A week rolled off...

From Today, Ruhi's exams begin.

Early in the morning.

After getting fresh, Ruhi sat on the bed and held her mother's photo.

Ruhi (staring at her mother's photo): Mumma, I am scared. I angrily argued with Bhai. I am appearing for the exam. Bhai arranged everything for my safety. He managed security around me, wearing a mask to purify the air before I breathed. He took permission from the principal to be on the college premises around me. For every exam, one of my brothers will join me. They will be present in the college with me. I am nervous.

Just then Mihika and Adrita walked into the room.

Adrita: Ruhi, let's get you ready. It's your first exam in college.

Mihika (dramatically): Ooppppssss!!! Not college. It's big school like Vidyut bhai's.

Adrita chuckled. Ruhi whined.

Adrita (forwarding a packet): Okay! Ani bhai bought this for you.

Ruhi (pouted, mumbling): Something girly.

She opened the wrap to find a cute frock.

Ruhi (nodding): This is good but...

Mihika (lightly slapping her arm): No buts madam. Go and wear this. You will look pretty pretty.

She pecked her cheek.

Ruhi stared at both of them for a few long seconds, giving up, she agreed to try this.

After a few minutes, she came out wearing the frock.

Only Mihika was present in the room.

Mihika (gushing over): Oh my my!!

Ruhi gave her a small smile.

Mihika: Come baby, shall I make your French braid?

Ruhi (shaking her head): Open hair.

Mihika: It's your first exam. Open hair may disturb you.

Ruhi: No! No!! I will manage.

Mihika: Okay! Come.

Ruhi sat on a stool in front of the dressing table. Mihika gets her ready for her exam.

After getting ready, Ruhi walked out of the room with Mihika. The kids sat for breakfast with Harsha and Adrita.

Looking at Ruhi, Vidyut cooed.

Ruhi giggles.

Saurav: You are looking so beautiful.

Ruhi smiled at him. She turned to Anirudh.

Ruhi: How am I looking?

Anirudh: Pretty.

Khushi (excitedly): Mumma, I also want a frock like Bua. We will twin.

Niyati (raising her hand): Me too.

Khush (pouting sadly): Me too no!! This is for girls.

Everyone chuckled at his cry.

Khushi: Chachi for Advika also. We girls will twin together.

Adrita (agreeing): Okay madam.

After breakfast.

Anirudh: Rooh, all ready?

Ruhi nodded with a nervous smile.

Anirudh: Before exiting the car. Have some water. You are not allowed to open your mask until you are entering the car again. I know you may feel thirsty between exam but you can't drink water. Don't remove the mask, get it?

Ruhi (wobbling her head): Don't worry, Dada. I remember the instructions very clearly.

Vidyut: Good thing.

He forwarded her a new mobile.

Vidyut: New phone, new number is already inserted.

Ruhi (excitedly): For me?

Vidyut nodded. Ruhi took the phone. She turned it on.

Saurav: Now listen...

His words dragged her attention. Ruhi whined.

She got the phone after a long time. Her phone is still under investigation.

Saurav (sternly): Rooh!

Ruhi (sulking): Fine! Fine!!

Saurav: This is your phone but you can use it in case of an emergency. Don't download any social media applications. It's been days since you've been unavailable on social media. Now, you being available may help someone in tracking. Also, the phone will be with you in the exam hall too. Clearly, instructions you aren't going to use until and unless there is a serious emergency. Am I clear?

Ruhi agreed, understanding. Though, she got excitedly looking at the phone, her heart felt scared.

Saurav: I have saved the family's contacts. Now, you won't share this number with anyone.

Vidyut: Yes Rooh! Don't share it with anyone.

Ruhi gave a positive response.

Anirudh: Now, tell me the instructions you got.

Ruhi (frown): What? I remember all those instructions more than my studies. You guys keep repeating the same thing again and again.

Anirudh glared at her.

Ruhi (fake crying): Ha ha ab darao. (Now scare me)

Still, Anirudh was glaring at her.

Ruhi (giving innocent smile): Uh! Huh!! Let's start... 1. I have to be careful and conscious.
2. I shouldn't open the mask once I am stepping out of the car, till I am settling back inside 0You will drop me off at my class and same will pick me up. So, I shouldn't be away from you for a second, either. At the time of the exam, you will also be nearby. So, I don't need to be scared. I am a strong girl.

Anirudh pointed towards her new phone. As if asking her to continue related to phone instructions.

Ruhi (gasping): What? No, you won't take my phone.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): Now, I don't know how but I will be the one to influence you for this behaviour.

Saurav (in serious tone): Rooh, be serious. What instructions did you get regarding the phone?

Ruhi (sighing): The phone is for an emergency case. I don't have to activate any social media and I also don't have to share number with anyone. I can keep my phone with me in the exam hall as well but only in the back only and I can use it only in case of emergency.

Kids and their mothers were silently listening to this conversation.

Vidyut (declaring his decision): Today, I will be visiting college with Ruhi. I can investigate as well being in the same premises. Plus, it will be a surprise for the person.

Anirudh and Saurav nodded.

After breakfast, everyone was ready to leave for work, school and college.

They were walking towards the door.

Ruhi was lost in her phone, while walking.

Anirudh stopped. Ruhi, who was walking behind him, bumped into him.

Ruhi (huffing): Dada, behave! Why are you like this?

Anirudh (narrowing his eyes): How many times do I need to remind you, don't use your phone while walking? As you are lost in the phone what if instead of me, there had been a pillar?

Ruhi (Duh tone): Pleassseeeee!!! Ugh, you did that on purpose! Pillar won't walk in front of me like you.

Anirudh (sighing): This is the reason I said Vidu, not to give you the phone. See, without a phone, you were all alert.

Ruhi shook her head.

Anirudh (kissing her hair): Be careful. Take care and all the best for the exam.

Ruhi hugged him.

Anirudh: Don't worry about anything. I have hired a bodyguard for you.

He said pointing at Vidyut. Vidyut's jaw dropped in shock. Everyone burst out laughing.

Bidding bye, all left.

Vidyut dropped the kids off at their school then he drove off to Ruhi's college.

Ruhi sat silently, fidgeting with her fingers.

Vidyut (sensing her uneasiness): Nervous?

Ruhi came back to her senses and nodded.

Vidyut (softly): You don't have to worry. I will be around.

Ruhi (with sincerity): I trust you bhai.

She paused for some seconds.

Ruhi (gulping the lump down her throat): I am sorry. That day when you said I don't need to appear for exams. I don't want what got into me. I never meant to disrespect you. I trust you. I know you are worried about me and my safety. That's why you said. I am sorry for crossing your words in ego.

Vidyut (ruffling her hair): It's okay bache.

Ruhi gave him a small smile. She felt light.

Once they reached college. Ruhi drank some water and then she put on a mask. Vidyut helped her to cover the gaps. So, there is no space for air to enter without purification.

Mask—her only protection from what they still hadn’t found

Vidyut: Ready?

Ruhi nodded and walked out along with Vidyut.

Vidyut looked around at his security team in civil dress. He gave them a curt nod and walked in with Ruhi beside him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, protecting her and giving her a sense of assurance.

He is a softie or a cutie Vidyut. He is a strong and tough man. His soft smile was replaced by a tight jaw.

Ivana and Navya were waiting for Ruhi Ivana saw Vidyut dreamily.

Ruhi noticed and giggled, remembering how Ivana found Vidyut intimidating and Vidyut's current. Of course! It's intimidating.

Ruhi and Vidyut walked towards Navya and Ivana. Just then Nayan and Ekansh came.

Vidyut (confused): You here? Your exam will start after an hour, right?

He asked Nayan.

Nayan: I came early to wish Ruhi all the best.

Navya (exaggerating): Ooooooooooooooo!!! To bolo? What are you waiting for? (Say it?)

At Navya's teasing tone. Nayan's neck and ears turned light pink.

Ekansh (smirking): Nayan, isn't Ruhi your sister? I mean you are Vidyut Sir's cousin brother and Ruhi, his sister.

Nayan snapped at him in shock.

Vidyut (chuckling): He made it clear on the very first meet. Ruhi is not his sister. Nayan, remember?

Nayan cleared his throat but he couldn't find any words. Ruhi's mouth and cheeks were covered but she was blushing and smiling.

Vidyut: When they met for the first time. Ruhi was around 7 and he was 9. It was Rakshabandhan. When his mother asked Ruhi to tie him, Rakhi. He clearly denied. He doesn't want Ruhi to tie him, Rakhi. So, they aren't brother-sister.

He smirked, while others Navya and Ekansh giggle. Ruhi saw Ivana lost in her brother's handsomeness.

Ruhi (mumbling near Ivana's ear): He is married and the father of two kids.

Ivana irritably, stomped her feet, making Ruhi laugh.

Others gave her a confused look.

Ruhi (shaking her head): Inside joke.

Others ignored, while Navya understood. Navya and Ruhi hi-fied, making Ivana groan.

Vidyut: Alright! Girls, let's head towards your class. Boys, how about you?

Nayan: We are in the library.

Vidyut nodded. As said, Everyone left for their exam and study.

Ruhi sat on her allocated bench which was beside the window. Vidyut sat on a bench in the corridor. He can clearly see Ruhi from there. So, Ruhi can see him.

Her exam begins. She was focused on writing her exam. A few times, maybe out of consciousness or fear. Ruhi felt weird. She immediately looked at Vidyut to see him, sitting on a bench with a laptop and Principal Ma'am beside, discussing about something. Taking a deep breath, feeling light, she continued her exam.

Vidyut glances at her time to time to see if she is comfortable and if any danger is around. He was observing around to see if there was any moment or anything.

Once, her exam ended. She walked out of the class and walked towards Vidyut and hugged him.

Due to sudden moment, Vidyut startled. He wrapped his around her.

Vidyut (concerned): What happened?

Ruhi: All good bhai! I was just excited. I successfully completed this exam.

Vidyut nodded, ruffling her hair. She glared at him, pushing his hand as he was spoiling her hair.

Bidding bye to her friends, Ruhi sat inside the car.

She removed the mask and took the water bottle, gulping a few sips and than  sighed in relief.

Vidyut chuckled at her antics.

To be continued....