The Binding String

S I X T Y - E I G H T

"What's the need of all this mam?"

"These are just gratitude gifts, it's from Roohi." Ishita smiled at young doctor making them smile. They hugged Roohi one by one, in these days Roohi became an apple of everyone eye. Every doctor who was involved in doctor Ansari team created a great bond with Bhalla's especially Roohi. As a sign of gratitude, Raman and Ishita bought gifts for the team of doctors and nurses. "I am going to miss you princess."

"Me too." Roohi pulled Dr. Shivani cheeks making Ishita smile. She let Roohi play with them and went near to Raman who was done completing all the formalities related with discharge. Ishita thanked the administration team and than signalled helpers to take their stuff in parking area.

"Raman let's meet Dr. Ansari and Dr. Shandilya before leaving." They decided to have words with doctors before leaving, revising and reminding themselves if they're forgetting anything. Before they could move out, Dr. Ansari himself came to meet Roohi. They had words with him regarding the next scheduled appointment of Roohi and than Dr. Ansari approched Roohi who was playing and giggling.

"Are you happy to go back to your home?"

"Yes but I will miss everyone here." Roohi pouted sadly making everyone go awwed at her. "Will you come at our place to meet me?"

"Definitely darling." Dr. Ansari patted her head, "Thank you so much doctor for giving us our daughter back." Ishita voice turned heavy, gazing at Roohi. She remembered the day when she made her admit here unconscious and after discovering her health all she wished and imagined her to go back all happy and smiling if it's not Dr. Ansari and his capable team than this dream might remain as dream.

"Whatever we have done is a part of our duty Mr. Bhalla. She is just like daughter for me. Take great care of her." Raman nodded his head and shared a warm hug with Dr. Ansari. People's step inside hospital with apprehension and fear, sometimes we even blame doctors if something goes wrong forgetting the truth that they're the one who saves our life.

"Definitely sir and please come to our place if possible. We would love to host you."

"Sure Mr. Raman." Their conversation interrupted when Raman driver, Sateesh came to call him. "Sir we have kept everything and other cars also came from our old place."

"Okay. I guess it's time to leave." Raman murmured, Ishita came holding Roohi in her arms who appeared in the half sleep. Raman encircled his arm around Ishita shoulder as they left the premises, Raman helped Ishita in settling down at the backseat and he himself sat beside her where Mihir secured passenger seat. His parents were coming in another car accompanied by Romi, when Raman and Ishita came here they were a couple who just learnt the meaning of love and respect in a marriage. They had a lot to explore and share with each other and they were looking forward to start a new life with each other and their daughter. When they decided to start afresh with each other Roohi illness came as a hurricane in their life. They tested their love in those weeks, listened to each other's stories and learnt the value of the moments they lost. Both Raman and Ishita realised they emerged out more strongly while fighting through Roohi medical conditions . Ishita looked at Raman who covered Roohi with the shawl and shifted close to her, the couple shared a soft smile as they leaned against each other enjoying the silence.

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It took an hour to them reach back to their apartment, Raman helped Ishita in climbing down from the car and signalled his driver to take the stuffs upstairs. Ishita tightened her hold around sleeping Roohi as they stepped inside the elevator. "Almost a month. We are coming back to home almost after a month." Raman sighed with relief making Ishita smile. She patted Roohi head with a relaxed face. The elevator soon dinged at twentieth floor and they walked out together. Ishita gasped with surprise finding thr entire corridor decorated to welcome them. A pathway made with rose petals, her mother in law who reached few minutues early urged her to walk on the same. Raman held Ishita through her shoulders as they walked together, she smiled with joy finding their neighbour Mr and Mrs Mukharjee standing along her in laws. Their pet Pluto wiggled his tail and barked looking at Roohi and Raman. Raman kneeled down and patted his head as Santhosh asked the couple to come together for aarthi. Together they entered inside their house carrying their daughter, such rituals never performed earlier since Roohi kept in the NICU and the entire family was toiling between hospital and home. "May almighty keep her away from all evil eye." Mrs. Shobhna applied kohl behind Roohi ears as they entered inside their apartment, the entire apartment was decorated with frills and balloons making them grin. A huge banner of Welcome Roohi was hung in the living area. If Roohi would awake, she enjoyed every thing done by her aunt and uncles. Simi came forward and shared a hug with her brother and sister in-law before helping her bhabhi to take Roohi inside.