It's a small flat,on name of Vineet Mehra. It's morning, he looks up only to find the sunrays entering in the room where he's working. He sighs, the night has passed, and he still has a little work left. He gets up and moves into a room. The room is beautifully decorated, it's no less than a princess room.

A little girl is asleep on the bed. His eyes fall on the notebook beside the girl. He opens it and reads something. His eyes get teary. His daughter has written about her father. She says that her father is rich, he gets her everything that she demands. That's true, he gets her all what she wants, but only on the condition that he has to leave what he loves the most. But his dreams aren't precious than his pretty girl, his daughter, the only replica of his late wife. He reads further, she has listed everything that a daughter wants from her father. Yet, he isn't able to fulfill all the needs of his daughter. Though, she's just five years old, but she understands him.

He keeps the notebook aside, and kisses the girl on her head.

"Wake up, Princess." he says.

"No! Mujhe sona hai, Papa." the little girl says.

"Arey! Hum late ho jayenge na, baby. Aapko School jaana hai na, aur papa ko office." he reasons in order to wake her up.

The girl looks at him, slowly opening his eyes.

"Fir hum shaam ko Ridhi ke ghar jaayenge na. Uska birthday hai,papa." she asks.

"Haan. Zaroor jayenge. Chalo ab jaldi se utho." he says.

The girl stands up on the bed and hugs him draping her arms around his neck. He smiles. It's a ritual, he has to carry her to the washroom to make her do the daily rituals and then make her bath ready. He happily does it all, because she's the only part of his wife's soul, left with him. Her name is Ruhaani, which is based on the name of his wife, Ruhana. His reverie is broken by Ruhaani.

"Daddyy!!" she shouts and sprinkles water on him.

He smiles at his daughter, who's looking at him intently.

"Aap kahan kho jate ho, papa?" she asks.

"Kahin nahi, chalo ab hum ready honge." he says.

Ruhaani nods while Vineet takes out her school dress. The little girl wears her dress and runs to her father, letting him pin her skirt and make her hair. Ruhaani chuckles, she's ready on time.

"Ruhaani toh ready ho gayi, par papa nahi. Yay!" she claps her hands.

"Ab Princess ne papa ko mauka hi nahi diya, isliye papa late ho gaye." Vineet says.

"Nooiii! Ruhaani ne kuch nahi kiya, Papa. Aap kahin kho jate ho, fir Ruhaani ki baat bhi nahi sunte." she makes an innocent complaint.

It hits Vineet. Truly, he gets lost in thoughts of his life with his wife and daughter. But lately, he has to leave everything after the untimely death of his wife. He bends on his knees, and cups her face.

" I am sorry bache. Really sorry. Ab se papa Ruhaani ki sari baatein sunenge. Okay!" he says.

The girl smiles. She can't understand why her father is apologising but she kisses his cheeks.

"Aap udaas mat raho, Ruhaani ko acha nahi lagta." she says.

Vineet smiles. He pulls his daughter in a hug. He serves breakfast to her and then moves to get ready. Twenty minutes later, they are driving to her school. The always car person is driving a bike, today. But his daughter is loving it. She's sitting in front, before him and giggling. A smile makes way on his face. They reach her school and he kisses her head, asking her to go home with her aunt, who happens to be their neighbour as well. The little girl agrees and runs inside the school. Vineet sighs. He drives back home. He has to finish the work and leave for office. He reaches back home and moves to his room. There are many frames scattered in the room, and there's one frame which is placed on the wall. It's a painting, painting of his late wife.

He takes a deep breath. He was happy with his wife and daughter. But, he faced a biggest loss of his life in his business and his dream project fell off. An accident took his wife's life. Their daughter was merely 2 years old. Now, it's three years, and Vineet is still trying to get stable. He wants to establish his business again. And his dream. He sighs.

He takes the painting in his hands. It's the last painting that he has made. It's his wife's picture. Another painting is of his wife and daughter, but it's incomplete. Though he was a businessman, but he wanted to be a painter. His wife, Ruhana always pushed him to consider his dreams first. But the problems came running in his life, and he ended up seeking job in a company. He sighs, smears the picture and places it on the wall again.

"One day, I'll fulfill your dream, Ruhana. One day, I hope. Par mere sapnon se pehle meri beti hain. Agar tum sath hoti toh baat kuch aur hoti." he says while looking at the picture And then leaves the room.

*****

The day passes in a blur. Vineet forgets that he has promised Ruhaani to take her to her friend's birthday party. He's doing overtime in his office to save some money, so that he can give the best to his little girl. He realises the time when his phone beeps. He checks the time, it's 9 PM. The promise he made to his daughter strikes him. He sighs. He finishes the task at hand and then leaves after talking to his boss. He unlocks the door with his key and finds his daughter sitting on the couch and there are two other people with her. He takes a deep breath. He's saved with the presence of the other two. He begins to speak, but his daughter looks at him.

"I am angry, Papa! Aapne phir se apna promise tod diya. Isliye ab Ruhaani aapse baat nahi karegi. Maasi Chalo, hum papa se baat nahi karenge." Ruhaani says and holds the lady's hand and moves to her room.

The other lad looks at him.

"Bhai, aap ye sab kyun kar rahe ho? Main hoon na, fir bhi!!" he says.

"Viren, ye mera kaam hai. It's my destiny." Vineet says.

"Nahi bhai! Hum dono ke beech tera mera toh kabhi nahi tha, fir aapne mujhe join kyun nahi kiya?? Itna paraya kardiya mujhe?" Viren asks.

"Aisa nahi hai, Viren. Main bas vahi kar raha hoon jo mujhe karna chahiye. Aur phir main nahi chahta tha tumhe meri wajah se takleef ho. " he says.

Viren looks at her. He is a businessman, CEO of Singhaniya Associates. He's Vineet's friend cum brother. His wife, Bulbul is Ruhana's sister. After Ruhana's demise, both Bulbul and Viren urged Vineet to join Singhaniya Associates, but he denies. The reason he gave was that he is responsible for his own loss and he can't put Viren in loss. Today, Viren and Bulbul came home to look after Ruhaani, Vineet knows they always keep a check on him and his daughter. The trance is broken by Bulbul.

"Jab meri wajah se Di aur aapko problem nahi thi toh hume kyun hogi, jiju. Ruhaani hamari bhi toh kuch lagti hai. I respect your decision, jiju, lekin aapne mujhe paraya hi kardiya. Aap hi kehte ho na, I am your first daughter, toh aapne toh mujhe kuch karne hi nahi diya aapke liye. " She says.

" Di hamare sath nahi hai iska ye matlab nahi hai ki aap mujhe aur Viren ko kuch karne se roko. Aapne hi Viren se kaha tha na, ki agar meri aankhon mein aansu aaye toh aap usko maaf nahi karoge. Lekin abhi aap mujhe rula rahe ho. Ye toh galat hai na!" Bulbul says.

"Exactly, aur aapki tarah main bhi apni Bulbul ki aankhon mein aansu nahi dekh sakta. Isliye please maan jao na! Ruhaani ki khatir hi sahi. Please bhai! Aur aapka sapna bhi pura hoga, trust me!" Viren says.

"Han jiju! Please! I know aap Ruhaani ko best hi doge, par fir bhi na jaane kitna waqt lagega. Maan jaiye na!" Bulbul says holding his hand.

"Bulbul! Main tumhare jazbat samajhta hun. Lekin ye sab main khud karna chahta hoon. Jo khoya tha usey fir se khada karna chahta hoon. Ruhaani aur Ruhana ki khatir. Lekin tum dono jo help kar rahe ho, usse badhkar koi madad nahi ho sakti. Main chahe kuch bhi karun, par Ruhana ki kami toh kabhi puri nahi kar paunga Ruhaani ke liye. And you are doing your best, Bulbul. Thanks for that. " He says.

Viren and Bulbul share a glance. They know its hard to make him change his mind. But they want to, only for the sake of the little girl. Viren asks him to take care and Bulbul tells him that she has made dinner and he should have it before going to bed. He agrees and the other two leave the house.

Vineet makes his way to his daughters' room. Ruhaani is soundly asleep. He slids on the bed and adores her for a while. He kisses on her forehead and the girl snuggles close to him, keeping her head on his arm. He smiles and rests his head on the backrest and falls asleep.

*****
Next Morning

Vineet wakes up only to find his daughter sleeping. He kisses her head.

"Wake up Princess." he says.

Ruhaani grimaces in sleep but opens her eyes to look at her father.

"Ruhaani aapse gussa hai." she says.

"Papa ne sorry bola na!!" he says.

"No! Aap hamesha aisa hi karte ho, Papa. Apne kal bhi promise tod diya." the girl complains.

"Sorry meri jaan! Par kal papa ko kaam tha na isliye late ho gaya. Abse nahi hoga bache." Vineet tries to convince his daughter.

Ruhaani looks at her beloved father intently. She knows he loves her immensely, more than anyone else can love her. She hugs him tightly.

" Pakka na?? " she asks.

"Yes Princess! Ab nahi hoga. Ab papa apne kaam ke sath sath Ruhaani ke sath bhi time spend karenge. Jo princess kahegi, papa wahi karenge." he says as he embraces her in a hug, against his chest.

The little girl kisses his cheek and then looks at him for his assurance. He nods his head in affirmation and the girl chuckles happily.

"Aaj chutti hain. Aaj Ruhaani aur Daddy ghumne jaayenge na??" she asks.

He remembers, it's Weekend. Ruhaani has two days holidays. She is happy with the fact. But, Vineet has a work. He can't deny it. He still has to save some money to commence his business and dream, the dream of painting. He can't break the heart of his little girl. He looks at her and she's looking at her intently.

"Don't break the promise, Papa! Mumma ne bhi promise tod diya. Vo keh rahi thi ki wo hamesha hamare sath rahengi, par unhone promise tod diya!" she says softly.

Her words pain him, he knows they both have lost a part of themselves, his wife and her mother. He pulls her close.

"Papa hain na, Ruhaani ke pas. Hum dono ek sath rahenge, hamesha. " he says.

The little girl says nothing, but hides herself in her father's embrace. Vineet too embraces her securely in his arms.

Meanwhile, the doorbell rings. Ruhaani jumps off her father's arms, in order to open the door. Vineet follows her and opens the door. He is surprised to see Bulbul on the door,but Viren isn't there. Ruhaani jumps over her, and the latter secures her in her arms.

"Viren office gaya hai. Main aaj free thi, socha aap dono se mil loon." Bulbul says.

"Fir aaj hum maze karenge, hain na maasi?" Ruhaani chuckles.

"Yes Baby! Aaj Maasi and Ruhaani bahut maze karenge. Chalo, pehle hum fresh honge." Bulbul says and takes the girl to her room.

Vineet smiles, silently thanking Bulbul for coming over. He can now go for his work and Bulbul will handle his daughter. He moves to get ready and after that he finds Bulbul alone, so he pats her head.

"Thanks Bulbul! You've saved me. Bas thodi derr Ruhaani ko sambhal lo, main mera kaam nipta ke aata hun." Vineet says.

"No problem, jeeju! Aap jao. I'll handle Ruhaani." she says with a smile on her face.

Vineet leaves after patting her head and promising Ruhaani that he will come soon. Ruhaani agrees as she's glad to play with her Maasi.

*****
Few days pass by. Vineet seems to be free now. It seems like, the workload has lessened for him. It's a Sunday. He's sitting in a room, the same where he has kept Ruhana's pictures. A few of Ruhana's pictures are hung on the wall. He's looking at them,maybe remembering the time he spent with her. He touches her pictures, and the paintings that are stacked on a table.

"You did wrong, Ruu! You took all these colors from me. Ruhaani is so excited for my birthday, par main kuch karna nahi chahta." he says, talking to her picture.

"Abhi jaagegi toh kahegi ki usko party chahiye, lekin tumhare bina toh mujhe kuch acha nahi lagta. How will I handle her?" he shares his fear.

Meanwhile, his phone rings. He picks up the call and is surprised to hear what the caller has to say. He's pretty shocked. He disconnects the call and begins to search through the stack of painting and something is missing. One painting that's close to his heart is missing. The painting he made when Ruhana was pregnant. He not only carved a pregnant mother, but also the little baby inside the womb. That's one beautiful painting, he made for his wife.

The phone call was that his painting won first prize in a Contest and they want to put his paintings in an exhibition, he is surprised and shocked. But whom can he ask? He's lost in thoughts when Ruhaani enters the room and climbs on his back.

"Happy birthday, Papa!" the little girl wishes her father.

Vineet takes her in his arms and kisses her head. Ruhaani grins at her father.

"Ruhaani ke pas aapke liye surprise hain." She says.

Vineet smiles at her.

"Acha! Kya kia Ruhaani ne?" he asks.

"Maasi batayegi." She chuckles.

The doorbell rings. Vineet moves to open the door and there are Viren and Bulbul with one other person. He invites them in and Viren introduces the third person as Mayank Singh, whom Vineet recognised as the person who called him a little while ago.

"Mr. Mayank, how did you get my painting?" Vineet asked astonished.

"Your daughter. She gave it to us." he replies.

"Ruhaani.. How can she do it? Infact, I have never thought of it." He says.

"You are lucky, Mr. Vineet. Usually bachche sirf apne baare mein sochte hain. Par aapki beti ne aapke baare mein socha. And see, her luck worked. You have won the contest." Mayank says.

Ruhaani stands by her father as mayank finishes his statement. Vineet bends to Ruhaani's level and asked her about the painting.

" Ruhaani ne akele kuch nahi kia. Maasi ne bhi help kia. ". She says looking at Bulbul.

Vineet looks at Bulbul and she smiles.

"Kya karun? Aapki beti bhi aapki tarah ziddi hai, jiju!" Bulbul smiles.

"Ruhaani good girl hai." the little one announces as she climbs in her father's arms.

"Aaj daddy ka birthday hai. Aur Ruhaani ko pata hai, daddy ko painting karna pasand hai. Hai na!!" Ruhaani asks looking at Vineet.

"Haan beta! Par..." he says but his daughter cuts him.

"No par! Ruhaani chahti hai aap fir shey painting karo. Main bhi karungi.. Aur mumma!! Mumma bhi chahti hai ki aap ye vali painting finish karo." she says and viren brings up the painting, which Vineet left after Ruhana's demise.

"Yes, Mr. Vineet. I'd like you to join our arts academy. Aapki paintings bahut achi hain. Students can learn a lot from you. You will make a great painter." Mayank says.

"Yes daddy! Painting karo na firse. Go!" Ruhaani says keeping her hands on his cheeks.

Vineet's eyes are teary. He has got so much in a day. His painting won a contest, he's getting to train students in a well known arts institute. His dream is coming true.

"Mumma kehti thi ki sabko happy rakhne ke liye khud happy hona padta hai. Fir Ruhaani toh tab hi happy hogi na jab daddy happy honge. Smile pleash!" She says.

Vineet smiles lightly and hugs the girl. Happy tears trickle down his eyes. The warm moment is broken by Mr. Mayank, who invites Vineet for the event and taking the prize. Vineet agrees and he leaves. After he leaves, Viren turns to Vineet.

"Aapke surprise abhi khtm nahi hue bhai!" he says.

"Hanji! Di toh yahan nahi hai, par she got this for you. Isse pehle ki wo aapko ye surprise de paati, wo chali gayi. Isliye ye aapke liye. Aap bas Chalo." Bulbul says and holds his hand.

Vineet is astonished but he leaves with them after getting ready. He is surprised that they are in the same building where his office used to be.

" Hum yahan kyun aaye hain? " he asks Viren.

" Papa! Chup! Abhi jaisa chachu bol rahe hain, aap karo." Ruhaani says.

"Tum log kar Kya rahe ho?" Vineet asks dejectedly.

"Bas jiju! 5 minutes." Bulbul says.

"Exactly, abhi chup chap Chalo." Viren glares at him and Vineet follows them silently.

They take a lift to the first floor, and Vineet is surprised to watch the scenario. There's a big signboard, written "RR Art Academy" with Ruhana and Ruhaani's picture on one side. Vineet is touched.

"Bhabhi wanted to give this to you, but she couldn't. Unka sapna aaj pura hua. There are total of 20 registrations in your academy." Viren says.

Vineet doesn't know what to say. He is overwhelmed. He can't expect more. He hugs Viren thanking him for his efforts. Ruhaani pushes him inside the office and Vineet is overwhelmed to discover that its designed according to his taste. He is touched. He looks at Viren and Bulbul.

"Thanks! Agar tum dono nahi hote toh ye possible nahi hota." he says.

"Hum toh hamesha aapke sath hai" Viren says.

Ruhaani interrupts them and they go for an outing, all four of them. The day passes in a blur. Vineet is happy today, heartily happy. The day passes in a blur, and they reach for the event. Ruhaani is glad that her father will get an award. They sit patiently, until Vineet's name is announced. Ruhaani jumps on her toes. She kisses Vineet on his cheeks. He looks nervous, he has left this dream long ago, but it's coming true. He gets up from his seat, while Ruhaani gives him a slight push.

"Go, Daddy, Go! Prize!" Ruhaani shouts bucking him up.

Vineet holds Ruhaani's hand and they walk up the stage. He takes the prize, the cash prize from the chief guest. He thanks his family, Viren & Bulbul, who surely have been one and his daughter, who surely worked hard for his dream. The little girl hugs him, locking her hands around his waist. Thanking the hosts, he descends down the stage. As he approaches towards their seats, Ruhaani kisses his cheeks, as he's carrying her in his arms.

"I love you, Daddy! Aap sad mat rehna abse." she says.

"Kabhi nahi. Ab hum wo sab karenge, jo meri princess kahegi." Vineet says kissing her head.

Viren and Bulbul congratulate him and they leave the place after thanking Mayank.
With the cash prize, Vineet revived his business along with his art academy. He's a happier soul than before, and he's glad that he's giving a better life to his daughter. They are one happy family.

*****

A daughter's love never diminishes.

A daughter's real hero is her father.

Father daughter love never ends.

Ruhaani08 I hope you like it ❤️❤️daddy's birthday 😘😘😘