The Binding String

F I F T Y - F I V E

Raman who stood behind Ishita also witnessed the fire in her eyes, he felt dominated and scared of her anger, he has seen the shades of anger and hate in her eyes in those seconds and it scared him. In so many years of his marriage for the first time, Ishita behaviour became a major concern for Raman which he urged to discuss. He held Ishita through her arms, hoping it would calm her down and it worked. Ishita gained her lost composure feeling his touch on her arms. She relaxed and leaned back on his chest still glaring at her sister who left the floor few seconds later. Madhavi and Bala were standing there, witnessing the drama with mute spectator. Bala pleaded his mother in law to leave the place along Vandita and Mr Iyyer whereas he decided to stay back. Ishita too stormed back inside, the atmosphere was sore after the heated confrontation and left Raman with thousand of questiones.

"Drama! Drama! Drama! Madhavi was never like that before." Santhosh Bhalla blabbered, the four were seated in the living area of the suite. "I am sorry aunty. Look like Vandu forgotten the meaning of compassion." Bala huffed with annoyance, as he emptied the glass of water in his system.

"Seriously! What gotten into them all of sudden? Honestly they can do whatever they want but what is the need to drag Ishita and Roohi into this." Santhosh didn't stopped complaining, she was pissed off with this unnecessary drama.

"Maa leave it. We have so many other issues to deal with it right now. Ishita was already upset after listening Dr. Ansari reports and now this."

"What he said?" Om Prakash questioned Raman.

"Papa according to Dr. Roohi might develope complications post surgery. Those are not life threatening but we cannot ignore those as well. The surgery is important as well, i am just pissed and confused how to save my Roohi from all these miseries." Raman rubbed his forehead with his thumb pad, his words indeed rose concern for old couple. Santhosh tried her best to console her son but her own heart was ripping apart after knowing her granddaughter health condition. Bala has always seen Raman Bhalla undefeated and fearless, but today he can seen him shaking with fear of loosing his daughter. Santosh and Om chose to accompany Ishita whereas Bala asked Raman to take a quick walk till cafeteria.

"Raman, I know I am at no place to console you but all I can assure you that Roohi would be fine."

"I know Bala but she is going through worst and it's enough to make us restless. She already gone through so much health issues once but none of us got affected the way now." Raman looked at other side didn't wished to recall the time when Roohi was in the hospital, battling between life and death and he was being tangled in his own life issues never cared to pay heed on the little life even for once.

"I am so happy to see you and Ishu together in this hard times. You guys made a great progress." Bala patted Raman back with a genuine smile. Raman nodded his head and took his cup of strong black coffee.
"I am sorry for whatever happened today Raman."

"This was not the place for all this stuff. I know Vandu and Ishita has lots of grudges but today it meant something else. May I ask you something?" Bala nodded his head didn't knew what to say anymore.

"What's the issues between Ishita and her father? I know it's a joke but I am still unaware with entire issue." Raman shrugged off his shoulder and Bala stiffened didn't knew if it's right time to bring this issue or not. Ishita kept him under darkness for such long time and Bala didn't knew if this fragile and sore chapter of Ishita Iyyer life needed to be open today. It was some coincidence or Bala desparate prayer to escape from this situation, his phone went off flashing off his wife name and he excused himself leaving Raman alone.

It's not only his daughter health condition which is bothering Raman, Ishita anger and repulsion towards her parents and sister too bothered Raman. He knew Ishita is complicated woman to go along, her sister and mother has lots of notions towards her but today their meeting and confrontation seemed strange and bothering. He felt it's high time to open the torn chapters of his wife life.