The Binding String

F O R T Y - S I X

"Papa maine aapke liye taxi book kar di hai aap log ghar nikliye main aur Ishita jaakar aate hai." (Papa i have booked taxi for you so you guys please leave to home. Me and Ishita are taking Roohi to hospital.) Raman also handed Ishita car keys to Om Prakash and the couple walked towards their car. Raman Ishita sat on back seat taking Roohi along, "Sateesh aaram se gaadi chalana. Bahar kaafi baarish hai." (Sa Raman repeated his instructions to Sateesh and caressed Roohi's head who was in her mother arms.

"Raman...mera dil bohot baith raha hai. Yeh apni aankhen kyon nahi khol rahi hai." (Raman I'm not feeling anything right. My heart is sinking seeing her in such state.) In the presence of her husband, Ishita finally found a space to cry her heart out. She rested her head on his shoulder still hugging Roohi close to her heart. Like Ishita, the father heart was not in any peace. Roohi's unresponsiveness was giving them chance to let negativity cross into their minds which they were avoiding. Raman kissed Roohi's forehead another time and rubbed his wife shoulder who seemed disturbed.

"Ishita please sab theek hi hoga." (Stop being negative. Everything will be fine sooner.)

"I hope so....I'm not ready for anything now.... especially with Roohi. Main use kisi takleef mein nahi dekh paungi." (Roohi is so young Raman, I can't see her in pain or sufferings.)  Ishita gently caressed Roohi soft face, she is her guarding angel who gave her new reason to live when all she was doing, was living a meaningless life. The couple remained seated close with closed eyes until they felt some movement, Ishita eyes brimmed with happy tears as Roohi finally opened her eyes. "Rooh.....how are you feeling now honey?" Ishita cooed her little daughter who gave some relief to her parents by opening her eyes.

"Mumma...." The half sleepy girl managed to utter her mother name before snuggling close to her mother again. "Raman paani hai kya gaadi mein?" (Raman do we have a water bottle in car?) Raman passed her a bottle of water and Ishita helped her little girl to sip little water.

"Roohi yahan aao, papa ke pas. Papa ko batao aapko kya hua." (Roohi what happened to you darling? Would you tell this to Papa?) Raman tried to strike an conversation seeing his little girl dull and silent, "Haan batao mumma papa ko kisne Roohi ko ready kiya aaj? Aap school gayi thi?" (Yes even mumma wants to know who decked up Roohi so prettily.) Ishita tried to talk Roohi does not want her to sleep. The couple keep caressing her hairs until Raman phone rang.

"It's Mihir." Raman informed Ishita and picked the call.

"Raman I have talked with his PA, most probably Dr. Ansari will see you in an hour. His junior asked you to come through VIP Gate and I'm on the way as well."

"Mihir there is no need of that. Ishita is with me."

"Shut up Raman. Roohi is my daughter as well. It's good having extra people around." Raman hummed in response and disconnected the call with a little smile on his face. Indeed their piece of heart is loved by all.

"Sir we have reached." Satheesh broke the silence, Raman rolled down the mirror of his side, their car was parked few meter away from the premisis of Fortis hospital. "Sateesh, here is another gate for VIP, take our car from there." Sateesh obliged same and took a turn. Few minutes later their car was parked outside of the VIP Gate which was less crowded then the usual entrance gates, the mostly cars parked outside of the VIP Gates belonged to big shots of nation. Raman was the first one who stepped out from car and waved his hand seeing Mihir already present there.

"Ishita aao....." (Ishita we have reached.) Raman helped ishita to climb down from the car and the couple walked inside of the building along Mihir.

"Champ!! Kya hua tumhe?" (Hey my rockstar. What happened to you?) Mihir gently pressed Roohi fragile hand as the three continued to walk towards elevator.