It had been an hour since avni was still in the operation theatre...one of the nurses came out again when this time neela stopped her

Neela:how is my daughter is she ok.

Nurse:she is in critical condition as she lost a lot of blood.

Neil moved back against the wall not able to hear that.. he recalled what the doctor said about juhi

Flashback
Neil:doctor how is juhi

Doctor:she is still in danger she has lost a lot of blood and we dont know if we will be able to save her

Neil was shocked by what the doctor said

End of flashback

His breathing was getting uneven slightly not able to take the pain his heart is feeling

Ashish:nothing will happen to her.. control yourself he said placing his hand on Neil's shoulder

Neil looked at ashish.. seen Neil like this broke ashish heart and he pulled him for a hug

Ashish turned his face sideways when he felt neela rest her forehead against his back

Neil broke the hug and nodded while his family knew the pain he was going through and watched him  leave  from there

Shweta was about to follow when bebe stopped her and went after Neil

Neil was about to leave the hospital when bebe stopped him and held his wrist 

Neil looked at bebe as tears welled up in his eyes

Bebe:let all those tears out puttar for once let it all out.

Neil looked at bebe he fell on his knees and hugged he by the stomach while bebe felt crying seen her grandson like this 

10 mins later bebe and Neil were outside with bebe sitting on a bench and neil was sitting on the floor with his head rested on bebe lap while she was caressing his hair

Neil:y me bebe..y is this happening... the doctors r saying the same thing that they said during juhi time

Bebe: no puttar...no.. u cant compare avni state with juhi... avni wasnt bought in your life to be taken away from u ... she is meant to be with u and she will

Neil:today I thought I'll confess my feeling to her.. tell her what she means to me but fate just had a another plan all together

Bebe was shocked and looked at Neil... she didnt know if she should be happy that Neil was going to confess or sad that avni was still fighting for her life she controlled her tears and looked up

Bebe(in her mind) mata rani please give my children the happiness they deserve

Neil and bebe got up and left to go inside.

Shweta caressed Neil face while he slowly smiled at her.

Meanwhile ashish was in the mandir area and was praying

Ashish:years back u took my ashu away from me and I blamed my daughter for that..after all these years I got my daughter back and now u r planning to take her away from me.. from all of us...but u cant as she iS everyones jaan over here without her nothing will be the same...please I beg u dnt take our life from us please he said folding his hand in front of the idol

Neela who was listening to ashish wiped her tears and took a step forward and placed a hand on ashish shoulder

Ashish turned to look at neela.

Neela:nothing can happen to OUR daughter ashish...she is strong and will be back..she has to be back

Both looked at each other and then turned to look at the idol.

Another 1 hour had passed .. nobody had left from their place and were waiting outside the operation theatre.. soon the lights turned off and all stood straight waiting for the door to open

After few mins the doctor came out....

Prakash:doctor Saab how is our daughter

The doctor looked at all of them.

Doctor: dw she is out of danger

All felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from their shoulder...Neil gulped a big lump which was  forming in his throat while leaning against the wall... Ali squeezed Neil shoulder.

Dayawanti:mata rani ka shukar hai

Doctor:but

Neela:but what doctor

Neil looked at the doctor when he said but

Doctor:she needs to be given proper rest.. have food and medicine on time as due to losing a lot of blood she will feel weak now and then.

Everyone nodded and thanked the doctor who left from there as  he told them avni will be shifted to a ward after.

They all saw the door open and there was their life who was on the stretcher unaware of what was going around her.

Neil saw avni and it felt  like now he was able to breath properly... he saw the bandage on her forehead and arms recalling her accident

Neil reflection:she deserves someone better Neil...dont let her come close to u otherwise she may end up losing her life..

Neil looked at his reflection standing next to him who was smiling at him ...suddenly neil was jerked back to reality as he heard Ali speak and then looked at bebe

Bebe:puttar come let's go home and freshen up and then come after

Neil:no bebe u all go I'll stay here with avni

Bebe:puttar please.. just change and come back

Ali:haan neil

Akash:Neil dont worry... me and Kia r here once avni gains conscious we will call u

Neela:bacha go and freshen up...we all r going too

After a lot of forcing Neil agreed to go

Aliya bebe and Neil went in one car while prakash and shweta in another ... the metha family also left.

30 mins later as Neil came out of the washroom he walked to his wardrobe to pick a shirt.

Neil reflection: listen to me.. I know what I'm saying

Neil:please go away because I dont want to talk to u

Neil reflection:u have to because I know u better than anyone...and the best thing for u to do is keep avni away from u as this will be beneficial for both of u.

Neil:wrong... u r wrong... .

Neil reflection:no I'm not ..u tell me one thing u called juhi that time and what happened to her?.. u called avni and the same thing happened to her but luckily she survived Neil and that was because u wasnt close to her... if u hadnt called her then she would have been all safe Neil

Neil sat down recalling how he called avni to meet up straight away and clutched the bed sheets.

Neil reflection: u say u love her na.. and as they say love is to sacrifice then to keep avni safe sacafise your love for her 

Neil:STOPPP he shouted loudly covering his ears 

He looked around to see no sign of his reflection

Few secs later

Shweta:tillu what happened...she said coming into his room

Bebe followed and looked at Neil

Neil:I'm going to the hospital

Bebe:shweta I'll go with Neil as Fatima ji  and dayawanti ji have reached there

Shweta:ok bebe

Neil took his phone and key and left with bebe 

40 mins later they reached to the hospital

Bebe:has avni gained conscious yet.

Neil:can we go and see her?

Kia:yup but we r told not to disturb her in any way

Neil nodded and went in while the rest of the family members came.

Neil walked in to see avni on the hospital bed while there was few tubes  which   were connected to her body

He sat down and held her hand

Neil:u scared me avni...u  literally scared me... for a sec I felt like I had lost u... I'm sorry this had to happen because of me but I'm also angry... was that phone so important that u was ready to risk your life...life is so unpredictable na it's like we r happy and the next min that happiness is taken away from us.. I had called u to confess my feelings and look what happend

Few mins later Neil came out and saw few of the family members there.

Neil:I want to tell u all something

Dayawanti:kya beta?

Neil:me and avni r getting DIVORCED

He looked at all who were standing still...shock was clearly written on their face

Bebe:Neil y do u want a divorce when

Neil:bebe please he said

Shweta:tillu have u lost it... avni is in this state she needs our love and care and u want to divorce her.

Neil:haan I want to divorce her and I dont think we r doing anything wrong...me and avni both wanted to end this relation and now we will...

Bebe looked at Neil and knew  he  wanted divorce for a reason as recently he confessed his love for avni and now he is saying he wants a divorce and Neil

Neela:Neil sometimes we have to think with a calm mind.. u and avni both have been in pain but now u both deserve happiness which is by been together.

Neil: all I know is that I have decided what to do and avni will agree to it too as she wanted this and none of u will tell avni this because I'll tell her myself

Avni had gained conscious and slowly opened her eyes

Nanno:avnii she said happily and went outside

As she reached outside all looked at her

Dayawanti:what happend Fatima?.

Fatima:avni gained conscious

All were happy and went inside..(meri story mai all r allowed inside)

Neil composed himself and went in last

Neela made avni sit up slowly while her eyes moved around to find one person to see him walking in..as she saw Neil she smiled slowly at him

Neela:bacha u scared the hell out of us... for a while it felt like our heart beats were lessening

Avni:maa please dont say that

Neil: avni was that phone so important for u that u risked your life for it... avni smiled and looked at neela and then at Neil seen him look at her all seriously

Avni:haan neil because that phone was a gift from neela ma and whatever she gives me .It means everything to me

Neil:avni we can get another phone but life only comes once ..he said seriously and looked away while all looked at Neil..

Dayawanti: and us? Dont we mean anything to u

Avni:of course u do dadi and u know that.. plus everyone has their own place in my heart .

Shweta:beta now once u come home na I'll make sure u get proper rest and dont move at all

Avni smiled slowly

The doctors came to check avni and told all to wait outside for a bit.. as all started to leave avni looked at Neil who didnt even look at her & wondered about his odd behaviour

After checking on avni the doctor came out

Doctor:the patient is fine right but she will feel weakness and tried due to losing blood so please make sure she takes proper rest and eats her food on time along with her medicine.

Dayawanti: when can we take avni home.

Doctor:by tommrow I would prefer her to stay at the hospital at least for today

The rest nodded as the doctor left.

Neil:is it ok if avni stays with us at the Khanna mansion until she doesnt recover.

Neela:u r still her husband so we cant say no to u

Neil thanked them they  saw him go in to see avni and looked at each other

Avni was staring at the ceiling when she heard the door open  she looked and saw it was Neil...

Avni:Neil she said happy to See him.

Neil sat down on the chair while she continued to stare at him

Neil:doctor said u can be discharged tomorrow 

Avni:y not today

Neil:they will want to keep u under examination thats y

Avni: what wrong Neil? She said noticing him looking down

Neil looked at avni

Neil:nothing for now avni...

Avni:Neil can I ask u something?

Neil:yh?

Avni:y did u want to meet up with me today? I mean out of the blue.. was it something important

Neil:I thought it was important avni but not anymore

Avni : but what was it about ?

Neil:gosh how many questions would u ask...

Avni:kya karu my husband is a police officer so I have to ask questions too she said and chuckled  while Neil looked at her when she said my husband.. avni realised what she said

Neil:yes along with been your husband I'm your friend too he said as he saw the embarrassed look.

The nurse came in to give fruits and medicine and Neil  said he will make sure she eats it 

As the nurse left Neil was about to forward a piece of apple to avni when she stopped him

Avni:Neil please I dont feel like eating anything... my mouth already taste bitter and on top of that I dont like apple that much 

Neil:that's not my problem u will have to eat even if u dont like it otherwise how will u get better

Avni:Neil I dont want to plea...but before she could complete Neil placed a piece of apple in her mouth while she had no option but to eat

Just like that Neil made her complete a plate of apple and gave her tablets.

Avni swallowed it and took few sips of water.

Neil:the tablets r high dose so it will make u a little drowsy

Avni smiled and nodded

Neil: take some rest if u need anything just let us know he said getting up when avni held his wrist stopping him

Avni:sit for a bit na and then u can go once I fall asleep  she said as soon as Neil turned to face her

Neil nodded as he sat down he saw how avni still held on to his wrist 

He saw her close her eyes... while a peaceful smile played on her lips..

5 mins later Neil felt her grip loosen around her wrist... he slowly placed her hand over her stomach and got up and leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead

Neil:I'm sorry avni whatever I'll be doing is for our benefit... after alot of thinking I have decided i will do this... I even told our family too.

It was around 7pm when avni woke up as she opened her eyes she looked around to find neela sitting on the couch with avni but what made her go in awee was seen ashish sit there too..neela head was resting on ashish shoulder as both had their eyes closed taking a small nap

Avni smiled looking at then like that

Avni (in her mind): they look so lovely together...can there be a chance of them been together? She thought to herself 

Avni felt thirsty and tried to grab the glass which was kept next to the bed ... she got a hold of the glass but it suddenly slipped out of her hand falling on the ground

Avni:shit she whispered

Ashish and neela woke up hearing a glass breaking sound...as they looked they  saw avni laying on her side as she had leaned towards the table 

Neela: bacha what happened she said getting up and went towards avni not noticing the broken glass pieces on the floor

Ashsih:neela careful there r glass pieces on the floor.

Neela turned to look at ashish and then down too see the pieces

Avni:woh sorry ma I was actually thirsty and I tried to grab the glass but it slipped out of my hand

Neela:bacha u could have called out to us

Avni:sorry I didnt want to disturb u both as u were sleeping

Ashish:avni tum bhi na he said taking a spare glass  filling it with water and passed it to neela who helped avni to drink

Neela:I have bought khichdi for u

Avni:maaa u know na I hate khichdi

Neela:I know but u have to eat it avni

Avni:great. She mumbled.

Ashish wiped a tear seen avni like this 

Avni:papa what happened?

Ashsih saw avni and neela looking at him... he smiled and then sat down on the stool next to the bed and held avni hand clasping it in his

Ashish:I recently got u back in my life avni.. and hearing your accident news made me scared.. I couldnt think of losing u again.

Avni: how can something happen to me when I have  such caring ppl in my life

Ashish: that is true aftrt all our family is unique and special he said and all 3 chuckled

Avni:where is Neil?

Ashish and neela looked at each other as the smile on their face faded

Neela: woh bacha..Neil said he had some work so he is busy she said not telling her that Neil had gone to see the lawyer while she had told ashish about Neil decision

The next day avni was happy to go back home even though she was only there for a day she felt like she hadnt been home for weeks..

As she got up from the bed all ready she stood for a sec when her head started to spin a little..she stretched her hands out to neela as she was about to lose her balance

Avni:maa...neela turned to look at avni and her eyes widen

Neela:bacha she said taking few steps but stopped seen Neil.

Avni thought she will hit the ground but suddenly felt a strong grip around her hand and shoulder and she instantly knew who it was without even looking... a small smile came on her face as she looked at him to see concern on written over his face...

Neil:couldn't u just stay seated avni... u r weak and havent fully recovered he said making her sit

Avni:ab how is it my fault... my feet didn't tell me that avni dont stand because I will loose balance she said

Neil and neela looked at avni and then at each other shaking their head.

Neela: bacha neil is right

Avni:haan for u he will be right after all he has become your fav and also your names matches Neil and neela... see she said

Neela laughed while neil was amused

Neil:neela ma seems like someone is jealous

Neela:I guess u r right

Avni:nobody is jealous ok. So stop assuming things

Neil then got the discharge paper ready while at the Khanna mansion bebe and shweta were making healthy food for avni

Neil Held on to avni hand making her stand slowly

Neil: u dont need to walk fast just take your time ok

Avni smiled and nodded while Neil made sure she doesnt loose her balance

Neela was walking behind them and looked at avni and Neil... and recalled neil decision

She prayed that her kids always stay happy

Neela hugged avni and left while looking at neil who nodded.

Avni and Neil got into the car.

Neil:is your head paining

Avni:not really Neil I mean medicine r too strong so they have a good effect on my pain

Neil nodded.

Avni was feeling drowsy..she tried to keed her eyes open but wasnt able to

Neil saw this and smiled

Neil:miss ajooba if your eyes want to close let them y r u forcing them to stay open

Avni looked at Neil surprised

Neil:sleep

Avni nodded and rested her head against his shoulder while wrapping her hand around his arm... Neil wasnt suprised as they had reached to this comfort level when they had gone for their  "honeymoon"

Neil slowly placed his hand on top of avni which was resting on his arm...he slowly caressed his thumb on her knuckles

Avni smiled slowly and opened her eyes looking down at at Neil caressing her knuckles...the feeling of him doing that just made it feel different but beautiful...she closed her eyes before he catches  her and allowed him to do that

20 mins later they reached to the Khanna mansion

Neil patted avni cheeks slightly trying to wake her up...avni slowly opened her eyes hearing a familiar voice call her name..as she looked around she recalled she was in the car with Neil and didnt realise when she had fell asleep ... she lifted her head of his shoulder and looked at Neil

Neil:we r home now.. avni nodded

Neil got out and went to avnis side opening the door and forwarded his hand while she placed it on top of his and got out of the car

He helped her walk inside ...the family saw avneil holding hands and looked at each other

Kareena:welcome back bhabhi she said hugging her and aliya moved to hug her too

Shweta came and did avni aarti while bebe put a kala teeka behind avni ear

Shweta:finally u r back avni... we and this house missed u a lot

Maddy: shweta bhabhi..its only been a day since avni has been away and u r acting like she has come back home after years

All looked at maddy.. bebe was angry at maddy for always speaking this way

Shweta:the thing is maddy jiji... avni is the happiness of this house and without her this house feels different which u wont understand she said smiling sarcastically at maddy while maddy rolled her eyes

Bebe :chalo chalo now we can talk later Neil Neil puttar take avni up

Neil:ji bebe he said slowly walking forward while not leaving her hand 

Once reaching to the bedroom Neil made avni sit on the bed and placed a pillow against the head rest while avni laid back on the comfortable pillow

Neil: do u want anything?

Avni:no nothing she said smiling.

Neil:ok u rest I'll be back.

Avni nodded as Neil went out of the room sbe wondered what to do as she knew if she took a step of the bed she will get a lot of scolding..she checked few of her messages and even got one from Kia saying that she has gone to kabir parents house as his mum was a little ill and they would come to visit her once they r back

Avni placed her phone away and her eyes landed on Neil photo which was kept on the small table next to the bed.

Avni picked up the frame and held it...she recalled the way Neil was caressing her knuckles in the car...how he took care of her at the hospital now and then... it was like she was looking at him in a different way totally

She smiled and caressed the picture... she closed her eyes with a shy smile as if Neil is really looking at her

Avni: what r u doing to me Neil... the way u make me me feel happy and secure by your closeness.. before I wasnt sure what is love i still dont know what love feels like  but I know one thing. U make me happy.. your actions  makes me feel loved... your scolding has care and love in it...and u been besides me makes me feel complete and happy .. and If this is what love is then yes I LOVE U she smiled while hugging his pic

Avni then realised their plan of separating

Avni:but does Neil feel the same? Sometimes I feel he doesnt want to go ahead with this plan but sometimes he does... to find out Neil's feeling I need to tell him what I feel like...yes I will do that ...I mean it's not a big deal in confessing your feelings right... of course besides this is Neil what is there to worry about.

After few mins Neil came back with a bowl of fruits, some  cheese and cucumber sandwich and juice

Neil:avni here I bought u some lunch he said walking in

Avni quickly placed Neil photo  away.

Neil:ye lo he said sitting down as he placed the tray beside her

Avni:Neil I wanted to tell u something

Neil:haan go ahead

Avni:Neil woh actually

Neil:go ahead avni

Avni(in her mind) few mins back u was like it's easy to confess but y am I finding it difficult right now

Neil:bolo avni he said making her come back to reality.

Avni:Neil I wanted to say that I.. i... I was getting bored she said and cursed herself in her mind

Neil:bas itni si Baath.. dont worry u finish lunch and then we will watch a movie together

Avni nodded and made Neil eat some sandwich too

While eating Neil got a call ..he answered it while speaking to dd on the other end ...after few mins Neil looked at avni

Avni: what happened avni?

Neil:avni... yaar actually the thing is for a case I would have to go to Delhi

Avni:oh..for how many days she said feeling sad but didnt show it

Neil:for 3 days..

Avni:I see but when do u have to leave

Neil:in few hours.

Now that made avni feel even more sad

Neil:but I guess I'll tell them to send someone else ...right now u r not well and I cant leave u like this

Avni:dont worry about me I'll be fine besides I have everyone with me

Neil:but avni.

Avni: trust me Neil I would be fine ..now come on pack your bag

Neil nodded while she watched him pack.

Neil (in his mind) :after coming back I'll give u the divorce news avni... by the time I'll be back the papers would be ready to. He thought while packing his bag

Avni (in her mind) :maybe u staying away for few days will  give me confidence to share my feeling with u and with that I'll know how u feel.

Neil packed his bag and sat next to avni

Neil:promise me u will take your medicine on time and also eat properly along with taking rest

Avni:I promise Neil.

Neil:good and dw there will be someone with u over here so that u dont feel bored ... I'll go and inform mom and bebe till then take this medicine he said

Avni took the tablets and swallowed it with water

Neil went and told bebe and shweta while they told him they will look after avni while he also reminded all of them not to mention the divorce news to avni as he will tell  her himself.

Bebe, Riya and shweta looked at each other and then nodded

Neil reached to his room...avni looked at Neil and smiled

Neil:I'm leaving now... u take care he said cupping her cheek

Avni nodded placing her hand on top of his which was resting on her cheeks.

Avni:have a safe journey she said...Neil smiled and kissed the top of her head making sure not to put to much pressure on her head

It had been 4 hours since Neil had gone and avni was already finding it odd without him

Sometimes Riya would come and spend time with her while sometimes bebe and shweta..and thanks to them her day went a little fast

It was dinner time and shweta bought avni down so that she can eat with all of them.

Bebe:avni I'll sleep with u till Neil doesnt come back

Avni:, bebe it's fine aap tension mat lo I will be ok

Bebe:I know puttar but u r still weak and no more discussion on this

Avni smiled and nodded..

Two days was not great for avni.. it's like Neil absence was making her feel odd.. but somehow her time would go fast  thanks to the high dosage of medicine... sometimes her taking to Nell picture.. also while   making sure nobody was around she would practice on how to confess her feelings to...

due to everyones love and the tablet she was recovering quickly while shweta would take her for a walk and the metha family had come to visit her for a bit too

Avni:only one more day Neil and this time I'll make sure u know my feelings too

Shweta:avni beta here u go... drink this milk and finish it of

Avni:but maa milk is not tasty .. she said making a face

Shweta:u have to drink it otherwise I'll make sure u do she said

Avni made a face and drank it...

Later on bebe and shweta who were sitting in the hall saw Neil walk in

Shweta:tillu u came back early

Neil:haan mom work finished early so

Bebe :chalo that's good u came back soon

Neil nodded and showed an envelope  by lifting it up ..

Riya:what is that Neil

Neil:divorce paper...

Shweta:tillu... but she got interrupted

Neil:mom please.. I have decided and I'll do it

Neil started to walk up stairs when he heard his reflection

Neil reflection:chalo thank God u Took the right decision of separating from avni 

Neil gritted his teeth hearing his own reflection say that

Neil came in to the room to see avni sitting in the balcony

He placed his bag on the bed and walked towards her

Avni who was enjoying the breeze turned around as if she felt Neil and when she turned around she saw Neil standing there

Neil saw that her forehead had a small plaster and she looked much better 

Avni:Neil u came back early?

Neil:haan finished work early he said

Bebe shweta and riya stood outside the room watching the scene..avni thought this is the best time to tell Neil

Avni:Neil..I..i actually ... I wanted to say something to u the thing is that Neil i lo...but she got interrupted by neil

Neil:avni I got our DIVORCE paper ready he said lifting the envelope which had the divorce papers

Avni stood still for a sec trying to register Neil words while the smile from her face vanished slowly

Avni:div...divorce paper she asked slowly

Neil:haan we had planned to seperate and I thought it was best if I get the paper ready

Avni took a step back making her stumble

Neil:avni u ok

Avni:Uh yh..Neil just Give me a sec I want to go to the washroom

Neil nodded and allowed her to go to the washroom as she closed the door she allowed the tears to flow which she was controlling till now..she covered her mouth and turned on the tap so that her crying couldnt be heard.

Neil's words started to play in her head which was killing her from the inside

Avno:.before I could tell u my feelings your divorce news made me realise what u want..what a fool I was to think that u would feel for me that way.. for me your happiness matters the most and if u want a divorce I'm ready she thought to herself

Few mins later
Avni splashed water on to her face and looked at herself in the mirror she tried to smile while hiding her tears and pain which was clearly seen in her eyes

Neil saw avni come out.

Avni: if u have bought the divorce paper then lets sign

Neil nodded slowly and gave avni the papers

She took it out from the envelope and saw Neil's sign was already on the paper..she took the pen and signed it while Neil looked at her

Bebe, shweta and riya wiped away their tears going away from there

Precrap:👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

Would be waiting for all the replies

Thanks to all those who commented and voted for the previous chap

Will be waiting for all the vote and comment

Lots of love
Sonali