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“Welcome..... Welcome.....!”  Dhatri was welcoming the guests with a rose flower.

................

Rini had taken over the management, planning everything meticulously.  Her spirits lifted, she was all set to make the event a success.  Nilima was relieved to see Rini in full action.  Rini looked lost since she came for the wedding... but when she had finished the work of Maj. Vinit, she looked a different Rini...!!

“Don’t worry, Mamma.... She was worried.  She had kept the work unfinished.  This Maj. Vinit, it seems, helped her and now she is free to take on ...!” Dhatri had said giggling.  Rini had no time for the discussion.  She had met the caterers, the decorators, the accommodation hotel managers... There were hardly any good hotels in Vidhsha but Rini had ensured they give good service.  She was catering to Disha’s demands too.  Many a times Dr. Salil looked worried... the expenses were going beyond control.  Rini was cool...!

“Its ok, Papa... We will manage...!” she said.  She was a great support to Salil.  She already had pestered him to encash the Fixed Deposit Receipts, he had kept for her. She already had emptied her bank balance. “Papa... Don’t worry... I will manage on my own...!” Her Papa knew that she would manage on her own but he felt a knot in his stomach bowing to Disha’s demands....!!  Rini was unmoved like a solid rock. 

“Papa please... Don’t tell anything about this to Dhaa... She will blow her top ...” Rini pleaded and Salil nodded with guilt.  The expenses were going out of control.  Disha wanted everything best for her.  They had booked the only one AC hall in Vidisha... “Mangal Bhavan...” Her guest list was growing day by day.  Thrice they had to revise the catering contract.  Dr. Salil was worried... He already was thinking of withdrawing his provident Fund money.  But Rini had stopped him offering her share of his savings.  He didn’t know, she had given her jewellery to Disha.  Rini truly was a saviour. And she was doing all this without a word....! Salil didn’t know what she did for Nilima and Nilima didn’t know what she did for Salil. 

“How could you be so selfless?” Salil took her hand in his getting emotional.  She patted on his hand.  “Papa... This is not the time to discuss the philosophy.....! I am taught crisis management and damage control....Her marriage... per her wish is more important now...!! I am doing what I ought to do.... “ she said smiling and Salil thanked god for blessing him with a daughter like Rini.  Rini had gone inside to come out with a list...

“Papa... this is the division of responsibilities.... I want everyone to understand their role.... and no messing up... Ok?” she said sternly and Salil nodded smiling with moist eyes.  He took the list.

“See.... Dhaa, her friends... Ragini, Puva and Suresh... welcome committee...! Two of my friends will be there as fall back!  Laxumbai and Dayal Kaka... stores and inventory...One security person will be there outside the room...!  You, Mamma will take care of guests... Indu Chachi – incharge of guests from our side... Pranjali Bhabi --- gifts and return gifts... Rima --- Supervision on catering... she will decide everything.... That pendal wala – Dayal Kaka will look after him...! Cash... we will distribute... some with you, some with me and with Laxumbai... She will manage the store room in the hall also, with jewellery and valuables...!” Rini had planned it all.  Salil looked at her in admiration and nodded to his responsibilities.  He was relieved... Now that Rini is there... He need not worry.  He knew everybody will listen to Rini.  Rini had summoned her old time gang also for help.  They all would come anytime and take over the event.  She always had a fall back plan.  Salil got up and pulled Rini in a hug.

“What am I going to do without you, Rini? When you get married....!” he chocked

“Stop it Papa... I will manage on my own...!” she said smugly.... Salil smiled... Dhatri barged in....!

“Do you guys know? Disha is already married to Bhanu Bhayya...!” she exploded the bomb and Salil and Rini froze. 

“Yeah... She is married to him already... This.. this is all show business....!” Dhatri exploded herself...

“Shuu... Dhaa.... Stop... Stop yelling...!” Rini clutched Dhaa’s mouth.  She knew already....

“Dhaa.... calm down...! I know... but that is only a legal document... We wanted all the rituals...!” Rini spoke looking at her father for support.  He nodded...

“Yeah, Dhaa...! We wanted it with all the rituals and even Bhanu’s family wants it that way..!” Salil said calmly.

“That means... you all knew about it? And nobody bothered to tell me anything....!” she threw her hands in the air in anger and stomped out.  Salil looked at Rini hopelessly.

“Its ok, Papa.  I will manage her..!” she assured.  He felt better. 

The things were moving according to the planning and Dhatri was at the entrance of the hall welcoming the guests shyly not looking at the faces.  Ragini and Purva with Suresh were over excited to have this prominent role to play, at the prominent place—the entrance!!  Suresh was super excited and had come all the way from Kochi only for this wedding ceremony, cutting short his summer vacation.  Dhaa had only these friends close enough to invite them for the wedding.  She wondered at the Friends circle of her Rini Didi.  They had taken over everything and doing it flawlessly.  Dhaa had only this, to welcome guests with flower, sweet and ittar- perfume... Purva and Ragini were constantly giggling and Suresh was standing, joining his hands to welcome the guests. 

“Welcome...!” she said holding out a rose... And the person blurted...

“Dhut Teri...!” the rose fell down from her hand.  She looked up startled and there she saw him gazing at her with a mischief.   “Hi...!” he picked up a flower from the tray, himself and looked at her challenging her to recognize him. She gaped with dropped jaw.  He stepped aside still looking at her.

“Who is he?” Ragini nudged her.  She blew her top.  “Pata Nahi...Don’t know!” she said shrugging and turning to the other guests. 

“Pata Nahi?” Ragini blurted.  “He is so handsome...! Must be from groom’s side.  Is he foreigner?” Ragini went on to Dhaa’s irritation.

“Find out about him, later, Ragini... attend to the guests first.” Dhatri flared up casting angry looks at him. 

“Hi.. I am Ray Dave..!” He introduced himself taking Ragini’s hand in his.  Ragini forgot the world around, floating in the air.  “Huff...!” she forgot who she was.  Dhaa took over.  Pulling her hand from his, she introduced.

“This is Ragini, Purva and Suresh...! And people are waiting for you inside..!” she said angrily.  He smirked moving away. 

“Who is he? He is so handsome...!” Ragini lost her interest in welcoming people.  Dhatri pinched her... “Come back to earth, Ragini... We have a duty” she said and picked up a flower to welcome the approaching guest....!!

“Ab Yeh Kahan Say Aa Gaya? Hungry Gudda...!” She muttered like Nanu contorting her face.