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“Dhatri...!” Jim came to Vinit and Dhatri.  He had sneaked out to the pool side with the raised voices of the family members, not wanting to embarrass them more.  Vinit looked at his grim face and helped Dhatri on the easy chair.   

“Dhaa... Don’t worry about anything else now...!” He stroked on her head.  Dhatri closed her eyes whimpering, trying to control her tears...! Jim took her hand in his, sitting beside her silently, with all his energy drained out. 

“Don’t touch me... I am filth..!” Dhatri withdrew her hand.  He didn’t give up.  Holding her tightly, he said...”You are not filth, Dhatri... everything is curable, manageable..!” she looked up at him.  He nodded looking at her.

“Yes, Dhatri... everything is curable... You will be same Dhatri again...!” he patted and leaning towards her kissed her forehead.  Vinit gaped at his gesture. 

“Its like cleaning up the mess..!” Jim said, his voice cracking, anguished.  She looked into the distance, unfocused.  Vinit stood there leaving it to Jim. 

“What if its not curable?” she asked aghast.  Jim looked at her intently... “Then we will manage with medicines...” she looked at him confused... He smiled faintly. 

“It’s like managing diabetes or Blood pressure.. Dhatri..” Vinit sat on the floor keeping his hands on her laps.  She remembered her father, her papa had blood pressure and he took a tablet every day...! 

“Humm... ” she let out her breath..! Vinit and Jim exchanged glances.  They had a chance...!   They waited patiently for her to cool down...!  But inside, the atmosphere was burning...

................  ........

“Disha, please stop...” Bhanu urged looking at Rini to help him.  She was rendered speechless at Disha’s attitude.  Disha saw Dhatri was taken away and lowered her voice. 

“Why didn’t you take her to the hospital immediately?” she asked accusing.  Rini gaped.  She had no justification.  But the Doctor said...

“Oh! That would have been disastrous... she would have gone into shock, considering the tremendous stress she had undergone. !” Disha gaped at the Doctor.  Sayajirao came forward...

“Thank you Doctor, I will get her to your hospital..” he said and the Doctor turned to him. 

“Mr. Deo, we can start with her physical examination... !” she said  “Yes” Sayajirao nodded.  She understood his worries.  “Don’t worry... I will handle it.  You just get her to the hospital...” she said smiling confidently and Rini took a sigh of relief. 

“What are we waiting for?” Disha got up with jerk.  “Can you not see the danger?” she asked flaring up. 

“bhai...” Ravi had cooled down a bit.  Bhanu got up and placed his hand on Ravi’s shoulder. 

“Ravi, I am not talking only about her, I am talking about all of us..! We all are at risk...” Disha started off her justification. 

“Just stop it..!” Ravi yelled clenching his fists...! Bhanu tried to pull him back. 

“I don’t understand, why are you being so soft... Just take her to the hospital for her check up!” Disha said looking at Rini.  “You are putting yourself in grave danger...” Disha’s voice trailed as she heard the bang.  She saw Dhatri’s figure at the door.  Ravi threw the glass on the floor shattering it with noise.

“Fine.. I will take that Risk...!” he said and turning to his father said ... “Dad.. I want to marry her...! Then she is my responsibility... “ Disha gaped with dropped jaw.  Rini pressed her hand on her chest.  Indroneel sat on the chair with a thud... Bhanu turned into a statue and Sayajirao came forward ....! But before he could say anything... Disha retorted..!

“Are you out of your mind, Ravi?” Ravi turned to her aggressively. 

“No, I am not! You all are...! In fact, you, Disha... You are out of your mind..!” he said pointing his finger at her.  Disha was taken aback.  She looked at everyone...! No response!

“I think, first, we should take her to the hospital... Marrying her doesn’t come into picture...” she said looking at Ravi. 

“Yes.. it does!” Ravi clenched his fists... “She is my responsibility from now on...! I don't care if she is infected... abused or even rap...” he said with determination. 

“Ravi...” Rini spoke in a ghostly voice... “You stay out of this..” Ravi turned to her.  Disha changed her track for the fear of losing the battle.

“Do you think, Dhaa will agree?” she asked disdainfully.

“Yes!” came a firm voice and everyone turned.  Dhaa was standing clutching the frame of the door.

“Dhaa...!” Rini tried to move towards Dhaa.  Dhatri raised her hand a bit.  Rini saw Vinit and Jim behind Dhatri.  Dhatri took a step forward...! 

“Will you, even if I am infected...a filth?” she asked looking straight into Ravi’s eyes.

“Yes..!” he said firmly.

“Even if I refuse to see a Doctor?” she quivered a bit and Disha opened her mouth to retort but Ravi raised his hand to stop everyone from reacting and coming forward said..

“Yes, Dhatri.. even if you refuse to see the doctor, I will marry you...” he held Dhatri’s hand gently.  Dhatri drew a deep breath and turned to others....!

“I am ready to go to the hospital...!” she said to everybody’s relief.  And then turning to Ravi, said..

“Marrying me is a bigger risk than these infections...” Sayajirao dashed forward wiping his tears and hugging her, said

“I will be the happiest person in the world, if that happens...! If Ravi takes that Risk...!” Dhatri gaped speechless....!