Strings that Connect Us

|Chapter - 9: Conversing|

“Ma, ek baat puchun?” She asks, gazing at her mother.

“Han beta, bol naa! Tu aise kyun puch rahi hain?” Ragini moves her hand in her daughter’s hair.

“Main dekh rahi hoon, kuch time se Papa bahut pareshan rehte hain. Kya aapko bhi lagta hain main kuch galti karungi?”

“Nahi Beta, aisa nahi hain. Lekin tum jaanti ho na hum kin haalaton mein usey yahan laaye they. 15 saal beet gaye hain uss baat ko, lekin beta, ek darr toh bana rehta hain. Aur tum hamare rishteydaaron ko toh jaanti ho. Unko hamesha yahi baat khatakti hain ki kahin wahi log kuch kah na dein. “

“Aur beta, tum dono abhi jis umar mein ho, usme koi bhi bahak sakta hain. Main jaanti hoon, tu Anu ka pura dhyan rakhegi, aur vo bhi toh tujhse bahut pyaar karti hain. Lekin beta, kahin na kahin darr toh rahega.” Ragini begins to explain.

“Lekin Ma, hume unse baat hi nahi karni hai, Papa ko kahiye wo ye sab na sochein. Aur main promise karti hun, meri wajah se bhi kuch galat nahi hoga.” Ruhana assures her mom.

Ragini says nothing but embraces her daughter in a soothing hug. Meanwhile, a cheerful but annoyed voice greets them.

“Arey, aap dono mere bina hug kar rahe ho? This is very unfair.” it’s Anamika, who’s standing at the door and gazing at her mother and sister.

“Anuuu! Tu itni jaldi aa gayi? Tu toh keh rahi thi na kal tak wapas aayegi.” Ruhana jumps in surprise and rushes to hug her sister.

“Haan, Di! Actually, college se kuch duty orders aa gaye they teachers ke liye toh ek din prepond karna pada.” Anamika responds, as she hugs her sister.

“Achcha, toh tujhe batana chahiye tha. Mumma ne Poha banaya tha, toh main tere liye bacha ke rakhti.” Ruhana says while pulling her inside, and Anamika hugs her mother.

“Aapne mere liye nahi bachaya isliye aapko saza milegi. Aap mere liye maggie banaogi, wo bhi extra cheesy.” Anamika commands.

“Aur koi hukum?” Ruhana gazes at her and the girl nods cutely.

Anamika points towards her forehead, and her sister knows her demand. It’s been her habit since childhood, Ever since, Ruhana and Anamika formed a sweet bond, the latter demanded to former to kiss her forehead. She once explained that she felt secure and comfortable with her. And then, Ruhana started this tradition.

Even she loved staying close to her only sister. Ruhana softly kisses her forehead and then asks her to freshen up. Anamika agrees and runs into her room.

Ragini gives Ruhana a forehead kiss, taking her by surprise. She looks at her mom, who taps her cheek.

“Ye tumhara inaam hain. Tumne hamesha Anamika ko khud se pehle rakha hain na, aur sabse zyada pyar bhi tum usi se karti ho. Isliye tum bhi toh inaam deserve karti ho. Kyunki teri Ana ke liye toh tu hi uska inaam hain.” Ragini explains.

“Mumma, hum sab saath mein rahenge, hamesha.” She hugs her mother as tight as she could.

Ragini closes her eyes to pray that the love amidst her daughters stays intact.

Meanwhile, Ruhana’s phone rings, it’s one of her friends. Ragini lets her talk and moves into the kitchen to put the noodles to boil. Meanwhile, Ruhana stands near the main door, talking to her friend, until she says something and Ruhana rages at her friend.

“Oh, shut up, Shreya! Tumhe pata bhi hain, tum kya bol rahi ho? Aur tumhari himmat kaise hui, ye sab bolne ki?”

“Just shut up, Shreya! Mujhe kuch nahi sunna!”

Saying so she cuts the call and throws the phone on the couch. Anamika is stunned to see her sister angry. Ruhana has never shown anger ever since she has been around her. She runs to her and pulls her in a hug, trying to calm her.

“Di, everything will be fine. Shant ho jaao. Logon ko bolne do. Humko farak na padta. Shant ho jao.” Anamika embraces her in her arms, and Ruhana breaks down suddenly, leaving her sister and mother shocked.

To Be Continued.