A month has elapsed, and Ruhaani is done with her exams. However, her mother’s stay in London has elongated and left the girl homesick and agitated. This is the longest time she has stayed away from her mother. She’s talking to her on the phone and appears to be agitated.

“Ek week, aur! Mumma! This is not done! Aapne kaha tha ek mahine mein wapas aa jaogi. Ab toh mere exams bhi khatm ho gaye.”

“Aaj teesri baar aap keh rahi ho ki ek hafta aur lagega! This is not done, Mumma! I am bored.”

“I miss you, Mumma! Jaldi aa jao na!”

“Bas isiliye main aana nahi chahti thi, beta. Main jaanti thi aise projects mein time lagta hi hain. Lekin tu hi mere peeche padi thi. Mujhe bhi ghar laut aane ki jaldi hai, betu! Lekin kya karun, yahan kaam khatm hi nahi hota.” Ruhana looks at her daughter’s sad face.

The mother and daughter are in the latter’s room on the video chat. She’s upset that her mother will take a week to finish her work in London. She can tell her mother is hurt too, and she shouldn’t upset her more.

“Par, Mumma, it proved to be fruitful, naa!?”

“Han, betu! Lekin mujhe ab bilkul achcha nahi lag raha hain. Main tujhe tere exams mein chhod ke aayi aur ab tak delay ho raha hain. Next time, I am not going to take on any such projects! Bol dena apne buddy se!” Ruhana makes a face, causing Ruhaani to smile.

“Arey, ye toh wrong hain, aisa nahi hota hain. Aapne itni mehnat ki hai aur ab aap keh rahi ho ki aapko ye sab nahi lena, why?” Ruhaani asks, peering at her mother.

“Kyunki main tere time pe compromise nahi karna chahti. Main jaanti hoon tu badi ho gayi hain, apne decisions le sakti hain, lekin main tujhe aise akele bhi nahi chhod sakti. Jaanti hoon Vineet ne bahut khayal rakha hain tera, lekin hamesha aisa nahi hoga! Aur na main chahti hoon aisa kuch ho. He is not bound to take care of you. Tu meri beti hain toh zimmedari bhi meri hai.” She says.

Ruhaani gets her point. Even though her daughter is grown up and understands her, Ruhana feels her mom guilt washing over her. She knows that her friend has taken good care of her, but she feels that it’s wrong. No profit or fame is more important to her than her daughter.

The mother-daughter continues talking, unaware that Vineet has overheard them. He knows that Ruhaani is upset that her mother is taking too much time, and he also knows that Ruhana has the guilt of leaving her daughter alone. He decides to cheer Ruhaani, this is the least he can do, so that, Ruhana can complete her work in solace.

*****
Another day passes by. It’s weekend, and Vineet is talking over the phone, instructing someone. His mother is watching him intently and then chooses to throw her question.

“Vineet, tu kahan busy hain? Kya chal raha hain? Aur Ruhaani kahan hain? Mujhe toh vo bhi thodi upset lagi.” Mrinal verbalises her feelings.

“Han, Ma. Vo Ruhana ko miss kar rahi hain. Hume pata hi nahi tha ki itna time lagega usey wahan. Isliye maine aaj ek chhoti si party plan ki hain. Ruhaani ke kuch doston ko bulaya hain. Par please aap usey kuch mat batana” Vineet tells her.

“Ye tune achcha socha. Aaj maine bhi koshish ki lekin usne mujhse koi baat nahi ki.” Mrinal shows her disappointment.

“Jane do, Maa! Vo apni Maa ko miss kar rahi hain. Aur mujhe pata hain, vahan Ruhana bhi pareshan hogi, vo toh jaana hi nahi chahti thi. Bas meri aur Ruhaani ki zidd ke aage jhuk gai.” Vineet says.

“Ziddi toh tu bachpan se hain, Vineet. Ruhana ko bhi apni zidd ke aage jhuka liya! Ye achchi baat nahi hai beta.” Mrinal says.

“Meri Mumma bhi yahi kehti hain, dadi. Bolti hain, Ruhani, tu badi ho gayi hain aur tera ziddipana bhi! Ab kya karun, jo cheez chahiye, toh chahiye.” Ruhaani speaks, she has heard the two of them talking.

“Ye dekho, ye boli! Ek mahina tere sath reh ke, bilkul tere jaisi ho gayi hain, Vineet! Ab main kya kahungi Ruhana se? Vo toh yahi kahegi ki tune isey bigaad diya.” Mrinal says. She’s piqued by the fact that this girl and her son have some major similarities.

“Mumma toh aise hi bolti rehti hain. Aap chinta mat karo, Mumma ko main sambhal lungi.” Ruhaani speaks, causing the other two to laugh.

“Achcha, vo jab tumhari mumma aayegi tab dekhenge. Abhi ye lo…ye tumhare liye.” Vineet says, and passes a gift to her.

“Yeh kya hai, uncle? Phir se gift?” Ruhaani rolls her eyes at him.

“Han, bilkul. Ab jaao, jaldi se change karke aao.” Vineet says warmly.

Ruhaani smiles and rushes into her room. She’s touched by his gesture. During her stay at his home, he has been extremely kind to her and has given her many gifts. She unwraps the gift and it unwraps into a red one-piece. She chuckles seeing it and begins to get ready. However, she is curious about what Vineet has planned for her.

After getting ready,  she rushes out of the room and finds Vineet talking on the phone. She stands by his side, trying to get his attention. He notices her and tells her that she looks pretty. Ruhaani smiles widely, she pecks his cheek and mouths a word of gratitude.

Meanwhile, the doorbell rings. Vineet asks her to open the door, which she obliges. Her friends enter the house, hugging her. She’s stunned at the moment. There’s Ashi, Akshit, Ishika and Raina, her four best friends.

“Tum log yahan? Tumhe kisne bataya ki main yahan hoon?” She’s actually surprised, because she didn’t give them the address.

“Uncle ne bulvaya.” Ashi points towards Vineet, who smiles warmly at the kids.

“Aapne sabko mere liye bulaya, thank you, uncle.” Ruhaani is emotional at the moment.

“Achcha, ab tum log enjoy karo yahan pe, main apne kamre mein jaa raha hoon, there’s the music system.” Vineet tells Ruhaani and walks off into his room. Even Mrinal isn’t home.

Ruhaani’s happiness knows no bounds. The group of five chat about their life, and their aspirations, cracking jokes, and dancing of course. Vineet’s watching all of this from the window of his room and he knows that he’s successful in diverting Ruhaani’s mood.

Three hours later, they’re done with the party as Raina intervenes and says they must return home. Ruhaani calls for Vineet, who asks his driver to drop the kids home safely.

As her friends leave, Ruhaani takes a look at him and hugs him, taking him by surprise. She thanks him for his efforts and her further words leave him touched.

To Be Continued.