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.