|#19. Therapeutic Conversations|
Spending time with Vineet proved therapeutic for Ruhana. After opening up about one part of her past to him, the baggage she had been holding felt lighter. Yeah, there's still a slight wall around her heart that is yet to be broken. Also, she has not accepted his proposal yet.
It's not necessary to reciprocate the feelings one person holds for you, but she is aware of how it feels when someone rejects your love or doesn't include it in their life. She is still internally apologizing to Vineet for rejecting him, but he has waved it off. He has told her that she doesn't need to feel guilty, but she still does.
This is the first time she's guilty of her deeds, and it's about someone's feelings. However, she doesn't feel the same passion as he does. But, she's guilty of hurting him. Her trance breaks when she hears a familiar voice. She finds Barkha smiling at her.
"Hey, long time, no see! Ever since Vineet has entered your life, you're not giving me enough time," Barkha exclaims, pulling Ruhana into a hug.
"Hey, it's not like that. I have been busy lately. And then..."
"And then, you made a nice decision to tell him everything. Am I right?"
"How do you know? Did he initiate a conversation with you? Barkha, tell me!"
"Nope! He doesn't need to talk to me, Ruu. He's a sweet guy, you have started listening to him, I know." Barkha smiles at her best friend.
"Yeah! I believed waiting wouldn't do any good, but maybe, he is right. I will wait for the right time." She exclaims, assuring her friend that she won't act impulsively.
"I am glad to see some positive changes in you, Ruu. I am glad Vineet could bring those changes to you. I am indebted to him, truly. You should now tell him everything, even that part that you have kept secret from me as well.." Barkha says, her tone appreciative of Vineet's help.
"Tell me what?" It's Vineet, who's now rolling his eyes at the ladies.
Barkha and Ruhana turn around, only to find Vineet looking at them questioningly. Ruhana manages to smile. Barkha is indicating the secret of her life, which she has kept hidden from the world. It's another reason that she has become a tough nut to crack, and she's unable to accept his love.
"Did I interrupt at the wrong time?" Vineet asks, as he finds the ladies silently gaping at each other.
"No, No! You're right on time. We have a meeting in thirty minutes, Vineet. Could you please check this presentation? We have to visit Manav's office for the meeting," Ruhana says, covering up the earlier conversation.
"Alright. I will see. You two can continue your talk." He smiles warmly and takes his leave.
"Ruu, why are you hiding it from him? When you have told everything about your life to him, why not this story?" Barkha asks as soon as Vineet leaves the cabin.
"Because, it's a truth from which I can't run away, Barkha. It reminds me that I have only trusted the wrong people in my life. Of course, you and Vineet are exceptions."
"Vineet has been an exception from the beginning, Barkha. He's a sweetheart. It's his effort that I broke the ice and told him everything about my intentions in business. But, I fear telling this to him. Like others, he'll say the same thing that I should have been careful. But! What can I do? Love just happens." She sighs deeply.
Barkha keeps her hand on her shoulder, assuring her to calm down. Truth-telling can wait. As far as Vineet is concerned, he will not judge her like other people, and he will only support her. Yet, she's unsure about telling him her secret.
Meanwhile, Vineet calls for her, and the two friends part ways. The rest of the day passes in a blur. It has been a hectic but productive day. Vineet offers to drop her off, and she agrees. But soon, she realizes that they are not on the way to her home.
"Vineet, where are we going? Are you up to some prank?" She asks, sounding serious.
"No, I wanted to show you something, Ruhana." He smiles at her, his eyes still focused on the road.
"On this empty road, Vineet? What is it?" She inquired.
"Don't worry, I will drop you home safely. But, there's something that you must know." He says.
Ruhana is irked; he's not telling her about their destination. She has become impulsive, and so, she's always in a hurry. Meanwhile, her mobile beeps; it's an email notification. She also finds some missed calls, which went unattended.
She checks the email, and it's from a company, ByteForge Technologies. They wish to join hands with TechCouture and make business. Ruhana gets excited. It's her passion to take her business forward, and she's working for the same. She wants to take TechCouture to overseas cities, London being her favorite. At times, she acts impulsively and makes instant decisions. She screams in delight, and he stops the car with a jerk.
"Vineet, we have got another email. This company is called ByteForge. They want to meet us." She informs him happily.
"Ruhana, don't act impulsively. First, find out about the company and the owners." He says, lifting his guard.
"Vineet, it's business. We will only learn about the companies once we meet the CEO and managers of the company. Be a sport!" Ruhana insists.
"You might face losses, Ruhana!" He warns her.
But, Ruhana, being her usual self, types a message to the company and fixes the meeting. She beams at Vineet, and then she realizes that he has stopped the car. He asks her to step out of the car, and she realizes that they have come to an orphanage. As they enter the gates, some kids come running towards him and hug him or, say, cling to his legs.
"Vineet uncle, did you bring chocolates?" One little girl asks.
"Yes, I got you guys chocolates and an invitation." He smiles at the children.
"Invitation? For what? Are you getting married? Did you find your girl, Vineet?" An elderly lady asks; she happens to be the owner of this orphanage.
"No, Asha Kaaki, the path to my destination is not so easy. But, yes, I will get there eventually." He smiles.
"You will definitely find everything that you desire. Well, what is the invitation about?" The lady, Asha Mishra, asks.
"Kaaki, I have got my most awaited deal. And I promised these kids a party, so I am organizing a lunch party for these kids at the Wonderpark." He says, smiling at Asha and the kids.
"That's great, let me know whenever you want to take the
kids to the wonder park." Asha permits him, and he's delighted.
"Thank you, Kaaki. Anyway, meet her; she is my friend, Ruhana Bisht." He introduces Ruhana to the lady.
Ruhana greets the lady, and the kids also introduce themselves to her. Soon, she mingles with the kids, and they're laughing. Vineet glances at her and finds her laughing freely, after a long time.
Her laughter is childlike and contagious. He has been longing to see her like this. He brought her to the orphanage for some specific purposes. Meanwhile, he finds the kids running around her, forming a circle, and she's smiling looking at them. Meanwhile, the kids spread out in the garden, and he sits beside her.
"How do you feel about being here?" he asks.
"It's serene, Vineet. Thanks for bringing me here. It's peaceful." She responds with a smile.
"I brought you here for two reasons, Ruhana. You're intelligent enough to understand it." He exclaims.
"I understood, Vineet. These kids are orphans, and they're happy. I know they have their sets of struggles, yet they think about all aspects of life. And they're very open to each other." She explains her point.
"You picked it right, Ruhana. When you have no one around you, you must trust at least one person, it can be a friend, an employee, or anyone in the family, whom you can trust."
"I know, there's something that you are still hiding. I will wait until you have faith in me, and you tell me the real thing. All because I have loved you, and will always do." He smiles.
Meanwhile, a girl comes out and offers ice-cream to them, while the other kids also sit around them. They celebrate a fun-filled evening and then head home. The ride home is silent; none of them speak during the journey. They reach Ruhana's home, and she hops out of the car, while he watches her go, anticipating her confident arrival.
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