Mrinal suspects that there’s some problem going on between her son and Ruhana. Upon asking, Vineet assures her that he will tell her everything when the time is right. But Mrinal isn’t satisfied.

“Tum dono ke beech kuch hua hai?” she asks.

“Nahi, Ma. Tum bhi kya kya soch leti ho? Aajkal office mein thoda zyada kaam hai toh isliye usey waqt nahi mil pa raha yahan aane ke liye. Aur tumhe toh pata hai, Ruhaani ke bhi exams aane wale hai, isliye,” Vineet reasons.

“Ruhaani ka samajh aata hai, lekin Ruhana ko kya ho gaya hai? Vo Rhea Mehra hai na tere office mein, vo toh keh rahi thi, Ruhana tujhse baat bhi nahi karti. Chal kya raha hai?” Mrinal asks.

“Rhea ne yahi bataya ki jab tum dono baat kar rahe they toh Ruhana ne tujhse aage baat karne ke liye mana kar diya, kisi rishtey ki baat…. Kahin tum dono ka…” Mrinal looks at her son carefully.

“Oh, toh Ms. Rhea ki baatein sun ke aap mujhse sawaal kar rahi ho, Maa? Usne toh pehle din bhi Ruhana ko point out kiya tha. Jaise hi usey pata chala ki Ruhana divorcee hai, she commented on her life and status. Aur aaj tum bhi uski baatein sun ke aai ho,” Vineet says, his tone enraged.

“Beta, baat kya hai? Tu bata toh aur ye Rhea ka naam sun ke bhadak kyun jaata hai?” Mrinal asks calmly.

“Kyunki Ma, tum kisi aur ki baatein sun kar mujhse sawaal kar rahi ho. Aur baar baar puchti bhi ho, aur maan lo, main tumhe bata bhi doon toh kya tum ek baar mein maan jaogi? Tum abhi hi itne sawal kar rahi ho, jab meri baat sunogi toh kitne sawal karogi…” Vineet says, still angry.

He knows that Rhea must have presented the information, coating it with unnecessary bits, and she must have told his mom that Vineet and Ruhana are talking about a relationship. He reminisces the bittersweet memory.

That day in the office, Ruhana went straight to her cabin and started working on the ethnic design range. He knocked on the door of her cabin and she allowed him in. He tried talking to her but she displayed only a professional demeanor.

“Vineet, we are in the office. Mujhe iss baare mein koi baat nahi karni hai,” she declared.

“Lekin kyun? Aakhir problem kya hai? Hamari life hai, hum jo chahe faisla le sakte hain,” he explained.

“Tum kyun apni aur meri problems badhana chahte ho, Vineet? Agar ye shadi ho bhi gai toh bhi log tumhe target karenge aur wo main nahi chahti, tum samajh jao, please,” Ruhana tried to explain.

“Aur mujhe tumse shaadi nahi karni, please. Jitni jaldi tum ye baat samajh jao, utna achcha hai. Jitna simple tum samajh rahe ho, utna simple nahi hai ye rishta.”

“Shayad Mrinal aunty bhi nahi maanengi. Unhone Ruhaani ko apnaya, lekin vo bhi isliye kyunki unhe laga ki agar tumhari shadi ho gai hoti toh tumhare bachche bhi Ruhaani jitne hote, lekin unse umeed karna ki wo mujhse shadi karne ke tumhare faisle ko maan lengi, ye zaroori toh nahi na, Vineet. Please, jao, mujhe bahut kaam hai,” Ruhana explained.

He understood her turmoil but he had made up his mind to marry her. He left the cabin at that moment, maybe, the right time was yet to come. And these two were oblivious that Rhea had heard a bit of their conversation.

He comes out of the trance and looks at his mom. He’s upset that Mrinal is believing other people and not him. He glances at her again.

“Ab jab tumne Rhea ki baat sun hi li hai, toh Ma, main bhi tumhe sach bata hi deta hoon. Tumhe toh pata hai ki Ruhana aur main college mein ek sath padhte they, aur phir uski shadi ho gai.”

“20 saal baad usse mil kar bahut achcha laga. Mujhe pata hi nahi chala kab hum dono kareeb aa gaye. Tum hi chahti thi na ki main shaadi kar lun, jab maine Ruhana se baat ki iss baare mein toh usne mana kar dia, aur wahi baat Rhea ne tumhe sunaa di,” Vineet explains.

“Tujhe Ruhana se shadi karni hai?” Mrinal asks, her eyes widening slightly.

“Haan, pyaar karne laga hoon main usse. Lekin vo darti hai. Usne pehle baar mein hi mujhe mana kar diya tha. Usne kaha ki society iss baat ko easily nahi maanegi. Aur sach hi hai, tum bhi iss rishtey ko shaq se dekh rahi ho,” Vineet completed his sentence.

“Vineet, shant ho jaa. Maine kahan kuch kaha hai?? Main toh bas tujhse puch rahi hoon ki baat kya hai? Tum dono ke beech difference feel kiya hai main, mujhe laga hi tha ki kuch baat hui hai,” Mrinal explains her point.

“Maa, dekho, mujhe nahi pata tum kya faisla karogi lekin maine toh faisla kar liya hai, main Ruhana se hi shadi karunga.” He declares his decision and begins to walk to his room.

“Han, toh karni chahiye, lekin pehle usey haan toh karne de. Jab vo haan karegi tabhi toh tu usse shadi kar sakta hai. Aur han, uski beti agar maan jaye toh!” Mrinal says slowly, taking him by surprise.

“What do you mean, Ma?” He turns around.

“Tujhe kya lagta hai mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aata!? Tu bahut bada ho gaya hai par main teri Ma hoon! Main Ruhana ke jazbaat samajh sakti hoon, par usey bharosa karna chahiye, khud pe aur tujhpe.” She says, patting his cheek.

“Lekin vo toh kuch jawab hi nahi deti,” he says dejectedly.

Vineet is initially disappointed that Ruhana hasn’t accepted his proposal and love. He thought that it would be easy, but he knows that society won’t let them live in peace. He’s glad that his mom agrees to this alliance, but he’s unsure of Ruhana’s decision. However, he has made up his mind that he’ll marry her, and he’s glad to have a daughter in Ruhaani. He’s eager to fulfill the void that the mother and daughter are facing in their lives, but he wants Ruhana to agree first.

He’s still lost in thoughts when his phone rings. He picks up the call and Ruhana’s voice falls in his ears. She tells him that she wants to meet him and invites him to her home. A hopeful smile graces his lips. Maybe, his wait is over now. He immediately leaves for her home, eager to know her decision.

To Be Continued.