The Binding String

O N E - H U N D R E D - O N E

"We are here to repent our actions. Forgive us Romi." Sarika father, joined his hands. "I was wrong to judge you, I was just blinded by my ego and revenge that I failed to notice my laado love and happiness. Give one chance to your baba and I promise, we will arrange your wedding in a way you dreamt.

Bhalla ji if you want we will perform the rituals in Delhi itself but let us do kanyadaan."

The entire family had a long discussion on the same and they decided once Romi and Sarika recovered well, they will get them married with traditional Hindu customs.

"So yes we are looking forward them to heal well so that we can get them married with full taam jhaam wali shaadi "

"So am I invited?" Dr. Shalini joked and Ishita grinned in a big yes, smiling at her fully. "But what made them marry secretly and yes how it is linked with your decision to leave Raman? As both these things took place nearly at a same time."

The smile vanished from Ishita face and looked at Dr. Shalini with a serious face, like someone pricked an old wound.

"Yes! That was a same time when these two incidents occured which came as a big blow to us. It all started from 2018, when Raman got stabled with his new position, his work life has started becoming less stressful, Vikram got his daughter back and divorced his wife by that time.

Raman was doing everything for others forgetting about his own wife and daughter who carved for his love and attention. I was unaware of the chaos he was handling and had started believing that he doesn't need us anymore. What else do you expect from an insecure wife who wanted to mend her ways with her husband and at the same time doubting him for having an extra marital affair but she had no evidence against him and accusing him without any evidence would invite only a new trouble for her.

Hence I choose to be silent, silent for my own sanity, silent for the sake of my child and the marriage which was hanging on the thread."

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YEAR 2018

"How's your knee pain Amma?"

"It really improved after you send that physiotherapist to me. She is really nice and knowledgeable."

"I told you na, aap dekhna thode din mein aap phir se apni walk resume kar paaoge." The two smiled, continued to resume their coffee when the door unlocked and Madhavi smile only got brighter seeing her grand daughter.

"Alaabaaaalalala......" Roohi squeals filled the house, she started jumping seeing her grandmother and called her in her own language, urging her to pick her up.

"Oh my pumpkin!!!! We were waiting for you only." She nuzzled her face in her tummy only making her laugh harder. Ishita took roohi bag from her caretaker Krishna Aunty. The old woman greeted Madhavi and went in her room whereas Ishita took her previous spot admiring her daughter giggling face.

"Agaadabadaaa......"

"I am sorry chotu. I know I should have come earlier to meet you." Madhavi replied animatedly, holding Roohi in her arms. She squealed and threw her hands in the air, enjoying her grandmother presence. "Ishu kanna. Hold her na."

"Let it be Amma, she is happy in your arms."

"Yes she is, but she would be more happy to be in her Amma arms." Madhavi urged Ishita to hold Roohi but she refused, pretending to check some notes. "When will you change yourself kanna? She is sixteen months old now, don't you feel love towards her."