Neil was looking at a portrait of Avni and lost in his own thoughts. His face looked serious and his eyes were filled with fury that could burn anything like an erupted volcano. But soon his rage filled expressions softened as soon as he caressed the picture gently.

Neil - I hate you.

Neil whispered starring at Avni's picture intensely.

Neil - I hate you Avni.

He again whispered and sighed. He placed the picture back in his wardrobe and walked towards his parents room.

Neil knocked the room and entered inside.

Sweta - Neil. Are you okay? 

Sweta asked as soon as she saw Neil's face which looked pale and lifeless. He had dark circles and bags under his eyes which made him look more paler.

Neil - What happened to me? I'm all fine and standing in front of you. ( chirps ) .

Sweta - Don't lie to your mother, Look how pale have you became. From the time we came back from Avni's house you are behaving strange. ( sternly) 

Neil rolled his eyes.

Neil - Come-on mom, why are you bringing avni in this. Moreover I don't think I'm behaving strange do I dad ? ( asks looking at prakash ) 

Prakash - Sweta is telling truth Neil. After that marriage issue you have totally changed . You isolated yourself. Neither you talk with us nor you come outside of your room. Moreover, you are almost acting like a robot. ( softly)

Neil sighs.

Neil - It's not like that. I'm fine.

Sweta - Neil, okay we won't bug you marrying avni. But please don't be like this. ( pleaded through eyes).

Neil looked away and stood silent.

Sweta - If you like another girl tell us, we will arrange your marriage with the girl you love. I promise.

Neil eyes widened.

Neil - No, I don't like anyone. ( Shouts) 

Prakash - Then what's your problem Neil. Tell us. Hiding pain in the heart won't help you instead it eats you from inside like a pest. ( sadly )

Neil lost there. He couldn't understand why his parents are behind him.

Neil - Why don't you understand I'm fine.

Neil shouted making them flinch. Soon, he realised what he did. He shouted on his parents. He still couldn't understand when did he became so aggressive? Now he realised he has been acting strange and he even doesn't know why. After a while Neil calmed himself as he watched her mother's teary eyes.

Neil - I'm sorry mom, dad . ( calmly)  I'm just... I don't know what's happening with me. I want peace and I want break from everything. (pauses for a second) that's why I've decided to go on a trip. 

Sweta - WHATTTTT?   (shouts) 

Neil, prakash closed  ears.

Neil - Mom, why are shouting? Not that I'm going to space, I'm just going to Maldives that's it. ( shrugs ) 

Sweta - WHAAAATTTT MALDIVVES?  ( screams louder) .

Neil laughed before he kissed his mom's cheek.

Neil - Yes, I've booked my ticket and it's 10 days trip ,I'm going through ship for fun. I'm really sorry for not asking you, it's because I've booked at last minute.

Sweta - But, I've to live 10 days without you? ( sadly) 

Neil - Yes, it's not that I'm leaving for the war.  Dad tell her please. ( gesturing his dad )

Prakash - Sweta, it's okay. Just ten days, let him have fun after all he's grown up man. (winks at Neil) 

Sweta made a sad face.

Neil - Okay mom, you know why I'm going on this trip ? ( Asks excitedly)

Sweta - No.

Neil - Imagine ,what if I fall in love with someone in this trip? ( Grins) 

Sweta - What? ( says confused)

Neil - I'm going on this trip to find my soulmate, you know even I want to marry and have a wife. so ,I thought I can find someone in this trip and make her your daughter in law. (winks).

Sweta - Really? ( widens eyes)

Prakash laughs.

Neil - Yes, my sweet mom. (smiles)

Sweta - Then also, I don't like you going alone. ( sadly)

Neil sighs and looks at his father with puppy dog eyes. After alot of consoling and pleading sweta agreed.

Neil - Thanks, mom and dad . I love you both so much.. ( hugs tightly with bright smile) 

Prakash - Don't get into any trouble.(laughs )

Neil rolled his eyes. 

Sweta -  When are you  leaving ? ( asks) 

Neil - Today Evening. ( cheekily ) 

Sweta -  WHATTTTTTTTT? ( Screams) 

*****

Ria - Pajamas.

Avni - Check.

Ria - Clothes.

Avni - Check .

Ria - toiletries.

Avni - Check , but Ship also provides us. 

Ria rolled her eyes.

Ria - Jewellery , makeup.

Avni - Check.

Ria - Bikini.

Avni - Chec...  Wait what?  ( shouts) 

Ria - Bikni... Don't you know bikni? ( grins) 

Avni - of course I know but why bikni ? ( Nervously)

Ria - Don't you wanna look hot in beach? ( Smirks) 

Avni - of course I want. But bikni... How can I? ( blushes) 

Ria - Don't blush Avni. ( laughs). You are wearing bikni or two piece swimming suit. It's my order and I've already packed it in your suitcase don't you dare to throw it away. ( sternly) 

Avni - okay . But... Neil will kill me if he knows that I wore a bikni in public places.

Ria - Are you serious? How would Neil know about this? He isn't coming with you right? (asks) 

Avni - Ya, sorry I forgot. He isn't coming with me lol. (Chuckles) 

Ria frowns.

Ria -  Why are you scared of Neil ? And why will he kill you if you wear these clothes?

Avni sighs.

Avni - It's completed to explain our relationship but I really don't know why he doesn't like me wearing short clothes . At swimming classes when my dad appointed Neil as my bodyguard to make sure I'm safe in water, you know what he told me? he warned me not to wear swim suit , said everyone will stare at my body so without any option I wore shorts and tank top. ( grits her teeth)

Ria - He is crazy, but don't you think Neil is protective towards you? ( smiles)

Avni - Protective? Didn't you heard juhi word's? He's just wants to be dominant around me that's it. (sternly)  

Ria - Okay Leave him, Now tell me what's your reporting time?  Currently it's 10o'clock.

Avni - They said reporting time is 1:30 pm as we have to fill some formalities and then the ship will leave around 6:00pm.

Ria - oh shit you have got only few hours to go. Come-on let's leave. ( yells)

Avni - Why so early?

Ria - Stupid, Mumbai traffic.  And moreover bye-bye stuff to your parents will take time, so hurry up. ( shouts) 

Avni - Aren't we taking them to port with us ? ( asks confused)

Ria - I don't know weather you are mad or tubelight ? If we take them to port they will get to know you lied to them. buddu.

Avni - oh yes, sorry I forgot. ( giggles )

Ria - Now take your bag's and let's go.

*****

Asish - Take care avni. Don't know how I will live without you ten days. ( sadly )

Avni - Daddy please.  Just ten days I will be back.

Asish - I know. ( wipes his tears ) . ria , take car of avni , she is your responsibility now and I don't want anything happen to her. ( says to ria) 

Ria nods

Ashish - and yeah please don't take avni towards the water,  I mean rivers or waterfalls. I don't want her to get in any trouble.

Avni and ria eyes widened.

Ria ( in mind ) - Uncle, your daughter is travelling in ocean and you are scared about rivers and waterfalls. ( gulps) 

Avni - No dad. I won't go towards river. ( smiles tighty)

Asish smiles.

Avni - I love you mumma I will be back ( hugs Neela) .

Neela - Stay safe bacha. (Moist eyes).

Avni - Please don't cry, I won't able to leave. ( sadly)

Neela - Enjoy avni. (smile's) 

Ria - Okay avni, we have to go. 

Avni nodes.

Avni -Bye, mom dad. (hugs them tightly). 

Avni wipes her tears before she gets into the car. She waves bye to them through window.

Ria - Don't cry avni.

Avni - I don't know. I never left them alone and I'm feeling guilty. ( sadly)

Ria - If you want you can return back home. ( shrugs)

Avni glares at her.

Ria - Sorry. Then don't be like this. Smile and enjoy your trip. ( chirps)

Avni - Yes.. Now I will have peace for sometime as Neil wouldn't be there with me. Ahhh, Maldives I'm coming. ( chirps) 

_________________

Drop your views.

Do vote and comment.

Do check my other works ;) .