*Flashback Continues*

Ruhana prepares vegetable rice for her husband and daughter, well aware that they might not eat the food cooked by the housemaid. Though they have a maid who is well-versed in cooking, the father and daughter love it when Ruhana cooks. Moreover, Ruhana enjoys cooking for her family, so it has never been a hassle-until the two of them began taking her for granted.

That day, despite feeling unwell, Ruhana cooks a meal for her family but doesn't eat anything herself. The housemaid informs Vineet about this, and when he walks into the room, he finds Ruhana lying on the bed, dabbing her forehead with her fingertips. She looks pained and uncomfortable. He approaches her and sits by her side, urging her to eat.

"Vineet, mera mann nahi hai kuch bhi khaane ka, sar mein bahut tez dard ho raha hai," Ruhana says, her tone laced with pain.

"Arey, Ruu, kuch toh kha lo, phir main tumhe pain-killer deta hoon, subah tak tum better feel karogi," he says, his tone laced with concern.

"Nahi, Vineet, mujhe nahi khana, aur dawai bhi nahi chahiye mujhe," she says, her demeanor exuding pain.

"Arey, tum zidd kar rahi ho, Ruhana, main tumhare liye khana lekar aata hoon, tum ruko," he says gently.

However, Ruhana gazes at him, her tone soft yet firm. "Vineet, abhi tum mujhe dawai lene ke liye itna insist kar rahe ho, it's nice. Par mujhe zyada achcha lagta agar tum Bulbul se insist karte ki ek din wo Raadha ke haath ka khana kha leti, toh mujhe thoda rest mil jaata. Tum jaante ho main kabhi bhi headache ke liye dawai nahi leti hoon. Bulbul ke hone se pehle tak toh agar kabhi mujhe sar-dard hota tha toh tum khud khana banate they aur apne haath se mujhe khilaate they, aur ab!! Tum badal gaye ho. Ye jaante hue bhi ki mujhe thik nahi lag raha, tumne mujhe insist kiya ki main khana banaun, aur ab dawai lene ke liye insist kar rahe ho. Couldn't you insist that I rest and manage with our daughter for one night?" she asks, her tone soft yet filled with the urge to pour her heart out.

Vineet is stunned. However, he doesn't understand the lingering tension in her words. "Ruu, you were never like this. Mujhe laga ki tum cooking karogi toh tumhe achcha lagega, and you know, Bulbul and I love whatever you cook," Vineet retorts.

"Even you weren't like this, Vineet. Pehle toh tum apni marzi se kuch bhi nahi sochte they mere liye, aur ab!! Ab tum apni marzi se kuch bhi sochte ho, aur ab kisi bhi cheez ke liye meri consent bhi zaroori nahi samajhte, tum baap-beti," Ruhana says, her tone laced with anger.

"Tum jaao, tum hi enjoy karo apni home-made meal. Mujhe nahi khana, bas ab aur kisi baat ke liye insist mat karna. Give me some alone time," Ruhana says, asking him to leave the room.

*Flashback Ends*

Vineet jolts back to the present, his eyes welling up as he finally understands the deeper meaning behind her words.

Yes, he had never truly grasped her plight. Even that day, he had asked her to cook food for them, despite her discomfort. And now, the same woman is lying in front of him, comatose. Yet, he hopes that she will recover soon.

*****

Bulbul enters the room and finds her dad sitting by the bedside, lost in thought. Her gaze lingers on her mom, and she's stunned. She's never seen her mother like this before-many machines attached to her body. Bulbul realizes that her mother, who used to walk around tirelessly, fulfilling her wife and motherly duties, is now at rest, and everything has turned haywire.

"Papa..." Bulbul says and leaps into his arms, her demeanor sad.

"It's okay, beta. Mumma will be fine soon. Don't be upset," Vineet tries to comfort his daughter, but his gentleness does little to calm the chaos in her mind.

"Par Mumma so kyun rahi hain?" she asks, unable to grasp the reality of her mom's condition.

"Bulbul, Mumma ko sar mein chot lagi hai na, isliye vo coma mein chali gayi hain. Ho sakta hai vo kal tak jaag jaye, ya phir kuch waqt aur lage," he explains gently.

Bulbul looks at her parents, her gaze lingering on her mom for a longer while. "Mumma humse gussa thi naa, isliye ye sab ho gaya. Unhone bola tha ki vo mujhse baat nahi karengi, aur isliye ab vo so rahi hain," the girl says, her eyes teary and her tone laced with emotion.

Vineet embraces her tightly, causing Bulbul to rest her head against his chest. "Kuch nahi hoga, beta. Thoda time lagega, lekin Mumma thik ho jayegi, trust me. Chalo, abhi jaa kar aap fresh ho jao, hum khana khayenge," Vineet says reassuringly.

Bulbul nods and runs to her room. Vineet steps out of the bedroom and asks the housemaid, Radha, to lay the table for lunch. The lady obliges and sets two plates, one each for Vineet and Bulbul. Ten minutes later, they sit down for lunch. Bulbul cringes her nose as soon as she finds bitter gourd on her plate. She hates this vegetable, though Ruhana has always encouraged her to try it. She looks at her dad, her tone uncertain.

"Papa, mujhe ye karela nahi khana," Bulbul says.

"Bitiya, main bhool gayi thi. Abhi ye sabzi kha lo, main shaam ko tumhare liye bhutte ke pakode bana dungi," Radha says, trying to convince her.

"Par mujhe ye nahi khana. Aapko pata hai na, kaki, mujhe karela pasand nahi hai. Paneer bana do, please," Bulbul reasons, her tone laced with annoyance.

"Bulbul, saath mein dal-chawal bhi toh hai. Tum aam ka achaar le sakti ho, par abhi aur kuch nahi banega. Please yahi kha lo," Vineet replies, his tone tinged with frustration.

Bulbul is stunned. Her father has spoken to her in a tone he's never used before. She watches as he sighs deeply and taps her cheek.

"I am sorry, Princess! Lekin abhi jo bana hai please wo kha lo na. At least humare paas khana toh hai. Kuch logon ko toh khana bhi nahi milta. Aur phir abhi humein Mumma ke baare mein sochna hai, unki tabiyat thik nahi hai na. Please abhi jo bana hai, wo kha lo," Vineet explains, hoping his daughter will understand the gravity of the situation.

Bulbul looks at him, her disappointment evident. If her mother were fine, she'd have made something of her choice. But now her father is urging her to eat bitter gourd, a vegetable she dislikes. Without realizing it, tears trickle down her cheeks as she feels torn between the past and the present.

To Be Continued.