A week passed by. Ruhi had her tournament on the weekend. She was practicing late with Hrishi and her team. Hrishi used to drop her back home and would halt by for a coffee, as requested by Ruhi. It seemed that Angel liked his stopping by at their home. Finally the day arrived. Ruhi and Manvi was getting ready for the match. Angel walked into their room.

“All set? “ she asked.

Both the girls chuckled positively. She smiled. Her eyes followed Ruhi, who was looking at Sachin's picture. Angel patted her head. Ruhi turned and hugged her.

She smeared her head and whispered..

“He's watching you. Play good. Make him proud. “ she said.

Ruhi parted the hug and looked at her. Angel wiped off her tears.

“Don't cry. Today you got to rock. “ she said kissed on her head.

Manvi too hugged her… “Yeah Sista! We're gonna rock. “ she said.

Ruhi smiled…”Certainly. “ she said.

They moved out of the room and Ruhana and Vineet were waiting for them. Ruhana hugged Ruhi and wished her all the best. Ruhi glanced at her…

“Aap dono nahi aa rahe? “ she asked.

Vineet kept his hand on her head..

“Beta, aaj ek important meeting hai. Jaldi ho gayi toh hum aa jayenge. “ he said.

“Waise bhi tumhari mumma hai na tumhare sath. Fir kisi aur ki kya zaroorat hai? “ Ruhana said.

“You're right. “ she chuckled and they left the house.

Ace Basketball Stadium

They reached the stadium. Hrishi was waiting for them. The other team members were yet to come. Hrishi led their way inside the stadium. He asked Angel to sit and explained some things to Manvi and Ruhi. Angel was watching him all the while he was speaking,and the way the girls were responding to him. A smile crept on her lips.

“He's the right person.”  a voice reached to her ears. She looked up but didn't find anyone.

She looked around and still found Hrishi, Ruhi and Manvi talking. She closed her eyes to calm herself.

“Idhar udhar nahi, main toh tumhare dil mein hoon… Tumhara Sachin. “ he saw Sachin's glimpse.

She opened her eyes with a jerk. The other three looked at her..

“Mumma, kya hua? “ Ruhi asked.

“kuch nahi beta! “ she replied.

“excuse me, mujhse mat chupao. Bolo kya hua? “ she  asked.

Angel stood up…

“tum log discuss karo

. Main aati hoon. “ saying so, she moved out of the auditorium.

Ruhi looked at her while Hrishi patted her head…

“bore ho gayi hongi wo. Aa jayengi. “ he said.

She nodded and soonish her other team mates arrived and they discussed their strategy for the game.

Outside, Angel was walking, her heart was pounding. She sat on a bench.

“kyun sach se bhaag rahi ho Angel? “

Angel looked up and found Sachin. She extended her hand and tried to touch him but she couldn't.

“Main tum mein hi toh hoon. Hrishi acha hai. Kyun usey ignore kar rahi ho? Dekha tha na kitna ache se wo Ruhi aur Manvi ke sath baat kr raha tha. Ruhi ko bhi usse behtar coach nahi mil. Sakta. “ he said.

“lekin main ye nahi kar sakti. “ she said.

“You have to angel. Ek nayi khushi aayi hai, thaam lo haath. Main toh hamesha hoon tumhare dil mein. “ he said.

“Lekin main sirf tumse pyar karti hoon. “ she said.

“Jaanta hoon. Aur wo tumse pyar karta hai. Tumhe bhi wo kuch apna se lagta hai na? Toh haath tham lo uska. “ he said.

“Meri khatir! Hamari khatir! Apni kahani adhuri mat chhodna Angel. “he said.

She blinked her eyes, and he was gone. Her eyes were teary and soonish, she heard some bells and saw people rushing inside the auditorium. She walked and found Hrishi waiting for her.

“Aapka hi wait kar raha tha. Sab thik hai na? “ he asked.

She nodded affirmatively. He extended his hand,she looked at it and kept her hand on his. He smiled and tightened his grip and led her way,and she let him do it.

He took her to the place where the game was going on. Ruhi and her team were there. She kissed her daughter on her head and wished her good luck. Soonish the game started. Ruhi and her team played really well. Hrishi was always there to cheer them up. She smiled at his gesture. Suddenly she remembered what the people around her said to her. They seemed to be right.

Soonish the game was over and their team had won. Ruhi came over and hugged hrishi.

“Well played! “ he said as he smeared her back.

“all because of you! “ she said looking at him.

He smiled… “ maine toh wahi kiya jo zaroori tha. Aur waise bhi tumahre papa ne toh tumhe sab sikha hi diya tha. “ he said.

Ruhi shrugged her shoulders… “Yesh! Baaki aapne sikha diya. “ she said with a smile.

“toh ab zindagi bhar games and tricks sikhane ki zimmedari bhi lelo. “ Angel said.

He looked at surprisingly. She smiled..

“Maine bahut socha hrishi, and i think you're the right person. Thik kaha tha tumne, dusra mauka kabhi kabhi milta hai “ she said.

He smiled to hear it from her.

“Dusre mauke khubsoorat bhi saabit ho jate hain. “ he said.

“Jaise ki tum. “ she said holding his hand.

He smiled and pulled her in a hug. Ruhi looked at them pouted..

“aap dono mujhe bhool gaye?  Very bad! “ she said.

Hrishi pulled her closer… “aa jao tumhe kaun bhool sakta hai. “ he said.

She hugged them both.

“now i need a treat. “ Ruhi said.

“Party toh kal hogi. “ vineet said as he came. There along with Ruhana.

“Kal subah court marriage aur sham ko party. Manzoor hai? “Ruhana asked.

Hrishi smiled… “jo aap log chahe. “he said.

Angel hugged Ruhana whispering a thank you to her. Ruhana kissed on her head…

“I'm happy for you. Zindagi ko aur khud ko mauka dene ke liye thanks to you. “ she said.

Angel smiled. After that Ruhana and Vineet left along with Manvi and Hrishi took Angel and Ruhi for a treat for their new beginnings.

****THE END****