Chal Meri Jaan

Chapter 23

Days passed, and Neil tried to get close to Avni. Neil daily tried to meet Avni. Sometimes, Neil succeeded in that, and sometimes not.

It was the time of the morning, the sun was shining over the Mehta house where Avni was standing in front of the dressing table and got ready to go with Neil. Neela Maa came there and smiled to see Avni.

Nm: tiyar ho gai?

Avni turned and smiled.

Avni: Hmm.

Neela Maa cupped Avni’s face.

Nm: Yeh muskan tere chehre per kitni pyaari lag rahi hai. Humesha ase hi muskurati raha kar.

Avni: Humesha?

Nm: Hmm, humesha.

Avni: Phir to log mujhe pagal samjhen ge.

Avni looked at Neela Maa who was confused. They smiled.

Nm: Pagal.

Avni: Dekha.

Neela Maa was surprised.

Nm: Chup.

Avni smiled and hugged her mother. Avni felt something and she felt a pull to Neela Maa. Avni looked at her mother and she thought. Neela Maa smiled. They broke the hug and Avni looked at Neela Maa.

Nm: Chalo, ab jaldi se baki ki tiyari kar lo. Neil bus aane hi wala hoga tumhe lene.

Avni smiled faintly. Avni turned but she was not able to move. Avni turned to her mother and Neela Maa frowned to see Avni. Avni hugged her mother and Neela Maa was surprised. Neela Maa got worried.

Nm: Kya howa, bacha? Sab theek hai na?

Avni: Maa, bohat ajeeb sa lag raha hai. Aap ko chor kar jane ka mann nahi kar raha.

Neela Maa frowned and smiled. Neela Maa caressed Avni’s hair.

Nm: Aaj Maa per bara pyaar araha hai, hmm.

Avni was looking serious.

Nm: Bacha, maine kahan jana hai. Main to yahi huni ghar per. Main tumhe chor kar kahin jaa sakti hun kya, hmm. Tumhare siwa mera is duniya main hai hi kon? Main tumhe chor kar kabhi kahin nahi jaungi.

Avni smiled sadly and Neela Maa broke the hug and held Avni’s arms.

Nm: Aur agar kahin gai bhi na to main humesha yahan.

Neela Maa kept her hand on Avni’s heart.

Nm: Yahan rahungi. Tumhare dil main. Tumhare pass.

Avni got emotional and she hugged her mother.

Avni: Kabhi bhi mujhe chor kar mat jaiye ga. Aap ke bina aap ki Avni adhuri hai.

Neela Maa smiled.

Nm: Main bhi tumhare bina adhuri hun, Bacha. Main kahin nahi jaungi. Humesha tumhare sath rahun gi.

Avni smiled but her heart was giving her signals that something bad was going to happen. Avni thought.

Avni came out of the home and was lost. Neil was standing in front of his car. Neil saw Avni and he smiled. Avni was coming to Neil and was walking slowly. Avni was feeling restless. Avni was going and Neil saw her coming. Neil frowned to see Avni lost. Neil came to Avni who didn’t notice him. Avni collided with Neil and stumbled. Avni was about to fall but Neil held her waist and hand. Avni’s eyes were closed and Neil smiled to see her. Avni opened her eyes and she saw Neil. Avni was surprised.

Avni and Neil got lost in each other’s eyes. They were looking at each other. Avni broke the eye contact and looked down. Neil also came back to his senses. Neil made Avni stand. Avni felt awkward. Neil looked at Avni and smiled to see her.