Manvi gets scared as the anchor approaches her, asking about the gist of the painting she has made. The anchor, a lady with a sweet demeanor, gently inquires about the idea behind the painting. Manvi’s gaze shifts between her mother and the anchor before she begins to speak. Her innocent tone captivates everyone around her. The anchor encourages her, and Manvi smiles—a rare smile that she seldom gives to strangers.

“Aapne jo bola tha, wahi toh maine banaya hai. Meri Mumma hi meri duniya hai. Wo hamesha mere saath rehti hain, aur mera bahut dhyan rakhti hain. Isliye she’s my wor... world,” Manvi stutters while saying the last word, her tone filled with emotion.

“That’s very sweet of you, Manvi. Aur aapko iske liye idea kahan se aaya?” the anchor asks.

“Mumma ne diya. Aapko pata hai, Mumma ke paas achche ideas hote hain,” Manvi chuckles, causing the anchor to smile.

“Aww, that’s so sweet,” the anchor says, her eyes meeting Ruhana’s, resonating with her daughter’s words.

“Mumma kehti hain main sweet hoon,” Manvi murmurs lightly.

“I agree, Manvi. This concept is quite different, and it has touched my heart,” the anchor says, clearly moved by Manvi’s response.

“Ye sach hai, lekin koi maanta hi nahi hai. Sabko lagta hai wo baaki sabse better hai, lekin meri mumma kehti hai ki sab ek jaise hote hain, bas unko achche se apna kaam karna chahiye,” Manvi speaks, stuttering, but successfully conveying her thoughts.

A profound silence envelops the entire auditorium, with all eyes fixated on the participants, especially Manvi. As the judges deliberate, everyone watches the stage intently. Soon, the results are announced, followed by a brief speech from the judges.

The judges explain that the participants were asked to depict their definition of the world. While many people often find their world in material things, there are a few who find their world in the people around them. Manvi is one such person who has found love and her world in her mother. Therefore, the judges declare Manvi the winner. The girl chuckles upon hearing this, and as the judges hand her the trophy, she immediately gives it to her mother. When asked to say something, Manvi hands the microphone to her mom, who is emotional at the moment. Holding the microphone, Ruhana looks at the audience, her eyes briefly meeting Vineet’s. She then looks away, tightening her grip on the microphone.

“Thank you, Ms. Erica. This is an honor. Some days ago, I was hesitant to attend this conference when my friend suggested it. But then I thought otherwise. Sach mein, aaj bhi samaj mein aise log hain jinhe agar kisi cheez mein zaroorat se zyada effort daalne pade, toh vo peeche hat jaate hain, aur comments karne mein bhi aise log aage rehte hain."

“My daughter is a special child, and I am proud of her,” she says, looking at her daughter, who’s standing by her side, holding her dupatta.

“Aur ye trophy un logon ke liye hai jinhe lagta hai ki special abilities wale ya jo bachche kamzor hote hain, wo kuch achha nahi kar sakte. Meri beti special hai aur meri saari baatein samajhti hai, khubsurat paintings banati hai, aur main jaanti hoon, yeh toh har normal bachcha kar sakta hai,” Ruhana says, her eyes glittering with confidence.

“Betiyan toh saubhagya se hoti hai, aur usually ye kaha jaata hai ki betiyan zyadatar apne papa par jaati hain, unka aks ban jaati hain, lekin main khushkismat hoon, meri beti mera aks hai, aur main khush hoon ki vo mere saath hai,” Ruhana says, her tone heavy, eyes filled with tears.

“Aur yahi meri jeet hai, actually hamari jeet hai. Ab shayad jo log hum par taunt karte hain, unki soch badal jaaye. Vaise mushkil hai, lekin umeed par toh duniya kayam hai,” Ruhana says, a small smile tugging at her lips.

She thanks the audience and steps down the stairs along with Manvi, who’s clutching her trophy in her arms. Manvi immediately runs towards Sameer and proudly shows him the trophy. It’s not unusual for her—she has won many certificates for her passion in painting. Now, a certificate and trophy will be added to the list.

“Maine bola tha na, Sameer uncle, main hi jeetungi. Mumma ke ideas hamesha kaam karte hain, aapko bhi manna chahiye,” Manvi says, with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Main toh hamesha hi maanta hoon. Tumhari Mumma hi hukum chalati rehti hai,” Sameer says playfully, a grin on his face.

“Ooohh, achchaa! Phir aap meri Mumma ko kyun dant-te ho?” Manvi rolls her eyes, and Sameer is surprised. He glances at Ruhana, who’s giggling.

“Huh, this is what you told her? Maine kab gussa kiya?” Sameer asks, feigning anger.

“Aap karte ho, mujhe pata hai. Lekin meri Mumma pe aap gussa nahi kar sakte, wo sirf Mannu kar sakti hai,” Manvi says, pretending to be the boss.

“Achcha, achcha, ab se nahi dantunga. After all, tum boss ho yahan,” Sameer says, peering at Manvi, who chuckles at the moment.

“Of course! Jab hum India jayenge, tabse aap Mumma ko nahi Mannu ko report karoge, okay?” she asks, and Sameer nods positively.

“Yes, ma’am!” He bows down, and Manvi chuckles.

Soon, the event wraps up on a happy note, and Manvi insists on going out for a stroll. Sameer offers to take them down the hotel street to an ice-cream shop, and Manvi chuckles. As Manvi, Ruhana, and Sameer step out of the auditorium, they find Vineet standing at the door. As they walk past him, he calls out to Ruhana. She stops, asks Sameer to take Manvi with him, and although she’s reluctant to talk to Vineet, she feels she has to, not wanting to create another scene here. They walk to quieter corner, and he looks at her.

“Congratulations, Manvi got first prize,” he says, his tone quivering.

“Wo toh milna hi tha, Vineet. Maine aur meri beti ne bahut mehnat ki thi, toh hume prize milna hi tha, aakhir sabse alag soch thi hamari,” Ruhana says, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“I know, whatever you said in your speech was meant for me, and I want to apologize once again,” Vineet says, his tone hesitant.

“Maine kaha na, Vineet, main tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karungi. Tumhe toh lagta tha meri beti kuch nahi kar payegi, ab aaj usne competition jeet liya toh tum mujhe sorry kehne aye ho? Tumhare sorry kehne se wo saare dard door ho jayenge kya?” she asks, her tone loud, as she feels her blood boiling.

“Aur sirf tumhare liye hi nahi, ye un sab logon ke liye tha jo meri beti ko kamzor samajhte hain. Haan, hai wo kamzor, uska dimag 5 saal ke bachche ka hai, lekin wo jo kaam karti hai na, wo koi bhi normal bachcha nahi kar sakta. Kaash tumne mera saath diya hota, Vineet! Lekin ab mujhe tumhari zaroorat nahi hai. Ab na toh tum kabhi mujhe apni shakal dikhana, aur na hi meri ya meri beti ke aas paas bhi aana. Tumhari saza yahi hai ki tum apne guilt ke saath jiyo,” Ruhana says, her tone sharp.

“Aur vaise bhi meri beti itni kaabil hai ki apna ek alag mukaam hasil kar le, usey tumhare jaise baap ki zaroorat nahi hai,” Ruhana says, her tone laced with anger.

Saying so, she turns to leave, but then turns back and gazes at him. There’s a fierceness in her glance.

“Aur haan, is galatfehmi mein mat rehna ki shayad main emotional ho kar apna faisla badal dun. Ab aisa nahi hoga, isliye jitna ho sake mujhse door rehna, aur Sameer ke through mujhe samjhane ki koshish mat karna, samjhe! Please leave my life, Vineet, mujhe apni zindagi mein tum nahi chahiye,” Ruhana yells at him, leaving him stunned.

Ruhana walks out to catch up with her daughter and friend, leaving a stunned Vineet behind. He sighs as a tear escapes his eyes. He’s learned his lesson, maybe.

To Be Continued.