The Binding String

E I G H T Y - F O U R

"What happened aunty?"

"Ishita my daughter was trying landline number and she said they're getting busy tone on that number."

"Huh!" The details were too much handle for Ishita, where she was trying to connect the dots Raman came running towards her and hold Pluto leash. "Ishita I think we should go upstairs."

"But why Raman?" Ishita was not able to grasp the meaning behind his words but her heart want to believe on him. With Pluto, Mukharjee's and his parents they entered inside the elevator and pinged their floor number.

****************

As soon as they unlocked the apartment, all of them gasped finding Oreo playing with the receiver of the landline phone. Ishita Raman shared an unbelievable look with each other as they entered inside the apartment.

"Woof woof!!"

Raman ran towards Oreo who was struggling to free himself from the wire. He lifted his tiny body gently and started to untangle him whereas Ishita started to look here and there wondering how little Oreo landed here. Meanwhile Pluto who was standing next to Raman held Ishita kurta in between his teeth and started to drag her inside and she got her breaths back when she found her daughter sound asleep in Mrs. Mukharjee room.

"Roo." Ishita turned on the lights and shook the sound asleep daughter. It was a surprise to find Roohi at Mrs. Mukharjee place. "How she came here?" Raman who just entered in the room looked at Ishita with surprised filled tone. Ishita shrugged her shoulders clueless as Raman, the couple took her in their arms and took her outside. It was relief for everyone after finding her safe and sound but none of them were able to understand how Roohi landed at Mukharjee's place.

"Roo wake up." Ishita patted her cheek gently whereas Roohi was still sleeping in her father arms. "Wake up Shona."

"Roohi come on wake up baba." This time Ishita shake her body making her open her eyes somehow. Where her parents sigh with relief Roohi rubbed her eyes and hugged her father making the couple roll their eyes.

"Hayo rabba. Kinna soti hai ye kudi." Santhosh Bhalla exclaimed dramatically making everyone chuckle. Ishita looked at her husband who was peppering kiss on Roohi forehead, he might didn't showed but he was scared for her maybe more than her. Ishita rubbed his shoulder and started to tickle Roohi feet and the girl whined on her mother acts.

"Chalo stop throwing tantrums and utho ab." Roohi made a sad pout listening her mother and looked at everyone. "Aaj koi party hai kya?" Roohi questioned her father scratching her head.

"Koi party nahi hai aaj aur aap ye batao aap yahan kaise aayi?"

"Dadi ke saath." Roohi replied in her innocent babyish voice still snuggling in her father arms.

"Dugga!!! You was playing downstairs na?" Shobhna Ji exclaimed sitting infront of Roohi.

"No Dadi, I came with you only." Roohi denied this time she straightened her back and folded her legs.

"But when? And you denied when I asked you." Shobhna Ji was still clueless how this little girl came to twentieth floor.

"Ale Dadi, I want to go pee pee na." Roohi showed her pinky finger making everyone chuckle, "Maine aapse kaha tha, aap song sun Rahi thi na uspe."

Shobhna ji looked towards her headphones which were resting on her shoulders, she sighed and hit her head with her palms recalling she was actually listening music that time. Her husband Mr. Aurobindo supposed to take his evening medicine which he forgot to bring with him. When Shobhna ji was going upstairs she asked Roohi if she want to go for the loo but the little girl was too much occupied with her friends that she didn't realised the need to go for pee until she felt an urge to go to washroom. When she ran towards the elevator there was already so four five adults there and hence Roohi being youngest person almost pushed at the farthest corner of the elevator. Whole time she was carrying Oreo in her arms who was little frightened with the crowd and remained snuggled in her arms.

"But aunty, how come you didn't noticed her?" Ishita questioned intrigued to know further.

"Darling I was listening to music on a little higher volume and actually a power cut happened for a few minutes when I came here so maybe Roohi entered the apartment that time only." All the elders present there shook their heads realising the blunder happened there.

"But if she hinted me even for once then all this mess never happened." Shobhna Ji whispered frightened with the thought that the little girl was alone at the flat for who two hours.

"Yes Roo you should have informed aunty or atleast leave Oreo behind." Ishita gently whispered caressing Roohi head.

"Usko bhi toh pee pee jana tha na Mumma." Ishita chuckled on listening Roohi argument, Shobhna Ji took Roohi in her arms and peppered her face with kisses. "We were really scared Roohi." The Mukharjee couple whispered hugging Roohi, their selfless love for Roohi made Raman Ishita overwhelmed. They were really blessed to have such parent figures in their lives. Just like Raman Ishita even Om Prakash and Santhosh too believe their children got the best people in their lives, Shobhna Ji and Aurobindo Ji love and guidance will always guide them.

"But shona aapko dar nahi laga akele?"

"Mujhe laga aap mujhe dhoondhne aaoge toh main chup gayi, aapne kaha tha na hum hide and seek khelenge."

"Hayo rabba! Ishita teri kudi chota phataka hai." Santhosh Bhalla exclaimed dramatically making everyone laugh.

"Ye toh wahi baat ho gayi, bagal mein chora sheher mein dhindhora." Mr. Aurbindo joined Santhosh Bhalla pulling Roohi cheeks, where everyone were laughing roohi realised all of them are laughing on her expenses.

"Dadi, aap mujh choti bacchi pe kyon has rahi ho?"

"Choti? Khotti hai tu ek number di aur tera ye bhai bhi khotta hai." Santhosh Bhalla knowingly pulled Roohi leg.

"Dadi....." Roohi whined while srunching her nose which made everyone laugh louder. Santhosh Bhalla moved towards Shobhna Ji and warmly held her hands. Aur tussi bhi, chaddo ye rona shona aur aaj aap log humare saath dinner shinner karoge." The Mukharjee couple agreed and Santhosh Bhalla decided to prepare Punjabi delicacies for their neighbours. Where everyone retired at Raman Ishita place, the couple left there alone. The moment they were left alone Raman hugged Ishita tightly.

"She is safe and sound." Ishita whispered caressing Raman back.

"I was scared yaar."

"Mee too." Ishita bit her lip looking at Raman, the couple wiped each other tears and hugged each other tightly. "Woof woof!!" They found Oreo dancing around them, Raman knowingly ignored him and started patting Pluto back. He even kissed his head making Oreo bark louder.

"Don't talk to me, lazy ass. Both brother and sister are alike, lazy fellow. Only Pluto is sensible here." Pluto wagged his tail in the response whereas Oreo barked on Raman feeling Raman might be upset with him. Little Oreo started to run around Ishita legs with puppy dogs eyes and his dramatic actions were enough to make her broke into laughter. She took his in her arms and signalled Raman to come. They locked their neighbours apartment and the four moved back, looking forward to spend evening with everyone.

I am sorry if you didn't feel this part up to mark, already lots of drama going on and adding kidnapping angle would elevated it more. It's pretty common for kids to sleep while playing and even I tried to show something same. Again apology if it wasn't not up to your expectations but yes I am not in favour to bring more trauma in Roohi life.