Avni shrink as the pain in her arm increases. Every minute, she drifts away from staying conscious.
Bhavik carried her in the bridal style and made her lie on the back seat of his car and rush towards the hospital "patience rkho, avni. Me hu tumhare sath (hang in there, avni. I'm here with you)"
The pain was too much and she could feel every bit of her strength leaving her body every second.
Bhavik's desperate calls gradually fade into the chaotic background before everything goes pitch black.
____________
The next morning,
When avni opened her eyes again, she saw herself lying on the hospital bed, and bhavik was standing near her bed, looking worried. His tired red eyes told her that He didn't even get a wink of sleep.
When bhavik noticed, that she's awake, he surprisingly replied "oh,god. Tumhe finally hosh aa gya (oh,god. you're finally awake.)"
Avni got up and sat with a great difficulty, and exclaimed surprisingly"bhavik?"
Avni look in the room, but find no one else expect bhavik, his eyes look tired and empty.
Then, he helped her sit comfortably with the support of a pillow and sat near her "abhi kch ho jata to? Me tumhe kho deta, Avni, tumne aisa kyu kiya??(i could have lost you, avni, why did you do that?)"
Avni replied in a low voice"kyunki aapki life zyada precious hai, bhavik. And don't worry me zinda hu or thik hu (bhavik, because your life is more precious, and don't worry I'm fine and alive.)"
Bhavik replied immediate"ye sch nhi hai, tum aisa kese keh skti ho?(that's not true, how could you say that?)"
Avni replied in a sweet voice "lekin me abhi bhi zinda hu, na?(but I'm still alive, right?)" And reach for his hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.
But bhavik didn't reply anything and got more worried.
Avni reassured "dekho? Ab me thik hu, bhavik ! (see? I'm okay now, bhavik.)"
But her words aren't enough to reassure him. His face is ridden with guilt. "Mujhe belive nhi ho rha ki mene tumhe iske liye force Kiya. Mene tumhe mere is fucking world ka part bna liya (i can't believe I forced you into this. I made you a part of my fucked up world.)"
Avni replied" aapne kch nhi kiya hai. Choice to meri he thi na (you didn't. I made a choice.)"
Bhavik added further in the same worried tone"mujhe to smjh nhi aa rha tumne aisa kiya kyu. Vo goli mere liye thi, avni. Tumne khud ko danger me kyu dala?(i don't understand why you had to do that. The bullet was meant for me, avni. why did you put yourself in danger?)"
He continued feeling guilty"me koi accha insan nhi hu, avni. Me iske layak nhi hu (I'm not a good man, avni.i don't deserve this.)"
Bhavik's eyes stick up as he looks at her, the concerned look on his face making her heart hurt.
Avni thought "I need to reassure bhavik and tell him how much he means to me...."
Avni replied in a low voice"mene ye aapke liye kiya, bhavik! Mene ye aapko protect krne ke liye kiya or agr mujhe firse aisa krna pda to me fir krungi, ek bar nhi hazar bar krungi (i did this for you, bhavik! i did this to protect you and I'd do it again if I had to.)"
Bhavik asked "kyu?tum apni safety ki jgh meri safety kyu choose krogi? Me tumhe protect krunga, tum mujhe nhi ! (why would you choose my safety over yours? I'm the one who would be protecting you!)"
Avni replied immediately"me chupchap khadi nhi reh skti thi, jb vaibhav ne uski gun aap pe point kr rkhi thi (i couldn't just stand still while Vaibhav had his gun pointed right at you.)"
She added further "mujhe pta tha mujhe aapko bachana hoga, vrna me apne aap ko kbhi maaf nhi kr pati (I knew I needed to save you otherwise, I wouldn't have forgiven myself.)"
Bhavik facepalmed and asked "kya mere jese insan ke liye apni life danger me dalna thik tha?(was it worth it to risk your life for a man like me?)"
Avni replied in a low voice"aap mere liye precious ho, bhavik. Me aapko hurt hote dekhne ki jgh so bar goli khana psnd krungi (you're precious to me, bhavik.i'd rather take the bullet a hundred times than see you get hurt.)"
Bhavik was speechless. His eyes stare at her in deep admiration.
Just then the door knocked, and bhavik got up from the bed, and isha and aadinath entered inside.
Aadinath interrupted "bhagwan ka shukr hai ki tumhe hosh aa gya, avni (thank god you are awake, avni.)"
He added further worriedly"agr tumhe kch ho jata to me tumhari maa ko kya jawab deta?(what would I have said to your mother If anything had happened to you?)"
He continued in a low voice"tum pure din se behosh thi. Ham sabko tumhari chinta ho rhi thi (you were unconscious for a whole day. we were worried about you.)"
Isha asked in a rude tone"are you feeling okay now?"
Avni taunted "oh? Tumhe meri chinta hai?(I'm surprised you even cared.)"
Isha replied in the same rude tone"hn, afterall tumne mere fiancee ki jan bachai hai. To ab tumhara ehsan jo hai ham pr(well, you saved my fiance's life after all. we're indebted to you.)"
Aadinath interrupted in a guilt full voice"hamne pehle tumhare sath jo behave Kiya tha uske liye ham maafi chahte hai (we would like to apologise for the way we treated you before.)"
He added further with a gentle smile" ham tumhare sir pr ab koi burden nhi dalna chahte, ab tum hamari family ka part ho, avni. (we don't want to hold anything over your head, you're now a part of our family, avni.)"
Avni replied with an emotionless face"thank you! But me akele rehna psnd krungi (thank you! But I'd rather be on my own!)"
Aadinath replied worriedly" me janta hu,avni. Hamare sath rehna tumhare liye accha experience nhi tha (I know that living with us hasn't been the best, avni.)"
Isha interrupted" dad is right, just take it. Kya tumhe debt-free nhi hona?(dad's right, just take it. don't you want to be debt-free.)"
Avni thought"mr. Bhanushali looks genuine, but isha's kindness certainly looks like a fake mask."
Aadinath replied with a gentle smile"Thank you bhavik, avni ko immediately hospital lane ke liye. Ab yha se ham uska dhyan rkh lenge. (Thank you for bringing her to the hospital immediately, bhavik. we'll take care of her from here.)"
As mr. Bhanushali gesture bhavik to leave, he leans in, whispering in her ear.
"Take care of yourself, beautiful"
And avni starter blushing, and bhavik went from there.
Aadinath replied with a pleasant smile "ab tum aaram kro, avni. Me doctor se bat karke aata hu, tumhare discharge ke liye (you can rest now, avni. I'm going to speak to the doctor about discharging you.)"
And aadinath and isha went from there and avni lay down on the bed resting.
Afterwards, the same evening, doctor discharged avni.
And avni went to the Bhanushali's mansion.
_______________
Avni end up spending two days in bed, just like aadinath promised, no one bothers her in the house anymore.
In the midnight.....
Avni was laying on the bed, and kitty was leaking her hand, avni thought while smiling and staring at the ceiling "it's starting to feel less like a hell now."
Avni rubbed her eyes and got up from the bed.
And thought yawning"I should go and get some water"
Avni was going towards the kitchen, passing through the hallway, just then she overhears something, it was Rama's voice coming from her bedroom.
"Ye hamari deal ka part nhi tha. Pehle isha ki shadi honi chaiye! (this wasn't part of our deal, isha needs to be married first!)"
Avni stopped outside the door and thought"who is she talking to this time?"
Avni peaks in the room a little, and saw that she was talking on her phone, with someone.
Just then rama angrily cuts the call after seeing avni"what the hell!!!"
And came outside, and asked angrily "tum yha kya kr rhi ho?(What are you doing here?)"
Avni replied rudely"me bhi aapse yehi puchne vali thi (i could ask the same thing of you.)"
Avni added further"me to bs yha se guzar rhi thi, aap itni pareshan kyu lg rhi hai?(I was just passing through, why do you look so worked up?)"
Rama replied angrily"just because, tumne vo sb kiya to tum koi superhero nhi bn gyi ho, jo tum mujhse itna casually bat kr rhi ho. Now get lost! (just because you acted like a little superhero doesn't mean you can just casually talk to me. get lost!)"
Rama rolled her eyes before walking away, leaving avni more curious about her phone call.
Avni thought worriedly "whatever it is, i'm sure that she's upto no good "
______________
The next morning,
Avni was reading a book in her bedroom.
Just then a maid came inside and informed " miss avni, aapse koi Milne aaya hai (miss avni, there's a guest for you)"
Avni replied surprisingly"kya? Mujse?(What? To me?)"
The Maid nodded in yes, and avni went downstairs.
____________
Downstairs,
Avni's mom was standing in the living room, looking worried ,waiting for avni.
Avni saw her mom, and got surprised "maa?" And came closer.
Her mom exclaimed "avni!!!"
And her mom hugged her tightly, seeing her mom plays a rhythm in her heart of emotions within her. Avni immediately hugged her back, her mom tightens the hug, gently patting on her back like she used to do, when avni was young.
Her mom breaked the hug and asked"avu tu kesi hai? Mujhe teri bohot chinta ho rhi thi (how are you sweetie? I was so worried about you.)"
Avni replied awkwardly"me ab pehle se thik hu(I'm doing much better now.)"
Avni added further"mene aapko bohot Miss Kiya, maa(I missed you, mom)" and tears filled in her eyes.
Her mom replied"mene bhi tujhe bohot Miss Kiya, mera pyara baccha, mujhe maaf krde ki mene tujhe aisi life me fek diya hai (i missed you too,my sweet daughter.I'm sorry to have thrown you into this life.)"
Her mom added further worriedly"me yha sirf tera halchal janne aayi hu, me yha zyada der tk nhi ruk skti (I just came here to check on you. i can't be here for too long.)"
Avni replied surprisingly"pr kyu? Ab ham debt-free hai. Aap thdi der or to ruk he skti hai na, hamne to abhi thik se bat bhi nhi ki hai. (but why? we're debt -free now. can you stay a bit longer? because we've barely talked yet.)"
Her mom replied tensely"mujhe pta hai, lekin mene unse kha tha me sirf tujhe dekh ke aa jaungi (i know. but I told them I would only take a quick look at you.)"
She added further in a low voice"I'm sorry, avni. Kash me tere liye ek acchi maa bn pati (I'm sorry, avni. i wish I could be a better mother to you.)" and gave avni a last hug before turning around and walking away.
Various thoughts run in avni's mind as she watch her mom take a few steps away from her.
Avni thought "is rama ji really the reason why she's always so scared?"
Avni suddenly called"maa ruko!!( Mom wait!!)"
But until then, her mom went out of the house. So, avni Started running after her, and finnally found her mom "maa! Mujhe aapse kch bat krni hai.(Mom! We need to talk)"
Her mom stopped and turned around"avni, tujhe aise bhagna nhi chaiye, tu abhi abhi thik hui hai (avni, you shouldn't be running around like that, you were shot!)"
Avni replied with a gentle smile"i know....but me ab thik hu (I know... But I'm okay now)"
Avni added further"mujhe vo goli tb lgi thi, jb me apne papa ka Liya hua loan chukane ki koshish kr rhi thi, lekin mujhe abhi bhi nhi pta ki unhone vo loan kyu liya tha (i took that bullet while trying to pay back the loan my father took, but still don't know why he did that.)"
She continued getting emotional"mujhe aisa lg rha hai jaise me andhere me hu, maa, aap in logo se itna kyu darti ho?(i feel like I'm in the dark Mom, why are you so scared of these people?)"
Her mom replied in a low voice"avni, kch bate hai jinhe na Jan na he behtar hai (avni, there are a few things that are best left unknown.)"
She added further"jitna zyada tu isme ghusegi, tu khud ko mafia world ki gehrayi me utna he zyada fasati jayegi (the more you dig in, you'll trap yourself deeper in the mafia world.)"
So, finally bhavik saved her avni from death, and how can he even let her angel die?
And also finally avni is debt-free now, and got some break, and finally got to meet her mother after a long time.
And finally will all the secrets got revealed now? And she'll got to know about the reason behind her struggles? And the dark secret of her father? Or will everything remain in the dark?
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