Ruhanna's POV :

"I love you. And no religion, no caste, no colour, no boundary can stop me from loving you more each day."

"Maaaaa...."

I jerked up on my bed straight and looked at the wall clock.
"Oh my God!!! Drishti it is 8:00 o'clock. Why didn't you wake me up???" I almost screamed at her jumping out of the bed.

She stamped her palm on her forehead and exclaimed,
"Because you were sleeping too peacefully for anybody to wake you up Maa. Anyways, the bus is gonna arrive, I'm leaving.Tada." She gave a peck on my cheek and ran downstairs.
Holy Shit! I forgot that today is Monday.

"Drishti...breakfast and tiffin????" I shouted out to her."And don't run so fast on the stairs." I yelled as I ran after her in my PJ's and top.

"I had cereals and banana Maa, and I shall eat in the canteen today."
She said slamming the door behind her.

A bowl of empty cereals and banana peel was spread on the dining table. Thank goodness she had her breakfast!! I felt sorry for she had to get ready for school on her own. I surely did not raise my daughter with a silver spoon. Since most of the time I was busy at office, she learned to manage the small things like getting ready for school on her own. Like I said, she understood me the best.

My house was what anybody can call cozy. It wasn't a palatial kind but it was large enough for two people now, with a porch, a big dinning hall and attached drawing room along with a kitchen. Drishti's and my room were upstairs along with a study room and guest room, though rarely any guest visited us after Gitarth's demise except for my elder brother and his family once a year. And sometimes my in-laws came to see by. Other than that, our house was just occupied by the two of us. There are some areas of the house which was never revisited by me since the last three years, like the study room of Gitarth which reminded me about every bit of him. His fingerprints which were imprinted on those books still lied there covered with layers of dust now. I never allowed anybody to ruin his touch.

When I strolled upstairs, a sinking feeling started to consume me as I passed by his study room. I miss him everyday, specially in this house where he breathed his last. I feel like he is still around us watching over Drishti and I like a guardian angel. His presence is still felt in every corner of the house.

I took my shower and started brushing my hair when my cell phone vibrated. It was Riyanka's message-

Where are you? The new MD is gonna arrive in no time. Be quick.

I totally forgot about this. Oh God! I hurriedly brushed my hair and dressed up within 10 minutes. I grabbed a toast and banana and rushed to the garage to start the car. How could I forget this?? Being the Project Manager I didn't even prepare any welcome speech for him. Now I was really going to depend on my wit.

As I rushed inside the office, the receptionist greeted me with a big smile but I had no time to respond to that. There was a pin drop silence in the office. I wondered if everybody was dead. Suddenly from nowhere a loud applause surrounded me. I stood still trying to understand what was going on. Priyanka and a few of my other colleagues started singing the Happy Birthday song. I was startled. Holy God! This simply went out of my mind! Today is my birthday. My hands flew to my head in amazement. I never imagined for my colleagues to be such a source of surprised joy.

"Happy Birthday Ruhanna." A husky voice cracked behind me. I turned around to find a tall, well built man in a grey suit standing in front of me. The face looked very familiar.

"Meet our new MD, Mr. Jaaiz Qureshi." Priyanka introduced me with that guy. I could not even blink to figure out why the hell I was going through all these crap when he interrupted, "I guess you are late, but just because it is your birthday, I'm excusing you today."

Jaaiz meant Siddhant's brother? Ofcourse, I thought. There couldn't be another Jaaiz. I felt like cursing myself for assuming in the first place Jaaiz Qureshi to be some random new guy. His eyes resembled exactly Siddhant's. Now, I had to address this guy as 'Sir' all my life? I'd prefer to jump from a tower rather than doing this.

One by one, all my colleagues came forward to wish me happy birthday when Jaaiz gave a stern order raising his hand,
"Yes, everybody get back to work now." Before turning back he eyed me and said, "Come to my office ASAP with the new plan of the Amingaon construction site."

I knew how sinister and stone hearted he could be. He was what you can call the opposite of Siddhant. Rusty and Bad. And out of nowhere he has landed here. I should have known when this name came for the new MD that there couldn't be another Jaaiz Qureshi.

No sooner did he leave to his cabin, my phone rang loud. Unknown number. I hoped it wasn't any doppelganger of Jaaiz.

"What? Yea yea I will be right there." I cut the call and immediately ran outside without having the time to inform anybody that I was leaving. I switched off my phone and drove to Sacred Heart hospital. My hands started to sweat when I reached the receptionist's counter.

"Drishti Sharma...can you please check in which room number she is admitted?" I asked fighting back my tears.

"The school accident case ma'am?"

I nodded.

"Room number 30.... second floor to the right Ma'am."

I quickly took the stairs and ran upstairs to the second floor. I had no time to wait for the lift. From the other end, I found her Principle talking with a doctor in the corridor.

"Sir where is Drishti?" I asked gasping for air.

The old man turned to me and exclaimed, "Mrs Sharma!! Oh she is under observation now. Don't worry your daughter is a strong girl. She is going to be alright as the doctor said."

I wiped my tears and asked, "How did this happen Sir?"

He adjusted his specks and said,
"Well her friend said while running downstairs she tumbled down on her shoe lace which led her to fall down the stairs. This is indeed very unfortunate."

"Is she going to be alright? Can I please see her?" I asked the doctor.

"We will be conducting some MRI's to check if there is no internal injury. Otherwise she is doing fine. She is under observation now, you can meet her once she is awake. Till then please wait outside."
The doctor gave a warm smile as if that could comfort me. I was dying inside to find my daughter lying on the hospital bed.

I peeped through the window and saw her sleeping peacefully. There was saline needle pierced on her tiny hands. She looked so pale and weak that it made me cry.
Why does all the bad thing needs to happen with her?

I decided to wait outside until she woke up. Thereafter, I thanked Principle Sir for such a caring approach and assured him that he could leave as I was already there to take care of her. He asked me to keep him updated with her medical reports. That was really very kind of that man.

I sat outside, my head on my hands as I started taking deep breaths praying to God to make everything alright.

"Hey!"

A deep voice cracked in. I dropped my hands on my lap and looked up to find him standing in front of me. After escaping from that party like a coward last week, the last thing I could imagine was to meet him again. Already his brother had decided to make my working life a hell and now he stood here in front of me making the situation more remorse. Was he stalking me?

My jaws literally dropped seeing him there, unexpectedly. He was dressed in a black Puma T-shirt and jeans,on one hand he was holding the morning news paper, while on the other a warm cup of Cappuccino. It didn't seem like he came all the way to stalk me with such a tired and pale look on his face. I know I was hot enough to be a mother but stalking me wasn't a common phenomenon.

"I know you are thinking that I am stalking you which I am not." He gave a smirk and sat near me.

Oh God! He can still read my mind?

"No..no..it isn't like that." I pulled the strands of my hair behind my ear.

"What are you doing here?" He asked candidly as if I was in the hospital as a matter of sight seeing a monument.

"My d-aa-uggh-ter ..she fell down the stairs in school." I stammered.

"You mean Drishti?" He kept his cup on the chair and asked worriedly, "I'm really so sorry to hear that. She's such a great kid. How is she doing now?"

"She is under observation right now. So, I am just praying that she fights through this.." I said gloomily as I lowered my head.

"Of course she will Ruhi...don't worry. She is a brave girl. Even I shall pray to Allah for her." He gave a concerned smile.

Anuraag was right. He was still the same old Siddhant whose empathy and humbleness could be matched with none. I smiled looking at him. I don't know if I wanted to smile but his genuine care made me smile. His presence brought a zing of hope and positivity in the air like always. Yeah, my daughter is a strong girl.

"Thanks. That was encouraging." I smiled. "What about your presence in the hospital?"

He slouched on his seat, his biceps perfectly toned to give him the muscular look. "My wife." He sighed in dismay. There was agony in those bright eyes as he crumpled the edge of the newspaper.

"Is she alright?"

"No she is not. She is pregnant." He said like that was the most sinful thing on earth.

"Congrats.That's such a good news. Why are you freaking out like this? Jitters of being a new dad huh?" I asked assuming how all men felt about being a father for the first time. It was a big responsibility.

"No Ruhi....its not so simple. She and the baby is diagnosed with Hepatitis B. And it is getting very complicated for the doctors to assure whether both the mother and child will be safe. They are saying there is a very less chance." He said as his eyes got watery."I never felt so helpless. I mean I took perfect care of her and our baby. I can't see her like this anymore."

My heart sank listening to that. I knew the fear a person faces when they say see their loved one fighting for life. It is like seeing your own death right in front of your eyes. He was a strong man I knew that, but such things are hard to deal with. I squeezed his hand affectionately and said, "She will be alright...don't lose hope...I will pray to Shiv ji."

He nodded wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes.
"Thanks. I hope he listens to you."

Even I hoped that he listened to my prayers this time. I remember all the long days and nights when I kept praying for Gitarth during his treatment. I rang the bells of all the temples and churches hoping God would listen to my prayers. All my faith was on God that time. But unfortunately, nothing good happened. I was left alone with Drishti when I needed him the most. Fate is really cruel.

"I'm sorry for bothering you...I was just passing by the corridor when I saw you sitting here." He spoke at a rapid speed which he did every time he was embarrassed.

"Siddhant....calm down. It is alright. You can still talk to about anything you know that" I glared at him.

"Won't you run away like that day?" He gave a half crooked smile, his dimples dug deep in his cheeks which was rather very attractive even in his gloomiest mood.

Oh boy! That was so stupid of me.
"Not at all....I-i-just..."

"I understand. You don't need to explain." He raised his hand stopping me to say anything further."I freaked you out I know."

"Kind of." I pursed my lips together.

He shrugged as if he already knew that would be coming.
"Anyways I'll see you around. And do render my love and good wishes to Drishti." He said and gulped the cold cappuccino at once.

"Sure. I will come to see your wife if you let me know the room number."

"143...ICU ward...to the left from here." He said and turned his back to leave.

"Siddhant." I took his name distinctly loud enough.

"Yes?" He glanced at over his broad shoulders, raising an eyebrow.

"It is good to see you again."

"Oh yes...you too...and Happy Birthday Ruhi..." He passed his dimpled smile.

"Oh God!! You remembered?" My hands reached to cover my mouth in disbelief.

"Ofcourse." He winked and left.

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1K...Thank you to each one of you who have been reading, voting and commenting on this story so far....I may not know all of you personally but I hope my humble gratitude reaches each one of you....it really means a lot me.!!

Anyways, views, comments and votes are always appreciated. :)