Ruhana permits Bulbul to go with Vineet and it makes the girl happy. She leaves with Vineet and assures Ruhana that she will take care of herself. Vinay also assured her that he will take her to meet Bulbul at Vineet’s home. Yet, the girl is sad. After dinner, and helping her mom finish the chores, Ruhana moves to her room and sits on the seating place beside the window sill. She’s looking at the moon and stars, maybe looking for the answers to her questions. 

Her past still haunts her. The person she loved left her alone, and the one who was her own part, isn’t by her side. She has lost a part of herself in the past years, and currently, all she is concerned about is Bulbul. She only wants her safety. Also, she isn’t able to trust the man by the girl’s side, that is, Vineet. She sighs deeply. Why is life so complicated?

Ruhana sighs deeply. She has to do something. She has to find the reality. When happiness is knocking on her door, why can’t she just embrace it with both hands? Why is she so hesitant? Vinay is so caring and understanding, he has accepted her with all her flaws? They why? Her trance is broken with her phone ring. She picks up the call and a gentle voice falls in her ears.

“Are you alright?”  The other person asks.

“Vinay! Aap is waqt! Sab thik toh hain?” Ruhana asks out of concern.

“Wo toh aap bataiye. Mujhe aisa laga meri dost ko meri zarurat hai, toh maine call kar liya. Did I disturb you?”  he asks from the other end.

“Nahi! Lekin aapko nahi lagta aapko aaram karna chahiye. Aaj pura din bahut thak gaye honge. All because of me and Bulbul. “ Ruhana says.

“Aisa toh mat kahiye. Aap dono meri dost hain. Aur fir Bulbul is fine, i think. Ab aap bhi kisi tarah ki chinta mat kijiye, aur so jaiye.” Vinay says from the other end.

“ Kyunki zyada sochengi toh soyengi nahi. Waise bhi sochne se solution milega nahi. Aur fir officer Vineet hain na, wo hamari Bulbul ka bahut khayal rakhenge.”  Vinay says while Ruhana is amazed as how he is trying to ease her tension.

“ I hope he keeps his words.” Ruhana says.

“He will, Ruhana. He is a genuine and fierce cop. Aapne dekha na, unhone usey Makhija se bachaya aur us din jungle mein bhi. Jaanta hoon, aapke liye vishwas karna mushkil hai, lekin mujhpar toh aap vishwas karengi na!!” he asks her.

“ Aap par mujhe pura vishwas hai ,Vinay. Lekin….” She pauses thinking about Vineet.

“ Bas mujhpe vishwas kijiye. Main kuch galat nahi hone dunga, na bulbul ke sath aur na hi aapke sath. Abhi aap so jaiye. I will meet you tomorrow.” Vinay says and disconnects the call.

Ruhana keeps her phone by her side and is lost in thoughts. This guy is so sweet. All he is trying to do is to comfort her. He wants her to trust him because he trusts Vineet with Bulbul’s safety. Ruhana sighs deeply, she can’t make herself trust Vineet. Meanwhile, her mother enters the room with a glass of milk. She sits by her daughter’s side and hands the milk glass to her. Tarika understands that something is bugging her daughter.

“Kya baat hai beta?” Tarika asks her softly.

“Maa, I’m just confused! Mujhe nahi pata main kya karun?” Ruhana looks at her mom.

“Why confused? Aisa kya hua? Aaj toh tujhe khush hona chahiye. Bulbul bhi khush thi aur Vinay bhi. He did so much for you, beta.” Tarika says softly.

“I don’t know mumma! Technically , mujhe khush hona chahiye.  Aakhir itni der baad hi sahi mujhe ek aisa life partner milne vala hai jo mere past ko janne ke baad bhi bina kisi issue ke mujhe apnane k liye tiyar hai. Par main accept nahi kar pa rahi. It feels as if something is missing.” Ruhana says.

“Vinay ne kuch kaha?” Tarika asks.

“Nahi mumma,Vinay toh kuch kehte hi nai hain, vo bahut ache hain. Abhi unka call bhi ayaa tha.  Lekin main apna vo past! I’m unable to understand why it still haunts me? Aur vo inspector Vineet! Maine bulbul ko unke sath bhej toh diya lekin mujhe uspe vishwas nahi hai ab bhi. Pata nahi kyun?” Ruhana says and breaks into tears as she again remembers that painful past.

Tarika hugs Ruhana and tries to convince her. She knows it’s not easy but Ruhana has to move on and accept Vinay. She has to forget the past and move on. Tarika rubs Ruhana’s tears and looks at her.

“Shayad main wajah jaanti hoon. Kahin iski wajah Vineet hi toh nahi!?” Tarika says while looking at her.

“How is it possible ,Mumma! Jaanti hoon ki mujhe unpe vishwas nahi hai aur na hi main unhe pasand karti hoon. Lekin wo wajah kaise ho sakte hain?” Ruhana says.

“Han Roo, main bilkul thik keh rahi hun. Jab sab kuch bilkul thik chal raha hai toh tumhara past aise baar baar tumhe yaad ane ki vajah Vineet hi toh hai. Ye naam tumhe tumhara past bhulne nahi deta.

Ruhana is thoughtful. Yes! Vineet is a name from her past, probably the reason of all that happened in her life. But, this person is different. He is a police officer while she doesn’t remember anything other past. She tries to speak but the words don’t come to her lips.

“Janti hun beta , ki ye wo nahi hai,  lekin jab ye ek naam hamesha tumhare samne rahega tab tak tum us Vineet ko bhula nai paogi jiski vajah se tumhe itna sab bhugtna pada, itna dard sehna pada. Kya main nahi janti ki meri bachi kis dard se guzri hai us waqt! Kya main ye nahi janti ki tum kitni mushkil se vo hadsa bhulane ki koshish karti rahi ho! Ki kitni taklif deti rahi tum khud ko khudse naraz rehkar sirf isliye ki tumhe lagta tha ki tumhari vajah se main aur tumhare papa bhi suffer kar rhe hain! Main sab jaanti hoon beta, and what i am saying is right..

Ruhana looks at her mom tearily. Yes, she was in pain, and she still believes that it’s her mistake that caused so much trouble.

“ Lekin Mumma ye baat sach bhi toh hai. Ek aisa sach jisey koi nahi badal sakta. Main vinay se shadi kar bhi loon toh bhi ye sach hamesha mere sath rahega. Maine apni ek bhul ki vajah se, ek galat insan pe bharosa karne ki saza na sirf khud bhugti balki aplogo ko bhi kitni taklif di. Aur iske liye toh main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi.” Ruhana says as tears trickle down her eyes.

“Main jaanti hoon beta. Taklif hui thi tumhe tuta hua dekh kar. Par jo hua usey bhool jao. Ab tumhare samne tumhari sari zindgi padi hai. Vinay ek bahut acha ladka hai beta, tumhari sari sachai janney k baad bhi voh tumara hath thamne k liye taiyar hai. Socho agar vo ab tumhara hath tham rha hai toh zindgi k har morh pe bhi toh tumhare sath khada hoga, tumhara dost bankar. “ Tarika says, trying to convince her daughter.

“I know mumma, Vinay ek perfect life partner hain mere liye. Lekin fir bhi, I’m still in a dilemma.” Ruhana says.

“Bilkul thik kaha tumne! Aur rahi baat ACP Vineet ki toh voh koi aur hain. Jis tarah se voh hamari Bulbul ka dhyan rakh rahe hain, vo sach mein ek nekdil insan hain aur sirf ek naam ki similarity ho janey se vo koi bure insan toh nahi ban jayenge na! “ Tarika says , looking at her daughter.

“Main jaanti hoon mumma , lekin bas yahi baat main khud ko samjha nahi pa rahi.”  Ruhana shares her fear with her mom.

“I understand beta, lekin tumhe himmat se kam lena hoga. Ek baar Makhija case ki hearing ho jaye fir Bulbul vapis orphanage mein aa jayegi apnon k paas. Aur tumhari shadi ke baad tum apni life mein busy ho jaogi. Fir ye naam kabhi tumhe pareshan nai kar payega. Sab thik ho jayega beta. Bas ye yaad rakhna ki chahe kuch bhi ho jaye, main aur tumhare papa hamesha tumhaare sath hain..” Saying so, Tarika kisses Ruhana’s forehead and asks her to sleep. Ruhana agrees and Tarika leaves the room while Ruhana is again lost in her thoughts thinking about what her mother just said and after a little while, she too fell fast asleep.

Next Morning, Vineet’s home

Vineet comes home after jogging & finds Shamu kaka tied with ropes which are though not tied tight enough, but as he is an elderly man, he could not free himself. Vineet first gets worried and thinks that Bulbul might be attacked again. He runs to the elderly man and unties hima nd then asks about the happenings. Shamu kaka signals towards the kitchen where Vineet finds a familiar figure working in the kitchen. It is no one but Bulbul, and seeing her fine, Vineet sighs deeply. She greets him for the day and asks her about the happenings.

“Aaj maine aapke liye breakfast banaya hai. “ Bulbul chuckles.

Vineet looks at her in shock and which the girl giggles.

“Relax uncle, breakfast hi banaya hai koi nuclear bomb nai jo ap itna shock ho rhe ho.”she says and giggles.

“Lekin beta, Kaka hai na , wo bana lete .”  Vineet says in concern when kaka begins to explain.

“Han sahab, maine bitiya ko bahut kaha ki main bana lunga lekin bitiya zidd krne lagi ki aaj nashta yahi banayegi aur jab maine mana kiya toh pehle toh mujhe pani pilaney ke bahane is kursi pe bitha diya aur fir baton mein laga ke rassi se bandh diya.” The old man explained his plight.

“Arey toh main kya karu! Yahan pe sara din khali baithe baithe main bore ho jaati hoon. Pehle aap subah chale jaate ho aur kaka bhi apney kaam mein busy ho jate hain. Tutors bhi padha ke chale jaate ahin aur fir revision karne ke baad bhi itna free time hota hai. Koi baat karne ko nahi hota. Upar se room ki balcony mein baithna ho ya lawn mein, aapke guards itni restrictions lagate hain. Aisa lagta hai jaise mere pas oxygen se zyada guards hain. Punters bhi nahi hai yahan par aur Roo Di, wo bhi sham ko free hoti hain tab unse baat hoti hai. Toh main itna bore ho jaati hoon ki puchiye mat. Bas isliye aaj socha kuch kiya jaye routine se hatkar.” Bulbul pouts at him whichonly makes the man smile genuinely.

Vineet pulls her in a side hug and takes her out of the kitchen and asks the elderly man to do the remaining chores. The old man agrees and moves into the kitchen. Bulbul looks at him scaredly.

“Ap mujhe dantoge toh nai!” she asks.

“Dant? Bhala main kyun tumhe dantne laga? Aur dekho beta I totally understand and I am really sorry ki tumhe ekdum se life mein ye change lana pada. But I promise, I'll come up with some solution for it and agar aaj main jaldi free ho gaya toh I'll be home early.” He promises her genuinely.

Bulbul exclaims with joy and forwards her hand towards him.

“Promise kijiye.” She says.

He holds her hand tightly and assures her. Bulbul twirls around to leave but then again faces him.

“Uncle , ek request kar sakti hoon aapse?” Bulbul asks , looking at him hopefully.

“Request? Bolo kya chahiye?” he immediately replies.

“Vo main soch rahi thi k sham ko kisi aur ko bhi bula lein toh! Punters ko toh Asha maa shayad aney nai dengi toh kya main Roo di ko bula lun? Please. “ She asks,

Vineet nods affirmatively and Bulbul jumps on her toes and hugs him.

“Thank you uncle …. You're the best!!” She chuckles with joy.

She then runs away to her room  & Vineet too smiles at her excitement but then he remembered what she demanded. Though he knew Ruhana is engaged now to someone, still there was something that attracted him towards her. He tries hard not to think about her but the more he tried ,the more he failed.He then brushes off all the thoughts and decided to concentrate on the cases first. After a while, he moves to his room and after getting ready, he comes downstairs in the dining area.. Till then Insp. Madan and Shindey too arrived, as he had called them with a file to discuss about. So, they too were offered to have breakfast which they first denied but when he insisted they agreed. The moment Vineet had the first bite, though he felt it not edible but because Bulbul had so excitedly cooked it, he smiled & told her that she cook well & when Madan & Shindey had it, they coughed. When Bulbul asked them about  the food they were about to say something but earning a fiery gaze from Vineet , scared by that they lied that food tasted good.

When Bulbul had the first bite of her cooked food, she coughed as it tasted bad. Vineet hurriedly poured water for her in a glass and made her drink the water with his hands. Bulbul understood that she was being lied ,so that she could not get hurt. She felt guilty that she could not cook tasty food and apologized them all. Vineet pacifies her & tell her as it was her first attempt, so it was quite well that way. She smiles a little and meanwhile kaka already had prepared breakfast again. After having his breakfast, Vineet along with his officers leave for police station and here Bulbul calls Ruhana & invited her for the evening to which she agreed after some hesitation.

*****

Little Bud Resort….

Acp Vineet has got a piece of information about some criminals being spotted in a resort. He along with some policemen arrives at the resort.  Luckily, the criminals get arrested successfully. When Vineet turns to leave, someone calls his name from behind & when he turns to look owner of the voice, he is surprised.

“Mr. Vinay! Ap yahan? Lunch !” he asks politely.

“ Yeah, but apka guess adha sahi hai. Actually business delegates ke sath meeting and lunch. “ Vinay replies and Vineet nods in agreement.

“ And you? Chasing criminals.”  Vinay asks.

“Yeah, was chasing them, but now they are arrested. It’s safe out here.” Vineet replies.

“Thats great! But yeah, as I have heard, some criminals are still at loose. “ He says.

“ Yeah, but don’t worry, they will be arrested soon.” Vineet acknowledges him with a smile.

Vinay smiles and then Vineet asks him to join them at his home as Bulbul had invited Ruhana at home. Vinay smiles at the offer.

“Sorry officer! Par aaj mujhe kuch kaam hai. I don’t think I would be able to join. “ he apologises.

“I understand! but if you could make it, toh mujhe bahut khushi hoti… undono ko bhi” Vineet says.

Vinay nods affirmatively and says that he will try to join them. Vineet agrees and then takes his leave. Vinay watches him go and then he smiles.

“ Hmm! Aaj sham! Not a bad idea! Thanks Officer.” he murmurs to himself and then dials a number.

“Plan mein kuch change hai. Vo kaam aaj sham tak ho jana chahiye. At any cost.” He hums in agreement and then disconnects the call.

On the other hand, Vineet moves to his car when his eyes fell on a shop. He remembered something and after excusing himself from the fellow men, he moves  into the shop and a while later, comes out with a gift box in his hand and aftermath, he smiles satisfactorily.

To Be Continued.

Will Ruhana come out of her dilemma?

Will she forgive Vineet?

Why Vineet feels connected to Ruhana?

What is Vinay planning?

Stay tuned.