Love is a beaut feeling but it’s hard to understand at times. It’s not possible that two people to have the same feelings and thoughts about love. It’s good to have differences but not those which hurt you. But, you can’t control your emotions and you get into a clash. Such is the story of Ruhana Malhotra and Vineet Kumar.

Ruhana and Vineet are inspectors in the CID. They are very good friends and everyone on the team of CID lives like one big family. Dr Salunkhe and ACP Pradyuman are the heads of this big family. They may not get chances to vacay around but they surely have their homes open to each other and they keep assembling at each other’s places and enjoy life as it comes to them.

It’s a Saturday eve and as there’s no case, the officers are packing their stuff to leave home. Ruhana is also keeping her stuff into her handbag when someone taps her shoulder. She turns around to find Purvi standing beside her.

“Hey, Ruhana, tum ghar hi jaa rahi ho na?” Purvi asks.

“Han, Purvi. Tumhe kuch kaam tha kya?” Ruhana asks.

“Han, wo mujhe kuch shopping karni hain toh hum chalein kya? Tarika ko toh Salunkhe Sir ke sath rukna hain aur Shreya bhi chutti par hain. Hum dono chale?” Purvi asks.

“Good plan, Purvi. Hum jaa sakte hain. Kal Sunday hai toh hum relax kar sakte hain.” Ruhana beams with joy.

“Yes! Then let’s go!” Purvi smiles.

Ruhana nods and they move out, while Purvi signals something to someone, which is not noticed by Ruhana. Both Purvi and Ruhana drive in Purvi’s car and they reach the Max Orbit mall.

*****
Max Orbit Mall

Purvi and Ruhana enter the mall and they enter the Lifestyle showroom. They’re happy to have some free time and they choose some dresses for themselves. Ruhana is looking at some A-line tops when Purvi shows her a gown which is shoulder-less.

“Ruu, ye tum pe acha lagega. Isey hi lelo.” Purvi chuckles.

“Arey nahi, Purvi. Ab isko pehenne ka time hi kahan milega?” Ruhana smiles.

“Time milega tab pehen lena, Ruu! You know, it will look good on you. Vineet bhi keh raha tha ki tum par acha lagte hain aise dresses.” Purvi says with a smile.

“Purvi, please. Mujhe nahi chahiye. Aur main ye bhi jaanti hoon ki Vineet ne tumse aisa kyun kaha? Lekin please, I don’t want it.” Ruhana says a bit annoyingly.

“Acha relax! Let’s make the payment and go to our favourite place for dinner. What say?” Purvi looks at her best friend.

Ruhana nods in agreement and the two friends hurriedly make the payment and leave for their favourite restaurant nearby the mall. Ruhana and Purvi occupy a corner seat and the latter orders their favourite cuisines. She already knows what Ruhana would like.

“Ruhana, why are you still in that trance?” Purvi questions.

“Which trance? I mean that is a part of me, Pari. It’s not easy to forget.” Ruhana replies while looking at her friend.

“But, it’s been three years to that. You’ve been in Mumbai for three years, yet you’re distant.” Purvi says.

“I know, Purvi. It hurts me too, but I am trying my best. Lekin nahi ho raha hai mujhse. Main ab kisi pe trust kar hi nahi pa rahi.” Ruhana says.

“Lekin Ruhana, bharosa toh karna padega na.” Purvi says.

“Han Purvi, dil bhi toh jazbati hain na. Lekin jo chot lagi hai na, wo dil ke jazbat zubaan pe aane nahi de rahi.” Ruhana says, tears trickle down her eyes.

“You gotta try, babe! You have to. Tujhe pata hai na how Vineet feels for you?” Purvi says.

“Jaanti hoon, aur maine usse kah diya hain ki main taiyar nahi hoon in sabke liye.” Ruhana says.

Purvi is shocked but before she could respond, the waiter serves their food. There are a few minutes of silence between them but then Purvi breaks it.

“Par Roo…..” Purvi says but Ruhana cuts her.

“Purvi, main jaanti hoon ki vo kya sochta hain mere baare mein. Shayad main bhi vaisa hi kuch sochti hoon lekin mera dil is baat ki gawahi nahi deta ki main aage badhun. Main jaanti hoon Vineet is a man of his words lekin phir bhi! Mujhe darr lagta hain. And that’s it, Purvi. Mujhe koi relationship chahiye hi nahi.” Ruhana says, she’s annoyed at the moment.

“Zaroori toh nahi har baar wahi ho jo pehli baar hua.” A masculine voice falls in theit ears.

Purvi and Ruhana turn to find Vineet standing near their table. He smiles at the ladies and Ruhana is surprised. Yep! Back in the bureau, Purvi signalled Vineet as she left with Ruhana for the mall. Ruhana casts a questioning look at Purvi. She’s been talking about her life and Vineet as well. Now, Vineet’s there as well.

“Ruhana, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hain.” Vineet says softly.

“Mujhe koi baat nahi karni Vineet. Tum mera jawaab jaante ho fir bhi itna kuch karne ki kya zaroorat hain?” Ruhana asks annoyingly.

“Lekin Ruu, it’s not correct to punish yourself for something you never did.” Vineet reasons.

“Vineet, please! Main jaanti hoon ye sab. Lekin galat toh main hi kahi jaungi. Tumse koi aake kuch nahi kahega. And please, mujhe sympathy nahi chahiye. Main jaanti hoon ki main kya kar rahi hoon aur kya sahi hain mere liye? Please, tum wo baat bhool jao.” Ruhana says.

Vineet’s face fell off. He wants to tell her that he loves him but she’s not ready for it. There’s another story due to which, Ruhana stays away from Vineet. She may hold the same feelings for him but is unable to speak, she’s unable to word her feelings to Vineet.

Ruhana sighs as she looks at Vineet, he looks hurt. Maybe, she’s been too harsh. She holds his hands.

“Dekho Vineet, main tumhe hurt nahi karna chahti lekin main koi rishta bhi nahi chahti. Please samajhne ki koshish karo. “ Ruhana says and he agrees.

Ruhana invites him to have dinner and later, Vineet offers to drop her home which Ruhana doesn’t deny. Purvi smiles, maybe, they might be able to talk.

*****
The ride to her home is silent. Ruhana is looking out of the window while Vineet’s eyes are fixated on the road. He knows, she won’t like to talk and he won’t be able to hide his heart's desires. Meanwhile, Ruhana breaks the trance.

“I’m sorry, Vineet. Lekin kayi baar jazbaat zubaan par aa nahi paate. Aur bina kahe unhe samjhaya nahi jaa sakta.” she says.

“Jazbaat samjhe jaate hain, Ruhana. Har koi nahi samajh sakta. Lekin main tumhare jazbaat samajhta hoon.” Vineet says and pauses for a moment.

He stops the car and Ruhana looks around. They’re at the Juhu beach and she’s astonished. She looks at Vineet questioningly.

“Hum yahan kyun aaye hain?” Ruhana asks.

“Chalo na, main tumse kuch baatein karna chahta hoon.” Vineet says.

“Vineet, please….” she says but he cuts her in between.

“Ruhana, main sab jaanta hoon. Samajhta bhi hoon, main bas kuch pal tumhare sath bitana chahta hoon. Aakhir hum dost toh hain na?” he asks and she nods in agreement.

He’s right, though. They walk into the beach and stand near to the shore. They stand quietly for a few moments as Ruhana remembers the past that she faces and now, she’s turned into a slightly rigid personality and she tries to not get attached to anyone emotionally.

It happened three years back. She’s been a happy girl who loved her life. She used to live her life to the fullest. But destiny played it’s dice. Things changed for this happy girl when her own people used her for their own selfishness.

Her parents died in an accident. Her relatives turned out to be namesake and her cousin brother tried to take up all the family business. Her love interest, Rishabh Sahni also left her in the toughest period of her life, that too, proving himself scandalous. Though, Ruhana was never interested in the business, she always wanted to become a CID officer and serve the nation. But, her ex-lover and her namesake relatives snatched it away from her. She never thought, they’d do such a thing with her. The rude accusations from Rishabh are still alive in her mind.

“You’re no good for me, Ruhana. Kuch bhi toh nahi hain tumhare pas!”

“I never loved you. Tum ho hi itni bholi ki koi bhi tumhe bevakoof bana sakta hain.”

“You never knew what’s coming your way. Tum par toh pyar ka bhoot savar tha. Par yaad rakho, har koi tumhare liye free nahi reh sakta.”

“I hate you, Ruhana. Tumhari property mujhe mil hi chuki hain. Tumhare bhai ne hi mujhe aadha hissa diya hain! You know! Isliye tum jaao, CID banna hai na tumhe!”

Ruhana’s shocked to hear him. Her love never mattered to Rishabh. Only her property and business mattered to her. She not only lost her parents but also the love of her life. Her relatives didn’t support her, instead took away all the property and left her die. The girl didn’t lose her patience, stood up and sold her bungalow. From the money she got, she managed to finish her training and then got transferred to Mumbai. Her higher officials at her training school helped her out and she’s forever grateful to them.

Now, it’s been three years but Ruhana is not that open to anyone, especially, not to the guys. Yes, she’s close to the girls in the house —Tarika, Shreya, Ishita and Purvi. She’s got a family here, and she feels loved yet, for this guy standing next to her, she can’t understand her feelings.

She comes out of the trance with Vineet’s voice. She finds a kulhad in his out-stretched hand. She looks at him and he smiles — his soft, cute and evergreen smile on which girls are awestruck.

“Kulhad wali chai! Tumhe achcha lagega.” Vineet says affectionately.

“Thanks!” Ruhana smiles lightly at him.

“Waise, main jaanta hoon tum ab bhi mujhpe bharosa nahi karogi, but trust me, ab waisa kuch nahi hoga jo aajse 3 saal pehle hua.” Vineet says calmly.

“Mujhe toh aisa lagta hain ki jaise kal hi hua hain. Aur bharosa! Ab main kisi pe bhi bharosa karna chhod diya hain.” Ruhana says.

“Bharosa toh tum ab bhi karti ho, Ruhana. Sachin pe, Purvi aur Shreya pe, mujhpar bhi. Varna tum yahan rukti nahi.” He says, boring his eyes into hers.

“Main jaanta hoon sab kuch. Sachin ne mujhe bataya hain, lekin mere zor dene par. Tum mujhe training ke time se jaanti ho. Maanta hoon ki main shararat karta hoon lekin aisa kuch nahi karta jisse mere apnon ko takleef ho. Aur yahan CID mein hum sab ek dusre ki family hi toh hain. Dekho, tumne bhi toh Sachin, Abhijeet Sir aur Daya Sir se bhi ek acha rishta banaya hain, choti behen maante hain wo log tumhe. Aur tum kehti ho ki tumhe relationship nahi chahiye jabki tum khud naye relationships bana chuki ho.” Vineet says and Ruhana stares at him.

“Main sach keh raha hoon, Ruhana. Aur tum jaanti ho ki maine aisa kyun kaha? Lekin main sirf tumse itna kehna chahta hoon ki tum waqt lo lekin apne dil ko jazbaati rehne do. Aur jazbaaton ko samjho— apne hi nahi, apnon ke bhi.” He says.

Ruhana is unable to speak and therefore, prefers to stay silent. Vineet drops her home and she thanks him. As she begins to walk towards her flat, he calls her name.

“Ruhana, maine jo kaha hai, uske baare mein sochna zaroor. Next time jab hum milenge toh mujhe tumhare jawab ka intezaar rahega.” He says and drives away.

*****
Ruhana sighs deeply and enters her house. She changes her clothes and lies on the bed. She covers herself with the duvet and hugs her cushion close. Vineet’s words are echoing in her ears.

He has confessed his love many times, but she has always rejected him. She tells him that she is not ready for any relationship, and then it should apply to everyone. It’s just because he’s said that he loves her and she doesn’t want to agree that she holds the same feeling for him.

Vineet and Ruhana are together since their training period. Yep, he didn’t know about the bad phase as Ruhana didn’t tell him and requested her seniors to not to tell him.

Now, after they meet at the Mumbai CID bureau, he’s been telling her that she means a lot to him and he wants her to give him a chance. He loves her and she knows it. But, she’s unable to word her feelings for him. Maybe, she’s scared that he’ll hurt her another time.

Ruhana sleeps with all such thoughts.

*****

Next morning, Ruhana wakes up and gets ready for the day. She’s still lost in Vineet’s words from the other day.

“Dil ko jazbaati hona chahiye.”

“Jazbaaton ko chhalkane dena chahiye.”

“You know me better. Aur main tumhare jazbaaton ko samajh sakta hoon.”

It’s Sunday, so, she’s in a relaxing mood. She finishes the laundry and prepares coffee for herself. She’s relishing her coffee and is lost in her thoughts when the doorbell rings. She opens the door and finds Vineet on the door. She’s surprised to find him on the door and he’s holding a bag in his hands. She invites him in and he smiles at her.

“Tum itni subah yahan, sab thik hai na?” Ruhana asks out of concern.

“Han, Ruhana. Maine socha tum jo bhul rahi ho wo tumhe yaad dila dun.” Vineet smiles.

“Main? Main kya bhul gayi? ACP sir ne meeting bulaayi thi kya?” she asks frantically.

“Nahi, tum meri best friend hoke bhul gayi, lekin main tumhe bhulne nahi de sakta.” Vineet says naughtily.

“Vineet, tum aise kyun kar rahe ho? Didn’t I tell you everything?” Ruhana asks softly.

“You did! Lekin maine bhi tumse kaha hain na ki main tumhare alfaaz hi nahi jazbaat bhi samajhta hoon. Tum chahe jitna waqt lelo, main intezar karunga.” Vineet says softly.

“Kyunn? Aakhir kyun, Vineet? Kyun kar rahe ho aisa?” Ruhana asks.

“Kyunki main tumse pyar karta hoon, you know it, Ruu! Tum bhaag rahi ho lekin tumhare dil mein bhi mere liye feelings hain. Mujhe isse farak nahi padta ki 3 saal pehle kya hua? Mujhe na tumhare past se matlab hain aur na hi us dhokhebaaz Rishabh se! Mujhe tumse matlab hain, hamare future se matlab hai.” Vineet says straightly.

“Han, tumhe mujhpe bharosa nahi hai toh main keh nahi sakta, lekin main ab apne jazbaat dil mein bhi nahi rakh sakta, isliye maine bol diya. I am sorry, if you’re hurt.” Vineet says.

Ruhana’s looking at him. Tears well up in her eyes. Yep! She does hold feelings for Vineet but her past is stopping her. She's just staring at him as he unpacks the box he got. It's a chocolate cake as per her liking.

"Tumhara jo bhi jawab hoga wo dekhenge, lekin main tumhare sath apna birthday celebrate karna chahta hoon." Vineet says and he pulls her close.

They cut the cake and Ruhana's just staring at him. He feeds the cake to her and then she treats him to hand-made noodles which he loves immensely.

He looks happy and she's all smiles. They chit-chat and soonish Vineet tends to leave her house. That’s when Ruhana holds his hand. He turns around to look at her and then Ruhana produces a small box towards him. He’s astonished but on her insistence, he opens the box and is astonished to find a platinum bracelet. It has an initial of his name on the bracelet. He’s astonished and looks at her while Ruhana smiles at him.

“Tum thik keh rahe ho, Vineet. Jazbaaton ka beh jaana hi achcha hain. Main hi apne jazbaaton ko apne dil mein dabaye baithi thi. Ye tumhara birthday gift hain.” Ruhana says softly and pauses for a minute.

“Main sun raha hoon, Ruu. You can say.” Vineet says softly.

“Tum hamesha mere sath they, Vineet. Aur main tumhe samajh hi nahi paayi. Seriously, tumse behtar dost toh mujhe mil hi nahi sakta.” Ruhana says.

“Main toh hamesha hi tumhare sath hoon, Ruhana. I already said ki main tumhare jazbaat samajhta hoon. I mean it, Ruhana.” Vineet says softly.

“Main jaanti hoon, Vineet. You always mean your words. Aur main jaanti hoon ki tum mujhse pyaar karte ho. Main hi accept nahi kar pa rahi is baat ko. Lekin jaisa tumne kaha ki jazbaaton ko alfazon mein bayaan karna hi sahi hain, toh ab main wahi karungi.” Ruhana says.

“Aaj tumhara janamdin hain. Main tumhe hurt nahi karna chahti. Shayad main bhi wahi feel karti hoon jaise ki tum. Main koshish karungi ki sab thik ho jaye. I will not let you down.” She says and Vineet is touched.

He knows that Ruhana has different thoughts about love and about relationships but his constant bickering about love and his trying to get her close to himself is now giving him its fruit. She holds his hands in hers.

“I am sorry, Vineet. Maine tumhe na jaane kabse hurt karti aa rahi hoon fir bhi tum mere sath ho. Tum aaj mere pas aaye jabki tum baaki logon ke sath enjoy kar sakte they. Lekin tumne mujhe chuna toh main kyun nahi kar sakti?” Ruhana says softly.

“I give up, jazbaaton ko samajhna mushkil hain lekin usse bhi zyada mushkil hain jazbaati dil ko samjhana. Aur ab main thak chuki hoon. Toh kya tum hamesha mera sath doge?” Ruhana asks.

“Han Ruhana, main toh tumhare sath hi tha aur hamesha rahunga.” Vineet says softly.

Ruhana looks at him for a second and then hugs him tightly.

She asks for forgiveness from him while he embraces her in his arms.

“Main galat thi, Vineet, lekin ab main apne jazbaat tumhaare sath saajha karna chahti hoon, aur tumhare sath aage badhna chahti hoon. Sach mein!” Ruhana says softly and Vineet’s face lightens up with a smile.

“I am glad you took this decision. I really love you, but I will wait until you embrace this feeling.” Vineet says gentlemanly.

“You really mean a lot to me. Shayad yahi pyaar hain lekin main apne darr ki wajah se usey accept nahi kar paayi, Vineet. But I do, I really love you.” Ruhana says genuinely.

Vineet is happy, that’s his best birthday gift ever. She might be emotional but now, he’ll be sharing them with her.

Vineet embraces Ruhana in his arms while she closes her eyes to feel his warmth. Life seems good now!

****THE END****

Happiest Birthday, Love❤️❤️❤️❤️just a token of love for the ones who love him. 😘

Anamika_anu Preetx
I hope you guys like it ❤️❤️❤️❤️