Ruhana and Manvi meet Vineet in the mall. Vineet makes Manvi and Bulbul befriend each other. The two girls begin to play while Vineet and Ruhana begin to talk. Ruhana is elated to learn that he shares the same feelings as her. He’s the father of a daughter. Now, Ruhana feels it is right to tell him the truth about Manvi.

“Vineet, itni pyaari bachi hai aapki. Aap usey ghar pe leke kyun nahi aaye?” Ruhana asks softly.

“It’s a long story, Ruhana. Ye meri zindagi ka aisa sach hai, jo meri Maa kisi ko batana nahi chahti aur main usey apne aapse aur apni zindagi se door nahi kar sakta.” He says.

“Aisa bhi kya hua hai? I mean, you can tell me if you’re okay with it.” Ruhana asks.

“Main wahi toh batana chahta hoon tumhe. Main nahi chahta ki hamare beech mein koi parda rahe. Tumne hi kaha tha na ki shadi jaise rishtey jhooth par tike ho toh toot jaate hain.” He says this while boring his eyes into hers.

“Aapko nahi lagta ki aap mujh par kuch zyada bharosa kar rahe hain?” She asks.

“Nahi, Ruhana. Jab aap apni bhanji ko Maa bankar itna pyar kar sakti hain toh I am sure, aap meri bachi ko bhi utne hi pyar se apnayengi.” He says it confidently.

Ruhana suddenly feels guilty for hiding the truth from him. He’s being so clear with his feelings, and he’s ready to tell her the story of his past, which he doesn’t share with anyone. Her eyes turn watery instantly, and he notices it.

“Maine toh tumhe kuch bataya hi nahi abhi, aur tum rone lagi.” He asks, amused at the moment.

“I am sorry, I didn’t realise. Aaj bahut saalon baad kisi ne mujhpe vishwas dikhaya hain. Aap mujhe kuch aisi baatein batane wale hain jo aapne kisi koi nahi batayi. Bas isliye, main emotional ho gayi.” Ruhana says.

“Hum jis rishtey mein bandhne jaa rahe hain, usme paardarshita honi chahiye, Ruhana. Jaise Manvi tumhari zindagi ka hissa hain, waise hi Bulbul mera hissa hain. Main usey khud se door nahi kar sakta aur naa hi kisi ko karne dunga.” He says it firmly.

“Karna bhi nahi chahiye, Vineet ji. Lekin main jaanna chahti hoon ki Bulbul ki Maa kahan hain?” Ruhana asks softly.

Vineet sighs deeply and trails down memory lane while Ruhana just glances at him, letting him speak his heart out.

*Flashback begins*

Vineet has been happily married to Aadhya.

There is a love marriage, and Vineet married her against his mom’s wishes. Aadhya is from a different caste, so Vineet’s mom never accepted her as her daughter-in-law.

Vineet never appreciated the thought of his mother and shifted to a new home, living with his wife. Aadhya and Vineet love each other dearly.

It’s a fine day, and Aadhya is in the kitchen making breakfast when she feels a little nauseated and loses consciousness. Vineet catches her on time and calls the doctor. The doctor breaks the good news that they’re going to be parents. Vineet is happy at the moment. He hopes that now, maybe, his mother will accept Aadhya with the arrival of their child.

The time begins to pass. But soonish, things begin to fall apart as some complications are detected in Aadhya’s pregnancy. She is advised to take full bedrest. Vineet has turned cautious towards her and always keeps an eye on her.

Aadhya is more fearful for the baby than she is for herself. For her, her child is most important, while for Vineet, Aadhya is his lifeline. He doesn’t want anything to happen to his wife and baby.

His prayers, care, and love worked, and Aadhya gave birth to a baby girl whom they named Bulbul. Aadhya got fine in no time, but it seemed like fate had different plans for this little family.

*Flashback Ends*

“Aadhya ke sath kya hua?” Ruhana asks; she’s emotional at the moment.

“Bulbul ke janam ke baad hum hamari pehli family vacation pe gaye they, Panchgani. Hum apni car se gaye they. Lekin laut-te waqt hamara accident ho gaya tha aur Aadhya bach nahi payi. Tab Bulbul 1 saal ki hone wali thi.” Vineet says.

“Aur tabse aapki behen aapki beti ki dekhbhal karti hain?” She asks.

“Han, Ruhana. Kashish ne usey Maa bankar hi paala hain. Lekin tum toh jaanti ho na ek Maa ki kami koi puri nahi kar sakta. Meri maa ne na Aadhya ko apnaya aur na hi Bulbul ko. Isliye wo hamare farmhouse, I mean, jis ghar mein main aur Aadhya rehte they, wahan rehti hain. Meri Maa ye baat kisi se nahi kehti. Lekin tumhara jaanna bahut zaroori tha.” He says.

Ruhana is touched. He’s so frank, and now she wants to tell him the whole truth. She wants to tell him that Manvi is her daughter, her own part. There’s no story that Manvi is her sister’s daughter.

“Aapne mujhe ye sab batane laayak samjha, acha laga mujhe. Koi aur hota toh shayad nahi batata. Lekin aapne sab kuch keh diya. Main samajh sakti hoon, Vineet.” She says.

“Saafgoi toh har rishtey mein honi chahiye na, Ruhana. Aur yahi umeed main bhi aapse karta hoon,” he says, and she looks at him.

Before she could reply, Manvi and Bulbul came running to them. Manvi climbs in her mom’s lap and hugs her.

“Mumma, bhook lagi. Mujhe chhole bhature khaane hain.” Manvi says babyishly.

“Papa, mujhe Pizza khana hain.” Bulbul clings to her dad.

“Aur bhua kahan hain?” Vineet questions.

At the same time, Kashish comes to them and sits on the chair. She asks Vineet to order some food and lets her talk with Ruhana. Vineet leaves the table after asking for Ruhana’s order. It's a self-service restaurant, so they have to go and order. Kashish smiles at Ruhana and they introduce themselves to each other.

“Vineet ne bataya tumhare baare mein. Mujhe acha laga ki tumne uski saari baatein dhyan se suni aur react nahi kiya.” Kashish says.

“Kuch sach jhuthlaye nahi jaa sakte, Kashish ji. Aisa ek sach mere pas bhi hain.” She says.

“Sach keh rahi ho, Ruhana. Vineet bahut pareshan rehta hain Bulbul ke liye. Lekin tumse milne ke baad maine usey khush dekha hain. I am sure, tum dono ek dusre ke liye achche jeevansathi sabit honge.” Kashish smiles.

“I wish. Lekin abhi mujhe Vineet ji se kuch aur baat karni hain. Unhone toh apni baat keh di lekin main....” Ruhana says something but pauses as Vineet comes with the order.

The waiter placed the orders on the table, and the five of them indulged in the treat. Ruhana is feeding Manvi and also eating herself.

The whole time, the two girls played with small balls they made out of foil pieces and kept giggling. Bulbul and Manvi really got along well. Ruhana looks at Vineet, and she knows that he’s the perfect partner for her. The only thing she needs to do is tell him about Manvi.

They finish the food, and Vineet makes the payment. Ruhana plays a little with both Bulbul and Manvi. Vineet comes by the ladies, and Ruhana turns to him.

“Vineet, aapne toh apni baat keh di. Main bhi aapko kuch batana chahti hoon.” Ruhana says.

"Kahiye,” Vineet says, and she insists on sitting and talking.

Vineet agrees, and they sit down to talk. But before Ruhana could speak, his phone rang. He attends the call, and he turns tense. He disconnects the call after a few minutes, and turns to Ruhana. He apologises as he has to rush, there’s some work emergency.

Vineet promises Ruhana to meet some other day and leaves with Bulbul and Kashish. Ruhana sighs deeply and leaves the mall with Manvi. She’s thoughtful all through their way home, deciding how to tell the truth to Vineet.

They reach home, it’s 3PM. Manvi is asleep and so Ruhana takes her into the room. Her mom isn’t home. So, she locks the door and changes Manvi’s clothes and puts her to sleep. Little Manvi snuggles closer to her mom. Ruhana is  thinking something when Manvi puts her hand on her forehead and says something that leaves her mother surprised.

To Be Continued.

What did Manvi say?

Stay tuned.