XXXIX. Sending away

"In life, to protect our loved ones we push them away to ensure their safety. It is not deserting them; it's our way of  protecting them from threats."

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"Abhi Goenka will be dead by this time." After hearing those words my hands started trembling in fear and anger.

I suppressed the gasp that tried to escape my mouth. I felt a panic raise in my chest making it difficult to breathe; I need to stop them at any cost. I willed myself to focus on the remaining conversation and took small breaths.

"Oh, in less than a day you want to give this family another death. I totally agree with you. How are thinking of killing the great Abhi Goenka?" I heard Seema's voice and I waited patiently to listen to the complete truth.

"Car accident." After hearing that my mind flashes to my parents' accident and Vinay's accident.

"You are a really an awesome aunt. You killed Avni's parents and your husband in the same way. You are really cruel." Damini gave a menacing laugh at Seema's words.

"My dear niece. You have so much to learn from your aunt." I was confused now they were family. Damini continued speaking making me shift my focus back to her. "If possible, I will kill that Diya tomorrow, who should have not been born in the first place. Now, after their death only one final hurdle in our success." No, I can't let that happen. I will never let them harm Abhi or Diya.

"Aunt, you didn't reveal the next step. I am curious now, please do share it with me." After Seema asked the question, all heard was silence. I was running different scenarios in my head. I slowly peeked from my hidden spot and found Damini clutching Seema's throat. I didn't find anything wrong with the question Seema asked, I got more confused from Damini's actions.

Damini left her when Seema looked like she was about to faint. After Seema took heavy breaths and her face got some color, Damini held her chin and pulled her towards her face, her voice was low but I was able to make out what she said. "You may be my blood and damn me if I believe you. When that Avni confronts you, I know you will spill every detail to her and I will not risk my safety." She left her and took a step back. She rubbed her hands on her top and turned to move back towards the house, after taking two steps she turned around.

"Don't do anything, I will take care of everything and if possible try not to tell or rather speak to him. You know what will happen if you go against me." I observed Seema gulp in fear and nod her head agreeing to the later one.

I stayed there and watched them as they disappeared from my vicinity. For safety measures, I waited for some time to let them get to the house.

I started my way back to the house after feeling that they might have reached back. I was thinking of ways to stop Abhi from leaving the house for tomorrow. I knew that without any solid proof Abhi would not believe me and now I need to stop him from leaving the house tomorrow.

I was making plans or the ways to convince Abhi. I can easily convince Diya or I can definitely send Diya with Nihal along with Akky. I liked the second option better. I will ask Akky to take Diya away for tonight but I must be discreet while telling her that. I don't want Damini or her minion to find about it.

I hurried my steps. I was looking at the surroundings to see if anyone was following me. I reached the house in no time and went inside through the main door. I need to find Abhi and Akky first.

I went to Diya's room to pack her bag and hand her over to Akshaya. I didn't find Diya in her room, she might be playing with someone so I was not worried about her. I packed her bag with two pairs of clothes and the toys she can't live without. After packing her duffle bag, I sat on her bed and waited for her to come back to her room.

As the time passed, my heart started to fill with worry. I opened my mobile and saw the time, by this time Diya must be in bed. That thought increased worry in my heart. I became frantic and started searching for Diya.

"Diya."

"Princess." I searched everywhere in the house and I didn't find a trace of her.

What if Damini changed her plan and she planned to kill them today. "Avni, calm down. Nothing will happen to them. I need to find Abhi first." I tried to calm my heart with reassuring words.

I started towards our room. I opened the door and started speaking as I found Abhi there on the bed. "Abhi have you seen-" I trailed off when he placed his index finger over his lip asking me to be quiet. I looked beside him and found a little body cuddling with him. My body sagged in relief after finding them both safe.

"I need to have a word with you." I mouthed the words to him, he nodded his head and moved his head towards the door. I followed his instructions and got out of the door, I closed the door behind me softly and waited for him to come put.

I felt my mobile ping in my hand making me look at it. I unlocked it and found a message waiting for me.

"Had a great time today. Your daughter is adorable. Hope that you can set up a meeting for us.

Aj."

I smiled seeing his message and typed a reply.

"Will definitely do. Take care."

I heard the door open behind me and I locked my mobile and turned towards him.

Abhi closed the door behind him and stood in front of me. He placed his hands in the pockets of his sweats. "What do you want to speak about?"

I opened my mouth to answer but stopped at the last moment. I looked at my surroundings and took his hand in mine. "Not here. Follow me."

I dragged him along with me. He didn't protest and kept following me. I reached his home office. I opened the door and allowed Abhi to enter first, I looked to the left and right before going in and locking the door.

"Abhi, don't ask me any questions. I can't explain anything to you now. I just need you to stay home tomorrow. Please don't leave the house." I said to his back.

"Are you serious now, Avni?" I didn't expect this reply from him. I expected him to ask questions like why.

"What!" He turned towards me and his eyes held fury that made me take a step back.

"Why are you angry?" I questioned him in a small voice. He gave out a sarcastic laugh at my question and started clapping his hands.

"Bravo, Avni. Bravo." I noticed that he was not calling me with my name and not angel and I started to worry for different reasons now.

"What did I do?" He stopped clapping.

"Are you really asking what you did? You got that friend of yours to our home and then you spend all the time with him."

"Abhi no need to be jealous. He is just my friend. In fact, he is like my bro-"

"Shut up! Goddammit!" I quickly closed my mouth and pressed my back to the door frightened by his sudden outburst.

"Don't spoil brother and sister relationship. You guys are all same; you girls just need some fun in your life, right?" He started speaking to himself.

I tried to speak to him but was unable to form words. I closed my eyes and tried to get confidence. He's your husband, the person you love. He will never harm you. After getting enough confidence, I opened my eyes and slowly approached him. I hugged his back, he tried to shrug me off but I kept my grip tight on him.

"Abhi, calm down please." He struggled a bit but he eventually calmed down. I felt his muscles relax under my hold.

"I need you to stay calm and allow me to speak completely; can you do that for me?"

"Fine." I removed my hands from him and he turned towards me. I didn't waste a second and hugged him back.

"Daksh and I have only friendship between us. There is nothing more. For me he is like my brother, do you get that?" I looked at him and found him giving me an unconvinced look, but he nodded his head. I can take that for now. I snuggled back into him and enjoyed the feel of his arms around me.

"So, then why were you asking me to be at home tomorrow?" Abhi's question brought me back to my worry. I moved away from the comfort of his arms.

"Nothing." The words left my mouth before my brain can register them.

"I mean, that Damini aunty and Aarav may need you to be with them. It will be better if you take a day off and spend time with them." I tried to cover up. I hoped that he would take this and stay at home for the day.

"I think it is a good-" We heard a series of knocks on the door. "Excuse me," he excused himself and opened the door. He spoke to the person on the other side of the door before opening it and allowing the person to enter.

I tried to keep my fury and fear at bay, I kept looking at the ground trying not to attract attention towards me.

"Oh, Avni is also here. I will come some other time then."

"No need. You can tell us why you are here, aunty." I wanted to dip my tongue in acid for politely speaking to her.

"Ok then. Abhi, I want you to go to the office tomorrow. There are some serious issues in the office and I need you to go and handle them. I will be going tomorrow but I will miss your uncle more seeing his empty chair." She started letting her crocodile tears fall.

"Chachi, don't cry." He took her in his arms. "I will go there and I will take care of things. Don't worry." I wished that I took that promise from him before this; I know that he will never break his word. I need to think of something else to convince Abhi.

"I will leave you two alone then." Damini left us alone. When the door closed behind us, Abhi turned towards me with a sorry look in his eyes.

"I think I need to go to the office tomorrow." I nodded my head and didn't say anything word.

I have my suspicions that Damini might be outside eavesdropping in our conversation. So, I asked a different question. "I want to send Diya to Raghav uncle's house for a few days. I want to give her a change in scenery, and Akky will accompany her." I hope that he will agree to it without any further questions.

He thought for a moment and nodded his head. "Sure I think Diya will be happy to have a change. I will ask Akshaya to take her tomorrow morning."

I opposed him, as I need Diya to be out of here tomorrow. "Actually, Nihal is on his way to pick them up. I will go and inform Akky." I left the room not giving a chance for Abhi to speak a word.

I went towards Akky's room and found someone turning in the corner. I followed them and found a shadow move. I didn't take another step in that direction knowing to whom that shadow belonged. I need to hurry and send Diya away, I should not give them any time to come up with a new plan.

I rushed towards Akky's room and dialed Nihal. He picked the call when I reached her room.

Akky looked at me startled from my sudden entry. She kept her phone aside and sat straight on her bed, before she can say a single word I held my hand to my lips making her silent.

"Hello, Avni." I heard Nihal's voice from the mobile.

"Where are you?" I went straight for the point. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Akky sitting straight.

"I am ten minutes away from your house. Should I come there now?"

"Yes, I want you to take Akky and Diya with you. I will explain to you but come here as fast as you could." I cut the call and Akky stood there in front of me.

"Why are you sending us away?"

I ignored her and went straight to her wardrobe. I started picking her clothes when I felt her gaze on me. I looked at her while speaking. "Akky, you are my best friend and I never hide things from you but now I can't explain everything." I slowly walked towards her and held her hands. "You were there with me all the time helping me and now I have a small favor to ask from you. Please, don't come to this house for few days, I want you and Diya to be safe." Akky opened her mouth to ask a question but closed it at the last moment.

She sighed heavily and placed her hands on top of mine. "I know that you always think best of me, so I will not ask questions now. I will come back when you tell me to." I hugged her listening to her words I was brought to a sick reality where a person in the family was killing others for money. A sick reality.

"I will let you pack. Meet me downstairs, I will go and get Diya." I left her room and grabbed Diya's luggage before going to our room.

There was no trace of Abhi, I slowly approached the sleeping Diya. I took her into my arms carefully, not to wake her up. I tucked her in my arms safely before leaving the room.

I was at the main door in few minutes, I opened the door and waited outside for Nihal and Akky to arrive. "Mama." I heard her soft voice.

Diya rubbed her eyes to remove sleep. She started shivering from the cold chills coming from the night sky. "Shh, go back to sleep baby." I tried to make her sleep again but she was not sleepy now.

"What are we doing out, mama?" She asked ticking herself into my embrace. I held her close to my chest trying not to shiver to the cold winds.

I tried to lie to make her happy. "Princess, you are going to a different place with Akky. You will visit all these awesome places."

"But mama, dada, and you not coming." Her voice was muffled in my neck, but I understood her question.

"Dada and mama have some work. We will join you once our work is done. Ok, princess." I felt her nodding her head. "Now, I want you to be a good girl and listen to your aunt okay."

"Ok, mama."

A car pulled into the driveway; I shielded my eyes from the harsh light. Akky came and stood beside me, as we waited for Nihal to park his car.

Nihal opened the door and came towards us, he picked Diya's luggage and I carried Diya to the car. I buckled her in the seat before looking into her innocent blue eyes. I removed the hair that fell on her eye and tucked it behind her ear.

"I will call you daily. Eat your meals properly." Diya nodded her head. I kissed her forehead before looking back at her face. "Love you, princess."

"Lowe you, mama." I closed the door softly behind me. If I see her face one more time, I will be tempted to have her beside me but her safety was more important.

"Eat dinner and go to bed. I will call in the morning." Akky hugged me and climbed to the passenger seat.

"Nihal, keep them safe." He looked into my eyes.

"I promise." I felt the honesty in his eyes; he got into the car and started it. I waved at them as I watched them disappear.

One person is safe and now I have my husband to save from tomorrow.

Hello people,

How are you all?

I am not getting whether you people are liking the story or not. So, please do comment on how you guys are liking it or any changes you require.

What is Avni going to do to convince Abhi?

Will she succeed?

How was your weekend guys? Mine was pretty boring with all the relatives in the house.

See you guys, in next chapter.

Bye 💕💕

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