New York

Vineet takes Devika to her room and asks her to rest. He also lies beside her, he knows, her mother is vulnerable remembering the past incidents. He doesn't want to be the reason for her tears, but he can't ignore the lady he loves. He casts one look at his mother, she's asleep by now. He kisses on his mother's forehead. At the same time his phone pings. He puts it on silent, making sure that his mother isn't disturbed. He has got mail, he reads it, for a moment he smiles, but then gets worried. He looks at his mother and sighs deeply.

Vineet has filled a form for a tour to India, through his college. His form is accepted, he can now go to India but how? Devika won't allow him. He can't go away hurting her. He has to convince her to let him go to India.

At the same time, he feels his Ma patting his head asking him to sleep. He keeps his head on her outstretched arm, and sleeps. He will talk to her in the morning.

*****

India

Anamika and Naina go shopping. Naina lets Anamika buy anything and everything that she wants. They have great fun. They buy dresses and then Anamika looks at her

"Mum! I am hungry!!" she says cutely.

"Okay! Let's go to your favorite restaurant." Naina says while Anamika chuckles.

"Yay! Sounds good. See, I was so right, we will have fun and papa is busy. Maza aayega, papa ko satane mein." Anamika says, a wide smile on her lips.

"You're such a kid, Ana!! Who will say that you've just finished your graduation." Naina says.

"Eh! I'll be a kid to you always, mumma! Aap hi kehti ho na aisa!! Aur vaise bhi log kya sochte hain, uspe dhyan nahi dena chahiye. " Anamika says as she holds the shopping bags.

"Really! Tumhare papa yahi toh karte aaye hain." Naina murmurs the last line, but Anamika hears her.

"Anyway! You know, mera ek dost hai. I mean, he was in New York. I mean, my senior. We worked on a project." Anamika says as they settle in the car.

"Senior and project!!" Naina is amused at her daughter's words.

"Yeah mum! In our department. I mean our teachers made the teams, so I was teamed with him. Vo hamesha mujhe kehta tha ki tension lene se koi kaam nahi hoga, aur dusron ko khud se compare karna ya dusre log aapke baare mein kya sochte hain, uspe energy laga ke fayda nahi." Anamika says.

" Aur ye hai kaun?? Tumhara dost!! "Naina asks.

"His name is Vineet. I thought him to be rude, but he is sweet. Truly, he helped me in studies too. He's my best friend." Anamika chuckles.

"Oohh! He sent you that gift?" Naina asks as she remembers the gift that came on Anamika's birthday.

"Yes! Vineet and other friends." Anamika says and a light smile graces her lips.

"Toh when are we meeting him?" Naina asks.

"Meet! I don't know! Waise aapko kyun milna hain usse?" Anamika asks rolling her eyes at her mother.

"Kyun! Meri beti jiski tareef karde, usse toh mujhe milna hi padega. You're my hard to impress girl, right!" Naina says teasingly.

"But he really impressed me." Anamika says dreamily, a smile on her lips.

"Come outta dreams, Princess. Let's have some food." Naina says as they reach the restaurant.

Naina asks the driver too, to have something, he assures her and both mother and daughter enter the restaurant. Anamika is happy, her joy is unbounded, she has got to spend time with her mum. They settle in a corner seat, and Anamika places the order, while Naina watch her affectionately. Her daughter has grown up, naughty, happy and mature too.

"Mumma! Kya dekh rahi ho?" Anamika asks.

"Nothing! Meri beti toh bahut badi ho gayi hai." Naina says.

"Okay! Then answer my question. What are you and papa hiding?" Anamika asks looking at her mother.

Naina looks at her daughter, she thought that she has forgotten the conversation on the dining table, but here she is. What should she say now? She doesn't even know the persons Naina will say about. But, she should know. Her reverie is broken by Anamika.

"Where are you lost, mum?? I asked something. Aap hi ne kaha main badi ho gayi hun, toh ab batao kya chupa rahe ho! I understand there is something,you're hiding." Anamika says.

"It's nothing, Princess. Really!" Naina says trying to sound casual.

"Really! If there is something, You will tell me, right!" Anamika asks, looking at her mom intently.

"Yes! Now, don't think much. Let's enjoy our lunch." Naina says and Anamika agrees.

Anamika clicks a few pictures and send them to Rajveer, teasing him.

*****

Rajveer is in his chamber thinking about his daughter's question, he doesn't know how to answer. His phone pings and it's Anamika's message. He checks it and finds the pictures. A smile graces his lips, yet his daughter's questions worry him. He composes himself, he has to keep the past things hidden from his only daughter.

*****
New York

It's early morning, Ruhana wakes up and finds Vineet asleep. She kisses his head softly and turns to get down the bed, but he holds her hand.

"So jao na, Ma! Don't go anywhere." he says sleepily and cuddles close to her.

Ruhana lies back on the bed, letting her son cuddle close. She smears his head, she loves these moment with him, because his presence makes her feel that her husband is around, though in the face of their son. Some time passes, they get up when there is a ring on the door. Ruhana moves to open the door, she is surprised to see a delivery boy, who hands her an envelop. It has Vineet's name. She opens the envelop since there is no hiding between the two.

A paper sneaks out of the envelop and Ruhana is shocked, while Vineet bites his tongue, maybe he knows what's in the envelop. Ruhana's reaction leaves him shocked in the next moment.

To Be Continued.

What's in the envelope??

Stay tuned.