Two Years Later...

Vineet and Mithi, along with their one year old daughter, Diya, visited his home. His family had accepted  Mithi. It was morning time, when they had reached home. They were meeting everyone, while Asha was busy handling Diya.. Vineet was having a talk with his grandmother. Mithi was laying the breakfast table. Meanwhile, Manvi entered inside chuckling…

“Dadi, dekho aapse milne kaun aaya hai.” she said.

Vandana looked up and was happily surprised to find Ruhana.

She pulled her in a hug….

“Kaisi hain aap beta??” she asked cupping her face.

Ruhana parted the hug…

”Aapka ashirwad hai dadi. Aap kaisi ho?” she asked.

“Main achi hoon. Tum aa gayi ho toh aur zyada achi ho gayi hoon. Lekin aane se pehle phone toh karna tha.” She said.

Ruhana smiled…”mujhe aapko surprise dena tha. Waise main aapke liye yeh laayi thi.” she said as she kept a packet in Vandana’s hand.

“Yeh sab kya hai?” She asked.

Ruhana smiled….”Aapki beti ki taraf se ek chota sa tohfa. Aapko yaad hai main ek conference ke liye Dubai gayi thhi….wahin se laayi thi. But aapse mil nahi paayi.” she said.

Vandana smiled….” Acha...isey rakh do maain baad mein dekhungi. “

Ruhana gave her some more packets… “Yeh meri taraf se tohfe hain. Afterall meri dost ki shadi jo hone ja rahi hai. “ she said pulling manvi in a hug.

“Aur aap ab aa rahi ho? Not fair. “ Manvi complained.

Ruhana smiled…

“Kya karu? Doctor hoon na. But don't worry, ab teri shadi tak chutti pe hoon. “ she said.

Manvi chuckled… “Woohoo! Then it's gonna be fun. “

Ruhana smiled at her excitement. Meanwhile Mithi called everyone for breakfast. It was then when Ruhana noticed Vineet and Mithi.

She smiled lightly… “Acha Dadi… aap log nashta karo. Main chalti hoon. “ she said.

“arey ruk na. Nashta toh karke jaa “ Mithi asked.

Ruhana smiled… “thanks. But main ruk nahi paungi. Chalti hoon. “ she said.

She was moving out of the house when she heard Asha. She turned to her…

“Ab tak naaraz ho? “ she asked.

Ruhana smiled…

“ mere naraz hone ya na hone se kya farq padta hai? Aapne jo karna tha wahi hua na…. Lekin ab khush hoon main. Acha.. Chalti hoon. “ she said and moved out of the house.

A day later…

Manvi had invited her for dinner. She agreed to it. They had dinner and later on Manvi took her on the terrace. Cool breeze was blowing. Ruhana stood with the help of railing. Manvi was telling her some things about her would be husband. Water filled up Ruhana’s eyes hearing her, was noticed by Manvi. She held her hands…

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you.”she said.

Ruhana smiled…

” Don’t be sorry. Shayad wo sab meri kismat mein likha hi tha. Isliye maine faisla liya hai ki Pune shift ho jaungi” she said.

“Aur aapke parents?” she asked.

“Tha hi kaun mera?? Waise bhi rishta toot hi chuka hai.” she replied painfully.

Meanwhile , Manvi’s phone rang and she went to attend the call. Ruhana was looking at the stars, when she felt someone behind her.

It was Vineet. She ssighed….”what are you doing here? Tumhe is waqt Mithi ke sath hona chahiye.” she said.

“ neend nahi aa rahi thi. Socha nahi tha tum yahan milogi.” he said.

“Manvi se baatein kar rahi thi. Atleast is ghar mein koi toh hai jo mujhe samajhta hai. Aaj nahi, jis din main shadi hoke is ghar mein aayi thi us din se.” she said.

Vineet stood silently. Ruhana looked at him…” Khud ko itna kamzor bhi mat banana ki future mein apni beti ke liye bhi koi stand na le pao tum.” she said eyeing him.

He looked at her. He knew she was right. He looked at her….

“ Tumhe kabhi apne decision pe dukh nahi hua??” he asked finally.

Ruhana smiled…” Dukh toh mujhe tab hua tha jab tumne mujhe thukraya tha. Dukh tab hua jab tumne humare rishte ko najayaz kaha tha…pata nahi tha ki jiske liye main ek anjaan ghar mein aayi thi wo toh khud ke liye bhi koi stand na le saka.” she said.

Vineet was standing silently. She smiled….” aur us waqt mujhe apni dost ki chinta zyada thi. Mera kya tha...maa baap ka pyar bhi nahi mila...na pati ka...ab toh koi farak nahi padta.” she said.

Tears welled up in her eyes…

”agar tumhe apni galti ka ehsaas hai na toh apni beti ko itna strong banana ki future mein khud ke liye stand le sake. Kahin wo bhi meri tarah tumhare ambition e beech pis na jaye. Chalti hoon. Good night.” she said.

Ruhana said and turned to find Mithi standing there with Diya in her arms. The little girl chuckled to see her father. Ruhana patted the girls cheeks, and left from there. Vineet watched her going and then took Mithi and Diya to their room, yet he was guilty for what he did to Ruhana.

.

Few days later, Manvi’s marriage was done. Ruhana was talking with Dadi, bidding her goodbye. Vandana gave her some gifts. She hugged her and moved out of the house. It was then when she felt someone or something holding her dupatta. She turned around to find that the little girl had clutched her dupatta in her little fingers.

She was in her father’s arms. Ruhana smiled and took Diya in her arms. She kissed on her cheeks at which the little girl giggled. She talked to her ffor a while and then handed her to her father.

She was about to go when Vineet said….

” I know Ruhana...i did much wrong with you. But ho sake toh mujhe maaf kardena. Anjaane mein bahut galtiyan kar di hain. Maine.” he said feelign guilty.

Ruhana turned towards him….

” Mujhe tumhe thank you bolna chahiye Vineet. You told me ki kisi anjaan se pyar karne se achcha hai khud se pyar karna chahiye. Diya ko aisa mat banana. Agar tum aisa karne mein safal ho gaye toh samajh lena maine tumhe maaf kar diya. Chalti hoon.” she said and left from there. Vineet was still staring in the blank when Mithi came to him and pulled him inside as they had to leave for Mumbai again.

*****THE END*****