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“What am I doing here?” She took a final look around her tiny barrack and took a step out of the camp. She turned to look back for the last time... promising...

“I will come back... and soon...” she held her dupatta hidden inside her burkha and a mysterious smirk appeared on her face. It was her final summit in the camp. She was to be transported for her new responsibility. 

 

“Food for two days...!” a girlish voice whispered and Rini she took the packet securely packed in the cloth, inadvertently dropping the dupatta clutched in her hand.

“Vande Mataram...” she felt the figure walking with her. Ignoring completely Rini looked straight with pursed lips...! 

 

“Good bye...!” The figure disappeared branching out from the group. Rini walked merging herself into the crowd, removing the cloth tied on the tiffin box and hiding it under her burkha. 

 

The religious sermon took longer time than expected. She grew uneasy. The group was again sorted out. She was isolated from her original group and transferred to another group. Rini waited patiently biding her time. 

 

**** *** ****

“There was a big debate going on in both the countries on the issue of the arrested Fishermen and transferring them back. The 171 taken into Indian custory against 143 Indian fishermen in the prison crossing the territorial water from Gujarat....! 

 

Rini had a stomach upset and was in the tiny precarious toilet for a long time....! Taking out the cloths hidden under her burkha and deciphering the encoded message. The list of military officers rotting in the prison. The employment codes were deciphered and the list in her mind was ready....! 

 

The exchange would take place in a week’s time. With much deliberations and negotiations, Indian Government was ready to exchange 171 fishermen for the 143 Indian fishermen. The names and identifications were exchanged and they were waiting for their release....! 

 

The Mirpur Lahore International Airport was buzzing with the women visiting India for the pilgrimage to HazaratBal Shrine, Khwaja Garib Nawaz,  Ajmer Shareef Dargah, Hajiali Dargah and the famous monuments Kutub Minar, Tajmahel, Golgumbaj and other religious places.

Someone walked past her in the crowd and she gaped in shock. Her legs followed inadvertently....!

“What is he doing here?” She was shocked to see him on the Lahore Airport.

The tour manager was shouting the instructions, yelling his lungs out. The women, excited, thrilled, over enthusiastic, busy talking to each other ignored the instructions completely.

“Where are you going?” A hefty lady gripped her shoulder and turned startled.

“Umm.. No.. Ghuslkhana...” she showed the ladies restroom. The lady accompanied her... Rini had lost the opportunity to find out. Her tiffin cloth must be handed over. She didn't know how, but seeing him on the airport she knew the things were falling in place. The others would follow soon... Mission accomplished...? Really? She must find out....!

We have to wait... the flight is delayed for bad weather...” The tour guide announced and a murmur of disappointment rose in the crowd. Rini grinned ear to ear under her scarff covering her face. Indeed the things were falling in place...!

The things were falling in place for the militants too...! Soon the 'Material' will be delivered, packed on the backs of camels and along the side of the railway line... will be sent to the destination....! The secure path was set....Khokhropar railway station, Zero Point Railway Crossing... immigration and customs checks... Munabao Railway station in India.. Bhuro ki basti...! The rest would be taken care of by the other group...! A second precision planning was done at every stage, monitoring every move...!

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

“Fix a drink...!” She ordered and Mrs. Russel hesitated. Sanyogita looked up angrily and Mrs. Russel turned to the bar...! Snayogita was at peace....! She had regained the entry into the house. Saya and Ravi were held up with the litigation and Saya had no other option than to allow her into the house. She got what she wanted. Saya had no energy to fight another battle. Her opportunist mind smirked wickedly...

“Finally...” she relaxed holding the glass of fine wine...! The moment she came to know about the litigation, she had grabbed the opportunity to visit Saya in his distress. He was shocked to see her at the door. She had hugged him tightly crying for their son. Saya was numbed. She had given him hopes to use all her influence to find a way out. He just had given in hoping for good. Soon she took over. Sayajirao's hopeless condition was used to her advantage....!

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

“Disha... please tell me what happened?” Nilima pressed her chest sucking in her breath.

“Mamma... he is turned in... for interrogation....!” Disha exploded the bombshell....! The phone slipped from Nilima's hands... she sat on the chair drained out completely....! Salil supported her, bringing her in the bedroom. 

 

“What do we do now?” he had no answer. 

 

“Salil... please... please... let us not tell her anything about this... She will be doomed..“ Nilima pleaded and Salil just hid his face in his palms....! The complete blackout made sense...! Dhatri's suffering had not ended ....! His heart cried out for his youngest daughter. No one knew what was in store for her. Her destiny was taking twists and turns into the darkness....! There was no end to the tunnel... no torch at the end of the tunnel...!

“Rini...!” Nilima wailed wrenching her heart...! Salil prayed for her return... There was no respite for anyone of them... He should helplessly wait for Rini's return....!