67

The guests were filing in.  Baarat had not reached.  Ravi went inside and Salil greeted him. 

“I just came to see everything is fine here...!” Ravi said taking a look around and seemed satisfied with the preparations.  Salil looked at him anxiously and Ravi nodded with a smile. 

“I am Bhanu’s cousin...!” he said further.  Salil looked around to call Nilima.  “They sent me here ahead to see everything is ok...!” he said smiling and took out an envelope.

“They have sent this....Demand list...!” he said seriously and Salil’s mouth went dry.  “Rini...!” he called out hoarsely.  Ravi was watching him.  Someone yelled “Rini..” Rini came to her papa.  She looked at him questioningly carrying a pile of bags in her hand.

“Ravi... Bhanu’s cousin.... “ He held out the envelope.  Rini looked at Ravi.  “Bh...Bhanu has sent this....!” Salil completed.

“Demand list...!” Ravi added pointing at the envelope.  Rini looked shocked.  Ravi  stared.  “I want the reply...! Before the Baarat comes to the gates....~~” he said folding his arms on his chest.  Rini looked at her Papa’s ashen face...

“Yes.  Ok.  Please be seated... Have something... she picked up two cold drink glasses from the nearby table and smiling pleasantly, offered it to Ravi and her Papa...!”

“I will handle it...!” she whispered and her Papa sat on the chair.  Ravi still was gazing at Rini with suspicion.  Rini gave him a smile and said...

“I will just read the demand list and get back to you... Please be comfortable...” Ravi took a step ahead glancing at Salil.

“I want the reply now...!” He glared at Rini to get the same glare in return.  “Open the envelope now!” he almost ordered and Rini clenched her fists. 

“Have you come alone... or you have others to carry you back..!” she gritted her teeth.

“What do you mean?” he asked aggressively.  Salil Intervened.  He tried to take the envelope from her.

“Rini... Let us see the demand list...!” he said in a shaky voice.  Rini glared at Ravi.

“Would you please come with me...? We need to talk..!” she said with mock politeness.  Time to show her military avatar...!! Ravi shrugged.

“Fine..!” he said.  “Papa... you stay here...!” she ordered pushing her Papa into the chair and beckoned Ravi inside.

“Open it!” he again demanded.  She tore open the envelope in rage and saw what was written.

“Uncle,

  I am sorry we could not meet.  I was held up in some urgent matters.  I wanted to meet you and talk to you...!

I promise, Disha will be happy with me...! This wedding with rituals is my family’s demand, I couldn’t say NO to them...!

I am sending Ravi with this note.  Please accept my little contribution... Uncle,  it is from a Son and not from a Son-In-Law..!

Yours,

Bhanu...!”

There was a cheque of ten lacs with the note.  Rini looked up shocked and Ravi winked grinning..!! 

“Just a little prank ...!” he said and Rini grinned back looking relieved.  She folded the note, inserted the cheque back into the envelope and keeping the envelope back on Ravi’s palm said... “He is the greatest person we will have in our family...”

“Thank you Bhanu bhayya....!” she kept the note with her.  “Please tell him, we are all waiting for him ....!” she turned her face to hide her moist eyes.  Ravi turned.

“And.. This... for Disha! Maasi has sent it...!” he said taking out a box.  She opened it.  Four studded bangles glittered.

“come... !” she beckoned him towards Disha’s room.

“No... I am not supposed to meet her... Thats not in the plan!” he said grinning and turning to her...

“Hey...you want this to continue or...?” he asked pointing at Salil.

“No..! Please!” she pleaded smiling.  “I will give this to him.!” She showed the note.  “Ok. Then! Meet you with the Baarat...!” Ravi marched out of the hall to everyone’s shock.  Rini couldn’t stop her grin.  She showed the note to Salil and he broke down, relieved. 

Dhatri came in hurriedly.  “That gudda... I mean... man, why did he go back?” she asked avoiding to take his name. 

“Nothing, Dhaa! He had come with some message for Papa!” Rini said grinning and Salil nodded.  “He is Bhanu’s cousin...!” Salil said patting on her back and she went back to her duty.

Baarat had reached the gates and there was suddenly a bustle to welcome the baaratees....! Nilima was ready with Aarti Thali.  Rini was running around.  Dhaa had vanished seeing the crowd.  Ragini, Purva and Suresh were ahead of everyone to welcome the baarat.  “Laxmibai..?” Rini looked around for her.

“Dhaa... Laxumbai...!” she called out and Dhaa ran towards the store room.

“Laxumbai.. you go... baarat has come.. mamma is calling you... I will be here...!” Dhaa said panting and Laxumbai looked shocked.

“Me? Why?” she asked bewildered.  “Why? Who is going to welcome the guests?” Dhaa asked angrily.  Rini had systematically sidelined Maasi Maa who was wandering with sulky face with nothing to do.  No one had bothered to talk to her. 

“Chalo, Laxumbai...” Dhatri took her by hand and dragged her to the gates.

“Here... Laxumbai...!” she brought her ahead with Nilima and Nilima gave her the Aarti Thali.... !! Laxumbai held it with Shaky hands overwhelmed with the honour she was given.  Dayal Kaka was standing with Salil welcoming the Baaratees...!!  Dhatri ran back to the stores .... Someone had be there...!! She was at peace.  She opened a container to stuff laddu in her mouth. 

.......

“Are you trying to impress me?” Dharini asked Ravi to find him always around, helping her in whatever she was doing.

“Yes!” he said she looked up at his face to find him gazing somewhere else.  She looked in the direction where his eyes were fixed.  Her eyebrows vanished in her forehead to find Dhatri moving with the container towards the store.  She again brought her gaze back to Ravi to find his eyes following Dhatri.

“Oh Ho!” she thought grinning.

“Ok! I am impressed...!” she said loudly looking at him curiously and he brought his gaze back to her reluctantly.

“Umm... Can you take these bags to the store room, please?” she asked smiling sweetly and he nodded snatching the bags from her hurriedly. 

“Interesting...!” she grinned rolling her eyes with this new development. 

“Rini.. !” someone called her frantically and she turned to attend to the caller. 

Ravi dashed to the store room to find Dhatri with her friends giggling and whispering.  They suddenly stopped seeing him at the door.  Dhatri turned to keep the container in the shelf and he said...

“Wait... let me help you!”

“No need!” she said and Ragini came forward eyeing him to take the bags from his hands.

“I will keep these...!” she said smiling at him.

“So sweet of you..!” he kept his hand on her shoulder and Dhatri rolled her eyes....!

“Ragini, will you arrange these things neatly? With his help, please?” Dhatri too was very sweet and Ragini jumped at it at once.

“Yes... I will tidy these things... don’t worry!” she looked at Ravi expectantly and he agreed smiling at her.

“Yeah...! Let us do it..!” he said grinning at Dhatri and she barged out mouthing a bad word...!!  He lost interest in the store room. 

“Excuse me!” he said going out of the room clutching his phone to his ear.  Ragini waited for him to return sitting on the nearby chair dreamily.  Purva had no interest .... she had busied herself in constantly talking to her boyfriend over the phone.  He was to meet her at the gates in the evening.  She was asking Suresh to take her snaps and was sending them to him.  The crowd had settled and were discussing in groups.  The so called rituals were going on.  Dhatri watched on frowning... labeling  each one with price tag... ! People were enjoying cold drinks and tit-bits...!!  Everyone had found out a group to discuss and laugh.  Ravi was busy showing something from his mobile and everyone was laughing their hearts out. 

“Hey, Dharini...!” he called out and Rini stopped.  She came near to have a look at the mobile and tried to hide her giggle.  He had recorded the Demand List episode....!

“Yeah... you people gave us a 1000 volts shock..!” Rini joined them.  “Look at Papa... He is drained out completely...!” she said looking at Ravi.  Ravi looked at the video.

“Hey... No offence... It was just a prank... Sorry!” he said looking at her.

“Never mind....!” she was a sport...! He looked at her curiously. 

“Ravi...” someone called out.  “You are wanted... Bhanu...!” Ravi dashed to the stage to find Dhatri and Purva giggling with Suresh.  They had no work, just wandering and pass the remarks and giggle for no reason. 

“Someone at the gate...” The security guard was on the stage and Bhanu looked up at Ravi.  “For Ray D..Dav...!” The guard said and Ravi dashed out towards the gates.  Dhatri’s eyes followed Ravi.

“Now what is he up to?” she muttered angrily narrowing her eyes to take a better look at the persons he was talking to outside the Hall.

“Wait a minute...” she left her gang in puzzle and moved towards the entrance.

“Appa?..... Appa..!!” she screamed breaking into a run raising her lehenga and clutching her chunary.

“Appa...!” she screamed standing at the entrance and a middle aged skinny person with white dhoti and kurta turned....!

“Appa...!” she glided and he pulled her in a tight embrace.

“Baby...!” he kissed her head.  She wrapped her arms around him.  Everyone from the hall turned to watch the drama.  Ravi stood folding his arms.  Dhatri looked at the person accompanying Appa and blurted... “Pant man!” Ravi stifled his smile and looked at the other person.

“Appa... Come...!” she pulled his hand and he raised his other hand to hit her.  She ducked pressing her hands on her head defensively.

“No! Work with Saab...!”he said waiving at Ravi.

“Saab?” she gaped.  Ravi and Teacher, the pant man were deep into discussion.  Dhatri pulled Appa aside.

“What? What work?” she asked in a bare whisper.  He pulled her closer...

“Its all because of you... Baby... you are our savoir ...! You brought Saab to us...” he kissed her again.  She wiped her cheek angrily.  “No Kissi..!” he slapped on her head fondly. 

“Come inside...” she dragged him inside with her, leaving the teacher and Ravi to their discussion.  Appa looked around awkwardly ... reluctant to enter.  She pulled him.  The crowd watched on.  She didn’t bother.  Appa gasped looking at the glitter and decorations everywhere.

“Baby... No!” he pulled her back afraid of going into that crowd.  Dhatri was not ready to leave him.  Appa’s black face flushed.  He was out of place there in that urban crowd with his so called white dhoti with a soil tinge, his dirty kurta and a green towel tied around his head.....! Anyone would have passed him as a beggar.  Everyone looked at Appa and Dhatri curiously.  Dhatri pulled him inside clutching his arm... She had found her family member....! She was at home...!