Apnapan

Chapter - 11 : Her Thoughts

~Angel~

I looked on as Sachin took Ruhi inside the room. Since he promised Ruhi to take her out, I had to join them. It's been the same routine since he adopted Ruhi and was her guardian. Five years have passed by, and I have only felt myself attracted towards them.

I have known Sachin for ten years now. He has been my friend when I came to Mumbai, and a mentor when I joined the office. We befriended and life was going smoothly. It won't be wrong if I say that I started liking him.. Maybe because of his calm nature and a smile that never left his face.

We befriended and he began dropping me to my home in the nights. There were times when he would stay by for coffee or dinner, or maybe due to some office work. He'd stay at my home and we would work. Sometimes, he even cooked for me. And I loved this side of him.

Everything was going smoothly, when one day Sachin found Ruhi in the garden of his society. That was the day when respect for him grew in my heart. He brought an unknown baby to his home and took care of her,even gave her a name. He took care of her as if she were his own daughter. Well, he does take care of her like every father does to a daughter.

I have felt myself falling towards them. Before he told me that he has found a baby girl and that he'll keep her with him, I didn't know that he has an emotional side too. As far as I have known him, he was friendly and caring, and would help the people in need, but I didn't know that he'll have such a soft heart. I had seen him angered on small issues sometimes, he would even scold our team members as well. But after that little girl came in his life,he was changed. My trance was broken with a tug on my hand. I looked on and found Ruhi holding my hand.

"chalo jaldi se." she spoke in her soft voice.

I smiled…

"par jana kahan hai?" i asked.

She chuckled "Pizza khane.. Aur daddy ne promise kiya tha ki wo Ruhi ko toys dilayenge." she said.

I laughed at the way she was speaking. No, not at her tone, but the confidence in her voice. She was confident enough that Sachin will get her everything that she will demand. Why won't he? After all he loved her much to fulfill all her wishes. Even Ruhi abide by his words. If he said No for anything, she'll stick to it.

Sachin came by my side as I was looking at Ruhi who was running out of the house. I nodded my head negatively. He slipped his hand around my shoulders and pulled me with him. He locked the door of the house and I called Ruhi as she was running around. Sachin got his car and Ruhi hopped into the back seat. Usually she was the first one to jump on the front seat, but today she jumped on the back seat and asked me to sit in the front.

"Don't think too much. Lagta hai aaj Ruhi ka mood acha hai. Isliye wo tumhe yahan baithne de rahi hai, hai na beta?" he asked while looking at his daughter in the rear mirror.

I saw Ruhi glaring at him from the back seat…

"Wo meri best friend hai. Isliye wo Ruhi ki jagah baith sakti hai." she said.

I smiled. She did consider me as a friend, but will she continue to do so when she will grow up? Or will she always consider be just as a friend, or will we take a step forward in our relationship? I was thinking all of it. I glanced at Sachin who was speaking to Ruhi and the girl was replying to him. I knew it wasn't an attraction. It was something more than friendship that I have started to feel for Sachin. My trance was broken by Sachin's voice, we had  reached the mall. I hopped out of the car and we moved into the mall.

~Sachin~

Angel came home but Ruhi was angry with her. Reason being that Angel didn't meet her in the past week. Since last 5 years, it's her weekly ritual to meet Ruhi, and they have made their bond so special. Sometimes, I envy Angel, because they team up to tease me,or to gossip. They would end up teasing me and we'd have a good time together.

Today, Angel's a bit lost, maybe because of her father's words. Her father wants her to join him in delhi but she doesn't want to go back. Yeah, mumbai is home to both of us. We don't want to leave it. Even a part of my heart doesn't want her to go. And so I asked her to concentrate on her job.

Things and thoughts have changed for both, Angel and me in the past years. No, not in terms of ideas or alike thoughts, but towards what we feel. I don't know what she has in her heart, but yeah, a difference has actually lined up. She's no more my friend, but also for Ruhi.

The little girl keeps us on our toes,and this gives more sense to life. I think so. We were inside the mall.. Ruhi pulled Angel towards the toy store while I was strolling near the shop,looking for something on my phone. Meanwhile I saw Angel calling me. I entered inside the shop, I saw that Ruhi had selected a few toys. She ran out of the shop holding a teddy bear in her hand. I knew she won't give it back even if I ask for. I made the payment and moved out of the shop when some sounds distracted me and I was left shocked to see the scenario.

To Be Continued.