The Only String Attached

28

"Umm...get freshed,dad and all must be coming for the pooja",I said.

"Hmm ya OK",he said getting up.

He had big dark circles under his eyes,he is looking sleep deprived. I looked at Mahira's side,she was still sleeping.

I took bath and saw Mahir was also neat and clean. But our Mahira was still asleep.

"I will make break fast Mahir,wake up Mahira",I said.

"Is she still angry on me"?he asked.

"No..no she is good Mahir,not angry anymore",I said.

He nodded and I went to kitchen to prepare breakfast. I heard Mahira crying loudly. I rushed to the room to see her.

"What happened Mahira"?I went to her,she was crying loudly struggling in Mahir's arms.

"Baby look,it's me....dadda",Mahir said and Mahira opened her eyes.

"Dadda....mumma...",she said.

"We are here baby,we are here",Mahir cooed her.

She stopped crying and was snuggling into him.

"You go Bela,I will give her bath",Mahir said.

I went and completed cooking,Mahir and Mahira came looking all fresh.

Mahira was drinking milk and we heard door bell ringing.

Mahir went and opened it,welcoming our family along with Vish and Vyom.

"Daaduu..",Mahira beemed looking at my dad and Andy uncle.

"How is my Mahira doing",Andy uncle said taking her in his arms.

"Is everything ready for the pooja"?my dad asked.

"Yes uncle everything is ready",Mahir replied.

I was shocked when I saw all the things needed for the pooja lying in our little temple.

I thought I will go and get after eating,but Mahir already brought all this?

He is behaving differently, one day he says he don't want to attend and one day he is all ready for it.

"Oh babhi ji what are you thinking"?Yuvi said coming in front of me.

"Hmm..nothing Yuvi",I replied looking at Mahir.

"OK the priest must be on his way,Bela get Bani's picture from the room",Andy uncle said.

I was about to go,but Mahir walked past me to get it.

I was fidgeting with my fingers,Vish came and hugged me telling that everything will be alright.

Mahir cleaned the frame and placed it on the floor. Soon the pooja started,Mahir was performing with tears in his eyes.

My eyes were threatening to pour,my dad was already shedding tears.

Mahira was sitting on Vyom,she crawled towards Mahir pulling his kurta from back,Mahir looked at her and made her sit on his lap.

I started sobbing looking at that view,Mahira don't even know that she is her mother,but she was just being pulled towards her.

Mahir was blinking constantly to hide his tears, and Mahira had no idea what was happening,she was clapping her hands sitting on his lap.

I was sobbing looking at that site,Vish was consoling me,Vyom and Yuvi were consoling my dad and Andy uncle.

I'm missing Bani di a lot,it's killing me from inside. I'm feeling guilty now.