The Binding String

T W E N T Y - E I G H T

The taxi kept running on roads of Delhi and soon he reached airport, he looked at two tickets of Paris he planned to give her as present, they two were supposed to leave today for Paris together but nothing was happening with him as he planned. He tore the one ticket and went inside airport hoping things to go well once he return back.

Even after an hour Ishita was unable to believe her husband left her alone on such trivial issue, just like that. He not only left her but he also crumbled the hopes she had for their relationship, the hope of not having a same married life what her mother had. She read somewhere that the broken hopes pains alot and now seeing him walking away from her made her realise same and in the selucated apartment of her she finally broke into tears wondering if they ever be able to normalise their relationship or her marriage story is going to end on same note where her Amma marriage ended.

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When you recall happy moments of past it makes your heart swelled with joy and when you recall sad moments it left heaviness in it. There were thousand possibilities of what if's for Raman as he recall the previous events but sadly he cannot change any of it. He left home hoping the long distance relationship may help them in improving their relationship but he ended up messing his life more. It's true that your future depends on the decisions we make today and they lost some precious years and precious moments of their lives because of one decision. How good it would be if he stayed that afternoon and soothed Ishita after lashing her out or cradled her in his arms or she listened to him patiently rather them accusing him more and they went together to Paris to start afresh but nevertheless nothing had happened as such and they made themselves a living example of depression until they met again.

Raman rubbed his eyes and looked at Ishita who was sleeping nestling her face in his chest like a baby, away from the messy marriage they share. He kept her head on pillow and looked at his little Rooh who kept her leg on his tummy and sleeping with open wide mouth. Raman picked Roohi and settled back in her previous position, surrounded her body with pillows he arranged before and covered her with duvet making sure she don't feel cold. He kissed her forehead fondly and cooed against his daughter making himself remind if they had some bad past than they also have bright future as well, their little daughter Roohi. Raman checked his mobile and sighted seeing the time which was half past three, he rubbed his chest and hugged Roohi close to his heart before drowning himself into sleep.

Next day, around one of afternoon when Ishita was helping Neelu preparing lunch her phone started to ring. The call was from university and she wondered why her colleagues are calling her. She attended the call and frowned while listening her information from other side. She kept her phone back on kitchen slab and stood lost until Raman snapped hai finger before her to gain her attention.

"What happened. You looked distressed."

"Umm nothing, my colleague called me. She told me Subramanyam got transfered to Chennai and they want to handover in charge to me."

"Oh!!" Raman reacted with motionless face helping Roohi to finish the apple. "That's okay. You should go to university then." Raman continued further with casual tone assisting Roohi in eating the apple.

"Hmm I will go after feeding lunch to Roohi." Ishita muttered and signalled Neelu to start arrange dishes on dining table. Ishita checked Roohi's temperature and gave her tablets she had to take before lunch. She started to feed her lunch after making sure Raman took food for himself and started to feed Roohi.

"Ishita if you want I can come with you. Roohi will stay with me in car and you can do your work. You're still looking worn out." Ishita looked at Raman with unbelievable look, she rolled her eyes wondering what happened to him all of sudden, it's been years since he showed chivalry to her and it was amazing her. She nodded her head in affirmation and they started to take their meals in absolute silence. After finishing everything Ishita dressed into formal kurti and leggings and dressed Roohi into one of cotton frock. Raman gave Roohi the tablet and syrup and fetched the car keys. The drive was the silent one, Roohi who was excited to go for drive along Papa Mumma became sleepy until they reached to university campus. Raman smiled looking at Roohi from rear mirror and assured Ishita to go and complete her work.

Raman was doing his work silently sitting in the car when he spotted a known figure from the side mirror. He checked Roohi who was sleeping now and adjusted the air conditioner before stepping out from car. "Hello Subramanyam."

Subramanyam who was leaving premises of Delhi University shocked finding Raman Bhalla infront of him. He removed his reading glasses and approached Raman with a grim face, Raman who removed his shades by now, slid his hands inside pocket of his pants and kept looking at man coming towards him. He hasn't met him after that night but yes the man changed alot the arrogance wasn't on his face anymore, he was looking humble but a man like him is unforgivable. "I came to know that you transferred."

"What you achieved doing this Raman Sir? I already said I wasn't at fault that night. You did wrong by transferring me to Chennai."

"It doesn't matters and moreover you wasn't appointed on your hard work. You got appointment due to ministerial approach, if you get appointed through that approach you can get transferred by them as well." Raman concluded his words in curt tone making Subramanyam gulp hard. Raman continued to pass him mean look until the man walked away from his path making his tensed muscles relaxed. He wore his shades again and about to take driving seat when he saw Ishita coming towards them.

"Is all work done?" Raman asked as he ignited the car again.

"Yes. They know Roohi is ill so they already kept the documents ready." Ishita informed and their car was leaving university premesis, "Look like Roohi slept."

"Maybe due to effects of medicines." Raman replied back.

"Can you take car towards bookstore? I need to buy some stationary and also books." Raman nodded in positive and took u-turn.

"If I'm not wrong your favourite ice cream shop is here. Haina?"

"Yes, at corner of next turn. Why you asked all of sudden?"

"It's been long since you tortured me with your black current ice cream. Would you like to have one?"

"Won't it torture you? You never enjoyed my favourite flavour."

"It's okay I guess. It's been long you tortured me with your favourite sweet." He winked at last making Ishita giggled. She nodded in positive and he took the turn.

"But we will eat without Roohi. It might make her upset."

"Why would it make her upset? We will buy her favourite flavour as well and give her to eat if doctor permits but do you know her favourite flavour?"

"Umm no but I think kids like chocolate." She shurgged her shoulder with smile making her husband grin wider. They looked at opposite from each other and continued to smile spending another wonderful day with each other.