Perfect Family - AvNeil

Naamkarann

The days were being busy for Neil and Avni. Their daughter was proving to be quite a task.. She woke up at odd times and threw tantrums. She had a cranky mood which Neil was sure she had inherited from Avni.. Avni glared at him. Avni had to talk their daughter into sleep. She fed once and then after Avni's soothing vice talked, she slept. Neil was unexperienced in the parental matters... His daughter loved to pee in his arms. When she had pooped, Neil had freaked out. Avni had taught him to clean, hold and how to put to sleep. It was a special day today. It was the naming ceremony for the angel of the family.. Nanno, Aman, Ali and Afreen were returning to London the day after tomorrow. Avni teared up at the thought of them leaving.. But Ali couldn't leave his hotel business just like that.. And Aman had his own matters to look into. He had discovered his true passion in the designing route. He had an important conference in London.. Avni ran a soft sponge oever her daughter. After tat, she was put into a little white wrap around frock. Neil came in all dressed in his kurta pyjama.. He looked at his wife and daughter..

Neil : My Ladies look so pretty.

Avni : We say thanks..

Avni was wearing a red saree. Raksh came in dressed in his kurta pyjamas. Avni looked at them top to bottom and hmmed..

Avni : Our boys look dashing, don't they Princess ?

The baby just smiled. Avni held her in her arms and walked towards them.. They walked down to the main hall.. The pandit was already there waiting for the couple to come down. They were asked to sit down and recite some mantras that would make the pooja successful.. Avni as now well-versed with the customs since she had done it for Raksh last year. When it was time for the name to be decided, Avni looked at everyone.. Expectant eyes were looking at her. She felt Neil's hand hold hers. She looked at him and found him smiling encouragingly at her..

Neil : I think Avni should decide the name.. She was who struggled to bring our daughter into the world.. Its her choice..

Avni smiled gratefully at her husband and looked at their daughter. She thought back to when she secretly pondered over names for the baby. She had decided on one name and she wanted to name her daughter that.

Avni : I had played around with names.. When I had named Mowgli, I had named it with a blend of my in-laws who are more like a mother and father to me. Now, I want to name my daughter with a blend of both my mothers name.. Neesha (Nee from Neela and Sha from Ayesha). She looked around at her family. Everyone was smiling at the choice of the name.. It suited the baby too.

Neil : Neesha is a beautiful name.. Pandit Ji.. We will go with Neesha.

The pooja was completed successfully. There were many gifts given to little Neesha. More toys and blankets.. Nanno came to sit beside Avni and she pushed a box into Avni's hands.. Avni opened it to find a pair of anklets. She looked at Nanno.

Nanno : This is Ayesha's gift, moi bachi. When you were born, Ayesha had two sets made.. One for you and one for your daughter when you get married. I did the same when you were born.

Avni's eyes filled with tears.. Her Ayesha Maa's blessings were with her.. She put her arms around Nanno and hugged her tightly.. Nanno ran a hand through her grand daughter's hair.. That gift meant a lot to Avni and Nanno knew it.. Avni held the box close to her heart and thanked Ayesha Maa for her blessings. Soon Avni was pulled away by Raksh who was insisting for a photo.. He caught hold of Nanno's hand also and pulled her to where the entire family was. Neil was having Neesha in his hands.. A photograph of the entire family was taken.. KK, Saisha, the twins, DD, Sunheri and Reyansh joined in for a photograph. In the end, Neil had pulled Avni in for one photo in which only them and their kids were present.. Neil handed Neesha over to Avni and pulled Raksh into his lap. They smiled for the photograph. The function was over. Avni had taken Neesha up to feed and then put to sleep. Raksh was taken to his room for homework and Neil had gone out for some work. She waited until evening but there was no sight of Neil.. Where had he gone !! She shook her head and arranged the few books that were scattered along the table.. She was tapped behind by someone. She turned around the hit the offender when her hand was caught. It was Neil..

Neil : You need to stop doing that woman !!

Avni : You need to stop jumping on people like that !!! Where have you been ? You've been gone all afternoon.

Neil : I went to pick up your gift..

Avni : My gift ?

Neil : Yes.. Your gift..

Avni : Neil.. I have you.. What else do I want ?

Neil : THIS.. You definitely want..

Avni frowned at Neil not understanding what he was saying.. Neil covered her eyes with his fingers and made her sit on the couch.

Neil : Avni.. I am going to get your gift.. You are not to open your eyes until I ask you too.. Ok ?

Avni : Neil, what are you..

Neil : Shh Avni.. For me.. I am going to get you gift now.. No cheating..

Slowly, he tip-toed out of the room leaving Avni on the couch.. Avni wondered what Neil could have possibly got for her.. She wanted to open her eyes but she waited for Neil to come. SHe heard Neil's footsteps.. Something made her way onto her lap.

Avni : Neil..

Neil : Avni.. Open your eyes now..

Avni slowly opened her eyes and she saw a rectangular gift wrapped package lying on her lap.. She looked up at Neil.. Neil motioned wuth his eyes for her to open it.. She gently removed the wrapper off the gift.. Her eyes widened when she saw what it was.. 

Avni : Neil.. This..

Neil : The frame you had wanted our family picture to be put into.. Yes... I got it framed with the picture of the four of us. That's what took the entire afternoon.

Avni looked up at him with tearful eyes.. Those were happy tears flowing down from her eyes. She got up and placed a kiss on his cheek. 

Avni : Thankyou so much Neil.. This is a wonderful gift..

Neil : Avni.. I love you.. A lot.. And I wanted to fullfill your wish for this frame.. Now let's hang this on our wall and admire its beauty.

He took the frame from her hands and hung it above their collage of photos. The frame showed smiling faces of Neil with Raksh in his arms and Avni with Neesha in her arms.. She smiled at the photo. Raksh came into the room with the Doremon toy in his hand. Avni picked up Neesha and with Raksh in Neil's arms, the little family looked at the framed photo happily.. She thought back to all those moments where she struggled and yearned for a normal and happy family.  Avni sighed in content.. Her "Perfect Famiy" it was, atlast..