The Binding String

S I X

"Beti tum kahan rehta hai?" This time Aurbindo asked to little girl realising it's been half an hour since she came to there place.
(Hey dear where do you live?)

"Bola toh ghar pe." Little girl replied pointing towards the opposite apartment giving the couple hint about her home. Aurbindo exchanged a positive smile with his wife and rushed towards the apartment opposite in direction.
(Arey I told you na I live at home.)

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

When Ishita and Raman reached at Mukharjee's apartment the sight infront of them was nothing less than a surprise, there little daughter was happily eating paratha's from some unknown lady hand, Roohi's action indeed boiled Ishita blood but she calmed herself for a time being. She thanked the old man with gratitude who came to there apartment and informed them about Roohi whetherbounds.

"Are beta tum bahar kyon khada hai? Aao na andar. Hey young man, please come inside." Raman smiled with hesitation before stepping inside their neighbours apartment. He was really gratueful of the old man who informed them about there daughter in correct time. He smiled at lady who forwarded them glass of water and then took seat beside her husband.

"Aapka daughter bohot hi cute hai. She reminded me about my granddaughter." Ishita Raman nodded there heads awkwardly hearing Mrs Mukharjee.
(Your daughter is absolutely adorable.)

"By the way myself Aurbindo Mukharjee and she is my wife Shobhna. I got retired four years back from Ministry of External Affairs and eight months back Shobhna got retired from JNU. She was professor there." Ishita smiled looking at old lady as Mr Mukharjee started to describe about their lives more. Ishita didn't took much time to acknowledge Mrs Mukharjee, she heard about her from her friend who's younger sister was pursing PhD from same university under Shobhna Mukharjee.

Raman just had little knowledge about there neighbours, he heard and read about Aurbindo Mukharjee in tabloids but never imagined if he will get chance to interact them. The couple sounded humble and polite and Raman found themselves fortunate to have such wonderful neighbours.

"Where is Roohi? I'm sorry for whatever happened this morning." Ishita smiled apologetically embarrassed thinking about her daughter mischief.

"No way Mrs Bhalla, your daughter is absolutely adorable. She was so hungry when she came here so I gave her paratha's to eat. I hope it's ok with you." This time Ishita felt ashamed over herself hearing everything from old lady. Her daughter actually went to a stranger house and had her breakfast. Her eyes started to search Roohi who appeared sooner running behind a dog.

"Hey Roohi see your Mumma Papa came." Shobhna called little girl cheerfully, making the cheerful smile vanished from her lips. Was her Mumma Papa at home? But all she know that her Mumma Papa never stays at home? She blinked her eyes few times just to confirm same before going towards her Papa with slow steps.

"It was nice meeting you Mr Mukharjee but I guess we should leave now." Raman thanked the old man taking Roohi hand in his. Ishita bowed her head with gratitude and thanked the couple another time before taking Roohi along them.

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

"Roohi what have you did today? Tumhe mana kiya hai na ajnabiyon se baat karne ke liye, phir kyon gayi tum wahan. It was so embarrassing." Ishita muttered the last line and stared at the little girl who was looking at floor continously rather than meeting her eyes with her mother. Ishita passed another look to little child before sitting on one of the chair and pulling girl towards her, "answer me Roohi." And irriated sigh came out from her lips seeing the fat tears running down from her big black eyes.
(Roohi what have you did today? Aren't I told you not to talk with strangers then why you went there?)

"Bhook......lagi thi." And her words made her realised that the little girl didn't ate anything since last evening. They spend there entire evening in Mayur Vihar just to convince Roohi and there she ate some snacks sitting along her Dadu, she already slept at the time of dinner. Her mother in law do gave her tiffin for Roohi and instructed her to feed her if she wake up but that never happened. Ishita downcasted her eyes with guilt, certainly she herself didn't wished to hurt her but whatever the child did was wrong. Before she could talk with the child more she ran towards her room leaving the couple.
(I was hungry.)

"See it all happened because of you. Tumhari wajah se hi woh bahar gayi."

"Oh shut up I asked you to wake up but you didn't even stirred. Stop putting blames on me." Raman replied back going through some mails.

"Really? Shut up? Why can't you admit that you're an irresponsible father Raman?"

"That was mistake Ishita. Stop making it an issue. I was in half sleep when milkman came, I collected the packets but I don't really remember if I locked the door or not." Raman justified himself, his voice didn't showed a bit of guilt or sorrow.

"You're still same Raman, a typical arrogant jerk." She yelled clearly pissed with his attitude.

"And you're still same, a sadist who enjoy blaming others for everything. And trust me your accusations stopped affecting me." He sneered back folding his hands.

"I hate you Raman." She yelled with high pitch voice.

"It's not like that I'm dying to stay with you. That's just as temporary setup. A fucking temporary setup." His voice turned more loud than her and the couple forgot that someone was at doorstep and was clearly pissed with everything.

"Oye khotte Raman."

"Ishu...."

They looked at the doorway and took seeing there mother's and his father, the three faces appeared clearly pissed and irriated.

An eventful day is about to start now....
And they muttered in unison clueless with the future events.