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“Disha... Please listen to him...!” Virender urged pointing at Rehman and Disha exploded...!

“Listen to whom? This person? He is not a family, not even of our religion...!” Disha whipped and Rehman took a step back.  Virender was shocked at Disha’s outburst.  Salil came forward into the frame...!

“Disha...” He stopped her and turning to Rehman apologized for his daughter’s rudeness.  Disha shook her head hopelessly.  Indroneel came into picture.

“Disha... they both are of age and we cannot stop them... If they want to get married, they will...” he said gravely.

“You stay out of this, uncle... I know what are you upto...!” Disha snapped back.  Indroneel had a mischievous smile on his face.

“Yeah... you are right and you know what... I will win....” he said chuckling.  A line of smile appeared on Rehman’s face.  “This man knows how to deal with this lady...” he thought giving control in Indroneel’s hands.  

“Disha beti... there is no point in yelling and trying to convince your parents... They are here with us.... You are on the other side of the world... “ He said calmly and Disha gaped.   

“You know? There is always an amount of risk in every venture...! Ravi and Dhaa, ....!” he couldn’t complete as Disha stopped him raising her hand.  

“Do you even know, where you people are pushing her?” she asked angrily.  

“We are not pushing her, Disha... She is going there willingly, holding Ravi’s hand...! In her own dream world...!” Indroneel said dreamily.  Disha felt frustrated.  She looked at her father....

“Papa, call her.  I will talk to her...! We can’t take chances... It will be a disaster if it turns out  to be true...!” Disha said impatiently.  Salil shook his head hopelessly.  

“Prof. Ghosh...” Suleyman entered and Indroneel went with him hurriedly.  Disha continued to paint a grim picture and Salil grew panic.  

“Stop all this... Please...! “ He clutched his head helplessly.  He turned to Rehman, making up his mind.  

“I want to talk to Mr. Sayajirao... now!” He ordered cum requested and Rehman nodded.

“Papa... no need to talk to him.  I will convey the message... Its a big NO, Papa...!” Disha said desperately.  Salil shook his head.  

“Disha.. please... let me handle this, my way...!” he said with determination. 

“You want to handle it, papa! You? Who are we then? “ Disha flared up sensing the things were going out of control.  Salil looked up. 

“Disha... I will handle it...!” he said and requested Rehman to log off. 

“May be you can go to the other room... “ he offered privacy to Salil.

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

“I am not here to claim the title... I don’t want to...! There are no Royal families and Maharajas in independent India...!: Ravi said firmly refusing to go through any of the rituals.  Pandit’s wife had taken Dhatri to get her ready.  The heavy Saree she was offered was heavier for Dhatri.  She came out trying to manage herself with that over-sized attire.  

“Dhaa... Let us go..!” he turned holding her hand when the old Pandit asked him to accept the Title.  Dhatri failed to understand the significance of the things happening around her.  She wanted the simplest way of getting married and the things were turning out to be most complex.  She thought of running away ...! But then she would break the promise and her word.  She wouldn’t do that at any cost!  She stayed put, holding Ravi’s hand.

“Agreed, son! There are no Royal families... This is only a formality to be completed.  You later on renounce the title as your father did....!”  The old pandit was pained to see Ravi not budge. 

Son,  l will explain what it is.  In fact every individual should take this oath and declare himself a Maharaja of his own self....” The Pundit had changed the tactic.  Ravi looked puzzled.

“Please assume your seat, son... I will explain... and you all ... you also listen carefully...” Pundit looked at that small gathering of Dhaa’s friends.  They all nodded respectfully.  

“Look son, claiming the title is assuming the responsibility as a grown up person, towards the society...!”  Pundit said solemnly.  Dhatri looked away sighing...

“Another sermon.... Do this.. Do that... Tika lagao... phere lo... jaymala dalo... pagadi peheno...”  She hated all these things...! 

“Now he will start giving lecture....” she hated lectures too...! (Thats why couldn’t understand much of engineering in these four years..._) 

“Baba.... Dhaa... Rajkumari...!” Indroneel exclaimed excitedly and Dhatri turned in astonishment.

“Uncle?” she looked around frightened.  “What if everyone else comes?” but she saw Suleyman waiting outside with heavy bags and boxes.  

Few people got the material inside.  The box was opened and the armour and swords were taken out.  

“Please... Stop all this.  I am not interested... I just want to get married...” Ravi stood up with a jerk.  The old pandit took a moment and then said.

“Ok.  You want the simplest way, you will have it.  In Hindus.. Just holding each other’s hand and declaring that you take her as wife and she takes you as husband, is enough to be a wedded couple....! “ Dhatri turned excited.  “This is so simple...~” she had a smile on her face.

“No..no..no..no...Baba... the minimum should be done... Dhaa... “ Indroneel held Dhatri’s hand and she jerked it away...!

“Now he will wreck havoc.” She thought frustrated.  But Indroneel had pulled both Ravi and Dhatri and turned to Pandit.

“Pandit ji... please keep it simple, ok? Our Dhaa is very tired... She is a baby...” he said winking and chuckling and Dhatri exploded.

“I am not a baby... I am a grown up girl..” she spat and Indroneel grinned.

“Yeah.. she is a grown up girl, ready to get married to a grown up boy...” he winked at Ravi.  Old pandit smiled happily.  

“Yes I will keep it very simple.  Beta... take the bigger sword and give the smaller one to her...” he said and Ravi pulled out the sword.  A 32 Kg and 25 kg swords were hard to handle....! Pandit’s wife helped Dhatri to tie it to her waist.  

“Pull it out Beti...” Old pandit requested and Dhatri couldn’t even hold the sword.  Afroz jumped in...! “Yeah.. I will help her... She drew it out with one swift movement and Dhatri gaped at the shining sword.

“Humm.. Hold it..” Afroz gave the drawn sword and stepped back.  Ravi had pulled out his sword.  

“Run your thumb...” A droplet of blood shot on his thrmb.  “Tikaa lagao..” he did it on her forehead.  The pandit chanted mantras.  "Kneel on your knees... and offer your sword to her...!” He did accordingly.  “Touch the sword, to accept it..” She did.

“The simplest meaning of this is...you both will take weapons to safeguard each other... In case of anyone’s death, the other will take over... You both should always be ready to protect your land...!” Pandit said and everyone nodded.

“Rini Didi...” Dhatri remembered Rini’s oath taking ceremony.  

“Dhaara Rukani nahi hain...” the trickle should not be stopped....! A shivling was brought in for abhishek.

“You will submit yourself to the five elements.... Aap, Tej, Vayu, Akash, Prithvi” Water, sun, air, sky, earth...! 

“That you will always protect each other, your family, your society, your land, every living creature, from the evil...” the Pandit asked them... “Haath main leke paani chodo..” 

“That you will Protect the Panch Tatwam submitting yourself to each of them... from being contaminated...”

“That you will not interfere into the law of nature... That you will respect and submit yourself to the mother nature... That you will not destroy any movable and immovable living being...That you will not hunt for fun... that you will never stop a hunt by the predator...That you will respect every living being... ! Har Kan ki Raksha karoge...!” pandit went on...! 

Dhatri’s smile broadened... She was enjoying this nature walk... the echological chain... the predator and pray... the trees.... the panch tatwa...!” Ravi glanced at her and seeing her smiling, smile spread over his face....! 

“Take pheras...to promise each other to complement each other, to nourish each other...To be with each other in every walk of life..!”  Pandit had lit the sacred fire and they did.  “Apanay Khoon say usaki maang bharo...” He did.  

“Dedicating your life for your family and people is not an easy job... it could turn out to be bloody... you will not hesitate to use force and weapon to defend....!” 

“Now.. wear this armor...!” he wore the heaviest 68 KG armor...! 

“Tika lagao... “ He gestured her to place the headgear on his head.  She did...! 

“Now you are the Maharaja of Kanker.... Abhishek karo....Dhaara khandit nahi honi hain...” 

Pandit warned.  Indroneel let out a loud sigh wiping off his tears.  They heard a muffled sob.  Afroz was hiding her face and crying...! Poorva got up and took her out.  Afroz couldn’t control her sobs...! 

“Big sister... How am I going to manage without her?” Poorva was stunned.  This near six feet, hefty, tomboyish, shooter girl was crying her heart out with the thought of parting with her weak, timid, silent, stuttering, big sister...!

“Shuu... stop crying... Afroz... Shuuu...” Poorva didn’t know how to console Afroz.