The Binding String

S I X T Y - S I X

"Show me some sign Mata Rani that you heard my prayers. Show me some sign that my Rooh is going to be fine after today's surgery." Ishita begged infront of almighty her head was covered with dupatta and cheeks were smeared with tears. When she opened her eyes she found the first ray of sun falling on her face, the bright sun peeped through the dark thick clouds, the holy flower fell in her hands and her eyes brimmed with tears. She closed her fist and kept it next to her heart.

"You may perform aarti now." Raman and Ishita nodded their heads and performed first aarti of the day along their family members. The yagna soon started and they performed initial ceremony, the rain didn't stopped but intensity lessened the winds erre soothing not scary anymore. Ishita smiled looking at Raman who held her hand as they started to descend stairs to go back to hospital.

"Shall we visit gurudware? It's still time." Simmi spoke once they settled back in the car, everyone nodded their heads and zoomed towards the gurudware, the morning ardas going to start anytime. They bend infront of god and wished for Roohi good health, Simmi hugged her sister in law once they came out from gurudware and assured her things need to fall back at right place. "It's going to be seven we shall reach back to hospital."

Raman spoke to get everyone attention, Romi didn't came back from gurudware. "Look like Romi is hell bent to make his wish come true from babaji." Simmi commented making Raman chuckle.

"He was the only one who was present with me that morning Simmi. I can totally relate with his emotions." Ishita spoke looking at Romi who was wearing his gliders. A sadness cam be seen on Raman face as Ishita discussed about the events happened on her delivery day. None of them spoke a word after that, the gurudwara was ten minutes away from the hospital and they reached in no time.

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"Dr. Shivani how's Roohi?"

"Her vitals are fine Ishita Ji. We have performed necessary tests before the procedure. Dr. Ansari and Dr. Gourav are already here, they will see you in a few minutes."

"Can we meet Roohi?" Ishita asked further, they were sitting in Dr. Ansari cabin. "Yes sure. We will put her on anesthesia soon." Ishita Raman nodded their heads and approached the ICU room, they were nervous to face Roohi. Raman Ishita prayed to give them strength to face Roohi, when they pushed the glass door they met their daughter beaming face. She was giggling and playing with Dr. Rahul. "Mumma!" Roohi sound was little low and eyes were droopy it was evident that she is still under an effect of sedatives.

"Happy Birthday my champ." Ishita kissed her forehead and cupped Roohi face, Roohi reciprocate her mother kisses and passed her a flying kiss. "Happy Birthday my Doll." Raman too left a sloppy kiss on Roohi hairs, she wanted to hop on her mother lap but the cannula attached on her palms restricted her. "Mumma do i have to go alone inside?"

"You won't be alone, we will be with you." Dr. Shivani spoke from distance, the young doctor passed a rose to Roohi and wished her birthday.

"Yes and we all will be with you." Raman Ishita assured there daughter together, they were amazed to see how their four years daughter was keeping a brave face. Ishita took the holy flower she got from temple and touched it on Roohi forehead and than her eyes. She kept it next to her pillow and lovingly stare at Roohi. An anesthesiologist arrived meanwhile and greeted the couple checking all the pre check up reports, she injected anthesia to the drip, Ishita was looking at every procedure minutely having her husband hand on her back. Unlike today no one was with her four years back, the fear and trauma she faced that day still shudder her.

It was raining like cats and dogs in the city that day, Ishita was alone at her home when she listened heart stabbing words from Raman over the phone call. Her gut wrenched and legs wobbled, she fell on the floor broke with his accusations.