Vineet is sitting alone in his room, enveloped by darkness. He now realises that his decision has proved to be painful and life-changing for him as well. In the last eighteen years, he has been through many things, and lately, his business has suffered losses. His mom often quotes that he's responsible for his condition.

"Tune jo faisla liya hai na, Vineet! Isme main tera saath nahi dungi."

"Tune ghar ki lakshmi ka apmaan kiya, aur saath mein uss nanhi si jaan ko dekha bhi nahi."

"Saubhagya se betiyan hoti hain, Vineet, tune khud apne bhavishya par kulhadi maari hai. Jab Ruhaana ko sabse zyada teri zarurat thi, tab hi tune usey akele chhod diya, aisa pyaar tha tera?

He could hear his mother's voice echoing in his ears. Truly, he's responsible for his vulnerable condition. Life hasn't been nice to him, but he has been harsh towards his wife and daughter. He didn't even see the little girl. Meanwhile, his phone rings, bringing him out of his reverie. He attends the call, only to get another shock that a client has broken their business ties with Dhawan Enterprises.

"Sir, aap bhool gaye? Aapko Mr. Krishiv se milna tha aaj? He's so disappointed. Unhone toh deal hi cancel karne ke liye keh diya hai." His manager speaks from the other side.

"Oh! Main...main kisi aur kaam mein pad gaya. Lekin problem kya hui? Rajat, tum toh baat kar sakte they na Krishiv se? Why didn't you settle the matter?" He shouts at him.

"Sir, main kya karta? Vo meri baat sunna hi nahi chahte they. Maine aapko kitna phone try kiya par aapne bhi nahi uthaya. Aap hi bataiye, main kya karta? Mr. Krishiv bahut gusse mein gaye hain, Sir, please aap unse baat kar lijiye, nai toh mil aaiye." the manager says.

Vineet's demeanour and tone soften, and he hums in agreement and cuts the call. He sighs deeply and then a voice falls in his ears. He looks up, only to find a familiar silhouette approaching him. As he tries to look closely, he sees Ruhana's face.

"Kya hua? Tum toh keh rahe they ki tum sab kuch akele handle kar loge? Kya hua? Business bhi nahi sambhal raha."

"Tumne kaha tha ki tumhare pas hamari.....noo! Meri beti ke ilaaj ke liye paise nahi hai, aur na hi tum karvaoge!"

"Aur maine kaha tha ki tum pachhtaoge... Dekho apne aapko aaine mein! Tumhare ghar ki lakshmi toh main hi thi, Vineet, aur hamari beti bhi, lekin jab tum lakshmi ko hi thokar maaroge toh yahi haal hoga na."

He feels her fierce gaze at him and as he moves forward to talk, she dissolves into thin air. He is shocked as tears trickle down his eyes and he mirrors Ruhana's image. Her angry demeanour and hateful glances are his future. And he knows that even if he tries to talk, he'll only get negligence.

He sighs deeply and attempts to call Krishiv, but he cuts the call hastily. Vineet promptly decides to visit his office the next day and leaves him an email.

*****
Ruhana and Manvi finish their dinner, after which the former cleans up the kitchen and finishes her duties of locking the doors and cleaning the dining table. Ruhana smiles as she watches her daughter clean the table. Manvi notices her mother and rushes to sit by her side.

"Aap Mannu ko dekh ke smile kyun karti ho? Maine kya kiya?" She asks innocently.

"Kyunki mera bachcha toh bahut hoshiyar hai. Aapko pata hai, Mumma is very proud of you, Kyunki aap wo sab kaam karte ho jo koi bhi kar sakta hai. Lekin kuch logon ko lagta hai aapko har waqt mumma ka support chahiye." Ruhana says; she feels a rush in her nerves as she thinks about the taunts the society members send against them.

"Par sab aisa kyun karte hai?" She asks innocently.

"Kyunki unko pata nahi hai na ki tum meri blessing ho. Aur log toh bolte hi rehte hai... unki baatein mat suno! Samjhi?" Ruhana looks at her daughter, who nods her head multiple times causing her mother to laugh.

"Okay, Mannu sirf Mumma ki baat maanegi. Hum ghumne kab jayenge?" She asks.

"Parso! Ab chalo, tum tv dekho, main packing karti hoon. Aur vahan par ....." Ruhana says but Manvi cuts.

"Mannu aapke sath hi rahegi. Aur kahin bhi akele nahi jayegi. Aur main vahan pe painting karungi." Manvi chuckles.

Ruhana smiles at her daughter as she watches her rush into the bedroom, and she follows her. She finds herself sitting on the bed, watching her favourite channel and gets engrossed in watching the movie. She smiles and gets busy packing.

They are going to visit Singapore for ten days. Her friend, Sameer, surprises her with the news that there's going to be a competition at the conference and he wants Manvi to participate. It strikes her mind and she turns to her daughter.

"Mannuu..."

"Mumma, kya hua?" She finds Manvi peering at her.

"Mannu ko painting karna achcha lagta hai toh vo competition mein part legi?" Ruhana asks.

"Compe....comption...." She speaks, she could not pronounce the word.

"Han, vahan pe aur bhi log honge. Fir jiski painitng sabse achchi hogi na, usko prize milega." Ruhana explains.

"Candies aur soft toys milenge?" Manvi chuckles, causing her mother to smile.

"Arey nai, betu! Vo toh Mumma ko nahi pata. Sameer uncle bata rahe they. Khair, kal wo aayenge na tab puch lena." Ruhana replies with a smile.

"Okay, aapko pata hai, Mannu kya banayegi?" She asks, her eyes twinkling with joy as Ruhana looks at her questioningly.

Manvi pulls out an album from the drawer of the side table, and shows a picture to Ruhana. It's their recent picture, where Ruhana is kissing Manvi on her head and there's a smile on the girl's face. It's a picture clicked by Maansi and Ruhana has treasured it. Her eyes get teary instantly and Manvi hugs her.

"Main ye banaungi. Sabko achchi lagegi na?" She asks.

"Bahut pyari lagegi. Lekin ye hi kyun?" Ruhana asks and Manvi stares at her for some good seconds and then leaps forward to kiss her forehead. Her action leaves Ruhana pleasantly surprised.

"Kyunki aap sabse best ho na, Mumma. Aur competition mein wahi dikhate hai na jo best ho! Mannu ko pasand hai ye photo, isliye mujhe yahi banana hai." Manvi insists.

"Acha thik hai, kal hum yahi practice karenge, okay?" Ruhana says, and Manvi nods.

Manvi lies on the bed to sleep, while Ruhana pulls out the clothes for packing and then lies on the bed beside her daughter. Manvi snuggles close to her mother and drifts into sleep in no time. At the same time, Ruhana anticipates some good outcomes from the conference in Singapore.

Little does she know that her life will take a 360-degree turn in Singapore.

To Be Continued.