Ruhana’s morning starts with Vineet and Manvi’s banter. These two are naughty, team up against her, and tease her, yet she loves them with all her heart. Yes, sometimes, things get out of hand, Ruhana gets hurt in the play, and she gets angry at the father and daughter, but they promise her that they won’t repeat the mistake again. Nothing can lessen the love that they share.

Within two hours, Ruhana reaches the office, and the two get busy with a meeting. It’s a business deal on which both Vineet and Ruhana have worked hard, and now, it’s time to party—they have sealed the deal after all. As they enter the cabin, Ruhana hugs Vineet.

“I am so glad, Vineet. Hume deal mil gai. Mujhe laga tha, they will be hard to please, but we’ve got it.” She chuckles, expressing her happiness.

“Tumne hi kaha tha na ki jab hum ek sath kaam karte hain toh wo bahut ache se hota hain. Fir tum pareshan kyun thi?” Vineet questions, he has already noticed her panic.

“Actually, Mr. Bakshi was very particular about the project. Unko sab cheez jaldi chahiye thi. And you know me! Jaldbaazi mein gadbad karti hoon. Halanki I know tum hone nahi dete, lekin main ye bhi nahi chahti thi ki tum last moment panic karo. Isliye mujhe thoda darr lag raha tha.” Ruhana shares her fear.

“Relax, Ruu. Ab toh panicking chhod do. Hamari beti bhi panic nahi karti aur ek tum ho!” Vineet says, lightening her mood.

“Han, tumhari beti ko toh bas ladai karna aur shaitani karna aata hain.” Ruhana says, her tone playful but teasing.

“Ye acha hain tumhara! Ladai kare toh kehti ho meri beti, achi baat kare toh tumhari — this is unfair.” Vineet makes a face.

“This is fair! Ab tum karo kaam, main chali meri beti ko school se pick karne. Usse promise kiya tha maine ki aaj main usey pick karungi school se.” Ruhana says as she throws a crushed paper on Vineet and moves towards the door.

“Acha, matlab maa beti ka kuch plan hain?” he rolls his eyes at her.

“Hanji, you don’t be jealous. Do some work, Mr. Kapoor.” She says teasingly and rushes out of the cabin.

Vineet just smiles at his wife and gets back to his work. He has some work to finish, so he can’t join the mother and daughter in their fun.

Well, he can wait for some time to join his wife and daughter at home and have some family time with them. He knows these are the moments that he will cherish for a lifetime.

“Pyar ke lamhe khubsurat hain,
Inhe sambhal ke rakhna hain,
Yunhi beet jayenge ye pal,
Vo lamhe hi khaas hain,
Jinme bas pyaar hi pyaar hain!”

*****

Ruhana reaches Manvi’s school and finds her standing near the main gate. Manvi runs towards the car as soon as she spots her mother. Ruhana opens the door, and Manvi hops in.

“Mumma! Mujhe laga aap bhool jaogi! Aap pure 10 minutes late ho!” Manvi says, looking at her.

“Main kaise bhul sakti hun? Aaj toh mumma beti ka fun time hain na. Hum ghar jaa ke lunch karenge phir shopping chalenge.” Ruhana says.

“Nai na, mumma. Aise hi chalo na! Jaldi ghar chale jayenge. Aur lunch bhi bahar khaate hain na. Pani puri khayenge!” Manvi chuckles.

“Par beta, aaj kha logi toh kaise jayenge kal? Papa ke sath chalenge na.” Ruhana says, reminding her about their weekly routine.

“Mumma, pleash! Chalo na Pani puri khaate hain. Papa ke sath toh kal jayenge na. Aapko pata hai na Papa phir khane nahi denge. Unko lagta hai mera gala kharab ho jayega. Jabki aisa hai nahi.” Manvi insists on eating pani puri, and Vineet doesn’t let her eat the pani puri from the street vendors.

“Betu, papa worries about you, that’s it. Acha chalo, pani puri hi khate hain. But will it be okay?” Ruhana asks because though she loves pani puri, it should be fulfilling at the same time.

Manvi agrees, and they go to a pani puri stall where Manvi takes the pani puri while Ruhana insists on taking dahi chat. After enjoying their meal, they head to the mall where Manvi has to purchase some items for her project. Usually, they go on Saturday outings, but today, it is important as Manvi has to make a project and submit it next week. So, Ruhana decided to do it on Friday. And if necessary, Vineet could go and buy groceries or even leave Manvi alone at home.

Around an hour later, they return home. It’s almost 4:30 PM. Manvi sits on the couch and takes a deep breath. She looks at her mom, who looks equally tired.

“Mumma, you look tired. All good?” Manvi asks.

“Han, Mannu. I am fine. Aaj rest nahi hua na, isliye thakaan hai.” Ruhana smiles.

“Aap fresh ho jao. Main chai bana ke laati hoon.” Manvi chuckles.

“Nai beta, tu fresh ho ja. Main kuch khaane ke liye bhi bana leti hoon. Bhook lagi hogi na?” Ruhana asks, and Manvi nods her head cutely.

“Haan, pani puri gayab.” She says cutely, running her hand on her tummy, causing her mom to laugh.

Ruhana shakes her head, and they head to their rooms to freshen up. Twenty minutes later, Manvi runs into the kitchen, smelling the aroma.

“Mrs. Kapoor, what’s cooking?” Manvi asks.

“Aloo sandwiches.” Ruhana beams at her little one.

“Yummy! Acha vaise, papa kab aayenge?” Manvi asks about her father.

“Beta, unko aaj kaam hai, shayad late ho jaye.” Ruhana says.

“Uh oh! Papa bhi na, sab kaam khud karte hain. Employees ke correction bhi kar lete hain.” Manvi makes a face.

“Beta, wo company chalate hain. Wo kaam nahi karenge toh employees kaise kaam karenge. Le, tu ye sandwich kha.” Ruhana gives her a sandwich and a glass of milk at which Manvi makes a face that doesn’t go unnoticed by her mother.

“Beta, tu chahe kitna bhi muh bana, doodh toh compulsory hai, tere liye bhi aur tere papa ke liye bhi.” Ruhana says.

“Papa ko bhi? Why?” Manvi asks.

“Kyunki unki memory weak ho gayi hai. Bhulakkad ho gaye hai tere papa!” Ruhana makes a face.

“Mrs. Kapoor, don’t say that. Mr. Kapoor is still handsome and sharp-minded, okay!” Manvi says as if enacting a lawyer.

“Han han! Dono baap beti ko apni cheezein toh nahi milti time pe, bade aaye sharp-minded.” Ruhana rolls her eyes at her daughter.

“Toh aap ho na un sabka dhyan rakhne ke liye.” Manvi chuckles.

“Haan haan! Isliye dono baap beti mujhe satate rehte ho. Chal ab shaitani kam kar aur dimag chala. Project karna hai na!” Ruhana says.

“Arey haan! Upar se creative kaam! Huh, school walon ko bhi Art project dena tha.” Manvi makes a face.

“Sabse mushkil cheez hi yahi hai bache. Kisi cheez ko create karna. Science project toh koi bhi kar sakta hain books se padh ke. Lekin Art! Art is not written in books, betu!” Ruhana says as she strains her tea in a mug and the mother-daughter duo moves out of the kitchen.

Manvi has to do two projects by Monday. One of them is for her Science Project, which is halfway through, but the Art project is a kind of contest. Manvi is thoughtful when Ruhana’s words leave her amused.

“Craft the art project on your own life, Mannu.” Ruhana says.

“How?” She asks her mom.

“Showcase your life. It’s God’s grace that we are doing fine, Mannu. Tere papa aur maine itni mehnat se jo business khada kiya hai it’s in top 10. Aur hum tujhe ek achi lifestyle de paye. Lekin tumhe kisi bhi cheez ko for granted nahi lena chahiye. Aaj tum mumma pe depend kar rahi ho par tumhe apne kaam khud karne chahiye.” Ruhana explains.

“Just show your life and what you do good for others.” Ruhana says, and Manvi nods.

She chuckles and kisses her mom’s cheek. She knows that it’s a great idea. Manvi finishes her snacks and milk and then rushes to her room. Ruhana smiles at her daughter. She fills her sipper bottle with water and moves into Manvi’s room. The girl is sitting at her desk and working seriously. The new things sit on her desk while she’s writing something on paper.

Ruhana sets the things in the cupboard and keeps the sipper bottle on the table. She keeps her hand on her daughter’s head, and she smiles at her, assuring her that she will finish her work on time.

Ruhana smiles and leaves her room. She chooses to finish her pending chores and prepare dinner; her husband will be home soon. And then, they have to plan their Saturday too. They can’t let it slide away, for it’s the only way they get to spend time together. However, it’s not necessary to go out; they can stay at home and enjoy a movie or spend time talking to each other, and this is a kind of therapy, which needs to be done every week.

However, Ruhana hopes for the best.

To Be Continued.