190

“ And ... like splash...I was pushed... I know.. I didn’t slip... someone pushed me...”

“And..?” he asked thrilled...

“And what? I was floating like a log of wood holding my breath .... and Laxumbai... I mean..Mrs. Russel came out running... screaming her heart out, as if I was floating dead....! hihihi...” she said laughing ... he gaped at her bright naughty face controlling his urge to pull her closer.  She was narrating the incidence, giggling, mimicking, giving him the vivid description animatedly and most importantly, not stuttering at all...! He was relaxed on the sofa and she was standing near the study table....

“But then....” she came and sat by his side sadly wrapping her arm around his ... he looked at her..

“Daddyji was very sad.... when she went out of the house....!  I...I fff...feel ...I..m..m..mean I d..d..don’t know.... He... he thought...I mean... I had not seen anyone ... b..but h..he asked her to go...” her stuttering had returned as was her sadness and anxiety...! He just wrapped his arm around her shoulder ...

“Don’t worry.... Its not your fault... this was to happen...” he sighed... His father had taken a bold step to send Sanyogita out....

“But  you know... He did it... in my absence... and that's creditable...” he squeezed her shoulder...She looked at him surprised...

“Every time he gave in... yielding to her manipulation... It was I who always insisted that she should be out of our lives... But every time she managed to manipulate him, playing with his soft, emotional self...” he said solemnly... She felt little better as her guilt reduced a bit. 

“Humm...” she rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.  She had really felt bad...

“You know? But this time... he did it.. finally!” he sighed a relief.  She smiled rubbing her cheek on his arm...! The laptop on the table beeped... someone was on skype call...! They both jumped to their feet to grab the laptop.  

“Rini Didi....!” Dhatri screamed in excitement and smiling, Ravi took a back seat... It was her Rini Didi’s time ... Ravi had no place in that world... He sneaked out whistling a fun tune...! 

..........  ........

“Dhaa... I want to talk to Ravi...” Rini said little hesitantly... Dhatri looked around and then screaming her lungs out called out for Ravi...

“Shuu.... Dhaa... behave yourself....” Nilima reprimanded her blocking Rini’s window...!

“Mamma...” Dhatri jumped in her seat... Ravi appeared behind her...

“Where were you? Rini didi wants to talk to you...” She asked him angrily...

“Dhaa...!” Nilima called out sternly...! 

“Rini Didi... Ravi..” Dhatri clutched his arm ignoring her mamma’s reprimand.  Rini grinned.  Tall figure of Vinit had appeared behind ....

“Free Vini...” Dhaa squeaked happily.  Ravi smiled broadly....

*****   ****  ****

“Haa.... Finally... they are getting married.... I am so happy...” Dhatri was revolving with her hands up.... She suddenly turned to Ravi and running towards him... circled her arms around his neck.... He just held the table for support... restraining himself ....! He won’t spoil her mood with his haste..! She had flung herself on to him.... He just took the storm on his chest....!

“But ... “ she stepped aside, deep in thoughts.  

“Why registered marriage?” she asked him and he just gave a nod.

“Its their choice Dhaa...” he said seriously.  

“But...” she again couldn’t tell ... Ravi too had sensed something was wrong... Rini didn’t look in her usual elements... Vini was normal and jovial though... He too had sensed she looked weak and pale... He looked at Dhaa’s face and brushing aside his worries, smiled broadly. 

“That’s ok.  They are getting married after much deliberations... and that's enough for us.. Isn’t it?” he asked her and she smiled.  

“Humm...” she sighed coming back to him. 

“You want to go?” he asked and her eyes flashed in excitement... but then said....

“No... Mamma Papa and uncle aunty are there.... “ he looked at her intently.

“If you want I will make arrangements..”

“And you?” she asked flaring up.  He hesitated a bit... 

“Its ok.  I am not going... “ she said considerately.  But then raised her voice in excitement.

“But we will invite them here.... For their honeymoon...” she laughed mischievously.  

“Yeah... for honeymoon...” he said with a tinge of resentment.... She walked away... And the phone buzzed.

“Disha...” Ravi handed over the phone.

“Disha Didi?” Dhatri called out and Disha squeaked.... 

“Dhaa? Did you hear that? Rini and Maj. Vinit... I mean I am so happy for them... You know... they are getting married....” Disha didn’t give any chance to Dhatri to speak a word.  She went on...

“Its good that they are keeping it simple and sweet.... “ Dhatri bit her lip in resentment....

“”Dhaa... I am so happy for Mamma Papa...” Disha was bursting in excitement.  Dhatri smiled listening to her eldest sister...!  

“I will send them a big gift...” Disha blurted and Dhatri realized, she had to plan for one too.  She glanced at Ravi and again realized that she didn’t need to worry, Ravi would take care...!

“Haan Didi... I will... I will talk to Rini didi...” Dhatri disconnected.  Ravi had pulled his laptop closer.

“No... No laptop tonight...” Dhatri stopped him pulling him out of the chair.  

“Let us celebrate...” she said dreamily.  He arched his eyebrow...

“Celebrate?”

“With dance... Mari mai Dance...” she pulled him in her embrace, humming the folk tune... He rode the storm in her  arms...

........  .........

“Are you sure, you want to do this...?” he asked huskily and she hesitated.

“Humm...” she closed her eyes in apprehension... The feeling for Ravi was ecstatic...out of the world! Heavenly! His deep kisses gave her shivers....  

The disco lights were flashing everywhere.... the kids were enjoying... drinks were brought in... the fast track rhythm boomed everywhere...

“Come...” Someone pulled her ...  she called for her papu mari.... No one heard... her papu mari had left her for a moment...to bring her food....!

The rhythm had caught momentum... kids were dancing their hearts out.... gala event was to celebrate completion of first lap of training program.....The kids overnight picnic to the city had brought all of them to the discotheque....~!!!

**********  ********  ********

“You sure, you really want to go ahead...?” Rini asked seriously the ‘n’th time.  Vinit cupped her face and said “Yes, Rini, I do...” with the same intensity.  She let out a sigh...He gathered her in his arms... 

“Rini.... I can’t live without you.... Just be with me my whole life...Rini...” he lost his control...Resting his head on her shoulder, he wept.... wept like a child, scared of abandonment...!

“Promise me... you will not abandon me...” he chocked with emotions gushing out... She only kept patting on his back, assuring him her support, waiting for him to calm down... 

“I am really lucky to have you in my life, Vinit...” she cupped his face wiping his tears, making up her mind to go ahead his wedding plans....! He glanced at her bright face and smiled cheekily turning his face....! Finally she had agreed.  He could see that determination on her face....! 

**********  **********

“You really think... you want to do this...?” Bhanu asked bewildered when she had offered herself unprotected....! 

“Oh! Bhanu... Just don’t waste your time in asking silly questions...” she hissed pulling him on to her....

“B..but...” she had shut him up with her lips...!

“Don’t bother about anything now.... and come on.... “ she had made her first move... he surfed on the waves of passion....! 

Disha really didn’t bother about the consequences .... she wanted him... completely....wholeheartedly...! The happiness creeped in like a drug... intoxicating them both...!  

189

“Damn...! Pick up the phone, Ravi...!” Sayajirao swore...! Ravi failed to answer the call... He was busy deploying the security systems in a Data Center..! 

“Mrs. Russel...!” Saya called back home again...!

“Yeah...She is alright...!” Mrs. Russel Squeaked happily.

“What?” Saya couldn’t believe his ears..!

“Yes Mr. Deo... talk to her..!” 

“He...Hello... Da...Daddyji..” Dhatri stuttered.

“Dhatri...! Thank God! You are Ok.!” Saya breathed a relief.

“What happened, Beta?” he asked..

“N... Nothing... J..Just slipped ...” She said smiling inwardly.  

Mrs. Russel had dragged Dhatri out of the pool and was frantically banging on her heart to revive.  Dhatri had just opened her eyes and Mrs. Russel had turned ashen faced seeing a ghost.  Dhatri had gently pushed her away and had sat up.

“Wha... What?” Mrs. Russel found her voice return to her throat.  By that time Dhatri had got up and was walking away.  Mrs. Russel struggled to her feet and ran behind her.

“Baahoo... “ She had held Dhatri’s hand.  Dhatri smiled faintly shivering with cold.

“I go and change..” she had said pointing at her drenched state.  Mrs. Russel had run behind her to help.  

Dhatri had grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom.  Patting herself dry and wearing warm clothes she had sat on the edge of the bath tub...

There was no one around and Dhatri had sat on the edge on the pool.  Someone had pushed her and she couldn’t see who it was.  She had tried to prop her head above the water and was forced underwater with a heavy object, pushing her further down into the water.  She was struggling... going breathless... She had only one option....  ‘Thanatosis ‘...Feigning death, which she had learnt during her lessons on survival. For one final try, she had propped her head above the surface and inhaled...one last time.  She had stopped struggling and her lifeless.. breathless body floated on the pool water.  She was dead for all practical purposes and the predator had moved away drowning her successfully.  Dhatri was dragged out of the pool before she could regain....! 

She remembered...~ She had almost drowned her Papu Mari ... The rigorous morning training session was over.  Grumpy had punished her with no food in the morning... He asked her to take a dip into the lake and be ready for the next gruesome exercise.  Her rage going over board she jumped into the lake... swam across underwater and had surfaced on the other side.  Pulling herself out of water she had plastered soft sticky mud all over her necked body (Another survival lesson to protect oneself from scorching heat insect bites) and ran into the woods....!

Papu mari had come searching for her and had found her dress on the edge of the pond.  No one had seen Dhatri coming out of the waters.  They only had seen her diving into the water from the rock above.  Papu mari had dived into the pond in search of Dhatri ...  Dhatri was nowhere... Papu mari had kept her search on and now grumpy also had joint along with other divers....

With the night fall Dhatri had returned from the woods with belly full of fruits and tubor nector.  She saw her papu mari lying on the ground and grumpy was still in the pond searching for Dhatri’s body..! 

“Baby...!” someone screamed seeing her in a mud soaked condition hiding behind a tree and Dhatri had turned on her heels running away at jet speed.  But a bigger boy was faster and he had caught her.  Grumpy had given her the due punishment and papu mari had cried her heart out holding her to the heart, for no reason...! 

“Baby... Please don’t do this again...!” she had pleaded between her sobs.  Grumpy had another round of cane spanking and Dhatri was crying her heart out in pain.  Somewhere in the midnight she had opened her eyes to see herself on grumpy’s laps and he was massaging and daubing neem paste on her wounds...! She had kicked him hard in the chest with all her might and rage.  He had pinned her down and continued daubing the paste....! She had slept peacefully plopping her head on his shoulder...! 

“Baahoo?” Mrs. Russel tapped on the bathroom door gently and Dhatri had come out of her childhood memories.  She had opened the door smiling, smelling coffee...! Sayajirao had called...! 

 “Beta, what happened?” he asked.  She didn’t know what to answer.  She didn’t want panicky spread all around either. 

“Nothing...” she said and there was a silence....! Hurriedly she continued...

“I can swim...!” she said to his relief and Mrs. Russel grinned happily.  

*****  *********  ******

“Someone pushed me in the pool....wanting me to drown...!” Dhatri thought... But decided to keep it to herself..as she had not seen the person.  The door bell rang and Sayajirao dashed in.  Dhatri came out of her room.

“Dhatri, beta kaisi ho?” he asked her with worry.  She merely nodded.  She saw Sanyogia leaning against the door.

“When did you come?” asked Mrs. Russel asked, shocked.  Sanyogita glanced at Dhatri, sidelining the question, raising her voice asked...

“Whats going on?” Sayajirao had picked up the clue.

“Where were you?” he asked her suspiciously and she turned to him...!

“Had gone out, Saya...! I told you... I am leaving this Monday and had to meet someone...!” she was vague enough ... Saya looked around...His phone buzzed.

“Ravi...” he said pleasantly.

“Yeah..! Just that I reached home...” he said not wanting to tell him anything.  Dhatri had come out...!

“You want to talk to her?” he thrust his phone in Dhatri’s hand...!

“Y..Ya.. I am fine..Yes... Humm... !” she only responded to his querries ... looking around shying ...!

“T..Take care...A... And come home... s...soon..!” she finally gathered courage, turning her back on everyone and said in a bere whisper.

“Yeah... Dhaa... only two days...!” Ravi assured her.  She sighed disconnecting the phone.  Hearing his voice, she missed him more...! 

*********   ******  ******

They had gathered for dinner.  Sayajirao was unusually quiet and Sanyogita still was sipping her drink before the food. 

“Ahem. Huff... “ he pulled out a paper from his pocket...and gave it to Sanyogita...!

“What is it, Saya... I don’t want anything...I just want your love... Saya... I just want to relive those old magical days...!” she said dreamily clutching the paper.  Sayajirao swallowed and glancing at Mrs. Russel, making sure she was listening to him, said...

“Its your booking... in the motel...You can check in the night...!” 

“What?” Sanyogita got up with a jerk.  Dhatri looked up at once.

“Umm  Its near the airport... So you can board the flight on Mpnday..!” he said avoiding to look at her.  

“Fine...!” Sanyogita sat down fuming... “Can I finish my drink? Or do you want me to have it in the hotel room?” she asked scathing...! Sayajirao looked away refraining from reacting.  He didn’t want her around when Dhatri was alone at home....! 

“Oh! I got it...! A new find has arrived... You won’t need a old woman now... She is here... raw... curvy...at your service...” Sanyogita had lost her mind as she gulped a large drink...! Sayajirao looked pale, drained out...Mrs. Russel dropped the plate.  Sanyogita had got up fuming with rage...!

“Old habits die hard, Saya... Like father, like son...! Remember? Your father tried to rape me once...!” she turned to Dhatri...

“And you... whoever you are... beware of this family...! But of course... You would want him... with your husband going away every now and then... you would want a man... you subhuman creature.... you...!” But before she could continue...Dhatri had got up.. sensing the tension... She had shut her ears not wanting to know what she was ranting.. She only had understood that this woman was alleging her daddyji... she must defend... she must defend...!

“Stop...!” Dhatri yelled and came around.  Holding Sayajirao’s hand firmly asked...

“When is she leaving daddyji? Should I get her bags?”  Sanyogita’s rage saw no boundary...

“You... you filthy girl... You are asking me to leave from my house? This is my house.. and this is my husband....! You are an outsider.... Just move out of this house with your so called husband... who doesn’t even have guts to move out of his father’s shelter even in his adulthood...! You swine...!” she had lost control.... Dhatri had clasped Sayajirao’s hand stopping him from doing anything.  Mrs. Russel knew her limits....She would refrain from interfering..! 

“You.. you... filth... you should have....” she suddenly stopped...in shock.  She was about to let out ....

“Go...!” Dhatri hissed spitting fire... threatening her.. Like a cornered cat..! 

“Saya.....!” Sanyogita had suddenly changed her stance... she came a step forward with teary eyes....!

“No!... Sayajirao staggered back holding Dhatri’s hand...! He wouldn’t let anything to happen to Dhatri.  

“I think.. you should leave...!” He said firmly and Sanyogita stopped....!

“You? You want me to go, Saya? I am your wife... I love you...!” she continued playing a victim card...!

“Your father.... and that old man...They broke us apart... Saya.... Remember? Those magical days.... I couldn’t even see anything beyond you...Saya... We love each other.... !” she sobbed and Sayajirao swallowed... He just wanted this to get over....! Dhatri looked at Daddyji’s moist eyes....

“He loves her?” for a second she thought so....

“Go!” Sayajirao had said firmly and then turning to Mrs. Russel... said

“Please help her pack her bags, Mrs. Russel...!” Mrs. Russel nodded with relief... She had seen this drams many a times before and Sayajirao letting down his guard...before Sanyogita’s drama.. ending up paying her huge money....! 

“Saya... For God Sake.. Don’t do this... I am your wife..!” Sanyogita had clutched Sayajirao’s hand by now and was all set to push Dhatri aside.

“No! You are not my wife...!” For the first time Sayajirao said jerking away her hand...!

“Leave... Now!” he said and she turned fuming...!

*********   ******

“Saya...!” Sayajirao looked at Sanyogita with all her baggage in the living room....

“Wish.. I had seen my son before going...!” she said dabbing her eyes.  Dhatri still by his side, Saya shook his head a bit...!

“I will tell him ... He will come and meet you...!” Sayajirao said still not buging to her tactics..!

Sanyogita turned to leave....! 

188

“Come on... Have something...!” Saya peeped in and Dhaa got up from the bed. Her favourite pass time was sleep...! 

“Yes.. Daddyji...” she said obediently and followed Saya in the kitchen...! Mrs. Russel had already laid the table elaborately.  Sanyogita was waiting, sipping the wine.  Dhatri looked at them sheepishly and took a chair.  

“Saya.... I am leaving next Sunday... Hope Sunny returns by then.... I am really going to miss you all...” Sanyogita said sweetly.  Saya merely nodded feeling swkward...! Mrs Russle busy with serving, Dhatri gaped at Sanyogita...! Her charm and beauty was beyond Dhatri’s comprehensive....!

“How old she is? Forty? Thirty Five?” Dhatri looked at her own skin comparing the unblemished creamy pale skin of Sanyogita.

“Humm..!” she sighed again realizing the striking resemblance of Ravi.  He is as charming and handsome!” She concluded feeling inferior...! 

“But then... He is as kind and loving as Daddyji...” she smiled at her father in law...who was busy eating the food made by himself.  But for him it tasted great since it had a flavor of his daughter in law’s liking too...! She liked what he liked since both were from the central India...!

Sanyogita felt a surge of hatred.  They were just not bothered about her, ignoring her completely. “ I can’t be ignored by these people..!” she fumed. Saya was telling Dhatri about his childhood pranks and she was laughing, jerking her head back and flashing her disgusting dimples....! Sanyogita couldn’t stand it... She butted in....

“Saya, you remember? That some damn falls.... what was that? Chitrakoot...! You were almost drowned in that water....!” she said loudly staring at Saya.  He suddenly became quiet.... Someone had pushed him into the waters when the falls was overflowing and roaring fiercely... The onlookers had helped him and brought him on the shore half dead...! He didn’t know who had pushed him... but Sanyogita had kept saying someone from the crowd had done it and before she could catch the person.... he had vanished....! Saya’s grandfather had never sent him alone with her anywhere....!

“Can you swim?” she asked Dhatri and Dhatri looked away...! 

“Thats ok. Beta... ! “ Saya consoled and Sanyogita looked at her contemptuously...! Dhatri busied herself eating....! There were so many things she didn’t know....! Swimming? She shuddered in fright with the memory....! She had almost killed her papu mari .... and then Grumpy had punished her keeping without food for the whole day and spanking her with cane....!  She inadvertently clutched her buttocks still feeling the pain....! 

“Its ok, beta... No problem..! So many even in America do not know swimming..!” he said kindly and Sanyogita’s eyes flashed.  Dhatri was getting more attention...! 

“Saya... Can we go out this evening... ? For dinner?” Sanyogita asked sweetly.  Dhatri stared...! Sayajirao glanced at her and said ...

“No! I mean I have a meeting in the evening....” Sanyogita sulked...! Mrs. Russel had cleared the table and Dhatri was lingering there aimlessly.  

“Beta...” Sayajirao called her.  She looked up.

“Can you come to my room?” he asked and she nodded.  He took her to his room and Sanyogita followed.... “What is he up to?” she was dying to know.  He had some papers and asked Dhatri to sign...! 

“I am bequeathing everything I have to you and Ravi...” he said and Dhatri looked up in horror...!

“No... Please...No! I don’t want anything...!” she said keeping aside the pen.  Sanyogita burned ...!

“I have the right over everything he has...!” she fumed....! She was denied her right....! Her eyes flickered in rage... The blue tinge became darker...! She clenched her fists.  Sayajirao had made Dhatri sign the papers and had taken her to the safe...!

“I am going to register you for the access...” he said ..

“This is Ravi’s product... Biometric Access control system... Only those who have the right can open this safe... And now you have the right...! You manage the house...now! I am going to retire soon..!” he said registering her finger for the access...! She felt overwhelmed...!

“But Daddyji... I don’t want anything... and I won’t be able to handle ...” she said trembling... She had never been given any responsibility before by anyone...! Everyone had managed everything for her.... She was never a part of her own decision making.. Except for her marriage and that also people around said, it was Ravi, whose decision it was to marry her...! This unexpected responsibility shook her...! 

“Now you have an access to everything we have.... !” He said with satisfaction placing his hand on her head...! 

“Its your home.... Dhatri...” he said solemnly.  She merely nodded.  

**********   ********  ******  ******

“Mamma.. please... No!” Rini said seriously when Salil and Nilima opened the topic of her marriage with Vinit.  Vinit nodded concurring with Rini.

“Let her complete her short service commission...!” he said considerately.  But Nilima was not ready to wait...!

“But you can get married and then she can continue ...” she said but Rini shook her head.

“No.. Mamma... I cannot!” Rini said firmly avoiding Vinit’s gaze.

“But why, Rini?” Salil too butted in.  Rini couldn’t tell the real reason but Vinit spoke....

“Thats ok... I am ready to wait...” he said winking at Rini.  Salil shook his head...

“But we are not, beta... I want her to settled down in her life...” he said holding Rini’s hand.  Rini just wanted to get rid of this unwanted, awkward question....

“Mamma... I have a job to do and cannot think of anything else...” she again swallowed hard avoiding Vinit.

“But why? Leave the job... “ Nilima spoke with her heart.... 

“Thats not possible, Mamma...” Rinit turned her face.  Vinit too looked serious...

“Are you hiding something from us?” Salil asked suspiciously.  Vinit glanced at Rini and took control.  They wouldn’t tell anything about Rini’s medical condition unless they were sure about it.  But they must explain...! 

“Muma papa... our jobs won’t permit us to get married... unless one leaves ...” he blatantly lied and then winking at Rini, said... “I am ready to quit the job, though... Anything to get married to her...!” Rini flared up throwing a punch in his direction. 

“Let me see... I will talk to Virender Bhaisaab...” Salil took out his card and both of them eruped saying “NO!”

“why not?” Nilima too got suspicious now...! Rini had to cover up.

“Because they are also too eager to tie the knot...” she said sheepishly glancing angry looks at Vinit.  

“Rini.. Don’t worry about us.  We are still healthy and fine... and We have three daughters and three sons...” Salil said pulling her closer to his heart.  

“Yes... and two of the couples are in US... Typical ...!” he grinned. 

“Nothing doing... I am calling Vireder Bhaisaab...” Salil got up to dial the number...!

********   ******  ******

“God..! What? What happened...” Mrs.Russel pulled out Dhatri’s lifeless body... She was floating in the pool motionless.... There was no one around...

“God!” she remembered the conversation, a couple of days back.  Dhatri didn’t know swimming.... and .... now she was in the pool.... lifeless?”  Mrs. Russel screamed in panic and ran inside to grab the phone...

“Call the ambulance, damn it...!” Sayajirao screamed over the phone disconnecting and dialing Ravi’s number...! Sanyogita had gone out in the afternoon and there were only Dhatri and Mrs. Russel in the home waiting for Sayajirao to return after his dinner meeting...! Ravi was on deployment at Client’s site....

Dhatri had stopped breathing...! Mrs. Russel banged on her heart till the ambulance arrived, as per the instructions issued by the para medics....!