The Binding String

T H I R T Y - T H R E E

But if it's not studies than what could it be then.

"Ishita why don't we try talking with her friends? Maybe we get to know something." Raman suggested after a pause of few seconds.

"Raman I don't know about her any friends and her friends are young like her. Woh kya bata paayenge? Only Roohi can tell us clearly." Ishita presented her point tapping her fingers over glass top of dining table. "I have an idea. Maybe woh work kare." She left soon from there leaving her husband in suspense.

FEW HOURS LATER

"Mumma!! Can I go along Papa tomorrow?" Ishita was arranging her daughter cupboard when her demand fell in her ears making her pass sarcastic grin to her husband.

"Why do you want to go with Papa only?" Ishita asked facing her daughter who was playing sitting on her bed.

"Because Papa is the principal of his office and I can bring my laptop there. Everyone does that Mumma. I saw." Roohi replied blinking her eyes.

"Hmm okay you can go but do you asked Papa if he can take you their again?" And Ishita words activated the antennas in Raman's head.

"Umm no Roohi. Papa won't be in office tomorrow. Actually Papa had to visit another office which is far away and kids are not allowed there." Raman passed puppy looks to his daughter showing his unavailability for another day. Otherside Ishita closed the cupboard and sat near Roohi taking comb and rubber bands in her hand.

"It's okay Papa. You leave Riya Didi with me. Mumma you know Riya didi is so cute. She played with me today and we even watched cartoons. She is so cute and her hairs look like a barbie doll."  Roohi boasted proudly about her new friend which was enough to change Ishita's expressions.

"Hmm look like your Papa lives surrounded with such cute didis. Nahi Roohi Ke Papa?" Raman closed his laptop looking here and there, indeed his wife sarcastic gazes are more dangerous than a sword. He gulped the water from the glass and silently sat next to Roohi who was watching something on the iPad. "Roohi yaar. Leave Riya didi in office only and tell me what are you watching?" Raman executed the next step of plan where Ishita finished braiding her hairs.

"Cartoon. Riya didi searched it for me." Ishita suppressed her laughter seeing her husband expressions. The poor man was trying hard to divert the topic from "Riya Didi" but maybe his daughter weren't ready to do so.

"Are Roohi today Mumma had planned something for you. Batao na Roohi ki Mumma." Raman poked Ishita from forefinger at her waist making her yelp. She closed the iPad and made Roohi lay down in middle and the husband wife occupied the either sides. "Roohi would you like to listen a story today?" Roohi happily nodded her head in big yes making Raman Ishita smile. "What is the name of the story Mumma?" Roohi asked further too eager to listen story like her teacher used to do in school.

"The King and the Cobbler.

Once upon a time, there was a place called Sundargarh where King Satya Nand used to rule. King Satyanand was a very noble king but there was one thing he hated most, the liers. So once upon a time, King Satyanand asked his royal doctor to bring magical medicine for him, the medicine was so magical that it can cure any disease.

So the poor royal doctor walked miles away along his son to get the herbs for King. While coming back to Sundargarh his shoes got broken and he went to Cobbler and asked him to repair those. The Cobbler name was Heera, who was honest man but he was so poor. So when the doctor asked if he can repair his shoes so Cobbler offered them seat at his house and asked them to take rest until he repairs their shoes."

"Mumma Cobbler was poor but still he asked them to rest?" Roohi piped in middle stopping Ishita.

"Yes dear, goodness doesn't defines with money. Always remebere this." Ishita replied and continued the story, "So hours later when Cobbler went back in his Hut to return them their shoes he overheard the use of herb the men was carrying with him. The Cobbler needed it since his mother was ill but he didn't asked and returned them their shoes. At night when Cobbler was arranging his bed, he saw the herb and he thought the herb might be a gift from Royal doctor.