It had been a month after Sachin's demise. She was sitting in her room when there was a knock on the door. She looked up and found her father in law on the door. She got up and walked to him...

"papa! Aap yahan? Kuch chahiye tha toh aawaz laga lete. " she said.

He entered in and kept his hand on her head...

"kyun, kya main apni beti ke kamre mein nahi aa sakta? " he asked.

Ruhana smiled..

" aisa nahi hai papa. Mujhe waqt ka pata hi nahi chala. Aapki chai ka waqt ho chla hai. Main chai banati hoon." she said looking at the watch.

"Sabke liye sochti ho Ruhana, khud ke baare mein kab sochogi? "he asked looking at her.

She smiled lightly... "sab soch liya hai papa. Aap chinta mat kijiye. "she said and left the room.

Major Neerav Khanna sighed. He looked at his son's picture with moist eyes and left the room.

Ruhana was making tea in the kitchen. She poured it in two cups and walked into the living room. Her eyes fell on the watch and a small smile crept on her lips. She kept the tray on the table and gave one cup to her father. He smiled and then noticed the second cup. He recalled something..

*Flashback Begins*

Major khanna was sitting in the living room. Ruhana came up with his tea. At the same time, there was a ring on the doorbell. Major smiled...

"Lagta hai aaj sachin ka kaam jaldi ho gaya. Wahi hoga." he spoke.

Ruhana smiled and moved to open the door. It was certainly Sachin. He entered in and saw his father hving tea. He looked at Ruhana...

"Tumne meri chai nahi banayi?" he asked.

" Tum derr se aane wale they na, isliye nahi banayi." she replied.

"Dekho kal se papa ke sath meri chai bhi taiyar rakhna. " he said.

Ruhana smiled..."As per your orders , Sir." she replied dramatically at which both Sachin and his father laughed.

Leaving them laughing, Ruhana went into the kitchen to prepare tea for sachin.

*Flashback Ends*

His eyes were moist. Ruhana held his hands...

" Roiye mat papa. Main jaanti hoon aap kya soch rahe hain. Par papa, is ghar mein sab kuch waisa hi rahega jaise pehle tha. Kuch nahi badlega. " she said as she picked up the second cup.

"Lekin beta, tumhare saamne tumhari puri zindagi padi hai. Think about yourself. " he said.

"Sab kuch soch liya hai Papa. Aur main akeli kahan hoon? Aap ho na mere sath " she said.

He nodded and at the same time, the doorbell rang. Ruhana opened the door and it was her mother. She invited her in. Mrinal patted her cheeks... She smiled...

"aap baitho, main aati hu. " she said and left.

Neerav and Mrinal looked at each other.

"Aap hi Ruhana se baat kijiye Mrinalji. Meri baat sunne ko vo taiyar nahi. " Neerav said.

"Agar usne kuch socha hai toh wo kisi ki nahi sunegi. " Mrinal sighed.

"Lekin uska kya? Uski life ka kya? Usey khud ke baare mein sochna chahiye. " he said.

Mrinal looked at him...

"Main baat karti hoon. " she said. Meanwhile, Ruhana came there with some snacks and tea. Mrinal held her hand.

"baith idhar. Mujhe baat karni hai tujhse." she said.

Ruhana looked at her... " Maa main already baat kar chuki hoon. " she said for she knew what her mother will talk about. Mrinal and Neerav wanted Ruhana to remarry, since she had a whole life in front of her.

Neerav khanna got up.... "aap dono baatein kijiye. Main aata hoon. "

He said and left the mother daughter alone. Ruhana held her mother's hand and took her into her room.

Ruhana's room

It had been a month. The room was neatly decorated with Sachin's pictures and some of their pictures together. On the wall, their wedding picture was hung. Tears welled up in Mrinal's eyes. Ruhana wiped off her tears..

"ro mat Maa. " she said.

"tujhe yun akela dekh kar kaise khush ho sakti hai teri maa?"she asked.

"Main akeli kahan hoon maa? Dekho Sachin ki yaadein har jagah hain. Main akeli nahi hoon. Aur ab toh bilkul nahi. "she forwarded a paper to her mom.

Mrinal looked at her and then took the paper in her hand. She read it and looked at her daughter. She had a smile on her lips.

Ruhana held her hand... "Main khush hoon Maa. Ab sachin na hokar bhi mere sath hai. "she said.

"lekin beta, aise zindagi nahi jee jati. "she said.

"Papa ke jane ke baad aapne bhi toh aisa hi faisla liya tha na maa, fir mujhe kyun force karna chahti ho? " she asked.

"beta... zamana badal chuka hai." she said.

Ruhana sighed and turned towards the window and picked up Sachin's picture from the side table...

"Mujhe koi farak nahi padta. Jaise aapne mujhe paala tha, waise hi ab main karungi. Yeh Sachin ki aakhiri nishani hai mere paas. Na Isey kho sakti hoon aur na yeh zimmedari kisi aur ko de skti hoon. " she said keeping her hand on her belly.

"Lekin tu akele... "mrinal said but was cut by Ruhana.

"Maa... Main akeli nahi hoon. Aap ho, papa hain aur ab yeh nanhi si jaan bhi. Main toh khush hoon maa. Tumhe bhi khush hona chahiye. " Ruhana said.

"tu thik keh rahi hai Ruhana, par ek baar aur soch le beta. Teri zindagi, ye bachcha.... Sab kuch kaise karegi tu? " her mother asked.

"agar Sachin hote tab jaisi life hoti, waisi hi ab hogi. Mera bachcha bilkul apne papa ki tarah banega."ruhana said as tears welled up in her eyes.

Her mother kept her hand on her shoulder. Ruhana smiled and turned to her...

"aur waise bhi maa, jo sukh yahan hai wo kahin nahi mil sakta. Aur na main kisi ko utna pyar kar paungi jitna main sachin se karti hoon. So mujhe aise hi rehne do maa. Sachin ki yaadon aur is nanhi si jaan ke sath zindagi yunhi beet jayegi...dekh lena. " she said caressing her belly and blinked her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

Mrinal looked at her and pulled her daughter in a hug, she knew was most needed by her daughter.

Mrinal sighed as she knew that it was impossible to make her understand. She pecked a kiss on her head and asked her to take care.

Days passed. 8 months passed in a blink. Neerav sent Ruhana to Her home for more care and visited her everyday.

One fine day, Neerav was working when he recieved a call from Mrinal who asked him to reach the hospital.

Jeevan Jyoti hospital

Mrinal was moving to and fro outside the labor room. Neerav reached there and consoled her that everything was fine. A few hours later the doctor came outside. Mrinal rushed to her...

"Kaisi hai meri beti? " she asked.

"Wo thik hain. And congratulations, beta hua hai. " she said.

Mrinal smiled as the nurse handed her the little baby.

"kya hum usse mil. Sakte hai? " Neerav asked.

"jee, kuch derr mein. Tab tak aap kuch formalities puri kar dijiye. "she said.

Neerav followed the doctor.

A while later, Ruhana was shifted to a normal room. She was lying on the bed. . Mrinal entered in the room with the baby. She put the baby beside her and caressed her head.

"tu thik hai na? " she asked.

"Mujhe kahan kuch ho sakta hain. Main toh aapki beti hoon na.... Forever strong. " she said.

Mrinal smiled. Ruhana looked at the baby, who was sleeping...

"aur jaanti ho maa, mera beta bhi bahut strong banega. Bilkul apne papa ki tarah." She said and sat up on the bed and lifted the baby in her arms.

She kissed on the baby's head and admired. The baby was awake, trying to open his eyes. Ruhana smiled. She lifted the baby...

Chanda hai tu

Mera suraj hai tu..

The baby smiled... Ruhana kissed on his cheeks...

Chanda hai tu

mera suraj hai tu...

O meri aankhon ka taara hai tu..

Jeeti hoon main bas tujhe dekh ke..

Is toote dil ka sahara hai tu...

Her eyes were teary. Neerav witnessed the scene and entered in. She smiled looking at him. He smeared her head while she handed the baby to him. He admired the baby. His eyes were teary.... He looked at her....

" thank you beta! Mujhe mera sachin lautane ke liye! " he said.

She smiled tearily...

"Shaurya! Shaurya hoga iska naam, bilkul waise jaise sachin chahte they. " she said.

Neerav and Mrinal smiled as they saw Ruhana smiling again. They had a reason of happiness.

To be continued.