45

Rini waited with bated breath for someone to call.   She had made frantic calls to some of her acquaintances in Army to find out what she can do best for her sister. 

"Sir!" she greeted forcefully as she got a call from her training head in Army Training Center, with expectation.  "Ms Dixit, Call Col. Parekh! He may be of some help to you.  He runs Ex-Army association.  Give him my reference... his number is...!" Rini took down the number thanking him.

"Humm... there was a killing silence for a while and then the deep, rough voice spoke gravely.... Humm someone in Bhopal... associated with REC... Oh! Yes! Retired Col. Narendra Parekh is the head administration and placement of REC... give my reference....He is my cousin!" the call was cut and Rini jumped in excitement.  The next moment she was heading towards the college again... Alone with apprehension...!

Things went on pretty smooth. The fraternity had worked.  Col. Parekh was very helpful.  He arranged a meeting with the rector of the Girls Hostel and Rini's rhetoric but sincere persuasive techniques did the magic.  Dhatri got a place to stay in the Hostel.  Again the calls ran back and forth with Rini thanking everyone for help, to all those she had called earlier.  She dashed back home to collect Dhatri's belongings to find Salil and Nilima had already packed her bags.

"Done, Dhaa... you are staying ...." she suddenly dropped her voice glancing at Maasi Maa.  Dhatri looked puzzled so were Salil and Nilima. 

"I don't want to discuss anything in here in her presence..." Rini said bluntly and Maasi Maa looked down guiltily. 

"Come on... we are going... we will talk on our way...!" she said stuffing Dhatri's belongings in the boot space of the car and drove off with her family without even glancing back. 

They got Dhatri into the Hostel.  "Papa.. I will stay here for a couple of days.... to see if she is ok... you go back.  Keep the vehicle for me.  I may need it!" Rini had decided everything.  Her parents only had to obey her military orders.  Things went on smoothly and recovered in a couple of days.  Rini had arranged a medical certificate for her absence from the college and Dhatri was condoned for on medical grounds. 

Rini had turned her estrainged friends to her side again painting a miserable picture of Dhatri's illhealth and Dhatri's hostelite classmates vowed to protect her and help her in studies.  The sense of hostility had gone... Dhatri was welcomed in the hostel.  

“Dhaa… this is for you!” Rini gave her a packet.

“What is it?” Dhaa looked at it turning it upside down…  “I will do the honors…” One of her room mates took it from her and opened the wrapper.  “Wow… New cell…!” she exclaimed taking out the smart phone.  Dhatri gaped.  Dharini gave a nod.  “You will call me everyday… and you all… you will report to me ….!” Rini issued orders and all of them burst out in laughter…

“Yes Sir!” they stood in attention saluting the military officer…!  Rini nodded with a glint.

“Don’t’ worry, Didi… We will take care of her….!” One of the senior girl said and Rini turned to her.  “Your responsibility…!” she raised her finger warningly and the girl nodded.  “And I owe you a Shahed Kapoor Movie…” Rini added grinning.  Dhatri got a new mobile and the hostelites got Dhatri!!

*********   ********

“Hey sonny… how you doing?” asked Sayajirao when Ray called up after reaching Lincoln. 

“You sound dully bright, Dad..!” remarked Ray suspiciously.  “I am bright, sonny… preparing my favorite…!” said Dad cheerfully.  “Huh… “ sighed Ray.  “What? Chicken masala?” he asked licking his lips and heard a roar… “Barbaque chicken…with freshly grind spices…” Sayajirao teased him.  “Oh… Dad…!” Ray sulked. 

“Ok.. listen… Samantha dropped by…!” Sayajirao informed.  “Oh!” Ray sighed again.  “She said she tried calling you…Why don’t you call her, sonny?” Sayajirao suggested gently.  Ray clutched his phone… frowning… “Girls are big trouble…” he muttered under the breath and spoke… “I will… Dad!” with no intention of calling her. 

“And…” his Dad went on.  He waited … “Your Big B paid a visit…” Ray’s face brightened up.

“Really? That’s a news…” he said grinning and his father laughed  “Yes and finally….” He paused creating enough suspense.. Ravi grew impatient. 

“Finally… he is getting married…” Sayajirao broke the news… Ray listened happily.

“Finally… Dad.. After so much of deliberation…!” Ray said with a sigh. 

“Summer…” Sayajirao gave him further information.  “She has her theses for open defense in fall….”

“Ok! That’s a news…. I should call her up..!” Ray thought disconnecting the phone. 

Sayajirao sighed hanging up.  He had not told Ray that she, Ray’s mother had visited again for money.  He had talked only about Samantha, ex of Ray…. An year ago they broke up on a silly row and Ray had never bothered to patch up. 

Sayajirao gazed at the smoking barbeque for a long time going down the dark memory lane….

********  *********  *********

Rini drove back with a heavy heart leaving Dhatri in an unknown, alien environment again.  But this time she had made sure to instruct her properly and ordered her not to leave the campus alone at any cost.  No picnics, no treks, no other activities except studies and her friends had agreed to keep a watchful eye on Dhatri, to Dhatri’s dismay…..!”