It was the time of night, the stars were twinkling in the sky and the moon was shining over the Khanna mansion and it peeped into the room through the window of the room and the curtains were flying because of the wind. It was Neil’s room where Neil was laying on the bed and his face was showing immense grief.

On the other side, Avni was also laying on the bed and her eyes were moist. She was also in grief and she looked tired too. She felt like she had been lost in a desert and she is in search of water to quench her thirst but she is not getting water. She has walked miles in search of the water but there is no sign of water. Now she has got tired and she can’t walk anymore. Her all energy is drained now. She can’t even trust her feet anymore. She felt like if she took another step then she will definitely fall. This is Avni’s condition right now. She is thirsty for peace. She is in search of peace but she is not getting it anywhere. The person who can make her feel good; who can give her peace that person has given her another wound. She didn’t even think in her weirdest dream that Neil will do this to her. He will forcefully fill her hairline. Avni was missing her parents badly. It

Avni and Neil think of the time when they were a happy couple and they saw the flashes of their happy time and Neil saw the flashes where Avni asked him that she wants to break their alliance.

Flashback:

1. Everyone was sitting in the living area.

Avni: I am sorry lekin main yeh shadi nahi kar sakti. In fact, I think, humain is rishte ko yahi khatam kar dena chahiye.

2. Avni and Neil were in the room.

Neil: kya tha yeb sab niche, han? Kya tha? Tum humhara rishta khatam karna chahti ho. Humari engagement torna chahti ho?  Mujhse shadi nahi karna chahti? Han, bolo, jawab do.

3. Avni: Han, main humara khatam karna chahti hun.

4. Neil filled Avni’s hairline with his blood. Avni touched her forehead and then she saw the blood on her hand. Avni was shocked.

5. Neil tied the locket around Avni's neck who was in shock. Neil held Avni's arms and he looked at the locket. Avni too saw that.

Neil: Yeh locket tumhara mangalsutra hai jab tak hum sab rituals ke sath shadi nahi karte tab tak.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: Shadi mubarak ho.

Avni was shocked.

Flashback ends.

Avni wiped her teary eyes. Neil closed his eyes and a tear fell from the corner of his eye. Avni sobbed. They thought about each other and then they drifted to sleep while thinking about each other and their life. They were exhausted.

The next morning, the Khanna family was sitting at the dining table but no one was in the mood to have breakfast. Neil came downstairs and he slowed down his speed to see his family. Shweta stood up by seeing Neil.

Shweta: Tillu. Aa breakfast kar le.

Neil came forward.

Neil: No, mom, mujhe bhukh nahi hai aur main police station ke liye late ho raha hun aap log breakfast kijiye.

Shweta felt sad and helpless. She can’t see her son in this state.

Prakash: Aa jaa breakfast kar le. Ase bina khana khaye, khali pait ghar se nahi nikalte. Aa jaa beth.

Neil: Sorry, Dad but main police station ke liye late ho raha hun aur meri aaj commissioner sir ke sath meeting bhi hai to sorry lekin mujhe jana hoga, bye.

Neil turned to go but he stopped and turned to his family.

Neil: and yes, aap sab log aaj sham ko Mehta house pohanch jaiye ga. Mujhe aap sab logon se kuch important baat karni hai.

Bebe: asi kya baat karni hai tujhe?

Neil: woh sham ko aap sab ko pata chal jayegi and don’t worry all of you, ab main kuch ghalat nahi kkarunga balke sab kuch theek kar dunga. I promise.

Neil smiled fakely. Neil looked down and then he looked at his family and then he went from there fastly. The family was looking at him and then they looked at each other. They got worried.

It was the time of evening, the roads were flowing with the vehicles and the doorbell of the Mehta house rang and Dayawanti Mehta opened the door. She was surprised to see the Khanna family. They smiled and greeted her.

DM: Aiye, andar aiye na.

They nodded and they came inside. Riya and Hetal came there. Hetal greeted them and she signed Riya to greet them. Riya made a face and she said Hello and then she goes to sit on the dining chair. Shweta and Bebe don’t like her.

DM: aur bataiye sab theek hai?

Bebe: ji, upar wali kirpa hai sab theek hai.

Dayawanti Mehta smiled. Avni came there and she took blessings from Shweta and Shweta hugged her. Shweta kissed Avni’s forehead.

Shweta: kaisi hai meri bachi?

Avni: main achi hun, Mummy Ji. Aap kaisi hain?

Shweta: bilkul theek.

They smiled and Avni met Bebe and Prakash. Avni sat with Dayawanti Mehta.

Prakash: hum ne Neil se baat ki hai usay apni ghalti ka ehsaas hai.

Avni looked down.

Prakash: lekin ab sawal yeh uthta hai ke ab agaye karna kya hai?

DM: yeh to main bhi kal raat se soch rahi hun.

Shweta: abhi Tillu araha hai woh keh raha tha ke usay kuch baat karni hai.

Avni frowned.

DM: kya?

They heard the car horn and they looked at the door.

Shweta: lagta hai Tillu agaya.

They were looking at the door. Dayawanti Mehta got up and she moved forward. Neil came there and he stopped. Neil greeted Dayawanti Mehta and took her blessings. Neil saw Avni who was looking at him. Neil forwarded his gaze at his family and then at Dayawanti Mehta. Riya came there and Ketan too.

Neil: mujhe aap sab se aur khas kar ke Avni se bohat important baat karni hai.

Everyone got up except Avni.

DM: woh to theek hai lekin betho to sahi, beta.

Neil: bethne ka time nahi hai, Dadi Ji.

The Khanna family came near Neil but they stood at some distance.

Dayawanti Mehta signed Avni to come. Avni got up and she came to Dayawanti Mehta. Avni stood in front of Neil who was looking at her but then he looked down.

Neil: Avni, main janta hun ke maine kal raat jo kiya woh ghalat kiya. Mujhe tumhe force nahi karna chahiye tha. Please mujhe mauf kar do.

Avni and the others were looking at Neil.

Neil: maine jo kuch bhi kiya who mera bachpana tha.

Neil smiled.

Neil: Ase thori mang bhar dene se shadi ho jati hai yeh koi movie thori hai ke khoon se mang bhar di aur ho gai shadi, yeh to real life hai aur yahan rishte totne ke bad nahi jorte.

Avni’s eyes were on Neil.

Neil: Avni, mujhe ehsaas ho chukka hai ke hum dono ka sath main koi future nahi hai,

Everyone was shocked.

Neil: aur isi liye main aaj tumhe humare rishte se azad karne aya hun.

Avni and the others were shocked. Riya got happy.

Neil: maine jo kiya us ka humare ilawa aur kisi ko nahi pata so koi problem bhi nahi hogi tumhare liye future main. Tum aram se apni nayi zindagi shuru kar sakti ho.

Avni was shocked.

Neil: tum meri taraf se bilkul nischint ho jao, meri waja se tumhari life main koi problem nahi hogi kyunke main yahan se hamesha ke liye jaa raha hun.

Another shock for all.

Shweta: Tillu?

Neil looked at Shweta.

Neil: yes, mom, maine yahan se jane ka decision liya hai.

Neil looked at everyone except Avni who was looking at him.

Neil: maine apni police ki service se retirement lene ka decision liya hai.

Avni and the Khanna family was shocked because they know how much he love his job.

Neil: bus ek baar woh shaks pakra jaye jo Avni ko pareshan kar raha hai phir main yahan se chala, chala jaunga.

Neil gulped. The situation is really very tough for him.

Shweta: Tillu, tu mujhe, mujhe, apni maa ko chor kar jaye ga. Apne parivaar ko chor kar jayega.

Neil: Mom, mere liye bhi easy nahi hai yeh lekin main kya karun ab mere liye yahan rehna bohat mushkil hota jaa raha hai. Maine commissioner sir se mere transfer ke bare main baat ki hai. Agar mera transfer ho gaya to theek hai warna main retirement le kar abroad chala jaunga.

Everyone was shocked.

Neil: yahi mera final decision hai.

Avni was looking at Neil with teary eyes.

Neil: Avni ne meri waja se bohat suffer kiya hai ab bus aur nahi. ab sab theek ho jayega.

Neil looked at Avni’s hand and he held it. They saw the engagement ring and they recalled that moment. They got emotional. Avni looked at Neil. Neil held the ring. Avni saw that and then she looked at Neil shockingly.

Neil: Avni, main aaj sab ke samne tumhe humare rishte se azad karta hun.

Neil put off the ring and Avni felt a shiver in her body. Avni felt like the ground is pulled off from under her feet. Her heart skipped a beat and then it starts beating fast. Everyone was shocked but Riya got happy. Neil was shivering because his emotions were out of his control. Neil saw the locket at Avni’s neck and he held it. Neil tried to open the locket.

Neil: is ki tumhe ab koi, koi, zaro, zarorat, nahi, nahi hai.

Neil opened it. Avni was shocked.

Neil: Ab tum azad ho, Avni.

Avni and the others were shocked. Neil looked at his ring and he put off it. Neil held Avni's hand and kept the ring on Avni’s hand.

Neil: Azadi mubarak ho, Avni.

Neil’s voice cracked. Neil looked down and he went from there by taking fast steps. Everyone was looking at him.

Riya in mind: main tumhe itni asani se jane nahi dungi, Neil.

Riya smirked.

Everyone looked at Avni who was looking at the entrance. The Khanna family looked at each other and they silently went from there because nothing was left to say.

The day converted into the night but no sign of Neil. The Khanna family was worried for him. They tried his number but no answer.

Shweta: Prakash Ji, kuch kijiye itni raat ho gai hai aur Tillu abhi tak ghar nahi aya.

Prakash was looking down by folding his arms at his back.

Shweta: DD ke sath bhi nahi hai. Pata nahi kahan hoga, kis haal main hoga?

Prakash: Shweta Ji, shant ho jaiye. Neil ajaye ga.

Shweta: kab? Raat ke 10 baj rahe hain.

Prakash sighed while looking down. They heard the car horn. Shweta's face lit up.

Shweta: lagta hai Tillu agaya.

They got relieved and Shweta moved forward. They waited for Neil and Neil came there while stumbling. The Khanna family was shocked to see Neil who was drunk.

Shweta: Tillu?

Neil was coming and he looked up. Neil smiled to see Shweta.

Neil: Mom.

Neil came forward and Bebe and Prakash came to Shweta. Neil was stumbling and he was about to fall but Prakash held him on time. Neil's hands were on Prakash's shoulders.

Neil: oops. Sorry, sorry.

Neil tried to stand but he was not able to stand so he stood with the support of Prakash.

Shweta: Tillu, tu ne sharab pee hai?

Neil shook his head then he looked at Shweta and made a pout. Neil nodded. Shweta got emotional. Neil caught his ears.

Neil: I am sorry. Main naa peena nahi chahta tha lekin kya karta.

Neil pointed at his heart.

Neil: Yahan, yahan bohat dard ho raha tha. Bohat zyada.

Everyone got emotional.

Neil: to us dard ko khatam karne ke liye maine itu (Neil pinched his hand) si pee lekin koi fark nahi para phir maine thori aur pee but (Neil moved his thumb) koi fark nahi para. Main peeta gaya, peeta gaya, peeta gaya lekin phir bhi dard nahi gaya.

Shweta cried. Neil's eyes got moist and he looked at Shweta.

Neil: Mom, bachpan main jab chot lagti thi to aap gale lagati thi aur mera sara dard dur urh jata tha. Aaj bhi gale laga kar mera dard dur kar dijiye na.

Shweta got emotional and she hugged Neil who cried. Everyone cried.

Neil: mujhe aap ki goud main sar rakh kar suna hai. Bachpan main kaise aap ki goud main aa kar apna dar bhul jaya karta tha aur sukoon so jata tha. Aaj bhi mujhe sukoon ki zarorat hai. Mom, mujhe sukoon laa den. Please.

Neil cried. Shweta caressed his hair. Prakash held Neil's shoulders.

Prakash: Chal, Neil, room main chal.

Neil broke the hug.

Neil: Mom.

Shweta: main bhi aa rahi hun.

They took Neil to the room and they made him sit on the bed. Neil held Shweta's hand.

Neil: Mom.

Neil made Shweta sit on the bed and he laid by keeping his head on her lap. Shweta caressed his hair and Neil thinks. Neil's eyes were teary and a tear fell from his eye on Shweta's lap. Shweta felt that and she looked at Neil. Neil closed his eyes and tears fell from his eyes. Shweta kissed his forehead. Neil looked at Shweta and he smiled then he closed his eyes.

Prakash took his legs up and removed his shoes. Prakash covered him with a duvet.

Soon, Neil slept and his parents were looking at him. Shweta thinks.

Shweta: Yeh sab Avni ki waja se ho raha hai. Aaj mera beta bhikhar raha hai aur in sab ki zimedar Avni hai. Main Avni ko is baat ke liye kabhi mauf nahi karungi. Kabhi nahi.

Shweta cried. Prakash thinks.

The sun rises and people started their day. The sun peeped into Neil's room who was sleeping. Neil stirred and he turned his side. Neil stretched his body while rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. Neil opened his narrowed eyes and he caught his head because of the severe headache.

Neil: aah...

Neil sat on the bed and he opened his eyes. Neil thought about last night and he recalled that he had alcohol. Neil got upset thinking about yesterday.

Later, Neil came after taking shower and he was drying his head with the towel. Neil's phone rang. Neil looked at the bed and he goes there. Neil picked up the phone and he was shocked to see the number. Neil thinks and he attended the call.

Neil: Hello.

Neil heard the other side.

Neil: Kahan milna hai?

Neil heard.

Neil: theek hai main time se pohanch jaunga.

Neil cut the call and he thinks.
 
It was the time of the day, the sun was shining and the birds were hovering in the sky over a beautiful restaurant. Neil entered the restaurant and he looked around while taking steps. A man came to him.

Man: excuse me, sir.

Neil looked at the man.

Man: ACP Neil Khanna?

Neil nodded.

Neil: yes.

Man: sir, this side.

Neil looked in the direction where the man pointed. 

Neil: this side?

The man nodded.

Man: yes, sir.

Neil said while keeping his hand on the arm of the man: ok, thank you.                                                            

Man: have a nice day. Sir.

Neil nodded while smiling and he went in the direction that the man told him. Neil stopped at the door and he thinks. Neil pulled the door and he saw the darkness. The door closed and Neil can see some things which were placed near the window but he was not able to see everything because of the darkness. Neil thinks.