The Binding String

S E V E N T Y - F I V E

The accident was major, and I went into coma. Eight months later when I gained conscious, my world was changed Raman. I lost my son and my Samaira didn't remained the woman she was. My competitors and partners did a big fraudulent and we ended up penniless. Samaira sold out our bunglow to fund my treatment and nothing left for us. It was a major blow for me to take, we decided to live in Zurich only, away from the happy memories we created once. We shifted to Zurich in a rented apartment hoping to start a new life but my wife she was a changed woman now. I tried many times to talk her but she hardly replied, I can understand the untimely death of our son left her shocked . One fine day when I tried to confront her she yelled upon me and accused me for being the reason of Samay death.

I don't know what made her feel the same but it was devastating for me Raman. Her accusations were cruel and heartbreaking to take.

You snatched my son Vikram. My baby died because of your carelessness. We are living a pitiful life all because of you.

Those were the beginning of the hateful taunts from her, our family life started to turn more toxic with each passing day. Since I was bedridden, Samaira was the one who was running our house and meeting up our needs but it was a shock for me that how she managing to sustain our lavish lifestyle in her meagre salary. I have questioned her many times but she shrugged me off first and later showed me the offer letter given by you."

"This was all Vikram?" Raman asked further trying to connect the dots. "What happened after that? It's true she was working with us and we were also paying her good amount as salary."

"Yes, but that happened few months back only Raman. Before that she was just working as a waitress."

"She might be taking help from her home. Her father is a millionaire and I am surprised why no one from her family never came to help you."

"Well that was surprise for me as well but when I talked with her parents they told me Samaira didn't wanted anyone to accompany us. After months of physiotherapy I was able to stand back on my feet and started to do fewer household things when one fine day I discovered few packets from her closet, those were cocaine packets undoubtedly. Same night, I evasdropped her conversation with few of drug peddlers and then I realised she is involved with powerful gangs and helps in smuggling drugs. Before I could take any step to stop her, her involvement with you grew more. I tried to stop her from working with you but she misinterpret everything and you send police at our place. At the same time your and Samaira pictures and affair speculations were also on the tabloids and later she shifted to another apartment along Amaaya aren't all these things were enough to make me believe that something is going between you two."

Raman slammed his hand on the table top of his mahagony wooden table. He never dreamt if a friendship which he looked as a comfort zone could be misinterpret in such drastic way. Yes, he was the one who was at fault, he deceived his policy to involve third person in his personal life and he is bearing the consequences of the same. This time Raman Kumar Bhalla is the sole reason of the troubles going to enter in his life.

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PRESENT DAY
HOTEL EMPERIAL HEIGHTS
ROOFTOP LOUNGE
NEW DELHI

Ishita wiped off mist from her eyes thinking and rethinking about the tragic things taken place in Samaira life. Yes, she is a culprit in her eyes but at the same time it was heartbreaking for her to losyen and imagine the pain she had gone through. She looked at Vikram, his eyes were misty just like her own he was gazing or better say adoring his daughter who was playing happily with the hotel staff.

"I don't know what to say Vikram, I feel sorry for your loss but nothing can justify the actions taken by Raman and Samaira." Ishita replied in hoarse voice, eyeing at Raman who was sitting with blank face.