Next Morning, Ruhana woke up and found Sachin sleeping. She smiled and blushed remembering the last night. She pecked a kiss on his head and stepped down of the bed. She freshened up and came out of the washroom. She didn't find him around. She shrugged her shoulders…

“Shayad bahar honge. “ she began tieing her hair.

She shivered as he hugged her by her waist. She looked at his reflection in the mirror..

“Where were you? “ she asked.

He raised his eyebrows….

"Missed me? “ he asked.

She smirked..

“no! Why would i miss you? “ she winked at him.

His face fell off…

“Oh! I thought you would be waiting for me. But you didn't! “ he said.

Ruhana smiled…

“Miss toh kal se pehle kiya karti thi. Ab nahi karungi. “ she replied turning towards him.

He locked his arms around her waist…

“what is the logic? “ he asked.

She looked at him, pecked a kiss on his cheek… “Ab hum alag jo na rahe. Ek hi toh hai. “ she said winking at him.

He smiled… “Not bad! “ he said.

She freed herself from his grip…

“Ab jaane do. Bahut kaam hai. Tum ready ho jao. Aaj maa ke paas jana hai, pagphere ki rasm ke liye.“ she said.

He brushed his hair shyly and moved into the washroom.

She prepared tea for Neerav, Coffee for Sachin, as he liked in the morning. Preparing the breakfast, she called Neerav and Sachin..

Neerav came to the dining  table…

“Sachin kahan hai? “ he asked.

Ruhana looked at him.. “Papa aap nashta kijiye. Main sachin ko dekhti hoon. Kitna time lagate hai. “ she said and moved to her room.

She entered in and found him talking over the phone. She stood by his side.

He glanced at her and then disconnected the call.

“Kiska phone tha? “ she asked.

“Kuch zaroori kaam tha. Aaj kuch paper work karna hai. Usi ke liye head se baat kar raha tha. “ he replied,wearing his shirt.

“Ab jaldi chalo. Papa is waiting for you. Fir hume nikalna hai. “ she said.

He nodded, she moved out of the room and he followed her.

“Morning Dad. “ he greeted his father before taking his seat beside him.

Neerave greeted him back with a smile. Ruhana served breakfast to him and also for herself.

“Aaj ka kya plan hai? “Neerav asked while looking at them.

“Kuch khas nahi Papa. Ruhana ko ghar jana hai. Toh bas wahin jayenge.” he said.

“Aur fir aapke bete ko kuch zaroori kaam aa jayega.”Ruhana replied.

Sachin glanced at her… “I cannot do anything. “ he said.

“Sachin beta! Jitne din ki chutti lekar aaye ho. Utne din toh Ruhana ke sath raho. “ Neerav said.

“Yeah trying Papa! “ he said while sipping coffee.

Finishing his tea, Neerav brought out an envelop and gave it to sachin. Sachin opened it and found two tickets of Shimla. He looked at his father,who smiled…

“Meri taraf se tum dono ko shadi ka tohfa. Aaj shaam ko nikalna hai tumhe. Jaldi taiyari karlo. “ he said.

Sachin smiled and thanked him for the gift. After that they left to Ruhana's home.

Ruhana's home

Mrinal welcomed them in. She hugged her daughter. It wasn't that she was sad because her daughter was away from her, but she still felt a void, that was left empty after her daughter got married.

Ruhana parted the hug and wiped off her tears..

“Roti kyun ho? Main hoon na! “ she said.

“Par ab pehle ki tarah tu mere sath nahi rahegi na. “ she said.

Ruhana hugs her…

“Maine toh pehle hi kaha tha, sachin ko ghar jamai bana lo. “ she whispered and giggled.

Mrinal slapped her cheeks…

“chup! Kuch bhi bolti hai. “ she said.

Ruhana giggled…. “Arey!! Chaho toh sachin se puch lo. “ she said.

Sachin heard her… “Kya puchna hai? “ he asked.

“kuch nahi beta. Iski baaton pe dhyan mat do. Ye toh aise hi bolti rehti hai. Kya loge chai ya coffee?” mrinal asked him.

“Kuch nahi maa. Baitho aap yahan. Kuch baatein karte hain. “ he said while making her sit.

Mrinal smiled. Sachin took out a packet and gave it to her..

“Ye kya hai? “ she asked.

“Aapka return gift. Kholiye. “ he said.

Mrinal smiled and unwrapped the packet and it unfolded into two frames, one was of her with Ruhana and the other one with both her daughter and son in law.. Her eyes were watery, she caressed his cheek…

“Thank you beta!” it was all she could say.

“Ab ganga jamuna mat bahao.. Chai banao na! “ ruhana said.

Mrinal nodded and moved into the kitchen. Ruhana moved to Sachin, moved closer to him, kissed on his cheek and spoke a thank you and rushed into the kitchen,leaving him alone. After a little while, and having lunch with Mrinal, they left from there.

They shopped for some time and then they packed to leave for Shimla, a week tour.

To be continued.