The Binding String

O N E - H U N D R E D

"Are you trying to convince your didi?" Roohi asked in a serious tone, taking rohit in her arms.

"Alaaabaaababa." The boy squealed caressing her cheeks. The frown on her face was replaced with a smile and Roohi giggled along with her little brother. "Okay, fine. But next time, straight to the big dustbin. No trials." Rohit pinched her cheeks lovingly and hugged his elder sister enough to make grumpy Roohi smile.

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It was winter morning of Christmas in Delhi, Roohi was excited to celebrate Christmas and since last night she was behind Raman to set up a Christmas tree along with gifts for herself. A huge christmas tree was set up in their society itself and it was enough to fascinate her to have her own christmas celebration at home. Ishita adored the beautiful Christmas tree decorated in her room beside her huge doll house with fairy lights and bells. She turned off the lights and opened the curtains. The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains like golden syrup, making everything feel warmer than it really was. The house was unusually quiet—Roohi had been whisked away by Santhosh for a surprise Dadi-Poti date. That left Ishita and Raman alone… with a squirmy, giggling, oil-slicked baby on a thick cotton quilt in the nursery.

Rohit.

Ishita sat cross-legged beside him, her hands gently working warm mustard oil into his tiny limbs. She was humming something soft, a lullaby she barely remembered from her own childhood.

Rohit kicked happily, his little fists curling and uncurling. Ishita smiled, watching him try to chew his own foot.

"You know" she said softly, I never got to do this with Roohi. At first I was scared to hold you but now I really love spending time with you my sweet little Ro." Rohit squealed and threw his hands and legs in the air, Ishita made him lay on his stomach and started massaging his back, the boy cheered happily enough to make her grin.

Raman, sitting nearby with a soft towel draped over his shoulder and a fresh diaper in hand, looked at her. "She was in the NICU. And then it was all nurses and scheduled routines. We just… watched."

Ishita nodded, her voice a little misty. "Even though I was not in a perfect state to take care of my little Roo, now it's all different, nahi?"

Rohit squealed and suddenly rolled over, smearing oil on the quilt. Raman chuckled. "He’s already more athletic than me."

"Low bar, Mr. CEO," she teased.

Later, they moved to the bathroom where a small bathtub was set up near a heater. Ishita gently placed Rohit in, while Raman poured lukewarm water slowly, making sure it wasn’t too hot. Rohit slapped the water, spraying both of them. Ishita’s sweater was soaked, and Raman’s shirt had soap suds down the front.

"Oh God!! Stop it chotu." Ishita giggled but the boy enjoyed splashing water on his uncle and aunt. In response, Raman too started splashing water on Rohit making the couple laugh harder.

"Raman! I'm just loving this feeling." Ishita giggled while rubbing his back gently.

"Me too! It's fun." Raman joined Ishita, together they rubbed his scalp with shampoo. He held the baby upright whereas Ishita washed his bottoms.

"We’re winging it, but he looks clean and happy," Ishita grinned. "That’s a win."

After the bath, wrapped in a fluffy blue towel, Rohit cooed as Ishita applied baby lotion and dressed him in a panda-print onesie.

But the real adventure began ten minutes later.

"Umm… Raman?" Ishita called from the nursery, holding Rohit at arm’s length. "Code yellow."