Neil stood at the entrance of the balcony. Witnessing the whole conversation. His heart was racing exceptionally fast, as he saw the changes to Avni's expressions. He could tell clearly what she was thinking about. What she was planning on. But he wont let her do any such things. Ever. And as far as Juhi is concerned, he would try to send her back as soon as possible. That way only she'll make a move in her life. Keeping her here among them, would clearly worsen her pain.
As Avni moved to shift her gaze, Neil quickly moved in, before she could see him. "I... let's go down for breakfast?" Avni finally managed to get a grip and asked Juhi. "Yeah, I'll be there in a while." Juhi wiped off her cheeks and gave a little smile. Avni returned one and carefully got up from the seat and headed to their room.
Neil wasnt in sight when Avni came in. She changed her clothes to a jeans and a long sleeved shirt. She then turned the closet upside down in search of her watch. In the process she dropped a pair of keys on to the ground. Avni slowly lowered and took the keys, she closely observed it. She have never seen the pair before, flooding her mind with lots of questions. It then hit her that she have never checked the little chest drawer on the left side of the closet. Just then she heard Neil talking over the phone and coming towards the room. Avni decided to check it later, after getting some rest.
"Aren't you hungry? Everyone's at the table." Neil asked Avni as he entered the room. "No. Not hungry yet." She gave a smile putting up her hair on to a ponytail. "How come?! It wasnt even 5am when you last ate. Its almost 9 now. Let's—no! I'm not gonna listen to you." Neil held up a finger as Avni tried to explain. He knew exactly why she wasnt having any appetite and he wasn't ready to hear her out on the topic. "Come with me." Neil took her hand and headed downstairs. "Mom said you'd like to change our room here for some time." Avni just nodded her head. "I'll change by tonight, okay?" Neil gave a smile and kissed on her forehead.
"Avni! I've made something for you. Come come!" Shweta hurried to her side and seated her quickly. Avni's stomach growled as she saw the eggplant curry, but the next instant she realized Juhi sitting on the adjacent seat. She wasnt looking around at all. Her gaze fixed on her platter, which she was skimming through. No one's attention was really on Juhi, though she gave smiles to some talks. Avni's appetite immediately dropped. Neil silently observed all this and his concern somewhat changed into frustrations. "You're really not gonna eat?" He asked Avni. Bebe and other's gaze shifted to them. Avni opened her mouth a few times before saying, "I'm not hungry.." "but you like this, dont you?" Neil's tone was a bit loud now. He cant deal with the fact that Avni was more concerned about Juhi. "Not tonight.." Avni mumbled, a bit nervous to answer Neil. "Neil, its okay. Happens during pregnancies." Bebe defended Avni. "I know Bebe. But it doesnt mean that she doesnt eat anything. How is she going to get better this way?" "Neil—." "Hush!" He interrupted Avni as she started her justification. "I dont want to hear anything. Come.." Neil got up from his seat as he had finished his food. Taking Avni's hand, beckoning her to follow him. "Mom, please bring the food upstairs." "But Neil I am not hungry.." Avni tried saying again, but Neil didnt reply. Just took her to their room.
Neil seated Avni on the couch and sat on the table, facing her. "I know something is bothering you. And I want you to tell me what it is." Neil didnt give a chance for Avni to speak, and shot the question quickly. He first intended not to give a chance to Avni to bring up the topic but now he have learnt that she's gonna be worried sick, if she were to hold it all inside her. Avni looked at him, her eyes widened. She wasnt aware that Neil heard the earlier conversation of her and Juhi, and neither did she think Neil would notice her inner chaos. "C'mon. Tell me.." Neil crooked an eyebrow at her. Avni gulped and opened her mouth a few times. "Neil, I... I think Juhi needs you.." the lest Neil expected was to hear her concern towards Juhi, but he did not foresee that Avni could be so direct. "What do you mean?" Avni sighed deeply. "Neil its not her fault that things changed in a glimpse. And now she's all helpless... left all alone. I—I feel like I have taken up her position—." "And whats your fault in that?" Neil interrupted Avni. Avni just stared at him, not knowing what to say further. Neil took Avni's hands into his, squeezing it tightly. "Look, Avni. I know you are too concerned about Juhi. But that does not mean you make sacrifices for her. Whatever happened was beyond any of our control. Yes, I agree that I was in love with her. As if there wasnt any life without each other. It took me years to get over, in fact I wasnt over her at the time I met you either. But you... Avni I cant tell you how much you've changed my life ever since. With Juhi, everything was good. But with you, I feel my desire to live each second of my life! Every moment is precious for me.. but with you. And you alone. And Know this that I would never let you go, in my rightest sense! Ever.. even if you want to." Avni was speechless by now. Tears were rolling down her cheeks, as she had realized how wrong she was. Neil was trying to interpret her emotions but Avni caught him to a bone crushing hug! "I—I was praying that you would refuse to leave me." She cried. "Avni why would you even think that I would want to leave you?!" Neil caressed on her back and ran his fingers through her hair. Avni didnt reply, but sobbed in his embrace. "Shh.. enough now." Neil said, wiping off her cheeks. "You should eat and get some rest."
