The Binding String

F I F T Y - F I V E

"It mean you love only Roohi? No Papa? It mean if someday Papa angered you then....."

"Then nothing will happen darling. Mumma loves Papa as much as she loves Roohi. Mumma cannot live without you and Papa." Ishita peppered kisses on Roohi cheeks, wiping tears from her eyes. Raman who was sitting taking roohi on his lap, rubbed mist from his eyes and pulled Ishita for a hug. Their little bundle of joy sandwiched between her parents and they giggled together. "And yes, Papa loves Mumma and Roohi most. No fighting can separate us." Raman spoke next line and Roohi grinned listening her father. Ishita planted kisses on Roohi cheeks again making her giggle, she settled herself beside Raman, making him wound his arms around her shoulder. They didn't interacted much, the soreness of past affected their present, the love was their but it made them act strange. Yes Ishita knew the things would be solved but it it's going to take lot of time.

The bitterness will take time to leave their lives.

"Mumma it's great that you're not leaving us. Papa cannot do anything by his own." Roohi threw her hands in thr air as she spoke making animated tone leaving her parents curious.

"Really!! How do you know?" Ishita arched her eyebrows curiously.

"Aapko pata hai aap jab office jaate ho subah subah tab papa kaise karte hai!!! Are yar yeh Madrasan! Mera sab saaman galat jagah rakh deti hai. Are yaar yeh Madrasan ko kuch kaam nahi aata hai." (You remember when you used to leave at work? Papa used to whin about you for his clothes and everything.)
Roohi mimcked her father in her cute babyish voice. Raman closed his eyes as embarrassment hit him, he can feel Ishita fierce eyes boring holes in him. He was amazed seeing how his tiny mice remember each and every detail when he mocked his wife just for fun. "What else Papa said Roo?" Ishita faked glare at Raman and then looked at Roohi with curious eyes.

"Yahi ki he can do better braids then you but he made me look like Annabella." Raman facepalmed himself where Ishita burst into laughter listening her daughter cute accusations. "And he also made my Barbie sit over the almirah. He cannot handle anything alone." Roohi declared in strict tone and Ishita continued to laugh holding her stomach.

"The braids and all are fine but why you put her Barbie on the almirah?" Ishita questioned back Raman in a baffled tone.

"She wants me to babysit her dolls in her absence. Like really!!" Raman scoffed making Ishita and Roohi laugh over Raman. His facial expressions were comic and enjoyable. "She spilled everything, traitor." Raman made face looking at Roohi which clearly didn't affected her and she keep giggling and enjoying. "Something else left?" Raman was sarcastic but his question was enough to alert Roohi and she sit up straight and looked at her mother, "Mumma! Papa spilled milk once and he wiped it with your shirt." Roohi shrugged off her shoulder and Ishita looked at Raman with horror filled eyes. Yes she cannot forget her favourite noodle strap top which found spoilt one fine evening and the reason was still unknown. "This is going to cost you Raman Bhalla." Ishita threatened Raman poking her finger in his arms. Raman pulled Roohi on his lap and tickled her stomach making her laugh.

"Now Mumma will beat me Roo, who's gonna save Papa now?"

"No one! Mumma said na she love you. Little fighting is fine." Roohi spoken everything in her innocence but her every word was true. There was no place of any misunderstanding between them, the love is going to conquer all. Roohi who was hugging her father asked for water and Ishita helped her in sipping water slowly. She was tired laughing and playing with her parents and asked her father to carry in his arms. Raman sat back on the bed and patted Roohi, Ishita tilted her head against Raman arm and closed her eyes. She want to savour every moment with Roohi, uncared of the future. This smile is all she have which is going to become her strength in coming days.