Manvi and Ruhana reach the office and Manvi runs into the office, straight into her mom's cabin while Ruhana follows her. Sameer is already there in the cabin and Manvi hugs him tightly and he smears her head. Sameer has surely made good friends with Manvi. The girl pulls him down and says something that leads Ruhana to bite her tongue.

"Mumma pata nahi kya kya sochti rehti hai. Aapko pata hai kyun?" Manvi says looking at her friend.

"Wo office se aage chali gayi. Pata nahi kya soch rahi thi. Mannu se baat bhi nahi ki." The girl complaints to him.

"Beta, tumhari mumma bahut zyada sochti rehti hai. Isliye, wo raasta bhul jati hai." Sameer says.

"Very bad na! Aap mumma ko bolo ki wo aisa na kare. Kyunki mumma sab bhul jati hai, lekin Mannu ko nahi, apna kaam bhi  bhul jati hai." Manvi says innocently.

"Ab mumma aapse itna pyar karti hai toh wo aapko kaise bhul sakti hai. Main mumma ko bolunga ab se wo sirf Manvi ke baare mein hi toh sochegi." Sameer pats Manvi's cheek and the girl chuckles.

Manvi sits on her mother's chair and sets her drawing book on the table. She shows her drawing to Sameer who praises it. Ruhana is adoring the duo and Manvi's words hit her hard. She often forgets everything when she dwells deep into the past. But, she can't forget Manvi, she's on her mind all the time. After all, she is the reason for her living. Ruhana's trance is broken as Sameer pats her arm softly.

"Kya soch rahi ho?" He asks.

"Jo baatein hum nahi samajh paate  wo bache badi aasani se samajh jaate hain na , Sameer." Ruhana says while looking at Manvi.

"You're right. Hum bade log choti choti cheezein samajh nahi pate na." Sameer says.

"Han! Tabhi toh Manvi ne kaha main sab kuch bhul jati hoon. Fir bhi kuch baatein main bhul nahi pa rahi , sameer. I can't ." Ruhana says, looking at her friend.

" It's hard to forget ,Ruhana. I know. Par tumhe garv hona chahiye that you're a great mother. At least , Manvi knows that you will always be by her side, no matter what.  She's proud about it. " Sameer says.

Ruhana smiles. She is not sure about being the best mother , but she surely knows that she has given a better life to her daughter. Her daughter knows her, understands her. She knows when her mother is sad or angry and she has all the solutions to make her mom smile. She sighs deeply and looks at Manvi, who's chuckling with joy while colouring her drawing.

Ruhana turns to Sameer and tells him about their clients from Singapore. He gets elated and tells her that he has also received their call and they must surely go for the conference  in Singapore.

"I am glad for the opportunity , Sameer.  Thanks for all the help that you did all these years." Ruhana says, turning emotional.

"It was and it is my duty, Ruu. You're my friend , and friends help each other in tough times. Hai na!" Sameer says.

"You're being too generous, Sameer. I am glad to have you." Ruhana says and then side-hugs him while he smears her head softly.

Manvi looks up at them and makes a sad face. She glares at them.

"Aap dono mere bina hug kaise kar sakte ho? This is unfair." Manvi  says grumpily.

"Mumma ka koi kaam bhala Mannu ke bina pura hota hai. Aao idhar. " Ruhana smiles, stretching her hand towards her daughter.

Manvi chuckles and runs towards her mother and hugs her. Ruhana then tells her that they will go to Singapore for some days  and Manvi chuckles at that. She loves to go out and play along with her mother. Meanwhile, Maansi enters inside and informs her that a client wants to meet her. Ruhana asks Maansi to bring the client in the cabin and she asks Manvi to sit at her desk. The girl obliges.

No matter, if she is not a normal child, she knows when to stay quiet and when is the right time to throw tantrums, which are just for making her mother happy. She continues with her painting while Ruhana and Sameer get busy with their meetings.

*****
Vineet is at his office, attending a few meetings. He sighs deeply as the client leaves after finalising the deal. His manager enters the cabin and updates him about the day's work. Vineet acknowledges him and checks his Emails. He is astonished to find the email for the conference. He tends to think and then asks his manager to book a ticket for Singapore. He nods affirmatively and leaves the cabin while Vineet opens the drawer and his eyes fall on Ruhana's frame.

He picks it up and smears the picture. He is surely regretting his decision. He doesn't know where to search for Ruhana and how to reach her. He sighs deeply and tears roll down her eyes as he trails down the memory lane.

*Flashback Begins*

Eight months of Ruhana's pregnancy have passed smoothly. It is the weekend and unfortunately, Vineet has to attend a meeting. Ruhana is angry at him.

"Vineet! You should have checked beforehand. Dekho, tumhari beti bhi tumse gussa hai. " Ruhana says, keeping her hand on her protruded belly, as she feels her baby kick.

"I am sorry! Mujhe jana hoga. Important deal hai." Vineet says as he places her hand on Ruhana's belly and kisses her forehead.

"I'll be back soon." he says and asks her to call him if she feels uneasy.

Ruhana nods and lets him go. He moves to meet the client. But, his phone rings in the middle of the meeting and Vineet is left worried and shocked at the news spill to him.

To Be Continued.

What happened in the past?

Flashback continues in the next chapter.

Stay tuned.