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“Dhaa... take care of yourself...!” Rini’s parting words stabbed Dhatri.  “No! You be there to take care of me...!” she said hugging her tightly.  Rini resolutely sent away her tears.   “You want me to leave the job and come here?” she asked holding Dhatri at arm’s length... Dhatri shook her head sniffing.

“No...! But... Why can’t you stay with me? Or take me there with you...! I promise, I will do all the household work...!” Dhatri said sobbing.  Rini looked away...

“Household? Dhaa... I don’t have a house there... I will have to stay in make shift tents... in freezing cold...!” Rini painted a picture of thousand words...! Dhaa looked lost... Rini stared at her little sister gravely and then pulled her closer.

“You have a responsibility, Dhaa.... Look after Mamma and Papa when I am away... I may or may not return.... you will be the only one...!” she was very serious...

“May not...? What do you mean, may not?” Dhatri asked with ghostly face.  Rini shook her head a bit and placing her hand on Dhatri’s shoulder said... “Be prepared for the worst Dhaa... I am posted on the border... the worst terrorist hit area.... We all should be prepared.... !” Rini looked away and Dhatri broke down...

“Who asked you to  take up this job, Rini didi?” She sobbed harder.  Rini held her closer.  “Dhaa... when a soldier is on frontier.... he leaves everything behind.... and embraces death like a friend...! Feel proud that you are a sister of a martyred Soldier if I die saving my country...!” Rini stopped to wipe Dhatri’s tears...! 

“Dhaa... you are a sister of a soldier... be brave...! Promise me, you will take my place in this house... in case anything goes wrong...and take care of everyone...!” Rini held out her hand.  “Yes!” Dhaa looked determined.  “I am proud of you Didi...!” Dhatri wiped off her tears.  “I promise..!” she said borrowing some courage from her Didi.  “That’s like my little sister...!Jay Hind!” she hugged Dhatri for the last time and moved out of the door, wheeling out her huge trunk, leaving everyone in distress... !  A soldier was going on the battle field to safeguard the borders of this Nation.  

“Yes Didi... I am your little sister... I will take care of everyone...!” Dhatri murmured resolutely coming out in the courtyard with her head held high....! 

Rini smiled at Dhatri’s stiffened posture.  “Dhaa! She will come around to her normal self soon...!” she thought loading her baggage in the waiting car.  Dhatri ran behind....!!

********   ******   **********

“Uncle... I am really sorry...!” Bhanu had no words to apologize.  Sayajirao looked away dejected and then regaining his senses said, “Thats ok! It is not your fault.. You too didn’t know....!” he patted on Bhanu’s shoulder consoling him and walked out of Bhanu’s apartment.  Ray was already in the car behind the steering waiting for his father...! He raced away as soon as his father occupied the passenger seat.   

“Ravi....!” Sayajirao turned his face to look at his fuming, infuriated son.  “No! Not a word, Dad!” Ray yelled and Sayajirao shut his mouth at once.  He kept gazing ahead ....!

“Why, Dad? Why didn’t you tell me?” finally it went out of his control and Ray pulled over the car at a motel.  Sayajirao fumbled, shifting on his legs nervously. 

-“Sonny.... I really didn’t know... “ he knew his sonny is not going to buy his argument. 

“Why do you have to shell out money, Dad...!” he dug his fingers in his hair in frustration.  Sayajirao had no answer.  

“I didn’t want any arguments...!” he said weakly and Ray looked away dejected.  “Thats why dad.. people take advantage of your.... your...!” he tried to find out a milder word for his dad.  Sayajirao shook his head.   

“We were in Bhanu’s house....!” he clarified further to his furious Son.  “Damn it!” Ray banged on the table.  “Forget it...! Let us go! I will drive...!” Sayajirao took the keys from his dejected son.  They drove to the airport silently.  Sayajirao left the car at parking and waited for Disha.  She was to come and drive the car back. 

“Dad....!” Sayajirao looked up from his book to find Ray at the door of the library of their house.  “Sonny...” he sighed keeping aside the book.  Ray walked in. 

“For how long, you are going to....!” Ray chocked.  “As long as I can...!” Sayajirao said gravely.  Ray sat on the chair.  “But why? You don’t owe anything to her.... She has already squeezed you to death...!” he gulped.  Sayajirao held his hand. 

“I don’t know, why, son.... but I can’t say no...!” he looked helpless.  Hopelessness crept in.... They both sat there wordless. 

“Ok!” Sayajirao sighed getting up.  “Let us hit the bed...!” he patted on Ray’s shoulder.  Ray followed.  They both knew that sleep was stolen from them that night. 

Ray came back and switched on the TV to find everything boring...! He searched through the archives.... kept switching the channels.... and spotted the folder... Humm... This is much better... he started the slide show...~ His expedition on deciduous forests flashed....! As he skipped the unwanted slides his lips curled up in a faint smile.... He father was at the door...

“Dad...” he beckoned him  inside not taking his eyes of the screen.  Dad settled on his bed and both of them continued watching the clips and photographs with Ray giving a brief commentary...!!

“Whoa.... “ Father exclaimed at the close up of the tigress.... “500X zoom Dad...” Ray found nothing exciting about it.

“Chappa...” he blurted and father looked at him in surprise.  “Dhutt teri... called it. Chappa.” he clarified dreamily... going into the forest again!!

“Dhut Terri?” father asked... “I mean Dhatri.. !” he murmured.  Sayajiroa’s eyes twinkled.  “Dhatri? You mean the girl?” he fixed his eyes on the screen...

“Girl? “ Ravi thought for a while... “I don’t know... I mean...I thought she is a human being... “ he again paused for a killing length... “Mutant... Dad.... Mutant...!” Ray flared up.  Sayajirao looked on with a question mark on his face.  For the first time his son, now twenty four years of age was talking about a girl calling her mutant, forgetting about what had happened at Bhanu’s place....