The Binding String

E I G H T Y - F O U R

"Aunty she is not there." Ishita replied in one go, resting her hands on her hips.

"Trust me bhabhi ji, bitiya was sleeping there only. After making her asleep, I collected the laundry basket from bahu ji room, soaked her clothes to wash in laundry area and went out to purchase the vegetable list you prepared." And that moment Ishita dashed towards the laundry area, the washing machine was closed and her and Roohi clothes were soaked in the buckets. The laundry basket was kept aside, still half filled with clothes. Ishita kneeled down and removed the clothes only to find her little daughter fast asleep on the heap of clothes.

"Roohi!!!"

Her in-laws rushed in the laundry area on her voice and the couple was astonished too finding their granddaughter in Ishita arms.

"Mummy ji she was sleeping the laundry basket." Ishita unanswered her mother in law unanswered questions while carrying sleepy baby in her arms. She was sucking her thumb and lost in her own world where the three adult couldn't help to stop themselves from giggling.

"Kaisi khotti hai ye, khud soi padi hai aur humari jaan nikal di isne." Santhosh peaked Roohi tiny feet wiping off her tears.

"But how she came there?"

"Papa ji she learnt to flip recently, the laundry basket was already half filled and kept at the side of the bed where she was sleeping. Maybe she flipped and fell over the clothes, and since we keep the lights dim Krishna aunty might not have seen her and might dumped more clothes in the hamper."

"Rabba! Chatanki bhar ki hai aur sabki batti laga di isne." Santhosh said dramatically at the same time Roohi sleep disturbed and she babbled in her babyish voice which caught everyone's attention.

"Uth gayi badmash." Santhosh swatted on her diaper covered bum making the little girl giggle. She hid herself in her mother bosoms continued to giggle. "Toshi ji i am thinking to call doctor. She was sleeping under the clothes." Ishita too frowned and involuntarily started to caress her baby hairs hoping if things turn out fine with her daughter.

"Don't worry aunty ji Roohi is absolutely fine." The pediatrician living in their building was done checking Roohi who was still seated on her mother lap, busy in making gruggling sounds. Santhosh came back from kitchen and passed the feeding bottle to Ishita, "She must be hungry."

Ishita reluctantly took bottle from her mother in law hand and started feeding Roohi. Roohi held bottle with her little palms making Ishita smile, she rested her back letting her enjoy her milk. She turned into beautiful child these days, the way her curly hairs fall on her round face and the dimpled smile can steal anyone's heart. Ishita felt a tug on her wrist and found Roohi playing with her bracelet, she looked fascinated with the diamonds and other stone.

"Glaabaaa...baaa....." Roohi continued to play with her mother when her grandfather tried to take her in her arms. "Look like Roohi wants to spend some time with her mother." Om Prakash replied caressing Ishita head, "Puttar why don't you take her for an evening walk?"

"Me?" Ishita asked surprised.

"Yes, you. Krishna Ji will bring her pram. Go take her for an evening walk." Ishita nodded her head clearly not in a position to deny her father in law. She never feel like to argue with her in laws especially her father in law who always treated her more then Simmi. Ishita tried to make her sit in the pram but the little girl refused to leave her. She tightened her small fist around her kurta neckline making it hard for Ishita to make her sit in the pram.