Vivaan meets Samrat with a business idea and the two buddies agree with the same. Samrat asks Vivaan to lend Ruhana’s advice. The young lad agrees and notices that Samrat is thoughtful. He asks about the matter and Samrat tells him everything — even the talk that they had the other day. Her thoughts on love and also what he thinks about it. Vivaan is thoughtful of his best buddy and knows that Samrat has a special place for Ruhana in his life. His words left him astonished.

“You should talk to Ruhana, and clarify things. She’s a nice soul. You should understand what she wants because every relationship has a demand, be it friendship or love.” Vivaan says softly.

“And we need to understand it even if the other one doesn’t say or express it because friendship is the base of every relationship.” Vivaan says while looking at Samrat.

“I guess you’re right. She’s precious and I feel she demands a little more care.” Samrat says thoughtfully.

“Then, you should be talking to her. Well, you talk to her and we’ll go to her home. I want to surprise her.” Vivaan says cheekily and takes his leave.

Samrat is thoughtful with Vivaan’s words. Yep, she did ask about love and he told her that she’s precious to him. But what kind of precious?  He misses her when she’s not around and he is well aware of his whereabouts. Though she’s the same. Every night, she’s the one to text him and ask if he had his food or not and when he’s sick, she stays with him in his home in order to take care. Then what did she mean when she asked if he believes in love?

His reverie is broken with a ping. He checks that it is Ruhana’s message and she shares that she’s got the order that she’s working hard for and that she wants to meet him in the evening. He replies back and promises to meet her at her home after 7 PM. Receiving her message with the addition of hearts and smilies makes him smile. He also tells his plan to Vivaan and they agree to go together.

*****
The day passes in a blur. Ruhana reaches home and changes into comfy nightwear, that way, she feels relaxed. Sending away an email to her buyer, she gets busy preparing food. She’s planned to make Samrat stay for dinner. She wants to spend the evening with Samrat and celebrate her little success.

In an hour, she prepares the dinner, all of hers and Samrat’s favourite. There’s Rajma-Rice, Paneer and Butter Naan — it’s all of  Samrat’s favourite dishes. She smiles, she’s also determined to know his feelings, maybe, there’s more to what she feels from his side.

*****
It’s around 7:45 PM when she finishes laying the table for dinner. She chuckles hoping it is Samrat. Little did she know that she will get a sweet surprise in the face of her old friend. She opens the door and Samrat enters inside, hugging her, meanwhile Vivaan follows in. Ruhana is astonished to see him. She takes a minute to recognise him.

“Vivaan – you’re Vivaan Jain, right?” She asks looking at him.

“Pretty right! How are you?” Vivaan asks and they share a friendly hug.

“I am good, but how come you’re here? I mean, last I heard of you was when you went to London.” Ruhana asks as she gestures for them to sit.

“ It’s been 6 months. Samrat and I worked on a project as well.” Vivaan informs and Ruhana rolls her eyes at the two men.

“What? And why didn’t I know it?” She asks.

“It never came out, Ruu. Anyway, what’s cooking?”  Samrat asks, inhaling the fragrance.

“ All of your favourite. Anyway, I was planning to stop you for dinner. Vivs, you can join us” Ruhana smiles at her old friend.

“Yeah, why not? It smells delicious.” Vivaan sniffs the fragrance and she giggles.

Ruhana leads their way to the dining table and the three friends settle on the dining table. The dinner is scrumptious and the two men didn’t stop praising her culinary skills. Ruhana is flattered and her heart skips a beat when Samrat praises her. He always does, but when he emphasizes, the feeling is different. She shakes her head, she can’t continue the discussion she had the other day in front of Vivaan — maybe some other day.

After the dinner, Samrat, Ruhana and Vivaan sit in the living room and she asks her housemaid to prepare coffee for the three of them. The three friends get indulged in chats and Vivaan shares his plan with Ruhana who tends to like the idea. She looks at her friends and readily agrees to invest her money in this business idea. She’s also an occasional poet and writes whatever she feels, but her words have a feel — her readers say. Even Samrat says so.

Vivaan requests her to do some writing for the kids and she also proposes the idea to design special clothes for underprivileged children. Vivaan tends to like the idea and he asks Ruhana to start working on it.

“It’ll be a good idea, Vivs. I have to do a show soon, so, I am thinking that we will release the children range too and these will be available for kids through your foundation. What say?” She looks at her buddies.

“Ruu, that’s amazing. Only you could think it. Neither Vivs or I think about it.” Samrat says.

“Yep, then let’s get working. We’ll again do wonders. I have my friends holding me, now.” Vivaan looks at his pals.

“Always, buddy. It was amazing meeting you after two years.” Ruhana chuckles.

“Ah, you remembered? I thought you forgot me. After all, you have him.”  Vivaan points at Samrat.

“Yeah, but friends are special and everyone have their own places, you too hold a special place in my life, Vivaan. And Sammie too.”  Ruhana says while looking at her buddies.

They share a group hug and after that Vivaan begins to take his leave. They plan to meet on the weekend to discuss more of the new venture. The three souls part ways while Ruhana watches them go.

She has a smile on her face. It’s Samrat’s birthday soon and she will get to know what he feels on his big day, at least, she will confess hers.

She smiles to herself, maybe, until then, he’s able to decipher his own feelings.

To Be Continued.

Would Samrat realise his feelings?

Stay tuned.