A guy is in a bad mood, and he knocks the door of a flat. He's murmuring something under his breath, when the door to the flat opens and someone pulls him inside. He is shocked. He looks at the person, It's a girl in her early thirties, while the guy is in his mid thirties. He looks at her.

"What has happened to you Ruhana? Pichle ek mahine se mili nahi ho aur aaj yahan bulaya? Kya hua, jo tumhe meri yaad aayi!!"  he asks.

"Aaj tumhara birthday hai na, Vineet!" Ruhana says.

"Toh! Usse kya farak padta hai, tumhe!! Ek mahine se, infact usse bhi zyada, you have been avoiding me!!" he says angrily.

"Bahut farak padta hai, Vineet. Mujhe sabse zyada farak padta hai!!" she says.

"Then why were you avoiding me?" he asks gazing sharply at her.

"Wajah hai, Vineet! Bahut badi wajah hai!" Ruhana says, her eyes are teary.

"I need to know it. Bolo! Don't say k tum mujhse shadi nahi karogi! I don't care about the damn society." he says angrily.

Ruhana shivers as he says the words aloud. She wants to tell him something but his anger is stopping her. She knows he loves her unconditionally, their financial situations and statuses have never come between the two.

He is Vineet Singhaniya, a reputed businessman in the business world. She is Ruhana Singh, who works in his office. They didn't know, when did they fall in love. Her innocent nature and his kind gestures make them follow for each other. It didn't take him time to understand that she is different from all his family and friends and he fell for her. They love each other, soully. But, she has to tell him something, something that might shook him, but he needs to know it. Her trance is broken by his voice.

"Ruhana speak up! Hua kya hai!!" he asks.

"Shadi toh main tumse tab karungi na, Vineet, jab main tumhare paas rahungi." She says, her voice heavy due to tears.

Vineet is baffled. He can't understand what is she saying. He holds her by her arms and jerk her.

"Kya bol rahi ho ye?Tum kahan ja rahi ho? Kahi nahi! Ye bekar ke mazak mat karo." Vineet says.

"Mazak nahi, yeh sach hai, Vineet." Ruhana says and gives him a folder.

"Isme kuch papers hain. Dekh lo, tumhe vishwas ho jayega ki main sach bol rahi hoon." Ruhana says.

Vineet opens the file and some papers pop out. He is shocked to see the medical reports. They are named on Ruhana's name. He looks at Ruhana and begins to read further. He is shocked as he reads that she has been diagnosed with blood cancer, last stage. The file falls from his hand. He gazes at her,she's crying.

"Ye tum ab bata rahi ho mujhe? Haan! Ek mahine baad! Samajh gaya main, tumne mujhe kabhi apna samjha hi nahi."he shouts at her.

" Hum treatment karva sakte they. Infact ab bhi kar sakte hain. Chalo! " he holds her hand and begins to walk.

" Nahi Vineet! Please meri baat suno! " she holds his hand with her another.

"Kya sunun? Aur kyun? Kya tumhe pata hai maine pichle 2 mahine, almost 2! Kaise bitaye hai? Na call kar rahi thi, na message. Kyun Ruhana? Aur aaj ye reports!! Kyun nahi bataya??" He asks, he's angry, very angry on her on hiding such a big thing from him.

" Tumse baat karne ki himmat juta rahi thi. Darr lagta hai, tumhare gusse se! Tumhare pyar se. Mere liye sabse lad sakte ho na tum, apni Maa se bhi. " She says looking at him.

"Haan! Zarurat padi toh bhagwan se bhi lad sakta hoon. Koi tumhe mujhse door kare, ye bardasht nahi kar sakta main." he declares.

"Lekin yahan toh kismat hi hume juda karna chahti hai, Vineet. Isliye maine tumhe yahan bulaya hai. Tumhara janmdin manana chahti hun main." Ruhana says tearily.

"Shut up, Ruhana. Tum sath ho toh har roz mera janmdin hoga. Tum nahi toh kuch bhi nahi. Ab utho, hum hospital jayenge. Tum bilkul thik ho jaogi." he says.

Ruhana breaks into tears. They know she has less time to live. But he wants treatment for her, and she wants to spend time with him. She cups his face. His eyes are teary, reflecting a pain, pain & fear to lose her, but the love is never diminishing. She looks at him.

"Vineet, dekho meri baat suno. Waise hi meri zindagi ke kuch din bache hain. Unhe main tumhare sath guzarna chahti hoon. Please Vineet, Maan jao." she says.

"Tum Paagal ho gayi ho, Ruhana. We should be going to hospital. Mera ek dost hai, I will call him." he says and takes out his phone.

Ruhana snatches the phone from his hand.

"Tum meri baat suno,Vineet. Kya guarantee hai ki main 100% thik ho jaungi? Koi guarantee nahi hai na! Dekho, ye waqt main tumhare sath guzaarna chahti hoon. Please! Tumhara janmdin manana chahti hoon main, phir se tumhari ho jana chahti hoon, ek aakhiri baar." She says.

He ignores her and she holds his hand.

"isey meri aakhiri ichcha hi samajh lo. Bas aaj ka din mere naam kardo,Vineet, please. Kam se kam ye gham toh nahi rahega ki hum sath nahi they. Please, Vineet maan jao na." she says and folds her hands in front of him.

Nothing of it seems to appease him, but her tears do affect him. She's suffering from blood cancer and it can take her life. He wants her to ho for treatment while she wants to be with him. He wants to hold her in his arms, and tell her everything will be fine. And he will make it fine. He sighs and turns around while she hugs him from behind.

"Vineet please. Mujhe akele chod ke mat jao. I know tum gussa ho, par main tumse bas ek din maang rahi hoon. Shayad dobara aisa kuch karne ki naubat hi na aaye. Tum mujhse pyar karte ho na! Toh aaj ka ye din aur apna pyar mujhe dedo. Agar tum rooth jaoge toh maut bhi nahi aayegi." she says.

"Kuch nahi hoga, Ruhana. Tum ye zidd chodo aur Chalo." he says holding her hand.

She doesn't move but he stops on his track. He looks at her. She's humming a song. Her eyes are teary.

Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir
ye Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho..
shayad Phir Is Janam Mein
mulakat Ho Na Ho..
lag Jaa Gale…

She stretches her arms towards him, asking him to embrace her in his arms. He sighs, but she hugs him finally, and he too, wraps his arms around her.

hum Ko Mili Hai Aaj
ye Ghadiyan Naseeb Se…

She parts the hug and looks at him.

hum Ko Mili Hai Aaj
ye Ghadiyan Naseeb Se…
jee Bhar Ke Dekh Leejiye
hamako Kareeb Se,
phir Apke Naseeb Mein
ye Baat Ho Na Ho..

She parts the hug, tears are streaming through their eyes.

shayad phir Is Janaam Mein
mulakaat Ho Na Ho
lag Ja Gale..

He steps back refusing to accept the reality. He wants her to be fine, and always welcome him with a smile. Yet, he has to see her crying.

Paas aaiye Ki Ham Nahin
Aayenge Baar Baar.

Vineet moves towards her and hugs her, breaking into tears.

bahen Gale Mein Daal Ke
ham Ro Le Zaar-Zaar
ankhon Se Phir Ye
pyaar Ki Barsaat Ho Na Ho
shayad Phir Is Janam Mein
mulakat Ho Na Ho..

Lag ja gale ki phir ye haseen raat ho na ho..
Shayad phir is janam mein mulakat ho na ho.

She finishes the song, they stare at each other. She wipes the tears from his face, asking him not to cry. She hugs him, placing her head on his chest. The thumping of his heartbeat is calming her. She can hear to this music all day and night. Few minutes later, she looks at him, gets on her toes.

"I love you, Vineet. And I am sorry too. Lekin main hamesha tumhare sath rahungi." she says and seals his lips with her.

The soft kiss turns into a passionate one, as Vineet takes the hold on her. They break the kiss and Ruhana takes him to dining space where there is a cake. He's teary eyed, but they cut the cake and feed each other. She smiles at him.

"Chalo ab humne cake kaat liya, ab tum meri baat sunogi." he says holding her wrist.

"Nahi, Vineet, abhi sabse zaruri cheez baaki hai." she says, but she faints in his arms.

He panics and lifts her in his arms and takes her to the hospital, a cancer hospital. He will save her. He will revive her, and they will marry and lead a blissful life ahead.

He calls his friend and cancer specialist, Akshat Jindal. He takes Ruhana under treatment, under an emergency. Vineet fulfills the formalities and deposits some money as well. Meanwhile, Akshat comes out and gestures Vineet to follow him. Vineet is hell worried. He doesn't know what to do.

"Akshat! Kya hua hai? " he asks, his heartbeat pacing at a frivolous speed.

"She's in the blood cancer last stage. Ab toh hume stem cell transplant hi karna padega." Akshat says.

"Matlab?" Vineet asks.

"Bone marrow transplant. Lekin mujhe darr hai ki abhi koi donor nahi mila toh!!" Akshat shares his fear.

"Lekin usse Ruhana thik ho jayegi na!!" Vineet asks.

"Han, Vineet. Bas hume donor mil jaye." he says.

"Main! I'll be the donor. Par meri Ruhana ko kuch nahi hona chahiye."Vineet says in a teary voice.

Akshat stares at Vineet for some good seconds and then takes him for check up. It should match before they transplant. Luckily, the match is same after all the tests. Akshat says that Vineet can go for the operation. He smiles lightly. He casts a look at her, who's sleeping on the bed. He sits on the stool near her. Various equipments are attached to her body,and the oxygen mask is hindering his view of her pretty face. He kisses his forehead, and promised her that she will be fine. Meanwhile, Akshat asks him if he's ready, and he agrees. The operation are to happen the next day. All he's praying is for the wellbeing of his love.

*****
A day passes by, the surgeries are done. The doctors are waiting for Ruhana to wake up from her slumber. Vineet is sitting beside her, holding her hand.

"Wake up, Roo! Please." he murmurs, when he feels a movement in her fingers.

He calls for Akshat, who comes up running and does her normal checkup. Ruhana is still weak,but she opens her eyes and finds herself in the hospital. Akshat smiles at her.

"How are you Ruhana?" he asks softly.

"Am fine!" she manages to say.

"You'll be running if you rest properly."Akshat says.

" Thankyou! I am sure kisi ne aapko bahut pareshan kiya hoga. "  Ruhana says while eyeing Vineet.

"Thanks aap Vineet ko kahiye! Jo kiya hai usne kiya hai. " Akshat says and leaves the room.

Vineet smears her head. She looks at him, their eyes are teary. He places a soft kiss on her head.

"Jaldi se thik ho jao. Mera birthday celebration abhi adhura hai." He says.

"Mere liye apni jaan ki baazi kyun lagayi?" she asks, she knows she's alive all because of him.

"Mujhe zinda lash banke thodi rehna tha. Apni zindagi ke sath jeena tha. Aur meri zindagi toh tum ho na!" He says.

Ruhana looks at him with teary eyes. She doesn't know what to say. He is really her life saver. She is truly indebted to him. Will she ever be able to return all that he did for her.

"Tum kuch mat socho, Ruhana. I just need you. Jab tak hum sath hai na, sab acha hoga. Bas tum jaldi se thik ho jao." He says.

Ruhana is surprised. He sensed what she was thinking. She looks at him as he places a kiss on her head and asks her to rest as he goes to meet Akshat. Ruhana watches him. Her eyes are teary when the nurse comes to check on her.

" Bahut lucky ho aap ma'am. Sir aapse bahut pyar karte hai. Unhone toh kuch socha hi nahi…. Ek Baar bhi. Aur Kal se yahin baithe hain. Bahut kismat se aise log milte hai." the nurse says.

"Jaanti hoon. I am really lucky to have him." Ruhana says weakly.

The nurse gives her the medicines and then leaves. Meanwhile, Vineet comes back and helps her sit.

"Vineet, thank you!" she says.

"Maine jo kiya , apne liye kiya. Tumhe kaise jaane deta khud se door. Ab tum thik ho." he says cupping her face.

She moves a little forward and he lets her keep her head on her chest.

"Sirf tumhari wajah se. Hamesha itna pyar karoge mujhse?" she asks.

"Haan! Khud se bhi zyada." he says as he embraces her in his arms.

They stay in the same position for some time, after which he makes her lie on the bed and put her to sleep.

*****
Few days later, Ruhana is discharged and he takes her home, their home. It's luxury flat, as they enter, she finds a nameplate in the door. It has both their names. She touches it and smiles lightly. He takes her inside their room and makes her sit on the bed. He smears her head.

"Ab tum aaram karo, main khane ka intezam karke aata hun." he says.

He turns to leave but she holds her wrist.

"Mat jao na! Yahin baitho mere pas." she says.

"Bas 10 minute mein aata hoon." he says and gets some eatables.

She is touched to find that everything is her favorite. He fills a spoon full of rice and feeds it to her. She's staring at him all the time he is feeding her and eating himself. Once they finish eating, she makes him sit beside her and rests her head on his chest. He embraces her in his arms.

"Humesha aise hi rahenge na hum??" she asks.

He kisses on her head softly.

"Hamesha.. Ab main tumhe khud se door hone hi nahi dunga." he says.

She settles in his embrace, listening to his rhythmic heartbeat and she falls asleep in his arms. They have a peaceful sleep that day.

*****

It's almost 11 months later after Ruhana's successful surgery. She is fine and has joined office. Vineet and Ruhana have married as well. Five months have passed after their wedding. It's Vineet's birthday. She is happy. She's in the kitchen baking a cake. He hugs her from her waist. She turns towards him.

"Happy birthday, Vineet. I love you." she says.

"I love you too, meri jaan!" he says and pecks her lips lightly.

She drapes her arms around his neck..

"Maine nahi socha tha ki main yun tumhara birthday manaungi. Tumhare sath." she says.

"Ab yakeen karlo. Sapna nahi haqeeqat hai. Hum sath hain." He says.

"Isi baat ki khushi hain mujhe." she says and hugs him.

He smears her head and she pulls herself apart. She cups his face and kisses his head, and trails down towards his lips. She pecks them lightly. She kisses on his cheeks to tease him but he pulls her close and seals her lips with his. She is a little shocked, but begins to respond. He lifts her and makes her sit on the kitchen platform, as they continue to kiss. He deepens the kiss, causing her to moan. He smiles as she moans his name and leaves her lips and trails down to her neck. He kisses her soft point and she moans. At the same time, something strikes her. She pushes him and rushes to the oven. Her cake is ready. She takes out the cake and decorates it with gems and hot chocolate. She then serves it to him. He cuts the cake and fed her a  piece and she reciprocates. She hugs him again. He lifts her in his arms. She looks at him and he winks at her.

"Ab jo adhura reh gaya tha, usey pura karein! Ab tum kahin ja bhi nahi sakti." he says.

She hides her face in his chest as he takes her to the bedroom. He makes her lie and she pulls him over her..

"I love you, Mr. Pati! This is the best birthday hai na!" she says.

"Best ab hoga!" he says and smooches her lips, and they dive in their love land.

It's his best birthday ever.

*****

When love is true, it overpowers death.

When your love is true, it lasts forever.

Happy Birthday, Love! Stay the same.