Here your update:::::::

Ruhi, my daughter that I have raised alone for so long, even she wants to leave me now. I feel so embarrassed that I was not even a good mother to my own child that loved me so much. Maybe she will be happier without me, maybe I should leave from her life now...

Suddenly, I hear slow knocks on the door, "maa, maa, are you inside? Please open the door."

I quickly wipe the tears off my face before opening the door. She is holding something in hands and hiding it behind her back. I wonder what it is. She tells me to sit on the sofa and she sits next to me. I sit silently on the sofa and look in front of me when Ruhi lightly taps me on the shoulder-

"I am sorry maa, I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, I cannot think of hurting you even in my dreams. I just got a little angry, please forgive me. I promise you I will never do something like that again. I only wanted you to be there with me, that is why..."

She breaks down in my lap after offering me a red rose.

"I cannot even think of leaving you and staying away from you Maa. I should not have said all that. I love you so much maa."

I can never ever see my Ruhi cry and in that moment, I forget all my anger and all that happened, I only see her crying face and her pained expressions at that time. I hug her tighter. How was I even thinking of going far from this baby of mine? Wouldn't I die without her?

I quickly wipe the tears off her face, "okay Ruhi, it's okay, stop crying now. I am not angry at all, I am glad you realized your mistake Ruhi, I am so proud of you."

"Maa, actually you have to thank Rajat Sir for it, he was the one who made me understand the consequences of my actions and made me realize how much I have hurt you today."

"Oh really?"

"Yes maa, please talk to him and thank him from my side, wait let me go and call him here for you."

"Oh Ruhi, waii..."

Ruhi is already gone before my words could reach her ears. It will be so difficult for me to face him after what Ruhi said about him today. He must be wondering what kind of a mother I am, completely different from the perception that he had of me. I am still engrossed in my thoughts when I see Ruhi leading him into the room before she leaves us and runs to the kitchen downstairs.

We both stand in complete silence and after some minutes, suddenly both of us find ourselves to be uttering "I am sorry", in a perfect sync.

"I am so sorry Purvi, whatever happened today should not have happened. Ruhi should not have said all that today, but she only said it in anger. She did not actually mean all that she was saying. I hope you understand from where it came from and you do forgive her."

"Actually, I am sorry Rajat Sir. I am sorry that I broke the perception that you had of me, as a good mother for Ruhi. Don't you see it now, I am not worthy of being even a mother to her?"

"Why are you saying that Purvi? To be honest, I think that you are a very good mother. You know how lucky both of you are? Fights and arguments are common in any relationship, but all that matters eventually is how you both patch up and grow each other after that.

Ruhi got angry today because, in the competition she only wanted her purvi maa to be next to her and not me. She wants her purvi maa to be next to her every time, the same way the mothers of all her friends are always present in any event or competition with their children.

Do not mind me saying purvi, but you are an amazing mother and Ruhi is a precious child. She is just a child Purvi, she does not expect a lot. She only wants a little more of you around her, that is all. And if you are able to give her a little more of your love, time and attention, believe me, both of you will bloom and will radiate with love and happiness."

I raise my eyes to look at him and immediately lower them as we started to have an eye lock as he was still talking.

"You know sometimes in life, only the presence of another person is not enough, instead, showing love, creating memories and living the moments together are the ones that will be remembered and cherished forever and these will also embellish your lives.

Ruhi only needs a little of your time Purvi. But, I also know that there is something else bothering you Purvi, but I have no right to ask you about it right now. I know you are a very strong and mature woman and you will definitely dwell on what I just told you. For now, I will take your leave."

I nod without looking at him.

"And Purvi remember that I will always be here whenever you or Ruhi need me. Take care of yourself", he tells me before he leaves.

Why do the words of this man always seem to stir up my soul? Why does it feel that he is the voice of the conscience that always talks to me in my head? Why does it feel like he knows me so well, so perfectly despite being an almost stranger to me? The way he talks to me, it feels like he himself has gone or is going through a lot of pain. His words replay in my head all through the night as I pat Ruhi who is cuddling and sleeping in my lap, "she only needs a little more of your time and love."

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