Falling For You

~Chapter #55~

It’s night and Vineet walks towards Ruhana’s room. She’s on the balcony of her room and is drawing on a canvas that her father got for him. Vineet looks from the door and finds her playing with her pencil colours and canvas. Vineet knows that this girl has given so much to him. She’s his sunshine. She never leaves his side and is always behind him. He feels that his life is happy only with Ruhana in it. She’s the only chirpy bird in his family.

She’s always thinking about him. She’s always by his side, no matter, how much he tries to push her away. He looks at her and she’s sketching a scene — the scene of their night schedule. He could see her sketching the scene, where there’s a starry sky and two people are sitting on the balcony. There’s a swing and the girl is sitting with her head settled on the guy’s shoulder. It’s how they spend their time before calling it a night.

Life has been hard for him, but with her around, it seems easy. She leaves everything that she loves just to be with him. Ever since they returned from the Mumbai trip, Vineet has changed his mind. He is changing in a positive way and he’s glad to see that Ruhana is happy. Her smile says it all. Yeah, they’ve been teasing each other lately and that’s a good thing for them. Ruhana is elated and Vineet can see that in her eyes.

She’s happy and she often words her feelings. He’s content that she can do a little bit to make her happy. Well, he believes that he isn’t much giving like Ruhana, he’s always hurt her in the past, but now, he wants to make up for all the bad that he has done to her. Well, it’s not bad, it’s the way he behaved with her and he knows that she got hurt but still stuck with him— only for his happiness. She only wants his happiness.

Vineet is staring at Ruhana and is lost in his thoughts about her. His trance breaks with her voice. He’s amused that she felt his presence.

“What are you doing at the door, Vineet? You know, it’s only you and me who are awake at this moment.” Ruhaan calls for him.

“How do you know?” Vineet asks as he finally enters the room.

“I know you very well. You’re my best friend. And if I won’t know, who will? Come on in! I made something.” Ruhana chuckles at the moment.

Vineet sits on the floor bed beside Ruhana. It’s kept there as per Ruhana’s demand. She loves to watch the night sky. Today too, she’s sitting on her floor bed and drawing. As Vineet sits beside her, she shifts the canvas towards him and he’s mesmerised. Taking a close look at the drawing, Vineet is lost in the moment. It’s much better than what he saw from the distance.

“This is beautiful, Ruu.” He compliments her.

“Yay! I will make one more, a coloured one. This is black and white. And then we’ll hang one each in our rooms.” She tells her plan happily.

“That’s pretty good! I will take this!” Vineet takes the canvas in his hands.

“Hey! Keep it back, it’s not done yet. Put it back on the board. “ She slaps his arm.

“See it through my eyes, Ruhana. You will see that it’s complete.” Vineet says.

“But, you’re not taking it now. We’ll get them framed after our exams. And until then, you can come into my room and see them.” Ruhana announces.

Vineet smiles, Ruhana is very particular about the things that she owns. But she shares them all with him. For others, there’s a barline and no one can go past it. He comes out of his trance when he feels a warm touch on his shoulder. She’s kept her head on his shoulder and her words make him smile.

“It’s so beautiful, Vineet. With you, things become beautiful. After sketching this, I’m feeling so much at peace.” Ruhana smiles, her eyes fixated on the sketch she just made.

“I know! It’s beautiful, and I’ve learnt this from you. Thanks, for always sticking with me. I always annoy you so much, but you’re still there, holding the chords.” Vineet says and tilts his face to look at her and she pulls her head and holds his hands in hers.

“Vineet! I’ve told you many times. You’re my best friend, maybe….maybe more than that. And I will always be there. I just want you, Vineet. I mean, our old days. I know life hasn’t been easy for you, and it is not easy at all. But we have to pave our way. I am glad you’re doing that.” Ruhana says with a smile.

“This is the least I could do. Maybe, you’re healing me.” Vineet says, his eyes never leaving her face.

“I am glad about that Vineet. I’ve always prayed for you and will always do so.” Ruhana says and then again embraces him in a side hug.

Vineet embraces her in his arms as well and she murmurs what’s in her heart, inaudible to him. She holds his hand while in the hug — I’ll always Love you, Vineet! I don’t know about you, but I love you. And I’ll do anything to heal you.

Meanwhile, Vineet checks the watch and it’s midnight. He asks her to sleep and he also moves into his room. Exams are ahead, after all. As Vineet leaves the room, Ruhana latches the door and hops on her bed, which is now empty. She picks out her secret diary and pens the day’s happenings. She remembers how she and Vineet fell into banters and how they convince each other. She ends her diary with a small note —

Falling in Love is easy but retaining the love and fragrance is hard. And Falling for you is the best thing that happened to me. Maybe, you’ll feel the same about me, one day.

To Be Continued.

Will Vineet realise his feelings for Ruhana?

Stay tuned.