Part 29

“Yes! Both are out! Finally! Time to celebrate!!” Ravi grinned ear to ear.  “I think, I should prepare a farewell speech..” he walked into the room to see Dhatri standing before Indroneel locking her fingers in front but gazing at him defiantly. 

“I can’t! Dhatri, I am sending her back and can’t continue with you alone! Your father sent you because another girl was joining...” Indroneel had locked his fist at the back. Ravi stood behind gazing at Dhatri.  He saw a fire in her eyes when she looked at him.  She turned and left the room.  Indroneel sighed.

“You can ask for two more students from your Institute to join us.  May be two boys?” Ravi suggested innocently.  Indroneel didn’t respond but he was pondering on the suggestion.  He had to send the girls back in the morning.  Ravi came out and saw Dhatri gazing at a distance in darkness. 

“Goodbye!” he whispered and went away.  Dhatri clutched her find, the calcite blue stone with mounting rage.  She went inside.

“Phone..!” she demanded.  Indroneel looked at her.  “I want to talk to Papa and Rini Didi..” She said with a shade of threat. 

“Don’t blackmail me…!” Indroneel refused to give her his phone.  “And there is no network…!” he said looking relieved glancing at his cell phone.  Dhatri glared at him.

“Dhaa… try and understand.  We have entered the Naxal stronghold… !” he tried to explain.  Dhatri still glared at him.  He sighed hopelessly. 

“I have done five treks after that in this area… and the Police took me several times to identify…” Dhatri said defiantly.  Indroneel dropped his shoulders. 

“I can manage alone!” she said turning to move.

“Dhaa.. please… listen to me! Don’t be upset… but I have to send her back…!” Indroneel held her hand.  She wrenched it free looking at him angrily.  Next moment she pouted her lower lip, contorted her face, pressed her eyes shut and Indroneel winced.

“Stop… stop the drama, Dhaa… your crying works with Salil, not with me!” he smacked on her head and curled up his lips in a smile.  Dhatri stared at his expression and hugged him with a silly grin.

“Dramebaz!” he ruffled her curly, spring like hair fondly. 

“I stay?” she asked with grin.  “hum!” he gave a curt nod.  “Thank you, uncle!” she jumped in joy.

“That’s because, Salil is my friend…!” he said sighing.  Dhatri ran out. 

“Dhatri, come back here!” He shouted and Dhatri turned back apprehensively. 

“Dhaa… promise me! You will be careful…. You are my responsibility, Dhaa… !” he pleaded.  She nodded accepting all his conditions.  He pulled her closer and patting on her back, said, “Now go and sleep…. Goodnight!”

“Yes Sir! Good night, Sir!” she saluted like a cadet and left the room.  He  folded his arms on his chest staring in the darkness, unfocused shuddering with some unknown fear. 

He would't keep Soumya in the team after the evening incident and Couldn’t keep Dhatri alone in the team.  He had to find a way out. 

Dr. Ghosh!” Dr. Maria Nixon entered the room.  Indroneel turned. 

“I need to talk to you…!” she said apprehensively.  He gestured at the lone folding chair in good condition.  She sat on the chair and he stood by the door!

“Its about Dhatri!” she said and Indroneel’s posture stiffened. 

“I searched last night… I have a fair idea…!” she opened the topic and he gazed in anticipation.  They talked into the night about the girl called Dhatri! 

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“Hey Jim… help me!” Ravi barged in grinning broadly.  Jim looked grim.

“Oh! Come on! That’s ok! “ Ravi pressed his shoulders.

“Now, suggest me something special… for a farewell gift!” Ravi rubbed his palms.

“Farewell? Are you leaving?” Jim got up shocked.  Ravi shook his head.

“Not me! The girls!” he grinned.  “What?” Jim was on his feet pacing restlessly.  Ravi watched contemptuously.   He hated girls in his team.  “Girls are for fun… not for serious work!” he opined when they discussed girls.  “They are only for toying their Bs and Bs…!” he always used prove his point and then explain, “Boobs and bottoms…” when they came across a bimbo. 

“No! I can’t let this happen… I think I should apologize!” Jim dashed out and Ravi ran after him.  They found Dr. Koite alone outside gazing at the extinguishing fire. 

“Dr. Koite…!” Jim stood before him.  He placed his heavy hand on Jim’s shoulder sympathetically.  “It was not your day, boy!” he said with a faint smile. 

“Is it..? I mean..are the girls...” Jim stammered.

“Let us discuss it tomorrow morning…” he said dismissing the boys.  Ravi looked at him apprehensively, his grin fading away.  “Oh No! Are they keeping the girls?” he thought the worst.  Jim hung his head and returned to his room.  He must do something to apologize.

“Damn! Man…~! I messed up..!” he banged his fist in frustration.  Ravi looked at him seriously.  Next day was the judgment day!!  Dhatri had already acquitted herself shrewdly and sleeping peacefully with steady breath inside her sleeping bag.

**********   ********

Late in the night, Dr. Maria Nixon came into the room and looked at Soumya who had curled up with wet cheeks crying!  She sat down and placed her hand on the sleeping bag…

“Dhatri…!” she sighed and patted the sleeping bag fondly.  “You are a darling…!” she smiled and rubbed insect repellent cream on her skin, preparing herself to go to bed!!