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“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...!