Ruhana decides to help Bulbul with her assignments and asks Vineet and Viren to handle the office for some days. Well, their office is an equal responsibility of Viren, Vineet and Ruhana, yet she tells the brothers to call her if they want to discuss anything. Vineet only takes decisions with Ruhana's and Viren's suggestions. So does Viren. Yeah, the two brothers work on same and separate projects as Viren is more involved in technical development but they discuss everything. They know every minute detail of the projects they are handling singlehandedly and they have given enough liberty to each other and to Ruhana to speak in the middle. That's how the work goes between the three of them. And they are happy.

After finishing lunch, Ruhana asks the maid to clean the table and the kitchen. And Bulbul pulls her sister to her room and the two of them commence their work. Since childhood, Bulbul has had Ruhana helping her, and she's doing it. Bulbul gives some plain sheets and cuttings to Ruhana and instructs her to paste them at an equal distance. Ruhana occupies her place on the bed and holds the things that her sister is giving to her.

“Di, ye mere designs hain jo maine college mein banaye they aur pichle assignment mein. Aap har page pe 3 designs paste karna, okay?” Bulbul looks at her elder one.

“Okay, and any order or pasting?” Ruhana asks.

“Nahi Di. No specific order. Ye sare designs one piece dresses ke hain toh aap inko bindass paste kardo. Tab tak main ek cover page bana leti hoon. ” Bulbul says.

“Thik hain. Par tujhe iske baare mein likhna bhi toh hain na, guriya?” Ruhana asks.

“Hanji Di, likhna hai. Isliye toh aap pehle ye designs paste kardo.Fir ek ethnic wala hain, wo kardena. One piece ki information maine likhi hui hain. So, I guess it would be easy.” Bulbul chuckles while drawing something on a page.

Ruhana agrees and the two sisters indulge in their work. Two hours pass by and the two of them regain their senses when their housemaid enters the room with two cups of coffee. Bulbul exclaims on seeing it. She’s already exhausted and she grabs the mug from the tray and Radha serves the coffee to Ruhana. She hears Bulbul thanking her to which Radha chuckles.

“Bulbul Didi, Aap mujhe thank you mat bolo. Mujhe jaisa kaha gaya maine kardiya. Ruhana Didi ko pata tha ki iski zaroorat padegi aapko.” Radha says.

“Huh, aapko kaise pata? Aur aap toh yahan se baahar bhi nahi gayi, fir Radha ko coffee ke liye kab boli?” Bulbul narrows her eyes at her elder sister.

“Bubble, I know you better than you know yourself. Maine toh lunch ke baad hi Radha se keh diya tha ki wo 5 baje coffee le aaye hamare liye. Aur dekh, she’s on time.” Ruhana smiles at her sister.

“Lekin phir bhi! Maine toh kaha hi nahi. And you make everything ready. How?” Bulbul is amused.

Well, it happens every time. Even before Bulbul can demand anything, Ruhana makes it available. She always knows about her sister’s wants and needs. Bulbul can’t deny it, yet, she blames her sometimes. Just like the other day, Bulbul doubted Ruhana that she won’t help her. But, here’s she, helping her out and also managing to get her coffee on time. Bulbul’s trance is broken when Ruhana calls her name.

“Bubble, maine sab designs ache se paste karke compress bhi kar diye hain. Tu check kar lena.” Ruhana says, handing the papers to her sister.

“Ji Di. Main kar lungi.” Bulbul nods at her elder sister.

“Acha, anything else? Aur kuch paste karna hain?” Ruhana asks.

“Nahi Di. This is one task, baaki ka hum kal karenge. Aap abhi apna kaam karlo.” Bulbul says.

“Thik hain. And if you need help toh mujhe batana haan, ye mat sochna ki main help nahi karungi.” Ruhana says and begins to walk out of the room when Bulbul hugs her.

Bulbul knows that her last words are for her. Well, it never happens between the two sisters but since she pointed out, Ruhana doesn’t want another chance where Bulbul can blame her. She hugs her tightly and her voice becomes heavy.

“Di, I am sorry! I know I shouldn’t have said that. But please bhul jao na. I know aap hamesha yahi kehti ho ki soch samajh ke bolna chahiye lekin main bol jaati hoon. Par ab se aisa nahi hoga. Aapke bina mera koi kaam nahi ban sakta, Di. Dekho , aapne aadha kaam kiya hain, maine yunhi bol diya tha.” Bulbul says.

“I forgot, aap mujhe hi nahi is ghar ko bhi sambhalti ho. Sirf main hi nahi, ab jiju aur Viren bhi aapki priority hain. Aur aap hum teenon ko teenon dene ki koshish karti ho. I am sorry, Di. Please, I know aap hamesha available rehti ho mere liye.” Bulbul apologises heartily.

Ruhana smiles, well, she didn’t mean to hurt her but she wanted Bulbul to realise what she was doing. She should always think before speaking, her words may hurt anyone. Ruhana turns around and kisses her head.

“Bulbul, you’re big enough to understand what’s happening around you, around us. I am working too, and I have to manage everything. Kabhi kam waqt diya ya kabhi kuch kaam nahi kar payi iska matlab ye nahi hai ki hamesha vaisa hi hoga. Aur agar main kuch keh rahi hoon toh vo tumhare bhale ke liye hi hoga. Isliye please, over-react mat kiya kar.” she says and Bulbul nods her head positively.

“Over-react karna aapki behen ki aadat hain, Bhabhi. Kaise chhod sakti hain? Puri baat sune bina hi react kar deti hain.” Viren says entering the house.

“Excuse me, wo tum karte ho! Impulsive you are!” Bulbul glares at him.

“Na, na! Mujhse zyada impulsive tum ho!” Viren says pressing his finger on her forehead.

“Arey, Di, dekho samjha lo apne devar ko!” She rolls her eyes at Ruhana.

“Unko mat bolo. Wo jaanti hai main thik keh raha hoon.” Viren chuckles and bulbul glares at him.

“Tum itni jaldi kyun aa gaye? Aur aaye toh mujhe kyun sata rahe ho?” Bulbul looks at him.

“Haan, Vir. Vineet kahan hain?” Ruhana asks him softly.

“Bhai office mein hain. Wo Shah wali deal ke liye. Aur main Hotel Radisson gaya tha – Fashionista walon se milne. Phir bhaiya se baat ki toh wo bole meeting ho gayi hain and he will come back in an hour. Toh main ghar aa gaya.” Viren says as he relaxes on the couch.

“ Okay! Tum fresh ho jao, main coffee bhijwati hoon. And Bubble, tu bhi apna kaam nipta le. Aaj ka dinner hum charon saath mein karenge.” Ruhana declares and the other two nod their head in agreement.

Viren runs to his room to freshen up and Bulbul gets busy with her task. Ruhana moves into the kitchen to do dinner prep and make coffee and snacks. Vineet will demand something to eat as well. She smiles at her own thoughts and gets busy in her work. Meanwhile, she gets a call which leaves her worried.

To Be Continued.

Whose call did Ruhana receive?

Stay tuned.