Aarav sat on the couch with a thud. His eyes were teary. Manvi sat beside him...

"Aarav shant ho jao." she said.

"Kaise shant ho jaun? Tumne dekha na maa papa kitne dard mein hai. Uska kaaran unke apne bache hai. Acha hua maa ne us din mujhe wo thappad laga diya varna main bhi unhe takleef de baithta. " he said tearily.

She cupped his face and wiped his tears... "Tumhe pata hai Aarav, tumhari sabse achi Baat kya hai? Tum dil se sochte ho aur sabke liye sochte ho. Papa se seekha na tumne? Yahi baat mujhe pasand hai. Tumhare bhaiyon ne jo kiya wo unki galti hai. Saza dedi maa papa ne unhe. " she said.

"Haan jaanta hoon. "he said.

She smiled... "chalo fir, maa papa ko dekhte hai.. Wo kuch Kehte nahi par hume dekhna chahiye. " she said and turned to move but he held her hand and pulled her closer.

She glanced at him and he kissed her head softly... "thank you manvi. Mera sath dene ke liye. " he said.

"that's my right. Ab chalo. "she said and they climbed the stairs.

RuVi Room

They were standing near the window, Ruhana had her head placed on his shoulder.

"Aaj main bahut halka mehsus kar rahi hun Vineet. " she said.

"Jo dard tha wo sab nikal jo fenka Humne. Unhone jo takleef hume di hai na Ruhana uskke liye hum toh kya, koi bhi maaf nahi karega unhe. " Vineet said.

"Thik keh rahe ho Vineet. Jinki wajah se tumhe takleef hui, un beton se mujhe koi rishta nahi rakhna. Unhone toh hamari parvarish pe hi ungli utha di." she said tearily.

"Lekin fir bhi khushnaseeb hai hum Ruhana. Aarav hai hamare sath. Kaash Sachin aur Mahesh usse kuch seekh paate. " he said.

"Kuch punya kiye honge Humne. Tabhi us bhagwan ne Aarav ko hamari goad mein daal diya. " she said.

Aarav was standing at the door and hearing them.

"Punya toh maine kiye honge maa, tabhi aap aur papa mile mujhe." He said.

They turned and found Manvi and Aarav together.

"aao andar bahar kyun khade ho?" Ruhana said.

Aarav and Manvi entered in.. Vineet sat on the bed.

"Aap dono thik hai na? "he asked.

"Haan. Tumhare hote hue hume kya ho sakta hai bhala! " Vineet said.

"Aur jo kuch bhi abhi hua usey bhul jana chahte hai hum Aarav. "Ruhana said.

Aarav smiled.. "Main Vaada karta hun maa, ab se aapko koi pareshani nahi hogi. Aap aaram se rahiye. Baaki sab mujhpe Chhod dijiye. " he said.

Ruhana cupped his face.. "Jaanti hun tune hamesha apna Vaada nibhaya hai. Ek Vaada aur kar mujhse" she said forwarding her hand.

Aarav kept his hand on hers..

"Aarav apne aapse zyada kisi pr vishwas mat karna. Tum aur Manvi ek duje ka sahara banna. Apne rishtey ko itna majbut banana ki koi tod na sake. " Ruhana said.

Aarav nodded... "I Promise. Ab chaliye roiye mat. Main hoon na. " he said.

"Haan maa aap dono thik rahenge, tab hi Aarav bhi thik rahega. Aap iske kaan kheenchenge toh hi thik rahega Varna aapka beta bahut satata hai mujhe. " manvi said to lighten the situation.

Aarav glared at her..."maa ye manvi yunhi keh rahi hai. Iski baaton mein mat aao." He said.

"maa main sach bol rahi hun. Aarav bahut pareshan karta hai. "she said.

Ruhana and Vineet smiled and Ruhana held both their hands..

"bas jhagdo mat. Manvi chalo, hum khana banate hai.. Aur aap dono change karke aaiye. "She said glancing at her husband and son and left with Manvi.

Inside the kitchen, Manvi said "maa aap rehene do na main kar lungi"

"Kyun rehendu? Ye kitchen toh mera hi hai na.. Waise bhi mujhe bore nhi hona hai khali baithe baithe" Ruhana replied.

Manvi smiled and nodded, they prepared the food. Manvi wanted to say something but she hesitated.

Ruhana asked while noticing her facial expressions "kuch kehna chahti ho?"

Manvi looked at her and said "actually maa main chahti hun aap mere aur Aarav ke saath hamare ghar pe rahe hamesha sirf aap dono ke liye Aarav ne wo ghar liya hai, uska sapna tha ki uske maa baap uske apne ghar mein aakar rahe jahan wo khoob unki sewa kare bahut mehnat ki hai usne iske liye. Wo bhi toh aapka hi ghar hai na? " she said.

Ruhana smiled and said "janti hun main ye baat.. Ye baat wo bhi toh humse kah sakta tha na"

"Wo aap dono par koi dabav nahi daalna chahta tha isliye nahi kehta aapse.. Aur rahi baat iss ghar ki toh hum caretaker toh रख sakte hai na? Rent pe de denge paisa bhi aata rahega aur ghar ki dekh bhal bhi hoti rahegi" Manvi suggested.

Ruhana smiled "Aarav bhi na.. Main khud nhi chahti wo apna ghar chodke yahan rahe.. Tum chinta mat karo hum tum dono ke saath aakar hi rahenge waise bhi iss ghar mein ab kuch kadvee yaadein hai jinhe main aur Vineet bhulana chahte hai" Ruhana said while keeping her hand on hers.

Manvi smiled. "Chalyie ab khana leke chalte hai" she said while picking up the casserole and bowls.

They moved outside, Aarav and Vineet were already at the dining table having a light chit chat.

Vineet asked "itni der lagti hai kya Ruhana? Bahut bhook lagi hai mujhe"

"Kuch personal baatein ho rahi thi hum Saas Bahu ki, isliye der ho gayi" Ruhana said looking at him.

Aarav questioned "kya baat maa? Ye zaroor meri shikayat kar rahi hogi aapse"

Manvi glared at him and made face "how mean Aarav.. Dekha maa isko lagta hai main bas iski shikayat hi karti hun khud toh kuch kehta nhi hai darpok kahika" she taunted while eyeing him.

Ruhana served them the food, Aarav said "main darpok nhi hun"

"Acha? Toh phir kyun nhi bataya tum humhe apne ghar le jaana chahte ho?" Ruhana asked raising her eyebrows.

He looked at her, Vineet looked at Aarav who looked down and began eating silently.

Vineet and Ruhana laughed at this. Vineet hits his head playfully "paagal ho tum.."

He hide himself on his shoulder. Vineet smiled and tapped his cheek lightly.

"chalo Ruhana chalte hai warna ye apne aansuyon se meri sab shirt bhigo dega" Vineet said with a smile on his face.

Aarav looked at him, Vineet wiped his tears. Aarav held his hand and said "thank you Papa aaj aapne mujhe sab de diya"

He stood up and said "Manvi tum maa papa ki help kardo saman pack karne mein main ghar jaake tayari karke aata hun"

"nahi ye zimedari meri hai tum yahan saman pack karwao wahan main jaati hun" Manvi said.

He nodded, Ruhana said "are are kal ho jayega tum dono abhi khana khao chup chap"

Aarav obeyed her and sat down to finish the food. Manvi smiled seeing this.

After the food, Manvi said "maa aap jayie ye main kar lungi".

Ruhana eyed Vineet, she signalled him something. He nodded and moved upstairs with her.

Aarav moved towards Manvi and pulled her towards himself. She gave him a questioning look and asked "kya kar rahe ho?"

"Thank you maa se baat karne ke liye" he said while keeping her hands on her shoulder.

Manvi smiled "maine to wahi kaha jo mujhe sahi laga and thanks to you ki tum mujhe India laaye ab tum office jaoge to main bore nahi hongi I will have your responsibilities to take care of" she said.

He kissed her forehead lightly "janti ho tumhari yahi baaton ne mujhe tumse pyar karne mein majbur kiya.." he said lovingly.

Manvi smiled and said "janti hun aur mujhe majbur kiya tumhare sanskaro ne aur tumhare liye tumhare maa baap ke liye pyar ne"

Aarav said "I know.. Ab chalo ye kaam khatam karte hai I will help you" he picked up the plates and moved to the kitchen, followed by Manvi.

RuVi were standing upstairs and saw this. A smile appeared on their face and they moved back into the room.

Vineet said "Ruhana.. Dekha mera beta kitna pyar karta hai apni biwi se.. Ek dum mujhpe gaya hai na?"

"Haan haan.. Jayega hi aur kitni madad bhi karta hai tum thodi karte ho meri madad" Ruhana complained. "Toh wo tumpar nhi gaya hai"

"Main kab nhi karta? Itni baar toh ki hai" he said.

"Haan pata hai tumhari madad mujhe.. Bahana chahiye hota tha romance karne ka tumhe" Ruhana said

"Haan toh? Na karun kya?" he asked.

"Nahi.." Ruhana stopped when there was a knock at the door.

"Andar aa jao Aarav.." she said as she was sure it must be definitely him.

Aarav opened the door and looked at her surprised, he asked "aapko kaise pata chala main hun?"

"Maa hun tumhari.. Sab janti hun main" Ruhana said with a smile.

Aarav nodded, he forwards the two glasses of milk "Manvi ne aap dono ke liye diya hai.." he said.

Vineet asked "usne diya ki tum laaye?"

"Main laaya actually" he said in low tone. "Ab aap dono pee lena.. Mujhe neeche saman pack karna hai" he said while forwarding them the glass.

They took it and smiled, they were feeling blessed to have a son like him. The love they wanted, they travelled separately for it but in return only earned harshness and pain, but today his love and care not only binded them together, but it also brought smiles on their faces.

Ruhana and Vineet glanced at each other they had contentful smiles on their faces,happy smiles to be precise.