Memorable Birthday

His Proposal

Bulbul, Ruhana, Tarika and Abhijeet visit the temple while Vineet leaves for his office. He wants to finish the work as  soon as possible and come back to his family. Bulbul feels sad but gets happy on having her grandfather with her. The four of them visit the temple and Ruhana gives the prasad to the priest. It's her ritual every year and doing it makes her feel happy.

After offering the prayers, they return home where Vineet is already awaiting them. Bulbul rushes to hug her dad.

"Aap aagaye? Kaam hogaya na? Wapas toh nahi jaoge na?" Bulbul asks her like a five year old kid.

"Nahi jaunga. Ab main Bulbul aur uski Mumma ke sath hi rahunga." he says with a smile.

She chuckles. She is turning 24 today but she behaves like a kid when she is around her parents. She may be mature outside her home, but when at home, she wants her mom to feed her or even get things for her, which she herself can do. Before the birthday girl could say anything, her phone rings and she runs to her room to attend the call.

Vineet notices  Tarika and Abhijeet looking at Bulbul and smiling. He knows the feeling now, being a father. But he chooses to ask them..

"Kya baat hai, Ma? Aap kya soch rahe ho?" He asks.

"Bas kuch puraani yaadein taaza ho gayi, beta. Bulbul mein mujhe Ruhana ka aks nazar aata hai."Tarika says.

"Woh hai bhi toh apni Ma ki laadli. Jab usey koi baat karni hoti hai aur usey lagta hai ki main mana kar dunga toh Ruhana ko bhejti hai nai toh khud hi aati hai." Vineet says.

Though Bulbul shares a great bond with both her parents but for some things, she is scared of Vineet. She pushes Ruhana to take his permit because she knows that Vineet won't deny his wife and Ruhana will explain everything to him and he will listen calmly.

"Haww!! Aap log meri buraai kar rahe ho? Very bad, Papa!" Bulbul looks at her father who makes a scared face.

"Arey! Nahi! Main aisa kaise kar sakta hoon? Main toh tareef kar raha tha." Vineet says.

"Han! Sab pata hai mujhe! Aap dono saas aur damaad, meri beti ko nazar nahi lagao! Sun rahi hoon sab subah se!" Ruhana rolls her eyes at her mom and husband.

"She's talking in your language!" Abhijeet whispers to Tarika who smiles.

"Papa! Now don't you whisper like that! Mumma toh pata nai kya bolti rehti hai!" Ruhana says as she sits beside Abhijeet.

Whilst, Bulbul sits beside Vineet leaning on him as if copying Ruhana which she used to do in her childhood. Ruhana smiles as she watches Bulbul copying her,causing both her parents and grandparents to laugh.

The day passes smoothly and Ruhana asks Bulbul to get ready and gives her a packet. Bulbul chuckles and runs to her room, as usual, it is a custom that they follow every year, ever since Bulbul was born. Ruhana watches her go and she's just staring at her. Vineet pats her shoulder. Ruhana smiles and rests her head on his shoulder.

"Waqt kitni jaldi guzar jata hai naa! Mujhe toh aisa lagta hai jaise kal ki hi baat ho!" Ruhana says as she remembers the time when Bulbul was born.

"Waqt toh apni speed se chalta hi rehta hai! Hume usey bas sanjo ke rakhna padta hai." Vineet says and Ruhana nods her head.

"Sahi kaha tumne! Aur hum bas inhi palon apne sath baandh ke rakhne koshish mein lage rehte hain. Par sach mein, kabhi kabhi sochti hoon ki kash ye waqt tham jata, us tasveer ki tarah!” Ruhana says as she points at a photograph that’s beautifying the view of their hall room.

It’s their family picture when Bulbul was just 3 years old.

Ruhana walks towards the wall, touching the picture with her hand. Maybe, she’s emotional, but for the parent, be it a father or mother, they always want to keep their kids close to themselves. Vineet and Ruhana share a few moments together and they move to get ready.