Life isn’t a cakewalk. You can’t get everything you desire whenever you want. Joys are often hidden, while sorrows are plain to see. However, this applies to more than just joys and sorrows; everything in life is masked. You can’t uncover it until you live through it. You must let things happen, live life as it comes, and overcome the obstacles, carving your own destiny.

Ruhana Sehgal believes in living life on her own terms and making her own decisions. It's not that difficult, but it isn't easy either. It takes a lot of courage, but once you do it, life becomes easier. However, many people are too lazy to work for themselves. They prefer the easy way out rather than putting in the hard work.

Ruhana is an exception in these times. She believes in seizing opportunities, working hard, and then uncovering the hidden jewels of joy and love in the future. At twenty-five years old, she is the elder of two sisters, with a ten-year gap between them. Ruhana was born when their parents married young, and after a long gap, they decided to have another child, resulting in the birth of Ruhana’s younger sister, Anamika.

Anamika loves her sister and follows every word Ruhana says as if it were a final order. Anamika is fifteen, while Ruhana acts as a second mother to her sister. The girls lost their father in an unforeseen accident, and their mother couldn't bear the loss, passing away soon after. Ever since then, Anamika and Ruhana have stayed together, becoming each other’s world. It's been six years without their parents, and the void still exists. However, Ruhana has always kept the promise she made to her mother, to keep her sister safe and sound.

Ruhana has proved to be a great sister, and Anamika often quotes that her sister is the best she could have, and it only makes Ruhana happy. However, there are times when she feels that she’s not giving enough time to her sister due to her work commitments. During this time, there’s someone who takes care of Anamika.

Ruhana is an investigative journalist, working for Excel Media and News Agency. She loves the adventure that comes along with her work. She holds an unwavering resolve to expose everything that infects the mankind and society. She only wants truth and justice to prevail. And for this, she’s working hard.

*****
“Uhh! You’re lost again! What should I do with you, Ms. Ruhana Sehgal?”

“Why do you lose track of time when you think about me or our life? You should think about yourself. My buddy is there, you know!”

Anamika’s words break her trance, and Ruhana glances at her little sister. The girl is standing before her, hands on her hips, staring at her.

Ruhana can see numerous questions in her eyes, and she has no answers. However, it’s true that whenever she sees Anamika, she remembers their parents. The urge to keep her safe from the world’s heinous ways strengthens, and an unwavering resolve is visible in her eyes.

“Di! What are you thinking?” Anamika asks again, her curiosity piqued by the determination in her sister’s eyes.

“Of course, my life, my thoughts, everything starts and ends with you, Ana. So yes, I was thinking about you,” Ruhana responds, patting the bed to prompt Anamika to sit.

“Uh, I’m a big girl now, stop thinking about me, Didu!” Anamika says, while Ruhana shakes her head, knowing her sister says this for show, but wouldn’t manage alone.

“Oh, then who should I think about?” Ruhana asks playfully, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from her little sister.

“Buddy, maybe! I know you think about him but mask it by saying you’re thinking about me,” Anamika says with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Really? I don’t have time to think about him, Ana! Even he knows that,” Ruhana says, a smile lighting her lips.

“That’s so old-school, Didu. You must think about yourself. It’s high time!” Anamika says, her tone a little loud.

“I have you, Ana. I don’t need anyone else. Now, aren’t you going to your dance class?” Ruhana questions, changing the topic.

“Yeah, I’ll leave in ten minutes. But you won’t think too much, got it?” Anamika asks, peering into her eyes.

Ruhana nods affirmatively, and then the two sisters leave the house as she has to drop Anamika at her dance class and Ruhana has to meet a friend.

*****

Ruhana stops by The Coffee Nook cafe. She parks the car and enters the cafe, only to discover her friends occupying the corner table. She makes her way toward them and finds that they have already ordered coffee for her as well. She gazes at them; it’s a guy and a girl. The girl is her age while the guy is two years older than them. She tries reading their expressions and sees worry etched on their faces.

“What happened? Why did you call me here?” Ruhana asks.

“I’ve got a news!” the guy speaks.

“What is it? Is it another project?” she asks eagerly.

“Yes, sort of. And I wanted to discuss it with you. She got it,” the guy says, pointing to the girl sitting beside him.

“Raj, Naina, what’s the news? Speak directly,” Ruhana looks at her friends.

“This news concerns an enigmatic businessman, Ruu. I suspect he’s involved in some illegal business,” the girl, Naina, speaks.

“Ooh, who is he? I just do not understand why people do such things. Unko kya mazaa aata hai ye sab galat kaam karne mein?” Ruhana voices her concern.

“Kyunki unhe ye sahi lagta hai, Ruhana. Unhe lagta hai they can earn more money by the wrong means,” Raj begins to speak.

“Yeah, you’re right, Raj. Anyway, what’s next?” she asks.

“Boss wants to meet all of us tomorrow, sharp, nine A.M., in his office,” Naina replies.

“And here’s this pen drive for more information. I want you to see the content before we meet tomorrow,” Raj says, and Ruhana nods affirmatively.

They are Ruhana’s colleagues, Rajveer Sharma and Naina Sharma. They work at Excel Media & News Agency. Rajveer is a news anchor and media analyst, and Naina is a digital content editor and writes feature news. Even Ruhana writes for the agency's papers and magazines, but only when she has some time to spare.

Rajveer, Ruhana, and Naina finish their coffee in silence. The cafe fills up, and they can’t talk about the case openly. The trio decides to meet in the office the next day and then part ways.

Ruhana is excited to lay her hands on a new case. There’s a constant smile on her face, and in the meantime, her phone rings. She talks for a few minutes and then heads to her next destination.

Her day has begun a little late today. However, it doesn’t matter, it’s her day off and she has already planned her dinner date with her sister. Well, before that, she needs to meet someone urgently.

To Be Continued.