Ruhana is glad when she reaches home and is welcomed by her mother, Savita. She hugs her and twirls her around. Her mother knows that something has happened to make her darling daughter happy. Upon asking, Ruhana reveals that Ruhaan has gotten his placement and he’s moving to Mumbai next week. The color on Savita’s face fades, and Ruhana notices it. She makes her mother sit on the couch and looks at her.

“Aap khush nahi ho?”

“Beta, main khush hoon, tu faaltu ki baatein mat soch.” Savita tries to convince her.

“Mumma, I can see it on your face. Mujhe pata hai aapko kya chinta hai, lekin Mumma, trust me! Ruhaan laut kar aayega, aur mujhe apne saath lekar jayega. Usne vaada kiya hai, Maa.” Ruhana tries to convince her mother, who’s not pleased.

“Aur agar usne apna vaada toda toh?” It’s Ram, her father and an enigmatic businessman.

“Papa! Aapko aisa kyun lagta hai ki Ruhaan apna vaada tod dega. Zaroori nahi hai ki insaan bahar se jaisa dikhta hai vaisa hi ho. Aap usey jaante hi kitna hai, Papa? Please, aap abhi se usey judge mat kariye.”

“Vo thoda mazakiya hai, par iska matlab ye nahi hai ki wo hamare rishtey ko bhi mazak samajhta hai. Agar aisa hota na, Papa, toh vo kab ka mujhe chhod ke aage badh chuka hota. 6 saal kam vaqt nahi hota hai, Papa. Please thoda bharosa rakhiye, mujhpe, aur mere pyar pe.” Ruhana says, her tone a little annoyed.

“Aap logon ko pata nahi kyun bharosa hi nahi hai. Jaisa hota aaya hai, zaroori nahi hai ki wo dobara ho. Kuch cheezein karni pad jaati hain! Aur main Ruhaan ka intezar karungi.” She declares her decision and runs into her room, while her parents share a glance.

Of course, like every other parent, they fear that Ruhaan will change once he settles in Mumbai. He might find someone else and move on, forgetting Ruhana. On the other hand, Ruhana wants to believe the promise that Ruhaan made to her an hour ago. However, her parents pray that their daughter’s wishes get fulfilled. With a heavy heart, her mom plates food for her daughter. She needs to convince her and believe her.

*****
Ruhana enters her room, and a tear trickles down her face. She is unable to take any word against Ruhaan. He’s a fun-loving, charming guy who believes in spreading smiles and love. He’s always in a fun mode, cracks jokes, and has the ability to make people smile even in their saddest times. He always hits the right strings and makes people believe in kindness. Sometimes, because of his outer demeanor, people assume him to be irresponsible and don’t take him seriously. The same is the case with Ruhana’s parents. Of course, they have all the right to worry about their daughter, but at the same time, they must believe in her belief.

Ruhana walks into the washroom to take a shower. Her pleasant mood is ruined by her parents’ questions about her decision. Maybe a shower might help her regain her composure. She understands her parents’ worries, but at the same time, she wants them to keep their belief strong in her. It’s not too much to ask for. Or is it?

Taking her time in the shower, Ruhana feels relaxed for the moment. As she retreats from the washroom, she finds her mother seated on the bed, and there’s a plate on the side table. She knows her mom is here to talk to her and convince her, but right now, Ruhana doesn’t want to talk to anyone.

“Ruhana, beta, khaana kha le.”

“Ma, mujhe bhook nahi hai. Vo main Ruhaan ke saath cafe chali gai thi, vahin par humne sandwiches khaye they.” Ruhana informs her mother and also adds that Ruhaan dropped her off in front of her building.

“Mujhse naraaz hai, khaane par kyun gussa nikal rahi hai?” Savita questions.

“Ma, mujhe nahi khana hai. Aur tum pehle toh jo bolna hai bol deti ho, aur phir tumhe lagta hai main naraaz hoon. Ma, main har baar galat nahi ho sakti.” Ruhana replies.

“Aur tum please jao, mujhe bhook nahi hain, aur mujhe neend aa rahi hai.” Ruhana avoids discussing the topic further.

Savita sighs and leaves the room. She knows that her daughter is upset and hopes that she’ll be fine by the morning.

*****

Mumbai

In the confines of her room, a girl is sitting on the bed, staring into nothingness. Tears are streaming down her face silently, but she’s not reacting. She comes out of her trance and shouts when someone presses her shoulder.

“Nahii”

“Chhod do mujhe…”

“Maine tumhara kya bigaada hai jo tum….”

She screams, shivering badly, and ultimately breaks into tears. The other person is an elderly lady who embraces her in a hug.

“Bas…bas beta, shant ho ja! Yahan bas main aur tu hai, hmm! Tu darr mat beta! Shant ho jaa!” The lady tries to calm the girl.

“Par vo fir se aa gaya toh?” The girl looks at the lady fearfully.

“Vo yahan nahi aayega. Apni Maa par toh bharosa hai naa tujhe?” The lady asks while the girl doesn’t respond, instead hugging her tightly.

“Tujhe apne aapko sambhalna padega, beta. Tujhe vo sab phir se karna hoga jo tu aaj se 2 saal pehle karti thi. Tune apne sapne uske liye chhod diye jisko na toh teri kadr thi, na tere pyar ki. Tujhe apni khoyi hui pehchaan wapas paani hai… Rasika! Samajh rahi hai na tu?” The lady explains, still soothing her back.

The girl’s name is Rasika Sehgal, and the elderly lady is Jaya Sharma. The latter is Rasika’s guardian. Rasika is a well-known fashion designer, but due to a wrong decision, her life has turned upside down.

The ever-so-beautiful, sassy, and bold Rasika Sehgal’s life has become a mess. She has lost her confidence, beauty, and even her will to live. She’s finding it hard to take the first step once again. Her guardian, Jaya, is continuously convincing her to take her first step and reclaim her old identity.

“Ma, mujhse nahi hoga ab!” Rasika says, her eyes teary and her tone laced with fear and heaviness.

“Karna padega, beta! Tu nahi karegi toh kaun karega. Tujhe yaad hai na tu kya kehti thi bachpan mein…” Jaya looks at her hopefully.

“Mujhe heroine nahi banna. Maa, main toh na apni kahani ka hero banungi.”

“Main khud apni kahani likhungi, aur uss kahani ka hero banungi.”

Six-year-old Rasika had such thoughts.

“Apni kahani ka hero banna hai na tujhe? Pehla kadam toh aage badhana padega.” Jaya explains.

Rasika looks at Jaya. She finds love in her eyes, kindness, a smile spread across her face, and reassurance in her gestures. She knows that this lady isn’t lying and she’ll be there every time she needs her. Jaya cups Rasika’s face…

“Janti hoon, mushkil hai, par namumkin nahi hai. Bas thodi si koshish karni hogi, aur sab pehle jaisa ho jayega.” Jaya reassures her.

“Sach mein? Aur agar wo….” Rasika asks but leaves her sentence incomplete.

“Ab teri zindagi mein koi aisa aayega jo tujhse pyaar karega, tere pyaar ka istemaal nahi. Isliye sabse pehle, tujhe apne aap par bharosa karna hoga, Rasika.” Jaya explains.

Rasika says nothing but just nods. She stands in front of the full-sized mirror, watching her reflection. She sees her former self in the mirror and she knows that she needs to start afresh in her life.

To Be Continued.