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He was in the meeting room with Genral Trivikram Singh... Chief of Army...! 

“Mosad.. Isrealee Agency is ready to assist us in the destruction.... But our reports say the III-plutonium-producing reactor is already in service... Using commercial satellite imagery, the reactor is operational / water vapor rising from its cooling towers are visible, but they deny it outright.... Our north east PAL is providing them  infrastructure... and technical know-how..! “ Vinit just nodded. He could sense the cascading effects...!

“We definitely don’t want to put people at risk.  But the location of the Khushab reactor puts the people at risk...!” General looked up to gauge Vinit’s reaction...! 

“The fourth reactor will come up anytime... Its under construction..” Trivikram Singh uttered the facts Vinit already knew...! .

“International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM), has issued high alerts...” General said gravely. 

“On current operational level, they can produce 15 kilograms of Plutonium from that reactor...

“With the third reactor fully operational and the fourth one coming up... the amount of plutonium would suffice around fifty warheads....!” He gave further information...

“Where are they heading to? Compete with India? Can they, really? Or is it mindless self destruction plan? Using nuclear weapons against India would cause their own destruction! What is their Government up to? Is it a warning or threat?” Numerous questions gushed into Vinit’s head.  He waited for further orders.  

“I need proof.... given the constraints that we don’t want people to suffer, cannot destroy the reactors, cannot afford the nuclear warheads, cannot allow them to produce warheads mindlessly...” 

“We need to assess their submarine capabilities... That could be the easiest route to cause massive destruction on our coast...” General blurted his thoughts.  “The only measure we can take is to produce the proof to United Nations Security Counsel...” 

“I want to know the activities from our PAL from north-east front...” Vinit understood.  

“Five member team...Restructured... You will lead.. Sixteen members to follow up... You will have to be operational in 10 hours...” Final instructions issued and Vinit got up collecting the list and the file, saluting...!” 

He came out of Army Headquarters and breathed deep pressing his hand on his chest...!

“Had you been here, Rini.. I would have married you right now.. Before going on this mission...!” He swallowed, with his throat hurting...! His Rini .. his counterpart... was far away persuing her mission complementing his....joining the dots..!  They both had a massive task ahead... concerning about our national security....! 

***********  ******

“What the hell...!” Disha swore under her breath....! “What the hell is he doing in India...?”  Sanyogita had called up saying Ravi was in India and she was not happy with it.  There was no point talking to Bhanu, as he would never understand....! Disha felt frustrated...! She hoped for the best...! Dhaa had turned it down... so....?” She was not sure.  Her anger mounting, she tried dialling Salil’s number.

Sanyogita was restless... This couldn’t be happening... He, her son can’t marry that girl... She hated Dhatri, for she was the one who saw Sanyogita through...!  Dhatri’s mere presence gave her jitters...! She was rendered helpless, defenceless, disarmed..! She wouldn’t let that happen...! She was so close to regain entry into Saya’s life and this girl  would ruin everything...! She must plan something else... ! She could convince Disha... but Dhatri? She just seemed to be closing her mind on what Snayogita was telling her...! And then at the end.. Dhatri had tried to hold her hand and Sanyogita had felt the tussiling powers....She would lose anytime... She had jerked away and asked Dhatri to leave...! 

“An outright evil... I can sense it... She would ruin everything.. She is not to be treated nicely...” Sanyogita clenched her fists making up her mind.  

“I must find out whats going on....” she dialled Kalindi’s number...! Someone from her big family would help her know...!

*****  ***  ***

Dhatri got a motion sickness... her tension, the pressure, the breakfast she ate culminated into the headache and stomach churning.... vomiting sensation...! She ran out of the car to the road side.  Ravi watched her helplessly...! Afroz ran behind her to help her with water bottle.  The driver took out a first aid box and the tablet...! 

“Afroz... take me back...” Dhatri clasped her hand in desperation.  Afroz’s mouth fell open in shock.  

“Take me back home.... Afroz... I want to go back...” she said quivering...! Afroz felt a knot in the throat.  “Big sis...” she pulled her into a hug, Dhatri pushed her away...! Afroz understood her big sis’s dilemma.  She cupped Dhatri’s face.

“You don’t want to marry him? Is he forcing you?” she asked seriously preparing herself to strike against anyone, in defence of her big sis...!  Dhatri had no answer.  It was she who had asked Ravi to marry her.  Now she can’t go back on her words when he was ready.  She shook her head a bit. And dashed to the car leaving Afroz behind, wondering...! 

“Don’t worry, big sisi... I am with you... in whatever you decide...” she said keeping her hand on her hip pocket... feeling her gun...! If need be, she would highjack the entire show and take control...! 

Ravi was gazing at Dhatri’s pale, ghostly face...!

“You ok?” he asked and she merely nodded avoiding his gaze.  There was no need to talk, explain or justify.  He understood her.  Coming a step forward, he held her hand.

“Dhatri...I promise... It will be per your wish... No one will come in between...” Dhatri looked up searching into his blue eyes.  Swallowing hard, she said... “Yes... let us go!” 

Ravi was left speechless.... He could feel her dilemma, her anguish, her turmoil, her pain... He had to take a call now... Whether he wanted to do what Dhatri intended to do..! 

Suleyman’s phone buzzed and he went away talking over the phone.  Everyone waited with bated breath.  When he came back.. he had a faint smile on his face.

“They are all coming... Let us go..!” he said gesturing at the driver.

Next ten hours went silently...! Suleyman had arranged everything in Heritage Palace Hotel for everyone.. A part of Kanker Palace which was converted into a heritage hotel.  The other part being kept with the Royal family.  

Once settled... they all waited anxiously for Kalindi and Dhatri’s parents to arrive.  

Avadesh and Kalindi with the family were first to arrive.  Ravi looked at his maasi’s pale face and turned his head not wanted to talk anything...!

“Ravi..” she kept her hand on his shoulder and he turned to face her.

“Maasi... I know..! I called up Daddy...!” he said avoiding looking into her eyes, fearing, he would lose his composure...! 

“They will be here in an hour... “ Suleyman was at the door and Ravi turned.  Kalindi watched him go away....! 

*****  *****  ****

Salil just avoided looking at Ravi.  Nilima gave an awkward smile.  Virender acted like he was at ease.... Swarnima remained silent, her eyes searching for Dhatri.

“Where is Dhatri?” Salil asked looking at Indroneel.  

Afroz appeared at the door blocking it securely.  “She won’t meet anyone...” she boomed and everyone looked at her startled.  Poorva appeared next to her...!

“Its ok, Afroz... Just be with her, Ok?” she said reasonably and Nilima got up ...

“Poorva... Where is she? Is she ok?” Nilima asked with teary eyes and Poorva couldn’t stop herself from hugging Nilima.  “She is ok...” whispering in her ear.  Nilima wiped her eyes....

Ravi walked in, once everyone was freshened up and settled in the huge hall of the palace.  No one had the mood to appreciate the grandeur of the Palace ....  Salil got up ... Ravi looked at his angry face and said seriously.

“Uncle I understand your position....” He looked behind and gestured Afroz to bring Dhatri...!

“Mamma....” Dhatri disappeared in her mother’s arms...! Ravi looked away...! He had to do this... He can't act in a haste and repent at leisure... ! He looked at Suleyman for his approval and go ahead signal....! 

“Dhatri...” Salil wrapped his arm around her shoulder, protectively and clearing his throat...

“How could you do this?” He was very upset and disappointed with Ravi.  Ravi swallowed hard.  Dhatri broke away from Salil sensing argument....!  Ravi looked at Kalindi.  Everyone had gathered....

“I am sorry.. this has to happen in this way...” he was genuinely sorry for the fall of events...!  “What were you planning boy?” Virender asked raising his voice.  

“Uncle...” Ravi stopped him.  He didn’t know from where to start.

“I am sorry... But before we go ahead... I wish to make it very clear...” Dhatri looked at him startled hearing his confident, firm voice.  

“When I finish... Its only Dhatri’s wish that shall prevail.  If she says No... It will be a NO, no matter who tries to convince us... and If she says YES... Its a yes and no one can stop us from getting married...” 

“But.. I said yes....” Dhatri’s voice trailed as Ravi Approached her.

“Dhatri... please... I request you listen to what I am saying... Please? This time? Keep your ears open...” he requested earnestly and Dhatri looked down with her dimples visible declaring her smile.  She had boasted proudly that she can shut her ears close just as everyone does with their eyes....” 

“I don’t know what you have heard and I don’t want to know.  But I request a patient hearing from you all...”  Suresh was sensible to declare....

“We wait outside... “ and Ravi nodded gratefully.  Afroz was reluctant to leave Dhatri alone in that hostile place.  But Poorva dragged her out... “She will be alright... “ 

Ravi drank water soothing his hurting throat and glancing at Dhatri started off.... Pindrop silence prevailed... He wanted to get it off his shoulders once for all....!