As soon as she reached the room, she picked up the call.

Avni - Hello.

Neil - Ananya, how are you ?

Avni - I am fine. ( smiles faintly )

Neil - So, Neela ma have granted permission for this wedding.

Avni - What did you call her ? ( shocked )

Neil chuckles.

Neil - Neela ma, if I will term her as aunty then she won't spare me.

Avni smiles a bit.

Neil - Ananya.

Avni - Hmmm !!

Neil - Everything will become perfect with time.

Avni - How can you be so sure Neil ?

Neil - I trust our relation.

Avni - So early ?

Neil - Yes, it's some kind of weird  feeling that make me trust our bond.

Avni - Everything is happening at faster pace. I am very scared.

Neil - No need to be scared. Take rest and don't stress yourself.

Avni - Neil, what about.... ( Neil cuts her off )

Neil - Mehta's truth is out and we broke all our bonds with them. Don't receive their calls now.

Avni - Okay.

Neil - Bye, take care.

Avni - Bye.

Call ends

Avni - Why are you so good Neil ? Your affection is increasing my guilt. Guilt of hiding my inner self from you. I am scared Neil, what if I get used  to your love and care. I haven't got a happy normal family since childhood and now when my dream is coming true then I am afraid that I will get spoiled due to this newly found love and family. My biggest fear is my inner self, that wounded Avni Ayesha and my terrible past. Will you still accept me when you will get to know about my past ? Will you still be the same ?

She was lost in her thoughts until she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned back and found Neela standing there.

Neela - Where are you lost bacha ?

She made her sit on the couch and sat beside her, holding Avni's hand into hers.

Neela - You know Avni, I always wanted a child like you. You remember that day when you rescued me from those goons ? ( smiles ) I was startled after seeing a brave girl who can't tolerate wrong things, whose courage was greater than her age. I always wanted my future daughter to be fearless, just like you. After that meeting, our life took a huge turn and after marrying Ashish, I got to know that I am infertile. I can't have my own baby. ( teary eyes ). Since that day, I pledged to take away your problems. I considered you as my child who is a brave heart but as time was passing, I was getting more and more attached with you. The time when you were lying on that hospital bed unconscious, fighting for your life, I was living like a dead body. ( teary eyes ). I lost everything and my bacha ( caressing her hairs ) was only source of my happiness. When you opened your eyes, my world lightened up again and with you I experienced the joy of motherhood.

Avni's lips wobbled up and she burst into tears. Neela engulfed her in her warm hug.

Neela - You know why am I telling you this ?

Avni nods negatively, still clinging to her mother like a baby.

Neela - Your both mothers have craved for their husband's love. Ayesha ji was having you in her difficult time and when I lost my everything, I was having you with me.

Neela broke the hug and cupped Avni's face.

Neela - You have completed the lives of your mothers bacha. You have given a new identity to your mothers. Ayesha ji and Neela Parikh have lived their lives as Avni's mothers. That Mehta surname wasn't our identity,  Avni was our identity. Now, life is giving you a new chance Avni. Neil is a blessing, whom Ayesha ji have send in our lives. He will give you that love for which your both mothers craved and this little one ( caressing her belly ) will fill your life with happiness. Khanna family is that normal family that younger Avni wanted since her childhood. Promise me Avni, you will give a chance to this relation, you will give Neil a chance.

Avni - I promise mumma. ( rubbing her tears like a child ) but I am scared ma, Neil have accepted Ananya not Avni. Will he accept Avni Ayesha as well ?

Neela - Always remember, Neil isn't Ashish Mehta and you aren't Neela and Ayesha. Your story is different from your mothers and Neil will bring all the lost happiness back into your life.

Avni - I will try my best but what about Aman ma. He is my first child, he is still captivated into Dayavanti's clutches. I don't even know if he have inherited Ayesha ma's preachings or he is a mere puppet of Dayavanti's orthodox thoughts. What about our revenge ma ? I am afraid for my child cos I won't remain quite until and unless my revenge is fulfilled. I need to rescue Aman. How I will do all this ?

Neela rubs her back for calming her.

Neela - Stop thinking about the things that snatch your inner peace. Avni listen to me very carefully, if your mind will give you some impulsive idea for solving some problem, then always remember that you are not alone now. You are sharing your life with someone else and your actions affects that little one as well.

Avni remains silent.

Neela - Don't think too much bacha. ( caressing her hairs ) I will cook your favourite poha for you. Okay !! ( excitedly )

Avni smiles which widened Neela's smile.

Neela cooked poha for Avni and made her have it with her own hands while Avni was eating it like an impatient child which made Neela chuckled at her daughter's antics.

》》》》》》

Next day
12:00 PM

Avni - Maa, I don't like this. ( pouts ). It's too heavy. ( making weird faces )

Neela - You have to handle it for sometime. Afterall it's your engagement today.

Avni - Maa, why you arranged so heavy lehenga for me ? ( pouts ). You know very well that I am not used to these type of clothing.

Neela - I am your mother and I have full right to fulfill my wishes during my bacha's wedding.

Avni makes a puppy face while Neela chuckles at her antics. She plants a soft kiss on Avni's forehead.

Neela - I am so happy for you bacha. From now onwards my Avni will live a happy and normal life.

Avni just smiles at her mother.
Their mother daughter moment was broken due to a phone call. Avni saw the caller I'd displaying on her mobile screen and looked at Neela.

Neela - Whose call ?

Avni - Riya.

Neela snatched her mobile and cut the call.

Avni - Maa.

Neela - I don't want these people to ruin your engagement day. ( sternly ). Stay away from them Avni.

Avni - Maa, I can't. ( sighs ) Don't forget that Aman is still with Mehtas and he will be coming to India very soon.

Neela - We will think about some other way but for now you have to maintain some distance from Mehta family. Your baby should be your first priority Avni.

Avni sighs.

Neela - Don't spoil your mood bacha. Think about your upcoming life especially my grandchild. ( smiles )

Avni hugs Neela while she hugs her back.

》》》》》

Jewellery shop

Neil - Mom, I am so confused.

Shweta - ( pulling his ears ) That's why I told you to purchase Ananya's ring yesterday itself but you being you delayed this important work.

Neil - Ouch !! Mom it's paining. Leave my ears. ( wincing in pain )

Shweta left his ears while he rubs his red ears.

Shweta - I like this ring. ( smiles )

She picked up a princess cut solitaire ring.

Neil - I don't think she will like this.

Just then, his gaze shifted on diamond band ring which was sober and beautiful in its own way.

Neil - I think she will like this ring. ( pointing at the ring )

Khanna family smiles after looking Neil's smile. They all knew that only Avni urf Ananya was the reason behind these little good changes that were occurring in Neil's life after painful 5 years. He was finally forgetting his past, the past that broke him very badly.

》》》》》》

Neela's house

Neela welcomed Khanna family and  all the elders greeted each other happily. Neil took Neela's  blessings and she pulled him into a warm hug. They all sat in the living room while Neil was waiting for Avni. Though he wasn't showing it on his face still he was trying to live these happy moments whole heartedly.

Shweta - Neela ji call our daughter in law. ( smiles ) I am so excited to see her. ( excitedly )

Neela smiles and goes inside Avni's room. Avni came out from the washroom while wiping her mouth with a napkin.

Neela - Bacha, are you fine ? ( concerned )

Avni sat on the couch and Neela made her drink some water.

Avni - I am fine maa. Nausea is very common during pregnancy.

Neela - Khanna family is here. Shall we go out ?

Avni nods

They were about to go out but stopped into their tracks after listening the ringtone of Avni's mobile and the caller I'd was displaying Riya's name. Neela sighs and nods negatively while looking at Avni.

Neela - Come.

Avni nods and they both move towards  the living room.

Neil's POV

I was sitting in the living hall waiting for Ananya. This is the first step towards our new life where we both will be connected with each other not only through the rituals but with a small bundle of joy who will be termed as the symbol of our union. Many people will term it as a mistake or whatever they think but for me this is the most beautiful feeling. There was a time when I wondered how will I move on after Juhi's demise but Ananya gave me a new life, she gave me several reasons to live again. I know everything is happening very early but I can't leave her alone at this state when she is fighting her inner emotions. She needs someone's support and care and I want to be her support not only in her pregnancy but throughout her life. Ever since we both met each other, I have seen an unsaid pain in her eyes that clenches my heart whenever her eyes displays that pain with her tears. God knows what she is hiding but I will gain her trust so that she can consider me capable enough for sharing her feelings. I know that the path towards our destination is pretty much difficult but I am determined enough to cross it along with Ananya. As they always say that journey is more beautiful than the destination.

POV ends

Avni and Neela entered living room. One look at Avni and Neil was already smitten with her beauty. The unusual glow on her face was making her look more bewitching. One can't determine the reason behind her glow, let's say it was a mixture of her natural glow and pregnancy glow. Neil was startled, he was hypnotised by those doe shaped eyes to that extent where he was checking out his own fiancee that too shamelessly. When he realised what he was doing, he tried to lower his gaze but even his eyelids were smitten by the beauty standing infront of them, they weren't allowing him to look down. He was continuously looking at her. Avni saw this and became conscious which was enough for telling Neil to control his orbs.

Avni was about to bend down for taking bebe's blessings but she held her arms and hugged her.

Bebe - Don't bend in this condition. ( rubbing her back )

Avni smiles at her gesture. Shweta and Prakash also hugged her and made her sit beside Neil who couldn't help but have a glance of her making her nervous.

Neela smiles while looking at Neil and prayed for their happy married life.

Shweta - Shall we proceed with engagement ? ( happily )

Neela - Sure. ( smiles )

Neela brought a plate full with flowers and kept boxes containing rings inside the plate.

With the blessings of all the family members, Neil pulled out the ring from the box and slips it across Avni's ring finger accepting her as his fiancee and soulmate. Avni looked at ring blankly not knowing how to react. Neil caressed her hand as a gesture of assurance from his side that everything will be fine.

Avni smiles slightly at his gesture which was enough for taking his breath away. She held Neil's ring within her index finger and thumb glancing it intently. She looked at Neela who was standing there while holding the tray in her hands. Neela gestures her to go ahead through her eyes. Avni nods and slips the ring across Neil's finger making him smile.

Everyone hugged each other in order to display their happiness while avneil were just looking at the jovial faces of their families.

Bebe - Now feed sweets to each other.

Neil took a sweet from the plate kept there and forward it towards Avni's lips. She took a small bite and fed the remaining to Neil. Everyone fed them sweets and were celebrating their us time.

Avni pressed her palm against her mouth and ran towards her room, Neil ran behind her with worried expression while everyone smiled seeing their bond.

Neela - I hope she is fine. I will go and check. ( worried )

She was about to go but Shweta held her hand.

Shweta - Neil is there with her Neela ji. Don't worry. ( smiles )

Neela - He is there for her that's why I am able to smile whole heartedly. ( smiles )

》》》》》

Avni's room

Neil came inside her room and immediately ran inside the washroom after listening the peculiar sounds coming from the washroom. He saw her throwing up while her face was tear stained. He held her hairs strands and pushed them backwards. He rubbed her back in order to give her some comfort. After few minutes, she finally stopped puking and washed her face. Her legs weakened and she landed herself into Neil's arms who was supporting her all this while. He wiped her mouth with his handkerchief and took her out of the washroom carefully. He made her sit on the bed and made her drink some water.

Neil - Are you okay ? Shall we consult some doctor ?

Avni - I am fine. ( smiles faintly )

Neil - You take rest for sometime.

Avni - But everyone ... ( Neil cuts her off )

Neil - Everyone will understand, right now your health is more important. So take rest for sometime.

She knew that he is very stubborn and concerned regarding her health so he won't back off. Moreover, she was feeling weak and wasn't having much energy to continue this debate.

She positioned herself on the bed while Neil covered her with a duvet and sat beside her on the bed. Soon, Avni drifted into sleep while he kept on admiring her with a small smile playing on his lips.

After sometime, Neela came inside with a tray containing food for avneil. Avni was sleeping peacefully while Neil was sitting beside her all this time.

Neela - Is she fine ?

Neil - Yes, she just needed some rest. ( smiles )

Neela - You both have your lunch. We all are in the dinning room. Call me if you need anything.

Neil nods and Neela left.

Neil caress Avni's forehead gently.

Neil - Ananya wake up. ( softly ) Ananya.

Avni stirred in sleep and opens her eyes rubbing them continuously in order to adjust with the sudden light.

Neil - Have something.

Avni sat on the bed and looked at the food.

Avni - I don't want to eat.

Neil - No excuses will be entertained. Eat it or else I will make you eat.

Avni - Neil please I don't want.

Neil - As I already said, no excuses will be entertained.

Saying this he took some amount of curry and mixed it with rice. He forward the spoon towards her lips while she glance at him asking for some mercy but seeing his stubborn look, she sighed as she knew that no one can deny him.

So, she unwillingly ate the entire food without any arguments. After feeding her, Neil had his lunch and they both went towards the living room where Neela and Khanna family were talking about random things. As soon as Shweta saw Avni, she went towards her and cupped her face.

Shweta - Are you fine ?

Avni nods while smiling at her concern.

Shweta - Thank God. ( sighs )

Prakash - Neela ji, now we all should leave. Tomorrow is wedding, we need to do alot of arrangements.

Neil - Dad .... ( Prakash cuts him off )

Prakash - Only close relatives are invited as you said earlier. ( smiles )

Neil bends down and took Neela's blessings while Avni hugged Khanna family as they didn't allowed her to bend down. Neil whispered something in Neela's ears which didn't went unnoticed by Avni. Neela smiles at Neil and nods her head assuring him something. Avni wondered what they are talking about but shrugged it off knowing very well that her mother won't tell her anything.

Soon Khanna family left. Neela hugged Avni.

Neela - I am so happy for you bacha.

Avni smiles at her happiness.

Neela - Avni, I have to arrange everything, in night I will apply  mehendi in your hands. Till then you take rest and call me if you need anything.

Avni sighs.

Avni - Don't work so much ma. You will get tired.

Neela - I won't get tired as I am loving this phase already. ( plants a kiss on her forehead ). You go to your room and change.

Avni turned back and was about to move towards her room but Neela stopped her.

Neela - And yes, you are going out at 6 PM.

Avni - Why ? ( confused )

Neela - Your fiancee wants to take you on a date. ( winks at her )

Avni - And you said yes. ( rolling her eyes )

Neela - Oh yeah !! I know my tubelight daughter will give hard time to my son so I thought of helping him.

Avni - Ma ! ( puppy face ) I am not a tubelight. ( pouts )

Neela chuckles

Neela - Okay baba. Go and take some rest. After that get ready and yes wear something that will startled Neil. ( excitedly )

Avni facepalm herself in disbelief.

Avni - Like seriously.

Neela - Have I said anything wrong ? ( tapping her chin with her finger )

Avni - Mom.... ( gritting her teeth )

Neela - Oops !! Sorry baba. Go. ( chuckles )

Avni left from there while Neela burst into fits of laughter.

Neela - My bacha is already a  tubelight in terms of love and on top of that her pregnancy mood swings. Don't know how Neil will handle my sweetheart. ( smiles )

》》》》》

In evening

Neil came inside Neela's house dressed up in white t-shirt and blue jeans accompanied by white snickers. Neela who was busy with arrangements saw him and smiled at him while he smiles back.

Neela - Very punctual Mr. Khanna.

Neil - Side effects of being an ACP. ( winks at her )

Neela chuckles.

Neil - By the way... ( Neela cuts him off )

Neela - There is she .. ( pointing at a specific direction )

Neil saw Avni coming inside the living room dressed up in floral white long skirt and peach coloured crop top, her hairs were kept open making her look ravishing. She stood infront of him while he forgot to blink his eyes. Neela smiled seeing his state and shook him a little.

Neela - You want to celebrate your date in my house ?

Neil raises his eyebrows and smiles a bit.

Neil - Ofcourse not. Shall we ? ( looking at Avni )

Avni nods and they both went out. He made her sit in the car and ....... ( long update 😴 )

》》》》》》

I am amazed after seeing your love for this story. This story got the maximum votes for the message that I posted on my message board.

Do drop your views regarding the update.

Don't forget to check my two new ff, "Love and Rocks" and "Reunion of soulmates".

Also I have written the prologue of a  new story, "Room no. 234", I won't be starting that story soon still I want to analyse reader's response regarding that plot.

Much love
Thanks ❤