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“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…..