Rajeev and Ruhana share a moment where the former assures her that he won’t let their parents do anything against her wishes. Yeah, there’s an alliance, but he’s assured her that they will proceed only if she likes the guy. Ruhana is emotional, and she hugs her brother, crossing her arms around her. She’s lucky to have him as her brother because if he’s crazy like her, he’s her protective shield from everything. A little while later, they break the hug, and Ruhana looks at her brother.

“Thanks, Bhai! I know, Jab tak aap mere sath ho na, mere sath kuch galat nahi ho sakta. Tum hamesha mera sath doge.” She smiles at her brother.

“Main toh hamesha tere sath hoon. Tu hi ladti rehti hain mujhse.” Rajeev says teasingly, In order to change the environment,

“Huh! Aur aap kya karte ho? Aap bhi toh mujhe satate ho!” She glares at him.

“That’s my right!” he teases her.

“Oh yeah! Tum na aise hi, meri dost ko pareshan karte ho! Tumse pareshan hoke wo tumko kuch kehti hain toh kehte ho “that’s my right”! How fair is that, Mr. Malhotra?" A feminine voice alerts them.

“Tum? Tum kab aayi?” Rajeev looks at the girl standing at the door.

“Jab tum meri dost ko pareshan kar rahe they. Chalo hato! Niklo idhar se. Mujhe meri friend se baat karni hain.” She says this and pushes him out of the door.

Rajeev looks at his sister, who’s giggling. He grimaces, making a sad face.

“Batao, jo yahan nahi rehta wo mujhe meri behen ke kamre se nikaal raha hain. Aur meri behen kuch nahi bolti!” He makes a face.

“Wo nahi bolegi. Tum jaao, tumko late nahi ho raha? Bahut kaam hoga na tumhe?” She glares at him.

Rajeev makes a face. Ah! The pretty girl is furious. It’s better that he walks into his room and gets ready for the day. He runs away, and Ruhana giggles at seeing his face. She looks at the pretty girl. She's been her best friend since school. Ramya is annoyed for some reason, and Ruhana hugs her tightly.

The two friends share a much-needed and comforting hug. They part ways, and Ruhana notices that Ramya’s eyes are wet. She becomes conscious and holds her hand.

“Ramya, kya hua? Tu ro kyun rahi hain? Bhai ne kuch kaha kya tujhe?” Ruhana asks caringly.

“Usne toh kuch kaha hi nahi.” She says it softly, lowering her gaze.

“Matlab?” Ruhana is confused by her words.

“Ruu! Tu toh sab jaanti hain na! Tera bhai mujhe leke serious toh hai na?” Ramya asks her, astonishing her.

Yeah! Ramya and Ruhana share a beautiful friendship. These two girls have been frequent visitors to each other’s homes. Also, Ruhana, Ramya, and Rajeev have attended the same college. With time, Ramya and Rajeev developed feelings for each other, and now they’re deeply and madly in love with each other. Ramya looks a little disturbed today.

“Ramya, you know, Bhaiya always keeps his word,” Ruhana says.

“Kab, Ruu? Ghar pe mumma papa shadi ki baat kar rahe hain, aur Rajeev koi jawab hi nahi deta.” Ramya says, explaining the reason for her annoyance.

“Acha, aur aaj subah bhi garden mein tujhse nahi miley?” Ruhana asks, rolling her eyes at her friend.

“Hum mile they, Ruhana. Lekin phir usey koi call aa gaya aur wo busy ho gaya tha.” Ramya says annoyingly.

“Oho! Isliye tum gussa ho unse?” Ruhana asks softly.

“Toh aur kya karun? Gussa dilaane wale kaam hi karta hain tumhara bhai!” She comments causing Ruhana to giggle.

Ruhana hugs Ramya and kisses her cheek softly. She cups her face and then assures her that she will talk to Rajeev about it. After all, he also loves Ramya. Meanwhile, Naina calls them for breakfast and the two girls join the others at the dining table.

A long day lies ahead.

*****

Singhania Associates

Vineet reaches the office and he’s in a bad mood already. The employees greet him and he responds to them, though coldly. He enters his cabin and bangs his hand on the table. He’s upset with his mom and doesn’t want to remarry. Also, he’s upset that his son answered him. He bangs his hand on the table again when a voice reaches his ears.

“Yun gussa nikaalne se koi solution nahi milne wala hai, bhai. Aur agar aap ko Veer pe gussa aa raha hain toh usne kuch galat nahi kaha. Aapko uska jawab dena bura laga, aapne socha, aaj aapne jaise baat ki, usse Ma ko kitna bura laga hoga?” It’s Sachin who’s looking straight into his eyes.

“Sachin, I think hum iss baare mein baat kar chuke hain.” Vineet says sternly:

“Humne toh koi baat hi nahi ki hain, Bhai. Maine hamesha aapka sath diya hain. Lekin aaj jaise aapne baat ki, wo sahi nahi tha. Aur aap kehte hain, aap Veer ko smabhal lenge? Lekin aap uske sath waqt kab bitaate ho? Raat ko ghar aate ho tab tak toh wo so jaata hain. Toh aap kaise khayal rakhte hain uska?” Sachin questions him; he really didn’t like Vineet’s tone when he talked to their mother.

“Vo khush toh hain na, tumhaare aur Maa ke sath! Bas!” Vineet tries to push away the matter, not understanding that he’s not fulfilling his father's duties towards his son.

“Han lekin isse wo aapse door ho raha hain. Usey acha nahi laga jaise aaj tum Ma pe chillaye. Kyun kar rahe ho aisa, Bhai?” Sachin questions him again.

“Dekho, Sachin, mujhe dusri shadi nahi karni! Is baat ko tum jitni jaldi samajh lo acha hain?” Vineet says it coldly and turns his face away.

“Han, aapko sahi baat kabhi samajh hi nahi aati hai na, bhai! Mujhe pata hain ki aap Mahika bhabhi se bahut pyaar karte they, in fact, abhi bhi karte ho. Lekin hamara pyaar bhi khatm nahi hua hain, bhai. Hum bhi unhe yaad karte hain. Lekin practically, soch ke dekho! Veer kitna udaas rehta hain. Main aur maa kuch bhi kar lein, aapki ya bhabhi ki kami puri nahi kar sakte. Aap toh itna busy rehte ho ki aapke paas Veer ke liye bilkul time nahi hain. Aur jab wo mauka dhundhta hain, toh aap usko daantne lag jaate hain. Aur ye sach hain, bhai!” Sachin speaks in a soft yet firm tone.

Vineet doesn’t retort; he knows that his brother is right. He has turned a little conservative, silent, and rude as well. He has busied himself with the work so much that he doesn’t have time for his son. Sachin’s voice falls into his ears again.

“Ek baar ye saari baatein soch ke dekhna, bhai. Mujhe batana ki aap kaise Veer ki parvarish karoge? Aur kaise wo hamesha aapke kareeb rahega. Mujhe zaroor batana. Of course, aapke paas jawab toh rahenge hi.” Sachin exits the cabin, reminding him about a meeting that they have in thirty minutes.

Vineet is lost in thoughts as his brother has left him in deep thoughts.

*****
Malhotra House

Everyone sits down for breakfast. Anoop asks Ramya about her parents and her general well-being. Ramya handles her dad’s business and also works with Ruhana and Rajeev on certain projects. Ramya tastes the Poha and compliments Naina for the same.

“Ruu, jaldi kar naa! Mr. Raghav se meeting hain aaj, and you know how punctual he is!” Ramya says it softly.

“Aur tum dono hamesha ki tarah late ho jaaogi. Khaane ke chakkar mein!” Rajeev teases them, as he knows that the two girls are foodies by nature and don’t like to compromise with their food.

“Shut up, Mr. Singhania. Tum naashta karo aur office jaao.” Ramya snaps at him.

“Arey, mujhpe gussa kyun ho? Kya kiya maine?” Rajeev asks innocently.

“Huh, as if you don’t know!” She rolls her eyes at him, and he smiles.

Meanwhile, Naina looks at Ramya and asks her something that leaves her astonished, and even Rajeev is left astounded.

To Be continued.

What did Naina say?

Stay tuned.