Three days have passed by, the wedding day is nearing, and Ruhana and Vineet are in the office, discussing a presentation. They have a meeting, and due to the foreign clients, they are unable to postpone it. Vineet is working on the laptop while Ruhana is on the phone, talking to his mom. Mrinal is mad at the two. It’s Thursday already, and the wedding ceremonies start on Friday.

“Ma, Vineet kuch nahi kar sakta isme. Ye foreign clients hai, I promise, main shaam 7 baje se pehle Vineet ko ghar bhej dungi, aur main bhi ghar chali jaungi.” She assures the lady.

“Achcha, sorry, Ma. Main usey samjha dungi, in fact, Ruhaani se kahungi, Vineet apni beti ki baat kabhi nahi taalta.” She replies on the phone, her tone playful.

“Jee, abhi main rakhti hun, Ma. Thoda kaam hai.” Saying so, Ruhana disconnects the call.

She turns towards Vineet, who sends a questioning glance her way and she giggles. She tells him that his mom was angry with them as they are in the office while they have their wedding in three days. He smiles, knowing his mom has her traditional ways and wants to abide by them. She wants to see him in the house, enjoying his wedding, and the same goes for Ruhana. Mrinal is equally caring for Ruhana and her daughter.

“Maa bahut gussa kar rahi thi, vaise tumne Mr. Johnson ko bataya tha na fir kyun wo ye meeting aaj rakhna chahte they?” She questions.

“Ruu, vo log New York se aaye they. Kal vo vapas jaa rahe hai. I know, ye hamare liye bahut important din hai, lekin kaam bhi toh zaroori hai. Aur vaise bhi hum bahut large scale pe kuch nahi kar rahe hai na. Bas kuch close relatives aur dost honge. Tum chinta mat karo, we will finish this quickly.” He assures her and she nods, knowing that this meeting is beneficial for them and their business.

“Tum thik keh rahe ho, anyway, kuch changes karne hai kya?” She asks.

“Nahi, everything is perfect. Ab Mr. Johnson aate hi honge, tumne conference hall set up kar liya hai kya?” He asks, and she nods affirmatively.

Meanwhile, the manager informs them that the clients have arrived, and they head out of their cabin to greet the clients and move into the conference room. Yeah, it’s time for work, and when in the office, they talk only about business.

And it’s business time. The wedding preps can wait for some hours.

*****

Ruhaani is at home, enthusiastic about her mom’s wedding. She’s putting together her dresses for the haldi event, a little Sangeet party, and then the wedding. She’s super excited; she’ll be seeing her mother as a bride, and it fills her with a sense of joy. She’s putting her things together, along with her mother’s, when the doorbell rings. She opens the door, and there’s Ruhana standing there, holding a packet in her hands with a smile on her face.

“Mumma, aap itni jaldi aa gai? Aao, kaisi rahi aapki meeting?” she asks, pulling her inside the house.

“Haan, mera kaam ho gaya toh main aa gai. Aur tumhare liye kuch lekar bhi aayi hoon.” She hands over the packet to her daughter.

“I smell garlic. Garlic bread? Really? Par aapko pasand nahi hai na,” she asks, her tone amused.

“Lekin meri gudiya ko toh pasand hai. I am cooking noodles tonight, so, that’ll be a feast, isn’t it?” she asks, and Ruhaani is surprised; her mom is in a good mood.

“Mumma, I am so glad to see you happy. I love you,” she says as she pounces on her mom, who pats her cheek affectionately.

“Tum hi toh ho Mumma ki khushi ki wajah! Tum khush toh main khush hoon! Waise kya ho raha tha yahan?” she asks.

“Mumma, I chose my outfits, and we will be twinning in every function. Bahut mazaa aayega. I kept our clothes together, see.” Ruhaani chuckles and makes her mother look at the stuff on the bed.

Ruhana smiles, knowing that her daughter is super-excited. Even she is excited and nervous too. Although she will be marrying for the second time, this time it’s happening with her consent, and it’s with the man she loves. Yeah, she loves Vineet, and she’s glad he has decided to accept her with all her flaws and reality. He bonded with her daughter first and then took a step towards her. And it means a lot to her.

Ruhana’s trance breaks when her daughter announces that she is hungry. She quickly changes her clothes and walks into the kitchen. Ruhaani follows her, takes out the garlic bread, and warms it. On the other hand, Ruhana begins to cook, her movements swift and precise. Her daughter watches her in awe, and upon feeling her gaze, Ruhana asks her first question.

“Kya hua? Kya dekh rahi hai?”

“Mumma, you’re so perfect! I just want to be like you.” Ruhaani chuckles.

“Nahi, Princess. Tum mera better version ho. Aur aage bhi waisa hi banna hai tumhe, meri baat samajh rahe ho naa?” Ruhana pats her cheeks.

Ruhaani nods, understanding the gravity of her words, and clings to her shoulders. The next words falling from her mouth leave Ruhana touched.

To Be Continued.