wife. Avni tried her best to not let Marshal sense it. She took a month of leave from work and spent majority of her day with him. On the day in question, Avni was climbing down from the terrace stairs with Marshal, when she slipped from the stair. Neil's heart skipped a beat when he saw them fall. Avni's reflex was to wrap herself around Marshal, who thankfully wasn't hurt a bit. Avni however sprained her wrist badly!