Ruhaani sleeps cosily, snuggling her mother. Ruhana covers Ruhaani and herself with a duvet and sighs deeply. Her daughter and her friend are adamant about sending her to London, though she also wants to go, but she doesn’t want to leave her daughter alone back in India. Her motherly instinct is not allowing her to make the decision.

Ruhana gazes at her daughter; she knows that Ruhaani will manage well. The girl even managed her when it was her day of interview; then she can manage herself. Also, Vineet has assured Ruhana that he will take good care of her daughter. Ruhana is thinking about all of it when her phone beeps. She picks up the phone from the side table, making sure that her daughter is comfortably sleeping. Her lips curve into a smile as she reads the message from Vineet. The message reads:

"I know it's not right for your motherly instinct, but it’s right for you. Your step will not only make me happy but also make your daughter proud. Tum hi kehti thi na ki shaadi se ya maa ban jaane se zindagi khatm nahi hoti. Toh tum kyun peeche hat rahi ho? Tum dekhna, aage jaake Ruhaani ko tum par naaz hoga. Aur vo toh hai bhi tumhari parchchai, jaise tum dikhaogi, waisi wo ban jayegi. Baaki, tumhara decision hain.”

Ruhana is touched by the message. She replies that she will discuss this tomorrow in the morning. She glances at her daughter and it seems like she’s still telling her to take advantage of the opportunity. Her eyes shimmer with joy as she makes the decision in the dark night. Content with her decision, she turns towards Ruhaani, who cuddles her, and then she falls asleep.

*****
The next morning, Ruhana wakes up and finds Ruhaani sleeping. She kisses her head softly and moves to freshen up. She takes a quick shower and gets ready for the day. She looks content with the decision she made last night. She comes out of the washroom and finds Ruhaani awake. The girl jumps over to her mother and hugs her; that’s her way of greeting her for the day. Also, Ruhaani has this habit of cuddling with her mom every morning. Ruhana ruffles her hair and asks her to get ready. She looks at her.

“Mumma, aapne kya socha hai?” Ruhaani asks about her decision.

“Kuch toh socha hai, lekin tumhe sham ko batuangi. Abhi jao, ready ho jaao.” Ruhana looks at her daughter.

“Sach mein? I mean, Kahin aap mujhe behla toh nahi rahi na, mumma?” Ruhaani asks.

“Nahi betu! Maine sach mein kuch socha hai. Aur main jaanti hoon tum bahut khush hogi.” Ruhana taps her daughter’s cheek.

Ruhaani stares at her mother for a good while but then moves into her room to get ready for the day. She knows her mom won’t lie to her and will tell her everything in detail in the evening. She needs to wait. On the other hand, Ruhana prepares lunch for her daughter and herself and also serves breakfast for Ruhaani. The two sit and have their breakfast in silence. Ruhana is sipping her tea and contemplating her thoughts. Soonish, the mother and daughter leave the house.

A long day lies ahead for both of them.

*****
Shergill House

Vineet is getting ready for the day when his Ma enters the room with a cup of coffee. She smiles at him and he reciprocates the gesture warmly. A smile is playing on his lips, her message from last night has perked up his mood. His Ma, Mrinal notices the shimmer in his eyes.

“Kya baat hai? Tu bada khush lag raha hai? Maa ko bhi bata do khush khabar?” Mrinal asks.

“Maa, maine aapse kaha tha na ki hume ek badi deal milne wali hai, London ke fashion house se?” He asks, gazing at his mom, who nods affirmatively.

“Toh? Kya wo deal final ho gayi?” She asks.

“Haan, Ma! Aur toh aur shayad Ruhana iss deal ko handle bhi karegi.” He explains his reason of happiness.

“Lekin tu toh keh raha tha wo jaana nahi chahti.” Mrinal asks.

“Wo jaana toh nahi chahti thi, par ab usne ek faisla liya hai. Tum bas mujhe itna batao, main Ruhana ki beti ko hamare ghar le aaun toh koi dikkat toh nahi?” He asks his Ma.

“Nahi, acha hai, ghar mein thodi raunak rahegi, kyunki tune toh shadi na karne ka faisla liya hua hai. Uske aane se kuch chahal pahal toh hogi.” Mrinal replies, as she loves kids.

Mrinal wants Vineet to get married and settle. She won’t mind if the lady would like to work, but at least, she won’t be alone at home. For now, getting Ruhana’s daughter at home would be a good idea. She looks at him.

“Vineet, tune kaha tha ki Ruhana teri college ki dost hai, aur shaadi bhi ho gayi thi uski? Toh ab wo yahan akeli kyun rehti hai?” Mrinal asks indirectly, trying to read his thoughts.

“Maa, vo apne pati se alag ho chuki hai. Aur yahan apni beti, Ruhaani ke sath rehti hai.” Vineet informs.

“Achcha, aur teri achi dost bhi hai. Kyun hai na?” She asks.

“Haan toh? Aap kya kehna chahti hai?” He asks; he’s confused by his mother’s constant questions.

“Vineet, tujhe koi ladki toh pasand nahi aati, lekin aajkal Ruhana ki bahut baat karta hai! Zara main bhi dekhun kaun hai, ye? Mera bas chale toh isi se shadi karva doon, lekin wo toh talaakshuda hai.” Mrinal says.

“Toh? Talaak ho gaya hai lekin zindagi toh khatm nahi hui hai na, Ma.” Vineet interrupts.

“Zindagi tab khatm hoti hai, jab hum jeena chhod dete hai. Aur aap jaanti hai, Ruhana ne toh ab apni zindagi ko jeena shuru kiya hai. Aur uski sabse badi support uski beti hai. Vo dono ek dusre ko ache se sambhalti hai. Unhe kisi ki zaroorat hai hi nahi.” Vineet says it softly yet firmly.

He’s so very proud of Ruhana and despite the growing feelings in his heart, he’s silent, for he doesn’t want to lose her friendship and the trust that she keeps in him. Mrinal says nothing but asks him to get ready and she leaves the room as the doorbell chimes, alerting someone’s presence at the door.

Vineet sighs deeply as his mother leaves the room. He doesn’t know the next steps, but he knows things will eventually fall into place.

To Be Continued.

What has Ruhana decided?

Stay tuned.