Ruhana looks at Manvi and Avni. Little Avni is sleeping with her head on Ruhana’s arm and Ruhana is hugging her with the same. Manvi is also sleeping with her hand around Ruhana’s waist. She’s blessed to have these two girls who are her whole world. Even if one of them disappears from her eyes, Ruhana’s heart flutters and tears fill her eyes.

As Manvi assures her that she will stay by her side, she will abide by her words, Ruhana feels content. Yet, she trails back into the past, into that very memory that changed her life.

It’s a fine day. Seventeen years old Ruhana is alone at home. She’s in her room, watching a movie and painting, when someone enters her room. It’s her father. She hugs him and kisses his cheek.

“Papa! You’re so early! Mumma toh aayi hi nahi abhi tak!” Ruhana chuckles.

“Koi baat nahi! Aaj papa aur Princess enjoy karenge!” Her father says.

“Sachi! But mumma ko aane do na!” Ruhana says, though she is tempted to enjoy the time with her dad.

“No! It’s especially for my princess.” He says and the father-daughter leave the house.

“Yay! Hum park jayenge?” Ruhana asks him.

“Haan! Bilkul. Come on! Go and change.” Her father says and she jogs to her room.

Ruhana is happy to go out with her father. She’s chuckling and talking until she realizes that they are not on the way of the park. She asks her father but he shushes her and asks her to sit quietly. An hour later, they reach someplace, seeing which Ruhana gets baffled.

*****

“Noo!”

Ruhana opens her eyes with a jerk. Oh! It’s just another nightmare. Though, she’s been experiencing such nightmares for a long time. She’s breathing heavily. She looks at her on either side, the two girls are sleeping soundly. She sighs. She puts Avni’s head on the pillow and frees herself from Manvi’s grip.

She moves into the balcony. Her eyes are teary. The nightmare has scared her and has freshened the past memories. Yet, she can’t say anything to anyone. She stands on the balcony, admiring the moon until she calms down.

A little while later, Ruhana walks into the bedroom. She glances at the girls and her eyes stop on Manvi. She adores the girl and apologizes to her silently. She turns to move when Manvi’s voice startles her.

“Di, so jao na! Aise kya dekhti rehti ho? Aao main sulati hoon aapko.” Manvi utters sleepily.

Ruhana smiles and takes her place on the bed. Avni immediately cuddles close to her while Manvi turns to her and begins to smear her head. Ruhana smiles at her sister and soon sleep takes over her.

*****
Next morning, Ruhana is the first one to wake up. Manvi & Avni are still sleeping. Ruhana bends towards Avni and smears her head.

“Avni beta! Utho. Subah ho gayi. School jana hai na.” Ruhana says softly.

“Pehle maasi ko jagao.” Little Avni says.

“Chalo, hum mil ke jagate hain.” Ruhana says.

“Noi! Ap uthao.” Avni eases on the bed.

Ruhana smiles and turns to Manvi. The girl keeps her head in her lap. Ruhana runs her fingers in Manvi’s hair.

“Mannu, uth! Aj tujhe assignments submit karne hai na. Jaldi ready ho ja! Main tum dono ko college aur school drop karke office chali jaungi.” Ruhana says softly.

Manvi whines for a moment but wakes up. She moves to freshen up while Ruhana helps her daughter in freshening up. Asking Avni to bathe by herself, Ruhana moves into Manvi’s room and takes out her clothes.

It’s Manvi’s habit, she loves when Ruhana picks dresses for her she picks Ruhana’s outfit for the day. Ruhana also cleans the study table and then moves into the kitchen. She prepares chocolate milk for Avni and an apple shake for Manvi while she herself prefers tea in the morning.

*****
An hour later, the three of them are sipping their drinks. Ruhana begins to make Avni’s hair and Manvi keeps her bracelet on the table.

“Di,yeh bracelet ka lock nahi khul nhi raha. “ she says as she points at the bracelet.

“Iska lock toh simple tha na , Mannu! Kya hua?” Ruhana asks.

“Pata nahi, Di. Ye mera lucky bracelet hain. After all, aapne mujhe gift kiya tha. Maybe, bahut dinon se pehna nahi, toh shayad lock tight hogaya.” Manvi says while sipping her shake.

“Table pe rakh main dekhti hu.” Ruhana says while tieing Avni ‘s hair.

“Uffo maasi!  Aapko bracelet kholna bhi nahi aata. Very bad! “ Avni says innocently.

“Haha, ab toh kuch kaam karna seekh le.” Ruhana glares at her little sister.
.
“Haww! Di, aap aisa kaise kar sakti ho?I am still a kid!” Manvi says pointing at Ruhana.

“Maasi, yahan pe bas ek hi baby hain, Aur wo main hoon. Samjhe aap! Aap toh Avni ki maasi ho.” Little Avni glares at Manvi.

“Aley! Toh main bhi toh baby hoon. Dekho.” Manvi says as she drops on her knees to Avni's level. .

“Noo! Aap Avni ki maasi ho. Aur Avni sabse choti hai. “she says glaring at manvi.

Manvi makes a face while Ruhana laughs at the banter between her sister and her daughter. Avni laughs looking at her mother figure, who's actually dramatising her words at the moment.

"Avni, tum bhi apni mumma jaisi hoti ja rahi ho!" Manvi makes a face.

“Avni toh good girl hai. Wo mumma ki baat maanti hai. Maasi nahi maanti. “ Avni says while hugging her mother.

“Haww!! Di dekho isey! Bahut shaitan ho gayi hai ye. “ Manvi makes a face and turns to her sister.

“Anvi ne jhooth nahi bola. Hai na mumma!! “ Avni retorts.

Ruhana is trying hard to control her laughter. Manvi glares at her but Ruhana shushes them and asks them to have their breakfast.

Both the girls nod and move to the dining table. Ruhana serves the food to both the girls and moves to take a bath and get ready for another long day.

As she dresses up, her eyes fell on a photo frame, which consisted of her, Manvi and Avni’s picture. She touches the picture lovingly, silently praying for the wellbeing of both the girls who are her world, literally.

“Bhagwan…. Please in dono ko aise hi khush rakhna. Inke sath sab acha karna. Jo mere sath hua…. wo nahi… “ she thinks to herself but composes herself and moves out of the room.

Ruhana finds Manvi and Avni ready. She kisses their head and they moves out of the house. Ruhana locks the house and after dropping Avni and Manvi to their school and college, she reaches her office.

*****
As soon as she reaches the office, Vineet calls her and tells her to come straight to his cabin. Ruhana obliges the man and enters his cabin. Vineet introduces her to someone, and Ruhana is stunned to see the person.

To Be Continued.

To whom did Vineet introduce Ruhana?

What happened in the past?

Stay tuned.