74

Rini looked out when the train slowed down at New Delhi Station.  She wheeled out her baggage and Maj. Vinit was there at the exit to welcome her.  He bent down to pull her trunk but she stopped him.  She wouldn’t like anyone carry her trunk.  Vinit smiled and took the handbag from her hand.  She wheeled out her huge trunk herself of the Railway Station.  He hurled the trunk in his SUV and pulled open the door for her.  She sat next nervously.  He glanced at her controlling his urge to pull her into his arms. 

“We will reach in an hour..! Would you like to have tea?” he asked formally.  She looked at him “No!” she said.  He drove silently.  She wrapped silence too.  A nervous apprehension filled the air.  She was not sure how his family would react.  She didn’t even know who his family was.  She blamed herself for that.  She had not asked him anything about his family, whereas he had visited her family a couple of times.  She grew restless.

“I mean... Umm... I mean, I don’t know anything about you....!” she somehow uttered.  He looked at her calmly.  “You will know, soon!” he assured.  She grew more nervous.  The hour took longer time than expected and he pulled over in a porch of a bungalow with a neatly kept lawn and garden.  She looked around, he pulled the door open for her. 

The door of the house opened and a couple appeared.  A stout man in his early sixties and an elegant woman equally tall in her fifties were waiting for them.  Rini suddenly became conscious about her dress.  The overnight crumpled top and jeans, she had not bothered to change before getting down at New Delhi Station.  He climbed the steps and she ensued.  The couple gave a warm welcome.  She stepped in.  The man shook hands with her and she didn’t know what to do with the lady.  If it would have been her family, she would have been forced to touch the feet by her Mamma.  She looked away nervously and to her relief Vinit bent down to touch his parents’ feet.  She followed relieved.  The lady gave her a light hug blessing her with a pleasant smile.  She felt the warmth. 

“Dharini...!” He introduced her.  She looked up flushing.  They seemed to gauge her. 

“And...” he gestured at a photo of a young officer in Air Force Uniform.  She looked at the decorations on his chest.  “Flight Lieutenant Punit Pandit! Vinit stood by the Mantle... She looked on... “VayuSena medal, Posthumous...!!”  His father added. She looked up startled.  The atmosphere suddenly became grave.  She looked at Vinit’s mother who was gazing at the photo unblinkingly. 

“MIG 21 Crash while training...!” Vinit said gravely and she took a step forward to salute...!! She remembered Vinit talking to Kavita Gadgil who was fighting for the Air Safety for the Air Force.  She turned and saluted his parents.  His father, Wng. Cmdr. Virendra Pandit smiled with pride.  His mother came forward and held her hand.

“Come...!” she beckoned her inside and Vinit sat relaxed on the sofa with his father making himself a drink to celebrate the entry of his son’s life partner...

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

Disha returned from her Honeymoon and had visited her family with Bhanu.  Dhatri was at home and Disha gave her the gift she had bought for her from Ooty. A sandalwood comb and framed mirror!  Dhatri looked at it and kept it aside.  Disha took it as insult and they both had a row over the issue.  Nilima tried to pacify both but Dhatri was so peevish that she decided to go back to hostel a couple of days earlier.  Bhanu tried to intervene in vain.  “Disha... please try and understand... Rini has left this morning and Dhaa is missing her...! I am sure, she didn’t intend to hurt you!” He said calmly but Disha took it on her, blaming Bhanu for defending Dhatri. 

“Why should I understand, every time? Why can’t she understand for a change?” Disha blew her top in rage.  Bhanu pulled her closer wrapping his arm around her shoulder to console her.  Disha couldn’t stop her tears. 

“Dhatri... Open the door!” Nilima was knocking the door and Dhatri opened fuming with rage.

“Dhaa... please understand.  !” Nilima pleaded.  “Yeah.. You are right.  I should understand... I should obey... I should take the orders... !” Dhatri blurted breathing heavily.  Nilima hugged her tightly.  “Dhaa please don’t create a scene.... please....!” she whispered in her ears.  Dhatri looked out at Disha’s teary eyes.  She broke apart and came out.

“Sorry Disha Didi.  Sorry Bhanu Bhayya...!” she said with a heavy voice and Disha dashed to her hugging her tightly.  Dhatri buried her face on Disha’s shoulder and Disha ruffled her curly bushy hair fondly.

“Use that comb to mend your unruly hair, Dhaa!” She said smiling and Dhatri opened the packet, held out the comb.  Disha took it happily and Dhatri sat on the floor.  Disha combed Dhaa’s hair gently.  Nilima closed her eyes pressing her hand on her chest.  Bhanu smiled shaking his head and went out to talk to Salil. 

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

“Mamma, Ghar Kitana soonaa lagata hain...The house looks so empty...!” Disha said sitting beside her Mamma.  Nilima looked away hiding her tears... Disha had come back from her Honeymoon.  She had a week free and then she would fly.  Rini had cut short her vacation and had gone back.  Dhatri’s collage had reopened.  Dayal Kaka, Laxmi bai. Salil and Nilima were staying in that house missing their children.  Disha had come to stay for a couple of days.  She missed her sisters too...!

“I don’t know what we will do, when you also leave for US..!” Nilima chocked.  Disha rested her head on Nilima’s shoulder. 

“But I am happy that you have the best life partner, Disha...!” she patted on her daughter’s head.  Disha looked up with pride. 

“Yes Mamma... “She said missing her husband.  He had already gone back. 

Nilima’s phone rang... It was Dhatri.  Disha picked up.  “I want to talk to Mamma... came a sulky voice and Disha frowned

“Stop cribbing Dhaa...! Tell me what it is..!” she said sternly. 

“Nothing... I am missing you all...!” Dhatri sobbed and Disha couldn’t control her tears.

“Me too... missing you Dhaa... My little angel...!” Disha said with a heavy voice and Dhatri disconnected sobbing harder. 

Disha came back.  “Mamma...!” This time she hugged her mumma tightly.  With Rini and Dhaa gone, her Mamma was hundred percent hers, with no one to share. 

“Its been so many years.... I didn’t sleep on your laps, Mamma...!” She said chocking and Nilima pulled her on her laps.  Disha pulled Nilima’s hands around her. 

“Its been so many years, Mamma! We didn’t even talk properly..!” Disha touched her Mamma’s cheek.  Nilima controlled her tears and merely nodded.  Disha had grown up overnight, with Dhatri on almost deathbed when she was recovered unconscious, after her kidnapping.  Disha was only fifteen and had grown up suddenly by ten years.  Nilima hardly had time to cater to Disha’s teenage needs.  Disha had missed her teenage... growing up overnight.  Nilima felt guilty for burdening her eldest daughter.

“I know.  You are hurt by Dhaa’s behaviour...!” she said guiltily and Disha flared up.

“When is she going to grow up, Mamma? She is nineteen now... and still a kid!” Nilima looked at her in realization.  “I know, she is the youngest and shall be the kid forever...!” Disha blurted.

“Why did you have to go in for a third child, Mamma?” Disha asked suddenly.  “We were better off without her...!” Nilima understood her unspoken words. 

“She took away everything I had Mamma...!” Disha sobbed like a kid.  Nilima’s heart filled with guilt. 

“The moment she was born, Rini moved away from me as if Dhaa was her only sister... I used to feel so lonely, Mamma... I never had the opportunity to play with the baby...!” Disha buried her face on Nilima’s laps.  Nilima gaped at the sibling jealousy surfacing after many years.  She wanted to justify, but thought otherwise and kept quiet. 

Disha continued to pour her heart out....