80

There was a knock on the door and Rini got up with a start.  It was 2:00 am.  She opened the door to see a Sentry with the message that she had a call.  She ran towards the administrative office of the residential barracks. 

“Hello...!” she said with bated breath.  “Rini...!” his deep voice bored deeper into her heart.

“Hello..!” she said heaving....!  “Rini..... Going!” he said and there was a silence on the other side.  He knew, she wouldn’t ask “Where?” and  she knew he wouldn’t tell “Where!”

“Al.... All the best!” she said trying to keep her voice steady. 

“Love you!” Vinit said heavily, disconnecting the phone.  He was on a mission again.  This time going in an official convoy as the Prime Minister’s Security Officer to Afghanistan...!!

“Love you too, Vinit! I know you will come back soon!” She left the office lost in herself.  She didn’t know when she will see her man again....!

********* ********

“Hey... whatsup!” She chirped jovially.  There was no response.  “Sonny...!” She stepped in.  Mrs. Russel fidgeted nervously.  Ravi was unmoved.  “Thank God! Dad is not here!” he assessed the situation. 

“Sonny... you have turned into a Handsome man!” she smiled at him appreciating his physique.  He still stood there folding his arms with no reaction what so ever.  She came inside, made herself at ease on the sofa.

“Make me a drink..!” she ordered Mrs. Russel.  She moved hurriedly.  Ravi raised his hand to stop her.

“No... !” he said. Sanyogita looked at her son’s flexed muscles....! The next moment she was breathing heavily... perspiring profusely in the controlled environment.

“I am feeling uneasy...!” she somehow uttered and Mrs. Russel dashed forward, again to be stopped by Ravi. 

“Give her a glass of water...!” he ordered.  Sanyogita looked up.

“Sonny....Come here!” she beckoned him.  He assessed her for a second and moved towards her.  She held his hand.  He sat beside her.  She felt better, resting her head on his shoulder.  Mrs. Russel looked on nervously, not knowing what to do.

“Where is Saya?” She asked after a while feeling much better.  No one answered. 

“You should leave now...!” Ravi said gravely, looking at the time.

“Why? Are you going out somewhere? I will be here.  Don’t bother... Your work is more important..” She said gauging him holding his hand. 

“Sonny...I am so happy...” She said trying to pull him in an embrace.  He removed her hands. 

“Stop this and leave...!” he said in a deadly voice.  She looked up feeling thirsty.  Saya would have given her a bottle.... Her next move was to move Mrs. Russel... The next vulnerable victim...

“Can you get me some drink? I am feeling weak... “ she requested and Mrs. Russel moved towards the fridge.

“No! Mrs. Russel, you are not giving her anything...!” he again stopped her.  Sanyogita’s anger saw no boundary. 

“This is my husband’s house and you are a housekeeper...!” she spat at Mrs. Russel.  Ravi gestured her to go out.  Sanyogita got up from the sofa and moved towards the fridge.

“Stop... else I am calling 911...!” he said getting up too!

“Sonny...!” She faked terrible shock.  “Out of this house.. right now!” he bellowed and she knew.... he had seen her through....!

“Yeah ok! Sonny... you are upset... I mean ... I did terrible things...!” Sanyogita was on the verge of breaking down.  There was no effect on him.  He stood his ground. 

“But you know... That day... In Kalindi Didi’s house... That girl...” she stopped to get his reaction.  His fists clenched.  She continued.

“I don’t know... what she did to me...! But I am a changed person now...! Sonny... She did some magic...!” she said dreamily.  Ravi’s face changed color, his eyes mellowed down for a fraction of second.  Sanyogita went ahead without even looking at him.  His clenched fists released.  She moved towards the fridge again.

“Out of this house...!” he again was deadly with his threat to call 911.  She stopped.

“Leave, right now!” he said showing her the door. 

“Ok. Sonny... I know you are upset... but you will know soon... that I was trapped... I was a victim of a bigger conspiracy.... They ruined my life.... Sonny... I missed being with you, Saya...!” She chocked as a lump formed in her throat, tears brimming her lashes.  Ravi had taken out his cell phone.

“Would you do me a favour, sonny? Will you request Saya? Please? Ask him to call me!” she said earnestly.  He remained unmoved.  She wiped her eyes and went out through the door.  Ravi closed the door shut.  Mrs. Russel walked out.

“Ray... !” she brought a glass of water... he sent it down his throat in one gulp. 

“She wanted to talk to you, I believe!” Mrs. Russel truly felt that Ray should have listened to her story.  But Ray shook her head. 

“We have to cut her off our lives, Mrs. Russel... She will continue to play the same game with us again.... She did twenty five years ago with Dad..~” he said seriously and Mrs. Russel nodded staring at the floor. She knew much more than what Ravi knew at that point of time...!

................

“Sanyogita came out clenching her fists in rage... She had tried to measure up Ravi... for his strengths and weaknesses... He seemed to have a soft corner for that girl... she could use against ...! But he seemed to have seen her through.  It seemed that he knew her... for who she is! Her lips curled up.  Ravi was a challenge ...! He ought to be the one .... who would give her what she wanted...! He was a tool to reach to the goal... !  The girl would help...! Ravi... my son! She smiled inwardly ....

“No! I know you well... I won’t let you use us anymore..! We are not puppets ...! I will not let you hurt my Dadu again...!” Ravi blurted clenching his fists...! “I know you are a sociopath...! I know how to cut you off our lives... I will protect my Dad...!” Ravi came back to his room losing his interest to go out.  He gazed at the ceiling lying down on the bed. 

He waited for his Dad to come home~!

................... ...

“Sorry, son! You had to handle it all alone...!” his father was really sad.  He looked up at his smugly.

“I handled it better..!” he said and his father clutched his hand.  “I know, Ravi...! It must have been very hard to...”

“No.. Dad! It was easy... I just didn’t budge...~” Ravi said smiling.  “I threatened her to call the cops, Dad!” and his dad looked at him with gaping mouth. 

“You called the cops?” he asked aghast.  “No! I didn’t...! But I would have, had she not moved out!” he said and then kneeling down, holding his father’s hand urged...

“Dad... for god sake... please don’t give in... when I am not around!” his father looked at him guiltily.  Ravi gazed at his father... simple, god fearing, with high moral values...! His grip tightened and Sayajirao looked up at him.

“I just can’t write her of, Ravi.. I married her.... the ties just can’t,,,!” Ravi flared up!

“Oh! Stop being an Indian Dad! There is nothing like that...! She is a paracite... needed to be cut off!  Its just a failure of marriage...!” he said thoroughly frustrated.  His father shook his head.

“She is your mother....!” he tried weakly to cover up his weakness.  Ravi looked at him piercingly. 

“I know, everything, Dad... You are my mother.... and my father...!” he said emotionally and Sayajirao looked away swallowing hard.  He had loved her and she had used him. 

“Dad, promise me! You will be stronger when she is around... Please~” Ravi held out his hand.  Ravi was everything for Sayajirao.  He promised.  He didn’t know how far he would be able to keep it up. 

“Be practical Dad! She has nothing to do with us now...!” he said trying to convince his dad.  Sayajirao gaped at his strong son. 

“When I am not here, just call the cops, if she showed up!” he instructed and Sayajirao nodded.  “You have to be tough, Dad!” he said and his dad nodded.  He was never tough enough to handle her.  She took advantage of this and manipulated him to her advantage.  But Ravi was not to give in.  He would confront, catch her off guard, trick her in her style and save his father....! He would do anything for that...!

He suddenly got up...! She had talked about Dhatri... She was all set to use her against him.... he knew her next move..... Dhatri! He must protect Dhut Teri....! He waited for the skype call ....!!

.............................

“Its our evening... not his..!” Dhatri was trying hard to misguide about the timing of the skype call.  Suresh just ignored her. 

“Dhatri... stop your tantrums...! Its our morning, his evening.. Don’t you understand? He has written it clearly that its 10:00 am IST.” Ragini shut her up.  Dhatri muttered frowning. 

“Not all are required...” her next statement flared up Purva.

“Dhaa... no one has asked you, your opinion... Just be there for the call, ok?” Dhatri looked away contorting her face in frustration. 

The free wi-fi in the hostel was of great help.  They were all set to have their kick-off skype call on their mini project with Ray Dave.. Partner Exix Cameras and Surveillance Systems, California..USA..!!

79

“Oh God! Ragini... you fool... you were all set to disclose our identities...!” Purva pushed her angrily.  Ragini looked at Dhatri.  “Thank God! I Managed somehow!” Purva took the credit. 

“What is your name beti?” the person had asked brandishing the gun.  Dhatri was in no condition to open her eyes but Ragini opened her mouth...”Dh...!”

“Dhingra...!” Purva held Ragini’s hand and said at once.  Suresh looked at her in shock.  “She is Dhingra... her father is a police officer...!” Purva said looking at the man.  He turned back to look at those four.  Suresh nodded supporting Purva.  Ragini just gaped at them. 

“Ok...! You study in RGI?” he asked casually.  “No!” they all said unanimously.  “We are going there to meet her father... Inspector Dhingra!” Purva said stressing ...!

“Please put that thing away...!” Ragini pointed at the gun.  He smiled and kept it back in his hip pocket.  “Is she alright?” he asked again turning back and pointing at groaning Dhatri.

“Yeah... Don’t worry, she will be alright!” Said Ragini supporting Dhatri’s wobbling head. 

“Leave us at the circle.  We will go!” Suresh pointed at the traffic circle.  The man looked around for a while and signalled the driver to pull over.  Purva took out her phone and pretending to be calling Inspector Dhingra... she said, “Leave us here.  Uncle is coming to pick us up!”

“Uncle? Does he not have the duty? The riots broke out...!” The man asked suspiciously. 

“Means... his servant is coming...!” Purva clarified hurriedly getting out from the car. 

“Ok! Here is my card! Please call me if you need anything!” he said and Suresh took the card.  “Yes, Sure! Thank you!” he supported Dhatri and they walked away from the car taking a sigh of relief. 

“Oh! God!” Ragini sat down on the road and Suresh pulled her up.  “We need to reach our hostel!” he said hailing for an auto. 

It was almost a week since they escaped the riots.  Dhatri begged them not to tell anyone.  Her wound also was getting healed.  But the girls were loyal to their Rini Didi and had narrated the incident.

Dhatri had a scolding from her Rini Didi.  Dhatri blamed her friends and was not talking to them at all.  They didn’t bother either.  But they didn’t take her out of the hostel except for the college lectures and practicals.  But they didn’t stop discussing it among themselves like a horrible nightmare. 

“Ok! Let it be...! Mr. Ray wants a Skype Call this evening....!” Purva said and Dhatri looked up shocked.

“But why? There is still time to discuss the project. We are supposed to give the project title this time.  Real project will start....” Dhatri started off arguing.

“Stop it, Dhatri.  We are doing a mini project, this semester and will convert that into a full project ...!” Ragini spat.  Dhatri frowned.  “Why? Can’t we get a small project here?” she asked looking around.

“Stop it.... We are doing it and that is final.... Samajhee?” Purva came on to Dhatri aggressively. 

“This ABCD ko toh main chodungi nahi!” She muttered clenching her fists. 

An email was waiting for her....!!

....................

“Dhut Teri... Tumhe toh main chodunga nahi!” Ravi looked at the photographs and smirked.  A new email popped up...!

He opened and “Whoaa!” exclaimed. 

.........................

“Mamma... when I went to US as topper in Astronomy Olympiad, I had decided not to take help from you.  I worked hard for every cent.... harder for a dollar...! I used to eat the free breakfast reaching early to the Institute.  I wrote project reports... did typing... worked on odd jobs... to earn money to support myself.  The scholarship wouldn't suffice..!  I don’t know how, but again I became a part of the system, Mamma! I lost myself...!” Disha buried her face.  Nilima pulled her closer in an embrace. 

“Then I got teaching assistantship.  I was happy... But then, I was a bad teacher... Mamma!” Disha looked up at her mother.  “I used to get irritated with the stupid questions.... I was not meant to be a teacher.... Again, I changed my track and concentrated on my research... I excelled....! You know, Mamma..? When I was awarded the youngest researcher award.... I was on the top of the world....! I earned... a lot! When we decided to get married, I bought a big house... Emptied everything I had.... !” Nilima kissed her forehead.  Disha was lost.  After spending everything she had on that big house, she had expected, her parents would take care of her wedding expenses... in a big way!  She was disappointed...! She had lost them....!

“But in that struggle.... I lost you all, somewhere...! I lost my Indian touch.... I became one of them....!” she sobbed...!

“Dhaa didn’t understand my feelings....! She always ....” Disha hid her face...! “She... she thinks I am materialistic... running after money....” Disha looked up.

“It’s not like that, Disha.... You just need to understand each other...!” Nilima stroked her head. 

“You two have a age difference of more than ten years... In her growing up age, where girls share everything, every feeling, with their siblings or best friends... you were not here!.... “Nilima said calmly...!

“Dhaa couldn’t share anything with you... She only looked up at you as her eldest sister who is very brilliant... who always stood first... who is in IIT Delhi...and then in US... and who always lectures her about studies and exams...!” Nilima smiled kindly.  Disha was lost in her thoughts. 

“Rini was here... always with her... taking care of her.... protecting, supporting, caring, loving...!” Nilima went ahead.  Disha looked at her in realization. 

“You know? It’s like having some relationship on paper.... not in real... ! You are her big sister... never being so big to embrace her lovingly... you were always away... Dhatri only listened to, read about your stories... never experienced you as her sister....! She always thought... you are a kind of boss who is a task master... making us all run around...!” Nilima said seriously. 

“And later on when she grew up... she only heard you complaining....!” Nilima pinpointed at the flaw..!

“Disha, you got to spend time with each other to understand each other...! I know and appreciate your sacrifices for her... but she doesn’t .... she was too young to understand...! She has this supernatural power, is not her fault... she got kidnapped is not her fault...!” Nilima continued...

“You expected her to be as brilliant as you or Rini are... but she is not... She knows it... You think she is a mediocre.. Well, she is! She is not a brilliant, intelligent kid....! You expected her to be.... Well... she mistook it...!” Nilima looked at Disha’s face...!

“Disha... I am not defending her...I am just telling you the truth...! You told her that she was an unwanted child, when she was just a child.... Well, it was a truth... We took a third chance hoping it would be a boy...! But the way it was unfolded to her... was tactless...! It itched deeper into her heart...! She still thinks, she is an unwanted child...!” Nilima swallowed her grief! Disha hugged her...

“Mamma... I didn’t mean to hurt her... I just told her that you wanted a boy...!” Nilima stroked her head absentmindedly still thinking about Dhatri. 

“You failed to give her the support, she badly needed at that time, Disha!” Nilima said bitterly and Disha sobbed.  “Mamma... I never meant to hurt her...!” Disha wiped her tears. 

“I don’t blame you Disha...! You too were young at that time, unable to understand....! We were at fault... We failed to understand you....Your teenage requirements... emotional support! I was injured, Dhaa was kidnapped, Salil had broken down completely... And you decided to stay... here in Vidisha.. for your 11^th and 12^th.... ! You know! I was so relieved... I had started depending on you, Disha, for everything! I am sorry....! I failed to understand your aspirations....!” Tears gushed out!

“No! Mamma... That was my decision not to go to Delhi.  My conscious decision...! Please don’t blame yourself...!” Disha cupped her Mamma’s face.  Nilima looked away. 

“We are simple people, Disha... We don’t want to shine like stars.... Just being a burning candle is enough for us to enlighten our lives....! We just want our daughters to pursue their dreams....!” Disha hugged her mother tightly. "You did, Mamma! You did!"

"We didn't come here for some stupid reason... That... that Minister tried to molest Dhaa, sexually abusing her....!" She spoke and Disha gaped in shock.

"Salil .. is not a fighter, Disha... he is a very simple person... We just want to lead our lives peacefully.... He couldn't take it! He understood the torture ahead... The Minister's vengeance... and decided to quit...!" Nilima swallowed hard.  "I supported him... ! I am a weak person too...!"

“We never discriminated between our children....Disha...!” Nilima broke into tears again...

“You all are equal... You all are dear... a part of our souls...! But you know? For a mother... weaker child is dearer.... Dhatri is weak, Disha...! You will know, when you will be a mother, yourself...” Nilima sobbed. 

“Mamma.. please... stop...!” Disha wiped Nilima’s tears. 

“And Rini is the strongest, neglected the most!” Disha looked away in realization. 

“She studied on her own, decided her career on her own, pursued her dreams and fulfilled.. . without any help...!” Nilima heaved with pride, so did Disha.  Indeed Rini was a self made person. 

“You are a star, Disha... Shining brightly up in the sky...!” Nilima said with pride... “But Dhatri is a weakling... needs support....! Both physically and mentally!” Nilima looked up.  Disha wiped her tears. 

“No, Mamma... She is strong too! You will see! One day, she will come out strongest of us all....!” Disha hugged her mother.  The phone rang and Nilima got up.

It was from Dr. Indroneel Ghosh, for Salil Dixit!”