Vineet stood at the window, lost in thought. His mind wrestled with doubts, but his thoughts repeatedly wandered to Ruhana, the girl he loved. She had entered as a beacon of light in his life. 

He was going to restart his technical startup. Earlier, it had failed in its initial attempt. However, he had learned that he had only one life and must live it to the fullest. The one who taught him this lesson was Ruhana. His mind drifted back to the moment when she had tried to cheer him up.

Once, overwhelmed by failure, he had walked into his friend’s café, Brew Haven, seeking solace. He sat in a corner, drowning in his sorrow, until Ruhana appeared with a beaming smile. She slid a cup of espresso toward him and, holding her own glass of cold coffee. Her earnestness pierced through his gloom.

“Why are you sad?” she signed, then paused before continuing.

 “You’ve gained so much experience. You’ll achieve your goals. Don’t stop, Vineet. You must overcome the obstacles to find your ultimate goal.”

His silence dampened her mood, but she reached out again, holding his hands. “You lost something, right? But you shouldn’t stop, Vineet. You have to overcome the obstacles and find your ultimate goal.”

“You know me, right? I’m also here, helping Bhaiya in the café, and everything is okay,” Ruhana said, her tone filled with emotion.

Vineet’s gaze softened as he looked at him. She had been speaking through sign language. Ruhana, deaf and mute since birth, spoke through her hands and expressions. With speech therapy, she had started communicating fluently. Her vibrant positivity had been a light in his darkest times since they met a year ago.

“Please move ahead,” she urged. “If you can learn sign language for me, I’ll help you with your business. Promise,”

He came out of his trance. Now, as he stared at the proforma for “SereneSphere,” his proposed tech startup for smart home solutions focused on mental wellness, memories of his earlier failure haunted him. Earlier, his business ended in financial losses, investor departures, and crushing disappointment.

“Bhai, why are you doubting yourself?” Angel, his sister, entered the room, breaking his reverie.

“I—I’m not sure it’ll work, Angie,” he admitted.

“It will work. Let’s cross this threshold together,” she encouraged.

“If anything holds you back, tell us. We’ll help,” Sachin’s voice came from the doorway and Vineet found Ruhana by his side, her smile comforting him. 

Ruhana stepped closer and signalled him to take the leap of faith. Her confidence in him brought clarity to his mind. He smiled at his friends. 

“I’ve made my decision. No more backing out. Zindagi ka doosra naam hi hai ‘chalte jaana.’” He beamed.

Ruhana chuckled, side-hugging him, her joy evident. As they shared a fist bump, Vineet pulled her into a warm embrace, the atmosphere filling with renewed hope and happiness. Together, the four of them stood ready to face the future, embracing the promise of a fresh start.