Part 24

The rooms were smaller in size with a single bed, a table two folding chairs, a night lamp and small cupboard.

Everyone had settled.  “We have to get up early in the morning...” Maria said. 

“Haan?” Dhatri wore a question mark on her face.  Maria repeated slowly and clearly.

 “What time?” Dhatri asked taking out her wrist watch.  She set the alarm and took out her sleeping bag.  “You can sleep here!” Maria pointed at the tiny cot.

“No! I have my bed!” Dhatri said and changed into her night dress.  Dinner time was short and simple.  Maria and Dhatri preferred to remain in the room.   The plates with rice, curd and dal arrived and Dhatri devoured it in record time.  She took out her water bottle. 

“Dhatri? Do you know the meaning of Dhatri?” Maria asked fondly and Dhatri nodded.  Humm... I have a Sanskrit – English dictionary.” Dr. Maria scrolled her Laptop screen.  Dhatri peeped in.  Maria busied herself in the work and Dhatri sat behind yawning  and playing with the chousinga Horn, her first find.  

“Feeling sleepy?” Maria asked looking back at Dhatri from her chair and Dhatri nodded.  “Go to sleep...” Maria permitted and Dhatri disappeared in her sleeping bag on the floor.  Dr. Maria smiled inwardly.  “Dhatri.... Sweet name and a sweet girl...” she too closed her laptop and applied insect repellent cream.  She looked around for the other girl.  Soumya was nowhere to be seen.  

“Where is Ms Soorie?” Maria asked puzzled.  “Dinner with others outside...!” came a muffled voice from sleeping bag and Maria sighed.  Soumya came late in the night and slept on the cot beside Maria.  

It was still dark outside and Maria got up with noise in the bathroom.  She sat up and saw the time.  “Time to get up!” she said coming out of her bed and looked at the flattened sleeping bag.  Dhatri was already up and was in the bathroom.  Maria had a faint smile.  “Good!” she blurted.  

Dhatri came out ready! “Good morning..!” Maria greeted pleasantly.

“Goo...Good Morning..!” Dhatri reciprocated shyly.  “Ready?” Maria asked and she nodded, hanging her binoculars around her neck.  

“Where?” Maria asked.  “Outside..!” she answered moving out of the room.  “Wait!” Maria dashed to the bathroom to get ready.  Dhatri had taken a cold water bath.  Maria got ready and came out to find Dhatri sitting on the stairs looking up at a Bamboo island.  Dr. Maria sat beside her.  

“Look!” Dhatri pointed out in the darkness.  Maria couldn’t see anything.  “Where?” she asked straining her eyes.  Dhatri looked at her and holding her hand tiptoed nearer.  A flock of birds flew up in the air fluttering loudly.  Maria gaped.

“Storks..!” Dhatri smiled at her.  “There must be water nearby...!” she pulled Maria’s hand and dragged her.  Maria ensued.  Dhatri had taken out her small torch to see the path below.  They walked down the slope and stopped turning into a statue.  Maria was stunned at the beauty.  A stream gurguling down the stony slops was draining into a small pond and the ducks were swimming peacefully.  

“Shuu....!” Dhatri hushed before Maria could utter a word.  “Nesting season...!” Dhatri whispered.  They both made their way up the pond and the birds again flew in panic.  “Huf huh hu.. !” Dhatri giggled jerking her head and closing her eyes.  Maria gaped her and the flying birds.  

“You see all sorts of animals and birds at dawn..!” Dhatri informed and Maria nodded knowingly.  “Universaly..!” she said looking through her binoculars. 

“We can see peacocks also...!” Dhatri said.  “You mean Peafowl...” Maria corrected.  Dhatri ignored.  They had already slid the slope and had reached the now empty pond.  All the birds were flown away.  Dhatri ran forward to see if she could lay her hands on some lagging bird.  Maria stood behind and watched.  

“Tiii.. tii..twitt..twittt...” She heard a frantic screech and a bird with bright yellow eyes flew over Dhatri’s head.  Dhatri looked down searching for something.

“M’am... “ she called out in a hushed voice.  “Come here...!” she waved at Maria.  Maria reached.  “Look ... eggs... Lapwing...!” Dhatri was excited with the perfectly camouflaged eggs on the ground with pebbles.  Dr. Maria sat down to examine under the frantic and angry calls “tii..twitt..twittt.. tii..twitt..twittt..”  

“Come on...Lets go!” They turned to go back.  The chirping of the birds had become louder and louder and Dhatri was running ahead of Maria like one of them giggling and jumping forgetting all her inhibitions.  She stopped abruptly and came back to Maria.  Maria looked in the direction to find Jim and Ravi descending the slopes.

“You are late... the birds are vanished...!” Maria greeted teasingly. 

“Shit...!” Jim couldn’t stop himself.  Ravi looked at Dhatri as if it was her fault.  She didn’t bothered and continued her walk.  Dr. Marai had stopped by to talk to the boys and Dhatri made her way back alone.  

*****   ******

“Tea?” Chinu the ranger offered.  Dhatri took the cup and sat on the stairs gazing into the trees.  She saw the boys and M’am approaching.  Soumya had come out wearing a bright florescent yellow Top and black jeans.

“Umm... Ms.. wearing bright colours on a trek is not advisable..” DFO suggested.

“But I will wear jacket over it..!” Soumya retorted arrogantly.  Dhatri looked back at the argument clutching the tea cup.  Maria and the boys had reached.  Soumya went inside.  Maria sat beside Dhatri.  She too was given a cup of tea.  

“We will have breakfast.  We may have to the cross the valley, through cattle route...” said DFO and Dhatri stood up at once.  The real expedition would start now. 

“Chinu wil accompany you and I will meet you after a couple of days.  There are a few tribal settlements.  Chinu knows the area...” He added and Chinu nodded.  Dhatri looked excited.  

Dr. Koite spread the contour map and marked the two points.  “We have to cover around 11 miles..!” he said.  Everyone nodded ready with their equipments. 

“Here... the treatise on the composition of the forest and the flora...!” DFO handed over a folder to Dr. Koite.  He scanned the pages taking out the map of the region and handing it over to Chinu.  He took it, folded it and pocketed it.  He knew the region very well.  Dhatri stood by his side to lead the way.  DFO took their leave and they all devoured slices of bread with another cup of tea.  

“Chalo Dhatri....!” he said and Dhatri giggled excitedly adjusting her back pack and hanging her binoculars.  Jim again lost himself in her dimples... “Man...!” he sighed and found Soumya beside. Ravi Frowned. Descending the stairs  “Jay bolo Mahadev ji ki...!” Chinu and Dhatri roared and the walk through the dense forest through the valley started.  

Part 23

“Stay away from alcohol and smoking…! Smoking proves dangerous in forests..!” said Dr. Koite in a serious tone and Ravi nodded.  Jim looked away disappointed.  Dhatri had her back pack ready and had started moving.

“Dhatri…!” Prof. Indroneel called out and she turned back.  “Wait…!” he told her sternly.  She nodded and waited for others to start the journey.  They shifted to another vehicle with sacks hung on their backs and their luggage was to be transported to the destination in other vehicle.  Ravi had taken out his camera, tripod and binoculars.   His huge haversack was stuffed with his things.  Jim had the minimum with him.  They were moving in a open jeep… “Jheep.. as Dhatri used to call it..!” The moment the open vehicle arrived, she had hopped in and was settled herself next to the driver, throwing her backpack at the backside.  A Forest Ranger Named Chinu sat next to her.  Others settled themselves in the vehicle and the DFO started off with his commentary as the vehicle gained speed. 

They were on the periphery of the forest, Satpura national park.  The dense forest ahead was calling her.  She forgot that she was on a study tour and others were with her.  Her eyes widened with excitement, she looked around.  She took a deep breath and pressing her palm on her chest “Finally..!” blurted in satisfaction.  The Ranger Chinu smiled broadly at her.  She stood up in the vehicle clutching the handle bar.  Dr Maria smiled broadly looking at Dhatri’s excitement.  

“Look…!” Dhatri yelled and the driver stopped the vehicle.  Everyone looked ahead on the pathway.  Before anyone could realize, Dhatri had jumped over Chinu and was on the pathway.  She bent down pointing at the pugmarks.  The DFO got down to examine so did everyone else.

“Humm… Tiger marks?” Chinu asked and the DFO nodded in acceptance.  “Wow… The Great Bengal Tiger…!” Jim exclaimed in excitement and Soumya sat down to examine.   Ravi jumped down with his camera ready.  His camera never stopped clicking.  

“Leopard…!” Dhatri straightened herself after finishing her observation of the pugmarks.  She went ahead in search of other marks but after a few yards, the marks disappeared and a long stretch of soaked soil traced the drag.  She bent down and picked up a thing in her hand.  DFO looked at her in astonishment.  

“The hunt!” he declared.  “Look here… the struggle marks… The tiger hunt..!” he said looking around for more traces.

“Leopard…!” Dhatri again blurted and Dr. Maria looked at her surprised.

“Not a tiger? Leopard?” she asked Dhatri leaning towards her.  Dhatri nodded. 

“How do you know?” she asked bewildered.  “I know!” Dhatri said moving away.

“Look~! She says … Its leopard and not Tiger…!” Maria said aloud.

“Phew..! Huf..!” Jim and Soumya laughed.  Ravi looked surprised.  The DFO sat down to re-examine again.  Dhatri had already reached the pugmark and was showing …

“Look… the width is less… the paws are stretched…and narrow…!” she showed the difference.  

“How do you know?” asked Dr. Maria aghast, admiring her little companion.  Dhatri didn’t answer but instead Indroneel answered… “Oh! She is an ardent jungle enthusiast…! Two years back she took part in census of tigers in Kanha Kisli National Park.  Dr. Maria wrapped her hand around Dhatri’s shoulder in appreciation.  Dhatri looked down shyly.  

DFO had taken out his walkie talkie to communicate with his base camp.  The Leopard was moving in the periphery of the forest… Warnings were to issued for the nearby settlements and the Leopard had to be driven again into the deeper section of the forest. 

They drove away.  “It will take another two hours to reach the next Ranger Camp…” he said looking at his wrist watch.   “From Tomorrow we will be into the forest for your research…” DFO said and Dr. Koite nodded.  

“What is that?” Ranger asked pointing at what Dhatri was hiding. 

“Umm… Seeng…!” she took it out sheepishly.  DFO examined and gave it back to her.  “It’s a broken horn of Chousinga… Four horned deer…!” he said and Ravi leaned forward to take it from Dhatri.  She refused to give it.

“Let me see!” Indroneel was the mediator.  She reluctantly handed it over to him.  They took terns to examine the horn.  It looked like a dried twig.  Ravi’s camera didn’t stop clicking.  He gave it back to her.  She held it tight.  

“Let me keep it in your bag…!” Dhatri trusted Dr. Maria and gave it to her.  They were on their way to their first destination and Dhatri had already made her impression.  For the first time Dr. Koite had smiled at her.  

The makeshift camp was not at all in a habitable condition.  Three rooms were allotted with attached toilets.  The team looked at each other.  Inadvertently, Dhatri gripped Dr. Maria’s wrist and she understood.  “Ok! I will stay with Dhatri… and Ms Soorie… “ she declared and the problem was solved.  Dhatri gave a broad smile, jerking her head back.  Jim and Ravi gaped at her deep dimples, her style of closing her eyes while laughing, the wrinkles at the corner of the eyes made her face captivating.  Jim drowned himself in her dimples… “Man… she is pretty!” he murmured and Soumya looked at him surprised. Taking the complement to be for her, she smiled with a glint.  Dhatri had occupied the room and was helping to bring in the luggage.  

Part 22

The team from India was waiting for the vehicle to arrive.  Dhatri had reached first in her enthusiasm. Her father had accompanied her to see her off. The Vehicle came and the team members hopped out.  A fresh round of greeting each other took place except Dhatri, who was again hiding behind.

“Where is the youngest kid?” asked Prof Koite and Prof Ghosh pulled her from behind.  She again said Good morning! In a bare whisper and tried to move back to be blocked by Prof Ghosh.  “Stay here!” he looked at her sternly.  She nodded and kept looking down nervously.  

“Hi... Am I Late?” Soumya came hurriedly looking at the boys. 

“Yes..!” Dhatri muttered from behind and “Oh No!” was Jim to respond!

Dr. Salil was introduced by Indroneel.  

“Ravindra Pratap? Indian?” Dr. Salil asked.  “No!” Came a curt answer. 

“I am Ray!” he said and Dr. Salil nodded refraining from probing further.

“Ray?” Dhaa was puzzled and then she shrugged. 

“Dhaa....! Be a good girl.  And please don’t do anything on your own..!” Dr. Salil was worried.  Indroneel came forwad.  “Salil, don’t worry! I am with her!” he said confidently.  Salil gaped at his friend’s over confidence.

“You don’t know her...!” he thought gravely.  “I know, Salil! I will take care!” said Indroneel reading his mind.  Dr. Salil smiled faintly.  The team was ready to move. 

Dhaa pulled her stroller bag and adjusted her back pack.  Ray... Ravi glanced at her to find her gazing at him.  He loathed her appearance.  Her brownish, curly, waist length hair were braided tightly; curls still dangling on her forehead.  She was playing with her tomboy green cap wearing a windcheater black jacket, denim jeans, a long loose T Shirt, her trekking shoes were on looking bigger than her figure.  He flashed malice at her skinny appearance.  She returned the same glare.

His tall lean figure towered over.  He was ready with his jeans, jacket, back pack and shoes. His other luggage, tripod, huge camera, laptop, communication equipment, headphones etc. was stacked in the boot space of the vehicle. 

Jim was all excited with all the gadgets.  He wore a cap, jacket, jeans, shoes, and his camera dangling under his neck.  He started off taking a picture of the group with Soumya at the centre smiling broadly and waving and Dhatri hidden behind not to be seen except her green cap.  

They again had a debriefing session shouldering various responsibilities.

Ravi.. Ray will handle photographs, communication... Jim will handle reporting, recording, notes and documentations... Soumya will assist Jim in documentation and Dhatri... Sweet Name!  Will assist everyone without any responsibility.. “ Dr. Maria said smiling at everyone. 

“Limbu Timbu!” came a scornful murmur from behind and Dhatri looked back angrily. 

“Don’t underestimate our youngest member...! She knows the jungle...!” Indroneel encouraged looking at Dhatri’s disappointed face.  Dhatri looked away shyly.  “She will lead us...!” Dr. Maria too was all set to ease out Dhatri’s disappointment.  Dhatri looked down.

“Lead or mislead, Ms. Dhut Teri?” Ravi winked at Jim making fun.  Soumya giggled and Dhatri exited herself from the scene.  

“Dhatri, come! We haven’t finished yet!” Indroneel went behind her to bring her back.  She came back reluctantly.  

Dr. Koite had spread a contour map of satpura spread across the middle of India.  “We are starting from here and will be ending in Nelnar, after having gone through Chhattisghar...!” he drew a line across and Dhatri looked at the dark green patches on the map. 

“We are going through the natural jungles of this area.  We have to be prepared for any eventuality.  We will be accompanied by two Forest Officers through out to help us!” Indroneel took over.

“Please remember... this is not a tourists’ jungle trip.  We may be exposed to the hardships and dangers of jungle.  The composition of the forests here is a tricky issue.  We have to be careful.  Please do not wander alone.... stick together!” Indroneel warned glancing at Dhatri and she nodded obediently.  

“We will be moving through evergreen and semi green foliage and dense forest lands to collect botanical samples.  Our DFO (Deputy Forest Officer ) will brief us about the composition of soil, forest, and the echo system through our entire route.  We may have to change the route if need be.  Our communication systems may not work.  Be careful and don’t try anything different without consultation with the experts...~” Koite warned everyone.  They were given a copy of the route map each with elaborate notes on the expedition and the objectives.  Dhatri stuffed it in her back pack and got up to go.

“No, wait...~” Indroneel professor pulled her down beside him and whispered, “Dhatri.... this is study tour, not your jungle trek! Understand?” he raised his finger and she nodded sheepishly.  

“Study tour... which requires intelligence...!” murmured Ravi disdainfully to Dhatri’s annoyance and Soumya giggled stupidly. Jim winked at her.  Dhatri sitting next to her Sir hung her head in frustration.  She was eager to move and was not interested in this research talk.  

Tata Winger was ready laden with luggage.  Indroneel occupied the passenger seat next to the driver, Soumya was happy to squeeze herself between Jim and Ravi.. umm... Ray at the back and Dhatri stole the window seat next to Dr. Maria sitting in the middle. 

The five hour journey was thoroughly boring for her.  Others busied themselves in talks about the type of the rock, the soil, the composition of forests, the tropical biodiversity, which Dhaa had no interest in.  She soon dozed off plopping her head on Dr, Maria’s shoulder.  Soumya engaged herself in talking to Jim animatedly when Ravi showed no interest in her talks.  Dr. Koite took out a big fat book and busied himself.  Dr. Indroneel Ghosh settled comfortably in the front seat and started chatting with the driver.  Dr. Maria patted on Dhaa’s head fondly and adjusted her head to make her comfortable.

“Dhatri...sweet name!” she murmured looking at sleeping Dhatri.  Dhaa had already reached Satpura National Park and the jungle in her dreams enjoying the trek....!

Dr. Salil came back home.  Nilima was waiting for him.  “Humm... Hope she will be alright!” Dr. Salil said sighing.  Nilima held his hand assuring him that everything would be alright.  

“Of course, Indroneel is with her!” he consoled himself sipping tea.  Dharini had gone for her practical examination.  

“Good that she has gone alone...!” Nilima said.  Salil nodded.  “Hope she learns something and won’t land in trouble!” he still was apprehensive. 

“Don’t worry!” Nilima said optimistically but she too was little worried about her youngest daughter Dhaa.  

*********   ********

“Finally...!” Everyone hopped out when the vehicle stopped at the Forest Rnage Guest House!  Another round of debriefing was done where Dhatri was sitting at the back pretending to be listening with attention.  She was keen in looking at the way the foreign professors were speaking.  She was fascinated by their accent and style.  Every word uttered by the professors were repeated silently keeping her mouth shut tightly and the accent with the style was picked up.  Slowly she started taking interest in what they were talking about.  The everygreen trees, the semi green foliage, the flora, the habitat,  the tribals... She knew many of the things but had never thought about it.  She had taken them for granted.  

The two forest officers soon joined them and Dhaa was enlightened with the local names of the foliage.  She knew almost all of them...! She was eager to enter the forest land...!! 

Part 21

Part 21

“So! This is our group...!” Indroneel Ghosh professor of Botany, Sanjay Ganghi Memorial Collage, Vidisha, MP gathered the team members.  Group members stared at each other.

“Umm.. Let me introduce...!” he continued.  

“Dr. Professor Roger Koite.. he is Head Plant Science, Stanford University, specialises in Plant Ontology..  We will know more about his work as we proceed further..!”  He introduced the team leader, a balding middle aged plum person with spectacles. He smiled pleasantly at everyone. 

“She is Dr.  Maria Nixon, Senior Research Associate Paleobotany.. She is sociologist too! This too we will know more later..!” Indroneel continued.  A women in her late forties smiled happily shaking hands with everyone.  The team relaxed a bit.

“These two are research Assistants from Stanford University... Mr. Jim Stone and Mr. Ravindra Pratap Sayajirao...!” Maria took over to introduce her team members.  They shook hands.

“She is our bright student, specializing in botany, Ms Soumya Soorie...!” Indroneel Ghosh took pride in introducing his team members. 

“And.... we have the youngest member of our team... Ms...!” He looked around in search of the last team member.. “Ah! Here she is.. Ms Dhatri Dixit..!” he pulled Dhatri who was hiding behind Indroneel.  She avoided looking at anyone and joined her hands shyly.

“Dhutt Teri!” Someone murmured and she flashed at the person.  Her brown eyes met his gray and his eyes flashed malice.  Her eyes flickered and she looked away taking steps back to hide behind her Sir!

“She is the youngest member but knows the jungle routes inside out...~” Indroneel Ghosh praised her to ease out her tension.  She didn’t bother to come out and face the team. 

“Let us go and Prof Nixon will brief us about the expedition...~” Indroneel Ghosh led the team inside the conference room.  Dhatri followed reluctantly.  She had no interest in this research something... she only wanted to go on the expedition.  She remained silent all the time while the other members were participating in the discussion. 

“Two more persons will join us later.  A forest Officer and a ranger who will help us through...” Indroneel said to everyone’s relief. 

Soumya soon became friendly with everyone in the team and no one bothered to talk to Dhatri.  She remained unnoticeable. 

“Hello...!” Maria placed her hand on Dhatri’s shoulder and Dhaa winced in fright.  “He..Hello~” she stuttered.   Maria had a broad smile and her eyes emitted kindness.  Dhatri looked at her and gave her a shy smile.  

“Dhatrri... sweet name!” Maria smiled pleasantly so did Dhatri.  “Dhutt Teri!” she again heard a scornful murmur!  Her anger reached peak.  She moved away in search of her Sir, never wanting to interact with anyone.  Filing out of the conference room, they all heard a growl and ferocious barking of a dog.  Everyone startled and jumped in fright not knowing how the dog entered the conference hall.  Indroneel looked around but could find none.  He turned to look at Dhatri who had a straight face and was looking at the back of the frightened boys.  Next moment they heard the hissing between the boys’ legs and the boys jumped in fright.

“Dhatri...!” Indroneel called out in panic and she turned innocently.  “Sir?” she looked and he sighed.  The next moment she was out of the conference room looking back at the frightened boys threateningly, as if saying beware....  !!

“Come on.. let us go!” Indroneel said moving out.

“Bu.. but we heard hissing of a snake...!” Jim was flabbergasted.   “Are there snakes in the collages?” he looked around frightened taking out his mineral water bottle to quench his thirst.  Ravi gazed at the back of Dhatri.  She didn’t bother to look back.  Soumya had jumped in fright holding Jim’s hand.  

“Let us go!” Indroneel knew what it was.  He managed to take the puzzled professors out of the room.  “Its only the sound..!” he murmured thinking of reprimanding Dhatri for scaring the team members.

Their first destination was Satpura National Park! A Part of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

******   ********

“I didn’t like the team, Rini Didi... That boy... he called me Dhut Teri... “ Dhaa pursed her lips sulkily.  

“What?” Rini burst out laughing.  “Dhut Teri..! Sounds interesting..!” she teased.

“Rini Didi..!” Dhatri turned her face.  “Ok. Ok.. then?” Dharini gave up.

“Then what? I sent hissing snake under his feet!” Dharini gaped at Dhaa.

“What?”

“Yeah Rini Didi, No one knew from where the barking dog and a hissing snake entered the conference room... They all went dry mouth, scared to the core... but our Sir, seemed to catch me... so I ran away from that place... They kept searching the dog and snake in there!” Dhaa giggled recalling the incidence.

“You know, Didi? That Soorie girl is with us...!” Dhaa was not happy with her either. 

“What? What is she doing in the team?” Even Dharini was surprised. Dhatri shrugged. 

“That Professor Lady, was good though...!” Dhaa found at least one good team member.

“And that Leader Professor... some name... I don’t remember was like a plum fat person with protruding belly and swollen eyes with red nose...!” Dhaa went on describing.  Rini giggled but then said seriously..

“Dhaa... Stay away from those boys and that Soumya Soorie..!” Dhaa nodded.  “I don’t care...!” she muttered.