Journey

A Trial

Avni paced up and down the hallway. It was late in the night and Neil isn't home still and neither was he answering to her calls. An unknown fear was building up in her heart. She just don't know to reach to a conclusion as DD also was out of reach. 

"Avni?" She heard Bebe from the other end of the hall. "Neil isn't here still??" Avni just gave a nod. She wasn't in a condition to even mutter a word. "How come? Its midnight now!" Bebe hurried to the entrance and checked the gateway. Just then a car pulled into the driveway. An officer rushed to the entrance, "ACP Neil is taken to the hospital! He have been injured on the field today!" He exclaimed. Avni's eyes widened. She placed a hand on her heart, her mind was racing. "How?! When was he taken?! Is he alright?!" Shweta came from behind and shouted away the questions! "We are not sure, Ma'am. He's quiet serious. Please, come over to hospital. We were asked to inform you." With that they drove away. Avni ran towards the stairs! She grabbed her bag and mobile and rushed to head out, all the others followed her. Avon's step froze right at the door. "What happened?" Bebe asked, "M..Marshall?.." It then hit them. Marshall was asleep in their room and they all can't leave at once. Avni looked on to the faces of everyone. She knew no one would want to wait at home, but she also was dying to see Neil. But she also can't leave Marshall alone and go. "I'll stay back," Offered Bebe. Avni couldn't respond. She didn't know how to respond. Bebe then caressed on her head. "Neil needs you at this time, my child. I'll be here with Marshall. You must leave at once." Avni gave a nod and ran to the car. Prakash drove away, Shweta was in the backseat with Avni.

Neil was being taken to the theatre when the Khannas arrived. Avni rushed to the stretcher. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Neil, all covered in blood. "Please, Ma'am. Let us take him immediately. He have been badly injured, as he was attacked with a huge piece of glass. We'll have to do a surgery of him urgently!" Explained the doctor. Shweta and Prakash, cried out loud. But Avni.... She chose courage over her grief. She let the stretcher being moved into the theatre and hurried to the counter to complete the formalities immediately. Avni's hand shook like a leaf, as she tried to put down her signature on the consent form. She've never thought she'd put on her signatory in such a document, where she would consent to anything which would lead any of her loved ones to the road of death. Especially Neil.. 

The surgery was taking fairly longer than anticipated. The doctor explained it as the circumstance was too critical, with tiny pieces of of glass being penetrated to Neil's body. Avni prayed non-stop, her heart was crying out loud. She wiped off the tears that rolled down her cheek, but showed her utmost patience in handling the others. Later she had to take help from her close friend Noya, as Bebe had a severe chest pain. Avni knew it was all because of the tension. She drove alone at 3 in the morning, back home. Packed up stuff of Marshall and got Bebe and him to the car. On her way to hospital, she dropped Marhsall to Noya's, who promised to take care of the little one. Avni then drove Bebe to hospital and took her to the emergency. She literally ran the distance between the emergency ward and the theatre, checking on both Neil and Bebe. It was almost 4 a.m, when the surgery was finally over. Neil's state was still critical, as he had lost a lot of blood. He was on a ventilator, doctors trying to settle his oxygen level. He was at taken to the ICU straight away, no one was allowed to see him. Avni tried her best, not to breakdown, as she saw Neil behind the glass door. She convinced herself, that this is a trial of life, and both she and Neil have to fight throughout, to come out of it.

Avni hurried to book a room and escorted everyone to the room. She ordered breakfast and made them eat a bit, and then headed to see Bebe. Neither Prakash, nor Shweta was in a state to run along and take care of Bebe. Avni let out a deep sigh, as she entered the cubical where Bebe was admitted. She slowly opened her eyes when she felt Avis presence. "N..Neil.." She tried to say. "His operation is over, but still under observation. Bebe, please take care of yourself... We all have to pray for Neil, I..I'm sure yours would be the strongest.. as you love him the most.. yeah? You have to recover and become fit, before Neil wakes up.. He'll be the saddest to see you in this state.." Bebe nodded her head, weeping silent cries. She opened her arms, and Avni rested her head on Bebe's chest, hugging her tightly.