The Binding String

S E V E N T Y - T H R E E

"Where you're roaming taking him?"

"He is hungry Mumma." Ishita looked at Raman who cradled little pup in his arms and asked Neelu to prepare milk for him. Roohi gushed looking at her father who helped little pup in finishing the milk.

"Mumma! He will sleep with me." Roohi tried to convince her mother who passed her disapporving looks.

"No Roo. Papa has ordered another bed for him."

"But why can't he sleep wth me?"

"He is small Roo, he need to sleep comfortably." Ishita reasoned she was not in favor to allow Oreo to sleep on her bed. She feels discomfort with dogs around her.

"But Mumma..."

"Roo! You're suppose to listen Mumma." Ishita replied in a strict tone leaving Roohi mum. She climbed on her father lap and wounded her arms around his neck, first she peaked his right cheek and then left which was enough to leave the duo amused.

"Okay! Oreo will sleep on other bed but can we bring someone else to sleep next to me?"

"Who?" Raman creased his eyebrows looking at his daughter passing puppy looks to him.

"A small sister or brother. Like Rohit. Pleasee Papa." Ishita who was eating the pakora chocked the food and started to cough. "Lets go Papa. We will bring him from the shop." Roohi pulled Raman through his neck making him yelp with pain. "I don't know baba. How would I know."

"Mumma!!" Roohi curved her lips looking at her mother.

"Darling! Its really tough to manage babies, moreover you have a baby brother." Ishita pointed towards little Rohit who was playing with his father. Roohi blinked her eyes several times and jumoed down from her father lap to run towards her uncle.

"God! These kids are!!" Ishita exclaimed shaking her head.

"What do you think about Roo wish?" Raman question caught Ishita off-guard. She shrugged her shoulder looking at Raman, the idea of second child never crossed their mind in these months. "I don't know. Are you serious about the same?"

"No! I want to give all my love and attention to Roo, she deserve the love and attention from us."

"I agree Raman. Even I don't want to divert my attention and now we have Mr. Oreo to take care as well." Ishita chuckled looking at Oreo who was running behind Roohi and Mira. The couple shared a smile and leaned their backs, their moment lasted shorter when Roohi came back again with a grumpy face.

"What happened now?"

"I don't like small babies Mumma. Rohit and Oreo peed upon me. I don't want small baby anymore." Roohi cried louder making her parents burst into laughter. She held Roohi hand and took her inside to change.

*********************

FEW HOURS LATER

The private terrace of Ishita Raman apartment was lavishly decorated with orchids and lilies for the evening, the area was illuminating with the fairy lights which were decorated along balloons. Their pictures were decorated on the one wall whereas HAPPY BIRTHDAY written on another. Raman was wearing beige pant and waistcoat paired with white shirt and red cravat, Ishita herself chose a black sequin one piece dress for the evening. Raman shared a hug with his parents and then Mihir, his eyes were stuck at Ishita who was standing few steps behind. He was thankful of his wife who planned this entire birthday surprise for him.

"Thank you for coming here. You guys made my day." Raman replied, he pulled Roohi towards him and pulled her nose as she was insisting him to bend down. "Happy Birthday Papa." Roohi made him wear handmade birthday cap, roughly colored with magenta pink color. Roohi held her father hand as the two cut the cake together, Ishita captured the moment in her phone feeling mist forming in her eyes. She was hesitating to move forward and eat cake from his hand but Raman who was done feeding cake to his parents walked towards Ishita and asked her to take a bite.