The Binding String

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

"Do you have time?"

"Kya hua?" Ishita narrowed her eyebrows looking at raman who started walking at the other direction.

"You remember the coffee from this canteen? Can we have a cup if you have time?" Ishita glanced at her watch and nodded softly, the two walked towards the canteen which was exceptionally quiet, maybe students are yet to arrive or probably taking their classes. Ishita took the seat whereas Raman went to take the coffee, the text from the last night was not leaving her mind at all. She wondered if it's a right time to ask, will he reply her earnestly or treat her like an unwanted.

He is hell unpredictable man.

Raman came with two cups and passed her one, she smiled at him awkwardly and started sipping the coffee. The students has unmatchable energy at the morning and their cheers and hoots from the distance were the proof of the same. Only few seconds have passed when they heard familiar voice falling in their ears, it belonged to his brother and his friends. Romi was roaming in th college along his few friends and his special friend, Sarika joking and laughing around. His hands were resting on her shoulder, the girl was hugging him.

"Romi! You really threatened him well. He will think thousand times before crossing you." His one friend hooted as they entered inside the canteen.

"He must be. He forgot about respecting Sarika and I won't mind before beating him black and blue if he dared to hurt her."

His voice boomed, laced with possession. Ishita looked at Raman who was clenching and unclenching his fist. His veins were popping out and all of sudden her heart started hammering aloud. She held him through his shoulder, Romi didn't noticed them.

"Raman please! Not here." Ishita mumbled into his ears, continued to rub his shoulder but received no reply from him.

"Romi! What if he tried to attack you back." His friends words were falling in Raman and Ishita ears.

"Dogs who bark, don't bite. Moreover he knows about my brother. Raman bhai aura screams!!" Romi laughed along with his friends but soon a shadow loom over him. His voice died in his throat and he forgot to blink his eyes finding his elder brother infront of him. The girl sitting next to him sprinted away, whereas his friends too disappeared and he left all alone.

"Care to explain me more about my aura Mr. Romesh Bhalla." Raman spoke through gritted teeth, Ishita was standing next to him. Her arm was wrapped around his shoulder.

"Bhai!!!! Wo..."

"Aawaz nahi aa rahi hai mujhe teri. Tujhe toh aaj office jana tha na." He had no words to reply, Romi started sweating off infront of Raman, he stepped few steps back unable to bear his cold eyes. "Tu ghar pe mil, phir aura discuss karenge."

And he left along Ishita but she knew a big mess was going to create this time.

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

Ishita couldn't thank the almighty enough for not having her in-laws at home. They have been out from the city to attend some reunion leaving the three alone. She has to handle Roohi for the night as well as face Raman Romi confrontation too. She looked at Roohi who was squealing sitting on the floor, playing with her toys which is quite rare nowadays since the day little girl has learnt to walk she forgot to sit quietly. It's probably the new toys which keeping engaged. She sat next to her on the sofa, keeping an eye on her and other on the research paper she was writing.  The sound of the door slamming echoed through the Bhalla house, snapping Ishita out of her thoughts. She saw Raman storm in, flinging his keys on the table, his jaw clenched in fury. Romi entered a few seconds later, shoulders slumped, face drained of color. Ishita immediately stood, scooping Roohi in her arms, sensing what was about to follow.

“You think I’m funding your college to see you play Romeo on campus?” Raman’s voice boomed, startling Roohi who instantly clung to her mother’s neck.

“Bhai, it’s not like that,” Romi began, but Raman cut him off.

“Really? Hugging a girl in front of the whole damn university, throwing punches, and dragging my name to scare people—what exactly do you think you’re doing, Romi? This is how you repay me?”

“I didn’t hit anyone,” Romi tried to defend, but his voice wavered.

“You’re acting like a spoiled brat, Romi. You’re here to study, not to ruin your future over that girl. I won’t have you disrespecting my name or your career like this.”

“What problem do you have with Sarika? She is a nice girl and we are just dating bhai.”

“It never takes much time to slip things out of your hands Romi. I have seen the world, better than you.” His voice turned grim and he closed his eyes for a brief moment before shifting his focus back on his brother. “Whatever I am advising you is for your own good Romi. Stop meeting that girl.”

“Bhai, please listen to me—”

“Main sunne nahi aaya hoon. Main bolne aaya hoon. Us Sarika ke aas paas bhi dikh gaya na tu dobara, toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga!”

“Par kyun, bhai? What’s your problem with her? Kya kiya hai usne? Kya tumhe usse problem hai ya mujhse?” Romi voice turned louder and it never happened before. He never raised his voice to his brother.

“Tujhe jitna bola gaya hai, bas utna sun. Sarika se door rehna hai. End of discussion.” Raman threatened his younger brother, the entire situation started to become tense but none of them were ready to step back.

“No! You don’t get to control my life. You don’t say a word for months and then suddenly show up and start dictating terms like I’m a kid!”

“Tu abhi baccha hi hai, Romi! And agar meri baat nahi maani toh main khud dekhlunga ke wo ladki teri zindagi se kaise gayab hoti hai!”

“Dont you even dare bhai”

Roohi started crying loudly, overwhelmed by the shouting. Ishita cradle her in her arms and started to rock her, trying to calm her down.

“Raman please,” she said firmly, “let’s not do this in front of the child.”

“She’s my child too, Ishita,” he snapped, glaring at her. “But clearly you always have a problem when I discipline someone.”

“I don’t have a problem,” Ishita replied coldly, “I have a problem with you acting like everyone owes you an explanation when you share nothing in return.”

Romi awkwardly stepped away, sensing the argument turn personal.

“What are you talking about now?” Raman asked, exasperated.

“You don’t tell me anything, Raman,” Ishita said, trying to keep her voice low for Roohi’s sake. “You fly to Paris and lie about Mumbai. You act like this perfect son and brother but can’t even be a proper husband.”

Raman blinked, stunned by her words. “So we’re back to that now?”

“You never left it, Raman,” she replied. “You just pretend nothing’s wrong and use our bed to forget what is.”

There was a thick silence. Roohi had stopped crying but was breathing in little hiccups against her mother’s chest.

Raman’s voice dropped. “Then why do you let me touch you?”

“Because that’s the only time we feel like a couple,” she said bitterly. “It’s not love, it’s... habit. You need it to feel in control. I need it to remind myself we’re still married.”

The room went silent again. Romi was long gone. Raman looked away, jaw tightening.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, turning her back to him, “you should go check on Romi.”

She didn’t notice the way his face twisted at her words — hurt, guilt, and confusion all rolled into one. He left the room without another word.