Siddharth and Ruhana leave for the office. Their workplace, Malhotra Associates, is the result of Siddharth's hard work. They deal with technology and interior designing. He has a passion for computers, and so, he's now leading a company that offers IT services, making an identity of his own. His passion and hard work have earned him a place in the top ten list in the business world. They are elated about the same. The love of their family, the people they work with, and their friends' constant support and appreciation always keep them going. They continue to work hard for the betterment of the company.

They reach their office and make their way to their cabin. It's not just any ordinary cabin; it's a large space comprising two rooms in one. The two rooms are separated by a glass wall and a door. The inner cabin belongs to Ruhana, while the outer one belongs to Siddharth. Though there are two cabins, Siddharth made these changes personally. The staff is unaware of this fact, but they never make a fuss about it.

Ruhana moves into her cabin, settles her things, and checks the day's schedule. As she reads her list, she remembers something and turns to look at Siddharth, who is talking on the phone. She makes a call, and her manager Sandhya enters the cabin. Ruhana instructs her to get the conference room ready as there is a meeting at 11. Sandhya agrees and leaves the cabin. Ruhana turns around and finds Siddharth looking at her. She enters his cabin through the glass door, and Siddharth presses a button, covering the glass wall with curtains. Ruhana smiles.

"Impressive, Mr. Pati! So much technology, haan!" she says, truly impressed.

He smiles, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Ab itni khubsurat biwi ho toh aisa karna hi padta hai!" Siddharth winks at her.

Ruhana laughs and lightly slaps his cheek. He holds her hand, but she frees herself from his grip.

"It's time to work, Mr. Malhotra. Aaj tumhari meeting hai na Sahni group ke sath?" she asks.

Siddharth looks at her; his expression shows that he has forgotten about the meeting. Ruhana sighs, shaking her head, "I knew, tum bhul jaoge. At least apni meetings toh yaad rakh liya karo," she says, chiding him.

"Tum ho na! Then why should I worry? Mujhe ache se pata hai ki meri absence mein tum sare kaam ache se sambhal logi," Siddharth says.

She rolls her eyes at him. "Absence! Kahan ja rahe ho tum?"

Siddharth smiles, understanding the underlying message. "Arey! Mere kehne ka matlab tha ki jab main office se bahar rahunga tab tum ache se sab sambhal logi. Dekho, Mr. Sahni se milne Hotel Rainbow jana padega na," Siddharth says, flashing a cute smile at her.

She slaps his arm a little sharply, and he is stunned. "It hurts!" he says, making a sad face.

Ruhana makes a face, "It should. Aaj subah se tumhari baatein mujhe bhi aise hi chubh rahi hain. Samjhe! Subah kya keh rahe they? Agar kuch hua toh bhoot banke aaunga, aur abhi akelepan ki baat! Kyun karte ho aisi baat? Tumhe andaaza hai ki it can hurt me." She shouts, her patience wearing thin.

Siddharth is surprised to see her angry. He's just trying to keep things light, but his wife is hurt, and she jerks his hand away as he places it on her shoulder. "Stop! You always do this. But today I am angry. Jo mann mein aata hai bol dete ho, sochte hi nahi ki kisi aur ko kaisa lagega. This is enough, Siddharth!" She leaves the cabin in anger while Siddharth is left stunned.

He's looking at her retreating figure when a knock on the door of his cabin breaks his reverie. He allows the person in, and it's none other than Vineet Singhaniya, his best friend and business partner. He's here for their joint meeting with the Sahni group—the one Ruhana mentioned earlier.

"Kya hua? Meeting pe nahi jana?? I thought you will call me. But jab tumhara call nahi aaya toh main hi aa gaya. Socha tumse aur Ruhana se bhi milna ho jayega," Vineet says, flashing his cute smile.

Siddharth sighs, "Ruhana bahut gusse mein hai," he murmurs, causing Vineet to glare at him.

"Kyun? What did you do?" he asks, leaving Siddharth stunned.

"Hey, you say it too? Maine bas ek chhota sa mazaak kiya tha aur Ruhana bura maan gai. Aur tum bhi mujhse puch rahe ho maine kya kiya," he says, looking at his friend with mock anger.

He further explains how he joked twice during the day and that his wife is upset. Before Vineet can react, they hear Ruhana's voice—soft, yet sharp.

"Wo bhale hi chota sa mazak ho tumhare liye, par mere liye meri zindagi hai, Siddharth. Kyunki ab mere liye sirf tum important ho. Tum ho toh main hoon. Zindagi ne itna kuch cheena hai mere haath se ki ab kuch bhi khone se darti hoon. Tumhe khona main afford nahi kar sakti, Siddharth. Isliye chahe wo mazaak mein kahi hui baat ho, mere dil pe chot lagti hai. Tumhare door jaane ki baat ne hi mujhe disturb kar diya hai, toh socho, agar sach mein kuch hua toh main toh marr hi jaungi. Isliye please, mujhse aisa mazaak phir kabhi mat karna, Siddharth. Kabhi nahi."

It's Ruhana, who has barged into the friends' conversation.

Her eyes are teary. Certainly, since she married Siddharth, her life revolves around him. She lost her family early in life, and now all she has is Siddharth—her husband. She loves him more than herself and can't imagine a life without him. Siddharth and Vineet are taken aback. Siddharth moves closer to her and holds her hands. He has never seen her this vulnerable. He cups her cheek with one hand.

"I'm sorry, Ruhana. Mujhe nahi pata tha tum itna bura maan jaogi. I promise aaj ke baad aisa koi mazaak nahi karunga jisse tumhe takleef ho," he says, guilty for his joke.

"Aur agar ye phir bhi aisa mazaak kare toh mujhe batana, Ruu. Isko aisa sabak sikhaunga ki yaad rakhega," Vineet says in an attempt to lighten the situation.

Ruhana finally smiles. She gazes at Vineet, "Ab tumhara dost hai toh tumhari baat hi maanega," she says lightly.

"Agar nahi maanega toh pitega," Vineet adds, causing Ruhana to laugh.

"Arey tum dono ki baat manunga. Abhi mujhe maaf karo," Siddharth says, his tone gentle as he pulls Ruhana into an embrace, assuring her that he will not repeat his mistake.

Vineet smiles, "We should leave, otherwise we will be late for the meeting," he says.

"Haan, have you checked everything?" Siddharth asks.

Vineet nods affirmatively, and at the same time, Ruhana's assistant informs her that her clients have arrived. Wishing good luck to both her husband and friend, Ruhana makes her way to the conference room while Siddharth and Vineet leave for their meeting.

*****

Two hours later, Ruhana finishes her meetings and makes her way into her cabin with the delegates, and they finally sign the deal. She is elated to have secured such a big project and is eager to share the news with her husband. Since he's not in the office, she cleans her desk and makes her way into her husband's cabin, taking a seat on his chair. She also informs her secretary to let her know if there's any call for her or if someone comes looking for her. Additionally, she asks for a brief and calls Sandhya into Siddharth's cabin itself.

An hour later, Siddharth and Vineet come back, and Vineet tells her that they have bagged the deal with the Sahnis. In return, she also tells them about the project she signed. Siddharth side-hugs her while Vineet shakes hands with her. After having coffee with Siddharth and Ruhana, Vineet takes his leave.

Siddharth turns to Ruhana, who looks happy—maybe because of the project. They then discuss some issues, and soon enough, it's 7 PM. They didn't realize how time flew as they were engrossed in work. Siddharth sighs and finds Ruhana standing near him.

"Let's go home!" she says.

He stands up from his place and slips his hand around her waist.

"I have a better plan," he whispers in her ear.

She looks at him with a sparkling glint in her eyes as he blindfolds her and leads her out of the office. Ruhana gets ecstatic. She has no idea what Siddharth is doing or where he is taking her, so she keeps asking questions, but he shushes her every time. After an hour, he stops the car. Ruhana takes a deep breath.

"Car kyun roki?" she asks.

"See for yourself, love," he says and leads her forward again.

A few minutes later, he removes her blindfold, and she is left flabbergasted to see the view in front of her. She doesn't know how to react.

To Be Continued.