"Only fake flowers are flawless"

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India..

After 6 months....

Ruhi was elated when she secured one of the biggest contracts for an engagement party in India. This was a significant milestone for her business, and she saw it as a golden opportunity to showcase her skills on a prestigious platform in her home country. The clients were among the most reputable people in India, adding to the excitement and importance of this project.

Having established a strong presence on the international stage, Ruhi was eager to expand her influence in India. This engagement party was the perfect occasion to demonstrate her team's exceptional abilities and to create an event that would be remembered for years to come.

It was truly challenging for Ruhi to arrange everything in India, especially with the unfamiliarity of local vendors and logistics. However, the Hitchhiker's, known for their resourcefulness, managed to navigate these obstacles. Despite the initial difficulties, they leveraged their problem-solving skills and connections to make the event a success.

Ruhi faced numerous challenges while planning the engagement party. She didn't have the same network in India as she did internationally, which made sourcing decorations and other essentials difficult. However, her determination and the support of her dedicated team kept her going.

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

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan...

All the preparations and arrangements for the engagement party were complete, but Ruhi couldn't shake the feeling of panic. This was the most important project of her career, a critical opportunity to establish her presence in India. From early morning, she had personally overseen every detail, including the food, decorations, and other arrangements. So consumed with ensuring perfection, she hadn't found the time to dress for the occasion and was still in her formals as the event began.

As the event unfolded, the Malhotra family, renowned for their high standards, were thoroughly impressed with the Hitchhiker's décor and organization. They praised Ruhi and her team for their meticulous work, which brought a sense of relief and accomplishment to Ruhi, albeit briefly.

Abhay, Shruti, and the rest of the team were dressed impeccably in their formal attire, looking stunning and fitting for the grand event. However, Ruhi's formal business outfit stood out, reflecting her unyielding focus and dedication but also hinting at her stress and exhaustion. Her team members, understanding the immense pressure she had been under, felt a mix of pride and concern for her.

Shruti, noticing Ruhi's continued stress and lack of personal preparation, decided to intervene. She grabbed Ruhi's hand just as she was busy giving final instructions to the staff.

"Ruhi, come with me for a moment," Shruti said gently but firmly.

Ruhi, momentarily startled, looked at Shruti with a puzzled expression. "Shruti, I can't. There's still so much to do."

"You've done enough, Ruhi. Everything is perfect. It's time for you to take a moment for yourself," Shruti insisted, leading her away from the busy area.

Shruti led Ruhi to a quieter part of the venue where the team had prepared a surprise for her. A beautiful outfit was laid out, ready for her to change into.

"Ruhi, we know how much this event means to you, and you've done an incredible job. But you also need to look after yourself. You deserve to enjoy this moment and look the part," Shruti said, her voice filled with encouragement and care.

Ruhi hesitated for a moment, her mind still racing with thoughts of the event. But then she saw the sincerity and determination in Shruti's eyes and the supportive smiles of her team and Ruhi quickly changed into the stunning outfit. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she barely recognized the transformed version of herself.

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

Ruhi was doing her final touch-up when someone knocked on her door continuously. Already irritated because her heels were bothering her, she rushed to the door with a pair of heels in one hand and her other hand supporting her lehenga.

"Coming!" she called out, frustrated.

When she opened the door, she found no one there. Confused, she looked up and down the corridor but saw no one. Just as she was about to close the door, a young boy stumbled into her lehenga and quickly darted inside her room.

"Hehhj hehhh, who are you?" Ruhi asked, her irritation mounting.

"Aunty, close the door... they're going to take me," the boy said with humorous laugh.

"Who? And who are you?" Ruhi questioned, but she was interrupted by another knock on the door. When she opened it, a security officer stood there, looking serious.

"Ma'am, sorry to disturb you, but have you seen a boy around here?" the officer asked.

"What... actually happened?" Ruhi asked, bewildered, her frustration evident as she held a pair of heels in one hand. The officer's expression turned almost comical at the sight, and Ruhi, annoyed, threw the heels into a corner.

"Mom, help me nahhh," the boy suddenly came forward, fluttering his eyelashes at Ruhi. She was taken aback-she had just met this boy two seconds ago, and now he was claiming her as his mother. She noticed the mischievous smile on his face and realized he was trying to avoid trouble.

"Oh, that's your boy, ma'am. Please, ma'am, make sure to take care of your child. He might put his life in danger," the officer said with genuine concern and worry.

"What's the matter?" Ruhi asked, trying to piece together the situation.

"Your son was found in an empty place behind the palace where no one usually goes. Ma'am, you know how dangerous it is for a child to roam around at this hour. Please make sure to look after him," the officer explained as trying to portrait Ruhi as a bad mother.

Ruhi was already running late for the engagement event, but now an unexpected trouble had found her. The officer, still standing at her door, seemed determined to get to the bottom of the situation.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I need proof that this child is yours. Otherwise, I'll have to take action. We can't have children wandering in dangerous areas," the officer stated firmly.

Ruhi's brain froze for a moment. What if the officer found out that she had only met this boy two seconds ago and he had claimed her as his mother on a whim?

"Officer!!! The child is mine, obviously," Ruhi said, trying to stay calm despite her fluttering nerves.

The officer's suspicion deepened. "Ma'am, you need to provide some proof. Can you show me any pictures of you with this boy?"

"Officer, we have so many similarities in common, can't you see?" Ruhi tried to state her point.

The officer remained firm. "Ma'am, pictures, please."

"Mom... Officer uncle is so rude," the boy scowled, his defiance only adding to Ruhi's anxiety. Her eyes widened at the boy's audacity. She was getting into deeper trouble, and the boy couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"I said get inside. I shall handle the rest," she warned him in a stern tone. The boy, sensing the seriousness of the situation, nodded and walked away.

Ruhi took a deep breath and faced the officer again. "Officer, why would I kidnap or lie about my own child? I know he is my son," she explained with as much confidence as she could muster, trying to project a sense of pride and certainty.

The officer seemed to waver, scrutinizing her carefully. "Ma'am, it's just a routine check. We have to ensure the safety of all children. If you can't provide pictures right now, perhaps any other form of proof or someone who can vouch for you?"

"Officer, I am the wedding planner for this event and I'm seriously running late. Plus, my phone's battery is dead," Ruhi tried to explain, hoping to buy some time. Just then, her iPhone started to ring, adding more suspicion to the officer's already skeptical gaze.

"Mhmmm... actually..." Ruhi fluttered her eyelashes, thoroughly embarrassed.

Before she could come up with another excuse, the officer's phone rang. He answered it, listening intently. After a brief conversation, he hung up and looked at Ruhi.

"Mam, I have been called to the event. Although I'm letting this go for now, I will make sure to verify if this is your child or not," the officer said, passing her a tight smile before leaving.

Ruhi's breath returned to normal after the officer finally left. She sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Almighty for saving her from what could have been a disastrous situation.

"Mom... did that officer uncle leave?" the boy asked, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

"Urghhhh!!! Who are you, naughty boy?" Ruhi exclaimed as she entered the room, slamming the door shut.

"Your son, Mom," the boy replied playfully.

"What... what are you doing?" Ruhi gasped in shock. The room was a mess. The boy had eaten her chips, and in one corner lay a can of coke. Now, he stood in front of the mirror, spraying her expensive perfume.

"What... areehhh... yrrr," Ruhi said, annoyed, as she snatched the perfume from his hand.

"Mom... it's really wrong to..." the boy started to say, but Ruhi's death glare cut him off.

"Who the hell allowed you to do this?" she demanded. But then she realized what she had done. Her anger melted immediately when she saw tears welling up in his eyes.

"Hehhh.. no no.. nothing... see, I am sorry... you want to have it, take it, but please don't cry, bacha," Ruhi tried to console him.

The boy passed a mischievous smile and took the bottle back, spraying it all over himself.

Shocked, Ruhi thought he must be about to cry, but here he was, making a fool of her. "He is such a clever boy," she thought. "God knows how his parents handle him."

Who is the unknown boy here with Ruhi?

Tillthengoodbye
moonwithflames_