94

Dhatri blinked open her eyes.  The room was brighter she looked around to find nothing …! Again she turned and closed her eyes.  

“Run… Baby… Save yourself…!” Grumpy was pleading.. She floundered…! 

“I must escape….!” She sat up with a jerk.  Her wrists pained… The IV needle pricked painfully… The blood oozed out under her skin.  The swelling filled with blood under her skin.  She shrieked.  A nurse came in hurriedly.

“God! Shit!” she removed the needle, stopped the drip.  Took out Thrombosis Ointment and applied hurriedly on the back of her palm and wrist.  Dhatri looked up at her gauging the distance between the bed and the open door.  The nurse turned her back and Dhatri leapt over the bed.  The nurse shrieked, this time.  The paramedic waiting outside the door blocked her way pushing her inside.  Dhatri fell on the floor.  He picked her up and threw her on the bed.  “Strap her!” the nurse ordered.  A figure appeared at the door.

“Please… Please… My son… Please save him…!” The black lady pleaded and the nurse left Dhatri to attend to “Winfree…!” The paramedic came in tying Dhatri to the bed again. 

Winfree had lost his voice again…! He was admitted to the hospital a month back for severe laryngitis…He was hoarse..! His voice had changed… he had difficulty swallowing…! He was brought to this charitable hospital when he lost his voice completely.  

The doctors diagnosed cancer… Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) begins in the x (laryngopharynx) — the lower part of the throat, just above the esophagus and windpipe.   Surgery was one of the options.  But the doctor said, there was a new medicine which would cure this and harmless.  Poor D’amama went for the second option as the Doctors said that a part of his vocal folds would be removed by surgery, which would affect his speech permanently. 

A month had passed and there was no improvement in his condition.  She had signed the papers for the Informed consent, though she knew very little about the medicines they were administering or about the disease, her son was suffering.  

And that day, Winfree escaped the torturous, painful tests and landed into Dhatri’s room.  His voice returned miraculously and he kept saying, the girl cured him.  D’Amama was astonished.  Her son spoke after around three months and the Doctors said his condition had worsen…! 

******  ********

She tried her last chance to enter Dhatri’s room, as she had promised her son that she would find the girl.  Dhatri was strapped, struggling …! There was no one inside.  She took the change and entered.

“Hey… Girl.. Are you ok?” she asked keeping her palm on Dhatri’s forehead.  Dhatri opened her eyes in shock.  She was scared… D’amama freed her from straps…! Dhatri leapt up and in two strides was at the door.

“No.. stop..!” D’amama held her from behind.  Dhatri struggled but D;amama proved to be stronger.  

“Stop… Listen to me…!” she whispered in Dhatri’s ear dragging her inside.  She pulled Dhatri on the bed again.  “Listen, girl… You just can’t escape… Do you understand? You ain’t strong enough…! There’s security all around…!” she pinned Dhatri down.  Dhatri looked on.  D’amama heard the footsteps…!

“Look! I will come back… “ she said strapping Dhatri again and moving out swiftly.  Dhatri looked on with hazy vision.  She had lost the chance.  But the lady seemed to be kind.  She prayed… “Mari mai.. Mari mai…!”

“What were you doing in there?” One of the paramedic asked sternly holding D’amama’s arm.  She looked at him scared.

“I was just passing by… heard her cry for water…!” she said faintly, pleading …! The paramedic left her.  “You can’t enter…!” he said at her back.  She nodded hurrying away.  

“Shit…. I forgot this…!” She took out the Kirthimukh…! She was in dual mind.. She wanted to run back to the girl and give her the togo mask.. but was scared …! Poor lady wouldn’t afford to offend the people in the hospital as she was getting free treatment for her ailing son.  But she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about the strapped girl who looked fragile and pale…! The togo mask was of the girl and she should return it.  She turned … came to the room. A guard was at the door.  He stopped her.

“What’s happened to the girl?” she asked casually.  The guard didn’t respond.  D’amama lingered there….The guard looked at her.

“My son is in …. Cancer…!” she said gathering sympathy.  “He sent this for the girl… “ She showed the locket… and then added hurriedly… “They are friends..” The guard looked at the pendent in her hand and then stretched out his hand to take it.

“No.. I can’t… It’s my son’s wish…!” she held it away.  “Sorry, M’am you can’t enter!” the guard sent her away.  She came back.. she had to wait for another opportunity…!

***********   *******

“Hey… hey… where are you taking her?” D’amama was running behind.  The paramedics were carrying her.  They took her into the open elevator and D’amama squeezed herself into the elevator.  

“What happened?” she asked one of them to get no response.  She leaned forward and touched Dhatri’s forehead.  Dhatri opened her eyes to find the same lady before her eyes.  She shut them closed in fright.  D’amama held her hand inserting her kirthimukh into her fist.  Dhatri felt the warmth.  She felt her pendent.  She opened her eyes.  D’amama tried to smile at her.  Dhatri clutched her kirthimukh.  “Mari mai… Mari mai…!”

“Where are you taking her?” D’amama asked as the elevator stopped at basement.  She followed Dhatri holding her hand.  The paramedics didn’t stop her.  D’amama saw the board of MRI room and suddenly realized… Dhatri cannot carry her pendent inside….! D’amama bent forward and opening Dhatri’s fist, took the kirthimuch “I will keep it… Till you finish …!” She gestured at MRI room.  Dhatri gaped at her blankly.  Her protection, her kirthimukh was still in safe hands…!  D’amama felt an urge to protect this unknown girl.  She prayed her Lord to save her son and this poor girl…! 

She waited outside the room with bated breath.  After a very long time Dhatri was brought out.  D;amama came forward and held Dhatri’s hand walking with the other paramedics.  As they approached Dhatri’s room, the guard stopped D’amama.  

“I am told to be with her…” she looked at the persons carrying Dhatri.  One of them nodded as he had seen D’amama waiting outside the MRI lab for Dhatri.  She walked in with Dhatri.  

“Look.. girl… you have someone, I contact?” she asked in what she thought to be a clear tone.  Dhatri looked blank… D’amama turned disappointed…!

“Ravi…” Dhatri blurted and D’amama turned with hope.  “You know someone?” she asked and Dhatri blinked.  “Number?” D’mama asked impatiently.  She should know before the guard came in and threw her out.  Dhatri trembled.  She didn’t know his number..!

“E mail..” she said with efforts.  “D’amama had nothing to note down.  

“Didi… Disha didi…” Dhatri blurted… Helplessness crept in..

“Hey… out..!” The guard was at the door to Drive her away.  

“Lend me your pen…” she almost ordered and the guard drove her away clutching her arm…!  Dhatri’s Kirthimukh fell down .. The guard picked it up and pocketed it…!

93

“Hell .. No! Do you have any idea, who that man is? He is an advisor to President of United States on Health Care policies…!” Earl stayed put folding his hands.  His officer was shell shocked.

“No… I can’t approve this… There is no proof… You can’t touch him merely on suspicion…! The enquiry is stalled…” He said putting down the file.

“No, Detective… I am taking away this case from you, right away…!” he said sternly.  Earl looked away gathering the files..! 

“Leave the files, detective…!” ordered his officer Ron Blake…! Earl looked at him determined.

“You can’t assign it to someone else…” he said with authority.  Ron gaped.  

“You have no idea what are you pitched up to…!” Ron said gravely gazing at his polished table top.

“And you have no idea What you will be pitched against…!” Earl said threateningly.  Rom looked up angrier.

 

“What you mean?” he asked getting up aggressively.  Vinit walked in….!

“Maj. Vinit… Military Intelligence.. India…! An Indian girl is abducted …!” Earl introduced.  Ron shook hands blankly.  Then coming back to his authority, he blasted…

“What the hell… He can’t do anything… He can’t investigate…!” he said in his icy cold voice full of threat…!

“I am not here to investigate… I am here to bust the scam …. With the help of media…!” Vinit said coolly.  “Before that… It was my duty to inform the investigating officer…That the weather will be windy, stormy…!” Vinit was cool enough to give him shivers of fright.  

“An Indian girl is abducted ten days back…. Nothing has been done yet for her rescue….!” Earl brought him back to reality.  Ron gaped, his jaw dropping, throat going dry…! He suddenly felt thirsty.  

“You.. can’t…! Unless I have some evidence… A whistle blower… I can’t issue orders…” Ron was coming back on track.  

“Officer… If this is busted…. We will be nowhere in the picture… All you will be all over the  media…” Vinit painted a picture of thousand words.  Ron gaped,  thoughtfully on the tricky situation he was put in. 

“What do you want from me…?” he finally asked dropping his shoulders.  Earl leaned forward.  Vinit stood and went out …!

****  *****

“Dr. Koite, we have nothing against them…!” Dr. Murrey said gravely.  Dr. Koite sighed.  “You will have, soon!” he said equally seriously.  Dr. Murrey shook his head taking out a file from his table.  “We got nothing… Look at this audit report… Their records are clean…Every cent is accounted for, every patient is documented…” Dr. Murrey said pointing at the reports. 

“There are things, not accounted for… “ Dr. Koite said weakly.  He knew he had no proof to strengthen his statement.  Dr. Murry shook his head a bit.  “I can’t help..” he said.  Dr, Koite rose from his seat dejected…!

“Did you talk to any of the patients?” asked Dr. Koite and Dr. Murrey gaped.

“There was no need, Dr. Koite…! I checked the records at random..” said Dr. Murrey convincingly.  Bur Dr. Koite shook his head.  “Alright… Thank you!” he said turning to move….

“One whistle blower is enough, to initiate the inquiry, Dr. Koite..!” Dr. Murrey felt bad to disappoint Koite.  He said to console Dr. Koite.  Dr. Koite turned.  

“What if I get one?” he asked and Dr. Murrey nodded.  “I will initiate the enquiry…!” he promised. 

“Thank You!” Dr. Koite shook hands and went out of the office.  

……  …

“Bhanu… I am going… To hell with this job…!” Disha was frustrated.  Bhanu looked at her.  “Disha… calm down… Detective Greenburg is on it.  Ravi is there… Vinit has reached…!” Bhanu tried to calm her down.  She broke into tears…

“My younger sister… Don’t know in which condition she is… and what am I doing here? Some crap simulation… trying to save my job… Hell… Bhanu… why am I doing it?” she threw the fat big book on the floor.  Bhanu looked at her hopelessly.  He too was doing the same.  Trying hard to save his job.  Auto Industry in Detroit was on downturn with mass layoffs and closures…! One bad move and puff! The job is gone…! He couldn’t afford a single day’s leave; so was Disha.  The job market was so volatile that they both would lose their jobs anytime! 

“Yeh Dhaa bhi naa… Every time she lands me in trouble.. Can’t she be careful… How am I going to find her..?” Mutterred Disha as if Dhatri was again a five year old girl and Disha had responsibility to take care of her.  Bhanu shook his head.

“Disha… Let us go this weekend and meet Ravi…” He said seriously.  She knew, that was not possible… He also had taken up a weekend job…! She hid her face in her palms bursting out in tears. Bhanu kept patting her.  He had nothing to console her.  

“I want to go back, Bhanu… I want to go back to my Mamma…!” Disha looked up.  Bhanu nodded.  “This… job.. this status… this lifestyle… I want nothing… This is all humbug… Bhanu… huf.. huf… I just want to go to my mamma… Please… Please… take me to my family..!” she wailed loudly losing all hope…! “Disha…!” She disappeared in Bhanu’s embrace.  He kissed her head.

“We will… we will find her out…” he said with determination… She looked up at his moist eyes…! “Dhaa…” she broke down again.  Bhanu didn’t know how to console her.  His phone rang… He held Disha with one hand and took out his phone.

“Rini?” he was surprised.  Disha looked up and tried to run away.  She couldn’t face her sister.  It was her responsibility to take care of Dhatri… and what she had done was leave her on her own…. And Dhatri was is danger now…! She wouldn’t face Rini… She knew, Rini would kill her…!” 

“Bhanu… no!” she pleaded joining her hands.  Bhanu nodded and continued talking over the phone.  “Yes.. she is here… yeah! Talk to her…!” he said thrusting his phone in Disha’s hand.  Disha was miserable. 

“Hello…” she said quivering…! 

“Didi… came a soothing voice of Rini and Disha couldn’t stop her sobs…! “Didi.. please don’t cry…. Dhaa will be fine… you know she is a fighter… she will survive… Didi… Please… “ Dharini too chocked…!

“Rini… I am sorry… she was my responsibility… I am sorry…!” Disha wailed loudly and Rini Didn’t know how to console her.

“Didi… stop blaming yourself… And I am coming there… I got my VISA stamped today… I will come… Didi… We will together find her out… I am sure she is alright…” Rini said and Disha looked at Bhanu.  He nodded smiling faintly.  Disha sighed… “Rini… Come soon… Come right now…!” she said like a small girl and Rini responded.

“I will come as early as possible…!” she assured.  “I will book your ticket…!” Disha said willingly.

“No! Didi… Vinit is booking my ticket…!” Rini stopped Disha from pulling her laptop and booking her ticket.  Bhanu took the phone from Disha and talked to Rini for a long time…! When he came back Disha was all set to leave for her work.  Bhanu smiled.

“Thank God! Rini is coming…!” Disha said praying.  Bhanu patted on her back and went to make coffee…! Disha waited for her cup of hot coffee…! Her guilt had subsided a bit after talking to her sister, Rini….!

……   ……

“Sir… Preventive maintenance guys at the office…!” The Lady at the counter picked up the intercom and called up her boss.  

“Please wait…!” She requested the two of them.  They both went back to the lounge waiting with bated breath, biting their nails…! 

“No. 7, second floor!” she gestured them to the elevator…! They both tidied themselves up and left with their bags….! 

“You do the talking..!” Jim whispered and Ravi nodded.  The maintenance and free servicing routing of surveillance camera’s was scheduled.  

The IT Manager was waiting for them…!

92

Time was running out.  He had to act fast.  Time was running out for Vinit.  He saw the time and called up Rini.  Rini was in Vidisha, taken eight days leave.  Brg. Randhawa had helped her by sanctioning.  

She had to break the news.  Salil and Nilima were already worried about Dhatri.  She had not called up since she reached US and Disha also kept saying she is busy and Dhatri is fine... Indroneel never responded to the emails or the calls.  The didn’t know how to contact Dhatri. 

Nilima broke down...! Salil prepared himself to travel to US for his Dhaa.  Rini persuaded them ... “Mamma, Papa... Vinit is already there.  He will take care.  I am sure she is alright...” Salil hugged Rini for support.  “Papa please... I am sure she will be back soon” She said on the verge of breaking down.  Even Vinit had not called her up...But she was sure, Vinit will do something...!

“But Dhaa...? She can’t fight... she can’t handle...Rini... What if she is caught in wrong hands?” Nilima was miserable.  Rini tried to pacify, finally called up their family doctor for help.  Both Salil and Nilima looked ten years older in a day..! Rini had nothing at present to console them. 

“Why did I force her to go? She was not ready...!” Salil repented.  “Papa..please... there is no point lamenting on this....Don’t lose hope, Papa... she will come back...!” Rini herself was not sure...!

“Yes.. She will come back... She has protection... Her kirtimukh... !” Nilima said with hope.  Rini looked at her ... “Can a wooden carved locket be the protection?” She shook her head.  The answer was a NO.  

“When God has given her the powers... he has given her the protection also...” Nilima consoled herself.  “And given her the curse.... her suffering... every time she uses her powers...!” Rini thought gravely looking away anguished.  

“The Monk will save her.... he will save her....!” Salil said trying to stop his tears.  

“Monk?” Rini asked surprised.  Nilima looked at her husband.  He sat on the chair and said....!

“Yes... Kushak... Lama... We had been to Leh Ladakh... “ Salil went into trance...! Rini looked on...!

“You were just four... Our group from IIT-D ... For the annual festival of Gompa... Hemis Monastery somewhere in June July... I don’t remember exactly...!” He said.

“23 june...!” Nilima added.  Salil had closed his eyes...! 

“There was a very long queue to take blessings from Kushak ... the head Lama...I had no interest... but Nima insisted...!” he said dreamily.  “But then looking at the long queue she gave up!”.. Nilima looked up with wide eyes.

“We turned and saw him walking in the shrine....I can’t tell you... Can’t describe that divine feeling.... “ Nilima had closed her eyes again.  

“The ceremony at the central square had begun... We were dragged towards it... And he stopped.... Gave a cloth he was holding, to the other person.... And blessed me... !” Nilima got goose bumps .... reminiscing the feeling of being blessed....! “He will save the child...” he said gesturing at the idol of Padmasambhava....! I went inside to worship... Others watched the ceremony...!  When I came out... I was a different Nilima...!” She said still in the trance.

“I thought it was you, Rini... Or Disha...But then I conceived, was pregnant.... and Dhatri was born...” Nilima said hypnotically.  Rini’s body burst into bloom of goose bumps...!

 “Dhaa...” her heart cried out...!

“Salil didn’t believe, he was more interested in the ancient manuscripts and the Monastery’s connection with Nalanda University....! We kept it to ourselves...!” Nilima said looking at Salil and he nodded gravely.

“We got the opportunity to see the Lama and got his blessings... Thats it...!” He said matter of factly, reflecting Rini’s thoughts.  

“So Mamma... Dhaa had the blessings... you don’t worry...She will be alright..” Rini grabbed the opportunity to pacify her parents....! The blessings came to her rescue, she thought!  Nilima nodded but Salil was still lost in his thoughts, worrying about Dhatri....!

*********  ******

“Humm....” D’amama sighed loudly to ease out her tension.  The boy was taken inside the procedure room and she was helplessly waiting outside.  “God.. Help us..!” she prayed...anxiously.  The unconscious boy was shifted to the recovery room.  She was not allowed inside.  The nurse walked out.  “We found this in his clutched fist...” she gave her a pendent....!

“Whowaa....” She didn’t know what was that.  She felt it with her fingers... surveying it carefully... “Looks like miniature Tongo Mask..” She thought.  “When did he find it?” she was puzzled.  She kept gazing at it.... Suddenly the realization flashed.... “The girl... He must have taken it from her.... and wanted to give it back to her...” she remembered the boy’s pleads to see the girl again....!

“Humm..... “ She must return it to the girl....! She thought gravely, clutching it in her fist.  Dhaa’s Kirtimukh... her protection was removed ...!

*********  ********

“Rini...!” Vinit’s deep voice echoed in her ear.  She held her breath...! “Rini, I need you...!” He said at once and she closed her eyes.  “That means... Dhatri...” her thoughts trailed... as she listened further...!

“Rini... I will arrange for your official visit...” he said hurriedly and she winced coming back to her senses...!

“Vinit... No... Please.. listen to me.... We can’t use Defense Machinery for our personal cause.. Its an abuse of your power....” she said gravely.  There was a silence for a while...!

“Can I... Can I request Brigadier Randhawa for your leave?” he asked.  She didn’t respond.  She was already on leave favored by Brigadier Randhawa...! 

“You come here on a tourist VISA... Is that ok?” he asked impatiently.  She still was not sure if this was righteous, justifiable....!

“Rini, listen... I will return his favor sometime later... You extend your leave... hook on to some travel agency... Come here Rini... Its important... For our Dhaa..” He literally begged.  He knew... He knew, she wouldn't approve of this... but he had no option.  

“Rini, please?” he asked earnestly...! “Ok!” she finally said with a sigh.  

“God...! Love you, !” he said and she retorted making up her mind.  “Vinit... I am not coming back without my Dhaa...!” she warned threateningly.  He nodded ... “Yeah... We will return with our Dhaa...” he said disconnecting the phone.

..........

“She is coming....!” He declared and Ravi looked relieved.  Detective Earl Greenburg looked up.  “Lt. Dha-rini is coming... “ Vinit said with a little smile, for the first time on his face.  

“Back to the plan...” he rubbed his palms.  Detective Earl Greenburg knew where this was heading.... They were about to bust a huge scam.... involving Government agencies like CIA, Big giants like Physer... Gelmm... Mercck... The top pharmaceutical companies... The health organizations.... and raise a question on credibility of Charitable Hospitals...! The secrets of Project MKUltra were about to be busted....!

*********   ********   *********

“Take her back...” He ordered clutching his writing pad and moving out of the Lab.  Dhatri still was running high fever... He had surreptitiously administered smaller doses of Drugs... Her electrode cap was removed.  The nurse washed her hair.... The water did the trick.  Her fever subsided... the drug’s effect had not worn off.  She was brought out strapped to her stretcher.   

“Hey.. hey... “ D’amama was shocked to see her body carried on a stretcher.  She ran behind.  “Sorry... You can’t enter...” the paramedic stopped her.  She looked on helplessly clutching the kirtimukh.  Dhatri was moved into the isolated room for her next level of clinical trial.... sensory deprivation...!

“Keep her awake for next 48 hours...!” He ordered over the intercom. 

The boy was floundering in the recovery room....!

“I can’t wait... Soon the trials will be curtailed... monitored... I need to hurry up...!” The man thought gravely erasing the sensitive data....! He had a very little time...! Dr. Murrey Trepka had already issued the warning...!