" Kya ho gaya hai tumhe Vineet? Thik se baat kyun nahi karte?" she asks.

" Baat nahi, aaj faisla hoga, Ruhana. " he says.

Ruhana is shocked to hear his tone. He is rude, adamant and arrogant as well. She doesn't understand what's happening. It's just a few days since their little daughter is born. Ruhana places her daughter in the cradle and looks at Vineet, who has just entered the room.

"Kaisa faisla??" Ruhana asks.

"Tumhe lena hai ye faisla. Tumhe chunna hai, Main ya ye bachi!!" he says.

"What? Kya bol rahe ho?? Hosh mein toh ho!!". Ruhana shouts at him.

Vineet is angered. Ruhana moves to hold his hand, but he jerks her hands.

"Main hosh mein hoon par tum nahi. Isliye tumhe kisi ek ko chunna hoga.. Faisla tumhara hai." Vineet says angrily.

" Shut up Vineet! Beti hai wo hamari. Usi ke liye itne mannat maange they na humne." Ruhana says.

" Nahi hai wo meri beti. Samjhi tum! Normal bhi nahi hai wo! " Vineet says.

Ruhana is shocked with his words. Instant tears form in her eyes. He's asking her to choose one from them. How could he? Both of them are the lights of her life. How can she choose any one of them. Vineet's words rage her again.

" Bas Vineet! Bas! Bahut hua! Apne dayre se bahut aage chale gaye ho tum. Chup ho jao. You know what!! Abnormal wo nahi, tum ho, tumhari soch hai. Arey agar mujhe pata hota tumhari soch itni ghatiya hai toh tumse shadi hi na karti main." Ruhana says.

" Kitne aaram se keh diya kisi ek ko chuno!! Itna asaan nahi hai. Par tum kaise samajh sakte ho, Maa nahi ho na tum. Infact tum toh meri bachi ke baap kehlane laayak bhi nahi ho. Gussa aa raha hai mujhe ki maine tumse pyar kiya. Khair tumhe faisla chahiye na!! " Ruhana says and pauses.

" Main tumhe chhodti hoon, Vineet. Lekin apni bachi ko nahi chod sakti. Bahut mushkil se paya hai maine usey. Tumhare jaise insan ke liye main apni bachi ko nahi chhod sakti. Aur ye jo gunaah kiya hai na tumne, ek din bahut pachtaoge tum. Divorce papers mil jayenge tumhe ek do din mein." Ruhana says, packs her bags and leaves the house lifting her daughter.

*****

She drifts out of her thoughts on her daughter's voice. She's sitting in her room with a picture in her hand.

" Mumma!! " a girl enters the room and sits on the bed.

She wipes her tears,but her daughter seems to note that her mother is crying.

"Aap ro rahe ho, mumma? Par Mannu ne kuch nahi kiya, sachi." she says looking at her mom.

"Mumma ko sab pata hai. Mannu toh good girl hai." she smiles lightly.

"Toh fir aap ro kyun rahi ho? Aaj toh Mannu ka birthday hai. Hum ghumne jayenge na??" mannu aka Manvi questions, leaning on her mom.

"Haan, Chalte hain." Ruhana smiles.

" Hum pani puri khayenge." Manvi chuckles.

" Haan baby! Khayenge. Ab chalo ready ho jao." Ruhana says.

Manvi agrees and rushes to open the wardrobe asking her to choose a dress. Ruhana looks at her.

18 years have passed by, since that day. The day when Vineet asked Ruhana to choose one between him and her daughter. She chose Manvi and is happy.

Yes! Her daughter has turned 18,but her mind is that of a five year old kid. Yet,she loves her mum, and takes her care. She's the reason of her happiness and the girl knows it. Ruhana's trance is broken with Manvi's voice.

"Mumma!! Dress!!" she says aloud.

Ruhana picks a red top paired with blue jeans, as her daughter likes. Manvi chuckles to see the dress and at the same time the doorbell rings.

"Kaun aaya?" Manvi asks.

"Abhi dekhenge. Pehle change karo." Ruhana says as she unzips Manvi's top, and lets her change.

Meanwhile, the house help, Radha, tells her that it's her friend, Sameer Saxena. Ruhana nods and at the same time Manvi calls her. She moves to her daughter and buttons her top and makes her hair.

"Manvi ko hairband lagana hai." she chuckles and brings her hairband.

Ruhana smiles and lets her wear the band once she finishes combing her hair. Manvi runs out to see the guest and Ruhana follows her.

Manvi chuckles to see Sameer, she has developed a liking for him and so, she enjoys his home coming. He smiles at the girl, and gives her a parcel. Manvi chuckles to see the glittery paper. She runs to Ruhana and asks her to open the parcel. Ruhana tears a corner and manvi goes further to open the parcel. It opens into a white and red Teddy bear, large sized. Manvi chuckles and thanks him while Sameer ruffles her hair,but the girl glares at him.

"Aap Manvi ke dost ho, lekin aap mere baal touch nahi kar sakte. Sirf mumma kar sakti hai." Manvi says.

Sameer laughs. Ruhana asks Manvi to play with her new Teddy, until she talks with sameer. Manvi runs into the balcony, the place from where she can see her mom and vice versa.

" Tum dono kahin ja rahe they?" sameer asks.

" Haan! Mannu mall jaana chahti thi toh socha usey abhi le jaun." Ruhana says.

"Then I must leave. Tum dono enjoy karo. Main bas manvi ko wish karne aaya tha." he says.

"Aap bhi chalo hamare sath. Pani puri khayenge." it's manvi who's standing near him.

" Nahi beta! Aap apni mumma ke sath enjoy karo." Sameer says.

" Par aap mere dost ho na. Mumma kehti hai, dost ki baat ko mana nahi karte. Hai na mumma?" Manvi says holding his hand.

" Han. Baat toh sahi hai. " Ruhana smiles, gesturing Sameer to join them but he denies.

Manvi gets angry, but agrees. Sameer leaves and later, Ruhana leaves with Manvi.

*****
Max Plus Mall

They enter inside the mall and Manvi chuckles. The mall is beautifully decorated, after all it's December, the Christmas time. Manvi spots a pani puri stall and pulls Ruhana along, who orders Pani puri for her daughter. She intakes two on Manvi's insistence, though she doesn't like it. After having the pani puri, they go up on the first floor, and Manvi tugs on Ruhana's hand.

"Mannu ko new sandals chahiye, aur drawing book chahiye." She says.

"Han beta! Sab lenge. Chalo pehle sandals lenge hum." Ruhana says.

Manvi holds on Ruhana's hand tightly, as she's a little afraid of crowds, but she doesn't make a mess. Her mother hasn't taught her that way. She hears her mother asking the salesman to show some sandals for her daughter. Something attracts Manvi, it's black colored sandles, with glittery finish.

"Mannu ko wo chahiye. Mumma, please." She points at the sandals.

Ruhana asks for the sandals and it fit Manvi's leg. They purchase it, and Manvi claps her hands. Ruhana smiles at the fact that her girl is happy. That's all that matters.

After shopping for some time, and having lunch in Manvi's favorite place, they return home. Manvi opens the sandals and wears them. She then twirls around.

"Acha hai na mumma?" she asks.

"Haan! Bahut pyara hai, ekdum meri mannu ki tarah." Ruhana says.

Manvi claps her hands and Ruhana kisses on her head. Manvi leans on her, placing her head on her chest,while Ruhana embraces her in her arms. Her eyes get instantly teary. It's his birthday, too.

She wanted her child to be born on the same day as her husband. She asked to doctor to go for C section for her delivery on his birthday. But things changed.

Now, she is happy with her daughter, in this luxurious flat. 18 years have passed by, since that day. She celebrates the day for her daughter. Thinking about him angers her, and she doesn't want to think of him. Her trance is broken by Manvi, who asks her if she would help her drawing, and the mother daughter duo change and get busy in drawing.

*****
In the other corner of the city, is a bungalow which belongs to Vineet Dhawan. He's in his room, sitting on the edge of the bed. There's a photograph on the table, which he is staring at. It seems like emptiness has swallowed whole of him, in that very moment. His trance is broken by a familiar voice.

"Ab pachta ke kya hoga, Vineet. You have lost it all! 18 saal beet chuke hain. Ab tujhe aise hi rehna hai." the person says.

"Lekin..." Vineet tries to say, but the person says something that leaves him shocked and guilty.

To Be Continued.

Thedreamer_Ak Happy Birthday, Baby❤️stay blessed always. Hope you like this one. Love ya😍