165

She opened the door with apprehension and saw a tall figure…! 

“Didi…” Afroz bulldozed Rini inside holding her shoulders.

“Aray… Foroz… Under aao…” Nilima came forward and Afroz left Rini’s shoulders.  Rini gaped in disbelief.

“This is Afroz? This tall, heafty, tomboy-ish girl, is Dhaa’s friend?” she surveyed Afroz critically.  Her bejeweled fingers, her anklets, her nose ring,  her pierced ears… Her Streaked brown hair, tied in a high pony tail… Rini couldn’t measure her up.  She was confused.  This girl would have crushed Dhatri anytime….! 

“Mother…. Did you get her call? I tried several times… So finally called Mr. Rahman.  He said they must have reached by now.  Thank God..!” Afroz went on and Nilima had to put a stop to her non stop talking…!

“Easy .. easy afroz… I haven’t got her call but Rini came this morning and wanted to see you…” Nilima said gesturing at Rini.

“Yeah.. even I wanted to meet her … I have heard so much about her…” Then turning to Rini, Afroz said…

“I was so excited when Mother told me that you arrived this morning…!” She again turned to Nilima…!

"Mother?" Rini arched her eyebrow.  Nilima grinned... "She called me mother... her big sister's mother..." 

Afroz held Nilima's hand.  “Mother…” Nilima grinned.

“Yeah… I know… making it…” she said going into the kitchen.  Rini gaped at this new character. 

“What the hell is going on?” she narrowed her eyes. And then making up her mind.. said in her reserved military tone of authority…!

“Ok. Sit here … I want to talk to you…” Nilima looked apprehensive, Afroz looked nervous but sat opposite Rini.  Rini looked at her mother and Nilima went into the kitchen to prepare her favourite “Upama” which Afroz loved…!

“Come on … tell me about yourself, Afroz.. how did you meet Dhatri..?” First direct question shot at Afroz.  

“But I know all about you, Rini didi from my big sister, from Suresh, poorva, Ragini… All of them fall short of words praising you…!” she said excitedly.  Rini was unimpressed.  “Is she trying to avoid letting out information?” Rini’s mind raced, but then Afroz spoke.

“I am Afroz Bandukwala… My GP.. I mean grandfather has a gift shop and Arms shop in Bhopal.  In fact my GP introduced me to big sister… My Fredie… I mean my father stays in Mumbai.  I was born and brought up in Mumbai.  I lost my Zareen…. I mean my mother when I was ten…!  Here… GP’s card and Fredie’s card…” she extended two cards from her bag.  Rini didn’t even touch them.  

“That’s ok…” She said calming down a bit. 

“Anything else?”Afroz asked and Rini said.. “No..! Not for now…” Afroz grinned.

“Now can I hug you?” she got up and hugged Rini tightly.

“Maki… I mean my GM… I mean my grandmother says… If you hug someone … you become friends forever…” She said assuming her seat again.  Rini gaped.  

“Yeh.. Namunaa Dhaa ko kahan Mila?” she was flabbergasted.  This girl calls her relatives by their names and calls Dhatri her big sister…Has a tall huge body but  childlike talks… “ Rini had not seen such a contrasting personality.  She seemed to have a happy, loving family…! No wonder she calls Nilima ‘mother’…. Rini smiled looking at Afroz’s hungry face when Nilima entered with “Upama” Bowls.  

“And here is your milk with Ovaltine…” She kept the glass and Afroz got up and hugged Nilima..!

“Humm… Shuu… Stop…” Nilima pushed her away.  

“She gets physical…” Nilima complained and Afroz pursed her lips…!

“I met you after three days…” she complained too.  “Ek hug toh banata hain..” Nilima grinned with relief and Rini gaped at the bond…! 

“Come with me Afroz…” Rini had made up her mind to probe deeper.  She had only till evening… She had to travel to Delhi in the night to join her duty…! Rini and Afroz went inside and Nilima sat on the sofa clutching her Tea cup, worrying about Dhatri and Salil…! 

***********  *********

She again struggled with the remote to switch off the music system, ran towards Library and  pushed open the door and saw Sayajirao gazing at her.

“S..S..Sorry..” she stuttured looking down and he placed his hand on her head, walking past her.  She turned without looking at Ravi who was close behind.  He clasped her elbow and pulled her aside.  She looked up angrily.  Sayajirao had gone ahead still looking shattered but with a smile on his face.

“What?” she asked angrily.

“You locked us up inside..” he hissed.  She struggled to get free.  He had a tight clasp.  

“Papa..” she called out in panic and Before Salil could turn his head, Sayajirao turned… “Haan Beti..?” Ravi at once released her.  She dashed forward…”Hungry Gudda…” she muttered frowning angrily. 

“Ahaa… Coffee…” Sayajirao said brightly and Bhanu grinned.

“Yeah…” he said picking up a mug.  Salil too hesitantly picked up.  Sanyogita glared at everyone.  They just seemed to have ignored her presence completely.  Ravi still lingered behind trying to find some reason to rag Dhatri.  But Dhatri had gone ahead and had picked up the mug.

“Dhaa… Give this to Ravi.. His favorite strong, extra sweet coffee…” Bhanu handed over a mug and she frowned.  

“As if I am a slave…” she gritted her teeth turning to Ravi who was at the other end of the room opening the chest drawer.  She almost banged the mug on the side table and turned. 

“What is this?” he asked loudly and everyone turned to him...

“Coffee…” she said equally forcefully. 

“Ok…!” he said toning down a bit to see everyone was looking at them.  Sanyogita’s phone buzzed.  She went out of the room hurriedly.  Sayajirao heaved relief.  Ravi came and sat beside Bhanu.  

“Oh! Look at the time... !” Bhanu said winking at Ravi.  Sayajirao looked at the time sheepishly.  It was almost 1:00 am.  Mrs Russel brought another tray with sandwiches...! 

“Have these and go to sleep...” she said authoritatively and Bhanu again winked at Ravi. 

“Have a goodnight sleep..” he whispered and Ravi’s face changed color.  Disha’s phone buzzed...!

“Rini?” Disha shouted picking up the phone...!

“Rini Didi?” Dhatri leapt up and almost snatched the phone from Disha...! 

“Rini Didi...!” she screamed forgetting where she was...! Ravi too had leapt up and now struggling to get the control over Disha’s mobile...! Dhatri ran out to poolside followed by everyone else.  They were all eager to talk to Rini after almost six months of total black out from her side...!