70

“Is there a problem?” asked Ravi seeing Rini’s face. 

“No” said Rini looking around.  The Hall Management was cleaning up the things to get it ready for the next function, next day.  People dragged their baggage at the entrance.  The cars were waiting.  

The rooms were getting locked after thorough checking.  Now Rini too was Panic.  She tried Dhatri’s mobile.  It was with Purva.

“Dharini beti...” Kalindi pulled her aside.  “Sanyogita..?” she didn’t know what to ask.

“Don’t worry Auntiji, she is sent back ...” Rini said in a hushed voice.

“Sent back? Where?” asked Kalindi bewildered.

“To her hotel room.  I booked a room for her on her request... Aparna and Rajeev are with her.. Don’t worry... She will be alright...!” Said Rini and Kalindi wiped her tears.  This was embarrassing for her. 

“Aunti ji... Don’t worry.  We will handle it together...! She will be alright..! My friends are with her...!” Rini said in an assuring voice and Kalindi felt better.

“Thank you Beti...!” she said holding Rini’s hand.  Rini smiled. 

“Rini...!” called out Disha.  Rini dashed to her.  Disha was uncomfortable with her eye-makeup and her contact lenses.  “Why don’t you wear your glasses, Didi?” Asked Rini and Disha flared up. 

“Look at me, Rini...!” she looked at herself in the mirror.  Rini couldn’t understand.  “Why is she doing this? Everyone knows she wears spectacles...”

“And where is Dhaa?” Yelled Disha irritably.  “She is busy Didi.  Tell me what do you want...” Rini held Disha’s hand.  Disha’s eyes were burning.  “Ok Wait.  I will get the beautician.  She will do something..!” Rini went hurriedly to call the beautician who was winding up to go.  She came hurriedly to Disha to mend her burning eyes.  Rini went in search of Dhatri. 

“Suresh? Where is Suresh?” Rini asked Purva.  She merely shrugged.  “Damn this boy...!” she gritted.  “See he is coming...!” Purva pointed at the entrance.  Rini dashed forward.

“Where were you two?’ she asked angrily.  Suresh looked confused.

“What? Didi, we went home with Laxumbai.” Dhaa said looking around. 

“And you all are ready? Baarat?” She asked and Rini threw her hands in the air in frustration.  “Dhaa... why didn’t you tell before going?” she asked bringing down her voice.

“Why didi? Did you have some work?” Dhaa asked ready to go home again.  Rini shook her head.

“Dhaa... Look! The younger sister accompanies the bride to her new home...” Dharini said.

“Yeah! I know! You can go Didi, I will manage at home...! Don’t worry!” Dhaa patted on Rini’s back sympathetically.

“No! The youngest one should accompany... That’s what I was told!” suddenly Ravi had appeared from behind and had jumped into the conversation.  Rini arched her eyebrow smiling.

“Yeah, Dhaa! Everyone is waiting for you!” She said grinning and Dhaa clenched her fists. 

“Yeh  ABCD Ka Bacchha...!” She muttered angrily and the next moment vanished from the scene.  Rini and Ravi grinned. 

“Ragini, Purva... listen... we have to go with Disha Didi...!” Dhatri had a plan.

“What? No way! Dad is coming to fetch me... I am going..!” Purva dismissed the idea.  Ragini too shook her head.

“Dhatri... I too will be going home..!” she said.  Dhatri frowned.  “Ragini... take this opportunity... Ray Dave... you will have a chance to...” Dhatri said in a hushed voice and Ragini’s eyes flashed.  Dhatri crossed her fingers

“You are also younger sister of Disha Didi...” She added emotional Tadka and Ragini nodded.

“Yeah...! I will tell mom...!” She took out her phone.

“Hey... What is it? Even I will come with you...!” Suresh didn’t want to let go this opportunity.  Dhatri shook her head.

“No Suresh, Only the youngest one can go and Ragini is the youngest one...!” she said grinning and Ragini looked at her shocked.

“You mean... I should go alone...?” She was shell shocked.  Dhaa gave a nod gravely... “Can’t help...!” she said and turned to find Rini standing behind her.  She shuddered.  “I mean... I can also come with you.... But there is no point going two two people...” she said weakly and then squinting at Rini, said... “Ok. I will come with you...!” 

“Didi... We will go.  Ragini  and I..” she said looking at Rini’s serious face.  Ragini was excited, Dhatri reluctantly agreed. 

“Didi... ask them to finish this Bidai business ASAP...And please no Rona-Dhona...” she said glancing at Nilima.  She knew her mother would break down.  “Mamma... Please.... !” She pleaded going to her Mamma.  Nilima wiped her tears. 

“You know... This is all eye wash... Mamma, and you are washing your eyes with your own tears~~ !! They are already married.... and were staying together.... !” she whispered in her ears...

“Shuu... Shut up!” her Mamma looked at her and Dhaa winked.  “You know..? Don’t soak your eyes for their eye wash...hehehe?” she said and Nilima couldn’t stop her giggle.  “Naughty...! Stop it...!” she said pushing Dhaa away. 

“You know what? I heard they were on honeymoon vacation to Miami...... “ Dhatri exploded the laughter bomb and Rini pulled her away....

“Shaitani band Kar, Dhaa... Be serious...!” she slapped her lightly and Dhaa rolled her eyes.

“Yeah... and they are on their second Honeymoon to Ooty ... tomorrow... “ Dhaa giggled.  “This is so weird, Rini Didi... Sab Ultah hain... First Stay together, then honeymoon and then wedding... Hope Disha didi is not pregnant...!” she said and Rini pushed her away... “Stop it Dhaa...!”

“Yeah... I will stop... But what about them? Is there anyone who is going to stop them?” she asked dramatically.  Rini shook her head hopelessly and went away.  Nilima had a smile on her face.

“Yes, Dhaa... No Rona Dhona...!” she assured and Dhaa hugged her mother somehow managing to hide her tears...!!

“Dhatri... Chalo...” Ragini pulled her from her mother and Dhatri winked going away. 

“Yeah... Chalo... Time for another duty...!” she said sighing hopelessly.

“Dhaa, you and Ragini go with Ray...!” Rini arranged winking at Ravi.  He grinned.

“What? No...!” Dhaa yelled.   “It’s ok.  We will go with him..!” Ragini was all happy.  Dhatri frowned.  “Ahesaan Pharamosh.... You ungrateful git..!” Ragini winked.

The Bidai... left a mixture of sad and happy feelings and Dhatri sighed looking at Kalindi, the groom’s mother, wiping her eyes.

“What’s wrong with her? She is groom’s mother and look at her...! She is also crying as if it’s her daughter’s bidai...!” Dhatri didn’t understand... Her jaw dropped when she saw Rini too wiping her tears...!!

“Now finish this drama and let us go...!” she muttered and Ravi gazed at her from the rear view mirror.  Ragini had no time for all this.  She was busy talking to Ravi....!!  

“Papa... Pl..please... don’t cry...!” Dhatri couldn’t stop her tears when she saw her papa too breaking down.  “Please... Let us go!” She pleaded silently and Ravi ignited the engine looking at her...!!

“Hey... hey... wait for me! I am also coming... “ Suresh hopped into the car and Dhatri grinned happily.  “Yeah... get in!” she moved and he made himself comfortable.

“Hey, Ray... Hope you don’t mind..!” he tapped on Ravi’s shoulder.  Ravi had to take away his gaze from Dhaa’s dimpled smiling face.  He adjusted the rear view mirror to have a better look at her.  Ragini was chirping sitting next to Ravi and Suresh and Dhatri at the back smiling at each other. 

“Let  us move..!” his engine roared into action....