Vineet is in the office working on a certain project when an email notification breaks his trance. He opens the email notification and reads it carefully. It's from a certain company, ByteWave Technologies, and the email is signed by the name Manav Malhotra, who's the CEO of ByteWave. The email is about a business deal that they're extending to them, and it's surely a profitable deal for both companies. Vineet has some plans on his mind; he knows that Ruhana would readily agree to sign the deal. Once he works her way, she might open her heart to him.

He's just contemplating his thoughts, thinking about his next step, when the door to his chamber opens and Aanya enters, beaming at him. He's quite surprised to find her in his chamber but asks her to sit. Aanya reads his facial expressions and smiles.

"I went to meet a friend. She dropped me here. Di told me that you're in the office, so I could stay here while she comes back," Aanya informs him, clearing his doubt.

"Okay, you're most welcome. You can even take the couch and give me five minutes; I am sending an email," he excuses himself.

"Sure, take your time," Aanya agrees.

Aanya sits on the couch and looks around the chamber. It's elegantly decorated, and she instantly knows that her sister has decorated the chamber according to his interests. There's a bookshelf near the couch, and she begins to check out the books. She's so engrossed in the moment that she doesn't realize when he comes standing by her side.

"You must read that book; it will help you in developing your personality. We all must read such books," he says, talking about the book on personality development that she's holding.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were here, Budz. Are you done with your work?" she asks as she places the book back into the bookshelf.

"Yes, Aanya. I am all done. When is Ruhana coming?" he asks, glancing at her.

"Di is on her way. I asked her to get me some stationary items, so she'll get them for me. She's a sweetheart, you know. And you know what? She always knows what I need," Aanya smiles, talking about her sister.

"She has changed a lot," he comments.

"Yeah, you guys have met after twenty years. It is a long span, Budz. How can you expect her to be the same she was twenty years back?" she asks, and he knows that it's a valid question.

"Yeah, but you cannot change your instinct, Aanya. At least, I believe it," he keeps his point.

"You're right, Vineet. I haven't changed by instincts. I am still the same girl; it's just that I have started prioritizing things. For me, Aanya is important, and so is money. I have worked hard to instill my company, and I will do anything and everything to make profits," it's Ruhana who enters the chamber and responds to Vineet.

"I know, Ruu. You have not fully changed, but you must also change your ways of doing business. Anyway, there's a mail waiting for you in your inbox. It's profitable as per you, and I will support you on it," he tells her, and she immediately checks the inbox, a big smile making its way onto her face.

"We're doing it, Vineet. Let's call a meeting with Mr. Manav Malhotra tomorrow," Ruhana declares.

"Huh, always talking business. I am hungry, Didu. Budz promised a treat. Shall we go to a nearby café, Beans Cove Cafe?" Aanya asks innocently, causing Vineet and Ruhana to laugh, and they head to the café for some coffee and breakfast.

*****

Vineet, Ruhana, and Aanya enjoy their coffee, after which Vineet drops them home as they don't have much work. Ruhana asks him to stay but he denies, stating that he has promised to have dinner with Abhay. She agrees and watches him disappear from her sight. She steps inside the house and finds Aanya relaxing on the couch, her eyes fixed on her sister.

"What happened to you?" she asks.

"Di, why do you hurt him?" Aanya asks straightly.

"What do you mean, Aanya?" She asks, pretending to be unknown.

"You know it, Di. Budz is so sweet. He is always trying to help you. He's unknown to so many aspects of your life, Di. Why don't you tell him everything?" Aanya asks the question she's been meaning to ask for a long time.

"Aanya, you better not involve yourself in all of this. I will tell him everything when the time is right. For now, I don't want him to know anything. I know, I can trust him, but I don't want to."

"I trusted Prisha in the past, and all she did was to cheat me when I needed her the most. She took over our company and I had to start from scratch. And this is why, I am unable to believe Vineet." Ruhana finishes her statement.

"He's a kind soul, Di. And he's your childhood friend. I don't think he will judge you or do something bad with you. He looks so concerned when things come around you." Aanya tries to explain her point.

"And Di, you need to start trusting people. Budz was right; you can't snatch things from people. Your bad deeds will come around. I won't be able to see you in pain, Di." The girl tries to keep her point while Ruhana just stares at her.

"I know, destiny has been harsh on you, Didu, but you need to take a first step. And budz is the best. You must tell him everything, and he will help you. Please Di, take the straight road ahead." Aanya says.

Ruhana says nothing but pulls her sister into her embrace. She is well-aware that both her sister and best friend are right at their places. She shouldn't be greedy enough to run behind money, but that's what she has seen in her life since childhood. She sighs deeply before breaking the hug, and she asks Aanya to freshen up while she has to make some calls.

They move to their respective rooms and freshen up. Ruhana settles on the bed to make some calls, and by the time she finishes the calls, Aanya enters the room with two bowls of maggie, as per her sister's taste-buds.

"I can't do anything to help you, Di, this is the least I can do for you. Pamper your tastebuds. And I am sorry if I hurt you," she apologizes, referring to their earlier conversation.

Ruhana smiles at her sister, and the two indulge in the scrumptious meal, while Ruhana trails down the memory lane, when she didn't have her sister by her side.

To Be Continued.

A/N: Word count:1129 words.

Total word count so far:13,541 words.