The Binding String

E I G H T Y - F O U R

"Raman. Shall we call police?" Her eyes were teary looking at Raman. "Let's try one more time." He consoled her and went near the kids, "Guys, do you remember where Roohi went to hide?"

"Uncle she went towards the store room. She and Zoya both went there." One boy Daksh spoke.

"Where is Zoya then?" Ishita inquired.

"She went with her parents in middle of the game." Raman asked for Zoya parents and Ishita dialled their number. Her conversation lasted about two minutes, Raman and his parents eyes were stuck at Ishita.

"What happened?"

"She said she never went with her, since her mother called her before she could hide. No one knows about our Roo." Ishita went teary and hugged Raman, the mere thought of losing Roohi was enough to slump down her heart. Ishita again went in the play area and started looking all the places where Roohi enjoy playing. The swings and the play area beneath the big slide, her darling is not anywhere. A little cave like thing was also there she peeped inside again, she remember once Roohi stayed there for whole half an hour and stated it's her mini house.

"Aap Kahan ho beta? Mumma ko bohot dar lag raha hai." Ishita cried silently, praying for her safety. Meanwhile Raman also came there after checking the cycling and other areas carefully. They assumed she might slept waiting for her friends but sadly she was not found anywhere.

"Don't worry. I believe she is safe." Raman consoled Ishita but in response she hugged him back already feeling restless due to her sudden disappearance.

"Raman. Can we consider the case of abduction?"

"It can be but it would be too soon to reach on conclusion." He stated making Ishita hummed. "Let's go back. Everyone must be waiting for us." He wiped off her tears and they returned back in thr main premesis where his parents and other neighbours were standing.

"I am sorry Ishita. It's all my fault." Ishita eyes went on Shobhna Ji who was standing infront of her with folded hands.

"Nahi aunty, please. It's not your fault."

"Exactly Shobhna Ji, we were together when Roohi was playing. We went to take another round and she was missing."

"You checked at home?"

"Ishita, all the househelps went after afternoon duties, we locked home on our own."

"Yes and keys are at our place." Shobhna ji completed making Ishita nod her head. "I asked her if she wanted to go for loo but she denied so there is no chance if she is upstairs." Ishita nodded her head, it was nearly eight at the evening and her anxiety started to grow more. Ishita looked towards Pluto who was barking continuously from the time they entered inside the society, she patted his head hoping he calmed down but in contrary he tugged the end of her kurta and started to drag her towards the elevator. Ishita freed him immediately trying to understand his actions when shobhna ji came towards her.

"Why you freed him Ishita?"

"He looked restless aunty." Ishita replied, Pluto again held the end of her kurta and started to indicate her towards an elevator which was itself strange for her.

"Aunty why he is pointing towards elevator?"

"I don't know dear...." Meanwhile Shobhna ji phone rang displaying her daughter name. "What!! Really?"