Bonded by a Symbol of Love

1 | Proposal

It was in the middle of the night, but sleep was still far away from Raman's eyes. He was lying down on his bed with a sleeping Pihu beside him. He was caressing her hair while drowning in thoughts. He was only thinking about one person, which was Ishita. What was their connection? Why did he keep getting flashes of being with someone whenever he's with her? Who was she? How did she know how to solve every problem of his? She got back their house papers after staying for a whole night in jail alone after taking the blame on herself. It was the early morning of the following day after getting bailed by Ashok. She risked her life to save his daughter Pihu, and that too twice. And how is it possible that Pihu feels more secure with her than in his own house? What is she? He liked having small fights with her, even he didn't know the reason why. The only person he could trust and confront was his father. He knew he could talk to his father. "I'll talk to Papa about Ishita tomorrow in private", Raman thought as he drifted off to sleep.

The next day

Raman woke up and Pihu woke up few minutes after him. She hugged him from behind. Raman told her to take her shower in his bathroom itself as he already brought her clothes for her to change into. Once Pihu showered, Raman went in for a cold shower. When he came out, he saw Pihu still sitting on the bed. The reason Pihu didn't want to go down was because she was afraid of Simmi.

Raman: Arey betha, you didn't go downstairs yet?

Pihu: No Papa, I wanted to wait for you.

Raman: Oh okay, chalo lets go down for breakfast.

Pihu: Papa... Woh...

Raman came and sat beside Pihu. He carried Pihu and placed her on his lap.

Raman: Is there something you want to ask or say?

Pihu: Haan Papa...

Raman: Okay bolo na I'm listening.

Pihu: I want to have breakfast and be with Ishim... Ishita aunty. Is it...okay?

Raman: But wouldn't she be sleeping?

Pihu: Nooo she always wakes up at 7 to dress me up for school.

Pihu bit her tongue. She thought of a reason to cover up.

Pihu: I mean... She wakes up early to help Paati.

Raman: Ohhh... okay then. I'll drop you there and I'll come inside her house shortly. Chalo lets go.

Raman and Pihu went downstairs. They saw Prakash in the hall reading the paper.

Raman: Morning Papa

Prakash: Good morning Raman, good morning Pihu.

Pihu: Good morning daadu.

Raman: Papa have you eaten breakfast?

Prakash: Haan Raman, I had to take BP pills that's why.

Raman: Simmi, Param, Mihika kahan hai?

Prakash: Patha nehi puttar, they went off even before I woke up. That's what Neelu told me when I came for breakfast.

Raman: Oh okay... Papa, I need to talk to you...

Prakash: Okay, come lets go out.

Prakash was kinda confused. Raman never asked to talk to him in private unless its something that's disturbing him. But he shrugged it off and sat on the sofa outside their house. Raman was holding Pihu.