The Binding String

T H I R T Y - O N E

"No Roohi you shouldn't be. Mumma is sorry baby.....Mumma is so sorry for not listening you. But I promise Roohi abse Mumma would never hurt you. I promise baby. Please forgive your Mumma." Ishita made promise to her little girl resting her head against Roohi's head, she was wiping the tears of her face but unable to control her. "Please forgive Mumma Roohi. Mumma sacchi sorry hai." This time it was Ishita who held her ears carrying tears in her eyes.

"One condition pe Mumma." Roohi forwarded a condition wiping her Mumma cheeks.

"Kya?" (What?)

"Promise karo aap mujhe us gande wale school mein nahi bhejoge. Woh school bura hai mujhe humesha punishment milti hai wahan. Main nahi jaaungi wahan." (Promise me that you won't send me in that school. I don't like that school, that bad one.)
Roohi innocently forwarded her condition infront of her Mumma with sad face.

"I promise, jab tak Roohi nahi kahegi tab tak Mumma ya Papa usko school nahi bhejenge. I promise." (I promise Mumma or Papa won't send you school until you ask. I promise.) And Roohi smiled genuinely that time getting the only thing she wished, she wrapped her tiny arms around her Mumma's torso too happy with the fact that her mother listened her finally. Otherside Ishita was still unaware with the reason behind why her daughter asked for such promise but right now she was least bothered. If her daughter's happiness resides in this promise than she was happy making it. She let the happy tears flow down from her eyes and closed her eyes, the pain of burns stopped making difference to her. She was happy that her Roohi gave her second chance and maybe she cannot ask anything more. Raman showed was watching everything from the distance wiped his moist eyes, he got the medicine after few seconds only but as he saw Ishita Roohi together he didn't wished to interrupt the cute moment.

They really needed to stay as close knitted family to make their relationship work and Roohi's forgiveness was first step towards it.

"Are waah yeh kya cuddle cuddle chal raha hai Roohi woh bhi Papa ke bina?" (Are you cuddling to mumma leaving Papa?) Raman broke the moment clearing his throat. He sat near mother daughter duo and took Ishita hand in his.

"Papa aap kahan the? Mumma ko pain ho raha hai na." (Where was you Papa? See Mumma is in so much pain.) Roohi said making serious face wondering what made her Papa so late.

"Sorry baba. Yeh Mumma hai na aapki pata nahi kahan kahan cheezein rakh deti hai. Papa ko medicine hi nahi mili." (Sorry baba. Your Mumma had bad habits of dumping things here and there.)
Raman effortlessly put entire blame on Ishita making her mouth hung open. She muttered whatever under her breath still hugging Roohi close to her.

"Papa jaldi lagao na yeh medicine, Mumma ko pain ho raha hoga." (Papa please apply medicines to mumma, she is having pain.) Raman nodded his head in affirmation and keenly examined Ishita's hand, the continous rubbing of ice do showed some improvements but they need to apply medicines to avoid blisters. Raman carefully applied medicines on her burns where Roohi continued to blow air on her Mumma's hand and the love and affection from father daughter duo left Ishita's heart swelled with pride. "Roohi but aren't you was angry with Mumma?" Raman nudged Roohi playfully and she shyly hide her face in her Mumma's chest.

"We patched up. Haina Roohi." Ishita tickled the side of her arms and little girl bursted into laughter. "Dekha Papa even Mumma and Roohi are friends now." Ishita spoke in animated voice making Raman shake his head in affirmation. "Chalo let's go for dinner. Mumma had prepared chole for Roohi." Roohi eyes twinkled with joy finding her Mumma cooked chole for her.