The city of fun, craze, art and work, the metro city Mumbai, is home to ASP Vineet Singhaniya. He is recently promoted to the post of superintendant of Police. He is a family man and is blessed with a wife and a pretty daughter. The two ladies mean the world to him. His daughter is now eighteen years old, yet a child by heart. His wife is a fashion designer by profession and owns a boutique.

Aggarwal Mansion is quite chirpy today. Bulbul has finished her senior secondary exams & is deciding upon what to do next. Her parents want her to join college for her graduation, while the girl has other thoughts. She's running behind her mom, convincing her.

"Mumma! Aap toh samjho. Mujhe break chahiye.". Bulbul says.

"I promise, I'll help you." Bulbul says.

Her mother, Ruhana glares at her. Her daughter's condition isn't accurate for her. She looks at her daughter.

"Bulbul, ye possible nahi hain." Ruhana says.

"kyun nahi mumma? Aap aur papa maan jao, toh kuch impossible nahi hai." Bulbul says.

Ruhana glares at her daughter. Bulbul hugs her, locking her arms in Ruhana's neck.

"Mumma please. Isme kya galat hain? I mean I cannot decide what to do. Itni saari cheezein explore karni hain. Ab aap kisi bhi college mein kaise bhej sakti ho mujhe. Please papa ko samjhao na." Bulbul says.

" Shayad is break mein kuch acha mil jaye." Bulbul reasons while looking at her mom.

Ruhana sighs hearing her. She knows her daughter has many interests and it's being difficult for her to choose one. She looks at Bulbul.

" Are you sure about it? I mean is break se tujhe fayda toh hoga na??" Ruhana asks.

"Haan Gulabo!! Main keh rahi hoon na, sab sahi ho jayega. Mere dost exams prep ke liye break le rahe hain, I'll explore different things. Please Gulabo!! Maan jao na. " Bulbul says.

Ruhana nods in affirmation & Bulbul chuckles happily

"Yay! Thank you gulabo! I love you so much." She kisses her cheeks.

Ruhana smiles lightly. She pats her cheek.

"It's an opportunity, Bulbul. Waste na karna isey. Make the most out of it." Ruhana says.

"Yes mom! I will. Trust me. Bulbul won't let you down." Bulbul says and hugs her.

"Arey bhai! Kya baatein ho rahi hain, maa beti mein?" a masculine voice reaches to both mother and daughter.

It's Vineet, who's home. Bulbul glances at the wall clock which shows 9PM in the evening. She throws a glance at her father.

"Papa! You're late again." She says.

Vineet sighs. He is a police officer and his duties keep him away from his family and home. He looks at both the mother and daughter.

"Papa! Aaj Saturday hain. Aaj toh time se aana chahiye aapko." Bulbul says sounding angry.

" Am sorry beta! Tumhe pata hai na papa ka kaam." Vineet says.

"Huh! Aap aur aapka kaam! This is not fair, Papa. Aaj hum dinner pe jaane wale they." She says.

Bulbul convinced her mom for dinner outing and she knows that her mom will convince her father. Ruhana pats her head.

"Koi Baat nahi Bulbul. Aaj papa ko rest karne do. Kal Sunday hai na. Kal chalenge hum. Abhi ke liye main kuch bana deti hoon." Ruhana says.

Bulbul pouts at her parents.

"This isn't fair, Gulabo! Aap hamesha papa ki side leleti ho. Wo late aate hain ya jaldi, aap hamesha mujhe samjhati rehti ho. This is wrong. Main gussa hoon." Bulbul says and sits on the couch.

Something tickles at her legs. It's her four legged furry friend, Bruno. He lets out a bark, in order to cheer her up..

" Bruno! I am angry. Mumma papa meri baat hi nahi maante.". She complains.

The white doggo barks at her, maybe he agrees with the fact. Ruhana and Vineet glance at each other.

" jao ab manao beti ko. Kyun bhul jaate ho promise?" Ruhana says.

"Ruhana! Tum toh samjho!" he sighs.

"Main samajhti hoon, tumhari beti nahi samajhti. Jao usey manao. I'll prepare dinner." She says and walks into the kitchen.

Vineet looks at his daughter. She's still upset and isn't talking with her pet friend even. He takes seat beside her and apologises softly.

" Sorry, Princess. " he says.

" Your sorry princess won't work, Papa. Main aapse bahut gussa hoon." She turns her face to the other side.

"Princess ko papa ka kaam pata hai fir kyun gussa hai wo? Papa tried, but nahi ho paya aaj." he says softly.

Bulbul looks at her father. He's being honest. She also understands his duty, but her heart craves for not only her mother but for her father too. She wants him to be by her side always. He tries but sometimes, he misses the chances. At that time, Ruhana makes it up for his absence.

"But you have to promise me something, Papa!" She looks at Vineet.

"Kya?" he asks.

" Aapko mujhe aur mumma ko ghumane le jana hoga. Aur mujhe kuch classes mein enroll karvana hoga." She says looking at her father intently.

"Classes? Kya pak raha hai?" Vineet gazes at her.

"Tumhari beti ko exploration karna hai. Give her a break.." Ruhana says.

"Par Ruhana!!" he tries to reason but Bulbul clings on his arm.

"Chill Papa! Mumma maan gayi hai. Aap bhi maan jao." She says.

Vineet looks at Ruhana but she assures him & he has no other option left. Ruhana asks him to freshen up and Bulbul rushes towards the dining table. She seems elated and tells Ruhana about some hobbies which she wishes to pursue. Ruhana agrees to her while Vineet promises the two mother & daughter that they'll go out tomorrow as it's Sunday. Bulbul chuckles with joy and hugs her father. Post dinner and after spending some time with her parents, Bulbul retires to her room.

Next Morning, it's Sunday. Ruhana is the first one to wake up and she finds Vineet sleeping. She lets him sleep and after freshening up, she moves to her daughter's room. It's her daily routine to move into her daughter's room and spend a few moments with her before getting her ready for school. Now that she's free, she'll explore her interests and choose one that will suit her, they'll get more moments.

She enters the room and finds her daughter sleeping peacefully, holding a teddy bear close to her chest. Ruhana adores her and kisses her head softly. Bulbul turns in her sleep and keeps her hand on her mom's waist, maybe she realised that her mom is near her. Ruhana embraces her with her arms. Getting the warmth, Bulbul opens her eyes and greets her mother.

" Mumma! Aaj toh Sunday hai! I am not getting up early." She says.

"Isliye toh main yahan aayi hoon. Taki mumma aur bulbul ek sath time spend kar sake." Ruhana says.

" Yay! Chalo, hum phir se so jaate hain." Bulbul beams at her and snuggles closer to Ruhana,resting her head on her chest.

" We'll go for shopping today. And dinner too. Papa ko bolo ki wo aaj busy na rahe. " Bulbul says.

Ruhana laughs and Bulbul glares at her playfully.

"Agar papa busy honge bhi toh hum dono enjoy karenge." Ruhana says.

Bulbul chuckles, but looks at her seriously.

"Are you serious, Gulabo? I mean kahin aap bhi papa ke tarah promise bhulogi toh nahi na?" she eyes her.

"Bulbul se kiya hua promise mainn kabhi bhuli hoon?" Ruhana asks & Bulbul nods her head negatively.

"Toh aaj hum wahi karenge jo Bulbul kahegi, okay!" Ruhaana pats her head.

Bulbul chuckles happily. For her, it's a happy moment as her father is always busy chasing the criminals. Her mother is busy as well but she takes out time for her darling daughter. Suddenly Bulbul glances at Ruhana.

" But promise me ki aap plan change nahi karoge. Okay?" Bulbul says.

Ruhana nods affirmatively, while Vineet enters the room too.

"Kya planning ho rahi hain?" he asks.

Bulbul shrugs her shoulders.

"Hum kyun bataye aapko?? Ye mera aur meri Gulabo ka secret hai. Hum nahi batate aapko." Bulbul snaps at her father.

Vineet looks at Ruhana who waves her hand in denial.

"Mujhse mat pucho. Main kuch nahi bataungi tumhe." Ruhana replies and both mother daughter giggle.

Vineet watches them as they continue to tease him, but he has a soothing smile on his face. It's always a delight for him to watch both the girls cheerful & happy. Bulbul notices him smiling & adoring her, she asks him to approach the bed. She gets on her knees and moves to the edge of the bed while Vineet stands near the bed. She puts her arms around his neck.

"And you'll not work today, ACP sahab! Aaj hum mall mein jayenge, movie dekhenge, aur dinner bhi bahar karenge." Bulbul says.

" Okay! As you say, Princess." he taps her cheeks.

Bulbul chuckles with joy and hugs him. Ruhana asks both father and daughter to get ready as it's their Sunday ritual to go to the temple. Ruhana prepares coffee for the three of them and finishes her chores. She also instructs the maid about what lunch should be prepared and then after getting ready, the three of them leave for the temple.

At the temple, they did the worship and after praying they move out of the temple. It's on a little height and so it gives a beautiful view of the city in the morning. Bulbul chuckles seeing it and also drags Ruhana with her. She hugs Ruhana and looks at Vineet

"Papa, click a good picture" she says teasingly.

Vineet smiles and then clicks a few pictures of mother daughter and then a few pictures with him in it. As they step down the stairs, his phone rings. Vineet stops and attends the call. Bulbul & Ruhana are following him and Ruhana sighs as she hears him. Before she could say something, she's pulled by her daughter, who finds something to a small shop. It's some colourful crystals. Bulbul wants to buy some. Ruhana looks at Bulbul who's eyes are twinkling with joy and the former knows that something is going on her daughter's mind. They buy what she wants and then head back to the car.

On the way home, Vineet tells them that there is an urgent case and he has to go. Bulbul frowns at her father but lets him go. She moves inside the house without talking to Vineet. He sighs.

"Ruhana! Please Bulbul ko samjhao. Mera jana zaruri hai. Please." he says.

"thik hai. But try karna ghar jaldi aa jana." Ruhana says and Vineet leaves for the police station.

Ruhana enters inside and finds her daughter sitting gloomily on the floor. She finds all the beads open on the table and Bulbul is doing something. She calls her name but Bulbul doesn't listen. She sits beside her on the floor.

"Gulabo se bhi gussa? Maine kya kiya?" She asks.

Bulbul glares at her.

"Gulabo! Your husband is a cheater. Hamesha aisa karte hain wo ACP Vineet Aggarwal." She says.

Ruhana looks at her.

" Mind your language. Papa hai wo tumhare.." She scolds her.

" Toh aap unko samjhati kyun nahi? Hamesha promise tod dete hain wo." Bulbul complains.

" But he's doing it for us. Agar wo careless ho gaye toh loss ho sakta hai na. Aur phir jahan aaj wo hai, ye tumhare papa ka sapna tha na. Jaise ki you love to make designs, Papa loves to chase criminals. He wants everyone to be safe. Isme kuch galat hai?" Ruhana says.

" No! Lekin papa ko Bulbul k liye time nikalna chahiye tha. Kya gulabo! Aapko bhi ye boring ACP hi mile they shadi karne ko! " Bulbul comments picking the photo frame from the side table.

Ruhana slaps her cheek playfully...

" Chup! Kuch bhi bolti hai." She says.

" Maine toh sach bola. " Bulbul says shrugging her shoulders.

" Waise hai toh sach. Agar boring ACP nahi milte, toh mera boredom door karne ke liye meri gudiya kahan se aati!! Waise bhi hum dono toh enjoy kar sakte hai na! " Ruhana says in order to convince her.

Bulbul nods. She doesn't complaint about anything, but like every normal girl, she wants her father to join her in the fun. It has always been Ruhana and Bulbul together. That's the reason she got upset. Ruhana cups her face.

" Tu kyun udaas hoti hai. Main hoon na, we'll do all the fun. Aur maine Vineet se bola hai, wo jaldi aayega." She says.

Bulbul tends to agree and Continues making a design out of the crystal beads. Ruhana is awestruck at the small design. She gets a small plane ring and keeps the design on it. Bulbul herself is awestruck.

" This will make a good design. Bulbul, ye tune kahan se seekha?" she asks as her daughter has just designed a small ring.

"Kahin se nahi, I had this design on mind, last time jab papa ne rings dilayi thi na hume , tab maine dekhe they designs. We can put it in our boutique, mumma." Bulbul says.

Ruhana nods positively and bulbul chuckles. She gets busy with her designing while Ruhana gets busy with a call. Both the mother-daughter have their lunch, rested for a while and then get ready for the market. Bulbul tells her the things that she needs and Ruhana readily agrees to her. She calls Vineet, if he's coming, but his reply makes her sad.

"Ruu! Possible nahi hai.. I'll try to join you two for dinner." he says.

"You're the boss, fir bhi! Khair, take care" she says and cuts the call.

Bulbul hugs her, as she comes out of her room.

"Gulabo! Don't be easy on Papa. Ye unka loss hai. Aaj toh Gulabo aur bulbul enjoy karenge. Karne do unko cases solve." She says.

Ruhana smiles and they leave the house locking it. They first visited the Orbit mall. Bulbul wanted to purchase some art kits while Ruhana purchases some sketch pads and clothes for Bulbul and herself. Suddenly, Bulbul chuckles as she spots the toys' shop. Ruhana smiles and asks her to purchase anything that she wants. Bulbul gets happy and once they finish purchasing, it's almost 6 PM.

They have a show at 6:40, and so Ruhana asks Vineet again, but he denies her. Meanwhile, Bulbul clicks some and sends them to her father.

" Ab aayega maza! Chalo mumma!" She drags her along and after keeping their bags in the car, both mother and daughter make way toward the cinema hall and occupy their seats.

On the other hand, Vineet receives the pictures. He's in the police station reading about the case. He orders his men and checks the phone. It's Bulbul's message.

"Enjoy your case solving, ACP Aggarwal. You're missing the fun."

Vineet smiles as she scrolls the pictures. He sighs. He so wants to be with them, but he can't. He has a duty and he can't ditch it. He knows that his wife and daughter crave for his time. He feels bad for his daughter, because, he can't spend time with him. He replies to her asking her to enjoy and heads out to go for investigation.

On the other hand, Both the mother daughter enjoyed their movie and then headed out. Bulbul clings to Ruhana.

"today is fun. Thank you mumma!" She chuckles.

" Anything for you meri jaan!" Ruhana says.

"Let's go for Dinner date. How exciting it is?? Ab papa ko toh hai nahi time, chalo main aapko date pe leke chalti hoon." Bulbul says.

Ruhana laughs while Bulbul chuckles and they head to their car. Bulbul asks Ruhana to wait and moves to get the car from the parking.

Thirty minutes later, they reach their favorite restaurant. Ruhana parks the car and they head into the restaurant. Ruhana calls Vineet but he doesn't pick. Ruhana sighs. She always wanted Vineet to be with them. He could order his men and join them. Her trance is broken by Bulbul's voice.

"Chillax Gulabo! Main hoon na. Chalo let's order. Let papa enjoy with his cases." She says and Ruhana laughs.

They order Italian pasta, and all that Bulbul demanded. All the time, it's Bulbul who's doing all the talking while Ruhana is admiring her. Finally, she is happy today. Bulbul notices her mother staring at her.

" Kya hua Gulabo!! Kya dekh rahi ho?" she asks.

" Dekh rahi hoon kitni khush hai tu." She says.

"ooh! Chalo let's click a picture. There comes our order." Bulbul says and the waiter serves the dishes.

Bulbul sits beside Ruhana and clicks some selfies, again sending them to her father. Ruhana looks at her.

"Bulbul this is wrong na. Papa will miss us more.. Wo wahan duty pe hain." Ruhana says.

She knows it's just for fun, yet she feels that teasing him won't be good. She knows how much he misses spending time with them.

"No mumma! Papa ko pata hona chahiye, ki Bulbul can enjoy without him. Mumma and Bulbul can enjoy." She says.

Ruhana sighs. They have their dinner with chats and then leave for home. It's almost 10 when they reach home. Ruhana asks Bulbul to keep the bags in her room and asks her to freshen up. Bulbul agrees and runs to her room. Ruhana too, moves to freshen up. After ten minutes she comes out and finds Bulbul sitting on the bed with all the shopping bags open on the bed and Bulbul is trying her new tops. Ruhana shakes her head. As she approaches to sit on the bed, the doorbell rings. A smile makes way on her lips. It's Vineet, maybe.

She moves to open the door and finds Vineet. He looks tired. She asks him to freshen up and moves into the kitchen to cook some quick meal for him. She makes aloo paranthas and serves them with coffee. Vineet is surprised.

"I know tumne kaam mein ulajh ke kuch nahi khaya hoga." She says.

"Par tum dono toh bahar gaye they na dinner pe?" he asks.

"Haan! Par main jaanti thi you won't be able to make it. Isliye I prepared this for you already." Ruhana says.

Vineet is touched. At the same time, Bulbul comes to him flaunting her dress. Vineet smiles at her.

"bahut maza kiya kisi ne?" he asks.

"Oh yes! You know I took your wife on a dinner date!" Bulbul chuckles.

Vineet smiles. He can make out how happy his daughter is. He begins to relish his food while Bulbul tells him what she did on the outing with her mom. Vineet finishes his food but Bulbul is still speaking. Vineet moves into the kitchen to keep his plate while Ruhana cleans the bed. She's talking with her daughter when Vineet enters the room with three bowls of ice cream. Bulbul chuckles seeing it. It's her favorite chocolate chip ice cream. She pounces on Vineet to take the bowl.

"Aaram se beta, its for you only." he says while Bulbul starts munching on her ice-cream.

She looks at her father.

"Aaj aapko punishment milega. Aap ice-cream leke aaye, it doesn't mean Bulbul will let you go easily." She says.

"Acha kya karna hai mujhe?". He asks.

He hopes she doesn't ask him another promise. He knows he's bad at fulfilling promises. He can't break her heart every time. Ruhana presses her shoulder and he smiles.. He knows he doesn't need to worry until Ruhana is there, yet he feels bad. He feels his daughter staring at her.

"It's not difficult, papa. I know aap busy they. Mumma took me on outing, but now, I'll sleep with you. Aur aap sulaoge mujhe, with your favorite lori. Aap bada acha gaate ho." She chuckles and pulls his cheeks.

She chuckles and he smiles. Bulbul jumps in the bed and makes her space in the middle of the bed. Ruhana and Vineet take their places on the either sides of the bed. Bulbul takes his hand and keeps it under her head. There's a soothing smile on her face. Vineet begins to hum the lullaby that Bulbul loves when he sings it.

Surmayee Ankhiyon Main
Nanha Munna Ek Sapana De Jaa Re

Bulbul looks at him innocently. Right now, she's like a doll of innocence who's seeking love from her father. Vineet smears her head softly while Bulbul closes her eyes.

Surmayee Ankhiyon Main
Nanha Munna Ek Sapana De Jaa Re
Nindiya Ke Udate Paakhi Re
Ankhiyon Main Aaja Saathi Re

Raa Ree Raa Rum O Raaree Rum
Raa Ree Raa Rum O Raaree Rum

Bulbul falls fast asleep and puts her arm across his waist. Ruhana, who's been watching the two, smiles softly. She looks at him who passes a thankful nod to her. She smiles in response. They don't need words to communicate, they have their own language of silence. Vineet holds her hand.

"You saved me again." he says.

" I'd have missed this soulful scene. Bulbul chahe kitne bhi complaints kare, she ends up being with you." she says with a smile.

Vineet smiles. His daughter might complaint but she understands him as well. He's about to say something,but Bulbul turns on her back and holds their hands.

" mumma papa! So jao na ab. Subah baat karenge. " She says sleepily, her eyes closed.

Vineet and Ruhana laugh at her words and they too, lie down to sleep, with Bulbul holding their hands. They glance at her and sleep off.

****THE END****

"Family Love Is Forever."

"Children may complain, but they always love their parents."

"Complaints, banters and teasing make life colourful."

Navkiran_Shergill

- I hope you like it ❤️❤️