137

“Where are you taking me, Dhaa?” he asked trying to break her speed.

“Canteen...!” she said and he sighed.  “I am hungry..!” she added and he smiled.

“Ok...!” he walked with her.  

“You want to invite your friends to join us?” he asked further when she ordered for herself a sandwhich, tea and he preferred to have coak.  

“No!” she said curtly.  He sipped the aireted drink and contorted his face with the strong burp.  She chomped on silently.  

“Your....” he opened his mouth at the same time when she opened hers to burst out...

“I don’t understand...” she looked at his grave face and stopped.  He too had stopped hearing her speak up.

“You tell..!” she said.

“Your parents called yesterday night..!” he said and she looked up shocked.

“Already??!! So eager to....” she thought apprehensively.  He continued.

“...Calling it off...” he said tracing the rim of the glass with his finger refraining from looking at her.

“What?” she was aghast, shocked....! He looked away. 

“Dhaa... where were you? “ Ragini yelled from the entrance and Dhatri banged her back on the chair.  Ravi gulped the soft drink.  

“Ray? When did you come?” Ragini came in and pulled the chair.  Dhatri looked lost.  Ravi came back to his senses.  “Hey...How you doing?” he asked and Ragini smiled excitedly and then looking at Dhatri’s lost state asked...

“Dhatri, what happened?” she held Dhatri’s hand looking at Ray.

“Nothing...!” Dhatri said dismissively and Ragini glanced at Ray for some explanation.  He didn’t answer but sipped the drink. Poorva and Suresh entered deep in discussion about the project Demo set up.  After initial pleasentaries with Ravi, they settled down for the project discussion.  Dhatri still was lost not taking part in anything, not even eating the remaining food.  Ravi too was lost but he had controlled himself and was pretending to be attentive in the discussion.  

“Was that her decision to call off... or was there something else? She looked shocked when I told her about the phone call...!” he thought glancing at Dhatri.  He badly wanted to be with her alone.  The friends were crowd for him.  Dhatri had withdrawn from everything.  She suddenly got up grabbing her purse and picking up her bag.  

“Dhaa... where are you going?” Ragini asked bewildered.  Ravi gaped at her figure going away from him.  

“What happened to her?” Poorva sensed the gravity and went behind Dhatri.

“Dhatri...!” she stopped her placing her hand on Dhatri’s shoulder. 

“Leave me alone...!” Dhatri snapped and Poorva gaped in disbelief.  By now, she knew this behaviour of Dhaa and she force dragged Dhatri with one hand and took her to the hostel courtyard.

“Tell me what is it..!” Poorva threatened.  Dhatri didn’t want to tell anything about her breakup with Ravi.  She tried to divert...

“Its Rini Didi... Her phone is switched off and she had not called in weeks... I miss her...!” Dhatri gave a reasonable answer.  Poorva narrowed her eyes.  

“Did you try her office number...?” she asked and Dhatri nodded.  “Yeah.. several times... She is busy with that Indo-US joint exercise, it seems.  !” Dhatri looked away in despair... Poorva sighed.  

“Look Dhaa... this is our last exam.  Concentrate on the project, right now... Ray and his partner are already here.  We need a successful demo... !” Poorva said reasonably and Dhatri nodded. 

“Yes... Ok.!” She said moving away.  “These people....!” she clenched her fists in rage. 

...... ...... .....

Ravi’s phone rang.  “I am at the main gate...!” she barked and Ravi abruptly stood up excusing himself from the discussion... 

“Excuse me... Its urgent...!” he said moving out of the canteen to the others’ bewilderment.  He dashed to the main gate...

“Ravi...!” she held his hand.  “Do you still want to marry me?” she asked huffing, going breathless.

“Yes, Dhatri..!” he pressed her palm lightly.  

“Ok. Chalo ..” She said turning away.

“Where?” he asked.

“Some nearby Mandir... we will get married there..!” she said walking down the street... Ravi was dragged behind her.

“What?” he tried to stop her.  She turned.  “You heard it right...! We are getting married right now...!” she said looking at Ravi’s ghostly face.

“No....Dh..aa!” Ravi didn’t move an inch.

“Its now or never...!” she threatened. Ravi dug his fingers in his hair, totally lost.  Dhatri didn’t bother to look back.  She moved farther away from him.  

****  ****

“I don’t care, Vicky...!” Vinit snapped.  Vicky looked helpless.  Vinit had made up his mind to find Rini out, with or without the help of MI.  He was not discharged, still on Rehabilitation...!  He didn’t bother either.  The only person knew about his plans was Vicky and he tried his level best to stop Vinit in vain.

“Vicky... Promise me.. you will look after Amma-Abba...!” Vinit, for the first time showed some softer emotions.  Vicky nodded with teary eyes.  

“Vinit... For God Sake.. please, don’t do this...! I will open the official channels..” he said holding Vinit’s hand.  Vinit took a step back and looked into his eyes.

“I have to go Vicky... I will be back with her...” he was determined.  “Or both will perish..” he blurted turning his back on Vicky and that damn rehabilitation camp, slightly limping with his left leg.  

“Hawk.. wait... wait...” Vicky ran after him.

“Look... I have a plan... “ he said holding Vinit’s hand.  Vinit looked at his face.

“Please... listen to me... I have a plan... Let us discuss on our way.. I will get the vehicle...” Vicky ran towards his half ton vehicle and Vinit took out his phone, dialing a number.  He must keep the Plan B ready... in case....!

****  ***  ****

Sanyogita stared at the half empty glass with a smirk.  “I told you, Saya.. I will come back... into your lives... my dear Ex-husband and my dear ex---  no no... not ex... my dear son...” She closed her eyes humming and sipping her drink.  She dialled Disha’s number.

“Disha.. your baby sister is safe now... the marriage is called off...Its over...!” Sanyogita tried to hide her triumph sounding very serious.  After all she was protecting the interest of Disha, her daughter in law, her nephew’s wife!! 

“Thank you!” Disha was grateful... she lost words... she didn’t know how to thank Sanyogita who selflessly had met her parents and convinced them.  Her sister was saved from those perverts... Father and son...! The father who tortured his wife beyond limits, both physically and mentally and the son who already had a couple of serious relationships and had breakups...! 

.