Falling For You

~Chapter #42~

As the concert ends, Ruhana and her friends move out of the auditorium. She asks her friends to meet her in the restaurant and the girls agree. They know, Ruhana needs time to talk to Vineet. As they disperse, Ruhana looks at Vineet. She’s thankful to Vineet for arranging it for her. 

“Vineet, thank you so much. I am truly grateful.” Ruhana says softly. 

“This is the least I could do for you, Ruhana.” Vineet says softly. 

“I’m glad you did it. Otherwise, no one does it, not even the ones who are close to you.” She says and hugs him tightly. 

“I had to do it, Ruhana. You do so much for me. I never think of what you do, I should be thankful to you, which I’ve never been. This wasn’t hard, kyunki tum kabhi kuch nahi kehti. Tum sirf mera waqt aur saath chahti ho, jo main nahi de pata. Tum meri khushi mein apni khushi dhundhti ho.  I am really sorry, Ruhana. This is the least I could do to gain your trust in me.” He says, boring his eyes into hers. 

“Sweet! I am happy Vineet. Tumhari baat sun ke main aur bhi zyada khush hoon. You’ve kept your word. I am glad about it and now I have hope that I’ll get you back—my best friend from childhood.” Ruhana says glancing back at Vineet. 

“I will try. But, I cannot afford to lose you. So, please stay by my side.” He says looking at her. 

Ruhana holds Vineet’s hands in hers and assures him that he is not alone, she is always around him and she won’t stop annoying him. He laughs at her words while she adores him. Holding her hand, he takes her to the restaurant taking care that she doesn’t hurt herself. 

Ruhana is touched, she knows that he’s caring and he still cares, she just wants him to move on. Now that he has tried, she wants him to continue this. She wants him to grow out of his shell and be the man he has grown up to be. 

The day ends on a happy note and everyone disperses into their rooms. It is their last night in Mumbai and the next day, they will be leaving for their hometown. 

*****
The next morning, Ruhana wakes up and she realises that it’s their last day in this dream city. She wakes up her friends and the three girls pack their stuff. They’ll leave the rooms and then stroll nearby before heading to the airport post lunch. As the girls finish packing, Ruhana sighs. 

“Ah! 10 days are coming to an end! Again that boring routine.” She makes the face. 

“And exams!! Gotta study!” Shubhi makes a face. 

“And then we’ll plan a trip after exams.” Priyanka chuckles, jumping on her toes. 

“Oh yes! But for that, we have to forget all these memories.” Ruhana makes a sad face. 

The girls share a hug and then they move out. They have a flight at 12:30 PM. It’s 9:00 AM and the professors cleared that they will take an hour to reach the airport, so they’ll leave the hotel before 10 AM. Every student is sad momentarily, they have enjoyed a lot and the trip is coming to an end. 

Now, they will be back to their hometown and every student is happy and excited for their times at the college. Isn’t it the case with all of us? We feel bored of our monotonous routines and we always need something to refresh. And this Mumbai trip has proved refreshing for them. It has rejuvenated them for their usual routine back home. 

*****

A few hours later, they reach home — their hometown, Delhi.Ruhana’s father picked them from the airport. They’e happy to be home. Vineet seems relaxed and tired, and so is Ruhana. Ruhana’s mother asks them to freshen up and also prepares coffee for them. 

They freshen up and Ruhana runs out of her room and occupies her place beside her dad and Vineet takes place beside his Ma. He places her head on his shoulder. Ruhana quickly picks her mug and giggles before Vineet could do it. He smiles at her antics. 

"Vineet, I hope she didn't trouble you?Did she?" she asks while looking at the young lad. 

“Huh! He troubles me everyday. And you don’t say anything to him? Very bad, mumma!” Ruhana makes a face at her beloved mom.

"Who said you're not a kid?? You just behaved like a kid." He says and smiles widely.

“I have to do that. I can’t bear your silence you know. Remember you promised me something. And to make you speak, I have to speak, right. Tum toh kuch karte hi nahi.” Ruhana says innocently, reminding him about his promise. 

"But, that doesn't mean you're going to trouble my son, got that?" she says while looking at her daughter. 

“Mom’s with me! You won’t be able to do anything.” He teases her. 

Vineet is glad to have the lady by his side. She has always considered him her son. She didn’t let loneliness touch him. He has always been a part of the family. Though she scolded him when he was a kid, but loved him even more. Ruhana would get irked sometimes when they were kids and Vineet used to teach her. Vineet has a small smile on his lips as he thinks about the lady who’s his Ma now and no one could ever snatch her from him. He watches as Ruhana makes a face. 

"I will not trouble your son, but ask him to be happy. Otherwise, I will trouble him even more than he can imagine. " she says and begins to sip her coffee. 

He let out a chuckle. He knows that she won't do anything that could hurt him. She makes mistakes only to hear his scolding or to get his care. She might get irritated, yet she loves to be around him, no matter how angry or irritated he is. He hears her mother saying something.

The lady asks them to relax while she settles the dinner table. Ruhana’s dad asks them about he trip and RUhana begins to tell him every minute detail about the trip while Vineet turns into a silent listener. Meanwhile, her mom calls them for dinner. This little family finished their dinner with casual talks, and Vineet too, took part in it, making Ruhana happy. 

*****
Later, that night, Ruhana is in her room settling her backpack for college. Her phone rings and she gets happy upon hearing the caller. Meanwhile, Vineet enters the room and is astonished to find her happy. He says something that leaves Ruhana astonished while Vineet is all smiles while looking at her. 

To Be Continued.