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“Dhaa.....” Rini blurted aghast.  Dhatri had dropped down on her knees and was holding Swarnima’s bleeding wrist.  Her eyes rolled up, she went into a kind of trance.  She was seeing herself floating in the air with cool breeze engulfing... She was weightless... flying away... .Soon the tremors hit her..! She was seeing things which were not there... She was in a different world...!

Both Rini and Suresh turned motionless with shock.  They both had experienced her healing powers but had never seen her healing someone else.  Swarnima had closed her eyes.... The blood was gushing out....

She suddenly felt the warmth entering her body... calming her down considerably.  The physical pain was subsiding making it bearable and the mental anguish had vanished.  She felt her heart filled with divine calmness, giving her confidence....A strange feeling of peace engulfed her! She moaned and Rini came out of shock.  “Suresh....!” she held his hand.  He was looking at the scene ahead mesmerized...! The bleeding had stopped... Dhatri’s swollen, blood soaked fingers were moving magically over Swarnima’s wrist...! They could hear a low groan of pain... Suresh leaned forward to be pulled back by Rini...! 'They can’t stop Dhatri now...!' She was in trance, her muscles flexing...receiving uncontrollable convulsions....

“Seizure...!” They both looked at each other panicking...! She was getting seizure.. her body was twitching... her mouth foaming...her hands shaking uncontrollably....

“No...!” Rini screamed leaping forward to pull Dhatri apart.... “Trismus....!” She looked at Suresh who had held on to her.  “We should stop this...!” she blurted.  For the first time she saw the severity of the problem... Dhatri had got ‘grand-mal’ with a lockjaw...! She dropped down on the ground in a heap and Rini ran forward...!

“Water...!” she yelled lifting Dhatri up in her arms...! Suresh ran towards the building cursing, kicking himself for not keeping the water ready.  Dhatri was burning with temperature..... She needed help...!

Suresh suddenly stopped and came back running...!

“Get the water... goddamn it!” Rini yelled.  Swarnima opened her eyes and looked at her wrist.  The bleeding had completely stopped... the veins seemed to have sealed themselves stopping the blood stream.  The white slit... with flesh was visible on her wrist, with no pain....!

“Miracle...” she blurted and her eyes travelled to Dhatri on the ground...

“Oh My God...!” She got up with a jerk to be stopped by Rini.  Rini pushed her back on the bench...!

“Suresh...!” she yelled.  He looked at her standing over Dhatri’s burning body...!

“Didi... Admit her ... take her to the hospital...!” he said panting and sucking his breath with apprehension. 

“What?” For a fleeing second Rini raised her hand to hit Suresh... but then her eyes flashed... “Yes... I have to admit her to the hospital....To get an entry inside....!” She heaved Dhatri’s body and Suresh ran forward to help her.

“Seizure...! She is sick...” he yelled carrying Dhatri.  Rini looked behind.  “Stay there...!” she ordered Swarnima who was trying to follow them...! Swarnima sat back on the bench.  Dharini and Suresh carried Dhatri yelling their lungs out for help....seeing the sentries running out for help!    Dharini would complete the formalities and paper work, being the elder sister of Dhatri.

***********  **********

“Mr Deo..!” Mrs. Russel had made a drink for Sayajirao.  He took the glass and slumped back on the chair closing his eyes....! His son was on his way to India...That India, his home, he left behind twenty six years ago, never to return. 

His son, now around twenty six was just a few months old when he landed in New York, US of A.  It was a herculean task to rear an infant taking care of his physical and emotional needs.  Then he found an angel called Mrs. Russel through a housekeeping agency.  A black Afro American lady, Mrs. Russel, traveled from downtown everyday.  Gradually she became a part of the family as Ravi wouldn’t leave her alone even for her weekly off and due annual vacations.   Ravi was growing up and Sayajirao decided to shift to Bay area for better prospects.  Ravi, aged five agreed only on the condition that Mrs. Russel shifted with them.  She agreed.  Then there was no looking back.  Sayajirao’s business saw no boundaries.  He had started with an employment in a concept car design company and slowly shifted to consultancy in automation, targeting small and medium businesses, bringing in turnarounds, taking up turnkey projects and consulting on changing processes for better productivity. 

Sayajirao shifted a bit and opened his eyes to see the aging Mrs. Russel picking up his empty glass.  She looked at him questioningly and he gave her a nod to fix another drink for him.  He looked around opening his eyes.  His gigantic villa came into view as he rubbed his palms on his eyes.  He picked up the glass...! His lips curled up in an inwardly smile...! Every time they changed the house, Ravi insisted on having more space, more rooms....! Why? Ravi couldn’t tell...! He only asked... “what if there are more people in the house? What if there are more guests?” Sayajirao could guess his crave for a family.  Unfortunately, he had none.  He had left everyone behind. 

“The house looked so lively, when all of them were here...!” he looked up at Mrs. Russel.  She merely smiled.  Indeed the house... the huge villa had come alive when Dhatri and her family was here.  She missed them all too! Suddenly, Sayajirao got up, went into the Pooja Ghar and lighted the lamp.  Mrs. Russel looked surprised. 

“Let his dreams come true....!” he prayed.  “Amen...!” she prayed too....! 

*****   ******   *****

Rini’s phone buzzed... “Ravi...!” she hurriedly went aside.   He had landed on Indira Ganghi International Airport...!  Rini felt overwhelmed....! “Ravi... “ she couldn’t control her emotion...

“Hey... Rini... !” He too didn’t know how to console her.  “Give me the directions.... !” he said distracting her.  She gave him the directions mentioning the landmarks...! He disconnected.  She looked up wiping her face and saw her mama papa entering the compound with Abbaji, wng. Cndr. Virender Pandit.  A lot had happened in between.  Rini had to cover up.... Cover up cleverly...!

“Dharini...!” Ammaji, swarnima had placed her hand on Rini’s shoulder standing with her for support.  Suresh came out wiping his sweat.

“Didi... Finally...!” he stopped looking at the trio at the entrance.  Rini looked at him threateningly.

“Go!” she said and Suresh left hurriedly.  “Where are you going?” Salil asked surprised. 

“Umm... Papa.. Ravi has come... Suresh usse laanay gaya hain...!” She said glancing at Swarnima who had hidden her wrist behind....!

“And where is Dhatri...?” asked Nilima pressing her hand on her chest, worriedly.... Rini and Swarnima gaped at each other.