Star Paradise Society in Mumbai is home to Vineet Kumar. He is the senior inspector in CID. He owns a five room flat in this society and lives along with his Mother, Wife and Daughter. They are a happy family indeed. But, since the past five months, Vineet was on a secret mission. His wife, Ruhana, didn't know about the mission. Praying for Vineet's wellbeing, was a daily ritual for her.

Though, he was a CID cop, and his cases and missions had made an impact that his mother Poonam and Ruhana were relaxed as he was there with the whole team. But this was a mission and he was all alone.

Ruhana is a fashion designer and runs her own boutique. But now it has been 5 months and there was no news about Vineet. She was worried. It was nothing new to her but tension bubbled in her heart as there was no information about him. It  was another day, as she finished her Puja, her Five year old daughter, Ruhaani pounced on her. It was her holiday today.

"Ruhaani, aap dadi ke paas jaiye.. Mumma ko kaam hai." Ruhana said.

"Mujhe bhook lagi hai." Ruhaani replied glaring at her.

"Acha main nashta laga rahi hoon, jao dadi ko bula ke laao." Ruhana said.

The little girl agreed and ran to her grandma's room. Ruhana moved into the kitchen to make tea for herself and her mother. Meanwhile she settled the breakfast on the table and Poonam and Ruhaani settled on the table. Ruhana served cheese toast to Ruhaani while Poonam preferred a paratha with her tea. Ruhana too, settled on the table with tea and milkshake for Ruhaani.

"Dadi, mumma Ruhaani ko dantti rehti hai." the little girl complained.

Ruhana eyed her while the girl chuckled.

"unhone mujhe danta." Ruhaani made an innocent face.

"beta ye sab kya hai?" Poonam asked.

"Aapko pata hai na maa, Ruhaani ko baaten banane ki aadat hai. Bilkul Vineet ki tarah. Kuch bhi bolti hai ye ladki. " Ruhana said eyeing her daughter.

"mumma fir nahi bolti na isliye Ruhaani ko bolna padta hai." Ruhaani replied innocently.

Poonam smiles. She knows that Ruhana is missing Vineet, even Poonam is missing him. It was after a long time that Vineet was assigned a mission. And this was Ruhaani's try to make her mother speak. Meanwhile, Ruhana's phone rang.

"Daddy ka phone!" Ruhaani shouted.

"Tumhare daddy ko time hi nahi hai beta." Ruhana said.

She picked up the call. It was her husband's friend Sachin. She asked about Vineet and was told that Vineet will be back home by evening. A smile made way on Ruhana’s lips. She thanked him and disconnected the call. She told Poonam that Vineet will be back by the evening. Ruhaani chuckled.

"Maine bola tha na Daddy ka call hai. Aapne suni hi nahi. Main daddy se complaint karungi aapki" Ruhaani said.

Ruhana couldn't help but smile. She patted her cheeks.

"Pehle aapke daddy ghar toh aa jaye. Fir dekhenge." She said.

"Ab toh aa hi jayega. Khush ho jao ab."  Poonam stroked Ruhana’s hair.

Ruhana smiles. Finally, He will be back tonight. A wait of five months will be over. He didn't go for five months though. His mission extended and he had to finish the mission. Days passed in a blink and it had been months since he was away. Ruhana smiled to herself. Her trance was broken by the ringing of her phone. It was from her boutique as a major order had to be finished. She instructed the staff and told them that she don't want any delays and that she'll be reaching the office in thirty minutes.

Her mother in law heard the conversation. As she disconnected the call, Poonam looked at her.

"Beta aaj bhi office jana hai kya?" she asked.

"Maa, important order hai. Jana toh main bhi nahi chahti lekin zaroori hai. Aap chinta mat kijiye, main Vineet ke aane se pehle aa jaungi." Ruhana replied.

"Acha thik hai, jao. Tab tak main kheer bana lungi. Vineet ko pasand hai na. Na jaane kya haal hua hoga uska. Apna khayal toh wo rakhta nahi. " Poonam said.

Ruhana smiles. These two ladies were eagerly waiting for his homecoming. His mother was worried about his health. Her motherly heart wanted to cook everything her son loves to eat. On the other hand, Ruhana was waiting for him. There's a lot to talk about. Moreover she misses him badly, and is looking forward to take care of him again.

"Maa, aap fikar mat kijiye. Main ek ghante mein aa jaungi.. Fir hum mil ke sab taiyari karlenge. I hope ACP sir Vineet ko zyada derr tak bureau mein na roke." she said.

Poonam smiles. "Kuch nahi hoga. Tum jao, apna kaam karke aa jao. Ruhaani ke nap ka time ho chala hai, main usey sula deti hun." she said and moved to her room.

Ruhana leaves for her office. It had been two hours when Ruhana returned back. A delicious aroma was filled in the house. She makes her way into the kitchen and finds Poonam making kheer. She smiles and hugs her.

" Main aa rahi thi na." she said.

"Kya farak padta hai beta. Tum fresh ho jao. Chai chadha deti hoon main. Fir tum sambhalna kitchen." Poonam said tapping her cheeks.

Ruhana freshened up and picked out a red colored kurti that Vineet gifted her. She changed into the dress and made her hair. She even put a small red crystal bindi. He loved her that way. He liked when she put bindi, and the crystal one was his favorite. She was happy, he was coming back home, finally.

Admiring herself, she went out of her room where Poonam was ready with the tea. Ruhaani, too, came out of her grandma's room and sat beside Ruhana.

"Aap akele akele ghumne ja rahe ho?" she asked on finding her wearing a new dress.

For Ruhaani, it was unusual that Ruhana was wearing a suit, a dress she wears while going out. Usually she wears jeans and a crop top or kurti.

"Nahi baby, mumma akele kaise jayegi? Daddy aur baby ko chhod ke nahi ja sakti na main." Ruhana said.

"toh fir aapne dress kyun change kiya? Daddy bhi nahi aaye abhi tak." Ruhaani says grumpily.

"Aa jayenge tere papa. Gussa nahi karte." Poonam said stroking Ruhaani's hair.

"Daddy promise bhul jate hai. Aur wo Ruhaani ko akele bhi chod dete hai." Ruhaani spoke innocently.

Ruhana and Poonam smiled.

"is baar nahi bhulenge. Agar wo bhul gaya na toh main usey dant lagaungi."Poonam said.

Ruhaani chuckled when poonam said that. Meanwhile the door bell rang. Ruhana who was moving into the kitchen stopped on her track. She opened the door, and it was Vineet. She took a deep breath, he was finally home. Ruhaani pounced on her father as she was seeing him after a long time. He seeked her mother's blessings who pulled him into a warm hug.

"i missed you maa." it's what he said.

"miss toh Humne bhi tujhe bahut kiya. Chal fresh hoke aaja fir baat karte hai." Poonam said.

"han daddy, be quick. Nahi toh mumma dantegi." Ruhaani said pushing him towards the bedroom.

Vineet glanced at Ruhana and she smiles making her way into the kitchen. Few minutes later, Ruhana was walking into the bedroom, with coffee and snacks for Vineet. She entered inside and closed the door. Her eyes fell on Vineet who just came out of the washroom.  She gestured him to sit and picked up another towel to pat dry his hair. He held her hand and pulled her in front of himself. She stared at him for some seconds and then hugged him as tight as she could.

"i missed you. Itne din ghar se door kaun rehta hai?" she said, still hiding in his embrace.

"Kya karu? Kaam hi aisa hai. Tumhe toh pata hai na?" he said.

She parted from the hug and looked at him.

"tum thik toh ho na? Chot toh nahi lagi na?" she asked while looking for wounds on his arm or face.

Vineet smiles…

"Main thik toh hoon, wo bhi tumhare saamne khada hoon." he said while looking at him.

Her eyes were teary. She has missed him a lot. Afterall, there was a lot she wanted to say,but she couldn't speak. He was her only friend in this house. She hugged him again.

" ab tum kahin nahi jaoge. Samjhe! Bahut ho gaya mission.. Acp sir se kehna ab main nahi bhejungi tumhe kisi mission pe." she said in an angry tone such that he laughed and kissed her forehead.

She closes her eyes with his warm touch and embrace. She caressed his stubble and kissed his cheek. She has missed this in  the last five months. They were together after a long time and the warmth of love was healing everything. They were lost in each other when a loud sound broke their reverie.

"Mummaa! Darwaza kholo." it was Ruhaani, shouting from the other side.

"She should learn patience." Vineet commented releasing her from the hug.

"Pehle tum toh patience seekh lo, baad mein beti ko sikhana." Ruhana said teasingly.

Vineet eyed her..

"Ab 5 mahine lamba time hota hai na… So…" he said and winked at her.

Ruhana smiled and slapped his arm..

" Shut up! Kuch bhi bolte ho!" she said.

"I said the truth." he said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Ruhaani shouted again. Ruhana opened the door and the little girl rushed inside.

"Kitna time lagate ho mumma!" she complained.

"Kya hua?" Ruhana asked.

"Mujhe bhook lagi hai." she said.

"Toh chillata kaun hai. Main khane ki taiyari karti hoon." she said.

"Han tum jao, tab tak hum dono baat kar lete hai" Vineet said as she lifted Ruhaani in his arms.

Ruhana smiles and leaves father and daughter in the room. With poonam's help, they prepared dinner in a short time and  called Vineet and Ruhaani. The little girl came running asking her father to chase her. She was giggling when poonam chided her.

"Ruhaani, papa ko aaj rest karne do. Kal khelenge wo aapke sath." She said.

"Aaj bhi toh khel sakte hai na." Ruhaani asked innocently.

"Acha khelenge, par pehle khana toh kha lo. Fir khelna. Papa thake hue hai na." Ruhana said.

Ruhaani agrees and sits beside her father as her grandma serves dinner. Vineet is thrilled to see his favorite food.

"Kheer kis khushi mein bani hai?" he asked.

"Tujhe pasand hai na isliye." Poonam smiles.

Vineet smiles. He knew these two ladies were waiting for him and all this was because he came back home. He looked at both of them and found them smiling. Why won't they? For one, her son is back home, and for the other, her lifeline is back. They're finally happy. His trance is broken with Ruhaani's voice.

"Aap kahan kho gaye daddy?" she asked.

He smiled.. "Kuch nahi. Tum khana khao." he said smearing her head.

Ruhaani made a face…

"Mumma bhi nahi batati. Abhi aap. Thish ish not fair." she said.

He laughed "Kya kiya aapki mumma ne?" he asked while having a spoonful of kheer.

The little girl looks at her mother and then her father.

"Mumma sochti rehti thi. Ruhaani ke puchne pe bhi nahi batati." She complained.

"Acha! Koi baat nahi. Main aa gaya na, main puchunga aapki mumma se." he said.

"acha acha. Ab khana khao. No complaints." "Ruhana said.

Ruhaani eyed her.." Main karungi. " she said making the other three laugh.

" Aap log mere pe hanste kyun ho? "she asked innocently.

" uffo! Kitna bolti hai ye ladki. Khati kam hai bolti zyada hai " Ruhana commented.

" Apni maa pe gayi hai na" Vineet murmured earning a tough glare from his wife.

His mother initiated and asked about his mission. They finished their dinner with light chit chats. Poonam took Ruhaani to her room as it was her story time while Ruhana finished her chores and walked to her room..

She saw Vineet standing near the window. She stood beside her putting her arm across his waist.

"Kya soch rahe ho?" she asked.

"Kuch nahi. It's good to be home." He said pulling her in a hug.

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I missed you. Tumne contact bhi nahi kiya." she said.

"Mujhe mauka hi nahi mila."he said.

She nods as they watched the moon together as if reading the part of each other's stories. He made her face himself while she locked her arms in his neck and kissed his forehead.

" I missed everything that we did together. " she said.

" Let's do that today." saying so, he pressed his lips on hers firmly.

They shared a soft yet passionate kiss. She broke the kiss when they were out of breath and hugged her face in his chest. She was strong and confident yet hiding herself in his arms made her feel secured. Her secured circle of arms was back to her. Vineet lifted her in his arms and made her sit on the bed. He slid in the bed while she kept her head on his shoulder, moving her fingers on his chest. They were lost in their own world, when a knock on the door brought them into reality. They could hear Ruhaani from the other side.

Vineet sighed… "ye soyi nai!" he asked.

Ruhana shrugs her shoulders. "Aaj Sunday hai, sunday ko wo maa ke sath soti hai. Pata nahi kya hua!" she said.

Vineet opened the door and Ruhaani runs inside. She jumps on the bed…

"Aapne Ruhaani ko akele kyun chhoda?" she asked her mother.

"Par aaj toh dadi ke paas soti hai na Ruhaani." Ruhana said, afterall she wanted some alone time with her husband.

"Lekin aaj mumma ke sath sona hai." Ruhaani said innocently.

Vineet sat on his side. Ruhaani looks at him…

"Aap hato, ye meri jagah hai." She said.

"ye toh meri jagah hai. Aaj se main yahin sounga na." Vineet reasoned.

"nahi, Idhar Ruhaani aur mumma soyenge." she said.

"arey par main kahan jaunga?" Vineet asks,he was shocked.

"Aap dadi ke paas jao."Ruhaani said.

Since five months, Ruhaani was sleeping along with her mother, and suddenly, she didn't want to leave her mother's side. Today her father is back,but she can't let him take his place.

"Daddy ko toh neend nahi aayegi na udhar." Ruhana said trying to convince her.

"Ruhaani ko bhi nahi aati.. Main aapke sath hi soungi." she clinged on to her mother.

"Hum dono yahan so sakte hai." Vineet said purposely and kept his head on Ruhana’s shoulder.

But to his shock, Ruhaani pushed him a little.

"aap aise nahi so sakte. Sirf Ruhaani so sakti hai mumma ke shoulder pe. Aapko sona hai toh aap apni mumma ke paas jao." she said such that Ruhana laughed while Vineet was left shocked.

She kept her hands around Ruhana’s shoulder…

"Meri mumma ke sath main hi so sakti hoon. Aap nahi" the little girl said adamantly.

"Acha okay.. Lado nahi. Aap mere sath hi sona.." Ruhana said.

"Aap mujhe dadi ke paas nhi le jaogi?promise karo." Ruhaani said.

Ruhana sighed. "nahi. Ab chalo so jao. Daddy ko bhi rest karna hai." she said.

Ruhaani keeps her head on her mother's chest and falls asleep. Ruhana leans on Vineet's shoulder who's now sitting beside her. He smears Ruhaani's head, who's now asleep. They glance at each other share a smile.

" it is not that bad!  Sleeping with you two. " he said naughtily.

She smiles and makes Ruhaani sleep on the bed in the middle, and they slept off holding their hands.

*****

It might be troubled a little, but family love always prevails.

Ruhaani08 i hope you like it. Love you 😘❤️