128

“Just stop it...!” Disha yelled, frustrated...! Nilima startled at her rudeness.  “Disha...!” Salil got up with a jerk.

“Stop all this non sense, Papa... This is not possible...We need to talk...” She said emotionally.  Her sister’s safety and wellbeing was at stake.  

“What is it, Disha?” asked Salil worriedly.  Disha glanced at Indroneel.  

“Papa... I need to talk to you in private...” she said and Indroneel got up.  “Ok. Sholil... I will see you later....” he went out of the door and Disha went inside the room.  Salil, thoroughly puzzled, followed her.  

“Papa... Please.. we got to stop this..” She started off without any preamble, closing the door of the room.

“What is it, Disha?” Salil asked. 

“Papa... we can’t go ahead with this marriage....” she said taking a deep breath.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because, its not good for Dhaa...” she said and before he could open his mouth, raised her hand...

“Let me finish Papa.... Royal family and all is one thing and Dhaa’s happiness is another... She won’t be happy there, Papa... The family... I mean Ravi’s Dad... I don’t know how to tell you this, Papa....!” she again looked away, taking her time to choose the right words...! Salil waited....

“Papa... I met Ravi’s mother, the other day...” she looked at Salil’s aghast face.  

“She is Bhanu’s aunt...She had come home, Papa... stayed with me for a day...” Disha clarified.  Salil looked lost.  Bhanu had not told anything about this...

“But Bhanu....” He was cut off... “Bhanu was in Detroit at that time... I was alone at home..” Disha said and Salil took a deep breath.  “Humm...” he sighed.  “Papa... his father... he is no good, papa... he..he is a pervert... a sex maniac...” she chocked even while talking... Salil was shocked...!

“Disha... What kind of accusation is this?” he asked aghast....

“I know, Papa... Sanyogita aunty told me that day... she had to leave him.... She was tortured... She... she was...” but before she could finish, Salil raised his hand.... 

“Stop it Disha... I understood...” he said sitting on a chair with a thud.  Disha gaped.  “Papa.. thats why I was ... I mean... I want Dhaa to be happy...” Disha held Salil’s hand tightly.  

“Papa, you know... Dhaa thinks she can think... but the fact is she goes only by her impulse... her mood...!” Disha said and Salil sighed.  “I know, Disha... I will not do anything in a haste... I will talk to Bhanu and his mother...” he said and Disha shook her head.  “They won’t talk anything against Ravi and his father...” she said hopelessly.  Salil was puzzled.  

“Did you confirm this with Bhanu?” he asked and Disha shook her head.  “He won’t talk about it, Papa... I know...” she said.  “So you have her version of the story... Disha, we need to know the other side of the story... before we go ahead...” Salil had his head on his shoulder.  Disha looked at him in disbelief.... “Papa... you think, they will accept what they did to her?” she asked little irked.... Salil shook his head... “Disha... she told you her story... We will have to find out his story too....” he said firmly moving to go out.  

“why can’t you understand, Papa... These people won’t tell you anything.... They all shield Ravi and his father like anything...” she felt hopeless.  

“Why?” Salil turned and asked sternly.  Disha had no answer... Salil turned again...

“Disha... finished your packing?” Nilima was at the door and Disha grabbed the opportunity.  “Mamma.. need to talk to you...” She pulled her inside.  

“Disha... You got to finish your packing... And I have a lot of work in the kitchen... Rini’s inlaws are here...” Nilima moved out of the room.  Disha sat there for a while and got up with determination.  

As she came out, she saw her father talking over the phone...

“Yes, Mr. Rehman... I will be waiting for you tomorrow morning...” he said keeping the receiver on the cradle.  He turned and saw Disha waiting.... 

“Disha, beta, don’t worry.  I will not go ahead unless I do a thorough background check...” he assured her.  She gave a nod and turned inside to pack her bags...! The issue was put off, atleast for some time....! Her Dhaa should be happy... thats what she wanted...! Nilima gaped in disbelief and had dialled Dhatri’s number....

**** **** ***

“Awa.. Rini...!” he jerked his face away with a tight slap square on his face.  The tremors went upto to his skull shaking his brain....! She threw a paper on his laps and as she had barged in, stormed out like a tornado.....! Everything went black in front of his eyes.  Someone patted on his shoulder giving him support to regain his composure.

“What was that for?” Vinit asked aghast.   “Her answer...!” Vicky said gravely and Vinit turned his face hiding his emotions.  For a long time, silence prevailed....! 

“Sir...!” a sentry broke their trance.  “Note from Madam...” he said handing over a piece of paper to Vinit.  He took it with shaky hands ... “Goodbye...!” the words stabbed him again and again as he read the note.....! The note slipped down on the floor and Vicky picked it up.  

“What did you tell her?” finally vinit asked after what it seemed like an hour.

“In exact words....” Vicky clenched his fists.  “And I am out of it now... You understand?” he clutched Vinit’s injured shoulder and Vinit groaned in pain.  

“I should have died in that rescue operation....” Vinit murmured hanging his head.

“It wouldn’t have changed anything....” Vicky showed the paper on his laps.  Vinit picked it up and his face changed color, his mouth went dry, sucking his breath out of his chest....!

“No... Thats not possible...” he looked at Vicky for support... “No... I can’t, Vicky...” he tried to hold Maj. Vicky’s arm.  Vicky jerked him away angrily, without bothering about his injuries....!

“Did you not tell her....?” Vinit looked up pained and hurt.

“I told her exactly what you had told me to tell her...!” Vicky said fuming....

“And?” Vinit looked at him questioningly...

“She kicked me right in my abdomen....breaking at least a couple of ribs...twisted my arm, kicked me in the butt, with her military boots...” Vicky still went through that pain groaning.  A faint smile of pride appeared on Vinit’s face. 

“And then she was in the vehicle ....I had to literally beg, going down on my knees to allow me to accompany her...!” Vicky went ahead.

“All night she drove like a meniac, silently throwing disgust at me... as if I was some kind of filth beside her smelling like horrible pile of bovine excreta...” Vicky described.....

“Humm...” they both sighed simultaneously falling into silence again.

“I want to talk to her....” Vinit said looking up after some time....

“Not unless.....” Vicky pointed at the paper.  Vinit looked hopeless....

“No Vicky... I can’t....” he said looking away... Vicky held the paper thrusting a pen in Vinit’s hand.

“You have to....” he said gravely and Vinit looked up with teary eyes... Vicky swallowed hard... !

“Damn you, Hawk... you swine... You bloody buddies... Why do you have to put me in this emotional termiol? I am out of it....! You two decide what you want to do....” Vicky stomped out leaving Vinit crestfallen....!

“And ... I am dancing with joy... celebrating your breakup....!” Vicky shouted from the door pointing his finger at Vinit, smiling wickedly....! 

Rini was out on the highway, slamming on the accelerator going at the speed of the bullet... not knowing where she was going....!

********  ********  *********

“Mamma... my decision is not going to change....!” Dhatri said and Nilima had a faint smile on her face.  She somehow had a feeling that Ravi and Dhatri were made for each other... She had seen him taking care of Dhatri when she was hospitalized when she got seizure curing Swarnima...! He had understood Dhatri’s every need, her mood, her anguish, her pain, her happiness.... She knew he was the right person for her weakest child... her Dhatri...! But the things didn’t turn out in her favour.... Disha had raised numerous questions which imbibed doubt in Salil’s mind ... He needed to be sure about Ravi and his father....! Nilima and Swarnima kept glancing at each other dejected....! The marriage was stalled....!

**** ***

“Hey.. Dhaa... we have a call now!” Ragini yelled from behind and Dhatri cut her Mamma’s call....!

“Yeh ABCD ab Kuch na Kuch gadbad jharur karega...!” She muttered and turned on her heels to go to library... Best to avoid the call.  She had backlog after all....!

“Arey.. Beti Aap?” Someone had stopped right in front of her, on her way to library...

“Y..You” Dhatri’s throat went dry seeing the person in front... Her legs made involuntary action to run away from that place...

“Ruko... Beti...!” he had sensed her panicky.... She stopped as if someone had jinxed her and turned her into a statue...! He came around and stood before her.... 

127

“Dulhan’s acceptance is essential...!” Suleyman said keeping the docket on the table.  Salil fumbled...

“Umm... She is not here...!” he said glancing at the duo guiltily.  

“Uncle, she went back to hostel..” Bhanu took over.  Suleyman picked up the docket. 

“What is that?” Disha couldn’t stop asking.  “Her acceptance letter, Madam..” Raheman said politely.  

“Letter? Is this some kind of contract?” Disha flared up.  She came forward to take the docket...!

“No Madam, it is the formal acceptance by the Dulhan of Royal family...!” said Rehman and Disha shook her head.  

“There are no princely States in Independent India...” By now she had realized.  

“Yes, the accession to the independent India took place on 1^st January 1948.  The Family kept its Title with lands and immovable properties.  The Roayl family keeps the rights over the traditions, rituals and Yearly celebrations of the Godess Vyaghreshwari...” Rehman added the details.  

“The Privy Purse of Rs. 69700. Is added to the Trust ...!” Suleyman said.  Disha’s mouth fell open.  

“I am one of the trustees... and Bhanu Pratap Singh’s uncle Avadhesh Pratap is another Trusty.  He will be arriving soon...!” Suleyman said.  It seemed everything was well arranged and all the questions were answered.  But Disha’s mind was not ready to buy anything of this.  She leaned forward and uncovered the plates...

“Shagun for the Dulhan, Madam...!” Rehman was not happy that someone else, other than Dulhan was opening the Shagun...! But Suleyman raised his hand to stop his brother.  Rehman backed away.  The artistically arranged methai and Laddus were mouth watering.  She went ahead and opened the other two plates and her eyes popped out looking at the contents....!

“These are for Dulhan, Madam... from the family...!” Rehman clarified before Disha touched the ornament boxes...! “A small gift for her....!” he added.  Disha took her hand back.

“Why there is no one from the Family? You said you are trustees...” Disha asked suspiciously.  The others were only spectators as they all were rendered speechless with the turn of the events....!

“His Highness Sayajirao was the only child ...!” Rehman said with a stern face and Bhanu intervened.

“Disha... I know them well... He is Saya uncle’s childhood friend... he only helps uncle... And Suleyman uncle is a businessman himself...” Disha gaped at Bhanu.  

“Please accept the proposal.. in her absentia... “ Suleyman requested ghostly looking Salil and Nilima. Virender encouraged by putting his hand on Salil’s shoulder.  Nilima was still sceptical...! Disha went aside dialing the number.....

*********  *********

“What?.... Mamma... somebody has played a big prank on you.... ! And you ended up parting with your gold chain.... Mamma.... !“ Dhatri said aghast, pressing her hand on her chest.

“No Dhaa.... listen....” Nilima went ahead and as she unfolded the drama Dhatri sucked her breath.  

“And then Disha and Ravi had a row over the phone....” Nilima said apprehensively and Dhatri blew her top.

“What business she had to talk to Ravi, Mamma?” she asked flaring up.  Nilima told her the whole story. 

.... ....

Disha still had not bought the story...! She was sure, this was all hoacks...! She dialled Ravi’s number.  Bhanu stopped her.  “Disha its 12:30 am there...!” he showed her the time.  

“Hello... Hope we are not late....” Kalindi with Avadh and his wife Kranti walked in.  Salil and Nilima breathed relief.  Swarnima looked on.  Avadh took over immediately.  Kranti looked around and found that Dhatri was missing.  She raised her eyebrows and Bhanu responded.  “She went back to collage...” Kranti nodded understandingly glancing at Disha.  

Suleyman handed over the docket to Avadh.  “She is not here...” Kranti provided the information. 

“Ok. No issues... We will do it later...” he said and joining his hands, moving towards Salil, said... “Please accept these as token of our love... Our proposal ...!” Salil numbly nodded.  

“No... We can’t accept these...” Nilima blurted holding Swarnima’s hand looking at the silk covered plates...! 

“Bhaisaab... We will keep these sweets... but the valuables... I mean the Shagun... You know.... Its not possible to keep them at home...” Swarnima spoke for Nilima.  Rehman nodded knowingly. 

“Ok. Madam... We will give the locker key, tomorrow morning....once we secure the bank locker...” 

Swarnima went inside followed by Nilima.  She took out a gold chain from her neck and Nilima understood.

“No.. wait...!” she dashed to her room took out the ‘Kantha’ chain gifted by Rini at the time of Disha’s wedding and placing it in a jewellery box came out...! Swarnima nodded appreciating...!

“Ummm... We do not know how to reciprocate...” she held out the box and said further...

“This is from us... for the groom.. Dulha...” Virender couldn’t stop but clapped happily. Everyone followed.  Rehman and Suleyman looked relieved.  

“Where are the ladies from your family... your so called Royal family...” Disha still was not ready to buy ....

“Hamaray main Jananiya nahi aati... Shagun layker...” Rehman said.  Disha gaped...

“They have the privilege to step in later ...” Suleyman chuckled adding.... “When the donkey work of carrying the shagun is over...” 

“But where is Ravi’s mother?” Disha was not ready to leave the topic.  Kalindi spoke....

“Disha, Sanyogita is my younger sister.  Saya and Sanyu separated immediately after Ravi’s birth.... and divorced..... So Ravi has no mother and is raised by his father....” She looked at everyone... 

“If this much explanation from the elder sister is enough, we will go ahead with the wedding arrangements....” Salil and Nilima nodded.  

“This is so wierd....” Disha spoke.  Rehman looked at Kalindi for her permission.  She closed her eyes to hide her pain and nodded.  He took out a paper and handed it over to Disha.

“Decree of Divorce.... 26^th May 1987.... “ he said gravely.  Disha glanced at the Decree....and the Court Seal...! 

“But why was the divorce.....” Disha was stopped by Salil.

“Disha... Please stop.  This is not the time to dig the buried skeletons..!” Disha opened her mouth to retort but gaped at she saw Indroneel walking in.  Frown appeared on her face.   He wouldn’t listen to anyone now.  Disha went inside dialing the number.... Bhanu tried to follow her to know who she was calling....

“Aha.... finally... our Dhaa said yes... Baba... I am so very happy.... Dhaa... Dhaa...” he called out and Bhanu held his hand whispering... “She is not here.  She went back to collage...” Indorneel’s face changed color... “Haan? Feeling shy... Haan? My sweet girl... She ran away feeling shy....” He said dreamily and Virender and Swarnima smiled broadly to be joined by the members of the groom’s side. 

.......  .....

“Disha... you got to stop this....! Stop it before its too late....! And we need to meet again...! I can’t see your sister being trapped to cleverly...! Disha... listen to me carefully....” Disha listened determined to stop the wedding....! She came out to see the cars already gone and Virender and Indroneel talking about Dhatri and Ravi enthusiastically.  Indroneel came towards her seeing her at the door and fed her Methai.....!

“Congratulations ... Disha... your young sister is getting married.... Oh Baba... I am so happy......!” Indroneel was on cloud nine...! Dhaa was getting married to Ravi....! 

126

“Salil....” Nilima held his hand.  Salil turned to her.  The furrow on his forehead clearly expressed his worry. 

“I am worried too...!” he said closing his eyes and sighing. 

“I am more worried about Disha...She doesn’t want this marriage...” Nilima blurted and Salil sat up in the bed.

“Why? Why do you think so?” he asked her.  Nilima shook her head.

“I am not sure... but she has heard somethings about Ravi’s father....” Nilima said gravely. 

“She said some things to me too...!” Salil said running his fingers through his hair.  

“But Rini and Vinit had all the praises for him...!” Salil said getting confused.

“And Indorneel bhaisaab? He would have got them married there in the US itself!” Nilima added to his confusion.  

“Yeah... Except Disha.. No one has any problem with this ...” Salil said deep in thoughts. 

“You think, we should stop this?” Salil asked and Nilima fell silent.  She remembered Dhaa’s furious face...! 

“What if we put an end to this.. and Dhaa..?” she left her sentence half way through shuddering.  Of late she had sensed change in Dhaa’s attitude.  She had become more stubborn, aggressive and arrogant not caring for anyone’s feelings... “

“Humm... “ Salil sighed and rested his head on the pillow...!

“Salil... Can we talk to Vinit? I mean is it ok if we call him... I mean his condition...” she again sat up.  Salil followed. 

“Yeah .. I think we should ...” he said holding her hand.

“Now?” she asked impatiently and they looked at the time.  “Is it too late?” they both thought but decided to call him, before it was too late of Dhatri...! 

 “He is a big respite...” Salil said disconnecting the phone.  Nilima sighed in relief.  They both fell silent for a long time after talking to Vinit. 

...............  .........

“For Godsake, Dhaa... “ Nilima pleaded but Dhaa had picked up her backpack and moved towards the door.

“Can’t you stay, Dhaa? I am leaving tomorrow...!” Disha jumped into arena....! Dhaa turned.  “Happy journey, Didi” she said calmly and looked at her mother.  

“Give her the bottle of pickles we made the other day, Mamma... “ she said and turned murmuring...!

“Anyway, that will be confiscated at the airport....So no use Disha Didi, Sorry...”

“Dhaa... please... Its a Sunday... “ Disha ran forward and held her hand.  Dhatri looked at her with strange expression....! 

“Didi.. I am going... !” She said firmly and then pausing a bit said... “Please do not try to dissuade me... ! My decision is final...” Disha gaped with open mouth and frowned.  

“What do you mean Dhaa? Should we not do the background check?” Disha flared up again and Nilima jumped in between them sensing the fireworks... At that moment she felt better that Dhaa was going back to collage...! 

“Not in my case Didi,  Nothing works according to your plans...!” she said coldly.  Disha was taken aback.  

“Are you marrying him to defy me, Dhaa?” She had pinpointed.  Dhatri gaped for a while to introspect.  It was true that she wanted to defy Disha and her snobbish, bossy behaviour... But that was not the only reason... And strangely, she didn’t know what the other reason was....! “Why am I marrying him?” she asked herself wincing slightly in with an unknown fear.... ! 

“Dhaa... Stay back! We can talk...!” Disha urged and Dhatri turned to leave.  “No Didi... I have backlog to catch up...” she said waving her hand and moved out leaving dejected Nilima and Disha behind.  

“She didn’t even look back...!” Disha said sadly sighing...! 

“Why is she like this, Mamma?” she asked for which Nilima had no answer.  Her fears, that Dhatri had changed were confirmed again.....!

“Has she really changed? Or is there something else to this?” she thought ....

“I am asking you Mamma....” Disha shook her out of her chain of thoughts...! 

“Haan? .. Disha... Come let us go inside....” she said absentmindedly and Disha shook her head hopelessly.  Nilima had gone inside and the doorbell rang.  

“Papa and Bhanu...” Disha knew who were at the door.  Bhanu had decided to get the breakfast from Hotel... He and Salil went to the Railway station to get the omletts and Pav from the railway canteen... famous for its spicy Paneer Pakodas...!

“You...?” Disha gaped at the couple at the door and Swarnima and Virender walked in....!

“Arey.. Aap log? Please come...!” Disha welcomed them...! She ran inside to inform her mother....!

******** ******

“Arey? Dhaa? Howcome?” Ragini screamed in surprise and Dhatri dumped her backpack...!

“Why? You have any problem?” Dhatri retorted...! 

“Yes.. I do! I was so happy to have the complete bed all for myself...!” Ragini was no less...!

“You can enjoy that... I have my sleeping bag...!” Dhatri spat back.  

“fine...” Ragini said as she pulled dhatri’s bag to see what her mother had given her...!

“Arey? Only Laddus?” she asked disappointed and Dhatri threw a Bhujiya pack at her from her vanity bag...!

Ragini stuffed in her mouth satisfyingly and looked at Dhatri’s sulky face.

“What happened?” she asked and Dhatri shook her head wiping her face with her hand...!

“New one?” Ragini saw the ring...! Dhatri shuddered but putting up the brave face, ignored the question.  Ragini, who was diehard crazy for jewellery and makeup, held Dhatri’s hand.  

“Wow... Dhaa? Disha Didi got this?” she asked looking at the ring.  Dhatri pulled her hand back and clenched her fist.  “Where is Poorva?” she asked making up her mind.

“And call Suresh also...Canteen...” she was very hungry.  

................  .............

“What?” they all were shell shocked.  “What did you say?” Ragini asked her again.

“You heard it right...!” Dhatri didn’t want to utter those words again.  Ragini touched Dhatri’s finger surveying the ring again....

“You mean... you are getting married...?” she asked in disbelief and Dhatri snapped at her...

“Yes...” she said gravely. 

“But I don’t find any excitement in your voice....” Ragini sensed something was majorly wrong with Dhatri.

“I am more scared than excited, at this moment...” Dhatri said gravely.  Suresh had already pulled his Laptop and was searching for the electric plug to switch on...!

“What are you doing?” Dhatri asked bewildered.  “Calling Ray Dave...” he said to her dismay...!

“No.. Please...” she pulled the plug from the socket...! 

“Why?” Poorva asked suspiciously and Dhatri clutched her head in despair...!

As Dhaa unfolded the fall of events... Poorva looked very serious, Ragini was super excited and amused and Suresh just gaped at Dhatri in disbelief...

“And I ended up opening the gift and wearing his ring...” Dhatri said and there was a silence for a long time.  

“This is no less than a fairy tale man...” Suresh said trying to bring himself to a rational being...! 

“Yeah... the tale of Dhaa and Ray...!” Ragini exclaimed and went further.. “You know? Such a nice and romantic bed time story for our children...!” Suresh looked at her in surprise and she went ahead encouraged....

“There was a beautiful girl named Dhaa ... she was our friend... She met her Prince...” Ragini had reached the dreamland...!

“Oh! Shut up Ragini..!” Poorva snapped at Ragini.  Ragini suddenly fell silent looking at Poorva’s grave face...!

“There is a flip side to this....! Dhaa, are you sure, you did the right thing?” Poorva asked.  She was sure that Dhaa had not thought over anything before saying yes to Ravi...!” 

“But Ray is a very good man....” Exclaimed Ragini nudging Dhatri....! Dhatri drew up blankly.  And then shrugging... said... “This is it.... I ended up in a mess again...~!” 

“No Dhaa..! No mess..! Its a five star restaurant...! Rich and famous...!” Ragini took the meaning of the word mess to make it lighter to have an opposite effect...!

“Yeah.. And I am a scavenger in that five star hotel... cleaning the tables..” Dhatri spat back and Ragini winked at Poorva.  

“But I don’t understand, what’s wrong with this? Ray is a good boy... He proposed Dhaa....” Ragini touched the ring leaning forward and Dhatri reflexively withdres her hand...!

“See... how possessive she is about this ring...!” Ragini again giggled, pulling Dhatri’s hand... As she surveyed the ring carefully her mouth fell open...!

“Dhaa... its a diamond ring... a real big diamond...!” Ragini said aghast and everyone leaned forward to have a better look at it....!

“How do you know?” Dhatri again had pulled her hand back...!

“You are asking me, Dhatri Dixit? Me? The only one who has a biggest collection of fake jewellery in this entire hostel? Are you asking me about the real thing and a fake one? Oh god! Why didn’t I die, before hearing this question?” Ragini fell back on the chair pressing her chest dramatically and Suresh burst out in laughter.  But Poorva was serious.

“If this is real diamond....! Dhaa, this means he is serious about it...!” she concluded.

“But what about her? Is she serious? Has she thought over this?” Suresh asked pointing at Dhatri....! 

Dhatri had the answer for this, she wouldn’t tell...! 

................  .............  

“Papa.....!” Disha’s voice trailed as she saw three cars entering their compound....! Two Black Prosche cars and in between a vintage Daimler Roadster convertible ....! Bhanu dashed out and stood at the door waiting for the people to get down.  Disha dashed in to call her parents.  

Three persons ethnically dressed and two persons in fur cap and sherwani disembarked from the car... The persons carried packets and covered plates and the two person stood outside waiting for someone to come out of the house.  Salil and Bhanu walked out ...

“Hello.... I am Raheman.... he is my elder brother Suleyman....!” the person in his fifties said shaking hands with Salil and Bhanu.  Bhanu smiled knowingly ...! 

“Hello uncle....!” he said looking at the duo...! Salil brought them in and introduced them to Virender...! Nilima and Swarnima stood at the door of the kitchen bewildered to the core. 

Disha came forward and Bhanu introduced....! She looked at the duo remembering Sayajirao saying “Ask Raheman” she looked at him and his elderly brother gauging them both.  

The persons kept the packets and silk cloth covered plates and stood aside for further orders.  Raheman gestured them to wait outside.  Suleyman took out a silk scroll and presented it to salil.  Traditional Proposal... he murmured. Before Salil could open the scroll Disha took it from him to read ....!

“A what?” her eyes popped out....! She forgot to read further...! A seal of ‘Hanuman lifting Dronagiri’, Royal Family of Kanker boared at the top said it all......

Disha looked up at Bhanu who avoided her gaze.  Virender took the scroll from Disha seeing her all lost....! 

“Whoa...!” he read further....

“I am ready for your questions, Sir...!” Raheman said politely breaking the trance.  Salil looked at Disha who had lost words....

“why didn’t Bhanu tell me that Ravi is from Royal family?” she was angry...!

“And why did Sanyogita Aunty hide it from me that she was married into a Royal family...? She never missed telling that She was from Sardar Family .... !” Disha’s mind was all riot...! 

“Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?” she retorted forgetting that they had guests....!

“I am here to answer all your questions, Madam...!” Raheman said leaning forward.  No one had asked them to sit....The elderly brothers were standing, locking their fingers in front....! 

“Please have a seat Bhaisaab...!” Swarnima was the first one to speak sanely.  She brought in water and Mithai....! She turned to them.. "I am sorry... We do not know how to welcome Royal Family...!" she said looking at everyone's ghostly faces.  Bhanu came to the rescue...!

“Umm... Uncle... he is Raheman uncle,  Saya uncle’s friend and legal adviser... and He is Suleyman uncle... his estate manager....!” Bhanu formally introduced.  

“May I talk to the Dulhan, Sir?  Her acceptance is required....” Suleyman asked taking out a docket and a packet from his bag...! And everyone looked at each other.... 

The so called Dulhan Dhatri was attending her practicals in compilers ....!!