*Based on the backdrop of Love Will Find You*

It was after all the hardships, the Aggarwal family was united. Vineet was elated to be back with Ruhana and Bulbul.  Bulbul was slowly settling and got busy with her studies while Ruhana decided to work from home. She would go to office occasionally. Though, Bulbul and Vineet persuaded her to join the office, but she insisted to stay at home. Being a mother, it was right on her part. She wanted to be with Bulbul once she comes back home. On the whole, their life was going on smoothly.

A few months were passed. It was Vineet’s birthday. It was a fine day, but neither his wife, nor his daughter had wished him. He thought that Ruhana might have forgotten his birthday, and that, Bulbul isn’t aware about the same. He freed from his work by the evening and decided to take Bulbul and Ruhana out for dinner. He reached home and Ruhana welcomed him . She got water for him which he drank in one go. She asked about his wellbeing, to which he replied hurriedly and asked her to get ready.

“Kya hua tumhe?” she asked.

“Sawal mat karo, ready ho jao. Hum log bahar ja rahe hai dinner karne. ” he said.

“Kuch special hai kya?” she asked unknowingly.

“ Wo main bata dunga, bulbul kahan hai?” he asked.

Ruhana shrugged her shoulders…

” Tumhari beti hai na, ekdum ziddi. Dopahar se apne room mein baithi hai, Kehti hai assignment complete karna hai.” she answers.

Vineet smiles…

”See, my daughter is so hard working” he said raising his collars.

Ruhana shakes her head…” Han han, mujhe pata hai kitni hard working hai wo. Waise ye dinner plan kisliye?”she asked.

“ Arey kitne din ho gaye Bulbul will get a change.” he said.

“Arey toh weekend aa raha hai na. Tab chale jayenge. Mujhe abhi ek urgent  meeting attend  karni hai.”she said.

“Ruhana aaj ki toh baat hai. Meeting kal karlena.” he said .

“Nahi vineet. Aaj nahi ho sakta. Tum bulbul ko le jao. She’ll be happy.” Ruhana said.

Vineet sighs sadly. He wanted to celebrate his birthday with them but it seems they don’t remember, and they are busy as well. He makes his way towards his daughter’s room. Ruhana watches him walk and she smiles…

“Sorry Mister Husband, aaj toh thoda intezar karna padega. I know my surprise will cheer you up.” she thought to herself and got busy with her work.

Bulbul’s Room

Vineet knocked the door and the door was open. Vineet entered the room and saw Bulbul working on her desk. He moved to her and ruffled her hair.

“Papa!! Aaj aap jaldi aa gaye!!” she chuckled.

Vineet smiled...

“Han Beta. Main soch raha tha aaj hum dinner karne bahar jaate hai. Ab tumhari mumma ko toh time hai nahi, toh papa aur princess jate hain dinner karne. What say?” he said.

“Good idea! But papa….” Bulbul looks at him.

“ But? Kya hua tumhe?” he asked.

“Papa, i’m not feeling good. Hum ye plan postpone kar dete hai.” Bulbul said.

Vineet’s face fell off. Firstly Ruhana denied and now Bulbul isn’t well. He panicked..

“Kya hua beta? Bukhar toh nahi?” he asked while touching her forehead.

“Nahi papa, bukhar nahi hai.” she said holding his hand.

“Fir kya hua beta?” he asked.

Bulbul looks at him…

”That’s a girl’s thing. I’ll tell to mumma.” she says innocently.

Vineet is taken aback. He tries to grasp what his daughter just spoke. She was grown up so big, and he just realised it now when she chose to tell something to her mother rather than her father. He doesn't know what to say to her, so he smiles at his daughter…

"Okay, tum aaram karo beta." he says and sneaks out of her room.

Bulbul chuckled as the door closes. She giggles to herself…

"Sorry papa! But princess needs time. I know you will love the surprise. Papa will be happy, hai na Bruno!! " she chuckles.

Her friend, Bruno barks softly as if he understood what she said and they got busy with her work.

On the other hand, Vineet was lost. Bulbul's words were echoing in his mind.

"She's grown so big. Mujhe pata hi nahi chala." he murmured to himself while entering inside his bedroom.

Ruhana hears him..
"Kya hua tumhe?" she asks.

"Wo bulbul…. " he pauses as he didn't find words to tell his wife about what his daughter told him.

"Bulbul ne tumhe kuch bataya?" he asks.

"kis baare mein Vineet? I mean dopahar se toh apne room mein hai. Mujhe kuch nahi pata." Ruhana replies.

"She's not well na.. Usne tumhe nahi bataya, strange. Maine pucha toh she said wo tumhe bata degi. Hamari beti bahut badi ho gayi hai, nahi?" he says, amused in his mind.

Ruhana now gets what he's trying to say. She smiles at his awkwardness, but keeps her hand on his shoulder…

"uffo Vineet, she's 17. Aur wo kitni bhi badi ho jaye, hamare liye toh choti hi rahegi. Samjhe!!" she says.

"but she is not okay!" he murmured.

"She will be okay, tum ye sab na socho. Just take this." she said.

He sighs. She smiles and gives him a list. 

"Vineet please ye cheezein le aaoge kya? Tab tak I'll prepare food." she said.

Vineet was sad but agreed. He left the house and Ruhana sighed. Bulbul joined her…

"Yay! Papa gaye. Ab hum easily kaam kar sakte hai." she chuckled.

"bechare. Bahut confused they." Ruhana says.

Bulbul chuckles…

"excuse hi aisa tha mumma." she grinns.

"Han han i know your excuse. Tumhare papa pareshan they." she said.

Bulbul giggled… " it'll be fun mumma, don't worry." she said.

Ruhana nodded her head positively and both got busy in their works. Bulbul decorated the hall while Ruhana baked the cake and prepared food. They were relieved as Vineet will take some time to get back home.

Two hours later, everything was ready. Ruhana checked everything and was satisfied.. Meanwhile, they could hear a car horn. Vineet is home now. He's astonished to find the house dark. He enters inside and calls for his wife and daughter but they didn't reply.

"Arey ye bulbul aur Ruhana kahan chale gaye? Aur lights!! Lagta hai fuse kharab hua hoga. Dekhta hoon." he thought and moved inside. With the help of the flashlight of his mobile, Vineet opened the fuse box. Everything seemed alright and so he was lost..

At the same time, the lights were turned on surprising him.

"Happy birthday…"

It was all he could hear. He saw Ruhana and Bulbul standing in front of him. Bulbul was holding a gift box while Ruhana was there holding a cake in her hands. His favorite, the chocolate chip cake. Vineet was surprised and he was not able to speak anything.

"papa, aapko kya laga? Hum aapka birthday bhul gaye?" Bulbul asked.

He smiles sheepishly… "mujhe aisa laga." he spoke meekly.

"How is this possible papa. We cannot." bulbul said with a smile.

"Aur kya Vineet! Ye sab plan tumhari beti ka hi toh tha." Ruhana said.

"matlab na tum busy thi aur na hi bulbul ki tabiyat kharab thi…" he said while eyeing both his girls.

Bulbyl giggles… "no papa. Aapko bahar bhejne ka plan banaya tha humne." she said.

Ruhana smiles… "Let's cut the cake." she said while setting the cake on the centre table.

Vineet sat on the couch and Bulbul passed him a knife. He was emotional to feel how much his daughter and wife loved him.  Bulbul nudged him, he cut the cake and fed them a piece each. Bulbul then presented him with the gift box. He unwrapped the box a was pleased to find a collage picture. It had  Bulbul's childhood pics, some along with Ruhana, and with Vineet too. On the frame it was written…

"Love you Papa! "

His eyes turned watery with so much love. He kissed on Bulbul's head,who hugged him throwing her arms in her father's neck.

"We love you Papa. Aur hum aapka special din kaise bhul jate. Aaj toh mumma ne aapki favorite dishes bhi banayi hai." she chuckled.

"aur ye collage bulbul ne khud banaya hai." Ruhana said.

"We'll hang it in our room." he said and adored the collage.

He moved to his room and hung it on the wall. Bulbul chuckled with joy and pulled him with her towards the dining table, and they enjoyed a real treat together.

******

Family love is endless.

Navkiran_Shergill i hope you like this. 😊