Everyone saw them and stood up. Their gaze shifted on their entwined hands. Avni saw this and tried to remove her hand from his grip but Neil held her hand more tightly.

Neil - I want to confess something.

Prakash - Go ahead.

Neil - I don't want to marry Riya.

Prakash - But why ? ( shocked )

Neil remain silent, he was finding it hard to face his family.

Prakash - Look Neil I never forced my decision on you. I wanted you to marry Riya so that you can move on but that doesn't means that I will force you into this marriage. I understand, if you don't want to marry her but atleast give us some reason behind your sudden decision.

Bebe - What Ananya is doing here ? I mean what's going on ? ( confused )

Neil sighs.

Neil - Whatever I am going to tell you, I want you all to listen my words with calm mind and please try to understand the situation as well.

Shweta - Neil, you go ahead without any hesitation.

Neil - Mom, Ananya ..... Ananya is .... is... pr...pregnant with my child.

Those mere words were enough for shaking the ground beneath everyone's feet. Khanna family was flabbergasted due to the recent revelation. They looked at Neil with astonishment dripping from their eyes and then Ananya whose head was bowed down and her precious pearls were running down through her eyes. One can't judge why is she undergoing these mixed emotions, who is responsible for this ? Her pregnancy mood swings, her past wounds, her guilt or something else. She wasn't able to maintain eye contact with Khannas but Neil was standing there with confidence and was facing his family cos he is very much sure about his decision and he didn't regret his actions and words.

Shweta was the first one to come out of this shock.

Shweta - Just one question Neil, you both love each other, Right ? That's the reason for your closeness or the reason is  something else.

Neil - No mom, at this stage I can't name this bond as love.

Bebe - So .... how you both ... I mean... ( she wasn't able to put her doubts into words )

Neil - We both were intoxicated during holi party and under the influence of bhaang all this happened. Today we got to know that Ananya is pregnant.

Prakash - So, are you both happy with this child or you consider it as a mistake and for rectifying this mistake you want to marry each other.

Neil - Our child is not a mistake dad. I accept Ananya and our child with all my heart. They both are my responsibilities. I can't leave both of them alone.

Shweta - Neil, I won't question Ananya regarding anything but I won't let you marry her until and unless you don't clear my queries.

Neil - Mom you have right to ask me anything you want.

Shweta - Do you consider Ananya and your baby a mere responsibility ? We all know very well that you are a man of principles and leaving Ananya alone in this condition is a sin. What's the position of Ananya in your life ? Can you answer me this or you consider her as a mere responsibility.

Avni looked at Neil who was facing his mother. She wanted to run away because she is a responsibility for Neil. Maybe Neil will never speak about this but somewhere it's the fact. On top of that Shweta's question is not less than a poison. Though the question is for Neil but she is feeling suffocated. What's her position in Neil's life ? Even she's not able to decode this simple yet complicated question. This was the same question her mother was facing few years back. What was her mother's position in her father's life ? According to Ashish's family, her mother was a mere mistress and Avni was a sin child. Today, she is standing in her mother's place struggling to find her position in Neil's life. What Neil thinks about her ? All these things were torturing her mentally. She left Neil's hand making him frown at her missing warmth.

Avni slightly shifted away from him maintaining some distance between them and this was enough for Neil to judge her inner thoughts. He knew what she must be thinking, so he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him, a silent gesture for showing her that he will always embrace her within his protective arms whenever she will feel low.

Neil - Right now Ananya is my friend and mother of my child. Soon, she will become my soulmate. Mom you asked about her position in my life, Right ? She will have the same position that a wife has in her husband's life. Maybe we both are not that much close with each other but with time we will learn to maintain this relation as well.

Avni's eyes were filled with tears, with each passing moment Neil was breaking those concrete walls that have trapped that innocent Avni. She didn't want to show her vulnerable side to anyone but being with Neil, she can't compose herself. Why he was so different ? Why Khanna family  weren't questioning her ? They didn't raised any question on her character. They didn't termed her child as illegitimate or sin. They were handling the situation calmly. This is the perfect family that she craved for since childhood. The way they were understanding Neil and his viewpoint. They weren't blaming her for anything, they were questioning their own son that too in a good manner. Khanna family had indeed marked a special place in her heart.

Shweta - Are you happy with your baby and Ananya ?

Neil - Yes mom, I think dad can judge my happiness cos I am going through the same emotions that he must have gone through when you were pregnant with me.

Shweta and Prakash smiles a bit.

Bebe - Neil, if Ananya wasn't pregnant then would you have married Riya ?

Neil - No. ( slight anger visible in his eyes )

Prakash - Why ?

Neil - Because, Whatever she did today was nothing less than a crime.

Bebe - What do you mean ? ( confused )

Neil narrated the entire incident which was yet another shocker for Khanna family.

Prakash - I can't believe that Riya will stoop this low. ( anger )

Neil - Not only Riya dad but her entire family have laid this trap. They are not interested in marriage, all they want is the deal.

Prakash - How can you be so sure regarding this ?

Neil - ( sighs ) I asked DD to collect details regarding their business when Ananya was in hospital. After going through their business details, I got to know that the deal that Khanna industries is signing with Mehta industries is quite profitable for them and for that this marriage is important. So, they all tried to play this dirty game.

Shweta - I can't believe that Mehta family can be so disgusting.

Prakash - Now, everything is out. So, I want to ask you Neil. What's next ? I mean, we will respect whatever decision you will take.

Neil - I want to marry Ananya.

Bebe - And what about Ananya ?

Shweta - I hope you aren't forcing her to marry you.

Prakash - Ananya what you want ?

Shweta - Are you happy with this marriage ?

Avni remain silent, she wasn't knowing how to face Khanna's.

Bebe - Ananya, we all know what you are going through but decisions like marriage can't be taken only by one person. If Neil wants to marry you that doesn't means that you will be forced into this relation. We want to know your viewpoint.

Prakash - If you have any problem, you can speak to us. We will find out the solution to your problem.

Avni - I just want to ask, you all are happy with this marriage or you consider it as a mistake.

Prakash came forward and cups her face. He wipes her tears and plants a soft kiss on her forehead.

Prakash - We would love to accept you as our new family member and don't think that we will consider you and your baby as a mistake. You both are very precious to us just like Neil.

Shweta - You have brought happiness in Neil's life Ananya so how can we consider you as a mistake.

Bebe - Don't take this unnecessary stress. It's not good for you and baby. Mark my words I will be very strict when it comes to your health so no carelessness. Okay !! ( fake anger )

Avni chuckles slightly which was enough for bringing smile on family members face especially Neil, he was admiring her cuteness. The way she was wiping her tears like a child and the way her face and eyes have turned red due to excessive crying was making her more adorable.

Neil - So ? ( raises his brows ) Are you ready now ?

Avni nods positively.

Shweta - Ananya, when will you tell your family regarding your pregnancy. If you want we all can help you in convincing them.

Avni - No, I will tell my mother  in my way. She will understand.

Prakash - As you wish but don't hesitate to call us if you need any help.

Avni nods.

Avni - ( to Neil )  Can you drop me at my house ?

Neil - Come, let's go.

They both left.

》》》》》

Neil and Avni reached Avni's house.

Neil - If you want, I can come along with you.

Avni - No, I will manage.

Neil - Call me if you need my help in anything.

Avni nods.

She came out of the car and looked at Neil.

Avni - Thanks. ( smiles slightly )

Neil - I should thank you for giving me this happiness. Please, don't bother yourself regarding anything. Everything will be fine.

Avni nods and went inside her house.

As soon as she entered inside the house, she saw that Neela was sitting in the living room waiting for her.

Neela - Avni bacha.

Avni comes and sits beside her.

Neela - Were you crying ? ( looking at her red face )

Avni remain silent.

Neela held her hand in hers.

Neela - Avni what's bothering you ? Since, one month I am observing that you are upset over something. What happened ? ( concerned )

Avni - Ma.... ( teary eyes ) I....I... I.... am.... am .... pre...  pregnant. ( she utter with great difficulty )

Neela - What ? ( shocked )

Avni - Please listen to me once.

Neela remain silent and calm in order to understand her viewpoint.

Avni narrated the entire incident while tears were flowing out from her eyes freely.

Avni - I always thought that all men are same. I considered everyone as Ashish Mehta who spoiled the lives of my both the mothers. When I got to know about this baby, I was scared, I thought that Neil will break my heart just like Ashish Mehta broke Ayesha maa's heart but he stood by me, he accepted me and our baby. I was trying to run away from him but his silent gestures were enough for trapping me. I don't believe in marriages but I can't deny that I trust Neil. Maa he is different, he is not a spineless man, he is a man of words. He knows how to take a stand. He didn't left me when I somewhere needed him the most. You know ma, Khanna family didn't raised fingers on my character, they didn't questioned me about anything. They accepted me and my baby with respect. Maa I never knew that people like Neil and his family exist in this world but I am scared, what if they got to know about my past. They will leave me ma, they won't accept me after knowing my reality. They have accepted Ananya not Avni and I am scared when they will get to know about Avni Ayesha then they will throw me out of their lives. What should I do ma ?

Neela wipes her tears and hugged her tightly.

Neela - Don't think about anything Avni. You are getting the normal family that you craved for since childhood and a life partner who won't leave you even if he get to know about your identity. I am sure that Neil will support you throughout your life. Just give him a chance.

Avni didn't respond, she was immersed in her mother's warmth and didn't want to think anything else. Neela kept on patting her head, soon her eyelids became heavier and she drifted into sleep. Neela kept her head in her lap and caressed her face lovingly. She was sleeping peacefully in her lap while Neela was thinking about Neil and his family. Her chain of thoughts was broken by Avni's mobile's ringtone.

She saw the caller I'd and found Neil's name, Neela reverted the call.

Neil - Ananya are you Okay ?

Neela - Neil I am Neela, Ananya's mother. Ananya is sleeping. Can you come to my house, I want to talk to you.

Neil - Okay, I am coming.

Call ends

Neela - I need to have proper conversation with you Neil, now I don't want anyone to break my Avni's heart. I won't give my Avni's hand in yours hand until and unless I am sure about you.

After sometime, Neil came to Avni's house and rang the doorbell.

Neela opens the door and....... ( 🤣🤣 )

》》》》》》

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