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Everyone was dumbstruck, not knowing what and how to react.  Swarnima’s heart went out for Ravi.  She had lost her son ... Somehow she saw her son in Ravi and his pain became her pain...!

Salil’s phone buzzed and he was startled to see Disha’s name flashing.  He had avoided answering her calls till now.  He declined the call looking up at Nilima...!

“Pick up the phone...!” Nilima gestured and Salil waited for Disha to call again...

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

“Hey... you ok?” Afroz jumped to her feet seeing Dhatri dashing out.  She had let Ravi go but Dhatri was her big sister...! Dhatri tried to dodge her but this time, poorva held her hand.

“Dhaa... you ok? What happened?” she asked gravely.  Dhatri shook her head dejected...!

“This is not going anywhere... Poorva... I believe I messed up again...!” Dhatri clutched her head.

“Stop.. Dhaa.. let us wait...for the elders to decide...” Poorva was ready to take it patiently but Afroz shot up..

“Big sis.... You want me to intervene? I will straighten them all up...!” she said taking out her gun.  Dhatri held her gun in panicky...

“Shut up Afroz... Wait...” Poorva snapped but Afroz had sensed uneasiness in Dhatri...!

“Where is Ravi?” she asked ignoring Afroz and Poorva waved her hand in the direction.  

“Dhatri...!” Salil called out and Dhatri turned.  “Come here!” he ordered taking her along in the hall again....! Dhatri sat there reluctantly...!

*********  ********  *********

Rini was into the thick of her task.... a detailed topographic survey of the area... She had slipped into the labor camp with the help of the security guard of the industrial establishment she had bumped into...! The guard had taken her to a woman who worked at team lead of a group of unskilled worker women.  She had offered Rini a job of carrying material... Rini had agreed.  The only reason to get her a job was she could speak some Hindi/Urdu words and could understand the local language.  She was enrolled as Mehrunnissa Razani without any testimonials... There was no need for the credentials for the unskilled workers.. They were a non entity.! 

“Kya Banatain hain yahan?” she had asked to get no answer.  The team lead had no clue what was the product where she worked...! 

“Taka panay se matlab hain ya phir jutain khane se?” she asked snubbing Rini’s 

inquisitiveness....! Rini gave up.  She knew she would soon find out...! She walked through the gates of the Industrial establishment with the herd of workers wearing safety gloves and boots...!

“A rupee per crate...” the rate for that week was declared and they were divided into groups...! The packing list with pictures of how to pack them were issued.  A person came in and without a word showed them how to pack the material.  Rini calculated the approximate time for packing one item... !  “That is five rupees per hour....” she calculated... Sighing...! The mechanical work of packing started and the supervisors went into their cabins to relax...! 

Rini’s hands were packing the material.. her mind was racing to join the dots... her eyes were darting everywhere, her brain memorizing every small detail and the place around, her ears capturing the slightest of the sound and creating a clear picture in her mind of the area.. the machines... the people around.. the so called product... the packing crates... the conveyer belts... and the hands of other fellow women working mindlessly not knowing what the product is...! 

***** **** **

Afroz couldn’t control her anger....! “What are they doing with her? I won’t spare anyone if they try to harm her...!” she tried going into the hall but Suresh stopped her.

“Let us wait for some time, Afroz... have patience...” he said trying to hide his impatience.  Ragini was growing impatient too.  She wanted the decision ... and the wedding to happen, the possibility of which seemed very bleak....! 

“This is not done, Poorva... we must do something...” Afroz said desperately.  She needed action.... the thrill of this wedding was giving her the kick of a drug...! Poorva had a hard time containing her over enthusiasm....! 

“Just stop it and sit here..! ...” Poorva stopped Afroz clasping her wrist.  

“No  way... didn’t you see how devastated they both looked? And he just disappeared somewhere and My big sister is dragged inside again... I can’t wait now...!” She strode into the Hall ...! No one looked at her...! 

“I want to talk to Mr. Deo...” said Salil pausing a bit and then said “Alone...” Dhatri looked down with pale face...! 

“Big... I mean... umm.. Dhatri..” Afroz entered calling out for Dhatri loudly.  Dhatri got up with a jerk...

“Yeah... coming..” she said almost running towards Afroz and went out with her in no time...! 

“Where is Ravi?” She asked once she was out of the hall and with her friends.  No one knew... The palace was so huge ...! Suresh waved at some direction and Dhatri marched out in that direction....! 

“Ravi...” She called from behind and he turned .. “Dhatri...” he said gravely.  She held his hand authoritatively...!

“Let us go...” she said “Where?” he asked... “To finish the unfinished work...” she said pulling him along.  This time he didn’t stop her, but led the way out of the palace... into the garden.. out of the gates.. on the crossroads, without any questions! She walked and he followed... giving in ..!

“Hey... hey.. wait for me...” Afroz caught up with them...! 

“Where are you going?” she asked exhasperated...! “To get married..!” Dhatri said not looking at Ravi.

“Where?” Afroz asked... “Temple” was the answer... Dhatri this time looked at Ravi questioningly.

“Vyaghreshwari Temple... Our Family Goddess...” Ravi answered and walked holding Dhatri’s hand.  Afroz followed...! 

In the middle of the night... Vyaghreshwari Mandir bells reverberated, booming, waking up everyone around, with all the lamps lit... and the door of the sanctum opened for the son of Royal Family of Kanker...! 

Afroz froze looking at the fearsome, formidable, larger than life size Kali, riding the fierce tiger with Trishul in one hand and Sword in other Trampling, pinning down a Monster to death....! The conch sound echoed in the sanctum...! Afroz had the hair-raising experience of the fierceness of the Goddess ...!