Part 14

“Papa….!” Dhatri cried out loudly running out of the door.  Dr. Salil didn’t realize how he came home with Dhatri.  She never stopped crying.  “Rini Didi….!” She broke away from Salil when she saw her Rini Didi…!

“Salil, what happened? Why is she crying?” Nilima asked shocked.  “She didn’t like that ras..!” he only could say.  Rini had held Dhatri in a hug.  “That man was bad…!” Dhatri kept on saying between her uncontrolled sobs whipping Salil’s heart. He had made a big mistake by leaving a child alone with a stranger.  And that person had taken undue advantage of the situation.  Nilima walked into the room.

“Salil, what happened?” she asked again.  “Nothing, Nilima, I had to leave Dhatri alone for some time and she…. She…!” he chocked looking away.  Dharini had managed to pacify her Dhaa.  Dhatri had slept on her laps completely exhausted.  Dr. salil winced coming back to his senses when the vehicle stopped with a jerk. 

“Chai, tea!” Dayal Chacha came with a cup of tea.  Salil still looked lost.  “Humm..!” he said clutching the disposable cup having no desire to have tea.  Dayal Chacha waited.  Salil smiled faintly and sipped the lukewarm tea.  He again was lost in his thoughts.

Things took a different turn from that day.  He took leave for a week and got a message from the Director of IIT Delhi when Dr. Salil was busy with his lecture.  Minister was sitting in the Director’s cabin and Dr. Salil understood what it was.  The trouble started from that day onwards.  The director clearly stated that day, that the Minister was not happy with the way the project was handled.  Dr. Salil put his papers down and came home dejected.

It was Nilima who suggested him to return to his native in Madhya Pradesh, Vidisha.  To his good fortune he got a job in an Engineering College as Dean, Mathematics.  It was little difficult to convince Disha as she was settled well in Delhi.  But Nilima was successful in persuading her.

Dr. Salil was worried about Dhatri.  She looked frightened and became quiet.  She stuck to her Rini Didi and even refused to go to her Papa.  Dharini, without understanding anything proved to be a great support to her Dhaa.  But Dr. Salil was restless for a couple of days.  He didn’t know what effect the incident would have on little Dhatri.  He cursed himself for letting her alone with the stranger.  He kept it to himself but his guilty mind snapped him every time he heard Dhatri crying.  Finally he made up his mind.

He took Dhatri to a psychologist and narrated the incidence.  They had a long discussion and Dharini again came to Dhaa’s rescue, unknowingly.   She brought her back to normal.  Dr. Salil too was initially worried but then the conscious efforts and guidance of the psychologist helped Dhatri come back to her self.  He had learnt the lesson the hard way. 

But decision to come to Vidisha had proved to be a blessing.  The family flourished.  The girls adjusted well to the environment and Nilima too felt contented.  They had a peaceful life till Disha’s class X results. 

Dr. Salil got down from the vehicle.  He had no face to face his wife.  He had somehow managed to tell her the truth about Dhatri and had taken utmost care to keep her regain her composure.  Maasi Maa too had mellowed down considerably and was trying her best.  Nilima had buried herself in pooja rarely coming out of the pooja ghar.  Dr. Salil was losing hopes, so was Nilima.  But Disha and Dharini were sure that their youngest sister was going to come back and soon! Disha tried to set right the routine for her parents.  She insisted that he should go to the college and took care of her mother with the help of Maasi Maa.  She sent Dharini to the school and kept on assuring her that Dhaa was going to come back.  People kept asking about the child and gossiping.  The family paid no attention.  Salil was sometimes amazed by Disha’s optimism. 

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“Where are we going?” Dhatri woke up on the back of Bijoy.  “Home!” he said showing his bright white teeth.

“My home?” she asked excitedly.  They were moving through the cattle route in the forest of Baster.  “Your home?” Dhatri was nervous.  “Yes.. and then we will go to your home..!” he gave her hopes.  She smiled happily putting her arms around his neck.  “Good boy!” she gave him the certificate.  

Far away from that place, in the office of Maoist naxals, in Midanaapur in West Bengal, a message was relayed about an escape of a girl and a maoist activist.  The orders to hunt them down were issued without any delay.