Ruhi's Apartment

Ruhi hears the doorbell and walks lazily towards the door to open. She frowns to find Rihan at the door step with 2 large paper bags.

She asks, "Rihan?"

He greets with a smile, "Hey, can I come inside?"

Ruhi nods and moves aside to give him space to enter. He steps inside, while closing the door behind and she gestures him to sit on the couch.

Rihan takes a seat and announces, while lifting the bags, "I have got Indian food for dinner with ice cream."

Ruhi frowns in confusion and demands, "Dinner? But why?"

Rihan lowers the bags and informs after clearing his throat, "Well, I had a chat with Armaan before leaving from office and he informed, the advance training was more hectic than predicted. So, I thought, you must be exhausted to even cook and being a good friend, I got food."

She smiles at his gesture and comments, "That's so sweet of you, Rihan. I was actually thinking to make instant noodles or something for dinner because I didn't even have the energy to stand for more than 15 minutes."

Rihan states with a smile, "Then I should pat my own back for getting dinner."

She giggles to see him patting his own back, then they move towards the dining table to eat.

Armaan's Room, Armaan's Mansion

Armaan suggests, while laying besides her and massaging her scalp, "And if you want, you can shift to my room."

Kavya opens her eyes immediately after his last words hit her ears and she stares into his eyes with shock, evident in her own.

Armaan moves his other hand to caress her cheek with the back of his fingers and asks, "Do you want to?"

Kavya doesn't say a word and continues to stare with shock. While he was staring with hope to hear a yes, but smiles sadly, when he gets nothing in response till a minute.

So, he covers up, "And I will shift in your room, then you can use the Jacuzzi without worrying for clothes or other stuffs."

Armaan feels Kavya physically relaxing as he continues to massage her scalp and caress her cheek.

Her reaction makes him sad, though he can interpret her point of view. She has recently started becoming comfortable around him, their chats didn't have hesitation and their closeness reflected lesser awkwardness.

Still it was too early for sharing a room.

But he didn't allow his hope to affect with her unsaid refusal, he believed, soon everything will be normal between them.

Kavya will accept him as her husband, one day and he was positive, that day wasn't far.

Armaan smiles at her and enquires politely, "So, should we interchange the rooms?"

Kavya shakes her head with hesitation and denies in a low voice, "No, I will ask Mary to help me."

He agrees, not willing to discomfort her with this discussion, "Okay, as you wish."

Armaan glances at his wrist watch, worn around wrist of the hand, caressing her cheek to see the time.

He faces her and informs, "It's 7 pm, let's have dinner, so you can sleep early. Even tomorrow, there are two advance training batches."

Kavya nods, not uttering a word and they stand from the bed to exit the room for kitchen.

Ruhi's Apartment

Ruhi and Rihan sit on the couch in the living room after having dinner with casual chat. He gets a mail notification and excuses himself for replying as it was important.

Ruhi waits for him, when her thoughts go back to the incident shared by Kavya, which happened in Armaan's office.

He faces her with a smile and apologises, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Ruhi smiles and hesitates before asking, "Can I ask you something, if you don't mind?"

Rihan nods with an encouraging smile and she enquires, "With nominal education, how are you competing with highly qualified employees in your office?"

Rihan smiles and demands politely, "So Kavya shared the office incident with you?"

She lowers her gaze and apologises, "Sorry, I didn't mean to interfere, but Kavy was very disturbed on that day, so I asked her to tell me each and everything, so...."

Ruhi trails off, making Rihan bite his lip in amusement and he extends his hand to lift her face by holding her chin with his index finger and thumb.

He assures with a smile, "Don't apologise, friends should know everything about each other, so it's perfectly alright."

Ruhi smiles with relief and Rihan confesses, "And actually I am as qualified as them."

Ruhi frowns in confusion and Rihan confesses, "When Armaan was studying in London, he had send me a copy of his notes and books. He asked me to study them well, so my limited knowledge never becomes a hurdle in my job. Sometimes we even did video chats for my doubts, plus to share case study and important data."

Ruhi's nods, absorbing the new information and Rihan continues, "That's how I got my theoretical knowledge. Then I had joined some courses for practical knowledge on Armaan's suggestion. Plus when I joined his office, Armaan helped me in initial stage."

She nods in understanding and Rihan continues, "This is why, I am able to do my job perfectly. After all, the boss has trained me."

Ruhi grins and Rihan shares further, "But no one is aware of this arrangement, it's just between me and him. Because not everyone can understand my and Armaan's friendship."

Ruhi nods in understanding and lowers her gaze before asking, "But when the employees misbehave with you, don't you feel disheartened and wish to tell them, you are equally qualified, only you lack is a certificate to show off."

Rihan confesses with a smile, "No, I never wished to share any of these facts with them because then we have to explain them how it started. And to be honest, if people knew everything, then they will think Armaan is helping me because I took bullet to save his life and-"

Ruhi interrupts in shock, "You took a bullet?"

Rihan nods to confirm and gets surprised with Ruhi's next words, "Are you crazy? What the hell were you thinking? Is taking bullet equal to taking a chocolate? How could you do that?"

Rihan attempts to stop her ranting, "Ruhi, relax. It happened years ago and I survived. Now I am absolutely fit and healthy, sitting in front of you. So-"

Ruhi snaps at him, "Of course you survived, you absolutely fit and healthy dead body."

Rihan glances away in embarrassment, while Ruhi continues to blabber, "But how could you do this? What do you think of yourself, Rihan? Are you some superhero or something? Do you realise, how much your family would have suffered with this stunt of yours?"

Rihan gazes back to Ruhi, as her voice starts to weaken at the end and notices her eyes are glistening with painful tears.

Ruhi continues, "Do you know, how the family member feels when they are sitting outside the operation theatre waiting for the doctor to announce a good news, but all they get is a worst news of their life? Do you know what the family member suffers when they know she is an orphan now?"

Rihan whispers in surprise, "Ruhi."

Ignoring his word, an emotional Ruhi continues blabbering, "Do you know how a little girl feels, when the doctor announces her parents couldn't survive? Do you know the ratio to survive in a car accident is much, much higher than surviving by a bullet? You are lucky you survived Rihan, but not everyone is lucky. Please don't play with your life."

Tears escape from her eyes, remembering her parents' death and she covers her face with her hands, as painful sobs escape from her lips.

Rihan shifts closer and hesitates before holding her hands to uncover her face.

Rihan apologises, "Ruhi, I am sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of your parent's death. I am genuinely sorry."

Ruhi continues to cry, lowering her head and Rihan caresses her hands to console her.

However, her sobs keeps increasing and Rihan leaves her hand to cup her chin and lifts to face him.

Rihan consoles, "Ruhi, I know it is difficult, but you have to learn to live with this fact. They had a limited time to live and you are a strong woman, who has survived the problems of her life with ease. You know, they would be so proud of your success, when they would be seeing you from heaven."

Ruhi shakes her head and denies, while crying, "No, I am not strong....I am weak."

Before Rihan can console her further, Ruhi unconsciously leans towards him and cries, resting her head on his shoulder.

Rihan fails to find a way to stop her from crying and slowly wraps his arm around her shoulder. He feels her hand clenching his shirt in a tight grip and moves closer to wrap his other arm around her waist, completing the hug.

Unaware of what to say, Rihan moves his hand to stroke her hair and keeps his other arm wrapped around her figure.

He allows her to cry and continues to stroke her hair to provide comfort.

Near the Staircase, Armaan's Mansion

Armaan makes his way towards the staircase after dinner and states, "Now you should sleep and-"

He halts, not feeling Kavya's presence near him and turns to find her standing at three feet away. He frowns, walking closer and finds her drown in her own thoughts.

Armaan asks, "What happened?"

Kavya answers with a nervous grin, "I am not tired anymore."

He raises his eyebrows in surprise and she confesses, "I want to go out."

Armaan asks with confusion, "Out? Now?"

Kavya rolls her eyes and mocks, "No, when the sacred time arrives and Mary breaks the coconut."

He shakes his head in disbelief and she whines, "Armaan, my days go in DID or NGO duties. It's been ages, I had roamed out in the fresh air. Please can we go out?"

Armaan agrees and asks, "Alight, where do you want to go?"

Kavya orders with a smile, "First to our rooms to change in something casual, then let's meet in the car and decide."

Before Armaan can react, she rushes upstairs to her room and he chuckles at her new found energy before following to obey his wife's orders.

Armaan's Car

Armaan stares at Kavya, after driving the car aimlessly for half an hour as she asked him to just drive without keeping a location in mind.

He shifts his gaze back to the road and informs with concern, "Kavya, we will cross the boundaries of Mumbai city, if I continued to drive for more 10 minutes."

She rolls her eyes and asks, "Armaan, long drives at a chilly nights are better, when they are unplanned. They are enjoyable and-"

Armaan argues, "But unplanned drives are dangerous, what if the car broken down or fuel is finished and there is no petrol pump around?"

Kavya states with a grin, "Then we can walk for something and ask for lift from truck drivers-"

He interrupts with a question, "Who can kill us? Kavya, how can you think of such dangerous things?"

She murmurs under her breath, "And how can he think of adventure is dangerous? Typical arrogant."

Armaan asks, "What did you say?"

She instructs, changing the topic, "Take right then second left."

He enquires, "You know this location?"

Kavya smirks, not answering his question and enjoying the drive.

Bedroom, Ruhi's Apartment

Rihan enters the bedroom with an upset Ruhi in his arms. He places her carefully on the bed, resting her back against the bedrest and sits besides, facing her.

She apologises in a low, depressed voice, "I am sorry, I-"

Rihan places his finger on her lips, stopping her apology and Ruhi stares at him in surprise.

Reading her expressions, Rihan realises his action and withdraws his finger. Ruhi lowers her gaze and plays with her fingers.

He explains, earning her attention, "Ruhi, you don't have to apologize. I have lost my father too, I know how it feels. Though your case is worst, as you have lost everything, but I can understand your feelings."

He leans closer and asks, "Can I share something?"

She nods silently and Rihan confesses, "My mom is an asthma patient."

Ruhi widens her moist eyes in shock and he continues, "She is retired now, but when she was working, she was hospitalized often because of exertion. She couldn't handle physical and mental stress. Fortunately after meeting Armaan, he helped me by getting the best doctors in town to treat her and now after my job, she only relaxes at home."

Rihan takes her hand in his and confesses, "But whenever I saw my mom on the hospital bed, I panicked​, I feared​ to lose her. She is my only family and to see her suffering, it gave me an unbearable pain."

He smiles sadly and continues, "You know, she acts childishly, friendly and as a young sister sometimes. I tell her I hate it, but internally I love to pamper her. She has seen worst days after Papa's death because none of our friends or relatives helped us. So, I allow her to do anything as she wishes now, which makes her happy."

Ruhi smiles with teary eyes and tightens her grip on his hand. Rihan smiles after glancing at their connected hands and faces her.

He states, "And you know, she is my biggest inspiration. With asthma problem and no help, she raised me well and gave me everything, I needed and wished for."

Rihan tightens his grip on her hand, making her glance at their connected hands, then at him.

He continues, "Ruhi, I am not saying you haven't done a great job by gathering yourself, nor I am neglecting DID's success. Trust me, you can be an inspiration to many girls, however I want you to learn to control your emotions."

She lowers her gaze and Rihan explains further, "My mom never allowed me to cry by remembering my father. She said, I am Papa's representative and I have to take the responsibility to maintain happiness, peace, discipline and safety in the home. He has left important work on my shoulders and I should give my best to be as successful as he was."

Rihan smiles at Ruhi and cups her face with other hand, before continuing, "Even your parents have left important work on your shoulders Ruhi, the work to maintain happiness, peace, discipline and safety in your home. You can't cry by remembering them each time, you are their representative and you have to work hard to be as successful in personal life as they were."

Ruhi stares at him attentively and he asks, "Tell me something, have to you ever seen them crying over anything or anyone?"

She shakes her head in negative and Rihan continues, "Then why are you crying? You have to continue their work, Ruhi. You have to show to the world, you are their obedient daughter. So, will you try to control your emotions and be strong for them?"

Ruhi nods wordlessly, as a lone tear escapes her eye, which is soon wiped by Rihan.

He warns playfully, "Hey, no tears allowed. But as you are a beginner, so I am allowing some minor mistakes."

Ruhi couldn't help, but giggle with her teary eyes and wipes her eyes, making Rihan smile.

He cups her face with both hands, while learning closer and plants a kiss on her forehead, making her close her eyes. He moves back and she opens her eyes to stare in his captivating ones.

He declares, "You are strong, ok?"

Ruhi agrees with a confident nod, "Yes."

Rihan smiles, staring at her and suddenly announces playfully, "So let's celebrate this small achievement with ice cream now."

Before Ruhi can respond, Rihan stands to rush towards the kitchen in excitement, making her giggle again.

Soon he brings two bowls of chocolate ice cream and offers her one to eat. As they start eating, Rihan cracks a few jokes to cheer up Ruhi's mood and makes her forget about the emotional breakdown she experienced earlier.

Unknown Location

Armaan stares at Kavya's randomly selected location with wide eyes and asks in disbelief, "You have got to be kidding me?"

Kavya stares at the park with a huge grin and informs with excitement, "Nope, I am serious and we are going inside the park."

He turns to face her and asks, "Do I look like a kid to you? It's been over 20 years, I went inside a park."

She turns to face him and questions with surprise, "Really?"

Armaan answers, "Of course."

Kavya nods to herself and murmurs, "Hmmm...that explains."

He asks with a frown, "What?"

Kavya shakes her head and pleads, "Armaan, please, I want to sit on a swing and enjoy this chilly weather."

Before he can react, she rushes towards the gate with excitement and he asks to himself, "Was she asking or informing me?"

Armaan shakes his head in disbelief and follows his wife to find her scrutinizing the locked gates of the park.

He sighs in relief to see it locked, but her next action shocks him.

Kavya grips the gate to gear up for climbing the 6 feet tall gate and lifts her left foot to place on the floral designs of the gate.

She lifts her right feet to climb further, but Armaan stops her, "Kavya, what the hell are you doing?"

She turns to face him and demands with raised eyebrows, "What does it look like?"

He sighs and requests, "Please come down, this is dangerous. I will bring you in the morning, when the park will open."

Kavya demands with a frown, "What's the fun then?"

Armaan opens his mouth to speak and she cuts him off, "And please change your definition of dangerous. What we are doing is adventurous, okay?"

He rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to object, but she threatens him, "And without wasting one more minute, watch me climbing and follow my lead. If you didn't come inside with me, I will punch you and send your broken nose picture to all your clients. I am sure, Rihan will not deny to help, if I tell him, I am good at giving black eye as well."

She smirks as he glares at her and she turns to climb further, taking support of the gate's design. Armaan glances around to search for someone or the security guard, so he can stop Kavya's 'adventure' but finds none to save him.

He sighs in helplessness and prays to God before climbing the gate.

Armaan murmurs under his breath, "I cannot believe, I am doing this."

Inside the Park

There is low light inside, but Kavya jumps in excitement when she successfully finds the swing and runs towards it. She takes a seat and starts swinging as her husband stands awkwardly to find a place to sit.

She slow downs and instructs, while pointing at the swing next to her, "Sit here."

Armaan shakes his head and denies, "No, I am fine."

Kavya sighs and pleads after apologising, "Sorry to threaten you, but please come and sit. It can take your weight, the swing won't break."

He glares at her as she presses her lips to not laugh on her last words and he walks closer to sit beside her. Though he doesn't swing and she decides to help him.

Kavya moves her feet back and forth slowly to demonstrate and explains, "Use your feet to sway and once you get the lead, do it faster."

Armaan retorts, "Kavya, I know to swing."

She comments with a mocking surprised look, "Wow, you know to swing."

He glares at her, making her chuckles and asks, "Then why are you not enjoying yourself, Armaan?"

He states, while swaying, "I just...never mind."

She insists, "No, I want to listen. Armaan, I know, you have a business empire to manage and RGC is our passion. Plus, I shouldn't compare you with my father because he always removes time for fun loving activities. But stressing entire time will harm your health and apart from business, you should do involve yourself in other activities."

Armaan asks, "Like illegitimately entering a closed park at 10 pm on an empty road?"

Kavya laughs, making him chuckle and suggests, "No, I mean, you can do something, which doesn't relate to business."

He unconsciously swings faster, meeting Kavya's speed and shares after a moment of thinking, "During my childhood, I loved listening to Mary's story, she narrates them beautifully."

She smiles, while asking, "Then why did you stop?"

Armaan sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose and answers bitterly, "When you understand, the harsh reality of life, then happy stories seems as a tight slap on your face."

Kavya's smile drop and she lowers her gaze, well aware that he is referring to his parents. They were responsible for his loneliness and arrogance as they were busy with their work, leaving their son alone to be raised by Mary.

She glances at her husband, who is staring at his right with hurt in his eyes. Her eyes follow the direction to find an animated painting of a little boy, holding his parents' hand at either side, drawn on a wall.

Kavya faces Armaan again and fails to find the right words to console him. She has lived with her parents' presence, love and support till now. It won't be right to say a word as she hasn't experienced the same.

Though she can give him a taste of her experience now.

Kavya stops swaying and stands to walk towards the seesaw before turning to ask, "Care to join me?"

Armaan shifts his attention from the wall and finds his wife, pointing at the newly found adventure. He chuckles, seeing her childish grin with bouncing eyebrows and stands to join her.

She balance the seesaw at the middle, so they can sit and immediately lowers her side. He grips the handle at the front to not fall and finds his wife giggling at him.

He warns playfully, "If I fall and break my bones, then you will be my caretaker."

Kavya teases, "Oh! I have an innocent kid here, who is scared of height."

Armaan struggles before lowering himself and cranes his head to see her laughing at the height. He shakes his head in disbelief, expecting her to panic, but she is enjoying herself.

However, it made him smile and he continued to lower her, then himself.

Kavya smiles as he laughs, when she had to grip the handle after Armaan lowered her in speed and she was about to fall.

She warns playfully, "I won't spare you for this."

Kavya struggles to lower herself, but an unfamiliar male voice freezes her, "Who is inside?"

They panic and Armaan scoots up to allow her to get off the seesaw. Turning around, they find a security guard opening the gate. But the gate was far and the lights were dim, so the security guard didn't see them.

He whispers, "We will get caught."

She whispers, "No, we won't."

Kavya holds Armaan's hand and pulls him to hide behind a tree as they hear footsteps approaching. She places her on her lips, asking him to stay silent and turns around to see the security guard.

But she presses her body to his for hiding from the view of the guard, who is nearing the tree and feels Armaan's arms wrapping around her waist. She faces him and he pulls her further closer, while stepping further away from the guard's sight.

They continue to stare into each other's eyes and Kavya's hand move from his chest to wrap around the neck as she unconsciously moves closer.

But soon they hear guard's voice, breaking their eye-lock, "I know, someone is here. Your car is outside and if you didn't come out, I will damage the car."

Armaan rolls his eyes at his fake threat, the guard would be a fool to damage an expensive car and invite trouble for himself.

While Kavya searches for a route to escape and finds the ladder, leading to the slide, which ends towards the gates.

She grins and pats his chest to show him the escape route.

He whispers, "Hmm...that is only remaining, swing and seesaw is done."

Kavya leans towards him, pressing her mouth to his chest to muffle her giggles, so they don't get caught. While he smiles before dragging his wife towards the ladder.

He allows her to climb first, while keeping an eye on the guard, who is fearing to find the intruder behind the bushes. He shakes his head in annoyance and follows Kavya, who is sitting to slide down.

Armaan follows behind and grabs her hand, once he landed on the ground and they run towards the gate.

They hear the guard's voice, "Stop right there" followed by his heavy footsteps.

But they neither slow down or halt and continue to run till the car. Armaan unlocks the door and they enter, then he locks the door back as the guard nears the car. He starts the car and drives away, leaving an angry guard to yell behind.

After driving till a safe distance, Armaan and Kavya turn to face each other, then burst out laughing.

She comments in-between her giggles, "That was fun."

He agrees, while laughing, "Indeed."

************

That's all for now.....will update next part as soon as possible.....hope you liked this part, do give your reviews...till then Keep Smiling and Take Care

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