After dropping Vineet to the airport, Ruhana reaches her home. She moves straight to her room and changes into casuals. She has a different feeling in her heart. It has been only one hour since they have parted. But she is having a distinguished feeling in her heart. She doesn't know what it is. Surely, she is not angry at him for leaving her alone. She persuaded him to abide by his father's words. But, she's feeling lonely and suddenly. She doesn't know why. Her mother enters her room and sits on the bed.

"Vineet ko miss kar rahi hai?" Mrinal asks.

Ruhana looks at her mom and nods her head negatively.

"Nahi maa! Bas kuch acha nahi lag raha." Ruhana says and keeps her head in her lap.

Mrinal begins to smear her hair.

"Haan! Ab vineet chala gaya 15 din ke liye toh tujhe acha kaise lagega!" she says.

Ruhana looks at her mother who smiles. She bends to kiss on her daughter's forehead.

" Tu kyun nai maan leti ki tu Vineet ke jaane se dukhi hai.." Mrinal says.

"Wo mera dost hai." Ruhana retorts.

She didn't think that his departure will create a void in her heart. She didn't want to believe it. Yet, she can't deny she felt bad when he was leaving. But, it's about his career. She can't stop him for herself.

"Pati bhi toh hai. Tum dono ne anjaane mein hi sahi, par rishta toh banaya hai na. Aur dosti hi toh har Rishtey ka aadhar hai, hai na!" Mrinal says.

"Par maa..." she begins to speak but pauses as she couldn't find appropriate words.

" Beta, aisi cheezein bas ho jati hai. Pyar bas mehsus kiya ja sakta hai. Tu khud ko dekh, jab se aayi hai kitni udaas hai tu. Tujhe nai pata hai lekin tere liye wo aam se khas ban chuka hai." Her mother says.

Ruhana remembers his words. He casually told her that she's his lucky charm. He said that when they are together, things will go right. He said that things have fallen in place since they met, since they are handling their work together. He said that he means whatever he said. He seems to be quite sure about their relationship. Now her mom is saying the same thing. She is feeling lonely since he has gone.. But, she can't define the feelings that are bubbling in her girly heart.

"Zyada mat soch beta. In 15 dinon mein sab clear ho jayega. Abhi tu so ja, kaafi raat ho gayi hai." Mrinal says and gets up to leave, while Ruhana holds her hand.

"Par maa, agar vineet ye sab feel nahi karta hoga toh? Agar uske liye ye shadi sirf ek compromise hui toh?" she asks.

"Mujhe nahi lagta aisa hoga. Agar ye shadi uske liye ek compromise hoti toh wo apna ghar kabhi nahi chodta. Agar wo teri parwah na karta, toh tujhe yahan aane ko nahi kehta. Main jaanti hoon tere yahan aane ka idea Vineet ka hoga.." Mrinal says.

Ruhana seems confused. Mrinal kisses her head.

" Abhi zyada mat soch. Kya pata uski haalat bhi tere jaisi hi ho! " Mrinal says.

Ruhana nods her head in agreement and lies on the bed while her mother leaves the room. She sends a" Miss You" text to Vineet and drifts into sleep.

*
*

Vineet reaches Michigan City after 18 hours of journey. It's night time in the city, he reaches his hotel and checks in. He freshens up and takes out the box of cupcakes from his bag. A smile lits his face, as he remembers her. She has been his sole support since the wedding.

When he took a step, she held his hand and stood by him like a rock. He eats up the cake and checks his phone. Ruhana's message makes him smile. He replies her back and also adds that he really liked the cup cake. He also tells her that he will call her when possible. After that he sleeps. Afterall, he needs to get a good sleep, for the meeting he has to attend the next day.

*
*

Next Morning, Ruhana wakes up to Vineet's text which makes her happy. She replies back and wishes him good luck for his meeting. Post that, she freshens up and gets ready for the office. Today, she's not feeling restless, yet she is smiling. Maybe, the text from him has made her happy. She has a brief talk with her parents and leaves for the office. She reaches the office and gets busy with the new project. She doesn't want to do anything that doesn't please Vineet.

She opens the drawer to take a pen, and her gaze falls on a frame. It is Vineet's picture. She takes it out, cleans it with a napkin and keeps it on the table. She looks at his picture and makes a silent promise of never letting him down. She casts one last look at his picture wondering, if he also feels the same as she does. Meanwhile, the manager enters the cabin and she gets busy with her work.

To Be Continued.