Avneil SS

Irrevocably

Avni stirred in the bed, slowly returning to conscious, her mind flooded with the memories of the past and what happened before she fainted. Her eyes flew open and immediately fell on Arnav who was watching her carefully. "Bh.... Bhai" she could not able to form a sentence for her mind seemed to be utterly confused whether her Neil was really there or just an illusion of hers.

"It's alright little one, you both are okay." he assured her though he had an inkling of what she wanted to ask, Dhruv had warned him that unless she talks about the incidents, they should not even show it happened, as they still had to confirm whether she got her memory back or not.

"Did.... did.... he really came here.... does he know I'm here?" She asked her eyes desperate though her voice was neutral.

Ah! the old Avni, the fiery one, the lady don is back, Arnav thought. "Who, little one?" Arnav asked gauging her expression which now looked disappointed.

She swallowed before she spoke, "Ne.... Neil, wasn't he here Bhai?" Her eyes wavered. Arnav heaved a sigh of relief and nodded his head.

Avni's eyes watered, she placed a hand on her baby bump and cradled it as if saying that its father is here, but there was a more pressing question in her mind, if he was here then where is he now? As far as she knew him, he wouldn't have left her side, but now he's nowhere to be seen and she knew why, he must have figured out everything, every single plan she had made, she made everyone believe that she's dead and had left him and her family. He must have been angry for what she has done, she thought. "He is not here, is he?" She asked and even before Arnav could reply she continued "I know Bhai, he must have been angry and that's why he does not even want to look at my face when I'm awake, I know I deserve this for hurting him and my happy family," she blabbered her voice breaking more with every word and tears flowing down freely. "I must have known he would leave after he came to know what I have done; I know he left...." Before she could continue a voice as familiar as her name interrupted her.

"Leaving without saying anything is a habit of yours," that voice said making her eyes fly to the door. Her voice caught in her throat; tears were flowing even more now.

Neil was just standing outside the room while Arnav waited inside for Avni to gain conscious. His heart started to hammer inside his chest when he heard her voice, the way she said his name like it was a prayer. He sighed in relief that she indeed got her memory back. But she was blabbering now, unaware of the fact that the source of her distress is standing just outside her door listening to her and he couldn't control himself form uttering those words when he heard her saying that she knew he'll leave. How can she think like that? was Neil's thought so he made his presence known.

Neil came inside and Arnav started for the door as he wants to give them privacy. But before he left, he went to stand before Neil he clasped his shoulder and his gesture conveyed the message "keep your cool and don't let her hurt" to which Neil just gave a steady look. Arnav sighed and left closing the door behind him.

Avni did not even know when Arnav left the place, all she could focus on was him. Her eyes drinking him in, how lean he had become in the span of just 6 months, those dark circles showed how little sleep he must have had, and the hurt in his eyes made it unbearable for her. Guilt was eating her away, he had not moved on and though it was only months after her death, she doubted that he would have ever moved on in his life even if it took him a decade to find her. No, he would have not moved on, her heart said. How she could even think that Neil her Neil will move on from her. It was as possible as the sun rising in the west.

"How many years it would have taken for you to come back to me if your plan has not backfired and you have succeeded in it?" He asked his voice filled with hurt, "2, 5, 10.... would you have come back at all?" He could not help but ask.