It's Saturday, and since it's a half day , Ruhana picks Bulbul from her school. But today, she is late. Bulbul stands at the gate of the school waiting for her mom. She seems upset about something as well. Kavin who's going through the way, recognizes Bulbul and halts his bike. He goes near to her. 

"Kya hua, Bulbul?" he asks. 

"Mumma is late." Bulbul replies grumpily. 

He laughs at her way of speaking and tweaks her nose. 

"Chalo, main aapko drop kar deta hoon." he suggests. 

"Par mumma dantegi. Wo jaldi se chinta karne lagti hai na." Bulbul says. 

Kavin smiles at her innocence. 

"Par aapki mumma aapse bahut pyaar bhi karti hai na." kavin reasons. 

"Han!! Lekin wo bulbul ko kuch nahi batati." Bulbul says grumpily. 

"Kya nahi bataya?" he asks. 

"Jab main unse puchti hoon ki mere papa kahan gaye, toh wo kuch nahi bolti. Aapko pata hai, mere school Mein annual Function hai. Sabke papa aate hai, bas mere papa nahi aate. Aur is baar special event hai, lekin main part nahi le sakti." she tells him sadly. 

Kavin feels sorry for the girl. He can't help it. He doesn't even know about her father, and why her mother doesn't talk about it. But he's sad that she can't take part in the event. 

" Arey, papa nahi hai toh kya hua??  Mumma ko le jana." kavin says. 

"Par mujhe dusre game mein part lena hai. Usme sab students ko apne papa ke sath part lena hai. Lekin mere papa toh hai hi nahi." Bulbul says sadly. 

Kavin pulls the girl in his embrace, and then looks at her. 

"Acha, agar main kahun aap part le sakte ho toh? Main aaunga aapke sath." he says it unknowingly, as he felt so. 

Bulbul looks at him and then smiles. 

"Aap aaoge mere sath? Pakka promise?" she asks. 

Kavin nods affirmatively, bulbul smiles and hugs him. But a stern voice made them jump apart. It's Ruhana, who came there and heard Kavin. 

"Bulbul, let's go home!"  she says while holding her daughter's hand. 

"Par mumma, mujhe uncle se baat karni hai. Unhone promise kiya hai ki wo mere sath school aayenge. " Bulbul says. 

" Wo nahi aayenge. Mumma hai na tumhare pas. Aur aap Mr. Kavin, atleast bachi se aise promise mat kijiye jise aap pura na kar sake." she says sternly. 

" I mean what I said, Ruhana ji. "  kavin says softly. 

" But hume aapki help ki zarurat nahi hai. Han, uske papa uske sath nahi hain, par iska matlab ye bhi nahi hai ki aap usey wo sapna dikhayen jo kabhi pura nahi ho sakta. Please mujhse aur meri bachi se door rahiye. " she says folding her hands in front of him and leaves with bulbul. 

All through the way Bulbul was bugging her. 

" Mumma, aapne uncle ko kyun danta, wo toh bulbul ki help kar rahe they " she says as she didn't like the fact that Ruhana shouted at Kavin. 

Kavin was just trying to help Bulbul. But that innocent soul didn't know what scared her mother. Why did she shout at her friend? They reach home and Bulbul looks at Ruhana in anger. 

" Aapne dost ko kyun danta?"  she asks. 

Ruhana glares at her. 

" No questions, bulbul! Tum unhe jaanti nahi ho aur jo usne kaha wo maan liya?" she shouts at her. 

"Par unhone pehle bhi Bulbul ki help ki thi na. Aur aap kuch batati bhi nahi ho mujhe ." Bulbul says eyeing her mom. 

Ruhana eyed her daughter. 

"Wo unki duty thi. Usey karna hi tha wo. Par jo unhone kaha wo bahut galat hai." Ruhana says. 

"Par wo meri help kar rahe they. Unhone kaha tha wo annual day pe aayenge aur mere sath game mein part lenge. Usme sab students apne papa ke sath part lenge. Bulbul ko bhi lena hai." Bulbul says innocently. 

Her words raged Ruhana. She didn't want any random guy to come close to her daughter, that too, for her father's position. She knows Bulbul misses a father's love, but she can't think of anyone except her late husband. She looks at bulbul. 

"Main hoon na tere paas. Main hi teri maa hoon aur papa bhi. Aaj se tu unse nahi milegi."  Ruhana scolds her. 

"Aap aisa kaise kar sakti ho. Wo ache hai. Aap meri baat nahi sunti na uncle ki suni. Mujhe aapse baat hi nahi karni." Bulbul shouts and runs outside the house. 

Ruhana sits on the ground as tears leak down her eyes. She thought Kavin is trying to come closer to her, with Bulbul's help. It maybe true, but Ruhana doesn't want anyone coming between her and her daughter. 

On the other hand, Kavin reaches his home. Ruhana's words were echoing in his ears. He had fallen head over heels by Bulbul's innocence and bravery. He felt a certain connection with Bulbul. And he also agreed to help Bulbul for her annual function. But why? What led him do so? His trance is broken by his friends. 

"Oh hello! Where are you, dude?" it's dushyant who stirred him. 

"Dushyant, tu kab aaya?" he asks absentmindedly. 

"Jab aap apne khayalon mein khoye they, bhai sahab." dushyant says.

Kavin smiles. Dushyant look at him and knows something is wrong. 

"Kya ho gaya?" he asks. 

"Yaar main toh us bachi ki help karna chahta tha. Par uski maa ne mujhe galat samajh liya." Kavin sighs. 

"Bulbul ki baat kar raha hai?" dushyant asks. 

"Han wahi. Kitni pyari bachi hai. Uske saath hota hoon toh Waqt chutkiyon mein guzarta hai. Ruhana is also a good company. Lekin aaj…" he pauses and tells him what happened. 

" Dekh kv! Wo apni jagah sahi hai. Wo kyun chahegi koi aur uske aur uski beti ke beech aaye. Wo tujhe  thik se jaanti nahi hai aur tu uski beti ke sath event mein jana chahta hai. She just looks at you as a savior,Kavin. Jo tu sochta hai, shayad wo na sochti ho. so Apni na sahi unki toh parwah kar. Bhul ja Bulbul ko aur uski maa ko bhi. "  dushyant says. 

Kavin sighs. The first time he met Bulbul in the mall, the girl had left an imprint on his mind, and on his heart when he rescued her. Even Ruhana's gestures were the ones he should be thankful to. But he doesn't know why he said that he'll help Bulbul in the fest. Ruhana's anger was justified, he felt. Why would she let any other man take the position what her late husband holds in her daughter's life? He takes a deep sigh and seems determined for something. 

It's Evening, Bulbul has not talked to Ruhana after the afternoon incident. For her, Kavin is her friend and he only tried to help her. Ruhana calls her, but she ignores her. 

"tujhe meri baat samajh nahi aati?" Ruhana asks. 

"Aap bhi toh nahi samajhti, mumma." Bulbul retorts. 

"Bulbul!! Beta! Maine jo kiya wo sahi kiya. Kya mumma aapke liye kaafi nahi hai jo aapko unke sath rehna hai?" Ruhana asks. 

"Par wo meri help kar rahe they. Papa nahi hai na toh wo help kar dete. Usme kya hota. Aapne unko bhi danta. Main aapse gussa hoon" Bulbul says grumpily. 

" thik hai. Tujhe lagta hai wo sahi hai aur main galat. Toh Jaa, unhi ko leke ja annual function mein. Main nahi aaungi fir." Ruhana says angrily. 

" Bachi ko dantne se kya hoga Ruhana ji?" a masculine voice reaches them.

Bulbul smiles to hear the voice while Ruhana is shocked to see him there. Bulbul rushes towards Kavin and he lifts her in his arms. He gave her two chocolate bars, that too, her favorite chocolates.  She chuckles with joy and kisses his cheek. 

"Thankyou uncle." she says. 

Kavin pats his cheek as he descends her on the floor. 

"Abhi aap room Mein jao. Mujhe aapki mumma se baat karni hai." he says. 

Bulbul agrees and runs to her room. Kavin looks at Ruhana. 

" Dekhiye Ruhana ji, aap galat samajh rahi hai. Main bas Bulbul ki madad karna chahta hoon, that's it."  he says. 

" Aur uske liye usne jo kaha, aapne wo maan liya?  How could you? " Ruhana asks. 

" Kuch galat toh nahi kaha na usne. Agar meri wajah se wo apni wish puri kar skti hai, toh usme problem kya hai? " Kavin reasons. 

Ruhana knows that Kavin has a heart for Bulbul, and all that he's doing is only out of affection. But still, there is a limit. She can't let go of it. She won't like if people point out at her or him, that's a society note, anyway. But she won't want any troubles for him atleast. 

"Dekhiye Kavinji, main aapko nahi jaanti, na aap hume. Hume jodne wali bulbul hai, aur main jaanti hoon ki bachon ke instincts kabhi galat nahi hote, par main nahi chahti isse aap par koi asar pade. Bulbul bachi hai abhi. Wo ye sab baatein nahi samajhti.. Please aap samajhne ki koshish kijiye. " Ruhana says softly. 

" Har rishtey ko naam diya jaye, ye zaruri toh nahi na. " kavin says and Ruhana looks at him. 

He smiles lightly. 

" Bulbul bahut pyari bachi hai, aur main chahta hoon wo khush rahe. Isliye maine wahi kiya jo mujhe thik laga. I don't think isme kuch galat hai. I'm sure aap bhi apni bachi ko khush hi dekhna chahti hongi. Trust me, there will be no harm. Aage aapki marzi. "  Kavin says and turns to leave the place. 

As he turns, he hears Bulbul, who came running from Her room. She gave him a paper. 

" Aap Monday ko, morning 10 baje aana. Bulbul aapka wait karegi. Mumma ki tarah promish bhulna nai. " Bulbul says. 

Kavin opens the paper and it was the address of Bulbul's school written on it. He assures bulbul, kisses her head and leaves the house. Bulbul runs into her room while Ruhana is left thoughtful. 

Kavin is a nice guy, but she doesn't want any third person between her and her daughter. He's right enough to say that not every relation can be named,and his relation with bulbul is special. Her trance is broken on Bulbul's voice. 

"Bhuk lagi hai." she says innocently. 

"Par tujhe toh Baat nahi karni thi na mumma se?" Ruhana asks.. 

"Main abhi bhi gussa hoon aapse, lekin bhuk lagi na. Ab jaldi khana do." Bulbul replies grumpily. 

Ruhana smiles at her antics and both of them have their dinner and later Ruhana asks Bulbul to sleep. Bulbul glares at her. 

"Aap meri baat nahi sunti toh main kyu sunu?" Bulbul says. 

" Bulbul, tum zidd kar rahi ho ab. Mumma kuch galat nahi karegi na!"  Ruhana says. 

" But mumma bhi zidd kar rahi hai. Mumma nahi sunegi toh bulbul ko bhi nahi sunna." Bulbul frowns. 

Ruhana sighs.. 

" We'll see it later. Abhi so jao. Tumhare fest ko ek hafta baaki hai. "  Ruhana says. 

" Bulbul bhi aapse gussa hai. Aur tab tak rahegi jab tak aap Kavin uncle ko sorry nahi bolte " Bulbul says and lays on the bed. 

Ruhana sighs. Her daughter is really adamant. She smears her head and the girl falls asleep while sleep is away from Ruhana's eyes. Kavin's words echo in her ears. 

" har rishtey ka Naam hona zaruri nahi. Mera aur bulbul ka rishta bhi kuch aisa hai. Wo meri dost hai"  

"Main bas madad karna chahta hoon. Agar bulbul ko fest mein part lene se khushi milti hai toh mujhe khushi hogi." 

" it won't be of any harm, Ruhana ji."  

Ruhana sits up pondering over Kavin's words. She doesn't know what to do. She sighed, setting his thoughts aside and slept. 

A week passes in a blur. Kavin continued meeting Bulbul outside her school & it's unknown to Ruhana. Finally it's the day of fest. Bulbul glances at Ruhana. 

"mumma, aaj bilkul late nahi hona aap." she warns her mom. 

"Arey baba! Aa jaungi time se.." Ruhana says while making the girls' hair. 

" Lekin bhoolna nahi. Aur haan aapne abhi tak kavin uncle ko sorry nahi bola. Ye galat baat hai."  Bulbul says. 

Ruhana sighs. She slaps her head. 

"Mujhe jisse jo baat karni hogi, main kar lungi. Ab chalo, otherwise we'll be late."  she says. 

Bulbul makes a face but they leave the house. After dropping bulbul to her school, Ruhana moves to her office. She has to finish the tasks so that she can reach Bulbul's school by 3.

2:30PM, Bulbul's School 

Ruhana enters the school premises. Children are running around, parents are also standing around. On one side, games are going on. She's looking for her daughter, she someone taps her shoulders.. 

"you're Ruhana, Bulbul's mother?"  she asks. 

"Yes ma'am. I'm looking for her."  Ruhana replies to the lady who happens to be Bulbul's class teacher. 

" aaj toh bulbul ne saare games jeete. Aur drama mein bhi part liya usne. I'm really impressed. Usne kaha uske papa uske sath hai toh wo jeetegi hi." the teacher says. 

" Papa! "  Ruhana is surprised. 

"Waise, I must say, your husband is a very entertaining person. He has kept the kids busy. There they are. " the teacher then points towards another direction. 

Ruhana looks in the direction and finds a guy and kids surrounding him. Her eyes then fell on Bulbul. She moves closer and realizes it's Kavin. He's swaying Bulbul in the air, and she's giggling. Ruhana moves closer to them, Bulbul looks at her. 

"Mumma aa gayi."  she whispers in Kavin's ears. 

Kavin descends Bulbul on the floor, and Bulbul rushes to Ruhana, showing her the medals shown. 

"Dekho mumma! Bulbul ko three medals mile. Papa ki help se."  she says innocently while pointing towards Kavin. 

"achi hai. Ab chale tumhare function ka time hua hoga na." Ruhana says. 

"Yes! Mujhe ready bhi hona hai. Mona ma'am aati hogi. Aap chalo auditorium mein" Bulbul says. 

Ruhana kisses her head and wishes her luck. Meanwhile, Bulbul's teacher came and took her for the preparation and asked Ruhana, Kavin and other parents to move towards the  auditorium. 

Ruhana walks silently and Kavin joins her pace. 

"Ruhana ji, please don't take it wrong. Main bas bulbul ke liye aaya tha. Main na aata toh wo udaas ho jati."  he explains. 

Ruhana has tears in her eyes. This won't have happened if Vineet had been here  with them. But today she saw happiness and joy in Bulbul's eyes when she was with Kavin. She looks at him and smiles. 

" thanks!! I cannot repay to you for what you did."  she says. 

Meanwhile they reach the auditorium and grab front row corner seats. The fest began on time. Bulbul receives two prizes for her creativity and drama practices. Ruhana was happy seeing her on the stage. Meanwhile, the drama team was announced. Ruhana's eyes were on stage. She even saw 

Kavin showing thumbs up sign To Bulbul. The drama that the kids  played was about friendship and all those relations which aren't really connected, but they are heartily connected. They said not all relations need to be carried by blood, some can be through heart. Bulbul played a girl who was left alone after her parents die and how a lady adopts her. They made heartfelt relations and were happy. Ruhana was surprised when Bulbul spoke a few lines at the end of the play. She looks at Kavin and finds him smiling.  Her eyes fell back on Bulbul. 

"Rishtey sirf janm se nahi hote,

Kuch rishtey dil se hote hai, 

Benaam hi sahi, 

Par khuda ki khubsurat den hote hai. 

Har rishtey ki izzat kijiye, 

Kyunki har rishtey mein khuda ka hi vaas hai." 

She bows in front of the audience and leaves the stage. Ruhana is touched. She knows it must be Kavin who told her those lines. She might not understand them, but she has given a really powerful message. 

Few minutes later, Bulbul came towards them and sat in Ruhana's lap. 

"mumma how was the play?" she asks. 

"Acha tha. Aur wo poem?" she asks. 

Bulbul points at Kavin. 

"papa ne diya" she says. 

Ruhana smiles lightly, so does kavin. Soon, as the fest ends, they head out of the auditorium.. Bulbul was in half sleep. Ruhana lifted her in her arms., as they walked out. 

"Main aap logon ko chod deta hoon." kavin says. 

Ruhana accepts his offer without hesitation. The journey towards home is silent. They reach her home, Ruhana gets down from the car. Kavin takes the sleepy girl in his arms so that Ruhana could unlock the door. They head in and Ruhana lets Kavin move into the bedroom and he makes the girl sleep on the bed, while Ruhana takes off her shoes. As kavin turns to leave, bulbul holds his hand… 

"mat jao na papa. Bulbul ke paas hi raho" she says in her sleep. 

Kavin is surprised. He was just enacting to be her father  but she is still calling him papa.. He looks at Ruhana and she smiles. 

"jo dil ka rishta aapne banaya hai, usey nibhaiye."  she says. 

He looks at her and she smiles. 

"Thik kaha tha aapne, kuch rishtey dil se bante hai. Wo khush rehti hai aapke sath." she says. 

"Are you okay with it? I mean i just wanted to help. " he asks. 

" har rishtey ki neev pyar hota hai. Aur aapki aankhon mein maine Bulbul ke liye pyar dekha hai. Main ab koi rishta nahi chahti, par aapka aur bulbul ka rishta tod bhi nahi sakti. Rishta bandhe ya nahi, dil ke taar hamesha jude rahenge. Thank you .. Meri beti ki zindagi mein khushi laane ke liye. " Ruhana finishes her statement, he smiles and nods. 

He always wanted this. He  caresses her forehead and they look at the little girl, who unknowingly tied them in a heartfelt relationship. 

**THE END**

Some relationships come from heart and are more stronger.

Heartfelt relations are god gifts, cherish them.

Navkiran_Shergill I hope you like it. Let me know. Enjoy. 💞💋