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“Membrane key pad? A fibre case? A display screen? A PCB... Connectors....Set of cables...! What is all this?” she fixed the assembly into the packaging slots... a thermocol cutouts... and fixed into a board to send it for shrik wrapping...! Something in a knock-down condition...! What is that? A detonator? IED (Improvised Explosive Device)” She kept packing, keeping up the pace with others...! She tried hard to read the IC type... The poor lighting made it impossible...

“What is this? Broken?” She asked the woman next.  The lady just shrugged... “Throw it into that bin...” she said and continued doing her job.  Rini kept it aside for a while and then making up her mind took the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and took it to the supervisor’s chamber... The guy was busy watching some porn movie... He checked her out lustfully.. she felt disgust...!

“Broken...” she said handing over the broken piece... The bright light would give her a chance to see the IC number..! The man came nearer.. but instead of taking the broken piece, touched her shoulder... She paced backwards... and then making up her mind in a fraction of second, moved forward and held his hand.  This is broken....”Toot Gaya hain!” she said keeping the piece in his hand.  He looked at the piece and before he could do something, she disappeared from his cabin...!

“Don’t go alone in the chamber...!” The lady next whispered as Rini resumed her packing...! Rini nodded...! Her mind racing... she must inform... about the IEDs..! If these devices were using Radio Frequency... the jammers must be ready...! She must act fast... She had no communication means...! She must find out something else...! She had come here to know more about the nuclear plan but this one was outright terrorist aid industry... manufacturing IEDs detonators...!

The man in the cabin had come out and was standing behind her staring at her...! She ignored him but kept an eye on his movements...!

“Chalo...” He ordered and she turned.  He dragged her inside.  Rini counted numbers to calm herself down...!

“LET JAO...!” he ordered and she understood his intentions...! She came a step forward...

“Abhi Nahi... Sham ko...!” she whispered and he turned excited...! She looked down controlling her urge to break his neck....! But she couldn’t afford to create a scene...! She must keep her head down....! As he left her hand, she walked out....! 

*** ***** *****

“Who are you...? What are you doing here in the middle of the night...?” Pandit of the Mandir walked in hurriedly followed by his wife...! Dhatri held Ravi’s hand..! Afroz blocked Panditji in the middle...! “Who are you?” she asked arrogantly.

“Who the hell is this girl?” Pandit’s anger shot up...! He was woken up with a start from his deep slumber with the loud rining bells of the Mandir....! 

“Panditji... “ Ravi started off politely.  Pandit looked at him.... “Who are you?” he asked narrowing his eyes.

“Ravindra Pratap Sayajirao Deo” Ravi was clear enough to send the message.  It took a moment to register ....But when it did..... “Are you... Maharaja Sayajirao’s....” Pandit blurted with ashen face...! His wife clutched her mouth...! Dhatri hid behind Ravi...!

“Yes...” Ravi came forward and touched Pandit’s feet and Dhatri followed...! 

“You came here to reclaim the title....!” Pandit blurted his thoughts and Ravi shook his head....!  He pulled Dhatri forward...

“Panditji... She is my.... umm... fieance.... Umm... We are here to get married...” he said and Dhatri suddenly left Ravi’s hand in horror...! “Was she really ready to get married?” she asked herself...! Ravi was unmoved....! Panditji gaped at them in shock....!

“Where are others?” he asked, calculating...! Then suddenly he sat down and drew some wierd diagram with Rangoli on the floor.... !

“What is that?” Afroz couldn’t stop herself.  

“Prashna Kundali...” Pandi’s wife answered....! It took a moment for Pandit to look up at Ravi...!

“Claim your title, Son...!” he said gravely....! 

“No...!” Ravi was firm enough.  “You have to...!” responded Pandit...! 

“You can’t marry her... unless you assume your responsibility towards people...” Pandit said seriously...!  “No...!” Ravi said firmly and turning to Dhatri, said... “I believe, we should find out some other temple...” He held Dhatri’s hand and turned.  

“No... Son... Please wait....This is your goddess....!” Pandit urged....! 

“I will call my father....” said Pandit gesturing his wife.  She went away hurriedly. 

“Do you have someone.. who can vouch for your linage?” pandit asked sternly and Ravi snapped... “I vouch for myself...!” Pandit looked uneasy.  Dhatri was uneasy too... She wanted to get it over ASAP.  

“Chalo...” she murmured closing in behind Ravi.  Afroz was gazing at everyone with utter bewilderement...!

............  .......

“I am sure, she has kidnapped them both...!” Ragini said loudly when everyone unsuccessfully tried to search for Dhatri, Ravi and Afroz...! 

“Shut up...!” Poorva hissed and Ragini shut her mouth at once.  Suresh looked at both of them...dialing the number...! 

“Ok...!” he said and looked at poorva.  She understood and dragging Ragini alone came out of the hall...!

“They are in the temple...!” Suresh hushed from behind.  “Which temple?” poorva asked.

“Don’t know...!” Suresh slapped himself for not asking the directions...! Suleyman had followed them.

“I can help...!” he offered and after a moments hesitation, the friends agreed.

“Its the family temple, he must have gone to...” Suleyman said leading the way.  They all ran behind him.  

An old, feble man entered the mandir supported by Pandit’s wife.  

“Humm... Come here...!” he beckoned Ravi and held his hand.  “Vivah karana chahatain ho? Iss Kanya ke saath?” he asked and Ravi nodded.  He beckoned Dhatri and she turned to run away.  Afroz caught her.  “Dhatri...!” Ravi called her she came forward reluctantly...!

“Yeh kahan fasi main?” Dhatri cursed herself.  The old man held her hand... Warmth ran through his spine....! He closed his eyes...! Dhatri lost her resistance....! He was chanting something... Dhatri had gone into trance... but this was different...! she felt peace and calm... She was in safe hands...! 

“Maa ka varad hast hain tumpar...! You are a blessed child...!” he said opening his eyes.  “I know..” Ravi murmured...! 

“Ok....! “ he said looking at his son and said... “I am blessed too...!” Ravi looked puzzled...!

“I will be the priest...!” he said and asked the lady to go ahead with the preparations...!

.........  ...........

“Dhaa...” Poorva and Ragini dashed in calling out for Dhatri... Suleyman stood at the threshold...! Suresh entered ringing the bell...! Pandit came forward to talk to Suleyman...! The old man went inside to get ready ....! Dhatri looked at her friends blankly... Ravi looked tensed up...!

“Oh my...Big sister... You must get ready too...!” Afroz exclaimed and looked around...

“Where is that lady?” she went in search of that lady .... She should get her big sister ready for this wedding...! Pandit took out the old scriptures ...  It was a royal family wedding afterall and all the rituals must be followed...! 

Dhatri clutched Ravi’s hand in panick....He turned to look at her pale face....! He too was serious and apprehensive....! Suleyman had gone back... where? No one knew..! 

“Tilak Karana Beta...!” Old pandit had returned with Aarti Thaal and Ravi bent down to accept Tilak/Tika.  

Claim the Title...!” the old man almost ordered Ravi.  He glanced at Dhatri... She gave a nod, not knowing what was claiming the Title..! 

The rituals to reclaim the Title should be completed before the wedding....! The old pandit started chanting mantras in his clear, booming voice...! Dhatri felt possessed...! The atmosphere changed suddenly calming everyone down... They sat around watching and listening the mantras, mesmerized....!!

In the palace... Disha was doing her best to convince her parents..... !!