Ruhaani is touched by Vineet's gesture as he invites her friends at his home and let them celebrate. As her friends leave the house, and she finds herself alone with Vineet, she immediately hugs him, taking him by surprise. He is stunned but he embraces her in his arms while she thanks him.

"Thank you, uncle. Aapne mere liye party organise ki aur ye dress bhi laaye. Aapko pata hai jitna khayal aapne rakha hai na, mere dad ne bhi kabhi nahi rakha."

"Agar aap pehle hi meri mumma ko mil jaate toh kitna achcha hota na, uncle." She exclaims innocently, while Vineet is touched.

He just stares at the girl in awe. Is she comparing him to her biological father? Does this mean that he has done a good job in taking care of her? Will Ruhana be pleased when she comes back from London? However, he wavers off his thoughts and his mind ponders over Ruhaani's father. Did the man ever love Ruhaani and her mother? His trance breaks when Ruhaani calls him another time.

"Aap sun rahe hain na, uncle? Aap meri mumma ki tarah kahan kho jaate ho?" She questions innocently.

"Kuch nahi, beta! Tumhe maza aaya na party mein, wohi important hai mere liye." he smiles.

"Mujhe toh bahut mazaa aaya, main Mumma ko bataungi. Thank you!" She says and kisses his cheek, taking him by surprise for another time.

"You're the best!" She chuckles and runs into her room.

He stands rooted at his place, delighted by Ruhaani's words. He's glad if she thinks that he should have met Ruhana earlier. Maybe then, she'd have been his daughter, his part! But she can be the same even today, she has given her silent permission already. But hey, it'd be too early to say that. He needs to talk to her mother urgently. Only then, he can take any decision.

On his way into his room, he peeps inside Ruhaani's room and finds her talking to her mother. He lets them talk, giving them much-needed privacy. His conversation with Ruhana can wait.

*****
Another week passes by. It's the day of Ruhana's return. Her daughter is quite excited, she can go home. She insists to Vineet that she will accompany him to the airport. Though he's hesitant, he agrees to take her along. The girl is excited to have her mother back in town after two months. On the way to the airport, they pass by a flower shop and she asks him to stop the car.

"Uncle, flowers! Mujhe Mumma ke liye flowers lene hain. Please rukiye na!" Ruhaani insists.

"Okay! Tum choose karo, main aata hoon." He beams at the girl and she happily hops out of the car.

Vineet parks the car and follows the girl into the huge flower shop. He's in awe, for, he has not seen such a big florist shoppe in a long time. He finds Ruhaani buying single rose sticks of different colours. Vineet watches her in awe.

"Mumma ko roses bahut pasand hai. Aapko pata hai, uncle, unka bas chale na toh wo rose garden hi bana le. Vaise unko marigold aur jasmine bhi pasand hai. Par she prefers roses." Ruhaani exclaims happily.

"Achcha, toh aapko inka bouquet banana hai?" He asks gently and upon her agreement, he asks the shopkeeper to make a bouquet.

On the other hand, he orders a bouquet consisting of red roses, white jasmine and orange marigold flowers. He is well aware that the three colours are her favourites and that she'd like them as always. He smiles as he makes the payment for the two bouquets, his eyes shining with anticipation of her arrival.

Ever since he realised his feelings for her, the time has passed by slowly. This route to the airport seems longer than it actually is. He's eager to meet her, eager to hear out the anecdotes that she has got from London. And most importantly, he wants to confess his feelings towards her. He sighs, his eyes fall on Ruhaani, who's humming a song and he smiles warmly at her. She's looking out of the window, but having her close has served as a respite to his aching heart.

He knows she will step back if he talks about marriage or if he confesses his love. She won't accept it, maybe. But he wants to tell her that she and her daughter are important to him. He's determined to talk to her, but only when she settles in her usual routine. Within no time, they reach the airport. They decide to wait for Ruhana in the waiting lounge. Vineet asks if she'd like to eat anything but Ruhaani denies it politely.

"Abhi nahi, uncle. Mumma aayengi toh hum Savory Palette jayenge lunch karne. Chalenge na?" She asks it all so innocently that Vineet nods in agreement.

"Han, bilkul! Vaise bhi aapki Mumma ko treat toh dena hi padega. Vo itna saara kaam khatm karke jo laut rahi hai." Vineet smiles at her girl.

"Haan, vaise toh Mumma maanegi nahi! Aapko pata hai, uncle, jab bhi mumma bahar se aati hai na unko home made food chahiye hota hai lekin aaj hum unko leke jayenge. Maza aayega." Ruhaani chuckles excitedly and at the same time, she spots her mom amidst the crowd.

She screams a little and Vineet's attention gets diverted. He also spots Ruhana and she waves at them, maybe, she spotted them too. Dressed in a churidaar suit, she looks elegant. There's a radiance on her face and he can't take his eyes off her. As she comes closer, he doesn't fail to notice the tiredness in her eyes but she looks happy. As soon as she comes by their side, she engulfs her daughter in a warm hug and kisses her forehead multiple times. Vineet smiles as he watches the mother and daughter reunite and Ruhaani presents the rose bouquet to her.

"I missed you, Mumma!" Ruhaani says, tightening her grip on her.

"I missed you too, but I am home. Ab main tujhe chhod ke nahi jaungi, I promise. Tumhare buddy karte rahenge overseas deals." She says this, rolling her eyes at Vineet.

"Arey, isme meri kya galti hai, Ruhana? Ms. Emily, tumhare sath kaam karna chahti thi." He says innocently.

"Han, ha, tum toh kuch nahi karte! Sab kuch apne aap hi hota hai tum dono ka? Ruhaani ka bhi yahi hai, main nahi karti, ho jaata hai." Ruhana imitates her daughter.

"Hum innocent hi hain, Mumma. Bas aap hi aise bolte ho." Ruhaani reasons softly.

"Tumhari Mumma ka yahi hai, beta! College mein bhi ye aisi hi thi. Har cheez ka reason chahiye isko." Vineet says dramatically and Ruhana giggles.

"Han, everything has a reason, Mister Shergill. Vaise tum khali haath aaye ho? Meri beti mere liye ye roses laayi, tum kya laaye?" She rolls her eyes at him.

"Laaya hoon na, tumhari pasand ke phool." He presents her with a bouquet and she's amazed to find her favourite flowers again.

She engulfs him in a hug, taking him by surprise. He holds her suitcase and they walk out of the airport and then Ruhaani breaks the news that they are going for lunch at their favourite place. Ruhana wants to deny it but cannot do so, seeing the excitement in the eyes of her precious two.

Her precious two? Well, Ruhaani is her precious daughter, but Vineet? Why did she include him with Ruhaani? Why is she even doing so? Well, she can't find a conclusion, but for now, she decides to enjoy the time with them, her favourite people, who give meaning to her life.

To Be Continued.