“Haa... Dhaa...
forget everything.... only study... study... “ she said to herself walking up
to her room in the hostel. She was calm
and focused...! She needed a sound sleep.
Her phone buzzed again. It was
her Disha Didi...She muttered frowning...
“Hello Disha
Didi... Its midnight here...!” she declared her irritation.
“I know
Dhaa.... Its just to wish you best luck.
I will be busy the whole next week... so thought of talking to you...!”
Disha said casually....
“How thoughtful...!”
Dhatri thought clutching the phone. “Thank
you, Didi...! I am studying.. I won’t let you down... I will pass the exam...!”
Dhatri knew the next set of questions.
“I am sure,
Dhaa... you will come out with flying colors...!” Disha said trying to sound
confident...! Dhatri’s lip curled up with bitter taste in her mouth...!
“Concentrate on
your studies, Ok? Dhaa? Don’t think about anything else now....!” Disha said
and Dhatri understood her unspoken words...!
“Yes Didi... I
haven’t talked to Rini Didi or Ravi these days... Only studying and nothing
else... I am not thinking about anything else...!” she paused with
bitterness....!
“Dhaa...
Please... stop this... I am concerned about you, Dhaa...!” Disha burst out in
tears and Dhatri could hear her sobs...!
“How conveniently
she summons tears....!” Dhatri thought biting her lip.
“Ok. Didi... I
need to hit the bed...!” she said all set to disconnect.
“Dhaa...!”
Disha dragged a bit .. Dhatri waited...
“Umm... I
mean... Ravi’s mother.. wishes to meet you...!” Disha opened the lid.. and
Dhatri blasted...
“Didi... I am
only concentrating on my studies... So please .. not now!”
“Yes, Dhaa...
after your exams...!” Disha said with a shade of guilt.
“Ok. Didi...
have a good day!” Dhatri cut the call abruptly.
She again was lost ... the exams... the challenge... the wedding...and
the thought of parting with her friends after the exams...! Sadness engulfed..!
She hid her face in her palm trying to gather herself in vain. She pulled the sheet over her head throwing
aside the book. There was no point
studying in this state of mind...!
..................
“No...!” she
woke up with a start...! Some distant voice was calling her in despair....!
“Nanu....!” she
screamed sitting up in the bed.
“Dhaa....Stop
it... So jao...!” Ragini said plaing her hand around Dhatri. Dhatri layed back resting her head on the
pillow but wouldn’t even blink.
“Nanu? Nanu was
calling her... Or did she have a nightmare?”
“No...!” Dhatri
was sure... someone called her... A weak... sick....ailing...fading away voice
had called her desperately....! She was tossing and turning irritating Ragini
who badly needed a sound sleep after toiling the whole day studying ...!
“Someone is
calling for help... Someone needs help...” Dhatri again sat up with a jerk and
Ragini lost her patience.
“Whats your
problem Dhaa?” she held and shook Dhatri...!
“Someone needs
help...!” Dhatri said gravely looking around for some clue.
“Yeah.. I need
that help, Dhaa... So jao...” Ragini pulled the sheet over her head. Dhatri stepped out of the bed ...!
***** ******
“No Vinit...
Not anymore...!” Rini threw her cell phone on the bed. She had numerous missed called from Vinit and
Vicky which she resolutely had not answered.
The inbox flooded with text messages.... She picked the phone and
switched it off.
She looked
around her small self contained room feeling cozy and at home. Finally she had reached her destination to
join her duty again. Sentry was at the
door.
“Phone call...”
He said and she knew who it was...! She hesitated....! “Saab nay Bulaya
hain...!” Sentry said waiting to escort her.
She marched out of her room.
“Sir!” she
saluted... Bridgadier Randhawa handed over the phone without another word.
“Sir...!” she
said firmly and jumped in shock hearing the pleasent voice from the other
end. Inadvertantly she looked at the
wall clock.
“Lt. Dharini
Dixit... Or should I say Capt. Dharini Dixit...?” he teased pleasantly additing
to her confusion. She had another year
to be called a Captain...!
Lt. Gen.
A.K.Singh of Southern command had called
her to congratulate....!
“Sir!” She
accepted again with a salute...! Brigdier Randhawa gave a nod. She waited for further orders. He gestured her to draw the chair. She assumed her seat and he gave her the
letter. She was posted on special deputation
for a joint Army Exercise with US marines....! She was immediately posted to
Ambala Military Academy for special combate training...!
“Need to move
tomorrow evening...!” he ordered and dismissed her. She came out taking a deep breath feeling elevated...!
Finally she was considered worth something...! She marched towards her room
determined to call no one...!
********** ***********
“Why am I
feeling so low?” Disha said pathetically.
She always felt low whenever she called home...! Bhanu patted on her
back sipping hot coffee. She closed her
eyes on his shoulder.
“I think I need
a break...!” she said snuggling on the couch.
Bhanu smiled...!
“Once I finish
this simulation business... !” Bhanu merely nodded. He knew something will come up.. a new
opportunity, a new dream, a career leap, or some research opportunity and Disha
would run after that persuing her ambition....to reach greater heights...!
“How about
starting a family?” he asked her and she was taken aback. She had not even thought about it and Bhanu
was already dreaming about it. She
stared at him in disbelief.
“How... I mean
why...I mean how can we even think about it?” she flared up.
“Look at us..
Bhanu... I am still uphill curve in my career... So much to do ... “ she shook
her head shaking the idea out.
“And look at
you, Bhanu... you haven’t even put your foot on the career path... “ she said
stabbing his pride. Bhanu still had a
job in Detroit and that was really something when the entire automobile
industry was crumpling in US with big lots closing down...! Saving his present
job was his priority...! He was hurt... Disha was not even aware that her
tactless speech kept hurting Bhanu.
“Yes.. you are
right, disha... Just forget what I said..!” Bhanu got up to make himself a
drink. Disha went into the kitchen to
prepare dinner...!
“Uncle...”
Sayajirao was surprised with the call.
“Bhanu...You
ok?” he asked concerned.
“Yes..
uncle...! Umm.. I just wanted to ask...” Bhanu was hesitant... Sayajirao knew
something was wrong ...!
“You ok?” he
asked again. Bhanu swallowed hard making
up his mind..!
“Uncle... you
had offered... about partnership...” he didn’t know how to ask...!
“Oh! Yes...
Bhanu. I had offered you a partnership in my automation consultancy..”
Sayajirao remembered clearly.
“I want to
discuss about it..!” Bhanu said and Sayajirao had a smile on his face...!
“Yes, Bete..
anytime... you fix it up. May be you two
can come down to our place...” Sayajirao said never wanting to leave this
opportunity to invite him over...
“Ravi will be
happy...!” he thought smiling.
“I will let you
know..!” Bhanu disconnected sensing Disha approaching with dinner plates...!