The Binding String

E I G H T Y - T W O

"Sir, there is a visitor asking for you." Raman frowned checking his wrist watch, it was ten at the night. "Who is it?"

"An old lady, she said she is your relative and want to see you immediately." Raman switched to CCTV and shocked finding the visitor. "Send them in."

He replied curtly wondering what made them land in such odd hours.

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Ten Minutes Later

"I am sorry for interrupting you but....." Bala stopped in the middle and looked at his mother in law who was sitting silently looking at Raman. Her eyes were looking down rather than looking at him, Raman filled the glass with water and forwaded to his mother in law who took it silently. Madhavi Iyer sniffed before looking at her son in law, "I am sorry kanna. I know my apology is not enough but.."

"You can speak whatever you want Amma." Raman encouraged his mother in law, yea in these days he never picked her call but now as she is infront of him he has no heart to ignore her.

"I am sorry Raman. I can understand your anger towards us, it was all my fault. I could have stopped this but..."

"But you didn't. I am not talking about that day but I am mentioning all the days when everyone traumatized Ishita with their words and you didn't care to stop them." Raman knew his words were cruel but those were still less than the verbal abuse his wife bore that day and all other years when she shared roof with her maternal family.

"She already suffered a lot, at least let her live with peace. All of you want her to stay away from your lives, right? Then let's do it." Raman started arranging his bag, he lost his will to stay more at the office. He hurriedly packed his stuffs and logged off all the devices he was working. Raman rang the bell and called the night staff to lock his floor.

"Raman, don't go kanna. I can't see her in the pain. I want her to share her pain with me." Madhavi begged holding Raman arm, his eyes met with Bala who was passing him pleading look. Raman and Bala both had discussion about Ishita and her family a day ago and they concluded that everyone from her own family is toxic for her and it would be better if she stay away from them. Raman understood Bala want him to reconsider his decision for the sake of Madhavi. Raman dropped his bag and adjusted his trousers before kneeling infront of old lady, "You want to share her pain na? Then come tomorrow at six pm, Bala will bring you." He gave his hand to Madhavi and picked his stuff from another hand as they left for their homes.

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NEXT MORNING
YOGA AND WELLNESS CENTRE
GULMOHAR ENCLAVES
NEW DELHI

"Now, stand on your toes and bend back slowly as possible." Ishita rested her hands on her lower back and widened her legs more as instructed by her yoga instructor. She started bending back slowly as possible, the movement was enough to ease up her tensed muscles. Once coming back to the original posture, she rested her hands on her waist, ready to follow next instruction. "Are you feeling any pain?"

"No."

"Can you do further exercises?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Then lie down on the mat, and then we will do further exercises." Ishita nodded her head, the instructer went to other side whereas she stretched her hands upwards before preparing her body for the next session of yoga. She almost lost her balance while trying to sit on the floor when a pair of arm caught her and she shut her eyes tightly.

"Dekh ke Ishita." Her husband deep voice made her open her eyes with a jerk, Ishita smiled weakly looking at Raman who came out of nowhere, he tightened his hold around her waist and their eyes remained locked until the churn of thr door made them apart."