She was sitting near the window of her room. It was raining heavily. She was sitting holding a picture in her hand. She glanced at the picture, caressed the picture and kisses on it. It seems like she is waiting for someone and remembering the person as well. She looks at the picture as if talking to the person itself.

“Where are you? Kyun mujhe itna pareshan karte ho? tumhe pata hai na , tumhe zara si kharonch bhi aati hai toh mujhe bahut dard hota hai.Par tumhe koi farak nahi padta na. Jab dekho mujhe satate rehte ho. Please!! Laut aao Vineet . “

She hugged the picture and cried, releasing the pain in form of tears, she had been holding since a long time.  She went down the memory lane, when her love and the senior inspector of CID, Vineet was accused of a murder.

*Flashback Begins*

She was working in the lab along with Doctor Salunkhe, when ACP and team entered with Vineet . She looked at him. She could  easily figure out how painful it was for him, that his own team, his family was pointing at him, for a deed, he didn't do. He stood there quietly. ACP Pradyuman ordered her to take his blood samples and finger prints. She glanced at him and then at ACP, saying that he can't do it. But, She earned a fierce glance from ACP.

“Ruhana!!!! Jitna kaha hai utna karo. Vineet  ka blood sample lo aur DNA test karo.” ACP ordered.

Ruhana looked at Vineet , and he assured her with his eyes, telling her that he'll be safe,and she should do her job. She, too knew, .he was innocent. And it was proved the same.

*Flashback ends*

For the first time, her hands trembled. Why it won't? She had to take the samples of a senior inspector, the one, who was known of his honesty, his dedication to his work, his friendship - - and Love.

Love?

Certainly, Her Love.

He indeed loved her. Why would anyone care for you without any reason? Why would anyone stay late only for you when you’re working late? He did it all. He  loved her - - from the deep core of his heart. Though  unable to pour out his heart to  her, yet every act of his towards her made her realize that he loved her.

She remembered that how he used to praise her despite Salunkhe’s taunts, and would make her feel at home. His compliments for her always made her smile. He would say  something or the other in such a way that would made her smile and blush all the day long. He longed to see her smile for once throughout the day.

Tears leaked her eyes and a small smile formed on her lips as she remembered his words when he used to ask her to keep smiling. She looked at his  photo again, caressed it, just then, she felt a strong and warm touch on her shoulder.

She turned to have a look at the person. She smiled as she watched him, moved closer to him. She put her hand on his shoulder moving to his face.

He smiled at her action. It's her way to assure herself that he's really back to her.
She wanted to confirm that it was him - - really Him. She wanted to confirm that she’s not dreaming, but it was him in front of her.

Her Vineet !!!

He looked at her and glanced at her from top to bottom. She looked weak, worried , tensed. why won’t she? She was worried for him. His buddy told him about her and he was  there, standing before her. He knew she had been crying since a long time. He , too was longing to see her. Her eyes showed love and concern for him, speaking a thousand words of love.

Next moment, he hugged her, as tight as he could. She smiled, as she was sure, he was now back to her.  She hugged him back, so tight as if now she won’t let him go anywhere.  She dug her head in his shoulder and let her tears spill out.  He knew how much worried she was. She wanted to be in the secured circle of his arms for a long time.

They separated after a while. He cupped her face.  Her hands were on his shoulder. He glanced at her, thought for a while, and kissed on her forehead. It's the right time to confess his feelings to her. He looked at her and cupped her face.

“Ruhana, I know, ye mujhe bahut pehle keh dena chahiye tha. Lekin tum jaanti ho na, main zara derr se samajh paata hun aur apne  dil ki baat kabhi zubaan par la nahi paaya. “ he says.

She kept her hand on his lips, nodding her head negatively.

“ Tumhe kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai Vineet . Waise bhi actions mean more than words. Aur phir tumne hi toh kaha tha ki hamara rishta toh dil se hain. Hai na?  Aur  main jaanti hoon tum mujhse kya kehna chahte ho. Toh phir kehne aur sunne ki kya zaroorat. Hamara rishta toh dil se hai na. " she says understanding his words and feelings.

She said keeping her hand on his chest near to his heart. He smiled, not at what she said, but how easily she understands him. He pulled her in a hug while she rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his hand around her. He kissed her head.

“ I love you Ruhana….i really do!!” he finally words his feelings for her.

She puts her head up , looks at him and smiles  and again hugs him. For now, he knew what her answer is. She snuggled more closer to him and they were happy being together.

****THE END****

"Love is painful, yet beautiful."

"Once you drown in the chaos of love, Life seems better with someone around."

~~❣️~~