The Binding String

S E V E N T Y

Roohi hid her face in her mother bosoms making Ishita laugh harder. It's been weeks they got some family time for themselves, Ishita cherishes her husband warm embrace and unconditional love of Roohi. Pluto has become their constant friend in the afternoons, Mr and Mrs. Mukharjee has been busy with some works and mostly returns by late evening, they were hesitate to leave Pluto alone but Roohi who always been attached with Pluto asked her mother to keep him with them. Ishita too loved their two year old fur neighbour and she instantly agreed with Roohi demand.

"Papa I love Pluto hairs, and his tail too." Roohi took Pluto paw in her hand and started playing with him. The fur boy remained seated next to Raman, allowed Roohi to do whatever she wish.

"Yes. He has beautiful fur." Raman replied while patting his head, "You love Pluto?" Raman further asked to Roohi and she replied with a big grin on her face. Raman pulled her nose softly and took Pluto out realising it's his lunch time. Other side Roohi snuggled next to her mother, the medicines started to show their effect. "Roo do you know what is day after tomorrow?" Roohi wiggled her eyebrows, looked at her mother with curious filled eyes.

"It's Papa's birthday day after tomorrow." Roohi eyes widened with joy and she squealed still lying in her mother arms. "What we are going to do for Papa birthday? Shall I call him?"

"No Jaan. We will plan a big surprise party for Papa. What says?"

"Yes and we will gift him pink dress and one crown." Ishita bit her lower lip imagining her husband wearing hot pink color clothes. "Mumma and we will ask for unicorn theme cake." Ishita nodded her head silently and Roohi felt proud that her mother agreed with her ideas. Just like Roohi even Ishita was excited for Raman's birthday, roughly it's been three years they celebrated any of their birthdays together. Ishita covered Roohi with duvet and patted her head gently until she fell asleep. Roohi body needs time to heal, the medications are strong enough to make her sleep most of the day. Ishita drew the curtains before leaving the room, she need to check her new cleaning staff if they finished their work or not.

Recently they had appointed two females as a cleaning staff, with Roohi Ishita was unable to pay attention on the household works. Neelu took the responsibility of cooking and thus Ishita decided to appoint two females for cleaning and maintaining their apartment. Today, Ishita asked them to prepare guest rooms she planned to invite her in-laws for her husband birthday celebration. Keeping Roohi health in the mind, she thought to throw an intimate birthday party with family and friends but this year she is looking forward to celebrate Raman's birthday. She found Pluto resting over his bed in the TV lounge and Raman sitting over the reclining chair, engaged with a phone call.

She ruffled his hairs before going towards the guest room to complete the remaining works.

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A DAY LATER
NEARLY MIDNIGHT

"This board meeting was pointless Mihir." Raman rubbed his temple, he punched the elevator button and started tapping his feet, holding his laptop bag in one hand and mobile phone in another.

"I know but the investors were here and they're leaving tomorrow early in the morning." A reply came from another side, Raman stepped inside an elevator.

"Yes but still I was planning to spend my day with Roo." He rested his back against the wall, exhausted and tired after a hectic day. "You reached at home?"

"No. It will take a few more minutes." The elevator dinged and Raman fished out his set of house keys, "Okay. Drive safely. Good night." Raman disconnected the call and unlocked the door, he hoped if Ishita was not waiting for him today. The unusual darkness in the living area was strange for him, the switchboard was next to key holder, as soon as he pressed the buttons, a pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him towards him.

"Happy Birthday."

His wife sweet voice fell in his ears followed by cheers and hoots from his parents. "Happy Birthday Puttar." Santosh and Om pulled Raman in a big hug, Raman was surprised to find Mihika standing there next in the row and Mihir came running towards him from the main door.

"Happy Birthday Bhai." Mihir pulled Raman in a brotherly hug leaving him surprised. Raman was not able to comprehend with the overwhelming birthday surprise his family arranged for him, his wife came towards him with home baked cake, the living hall was decorated with his favourite roses. He shared another hug with his parents as everyone gathered together to celebrate his birthday.

"Roo?" Raman knew Roohi must be asleep but he hoped if she is awake.

"She is the one who wanted to arrange this surprise for you but she slept waiting for you." Raman nodded his head with a little sad smile, he asked everyone to join him and they cut cake together singing Happy Birthday in a hushed voice.

"It's really overwhelming. Thank you." Raman spoke looking at his parents and then at Mihir Mihika who were busy in relishing cake. He was talking with his sister over video call but his eyes were glued on his wife, he was not able to tear his eyes away from her. She looked phenomenal in cocktail blue suit, her face was devoid of any makeup yet she looked simply beautiful in his eyes.

He wanted to have words with her but he knew he suppose to wait longer.

"Mihir, be honest. That board meeting was a ploy, right?" Everyone gathered around for filter coffee, Ishita served coffee to everyone before taking a seat next to Raman.

"Well our darling Roohi ordered to keep her father free from his office on his birthday as well as she wanted to throw surprise for you as well so we just did some adjustments." Mihir shurgged his shoulders making Raman shake his head. Ishita streched her hand and forwarded a packet to raman she kept on side table earlier.

"What is it?" Raman narrowed his brows examining an envolope.

"Your daughter's gift." Raman tore the envolope and found pink birthday cap in it followed by a birthday greeting card. He admired the cake made on the front page which colored by Roohi. He opened the next page and his smile disappeared looking at another drawing.

Roohi tried to draw a man going to office with a briefcase in his hand, wearing Pink slacks and Pink Blazer. His gaze fell upon the small note written in his wife handwriting and he glared at her making her giggle.

Happy Birthday Pinky Kumar

"I am not going to leave you." He muttered in her ears making her giggle louder than usual. Raman wore the hat gifted by Roohi and asked Mihir to click his picture with the cake. The start of the birthday was exciting for Raman, after ages he celebrated his birthday with Ishita and his family, he entangled their hands and covered it skillfully with her dupatta. Ishita covered the distance between them, their eyes communicated the love they had for each other.

His phone beeped with numerous messages, out of various messages of birthday wish, his attention went upon one text message.

Happy Birthday Love. ❤️ Wanna continue what we left in the middle?

He reread the lines until the realisation dawned into him. She is never going to change her ways.