Sachin and Neerav returned back home. Neerav retired to bed while Sachin started packing his belongings. He was sad about something, maybe because he couldn’t spend much time with Ruhana, or maybe because he had to cut off his holidays. Though, he knew, being a major wasn’t easy, yet he wanted some ease. He chained his bag and sat on the edge of the bed. He closed his eyes, and a face flashed in front of his eyes.

“ Khade kyun hain , jaiye na.”

“ Aap apne is phone ko silent kyun nahi rakhte?”

“ Main aapka intezar karungi.”

A few voices echoed in his ears. He closed his eyes and again her face flashed in front of his eyes. It seemed a magical essence had its effect on him. His meeting with her in the last two to three days had been amazing. All he knew she was a simple girl with hopes of just love and respect. A small smile appeared on his lips. He lied on the bed and at the same time his phone buzzed with a message. He opened it and smiled to read a message from her…

“ Be quick tomorrow Major Saab. kaam zaroori hain, Usey ache se karna. Don’t think about anything. I’ll be waiting for you. Come soon.”

The message ended with her name and a smiley. He smiled at her care and replied her back, and drifted into sleep.

Next Morning..

The morning was quick enough. Sachin had to leave early. He touched his father’s feet, who blessed him.

“Sachin jaldi se yeh kaam khatam kar ke aao.” he said.

Sachin smiled…

” Dad, ab toh aane ki jaldi mujhe bhi hain. Jaldi aaunga.” he said.

“ Hmm..toh main shadi ki taarikh nikalwata hoon.” Neerav patted his son’s back, who smiled and then left.

Ruhana’s Home..

She was in the kitchen but seemed lost. She was smiling to herself. Her mother nudged her..

“Ruhana , dhyan kahan hai tera? Chai bikherne wali thi.” her mother said.

She came out her trance and looked around. ..

“Sorry maa...wo kuch soch rahi thi.” she said.

“Sachin ke baare mein soch rahi thi?” Mrinal asked.

Ruhana just smiled.

“Hmm...toh main sahi hoon. Main Neeravji se baat karoon?” Mrinal asked.

“ Kis baare mein maa?” Ruhana asked.

“Arey jiske khayalon mein meri beti gum hain, uske baare mein? Shaadi karni hai ki nahi?” Mrinal asked.

“Unse pucho na, mujhse kyun puchti ho?” she asked moving out of the kitchen.

Mrinal smiled…” Kyun tujhe Sachin pasand nahi? Mujhe laga , tujhe bhi love at first sight ho gaya.” her mother teased.

“Na..mujhe kyun hone laga.” Ruhana said.

“Han han, wo toh tere chehre se pata lag raha hai ki pyar hua ya nahi.” Mrinal replied.

Ruhana just smiled and hugged her mother, who patted her head…

“Neeravji ka phone aaya tha. Wo shadi ki date nikalvana chahte hain. Shaam ko aayenge wo.” Mrinal informed.

“That’s great mum! “ she said.

“Haan, Ab tumhare khelne ke din gaye. Shadi hone ko hai tumhari.” she said.

“Shadi ho jayegi mumma. Don’t worry.” Ruhana said keeping her head in her lap.

Mrinal smiled…” Aise bachpane karegi tohh kaise chalega?” she asked.

Ruhana eyed her…

” Kyun na karun? Aapka damaad hai na mere bachpane aur nakhre uthane ke liye.” She winked at her mother.

Mrinal glared at her , while Ruhana giggled…”Mumma, ab aapke damaad ko itna toh karna padega na. Varna kaam nahi chalega .” she said.

Mrinal just smiled…

”Hmm..matlab sachin ko samjhana padega ki uski biwi kabhi bhi bachon si harkatein kar sakti hain.” she said.

“Yeh toh unhe pata hona chahiye na. And i’m sure wo samajh hi gaye honge ye sab.” Ruhana said.

Mrinal sighed…”Ab tu paagal hain toh mere damaad ko toh sensible hona hi padega. Lagta hain mujhe uska zyada khayal rakhna padega.” she mocked.

Ruhana looked at her..”Matlab kya hain? Damaad ki itni khaatir bhi mat karna. Usko zyada laad karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Wo apna khayal khud rakh sakta hain.” she said irritatedly.

Mrinal laughed..” Ab bechare ko apne sath tera bhi khayal rakhna padega.”

Ruhana shrugged her shoulders…”Rakhega hi.  Nahi karega toh saza paayega. And wo saza bardasht nahi kar payega aapka damaad.” she said.

Her mother glared at her while she giggled…

“Gussa mat karo na. Aapke damaad ka khayal rakhungi main . Par usey mere nakhre uthane toh padenge.Yeh uski lifetime liability hai Mumma!” she said.

Mrinal sighed…”Han baba pata hai. Baaton mein tujhse koi nahi jeet sakta. Bilkul papa pe gayi hai.” she said.

Ruhana giggled…”Ofcourse maa! Wo toh hain. Isliye uljha nahi karo. “ she said.

Mrinal sighed…”Acha main haari. Ab chal meri madad kar. Bahut kaam hain shaadi ke. Jab tak sachin nahi aata meri help kar, isse tujhe uski yaad nahi aayegi.” her mother said.

Ruhana looked at her …

” Maine kab kaha main usey yaad kar rahi hoon?” she asked.

Mrinal laughed..”Tumhare chehre pe dikh raha hain beta ji. Ab chalo. Shaam tak Neeravji aayenge.” she said thinking about the wedding dates.

Ruhana nodded and went off helping her mother.

Later in the evening, Ruhana was sitting in the lobby reading a book when the doorbell rang. She went off to open the door and it was Neerav. She invited him in, and called her mother. Mrinal greeted him and he told her that the wedding date was fixed after two weeks. A smile made way on their faces. At the same time, Neerav’s phone rang. He picked it up as it was Sachin, but after talking to his son, his face fell off.

To be continued..
What did Sachin say?
Stay tuned.