The Binding String

T H I R T Y - F O U R

"I will buy two for you. And one for Mumma as well." Ishita coughed seeing her husband winking at her flirtly.

"Yayyyy!!! Mumma chalo na aaj hum mall ghoomenge. Haina Papa?" (Then we three will spend our day in mall.) Ishita and Raman nodded their head in affirmation as their car parked at VIP Parking area of the mall. Raman took Roohi in his arms and make room for Ishita to step out. She straightened the pallu of her cotton saree and took Roohi's hand in her as they entered into mall. Ishita was too excited for the outing, same as her daughter but she cannot afford to depict same like young Roohi. It happened for first time when they came together for an outing, like a family and that happened due to Roohi, their hands were entwined with Roohi forming a chain, signifying the presence of Roohi in their life like a binding string which is helping to keep them together. They continued to roam floors checking out the displayed stuffs in different outli making sure Roohi doesn't get hurted by crowd mostly having youngsters. Raman Ishita were walking when they saw Lilliput showroom in row and Raman entered inside it dragging Ishita and Roohi along him.

"Raman I have just purchased clothes for her." Ishita protested seeing Raman trying a cute white frilled frock on Roohi.

"But the clothes was of your choice. Roohi should have clothes of her father's choice as well." Ishita nodded her head unbelievably and let him choose clothes for Roohi, within time the counter was filled with different frocks and skirts for Roohi. Undoubtedly her husband is quite selective for clothes and Raman was giving hard time to Roohi by asking her to try every dress he is liking for her.

"Mumma mujhe nahi change karna ab. Roohi thak gayi hai Mumma." (Im tired Mumma. I dont want to change into more clothes.) Roohi whined as Ishita took her in changing room for some tenth time. Ishita giggled seeing the way her daughter was making face as she slid the white tee shirt along denim mini skirt which her husband asked to try on Roohi.

"Raman bas ab. I think these dresses are enough. Moreover Roohi is hungry now, haina Roohi?" Roohi nodded her head in big yes indirectly declaring that she don't want more dresses. Raman happily paid for the shopping and they came out taking bags in more hands. Next they moved towards food court and play court which was on same floor and Roohi jumped happily when her father promised her that he will take her for playing once she eat something. They ordered Roohi's favourite food and trio had a good meal after so long, although Roohi still whined most of the time to have food as her little mind was more interested to go and play like other kids. "Papa chalo na. Wahan chalenge ab."  (We will also go to play Papa.)

"Haan baba chalenge. Pehle finish toh karo apna burger Roohi." (Okay fine we will but before that finish your food.)

"Nahi Papa. Mumma will take care of it. Aap chalo na." (Mumma will take care of it. Let's go to play.) And Roohi dragged Raman along her leaving her half eaten paneer burger behind. Ishita smiled seeing her father daughter duo playing and than eyed at Roohi's half eaten burger which turned cold now. Ishita wasn't a great fan of junk food first and burger was surely not her cup of eat but maybe her heart rejected the idea of letting the food waste and she somehow ate the leftover burger. She picked her clutch and phone in both hands and walked towards play area where Raman was making Roohi play on various games. She excitedly clicked some random pictures of father daughter duo, never remembered when last she enjoyed so much with her family members. One must not need big reasons to become happy, sometimes even small things are enough to make you happy, the happiness seeing delighted faces of Raman and Roohi was enough to make Ishita's heart flutter.