132

“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...! 

131

Nervousness and fear overpowered her resolve to concentrate on studies.  She was just moving her gaze on the letters in the book, absentmindedly turning the pages without taking in anything written in there.  Her resolve to study for the theory papers without bothering about the following shooting challenge, faded away soon.  She came out of the library and unsuccessfully tried calling her unreachable Rini Didi.  There was no one she could talk to.  Her friends were deep in sleep and she was toiling in the 24X7 open library for her theory papers, worrying about the shooting challenge.  

“Mari Mai...Mari Mai...” She tried to gather herself closing the book and her eyes.  She clutched the book, her laptop and walked out of the library.  She made another futile effort to call her Rini didi...! 

“Ravi?” she didn’t know why she remembered him.  “Should I call him? But what will I talk?” she had nothing to talk to her ‘BoyFriend!’ Her phone buzzed.  

“Dhatri... Skype Call... Log in..!” Ravi said seriously and Dhatri’s heart jumped out of her skin.  She ran towards WiFi zone to log in.

“Hey, you ok?” he asked her and she started off excitedly...

“Ravi... That Challenge... I mean... That Afroz.. I mean that firsty Girl... Umm... Junior... first year....!” an attempt to clear the confusion was more confusing for Ravi.  He stared at her... Slowly the expressions on her face changed from excitement.. to worry to fear...! She locked her fingers and looked down stopping abruptly...! He waited.  By now, he was accustomed with her inability to maintain eye contact.  She wiped her face nervously.  

“Dhatri...!” he called and she looked up at the screen... A faint smile appeared on her face seeing him staring at her.  

“No... I mean... I am studying for theory papers... Little nervous..!” she confessed.  His eyes twinkled...! 

“All the best, Dhaa...!” he said smiling and she glanced at his bright blue eyes...!

“Humm.. Thank you!” she said with a pink shade on her cheeks.  He chuckled.  

“I called you to inform... Your project Demo is after your practical exams... !” he brought her back on exam floor.  She nodded.  

“Your internal Guide Dr. Dubey has sent the format...!” he said and she nodded again with her breath stabilizing, she looked calmer.  He sighed.

“You.. ar... are you coming?” she stuttered asking.

“I am not sure... My partner will come...!” he said and she nodded again.  

“You want me to come?” he wanted to ask but knew the answer very well.  It was better not to ask difficult questions, for which the answers will be only ‘No’.  

She felt better that he was not coming but suddenly remembering her stupid challenge with that firsty.... she shuddered.  Ravi was watching her expression... “If he could come....” she looked up with beady eyes fixed on his face....

“Why can’t you come?” she asked him raising her finger.  He was taken aback...

“Does she want me to come?” he was not sure....! He had never expected the reaction.

“I will try to...!” he said calmly to cool her down and she did.

“Ok.” She said in a weak tone.  He felt a knot in his stomach, craving to pull her closer...! They both didn’t know what to speak next.

“Ok, then...!” he said and she looked up in despair.  

“Woh... I mean... I think I messed up big time...!” she said at once and his heart skipped a beat.  “What does she mean by that? Is it about the wedding proposal...?” he looked at her nervously with apprehension.  

“Th... That Firsty... That shooting Champ... I .. I accepted her challenge...!” she said incoherently.  He couldn’t make out anything....! He waited.

“I mean.. that girl, Afroz....” she went on narrating, stuttering, shuddering, wincing, fumbling, incoherently.  He tried to decipher... assimilating what she was saying and could only make out that Afroz was a shooting champion and Dhatri had accepted the challenge....! For a moment he was shocked.  She was looking at him with big eyes.  

“Thats good!” he blurted.

“What?” she squeaked.  “I mean... Its good, you accepted... Now show her your skills...” he said confidently. She gaped in disbelief. 

“You think, I can do that?” she asked bewildered.

“Why not? Dhatri you can...! Its just that...” he stopped.  He wanted to tell her to practice, prepare and be ready but knew that she didn’t like to take instructions from anyone...! She would act on her own.  If someone tried to issue orders or instructions, it would have opposite effect on her.  She would do exactly the opposite.  It was best to leave it to her. 

She looked at him with some hope.  He swallowed his words and just gave her an assuring nod.  A reluctant smile appeared on her face.

“Humm...” she sighed ... “Ok then... gu...good day...!” she abruptly disconnected. 

“You made my day, Dhaa...!” he smiled broadly, signing off.  

*******  ******

“Why can’t you understand, Rini?” he asked staring at the marriage registration notice.  He had tried to explain to Vicky in vain.  Rini had disappeared refusing even to pick up the phone.  He knew she wouldn’t talk to him ever again.  Vicky had tried his level best to convince him otherwise but he was firm on his decision.  He wouldn’t marry Rini.  He had refused to give reasons too...! Vicky was frustrated... 

“Damn you Hawk...Hell with you! I am going...!” he said marching out of the rehabilitation building leaving Vinit alone to brood over ....! Rini was on her way to Khemkaran, driving alone madly with red burning eyes, hurting throat and a deadly suffocating congestion in her chest.... 

 

“You can’t have a good life with a broken person like me, Rini... You should have a bright future...” Vinit held the form to his heart wanting to sign on it with all his heart and mind...! 

His body had made a little progress... his broken limbs were still in bad shape... He hardly was able to stand on his feet with the help of crutches...! Wheel chair was his only companion in the physiotherapy ward.  The medicine had made little effect... He still bled in the wounds while doing stretching exercises... his left hand was almost paralyzed.  The shoulder joint was replaced artificially.  His knee still creeked while bending... ! The absorbed lead had not yet shown its true colors.  Doctors were not sure about the fitness of his reproductive organs...! His body was like ruins of an old gigantic fort...! Dhatri had done a marvellous job in healing his internal injuries and external wounds but unfortunately she too had limitations... She couldn’t regrow his bones...! Surgeries were inevitable...! He had undergone fourteen minor orthopaedic surgeries... The bones were fixed but it took toll on his health, both physical and mental.  He was grounded...! That was the biggest blow ..! He would have preferred death...! 

To add fuel to the fire, his parents were at Rini’s Place, Vidisha, dreaming and planning for Dhaa’s marriage.  They had decided to stay back and bring Dhatri to Delhi once her exams were over.  Every time his father called him, all the talks were about Ravi and Dhatri and to end the call he would casually ask about vinit’s health.  They had taken Rini for granted as if Rini and Vinit had been married for years....! Vinit couldn’t spoil the show by disclosing their break-up....! No one would believe him.  And here he was determined to end the relationship considering the complications...! 

The two options he had .... ‘Harakiri’... or convince Rini of which former was easier....!

“Rini.....!” He groaned in pain as he tried to stand on his feet without any help...!

 Rini shuddered suddenly waking up from the trance.  She had stopped the vehicle, at the roadside small Dhaba, overwhelmed with the anguish and fatigue...! She had splashed water on her face and had closed her eyes for a while....!

“Damn you...Vinit...! You will never see my face again....!” she slammed on the accelerator....! 

130

“Are you crazy..?” her friends had nothing else to yell….! She shrugged and moved away to assume her seat in the canteen….!

Poorva pulled her up.  “Now what?” Dhatri asked irritably.  

“Dhatri…. Why did you accept the challenge?” she asked angrily.  “It’s the pride of the seniors at stake… If you lose to that bloody Junior….!” Dhatri jerked her hand away.

“You mean we should accept defeat without even putting up a fight? She bloody challenged the seniors and there was no one…!” Dhatri retorted.  Suresh jumped in…

“that doesn’t mean one should accept the challenge without knowking anything about that sport…!” Dhatri looked at him with hurt.

“I have handled gun before…. In US… to rescue myself…!” she said meekly.  The gravity of the situation was sinking in….! She was losing her confidence….!  She closed her eyes….

“Baby…. Concentrate…There should be nothing between you and your target….” Grumpy was pulling her bushy, curly hair in his fist to steady her head…. She was crying, struggling to free herself…. Grumpy was all the more violent slapping her and twisting her arm ….

“I will hit you, if you don’t hit the target now…!” he said threateningly brandishing a stick in his hand… “Rapid fire…” thrusting a heavy gun in her hand he ordered and she fired without even thinking …. The chest of the moving statue was smashed… All six bullets had hit the target…

Smile appeared on Dhatri’s face…! 

“Look at her… Smiling..?” Ragini shook her vigorously… and Dhatri came back to her present from her childhood.  

“That was fifteen years back… I was only five… I don’t even remember the distance of the target now…” she again was losing her confidence.

“Ok. Now, listen.. I downloaded some videos for beginners … Shooting competitions… At least see those Dhatri…! Shooting lessons for Dummies…!” Suresh gave her the DVD.  Her hands shaking, she took it with a blank face…Poorva snatched it from her…

“Not now… First theory papers… We need to study… You can’t afford to keep backlog Dhatri… You got to get at least 6 and above grading points… “ She reprimanded Dhatri pushing her towards the Library. 

“Whatever it is… This rubbish competition can wait but not her exams… She has to give the seventh semester paper too… Backlog !” She said sighing and turning to her other friends. 

Dhatri went to library frowning and muttering….!

******  ********

“No Mr. Rehman… Please keep them away…!” Salil urged seeing the pile of files Rehman and Suleyman kept on the table…! Rehman looked up puzzled.  Nilima and Swarnima were at the kitchen door.. Salil glanced at them…! 

“I mean… Please… Not a question about the Family … But… I mean… We just had some questions about … I mean… Ravi’s mother and father…!” Virender said weakly feeling little guilty that they were raising questions about Ravi’s parents…But Disha had sowed enough doubt in their mind….! 

Rehman gaped and then glancing at his brother said… “My brother is here... I Hope he will be able to clear your doubts…” Suleyman cleared his throat.

“Hope you understand our position… We have a professional relation with Deo’s and Thakurs…I mean Dharmesh and Kalindi Thakur, though Dharmesh is my friend..!” he clarified as a preamble.  Salil nodded.  Rehman gestured Nilima and Swarnima to sit and Laxumbai appeared from behind with tea and snacks…! 

“Rehman and Sayajirao are classmates in Doon School.  The childhood friendship grew as they grew together.  He chose US for his engineering degree and Rehman did his literature from Cambridge…! I was a psychology student but had to drop out for some family reasons after my father’s death…” Suleyman continued….

“When Saya finished his post graduation, he returned to take over as Maharaja of Kenkar…!

“Kalindi, Santogita’s elder sister introduced her to Sayajirao and they got married.  It was a grand Royal marriage…” Suleyman hesitated a bit and taking a sip of water, gathering his strength said,

“Umm… I am a professional consultant and estate manager of Sayajirao but a friend too… I know my limitations… I am not supposed to discuss the personal matters… but I feel I must mention the necessary facts….!” Salil shifted nervously.  Virender held his hand for support.  They all waited with bated breath.

“Everything was going on well for quite a few months, after the marriage… Sayajirao was madly in love with Sanyogita, a beautiful, witty, smart, attractive lady..! But soon,  others could sense the trouble in their paradise…!” Suleyman took a deep breath, sadness appeared on his face.  Rehman looked away to hide his emotions… It seemed that they both were reliving those fateful days with Sayajirao.  

“She filed a petition for divorce when she was pregnant….demanding maintenance for herself and her unborn child… !” He swallowed hard to gather strength…!

“Sayajirao was going through a very difficult time… he accepted all her demands, losing a big chunk of his property to her…!” Suleyman said glancing awkwardly at the ladies.  Rehman pulled out the petition paper.  Salil shook his head not wanting to read it.  

“There was a long wait between the knowledge of her pregnancy and the delivery with worry, anxiety, tension and sleepless nights for Sayajirao….!” For the first time Suleyman seemed taking sides reliving Sayajirao’s endurance…! 

“The breakup was sealed with the decree of Divorce when Ravi was a month old.  My wife and Kalindi Bhabhi took care of the infant for a few days and then Sayajirao took over making up his mind to migrate to US for good…!” Rehman had taken over from his brother sensing his vulnerability.  Suleyman hung his head and sat there not wanting to hear anything further.

“What happened between them,  we cannot discuss… Its against our ethics… but what happened was beyond repair for Saya…. He left his motherland never to return, renouncing his title as Maharaja…!” Rehman chocked…!

All this information was of no use for Salil… the lingering question was still left unanswered…. He didn’t know how to ask … But he had to! It was afterall his daughter’s life…..! He fidgeted nervously looking at Virender.  Virender was renendered speechless.  He too didn’t know how to ask about what they had heard about Sayajiroa…! The ladies were busy wiping off their tears thinking about a month old child and the left alone father…..!

“The only additional piece of information I can give you is…” Suleyman said finally locking his fingers…

“That Sayajirao took care of the child and never remarried… “ He paused holding his breath… “But his ex-wife, Santogita married twice after this breakup….!” Rehman rummaged in the bag again to produce two documents.  Virender sighed relief…. His doubt was cleared… He looked at Salil who too looked relieved.  But the ladies were still in a trance.  “How could a mother abandon a month old child?” It was beyond their imagination…!