"AN UNEXPECTED MARRIAGE PROPOSAL..!!"

Couple of days later

Neela was busy in working on her desktop in her NGO's office when a servant came to inform her about a Visitor. She looked up to see a familiar face in front of her.

"Sheetal..! Oh Lord.! Such a long time." Neela exclaimed out of surprise to see her college friend after long time.

"Thank god Tumhe atleast mai yaad to hu!." Mrs Sheetal Kapoor teased her friend hugging Neela.

"Chalo apan garden me baith te hai. Come join me." Neela invited her.

The two friends met almost after 4-5 years but they chated as if those years of gap never existed. They filled each other with their life's happenings revived few of their college memories and cherished their friendship with laughters.

"Neela actually Mai tumse Kuch imp baat karne aai hu." Mrs Kapoor came to point after the initial excitement and laughters subsided.

"Haa Sheetal bolo na. Is everything allright.?" Neela asked concerned keeping away the cup of tea she was holding.

Before Mrs kapoor could utter a further word Neela's phone rang and the name on caller Id caught her attention.

"Ek minute haa. I'l have to take this call." Neela excused herself and answered the call in pure disintrest.

"Yes Mr. Shah. Is there anything imp.?" Neela asked rudely.

Ma'am i need to inform u something about the company. A husky voice came from other side.

"I am not intrested in details. Do whatever u want to do." Neela's irritation was evident in her eyes as well as voice.

Ma'am, as a legal advisor, its my job to inform u that the company is suffering some major losses and heading towards bankrupcy. The management has taken a major decision about its future. Khanna Industry's subunit has shown interest in taking over the company and the deal will be finalised soon.

"As if i care.!! Is that it.? Or anything else. M quiet busy u see." Neela was as blant as she could.

No ma'am. Just that it was necessary to tell u. Also the signatures on the usual cheques will be required for the month.

"Ohkay, Avni will be coming next week, send the cheques she'l sign." And without hearing a word more, she cut the call abruptly.

"Sorry about this disturbance Sheetal. U were saying something. Tell me." Neela turned her attention to her and apologised with a warm smile.

"Yeah. I.. Actually.. I dont know how to start. Mai Avni ke bareme baat karne aai hu"

Neela almost slipped the cup of tea she was holding "Avni ke bareme.?" Sheer shock was what written on her face.

"Haa. Khanna Industries ka naam to suna hi hoga tumne.?" Mrs kapoor asked proudly.

"Ofcourse, Khanna's ko kaun nahi janta. The most elite and successful buisness family of the town." Neela stated the facts to her friend unaware of what was coming in her way "But How does that relate to Avni.?" She was confused now.

"Mai yaha Mr Neil Khanna, owner of Khanna Industries, ka Rishta leke aai hu Apni Avni ke lie." Mrs Kapoor finally spill the beans and looked at Neela in anticipation.

Neela was bombshelled and unable to come up with either words or expressions. She just tried to get in with what she has heard. Has she really heard Neil khanna.? Or her ears were Ringing.? The Neil Khanna and his good deeds and righteousness was no secret to the world and a mere thought of having such a person in her daughter's life made Neela's heart swell in jubilation.

"Look Neela i know this is quiet Awkward for u. Meri Family Khanna's ki Family se kafi close hai bohot time se. Maine unko bohot karib se dekha hai. Neil ko bhi mai acchese janti hu and trust me Usse accha ladka Avni ke lie koi or ho hi nahi sakta." She explained the things in detail while Neela was still not over the shock.

"Recently Shweta and Bebe mentioned about Neil's marriage and suddenly Avni came in my mind. I suggested them and they want to fix a meeting to let Neil and Avni meet." With each words of Sheetal, Neela's eyes widened further.

"Really.? Khanna's have shown interest in Avni? My Avni.? Neela reconfirmed again unable to believe her ears.

"I know what u are thinking but they are good valued people. Money and status doesnt matter to them. So if u are ohkay with it, can u give me a picture of Avni.?" Sheetal concluded and Neela's happiness knew no bounds. Her face lit up with the biggest and brightest smile she could ever have.

******

That same Evening in Khanna Mansion

Neil came home frustrated and disappointed and hastly made his way to his room not making an eye contact with any of the family member. Shweta was about to go behind him when Bebe took the initiative and assured shweta that she will talk and handle him. Shweta noded in affirmation while Prakash stood worried for his son.

Bebe entered Neil's room only to find him standing near the window staring out in nothingness. "Tillu, puttar, Kya baat hai jo tu Itna Pareshan hai.?"

He turned to face her and immeditely hugged her. Without breaking the hug he mumbled "Mera Dream Project Bebe. Sab kharab hogya." And she found his voice choking.

Bebe lovingly carresed his hairs pulling apart she made him sit on couch and said hopefully "Jab tak tune Himmat nahi hari hai, kuch kharab nahi hua hai. Samjha"

"Ek Mistake, sirf ek mistake ki vajah se Airlines ka contract Mere hath se chala gaya. Khanna Airlines. Mera Sabse bada Sapna." He mumbled in despair.

"Koi baat nahi Tillu Next Year Try kar lena. Chal ab ye Roni Shakal thik kar or fresh hoke Aaja. Mai coffee banati hu." She tried to cheer him up.

Later, Prakash and Shweta were frantically flipping through some photographs while having a tom and jerry banter over each other's choices. The whole plan was to select a suitable bride for their beloved son. Neil was sipping coffee and enjoying the live show of his parents in front of him. He knew there is no escape from this shadi thing so he decided to take it lightly.

"Haa bhai Madam Madona, Kya ho raha hai yaha.?" Bebe interupted them with her taunting comment.

"Bebe Tillu ki wife Dhudne ki koshish kar rahe hai." Shweta replied with enthusiasm completely ignoring Bebe's taunts.

"Uski koi jarurat nahi hai. Kyunki Apni bahu maine dhund li hai." Bebe declared with glinting eyes and a proud smile while oscillating a photograph in her hand.

Shweta and Prakash stood up in surprise while Neil chocked with the sip of coffee he was taking and coughed badly.

"Kyun Tillu, Abhi se Tootte Udd gaye Tere. Pehle Ladki ki Photo to dekh le." Bebe teased Neil seeing him cough.

After the initial chaos of shocking surprise was subsided, Bebe showed the pic to everyone including Neil. Though he just got a millisecond of glance at the pic before Shweta snatched it to observe deeply, a small smile crept up his lips and refuse to leave.

"Avni naam hai Iska. Dr. Avni Pareikh." Bebe beamed with proudy smile and satisfaction.

"Avni" Neil's heart whispered in a repeat mode.

And in no time the Khanna mansion was filled with Avni's praises, her qualifications, her traits and everything about her. Shweta's dream ship started to sail with jet speed.

*******

Jaipur

Avni woke up panting in a same state of distress with sweat beads perspirating on her forehead. She gulped down her distress after realising it was just a dream.!

"Same dream.? Again.?" Anjali asked concerned forwarding a glass of water towards Avni. "Vaise aaj to Tujhe Tere SRK ki shakal bhi Dikh gai hogi, coz u slept for 4hrs." And anjali burst out laughing on her own joke. Avni just rolled her eyes.

"What time is it.? I felt like sleeping since ages." Avni enquired sipping water.

"Its 7 pm dear. Common now wake up. Ur cell was buzzing since long."

Avni's eyes widened in disbelief. " 7.. And still u didnt wake me up. Angie its almost time for my evening rounds and m still on my bed."

"Avni Relax. Nurses will manage, in case u were required they would have called u. U are not going there. Aakash and Ali have planned to catch up on coffee at CCD. So no excuse.!"

"Cant come Angie. Its monitoring of post operated cases and m required there." Avni argued and her voice was enough for Anjali to know that she doesnt stand a chance.

Angie quickly posted a text on their whatsapp group BUDDIES FOR LIFE - "Guys Another plan thrown into bin. Avni the spoiltsport. Cheers..!!"

Avni took a quick glance at her phone to see 7 missed calls from Neela Maa and 3 from Rhea. She almost avoided the disappointement she felt seeing Rhea's name on her phone.

Later, Avni was rushing through the corridors while constantly trying to get in touch with her mother. Hell!! 7 missed calls that to from Neela, Definately a Big Deal.!!

"Hello Maa, Aap thik ho na.? Is there Any problem?" Avni was still aprehensive and concerned regarding Neela and bombarded her with a set of her patent questions.

"Avni, Baccha Relax. M fit and fine. Infact i was never this fine before in my life. I have somethimg imp to tell u." Neela let go of everything in one breath. Avni didnt miss her exhuberent voice and exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Yeah. I m listening."

"Avni, there is a Marriage Proposal for u.!" Neela stated hesitantly yet excitedly.

"What.?????" Avni's reply was no hidden mystery for her and she knew she is in for a lot of persuation and arguments. But she was determined to do anything for her daughter.

Before Neela could utter another word, came Avni's outrageous response "But Maa Mai Abhi Shadi ke Lie Tayar Nahi hu, Aapko pata hai Na Mera pura focus meri Studies or Hospital me hai"

" Baccha lekin Ek baar Mil lene me Harz hi kya hai? Aaj nahi to Kal Shadi to karni hi hai na?" The persuation game has to begin from somewhere.

"Maa plz Now dont start Again. My patients are waiting for me, i'l have to go." Avni hung up immediately not wanting to go ahead with this unpalatable discussion further.

Neela just smiled and started counting. Before she could even complete a count till 60 her phone buzzed and her smile only grew bigger.

"Avni, are u done with ur initial surge of Anger so that i can continue.?" Neela asked teasingly for there is noone who can understand Avni better than her. She is well aware of her emotions and reactions without even having a look at her, being miles apart from her. Thats what u call a Mother, Right.?

Avni exhaled a long breath she never knew since when she was holding "Maa Aap kyu Aesa kar rahe ho.? Aap jante ho mai Ye Love and Marriage ye sabke lie nahi bani hu." She complained like a kid but there was a deep pain in her voice.

"Baccha, U Trust me, Right.?" Neela stated more as a fact than a question. Sensing a no response from other side she continued.

"Tum apna promise bhul rahi ho Avni. Tumne kaha tha tum Apne Past ko kabhi Apne Present or Future ko affect karne nahi dogi. And look what are u doing now.?"

Avni was just listening to her intently. She remaine rooted at the gate of the ward, motionless and wordless.

"Now that u have started to give it a thought, which i know better than u, Ladke ka naam Neil Khanna hai and i think Itna hi kafi hai." Neela concluded with a smile and hung up knowing exactly that Avni will take some time to make peace with the recent happenings. Ofcurse she knew the turn her life is soon going to take, is the most dreeded path of her life, but its time that this Hide and Seek has to terminate on a better note.

Avni cupped her head and squeezed her temple as if her head will explode. She immediately took her phone and texted in the same group.
"Emergency. Fire exit 2nd floor. In an hour"

******

On other side

Neil was sitting in his garden under moonlight looking intently at Avni's pic and carressing her face again and again. "Avni" he repeated her name like a melody.

********

There Avni was lost looking outside the window from her cabin "Neil khanna" was the only name her mouth resonated.

**Imagine the screen spliting between Avneil with Neil on one side observing Avni's pic and Avni on other side fidgetting with her phone, their thoughts filled with each other. [Lol, this was just for drama purpose. Dont kill me for this.]

To be continued..