Part 13

“What? Impossible!” Exclaimed Salil when Nilima told him about Dhatri.  “Nilima, you know! That’s not possible..!” he patted on her back.

“I know, technically that’s not possible! But I think we should observe!” she said and Salil looked at her in disbelief.  “Nilima.. incredulous belief…!” he tried to convince her.

“I know!” she said a little annoyed.  But believe me.  This has happened before, and even Dharini has found out this special ability.  She too sounded convinced.  Salil shook his head.  “NO!” he dismissed. 

But the things didn’t stop there.  Dhatri went on displaying her abilities even as a baby and when she healed Dr. Salil’s wound, he was left flabbergasted.  “That is not possible!” he kept saying in disbelief.  But Dharini had made use of her younger sister’s special ability and boasted in her friend circle.  The word spread in the IIT campus and there were hushed talks about it.  Dr. Salil finally had to admit that his youngest daughter was extraordinary with special ability.  But it took three years for him to accept. 

It came as a great surprise to Dr. Salil when he came to know that almost everyone knew about Dhatri’s ability in the Campus.  Mr. Indarjeet Negi, the State Minister of Home Affaris, Government of India was the special dignitary being the alumnus of the institute, at the The convocation function in IIT Delhi.  Dr. Salil was a member of organizing committee.  His colleague, Dr. Amit Pandey who was an ardent believer in Dhatri’s ability had let out the information of the Minister, inadvertently. 

Dr. Salil’s three daughters were playing with other kids during the function.  Negi’s eyes followed them everywhere. 

“Hey, Kid..!” he had lifted Dhatri and she started crying.  Dharini her ever protective sister came running and pulled her down from his hands. 

“Don’t cry…!” she started moving away with Dhatri but Mr. Negi held her from behind.  Dharini’s anger saw no boundary.  “Leave us..!” she screamed with Dhatri’s crying.  Dr. Salil felt embarrassed.  “Dharini, go and play with Disha Didi!” he sent the siblings away and apologized. 

“No problem.  You have adorable daughters…!” said Mr. Indarjeet Negi.  Dr. Salil smiled sheepishly and introduced him to Nilima.  

Eight days after the convocation function, Minister Inderjeet Negi paid surprise visit to IIT campus.  After the meeting with the Head of the departments he talked to Dr. Salil Dixit for a long time about the future projects.  Dr. Salil was surprised.  In another week he paid visit to Dr. Salil’s residence.  Dr. Salil gaped in disbelief.  But this visit brought a grant to IIT Delhi for Mathematics Department in Vector calculus, the field most dear to Dr. Salil. 

That day he received an invitation from Minister Negi to visit his office with Dhatri.  Dr. Salil was surprised.  “May be, he knows about her abilities.  He wants to talk to her…!” Nilima kept saying.

“No! Dhaa is not going! That man is a bad man!” Dharini declared and Dr. Salil looked up in surprise.

“Yeah, is a bad man!” Dhatri repeated.  “Dharini… No! This is bad manners!” Salil scolded her.  But Dharini was not ready to leave Dhatri.  She was not ready to come with him either.  Finally Disha took Dharini away and Dr. Salil took Dhatri with him to pay a visit to Minister’s office. 

“So, got the grants?” asked the Minister.  “Yes!” Dr. Salil said with gratitude.  They had the discussion for some time and Dhatri grew restless.  She had no interest in all these things  but Mr. Negi’s eyes were fixed on her.  “I heard she has some extraordinary power….!” Minister said looking at Dhatri.

“No.. I mean she is a normal kid!” Dr. Salil refused to admit.  Minister smiled.  He took out a big chocolate and Dhatri’s eyes twinkled.  She ran towards the minister when the chief secretary, higher Education walked in to call Dr. Salil for the discussion. 

“Oh! Don’t worry! Let her be here!” the minister waved at Dr. Salil when Dhatri was busy tearing the wrapper of the chocolate bar. 

“Dhatri…!” Dr. Salil called out and she threw away the chocolate running towards him.  “Sir..!” The secretary looked at the Minister.

“Dr. Salil, you leave the kid here!” said the minister fondly and took out another chocolate.  Dhatri again was tempted.  Dr. Salil smiled. 

“The meeting is next door!” informed the secretary.  “Dhaa.. stay here.  Be a good girl.  I will be back in ten minutes. Ok?” he asked Dhatri and she nodded again struggling to open the wrapper of the chocolate.

His secretary closed the door and Mr. Negi came closer and picked her up.  She struggled to get down but he pressed her on his laps coming back to his huge plush chair.  Dhatri opened her mouth closing her eyes and cried out loudly when he moved his hands on her.

“You cure people?” he asked her kissing her cheeks.  She struggled crying out loudly.  The sound proof room suppressed her voice.  He pressed his hand on her mouth. 

“Let me see.. what you can do for me!” he said hugging her tightly.  She cried desperately.  “Papa… ! awaaaaaa…. Rini Didi…!” she was kicking and bashing, struggling.  He was not to let her go.  He removed took her hand on his neck.  She felt the wound.  She suddenly stopped crying.  “Leave me…! Papa!” she screamed. 

“Shuuu… stop .. stop crying..!” he pressed his hand on her mouth again pinning her on his laps.  “ Chocolate…?” he asked taking out another one from the drawer.  “No…!” Dhatri was desperately kicking to come out of his clutches.

“Shhhh… baby… let me look at you!” he kissed her again inserting his hand in her frock.  She cried and bit his wrist with all her force.  He grew desperate. 

“I am not well….!” He said holding her with one hand and removed his dhoti with the other.

“Come .. baby…! He pinned her between his legs and she closed her eyes screaming for her Rini Didi…!

“Let me see… baby…cure me…!” he said in a husky voice, taking her hands in his.  “Easy.. baby…easy! Slowly… let me see how you cure…!” he moved her hands down clutching her between his legs … and the door banged open..!