Sachin was left in thoughts after listening to the caller. His eyes fell on Ruhi, who was sleeping peacefully. He sat beside her and smeared her head. Ruhi turned towards him and held his other hand  which made him smile.

But his smile vanished the next moment. The call was from the CID headquarters and Sachin was assigned a mission. They weren't able to catch the culprits, and so Ruhi was still under his guardianship. He was worried for what will he do now? He didn't want to leave her alone as she was only attached to him.

He thought about Angel, but he knew she was angry on him.  His trance was broken by Angel.

“Kya soch rahe ho? “ she asked.

“Kuch nahi Angel. “ he said.

Angel glanced at him.. “Bata do. Nahi toh Raat bhar so nahi paoge. “ she said calmly.

“Neend toh ab aayegi nahi. “ he said.

Angel looked at him… “  Haan, tumhari wajah se meri neend pehle se hi udi hui hai. Jab se tum Ruhi ko laaye ho yahan. “ she replied.

He looked on at her in disbelief.
“Ek bachi ne kya bigaad diya tumhara?” he asked.

“You better know it. “she angered.

He sighed and took her out of the room and closed the door. She looked at him..

"Gussa mat dikhao. Sach hi keh rahi hoon main. “ she said.

“Tumhe toh usey sambhalna chahiye Angel. Lekin tum na jaane kis duniya mein ho. “ he said angrily.

“Mujhe abhi koi zimmedari nahi chahiye. I already told you about it. Fir bhi tum le aaye usko. Bina Baat ki zimmedari. I don't have much time to do things for her. Chahte kya ho tum? “  she shouted.

“just shut up Angel. Tumhe bas zimmedari dikh rahi hai. Ye nahi soch rahi ki Ruhi kis haalat se guzar rahi hai. Do you know wo kis haal mein thi jab hume mili? It's so hard to manage lekin tum samajhna hi nahi chahti. Aur ab mujhe Delhi jana hai. Kahan chhodun usey? “  he shouted angrily.

“I don't know. Mujhse toh kuch expect mat karna. “ she said rudely and went inside her room.

Sachin sighed and jerked his hand. At the same time, he heard voices from guest room. He saw Ruhi wriggling on the bed.. Maybe another bad dream. He secured her in his arms and she fell calm and asleep again.
He laid beside her but sleep was away from his eyes. He was disturbed with Angel's words and was thinking to where he would send Ruhi. He was scared that if Angel sticks to her words, she won't even give a glance to Ruhi.

The night passed in a blur. He was awake whole night. He moved to his room to freshen up and found Angel still asleep. He freshened up and shaked her up a little to wake her up.
“sone do Sachin. “ she said.
“Angel mujhe nikalna hai. Bureau se hi nikalna hoga delhi ke liye. “  he said.
She sat up… “Toh tumne kya socha? “ she asked.
He sighed as he knew she was talking about Ruhi.
“Wo yahin rahegi. “he said.

Angel was shocked… “I said kahin aur bhejo. “ she said aloud.
“Wo yahin safe hai. Bas kuch dinon ki baat hai Angel. I can't leave her anywhere. “ he said.

“Lekin kaise manage karungi akele?”  She was bewildered, and hurt, more because Sachin didn't hear to her.

It was more like a duty for her. She was angry with Sachin. He glanced at her..

“Wo yahin rahegi aur tum uska khayal rakhogi. Samjhi tum! “ he said.

They were interrupted by a meek voice…
“Aap kahan ja rahe ho? “ asked Ruhi.
He bent to her level…

“Uncle ko kaam hai Na beta. Main jaldi aa jaunga. “ he said.
Ruhi looked at Angel…

“Lekin aunty Ruhi se baat nhi karti. “ she said.

Angel looked at her but didn't react. Yes, she didn't like the idea of Ruhi’s home coming. Sachin lifted Ruhi in his arms..

“Aap aunty se Baat karte rehna, dekhna kitni derr Baat nahi karti vo. “ he said.

“ Mujhe aur bhi bahut kaam hai Sachin. Sirf bache sambhalne ke liye nahi hoon main “ she said and moved into the washroom.

Sachin sighed hearing her but turned to Ruhi and convinced her to be with Angel. The little girl readily agreed and Sachin took her for breakfast. A while later, Angel joined them and said something which made Sachin smile,and he looked relaxed.

To Be Continued.