The Binding String

F I F T E E N

"Kab tak purani baatein lekar baitha rahega Raman. Bhool ja na ab sab."
(How long you're going to mourn on old things. You should forget that Raman.)

"Koshish karta hoon Maa par Roohi ka maasoom chehra kuch bhoolne hi nahi deta mujhe."
(I tried many times Maa but I found myself incapable of doing same.)

Raman eyes welled up with pain and grief while discussing about his daughter. He really love his four years old daughter, for father's the daughters are the most precious person and Raman is no exception. He always wished to have a daughter with Ishita, little toes and innocent giggles which will fill his life with brightness and happiness but he dreaded on the conditions which gave him Roohi. He never wished to have a child from a bitter relationship. He wiped his moist eyes without looking at his mother and diverted his attention on newspaper making his mother sigh. Otherside Santhosh pressed her son shoulder knowing her in capability in comforting her son on this matter. The only person who can console him is Ishita, the one who accused him years back. Before she could speak more she found Roohi standing at her room doorway, rubbing her eyes.

"Good Morning baccha."

"Good Mor.........di" Raman and Santhosh chuckled listening Roohi who greeted her Dadi in between taking yawns. Raman folded the newspaper and looked at Roohi who was coming towards him continued to rub her eyes.

"How are you feeling now Roohi? Are you still having pain?" Raman asked softly while combing Roohi's long hairs with his fingers.

"Little little Papa." Roohi replied and showed him the red bruise above her knee. Raman nodded his head in animation and made little girl sit on dining table. He examined the bandages wrapped on her leg and forehead and started to check at his mobile.

"Roohi Puttar aaja brush kar le."
(Roohi come i will help you with brushing your teeth.)

"Main karke aayi hoon dadi. Mere stomach mein mouses jump kar rahe hai." Roohi replied animated expressions making everyone laugh.
(I already did that Dadi. I'm feeling like thousand of mouses are jumping inside my stomach.)

"Okay baba. Aao chalo. Doodh peeyogi?" Roohi nodded her head in a big yes looking at her Dadi. Otherside Raman who was reading newspaper stopped finding Ishita struggling to walk. He immediately held Ishita hand and helped her in walking till living room area.
(Would you like to have milk?)

"Puttar tu bhi uth gayi. Bata kaisa lag raha hai." Santhosh asked lovingly to Ishita while making Roohi sit next to her.
(How are you feeling now Ishita?)

"Theek hoon Mummy Ji." Ishita replied slowly scanning Roohi bandages. She admired her little daughter who was more interested in playing with her Dadi hairs rather than drinking milk.
(I'm fine Mummy Ji.)

"Pee le na beta. Dekh phir Dadi ko doosra kaam bhi karna hai." Santhosh tried to cajole little girl which went in vain.
(Drink it Roohi. Dadi have to finish other works as well.)

"Nahi yeh milk yellow hai. Main brown color ka milk peeti hoon dadi." Roohi scrunched her nose peeping inside her cup of milk.
(This is not like my milk Dadi. I drink brown milk and this is yellow one.)