72

Dhatri didn’t know what was happening.  The resistance from the lady was new to her.  She had never faced such a resistance to get cured.

“You will be alright soon....” she blurted out chocking and suffocating... “Leave me.... Let go of me....!” the Lady was strangling her with all the might.  Dhatri’s fingers moved in lightening speed.  The warmth didn’t calm down the lady.  Her thumbs pressed on Dhatri’s throat, threatened her to death.  Dhatri was in a trance.... “Calm down...” she said chocking....

“No! Let go...!” The Lady resisted with all her might.  Dhatri’s fingers grew red, swelling to the limit... the Lady puked a smelly, mucus...!! Dhatri continued..... The grip on Dhatri’s neck tightened.  “I will kill you....!”

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

“Ravi...!” Kalindi called out panic struck.  Ravi looked up.  She beckoned him inside seeing him with others.  He rushed to her.  “Come...!” she held his hand.  He followed her to the kitchen...

“Dhatri...!” He ran forward seeing Dhatri strangled and chocked.  “Dhatri...!” He pulled her apart and lifted her in his arms, completely ignoring the other person.  The servants dashed in. Kalindi Pulled Sanyogita up and gestured at the servants.  One of them supported Sanyogita and carried her to the nearby room.  Ravi looked at Dhatri’s unconscious, pale face and lifted his gaze to the surrounding... the puke, and smell.... he was reminded of Gathiram....Then Nanu...

“Water...!” he knew what to do.  He lifted her burning body and carried her to the attached bathroom.  “Wake up...!” he pulled the towel and soaking it in water, wiped her burning face.   and poured water  on her head.  “She is not well... not well...I couldn’t do anything....” Dhatri shuddered sobbing...

!

“Shuu... Stop it... Dhatri...!” he wrapped her in another sheet and pulled her in his arms.  The comfort brought her back.  She opened her eyes with efforts and saw Ravi holding her.... “She... she.... is not well...” she looked at him miserably.  He swallowed hard.  “Are you ok?” he wiped her forehead with his sleeves... She gave a nod trying to step away from him.  He didn’t let her go. 

“Dhatri... No!” he pulled her closer.  She pushed him away... “I am Ok.  Just felt sick...” She said covering up.  He glared.  “I know...” he said and supporting her walked into the kitchen again.  Kalindi was with Sanyogita who was raving incoherently... ! A servant was cleaning up the mess.

“Milk...!” ordered Ravi and the servant nodded.  “No... I am ok.  Please...!” Dhatri pleaded. After all she was in her sister’s in-laws-family.  Ravi ignored her requests.  “Drink it..!” he ordered holding a glass full of milk.  Dhatri took it guiltily.  She felt better and looked up at Ravi’s worried face.  “Sorry...!” she said guiltily.  He merely glared at her.  “I am ok now.  Will go and sleep...” she said wiping her lips.  “Stay here!” he threatened and went out.  She waited nervously.

He was not sure how much her friends knew about it.  He had to take a chance.  “Ragini...” he beckoned Ragini who was sitting and giggling in a group of young girls...! She hopped out of the circle.

“Dhatri... is not well...!” he said taking her to the kitchen.  “Dhaa... What happened?” Ragini dashed in.  She saw Dhatri wrapped in the sheet.

“Allergy? Are you ok?” she touched Dhatri’s forehead.  The temperature had subsided.  She turned to Ravi.  “You know, she is allergic .... She will be alright soon...!” Ragini took a sigh of relief and also Ravi.  “Does that mean this girl does not know anything about this Dhut Teri?” smile spread on his face.  He moved out of kitchen.

“Ravi...!” Kalindi called from behind... “Is the girl alright? Poor Dhatri...!” She asked worried and Ravi nodded.  “She is ok!” he said.  “Sanyu... I don’t know, why was she so violent...!” She blurted gazing at Ravi’s back.  He turned clenching his fists...!

“I am leaving tomorrow night... I need some sleep...!” he said turning his back again. 

“Ravi....!” Kalindi called out again.  He stopped stiffly.  “Come with me...!” she almost whispered and Ravi couldn’t refuse.  He went behind her on the terrace.  The mild breeze on the top was making the hot summer tolerable.  She sat on the swing and he ensued. 

“Did your father tell you about her?” she asked holding her breath.  He merely nodded.  “hum... “ She sighed.  “I am sure he has not told you everything...” she whispered and he looked up at her sitting by her side.  The swing swung slightly and Ravi felt the cool breeze...! He closed his eyes.

“Ravi... I don’t know, from where to start...” she said gazing at a distance into the night.  “ Maasi,  you don’t have to....!”

“But I want to....! I want to get rid of this burden.... Ravi.... Before I die... I can’t bear it anymore....!” she said clutching his palm.  He patted her. 

“Your mother, Sanyu... She is my younger sister....” Kalindi started off.  Ravi listened to the already known facts....!

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

“What was that? Why did I feel the resistance...?” Dhatri didn’t know.  She was unable to comprehend.  This was the first time she had felt such a strong resistance to her healing power.  “Why?” She felt defeated.  She was suddenly transported to her Papu Mari, Bijoy’s mother.

Dhatri was crying her heart out trying to pump in life in the lifeless body of her Papu Mari.  “Wake up...!” she was shouting at the top of her voice.  But her Papu Mari had already left for heavenly abode.  Dhatri’s body temperature saw no limits.  Her hands blood red, she got blisters all over her body... her mouth bled... “Papu Mari...!” she cried out and someone pressed his hand on her mouth.

“Shuu... Stop... Baby... you can’t do anything....! Come with me...!” Grumpy picked her fragile body.  “No... Papu Mary...!” she saw the fading figure of her Papu Mari soaked in blood.  She couldn’t wake her up.  It was death, she couldn’t defeat.  Hopelessness was creeping in.... She had seen the power of death for the first time in her life which had taken her Papu Mari.  She couldn’t do anything.. She was completely defeated.... A five year old child faced the defeat... She passed out... Grumpy was carrying her away from the scene deep into the forest... on winding and sloping bends... A gun shot had brought him down and had woke her up to consciousness. . 

“Grumpy...!” Dhatri sat up on her bed.  The lamps were put out.  She looked around sweating profusely.  She was on the sofa with pillows supporting her and Ravi had dozed off on the chair next to her.  She saw line of people sleeping peacefully in the hall.  Her throat went dry.  She had no energy to go get the water.  She slumped back on the sofa losing all her energy.  Her restlessness kept her awake for a long time. 

Ravi couldn’t sleep for a long time.  He missed his father... his Dadu... He felt emptiness creeping in.  He settled on the chair next to the sofa.  Dhatri was sleeping with steady breath.  “Who are you?” he asked her in her sleep.  The smile on her face calmed him down.  He closed his eyes.....”Dhut Teri....” holding her hand.....

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