Ruhana walks out of the hotel room and finds Sameer and Manvi in the garden, sitting around the fountain. She walks over to them, and Manvi spots her from afar. She runs towards her and hugs her, holding her hand.

"Mumma, aap un uncle se kyun baat kar rahi thi? Aapne mujhe toh unse baat karne ke liye mana kiya tha," Manvi asks innocently.

"Mujhe unse kuch kehna tha, maine keh diya, aur ab hum unse kabhi nahi milenge, thik hai?" Ruhana says, cupping her daughter's face.

"Pakka? Ab hum ice-cream khaane jayenge?" Manvi asks, her tone curious, as Sameer had asked her to wait.

"Haan, bilkul, come on, let's go!" Ruhana says as she glances at Sameer, who nods, and the three walk down the street.

They head into the ice-cream parlor, and Manvi demands butterscotch ice cream, while Sameer orders vanilla for himself and Ruhana. The three of them stroll down the street while having their ice cream. Manvi, grinning with happiness, is chuckling as she shares her future plans about all the paintings she intends to make. Sameer listens to her intently, while Ruhana adores the two.

Ruhana gazes at Manvi and Sameer, her heart swelling with pride and a newfound sense of courage that she has gained over the past few days. As she reflects on the recent events-the new deals she secured, Manvi winning the competition, and most importantly, her confrontation with her ex-husband, Vineet-she feels a sense of satisfaction.

It might not have been the perfect place, but it was the perfect time to show him the reality. With her daughter's win in the international competition, Ruhana's head is held high. She has shown that people evolve and overcome problems. Okay, she and Manvi might not have overcome all the challenges in their lives, but they are happy in the moment, and that's what matters most. Moreover, she is reminded that with Dr. Mriganka's help, she might be able to assist Manvi a little more.

Ruhana snaps out of her trance when Manvi tugs on her hand, pulling her out of her reverie. She smiles at her daughter and realizes they have reached the hotel, yet she doesn't know what Manvi and Sameer talked about.

"Uffo, mumma! Phir se kho gaye? Aapko pata hai, jab hum wapas jayenge toh Sameer uncle roz humse milne aayenge, unhone mujhse promise kiya," Manvi tells her mom.

"Haan, agar maine Manvi ki baat nahi maani, toh yeh toh mujhe ghar mein entry nahi degi," Sameer jokes, causing Manvi to giggle and Ruhana to smile.

"Han, toh ab aap apna promise nahi todna, uncle. Mumma kehti hai ki jab aap kisi se promise karte ho toh usey nibhana chahiye," Manvi says, showcasing the teachings her mom has instilled in her.

"Of course, Mannu...oh, sorry, Manvi," Sameer bites his tongue, and Manvi giggles, glancing at him for a split second.

"Okay, aap mujhe Mannu bula sakte ho aur Maansi maasi bhi, bas aur koi bhi nahi," she declares, jumping on her toes.

"Achcha, aur main kya bulaun?" Ruhana rolls her eyes at her daughter.

"Mannu, Princess, Gudiya... itne saare naam hain, koi bhi," Manvi chuckles, causing her mom to smile.

Sameer and Ruhana exchange a smile as they head into the hotel to their respective rooms. Manvi runs into her room and sprawls on the bed while Ruhana enters shortly behind her, but Sameer's call stops her in her tracks, and she turns back.

"Tumse kuch baat karni thi," he says, his tone low.

"Andar aao," she invites him into the room.

Sameer enters the room while Manvi heads into the washroom to change. Meanwhile, Sameer fixes his gaze on Ruhana, the question sitting on his lips.

"Tum ne Vineet se jo kuch bhi kaha, kya tumhe wo sahi lagta hai?" he asks, just to know her inner turmoil.

"Of course, Sam, usse behtar kuch ho hi nahi sakta. Aaj wo isliye aaya tha kyunki meri beti ko inaam mila tha! Usey achanak se realize hua hoga ki meri beti ke skills use karke wo phir se apna business shuru kar sakta hai, bahut achche se jaanti hoon main Vineet ko, usko jahan profit dikhta hai, wo wahan zaroor jaata hai," Ruhana says, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Aur please Sameer, mere paas meri Mannu hai, tum ho, Maansi hai, aur kuch nahi chahiye mujhe. At least, Vineet jaisa jeevansathi toh bilkul nahi chahiye, main meri beti ke sath bahut khush hoon, aur please, ab iss baare mein mujhe kuch baat nahi karni," Ruhana states clearly.

Sameer nods understandingly and takes his leave, knowing that his friend has made her decision, and he agrees with her. After whatever Vineet has done in the past, he doesn't have a chance to mend his ways.

Ruhana closes the door behind him and turns to see Manvi, who is already on the bed, changed into her pajamas. She beams at her mom, asking her to change her clothes and join her in bed. Ruhana smiles and walks into the washroom to change.

As she emerges from the room after freshening up, she feels a new sense of being. Enveloped by the love of her daughter, she knows she has taken the right step in the right direction.

*****
After returning back from Singapore, the demeanour which Ruhana and Manvi carry has changed. Earlier, when the taunts of the society pained her, it didn't affect her anymore. Also, she started taking Manvi along with her. Even the society people are in awe of her demeanour.

One fine day, Ruhana is in her office busy with her tasks. Beside her, Manvi is sitting on another desk, drawing a sketch. Meanwhile, Maansi enters the cabin, telling her that a gentleman telling himself as an estate manager wants to meet her. Ruhana furrows her brows at Maansi, but allows her to bring him in.

Five minutes later, Maansi enters the cabin with a man, probably of her age, and he introduces himself as Rajiv Sinha from Pinnacle Properties. He further tells that he has an offer for her, that could be mutually beneficial to the two of them. Ruhana gazes at the man, her curiosity piqued. She's already been looking for means to expand her investments, and here this man has an offer, maybe, she could invest in some properties.

"Mr Rajiv, what's your offer?" Ruhana asks, her tone firm yet professional.

"We have an offer from a developer who is looking to sell a property which is a well-established residential society. Since you're interested in real estate, we thought you might be interested in buying the property." Rajiv says, his tone professional.

"That's interesting! What's the name of the society?" Ruhana asks.

"It's the Sunshine Society, it's well developed, and is in the centre of the city. He's in dire need of money and so, he's onto sell this property, would you like to invest?" Mr Sinha asks.

"Sunshine Society! It's an coincidence, I live in the same society, and owning it, would be a nice idea," Ruhana says, a smile tugging at her lips.

"That's great, you're familiar with it, and you can just secure this place in your own hands, would you be interested in our deal?" Mr Rajiv asks.

Ruhana looks thoughtful, she's already in love with the place, and the idea of owning it is exciting. Also, if she buys the property, she'll have another way to shut the mouths of people who badmouth her and her daughter. She'll have the power to do that. After thinking much, she agrees, but demands to read the deal papers, to which Mr Rajiv Sinha agrees. He slides a paper across the table, holding financial aspects of the deal. Ruhana scans the papers quickly, calculating the costs mentally, and finally agreeing to it. The price is steep, but it was fair, especially given the location and the current market trends.

After a good thought, Ruhana agrees and signs the deal, the Sunshine Society officially belongs to her now. She asks Mr Sinha to fix a meeting with the developer so that they could do all the payments securely. As Mr Sinha prepares to leave, Ruhana thanks them once again, her mind doing all the calculations about how to break this news to the society members. She knows it's the right time to show them their right place.

*****
A few days pass by, Ruhana finalises the deals, holding the papers of her home, Sunshine Society, in her hands. She takes a half day from work, and also lets her team have some leisure time. That day, she reaches home, finding some people decorating the society and auditorium. She also finds people talking about her. She's in talks about the happenings in the society.

"Arey, pata nahi ab kya karne wali hai ye Ruhana?"

"Secretary sahab keh rahe they unse permission bhi nahi li Ruhana ne!! Huh, jaane ab kya kaand karna hai isey!" A lady speaks, her tone sarcastic.

"Usey toh yahan se chale hi jana chahiye, jaane kab tak usey aur uski uss beti ko dekhna padega," Another lady speaks, her tone carrying a hint of hate for Manvi and Ruhana.

"Ruhaana ko apni beti ko child care home mein bhej dena chahiye, suna hai bachi hone ke baad uske pati ne hi usey chhod diya tha, arey bhayi kitne kharche hote hai ilaaj mein," Another lady taunts.

Ruhana feels her blood boiling, but she composes herself and walks into her home. At home, Manvi was sitting on the sofa, watching her favourite cartoon show. As she finds her mother approaching home, she hugs her tightly.

"Mumma, bahar kya ho raha hai? " She asks.

"Ek program hai bache, bas Mumma thodi derr mein jaake aayegi," Ruhana says.

"Achcha, toh hum pani-puri khaane chalein?" Manvi asks innocently.

"Han, chalenge, pehle hum change kar lete hai," Ruhana offers, and Manvi agrees.

She freshens up in a fresh suit while Manvi dresses up in a co-ord set. An hour later, Ruhana instructs Manvi to lock the home and come downstairs into the auditorium, after thirty minutes. Manvi intakes the instruction and nods in agreement. Ruhana kisses her forehead and heads down into the society auditorium. There, the people are talking about her only, she knows.

"Secretary sahab, aap Ruhana aur uski beti ko jaane ke liye kyun nahi kehte?"

"Na jaane kahan se aayi hai? Uske pati ne bhi usey chhod dia tha, fir bhi kitni baatein sunati hai,"

"Jo Manvi kehti hai, wahi karti hai, sambhalna bhi nahi aata,"

Ruhana feels her blood boiling once again at the allegations put against her and her daughter. She sighs deeply and marches into the auditorium where the society people have gathered. Everyone turns quiet as she enters. She glances at everyone and holds the mike.

"Okay, so ladies and gentlemen, yahan maine aapko ek zaroori baat karne ke liye bulaya hai, Jaanti hoon, aap logon ko yakeen nahi hoga, lekin yahi sach hai, toh agar aapko mere sath rehna, mera chehra dekhna pasand nahi hai, toh beshak, apna samaan leke yahan se nikal sakte hai. Kyunki main aur meri beti toh yahin rahenge, yahan se kahin nahi jaayenge," She announces.

"Ruhana, ye tum kya keh rahi ho? Do you even know it?" A lady Varsha asks.

"Mujhe toh pata hai, Varsha ji, main thik bol rahi hun, " Saying so she connects her laptop to the projector and showcases the society papers that she signed.

The papers clearly stated that the new owner of Sunshine Society is Ms Ruhana Sahni, and after her, it will belong to her daughter. Everyone is stunned, while Ruhana smiles, a smirk dancing on her lips.

"Haan toh aap sab kya keh rahe they? Mujhe yahan se chale jana chahiye kyunki meri bachi abnormal hai. Right? Kya aap log normal hai?" she says over the mike.

Ruhana casts a look at a lady who's her neighbour too. She's the one who often says that Manvi doesn't talk properly. Though, she is the one who doesn't reply to Manvi when the girl greets her. Instead, make faces at her, just because, she's not normal.

"Mrs. Khanna, sabse pehle aap kyun nahi chali jati is society se? Kyunki apne bete ko toh aapne tameez sikhai nahi hai. Tabhi wo society ki ladkiyon ko aur jo ladkiyan yahan aati hai, sabko ghoorta rehta hai aur galat tareeke se chhoone ki koshish karta hai." She snaps at her, her tone laced with anger.

"Shut up, aap aisa kaise bol sakti hain!" Mrs Khanna shouts at Ruhana but she bore her eyes in hers.

"Waise hi jaise aap meri beti ko paagal kehti hai, wo pagal nahi hai, lekin tum bhi toh kehti ho, toh main bhi kahungi, tumhara beta toh khule-aam ladkiyon ko chhedta hai. Ab agar ladki ko ghoorna normal hai, toh meri bachi toh khelti rehti hai. Isme abnormal kya hai, Mrs. Khanna?" Ruhana snaps at the lady, shushing her.

"Ab kya karein, aajkal ladkiyon ko ghurna, badon ki izzat na karna normal hai. Aur khelna abnormalcy. Nahi??" she looks at everyone who are silent.

"Mrs. Gupta, kya kaha tha aapne? Meri Manvi badtameez hai? Well, aapka beta bhi kam nahi hai. Wo aapki izzat hi nahi karta toh baaki sabki kyun karega? Par wo sahi hai! Normal hai. Hai na! Meri bachi aap sabko greet karti hai toh wo paagal hai. Wow! Kya soch hai aap padhe likhe logon ki?? " she says sarcastically, clapping her hands.

She turns to the secretary of the society. Her eyes fiery with anger.

" Secretary sahab! I think aapko sabse pehle mera cheque milta hoga na maintenance ka! Ye log dete hai kya? Zara bataiye!! Kya Maanvi aapke haath mein cheque nahi deti?? And Mrs. Khanna! Aapka beta toh kabhi time se cheque nahi deta! Koi Kaam dhang se nahi karta.

Par wo thik hai. Nahi! Arey mentally retarded ho tum log! Isliye apni nahi meri bachi ko target karte ho! Kyunki tum sabki bigdi aulad tumhari sunti nahi na!! Isliye mujhe neecha dikhaane ki koshish karte ho tum sab!! " she shouts at them and every head is hung down.

"Tum log mujhe bura kehte toh seh leti, infact aaj tak sehti hi aai hoon, lekin ab nahi. Aur haan Varsha ji, mere pati ne mujhe nahi chhoda, main usey chhoda hai, maine usey talaak diya hai, aur isme kuch galat nahi hai. Meri beti mere pyar ki nishani hai, samjhi tum!" Ruhana yells at the lady.

"Ab tum sabko lagta hai akeli aurat hai kya hi kar legi , hain naa? Lekin main ek maa hoon, aur maa apne bache ke liye kuch bhi kar leti hai. Kaali bhi wahi hai aur parvati bhi! Samjhe tum log?" Ruhana snaps at the society members, her tone laced with anger and sarcasm.

Her gaze falls on a reputed person in the society, Mr Vinod Gupta.

"Mr. Kumar! Aapki beti sarv gunn sampann hai na, toh har raat ko alag ladke ke sath kyun nazar aati hai? I hope she isn't into sex before marriage!! Or a one night stand, every night! Lekin fir bhi mujhe yahan se jaana chahiye! Arey tumhe toh dhakke maar ke nikalna chahiye.. Jaane kis kis ke sath soti hogi tumhari beti!!" Ruhana snaps at the man, who fumes at her.

"Ye badtameezi hai miss Ruhana!!" Mr. Kumar snapped at her.

"Sach hai Kumar sahab! Kya hua bura laga? Mujhe bhi roz lagta hai jab tum log aisa karte ho!! Main keh rahi hun toh badtameezi hogai, aur tum karo toh sab achcha, waah! Aaj apni aulad pe baat aayi toh bura laga!! Mujhe aur meri beti ko jo roz din raat sunaate ho sab , tab nahi laga ki hum badtameezi kar rahe hai?? Wooww! Meri bachi bhi insan hai! Par tum aur tumhari aulad jaanwar se badtar hai. Characterless tum log aur tumhari auladein hain! Main nahi, samjhe!" she says angrily and Mr. Kumar hung his head down.

" Aur aap!! Aapka beta bhi aisa hi hai, Mrs. Sahni. Wo aapka beta hamare saamne wale flat pe aata hai, roz nayi ladki ke sath. Dekhiye kahin kal ko koi ye kehte na aaye ki aapka beta uske bache ka baap hai? Ab band kamra aur jawan bache, aap jaanti hai na kya ho sakta hai!! Khud ka career bnaya jaata nahi ussey, ladkiyon ki zindagi barbaad kar rahaa hain, lekin wo sahi hain! Wow!!" Ruhana snaps angrily.

" Aur aap! Mr. Kukreja! Aapse kya kahun? Aapka toh aapki secretary se affair hai na!! Wo normal hai right?? Strange!! " Ruhana says sarcastically.

Every head in the auditorium is hung down. They know she's right. Until now they disrespected her and now when she's speaking, they can't dare to speak. She looks at everyone.

" Kya hua? Ab kijiye na meri aur meri bachi ki burai! Ab muh pe taale kyun lage hain!!! Sach sunkar? Arey yahi sach hai tumhare bachon ka lekin galat main hoti hoon. Apne bache sudhare nahi jaate , mujhe sikhaane aate ho!! Badtameez tum ho, tum logon ki soch ki wajah se rapes , murders hote hain. Par wo toh normal hai, abnormal kaun? Meri beti jiska dimag 5 saal ke bachche jaisa hai, waah!" she says angrily.

"Mrs. Mishra, parso meri bachi ne aapse namaste kaha tha, aap hi muh bisrakar chali gayi! Fir sabse kyu kehti hai ki Manvi badtameez hai?? Arey abnormal tum sab ho! Meri bachi nahi!. Arey pehle apne bachon ko sudhar lo fir mujhse kehna." She looks at them, her features laced with anger.

" Agar badon ki beizatti karna, unka kaha na maanna normalcy hai, toh acha hai meri beti abnormal hai. Agar ladkiyon ko ghurna, pareshan karna normal hona hai, toh acha hai ki manvi ka dimag bachchon jaisa hai. Agar padhai ke naam pe ladki patana, unke sath ghumna, sona, aiyashi karna normal hai, toh main bhagwan ka shukriya adaa karti hoon ki usne meri beti ko abnormal banaya. Kyunki aap log toh ye sab neglect karte hai. Aur ye kadva sach hai. Apne bache apni baat sab sahi, bas saamne wala galat. Ye kaunsi book ka rule hai? " Ruhana shouts at them.

" Dusron pe ungli uthane se pehle khud ko dekh liya kijiye. I think aap sabke bache sahi mayne mein abnormal hai. Meri bachi bilkul thik hai. Atleast uski soch aapke bachon aur aap jaisi ghatiya nahi hai. Uski maa hi uski duniya hai. Uske pare kch nahi!" she says.

Everyone is silent, why won't they? Ruhana has said the truth.

"Ab boliye na! Waise toh bada bolte rehte hain! Insult karte rehte hai, apnrbachchon ki kartoot sun ke muh pe taale lag gaye, ab bolo na kuchh apne bachchon ko! Meri beti ko kyun target karte ho tum sab! Ab kya hua? Ab bolo na main bhi pagal hoon apni beti ki tarah! Kya hua ab? Sabke Muh band! Boli nahi nikal rahi? Aur ye sar kyun jhuka liye? Mujhe toh bada taav dikhate they sab ke sab! Sachai hazam nahi hui! " she says and smiles sarcastically at the people.

"Sach kehte hain log, insaan hi insaan ka dushman hain! Aur tum sab wahi ho, madad nahi kar sakte toh kisi ko hurt bhi mat karo. Sachchai sun nahi sakte toh apni galti dusron pe mat thopo! Mujhpe ungli uthaane se pehle apne girebaan mein jhaank kar dekhna! Pata chal jayega kaun kitne paani mein hai." Ruhana shouts over the mike.

No one has the gut to answer her today. Meanwhile, she hears Manvi. She comes to her and hands her the flat key. There's a smile on her face and she insists her mom to take her to the panipuri stall. Ruhana asks her to wait for her on the swing, and she agrees. Ruhana then looks at the society members.She has taught her everything and she remembers it all. She asks her to move into the garden.

"Dekha aapne! Pagal Kehte hai na aap sab usey?? Zimmedari bhi nibhati hai wo. And Mrs. Khanna, i think aapka beta aisa nai karta.. Hamesha aap hi samaan uthati dikhti hai mujhe! Aapka beta help nahi karta kya! Oh yeah! Ladkiyan taadne se fursat mile tab na!!" ruhana snaps.

" And yeah!!you know what, I am proud of myself. I am Proud to be her mother. Wo normal nahi hai lekin aisa kuch nahi karti jisse mera sar neecha ho. Jab dukhi hoti hoon na wahi mujhe hasati hain. And I am glad ki wo abnormal hai, atleast uski wajah se mujhe kabhi sharminda nahi hona padta. Duniya hai wo meri. Lekin aap sab! Aapko aapke bachon ki burai nahi dikhti, lekin meri bachi mein kamiyan nikalne chale aate hai. Aapse achi parvarish di hai maine usey. Atleast usey ye toh pata hai na ki jo bade hai unki izzat karni chahiye. Aapko aur aapke bachon ko ye salook bhi nahi hai. Dekhiye apne aapko, aap sabke sar jhuke hue hai! Aapki apni aulad ke wajah se. Kash aap log pehle sochte," she says.

She smiles to herself and then looks at them.

" Aur haan! Ye jo papers hai, wo sahi hai. Aaj se main is society ki owner hoon. Naya secretary aayega yahan, Mr Shukla, you are free from secretaryship.. Aurr Haan agar koi chahe, ya aapko lagta hai meri society mein rehna aapki shaan ke khilaf hain, toh aap society se ja sakte hai. Waise bhi aapke bachon ki ghatiya harkatein ab yahan bardasht nahi hongi. Aur agar ab kuch ulti seedhi baat suni toh main nikaal dungi aap sabko is society se. Kyunki yahan ab wo sab hoga jo main chahungi, " Ruhaana says giving them final warning and turns to walk out but then turns back.

"Aur haan, mere peeth peeche meri buraai karne se achcha hai mere saamne karo, kisi ko koi dhokha nahi diya hai maine. Aur ab yahan sab jagah CCTV cameras lagenge, toh soch samajh ke bolna," Ruhana says, her tone firm.

She walks out of the auditorium feeling light. Manvi runs to her and she kisses her forehead. Manvi is in awe, she cups her mom's face.

"Kya hua? Aap khush ho?"Manvi asks, knowing her mom is happy.

"Haan, main aaj bahut khush hoon, Mannu. Aaj se haamri life ka naya chapter shuru hoga. Ye society ab hamari hai, ab koi hume kuch nahi kahega, aur abse meri Mannu ek naye kamre mein apni drawing karegi," Ruhana says lovingly.

"Sachi? Par aap help karogi na?" Manvi asks.

"Haan, meri jaan, tere bina mumma kya hi karegi, ab se hum sab kuch bahut achche se karenge," Ruhana says.

Manvi chuckles, she notices the laptop bag in her mom's hand, and insists to keep it in their flat, Ruhana agrees. She holds the bag and keys and runs to the apartments. Some ten minutes later, Manvi returns back, she hands over the keys to Ruhana,

"Mannu ne achche se lock lagaya, ab chalein pani puri khaane?" Manvi asks.

"Haan, chalo," Ruhana smiles.

The mom and daughter head out of the society. Manvi looks pleased, and as Ruhana looks at her, she reflects at the past, and knows that her daughter is her cast shadow, filling the right voids. She fits in the void, and has become her aks, making her proud.

All that Ruhana knows is that with her daughter, she can lead a healthy and happy life, promising a delightful future for her.

****THE END****

"When you have people you love by your side, life becomes easy."

"A mother-daughter duo are truly together always."

"Love always overcomes all the hurdles."

"You must not underestimate anyone or anything in life. Everyone has the ability to do wonders in their lives."

Thedreamer_Ak❤️ i hope you enjoyed this story. Love ya❤️

Signing off until next time,
Ruhana ❤️❤️