The Binding String

F I F T Y - F I V E

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Shock!!! Can be use as a understatement for Madhavi Iyyer, whatever she witnessed just now was too hard for her to digest. She blinked her eyes rapidly and than withdraw her steps. She looked at other side and found Santhosh Bhalla who was staring at her with cold eyes. She can feel her demeanor cold and unwelcoming towards her. Madhavi took few more steps back before she cleared her throat to say something.

"I just came here to see Ishu. I have never seen her so happy with Raman and Roohi before."

"Alot changed in her life Madhu, and sadly you was never there to witness those changes." Santhosh Bhalla replied tried not to sound rude.

"It's not like that Toshi, i was just busy." Madhavi stuttered, she averted her gaze knowing well her reply going to be unwelcoming by everyone.

"Too busy to even make a single call your own daughter? And too busy to visit your granddaughter even after knowing her health severity?" Santosh spoke back, the displeasure was evident through her face.

"Trust me Toshi i had no clue about Roohi health and yes i acted distant and it was deliberate. I wanted Ishita to take Roohi responsibility without anyone's help. I am not her enemy." Madhavi advocated herself, making Santhosh scoff with annoyance. "She looks happy. I was right."

"Yes she is happy and so do Raman but it didn't happened because you acted distant. It happened because they wanted to come on the common road. Anyways what was the need to bring Mr Iyyer here?"

"He wanted to visit Roohi, he is concerned for her."

"Please Madhavi! I have never seen him taking stand for Ishita who is his own daughter, can we expect some good vibes from him for his granddaughter?"

"Certainly not Mummy Ji." Ishita broke off the moment, she locked the door softly and dragged her mother outside of the suite, followed by bewildered Santosh behind. "Your husband discussed about my divorce infront of my little daughter. How can you do that Amma?" Ishita sneered at her mother, with clear disgust. Her anger caught everyone attention including Vandita and Bala. "I clearly told you not to take him inside but you pledged not to listen me, ever!"

"What's the matter Ishu?" Bala intervened in the middle, he was holding two cup of coffee which he passed to Mr. and Mrs. Bhalla.

"She and her husband dear literally discussed my divorce infront of my daughter. Can you believe Jeeju?" The revelation left everyone shock. Madhavi indeed averted her eyes away whereas no one had clue how to react on this matter. The discussion of divorce is unhealthy infront of Roohi and Ishita anger was very much justifying. None of them had strenght to prove Ishita wrong, she was still mad with anger. "If you cannot help me than don't increase my miseries then." Ishita taunted her mother and sister looking in their eyes, making Vandita infuriate.

"I agree it was wrong Ishu but as far as I remember you never paid heed on Roohi before, leave Roohi you never paid heed on anyone. You never cared for her heart what happened now?

From where you got so much motherly affection for Roohi whom you never wished at first place?"

Vandita taunt was a sharp stung, a stung left Ishita paralysed. She could feel all the eyes on her, her so called father who was seated few meters away passed her a sarcastic smile. Ishita rubbed her jaw and then looked back at her sister for another time, she took predatory steps towards her and stopped until she was few meters away from her. "A lot has changed Akka, even me but their is one thing which didn't changed. I still don't forget to bring my claws out.

If a seven years old can protect her mother, imagine what a thirty two years old can do." It was more like a threatening than a warning for everyone, everyone who were present around there and taunting her. It was for everyone who doubted on her, Ishita had changed. She is a better version of herself now, a loving mother and a caring wife but one thing hasn't changed. She is still caring and protective for those she love most. Roohi is her priority now and she is ready to go till any extent to protect her.