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There was a week’s  time to release the fishermen from both the sides.  But Instead another fleet was captured and 34 wandering Fishermen were captured again from Jamnagar… !  They were brought to Karachi.  

A new warfare training had started.  She was doing well in handling weapons and assembling them from the knock down conditions.  

“You will cross the border under our protection, as tourists…! You will meet the other members on their land.  Everything should be precisely done…! We will keep a watch on you.  A wrong step and you will be punished for your life…! “Finish off before the winter sets in…” The gangman warned and a group of Ten militants including three women nodded adjusting their back packs.  A person came in and started collecting the back packs.  .  Rini hesitated for a fraction of second.  She took the material and a docket  with shaky hands. They were to travel from Lahore to Hafizabad, to Rawalpindi to Islamabad to . Abbottabad, their final destination.  The ‘Material will be handed over and they were to come back to Lahore and then En route Karachi the group will be merged with the captive Fishermen…!  She looked around in her new attire and a small bony hand gripped her shoulder.  She turned and a broad smile appeared on her face for a fleeing second.

“Finally…” a girlish voice murmured and she nodded walking away from the group.  Another set of gunmen came in.  They hand picked five member including Rini.  

“Make no mistake… Check every item… check the list…” One man handed over a bag and everyone nodded.  Rini turned and went out winking at a person,  “Happy Diwali…” .  Her lips curled up.  Happy Diwali…!

********  ******  ******

Rahman arranged for everything in next few weeks ....

There was a big debate on the issue.... Salil and Nilima were heartbroken when she declared that she was going to her rightful place.  Nilima and Salil tried to desuade her but she was firm on her decision.  Afroz was all set to accompany her to US.

“I am going… Mamma… !” Dhatri had declared and Nilima’s heart doomed.

“How do I tell her… Her Ravi is in deep trouble…! Is it wise to send her there, now? There is no communication from anyone of them…! Everything is unsure…! What if they blame Dhatri for this?  What if they call her bad omen…! What if Disha hurt Dhatri again…?” Nilima’s bloodpressure shot up.  

“Aunty.. Don’t worry… I will go with her…! I will protect her..!” Afroz was overconfident.  She was ready to miss her college.  This was a new thrill in her life…! Dhatri ignored her.  Salil, Nilima, Indroneel were deep in thoughts…! 

“Look Mamma… you kept saying I should be there in my rightful place… till last week and now that I am going… you people are not ready to send me..” Dhatri said in frustration.

“Yeah… but there is no communication..” Salil presented a weak argument.

“So what, Papa? Communication or no communication.. That’s my rightful place after the wedding.  Isn’t it?” she asked sarcastically.  Nilima hid her face sobbing.  Dhatri patter on her back.  

“Mamma.. don’t worry! I had been there before.. and I can manage on my own…” Dhatri said with fake confidence.  Indroneel blew his top hearing this.

“Oii  Baba… yeah!! .. Salil… Baba… Dhatri was so co-operative… she turned herself into a baggage and jumped on the trolly… I literally carried this cry baby out of the Airport…” Smile appeared on Nilima’s face.  Dhatri puffed her cheeks.  

“That was my first time, uncle… I will manage now.. Don’t worry..!” she said angrily. 

“No… We can’t send you alone…You are going to your ‘sasuraal’  first time..!” Salil said protesting.  Dhatri thumped her hands on her hips in frustration..! 

“Why don’t you go with her?” Indroneel suggested and Salil fell silent.  Tickets for two people, at that time was beyond his budget…! 

“No!” Dhatri objected.  “No! I will go alone… Why buy two tickets and waste money?” she asked plainly.  Salil felt a stab …! 

“Its not the question of buying two tickets, beta…!” he said looking at his wife.  She turned her face wiping her eyes.

“I feel Ravi will come and then we will happily send you to your rightful place with him..” Salil said smiling faintly.

“And what if he doesn’t turnup at all?” Dhatri asked turning to him and he gaped at her shocked. 

“Ok.  Ok.  Wait.. wait…” Indroneel had a plan.  He dialled Rahman’s number.  Rahman took over the control sidelining everyone…! 

 Indroneel  suggested that Salil go with her....! He agreed reluctantly when their VISA stamping was done, eight days down the line.  Rahman arranged for the tickets saying it’s the grooms responsibility to take the dulhan home..!  Afroz cried loudly on the airport to see her big sister off. 

Dhatri was still not sure what she was going to do there...! She thought she should go and there she was sitting with her stomach churning when the plane took off from Delhi airport with Salil holding her hand.   

**********   ******

Eight days down the line… there was a time for transfer in the wee hours of the freezing cold night in Abbottabad.  Ten people were ready with two vehicles and weapons.  The light blinked the morse code, turning on and off the torch light.  All was well… the herd yaks and camels from the other side crossed the thinly flowing river and the vehicles flashed high beams.  The group of Five people were ready with the list in their hands. The other five were ready with guns to strike anytime…! The list was read out in torchlight and the material was checked.  Rini’s head numbed seeing those portable sophisticated distructive material.  She checked every consignment with the packing list.  The currency exchanged and suddenly the torch light went off.

“Whaaaww” a muffled scream lift Rini’s mouth as someone clasped his hand on her mouth… !

“Rini…!” Someone whispered in her ear and her knees gave way… She lost her control in the dark starless night and he carried her away in his arms..! 

“What..?” she was blinded with the bright torch light focused on her face.  She sat up with a jerk not ready to believe what she had heard.  A rough strong hand pulled her in embrace and she felt his thudding heart.

“Vinit…?” her lips screamed  soundlessly. 

“chup…” he warned her pushing her a little away…! The torchlights flashed again…!

“Time to celebrate Diwali…! Lets enjoy some fireworks…!” he turned his back on her and she took out a gun…! 

A loud explosion shook the entire area…! The Tremors reached several kilometres… the explosives caught fire..! There was mayhem everywhere…! The vehicles exploded… the herd dispursed everywhere…! A group of few people ran upto the river and jumpted into the waiting canoe…!