The sun peeped through the clouds claiming his rights on the land with its brightness. Everyone welcomed the day in hope of a new beginning which they thought would be better than the day before, but for one person it will be yet another day where he has to exist without her, because he cannot call it living.
That's what he has been doing for past 6 months just existing for the sake of his parents and for those who hold him close as he lost the reason to live his life. It was like drowning, trying to hold your breath and trying to breathe as much as possible, it makes your lungs to burn and your heart to beat painfully against your chest, it makes you want to struggle and to give up altogether, all at the same time, it is slow and painful and not the kind of death you would prefer.
As usual Neil's eyes upon opening looked at her photo which he used to hug to him while he slept and his lips formed a sad smile.
"Good morning wifey." he said and kissed the photo a tear escaping his eyes as he recalled how her face was the first thing he used to see in the morning, the small pout on her lips, the peaceful expression on her face and her arms around his waist while he encased her in his arms was the sight he once beheld, but now it is replaced by a mere picture and memories of hers, he wiped the tears that escaped his eyes and proceeded to start his day.
There was not a single day when he had not cried. In every action of his, she is there, in every aspect of his life she is there, she is the first and last person in his eyes, mind and heart. She claimed him like the sun claimed the earth. She owned him like the water owns 97% of the land.
Swetha was going through her daily chores along with Babe they both were standing before Avni and Neela's picture and are praying to give them the strength to endure another day. They never forced Neil to move on in his life as they know there's no one in this world who could fill the void Avni had left, both in his heart and in the family. She may not have had a good start with the family what with Shwetha always finding ways to get her out of the house, Avni fighting with Dayawanti Mehta, and above all discovering that she was the illegitimate child of Asish Mehta, but then they realised that she was the treasure they never uncovered and that she was not illegitimate but their thoughts. She concurred them one by one even Shwetha who resisted every attempt of Avni but then realised her foolishness that she was a selfless person who for the happiness of her husband was ready to sacrifice her own life and her love for him. They felt guilty for not cherishing her when they had the opportunity to do so, they were devastated because they had lost a beautiful soul and a treasure that belonged and still belongs to the family.
They just prayed for her to be there with him, to give him the strength, and hoped that one day he'll find a reason to live not just exist in his world of nothingness, because he needed it more than any other member of the family. They witnessed the love between them, they had awed at the bond they had shared and how they trusted each other and was ready to fall into the line of fire for the other. It was rare to find true love, yes, but it was rarer to find one filled with so much trust and selflessness. They know that Neil needed all the support he can get to survive the loss his other half.
You can see it in his face the way it seemed blank and dead without any kind of emotion. He has always been the one to cheer up his family even in the gloomiest days but now it seemed that their home is always surrounded by some dark cloud without any hope for sun-rays to penetrate through it. Neil always managed to keep his emotions in check in front of his family the dark circles around his eyes talked about his sleepless nights, they had heard him crying, screaming and whimpering for Avni in sleep, they know about the nightmares that keeps him awake most of the nights. Neil never missed breakfast with his family nor did any of them it was like the unspoken deal among them, a way of maintaining some normalcy though they know it was far-fetched.
Like every day, Neil came down to have his breakfast and gave a small smile to Shwetha and Babe inquired about their plans for the day and with a kiss to their cheek left with Prakash left for office. It may be usual routine but Babe couldn't tolerate the blank mien he assumed or the robotic way he lived, she started crying seeing her only grandson like that she could not able to control herself. "Till when he will go on like this Shwetha, pretending that he is okay when we all know he is not. I just hope he finds some reason for his life." Babe sniffed while Shwetha rubbed her arms in a soothing gesture and wiped her tears. Shwetha at first did not like Avni, later she started to warm up to her as she witnessed those things Avni did for her son, then slowly she understood Avni's selfless heart and pure soul and loved her like her own daughter, but now not only has she lost her daughter also her son, who is suffering the most. Avni took away all their happiness along with her. Shwetha could not do anything but stand and witness and suffer along with her family. Maybe they all deserved this for how they treated at first, she thought, but not Neil, he never mistreated her but still is enduring the punishment more than anyone.
******
In office Neil was going through some files which have to be finalised when Prakash came to his cabin. "Dad I'm just finishing it up and coming to you for a clarification. You have to go to Delhi to finalise the deal." Neil said without giving any opportunity for Prakash to say anything.
Prakash seemed to hesitate a bit before bracing himself and spoke, "Neil, could you go to Delhi to finalise the deal, I'm not feeling so well and you will also get a change from here." Prakash said. "I'm not saying anything about moving on, I'm just suggesting you to have a change in your surroundings." he added quickly when he saw Neil was about to protest regarding the 'change' Prakash has mentioned. He placed a comforting arm on Neil's shoulder, Prakash has always been the kind of man who preferred his son's happiness above everything that is the reason he never questioned about Neil's decision on joining the Police force instead of the family business, he knew the moment Neil married Avni that she was good for despite the circumstances of their marriage, he may never fully understand what Neil is going through but he never ignore the effect of losing her in his son's life neither the family, it was as plain as the day. That is why he decided that maybe it will help both Neil and his family, seeing him like this hurt them and being apart may give them sometime to come to terms with all their feelings. "I know you miss her Neil and you too know that we also do and we know it is not possible for us to get past everything that has happened, but seeing you like this, both your mom and Babe are suffering. Though you try your best, to pretend that you are alright, we know better than that. Look, I'm just saying that just go out, have some time for yourself. Meanwhile I'll take care of your mom and Babe." Prakash said to Neil, gauging his expression.
Neil knew very well what his family his going through, it's not just him who is struggling, he knows that they miss their daughter, she had managed to leave a permanent void in his heart and his family, they are composed for his sake and he for theirs. They all are putting a façade in front of the other in order to prevent him from feeling anymore pain, and also trying their best to support him, they all are walking on eggshells around each other, especially him. 'Look what you have done to us Wifey', he thought. Maybe, he should leave the city for a while free his family of his brooding self, so they could grieve and let what happened to sink in them and he could manage to wear a more convincing façade when he comes back. He sighed before agreeing. "When do I have to leave?" He asked.
"Within two days, by then everything should be finalised and ready." Prakash replied with a sigh of relief.
"Okay dad, I will inform to ASR that I'm coming to Delhi to finalise the deal and will also check if he has any problem with me coming over there." said Neil and for the first time in this 6 months Prakash saw the mischievous and a true smile adorning his son's face, though it only lasted for mere seconds.
"Neil, don't you and ASR dare trouble Anjali as you used to do." he warned his son with a smile to which Neil gave a cheeky grin. "And I know he will be more than happy to have you there. So, you proceed with the work, I will take my leave." Prakash added and left from there.
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Sorry for the short update. This is my first upload so I want to know your reaction. And I hope atleast it's tolerable.
FYI....yes ASR is Arnav Singh Raizada I just loved his character and thought to add him in this,
Any other Arshi fan!?
Give me your comments regarding the story and also kindly mention if you think I have to improve anything in my writing
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Avneil SS
FanfictionJust some of my imaginations on AvNeil reunion, please do read and give your opinion. The story starts after 6 months from the fire incident at Vidyut's house. Here Vidyut died after one month since he's been arrested due to his health issues as we...
