Malhotra Mansion stands tall in the posh area of Vashi Central in Mumbai. It belongs to an ace businessman- Vineet Malhotra. He rules not only in the business world but in his real life as well. He is blessed with a pretty wife, Ruhana Malhotra and the couple is blessed with a beautiful daughter whom they call Bulbul. Ruhana also helps in the business and holds 60% shares in her name.

Bulbul is the apple of their eye. She is the one who brings a smile to her parents’ faces after a long tiring day. She is the chirping bird of the house. The girl is now 15 years old.

It’s a fine day – Sunday. Bulbul is soundly asleep in her room. Ruhana peeps into the room and finds her daughter asleep. She lets her sleep and closes the door in a jiffy. She moves into the kitchen and prepares tea for herself and Vineet. She prefers ginger tea in the morning. A little while later, she makes her way into her bedroom.

She finds her husband lying lazily in the bed. She places the tray on the side table and settles on the bed. She greets Vineet with a smile and he turns towards her, keeping his hand under his head.

“Where is Bulbul?” He asks his first question.

“She is sleeping. Aaj waise bhi Sunday hain toh maine usey jagaya nahi. Tum bhi mat jana! Wo khud se uth jayegi.” Ruhana says.

“Waise kal  raat ko uska mood off kyun tha? Kal toh usne mujhse bhi baat nahi ki. ” Vineet asks as he holds his mug in his hand.

“Ek dost se jhagda ho gaya tha. Aur tumhe toh pata hain, kisi cheez ko dil se laga leti hain toh usi ko sochti rehti hain.” Ruhana says while looking at him.

“Han! Is maamle mein wo tum pe gayi hain, seriously.” Vineet jokes at which Ruhana laughs as well.

"Obviously! Ab maine apni beti ko soft-hearted banaya hai. Maine usey sabki madad karna sikhaya hain, na ki mazaak udana! Aur sath hi ye bhi ki wo sabko space de, sabke peeche na pade!” Ruhana says, shrugging her shoulders.

“Hmm! Ye bhi zaroori hain! I was just kidding, Ruu! Don’t take me seriously.” Vineet says with a smile.

Ruhana glances at Vineet, there is a smile on his face. She sighs deeply, thinking something. Bulbul is a child who can’t stay calm with her parents around. Ruhana has usually stayed home with Bulbul since her birth and goes to the office only when it is important.

When Bulbul started recognising her parents, every time, when Vineet would enter the house, she’d extend her arms towards her father. That’d be a signal for him to take her in his arms. When the girl started walking, she’d run to him before he could enter the house and then he had to lift her up and then he’d be given an entry in the house. The girl is still the same, she still runs to him when he comes back home from the office and hugs him tightly.

But today has been another day. Bulbul smiled at him but didn’t talk to him much. Maybe, she’s upset for some reason. Ruhana looks at Vineet, hoping that he’d understand, but it seems like, he can’t figure out.  Her thoughtful looks aren’t hidden by Vineet. He looks at her and holds her hand in his. He knows she wants to say something but isn’t saying.

“Kya baat hain?” He asks softly.

“Main kuch kahungi toh tum bura toh nahi maanoge?” Ruhana asks, while looking into his eyes.

“Ruu! Aisa kabhi hua hai kya? Hum ek dusre ki baatein sunte hain, samajhte hain tabhi toh hum apne business ko itna acha mukaam de paye hain.” Vineet says and Ruhana nods positively.

That’s true! It’s the hard work of both Ruhana and Vineet. They got married when Vineet had a dream in his eyes to become a successful entrepreneur and businessman. Ruhana never became an obstacle, instead she loved being his inspiration. There were times, when Vineet had been very busy and Ruhana craved for his time, his love and his presence beside her. But she knew that it is important for his dream, which is now their dream.

When he came up with an idea, Ruhana encouraged him and held his hand, henceforth, they are owners of a powerful business. And, they are happy in their life, with each other and with their daughter who is the sole reason for their being.

Ruhana looks at Vineet who’s now relishing his tea, looking at his phone while Ruhana trails into a past memory, an incident of the other day.

*Flashback Begins*

Bulbul is a 16-year-old girl. It’s another day when she comes back from her school and she seems upset. Ruhana asks her to change and come for lunch. Bulbul agrees and moves to her room while Ruhana lays the table for lunch. The girl returns back and takes her seat. Her mom serves her favourite food,  Kadhi-Chawal to her, but she’s lost. Ruhana senses it and looks at Bulbul.

“Kya hua? Itni shanti kyun hain aaj?” Ruhana asks, because Bulbul always has one thing or the other to tell her.

“Kuch nahi, mumma! Aap khao, nahi toh thanda ho jayega.” Bulbul replies while having her food.

“Are you sure? School mein kuch hua? Riya se jhagda kiya tune?” Ruhana rolls her eyes at her daughter and the girl nods her head negatively.

“Toh kya hua hain? Roz toh tu mujhe nayi kahani sunati hain, kabhi teachers ki, kabhi friends ki! Aur sabse weird kahani toh teri aur Riya ki hoti hi hain. Aaj koi kahani nahi hain tere pas?” Ruhana asks, trying to make her speak.

“Hai na! Lekin wo sun ke ap mujhe dantogi.” Bulbul says dejectedly and Ruhana is scared and worried at the same time.

“Bubble! Kya hua? Papa ne kuch kaha? Ya teachers ne ?” She enquired as her daughter is never so silent.

“Papa! Lekin agar main kuch kahungi toh aap kahogi ki meri galti hain.” Bulbul makes a sad face.

“Papa ne! Kya kiya unhone? Aaj toh wo tujhe drop karne bhi aaye they na!” Ruhana looks at her daughter.

“Han! Lekin wo sabki enquiry kyun karte rehte hain? Main aapko sab kuch batati toh hoon! Fir kyun?” Bulbul asks.

“Bulbul! Hua kya hain? Kal tak toh tu Vineet se gussa thi ki wo tujhe school drop karne nahi aa rahe, aaj aisa kya hua?” Ruhana asks.

Well, she is aware of Vineet’s enquiring nature, especially when it is for his daughter and wife’s safety. But it doesn’t look good, every time. He doesn’t want to understand that his lady love and daughter could feel uncomfortable with this habit. Ruhana sighs deeply and looks at Bulbul who looks perplexed, maybe she is finding words to convey the matter to her mom.

“Mom! I know! You and dad still see that little Bulbul in me. Infact, aapke liye toh main hamesha choti hi rahungi. Aap aur dad mujhe pamper karte thak jaoge but main nahi. Lekin mumma! I am 16-year-old now. I don’t have experience, I agree. Lekin aap hi toh kehte ho na jab tak kaam nahi karenge toh experience kaise aayega. Dad kyun har jagah apne enquiries and instructions lagate hain? I feel so embarrassed in front of my friends! “ Bulbul says annoyingly.

“Exactly kya hua hain, beta?” Ruhana asks but Bulbul looks annoyed and she doesn’t reply.

Ruhana sighs and asks Bulbul to finish her food first. Ten minutes later, she takes Bulbul to her(Ruhana) room. It’s their daily ritual that when Bulbul comes home the mother and daughter duo relax for a while cuddling each other. Today is no different day. Bulbul cuddles her mother while Ruhana smears her head for a good while.

“Kya hua aaj? Mera bacha itna upset kyun hain?” Ruhana asks softly.

“Mumm! Please papa ko bolo na ki I need space.” Bulbul makes a sad face.

“Aur unke faltu ke sawal! I mean, he knows na Viren aur Atharv are my best friends. Viren ke dad ko toh personally bhi jaante hain na papa!” Bulbul says dejectedly.

Ruhana sighs deeply at her daughters’ words. She knows that her she’s right. Vineet has a habit to enquire a lot. He behaves weirdly if Ruhana or Bulbul tend to leave him alone. If it’s anything to do with Bulbul, he would question the persons and the organizartions, even if it is her school. Also, when at home, he enters his daughter’s room without prior information.  He gets worried and impatient if Bulbul locks the door from inside. Now, as Bulbul is growing up, she needs some space for herself as well. THis has annoyed her.

Ruhana’s trance is broken by Bulbul’s voice. She looks towards Bulbul.

“Dadda ko bolo na trip pe jaane dein! Aapko pata hain aaj Viren aur Atharv se ye enquiry kar rahe they ki un ke parents unhe trrip pe jaane dene ke liye ready kaise ho gaye? Wo dono bas dad ko convince karna chahte they. “ Bulbul narrates the morning incident.

“ Arey! Unse enquiry kar rahe they ki wahan kya hoga aur kaise hoga! Arey! 5 teachers jaa rahe hain na  trip pe! Agar unpe bhi vishwas nahi hain toh ap apne pati se kaho ki business chod ke mere sath chalein. Par main trip pe jaungi hi!” Bulbul declares.

There’s a trip organized by Bulbul’s school for all the 12th graders. They will visit the hill-stations: Kullu Manali and Shimla. Vineet, being the possessive dad hasn’t allowed for the trip . Instead, he is enquiring Bulbul’s school, teachers, her friends. Whilst, Bulbul’s friends tease her for such possessive nature of her father. Infact, she feels wierd and irritated too.

Ruhana understands her situation well. She has tried to make her husband aware of the situation but he forgets every time. He never understands that BUlbul is a growing child and she needs her space. She doesn’t need her parents to babysit her anymore. But he feels otherwise. He still t feels that Bulbul won’t be able to handle herself.

“Mumma! Kahan kho gaye? Aapko bhi lagta hain ki main galat hoon?” Bulbul looks at her mother.

"Nahi beta! Tum apni jagah thik ho. Aur papa bhi. Farak sirf itna hai ki jo difference hai wo tumhare papa samajh nahi pa rahe." Ruhana says cupping Bulbul's face.

"Wo samajhna nahi chahte. Maine kitni baat batana chaha unhe! Par unhe mere liye time hi nahi hai. Wo sunte hi nahi!" Bulbul makes a sad face.

"Wo sunenge. Main samjhaungi unhe! Abhi thoda rest karlo. Kal fir trip ki shopping bhi karni hai na!" Ruhana says, smiling at her daughter.

"Trip! Par dadda!" Bulbul looks at her mother with a sad face.

"Tu kyun chinta karti hain! Apni mumma pe bharosa rakh! Main baat karungi Vineet se!" Ruhana says and asks Bulbul to relax.

Ruhana smears her head and Bulbul falls asleep in no time while Ruhana begins to think about her hubby.

*Flashback Ends*

"Hey! Kahan kho gayi?" Vineet's voice falls in her ears.

He's looking at her confusingly and then she holds his hands in hers.

"Vineet! Mujhe tumse ek baat karni hai. Lekin…. Uske pehle tumhe mujhse vaada karna hoga ki tum shanti se meri baat sunoge aur samjhoge. Hyper nahi hoge !" Ruhana says while looking into his eyes.

"Okay! Par baat kya hai?" he asks, as he knows that something is really serious.

"Baat Bulbul ke baare mein hai! Infact, usse zyada hamare baare mein hai!" Ruhana says.

"Kya hua meri gudiya ko? Wo thik hai na?" Vineet asks.

"Wo thik hai Vineet! Tum please meri baat suno." she says and he nods.

"Dekho Vineet, hum jante hai Bulbul hamare liye kya maayne rakhti hain! Infact, tum usse kitna pyaar karte ho ye tumhe batane ki zaroorat nahi. Lekin Vineet, tumhe ek cheez samajhni padegi!" she says and she pauses.

Vineet looks at her keenly, waiting for her to continue speaking.

"She's 16, Vineet. Please usey free chod do. Usne mujhe bataya kaise tumne school mein uske doston se aur teachers se questions puche! Vineet, ek hafte se tum yahi kar rahe ho! Leave it na!" Ruhana says, trying to explain him.

"Ab wo toh karna padega na. Aise kaise hum usey trip pe bhej dein? Ye uski bhalai ke liye hai." he says.

"Apne trust aur vishwas ke sath bhejo usey! Waise toh jab main uski shaitani pe ya padhai na karne pe usey dant-ti hun toh tab tum mujhse kehte ho ki beti pe trust rakho. Tum kehte ho main bewajah tension leti hoon. She will do, abhi ye sab karke tum usey bata rahe ho ki tumhe apni beti pe, apni Bulbul pe vishwas hi nahi hai. " Ruhana says, coming to the actual point.

"Tum bewajah tension le rahe ho, Vineet. Mujhse kehte ho ki Bulbul badi hogayi hai toh main usey dantun nahi lekin tum khud toh usko doodh piti bachi samajh rahe ho na! Bina bole, bina knock kiye uske room mein chale jaate ho! Kal toh tumne uske friends se sawal kiye bahut sare. Baad mein uske friends ne usey tease kia, tumhari wajah se. " Ruhana says.

Vineet is taken aback. He didn't think that it will come up like this. He didn't know that Ruhana would say all of this to him. He looks at her and before he could say, Ruhana continues.

"Kal wo naraz thi tumse. Uske teachers ne bhi pucha usse ki tumhare papa itni enquiry kyun kar rahe hai? Humare school se teachers jaa rahe hai! Ask him not to worry! Uske dost usey chidhaate hai ki uske papa possessive hai! Jaante ho usko kaisa lagta hoga tumhari in harkaton se!"Ruhana says.

" Isme galat kya hai? "he asks, sounding unknown.

"Tumhari intension galat nahi hai, Vineet. Bas usko dikhane ka tareeka alag hai. Ek hafta ho gaya trip circular aaye hue, tum satisfy nahi ho ab tak! Kyun Vineet? Isse acha hota ki tum Bulbul ki homeschooling karte. Usey school bheja hi kyun!" Ruhana says, a bit loudly.

"Ruhana, tum samjho! Am doing it for our daughter." he says as for him it is right.

Ruhana sighs as Vineet is not understanding her point. Meanwhile, another feminine voice grabs their attention and they find Bulbul entering the room. The girl cuddles close to her mom and then looks at her father. She says something that leaves Vineet surprised and shocked at the same time.

To Be Continued

Will Vineet understand his wife's views?

Will he stop being a typical father?

Stay tuned.

Navkiran_Shergill I hope you like it. Love you 😘😘