The Binding String

T W E N T Y - F O U R

"Koi na cab se chal lenge." She shrugged her shoulders and hurriedly dressed Roohi in a denim three fourth and sleeveless top. Ishita grabbed her purse and Roohi took her waterbottle as Ishita booked a cab for Ambiance Mall.

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Ambiance Mall is one of the largest and happening mall of the city, it had more than hundreds of outlets for food and clothings. Ishita clutched Roohi's hand tightly once they entered into crowded mall and they started to walk slowly, scanning outlets from outside. Ishita was happy seeing her little daughter who was jumping merrily seeing the cartoons dancing in the middle of the mall. The mall looked exquisite but an Indian women know how to find best and cheapest from many, she decided to check all the outlets related with kids clothing before buying dresses for her daughter and she secured Roohi's left hand in her right one and she scan the outlets one by one. Unlike her mother little Roohi was excited after coming with Mumma for a day out, the place was so beautiful, it had numerous lights and lots of cartoon dancing and entertaining everyone. She jumped with joy and mischievously looked at Mumma who told her not to jump or run anywhere. Ishita was so engrossed in scanning the outlets until someone pulled her tightly in tight hug.

"Mihika!!!" Ishita squealed after recovering from happy shock. She hugged Mihika more tightly than before and greeted her with love. ""Oh god Mihika." Ishita greeted her friend cheerfully who looked equally excited to see her. She ran her gaze and sighted finding Roohi happily playing with Mira. Mihika patted Ishita shoulder and spread her arms seeing Roohi who came running towards her and launched herself in her  Chitti arms. Mihika peppered kisses on Roohi's face who was too thrilled with unexpected meeting.

"How you came here Ishu?"

"Actually Roohi's clothes are getting worn out so I planned to purchase some new set of clothes for her."

"Same here, even Mira needed new set of clothes of herself and some new toys as well. So we planned this trip. It's a nice chance for us to do shopping together nahi?" And they decided to do shopping together for their daughters. Being an elder sister Mira held Roohi's hand and they started to explore the outlets followed by their mother's. Mihika was too happy seeing Ishita as a caring mother not her old rebellious friend. Her old friend Ishita never welcomed the idea of parenting not even after she gave birth to Roohi, after her decision of divorce from Raman she lost all hopes from her but today seeing her so protective for Roohi she recalled Mihir words who always had believe that these six months will surely bring changes in Ishita Raman lives maybe not as couple but as a parent for sure. They entered inside outlet suggested by Mihika and shopped clothes for both the girls for next half and hour. Once done with shopping they took girls to play area and Mihika Ishita sat on nearby bench where both the girls started to play different games.

"Ishu how are you?" Mihika finally started the conversation after bringing two cold coffee's.

"You remebered your friend after so long? Hmm? I thought you pledged not to talk with me ever." Ishita taunted her friend sarcastically which made Mihika face fell. "It's okay I know why you're upset with me. Maybe everyone is upset with me." Ishita spoke further keeping one eye on the girls and other on Mihika.

"There is nothing like that Ishita. I was upset with your decision. You're my best friend and your decision of divorce was upsetting for me. I wished to see you and Raman jiju happy."

"There is always need two peoples to make a relationship work, like it's need two tyres to make a cycle move."

"Ishu different marriages had different requirements. Sometimes it need two peoples and sometimes efforts from one side are enough to make a change."Mihika stated her point hoping her words make some sense.

"Maybe it's okay from your side but it's unacceptable from my side." Ishita replied keeping stern expressions on her face, how could she tell Mihika that her husband is having affairs with multiple women behind her back. She pretend to be a strong independent woman but her husband respect is equally a matter of concern for her. She had idea from Mihika words that Mihir might have not discussed this issue with her and she had no wish to drag the issue further.

"Ishu all I can say try to make this marriage work. I want to see you happy." Ishita smiled at listening her friend concern but remained mum and diverted the topic on Mira studies and school and random topics. They were busy in catching up old gossips when Ishita noticed someone familiar between crowd of thousands in Ambiance Mall and she rushed towards the person instructing Mihika to keep an eye on Roohi.

"Romi!! Tum yahan?"

"Bhabhi."

A excited and thrilled Romi hugged his beloved bhabhi tightly and a happy Ishita too caressed his back continued to rejoice the meeting. She caressed his hairs and then admired Romi who changed alot in this one year. "You started to look more responsible Romi." Ishita exclaimed with a proud smile like an elder sister. She always treated Romi like her younger brother more than her notorious devar. "You got a job or not?"

"Yes bhabhi I got placed in  top law firm six months back, the package is good as well. Me and sarika got placed together and we're so thrilled for this new life." Ishita held Romi's hand who was too excited to share every new development of his life. Her eyes welled up with happiness seeing Romi excited like a small kid. "Bhabhi sarika is here. Would you like to meet her?"

"Yes yes. Call her. Main yahi khadi hoon." Romi rushed inside one of outlets to call sarika otherside Ishita felt a tug at the end of kurta and she found Roohi next to her. "Roohi! What're you doing here?" She exclaimed with horror wondering how her little girl came so far without Mihika knowledge. Before she could speak more Roohi pointed at someone and Ishita eyes widened with surprise finding Raman stood next to Roohi with curious eyes.

"Raman..."

"Mumma. Papa came here to give us surprise." Roohi exclaimed in delighted voice making Ishita came out from shock.

"But how do you came to know about it?"

"Mihir told me. Actually Mihika shared the information with Mihir and Mihir informed me so I thought why not to pick both ladies." Ishita nodded her head unconvincingly hoping her worst fear not to come true. Raman and Roohi started to pull her towards the play area but she was afraid of Raman reaction regarding her and Romi meeting. She tried to oppose but the admanant father daughter duo didn't paid heed until a voice stopped them.

"Bhabhi dekho sarika." The colors drained from Raman face seeing his brother after an year along the same girl. He curled his fist to suppress his anger and shot angry glared at Ishita who's face looked pale.

"Bhai." Romi stuttered finding his elder brother infront of him. "How are you bhai."

"Shut up and how dare you to show us our face."  Raman spoke through gritted teeth continued to look at Ishita with frown on his face.

"Raman please we met accidently and he just want me to meet sarika." Ishita interrupted in middle wishing the things not to stretch.

"Oh shut up! You must have came here to meet him. Useless." Raman grunted with hate continued to spit venom.

"Trust me bhai if I have knew that you're here than I would not tried to approach bhabhi. She is too good for you." Romi taunted his brother and left taking Sarika along leaving astonished Ishita behind.

"You're the shameless woman I ever saw Ishita. You love doing the things I hate. You love meeting the peoples behind my back whom I can't tolerate for single second."

"You hate all those peoples who refuse to listen you Raman."

"Don't you dare to show me this cocky attitude. Be in your limits."

"Now will you make me learn my limits? After forgetting yours own?"

The fight started to get big and ugly between the couple, Mihir who reached there in meantime calmed Raman where Mihika rubbed Ishita back to calm her down but the evening was ruined for them. She took Roohi hand in her and started to drag her along her without giving single heed to her husband calls.