The Binding String

T W E N T Y - F O U R

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AROUND MID OF THE AFTERNOON

Ishita rechecked her face and fixed herself before going outside to see Neelu who was calling her name continously. When she reached at laundry area she found Neelu wiping the floor and all the clothes drying on stand. She took the wiper from Neelu who was straightening her salwar she folded upwards before. "Bhabhi, can I go early today? Actually Ramesh had called me he need my help at home."

"Yes yes sure. And I'm sorry Neelu. I was supposed to help you today but instead of that I got busied in my own work." She confessed just a partial truth, most of time she cried and cried recalling the good memories she spend with Raman, Raman is nothing but a weak nerve of her which cause pain with a mere hit of good moments with him. After spending some good amount of crying and cursing her fate she concluded that she should try to stay away from him instead of exhausting herself with his memories and she took her pen and started to make notes for her Monday classes. She got immersed into her work until Neelu called her.

"Neelu here take this money and hire auto today. Your foot must be paining." She handed Neelu some money with apologetic face who was set to retire home, "by the way Neelu Roohi had finished breakfast haina?"

"Nahi bhabhi. She refused eating saying she won't eat food without you." Her face turned grim listening Neelu's words and she ran towards Roohi room after bidding Neelu bye. Ishita lips curled down seeing her little girl trying to do the another cursive page she gave her today which she refused. Ishita kneeled down on floor and caressed Roohi head, the next page didn't looked good either she repeated the mistakes she did previously but she was least bothered about same. Ishita took Roohi in her arms and took her in TV lounge, "Why didn't you ate your breakfast Roohi? You like eating poori don't you?" She asked softly once switching cartoon channel for her.

"Aapne bhi toh nahi khaya tha na Mumma." (But even you didn't had your brunch Mumma.)

"Toh kya hua agar Mumma ne nahi khaya." (But how does it makes difference?) Ishita asked curiously making Roohi sit on her lap.

"Dadi ne kaha tha ki Mumma baby ke saath khaana khaate hai varna nahi khaati. Isliye Roohi ne bhi nahi khaya." (Dadi told me that mothers do not take lunch without there babies then how can I eat without you?)

And her one sentence made Ishita lost her heart for her daughter for another time. She hugged her with overwhelmed emotions wondering from where she learnt showering such selfless love. Her parents never cared to teach her good manners than what made her so good and pure. She hugged her another time allowing the happy tears to roll down from her eye, "Roohi Mumma ke saath kheer poori khaayegi?" (Would you like to eat kheer-poori with Mumma?) She asked few seconds later once composing herself.

"Woh kaisi lagti hai?" (How does it taste?) Roohi asked with sparkling eyes.

"Bohot yummy." (Very delicious.) Ishita replied with animated face.

"Aap khillaoge mujhe?" (Will you feed me with your own hands?) Ishita nodded her head in positive having no heart to refuse her request and she ran inside kitchen to prepare poori's and reheat the remaining kheer of last night leaving Roohi to watch Tom and Jerry. Although she hardly ate two poori's but she was glad that she managed to make her feed lunch. Later after washing dishes she recalled she planned to go mall to purchase some dresses for Roohi.

"Roohi mall chalein ghoomne?" (Would you like to go mall with me?) She grinned seeing a playful smile on Roohi's face and they changed hurriedly into fresh pair of clothes. Aiyoo kadauvle!!! Keh toh diya ki mall chalte hai but mall jaayenge kaise? Meri car toh servicing mein gayi hai aur Raman ki car toh Raman hi lekar gaye hai.