Life has many conditions to offer, but love is said to be unconditional. There are no conditions in love, and that’s a true fact. However, some people find joy in imposing conditions on the ones they love. Sometimes, such gestures break the love relationship to an extent that people develop trust issues, and it becomes hard for them to find love.

This is something that Sachin Singhania agrees with. He has seen it all – broken hearts, broken trust, and most importantly, the pain of losing your loved ones. He’s a CID officer, and he has gained more life lessons than his age. He has invested his love and life in his younger sister, Ruhana Singhania. After the untimely death of their parents, Sachin and Ruhana have been the only family to each other. Their love for each other is a testament to their patience, resilience, and respect for each other.

It’s a fine evening, and Sachin is driving, a small smile playing on his lips. It’s his special day, his birthday, and he has got a little time off. His colleagues and friends celebrated his birthday, but he knows that his little sister must be waiting for him, and all his celebrations are incomplete without Ruhana. Amidst all these thoughts, he reaches home, and after parking the car, as he steps inside, he finds the main door ajar and the place dark.

Sachin is surprised; it’s close to 9, and Ruhana is always home by this time. If she has some urgent work, she always leaves a message for him or calls him. However, he enters the house, calling for his sister. As he reaches the hall, calling Ruhana’s name, the lights turn on, and Ruhana pounces on him, hugging him, and wishing him for the day.

As he adjusts his eyes to the bright light, he hugs his sister and at the same time, he finds another pretty girl beaming at him. His heart swells with excitement as the other girl hugs him as well.

“Tum dono ek saath? Aaj kuch khaas hai?” Sachin asks, darting his gaze at both the girls.

“Sachin, aaj tumhara janamdin hai, usse khaas kya ho sakta hai?” the other girl asks, her tone soft.

“Exactly, bhaiya! Angie aayi thi shaam ko, phir maine usey rok liya, ab hum cake cut karenge,” Ruhana chuckles, she’s far too excited for her brother’s birthday.

“Tune cake banaya hai?” Sachin asks, his excitement bubbling.

“Of course, har saal toh banati hun, iss baar kaise bhul jaati,” Ruhana replies and leads his way towards the dining table.

There’s a cake sitting on the table; it’s a double-flavor cake, vanilla and chocolate, since Sachin doesn’t like chocolate much. Ruhana lights the candle and asks her brother to make a wish. Sachin tries to wave it off, but upon Ruhana’s glare, he closes his eyes and makes a wish. Of course, all his wishes revolve around his little sister. He cuts the cake and feeds the first piece to Ruhana, who in turn feeds him some cake and paints some cream on his face, chuckling.

Angie, aka Angel, is watching them with a fond smile on her face. Meanwhile, Ruhana forwards a gift wrap towards her brother. He’s surprised, and she insists he open it. As he unwraps the gift, he finds a coffee mug with his and Ruhana’s picture imprinted on it. Along with it, there’s a photo frame with their picture and a pen customized with Sachin’s name. He’s overwhelmed by the gifts presented to him.

“This is beautiful,” he remarks, his tone soft.

“I know, I chose it, aur phir jitna aap karte ho, utna main kahan aapke liye kar paati hoon, bhaiya. Par aap jaante ho na, I love you, mujhe pata hai, jitna pyaar aap mujhse karte ho na, utna koi nahi kar sakta,” Ruhana smiles, her voice thick with emotion.

“You do it in your own way, Ruu. Toh compare nahi karte, thik hai. And I will keep it close to my heart,” he says, holding the pen in his hand.

Ruhana smiles and hugs him, resting her head on his chest, finding solace in his close proximity. It’s her safe haven, after all. A few minutes later, she looks at him, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“Vaise bhaiya, mere paas aapke liye ek achchi khabar hai,” Ruhana announces, seeking her brother’s attention.

“Aur vo kya?” Sachin asks, his tone gentle.

“Aaj hi email aaya, meri posting aa gai hai, aur…” Ruhana says but pauses in the middle and gazes at Sachin.

“Aur… aur mujhe yahin posting mili hai, CID Mumbai,” Ruhana reveals the reason for her excitement.

“That’s great, aur Angel, tumhari posting?” Sachin turns towards the other girl.

“Tumne kaha tha na dono hamesha saath rehna, toh hum saath mein hi rahenge, aur tumhe satayenge bhi,” Angel giggles, revealing that she’s also posted to CID Mumbai.

Sachin smiles as he looks at the two girls. These two are special to him. Angel and Ruhana are college friends, and they have taken their police training together. They’ve become inseparable over time, and often Sachin quoted that these two get married in the same house, but they used to shush it off. Now, too, they’ve got postings in the same branch of CID. Little did they know that their life is going to change.

Angel is in awe of the bond that Ruhana and Sachin share, while her best friend is unaware of her bond with Sachin. Meanwhile, Ruhana asks Sachin to freshen up and come for dinner, to which he agrees. However, her phone rings, and Ruhana runs into her room to attend the call.

Meanwhile, Angel hugs Sachin, pecks his cheek, and greets him for the day. He kisses the top of her head.

“I missed you, Sachin. Par ab main aa gai hoon, aur ab toh hum ek saath kaam bhi karne wale hain, I am so excited,” she chuckles, snuggling close to him.

“I missed you too. I am so glad. Ab tum dono meri aankhon ke saamne rahoge toh tension kam rahegi,” Sachin says, professing his feelings.

“Aw, aur jo na rehte toh?” Angel asks, darting her gaze at him.

“Toh tension rehti, lekin itna toh main jaanta hoon, tum Ruhana ka, aur Ruhana tumhara bahut achche se khayal rakhte,” he smiles, his tone laced with emotion.

“Aw, ye toh hai, Sachin, par kya tumne Ruhana ko bataya hai?” she asks.

“Kis baare mein?” he asks, eating another piece of cake.

“Hum… hamare baare mein, of course,” Angel asks, her curiosity piqued.

“Abhi tak toh nahi, par tum kyun puch rahi ho?” Sachin asks, his tone gentle.

“Kyunki mujhe lagta hai usey mujh par shaq ho gaya hai, usey pata chal gaya hai ki kuch chal raha hai, isliye main soch rahi hun ki usey bata diya jaye,” Angel says, her tone soft, her resolve hardening.

However, before Sachin could respond, Ruhana’s voice echoes in the room. They gaze at her, and the next words leaving her mouth leave Sachin and Angel stunned.

To Be Continued.