Exiting the room, Ruhana takes a deep breath. They walk out of the office and she grins at Vineet, wanting to say something, but shushes herself. However, understanding her inner turmoil, he finally speaks.

“I think our first step has affected her, right?” he says as they walk towards his car.

“Haan, mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai. Tumhe pata hai, Vineet, jab maine usey kaha sirf main aur tum hi lunch pe jaa rahe hain, uska chehra dekhne laayak tha, she was totally shocked,” Ruhana says as she giggles.

“Ye tumne bilkul thik kiya, Ruhana, lekin humein aage bahut dhyan se kaam karna hoga,” Vineet says, his tone soft.

“Par kya tumhe yakeen hai ki Abhilasha pe isse koi farak padega? Kyunki mujhe aisa kuch laga nahi hai,” Ruhana voices her concern.

“Ruhana, main tumse milta hoon, usey ye pasand nahi, toh agar usey pata chalega ki hamare beech mein kuch hai, toh wo zaroor koi na koi action legi,” Vineet says as he begins to drive.

“Lekin usey tumse zyada society ki chinta hai, kya tumhe lagta hai ki wo aisa karegi?” Ruhana says, she’s unsure at the moment.

“She will, Ruhana. Main usey bahut achche se jaanta hoon. Vo chahe kuch bhi kare, lekin meri taraf se kuch bhi ho, usko zaroor problem hoti hai, aur isliye vo mujhe ya tumhe confront karne zaroor aayegi,” Vineet says, his tone raspy.

“Yep, ye bhi hai. Mujhse ladai karne ke bahane hi chahiye na usey,” Ruhana jokes, causing him to laugh.

Vineet laughs, his laughter is music to her ears. As they chitchat, they reach their destination, their favorite eatery. He parks the car and then paves her way inside the restaurant. They grab a corner seat and in no time, their order is placed. Since it’s afternoon, the place doesn’t have much rush, plus, they’re early, it’s just 12:30 pm, and they’re starving.
After playing a role she never wanted, and after doing something he never thought he’d be doing to his own wife, both Vineet and Ruhana are exhausted and hungry. They have a meeting to attend, and they want to be prepared for it. As they discuss the deal, their order is served, and they dig into the delicious meal. However, they’re oblivious to a known presence in the same place, keeping an eye on them.

*****

Abhilasha reaches home fuming in anger. She throws her purse on the couch and sighs deeply. The flashes from the restaurant pop up in her mind. Of course, she followed her husband and his friend to the restaurant. Yes, she feels that the two are having an affair, and she wants to confirm her doubts. As she follows them, she finds them laughing, giggling, and talking all the time. She finds him adoring Ruhana every now and then. And she feels it confirms her doubts. However, she’s upset.

“Vineet aisa kar kaise sakta hai? Thik hai ki Ruhana uski dost hai lekin itni closeness. Kya wo mujhe bhul hi gaya hai?” she questions herself.

“Pata nahi agar kisi ko ye pata chalega toh vo log hamare baare mein kya sochenge? Jabse Ruhana aayi hai, Vineet bahut badal gaya hai, mujhe usse baat karni hi hogi.” She makes up her mind to talk to her husband once he comes home at night.

Though she knows that Vineet might not talk to her, she needs to confirm this thing with Ruhana. She can’t digest the fact that Vineet is falling for someone else, another woman in their life. The mere thought has got her heartbeat pacing, and she can’t help but muse over it. Ruhana’s words echo in her ears.

“We decided for lunch, Abhilasha! Our little lunch date.”

“Vineet mera bachpan ka dost hai, aur best friend bhi! Main usey har baat bataungi jo meri zindagi mein hoti hai ya main decide karti hun. Tumne toh soch hi liya hai ki mera aur Vineet ka affair chal raha hai.”

“It’s your mistake, Abhilasha. Agar tum Vineet ko ghar pe time nahi de sakti ho, toh vo toh vahin jayega na jahan usey pyar milega. Aur main ussey pyaar karti hun, you know, wo mera dost hai aur dosti bhi toh pyar hai.”

“Main aur Vineet best friends hai, hamari dosti pe daag mat lagao.”

“He will fall for me soon, wait and watch.”

Abhilasha gulps, that threat from Ruhana is dancing on her nerves. Well, there’s only one thing that she can do! She can either convince Vineet or change herself.

To Be Continued.