63

"No...!" Dhatri wailed and got up suddenly.
"Dhaa.....!" she didn't stop even at the desperate call.  Dhatri ran out of the room and out of the house. 

"What's wrong with her?" Dr. Salil gaped at her vanishing figure.  

She again was on the road, like she was when her parents confessed that she was an unwanted girl child.  She broke into a run....!

:No.... She can't do this to me...!" she again sat on the stone bench on that secluded road, staring blankly...!!

"Papa?" Disha came in.  Dr. Salil was looking at the open door. The house was bustling with the wedding preparations... The wedding was just a week ahead...
 He turned.  "What happened?" she asked confused.
"Nothing... beti....!" he turned and forced a smile on his face.  Disha walked past him, shrugging. 

"Papa...!" Rini came to her papa for support.  He looked at her.  "What's wrong?" he asked her.  She shook her head hopelessly. 

"She is upset with me..!" she said hanging her head.

"Upset with you?" he was surprised.  Dhaa could never be upset with her Rini Didi.
"Why?" was the next obvious question.  Rini fidgeted.  "Umm... nothing much...!" she avoided the question and went in.  She must wait for her Dhaa to return...!! Dharini had not told anything to anyone... It was her Dhaa's previlege to know it first....!! But Dhaa...?


"How could she do this to me?" Dhatri sobbed hiding her face in her palms.

  "Rini didi...!" she wailed.  "No...! My answer is a big NO!" she stood up determined to return home.


Dharini waited at the door for her Dhaa....!! 


************  **********

"I was desperate when I heard about your encounter with terrorists..." he broke the silence.  She merely looked at him.  "And your injury..." he added.

"That was a minor injury..." she blurted clutching her bullet hit arm and then coming back to her stance asked Vinit, sternly...!

"That is not the answer to my question... who are you?" he looked at her tentatively.  "MI (Military intelligence) ... but that is not important..." he added hurriedly.  She shook her head.

"You have told me this..." she said testing his patience.  "Dharini....!" he really was desperate....! She looked away.  Now it was her turn ....

"I will tell you who he really is....!" Vikram couldn't stop himself and pulling a chair at the table he settled himself.  He was watching them from the distance and realized that they were going nowhere.

"This bugger... snatched you away from me...!" Vikram said with bitterness.

"Hell...No... what are you talking about?" Rini raised her voice.

"See? She said NO..!" Viky winked at Vinit.

"Shut up...!" Vinit had clutched her wrist again.  She struggled with pale face.

"Ms. Dharini... once for all tell him that its a NO from you...!" Vikram looked at her with hope...  She winced...

"No..! I mean... Yes... I mean...!" she closed her eyes to remove the confusion.. "What is all this?" she finally asked the sensible question. 

"Can't you see? He has fallen for you... Completely... Flat..." Vikram thumped on his shoulder and Rini's cheeks changed color. 

"Look at him, Dharini! ....Anytime... he would go down on his knees... begging....!" Vikram said winking.  She somehow managed to look at Vinit's reddened face.

"Shut up!" he twisted Vikram's arm.  She gaped at their friendship.

"Stop it...!" she yelled finally and everyone in the Officers' mess stopped at once.  She looked around apologatically and turning to the duo pleaded them to stop...

"Dharini... He is a Hawk... has no boundaries...KOI SARAHAD ISAY ROK NAHI SAKATI....!" He delivered a filmy dialog...

"In his career in MI, in last six years he has crossed the border five times... Alone... Unarmed... and returned unhurt everytime....!!" Vikram said seriously and Vinit looked away embarrassed.  Rini gaped with dropped jaw. 

"With Success... Every Time!" Vikram stressed seriously.  She looked at Vinit.  "... You are too junior to know about field intelligence.....!" Vikram added gravely.

"Viky.. Go!" he ordered and this time Viky obeyed...!! He moved away leaving them together ......

"And ... you did all that stunt ... only to hear an yes from me?" she looked ghostly.  "Yes...!" he said seriously clasping her palm....  She suddenly fell silent.  He waited patiently.... this time...!

"What is he?" she didn't know...! "Is this his HAWK style?..." She wondered... "This is how the Hawk's lure their females...?" Something chruned in her heart....! Her face glowed pink....!! He was watching the changing expressions on her face....!

"This is how.... the courtship of Hawks.... A dangerious, deathly... romance....? I should ask Dhaa... She knows about birds..... Dhaa? Dhaa!!" She shuddered at the thought of her Dhaa.  She withdrew her hand and he looked up in shock....

"Dhaa...!" she blurted.  "What?" he was confused....!

"No.. I mean... Dhatri... my younger sister....!" her throat went dry... she drank water like a thristy person...! He looked on...!

"What about her?" he asked.  Dharini suddenly turned serious... Her decision can't be only hers... She should ask Dhaa first... and what if she says no?" Rini winced. 

"Umm... I mean..." she struggled for the right words and looked up at Vinit's face... She had to make a decision... She stared unfocused and then making up her mind holding his hand, said in a grave tone...!!

"Its my younger sister, Dhatri.... I will have to ask her.... She is everything.....!" she wet her drying lips with her tongue... he stared at her pale face...

"Maj. Vinit.... No matter, how many times you take me to the other side of the fence... if she says no to this ... Its a no from me too....!"  Finally she said it all highlighting the place of her Dhaa in her life...!

Vinit still held her hand looking deep into her eyes... she gazed looking lost... he understood....

"Dhaa and Rini are inseparable... Dha-Rini...!" he said with a line of smile on her face.  She gaped... It had never occured to her...!! Dha-Rini...!!

How beautifully he had defined her relationship with her Dhaa.....!! She smiled. 

"I will handle..." he said confidently.

"No... For god sake... Don't try your extreme measures on her... I will tell her when the time comes....!" she said desperately and he grinned with his eyes emitting happyness....!!  Rini lost herself in deep thoughts... She was not sure about her Dhaa.. this time!!

62

"Dharini...!" he was standing before her.  She jerked up raising her hand.  She had lost control.  He stood unmoved.

"Just go away...!" she spoke fuming.

"No!" he was determined.  She turned to leave the place.  He held her hand.

"Come with me!" he said gravely.  She gaped in disbelief at his atrocity.

"I almost had lost my job...!" she blurted wrenching her hand free.

"No!" he said firmly.
"No?... I was stripped off my badge...!" she fumed.
"That was Viky...!" he said exhaling.
"Viky?" She didn't know.
"Maj. Vikram.... his revenge..." he said. 

"I was to face court marshal for no fault of mine...!" she accused.
"No! I had given my confession.... in writing...!" he said straightening himself up.  She gaped with dropped jaw.
"In writing? Are you crazy?" she said aghast.  He merely looked at her. 

"Who are you...?" she blurted her puzzle. 
"Maj. Vinit Pandit...Southern Command...!" he said firmly and she shook her head.

"Anyway.... whoever you are...!" she had reached the door.
"Dharini... !" he held her hand with his rough strong hand.  She turned. 

"Stop this...! Please....!" she said looking at her clasped hand.  He didn't move.
"Come with me!" he again said.  She walked with him. 

"Don't take her to the other side of the fence...!" someone yelled from behind and his clasp tightened. 

They were sitting on make shift bench outside the cabin.  "I am going tomorrow...!" he said gravely.

"Thank god!" she breathed.  "You will continue to work here...! Khemkeran..." he added.  She didn't react.  There was a killing silence... The storm roaring outside... she could see the border far away.....!! "I will take her to the other side of the fence...." she shuddered. 

"Why are you doing this?" she asked anguished....!! He looked at her.
"Is it some kind of conspiracy....!" she couldn't continue with lump forming in her throat. 
"No..! It was my decision...!" he again said mysteriously.
"Your Decision?" she stood up at once.

"Yes....!" he said pulling her back on the bench.  She looked away dejected.
"You are coming with me in the evening...!" it was an order cum request.  She looked at him aghast.

"No!.... Maj. Vinit... I am not going with you!" she marched towards her cell.  She reached her cell and turned back.  He had disappeared.  She sighed losing her strength and sat on the bed with a thud.  She had to wait till her next order. 

**********  *******

"I am waiting...!" he knocked the door.  She had no wish to go out.  She hadn't even changed, still in uniform.  She made up her mind and came out in full uniform and stood before him. 

She gaped in shock.   He too was in full uniform.  She had expected him to be in dinner jacket... formally dressed...!!

"Let's go!" he marched ahead.  She stood her ground.  He turned.. "I am waiting..." the threat in his voice was audible.  She followed.  He started his Royal Enfield...!!

"Can I?" she heard the familiar voice and smiled.
"No!" he commanded and Vikram froze. 
"No? Why not?" he asked bewildered.  Vinit looked away in frustration.

"Tit for Tat...Maj. Vinit..!" Vikram mocked.  He pulled the chair and Vinit stopped him.  She watched the drama contemptuously.  Vikram winked at her.  She looked away smiling.  Viky was all set to ruin the dinner.  She waited patiently for the food.  Vinit had got up aggressively. Vikram staggered back.

"Ok. Ok....! But... Ms. Dharini... just in case.... I want to let you know.... If in case you two broke up..... I am there....you know...!" he roared in laughter moving away... Vinit took his seat sighing. 

"What is all this?" she asked angrily. 
"Nothing...!" he said draining a glass of water down his throat.  She looked at his furrowed face. 

"Who are you?" she asked again, this time determined to get the truth from him.
"Vinit Pandit..." He looked up at her.  She folded her arms on her chest.
"I am waiting..." she said gravely.
"Military intelligence..." he disclosed and rose from her seat.

"What?" heads turned in their direction.
"Yes..." he said gravely...! She gaped.  His rough palm clasped her hand.  She looked at him with pale face.

"Why me?" Her head was all riot with numerous questions.  "Are they roping me in? Was he asking about that? He wanted me to say yes... and ... and I thought ... he ... he..." she suddenly felt embarrassed. 

"The moment I saw you in DRDO....." he stopped looking at her pale face.

"What?" she asked shocked.  "DRDO? .." she gaped.  She waited....

"Dharini... Thank you...!" he again said gravely.  She shook her head.
"No. Maj. Vinit...!" she kept the spoon aside.

"I haven't finished yet...!" she looked straight into his eyes....


 

61

They were interrupted.  A Centry walked in.  Randhawa walked out hurriedly.  Dharini fixed her eyes on the floor.  There was a awkward silence.  Maj. Vinit shifted a bit.  Dharini stood in attention. 

"Lt. General A, K. Singh will be here tomorrow morning...!" Randhawa declared and she had a knot in her stomatch.  "Only this one was left...!" she thought bitterly. 

"Send her to the cell....!" Randhawa ordered and Maj. Vikram stood up.  After all she was his responsibility.  "Walk with me...!" he ordered and she turned and marched out.  Maj. Vinit waited for further orders.

"And you! You will be punished heavyly for this...!" Randhawa turned to Vinit.  Vinit looked up at him.  "Out... right now!" he yelled and Vinit marched out.  Ranaut shook his head hopelessly. 

Dharini sat on the bunk bed completely blank.  "Is this a cell? I will be executed tomorrow...!" she thought gravely.  "But I will fight it out.  I must defend... I will!" she clenched her fists.  Hatred filled her heart.  She had never hated anyone so strongly... not even that bad guy... the minister who tried to molest her Dhaa.

"Dhaa..." her heart twisted.  "I am sure she will understand... I am not guilty... Papa will understand.... No matter who thinks what about me.... Papa will know that I am not guilty....!" A single tear drop rolled down.  She hurriedly wiped it off, not wanting to show her vulnerability to anyone else.  She felt secure with the thought of her Dhaa.  "Dhaa....!" she blurted, pressing her hand on her heart.

"Dharini...!" she looked up at Vikram.  "I am sorry...!" he apologized.  She refrained from reacting.  She didn't want to talk to anyone in the Forces now.  She just wanted to think about her family... her mamma, papa... her Dhaa...
"Dharini...!" Vikram stood before her with two plates.  "No!" she refused to have anything.

"Come on... have something...!... there is a long day ahead ... tomorrow...!" he said placing her plate on the small table nearby.  She took it absentmindedly.  He chomped noisely.  She looked up disgusted.  "Humm... go ahead... have it...!" he gestured.  She shook her head refusing to have anything. 

"See...! Lt. Gen. Singh is coming... He will do something...!" he tried to give her hopes.  She looked up glaring.  She had not spoken a single word.  Smoldering within, she dug her nails in her palms.  She had learnt to control her emotions... learnt to endure... physically and mentally...!

"I need some time alone...!" she spoke in a steady voice.  Maj. Vikram stared at her stone face.  "You are indeed extra-ordinary...." he blurted looking aghast.  
"She didn't break down....!" he came out and she put off the light.  She felt better in the darkness.  There was no one to see her pathatic condition... she could cry her heart out.  She was alone....!

But her eyes were dried out, her tears evaporated, she gazed in the darkness...

*********

She had no wish to look at the panel.  Maj. Vinit was standing by her side.  Her ached looking at his badge and decorations.  She looked away bitterly... The murmured suddenly died out as Lt. Gen. shifted in his seat.

"Do you have any idea what you two were doing out in the field putting the national security at stake?" Lt. Gen. Singh's deep rough voice echoed in the room.  Dharini clenched her fists.  Maj. Vinit was unmoved.  She waited for the next question....! The silence was killing.  She waited with bated breath for someone to ask to her justify...!

"Why are you not in uniform?" asked Ranaut looking at her.  She looked at herself.  her mind shadowed with grief.  She was stripped off her dearest thing... her badge and cap.  Centry brought the tray in.

Maj. Vinit tucked the badge on her flaps.  She shiverred a bit.  She knew this was temporary... she would be snatched off her dignity forever...!!

"How do you find this new M90 Tank, the light weight Marvek, Ms Dixit?" Suddenly the direction of the questions changed.  She looked up confused.  The officers were waitng for her answer.  She was expected to answer. 

"This is the useful Tank for Combat, Sir... Technologically advanced... Smooth to maneuver, easily camouflaged, Stealth mode to avoid early detection, Sir! ..... Engineering Marvel..." she was precise enough.  Randhawa nodded running his finger on his mustach.   Ranaut looked on. 

"Why are they asking me this?" she thought confused.  "May be.. testing my Engineering capabilities.... !" she answered herself.  "But why?" she didn't know.

"And what do you think, young man... taking her hostage to propose?" bellowed Lt. Gen. Singh. 

"I took the Tank, hostage,... Sir!" she was shocked at his shamelessness.  Maj. Vinit had no shade of remorse in his voice.

"Is this the way to propose someone?" Randhawa asked sternly.
"She left me with no option,.... Sir! I was desperate....!" he again was very clear with no guilt at all.

"And she said yes?" Asked Maj. Vikram.
"Yes!" Vinit
"No!" first time Rini found her voice could be so strong and stern.
"She says no!" Vikram said triumphantly...

"I swear... I will take her to the othe side of the fence...!" Maj. Vinit said firmly.

"What? Are you out of your mind, boy?" asked Ranaut.  Maj. Vinit looked on refraining from answering.

"Do you know the outcome of this?" Lt. Gen. asked Dharini.  She for the first time looked up.  It was not her fault.  She was wrongly accused.  No words came out.  Lt. Gen. looked at her.  "I wanted you to be a role model for other military officers..." he said gravely and she swallowed hard. 

"The Tank maneuver has hit the headlines...! What are we going to answer...?" Ranaut shook his head hopelessly.

"Peacetime... exercise....War Drill....!" Vinit had the answer.  The panel looked up at once.  Smile appeared on the presiding officer Lt. Gen. A.K.Singh. 

"Boy....when will you stop taking extreme measures...?" he asked shaking his head. 

"I am a Hawk... Can't help!" Maj. Vinit's voice was grave. 

"Humm..." Lt. Gen. sighed.  "So he took you hostage...!" he looked at Dharini.
"Yes Sir!" first time she felt better, that the panel understood that he took her hostage.

"And she said yes?" he asked Vinit.

"Yes, Sir!" he said puffing his chest.  She looked at him shocked. 

"Ok. In that case... you may kiss the bride...!" Lt. Gen. declared like a father presiding over the wedding ceremony...!

"Yes...!" Vinit tried to grab her.
"No!" she yelled pushing him away with all her might.  The atmosphere suddenly became light....!!

She looked up unable to understand anything. 

"You two are left free with mere warning, only this time! No stunts..! ... And Ms. Dharini... you will be recommended for gallantry award for saving the Tank.... by accepting his proposal..." Lt. Gen. said with twinkling eyes.  She looked up at Vikram.  He hung his head....!!  She was surprised. 

"You May go!" she was ordered and she marched out before the panel changed its mind.  She sat on the chair flabbergasted. 

"Who is he? Why is he so favoured?" she had no answer.  Next moment she rose clenching her fists.  "What does he think of himself? He can't take me for granted..." she marched towards her cell.....She had almost lost her life because of him....The Hawk...!!
"I am not his pray...!" She banged open the cell door....

60

With one kick she tried to break open but lost her balance with the speeding Tank.  She could hear firing from the other side and froze in horror.  Retaliation was only the option... She had to go to gunner's seat.  She turned and went upto rear drive shaft....

With a bang the Driver's chamber hatch opened.   She turned and dashed...."What the hell you think you are doing...!" she yelled trying to gain control on the speed.

"Say Yes... Dharini...!" Someone commanded and she looked up.
"You...?" she still was trying to take over the control panel. 

"Say Yes... else I am taking you to the other side of the fence...!" he roared over the roaring engine... the Barbed wires were visible and Dharini yelled....
"Yes... Yes... for god sake stop moving...!" she pushed him aside and took control.  His hands moved faster than hers and he maneuvered the Tank skillfully taking a U turn to move away from the border.....!!  The Firing had intencified and She wiped off her sweat...!

"What was that for?" she finally found that she had a voice and could speak some words in audible language. 

He didn't speak but the Tank moved smoothly.  She held the balance bar to steady herself and looked up at him.

Major Vinit had a pleasant smile on his face.  She looked aghast.  "Thank you!" he said and realization dawned upon her.  He had anticipated and had held her rifle tightly.... She had to fight her urge to fire machine gun round on him.  The Tank had stopped moving.  She dashed out through the rear corridor and came out to see Brigadier Randhawa and Maj. Vikram standing with few  other officers.  She froze.... !!

"In my chamber in fifteen minutes...!" he barked and she lost her composure. Maj. Vikram was gazing at her. 

"What do you think you were doing...?" he asked shocked.  She looked miserable.  "Testing the enemy power?" the other officer asked contemtuously... She looked at the silent Tank.  Maj. Vinit had not come out.  A guard came out with a tray and she looked ghostly.

"I have to do this...!" Maj. Vikram came forward gravely and she was stripped off her badge. 

****************

"Do you have any idea.... You created a war-like  situation out there?" Brigadier Randhawa asked gravely and she hung her head.  Maj. Vinit was not to be seen anywhere.  She had no justification.  The door behind her opened and Maj. Vinit walked in. 

"What the hell you think you were doing...?" Randhawa got up with a jerk and yelled, losing his composure.  She looked sideways at Vinit in his full uniform with his badge on.  She gaped.  "How could he?" She had no idea what was happening around her. 

Maj. Vinit stood in attention without a word.  "You will face a Court Marshal for this, Ms. Dharini.... And your Gallantry recommendation is withdran immediately...!" the verdict was passed to start with.  She opened her mouth to find that she had no tongue, no voice, no words.  She stood like a statue waiting for further outburst.  Maj. Vinit stood beside her with no expression.  He had done what he had to.  She was doomed....!

"Clean up the mess... right now!" Randhawa yelled at her and she rose into action.  "Yes Sir!" she said reflexively.  A centry came in with bucket, scrub and mop.  She had to go and clean the oil and dirt from the Tank, immediately.  She took the material and walked out...!!

She could see everyone staring at her.  Maj Vikram came forward seeing her coming out of the Chamber.  He looked at her questioningly.  She walked past him hanging her head.  She had never faced this in her life.  The humiliation, the insult.... the disgrace she had faced.... She walked into the Tank through rear corridor... Everything was a mess.  The oil spilt everywhere... the penals were stained.... the boards were hanging out... the screws and bolts scatterred... The gunner seat dangling... the Turret hatch missing....!! She looked around gauging the damage and keeping the bucket aside began to collect the scattered spare parts....!!

She started cleaning the floor, scrubbing it of the oil and grease. 

He walked in with another bucket and a sack.  She froze...! Turning her back she continued.  There was nothing left ... He had done the damage, he intended to.  She was stripped off her badge and was facing the full inquiry ... !!

He placed his hand on her shoulder.  She looked at him with burning eyes.  The Military life had taught her to be tough.  In any situation, she had never shed a single drop of tear.  She had to face this bravely. 

He  took the bucket from her hand and kept it aside.  Keeping his hands on her shoulder, brought her out of the Driver's Chamber and with one swift move lifted her gently to place her in the gunner seat...! She had lost her resistance.  She gaped.

He turned and opened the sack.  Spreading the sand all over he took the scrub to clean the splashed oil.  The sand soaked the oil... She looked on blankly.  Within an hour he had cleaned up everything.  He came to her and lifted her from the seat to bring her down at periscope.... She looked around.  The Tank was spotlessly clean... the floor, like new, shiny with a mirror finish polish... Every penal was neatly closed... the boards assumed their rightful places.. the screws, nut-bolts tightned perfectly... The Tank looked like the new one. 

"Come...!" he spoke for the first time.  She still was searching for her lost voice....!! He clasped her hand and walked with her out of the Tank with buckets and scrubs...!! She had no idea what she was doing... she walked with him blankly not taking in anything.  He brought her in.

"Sit...!" he made her sit on the chair and went away.  Within a few minutes he was back with coffee mugs... She looked away refusing...

"Dharini...!" Maj. Vikram dashed to her seeing her sitting on the chair.  She looked at him... She had lost everything... all her dreams... her ambition... her dignity... She just was the puppet ... There was no life left in her... She was slowly getting a grip of the situation... She was a victim of a bigger conspiracy... to malign image of women in Army... She was made a scape goat...!! 

She saw Brigadier Randhawa marching out with Brigadier Ranaut... Mechanically she stood to salute...

"You will be called soon for Enquiry..." He said gravely and she understood .. "Enquiry... means Court Marshal..."  A bitter smile appeared in that suation of distress on her face.  She started moving out aimlessly.  Maj. Vikram caught up with her. 

"Dharini...!" she raised her hand cutting him off.  She didn't want to talk to anyone....!! "Finished... Everything is over....!" the thought filled her mind with no place for anything.  Nothingness had filled her life.  She had brought disgrace to everyone... would be Court Marshalled....!! Stripped off her Badge...!! Recommendation withdrawn....! Soon to be sentenced to.... may be death...! She didn't know.

"Lt. Dharini....!" Brigadier Ranaut had called her.  She turned blankly.  She could see senior officers moving into the office.  The full panel enquiry would soon start.  She came and sat on the chair outside the hall.  Maj. Vikram came up hurriedly and looked at her sympathatically.  Maj. Vinit was not to be seen anywhere.  Bitterness filled in.  She looked up. 

"Water...!" Vikram was very considerate.  He had sent a glass of water for her.  She gaped.  She was called in.  She saw Maj. Vinit standing before the panel.  Her brain immediately counted the number.  Nine....Odd number... Could there be voting to mitigate her punishment? She didn't know, who could be on her side.  "No one!" she concluded. 

"What do you think you were doing...? Do you have any explanation, Lt. Dharni Dixit?" Ranaut opened the enquiry with the question.  She had to answer...
"I was on maintenance duty Sir!" she said glancing.  "She was testing the speed..." Vikram spoke defensively, from the other side of the table. Brigadier Randhawa looked into the papers... her worksheet, Maintenance manual, and job card were placed before the panel. 

59

Next complete week Lt. Dharini was busy with analyzing the documents, the Signal interception reports, the intelligence agency reports.....!  Every new piece of information was throwing some light on a different angle of the infiltration episode. 

The Herculean task of joining the dots was the top priority.  She was amazed with the amount of prior warnings the intelligence agency had issued and also the interception reports hinted at the probable infiltration.  She wondered why the proactive action was not taken....!

The cease fire and peace talks  between the two Countries were going on and at the same time the incidents of infiltration during hard times of winter were putting pressure on the defense.  The double standards were evident.
 
"Why can't we just attack and thrash it out once for all?" she wondered.  The political interest and the international pressure tactics bugged her.
 
"Anyway.... My job is to guard the border and I will do that honestly... " She had set her limits....!

"High level talks in Delhi...!" Major Vikram whispered and she looked up in surprise.  "We need to go!" he informed further and she looked at the other members. 

"All of us..!" Maj. Vikram winked.  She nodded.  "When?" she asked in a whisper leaning towards him.  "Now!" he said.  "What?" she almost yelled.

"Yes, Lt. Dharini...We are leaving now!" Vinit said looking at her, measuring her for her reaction.  She collected herself and nodded. 

"Yes Sir!" she said.  "So, get ready in half an hour..!"

They were in the Delhi Command Office and the burden of work increased.  Maj. Vinit was absent in most of the meetings.  He was into the inner circle.  She could only see his glimpses sometimes... !

"Lt. Dharini... !" Brigadier Ranaut had arrived.  She stood in attention.  He gave her the envelop.  She took it.  "Khemkaran..." She understood...!  "Till next orders...!" she looked up.  "Tanks ...!" she gaped.

"Yes Sir!" she came back to her position.  Brigadier Ranaut gave a nod.  "Open it!" he ordered.  She still was clutching the envelop. 

"And....Recommended for gallantry award..." he said smiling pleasantly.  She looked up with blank face and then a tight salute from her said it all.   She turned and marched out trying to control her emotions.  Maj Vikram intercepted.  She grinned brightly.

"Congratulations....!" he pulled her closer.  She came back to her senses.  "Only recommendation...!" she said reasonably.  He held her hand...

"Let's celebrate...!" he said and she looked at the time.  "Dinner...!" he whispered and she nodded looking down. 

"Hey... did you hear that?" Maj Vikram asked brightly and she looked up to find Maj. Vinit staring at her sternly. 

"We are not here to enjoy, Lt. Dharini..!" he reprimanded sternly thrusting a file in her hand.  "Three hours..!" he ordered handing over the instruction sheet and turned.

"Damn you, Vinit...!" Maj. Vikram yelled behind his back and Vinit turned looking scornfully at the duo.  Dharini had already started reading the instructions holding the file tightly.

"I got to start...!" she murmured and marched out of the door.  Vikram ensued to help her.  By the time they both finished, it was evening and Maj. Vinit was at their table demanding the file.  Vikram handed over the file brightly and said... "And if you excuse us, gentleman... we are on a date...!" he winked at Dharini and she turned pink.  Maj. Vinit looked at her and marched out.  She gaped.

"Don't bother... !" Maj Vikram nudged her and she smiled.  "So, get ready...!" he said. 
"He is so friendly....!" Dharini was impressed by Maj. Vikram... "And helpful too...!" she remembered her day in DRDO working under task master Maj. Vinit.  "Humm..." She sighed. 

"Where?" Maj. Vikram asked brightly. "Officers Mess...!" she replied grinning in her olive uniform...
"Huff...." he sighed and gestured at the half ton vehicle.  She smiled hopping in.  "We are still on duty...!" she said looking at his uniform and he nodded. 

"This postmortem is bugging...!" he frowned.  She sympathized. 

"Next week... Kemkaran..." she said seriously and he applied sudden breaks.
"What?" he was shocked.  "Yes! Tanks...!" she informed.  "Where?" he asked aghast.  She merely looked up.

"Oh!" he looked away.  "Week's training in Ambala... and then Khemkaran..." she informed.  He didn't react.  Suddenly they both fell silent. 

"Can I?" Maj. Vinit had pulled the chair and she looked away nervously.  "Farewell date?" he asked Vikram.

"You knew it...!" Vikram accused and he nodded.  "Yes.. Tanks division... Maintenance... !" he informed eying her reactions.  She kept her face straight.  They had their dinner silently. 

"Ok. Good night!" Maj. Vinit held out his hand and she gave him a dead fish shake.  Vikram swore under his breath for spoiling his date...looking at his smirk and Rini turned her face. 

"You know, he is from my batch... best cadet.. we call him hawk..!" Vikram looked at his back.  "He suddenly appears from nowhere and kills the pray...!" She couldn't agree more.  "He is a hawk...!" she thought. Vikram kept talking about Vinit through their journey back. 

They saw him quite a few times during next week and he seemed to be very busy not even returning the greetings.  She found him around during her breaks but refrained from interacting.  Vikram was always with her....

**********   ***********

"Damn this oil can...!" she was inside the tank.  She adjusted the turret hatch propelling herself precariously over the turret.  She made her way inside the chamber with her data sheet.  This was a new Tank for her.  An Israeli Merkava, Specialist of Counter-Terrorism combat.  She marveled the Technological finesse of this Tank.  The Rear Door and Rear Corridor to carry and Embark the inantry... She was fascinated by its advanced ammunition round system.  She meticulously opened the oil container opening the sprocket ring... This was comparitively a smaller Tank with perfect camouflaging capabilities.  It could render itself invisible from a very short distance.  "SB : Safe Borders..." they had nicknamed it.  She smiled opening the sprocket ring which connected the road wheels... The exposed engine compartment was perfect. 

"You know? This Engine component is the heart of any moving machine... Everything else is replaceable...!" she spoke loudly to her co-mechanic.  "I marvel sometimes.... This Engine...I mean... If this breaks down....!" she lowered her voice sensing the engine coming alive.  The vibrations made her uneasy.  She looked around.  "What is it?" she propped herself out of the Hatch and held on to the Turret Seat tightly.

"Stop it...! We haven't finished yet..!" she yelled the instruction.  The Tank had started moving. She again peeped into the Periscope chamber and jumped inside.

"What the hell you think you are doing... Stop moving..!" she shouted.  The tank picked up speed.

"Bhulla.... Bhulla... " she called for her co mechanic.  He was nowhere to be seen.  She peeped into the 360 degree periscope to see her team out in the desert.  Within a fraction of second she counted the team members.

"This means I am the only one inside the tank... and the tank is moving...!" She panicked. 

"Stop... Stop...!" She yelled banging on the driver's chamber....! The Tank moved.  She could see the barbed wires on the border and the oil in the can spill all over.  She desperately wanted to stop the maneuver... she ran back to Engine compartment... It was roaring into action... She couldn't do anything...

They saw the Tank approaching at an alarming speed and the high alert message relayed to all the observation posts.  The troops alerted and Enemy forewarned... The support gathered.... There was aggression from India for the first time... The border was only a few of miles away... Any missile from the enemy would blow the tank away... the camouflaging ability was at field test.... the gunmen from the other side of the fence could only see the heap of sand moving... "Sand storm?" they wouldn't know...! But they were ready for the attack.  Their defence mechanism alive... the troops took their position to counter attack....!

"Stop it... Stop it...!" she kept yelling on the deaf ears.  She tried to open the Driver's chamber.  She didn't know who was inside....! She picked up her rifle ready to strike.  She had no other option....! "Do or Die..!" she closed her eyes.   "Sena Meddle posthumous...!" she blurted.  The tank had not stopped....!!

58

"Daatri... be brave...!" Suresh consoled her.  Her worst fears came true.  The teasing and ragging had intensified.  Even her juniors were teasing her.  She sat crestfallen on the chair in canteen with Suresh, her only friend.  He too looked helpless but kept on encouraging her to face it bravely.  Suddenly a flash wave hit him.

"Daa...!" he held her hand in excitement... "Use your other ability..." he said brightly and she looked up surprised. 

"You are a ventriloquist...! An amazing ventriloquist...!" he clarified.  She still looked blank.

"So?" she asked confused.  "SO? So? Daa.... use it to your advantage... to shoo them away....!" he said grinning.  But Dhaa looked at him with fallen face.
"I can't! When I am under stress....!" she was helpless.

"You can! Daa... Remember? Seminar?" he asked still holding her hand.  She withdrew...

"I don't know.  I think I forgot everything...!" she hung her head.  "I miss my Rini Didi...!" she said desperately.  Suresh looked at his friend's helplessness...
"Daatri... I am your Rini Didi, now! And I am telling you to do it!" he said and she looked overwhelmed.  Smile appeared on her face...

"Yeah! My Rini Didi with mustaches, and adam's apple in the throat and this ugly hoarse voice ...!" she grinned and Suresh added more features to it with her mood lifted considerably. 

"But you be always with me, haan?" she requested and he nodded. 

"Daatri... I need to go now... " his eyes were fixed on the girl coming in through the entrance.  Dhatri looked at the direction and raised her eyebrows grinning.
"What happened?" she whispered.  He shook his head hopelessly.

"Ghaas nahi dal rahi?" she asked and he looked away.  The girl sat on opposite table with her other friends.  Suresh gaped at her dreamily.  Dhatri got up and patting on his shoulder said, "Keep it up... suresh... Go for it..!" She hurled her bag and left canteen. 

The things were not the same from that moment.  The moment the boys tried some ragging.... they would yelp in fright as the HOD's voice would reverberate  from somewhere.  Dhatri managed to escape with her friends Ragini and Purva.  They were great support to her.  The boys and girls around would whisper and give a weird expression seeing the trio. 

Suresh had no success with that third semester girl.  She just ignored him everytime.  He was losing hope and Dhatri giggled seeing his plight.

"Darpok..." she teased him.  "Shut up!" he yelled back.  Dhatri giggled and went away.  Suresh sat there losing hope.  He had seen his heartthrob with another guy from her class.  "Poor Suresh.... So sad...!" Ragini joined the band wagan...! Suresh threw his hands in air in frustration. 

**************
"Mamma, take care.... I will come soon...!" Disha had tears in her eyes.  Nilima wiped her cheeks.  "Take care Disha...!" she said hugging her.  Disha touched her parents feets and Dr. Salil pulled her bags out of the main door.  Taxi was waiting for her. 

"Papa... your cell..." she asked for the cell and dialled Dharini's number.  Rini was discharged and had joined her maintenance duty again... but this time she was given the shop floor duty and not in the fields.  She was recovering. 

"Rini...!" Disha chocked.  "Didi...! Wish you happy journey...!" wished Rini pleasantly.  "And don't worry Didi... I will arrange everything...!" she assured.  Disha smiled faintly.  "Rini.. take care...I will miss you...We couldn't even meet this time...!" Rini could hear Disha's sob.  "Didi... We will meet... don't worry...!" Rini consoled.  Disha disconnected.  She missed her younger sisters badly. 

She dialed Dhatri's number.  "Dhaa..." Dhatri stopped hearing Disha's voice.  "Didi.." she blurted.  "I am going... Dhaa... take care...Please... don't misunderstand me... my l'il sister... Dhaa... I love you...!" Disha said it in one breath.  Dhatri was rendered speechless.   "Didi... happy jouney..." she barely whispered.  "Dhaa... please take care of yourself... and study well..." Disha couldn't continue.... she sobbed.  Dhatri closed her eyes clutching her phone.  She too missed her sister.

"Didi... you too! Take care...! And...And ... don't worry..! I will help Mamma for your wedding...!" she assured and Disha cried out..."Dhaa... love you..."
"Love you too Disha didi... !" Dhatri said in a heavy tone and disconnecting the phone rushed to her class. 

****************
"Sir...!" Rini Saluted entering Bridgier's office.  Brigdier Ranaut gestured her to take a seat.  She sat and saw someone sitting on the other chair.  She glanced and got up struggling.  Maj. Vinit looked at her like a stranger.  She saluted him too.  He gave a curt nod.

"What is he doing here?" she was shocked to see him in the Engineering Brigade office.  She was called for an urgnet meeting in the Office at Shrinagar...!

"Southern Command... Maj. Vinit Pandit...!" Brigadier Ranaut introduced formally.

"We worked together in DRDO" Said Vinit with straight face and Dharini nodded.  "Why is he here?" she didn't know.

"Sir..!" came a  gruff voice with a salute and Rini looked back.  The third empty chair was occupied soon by Maj. Vikram Singh.  She looked at him surprised when he gave her a broad smile.

"Time for Postmortem analysis...!" he threw a file with some contour maps.... The army intelligence reports... he gestured at another file....!! Maj. Vikram picked up the files.

"Colonel Rawat is waiting..." he said and all three officers got up to enter the conference room.  Maj. Vikram opened the door and waited for her to enter.  Vinit ensued. 

"Col. Rawat with eight other officers were already into the discussion and the trio joined them....

57

Salil took the phone and listen to the message relayed.  "2100 hrs?" A maths professor took time to calculate the time that it was nine in the night.  He kept the receiver and stood there not knowing what to do.  He looked at the wall clock and again calculated counting fingers.

"Three hours..." he sat on the chair.  Then getting up, he entered the bed room where Nilima and Disha were discussing the wedding plans.

"There is a problem.  I need to go to Delhi..." he said gravely and Disha flared up.  "There is always a problem with you Papa.  Its now new... !" She blurted furiously.  Nilima looked up at her husband's serious face.

"Salil, what happened?" He shook his head.  Dhatri had barged in with a new point to support her argument and froze looking at Salil.

"Papa, whose call?" she asked looking at everyone.
"Some urgent call and he is going to Delhi..." Disha spoke irritably. 

"Whose call?" Dhatri demanded.

"Command Office..." he said gravely.
"What?" Dhatri yelled and Disha looked confused.

"What happened? Rini Didi...?" Dhatri held her father's hand.

"Rini is hospitalized.  She is shifted to Military Hospital Delhi Cantt...." He said. 
"I am going to Delhi..." he declared opening his wardrobe to pack his bag.

"I will come!" declared Dhatri.  "No! Dhaa, you are not comming!" Salil put his foot down.

"I am coming...!" she said adamantly.  Nilima couldn't assimilate anything.

"No! Wait... Rini would call us at 2100... I mean, at nine...Thats what the person from Command Office said..." Salil said and Nilima sighed. 

"He said, she is recovering and will be fine in a week..." Salil relayed the message.  Dhatri was already trying frantically on her cell.

"Dhaa, stop it... You can't contact her on mobile.... let us wait till nine.... I will book my ticket..." he rushed out.

Everyone waited with bated breath for Rini's call.  She was shot in the arm in her battle with the infiltrators and had developed lung infection.  She was transported to the base camp immediately and was flown to Delhi Military Hospital. 

Dhatri paced the hall muttering furiously.  She sat down on the floor folding her knees and banging her head on the floor praying her Marimai... She held her kirtimukha pendent holding back her tears....!

"Mari mai... please.. please help Rini Didi..." she held her pendent in her fist tightly.
"Dhaa...She will be alright..." Disha was sitting beside her.  Dhatri looked at her and turned her face.  She got up and went out of the house.  She didn't want Disha's sympathy. 

Fifteen minutes to nine, Dhaa's phone rang.  "Rini Didi..." she screamed and everyone gathered around Dhaa.

"Dhaa... I am alright... enjoying the bed number 37 in this hospital...." Rini said pleasantly and Dhaa burst out!
"Rini Didi... I am coming..."
"No Dhaa.... Don't come.... you have your internals coming up..." Rini still was tracking Dhaa thinking about Dhatri's college and studies.  Dhaa shook her head... "To hell with internals..." she said frustrated.

"Dhaa... listen to me.... don't come... I am alright... I will be discharged soon..." Rini said hoarsely from the other end.

"You come here...." Dhaa ordered.  "Nop... Dhaa, listen to me... I will be joining immediately...." said Rini.  "If I take leave now... I won't be for Disha Didi's wedding..." Rini said reasonably.  Dhatri flared up...

"Yeah... right... wedding is more important... even if someone gets injured or even dies..." she blurted furiously.

"Stop it Dhaa..." Rini understood... "I am fine.... You take care and go back to college..." she ordered sternly.  "Whats wrong with these two... ?" Rini wondered about the animosity Dhaa had with Disha. 

Salil was impatient and was interrupting Dhaa.  "Didi... talk to papa... he is breathing on my neck... but you should talk to me later...." Dhaa handed over the handset sulkily.  All of them took turns to talk to Rini.  Finally Dhatri snatched the phone from Disha and said... "Time up... I need to talk to her..." She ran out clutching the phone to her ear. 

Disha broke down.... "What's wrong with her? Why is she so hateful?" Disha looked at her mother hopelessly.  Nilima held her hand sympathetically.  "We will talk about it later...." she took her inside.

***************

"So?" Maj. Vikram sat on her bed.  Rini smiled brightly.  "Yeah.. Papa is coming..." she said.  Vikram patted on her shoulder.  "Take care...!" he whispered and with efforts stood on the support of creches....  Rini gazed...!  He too had suffered injuries and was flown to Delhi.  He was shot four times... two on his knees and two in his back, when he was racing back to the base camp after helping Rini, repair the Gun Carrier. 

The support team had found him unconscious a mile away from where his ice scooter was found.  Seven soldiers managed to kill 18 and two had just disappeared... All seven from Rini's troop were safe.  The battle had hit the headlines.... !! The terrorists had managed to sneak into Himachal Pradesh and from their marched towards Drass, killing a truck driver Jawan who was carrying the laundry and traveling in a military carrier truck.

"Lt. Dharini...!" The doctor on the round helped her stand up.  Her hand tied in an immobilizer was released but the excruciating pain blinded her.  She kept her face straight swallowing the pain.  "I feel better...!" she murmured faking a smile.  The doctor moved her hand and instructed to insert it in a sling... "No need for immobilizer...Sling will do!" Rini smiled.  She saw Vikram at her bed again.  "Forgot this...!" he said waiting for the Doctor to move on.  Rini looked at the packet.  "Chocolates..." he smiled and Rini's face changed color.

"Thank you!" she murmured and Vikram held her hand.  "Good night....!" he whispered and Rini inserted a piece in her mouth. 

*************
"Yes?" Ravi asked folding his arms...! Mrs. Russel had opened the door and he saw her standing at the door.  "Saya..?" she asked looking around waiting for him to invite her inside.  He didn't. 

"Mr. Deo is on his business tour...!" Mrs. Russel answered on his behalf.  She completely ignored Mrs. Russel and came inside.  Bruno... his dog barked furiously...! She didn't bother...!!

"Didn't you hear? He is not at home..." Ravi bellowed and she stopped gaping at him.

"Son...!" her voice suddenly became gentle.  He didn't move.  Mrs. Russel stood at the far end...

"Son.... I am so happy....!" she started off.  "Mrs. Russel ...!" he gestured and she nodded.  He turned and left the place.  She gaped at his figure...
"So..n...!" her voice trailed behind him.  Mrs. Russel came forward.  She understood and turned.  Mrs. Russel opened the door for her and she stepped out. 

Ravi dashed to the library fuming with rage.  "How dare she come here...!" he threw the paper weight. 

"Ray...!" Mrs Russel came in.  He looked at her helplessly.  She held his hand and brought him out.  "Mrs... Russel...." he chocked.  "I know... son!" she knew everything.  He sat on the coach with a thud.  She moved away.   She made the drink and brought the glass.  He looked up in surprise.

"You know... no alcohol...!" he said.  "Yes, I know...!" she said still holding the glass.  She pointed at the glass... "Lemon honey...!" she smiled.  He breathed. 
A greying middle aged, fat black lady sat with him wordless.  There was nothing to talk about.  She knew everything.  Sayajirao had told her everything when she had entered the house as a housekeeper about twenty three years ago when Ray... Umm.... Ravi was just six months old...!

56

"Please.... please stop all this....!" Nilima was pleading, Dhaa had got up from her place and Disha was in full fighting spirit. 

"I am going back to the college... Dhaa declared and next moment he face shadowed with fear...!

"College?..." She never wanted to go back to college.... She whimpered in fright and anguish....

Suman had nothing left in her life.  She was caught in the bed with her boyfriend....! Her orthodox family would kill her anyway.... She closed the door of her room and looked up at the ceiling fan making up her mind....

All of them in the hostel heard the crashing sound and came out with shock.   The ceiling fan had crashed down with Suman's weight...! She had tried to hang herself with her dupatta... The old broken ceiling fan had failed her.  The frantic bangs on her door had made her desperate....

"No... I can't show my face...!" she looked around and saw the knife.... Someone had called the security... the entire hostel had gathered in front of the closed door.  "Goodbye friends.....!" Suman typed her status update on her facebook....! Next moment she was bleeding profusely as she had cut her wrists....! She sat there aghast... looking at the streaming blood... The bangs had become wilder ..... The frantic calls were deafening.... She closed her eyes resting her head on the pillow.... The blood streamed out from under the door... She last heard her name.....!

The door broke open and the entire crowd screamed in fright.... The security guards made their way in and turned into a statue.... Suman's body was lying soaked in the blood.   The guards drove away everyone out.

Ragini came running into the room and saw Dhatri blinking open her eyes....
"Dhaa....Suman...." she said huffing and panting.... Dhatri got up....
"What?" she asked weakly....

"Dhatri.... Suman..... suicide...." Ragini sat on the bed with a thud and Dhatri got up from the bed with a jerk...

"What?" she tried to go out of the room but Ragini caught her midriff....
"No Dhaa... there is blood everywhere....!" She said pulling Dhatri back... But Dhatri jerked herself free and ran out...

"Madam...." the crowed parted murmuring in hushed voice... Rector dashed into Suman's room... Dhatri used the clearence and ran into the room too.... She looked at dying Suman....

"No...no... you are not well.... not well...." her eyes rolled up... Madam drove everyone else out... someone called police... Dhatri was towering over Suman's lifeless body...

"You will be alright...." she murmured... her fingers moving faster like feathers on Suman's wrists... the warmth entered her body... Dhatri dropped down at her bed.... The pulse beating normally.... the blood stopped oosing out..... Suman breathed normally... Dhatri's hands became blood red... her fingers swollen she fell down on the floor with burning temperature... Madam watched aghast forgetting to breath..... Suman blinked open her eyes parting her lips..... Dhatri had passed out.... Madam came back to her senses... clutching her wounded arm, she screamed for help....

The door opened.... Security guards dashed in... Madam had lifted Dhatri in her arms with great efforts... Other girls came for help...

"Dhaa.... She faints seeing blood....! Didi had told..." Murmured Ragini carrying Dhaa to the bathroom for the second time that night....! Dhatri's hands swolen to the limit... She received cold water bath yet again.....!

Suman's heart filled with calmness .... she was carried in an ambulance...!!

Dhatri's torture began...!! The news that Dhatri passed out seeing blood spread in the college like fire... Someone added fuel to the fire... The rumer spread that Dhatri had cured Suman....!!

"Oh... No... Awayyeee... I am hurt....Please please save me... cure me....!" Someone from the crowd of boys would scream showing painted red marks on the arm and the crowd would burst out in laughter seeing Dhatri run away with teary eyes...! Her friends would look helpless... the boys would rag her till the classroom....!

She started missing her classes... lost her apatite... Ragini and Purva couldn't do anything... the teasing and taunting never stopped...!! Dhatri stopped going out of her hostel room... not even for the lecture... Boys and girls would make fun of her... Her so called power....

One in the crowd would pour tomato sauce on his chest and would run towards Dhatri screming frantically as if in pain and fall in front of her, requesting her to cure him... Others would clap and jeer whistling and hooting...! Dhatri would run back to her hostel room crying...!!

And then the good news came... Dr. Salil called up saying Disha was coming and asked Dhatri whether she would come... Dhatri readily agreed.... It was a big relief going away from hell at least for some time...!

"That torturous hell was better than having to deal with this selfish Disha Didi..." Dhatri muttered furiously...coming out of the trance and picking up the ringing phone...

"Papa, its for you...!" she yelled from the hall and keeping the receiver on the table marched out of the house....!

*********  *******

"Dadu....." Ravi hugged his father tightly burying his face on his chest.  Sayajirao patted on his head wiping off tears from his cheeks.  Ravi looked up with moist eyes...

"I am sorry.... Dad...!" he said holding his father's hand.  Sayajirao sighed.  "Sonny... I suggest... you talk to her also..." He paused looking at Ravi shaking his head...

"May be she has her version...." said Sayajirao considerately.  Ravi looked up at his father...

"How... how could you be so nice... Dad?" he asked aghast.... "I... I.. would have...." Ravi clenched his fists in rage...

"May be that is my weakness....!" Sayajirao said hopelessly...

"No.... Dad.... its your biggest strength.... And you are my strength...!" Ravi said with overwhelming admiration....! Sayajirao sat on the recliner losing all his strength...! He was through the ordeal... He burried his face in his palms... Ravi helped him get up...! They came inside...

"Humm.... !" Rave made a drink for his Dadu..... After a very long time he felt like sleeping on his Dad's laps... with his Dad singing lullaby for him...! He felt like playing cricket with his Dad...! He wanted to be a kid again....!

For Sayajirao... the catharsis was over...!

55

"Madamji... Signal...!" The signal man came nearer.  Her brain racing faster, she said.. "We got to be sure...!" she looked around.  The spread out five Jawans were waitng for the orders.

"Wait here...!" she looked at the signal man.   He nodded.  "I will go try...!" he said.  "Get the vehicle... I will go from south... You spread out! You got to strike with one gun shot.... If two... then..." she left it vaguely....! The Jawans knew what to do.  Next moment she found herself alone. 

She moved ahead in the knee deep snow...!! "Wait...!" she mutterred to herself when she found the three ton truck.  "This is second Depot truck...!" she recognised the truck.  "Our people...!" she blurted confused.  "Our Vehicle?" she was not sure.  How come?? She stopped dead.   "Our Vehicle!" She took a breath of relief.  The storm had gained momentom... ! She was near... very near..." Its only a mile away...! Let me go....!" she  ordered herself moving on.   The nearer she went, more relaxed she became. 

The Nayab Subedar ran back to the vehicle and started the communication system... the message relayed to all nearby observation centers of Kargil, Drass Base, Zojila pass base... !!  Alert signals transmitted... Support systems ready.. the rapid action force hopped into the trucks.. the ice scooters roared into life....! The other five men maneuvered in the direction of the suspicious activity.  Dharini ducked in the snow flattening herself against a heap of snow, straining her eyes, holding her 65 Lbs gun, ready to strike anytime...! She saw her men moving like a football team towards the target...! A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on her face...! She pressed her binoculars and saw the military truck... Our Depot...! she sighed straightening herself and standing upright, smiling broadly.  "Nothing to worry!" she concluded. 

She looked at the group of people.  "Which troop? I should go help them...!" she picked up speed.  The long overcoats of the people ahead were buzzing in activity.  She looked at her double thermal innerwear and moved her hands on her long overcoat.  "Humm...!" she smiled looking through the binoculars...! "Technical people?" she was not sure...! She saw the only ice scooter...thrown aside..! She knew Maj. Vikram must be there.  She increased her speed still clutching the binoculars to her eyes, eying the movements ahead.  She moved closer and was sure about the military vehicle of the base camp.  The people wore olive uniform...! She was a few hundred meters away from the group.   The group parted in two groups suddenly maneuvering in a weird formation, moving towards the post at the tiger hill.  Dharini stopped gauging the movement.  Her vision blocked by the snow storm, she had to move closer.  She weighed her heavy gun and moved in the deeply layered snow.  She took out the flare gun to fire the "All well" smoke signal, smiling... with her eyes still eying the group, she froze....! Military boots...!" she stopped suddenly.  The snow layered shoes looked different...! She glared at every pair of the shoes...! She looked down at her shoes....! She stopped in horror...! This is not our troop...! She wanted to be sure.  She moved closer...looking at the three ton base camp vehicle.  She stopped taking position with her gun....! She was closer... Looking around she found the snow filled trench dug during war exercise, a week ago.  Throwing herself in the trench digging the snow out, making room to hide herself... her flare gun shot the smoke.... "All was not well"

She saw her men in war formation... they had to act fast.  The observation cabin had to be forewarned.  Another falre rose in the air within the snow storm struck area.  The activity ahead stopped suddently... The firing started... She hid herself in the trench... there was only the wooshing sound of whirling sound of wind for a few minutes and then she heard gun fire from above... she straightened herself up aiming the gun... the firing from her gun might have brought down atleast one from the cluster of people trying to move up towards the observation camp.  She knew the camp cabin was inadequately supported... two of her men had aready reached the top and the game had begun.... The suspects were trapped .....

A flare smoked from her gun the the enemy group turned in her direction... The firing from above brought down few more... she smiled hiding herself in the trench...! A flare smoked from above with loud reverberation... and she stood up in her trench after a minute when the group in between turned and moved to the top firing like maniacs...!! She  fired ....!!  And changed her position crawling in the trench...! The firing from the group Deafened her ears momentarily but then the firing from far above made the group yelp and yell in pain... "Atleast two..!" she counted the strength praying for support....! She heard the flare reverberating... and it was her turn to open fire... Another figure from the other end of the trench joined her...!!

"Madamji... help is coming...!" her jawan yelled and she rose from her position with war cries very near.  The enemy had decided to close in on her.  Her partner was ready....! Another gun firing... and Dharini changed her position again....! "They should not know, we are only two...!" her partner had already moved at the other end firing continuously...!

"Har Har Mahadeo...!" before anyone could know, she jumped out from the trench with her partner to cover up, and charged firing menacingly...! Another of her partner from above echoed her war cries and jumped down in her support.  The five remaining trapped had nowhere to go... The army trucks roared in the whirlwind and she knew the help had arrived...!!

*************   *********
"Dad... I want to know...!" Ravi and his father were at the poolside in the backyard with Ravi aiming the basket with his basket ball and his father relaxing on the recliner.

"What you want to know sonny?" Sayajirao asked in a lighter mood.  Ravi stopped practicing his basket and came to his father...

"About her... about everything... Dad, I know a lot of things in bits and pieces... I want to know it from you...." he said gravely.  His father looked aghst. 
"There is nothing much... It... it was just a breakup...!" Sayajirao tried to keep his voice steady...!

"Dad, I am grown up now... Don't hide anything from me now...!"
"Sonny... let us not talk about things which give us pain..!" he said weakly.
"No Dad... I want to know...!" he was determined...!  Sayajirao shook his head in despair...

"I had decided never to tell you anything about it...but...!" he looked at his son with apprehension fearing the consquences of him telling the truth....
"I insist, Dad...!" Ravi pulled another chair....Sayajirao took his son's hand in his...."Sonny....." he started off....

***********
""Disha... I know Bhanu's family is very rich... but we will do our best...!" Nilima said with a slight shade of guilt.  Dhatri had reluctantly come from her college for a week to meet her eldest sister Disha.  Nilima opened the jewellery boxes. 
"These are the bangles set, Kangan, necklaces and earrings.....  I made three sets .. Nilima kept all of them on the table.

"Rini doesn't like much of jewellery... so I had made this thick gold chain for her..." explained Nilima when Disha took out the chain from second box.  Dhatri was sitting there not paying much attention.  "But I like this ...!" Disha said putting that chain in her box and opening the third box... Suddenly Dhatri rose from her seat... "That is for Rini Didi.." she said flaring up and tried to pull the chain from Disha's hand.  Disha looked at her mother.  Nilima looked away awkwardly...

"You take anything from this..." Dhatri slid her box towards Disha.  "Don't take anything from Rini Didi's box..." she said ...

Disha opened all the boxes and started shuffling the jewellery. 
"You know, Mamma... Bhanu's mother is giving me so many things.... Even a diamond pendent and earrings...!" she paused and Nilima listened with bated breath.  A professor's family was no match to the sardar princely family of Bhanu Pratap Singh...

"Even if you give me all three boxes... that will not match what Bhanu's mother will be giving me..." Disha collected all the three boxes... Dhatri leapt forward and grabbed Rini's box from her.

"What do you suggest?" asked Nilima looking aghast.
"I think we should a tleast be decent... " Disha collected everything in her box.  "Still less..." she murmured disappointed with the jewellery arrangements made by her parents...

"You take my entire box..." Dhatri said generously but didn't leave Rini's box.
"Mamma... I had seen that Kantha ...." Said Disha and Nilima rose from her seat to open her cupboard.  Dr, Salil had gifted that Kantha to her on her 40th birthday.  She took it out and gave it to Disha...! Disha was still now satisfied.  She had already taken a pair of Kangan from Rini's box.

"Hope we atleast match in making wedding arrangements....." she mutterred under her breath.  "We are trying out best, Disha...!" Nilima said weakly.  Dhatri swore under her breath angrily...

"Hope you people have booked a star hotel for them.... Mamma... they are only a hundred people..." Disha suggested and Nilima pressed her hand on her chest.
"There are no five star hotels in Vidisha..." Dhatri said angrily.  "But here are in Bhopal... we can make arrangement for their transport..." Disha was no less.  "We can hire cars..." Disha suggested and Dhatri gaped at her....!

"Didi... you said Dad earns peanuts and you earn more than him.... Rini Didi also said she will contribute to your marriage.... What is your contribution to you own marriage, Disha Didi...?" Asked Dhatri disdainfully and Disha blew her head off in rage....

"Are you... Are you asking me to contribute...you.. you damn dumb girl.... look at you.... !" Disha threw a disgust at Dhatri and Nilima looked at the bickering sisters dejected.   "Rini.... where are you?" she prayed hard missing Rini, the rescuer....! The fight had reached the peak with both the sisters raising their voices... Dr. Salil dashed in ....!!!

54

"What happened?" Dhatri bent down to see blood streaming out ... Her eyes rolled up... she went into trance.... "You are not well....You are not well....!" her eyes closed, her fingers moved on the wound of the Rector... A stream of warmth entered the body... Suddenly the Rector felt calm.. her pain gone, she laid still on the floor.  Far away in a corner in the darkness... Suman, a seventh Semester girl stood trembling in fright.  Dhatri had gone beyond her senses, her body temperature rising rapidly, her hands and fingers moving on the wound...! The bleeding had stopped... The pain had gone... Dhatri had fallen on the floor burning with temperature... Rector opened her eyes... The security guards came running in....!

"What happened?" the guard helped the Rector get up.  The deep wound was visible and the flesh had come out on her arm... but surprisingly the bleeding had stopped.  She looked down at motionless Dhatri and yelled in panic.  "Call the Doctor...!" the warning siren hooted and the rooms illuminated with lights... the girls came out running...!

"Dhatri..." Ragini bent down to lift her up.  Purva came running...! "What happened?" Others asked.  The Rector looked around and her gaze fixed on Suman standing in the darkness.  "Meet me in my office...!" she ordered clutching her wounded arm.  

"Madam... you need to go to the doctor..!" said the security guard but the Rector paid no attention.  Ragini was trying to lift Dhatri.  "Dhaa has some allergy problem.... Give her cold water bath if you find her burning in fever....!" Dharini had told Ragini and Purva.  "Dhatri is sick.... " yelled Ragini and Purva helped her lift Dhatri. 
"We need to give her cold water bath...!" she shouted to warn others from her way.  They took her to the bathroom....!

"Madam... you need to see a doctor...!" said the security guard looking at the blood stains ...! The Rector looked at her painless wounded arm.  "What was that? That girl did something..." she thought wondering but decided to remain silent.... Something was holding her back from disclosing Dhatri's healing ability.  She sat in the car instructing the security guard to tighten the security.  Suman took a sigh of relief dashing to her room to pack her bags.  She needed to flee before anyone could point fingers at her. 

"No Ms... no one is allowed to move out...!" the security guard had stopped her closing the huge cast iron gates of the ladies hostel compound.  Suman went back to her room dejected.  She knew she would face the inquiry and rustication, expulsion from the college was sure. 

The rector went to the clinic.  The bleeding had stopped completely.  The doctor wondered.  "Surprising...! The blood vessels seemed to have sealed themselves stopping the bleeding...!" He wondered seeing the deep wound with the flesh wobbling out.  In next fifteen minutes he bandaged the arm with nine stitches across her arm.  The Rector came back with fuming rage.  She had to take strict action.  Someone had called the college staff.  The Administrative Head and the Principal was waiting at the corridor.  The news had spread like a forest fire.  Everyone from the girls hostel had gathered.  Suman had locked herself in her room. Her boyfriend had escaped stabbing the Rector...! The Rector had caught them red handed in her room.  The rustication was inevitable.  Soon the news would be spread everywhere.  Suman shudderred with the thought of her orthodox family.  The only option was to end her life....

**************

"Awe....!" Dharini couldn't stop gazing...! The snow flekes floating in air like little white feathers made the heaven, a dreamland.  She gazed unfocused from the broken down truck she was ordered to repair.  The scene she had never witnessed.  Slowly the flakes were gathering on the windshield.  She forget that she had a oil container in her hand which was undulating.  "Beautiful...!" she forgot herself. 

"Damn this snow...!" Maj. Vikram opened the door of the truck hopping himself in and waking her up from the dream.  "This is so beautiful...!" she exclaimed dreamily. 

"Beautiful...?" he asked enraged, struggling to start the blades of the ice breaker and lifting the plaugh attached to the truck.  "Wake up Lt Dharini... we are running out of time... soon these beautiful floating flakes will turn into windy snow storm...!" he shook her and she looked at him shocked.
"When did you come?" she asked bewildered.  "When you were in the snowy dreamland...!" he said taking the container from her hand.  She came back to her duty mind.  "Sorry...!" she said sheepishly turning to the bundle of wires and switches.  Vikram jumped down issuring frantic instructions to the mechanics working under the truck. 

"Look we got to get going in ten minutes... before it starts windy storm....!" he yelled at her and she nodded.  She was posted to her destination... Zoji La Pass base camp of Engineering Brigade...! She found the contrasting environment here.  There was no descrimination at all.  She was the only woman in the lot of 980 soldiers and officers.  There were Nine officers above her and twenty two of her cadre.  They didn't differentiate at all.  She was happy to be one of them.  Major Vikram was incharge of Gun Carriers and Tanks; the T-90 Ajay Tanks deployed on guard.  She was a soldier there, irrespective of her gender.  She was happy...! It was her brigade.... her troop... her platoon... her Army... Her border of her motherland...!

She worked with top speed to trace out the short wiring which blocked the ignation of the huge gun carrier truck.  She again peeped into the laminated pages of the maintenance handbook.  Her brain working with super fast speed... the wiring diagram itched on her brain, she traced the connections. 

"Gotchya...!" she exclaimed raising her cut wire and searched for the insulating tape in her hip pocket.  "Dharini hurry up... I am leaving...!" Maj Vikram yelled opening the door and she nodded.  He sped away on his ice scooter.  The snow flakes had covered the windshield by now.  She ignited and the engine roared alive.  She started the wipers and hurriedly began fixing the wires again into the panel. 

"Madam ji..!" one of the jawan mechanic opened the door and she straightened herself up wiping her hands on her hips.  "The blades...!" he said pointing at the button.  The gritting had to be done to clear off the snow.  The snow layer had grown a foot high by now.  She whimpered looking at the burried tyres.   "Start the blades... " she yelled.  The blades started but the excuvator stuck in mid air.  "Bloody hell...!" she yelled getting under the plough.  The shaft had stuck under the iron rod dangling... She fixed it and the mechanic fixed the nut bolts... The snowfall had grown into a whirling storm blocking the vision.  The white snow walls were closing in from all the sides.  She looked down... the tyres were burried completely.  She had to take charge.   "Get inside...!" she yelled and all six men jumped into the well of the truck.  She ignited and the plough pushed the snow further on the road.  The blades roared into action, gritting the snow, cutting it into pieces.  The Vehicle moved.  The storm had taken the worst turn.  It was impossible to see anything ahead.  "Har Har Mahadeo....!" the jawans roared and her chest puffed.  "Har Har Mahadeo..." she closed her eyes.  The helping mechanic had spread the tarren map becoming the navigator now.  She drove carefully. 

"What is that?" she pointed ahead.  Something was moving.... they both strained their eyes.  The centry took out the binaculars.  "A vehicle..." he started his commentry.  "Vehicle?" She was surprised.  "No... A group..." he rectified.  "Group...!" she stopped the vehicle.  "From down south..." he informed tracing the footmarks in the snow filled valley.  She was puzzled.  Their vehicle was snow capped by now.  She gazed.  "They stopped...!" the centry said getting up in slow motion taking the binaculars away and looking aghst.  "Infiltration?" they both looked at each other shocked.  She opened the door of the vehicle. 
Soon they saw themselves spreading out.  The seven Indian soldiers spread out of have a better look. 
 
The group had finished their work and was moving upwards... They followed.  She was wondering... How come they came from down south? From Himachal Pradesh? The map flashed before her eyes... "No...! Decoy...!" We got to be careful.  There was no means of communication.  They were at the remote place.  The base camp was atleast 12 miles away... down...! She froze...! They were only Seven...! There had to be a direct conventional combat.  She needed to assess the strength of the other side.   "Atleast 20...!" Blurted the fellow soldier...!

"Seven Martyres...!" she blurted, drawing a deep breath. 

53

The first round of training was at Ambala Cantt.  Lieutenant Dharini's training was full of hardships.  The fellow officers were hostile like the climate outside.  She had had no problems with the platoon but the non cooperation of the officers was bugging her up.  She was unable to understand their mindset.  But her taking part in any discussion was appalling for others.  Every time she opened her mouth, she was snubbed ruthlessly! Sometimes she did have valid points but when her suggestion was not upto the standard, she was made fun of, making her sound like a fool.  They were only three girls among 63 in the training batch.  She was confident of surviving as she had a strong mechanical engineering background.  She was fast to pick up and learn but was always sidelined for being a girl.  Her frustration level mounting, she prayed for her final posting to Drass... meaning "Hell" in the local dialect.  She was ready to take on the hell, head on ...!

"Why am I being sidelined everytime?" she had no answer.  Her co-male officers hated her, specially her as she was vocal enough to protest and raise her voice.  The other two female JCOs (Junior commissioned officers) prefered to be silent though they too detested the male chauvinistic attitude...!

Till last decade Indian Army was all men affair, and the officers took pride in it.  There seemed to be water tight compartment.  The female cadre was to serve in medical hospitals or other triveal services, but not on the battle field.  The officers couldn't bear the presence of women in their territory.  The hostility was severe on the borders...! There were few who didn't mind women invading their prerogative but the number was too less.  The women officers had to fight out their way up.  Tackling the hostility of their own men was more energy consuming than actually fighting on the battle field again the enemy.  Rini's frustration was mounting by the day. 

On the other hand, the jawans had no problems what so ever dealing with female officers.  They were to obey orders and they did.  There was no resistance from the jawans.  Rini led a portion of the platoon of 120 Jawans and had had no problems at all dealing with them.  They were experienced in maintenance and repair work in Militery Engineering Services and Dharini was happy working with them.  

But the problem was with the male officers.  The gender bias was so strong, that she found it impossible to negotiate such hostile situation.  They couldn't digest the fact that someone, from the opposite, weaker sex was sitting next to them, shouldering equally and proving herself...! The hostility was increasing by the day ...! The only positive point was that there was no sabotage, as the interest of the nation was the common factor and priority of everyone...! The efforts were to be doubled to bring herself upto their level and get recognition. 

"Focus, Rini... Focus!" Dharini reprimanded herself meditating to calm herself down, from the effects of a particularly humiliating session in the workshop, with her face smeared with greese and oil...! She had found out the fault finally to the shock of her fellow maintenance officers.  But the humiliation had taken toll on her.  She badly needed a break.  She prayed and waited desperately for her training period to get over.  Ambala camp was the worst phase of her life; That's what she thought.  But the worst was yet to come....!

***************
She looked up with wide eyes.  "What? What are you thinking, Dhatri?" her friend Ragini asked her. 
"Is it compulsory to apply?" came a aghast question from Dhatri and Ragini shook her head hopelessly. 
"Dhatri, wake up... This is the first company interviewing the sixth sem students...!" Ragini said exasperated at Dhatri's reaction.  "Umm... ok!" came a reluctant response from Dhatri as she got up from her bed.

"New headache... campus interviews... big deal...!" she mutterred moving towards the bathroom.  Entire campus bustled with the campus recruitment activity... ! The notice boards were overflowing with the notifications, the cut off scores, the written aptitude tests schedules, the venue... The entire college gathered around the notice boards and loud discussion disturbed the staff...! Dhatri's heart took a somersault with a knot in her stomach... !

"Thank god! Rini Didi is not here!" she thanked her marimai...oblivious of Rini's informants in the hostel.  The final year students wore seriousness on their faces and sixth semester students, excitement.  Company like IBM was the one to start the campus recruitment activity of the college.  Dhatri was an exception.  She had no interest in applying, thogh she passed the first hurdle of cut off scores. 

She stood before the deserted notice board at the other end of the corridor, blankly looking at the crowd gathered at the far end.  Her eyes fell on the small notification, a paper cutting stuck to the soft board and her face lit up.  She read and re-read it.  The Giri Premi, trekk group had called for trekkers to join on a weekend treck to Barusot.  She looked at the dates...! Her eyes flashed.  The dates were clashing with the campus interviews.  She hurriedly noted down the contact number.  She had now a reason to skip the campus interviews.  "Hi hi... Sorry, IBM... you will miss me, you know!! I have other engagement... Sorry!" she grinned looking at the distant crowd. 

"But... Didi...!" Dhatri pleaded but Rini was not to give in.  "Dhaa... I know... your scores are just enough to appear for the aptitude.... Just apply...!" Rini commanded.  Dhatri stomped in frustration.  "But.. Didi.. I have already enrolled for the trekk... I have paid money... It will go waste...!" She protested weakly flashing angry looked at wicked Ragini and Purva. 

"Dhaa... campus is more important... If you get into IBM nothing like it!" Dharini was practical but Dhatri for the first time was set to defy her didi's orders.  "Rini Didi, please..." she begged but Rini had hung up.  Dhatri looked at Ragini's wicked smile and understood.

"You... you... spy... you told Rini didi!" she accused.  Purva nodded grinning.  "Yeah.. we didn't know, you were not interested... Didi asked us about campus activity ...!" she said giving hi five to Ragini and Dhatri stomped out of the hostel room. 

"What? What happened..?" she ran towards the entrance seeing the rector collapsing on the floor and a figure vanishing in the darkness.  Dhatri ran forward ....