The Binding String

S I X T Y - E I G H T

Ishita replied in a cold voice, Raman shut his eyes with defeat expecting such reply from Ishita. A part of him wanted to approch her and hug her but he feared of her reaction too, Raman keep looking at Ishita who popped her vitals and left the room without sparing single look at him. Raman rubbed his forehead before he went to take shower, post shower Raman went back to look for Ishita, as expected he found her in his mother room but she was not sitting or tending their daughter. Ishita looked engrossed in completing some of her official work, he saw their daughter lying on the little bedding, fast asleep. Later that day he has tried to approach Ishita many times but every time she managed to avoid him. Raman hoped he would get a chance to spend the night with Ishita and their daughter but it was surprising to found her asleep with his mother and her mother in his parents room.

"Romi why they are sleeping in your room?"

"They've been sleeping since we bring her back from the hospital. Taiji and Aunty ji take care of her alternatively at night and Tauji sleeps in my room. " Raman nodded his head and went back in his room with slumped shoulders. Their was no warmth around, the happiness arrived in their lives but he felt himself distant and away from the same, he has imagined himself playing with his daughter at late night, helping Ishita in changing her diapers but only if things were better between them.

Only if!

Raman noticed a soft toy kept behind the pillows, it was a small teddy kept behind the pillows appeared like came as gift. He took the teddy and laid at the Ishita side of bed, sleep was far away from his eyes. He was struggling with the overwhelming feeling of fatherhood and fear of losing his family.

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A DAY LATER

Raman manages to corner his wife once realising no one is looking at them. He pulled her next to the refrigerator such that they were hidden from everyone. When his eyes met with Ishita he saw immense anger for himself which he decided not to acknowledge. He averted his eyes away from her before drawing a sharp breath and looking back at her, "Ishita what is this? Why are you avoiding me?"

"Leave my hand." Ishita replied in nonchalant tone trying to free herself from her husband grip. Raman dragged his wife along him towards upstairs, thankfully it was midnight and no-one was there to witness what is transpiring between the couple. He locked the door and looked back at Ishita who was passing dead glares to him.

"What do you want now Raman Bhalla?"

"I just want to talk with you. Just a normal conversation." Raman replied folding his hands against his chest. "You and our baby must live here, in this room and why you joined the work back? It's your duty to take care of the baby not my mother."

Ishita laughed darkly looking at her husband, she put the water bottle back on the table and walked towards him with folded hands. Her eyes matched with her husband, she tamed his arrogance with her anger compelled him to replace the arrogant look with a softer one. "Are you trying to make me learn my duties? Wow! An Undutiful husband himself is trying to make me learn regarding my responsibilities?

Where was you exactly when I sorry....." Ishita bit her tongue and passed him a sarcastic smile, "Sorry Sorry....you don't count me as human. I mean your daughter needed you the most? But wait!!!! She isn't your daughter! That's what you said few months back right?"

Ishita words trapped Raman in a guilt making him divert his eyes. She approached him and covered the remaining distance between them, "You please leave us alone. If you have so much concern for that child than go and fulfill some fatherly duties. You killed our marriage that day only when you accused me for infidelity." Ishita eyes darkened every time she spoke putting pressure on every word.