Vineet begins driving to Ruhana’s home, his heart racing with multiple thoughts about the events to come. Why did she call? Her voice conveyed the urgency and she admitted that she wanted to talk to him right now. Well, what happened in an hour when she called him again? His heart flutters with anticipation and all he hopes for is a positive response from Ruhana.

Amidst all his fluttering thoughts, he is reminded of a conversation he had with his mom regarding Ruhana and her daughter.

That day, he made his way into Ruhaani’s room and sneaked in, only to find that the girl was busy studying. He decided not to disturb her and settled on the couch with his laptop. Meanwhile, Mrinal came by his side. She had noticed the change in her son and so she puts across the first question.

“Ruhaani padh rahi hai? Tu gaya nahi usey dekhne?”

“Ma, wo padh rahi hai. Abhi thodi derr mein break legi tab main uske kamre mein chala jaunga. Aur usey doodh bhi pila dunga.” He assured his mom.

“Achcha, Ruhana se baat hui?” Mrinal questioned.

“Nahi. maa. Wo wahan kaam mein busy hogi. Aur vo mujhse upset hai already. Meri zidd ki wajah se gai thi wo aur ab stay extend ho gaya hai.” he replied dejectedly.

“Koi baat nahi, jab wo laut aaye tu usey achche se mana lena.” Mrinal said, eyeing her son.

“Vaise beta, agar tu bura na maane toh ek baat puchun?” She asked.

“Ma, tumhari baat ka buraa kyun maanunga? Bolo.” He said, his gaze fixed on the computer screen.

“Tujhe Ruhana pasand hai?” She asked.

“Pasand? Ma, wo meri dost hai, obviously pasand toh hogi na. Dosti bhi tab hoti hai na jab 2 insaan ek jaise ho, ek dusre ko pasand kare…” he replied, gazing at his mom.

“Han, lekin main dekh rahi hoon, uske aane ke baad se tu badal gaya hai. Dekh agar tujhe wo pasand hai toh bata de…..main baat karungi.” Mrinal said.

“Are you serious? I mean…..” He replied, stunned at the moment.

“Dekh, agar tujhe Ruhana pasand hai toh main usse baat karti hoon. Tu shadi tak ke liye raazi nahi hota, lekin agar Ruhana pasand hai toh soch sakte hai…..” She said, but at the same moment, his phone rang, leaving the conversation incomplete.

Vineet snaps out of his memory. Did his mother indicate that she’d get him married to Ruhana if he agreed? However, she did say it the other day when she suspected that there’s something between them. She declared that she’d get him married to the lady he wanted. And now, she has agreed to it. However, he still fears the taunts from society, and he knows that his mother could back off, but with their conversation right now, he’s assured that she’ll get him married to Ruhana.

*****

He reaches the society she lives in, parks the car outside the society and takes fast steps towards her apartment, which is on the first floor. As he rings the doorbell, Ruhana immediately opens it and pulls him inside, taking him by surprise. He glances at her face; her features are clear of doubts, and he can see clarity on her face. Did she get her answers? He looks at her and she smiles, her smile displays contentment.

“Tumne mujhse ek sawal kiya tha na, usi ka jawab dene ke liye bulaya hai maine tumhe.” She says this, peering right into her eyes.

“Ruhana, sab thik hai na? Maine yeh nahi kaha tha ki tum turant hi koi faisla lo.” He says, clearing his intension.

“Jaanti hoon, Vineet. Lekin kabhi kabhi instantly faisle le lena hi sahi rehta hai. Aur maine wahi kiya hai, vaise bhi na karne ka option nahi hai mere pas,” She says, gazing at him, while he gazes at her questioningly.

“Mera matlab hai ki tum thik keh rahe they, waqt ke saath aage badhne mein koi buraai nahi hai. Aur vaise bhi log toh baatein banate hi rahenge, aur isliye aaj maine bhi kuch logon ko jawab de diya.” Ruhana says as she remembers her trifle with the ladies, especially Kamini.

“I am sorry, Vineet! Tumne mujhe bahut samjhaya lekin main samajh hi nahi pa rahi thi. Aur maine tumse bhi na jaane kya kya keh diya? Lekin tumne kuch bhi nahi kaha! Aur iss waqt mere pas bhi koi argument nahi hai jisse main tumhe Naa keh sakun.” She says, while he intently listens, gazing at her.

“Main London gai thi, us beech tum ne Ruhaani ka itna khayal rakha, usey kisi cheez ki kami mehsus nahi hone di. Usey itna pyar diya, ki wo mujhse ye kehti hai ki you’re better than Rishabh. Indeed, Vineet. Tum Rishabh se bahut achche ho. Aur aaj jab main sochti hoon toh mujhe lagta hai ki maine jaldbaazi mein haan kardi, jab papa Rishabh ka rishta laaye they, Thoda ruk jaati toh tum mil jaate mujhe, hai naa?” She looks at him and he’s surprised at the choice of her words.

“Jaanti hoon, kuch zyada bol gai, lekin ab tak jo kuch soch rakha tha, un jazbaaton ko aaj shabd mile hain, Vineet. Tum mere liye intezar kar sakte ho toh mujhe bhi apne jazbaat zaahir karne chahiye naa. Aur tum haqdaar bhi ho iss sab ke.” She declares at the moment.

“Are you sure, Ruhana? I mean, mujhe lagta hai tum zyada soch rahi ho. Main nahi chahta tha ki tum jaldbaazi mein koi faisla karo.”Vineet says.

“Nahi, Vineet. Maine jaldbazi mein koi faisla nahi liya hai. Bahut soch samajh ke faisla liya hai, aur isliye tumhe yahan bulaya hai. Bahut sochne ke baad faisla kiya hai aur ab isey koi nahi badal sakta, tum bhi nahi.” She declares.

Vineet begins to say something but she shushes him; putting her finger on his lips. He understands that she’s not finished yet and he needs to listen to her only.

“Tumhare sawal ka jawaab “Haan” hai, Vineet. Tumne thik kaha tha ki mujhe aage badhna chahiye. Toh ab main aage badhna chahti hoon, tumhare sath, Ruhaani ke sath. Zindagi ko ek aur mauka dena chahti hoon, Vaise bhi, Ruhaani toh aajkal har samay tumhari hi baatein karti hai. Uski life mein jo kami thi wo tumne kaafi hadd tak bhar di, apne pyar se, aur sach mein, tumse behtar dad uske liye koi nahi ho sakta, aur na hi mere liye tumse behtar koi humsafar ho sakta hai!”

“Isliye main tumhare sath aage badhne ke liye taiyar hoon. Business ki partnership ko personal partnership mein badalne ka samay aa gaya hai.” Ruhana adds, there’s a hint of a smile on her lips as she glances at him.

“Tum sach kah rahi ho?”He asks, there’s a doubt lingering in his mind, he’s thinking that this is a decision taken in a rage, but her next words soothe his heart.

“Vineet, main kabhi jhooth nahi kehti, aur tumse toh kabhi nahi bolungi. Maine bahut soch-samajh ke faisla kiya hai aur main aaj se hi iski shuruaat karna chahti hoon.” Ruhana says, holding his hands in hers, and touches her forehead on his.

“I am sorry, Vineet, maine iss baat ke liye bahut waqt liya. Lekin ab main bilkul derr nahi karna chahti.” she says and in the next instant, he pulls her in his warm embrace and she keeps her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

His heartbeat is soothing her soul for the first time, and she wants to be in this safe haven forever. They stay in the warm embrace for a long time, the proximity providing solace to the two of them. Meanwhile, Vineet breaks the hug and asks about Ruhaani, but before Ruhana can reply, the girl’s voice echoes in the room, surprising both Vineet and Ruhana.

To Be Continued.

What does Ruhaani have to say?

Stay tuned..

Preetx😬lo maan gai main🤭ek achcha proposal coming in aage ke chapters...I hope you like it.