Rekindled Hearts: The Journey Of Transformation[ONC2024]

|#25. The Promise of Togetherness|

Ruhana and Vineet return to Ruhana's home. Once inside, Ruhana breaks into tears, realizing the gravity of the situation she's in right now. She is bankrupt, she doesn't have enough money to start another business, and she doesn't know the next step. She is crying bitterly, and Vineet watches her. He feels she should cry her heart out. Once the matter cools down, he will talk to her, and they will seek out some solution.

A little while later, Ruhana composes herself, and Vineet offers her a glass of water. She glances at him, realizing that he has been by her side since the beginning. The gap doesn't matter, but he has always tried to protect her. He mentioned it already that she had made the mistake. However, it also dawns on her that she has hurt this man who is still here, offering his assistance. She glances at him and holds his hands, apologizing once again.

"I am sorry, Vineet. I know I should have listened to you, but I was... I turned blind to all of this. And again, I have been ditched. Yes, I deserved this," she says dejectedly.

"No, you do not deserve this, Ruu... I mean, Ruhana. You deserve something better," he corrects himself, while she doesn't say anything.

"What else could be better? My hard-earned money is all gone. I will have to start from scratch, Vineet. And it's not easy," she replies, her eyes still filled with tears.

"I can help you, and when two people work together, it becomes easier to achieve the goal," he explains while she stares at him for a few minutes.

"You heard me right, Ruhana. I will help you. TechCouture will rise back to fame. And I need you to work with patience. Will you?" he asks.

"Is it possible, Vineet? I – I am penniless right now," she asks, unable to believe she's bankrupt at the moment.

"Yes, Ruhana. You remember we have done a few deals together?" he asks, and she nods positively.

"The cash that we earned, I've made two FD accounts, one in your name and the other in mine. We can get the money from there. It will be enough to restart," he says, and she's awestruck.

"You did it for me? Why? I mean, I have been so rude to you, I didn't consider your points, and you're here doing so many things for me, why? I didn't treat you right, and you're doing certain things, as if you're someone close to me."

"Yes, you are! But if it had been anyone else, they'd have left me alone," Ruhana completes her statement.

"Because I am not the kind to leave my people alone in times of distress, Ruhana. I am doing such small things for you because I love you. I have told you already," Vineet admits his love once more.

"You love me? Is someone so selfish like me? Why, Vinu? Why?" she asks, using his nickname.

"Because love doesn't see all this, Ruhana. I know your life made you like this. You have changed a lot, but I know there's that girl in you who still loves people unconditionally. I will wait until you admit your love for me," he says.

She just stares at him, and he continues to speak. She doesn't have enough courage to interrupt in the middle.

"When you were rude to me, when tears in your eyes pained me, when you kept things hidden from me, I realized what you meant for me, Ruhana. I realized my potential after meeting you. You made me realize that keep working is the key. You always get whatever you desire."

"And I have got what I desired. I got a friend like you. Yeah, you might not love me back, but I am glad to know that you respect my feelings. I will love you forever," he says and glances at her.

"And if I don't agree? Don't you think you must fight for it?" she asks.

"No, Ruhana. Love is beautiful. You get it eventually. And I have got mine in you. Believe me, waiting for you has always been a form of freedom," he smiles.

She gazes at him for some good minutes. She has no arguments to offer. She knows that he's right. She's inclined to him. She knows that he is the right person for her. He can help her and love her unconditionally. In the past few hours, she has realized his worth and also her mistake.

She walks close to him and holds his hands in hers. She again apologizes to him for hurting his feelings.

"Vineet, you said that waiting has been a form of freedom for you. Will you still wait for me?" she asks, and he nods positively.

"I can wait until eternity, Ruhana," he says.

"Call me, Ruu! It suits you. I am sorry, again. I know I have hurt you, but I want to start all over again. The business, life, and our love. Will you give me another chance?" she glances at him hopefully.

His eyes shine with joy as he gives her a positive nod. She hugs him out of excitement, and she promises that she will try hard to be the woman he wants her to be.

They part from the hug, and she tries to look away, but he makes her face himself. The proximity to him makes her heart beat faster. Locking eyes with him, she finds herself overcome by emotion, yielding to the impulse to lean in and capture his lips with hers. As their mouths meet, their hearts synchronize in a rapid rhythm, drowning out all other sound save for the tender whisper of their lips caressing each other. What begins as a gentle kiss swiftly ignites into a fervent expression of longing and desire.

They break the kiss, and Ruhana hides in his embrace, accepting that she too holds some feelings for him. He pulls apart from her and promises that they will bring TechCouture back to life, and the transformation will happen soon. She agrees with him as they join hands, to walk down the aisle to their dreams of love and life.