The Binding String

S E V E N T E E N

"It looks like the examination papers is set by subbu." Ishita murmured continued to scan questions one by one. Apart from her fellow assistant professor Subramanyam, no one set examination paper filled with indirect questions for students, even the professor who is going to evaluate the answer sheets need to discuss paper with him first. Ishita rolled her eyes mentally realising why exactly students fails to score good marks in paper set by him.

"I should better call him and confirm the answers." Ishita said to herself and picked her phone and left a disappointed sigh finding it's low battery. She walked inside her bedroom and put phone on charging continued to dial his number. "Why he isn't picking my call." Ishita rested her hands on hip after another unanswered call. Realising her phone is turning off she quickly send him message to contact her on landline number and switched off her mobile phone after switching on the switch of charging.

"Bhabhi woh my husband called me. He need net at home for some work. Should I leave bhabhi? But I will return back before dinner time." Ishita peeped outside in living room listening Neelu's voice.

"Oh that's completely fine Neelu." Ishita bid Neelu adieu and then walked towards loo after checking Roohi. As she stepped out from washroom the loud ring of landline made her steps halted.

"Hey subbu where are you? I'm trying your number since long." Ishita spoke in single go without giving chance next person to react. She waited sometime to receive response from otherside but the abrupt disconnection of call left her confused. She shurgged her shoulders didn't wished to think about the call and decided to resume her work until the landline rang again.

"Hello." This time Ishita waited for response.

"Hey Ishita. It's me Prajakta" Ishita smile grew wider listening her childhood friend voice from other side. She excitedly sat on her side of bed and ahead never realised when she got busied in chatting with her.

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

Roohi big eyes sparkled with joy and excitement while enjoying the origami videos on little laptop looking like gadget her Simmi Bua gifted. The videos looked so cool and alluring to Roohi, she jumped on bed admiring the piece of craft displayed in the end of every video, she realised even she can make such crafts and show it to Mumma Papa. She didn't liking anything since the day Dadi returned back to her house but she was happy with the gift she received from her Simmi Bua. Roohi clapped another time as another video ended and she jumped out from bed to grab paper and scissors. Roohi ran towards kitchen hoping to see Neelu didi but she frowned on not finding anyone. She next ran towards her mother room hoping to find some help from her only stopped seeing her deeply engrossed on phone. Roohi scartched her head with confusion unable to wait anymore and took scissors from kitchen counter climbing on stool. Next she ran in living area and ran her gaze everywhere until her eyes spotted bundle of papers. She clapped happily and grabbed the papers, excited and eager to make the crafts shown in origami videos.

AFTER HALF AND HOUR

An hour long call with Prajakta worked as breath in fresh air for Ishita. She was happy to know that Prajakta got job opportunity in KPMG and decided to get settled in California along her investment banker husband. She picked some books from her book shelf and started to take small steps towards living room when a piece of paper flew at her direction along air. She ignored the torn papers until she recognised something familiar written on them. Her eyes turned wide with shock unable to believe on the sight infront of her.

"Roohi!!!!!" She screamed loudly and ran towards her daughter dumping the thousand pages books on floor. Her daughter who was enjoying cutting and folding the papers back then jumped on her place listening the loud scream echoing in the silent apartment. Ishita eyes turned red finding the two answer sheets completely shredded into pieces and shaped into birds and some miscellaneous things. She angrily pulled her daughter through her arms unable to believe on the sight.