172

“Oh!” Ravi moved his gaze from top to bottom and then shrugging, said..

“Ready? Fine...!” He turned and went away. 

“Ready?” Dhatri stood confused.  “Is he ok with this dress? Good!” she smiled and went in another direction. 

“Ravi... get ready....!” Sayajirao bustled in and Ravi came out of his room...!

“Yeah! Ready!” he said smiling broadly and Sayajirao looked at him shocked.  Dhatri too had turned and was shocked looking at her husband.  Sayajirao’s phone buzzed and he turned away waving at Ravi...!

“Ok, then...!” Ravi picked up Dhatri’s words to wind up and winked at her chuckling.  She gaped in disbelief. 

“You are wearing this for the party?” she surveyed him from top to bottom coming back to him....

“Yeah...!” he said placing his hand on her shoulder.  Dhatri gaped with dropped jaw.  A bright white Jersey and Khaki Capri Pant with a lot of pockets..! She looked at herself again.  A perfect match! For jeans and blue top... A Jersey and Capri pant.  She sighed, sheepishly stealing a glance at him, realizing and went into the room again to change into some kind of decent attire.  Ravi’s eyes traveled behind her and a smile appeared on his face, twinkling the blue tinge of his eyes. 

“Dhaa...!” Disha barged in the room to help Dhatri and Bhanu winked at Ravi. 

 

“Wear this...!” Disha had picked up a deep purple, deep neck, deep slit thigh revealing party gown.  Dhatri swallowed hard panic struck and then suddenly remembered that Ravi would wear ‘something Indian’  She smiled sweetly.

“Yeah... Ok! But Didi, Ravi is wearing an Indian traditional dress... Something like kurta... So naturally I need something matching...” Disha looked lost ... Dhatri smiles.. and pulling a brand new dress from her suitcase she looked at Disha triumphantly.

“This? Anarkali suit! How about this? Ragini had sent it from Delhi.. Brand new!” Dhatri furled the dress and looked at herself in the mirror holding it to her chest.  Disha looked at that shocking pink Anarkali Suit with a lot of kundan work.  Dhatri didn’t wait for Disha’s permission.  Thanking Ravi for his choice to wear 'something Indian',, she dashed inside the bathroom...!

****  *****  *****

Wohaa...” Bhanu whistled winking at Dhatri and her pink cheeks became red.  Disha had done a beautiful job on Dhaa making her look better, and brighter with pink Anarkali suit..and golden sandles with glittering dangling earrings and bangles.  Her kirtimukh well hidden inside her dress.  Ravi came out with light saffron Shervani... 

“Hehe...” Bhanu gave him a hug and Dhatri gaped at him with dropped jaw.  When be locked his gaze on her, she hurriedly looked away turning pink.

“Look at him...Dhaa..how....” Disha whispered in her ear and before she could complete Dhatri snapped...

“I know how handsome he looks... “ She turned her face angrily and Disha hugged her fondly. 

“You too look beautiful, Dhaa...!” She kissed her cheek and Dhaa pushed her away pursing her lips.  Disha gave her her golden clutch and Dhaa was all set for the party, with her heart beating faster, her pulse throbbing with apprehension and her knees giving way in nervousness.  She sat on the sofa with a thud and found Ravi sitting beside.  She stole a glance at him and met his blue eyes beaming at her.  She smiled shyly and looking up raised her eyebrows.

“Beautiful..” His lips spoke and she turned her gaze down, blushing...! “JL...!” he smirked and she looked up angrily. 

“Be ready for the dance, SL...? he teased her and she clutched her stomach nervously.

“People dance with the bride...” he made another torturous statement and she looked at him frightened to the core...! That meant more people would talk to her,  touch her...!

“I am not a bride... I am your wife...!” she raised her finger angrily and he inched closer sliding his hand around her waist.  “My Wife!” he whispered.... “And about the kiss...!” she pushed him away in an instant...!

“Ok. ..!” she got up angrily and went to open the door....

“Jim...?” she squeaked... and Jim pushed her inside... “Am I too early?” he asked looking around..!

“Hey.. Dhatri..! You look beautiful...” he hugged her and Ravi came to greet him...! The invitees started filing in slowly and the house was full of fun and festivity with special section for kids ....  Mrs. Russel had no time even to look at the couple.  She was bustling around in her blue floral skirt and a glittering golden shirt...!

“Awe....!” A collective sigh resonated as she glided down gracefully with a Black party gown, revealing her left thigh, high... All eyes glued to her sexy, slender but curvy body... some hungrily craving and some enviously...! Disha went breathless, sucking in her breath, completely stunned with her beauty... Sanyogita was all set to steal the show....!

*****  *****  ****  *****

Vinit went into his room followed by Sandy and Goldy wagging nervously.  He was not in his elements at all.  He didn’t even patted them.  They both sensed something was terribly wrong with their Master.  Even the loving guest Rini had not shown the love she always did...! They both sat at his feet looking up at him with some hope.  He stared unfocused at the crumpled papers in his hand.

“Rini? ...” He still couldn’t believe.  There must be something wrong... Something very very wrong... Was she setting up a drama? Was she taking revenge? His fists clenched... “I won’t spare her, if she has done it on purpose...” he stared at those recent reports...

“Ok..! Ok..!” he calmed himself down breathing steadily and deeply  “Let me investigate...!” he said to himself.

“What if its true?” his mind thought otherwise, twisting his heart....hoping against the hope that it was only a drama.

“But what if, its true?” his brain asked.  The next few hours he buried himself in his room and when came out, was calm and determined.

“Amma... I still want to marry her...!” he said and swarnima turned ghostly.

“No..!” She clutched her hand on her mouth suppressing a scream.

“Yes.. Amma... Abba...” I will still marry her.  There are methods to keep safe... There are methods even to have babies... I want to marry her...!” he said looking at his father for support.  He had turned stony.

“His son... His only surviving son wanted to marry a HIV positive girl...! How could he..?” The thunderbolt destroyed his life...! He took the papers from Vinit...!

“Abba... listen to me..! This can be done...! Imagine... If I were a positive after our marriage... What would have happened?” he asked solemnly. And Swarnima let out a houl...!

“Vinit...!” she sobbed uncontrollably.  He held her hand patting on her back.

“Amma... Please try and understand... Please... This can be done... We just have to accept it and take safety measures... as we do for other contegeous diseases.. ! Amma... there are precautions...! We both can have a normal married life... Only thing is we must take due care.....!” He sighed recollecting his condition when doctors had warned him about his declining spirm count and had raised doubts about the capability of his reproductive organs...!

“But Vinit...!” Virender found his voice.

“What if she was your daughter, Abba? What you would have done, if someone proposed her, knowing her condition?” he asked poignantly and Virender fell silent.  His selfish mind said, he would have happily said yes but his good senses said he would have said no..! He shook his head miserably...

“No... Beta... I wouldn’t have ruined someone’s life..!” Vinit shook his head hopelessly.

“No life is ruined Abba... You know... HIV is manageable... We can have a good life...!” he held both his parents in one tight embrace. 

“Huh... huh... I will talk to her, Abba...!” he said cuddling his mother.  She sobbed harder.  Virender looked on enviously... Women can cry it out... but what about him? He must put up a brave face.  Must salute a martyre in the coffin, bravely... Even his son...! He crumpled the chit in his hand and then tried to smooth it out, swallowing hard sending back his tears....!

“Wait a minute...! Which is this path lab?” he tried reading masthead of the report, again with his blurr vision...!

171

“Rini?” Vinit was shocked to see Rini sitting with his parents with Goldy wallowing on the carpet...! Swarnima looked up with tear-filled eyes.  Virender looked up miserably.. !They both looked like they lost their son again...

“What? Whats going on?” Vinit asked sitting beside his father looking at their grim faces.  Rini, leaning forward collected the paper and neatly folding it kept it in her bag.

“Amma... “ she said chocking.  Swarnima looked up and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Hugging is ok, right?” she whispered in Rini’s ears and Rini closed her eyes letting her tears roll down on her cheeks...! Virender couldn’t stop himself and pulled her closer...!

“Thank you, uncle...!” she said turning to go...

“No... Where are you going, Rini?” Vinit got up and Rini dashed out of the door followed by Goldy.  

“What? Rini...” Vinit called out.

“Let her go..!” Virender said gravely and Vinit gaped.

“Whats going on, Abba? Why she was here?” he asked suspiciously. Swarnima hid her face in her palm in response.  Vinit was shocked.

“Is everything ok?” he asked ghastly.  Virender kept his hand on Vinit’s shoulder and took out an envelope....

“What’s this?” he asked opening it.  A paper fell down.... He glanced at the paper, picking it up ... It was some pathological tests conducted...

“What? Are you alright?” he asked holding his father’s shoulder.

“Read it..” Virender said and they both heard a faint sob from swarnima...!  As Vinit read the paper his eyes popped out, face flushed and fist clenched...! Test report of Capt. Dharini Salil Dixit ...! It was a baseline evaluation of Dharini Dixit...! CD4 count, ART, Viral load, Drug-resistance testing...

“What?”He pulled out the other paper from the envelope too.  The medicines prescribed...! He collapsed on the sofa with a thud.  Swarnima sobbed harder.  He kept glaring at the test reports....!

Rini! His Rini was detected...! He couldn’t take it anymore...!  he looked away dejected, crumpling the papers in his fist, he strode out of the hosue...! His Rini was already on her way to.........

 

********   ******   ******

“Chal Dhaa...!” Disha dragged her out of the house.

“where?” Dhatri asked bewildered.  “To get ready for the evening ...” Disha said slamming on the accelerator...! When they both came back after three hours, the house was transformed...! Rube Anne, The planner had set up everything... The poolside was creatively decorated...!

“What’s this?” Dhatri gaped horror struck. 

“Party? With so much of...” Dhatri had lost her words.  Rubi Anne had done it fantastically within a short span of couple of hours.  Dhatri looked around nervously and finding Sayajirao alone dashed to him.

“Wh.. what is all this?” she asked stuttering.  Sayajirao gave her a kind, pleasant smile.

“For you... Beti..from your poor father in law...” he said and before she could react someone called him. 

“Ravi...! Where is he?” she marched towards the room with mounting rage.  She stood before him thumping her hands on her hips.  He raised his gaze and lost himself....

Her curls were mended nicely with dangles on her forehead... Hair braided with beads and clean, glowing face took his heart away.  Unfortunately the smile and the dimples had disappeared.  He must bring them back....! His blue eyes twinckled....

“What is going on?” she asked angrily and he shrugged.  She gaped.  He got up from the chair and said, sidelining her question,  “You look different...” and she spat back..rolling her eyes...

“Everything is different in this US of A...!” She turned on her heels and marched out.  She must do something before a panic attack...! Her trump card...

“Papa...!” she called out miserably and found Sayajirao in front of her. 

“Salil and Disha are out on some shopping, beti..!” he said appreciating her wth his gaze.

“Again?” She was stumped with Disha’s enthusiasm....!

“What is it, beti?” he asked her kindly and she turned nervous... “N..No! Nothing...!” she came back.  Mrs. Russel had carried the shopping bags into her room and Ravi was digging out the packets. She ran forward, snatching the bags from his hand, barked....

“What were you doing?” he grinned and holding her hand, said “Just looking at your choice, Dhaa...” she threw the bags on the floor flaring up...

“Not my choice... Disha Didi’s stupid choice....”She turned and not knowing what to do next, went on to threaten Ravi...

“Don’t touch my things... Meri cheezonko haath matt lagana...” he held up his hands hiding his grin.  “What are you planning to wear?” he asked her pointing at the numerous bags lying all over.  She looked confused.

“Don’t know..!” she said getting nervous again and then asked... “And you?” he pointed at his closet and said...

“Something Indian...” his statement gave her a catch in her heart....! “What should I wear then?” she was lost .... And then shrugging, said... “Whatever...! Disha Didi will decide...” Ravi gaped at her... “She doesn’t even decide on her clothes...!”

“I can choose one for you....!” he said with a smirk... She weighed that option for a moment and then turning to him said... “No need! I will manage... And now I need to get ready... so...” She disappeared behind the bathroom door...! When she came out wrapping a scanty  bathrobe, she found him staring at her. 

“No!” she turned and disappeared again and he tapped on the door. 

“Carry on... SL... I am going out...!” he called out grinning and went out of the room.

“SL? What is this SL?” she came out confused.  “First JL and now SL? Pagal hain yeh gudda...! He is crazy...” shrugging she started rummaging into her bag to find a decent dress to wear...! She had no faith in Disha Didi’s choice...!

“Dhaa...” a tap on the door declared that Ravi was back. 

“Ravi? Should I ask him?” she stood clutching a blue top in her hand still in her bathrobe..!

“Yeah... Coming..” she hurriedly wore the top and pulled on her jeans, feeling comfortable...!

 

She looked through the window down at the festively decorated poolside.  Her pulse throbbed seeing the bustle out there!.  All of them seemed to have forgotten her.  Her eyes flashed malice.  “So, its party time..huf?” she folded her arms on her chest heaving.... “Time for some action...!” she turned from the window and sat at the mirror ... !  It would take her atleast a couple of hours to meticulously get ready for the party....! She must look immaculate..  

“Saya would go hard on...” she smirked gazing at her tight bosoms in the mirror, straightening her shoulders ....!

 

170

“What are you planning to wear, Dhaa?” Disha asked knowing her sister’s sense of dressing very well. 

“Clothes...!” came a snap and Disha burst ...

“I am talking about shopping..... We will go for shopping ....!” Disha offered and Dhatri looked at her...

“I have enough dresses... New ones also..! I will wear one of them...” Dhatri hated shopping...!

“You need to look best, Dhaa...!” Disha said earnestly and Dhatri snapped irritably...

“Stop besting, Didi... I am ok..And this is only a family dinner.. I know... Umm.. Uncle told me..!” she fumbled a bit not knowing how to address Sayajirao...!  Ravi was watching the hushed conversation between the sisters....

“Even then... you should look beautiful... Look at him, Dhaa...Such a well dressed, handsome boy...” her voice faltered as she saw Ravi approaching them...!

“I know..!” Dhatri said angrily and stopped abruptly,,, Ravi was staring at her critically. 

“I am going...!” Dhatri turned and vanished in the room.  Disha looked at Ravi...!

“Son...!” Ravi turned and Sanyogita spoke gravely...!

“Mr. Walker had called...!” Ravi muscles flexed hearing her voice. 

“I know...!” he stopped her.  She came around to hold his hand.  He stood still...

“I can help...Mr. Redington....” He raised his hand....

“No ...!” he turned away.  Sanyogita clenched her fists.  “How dare he...!” she turned her back on him...!

“Whats going on?” Disha gaped in confusion...! Ravi walked into his room and Sanyogita sighed a grief.  Disha moved ahead curiously.  Sanyogita created the air of suspense...!

“I know.. I can fix it...!” She said sitting on the armchair dejectedly. Disha merely gaped.  The study room opened and Bhanu walked out striding...

“Bhanu...!” Both Disha and Sanyogita got up.  He ignored Disha and turned towards his Maasi...!

“Did you meet Mr. Abbey...?” he asked and she turned pale....!

“How does he know?” she swallowed and closed her eyes for a moment gathering herself...

“Yes I did...!” she said firmly.  He dropped his jaw in shock....  Sanyogita gauged  his reaction and went ahead...

“Yes, I did...! Because that was the only thing I could do at that time...I ran out of funds and Ravi’s bail would be rejected...!” she faltered as Bhanu raised his hand.

“That’s enough Maasi... Ravi was not to be released on bail... All the charges against him are dropped....Do you understand?” he shouted guilt laden for being her nephew.  His mother's guilt had carried on to him... and Ravi opened the door of his room hearing raised voices.  Sanyogita’s anger saw no boundary...!

“Watch your tongue Bhanu... Don’t you dare talk to me like that...! I did what was appropriate...” She said gritting, a pulse throbbing on her temple...! Bhanu gaped at his Maasi... she looked murderous...! Disha clutched her hand on her mouth. 

“Whats going on...?” Ravi approached and Bhanu suddenly turned protectively toning down...

“Nothing...Ravi... Just was asking her... “ he waved at Sanyogita who was still fuming...!

“How did he know? Did Mr. Abbey inform Saya? Saya Knows? What will he do now? Throw me out? Naa... He can’t ... He loves me... He still loves me...!” Sanyogita’s furious face changed expressions from fury into a wikced smile.  She still can manage Saya... But she must find out... How these guys knew about Abbey...! She turned her back on them and moved upstairs...! Bhanu watched with gaping shock...!

“Ok. Then.. Ethan... Thanks for chipping in...! And...” Sayajirao said smiling broadly...

“You are invited for a dinner party in the evening here...!” Ethan nodded smiling, shaking hands with Sayajirao...

“And bring on the kids and your lovely wife Martha...” he extended the invitation and a broad smile appeared on Ethan’s face.  “Kids would love it... Dinner with Sayajirao was a treat ... The kids would enjoy...”

Ethan was Saya’s accounts guy.  He ran a small independent, one girl and two cabins office in a very old business house.  His clients include consultants like Sayajirao and small manufacturing units who couldn’t afford to maintain accounting staff...!  Ethan also managed Sayajiroa’s investment plans..! Martha, his wife and their three kids were the world for him.  His wife worked for a daycare center in the mornings and evenings took care of his home...! In all Drawing 23k a year was not an easy life.... Struggling to meet the ends, he hardly had time for his family and for any kind of entertainment.

 

“Kids would love it...” he smiled inwardly coming out of the study.. Sayajirao led him to the door and invited him again. 

Ravi had a mischievous smile on his face... “His family dinner party...” Bhanu burst out in laughter and Disha looked surprised.

“What?” she asked and Bhanu shook his head sidelining her question and grinning at Ravi.  Dhatri thumped her hands on her hips glaring at Ravi.

“Why are they laughing? Is he making fun of me?” Dhatri’s anger rose to the roof.  Ravi and Bhanu were laughing at Sayajirao who just had entered.

“So, all set for this small family dinner?” Bhanu asked winking at Ravi and Sayajirao looked at them sheepishly.

“Umm... I mean... he .. he has adorable kids... and his wife would love it...” he said avoiding their gazes.

“Yeah... Right... All kids are adorable... ! Who is next, Dad?” Ravi asked turning to his Dad.  Sayajirao went into the study hastily and Ravi turned to his room sniggering...!  Dhatri was sure to follow ....  

“Why were you sneering...?” she asked angrily.  Ravi gave her a mysterious look and said seriously...!

“You better get ready for the evening... You are playing the hostess... you see...!?” He again tried to hide his smirk...!

“What? No..! This is only a family dinner... No party...!” She looked at him with her panic button pushed... He again sneered...!

“Yeah... Right...!” he said slumping on the sofa, locking his fingers behind his head.  She narrowed her eyes glaring at him... ! “Yeah..!” he said relaxing...!

“Dad’s family party... He already invited his accountant... the other associates would soon follow... then their adorable families... and friends... And some Indians for a company...!” he gave a grim list...

She came nearer panic struck...! He looked more serious and pointing at her and himself...

“This is for us, Dhatri... Get ready...!” he added fuel .. Dhatri sat beside with a thud..! He leaned towards her and asked in a bare whisper...!

“You know... these parties...Dad throws such parties at the drop of a hat...!” he was serious to Dhatri’s horror. 

 “You know what happens in these American parties...?” he asked her giving her pangs of terror..! She looked up at him with beady eyes full of fear...!

“People Eat, Drink, Chat, gossip, play some romantic music.... And....” he stopped in suspense...

“And?” she asked petrified....!

“And... the...!” he leaned forward and picked up a water bottle.

“And?” she was impatient, holding his hand, stopping him from drinking water...!

“And... the newly wed couple dances and kisses each other and others clap and raise a toast and drink...” With every word she felt doomed...!

“No..! I can’t dance...” she was ghostly.  His eyes twinkled..

“Yes... Dhatri...I attended my friends’ wedding parties.....” he said holding her numb hand...!

“No...!” she blurted horrified..! Strangers gave her jitters and crowd drained her life out..!

“Yes...!” he whispered...

She looked away... he continued...!

“You better be prepared for the dance and the kiss... Dhaa... Lets have a rehearsal...” she forgot to push him away when he wrapped her in his embrace...! She stilled in his embrace and then turning to him in his arms ...

“You wouldn’t do that? Would you?” she asked lifelessly...!

“I will have to, Dhaa... Everyone would expect me to...!” he said cupping her face...! She looked ghostly, color draining out.

“We need practice... Dhaa...!” he said seriously and she looked into his eyes...  For a fleeting second, his mask of seriousness slipped and Dhatri caught him...!

Pushing him away, she stood up...!

“You are not doing that...!” She warned him raising her finger and he raised his arms surrendering...! She went up to the door... and remembered ... people misbehave when they are drunk...! Turning back she asked walking towards him...

“You drink?”

“Yes..!” he raised the water bottle...!

“No.. I mean.. Alcohol?” she asked apprehensively...!  He shook his head smiling...

“No alcohol for me...!” she took a sigh of relief...!

“How about you, Dhaa?” he asked her seeing her turning... She again faced him shaking her head a bit.

“Good!” he said looking at her lost expression....

“What? He asked after a few moments.

“Ma... I mean... Mahua... is it alcohol?” she asked with bated breath...! He hid his smile and nodding seriously...

“Yes.. Dhaa..! It is alcohol.. a strong one... So may be you can have one here...” he held his breath controlling his laughter..! She again looked horrified...!

“One of us must drink, Dhaa...!” he said ... “Its a ritual... we must follow..” he couldn’t carry on...

She looked at him suspiciously and jabbing at his chest said furiously...

“Dekh lungi tumhay....! Ravindra Pratap Deo...!” she banged the door behind her angrily...! Ravi again locked his fingers behind his head grinning, turning on the music...!

“Kiss toh main kar lunga jaroor..! I will kiss you, Dhaa... tonight..!”