The Binding String

S E V E N T Y - S I X

I hate and love you at the same time  Raman.

Ishita cursed her husband with anger and frustration, gazing nowhere particular. She wished someone who can help her to come out from this emotional mess when she felt a tug on her dress. She wiped off her eyes and looked at her daughter who was staring at her carrying Oreo in her arms. Ishita kneeled down and raised her left brow looking at her little daughter who appeared ready to cry any second.

"Jaan. Kya hua?" (What happened darling?)

"Aap kahan thi Mumma?" (Where was you Mumma?) Roohi left Oreo on the floor and wrapped her arms around Ishita neck. Ishita engulfed her in a warm hug continued to pat her back, she understood her daughter woke up in half sleep. "I am here only beta."

"Aap mere aur Oreo ke pas nahi the." (But you was not sleeping beside me.) Roohi nestled her face in her mother bosoms, Ishita chuckled on her daughter and looked at little Oreo who was circling around her feet. She picked the empty cup of coffee and decided to walk back in the room. It was a task for her to carry Oreo and Roohi in her arms altogether. Once reaching back in the room she made Roohi sit on the bed and carefully tucked Oreo on his small bed which they keep in their room. She sanitized her hands and than looked at Roohi who was staring at her with an adorable pout on her lips. Ishita loosened the string of her robe and cradled Roohi in her arms once she settled herself on the bed.

"What made my baby wake up?"

"Aap mere pas nahi thi na, mujhe aapke bina ninni nahi aati hai Mumma." (I can't sleep without you.) Roohi replied snuggling next to her chest. Ishita dropped a soft kiss on her forehead, she draw the quilt over them feeling cold around. Roohi sensed the silence from other side and she peeped through her lashes only to found her mother lost in some deep thoughts. She came out from her grip and keenly observed her face which left Ishita chuckled.

"Kya hua beta?"

"Aap ro rahe the?" (You was crying?) Ishita took aback as her daughter words fell in her ears. She was surprised wondering how her little girl figure out if she was crying.

"Nahi beta. Aapko aisa kyon laga?" (No darling but what made you think so?)

"Aapke cheeks par black black lines Bane hue hai, Dadi wo serial dekhti hai na TV pe, usmein woh Parvati aati hai na Mumma. Usko bhi aise cheeks par lines aa jaate hai black black." (Because you had black lines on your cheeks, just like that lady showed in tv serials.) Ishita giggled listening her daughter words, she wondered how her little baby notice everything so keenly. She playfully bit her cheeks making her yell dramatically, Ishita carefully made her sit on her lap continued to hold her tightly through her waist. "Ye sab kab dekha aapne?" (When you saw that serial?)

"Dadi ke sath, dadi dekh rahi thi na us din." (Along grandmother.) Roohi moved her hands making animated expressions leaving Ishita split into laughter. "You don't have to watch these stupid shows darling." Ishita smothered Roohi hairs and started pleating them. She braided her hairs and tied colorful rubber bands at the end, once satisfied with her work Ishita gently applied baby moisturizer on her face.

"Hmm now my baby looks beautiful." She pulled her cheeks leaving her frowned. Roohi who was not ready to convince from her mother actions, rested her hands upon her hips and took a closer look of her mother. "Don't lie Mama. You was crying na?" Ishita sighed and passed helpless looks to her daughter who took her original place and cupped her mother face with her tiny hands.