Ruhana is surprised that the calling bell of the apartment she lives alone is ringing early in the morning. She opens the door, and is in for a surprise

The first sight that greets her eyes is an array of colourful flowers — roses, orchids, chrysanthemum blossoms neatly arranged in a beautiful conical bouquet.

"Happy Birthday, Ruhana!"

Ruhana gasps hearing the person behind the bouquet. She can guess who's behind it even before hearing his voice. Delighted to see his face, she giggles as he slowly lowers the bouquet with a bright smile on his handsome face.

"Vivaan, wow, what a surprise!"

Her excitement reaches the roof. She is about to tell him that their sudden meeting last night couldn't let her sleep but he beats her to it and admits the same.

"I couldn't sleep all night, you know, in the excitement of meeting you again, Ruu..."

"Haha! Vivs! But of course you're also my prince!"

Ruhana laughs. "Thanks for the flowers, Vivs. Shall I call you that? Let me tell you it was the same for me."

Vivaan curiously glances at her. Ruhana slowly nods. "The excitement didn't let me sleep either."

She beams and reaches for the bouquet. His hands free, Vivaan affectionately pulls her cheek.

"Yeh phool toh bahut kam hai. Mera bas chale toh duniya ke sare phool tumhare naam kar doon, Ruhana!"

"Wah ji, koi Shayar banaa hua hai." Ruhana smiles despite herself and invites Vivan inside her house. "These flower is so beautiful, lekin iski kya jarurat hai?" she asks putting them on a vase. "Ah, I wish I can take them to the bureau but... nope."

"I know. Koi nahi, aise phool roz main tumhe de sakta hoon. Aur yeh wala toh tumhara birthday gift hai, thoda belated samjho!"

"Vivaan, you treated me to ice cream na"

"Voh to sirf sada gift tha aur yeh special!"

"Tum bhi na!" Ruhana laughs and gestures to Vivaan to sit him on the couch; he does.

"Main coffee banati hoon."

Before she can go, he holds her hand. Looking into her eyes, he smiles softly. "Mujhe iss Khushi par Vishwas nahi ho raha, Ruhana. I am so happy mujhe meri dost wapas mil gayi Aur pyar..."

Pyar, he says the word a bit shyly. His shyness is contagious. Ruhana also feels a bit shy. She is sure as cops they both are far from shy personalities, but being in love, meeting their childhood sweetheart, has them both excited and flustered. Who can blame them?

Vivaan also has similar feelings. He has always been very serious at work and with his college people called him stiff and awkward but now he is feeling a different sense of euphoria he cannot explain. And this pretty woman is the reason for it. She saved him once in childhood, being his Angel. And now she is saving him all over again saying that she loves him too. This love, them finding each other is surely a blessing

Ruhana squeezes his hand and looks into his eyes for a long time. They both get lost in each other and then eventually, she chuckles, the first one to break eye contact.

"Vivaan, hath chhodo. Main coffee lati hoon!"

With a chuckle and rubbing his neck, Vivaan snaps out of his lovesick stupor and lets her go. Just then Ruhana's dog jumps into his lap. "What a sweet doggie."

Vivaan enjoys the little dog's affection for a moment. Ruhana returns with coffee and morning treats for her pet. They enjoy some quiet moments sitting on the couch together

"Vivaan." Ruhana says suddenly. Her pet dog is now busy playing on the carpet. "We both love each other right? All these years humne ek dusre ko aur yaad rakha, aur ek dusre se pyar kiya. Hum pakke dost bhi the, aur abhi bhi hain... Main soch rahi hoon, hum dost bane pehle. We don't need to rush this love thing..."

Vivaan is surprised, but of course, he understands. It is better to begin as friends. There is no need to rush the romance. Uh did he say romance? Where's his mind? Yep blown by the only woman in his life.

"Yep!"

"Vivaan... you're not offended right? I mean... I only meant that we can take it slow or hamari duty bhi To hai CID mein. "

"Yes!" Vivaan smiles, reassuring Ruhana. "I'm definitely not offended."

He takes her hand again as they finish their coffees. "How can I say no to my angel?" He kisses her knuckles. "There's no need to rush, really."

Ruhana feels a bit bashful all of a sudden. Yep! Suddenly jumping to bring Vivaan's lover would be too much. Can her heart take it? Besides, she needs her dost the most! She's mighty pleased he feels the same.

Look at him. Vivaan is a picture of confidence here. She's charmed by his presence. She offers to make them delicious breakfast to distract herself from the giddy feelings in her chest.

Vivaan is all praise for the simple sandwich and toast she makes, and it is a great first morning after their reunion.

***

Mumbai's streets are ever busy but still perfect to drive. The weather is sunny but still pleasant in the early hours. They drive to the CID office on his bike — a sleek Yamaha CR. It's more of a scooty model than a sports bike one, most convenient. Ruhana seems to like it, unlike others who prefer sports bikes.

Ruhana even begins humming a song. The 2000s childhood classics, one of their shared favorites as they ride. Vivaan grins hearing it, thinking, it almost feels like a joy ride together even though they are going to the office.

Vivaan can't deny, it struck him odd when Ruhana said they should start by being friends. Of course they should catch up. But how does he suppress the urge to scream to the world that he got his angel back? An announcement to the CID is in cue. He can make a big show of it in the upcoming Dr Tarika's birthday party. Or he can quietly let the gang find out. He'll have to inquire what are Ruhana's thoughts on this later.

As they stop at the junction, he calms his thoughts. His heart is calm, yes, but starts racing as Ruhana places her hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Vivaan," she says quietly... resting her head on his back.

The signal turns green before he can reply, thank you too... for everything...

***

At the bureau, They are the only ones climbing up the elevator. they hold hands all the way up, until they step out of it, smiling all the way before switching to duty mode.

As soon as the enter the office hallway they hear Freddy chatting with the other seniors

"Vaise kal party acchi thi, sir! Lekin Lamba nahin chala. Aur long chalti, kaash! All day party hoti toh maza hi aa jata. Agle weekend par possible hoga kya, sir?"

"Freddy!" Abhijeet pats Freddy on his arm. "Tumhe toh khush hona chahiye, kal party was not cut short."

Daya immediately agrees. "Aur nahin toh kya? Socho, uss bich agar koi case a jata toh hum kya karte?"

Freddy nods. "Sahi hai, sir..."

He soon pulls a face while Abhijeet and Daya laugh.

"Tum donon sath mein?" Freddy asks suddenly, finally noticing Vivaan and Ruhana laughing along with the others.

Abhijeet welcomes the newcomers and says, "niche se sath milkar aaye honge."

Before Vivan or Ruhana can respond, Daya pulls out a coin from his pocket and approaches Vivaan

"Yeh lo."

"Kya hai, sir?"

Vivaan looks at the 5 rupee coin Daya has dropped in his hand. Daya pats his back.

"It's a new day. Mujhe pata hai tum apni friend se milne ki wish mangne voh fountain ke pass zarur jayega. Kal bhi udhar hi gaya hoga na, party chod kar? Mujhe lagta hai roz paise chadha ke, tu ek din kangal ho jayega. Isliye socha, kabhi kabhi hi sahi, main bhi tumhari bhi madad kar leta hoon!"

Daya finishes his speech with a smile. Vivaan chuckles in disbelief.

"Arey wah, sir, that is so sweet of you. Lekin maine aap logon mein se kisi ko bataya nahin ki main fountain ke pass kyun jata hoon... Sivay Vineet... Oh..." Vivaan sighs looking at Vineet who just holds his ears and shakes his head.

His eyes convey, "Accidentally slip ho gaya bhai. Maaf kar do."

Vivaan chuckles again, shaking his head. Abhijeet pats his arm this time alongside Daya.

"Tune bataya nahin daya says, lekin sabko pata hai." The duo say in unison.

"Haha. Hum sab sach mein CID officers hai," Vivaan says and everybody laughs.

"Han aur tum bhi ho..." Daya says.

"Woh to main hoon, sir, lekin aapke jitna mahan nahin aur aapka dil bhi bahut bada hai..."

"Vivaan, mujhe makkhan laga ke kya milega tujhe? Don't think I can help with you getting an off jab teri girlfriend ho jayegi! Han? Woh wishing fountain mei wish karna padega dobara uskeliye. Ladki ke milne ke baad." Daya says this with a wink and turns to Ruhana, "Kyu sahi bola na maine, Ruhana?"

Ruhana who has been silently observing the men converse nods. "Han sir. Vivaan ko kafi mehnat karni padegi... uski girlfriend ko impress karne aur bichare ko leave bhi milna mushkil hoga na, given our job."

She sends Vivaan a funny look and reaches for her tote bag, pulling out several packages of sweets and wrapped chocolate. "There's also teekha!" She laughs hearing Freddy and Pankaj say. "I can smell it."

Daya gestures to the two to cut it. "Arey ussey pucho toh woh kyu layi ye sab.."

Ruhana chuckles. "To thank you for the party. We have an hour before duty time. Kyu na nini party ho jaye? Freddy sir miss kar rahe the na usey?"

Rajat and Purvi enter the burreau at the moment and say, "Freddy sir hamesha har chiz ko miss karte hain... sivay apne khud ke wife ko."

"Aila Rajat sir! Meri wife ke samne aisi baatein mat karna please!" Everybody laughs when Freddy says this.

Just then Tarika and Salunkhe walk in. Abhijeet rushes to greet only Dr Tarika much to Salunkhe's annoyance. The day's chaos has begun but soon everyone will return to work. Their work is bound to be chaotic too.

***

✨TBC✨

📚✨That's all for now! 😊🌈

upcoming more team moments. how will the team find out about Vivaan and Ruhana? A new case arises meanwhile. I will continue this story with a little case and more fun... yeah a few more chapters.📚🩵

RuVineet I hope you liked this part as well. xoxo💗✨