Saurav: When can we execute this?

Harsha: Maybe Friday? You and Vidyut can make a weekend plan.

Everyone agreed to this...

...

Friday arrived...

The week went a bit slowly for all except Anirudh. Everyone was waiting for Friday. So, they can execute the plan. A ray of hope was filled in their hearts.

Maybe - Just Maybe- Anirudh will accept her.

Vidyut has already shared with Anirudh and his family about his weekend night out.

Friday Morning...

Everyone gathered for breakfast.

Shalini and Saurav decided to share the evening's plan together in the morning. So, they can last a moment, and Anirudh doesn't doubt them.

Everyone was having breakfast with casual talks about here and there.

Shalini and Saurav looked at each other and blinked their eyes. Vidyut noticed them.

Shalini: Aaj dinner ke liye Ajit ki wife ne invite kiya hai. (Today, Ajit's wife invited us for dinner)

(Ajit- Sahaj's cousin brother. But he always supported Vibha. He loved her like she was his younger sister)

Vidyut (dramatically): I won't cancel my trip. This is final.

Anirudh (shook his head in disbelief): Vidu no drama.

Vidyut (huffing): I am serious. This is my first night out. I can't risk this. I don't know when I will get the permission next.

Khushi saw Vidyut and huffed, following his actions.

Vidyut (narrowing his eyes): Kuchi puchi don't copy.

Khushi was also narrowing her eyes at him.

Saurav (clearing his throat): Today, it's Mihika's friend's birthday. She invited me. I am not sure, if I should join you guys or Mihika.

Shalini: Dinner is for ladies. I mean, it's a ladies' dinner party.

Saurav: Okay...

Harsha: Ruhi, you want anything else?

Ruhi (shaking her head): Full... No more

Harsha: Good, go and pack your bag.

Ruhi nodded and ran inside.

Harsha: Dadi, how will we introduce Ruhi to everyone? There will be other relatives too.

Saurav: We have to tell them the truth. I don't think lying will help us in any way. If anyone knows her.

Shalini (nodding): Hmm... What if they ask if we have accepted her as our family?

Anirudh (quickly): And we didn't.

Vidyut: But Dadi, do you think they will like her presence like this?

Shalini (sighing): I don't think so. If we had accepted her. Maybe, Situations can be different. But as we haven't then how will they!

Harsha: I don't think so we should take her then.

Shalini (sighed): I will inform them we won't be able to come.

Harsha nodded, looking at Anirudh.

Shalini: We can't leave Ruhi alone.

Vidyut (in joking manner): Anirudh Bhai is at home. Don't worry! He can be with her.

Saurav was staring at Vidyut in shock. Anirudh glared at Vidyut.

Saurav's POV: Why does he love to get beatings? Every now and then he is ready to create problems for himself.

Saurav's POV ends.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): Fine! Fine!! I just said. You can ignore my words.

Harsha (requesting): Vidyut is correct. I mean if we have taken her responsibility. Things like this may repeat in future too. We can't always cancel it.

Shalini: Harsha, let it be. Don't force Anirudh.

Harsha: Okay... What reason can we give to Uncle and his family?

Anirudh (sighed): Fine! You all can go. I will be at home. But let me clear it. I will be working silently. Don't expect anything else from me.

Shalini: Ani, don't push yourself. It's okay. We can cancel it.

Harsha: Dadi, he said, he will look after Ruhi. That's okay if we don't want to talk with her. She is our responsibility. Even, he is taking responsibility. So, it's necessary.

Shalini stared at Harsha. Harsha blinked her eyes.

Anirudh: Dadi, I will be home. Don't worry.

He assured her.

Anirudh: Harsha, umm... You can ask her to have dinner, then sleep. I will complete my work.

Harsha: Okay sure.

With this, they had their breakfast and left for their work.

Skips to evening. Vidyut and Ruhi came home at their usual time. Saurav came a little earlier than his usual time.

Vidyut and Ruhi came home. They found Saurav already present.

Harsha: Vidu, go and pack your pack. With whom are you going to stay?

Vidyut: I will be at Rohan's place. Tomorrow, all our friends are going for a track early in the morning, by lunchtime. I will be home.

Shalini: Saurav, what's your plan?

Saurav: I am taking Mihika out. After dinner, I will come.

Harsha: Okay then, when will you return home? Pick us from Lake View Restaurant.

Saurav: Alright!

Ruhi: Hum hotel chalege? (Are we going to the hotel?)

Shalini, Harsha, Saurav and Vidyut looked at each other, not knowing how to explain this situation to her.

Harsha: Ruhi, we have to go there for an emergency. It's not a party.

Ruhi (nodding): You have a meeting at the hotel?

Harsha: Yes... Sorry bache. We are going there. You will be here with your Anirudh bhaiya.

Ruhi just nodded but a fear craved in her heart.

Yes, she is scared of him. Being alone with him, her brain gave her an alert alarm.

Saurav: Come, Ruhi, I will get you fresh.

Ruhi turned to him and nodded.

Saurav got her fresh. He made her sit on the bed and sat on his knees before her.

Saurav (cupping Ruhi's face): Ruhi, do you trust your Saurav Bhaiya?

Ruhi nodded with a pout.

Saurav: Don't be scared of Anirudh bhai. He won't hurt you. He is a very good person.

Ruhi (sadly): Bhaiya mujhse baat nahi karti. Gussa karege to? (He doesn't talk to me. What if he got angry?)

Saurav: He won't. He just doesn't know how to talk to Ruhi. That's why. So, when you are with Bhai. Try to talk to him. He will talk with you as well.

Ruhi: Gussa kiya to? (If he got angry?)

Saurav: Okay! If he got angry. Don't talk to him. When Dadi and we will come back. You can complain to Dadi. We will punish him. But Ruhi, don't be scared. He will talk with you. After all, how can someone be away from this Cutu Ruhi?

He said, pinching her nose softly.

Ruhi pouted at his actions.

Ruhi (rubbing her nose): Don't trouble me. I will ask Dadi to punish you.

Saurav (pecking her cheeks): Okay okay... Now, listen to me, just try to talk with Anirudh bhaiya. He will talk to you. Don't be scared of him.

Ruhi (pouted): Okay.

Saurav: Also remember, you don't need to be scared. Your Saurav bhaiya is here for you.

Ruhi (smiling): Yes, yes...

She hugged him. He smiled embracing her. Ruhi came out of his embrace. Saurav pecked her cheeks.

Ruhi (rubbing her cheeks): Nahi karo... Chubti hai (Don't do this. It's piercing)

Saurav stared at her, narrowing his eyes.

Ruhi (giggling): Bring my chocolates from Mihika Bhabhi. She told me on the call that she bought that for me specially.

Saurav (tickling her): Okay captain... I will bring your chocolates specially.

Ruhi laughed, trying to push Saurav's hands.

....

Shalini, Harsha and Saurav were ready to leave. They were waiting for Anirudh to reach home. So, they can leave.

Vidyut left with his friends some time ago.

A few minutes later, Anirudh came.

As he came, bidding him and Ruhi bye. Harsha, Shalini and Saurav left with Khushi.

Ruhi sat on the sofa and started her favourite cartoon. Anirudh saw her. He then noticed in the kitchen, the maid was preparing dinner for them.

He silently walked into his room to get fresh.

A few minutes later, he returned.

The maid informed him that dinner was ready on the table.

Anirudh nodded, walking towards the dining room. Maid called Ruhi for dinner.

With this, she left.

Ruhi ran towards the dining room. She saw Anirudh already present there. He was settling plates for both of them.

Ruhi sat on a chair silently. Anirudh served her and himself.

Ruhi noticed her plate and smiled, and Anirudh served her what she liked and also the quantity as per her need.

He always noticed what was going on around him. He never spoke to her but her likes and dislikes he observed.

Ruhi (smiling): Thank you bhaiya.

Nodding, he started his dinner. Ruhi pouted for a second but then focused on her food.

Both had a meal silently.

Anirudh (calmly): Change your clothes and sleep.

He then walked- oh! Sorry, ran into his room.

Ruhi too went behind him. She took her clothes and went into the washroom to get fresh.

A minute or two later, she came back. She had changed her lower, but the top she was wearing was the same, and a fresh one was in her hand.

Ruhi (pointing at her knot on the top which she was wearing): Ye open karne nahi aata. (I don't know how to open this)

She walked towards Anirudh and stood in front of him. Anirudh bent towards her and helped her.

After changing.

Anirudh: Go and sleep.

Ruhi (narrowing her eyes): Akele sou? No! (Sleeping alone? No!)

He pointed to the other side of the bed, knowing she can't sleep alone.

Ruhi nodded, jumping on the bed and lying down.

Ruhi's POV: Saurav bhaiya ne sahi bola. Gussa nahi karte Anirudh bhaiya. Baat karu? Gussa kiya to Dadi ko bol bahut daant khilaugi.

(Saurav bhaiya is correct. Anirudh bhaiya isn't getting angry. Shall I try to talk? If he gets angry, I will ask Dadi to scold him)

Ruhi's POV ends...

Ruhi (nervously): Bhaiya?

Anirudh stared at her for a second, then shifted his attention back to his laptop.

Ruhi (sitting with crisscross legs): Bhaiya, I am sorry.

She said softly with a sad voice, holding her ears.

Her words, with tone gained all his focus. He shifted his attention towards Ruhi.

Anirudh (sighed): Sorry kyun bol rahi ho? (Why are you saying sorry?)

Ruhi (sadly looking down, playing with a bedsheet): Main galati na. Isliye aap mujhse gussa ho aur baat nahi karte na. Aapko girls to pasand hai. Aap papa jaise nahi ho girls pasand nahi to mujhse baat nahi karte the. Aap to Khushi ko ittaaaa pyaar karte ho na. Mujhse gussa ho na aap. Mujhe nahi pata maine kya galati ki. I am sorry bhaiya.

(I made a mistake. That's why you are angry with me and don't speak to me. I know, you love girls. You are not like Papa, who didn't like girls and never spoke to me. You love Khushi so much. You are angry with me. I don't know what my mistake was. I am sorry)

To be continued...