After a fun-filled dinner with family and seeing her friends off, Ruhana enters the house only to find that Vineet is carrying Ruhaani to her room. She follows him, watching as he tucks their daughter into bed. Ruhaani had already changed her dress and, lying in the warmth of her bed, she grips the soft teddy bear beside her, causing Ruhana and Vineet to giggle. Ruhana steps forward to kiss her daughter's head and covers her with the duvet.

Assuring herself that her girl is fine, she moves into Vineet's room, which he says belongs to her as well. She finds her suitcases stacked in the corner of the room. She glances around; it is decorated to suit his tastes. As she's scanning the room, she's surprised to find a picture of her and Ruhaani on the side table. She's unaware of the picture and picks up the frame, adoring the photo.

"Jab tum London se lauti thi aur hum lunch karne gaye they, tab maine click ki thi tum dono ki picture. It suits this place, hai na?" Vineet asks as he comes by her side.

"Tumne toh isey frame bhi karva diya. Tum bahut achche ho, sach mein." Ruhana turns towards him.

"Tum galat keh rahi ho, tum mein achchai hai isliye tumhe sab achche lagte hai. Aur isliye toh tumne apni ek alag pehchan banai hai. Aur Ruhaani ko bhi itni achchi parvarish di hai." He says, his tone filled with love and admiration for her.

"Aisa isliye hai kyunki shayad mujhe bhi tumhara hi intezaar tha, shayad hamara milna taye tha, aur isliye toh humaare raaste miley hai. Sach mein, second chances bhi khubsurat hote hai, aur mujhe khushi hai ki maine iss chance ko khoya nahi, tabhi tum mujhe miley." Ruhana says, her tone filled with love.

"I am glad, you didn't let it slide away, nahi toh main kunwara hi reh jaata." He jokes, while she smiles, playfully slapping his cheek.

"Kuch bhi bolte ho, Vineet! Agar tum dhundhte toh tumhe mujhse behtar..." She begins to speak, but he rests his finger on her lips and shakes his head.

"Nahi, tumse achcha toh koi mil bhi nahi sakta mujhe. Jaanti ho, Ma ne na jaane mujhe kitni ladkiyon ki tasveerein dikhai, lekin mujhe koi achchi hi nahi lagi, ya yeh kahun ki main taiyaar hi nahi tha shaadi karne ke liye. Aur phir tum meri zindagi mein aayi. Ab main maanta hoon ki kismat se zyada kisi ko kuch nahi milta. Meri kismat mein tum thi. Aur Ruhaani bhi." He says, his tone filled with zest.

Ruhana can understand that he's happy to find her as his life partner. She's elated too; she had never thought that she would find someone who would love her as she desired. Her ex-husband couldn't give her the love she wanted, and they parted ways mutually. Vineet entered her life like an angel. His warmth and affection opened the doors to her caged heart. She began to like him and started enjoying his company. Slowly, Vineet bonded with Ruhaani too. Initially, she didn't like the idea when he first proposed to her; she didn't want any trouble for him because of her and her daughter. But, he proved himself as a doting father and a loving partner. Also, he didn't force her; it was his love and concern for her, and his love for her daughter, that was the most important reason she agreed to marry him. And now, they're here, together.

"Hey, kahan kho gayi?" He asks, raising his eyebrows at her.

"Kahin nahi, bas kuch soch rahi thi." She smiles and walks into the balcony.

"Ab apni beti ki chinta mat karo, vo aaram se so rahi hai. Aur usey subah jaldi jagaane ki zaroorat nahi hai, samjhi tum..." He says, as he stands by her side, with the support of the railing.

"Aur jo main usey jaldi jagaa doon toh?" She asks, tilting her face to gaze at him.

"Toh....toh tumhe sazaa milegi." He plays along, causing her to smile.

"Achcha, iska matlab dono baap beti mere bina maze karenge? Han? Usse badi koi sazaa nahi ho sakti na mere liye. Kyunki aap dono ek sath honge toh mujhe bhul jayenge, na usko Mumma ki yaad aayegi aur na tumhe meri!" She says, her lips curving into a smile.

He glances at her but says nothing. She turns towards him, reaching out for his hands. She glances at him keenly. The serenity on his face seems to give her strength. She kisses his knuckles and mouths a word of gratitude towards him.

"Thanks kisliye?" He asks.

"Vineet, tumhe main jitna thanks kahun kam hoga. Maine kaha tha na ki jab Ruhaani ne tumhe accept kar liya hai toh main kaise tumhe Naa keh sakti hun? Nahi keh paayi. Aur ye thanks meri beti ko apnane ke liye! Tumne uski zindagi mein vo khalipan bhara jo main chahte hue bhi nahi bhar paati. So, thank you, Vineet." She says, her tone filled with emotion, and he listens to her intently.

"Maine bhi kabhi nahi socha tha ki meri zindagi mein khushiyan lautengi. Main bas Ruhaani ke sath apni zindagi jeena chahti thi, par phir tumse mili. You have healed me, Vineet. Ab main sochti hun ki jitna pyaar tum mujhse karte ho, wo aaj tak kisi ne nahi kiya, not even my parents. Rishabh se maine umeed karna hi chhod diya tha. Rishabh se alag hona aur tumhara haath thaamna meri zindagi ke sabse sahi faisle they. Thanks, Vineet. Agar tum patience nahi dikhaate toh aaj hum yahan nahi hote. Isliye ye din agar aaya hai, aur hum sath hai, toh wo sirf tumhari wajah se hua hai." Ruhana says, her eyes suddenly watery.

"Maine wahi kiya jo sahi tha, Ruhana. Main jaanta hoon tum society ke logon se bhi darr rahi thi, vo darr maine tumhari aankhon mein dekha hai. Lekin apne baare mein sochna aur pyaar karna koi gunaah nahi hai, Ruhana. Humne exactly wahi kiya hai. Mujhe khushi hai ki tumne iss chance ko reject nahi kiya aur ab tum mere sath ho." Vineet explains, cupping her face.

"Tum thik keh rahe ho, Vineet. Main darti hoon, I mean main darti thi, main nahi chahti thi ki Ruhaani yeh samjhe ki main usey pyar nahi karti, ya usko ye lage ki main selfish ho rahi hoon. Jaanti hoon, kabhi kabhi selfish hona chahiye hume, lekin mujh mein itni himmat nahi thi, Vineet. Yeh toh tumne mujhe himmat di aur Ruhaani ne bhi, tabhi hum aaj sath hai. Shayad hamari qismat mein aise hi milna likha tha. Aur main khush hoon, bahut khush!" She says, as she glances at her husband.

"And I promise, ki ab tumhari zindagi mein sirf khushiyan hi hongi, aur hamari beti bhi khush rahegi, hamare sath rahegi." He says, knowing that she's very particular about Ruhaani.

Ruhana says nothing but leaps into his arms, resting her head on his chest. He embraces her and kisses the top of her head. Within his warmth, she relaxes in his embrace, giving up her fears, and embracing the eternal joys of love.

To Be Continued.