The Binding String

T W E N T Y - O N E

"So madam what would you like to have?" Raman took her in a continantal restaurant which was near to beach. They had booked a private booth for themselves from where the beach could be seen. The candle lit around everywhere gave the cozy romantic environment to couple who was still trying to accept the marriage and newly build relationship with each other.

"Chinese maybe. Do you like Chinese?"

"Not much. I'm going to order pasta for myself. Do you like white pasta?"

"No. I find it tasteless." Ishita replied making her nose scrunch expressing her view.

"But how can someone find it tasteless?" Raman rolled his eyes while placing order.

"The way you find my chinese boring." Ishita shurgged her shoulder in response. Raman smiled looking at her and moved at waiter who served them orange juices before dinner, the dinner remained silent after that. Ishita felt her husband behaviour is awkward while having dinner but she shrugged it anyway and continued to enjoy her Chinese dinner. No wonder the post married experience wasn't that bad as she expected.

"Raman can we take short walk near sea shore?" Ishita asked with hope once they exit the restaurant after paying the bill.

"I'm feeling tired. I will take you here some other day." Ishita doesn't know if it was a request, an order or a statement but he sounded rude and somewhere out of zoned. She nodded her head and started to follow him, with disappointed face. They hardly exchanged words in these days and all she wished to have some words with him but now it looked impossible to her. Throughout the ride he appeared zoned out which made her frowned but she chose to be mum anyway.

"Raman, is everything fine? You looked quite distracted." Ishita cleared her throat once they reached back to apartment. Raman who was looking into his phone sat straight as his wife concerned filled voice fell in his ears.

"Nothing much. Are you done using washroom?" Raman asked slowly still appearing lost.

"Oh yes." Ishita replied trying to keep soft smile to make the environment light. She saw him rushing inside washroom taking his clothes while she started removing crease of bed sheet and arrange pillows until he come out. She was putting blinders off when she felt his hands around her waist, fingers racking inside her tank top, caressing her flat tummy. She was about to lean against his chest when the reflection of his distracted eyes caught her attention from the window glass, she caught his hand which was sneaking towards her breasts making him quiz his brows.

"You looked distressed. It look like something is bothering you." Ishita sounded tentative more than assured. She kept looking at her husband face until he opened his mouth.

"What if I tell you that I hid something from you." He sounded uncertain and confused, Ishita quizzed her brows listening his words and remained stood at her previous place trying to get the probable reason behind his words.

"It depends on the reason." She replied somehow, they sat on bed sensing the conversation might take longer time.

"I lied to you." His next line sunk her heart deeper, "The work was a mere formality, it could be done later but I came here anyway. I was allowed to return next day itself but I stayed here." Her eyes tuned wide with shock as his words sync in her body. She kept looking at him with unbelievable expressions, actually trying to find logic behind his act.

"May I ask you why?" Her voice turned hard and stern, the smile and playfulness disappeared suddenly.

"I felt it will be better if we stay away for sometime rather than staying together. The responsibilities started to appear a big issue to me."