The Binding String

T H I R T Y - F O U R

"Here drink it first. Dheere dheere peeyo." (Drink it slowly.) Ishita started to make her drink the water where Raman continued to rub her back until her breaths normalised. "Kya hua tha Roohi ekdum se?" (What happened to you all of sudden?)

"Main thak gayi thi Mumma." (I was tired Mumma.)

"Toh itni masti nahi karni thi na Roohi. You're just like your Mumma. Always jumps here and there." Raman comment made Roohi giggle and Ishita smile. The sarcastic taunts sounds sweet from the person who had special place in your life. After so long she didn't replied him back but respond with soft smile.

Baawre se mann ki dekho baawri hai baatein
(The innocent mind has some innocent thoughts)

"Roohi ice cream khayegi ab? Ab bhook lagi hogi na Roohi ko." (You must be hungry dear. Would you like to have ice cream?) Raman asked further making Roohi her head nod in big yes. They entered inside outlet of Baskin and Robins, Ishita settled at corner table taking Roohi along and Raman went to order ice cream for three.

"Roohi ek baat batao. Aapne Mumma ko phele kyon nahi bataya ki that boys tease you?" (Tell me dear why didn't you informed me before about that children?) Ishita asked after few minutes seeing Roohi checking out the ice cream posters.

"Mumma woh....."

"Hmm bolo aapne Mumma ko pehle kyon nahi bataya? Akele pareshaan hoti rahi beta." (You unnecessarily troubled yourself dear.) Ishita caressed Roohi's hairs lovingly making the girl smile, "Haan Roohi agar aap Papa ko batate na toh Papa un baccho ke teeth pe mukka maar dete." (Yes dear Papa would have break their jaw if you informed us before.) Roohi giggled seeing her Papa who showed mock punch referring to Tapasya and Shivansh. She hide her face behind her little palms still laughing making her parents laugh more loudly. "Oye pagal. Batao jaldi se." Ishita pulled her cheeks and Roohi scrunched her nose in response.

"Because Mumma and Roohi weren't friends earlier na." Ishita face fell listening Roohi's words, that was bitter reality which she failed to realise before. As she revisit the past she wonder what made her so harsh on the life which she kept in her womb, give birth to her in unusual circumstances. The unacceptance for the present often makes the life hard, Ishita is an example of same. She know she is making up for her mistakes but the moments she missed of her life would tease her till rest of the life.
Otherside Roohi had noticed her mother fallen face, she is small according to her age but very much sensible and sensitive as everyone says. She rose on her knees and planted a kiss on her mother cheek with ice cream smeared lips.

"Yeh kya hai?" (What is that?) Ishita chided with scrunched nose feeling the cold liquid on her cheeks.

"Roohi ki kissie. Roohi and Mumma ab friend ban gaye hai na. Ab Roohi Mumma ko aur Papa ko sab baat bata degi humesha. Pakka promise." (My kiss to you. We're friends right. From now I will share everything with you and Papa without fail, I promise.) Raman Ishita happily nodded their heads and an overwhelmed Ishita bear her daughter in a hug, the moment became so precious that it compelled Raman to click their picture secretly and like his wife he managed to savour the beautiful moment along their daughter.