Rejected by everyone accepted by them ✔

Chapter 8

In evening Neil came inside Avni's room after finishing his work. He saw that her eyes were filled with tears, there were slight traces of paint on her cheeks, her hands were covered with paints and her eyes were fixed on the painting she made. Neil came inside and stood behind Avni, analysing the painting she made. After seeing her creation his eyes welled up as Avni finally connected with her inner self. Though he was sad after seeing her creation but at the same time he was happy that she accepted her reality.

The painting was of a girl who was sitting with her head in her hands  surrounded with darkness and was tied in chains, a ray of light was passing through the small hole. The painting was painted in black colour so that ray was clearly visible. It didn't took him a minute to realise that Avni have painted the reality of her life. The girl was Avni who was tied in the chains of addictions, fears and past demons. The darkness surrounding that girl was reflecting her bitter past and the ray of light was actually the ray of hope which she got from Neil and Prakash, they have filled her dark life with a ray of hope and made her believe that she will live a normal life very soon. He saw Avni who was still lost in her painting so he took a clean  cloth from the side table and soaked it in a water then he rubbed her cheeks with that cloth for removing the paint, this is when Avni's trance was broken and she came back into reality in fact most beautiful reality of her life. Neil looked into her eyes and rubbed her tears. 

Neil - I am proud of you. ( smiles ).

Avni - Why ? ( innocently )

Neil - You accepted the reality of your life, you accepted that you can live a normal and happy life. I promise you Avni, I will convert this little ray of hope into unconditional happiness. I promise.

Avni - I didn't even explain you still you understood. ( astonished )

Neil - A true artist always makes you feel things through his/her creation. You need no explanation for feeling their work. ( smiles ).

Avni smiles and hugs him tightly. Neil rubs her back for composing her. She breaks the hug and Neil admires her cute innocent face.

Neil - So Ms. Mehta can your lucky customer purchase your painting ?

Avni giggles and gives the painting to Neil.

Neil - What about sorry card ?

Avni - Here it is. ( She forwards the card towards him and Neil takes it.)

Neil - You get ready. We will leave within 15 minutes.

Avni - Okay.

After sometime they both sat in Neil's car and he was driving  towards their destination. Avni was hell scared as she had to face the people whom she troubled cos of her addictions. Neil noticed her fear and held her hand gently while driving.

Neil - Everything will be okay. ( smiles ).

Avni - How are you able to read my emotions so acurrately ?

Neil - Side effects of friendship, I guess. ( winks at her. She smiles ).

After few minutes Neil stopped the car and Avni looked at him. He pointed towards a shop and Avni saw in that direction, she was afraid and was fiddling with her dress. Neil again held her hand and caress it gently.

Neil - Everything will be fine. Don't worry.

Avni - I am just ... ( Neil cuts her off ).

Neil - I am there with you Avni and I promise I will handle the situation.

Avni - Neil I m scared to face the shopkeeper. Please you go and give this money and sorry card to him.

Tears were rolling down from her eyes. He wipes them and cups her face.

Neil - I am there with you Avni. At least you can trust me. You trust me right ?

Avni - of course I do but I don't trust myself.

Neil - but I trust you. Now no more tears. Get down.

Avni and Neil move towards the shop hand in hand. Finally they reach inside and shopkeeper greeted them with a wide smile.

Shopkeeper - What can I do for you Sir ?

Neil pulls out his identity  card from his pocket and shows him.

Neil - ACP Neil Khanna here.

Shopkeeper - Sir, how can I help you ? Everything fine ?

Neil - Yes. We want your 10 minutes so can we talk alone only if you don't mind.

Shopkeeper - Not at all sir. Please come.

He guides them towards a corner. Neil pulls out money from his bag and gave it to Avni along with sorry card. Avni took it with shivering hands.

Neil - You will do it. Come on.

Avni looks at him and he assure her  with his eyes then she looks at shopkeeper who was confused. She gave the money and card to shopkeeper. He looked at Neil and Neil told him to take it, so he took it. Shopkeeper was about to say something but Avni spoke first.

Avni - I am so sorry. Please forgive me. ( She bows her head down.)

Shopkeeper - Sorry, for what ? And this money and card. Sir can you please explain me ? ( confused )

Avni - I ...I.... stole .. money .... from ... from ... your shop for buying drugs ... ( She was crying as she was ashamed of herself. )

Neil wiped her tears and caressed her hairs gently.

Neil - Go and sit there. ( He points towards a chair.) I will come within few minutes.

Avni goes and sit on the chair leaving Neil and the shopkeeper behind.

Neil - I am really sorry for your loss but she have suffered alot in her childhood so she followed a wrong path in her life as there was no one to guide her and got indulged into drugs and all. Now she want to reform herself that's why she returned you your stolen money. Please forgive her.

Shopkeeper - No problem sir, I can understand her problem and she's very lucky to have a life partner like you.

After saying this he goes towards Avni leaving Neil startled.

Neil - ( in mind ) Life partner...

Suddenly all the flashes were playing in his mind, all the moments they shared were playing in his mind.

Neil - ( in mind ) Am I in love with her ?

The shopkeeper caressed Avni's head.

Shopkeeper - I hope almighty fulfil all your wishes. ( smiles )

Avni - Thanks for forgiving me uncle. ( smiles ).

Shopkeeper smiles and leaves from there. Avni saw Neil who was already lost in her. She ran towards him and hugged him thus breaking Neil's thoughts. He hugged her back and she mumbled a thanks to him while hugging, he smiles seeing her happy.

They both leave from there and drove towards their home.

( Here it ends do drop your views. )

I hope that everyone is voting for adiza and naamkarann in ITA 2018. Keep on voting guys. They deserve this for their marvellous work.

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