Ruhana reaches home, her mind wandering back to the kiss she shared with Vineet earlier in the day.

It had happened on impulse, and she hadn't realized it until she felt her lips entangled with Vineet's. It felt like the kiss spoke volumes more than words could say. As she thinks of that heated moment, she feels her cheeks flushing, but at the same time, she feels guilty too. This is something she was scared of before agreeing to play along with Vineet in his plan.

She loves him, and it's not hidden from him. She's been scared that she might cross her limits, despite knowing that Vineet is married and that he loves his wife. Of course, Abhilasha might not realize his importance in her life, but he wants to play along and make her realize what she's losing. She sighs deeply.

Ruhana believes that her love for him is enough for her to live her life, but her resolve seems to be shaking. After the close proximity with Vineet, she's shy and unsure if she can play along with him now in this affair-drama.

Her thoughts come to a halt when the doorbell rings. She opens the door and is stunned to find Vineet standing there. She steps aside to let him enter her house. There's a triumphant smile on his face, indicating that something good has happened. Before she can ask him anything, he twirls her around, breaking the news to her. He reveals that they've secured the deal for which they met Mr. Karan, and the second thing is about Abhilasha.

"Abhilasha? Usne kya kaha tumse?" Ruhana asks, visibly shocked.

"She's quite jealous of everything that's happening around her, including us," Vineet says, as he trails down memory lane, reminiscing the confrontation he had with his wife.

Abhilasha was at home, pacing up and down in the hall. She was disturbed by what she had witnessed at Vineet's office. Yes, she witnessed the intimacy between her husband, Vineet, and his friend. She saw them sharing a kiss, and the heated moment simply contradicted what Vineet had told her earlier.

"Ruhana and I are best friends,"

"Why are you so much worried, Abhilasha? Tumhe apni soch badalni chahiye. Sirf isliye ki main Ruhana se milta hoon, tumne toh jaanbujh kar iss baat ko affair mein badal diya,"

"Soch lo, kahin aisa na ho ki tumhara perspective tumhari reality ban jaye,"

Abhilasha was in a trance. She was sure there was something brewing between Ruhana and Vineet, and it had even gotten so intimate. They had come close, and now, it wouldn't take much longer for them to get closer and slowly turn it into an affair. However, she was hurt and she did want an explanation.

When Vineet returned home, before he could say anything, she showered questions upon him, looking visibly annoyed. He patiently listened to her accusations, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile.

"Why are you so worried, Abhilasha? Tumhe toh vaise bhi yahi lagta hai na ki main hamesha hi galat hoon, toh kyun tum itni pareshan ho?" he asked.

"Really, Vineet? Tum vahan Ruhana ke sath ho aur main pareshan bhi nahi ho sakti? Tum sach batao na ki kya chal raha hai tumhare aur Ruhana ke beech mein?" Abhilasha demanded an answer.

"Tumhe lagta hai ki hum dono ke beech affair hai, toh haan, ho sakta hai, kyunki Abhilasha, pyaar sirf ek couple tak toh seemit hai nahi. Aur rahi baat Ruhana ki, toh wo meri dost hai, mujhe uski bhi chinta hoti hai, vo dost hai, toh kuch affection toh main uske liye bhi rakhta hoon," he replied, though he was aware that Abhilasha had seen them in the office, caught up in an intimate moment.

"Really, Vineet? Jo maine aaj dekha uske baad toh mujhe bahut chinta hai, tum dono kya karne wale ho?" she asked, rolling her eyes at her husband.

"Abhilasha, tumhari soch toh main badal nahi sakta. Maine tumse kaha tha ki kahin tumhari soch tumhari sachchai na ban jaaye, toh shayad wahi ho raha hai. Jo tumne assume kar liya hai wahi tumhe dikh raha hai. Phir bhi agar tumhe problem hai toh main kuch nahi kar sakta, Ruhana meri zindagi ka hissa hai, meri dost hai, agar tumhe lagta hai main usse pyaar karta hoon, toh tum wo bhi samajh sakti ho," Vineet said, shrugging his shoulders and leaving the house.

Abhilasha stood frozen in her place, trying to understand his words. Did he really signal that he's falling for Ruhana? Was the kiss he shared with Ruhana a reality or an illusion? She doesn't know, but there's a pang in her heart which she can't quite name. She sighed deeply, deciding to address the depth of this matter.

As Vineet stops narrating the incident, he finds Ruhana lost in thought. He places his hand on her shoulder, and she comes out of her trance, relieved to find Vineet by her side. He notices her discomfort and embraces her gently.

"Ruhana, kya hua? Tum chup kyun ho?" he asks.

"Vineet, jo hua na wo nahi hona chahiye tha, aur ye sab meri wajah se hua hai, main hi khud ko rok nahi paayi. Maine kaha tha tumse, mujhse ye sab nahi hoga," she says, referring to the kiss they shared earlier in the day.

"Ruhana, please tum wo sab mat socho. Main bhi hairaan tha, lekin ye toh hamare liye achchi kadi saabit hua," he says, trying to comfort her.

"Vo baat thik hai, Vineet, lekin phir bhi mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha, jaane uss waqt mujhe kya hua tha aur maine....." she pauses, gazing at him.

"Maine pehle bhi yahi kiya tha, maine tumse kaha ki main tumse pyar karti hun, ye jaante hue bhi ki tum shadi-shuda ho, aur aaj ye....ye thik nahi tha," Ruhana says, her tone laced with emotion.

For Ruhana, this is against her ethics. Of course, she loves Vineet, but she doesn't want to bear the tag of the third person in his life. She knows that he's married and doesn't want to get involved with him. The exchange between them heightened the intensity beneath, and she took the bold step of kissing him-a long one-as if she had poured all her love into that single moment. It's something she knows she's not supposed to do.

While Vineet believes that the kiss has served him well. He was shocked when Ruhana took the initiative and kissed him, but he responded with the same fervor, for he had noticed Abhilasha at the door. To implement his game plan, the kiss played a crucial role. Of course, for him, there are no strings attached, but for Ruhana, he's her best friend and the love of her life.

For Vineet, it's a part of his plan, while for Ruhana, it's an emotional ordeal. She kissed the person she loves but can't have him all to herself, and this is what's hurting her. She turns around to face him. Her next words leave him stunned.

To Be Continued.