Chapter 9


After father-daughter, time for some mother-daughter bonding! No avneil romance in this one! But I hope u'll enjoy nevertheless.

Avni and Neil had been enjoying a happy married life! They had their share of nok-jhok and fights now and then but they had created a rule that they would not go to bed without settling a fight! And they had managed to quite successfully handle the few issues now and then. And even though technically they were nearing 2 years of marriage, to them they it felt like they were newly weds because apart from close to 1 month in the condo when they had lived alone and gotten to know each other their entire married life had been way to crazy. It was only now 4 months after avni was back from jail that they were really starting to settle down into a routine. Things were good at home, avni had a full time job, neel was busy as ever with his cases- thankfully nothing related to his family anymore. And no psycho criminals like vidyut and RP anymore!

Neela ma's birthday was coming up this weekend and Avni had been very excited. She wanted to celebrate this birthday in a grand manner and she was extremely pleased that bebe and shweta had offered to host the part at home when she mentioned to them 2 weeks back about neelama's birthday. So the D-day was arriving and avni had been planning a major surprise for her mom. She wanted to make this birthday a special one for her because avni knew that she owed her new family, neel everything in her life to neelama. She had kept her entire agenda a secret even from neel and the family. All they knew was that she was having a party at home with few close friends with cake and dinner and the usual lights and decorations like neel had planned for avni's first birthday at the khaanna house but avni was working on a secret project of her own. She had all of them contribute to it without disclosing the full reason.

Avni had delegated roles to everyone. Shweta and Bebe supervised decorations, ali took care of the lighting, prakash ji was bringing the cake. Neel was supposed to pick her mom up and bring her home for the party in the evening. In the morning everyone had called to wish neela- bebe, shweta, prakash neel had all wished her. Avni ahd driven to see neelama with her handmade gajar ka halwa- neela's fav sweet dish and wished her mom. They went to the temple together and had come back home late afternoon. And after that avni had taken her leave asking neela to meet her at khanna house for a family dinner.

Later in the evening when neel picked up neela she was expecting a quiet dinner with family but she was in for a pleeasnat surprise when she got there and took in all the arrangements. The lighting was in shades of blue fairy lights that neela loved, there were elegant drapes hanging in the hall. It was all decked up like it was a shaadi reception just as per her taste all supervised by avni ofourse and ably assisted by shweta and bebe.

Neela was very happy to see the decoration and got warm wishes from ali, DD, all the khannas and even some of her NGO colleagues whom avni had invited

Next it was time for the cake cutting- Avni had arranged a 2 tier chocolate cake which was neela's absolute favourite. Once cake cutting was over and cake and snacks had been served, avni announced for everyone to settle down.

Avni- so as you all know, aaj ma ka birthday hai so now that thodi si pet pooja hogai hai, its time for a special birthday gift!

So this one is for you ma- she said and put on the AV on the large flatscreen TV in the khanna living room.

It was a video compliation of beautiful messages for neela from her work colleagues, ali, DD, khannas and neel. It had been going on for about 5 minutes now and everyone including neela was waiting for the last message from avni. But the video just drew to a close after 5 minutes and although everyone had applauded and neela was overwhelmed with emotions with all the nice things people had said she and everyone had been waiting for avni's message. And suddenly as ali turned on the lights they all noticed avni sitting on a stool, with a guitar in her hand.

This was a huge shock for every single person including neela because nobody knew that Avni could play a guitar!

Avni- looking straight at neela said- ma, aap to jaante ho that I'm not too good with words! But today I have a special message for you. I cannot thank you for all the things you have done for me and theres no use of that because its too many things to count. I cant possibly say everything I want to but these borrowed words come close so here goesand she nervously held her guitar tightly and coughed lightly before starting. Ali smartly dimmed the lights back down.

Avni closed her eyes and strummed her guitar and sang

Tum Ho Toh Gaata Hai Dil
Tum Nahin To Geet Kahan
Tum Ho Toh Hai Sab Haasil
Tum Nahin Toh Kya Hai Yahan
Tum Ho To Hai Sapno Ke Jaisa Haseen Ek Samaa
Jo Tum Ho To Yeh Lagta Hai Ke Mil Gayi Har Khushi
Jo Tum Na Ho Yeh Lagta Hai Ke Har Khushi Mein Hai Kami
Tumko Hai Maangti Yeh Zindagi

Ooo..Ooo...Ooo

Tum Ho To Raahein Bhi Hai,
Tum Nahin To Rastey Kahan
Tum Ho To Yahan Sab Hi Hai,
Tum Nahin To Kaun Yahan
Tum Ho To Hai Har Ek Pal Meharbaan Yeh Jahaan
Jo Tum Ho To Hawa Mein Bhi Mohabbaton Ka Rang Hai
Jo Tum Na Ho To Phir Koi Na Josh Na Umang Hai
Tum Mile To Mili Yeh Zindagi.

(Song credits- Tum ho toh , Movie- Rock on, Lyrics- Javed Akhtar, Composed by- Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Sung by- Farhan Akthar)

As she sang, ali had played a video of all their pictures together on the video

Avni had sung beautifully, she had a really nice voice though she was not a trained singer and since it was heartfelt rendition for her mother she sounded amazing.And as she strummed the final notes and hummed the last lines there was not a single dry eye in the room.

Avni opened he eyes as she finished and looked at neela ma whose tears were running like an open faucet now.

Ma, you are the person who has fulfilled the responsibilities of a mother, father, friend, philosopher and guide EVERYTHING rolled into one for the longest time of my life. You are responsible for making me the person I am today. You are the reason that we both have Neel and this entire family to call our own. I hope you know how special you are to all of us and mostly to me! I love you.

And with that neela had bolted like a bullet train to attack her daughet r with a hug! And everyone had chuckled amidst their own teary eyes seeing such a sweet mother- daughter bonding! Ths ahd to be the best birthday surprise any of them had ever witnessed!

Once everyone was a little more calm- Neela ased- vaise avni tumne gutar kab sikha?

Avni- sheepishly- voh ma...ek mahine pahle mere office ke get-together main mera colleague Samrat, voh play kar raha tha so maine socha muje bhi try karna chahiye- so maine aise hi start kiya and then I thought I should actually set a deadline and learn one song atleast- so uska guitar borrow kiya aur uske aur youtube ke help se chords seekhe aur last 1 mahine se office hours ke baad humaare recreation room hai vahaan pe practice kar rahi thi...

Neela once again pulled Avni into a bear hug! And pecked her forehead lovingly!

Avni tum duniya ki sabse best beti ho! I love you baacha- she had whispered into her ear.

Everyone present was so thrilled to see the effort that had gone into this. Clearly avni was a person who went above and beyond for all her loved ones and they had all experienced that first hand at some point. And this was the most beautiful dedication ever!

Neel- maan na padega wifey- tum kaafi talented ho! Ek mahine main ek poora gaana seekh liya! haan beech main thoda off key hua...he trailed off naughtily...but its ok!

Avni had shot up from her chair, handing the guitar to neela- off key? What? Tum kya koi sonu nigam ho jo tum meri singing ko judge kar rahe ho? She asked him with her hands on her hips glaring at neel

Neel- arey relax na- tum hi toh bolti ho that I should always be honestwith you...so I'm telling you. He was saying all this with a naughty grin and only to get a rise out of his dear wifey

Ab beech beech main thoda besure mendak ki tarah sound kar rahi thi but overall accha hi tha, effort ke liye definitely full marks..haina neelama! he declared with the attitude of an Indian Idol judge!

Avni- wh...what? Mendak. Besuri? And she charged towards neel

Neel was ready though, he had taken off and both of them were running around now like 5 year olds and everyone watched them with glee...just happy to see them be childish and carefree!

And the most content soul in the room was undoubtedly neela. She felt like she had accomplished her life's purpose- not just found her daughter but also found herself a loving family!

So this was my dedication to neelama. Saw a few old epsiodes today and really missed neelama so that's why!

The song Tum ho toh is ideally meant to be romantic for a partner/spouse in the movie but I feel like the lyrics are universal and that's my fav part about this song. Its just so simple and soulful and can be sung by anyone to any loved one! Its one of my fav songs and the first song that came to my mind. I thought about all the Bollywood "mother " songs , but they were too cliche. I feel that the avni-neela relationship wasn't just one of mother daughter. It was SO much more. So I consciously avoided all the songs with the word ma in it! Hope its relatable to you guys as well. will look forward to your feedback as always! please do drop a comment if you can!

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