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Dhatri shuddered and looked at pooja ghar.   Before Indroneel could call her, she should leave.

“Let us go...!” she looked at Vinit expecting him to accompany her.  Indroneel was at the door chanting some mantras... She turned her back and moved towards the main door...  

Indroneel’s tempo and voice of chanting mahishasur madrini stotram, raised .... Everyone looked at him.  Dhatri, avoiding everybody continued her walk.

अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्ब वनप्रियवासिनि हासरते
शिखरि शिरोमणि तुङ्गहिमलय शृङ्गनिजालय मध्यगते ।
मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ....

Ayi Jagad[t]-Amba Mad-Amba Kadamba Vana-Priyavaasini Haasa-Rate
Shikhari Shiro-Manni Tungga-Himalaya Shrngga-Nija-[Aa]laya Madhya-Gate |
Madhu-Madhure Madhu-Kaittabha-Gan.jini Kaittabha-Bhan.jini Raasa-Rate
Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute || 3 ||

“Dhatri..” Sayajirao called her.  She reluctantly looked back.  Indroneel beckoned her inside.  She frowned.  Ravi looked on.  Indroneel looked at him sternly and beckoned him inside.  Ravi looked at Dhatri who was dragging her feet not wanting to go inside.  He held her hand and pulled her along.  Indroneel had a broad smile, still chanting the mantras...! 

“Humm....” He said thrusting the Aarti and she held it making faces.  He pulled Ravi’s hand. Ravi was all happy to hold the Aarti with Dhatri.  Indroneel had continued with the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram...! 

अयि शतखण्ड विखण्डितरुण्ड वितुण्डितशुण्द गजाधिपते
रिपुगजगण्ड विदारणचण्ड पराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते । .........

Dhatri was waiting impatiently for the pooja to get over not paying attention to the rituals.  She kept looking around and glancing at Ravi angrily and he was all smiling closing his eyes devotionally...!

 

“Finished? Good...!” she said keeping the Aariti in front of the idol.

“Wait... “ Indroneel stopped her angrily and gave Prasad...! She ate it and turned...

“Naak Ragado...” he ordered and she retorted  “How many times?” he grinned, she frowned...! Ravi pulled her to touch Indroneel’s feet too.  Indroneel placed his hands on their heads murmuring some blessings.  

 “Dhaa.... I am so happy... You and Ravi... Oh! Maa... what a couple....” he wiped his eyes and Dhatri took a step back.

“No...!” she said shocked and “Yes..” he said grinning at her...! 

“Now go to the Doctor... God bless you!” Indroneel said emotionally and Dhatri ran out.  Indroneel held Ravi’s hand... “Keep her happy...!” he said hoarsely and Ravi promised.. “I will!” 

“Chalo...” Ravi came out and looking at Dhatri’s morose but flushed face, he almost ordered.  Vinit pushed Dhatri a bit.  “Go Dhaa...” he said and Dhatri turned.  

“You are not coming?” she asked and he shook his head.  “You two go!” Sayajirao said grinning as if sending them on a date...! 

“No...!” she stomped. 

“Dhaa.. I am coming with you..!” Rini said casting a angry look at Vinit.  “Yeah.. Let us go!” Disha came forward too.  “What?” both Dhatri and Ravi turned! 

“Yes, I am coming with you, Dhaa...” Disha said firmly and Rini smiled.  

**********  ********  ********

“What is she doing in there for so long?” Disha asked Rini.  Rini too was losing her patience.  Ravi paced the length restlessly.  Rini kept glancing at worried Ravi. 

“Ravi...” she beckoned him... “I am going in..” he said impatiently and a faint smile appeared on Rini’s face.  “Sit here!” she said and he sat clutching his head.  

“Hope, she is alright..” he looked at Rini and she nodded.  “She is alright, Ravi... she is a fighter... “ she said remembering her Dhaa when she was recovered from the highway...after her kidnapping...! There was nothing they could do than waiting for Dhatri.  Rini was with her for her pathological tests but Rini was kept away for Dhatri’s physical examination.  Disha was biting her nails nervously and Rini clenched her fists faking calmness.  Ravi lost his patience.   

He barged in and froze ....!

Rini ran after him to stop him.... she gaped at the scene ahead....!

“Dhaa...” Disha exclaimed as if seeing a ghost ahead. 

********  *********

Mr. Deo, you have some rituals for engagement, right?” Mrs. Russel asked and Indroneel looked up.  “Yes..!” he answered for Sayajirao looking excited.  Vinit looked up and Jim couldn’t stop himself.

“Engagement...?” he asked puzzled. 

“Yes, engagement! Ravi and Dhatri’s engagement...!” Indroneel and Sayajirao said at once.  Jim gaped.  His phone buzzed.

“Dr, Koite and Dr. Nixon will arrive in an hour..!” he declared disconnecting the phone.  “I go, receive them...” he said moving out of the house.  Indroneel and Sayajirao sat there dreaming.... for the engagement.  Mrs. Russel gaped at their bright faces and went inside shaking her head....! After a very long long time... something auspicious was to happen in the house... !! 

She hurriedly ran out to pull open the door when the doorbell rang...! 

**************  *********

NOTE:

अयि जगदंब मदंब कदंब वनप्रिय वासिनि हासरते
शिखरि शिरोमणि तुङ्ग हिमालय शृंग निजालय मध्यगते ।
मधु मधुरे मधु कैटभ गंजिनि कैटभ भंजिनि रासरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥३॥

O Mother of the universe, who enjoy dwelling in Kadambavana, who is anointed with perfume, who sport a gentle smile, who dwell in Your abode on the peak of the lofty Himalaya mountain, the crest-jewel among mountains, who enjoy the sweetness of honey, who slew Madhu and Kaitabha, who destroy all sins, who delight in the Raasa dance, who crushed Mahishasura, who have charming locks of hair, O Daughter of the Mountain, hail unto You, hail unto You.