The Binding String

S I X T Y - T W O

"Han Ma, Ishita is the one who persuade me to work on my behaviour for this marriage. You know Ma, spending these months with Roohi made me realise my love for her, whenever I look at her innocent face I feel an urge to protect her from the world and love her unconditionally. Even becoming CEO of leading MNC didn't made me feel response the way being father made me feel so." Raman replied honestly caressing Roohi stuffed toys arranged neatly on her bed. Meanwhile Roohi returned back carried by her mother. She threw her hands in the air elated seeing her grandmother, ready to go in her arms.

"Good Morning my princess." Santhosh pretneded to bite Roohi chubby cheeks making her squeal. Ishita wiped off her hands and hugged her mother in law before pouring tea and coffee for everyone.

"Where is Papa Ji?"

"He is outside, reading newspaper." Santhosh replied engaged in playing with Roohi. "Dadi, let's come. We wipl trouble Dadu." Roohi eyes twinkled with mischief and her parents sigh looking at her.

"Oh yes. Let's go." Santhosh response made Raman amuse and Ishita hit her forehead.

"Roo don't trouble Dadu." Ishita tried to stop the two but none of them heard her and Dadi Poti  duo disappeared from the room. "Raman, you must stop Mummy Ji and Roohi."

"Let them be Madrasan." Raman pulled Ishita towards him making her land against his chest. He pulled their bodies towards the other side of the room, "Let Roohi play with her Dadi Dadu, you think about Roohi Papa."

"And what I have to think about him?"

"The thing you didn't gave him last night." He pointed towards his lips making her chuckle, "Raman we are at hospital, aap kahi bhi shuru ho jaate ho."

"I don't believe on keeping things pending, that's my share." He whined making Ishita laugh on his antiques, "Moreover you give so many kisses to Roohi but not even one for her father." Ishita continued to giggle seeing Raman antiques, she rose on her toes and looked into his eyes. Before they could descrease the distance between them, a tornado name Roohi rushed inside making them jump.

"What was you doing Mumma?"

"Me!!!!" Ishita blinked her eyes several times flushed finding her daughter standing infornt of her with a frown on her face. "I........I......" Ishita fumbled wondering about the possible reply she can give to her little daughter.

"Was you playing some game?" Roohi expressed her doubt, rotating her forefinger in the air.

"Yes yes. We were playing the game." Raman sang along Roohi, Ishita sigh with relief.

"Dadi Dadi Mumma Papa were playing games as well." Roohi called her grandmother leaving her parents confused, "Which game puttar?" Santhosh asked who just entered inside the room looking for Roohi."

"I know that game Dadi, Mumma and Papa were playing Hanky Panky game. They played it before as well, haina Papa?" The colors drained out from Raman and Ishita face as they listened to what Roohi said, Ishita found her mother in law passing her mischievous looks which made her feel an urge to dig the floor and hide herself inside it.

"Han Dadi even that day Mumma was standing on her toes, like today. This game is so niceeee Dadi." Roohi continued to speak enough to make her parents embarrassed.

"Nahi Mummy Ji aisa kuch nahi hai. Woh toh bas inki aankh mei kuch chala gaya tha." Ishita whispered nervously, "Han Ma yeh Roohi toh pagal hai kuch bhi bakti hai." Raman ran towards Roohi and took her in his arms making her laugh. He sprinted out from the room leaving his wife and mother alone.

"Sharmana band kar khotti, aise bohot baar kachra maine bhi Bhalla Ji ki aankh se saaf kiya hai aur aise games bhi bohot khele hai." Santhosh bursted into laughter leaving Ishita flushed, she face palmed herself which were enough to increase Ishita miseries. She hugged Ishita enjoying the hue on her cheeks and than pulled her cheeks the way Roohi does.

"I can't tell you how happy I am see you and Raman together Ishita. Are you happy Puttar?"

Ishita nodded her head making Santhosh grin. She patted her head and blessed Ishita with all her heart. The day passed in a jiffy and it was already early evening of the day when Ishita and Raman were seated at Dr. Ansari cabin, Dr. Jeet Shandilya has also arrived from New Jersey who is specialist in Post Cardiac Surgery. He was a man in his late thirties, sitting with a composed face looked in his early forties.

"Mr. Raman, I have gone through your daughter's medical reports. She would be under good care. The surgery is the day after tomorrow and we shall change Roohi diet from tomorrow also make sure not to let her exert herself more. Rest would be taken care off." Ishita and Raman nodded their heads in affirmation, theur nervousness were growing with passing second but they cannot afford it to show.

"Don't worry Mr and Mrs Bhalla, Roohi shall be fine. Okay." The young parent took leave from the doctors, their pace was slow while returning back to Roohi room all they were thinking about their little daughter who is going to fight her battle against the life.

"You know, Simmi is arriving today." Ishita nodded her head absently, they have reached outside of the room and commotion could be heard from outside only. "Looks like she arrived early?" Raman pushed the door hoping to see his sister and brother in law but the presence of the person left him shock.

"Bhabhi." A man with thick voice called Ishita name and bore her in a brotherly hug. Ishita smiled looking at the unexpected person and ruffled his hairs, "Romi, tu yahan!"

"Aapne toh mujhe paraya kar diya na bhabhi." Ishita remained mum and bore Romi in a tight hug, her little brother no longer remained little. She patted his head elated to see him after so long and hold his hands admiring his handsome features. He has became mature person, from his dress up to his facial looks. Last time when they met in the mall it lasted only for minutes, and she didn't expected to see him again after whatever happened that afternoon.

"Bhabhi aap baitho yahan pehle, mujhe batao aap kaise ho aur kya hua hai Roohi ko."

"Roohi theek ho jayegi Romi, tu fiqr mat kar. Par tujhe yeh sab kisne....kaise bataya?"

"Simmi Di ne, aapne toh mujhe paraya kar diya na."

"Oye kake aisa nahi hai. Yeh sab itna jaldi jaldi hua ki kuch bhi samjhne ka mouka hi nahi lag." Santhosh pacified Romi ruffling his hairs, he met his uncle and aunt with warmth but his face colors drained seeing his elder brother. Raman had mixed emotions of agony and anger towards his younger brother. He said nothing and stepped behind seeing Romi forwarding towards him but to his surprise he never came to meet him rather approached the door leading towards Roohi room.

"Bhabhi can I go inside to see Roohi?"

"Yeh sab formalities mat karo Romi, Roohi pe sabse pehla haq toh tumhara hi hai na." Ishita asked Romi to wash his hands properly before meeting Roohi, Raman chose not to sit next to his father rather than joining eveyrone inside.

"What he is going to do with false ego!!" Raman grunted, he decided not to be in the same room with his brother.

"Romi still loves us Raman, nahi." Raman hummed in the response and sat next to his father. He pretended to be busy on his mobile phone otherside the scene inside of Roohi room was different. Roohi remembered blurred image of her beloved Romi Chachu, she clapped her hands elated to see him after so many days. Romi kissed her forehead lovingly and bore her in a hug, the medication has changed for Roohi which made her feel lazy hence she chose to cuddle up against her uncle only.

"My doll." Romi pulled Roohi cheeks, making her scrunch her nose. "Roo you know Romi Chachu has a small baby at their home, aap kheloge uske saath?"

"Is that baby tiny Mumma?"

"Yes." Ishita caressed Roohi hairs, she sat next to Roohi and questioned further, "Romi where is Sarika?"

"She is still at office bhabhi. As soon as Simmi Di informed me about Roohi health conditions I rushed here. She will come here directly from the office." Ishita nodded her head, Roohi started to narrate her needle stories to her uncle with pride on her face. Ishita chose to admire the two until the door knocked releaved her sister in law face.

Ishita was happy having everyone here. Sometimes all we need moral support and the back of her family members would be proven the same.

"Chinta mat kar Ishita. Hum sab hai na tere saath. Humari Roohi bohot jaldi acchi ho jayegi." Simmi patted Ishita back and passed her an encouraging smile.