The Binding String

N I N T Y

"Papa."

Mumma.

Aap dono kahan ho?"

Roohi keeps calling her parents names wondering if one of them is inside.

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

"Call my name one more time."

"Shut up and listen to me. It's just days left for diwali and we have so much to do, now you have to accompany me for shopping. We have to purchase gifts, home decor and new clothes as well. Samjhe."

"Han han I will come with you but please call my name again na.It sounds erotic when you whisper my name." Their hands were wrapped around each other necks, the water was still falling over them blocking almost all the sounds coming from outside. He lathered her hair with the shampoo and massaged her scalp.

"Raman what do you think about celebrating diwali? I mean should we go to mayur vihar or call Mummy ji and papa ji here?"

"Kya madrasan? Main yahan romantic ho raha hoon aur tu Ghar grihasti lekar baithi hai."

"We were doing that only na. Mihika is right, you men has no interest in household works." They continued their banter and turned off the shower knob. Ishita stretched her hands towards the hanger to take her clothes and closed her eyes realising they forgot to take their clothes.

"Mumma.

Papa."

"Han jaan." The couple replied in unison absentmindedly.

"Mumma Papa aap dono andar kya kar rahe ho?"

The pleased look they had few seconds ago replaced with a horrified face and they put their hands on their mouth realising the blunder they had done.

"Bolo na Mumma. Papa aap bahar aao na. Roohi ko aapko hug karna hai." Roohi sounded enthusiast and excited, eager to see her father.

"Wo....wo...." Ishita stuttered running out of words at the same time Raman stood facing the tiles to hide his face. The tiles never looked appealing him before. Ishita bit her tongue and threw spare towel on her husband head making him groan.

"Wo Roo...Mumma stuck inside so Papa came to help her." Raman blabbered whatever came into his mind earning murderous looks from his wife.

"Mumma ruko, the phone is ringing." Before they could explain to her more, Roohi ran inside her room to attend her mother's phone, she picked the call after seeing her grandmother face flashing on the screen.

"Hi dadi."

Dadi?? Oh no! Is she going to tell everything to mummy ji? Ishita whispered to Raman who was still looking at tiles rather at her. She angrily pulled his hairs making him cry.

What madrasan?

Raman it's Mummy ji on the call. Raman banged his head against the glass door.

"Yes dadi papa has arrived but you can't talk to him right now. Papa and Mumma are inside the bathroom."

Ho gaya kalyan! She told her everything. How will I face her? Raman gritted his teeth looking at Ishita.

How will I face her Raman? What will she thinks about me? Do you have any idea? She hit him on his abdomen making him yelp with pain.
.
.

"Yes dadi they are inside the bathroom. They went for the bath maybe and get locked." Roohi scratched her head and her words almost made her parents cry aloud, nothing can be more embarassing than what is happening with them today.

Roohi definitely inherited all your traits. Raman gritted his teeth looking at his wife and received another punch on his abdomen in the reply.

"Papa shall I call someone for your help?" Roohi banged the glass, she tried to twist the handle hoping to help her parents in some other way.

"You have done enough help for today baby." Raman whispered still crying inwards.

"No jaan. It's almost done. Did you changed your clothes?"

"No Mumma. I want to meet papa first." Roohi remained adamant to see her father.

"Baby go and change your clothes, we are about to open this knob." Ishita pleaded her daughter, hoping if she listen her this time.

"Okay Mumma. But shall I ask Neelu didi or Satheesh uncle to help you?"

"No!!!"

The couple yelled in unison, they were certainly not ready for more adventure.

"Shona go and give some food to Oreo. He must be hungry. Please do it for Mumma."

"Okay." They heard Roohi fainting footsteps and couple sighed in relief. Ishita ran and disappeared inside the changing room leaving her husband alone to deal with an embarrassment.

This how I didn't expected my homecoming. How will I face Mumma.

Raman cried mentally cursing his fate....