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“Disha Didi…!” she screamed startling everyone.  Disha, laden with shopping bags walked into India Exotic, with Bhanu.  Ravi too got up.  Dhatri ran forward and Disha embraced her dropping her bags on the floor.  Bhanu gave a light hug to Ravi.  Dhatri dragged Disha…

“My elder sister… She is scientist in NASA..!” She introduced proudly.  Disha shook hands. 

“Oh! This was the plan…! I was wondering… why we didn’t fly from New York to Boise..!” Soumya said holding Disha’s hand.  Bhanu grinned. 

“Yeah.. Disha couldn’t wait to meet her little sister..!” he said wrapping his arm around Dhatri’s shoulder.  Dhatri grinned happily. 

“Dhaa…!” Disha gave a couple of bags to Dhatri, taking her aside.  “What is this?” Dhatri asked bewildered. 

“Dresses for you…” she said repelling Dhatri.

“No! Dhaa.. listen..!” Disha pleaded earnestly.  Dhatri looked away angrily.

“Dhaa… Rini had called up yesterday…!” Disha was successful in getting Dhatri’s attention. 

“She told me to give this to you…!” she pointed at the bags…! Dhatri looked at her puzzled.

“Dhaa…Specially for the conference….! I bought them from the best shop in Detroit..!” Disha didn’t know how to convince Dhatri.  Dhatri’s eyes spat hatred.

“How much did it cost you, Didi?” she asked angrily, raising her voice.

“Shuu… Dhaa… Stop it!” Disha squeezed her hand.  Dhatri looked around calming down a little bit. 

“Look… Rini …!” Disha started off weakly.. Dhatri raised her hand. 

“Didi.. Please… I got them plenty… Please return these if possible.. I don’t want them..!” Dhatri was determined.  Disha looked dejected.  “Why can’t she understand? It’s a big event..! She should look decent..!” Disha threw a disgust at Dhaa’s jeans, T-Shirt and jacket.  Dhaa understood Disha’s thoughts.

“Don’t worry Didi, I have a blazer…!” She took a deep breath… “And… you need not attend the function… No one will know that this shabby girl is your sister…!” Dhatri spat and Disha winced.

“Hey Dhatri, what would you like to have?” Indroneel raised his voice

“Anything…!” Dhatri yelled back and Disha threw her hands in the air hopelessly.  Dhatri had already started walking towards the table.  Disha stopped her holding her hand.

“Dhaa… Please… I never meant that…! I just wanted you to look best…! It’s ok. If you don’t want these..!” She picked up the bags and turned.  Dhatri followed her.  Disha didn’t speak at all after that.  She became only a passive listener in the discussion.  Dhatri kept glancing at her, feeling bad. 

That “Anything..” was a foot-long Sandwich and Pasta-salad…! And Tandoor special…! Dhatri chose Tandoor special.  She couldn’t eat it with knife and fork…! Her Rini didi had taught her to eat with spoon, knife and fork… but had not taught her how to eat Tandoor and Tangadi..Chicken with that…! She looked around and pushed the plate aside taking a spoonful of Salad in her plate.

“What?” Bhanu asked her.  She shook her head looking down.  “Only salad..” she said swallowing the mouth watering aroma of Tandoor.  Ravi had already picked it up from the plate and was devouring it like a hungry man, not bothering to use the cutlery.  Dhatri frowned muttering furiously.  Ravi glared at her.  She had to eat that bland salad and tasteless sandwich.  The only spicy thing in it was mustard sauce which was equally bland by Indian standards!

“Didi…!” Dhatri gripped Disha’s hand while walking.  Disha stopped and turned.  Dhatri took the bags from her hand.  “I will wear…!” she said and Disha couldn’t stop her tears. 

“Only if they are comfortable…!” she added the condition. Disha nodded furiously. 

“Yes Dahh..!” She hugged her little sister.  “And All the best..! I will be there for the award function…!” she said parting with her.  Dhatri carried the bags with her. 

***********  **********

Dhatri was in a fix.  The Dresses Disha had bought for her were not of her standards! She threw them on the bed, frustrated.  She had a strong urge of wearing her normal jeans and jacket… but that would hurt her Disha didi.  She had to choose between the three dresses Disha had bought for her. 

One was a long evening gown, which was out of question.  Dhatri would never be comfortable with that.  She was sure she would fall down in that dress.  The second one was a short, dull pink skirt with matching shrug and white shirt.  The shortness of the skirt was so appalling, Dhatri threw it away immediately.  The third one was a light blue trouser and white shirt with light blue jacket.  Dhatri thought for a while and picked up the third one.  That was somewhat nearer to her taste.  There was no question of looking at the accompanying apparels as Dhatri never wore anything other than her clothes and a pair of small studs in her ears.  She wouldn’t take out her Kirtimuth from her neck.  That was her Rakshak Pendent. 

“This is better..!” She looked at herself in the mirror.  Dr. Maria knocked on the door before entering.  She looked at Dhatri approving her outfit.  Dhatri smiled shyly.  A vehicle was waiting for them …!

Dhatri hid herself from everyone hiding behind someone or the other.  She held on to Maria for some time and when she saw herself surrounded by other people busy talking to Maria she had to find someone else who would be with her throughout.  She found none.  No one she knew was nearer.  She was panic desperately wanting someone to be with her.  She looked for Indroneel but found him talking to a group of people and the boys were nowhere to be seen.  Soumya was with her husband and Dhatri had none…!

She saw a tall, lean man walking towards her with Dr. Indroneel and tried to vanish from the scene.  “Dhatri..!” Indroneel called her out and she had to stop. 

“Dhatri Dixit…!” He introduced her to the tall man.  She avoided looking at them and just nodded. 

“Hello Beti..!” Came a pleasant voice and she looked up in surprise.  She joined her hands.  “He…Hello!” she said shyly. 

“Kaisi ho?” he asked in pure Hindi and smile appeared on her face.  “Acchi hoon!” she said little relaxed.  The tall man took over…! Indroneel left them alone.  He gestured at the nearby seat and they settled.  Someone from her own state, in that alien country was a great respite.  She had found the company.  She was happy.  His flawless Hindi reminded her of her Papa.  She missed her home…!

She didn’t know, who that person was, but felt warmth in his speech.  She felt better.  The award function was about to start… There was no trace of her team.  She was alone with the tall man in that crowd of strangers.  The lights dimmed and the stage illuminated.  There was a pin drop silence and the convener took over the proceedings.  Dhatri sat with bated breath.