Chapter 4 : Strange Feelings

HEART'S CONNECTION

Heart's Connection, I believe, is a way of heart to tell us what or who is right for us or who will stay in our lives throughout everything, every hurdle, every pain, every happiness, every joy, every success and every sorrow....

Who is our true love, who is our soulmate, and who is just an attraction or infatuation or crush.....

Sometimes we understand it but sometimes we are dumb enough to ignore it. ....

But we should never ignore our heart's instincts, we should try to decode it and follow it bcoz it will surely lead us to a beautiful path.....

The connection between two hearts is much pure than the connection between two individuals, it is rare to be found, if your heart could be able to connect with other heart and is able to feel it then never let that person go bcoz he/she is right for you in every sense, he/she is your soulmate, your true love, your true friend.....

Love without any communication or connection between the hearts is not love bcoz love isn't possible without the communication between the two hearts which builds that connection between the hearts for the eternity by which you can be able to feel the pain, happiness, joy or sorrow of the another heart, that is, obviously, connected to your heart....

----------------------------------------------------------

UDAIPUR

MEHTA HOUSE 

TIME : 11:00AM 

The Khanna's reached the Mehta house for sightseeing as decided earlier. They greeted everyone. Avni took blessings from elders and hugged Saumya..... 

She made them comfortable and then served them some snacks and coffee .... Everyone was chit chatting and having fun except Samaira and Aaniya....

 Kavya was already present there and was helping Avni....

Later, they left the house to roam around Udaipur.... 

They visited different places, monuments and malls and bought many things too from different places......

All this while Aaniya and Kavya never got along ,the reason for that was ,of course, Avni, bcoz Kavya can't listen a word against her and Aaniya, well , she can't listen anyone praising Avni, that's it while Saumya and Kavya became good friends and the Khanna's began to like Avni more.....

After roaming almost half of the city,

They got tired and decided to go back home/hotel. They dropped Avni at her home; she insisted them for dinner but they declined politely.....

They again decided to roam until they're in Udaipur with Avni while She agreed happily bcoz she was quite happy with them, she was getting gud vibes from them, however, Samaira objected about it but she somehow convinced Ashish.....

Days passed like that and it was the last day of Khanna's in Udaipur and that day Avni was able to convince them to have dinner at her place....

They were having morning flight so they decided to leave early to start their packing and all......

Avni had brought some gifts for all of them she gave them those and after much insistence they accepted it.....

Everyone hugged her one by one and bebe blessed her....

Shweta too gave her a box containing a beautiful bracelet, but she denied to take that…..

"How...how can I take this, I mean, Sorry Aunty I can't take it," Avni denied to take the box politely....

"Why beta? I don't know anything, you had to accept it....that's final", Shweta was adamant… 

" But...."Avni tried to argue….

" No excuses, you are like my daughter Avni, I consider you as my daughter , if it was Neela ji giving you this instead of me still you would have not taken it? Do I not have even that much right over you?", asked Shweta kind of emotional blackmailing her...

" No Aunty, it's not like that," said Avni, feeling guilty....

Later on, as everyone insisted she took that bracelet hesitatingly and thanked Shweta while Shweta hugged her happily…

Finally, it was the time for the Khanna's to leave ….

While they were a bit emotional Saumya came to Avni again and......

"Do you remember, I told you that I'm engaged and getting married soon? ", Asked Saumya....

"Of course, I remember how could I forget that you are soon going to become " Bali Ka Bakra " (Scapegoat), Dude, why are you so desperate for marriage, it's so early ", said Avni to tease Saumya..... "

" Hahaha very funny ", Saumya laughed sarcastically and then rolled her eyes…..

"I just know that after 3 months I'm getting married and You have to attend it, you have to be there with me from a month before the marriage, I just don't know anything And when the time comes, I will myself come and give an Invitation Card to you and your family, got it? So be ready", Ordered Saumya .....

" But......Me? And, and Mumbai? How?....Why?......I mean", fumbled Avni...

"Look Avni! ! ! I already said no excuses, no ifs and buts, Aunty you have 2 months , make your daughter understand otherwise I'll kidnap her", said Saumya to Neela Maa ..... 

" Ok beta, as you say, after all it's your marriage", Neela Maa smiled....

" But Maa", Avni tried to argue again but in vain….

" No but shut Avni and yeah you'll design my dresses too", Saumya gave her another order  ...

" Mine too", Everyone , except Aaniya, said in unison....

" But me?......how can I...? Asked Avni...

" Yeah, how will Avni design your dresses, wo toh, I wear her designed dresses to keep her heart and waise bhi mai to hu hi khubsurat (I'm anyway too pretty),, everything looks beautiful on me, but why will you wear them that too on your wedding, You should wear the best designer dress of Mumbai, no actually not Mumbai, you should wear the best dress of India ", said Samaira trying to discourage Avni again….

" Yeah Samaira bhabhi! ! You are right but I don't want any best designer's dresses but  Avni's designed dresses , and you Avu, What's this "but , but" ,that you are using in your every sentence,say something else, apart from this but, and what do you mean by "how can I?" Obviously you will design them by your hands, Look , you!! open your ears and listen to me very carefully, If you will not design my dresses na then....I...... then….then….yes….then I won't marry", threatened Saumya ..... 

" Exactly! ! ! I am also saying the same, don't marry, why do you want that poor guy to die a living death , have some mercy plzzz...." teased Avni….

Everyone laughed, Aaniya hi fived Avni unknowingly and then after realising it she quickly pulled her hand back......

" Hawww!!! How mean, Avni ki bachchi, let my time come, I'll take my revenge whenever you'll marry ", pouted Saumya...

" Ok baba sorry now and stop dreaming about your revenge bcoz I don't wanna ruin my life by getting married, and yes you don't need to cancel your wedding too, I'll design everyone's dresses....happy now ?" Asked Avni Smilingly...

" Most happy, and yes I'll see how you will not marry, let the time come , darling, and yeah get to work baby , you have lots to do, take care of Aarav, aunty and yourself too and O God! ! ! I will miss you yaar," said Saumya, getting emotional at the end.....

"Me too", everyone spoke, one by one except Aaniya...

" I will miss you all too", said an emotional Avni...

Everyone took Avni in a group hug for the one last time, Aaniya too hugged her smiling genuinely and bid bye and they were about to leave when Ansh and Mishti started sobbing, they became emotional and came to Avni and hugged her tightly...

Avni kneeled down to their level....

" Hey ! ! ! ! What happened baby?,"asked a concerned Avni….

"We will miss you Angel", said the kids together while hiccuping…..

" Aww!! I will miss you both too", replied Avni breaking the hug....

" You will come to meet us right?", The kids asked cutely...

" Yeah, of course, I'll come to meet you both", answered Avni pulling their cheeks...

" Ok , come soon haa, we'll ask Chachu to postpone our plan of visiting the amusement park, And when you'll come, then, me , Mishti , You and Chachu we all will go there together , ok angel? Asked Ansh hopefully....

" Ok my cutie pies, but Chachu?", questioned Avni smilingly…..

" Yes Chachu, our Chachu, we thought we'll miss him alot, but thanks to you, we didn't missed him at all", said Mishti cutely while doing some actions with her hands, making Avni chuckle….

" Yeah Avni, their favourite Chachu, My second brother,  Neil", told Saumya….

" Ohh!!", exclaimed Avni, lost , thinking something deeply....

Don't know why But Avni felt connected to the name, "Neil", her heart was repeating that name again and again...

All this while Samaira was burning in jealousy....

After that the Khanna's left.....

----------------------------------------------------------

In the elders car.....

" Bebe, I think Avni will be a perfect life partner for our tillu, What say? Should I talk to them about the same?", asked Shweta enthusiastically…..

" Yeah Shweta, For the very first time, you have said something wise, I think so too , The Almighty, Himself, have made their pair, they are made for each other, she is the only one, who can bring our Tillu's genuine smile back, who can make him learn to live his life again, who can understand him", said Bebe, pondering over her own words deeply ......

" But Neil will never agree to this", Prakash bursts their bubble....

" Hmm. …. that's true", spoke Shweta sadly...

" But I think we should try once, Who knows, he might agree too, " said Bebe igniting a new hope in them….

----------------------------------------------------------

While in the youngsters car.....

" Avni is such a nice girl na? I wish I could get a devrani (co sis-in-law, as in husband's younger brother's wife)  like her, After all, for how long will I alone bear you people's mischief? ", Said Naina intentionally, dropping the hint….

" What? ? Brilliant Idea bhabhi, not like Avni, only Avni will become your co-sis now ", said Saumya happily.......

" But how will you convince Neil for this? Convincing him is not difficult but impossible, you are very well aware of his anger, right?", Nishant pointed out….

" Don't worry papa, we will make him agree bcoz he always listens to us and never gets angry on us", said the kids with a confident smile......

" What? ?? No plzz", shrieked Aaniya.....

----------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile Avni as usual shared everything with the night sky including her feelings regarding " that name " and went to bed thinking about the same....

Finally, She was able to shrug it off and drifted into a deep slumber....

----------------------------------------------------------

MUMBAI 

KHANNA MANSION 

TIME : 10:10AM 

Next day, the Khanna's reached the mansion,  Neil had already left for the police station, so they retired to their rooms as they were tired….

Later at night, he came back and greeted everyone….

As usual , he brought ice creams for evéryone and gave them to Ansh and Mishti....

" So Bachcha party...had fun????", Asked Neil to the kids, kneeling down to their level.... 

" Yeah a lot", replied the kids grinning widely….

" See I told you that you will have fun there and look what I brought tickets for the Amusement park as I promised bcoz "Neil Khanna" never breaks his promises , so tomorrow we will go there ok?", Said Neil smilingly....

" No Chachu, please cancel the tickets yaar", pouted the kids...

" But why?," Frowned Neil...

" Bcoz We promised our Angel that we will go to the amusement park only when she comes here", answered Mishti….

" Angel?", Neil was confused….

" Yeah Chachu!! "Angel", you know what , she is too gud, she brings chocolates for us and she also plays with us", said Ansh happily....

Neil frowned and looked towards the family members questioningly....

" Aah...ummm ... bhai actually it's Avni...Avni Ayesha, my friend, I met her in Udaipur, she is a nice girl", Saumya told him about Avni...."

Neil too had some strange feelings in his heart hearing the name, "Avni", his heart started to beat faster, repeating the same name....

"Yes!! puttar (son)!!! She is such a lovely and down to earth girl ", said Bebe with admiration in her eyes for Avni….

" Her in-laws and husband will be very lucky to get her as their daughter in law and wife ", said Shweta dreamily…. 

" Oh please!! Don't start it again , I'm fed up of this, all the time, you all kept chanting her name, Avni this...Avni that....plzz For God's sake stop praising her unnecessarily, it's so damn irritating", scowled a frustrated Aaniya…

"What happened to her?", Asked Neil amused by her behaviour….

"Nothing bhai! !!! Like always, she didn't like Avni too and actually", and Saumya told everything to Neil .....

" Ohh", exclaimed Neil....

Neil was thinking about his weird feelings after hearing "that name".....

But he too shrugged it off and got busy with his work. ....

As days passed by, the preparations in Khanna Mansion were in full swing as Saumya's marriage date was approaching..... 

Everyone seems to be too busy with one or 

the other thing....

----------------------------------------------------------

UDAIPUR

MEHTA HOUSE 

TIME : 4:35PM 

Avni reached her home after college , only to find someone sitting in their living area, chatting with Neela Maa backfacing her....

She went to them and the person quickly jumped on her making her stumble bcoz of which she had to take 2 steps backwards to steady herself. She even didn't got to see the face of that person clinging to her like anything......

" Avu!!!! Avu!!! Avu!!! O God! ! ! How much I missed you", that person spoke still hugging her. ….

Samaira fumed and rolled her eyes. ...

" Saumu? You here?, I mean, what a pleasant surprise, why haven't you told me that you are coming?", Asked a surprised Avni. ….

" I thought to surprise you, and look I did, anyway pack your bags, I'm here to take you with me, we have an early morning flight Tomorrow, so hurry up, come let me help you too", said Saumya excitedly......

While Avni looks at Samaira....

Samaira glared at Avni as she had already denied Avni to go with Saumya and signed her something nodding her head negatively.....

" Ahh.....wo.....actually......ermmmm. ..... Saumu ......listen na", Avni fumbled….

" No I don't wanna listen to anything ok? Now go and pack your bags, I have already told you", Saumya said sternly….

" Listen na plzz, I can't come now, I can't take that long leave from college, plz try to understand na but I promise I will definitely come on your wedding, I'm sorry na plzzz", pleaded Avni.....

" How can you do this to me Avu? I consider you as my sister, as my friend, but no I was wrong you never thought the same na? , ok forget that I'm sorry I have wasted your precious time na, don't worry it will not happen again, soooo sorry , Gudbye!!", Said Saumya, hurt was clearly visible on her face....

" It's not like that, you are taking me wrong, plzz listen, Saumya....Saumu!!", Avni tried to make her understand But Saumya left hurriedly. …

Avni runs after her but was not able to reach her while Aaniya thanks God for it and Samaira smirks....

----------------------------------------------------------

In the car, Aaniya was continuously blabbering something or the other against Avni.....

" Huh!!!! What does she think of herself? If she doesn't wanna come then let her be, you don't have to get sad over it, I had warned you earlier that she is not the one, what she shows to everyone, now see it by yourself, I didn't like her from the day one itself, and…..", Aaniya got cut off by Saumya…..

" Can you please shut up Aaniya?.Chance pe dance mat kar (don't take advantage of the situation), I'm already very upset,  so plzzz", said Saumya pissed off from her blabberings…...

"Dude!! I'm  just saying the truth",

Aaniya shrugged …….

Saumya glared at her and she became silent ....

After that day, days were passing just like that with no contacts between them....

Avni called Saumya daily in fact many times in a day but Saumya never picked her calls. .....

She even tried to contact through social media and family members but again no response. …

Both were heartbroken....

----------------------------------------------------------

MUMBAI 

KHANNA MANSION 

TIME : 09:32AM 

TIME LAPSE

Days passed just like that with Saumya still angry with Avni but somewhere she knew that Avni would come and pacify her and she would never break her promise.....

 Avni managed to get such a special place in everyone's heart in such a short time that they were missing her badly especially on that very special occasion despite talking to her daily on call,  except Aaniya and Saumya, they never talked to her…

While Ansh and Mishti were continuously asking for their Angel…….

And Neil??? Well, don't know why, but he was curious to know, who was that girl, who won everyone's heart in such a short time and about his weird feelings whenever he hears her name....

----------------------------------------------------------

MUMBAI

AT THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD 

TIME : 3:00 PM

It was the day before the rituals of the wedding were going to start......

That day, the sun seemed to be mild and gentle with the cool breeze blowing along with the aroma of fresh rain, of mud and nature giving positive vibes, soothing the souls, the clouds were covering the sky……

The perfect weather it was , but It could possibly rain too ...... 

it's so rare to find this weather in Mumbai but don't know what was so special about 

that day....

Neil was driving his car to a place where he could find the evidence or clues related to the case he was handling but don't know why, he was restless, he was nervous, he was feeling weird and happy, both at the same time, he felt that inner happiness after years........

He was feeling as if his world was going to change …

His life was going to change.....

As if something was going to happen, something positive, something gud.........

He was feeling peace. ......

He thought that it may be bcoz it was his sister's marriage in a week and the functions were going to start from the next day itself and thinking about Saumya's wedding he smiled shrugging every other thought off........

He stopped the car at the side of the road , got out of it and called someone.....

While a person came looking behind, both were back facing each other and thus the person collided with Neil, making both of them to fall on the ground hardly……

" What the f.... Are you mad? Where were your eyes... " yelled a frustrated Neil….

He stood up dusting his clothes and helped the person to get up too....

" Sorry sir ji actually I was finding you only", said DD nervously.....

"Can't you see while walking and what do you mean by you were finding me, I was here only, I wasn't going to run away", said Neil rolling her eyes….

" Sorry sir ji, you know na, I'm always so excited to meet you that I started looking for you without even seeing you", said DD cheekily ..... 

Neil shook his head in disbelief and was about to sit in the car , but then, he saw a blind old woman was crossing the road with the help of her stick.....

He rushed forward to help her but suddenly he saw a car was speeding towards her, he runs to her but before he or the car could reach her, Someone pulled her with such force that they both fell on the ground, He halts on his place but noted down the number of the car mentally, after all , he was the "IPS Neil Khanna", he never does the mistake of letting the criminals go , he wasn't going to leave the driver without any punishment , for sure.....

He decided to help that person and the lady, his heartbeat racing with each step he took towards them, having some unknown feeling in it......

And , as predicted before, it started to rain cats and dogs.....

He almost reached near them, but we all know police always reach late, after the Crime has been done, but he wasn't like other police officers, he always reaches on time , but that day was an exception, as before he could reach them ,that person stood up and helped the lady to stand up and checks the lady for any injury.....

The lady was fine but that person got hurt on arms and it was bleeding a bit.....

"Are you ok? Did you got hurt somewhere? Come, let's go to the doctor, and get your check up done", said that person, concerned for the lady..... 

" No beta, no need of that, in fact you must visit the doctor", that lady suggested.....

" No I'm fine but you", but that person got cut off...

" No beta, I'm fine all thanks to you, you saved me today , without thinking about ur life, you are such a gem, God will bless you," that lady said, caressing that person's hairs….

" It's not about endangering my life to save yours, it's about humanity, if we do not help anyone, then how will we get any help, when we need it, right? I'm a bit selfish , you see, Anyways, let me help you to cross the road, it's raining heavily too, " that person said, holding that lady's hand….

Though, they already got drenched completely still they hurried to leave the place and find a shed....

While Neil saw that lady and the person, more precisely the girl talking ,and the girl was helping the blind lady to cross the road 

They crossed the road....

She called a taxi for the lady, made her sit comfortably , that lady again blessed the girl , the girl smiled  and the taxi left, and she too got a taxi and left…

He thought to thank the girl for saving a life as it was his duty towards his country and its citizens and help her with her wounds but both the girl and the lady left till then….

Neil was amazed at that girl, it was very hard for him to believe that girls like her still exist in this world....

All this while, she was back facing him only her long silky and wavy auburn beautiful wet hairs were visible......

She was wearing a black kurti with dark blue jeans and a beautiful  scarf around her neck ..... 

He sighs, sat in his car and again started for his work thinking about that incident.....

" I won't spare that driver, today, only because of him that lady could have lost her life and I was so far away that maybe I couldn't be able to do anything, but thanks to that girl, she came at the right time and saved her, how can she be so selfless, she endangered her own life for saving another life, she is quite different from others, she is unique, Otherwise, todays girls don't care about anyone, all they care about is only their makeup and dress, that's it, and the world can go to hell, they don't give a damn about it, I can't believe that , girls like her still exist , she is rare to find, in today's world, Impressive", spoke both Neil's mind and heart Impressed by that unknown girl …...

----------------------------------------------------------

MUMBAI 

KHANNA MANSION 

TIME : 06:15PM 

Neil reached home , got freshened up and started to help others in arrangements....

He came home early for that purpose only....

Everyone was hell excited and much busy with their respective works.... 

Avni had already sent their dresses for every function and they loved their dresses.....

Aaniya and Saumya were busy with dresses and accessories and all, Prakash and Nishant were busy on a call ordering something or the other, Naina was busy with the guest list, Shweta and bebe were busy with the caterers while our hero, Neil, well, he was too good at designing and decorating, so he was busy with the wedding planners discussing about the decoration going on in the hall.....

Meanwhile, someone entered the stylish giant gate of Khanna Mansion, looking around with the sparkling star like pretty eyes and smiling beautifully.....

That person was walking slowly taking baby steps, looking here and there admiring the beauty of the Mansion, especially it's garden, everything about the Mansion was much expensive and stylish.......

The person smiles nervously at everyone passing by and reached the main door to enter the hall of the mansion slowly....

The door was slightly ajar , bcoz of the hustle bustle going on in the Mansion, everytime someone or the other continuously enters or exits the Mansion and they advised the person to also enter without asking as everyone was busy, assuming him/ her to be a worker or some guest, so the person pushed open the door more and entered the hall with slow steps, having some strange and nervous feelings......

While Neil was instructing and helping the workers, as to, how they should decorate curtains and lights when he stops all of a sudden feeling something unusual and his eyes directly went to the main door ......

Finding no one there,  he shrugged it off as weird things were happening with him since morning and he was unable to see anything clearly as he was half covered with that lengthy, heavy, complicated but beautiful white curtains and then.....

*Thud*

----------------------------------------------------------