The Binding String

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

You and Mummy ji were more than happy to raise the baby, aren't you? Then do it na Amma." Her pitch continued to rise enough to show her anger and frustration over the entire situation, only if she could ever met with her mother expectations.

"Is this a way to talk and watch your tone first." Madhavi warned Ishita making her mum. "And she is your daughter, whether you wish or not she is here and you cannot run away from your duties."

"Why women are bound to be dutiful Amma?"

"That's how nature works Ishu." Madhavi sighed, her tone hinted defeat.

"That's so convenient na Amma, why you never lectures Raman about it? What about his part of duty? He is her father and surprisingly he walks away everytime."

"He is busy Ishu."

"And I am killing flies here?"

"Here we goes again." Madhavi murmured, with sheer irritation on her face. "Ishu! Keep one thing in your mind, willingly or not Roohi has stepped in this world as your daughter and being a mother and provider it's your duty to nurture her with love and value which I couldn't give you. She has a beautiful set of mother and father, don't you feel like to keep aside your differences for once and try to make things work for her?

Do you want to make her another Ishita Iyer? Dekh paaogi ise waisa bachpan jeete hue jaisa tumne jiya tha?"

And her mother words left her speechless, the reality check given by her was enough to keep her mum. The flashes of past, her journey from childhood till young started to flash across her eyes and it was enough to give her chills. Her daughter started crying meanwhile and she took her in her arms hoping to console her but Roohi started throwing her hands and legs around. Ishita patted her back but she didn't calm down.

"Look like she soiled her diapers." Krishna aunty took Roohi in her arms and she immediately stopped crying once she removed her bottoms. She took her in the kitchen and gave her feeding bottle. Ishita continued to look how her daughter is comfortable with her nanny but said nothing.

The evening passed like this.

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

At night, Ishita arranged Roohi bassinet next to her side of the bed, next she kept her diapers and few spare night suits next to them. Her in laws are not in town for few days and hence Roohi is going to sleep with them. Ishita checked all the stuff one by one and at the same time Krishna aunty took arrived along half sleepy Roohi.

"Bahu she is about to doze off. I'm running late for home."

"Okay aunty." Ishita whispered and took Roohi in her arms. She yawned and looked at her mother before nestling herself against her chest. Ishita started to roam in the room patting her back lightly, she has seen Krishna aunty doing the same to make her sleep. Her mother words had started haunting her and without realising she started crying. The dim lighted room has given her ample space to shed her tears which she choose not to show to anyone. Everyone in her family are bound to make her realise how wrong she is whether directly or indirectly but no one is ready to understand her plight, she is living with guilt and agony since day one and she has no one to share her feelings and worries. The door churned and she found Raman stood at the doorway, he closed the door slowly as possible and kept the water bottle on the table. The phones turned on the silent mode and kept aside, he entered in the washroom to take a shower where Ishita once assured her daughter is fast asleep gently made her laid in her bassinet and moved towards the washroom to change her clothes. The faint sound of running water could be heard from the another side as Ishita continued to brush her teeth. The lights were dimmed, casting golden shadow on the translucent mirror, enough to show his shadow. She felt goosebumps covering her bare arms, Ishita closed her eyes and took a deep breath continued to brush her teeth.