Falling For You

~Chapter #5~

Ruhana leaves the park after the trifle with Vineet. She's tired of his silence. She can't bear his rudeness and silent behavior. She wants him back to be in his real self. As always, he didn't have any answers to her questions. He's beside her, but his head hung down. He didn't say a word. Ruhana reaches home and moves straight to her room. Vineet follows her inside the house, shortly. Her mother looks at him.

"What happened, Vineet?" she asks softly, reading his sad face.

"She's very angry." he says softly, guilt building in his voice.

"Give her some time. You know, she can't stay silent and away from you, for a long time." Her mother says.

" But she's angry. Very angry." he says disappointedly.

She looks at him and makes him sit on the couch and sits beside him.

"Relax Vineet. I know what bothers you, and what bothers her. But she's right at her place. You're her only friend. She dislikes going to social gatherings. She says she is happy with you. And if you will serve her silence, then she'll be hurt." She says thoughtfully.

Vineet looks at her. The lady smiles and keeps her hand on his head, pressing it softly. She knows what Vineet is going through, but it has been twelve long years of that bad incident. But, he has to cope up. She cups his face.

" You're dear to me, Vineet. Not because you've been living with us, it's because whenever your mom used to scold you, you used to come to me. For you, I was your savior. You used to convince your dad[Ruhana's dad] to take you on long drives. Do you think I can see you sad? No, son! No mother can see her children sad. I care for you and Ruhana both. I know what bothers my children. Try opening up your heart, son. Ruhana only needs her childhood best friend. Can't you give us the same treat, like you used to do in your childhood? " She says.

Vineet sighs. He fears to be the same again. He believes that someone might hurt him again. He fears to open up, even if it is Ruhana. He looks at his Maa.

" Maa! I am sorry. " he says.

He's apologising for not being what they want for him. His guardian lady understands this, but not his friend. She looks at him.

"Don't be sorry, Vineet. But, I'd like to say something. Not every phase is same, neither the people around you are same. I tell  this to Ruhana as well, that everyone has a certain time to heal. Take your time, but don't lose your real self." She says and pats his cheek.

She asks him to freshen up and come down with Ruhana, as she will be preparing dinner. Vineet nods and moves to his room. On his way, he peeps into Ruhana's room. He finds her sitting on the bed clutching her teddy bear. Her eyes are teary. His heart pinches to see her like that. She's angry at him, and she's crying as well. Why? He is tempted to ask her. He wants to convince her but he knows that, it's hard as well. He knocks on the door. She looks up and frowns as their eyes meet.

"Vineet, please, if you have come here to apologise, don't do it. Because you won't mean it." She says angrily.

"Ruhana, try to understand. I said sorry. I promise I won't do it again."  he says.

She snaps at him angrily. She is well aware of his habit of sugar coating his words and then he pulls away from all his promises. She can't believe him,at the first place. Secondly, she doesn't want to get hurt again. Hurt by him. He looks pained at her reply. He walks inside and sits on the bed. She turns away her face. He holds her hands in his. The warmth of his hands make her turn her face at him.

Vineet looks pained. He is tensed because she isn't talking to him. The girl who follows him everywhere, the one who makes sure if he's fine, the girl who always finds time and moments to be with him, is angry with him. He is suddenly missing everything that Ruhana does for him. He is used to it,now. He wants her to run behind him, to coax him to do things her way, but she is serving him silence.

He deserves it. Yes! He deserves her silence.

She jerks his hands and he comes out of his trance.

"Vineet please. If you can get angry, then I can do the same. Your sad faces won't work today. Just leave me alone. That's your way! Right?" she snaps at him.

A lump forms in Vineet's throat. He has never seen her so angry at himself. She can't be angry at him but she is. It's a hard game to convince her. She shows him the door.

" Leave my room, Vineet. You should be happy  that I won't coax you from today."  She says angrily.

"But I want you to do it. I miss it all." he says.

"Oh please, Vineet! Stop talking. I don't want to do anything. When you will understand how silence feels and tastes, then you will understand my pain. Now leave my room. I have to change." She says and pushes him out of her room.

Vineet is astonished. Ruhana isn't of this kind. She always wants him to be by his side. She feels better when they study together in her room. Or there are times when she goes to him or calls him in order to seek his help. But, today, she is angry. Vineet feels guilty. He understands her pain, now that she's not behind him. He moves to his room and moves into the washroom. He splashes water on his face and looks at his wet face in the mirror. He moves out and changes into the casual. All the while, he is thinking  about what to do to convince his best friend, that is, Ruhana.

He scans his room. Everything is at it's place. It must be Maa, who does it all for him. And not to forget, Ruhana as well. His eyes land on his guitar and he knows what to do to convince Ruhana. He silently wishes that she will forget her anger and forgive him.

To Be Continued.