Naamkaran – The tale of Avni’s sacrifice – Part 7

Neil enters the bedroom, places the file in his hand on the coffee table – looks around for Avni. He notices something else lying on the table. It was Avni’s mangalsutra. HE picks it up and wonders “where is she, and why has she taken off the mangalsutra and left it here”. The bathroom door opens, and Avni comes out, after a shower apparently. Startled a bit, seeing Neil staring at her… She brushes her hair with her hand, heads over to the dressing table.
AVNI: I know I had left it here.
Neil understood what she was looking for, as she headed to the side table next, and then the bed, looking for it earnestly. She heads for the coffee table, Neil in her way.
AVNI: Move, Neil.
NEIL: Why?
AVNI: Can’t you see I’m looking for something, now move if you please?
NEIL: My house, my room, I can stand where I feel like. Whatever you are looking for, you can go look for it later. First listen to me.
AVNI: I need it now, just move. [she pushes him aside, goes around him, moves things around on the coffee table, turns around disappointed, and heads to the dressing table] No, I had left it HERE…
NEIL: [watches, smiling] Leave it, you will find it later, I’m sure.
AVNI: No, Neil. [looks at him]

NEIL: We have hardly met since morning, and you are not worried. You can’t find a piece of jewelry and you’ve lost all peace!
AVNI: [cross] Give it to me.
NEIL: I don’t even know what you are talking about.
AVNI: [marches towards Neil] You know quite well. Now give it.
NEIL: Ok, I will. But first tell me where you were this morning.
AVNI: I went to your office, and of course you know that now.
NEIL: You could have told me…
AVNI: You could have told me too… [they look at each other]
AVNI: Neil, I wanted to tell you as soon as I came back, but you had to leave urgently. And I know why you didn’t tell me – you were worried I may rush into doing something. And you were right. I just couldn’t help it. I’m sorry.
NEIL: I am sorry I didn’t tell you – didn’t want to upset you. [yes, he cares so much about her, and she could see that in his eyes] And you didn’t tell me because you know I will stop you. And I would have. But really, you did the right thing, and maybe I would have understood if you had told me. I know you would do anything to support me, but I’m worried about you…
AVNI: Don’t worry so much Neil. I will be careful. You shouldn’t get worried about me.
NEIL: It is my right to worry about you Avni. [Avni is lost for words] And tell me, how come you lost THIS? [shows her the mangalsutra]
AVNI: [grabs at it, he pulls it away from her] Give it to me Neil. I didn’t lose it – you took it.
NEIL: Yes I did. [Holds Avni in his arms, as she tried to get her dear possession back] And let me know place it where it really belongs.

He brushed her wet hair back a little. Put his hands around her neck and secured the mangalsutra on her. Avni closed her eyes, feeling the bond of love that was now holding her heart together.

NEIL: Here…

Precap
NEIL: [looks at the newspaper angrily] Who is leaking this information to the press…?
Neil gets out of the jeep, and gets hit by a gun shot from a masked guy on a bike that sped by…