The Binding String

F O R T Y - N I N E

It was half past one of night when Raman car entered inside his building. He thanked driver fished his hand inside his laptop bag to take out duplicate keys. "I wish Mumma Papa yahan hote, kam se kam Ishita ko convince toh kar lete mujhe join karne ke liye. Pata nahi woh maanegi bhi ya nahi." (I wish Mumma Papa didn't went at Simmi place, atleast they would convinced Ishita to join me for tomorrow event. She is not ready to spare a look at me, I wonder if she would agree to come along ke or not.) Raman parents weren't in town, they went to visit their granddaughter Ananya who was sick from the last few days. It was just they two left behind along the unending silence, Raman dumped his bag on sofa and eyed at dining table where the food bowls were kept along a casseroles. It was daily ritual of his wife to keep food for him along a chit to reheat the dinner if he want. Earlier Raman used to have dinner at office but nowadays he doesn't eat often at his workplace and at home he doesn't enjoys eating alone.

For the another day he decided to sleep empty stomach.

Raman kept the bowls back inside the refrigerator and climbed the stairs, without making noise he changed his clothes and crawled inside covers. From the dimmed lights of night lamps her sleep figure was visible and like everyday he remained laid down keeping everything in his heart. Par mujhe ek baar toh koshish karni chahiye Ishita ko meri baat convoy karne ki. (But i should try to make my point understand her.)

Raman spoke to himself continued to change sides, he picked his phone and types a watsapp message to his wife who was sleeping few meters away from him.

Hi, can you accompany me tomorrow? My company is going to make an official announcement about my CEO post. It would be great if you can make time for me.

He types a quick message, the phone ring from another side confirmed that the message delivered. He closed his eyes hoping if she accept his proposal. Other side Ishita Bhalla wasn't exactly slept, the concerned wife was worried for her husband who apperently slept empty stomach for another consecutive day. She stopped having food at night because the silence on the dining table bothers her but she was confused why he is not eating anything? Does he eats at office? Obviously he must. Vaise bhi Raman ko ghar kahan pasand aata hai ab. (Looks like he ate at office only. Why would he like homemade food now?)

Ishita consoled herself without knowing her husband feeling for her. She needed something to console and convince herself that he is fine and taking his meals on time. The message tone came from her phone was making her curious but she was scared to check her phone, she doesn't know if Raman slept or not. Ishita changed her sleeping side and rested her head on her elbow to look at her husband who's face was looking tired in the golden light of table lamp.

Our fight is going to far. But I'm not wrong here, Raman be mere saath bohot galat kiya hai, ek biwi kaise apni pati ko maaf kar sakti hai yeh jaane ke baad bhi ki uska kisi aur aurat ke saath affair hai? (Our fight is going too far...but I'm not wrong at my place. Raman did so wrong with me, he cheated me behind my back. I can never forgive him for the things he done with me.)

The all the hate and anger ishita has for her husband is for the one reason that her husband tried to cheat her behind her back and the facade he is keeping is fake. All the men are same, they think women are forgiven and hence they try to seek forgiveness by faking sorry. Her father was no different, he tried to cheat her mother and then enter back in their lives at one point of time. Her father attempted such acts two decades back than she cannot expect good things from her husband, but his face.......it's appearing that he is into deep trouble. She understands his facial expressions well but now she cannot ask him what is bothering him.

Ishita continued to look at Raman until her eyes turned heavy and sleep consumed her. Next day when Ishita woke up her husband wasn't in room, she checked the phone and read his message which he sent her last night. Her lips curved into a smile and her body filled with delight realising her husband is going to announced as CEO at last, the day is here which he dreamt since years and he wanted to take her as well!! Her face filled with delight, yes along him even she waited for this day, she silently prayed almighty for the day to arrive in her husband life who is working hard day and night to fulfill his dream. An elated Ishita ran towards her closet and picked out a packet.