The Binding String

S I X T E E N

"Thank you Mr. Cline. I hope this partnership will remain continue."

"Yes yes. As long as PSR is working under your guidance."

"But why you came alone. You're supposed to come with your wife. This dinner is threw is in your honour especially." Mr. Cline spoke further making him stop drinking further.

"Oh yes. Where is Ishita? It's been long long we met her. I must say Mr. Cline, Mrs. Bhalla is a the most wisest wittiest lady I have ever met. Not me even my wife believes on same." Raman smiled weakly when Mrs Malhotra started to share her memories with Ishita. No wonder Mr and Mrs Malhotra always treated Ishita like there younger sister and never miss a chance to meet her.

"I'm sorry mam. Actually she had accident two days back. So she is kinda resting at home." Raman replied continued to play with his iPhone and soon left the table after greeting everyone. He was about to go out from the dining area when he saw Mihir Mihika entering inside the hall in hands in hands. Raman averted his gaze from the couple and rushed towards pub before Mihir and Mihika can notice him.

Kitni akeli thi woh raahein hum jinpe
Ab tak akele chalte rahein
(How lonely were those paths on which
We walked alone.)

"One whiskey." Raman commanded bartender and sat on stool with moist eyes. He didn't know what exactly went wrong with him today but something within him wasn't letting him stay with relief. He was living alone from last one year but but he felt himself so miserable like today. Since morning he was feeling frustrated over everything coming at his way and he sincerely clueless about the reason behind it. Roohi had triggered the memories he buried somewhere inside his system few years back, emotions makes one vulnerable. Raman always believed on that and few years back he buried all those emotions to clear his way upto success, he was happy with it until today the images of smiling Ishita caught his attention. He closed his eyes with a small smile recalling her radiant face on the evening of the cocktail party when she clung herself to him, celebrated the new relationship going to bind them. Her small and petite frame fitted perfectly in his masculine arms like she always made for his arms. He rubbed his eyes continued to drink his whiskey reminiscing such evenings when she used to accompany him enthusiastically, celebrated his success like her own, he remembered how her eyes shone whenever she someone praise him, a happy grin on her face whenever someone praise his business skills. He still remeber the pepper kisses she used to plant on his cheeks excited with his achievements ensuring no one watching them around. They are living separately from last one year but he never missed her so much like he was missing her today.

Tujhse bichad ke bhi o bekhabar  
Tere hi gam mein jalte rahe
(After separating from you on unaware
I burn in your sorrow.)

He rubbed his forehead recalling the morning fight, he tried to ignore it but her yearning eyes wasn't allowing him to do that. She spat venom in her words but her body language betrayed her words. Her expressive eyes appeared desperate making him feel anxious. The intimate moment they spend together was all different, not for a minute he felt that they're going to get divorce in coming months. They never uttered single word yesterday but the silence between them left something within him. He still wonder how they gave place to complaints and sorrows in their life instead of trust and happiness. The marriage was no longer a path of roses for them but all he could able to feel spines.

"Tumhe mujhse itne shikwe hai. Mujhe tumse. Phir bhi tum mere zehen se jaati kyon nahi ho Ishita? Itni nafrat hone ke baad bhi jab bhi aankhen band karta hoon toh dil tumhe dhoondhta hai." (We are so weird Ishita. We have so many issues with each other yet I'm unable to take off from my senses. Whenever I'm alone all I think about you.) He laughed with regret looking at the half filled glass of whiskey which was also stopped affecting him now. "Yeh sharab bhi ab toh tere jaisi lagti hai mujhe. Ziddi. Tu mere zehen se jaati nahi aur yeh mere zehen mein utarti nahi." (I think this alcohol started to act is stubborn like you. I'm unable to take off from my nerves and she is refusing to help me as well.)