After seeing off Anamika, Vineet returns home. He's sad at the moment, not in the mood to talk to anyone. Meanwhile, sensing his presence, Savita comes around, kisses his head, and hugs him. She looks happy for some reason, and Vineet is clueless about the same. He glances at her.

"Kya hua Maa?" he asks, his curiosity piqued.

"Puch toh aise raha hai jaise tujhe pata hi nahi hai," Savita looks at her son, amusement written on her face.

"Maa mujhe sach mein nahi pata, kya hua hai, batao na," he asks again, totally clueless about his mom's happiness.

"Tune bahar ki jis university mein apna naam bheja tha, dekh wahan se letter aaya hai. Iska matlab unhone tujhe chun liya, hai na!" Savita shows him the letter excitedly.

There's a different kind of joy etched on her face. Vineet takes a close glance at the offer letter. Oh yes! He did send an application to a famous management university in the USA. They have sent a letter confirming his admission. He opens the letter, and it is surely his admission letter. Vineet sighs deeply. His mother notices his expressions; he looks melancholy, clearly not pleased even after reading the letter.

"Kya hua? Tu khush nahi hai?" she asks, her tone concerned.

"Nahi Ma! Aisi baat nahi hai," Vineet says, however, his energy is low.

"Dekh Vinu, main jaanti hoon ki tu Anamika ke jaane se udaas hai. Aakhir wo teri bachpan ki dost hai. Uske papa aur tere papa bhi gehre dost hai. Lekin beta, usse apni zindagi toh nahi ruk sakti na! Tu hi bata, tere papa bhi toh 5 mahine se ghar pe nahi hai! Toh kya main udaas hoon? Haan, unhe yaad karti hoon, kami khalti hai mujhe unki, aakhir 30 saal ka sath hai hamara. Lekin main tujhe toh ignore nahi kar rahi na?" Savita says, her tone calm yet convincing.

"Aaj ye letter aate hi mujhe bahut khushi hui. Ab tu Anamika ke baare mein sochna band kar. Wo bhi toh tujhe phone karegi na wahan pahunch kar! Tab baat karlena. Aur ab jaane ki taiyari kar," Savita says, her curiosity piqued.

"Mujhe nahi jana!" he denies straightly, and Savita is shocked.

"Arey! Ye kaunsi baat hui? Tune toh bade chaav se application bheji thi." Savita looks at her son, demanding an answer.

"Nahi Ma! Mujhe nahi jana! Tumhe pata hai na yahan Mumbai mein bhi ek bahut acha college hai. Main wahan se MBA kar lunga," Vineet says, clearly showing his disinterest in the offer.

"Par Vinu! Tujhe jana tha na, beta, aise mat kar," Savita says, looking at her son.

"Haan jaana tha, par ab nahi jaana chahta, Maa! Main tumhare aur papa ke sath hi rehna chahta hoon," he says, settling back on the sofa.

"Arey par beta..." Savita says but Vineet cuts her off.

"Nahi Ma! Main nahi jaunga!" Vineet says adamantly.

"Very good! Mat jao! Kyunki tum chale jaoge toh mera kaam kaun karega?" a feminine voice attracts the mother and son.

A young girl of about his age enters the house and smiles at them. Vineet looks at her, a playful grin adorning his lips. She has clearly distracted him, and he's glad to have her at home.

"Nahi, nahi, main tumhara koi kaam nahi karunga, tum hamesha mushkil sa kaam mujhe de deti ho," Vineet says, his tone teasing.

"Haww, that's so rude! Dekha aunty, aapne? Aur phir mere mumma papa, 'Vineet Beta - Vineet beta' karte rehte hain, aur ye mujhe mana kar raha hai," she makes a face at him, her tone playful, and there's a playful glint in her eyes.

"Toh, tum kyun jal rahi ho? Maine tumhe mana kiya hai, uncle aunty ke kaam toh main karunga hi," he plays along.

She throws a cushion at him and he begins to chase her. Their giggling and heavy breathing are the only sounds audible in the room. Savita feels relieved; her son's mood is all better, all thanks to this pretty girl.

The young girl is Ruhana Mehra. She is another childhood friend of Vineet. But since her father was in the army, she never got to stay with him. Her father is now a retired army man. He retired as a Major and now they are back in Mumbai. Ruhana hides behind Savita.

"Dekho aunty, aapka beta mujhe kitna pareshan karta hai," Ruhana makes a face and complains to Savita.

"Tum satati ho!" Vineet says, he plays along.

"Arey lado mat dono! Ruhana! Mummy nai aayi tumhari?" she asks about her friend.

"Nahi! Actually papa ke kuch dost aa rahe hain lunch pe. Toh Mumma busy hai, par wo aapko bahut yaad karti hai. Main toh Vinu se milne aayi. Kyunki mujhe kuch time ke liye bahar jana hai," Ruhana says, a smile adorning her features.

"Toh jao! Main kya karu!" Vineet says teasingly.

"Tum please mumma papa ko visit karlena. Mujhe training ke liye Delhi jana hai," Ruhana says, her tone sincere.

"Kaisi training?" Vineet asks, his curiosity piqued.

"CID training," Ruhana informs, proudly featuring her achievement.

"Tera selection ho gaya, seriously?" Vineet asks, poking her nose.

"It's not a joke. I am serious!" Ruhana says, her tone filled with annoyance.

"Okay! I was just kidding. Main toh yahi hoon. I will take care. Tujhe kab jana hai?" Vineet asks, his eyes filled with pride for his friend.

"Next Sunday!" Ruhana informs him.

"Perfect! All the best! But yes, you need to report to me every day," he tells her while she giggles.

Ruhana nods her head in agreement and they share a hug after a long banter. Savita, who's watching them, is determined about something.

To Be Continued.