Vinay takes Ruhana and Bulbul on an outing. They visit the waterpark and then the beach. Ruhana watches as Bulbul and Vinay play in the water. A smile is playing on Ruhana's lips as she sees Bulbul chuckling. Her heart feels full seeing the girl happy. Her trance is broken by Vinay, who stands by her side. Both of them adore Bulbul as she plays.

"Thanks Vinay! Aapne aaj jo kuch bhi kiya uske liye. Itna toh koi apna bhi nahi karta." Ruhana thanks him.

"Isme kaisa thanks, Ruhana. Maine wahi kiya jo mujhe karna chahiye. Agar aap khush hain toh main bhi khush hoon." Vinay says with a smile.

Ruhana smiles, he is a simple guy. He's ready to accept her, he's doing things to make her happy, he's even got time for Bulbul. She is surely lucky to have him by her side. Ruhana looks at him.

" Maine sirf kahaniyon mein padha tha ya phir movies mein dekha tha, ki koi aisa zaroor hota hain jo aapko aapke ateet, aapki kamiyon ke sath apnata hai. Pata nahi tha ki mujhe bhi koi aisa milega kabhi. Thank you for everything. Mujhse ya Bulbul se koi rishta na hote hue bhi aapne hamare liye time nikala. Thanks for being that best friend. "Ruhana says.

She's surely touched by Vinay. Her meetings with him have made her think a lot about him, yet her past is not letting her move on. She feels his eyes on her.

"Ruhana, agar aap mujhe apna dost maanti hain, toh is dost ki ek baat bhi maan lijiye." Vinay says while looking at Ruhana.

"Kaunsi baat?" She asks.

"Aap Bulbul ko ACP Vineet ke sath jane dijiye." Vinay say softly.

"Vinay! Aap bhi!! Aap jaante hain na pichli baar bhi police protection ke beech us bachi ka kidnap hua tha!! Main uspe Bharosa nahi kar sakti." Ruhana says, her voice is suddenly raged.

"Par Ruhana, wahan wo surakshit rahegi." Vinay tries to make her understand.

"Nahi Vinay! I think is baare mein hum baat kar chuke hain. Bulbul mere sath hi rahegi. And that's final!" Ruhana says.

She doesn't want to send Bulbul anywhere - - especially not with Vineet. She doesn't know the reality but she still can't make herself trust Vineet. The name itself brings a lot of memories - - more of bad ones, and she can't risk Bulbul's life by trusting Vineet again - - to be precise that name. She wants to believe that this guy isn't the one from her past, but she can't trust him. The happenings of the past days makes it more difficult. Tears trickle down her eyes unknowingly. Her trance is broken by Vinay.

"Ruhana, main aapke jazbat samajhta hoon lekin ye bhi sach hai ki Bulbul, Vineetji ke sath safe rahegi. Aap bhi toh yahi chahti hain na?!!" Vinay asks.

"Haan! Par agar phir se kuch hua toh? I cannot afford to lose her, Vinay! I cannot." Ruhana says.

Her eyes are glistened with tears. Her tears affect Vinay now, the girl has made place in his heart with her simplicity. He pulls her in a side hug. He can't see her sad, and at the same time, he wants to convince her that Bulbul will be happy and safe with Vineet. He kisses on her head, trying to calm her.

"I understand your point, but Bulbul ki safety is more important. Wo lautkar aapke paas hi aayegi, Ruhana. But, let's do our bit, please!" Vinay says.

Ruhana doesn't reply. Meanwhile, Bulbul comes to them after changing her dress. Ruhana wipes her tears but Bulbul looks at her.

" Di, kya hua? "she asks.

" Kuch nahi! Are you done? " she asks Bulbul.

" Yes! It was so much fun. Thank you uncle. "Bulbul turns to Vinay who pats her head lovingly.

" Okay! Then we should head home. Mumma papa aa gaye honge! " Ruhana says.

Vinay agrees and they head to Ruhana's home. All through the way, Bulbul is the one who's blabbering while the other two were occasionally humming. Ruhana watches the girl in the mirror, Bulbul is happy and it makes Ruhana happier. They reach home and Bulbul rushes inside. The car parked inside the open area indicates that Tarika and Abhijeet are back. She rushes inside while Ruhana turns to Vinay inviting him over coffee.

"Thanks Vinay! For everything!" Ruhana says.

"Itna formal hone ki zarurat nahi hain Ruhana. Waise bhi ab hum ek Rishtey mein bandhne ja rahe hain, toh aapki responsibility meri responsibility bhi hogi." Vinay says, reminding her that they will be married soon.

Ruhana smiles lightly. He's surely taking the things upon him, yet she is unable to forget the past. Vinay should be her present, she should be happy for the fact that Vinay loves her, shows concern for Bulbul, understands her and also takes care of her. He's here helping her, and she is still stuck in that one name - - "Vineet"

"Vinay! Main nahi janti ki main aapke liye achi dost ban paungi ya nahi, par aap bahut ache dost hain. Thanks a lot. Mere mumma papa ke baad kisi ne mujhe samjha hai toh wo aap hain - - I am lucky to be your friend." she thanks him again while Vinay smiles.

" Toh is dost ki baat bhi maan lijiye. Please! I promise usey kuch nahi hoga. " Vinay says.

Ruhana sighs. He wants her to agree on sending Bulbul with Vineet. She looks around, there's a police team in casual dress around their house. They're here on Vineet's order. Vinay says that he will take her to meet him and will make sure that Bulbul is fine. Ruhana looks at him, but she doesn't reply.

"Ruhana, kuch toh kahiye. Main jaanta hoon, aap Bulbul se bahut pyar karti hain, lekin uske liye ye bhi zaruri hai. Officer vineet se galti hui hai, I agree! Par hume Bulbul ke baare mein sochna chahiye. Please, Ruhana!" Vinay says.

"Aap guarantee lenge ki meri guriya ko kuch nahi hoga! ACP Vineet toh busy rahenge, us bachi ka dhyan kaun rakhega? " she asks.

"I promise Ruhana ji! Usey kuch nahi hoga." It's Vineet who came to check on Bulbul.

"Promise toh aapne pehle bhi kiya tha!! Toot gaya tha na!! Ab kaise vishwas karun?" Ruhana says as she's still not approved of Vineet.

"Aap roz usse milne aa sakti hain. Main puri koshish Karunga ki wo bachi surakshit rahe aur aapko shikayat ka mauka na mile." Vineet says.

Vineet says, he also cares for Bulbul. The way the girl trusts him, he wants to protect her from all the evil. He wants Ruhana to allow him to take Bulbul. Yes! They had a bitter meeting, and he apologised, but he knows that the scars and memories take time to go. Even, he feels some memories hunting him, but he can't find out the reality. He knows, same is the case with Ruhana. But right now, they need to protect the girl.

"Ruhana, maan jaiye na! Please! Hum roz Bulbul se milne ja sakte hain, right officer?" Vinay looks at Vineet, who smiles lightly and nods affirmatively.

Meanwhile, Bulbul comes out followed by Abhijeet and Tarika. Bulbul chuckles on seeing Vineet and shares a high five with him. She has surely created a sweet bond with her savior. Ruhana watches the two as Vineet talks with Bulbul - - the girl is telling him that she went into the water park with her friend, that is, Vinay.

"Dekhiye na! She is happy. Bas kuch dinon ki baat hain. Fir hum Bulbul ko wapas yahin le aayenge." Vinay says as he looks at Vineet and Bulbul.

She looks at him and he asks her to let Bulbul go, for her safety. Ruhana sighs deeply and calls Bulbul to herself. Though she knows that the girl is ready to go with her ACP uncle, but she asks her again and a smile lights the girls' face.

"Sachi? Aap naraz nahi ho na ACP uncle se?" Bulbul asks.

"Main sirf tujhe unke sath jane de rahi hoon, samjhi! And you have to tell me that it's fine." Ruhana says she's in a dilemma, but she has to let her go.

"I promise, main uncle ko pareshan nahi karungi." Bulbul says sweetly while Ruhana turns to Vineet, who is now a little relieved.

"I hope, aap Bulbul ka khayal rakhenge!!! Main nahi chahti usey kuch ho. Is baar mera bharosa mat todiyega." Ruhana says.

Vineet doesn't know what to say, but he agrees. There's a certain pain in her eyes and voice. Vineet can't see her pained, he can't withstand the tears in her eyes. He doesn't know what's it, but now all he prays is for Ruhana's happiness. But he knows that he's the one to give her the pains. He assures Ruhana that he will take care of Bulbul. Ruhana agrees and moves inside the house. She doesn't wait to talk to Vinay or vineet.

Bulbul on the other hand brings her bag and leaves with Vineet, promising Ruhana that she will call her everyday. Aftermath, Vinay takes his leave as well.

*****

Vineet brings Bulbul to her home and she's fascinated to see the same. It's spacious and elegantly decorated - - in short too big for a single guy to live in. Vineet looks at her.

"I hope tumhe mera chota sa ghar pasand aaya." he says.

" Chota! Ye kis angle se chota hai, uncle?? It's beautiful aur mere liye toh bahut bada hai… I mean maine kabhi koi ghar real mein nai dekha na!! Jabse hosh sambhala khud ko Asha maa aur meri orphanage family k bich hi paya… ya fir Roo Di ke pas. Agar mere mummy papa hotey toh aj main bhi ese kisi ghar mein hoti…." Bulbul says, her voice turns heavy. Vineet keeps his hand on her head.

"Toh kya hua tumhare Acp uncle ka ghar bhi toh tumhara apna hi ghar hai. Main tumhara dukh samjh sakta hun… maine bhi kuch saal pehle apney parents ko kho diya. Lekin beta! jo hua voh toh main nai badal sakta lekin han ye promise zarur kar sakta hun k yaha tumhe koi taklif, koi preshani ni hogi… main tumara dhyan rakhunga. Jaisa ki maine tumhari di se vaada kiya hain. " he says.

Bulbul smiles at him and he leads her way to a room - - Bulbul's room to be precise. He has decorated it already.  It is a  beautiful room with a double bed in centre with some soft toys arranged on it. There are windows on both sides of room, a bean bag lying near a study table with a chair. a wardrobe with some clothes and other things of a teenage girl's use. Also, there is a book shelf with collection of some good books for her. Overall it's beautiful. Bulbul is admiring every bit of it. This will be her room until she stays with her uncle. Vineet looks at her.

" You liked it? Sorry vo jaldbazi mein bs itna hi kar paya… agar pasand nai aya to shamu kakka se bol kar change krva denge…." he says.

"Uncle relax, it's beautiful. Ye mera room hain, sachi mein?" she asks as if it is still a dream.

He nods affirmatively and hugs him, thanking him. Vineet kisses her head, and she runs in the room, ready to arrange her things in the wardrobe. He also tells her that she will not have loss of her studies as the tutors will come here to teach him. Bulbul chuckles, she asks vineet to call Ruhana and he obliges. Telling her about Vineet, Bulbul shows the room to Ruhana. Ruhana smiles lightly and asks Bulbul to not do tantrums. The girl agrees and as Vineet calls her for dinner, she cuts the call and moves out of her room.

*****

Mishra House

Later at night, Ruhana helps Tarika in winding up The work and Tarika asks Ruhana to rest. She moves into her room, she has talked with Bulbul, yet something is bugging her. She sits on the seating place near the window, watching  the moon. Her trance is broken with a warm touch, it's her mom who got milk for her. She knows something is bugging her daughter and so she smears her head. Getting her warm touch, Ruhana hugs her and breaks into tears, surprising her mother.

To Be Continued.

Will Vineet be able to keep his promise??

What's bugging Ruhana?

Stay tuned.