5

Part 5

“Humm.. Very good! But you should give some attention to English also!” Papa said looking into the progress report of Dharini.  She had scored cent percent in almost everything except language.  Dharini nodded guiltily.  She resolved to study language next year well.  Dhaatri was still hiding behind her Mamma clutching her report card,  Tears still welling up her eyes.  Papa looked at her.  Mamma was smiling happily.

“Dhatri, come here!” Papa called her and she came forward with her tried and tested weapon.  “Awanaaaa...!” she opened her mouth and started crying loudly.  Mamma smiled.  “She is upset!” Mamma said.  “Why?” asked Papa and Dharini poked her nose opening her mouth.  “She has got A and cross mark on all subjects, so she has failed in everything...!Thats what she thinks!” Dharini said giggling and Dhaara increased the tempo of her crying loudly.  

“Its ok! Let me see your report!” he stretched out his hand and pulled Dhatri on his lap.  Dhatri cried on his shoulder with running nose and dripping saliva from her mouth.  Papa wiped her tears and face from his ironed handkerchief.  “It’s ok, beta.  Let me see your cross marks!” he said taking the report card from her hand.  Broad smile appeared on his face as he saw the card.  It was A+ on her report card.  “How many of your friends got this?” he asked stroking her head.  “Umm.. Rajesh, Righima, Ajinkya and me!” she said between her sobs.  

“These are not cross marks.  These are + marks.  That means you have done well.  Good!...Very Good...!” he held her to his heart and kissed her forehead.  

“B.But I didn’t get numbers like Rini Didi! She got 100 numbers...!” Dhatri was again crying.  Dharini had dashed in.  She brought her old report card of Jr. KG and showed it to Dhatri.

“See, Dhaa! Even I had got ‘A’ and cross marks everywhere!” she said giggling.  Dhatri pursed her lips sulkily and looked at her Papa.  He nodded grinning at his youngest daughter.

“Now to celebrate Dhatri’s ‘A’ and cross marks I made Kheer.  Dhaa’s favourite! So come on.  Let us have dinner!” Mamma declared.  Disha had stayed with her friend 

Nihira.  They both were tensed up about their 10^th result which was to be declared anytime soon. 

Dhaa and Dharini jumped in the air and went into the kitchen to lay the table.  Mamma smiled at Papa, “Disha is tensed up about her results..!” She said getting little serious.

“Naturally...!” Papa was casual about the results.  He knew his daughters very well.  Disha had studied well.  She had been a meritorious student throughout, never missing her first rank.  Tenth was a bet stressful for her.  There were many expectations from her by her teachers.  She was a bit worked up with all the tension and stress, but determined to do well.  But as the results approached, she became restless.  Mamma had happily agreed when Disha said she would be staying at the friend’s house overnight.  

Dr. Salil and Nilima went into the kitchen.  Laxmi bai had helped her girls and had gone back to her house in the backyard.  Dr. Salil had given her the outhouse to stay with her husband.  Her husband, an old limping man did the odd jobs and maintained the garden of the house.  

********   ********  ****

The phone bell rang and Dr. Salil picked up the phone.  He heard the noise at the other end and waited patiently for someone to speak.  His face lit up with a smile.  

“thank you!” he said.  “Umm.. She is not here right now but tomorrow morning she will be here!” he said.  “Ok. Yes! I will!” he said and kept the phone down with trembling hand.  “Nilima...!” he called out in excitement.  Nilima came out.

“Disha stood first ...!” he said squeezing her hand.  She grinned.  The two girls came out.

“Did you hear that? Disha stood first to the school!” Mamma was on the top of the world.  Dr. Salil shook his head.

“No!” he said and paused.  Nilima looked up at him with bated breath.

“She is first to CBSE board.  Number one in the country! She made me proud!” he said grinning at her and the girls jumped with joy.  “Laxumbai.... Laxumbai...!”. Dhaatri ran towards backyard screaming at the top of her voice.  Laxmi bai was a play mate to her.  Dharini followed.

“Laxumbai.... Dhatri was at her door and Laxmi bai looked up.  Her husband was on the bed taking rest in the evening.

“Laxumbai.... Didi stood first!” Dhatri gave the new hurriedly before Dharini could open her mouth.

“Aray wah! Where is she?” Dayal kaka got up from the bed in excitement.  Laxmi bai had a broad smile on her face.  She brought some sugar.

“Wah... I knew.  Our Didi is very intelligent..! I knew!” she said stuffing sugar first in her mouth, then Dhatri and then Dharini.  Then she came to her husband.  “See.. our girls...!” she said proudly and Dayal chacha grinned happily.

“Mamma bulaa rahai hain! Mamma is calling you!” Finally Dharini said and they all moved out of the outhouse closing the door.  It was celebration time indeed.  Dr. Salil and Dayal chacha went out to get Disha back.  And Nilima served Kheer to everyone.  Laxumbai too was on the top of the world waiting for Disha to return. 

*********   ********   ******

“Stop!” was an order.  The TV paused.  “That girl..!” someone pointed out at the small girl on screen.  The persons standing looked at each other.  

“That is the girl!” he took out his gun and stood up with a jerk.  Others stood in attention.  “Go get her!” was another order and a group of eight people moved out of the hideout.  They were on the hunt.  

*********  ******  ********

Disha came home jumping and running.  Her manna hugged her tightly kissing her.  Feeding her sweets for her success.  Dharini and Dhatri were jumping around in excitement.  Disha pulled Dhatri into a tight embrace and kissed her happily.  Dharini hugged both of them.  They all were at the top of the world with Disha being first in the nation.  She was happy.  The world was happy!

Soon the reporters lurked and marched in with cameras.  Mamma pulled Disha inside and helped her to get ready to face the camera.  Disha and her parents interview was inspiring.

“I want to make my career in astrophysics..!” she said dreamily.  The news that she baged first rank was all over all the channels.  People were pouring in to congratulate her and talk to her.  Dhatri and Dharini never left her side.  Dhatri held her hand tightly looking around victoriously as if she was the topper.  Disha picked her up fondly.  Dhatri kissed her Didi’s cheek and ran inside shying away.  The footage aired on every channel.  10^th results brought happiness to this peace loving family.  

He was watching then in his hideout switching on the TV.  The moment she saw Dr. Salil Dixit on the screen, his eyes were glued to the screen for a slightest trace of her.  And there she was, grinning broadly on the screen.  

Immediate orders were issued.  The hunt was to be completed in record time.  They knew where she was.  They knew how to reach there.  They knew ... hot to.. complete the kill! There was celebration in the naxal camp too!

A student from Vidisha had made it to the National merit list.  Disha stood first.    Bhanu Pratap Singh, his friends called him BPS, watched the TV unblinkingly.  “So she has made it! Haan!” he blurted with bright eyes.  

“I should congratulate her!” he got up to get ready....