38

“What? What happened?” asked Nanu panic struck. 

“That Rascal Gathiram… “ Appa swore under his breath.  Nanu with her shaky hands touched Dhatri’s forehead.  Appa brought in a water soaked sheet.  Nanu took it from him and gesturing everyone out, said “Out!”

They all came out.  “She is not dying, is she?” asked Ravi holding his breath.  “Damn this girl!” he frowned.  "What did that man do with her?” he didn’t know.  “Featherweight Girl!” he muttered.  He had carried her easily.  Maria put her hand on his shoulder.  He looked at her.

“Is she going to die?” he asked with a ghostly face.  She shook her head.  She will be alright.  “That old lady is taking care…!” Maria hoped against the hope.  She too was not sure. He saw Pappi walking out and dashed towards her.

“What? What did he do to her?” he asked her.  “Kya kiya usane?” he translated himself hastily.  She looked at him and then glanced at Appa. 

“I was with Chipa Aunty and that filth came in.  He dragged her.  I tried to run after them but he hit me. I ran back to call you” Pappi was sobbing hard with guilt.  Appa looked grave.  “Is she going to die?” Pappi was panic.  Appa shook his head hopelessly.  “I don’t know…” Ravi hung his head.  They all waited.  Indroneel and Koite, oblivious to the happening continued their interaction with the villagers. 

“She was smelling filth… with bleeding mouth…! He must have hit her..!” Ravi concluded clenching his fists looking at the closed door of the house.  Bijoy came limping … “What?” he asked.

“Baby… that Gathiram…!” Appa said gravely.  “That filth…!” Bijoy started cursing and Ravi joined.

“Yeah.. he looked a boozer, a sot… that … Man…” he blurted.  Bijoy clenched his fists too.  “Wish he had died….” He looked at Ravi.  “There was a spew all over.. Smelly.. Filth..! There was blood… she was unconscious…” he said. 

Nanu opened the door and Maria dashed in.  Dhatri was sitting covering herself with a clean sheet.  Her top and jeans were hanging, her backpack open!  She had covered her head with a white towel to dry her hair. 

“Dhatri…!” Maria sat down beside her with a thud.  “I am ok.” She said faintly.  “Just fainted…” she said glancing up at Ravi.  He was gazing at her clean face.  She looked away. 

“Drink the milk…” Nanu yelled. “And don’t go out anywhere…” Appa ordered looking at Pappi sternly.  Dhatri didn’t respond.  Maria took the glass of milk and gave it to her. 

“Phew…. No sugar…!” Dhatri contorted her face.  Maria smiled. 

 “You will get only rice with milk for lunch…” Nanu declared and Dhatri’s jaw dropped.  “What? No! I am alright!” she yelled inhaling the aroma of the curry.  “Churrr…. She heard Nanu frying the mutton chops and her mouth watered.   

Bijoy laughed.  “Yeah!” he teased her. 

 “Yeah!” said Ravi smirking.  “I get a bigger share…” he too looked inside hungrily.  The fried chops were luring him. 

“She had passed out with bleeding mouth… this spicy curry….” He said glaring at her. 

 “What? No! that filth puked all over my face….”

“Bwuk…. Bwuke…!” She got up to run out with the vomiting sensation…” She dashed out to puke and Ravi’s smirk grew into a grin.  He looked at Bijoy.  He was grinning too.

“Yeah… this spicy curry will upset her stomach..!” he said.  Dhatri had returned.  She glared at both of them and said…

“I am going to Chipa aunty… She is making…!” Dhatri retorted and Appa roared… “You are not going anywhere… do you understand?” Dhatri shuddered in fright.  “Rice with milk and pickles…” he declared and Dhatri stomped angrily. 

“Mahua…!” Bijoy said and Dhatri looked at Appa in fright.  Appa glared at Bijoy.  “No Mahua” he warned both of them and saw the rest of the team arriving. 

“Muki invited us for lunch!” he said and Dhatri jumped up.  “Yeah! We will go!” she said.  “No! you are not going..!” Appa stopped her. 

“Why? What happened?” Asked Indroneel getting concerned for Dhatri. 

 “She fainted.  She is not well!” Ravi fed the information and Indroneel came forward holding Dhatri’s hand.

“Dhatri? Are you ok?” he asked her with concern.  “Yes Sir! I am fine..!” she said flashing angry look at Ravi. 

“No Dhatri, you are not well… Dr. Ghosh, she passed out and I carried her here!”” Ravi was all set to ruin her lunch.  Jim dashed forward.

“Hey, are you ok?” he asked her concerned and she nodded without even glancing at him.  Soumya too had put her arm around Dhatri.  “You take rest, Dhatri! Don’t come with us today..!” she said kindly.

“Yes! She should take rest!” Maria agreed.  She was more interested in talking to people.  “I will be with her!” she declared and “Yeah! We will complete the documentation!” Ravi grabbed the opportunity.  Mutton curry was calling him…The crispy chops were tempting…!

“No! I am alright… I will come with you!” Dhatri said getting up.     

“No, you take rest!” Appa’s word was final.  Dhatri looked at Bijoy sulkily.  He thought for a second and said…

“Mahua in the evening….!” She nodded and Ravi got puzzled.  “What is mahua? I should find out!” he decided to latch on to Bijoy for the rest of the day.