Part 30

“Shit! Where is he?” Ravi sat up in the bed when he saw the place next to him, empty. He dashed to the bathroom and came out to see the drama unfolding.

Jim had hung his head before the firing squad. Soumya was crying hiding her face in her palms. Dhatri was nowhere to be seen. Indroneel was talking to Dr. Koite. Ravi came and stood behind looking amused at the enquiry. Dr. Koite seemed uninterested in the discussion.

“They both are of age...” he said and Indroneel turned again to Soumya. “Do you have any idea what you were doing, Soumya?” he gritted his teeth. Soumya had another bout of sobs and guilt.

“S..Sorry Sir!” she could only say.

“Dr. Ghosh...” Jim started of meekly. Indroneel completely ignored him.

“You are my responsibility, Soumya and I cannot tolerate this!” he said and Soumya knelt on her knees with guilt.

“Dr, Ghosh... Look, I am sorry..!” Jim opened his mouth again to be cut of by Indroneel again.

“Mr. Jim, this is not your US of A. to take liberties...” Indroneel flared up in rage.

“Have you ever thought about your parents, Soumya?” Indroneel shuddered so did Soumya with the thought of what would happen if her parents knew about this.

“Sorry Sir, please....!” she pleaded crying her heart out. Indroneel turned in frustration.

“Dr. Ghosh, well! It will be your decision finally, but ..” Dr. Koite looked at Indroneel's furious face and stopped. Dhatri's figured appeared from somewhere distracting Indroneel. He looked at her hopelessly. She was not bothered what was happening there. She knew, she was staying for sure. She again vanished somewhere searching for something else around the Forest Camp. Indroneel dropped his shoulders.

“Dr. Ghosh! I apologize...!” Said Jim with a guilt laden face. “And I promise...!” he looked at miserable Soumya.

“Please, Dr. Ghosh, don't send them back...!” he looked at Maria for support. She shook her head hopelessly.

“We came here for a research work, Mr. Jim..!” Dr. Indroneel was still furious.

“Yes Dr. Ghosh and I promise, I will stick to the research work...!” Jim said with determination. Dr. Koite placed his hand on Indroneel's shoulder. Soumya was staring down. Indroneel turned.

“Time for breakfast!” he put aside all the discussion. Jim looked relieved so was Soumya. Dr. Maria came forward. “Go get ready!” she said pushing Soumya a bit. Dhatri stood there with gaping mouth holding a big stick of an inch diameter and around six feet in length. Ravi was thoroughly disappointed and went after Jim into the room.

“God!...” Jim ran his fingers through his hair in relief. Ravi looked at him disappeared. The girls would continue....! “Bad news!” He gathered his things and moved out for breakfast.

The breakfast was served but Jim had vanished. The gulped down the bread slices with tea. Jim appeared with a bunch of wild flowers. Dr. Maria smiled inwardly looking at his flushed face. He gave everyone a bunch saying sorry for what he did. He gave one to Soumya too which horrified her to the core. She looked up at Indroneel frightened to the core but he ignored her completely. She accepted the flowers with shaky hands. Ravi looked at this drama, frustrated.

Jim came to Dhatri and extending a red hibiscus. Reflexively she backed away. But he stood there with that red flower, which he had picked from the back yard of the camp. She looked up at her sir. He nodded. She grinned and put her hand in her bag. Jim extended the flower and said “Sorry!” She took the flower with her right hand and took out something from behind. She gave him the written gift and Soumya shrieked frightened. Jim gazed at his palm dumfounded, stunned! A centipede made its way up from his cupped palm to his elbow. He shirked jumping backwards and Dr. Koite roared in laughter. Dhatri giggled.

“It is harmless...!” she said looking at his aghast face. He grinned looking at everyone's smiling face. Soumya too had a smile on her face. Dhatri took out a Bird feather and gave it to Jim. “Thank you!” Finally Jim smiled broadly moving the feather on his stubble. Dhatri turned away picking up her stick. Ravi looked on. They saw the rangers approaching with long sticks in their hands. They gave them one each.

“There are more snakes around here for the dampness.... we are moving into evergreen foliage and we need to be careful. One of them said and Dr. Maria looked at Dhatri in admiration. Indeed she knew the jungle inside out!

Dhatri walked past Ravi and he muttered scornfully, “Rhesus Macaque...!” Dhatri turned her eyes boring into his and turned her gaze on his shoulder.

“Millepede.,,. “ his eyes challenged her and she pointed out at his jacket... “On your jacket!” she turned her back and thudding her stick on the ground led the way.

Next ffew minutes, Ravi was shirking his jacket and turning it inside out to find the non existent millepede... !! 

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