156

“Whose call was it last night?” Nilima asked hopefully…! Dhatri turned her face to stare at Nilima.

“Why is she so desperate?” Dhatri failed to understand.  Everyday, the same question and the same answer….!  Nilima looked away dejected.  There was no call from Ravi since he left India in a hurry to attend to pressing business matters, assuring them that he will keep them informed.  Nilima was losing her hopes.  

Dhatri was at peace, not bothered about Ravi or his phone call.  She had started her routine at her parent’s house.  Others were worried with the total black out from the other side.  Even Sayajirao had not called them.  Bhanu was not available and Disha was in Australia for her research work.  Rini and Vinit…! No trace of them either….! Nilima and Salil were growing restless….! 

“Has he betrayed us?” He brushed away this thought ‘n’th time from his mind.  Indroneel had tried contacting Sayajirao and Ravi but both of them were not available.  Mrs. Russel would reply and say both of them were not available.  Indroneel too was perplexed with this response.  Their cell phones were switched off.  Salil kept calling Rahman and Avadhesh for some news.  They both kept saying that everything was ok and both Sayajirao and Ravi were busy with the law suit.  However Rahman had started gathering the documents required for Dhatri’s immigration VISA. 

Both Nilima and Salil were desperate to send Dhatri to her rightful place.  Dhatri was unaffected as if nothing had happened and she was the same Dhatri Dixit.  

“Why is he not calling you, Dhatri?” Nilima asked worriedly her everyday question.

“Mamma, How do I know? He must be busy… Don’t worry….!” Dhatri gave the same answer and Nilima lost her patience.

“Are you not worried, Dhatri? He married you and left you here… and there is a complete blackout … Don’t you think there is something very fishy about this?” Nilima exploded and Dhatri’s gaped.  

“Why is she so worried? What am I supposed to do? Cry out loud for not being able to communicate …?” she failed to understand.  

“Are you worried that Ravi won’t turn up at all and take me to US?” She finally asked and Nilima looked up like a ghost.

“That’s ok. Mamma…. I am not bothered… It is his problem and his decision whether to take me along or not… Not mine!   If he doesn’t turn up, its his problem, …!” Dhatri said coolly and Nilima gaped in disbelief.  

“But you should be in your house… not in your parent’s place…” Nilima said and Dhatri flared up…!

“What do you mean, Mamma… You want me to move out? Fine….! I will!” Dhatri said moving out of the kitchen.  Nilima ran behind her.

“No.. Dhaa.. Please… don’t misunderstand… I didn’t mean it… I just wanted you to understand….” Nilima was on the verge of breaking down.  Dhatri gazed at her mother and then hugging her tightly said…!

“That’s like my Mamma… I am not going anywhere… Even if you ask me to…” She giggled and Nilima pushed her away.

“Dhaa… you are not a kid now… Be serious… You are a married woman…” Nilima pulled her into the kitchen again.  Dhatri giggled again brightly.

“Yeah… Married and deserted…!” she said and Nilima turned angrily.

“Don’t you ever say that again…!” She clasped her palm on Dhaa’s mouth.  Dhatri sniggered. 

“Don’t you give me that laugh again…!” Nilima had a problem with that too.  Dhatri moved away.

“Ok. Mamma… You also don’t ask me the same questions again and again…! Jo hoga dekha jayega…!” Dhatri stuffed roasted peanuts in her mouth and ran out.  Nilima held the kitchen platform for support.

“What do I do with this girl…” She thought worriedly….! 

“Mamma… Don’t worry..!” Dhatri had come back.  Nilima wiped her tears…!

“And stop being so touchy… Mamma… I know… He must be busy… He will contact…!” Dhatri cupped Nilima’s face. 

*********   *********   ********

After much deliberations Vinit had convinced Khan Baba to include him in the team, which would go into the camps to deliver the consignments... !

“I am a tourist and no one will suspect… I will handle it carefully…!” he had assured.

“Why are you doing this?” Khan had asked and Vinit winked…!

“Adventure… and ….!” He stopped, winking…!

“Drugs…!” he whispered in Khan’s ear smiling ear to ear.  Khan looked up shocked.

“Not that type…!” Vinit raised his hands grinning…! Khan still had a question mark on his face…!

“Aphrodisiac … “ Vinit winked again… “Chinese formula…” he said grinning and Khan sniggered…..rubbing his palms with a prospect of more money…! 

“Ok.. Done..! You go, deliver… I give you the medicine you want…” Khan winked rummaging into his shoulder bag…! Vinit looked on greedily….! 

The Yaks were loaded with the ‘material’ in a knock down condition and Vinit was taught to reassemble at the destination.  He learnt like a good student …! The rocket launchers were telescope tripods and the ammunition were for the amusement parks water warfare…!  Vinit braced himself up for the mission..!

*********  ********  ********

The first test cleared for Mehrunnissa… She had passed the torture test…! She was taken in for the drugs and then shifted to POWs make shift camp.. (Prisoners of War)  for the torture test.  She was monitored 24X7 for her contacts with the prisoners… She had none… No one came near her and she didn’t try to communicate with anyone.  Her prayers, five times a Day continued even in the prison…! The holy war for Kashmir was only on her mind and she was ready to lay her life for the holy cause…!

She was given religious sermons every morning with sidarm combating training… the simple food of roti and rice was enough to keep the energy levels intact.  The drinks included chie and barly water…! The dry fruits were the afternoon tit bits…! 

It was time for her field traning with real weapons and to start with, she was taken in into the prison for her suspicious drug addiction.  They found no traces of drug in her blood, no connection with enemy and her papers were clear….! Mehrunnissa cleared the first hurdle…! A bigger responsibility was to be given to her…! 

“You will be transferred tomorrow…!” a guard came closer.  She shrunk…!

“Food!” someone yelled banging the plate on the floor.  The guard turned.  She took a sigh for a moment and yelped in pain.  She was kicked hard.  She looked up.  The guard had returned and seeing relief on her face, had gone wild in rage..!

“Trying to avoid me? Haan?” he pulled her up tearing her burkha…! Her body exposed and he lunged at her hungrily.

“Woohaa…!” he groaned as an excruciating pain surged upto his head…! He tried to open his eyes to get a blow right into his left eye… He groaned in pain again.  A skinny small hand pulled out his gun and aimed at his head.  He looked up…! 

“Boss first…!” a girlish voice spat in rage.  The guard backed away.  It was the boss’s privilege to have the girl first.  Rini looked on.  The girl turned to pickup the gun and Rini saw her.

“Vande Mataram..” the girl whispered and Rini ignored completely turning a deff ear on her.  The girl moved out and Rini sat there thoroughly bewildered.  “Who is she? There was no backup provided, per the plan.. then what was this?” Rini must wait for another opportunity to confront the little girl…!

****  *****  ****

“Papa… I had told you… You people had no trust on me…! I had told you Papa… Now face it…! You took her side… Now what?” Disha exploded.  She had come back to her protected, gated environment and had called her parents…!

“Disha… please… stop this.. Please tell us what happened?” Salil urged with his heart jumping out of his skin…! 

“Papa… I had warned you about that family…! I did my best to protect my little sister… And you all were set to push her into the pit… She is in deep shit papa… why didn’t you listen to me that time?” Disha again picked up speed on the same track.

“Disha please tell us what happened…Please Disha, Don’t try my patience… I am a heart patient already…!” Salil said pressing his hand on his chest and Nilima took the phone from Salil…..

155

“Oh God...! 200 million dollars? Did you hear that?” Disha screamed and Bhanu came out of his study.

“Axix Security and Servilliance.. LLC is sued for 200 million dollars for invading privacy...” Disha pointed at the screen.  Bhanu gaped in shock.

“Axix... Ravi’s company!” he blurted in horror.

“Yeah...! His company is sued .... It messed up in fixing, it seems... They fitted in common restrooms..... Oh god!” Disha wiped her forehead.  Bhanu sat on sofa with a thud.

“See... A company in Nebraska....” she went on.  Bhanu tried dialing Ravi’s number and then remembering that Ravi was in India, disconnected.  

“Oh God..... Yesterday he got married and today....!” Disha was shocked.

“How could they be so careless....Or is it deliberate?” she asked looking at Bhanu.

“Disha.... Its a law suit.... The alligations are not proved yet...” Bhanu said looking at Disha’s face.  Disha fell silent for a while watching the news....! 

“Now.. everything will come down to my sister...” she said wiping her face.

“What do you mean?” Bhanu asked confused.

“Yesterday they got married... Ravi and Dhaa... and today this ....! Every body will ....” Disha wiped her eyes.

“Everybody will, what, Disha?” Bhanu held her hand.

“Ev..Everybody will think... she is a bad omen...” Disha said sobbing.  Bhanu threw his hands in the air shaking his head hopelessly....!

“From where do you get these ideas, Disha? You are a scientist at NASA... How can you...?” he blurted in shock.  Disha looked up....

“You don’t know, Bhanu... people in India....” She didn’t complete.

“I am an Indian too, Disha and I am sure no one will blame Dhaa....! The company will sort it out....!” he said and then his face turned ghostly....

“Nebraska.... Disha Ravi had deployed the systems in the mall and business house....” Bhanu said in a hollow voice.

“Did he....?” He couldn’t even think about it....!

“But that was long back... why would a company sue now...?” Bhanu wondered....

“See? Its a Dhaa effect....” Disha hid her face....

“Just shut up, Disha... “ Bhanu yelled, losing his control over his anger.  Disha looked up shocked.

“Stop yelling at me... This is a fact... she is... she is...a bad omen....” Disha flared up too.

“Oh! Shut up Disha.. get a life...!” Bhanu left her alone in the room and went out.  Disha sat with a thud.  Dhatri had proved it again....! She was a big hindrance for Disha and now for Ravi too...! Ravi would end up in a mess...!

“I know... everyone will blame her for this....Dhaa...!” Disha cried hiding her face in her palms.  Her little sister was in trouble again....! 

“I must call her...” she searched for her cell....!

“Pick up the phone, Dhaa...” Disha glanced at the closed door of her house...!

“I must call her before Bhanu returns...!” She tried again.

Dhatri was busy in her project Demo.....  

Ravi was waiting in the canteen...! 

******  ********  ******

“Huu...Huu...Huu....Hyck...hyck....!” The mob was cheering and jeering....! The headless goat was being dodged and kicked and thrashed.... ! 

The Whip in mouth, a Kyrgyz man steered his horse in a game of buzkashi!  The headless goat carcass had taken the place of the ball. Vinit watched from a distance.  It looked like a traditional Polo in India.  The Kyrgyz call it ‘ulak tartysh..’ 

“Enjoying the game?” A man sat beside Vinit and Vinit nodded smiling...! 

“The stakes are high here...! The loser will end up losing the youth...!” the man said and Vinit turned to him.

“What do you mean?” he asked looking at the hysteric crowd....!

“This is a competiton ... the stakes are high...” The man created enough suspense.  Vinit looked surprised.

“The loser team will have to part with three of their young men....” the man said... Vinit understood.

These young men would be used as slaves by the winning team...! 

“What about the goat? Whose goat is that?” Vinit asked... and the man grinned showing his blackened decayed, broken teeth... His long chiseled nose was running.  He was just not bothered to wipe it off....! Vinit looked away disgusted...! Curiosity brought him back to the man.  The man looked hideous...!

“Stealing...! Good that we could steal a goat from them.... else it would be stolen child ...... beheaded and used for ulak tartysh...” The man said solemnly and Vinit got up with a jerk...!

“What? A child? You mean... you people kill a child for a game? Just like that?” he was shocked to the core and lost his balance, grabbing the attention of others.  The man just shrugged and went away seeing a small group of people approaching...! Vinit clenched his fists..! The addiction for drugs and this game had made them insensitive...! They didn’t value human life...!  The treeless terrain had turned them into stones themselves...! The high altitude, thin air, scarcity of oxygine, the fight for food and the arms deals was a dangerous lethal combition....! There was no difference between slaughtering animals and humans....! For months these people would travel from one end to the other and back... from China border to the tip of North East Pakistan... for drugs, money, women, and slaves...! Vinit had a knot in his stomach....! 

“Huu... Huu...Huu....!” the jeers rose and the tempo reached the skies...! The winning team was throwing woollen strips in the air.... The handing over for three young boys took place and they were brought into the troop.  

“This is our last summit...! In a couple of days we will reach the destination....! You will travel back from Kabul or Islamabad...!”  Khan baba said chewing a piece of roast meat...! Vinit grinned....!

“I will take Yarkhun River  which flows in Indian territory as karambar River...” he said and Khan baba looked at him astonished...! 

“My journey ends here...!” Vinit got up smiling.  Khan baba looked puzzled.  Vinit had different plans...! The river route was only an eyewash... ! 

“No... don’t take the river route....!” Khan knew how dangerous that would be...! Vinit turned.

“What do you suggest?” he asked coming back.

“Well... I think you should....” Khan baba explained the plan.....

****  ***  ****

“No! You go...!” Dhatri said when Ravi explained.  She had a technical problem.  Her VISA was expired.  She had only three months VISA for US for the young achievers award.  She couldn’t accompany Ravi.  They both had not thought over this problem.  Ravi’s partner Bill broke the news to Ravi and they both had to be there for the first hearing...! 

“Mr. Ray...!” Bill had come out hurriedly visibly worried.  Ravi was waiting for him.

“Did you hear that?” he asked a confused looking Ravi and then went on to break the news. 

“ Did you deploy the system?” Ravi thought for a while.

“I did... but not for this Mall.  I deployed the systems in Lincoln not Columbus...!” he said gravely.

“Anyway... we have to be there...” they both concluded.   Bill was incharge of Cameras in automation and Ravi have taken over the servilliance division very recently. 

......  .....

“Dhatri... I will be back, soon...!” Ravi said gravely.  The thought of leaving Dhatri, his wife in India twisted his heart.  Just a day back, they were in the thick of the things trying to avoide all those rituals and now he had to leave.  Dhatri fixed her gaze on her feet.  Ravi looked away dejected.  The friends had given them some time together and Bill had gone to collect his things.  They were to leave as early as possible.

Dhatri just nodded, not knowing how to react.  She was married to this man and he was leaving her.  She tried to look up to him but failed to meet his gaze.

“Dhatri...!” he held her hand.  She shuddered a bit and withdrew reflexively.  He folded his arms gazing at her.

“Dhatri.. please understand the crisis...” he said leaning forward and Dhatri nodded. 

“No! You go! I will manage...” She said not knowing what and how she would manage.  

“I... I will request Rahman uncle to complete the formalities for your VISA, Dhatri...” he said earnestly.  She merely nodded.  The thought of going back to parents after the wedding fiasco gave her jitters.  She looked away.  “What have I done...?” she regretted.  Ravi was watching the changing expressions on her face.  She suddenly got up.

“Ok, then... you must get ready...” she said turning to move away.  Ravi pulled her by arm and wrapped his arms around her.  She struggled pushing him away.  He overpowered her struggle whispering in her ears...!

“I will be back soon, JL....” She forgot her struggle.

“Don’t call me JL...!” she retorted.  “You are JL! My JL...” he teased her. 

“Shut up...Leave me...” she tried to break free.

“Dhatri... Miss me, ok!” he brushed his lips on her cheek and she pushed him away with all her might.  He left her and moved away a bit.  A trapped breath left her mouth in a sigh.  She turned her reddening face....! 

“We kiss the bride after the wedding....” he had come back holding her from behind.  Her knees gave way...She tried to run away with wobbly knees, failing even to move an inch. 

“Ray....” Bill was approaching and Dhatri moved away from Ravi.  

154

The Innova.. SUV literally took off as Afroz zoomed out of the now opened gate of the temple.  Salil took a sigh and turned to his wife.  

“Someone from us should have gone with her…!” Salil held Nilima’s hand… She looked up with teary eyes.

“She will be more comfortable with her friends…!” Swarnima said, smiling.  

“And Ravi…!” Virender added a pinch of humor.  

“Yeah… Baaba… Ravi and Dhaa… I thought they left for their Honeymoon… But alas  They are going for her exam….humm….! Baaba… Dhaa… All the best…” Indroneel made a sad face glancing at everyone and waved in the direction of the gate,  and Nilima burst out in laughter…!

“Bhaisaab… Aap bhi naa…” she glanced at the laughing crowd…!

……  ……

Dhatri felt uncomfortable and tried to keep the distance, as much as possible till she was awake…! But found her head against his shoulder, holding his arm, when she woke up in the morning.  

 Afroz had brought them to Bhopal in record time with only one stop for a strong tea in the midnight when Dhatri and Ravi were fast asleep plopping their heads on each other…! 

The friends had no time to think of anything other than project Demo, reporting to the Head of Department and preparing the lab setup for the demo.  They begged for the time slot in the afternoon which was refused.  Ravi’s partner Bill was already there in the lab.  Ravi refused to enter the lab or meet him.

“That will be my vested interest….!” He said reasonably glancing at Dhatri.  Dhatri had already had adrenaline rush.  “Why can’t you come?” she asked nervously.

“Because, now, you are my wife and I can’t evaluate you… That’s not fair…!” he said and Ragini nudged her naughtily.  “Wife..! haan??!” she whispered and Dhatri’s cheeks changed color with her deep dimples visible as she bit her lip…! 

“Shut up..!” she turned her face away from Ravi. 

“Dhatri… All the best…!” Ravi held out his hand and wished.  Dhatri nodded nervously…! She was blanked out… Nothing was in her head.  She had forgotten everything about the project.. Even the title.  Suresh understood her problem.

“Daatri… Don’t worry… I will prompt you…! Like we did in that Seminar…!” he tried to pump in some confidence.  Dhatri nodded again.  “Mari mai… Mari mai…” She prayed closing her eyes, clutching her Kirtimukh….

“Wait a minute…! What was that another thing hanging around her neck…?” She turned ghostly…!

“Mangalsutra?” She looked at Ravi, panic-struck…! She was married… Without knowing what she was doing and what marriage was after all…! It was just an escape route for her, then… But now? There was no escape…!

“Dhaa… Chal.. We must be in uniform…” Poorva dragged Dhatri along.  Ravi waited in the canteen, nervously for the evaluation to get over…!

………  ………..

“What are they doing, after all? Brainwashing the innocent, poor people?” Rini thought gravely controlling her urge to open her mouth to argue and tell the women what their so called jehad would lead them to…! She clenched her fists.  Her job was not to preach.  She was to act… Act smoothly, collect information, note the locations and return…! She was not to wage war… She was to avoid it as far as possible…! She let out a sigh, lying down on the floor for some sleep. The so called protectors were busy keeping the poor people unsettled, hoodwinking them under the name of jehad... the spiritual struggle against unbelievers....!

“Vande Mataram…” She again heard a whisper and sat up with a jerk.  The darkness had covered the figure.  She tried her best to look around.  A thin, bony palm gripped her wrist. She moved in a flash pinning down the figure to the floor, clamping the throat with one hand and twisting the wrist by the other.  

“Allah… Who are you?” Gritted Rini.  The person pinned down struggled…. The pressure on the throat increased… the person chocked…! 

“Who are you?” Rini asked releasing the pressure a bit.  The person coughed…! 

“Indian Army…” and “SLAP…” Rini slapped the person with all her might… 

“What the hell?” she yelled spitting rage… The person struggled again under the deathly pressure on the throat.  

“What is it?” someone was at the door…!

“Intruder….” Rini said releasing the person….! Two people came in hurriedly with torch.  A bony, pale looking woman was uncovered….! She trembled with fright…! 

“What are you doing here?” a rough voice asked…

“I…I … I was asked to take this to her…!” she pointed at Rini showing a pouch in her hand.  Rini looked shocked.

“What is in it?” asked the rough voice and Rini felt her heart pounding against her chest.  

“What if this reveals my true identity..?” she clenched her fists, preparing herself for the final assault… ! 

The pouch was snatched and the woman was asked to go…! Rini waited with bated breath.  The man emptied  the pouch….! 

“What did she say…?” the person stood tall before Rini.  Rini looked up with her face covered under her burkha…!

“One Day Martyrdom…” she twisted it a bit… ‘Vande Mataram…’ she kept her hand on her chest.  “Mauf Karana…” she blurted eating the word “Maa” for her motherland.  

He surveyed the contents… A match box, a cigarette, a small sharp knife, a white powder, and a piece of aluminum foil.. with few coins and a string….!

Rini too gaped with astonishment not understanding what it means…! There was not a single thing she had expected in the pouch to hold.  These clearly showed the material for smoke…, inhaling drugs… ! 

“What the hell is this? Are you on drugs?” the man came in.  Holding her shoulder tightly, he moved his hand over her body.  She shook her head furiously denying the accusation.  

“No…I don’t know, what it is…” she said trembling….! The man pocketed the material and moved out dragging Rini along.  He must report…. 

Someone had framed her…! She too must report and prepare to strike back…! 

********  ********  *******

He opened his eyes sitting up with a jerk.  The commotion everywhere in the nomad camp had woken him up, from his sweet dreams of Rini and Vini together…!

“What the hell? What’s going on?” he asked a passerby…! 

“Deaths… Explosion…!” The young boy’s voice trailed as he ran away….! Vinit looked around…. The mayhem broke out…! People were running for their lives… Yaks, sheep, camels scattering everywhere… escaping the fire…! 

“What happened?” he asked holding Khan Baba’s hand.  The man who led the troop of these nomads… the alpha male… the leader… the protector… the lead man in arms and drugs trafficking…! 

“Don’t worry… ! Nothing much has happened… ! A few of their people died with their cattle… the mines exploded when the trespassers tried to sneak in….! 

Vinit gaped with dropped jaw…!  “I mean… the rival tribe…. They were carrying light weight material… fell short of camels and yaks… came to us begging… we refused… they tried to sneak in to purloin our live stock…! We chased them away…!” Khan Baba grinned wickedly.  Vinit turned to the tent.  Khan Bibi… the lead lady was smoking.. she offered him smiling… He sat groaning in pain in the knees.  

“These things happen….” She said smiling…! “We secure our territory with land mines…” she said.  He just nodded.  “Soon everything will be normal..! Don’t panic..!” she said sucking in the Hukkah….! 

“You want tea?” she asked and he nodded….! People in the group were preparing to a move, packing their belongings on the yaks and camel backs…! Vinit got up limping and a youth came running to help him….! Vinit had befriended with the young lads, ignorant about the trafficking that was taking place.  Vinit had free access to the belongings of others including the leaders. 

“Where are you taking these?” he had asked.  “Don’t know…!” was the casual answer from the youth.  But then Khan Bibi had favored him with the answer. 

 

“A group will come and exchange these for Afeem and Hashish… drugs… and some money…We exchange these light weight rocket launchers and mortars…! These are Chinese make…! She had provided vital information.  The real official arms deal was never brought to light… These were not for official Army but for the Non State actors like infiltrators, terrorists and so called Jehadees…! 

“I know, where these would go…!” One of the youth had said and Khan Bibi had stopped the youth, yelling at him.  Vinit must find him, to give him the touch screen mobile handset he had, as a gift….! 

********  *********  ********

“Disha….Don’t worry…! Everything will be alright….! Ravi is a nice gentleman…!” Bhanu kept patting on sobbing Disha’s back.

“You know what? Papa didn’t even listen to me… I am not her enemy…! I wanted to tell them what I heard…Bhanu… Sanyogita Aunty..!” Bhanu stopped her.

“You are putting your trust in a wrong person, Disha…!” he said shaking his head and Disha exploded.

“Wrong person? She is the sufferer, Bhanu… She has gone through the torture, the assault, the humiliation…!” Disha looked at him in disbelief.

“That’s what she told you… Have you ever tried to probe deeper? Have you ever asked me about it? My mother is her elder sister, Disha! We know her for long….!”

Disha gaped having no counter argument.  Bhanu patted her kindly and said…

“Its ok.  I will get some coffee for you… Just relax…” he went inside and Disha sat on the sofa lost in her thoughts.  She was worried about her family back in India, her youngest sister’s future and her future too…! Things were not going her way.. She was missing something vital… Bhanu too looked distant and indifferent… In fact he sounded happy for what had happened with Ravi and Dhatri…! 

“You think She will be safe?” she asked clutching the coffee cup.  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Yes, Disha! I am sure she will be very happy with Ravi…! Now gulp you coffee and come… let us sleep….!” He said squeezing her shoulder lovingly.  Disha smiled faintly…!

“Yeah… I need to start my day early, tomorrow… I need to report to duty early… There is a conference call with the simulation guys…!” she said picking up the empty coffee cups and Bhanu took a sigh of relief….!

“Distraction….” Was the only way out….! He went into the bedroom controlling his urge to call Ravi or Saya uncle….!