69

“Who are you?” Sanyogita asked.  “Bride’s sister...” came the answer.  She nodded looking around.  She saw Nilima giving a gift packet to one of the relatives.  Her eyes flashed.

“Where are your parents....?” she asked.

“Busy..!” Rini took her into the room.  “Please wait here...” Rini requested signalling one of her friends.   

"You know? I am Bhanu's Aunt... !" she said proudly.  And Rini nodded smiling at her.  

"You know... the gifts..? Ask your parents... to give hard cash.. I don't like these Sarees and jewellery....!" she demanded and Rini Nodded.

"Yes, I will tell them... Don't worry...Be comfortable.." she made her sit there and moved out.

“Keep watch... Don’t leave her out...!” she gestured taking her thumb to her mouth.  He understood and stood there blocking the door.

Rini came out.  Kalindi looked at her.  “Its ok~” Rini signalled all-well.  Kalindi took a sigh of relief.  She beckoned Rini.

“She is my wayward sister...” Kalindi described Sanyogita in one word.  Rini nodded.  “I will manage!” she assured.  “Thank you!” Kalindi was overwhelmed.  Rini got up to go. She knew this was to be kept secret and she should keep Sanyogita away from the crowd.  She had her gang at her disposal.

“Look! No matter what you do! She should not come out!” she commanded her friend.  He grinned.  “Done..!” he said and Rini looked up.

“Booze...!” he said gesturing inside.  “Military people have a quota... Liquor...!” he said showing her the bottle and the glass Sanyogita was clutching...!

“How..?” Rini asked bewildered.  “The wine shop is next door.... Satyen got one for her...! God!.. She is a sot!!” he said and Rini grinned.  “No one should know about it~” she warned and came out relaxed.  Her gang would take care.

*********  ********

The crowd was slowly thinning out.  Dhatri was nowhere to be seen.  When Appa and Teacher had left... she had lost interest in everything.  Rini tried to cheer her up.  She had changed into salwar suite...!!

“Who is that lady, Rini Didi? She looks American..!” she had asked seeing that lady lying topsy  turvy in that secluded room. She was supported by the pillows around and Rini’s friend Deepak on guard...!!

“shuu... Don’t know, Dhaa.... someone with greater nuisance value....” Rini said in a hushed voice.  Dhatri nodded and went away.  Ravi had vanished somewhere.  Ragini had asked quite a few times.

“Ok. Wait... I will find out!” Finally Dhatri had said and went in search of Ravi.  After asking a few persons she found him in the corner with a lot of papers spread out on the table.  She turned to get Ragini.

“Mr. Ray Dave...This is my friend Ragini.  She is doing her computer science engineering...” Dhatri started off with a high tune..

“I know... We have met before...!” she was cut off with a 440 volt shock.

“What? When did you meet?” she looked questioningly at Ragini and found her equally shocked.  Ravi gazed at both the girls..

“Don’t have to act so shocked... I met her in the morning and she told me what she is doing....” he said folding his arms sitting laid back.  Dhatri closed shut her mouth.  She nudged Ragini and said... “I have some work... I need to go!” and walked out of the scene.  Ravi’s eyes smiled.  He gestured Ragini to sit. 

“Is she always this clumsy?” he asked her looking at where Dhatri had vanished.  “No... She is very shy...! Doesn’t even talk to her friends... Only I, Purva and Suresh...!” Ragini said smiling.

“What about you?” Ravi asked with interest and the conversation started....

Dhatri left the scene and went straight to Rini...

“Dhaa, where were you?” asked Rini.  “That Ragini.... I think she is interested in Gudd... I mean Ray Dave... So just helped them both...!” She said grinning and Rini shook her head hopelessly.

“Tera Kuch Nahi Ho Sakata... Dhaa... Duffer...!” She said looking at Ravi and Ragini deep in conversation. 

The gathering was so merged, that it was difficult to differentiate the Bride’s side and the Groom’s side.  They were pulling each others’ legs and laughing together.  Nilima looked at the gathering from a distance... “Why is she so worried, when she has such a nice family?” she didn’t know why Disha was so picky...! She turned wiping her eyes.  “Dhatri..! Where is she?” Nilima had not seen her for long.  She went in search of Dhatri to find her nowhere.  Rini too didn’t know where she was.  As the time passed, Nilima grew worried.  “Where is she?” no one knew.  Even Rini looked around for Dhaa. 

With the nightfall... the Bidai preparations started.  Still no trace of Dhatri. 

“Rini.... That Appa had come.  Did she go with him? You know, she can....!” Nilima blurted out her fears.  Rini shook her head. 

“Mamma.. she was here.... I saw her some time back...!” she looked around for Ravi.  He too was not to be seen and even Ragini was missing.

“Mamma...Even Ragini and Ravi are not here... so they must be out enjoying ice cream...!” Rini deduced.  Nilima breathed relief and to her horror.. she saw Ravi and Ragini walking in.  She waited for Dhatri with bated breath....! People had started packing....

“Where is the youngest one? She is to accompany Disha to her new home...!” someone said and Salil looked around.  The three of them started searching for Dhaa.  Rini summoned her gang.  No one had seen Dhatri.  Bhanu and Disha had left the altar.  Rini was packing Disha’s bags worrying about Dhatri.

“Oh God! It was so tiring....!” Disha came into her room to touch up for her Bidai.  She looked at Rini, packing her bags.

“Humm... Dhaa... Where is she? That girl.... I had asked her to pack my bags...!” Disha scowled muttering.  Rini didn’t react.  She continued packing...!!

“I tell you Rini... This Dhaa is spoilt completely... And you people are the reason...!” Disha said loudly looking around for Dhatri.

“Didi... I am doing it.  You don’t worry.. Dhaa must be busy with something else...!” Rini tried to pacify but had the opposite effect.  “Busy...? You think, she must be busy? Rini... She must be with her friends taunting and making fun of others....! Or must be still with that shabby man...! Yukk... Rini... That aboriginal  man and the way she was clutching on to him... So disgusting.... “ Disha made faces.  “Thank God! She didn’t bring that man to me....!” Disha tried to cover up her hurt.... Dhatri had taken Appa to Bhanu but not to her, ignoring her completely....!  Rini just looked up at her.

“Didi... he was the one who saved her when she was kidnapped and kept her in his house, safe...!” Rini clarified.  Disha was taken aback..  But then coming back she said...”Yeah... but that doesn’t mean she should bring him to the function... The way she had latched on to him.....!” Disha flared up.  Rini looked at her sister in disbelief. 

“Didi.. It was Ravi who had called them... and not Dhaa....!” Rini said finishing the packing.

“Whatever....!” Disha threw her hands in the air in frustration...!!

Dhatri was not to be found anywhere.  Salil grew panic.  Rini’s friends were sent !! The search was on....!!