It was evening time.

At Avni's place. Avni was sitting with Hazel telling her some stories. The doorbell rang.

Hazel: Bua Sidoo hai?

Avni (chuckle): Sidoo busy hoga. Pura din Sidoo chahie.

She went to open the door and found Sid, Akshit and Zalak.

Avni looked at them with shock.

Zalak (chuckle): Kya hua?

Hazel came out running.

Hazel (shout in excitement): Sidoooo bua see Sidoo hai.

Avni: Abhi ye bol hi rahi thi Sid hai kya?

Sid, Zalak and Akshit chuckled. Avni too joined them.

Avni: Andar aao.

They walked in.

Avni: Tum log baitho main pani layi.

Sid, Akshit and Hazel sat. Avni went inside. Zalak followed Avni.

Zalak: Avni tum theek ho?

Avni: Haa di.

She said looking away. She quickly took water and walked out. Zalak too went behind. She gave them water.

Sid: Avni we are sorry. Hum pehle hi aane wale the par relatives me stuck ho gaye.

Avni: Koi baat nahi Sid. Tum log aaye apna festival chhor kar yehi bahut hai humare liye.

Sid: Hum yaha Hazel ke liye aaye hai. Hazel ne kal rakhi banayi thi na. Vo tum mujhe bando.

Akshit: Mujhe bhi.

Hazel shook her head and giggled.

Avni: Vo humne already bhai ko bandi.

She pointed at the photo. Sid, Akshit and Zalak saw it. They nodded.

Sid: Okay... Main to yaha par Hazel baby se Rakhi bandvane aaya hoon.

Akshit: Main bhi. Hum to gifts bhi laye hai.

Zalak: Aur main Avni se.

Looking at trio, Avni smiled as happy tears brimmed in her eyes.

Zalak (hugging Avni): Arey! Bass karo Avni. Hum hai tumhare sath. You are not alone. Chalo tum dono hume Rakhi bando. Acha Avni in dono ka to mujhe nahi pata par haa main na tumhari pakka raksha karugi.

Avni nodded looking down.

Avni: Pata hai aese hi bhabhi aur main ek dusre ko aese hi Rakhi banda karte the.

Zalak: Acha. Haa to main tujhe bandoongi tu mujhe bandna.

Avni nodded with a smile.

Akshit: After the celebration hum sab dinner ke liye hotel chalte hai?

Zalak: Good idea.

Avni: Mere pass kuch nahi hai rakhi ke liye. I mean maine iss baar kuch shopping nahi ki thi. Hazel ne jo rakhi school me banai thi vo humne bhai, bhabhi ko bandi.

Zalak: Don't worry. Main leke aayi hoon. Tu thali laa.

Avni nodded and brought Aarti ki thali. She sat in front of Zalak.

They both tied Rakhi to each other first. Hazel was sitting with Sid excitedly waiting for her turn.

After Avni and Zalak were done, Zalak took Hazel on her lap and helped her to tie rakhi to Sid's wrist. Sid then gave her a gift.

She excitedly sat on Sid's lap and opened the gift.

Hazel (excited): Same same bua.

Avni (chuckled): Morning me same toy set maine diya usko as a gift.

Hazel (giggle): Yesh...

Sid: Bua ne cheating ki na. Toy set lene se pehle mujhe batati na.

Avni: Oye! Maine nahi ki cheating. Tu call karta na.

Sid: Cheating to tune hi ki. Main surprise dene wala tha. Tujhe batata to surprise kharab ho jata. Bua ne ki na cheating.

Hazel: Yes Sidoo.

Avni: Hein? Bua nahi. Sidoo ne cheating ki.

Hazel: No bua. Sidoo good boy.

Avni (rolling her eyes): Main bhi kisse puch rahi hoon. Ye to hai hi Sidoo ki chamchi.

Sid poked his tongue. Hazel too did the same looking at him.

Sid: Chalo Akshit ko bande.

Hazel nodded. Sid helped her and she tied Rakhi on his wrist. He gave her a cute baby dress.

Hazel (pecking Sid and Akshit's cheek): Thank you Sidoo, Akshit uncle.

Akshit: Your welcome baby.

Zalak: Chalo tum dono jaldi se ready ho jao to dinner ke liye chale?

Avni (taking Hazel): Chalo hum ye new dress me Hazel ko ready karte hai.

Hazel nodded excitedly. Both got ready quickly and came into the living area.

Akshit (smirk): Acha Sid tu kyun nahi Avni se rakhi bandva leta.

Sid (shocked): Nahi nahi main kyun?

Zalak (joining Akshit): I agree with Akshit. Avni aaja Sid ko band.

Avni too was shocked. She was looking for an excuse.

Avni: Hume late ho raha hai. Chale? Kal Hazel ka school bhi hai na.

She tried to change the topic.

Zalak: Par-

Sid (cuts her): Avni sahi bol rahi hai chalo.

He took Hazel and walked out. Avni too quickly ran behind him. Akshit and Zalak chuckled and went out.

They left for dinner. After dinner, they dropped Avni and Hazel then Akshit.

Last Sid drove off to his home. As they went in. They saw Vibha waiting for them.

Vibha: Kaha reh gaye the tum log?

Sid: Maa vo hum log dinner ke liye gaye the. Avni, Hazel ke sath.

Vibha (confused): Unke sath kyun? Aese jaldi jaldi me chale gaye massi ke ghar se kuch bataya tak nahi sahi se.

Zalak: Maa uske bhai bhabhi ki death recently hui hai. Aaj rakhi par vo unko kitna miss kar rahi thi. Issliye Sid ne Hazel se rakhi bandvai and maine, Avni ne ek dusre ko.

Sid: Hum thak gaye hai. Sone jaa rahe hai. Aap bhi so jao. Good night.

He pecked her forehead and both went into the room.

Vibha's P.O.V.

Ye kyun bandvane gaya usse Rakhi? Ye kyun ho raha hai unse itna close? Mana uski dost hai par Rakhi wale din isko kyun uske bare me sochna. Yaha apne parivar ke sath din bitaya nahi jata. Pura din uske sath hi rehta hai.

P.O.V. ends

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter