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After what seemed like an hour of silence...“I feel we should talk to him.” Sanyogita waved at Ravi’s room and Bhanu stood in her way.

“No! We will handle it tomorrow morning...” he dismissed her.  She glared gritting her teeth.

“No! I must talk to him before its too late...! I can’t take chances ...!” She moved towards Ravi’s room.  Bhanu intercepted her... 

“No Maasi... You stay out of this.  Ravi will handle it...!” Bhanu said clearly and she turned to Saya.  He nodded concurring with Bhanu.  Disha stood up.

“Its quite late in the night.  We will discuss it tomorrow” She came and clutched Bhanu’s arm and he looked at her smiling, feeling better to find her support.  Sanyogita fumed... Sayajirao glanced at Bhanu and said...

“Goodnight everyone..!” he turned towards his study and Sanyogita panicked for a moment... then showing concern said in a sweet voice...

“Take rest, Saya.. Don’t bury yourself into your laptop, drowning in the work...!” he just waved and closed the door of his study.  Sanyogita moved upstairs clutching her vanity bag...!

Bhanu sighed.  Salil had already retired in the guest room...! 

......  ......

“God...! What is all this?” Sayajirao ran his fingers through his thinning, graying hair.  He just couldn’t believe his eyes.  Those six emails puzzled, shocked him.  He had never raised the invoices for the payments but the transfer from the clients was initiated and three of them have paid the part in cash considering his cash crunch.  He stared at the screen in disbelief and the  emails gaped back at him...! “Who collected the cash payment?” he couldn’t think of anyone! He must find out....! He carefully started drafting the reply mails...

Sanyogita counted the bucks carefully.  A couple of grands she kept aside.  Frustrated she threw herself on the bed.  She was eyeing on those 12 K but Abbey had dodged her again inviting her for a dinner with him....! She took out the bottle …

“Peace…!” she gulped somemore draining the bottle into half and slumped on the chair. 

“Humm…” Smirk appeared on her lips.  She flipped through the file again … She must act fast, now that Saya has returned…! Few more and she would be comfortable….

There was no problem with Saya…She would easily manipulate him..  But Ravi? And that damn girl?  She gritted her teeth …  “He is just like that bloody old man…!” she jerked her head trying to brush away her memories of Says’s grandfather… He had ruined all her plans… ! And now, Ravi seemed replica of that old man…in dealing with her..! 

“Ravi… Start counting your days in this house, my boy…!” she gulped some more…! 

.........   ..........

Six in the morning, Ravi was first to wake up.  Dhatri still hidden under the duvet, he slipped out of the room, made himself a strong coffee and rummaged through the refridgerator for some leftover sandwiches, synchronizing his emails ...! He decided to skip his workout for a day...

“Dad! Good morning...” he hugged his dad lightly.

“Ravi?” Saya was surprised to see his newly wed son in the kitchen early morning.

“Coffee?” Ravi asked and Sayajirao shook his head... He was ardent tea fan...

“Tea!” he grinned.  Saya made himself a potful of tea and sat beside Ravi at the breakfast table.

“Got to go Dad...!” Ravi said gravely.  Sayajirao looked into his eyes nodding.

“You know about this new development...?!!” blurted Sayajirao and Ravi shook his head.

“I got a mail from the detective... but We have nothing to do with it...!” he said confidently.

“I got to go to the office...” he said hanging his head.  Sayajirao stared unfocused...!

“I want to quit, Dad...” Ravi spoke anguished and Sayajirao was shocked.

“I mean... I am fed up of taking false allegations...” he said tracing the rim of his mug...! 

“People are same everywhere...” Sayajirao said gravely and Ravi looked up at his father.

“Ravi... Its ok, if you quit... but not with the baggage of allegations... Prove yourself worthy of quitting...” he said.  Ravi shook his head dejected... “I am not sure, Dad..” Sayajirao held his hand.  

“Its alright, Son! Think before you act...” Sayajirao poured himself another cup...! Ravi was lost in his thoughts.  

“How is Dhatri?” Sayajirao asked to cheer him up.

“Sleeping...” he said staring at his coffee..

“Good Morning, Mr. Deo..!” Mrs. Russel greeted pleasantly and Ravi’s train of thoughts broke.  He looked up forcing a smile on his face.

“Good Morning Mrs. Russel” Sayajirao reciprocated smiling and then rubbing his palms said...

“Barbeque in the evening.. poolside party for the family... Chef Sayaji’s special...!” Mrs. Russel squeaked... “Wow...”

Ravi looked up... Sayajirao went ahead...

“Chicken curry.. chops... pie... pan cakes... And ... Pitta bread..!” Ravi’s expressions changed...

“Nanu’s curry...!” he demanded and Sayajirao shook his head...

“Bahu’s choice..!” he was on her side and Ravi gaped in disbelief. 

“Dad.. Not fair... She came in just yesterday and you are betraying your son already...!” he threw his arms in the air and Mrs. Russel burst out ...

“Yeah... Party for Baahoo...! Her choice...!” Saya laughed teasing Ravi.  Ravi got out of the kitchen muttering...! 

****  ******  ********

Dhatri opened her eyes to find him nowhere.  She grew panic, coming out of the room hurriedly,  she saw him going somewhere.  She opened her mouth to call him but remembered not to call from behind and shut her mouth up.  Ravi had gone closing the door behind, not even glancing back.  She felt guilty for getting up late.  “But how do I know, these people are early risers...?” She muttered and saw Sayajirao staring at her.  Embarrassed, she greeted... “Gu...Good morning..” he smiled broadly.  

“Tea?” he asked and she looked around.  “What should I do? Say yes? Or should I make the tea myself?” she looked up blankly.

“I make mastt tea?” he boasted going into the kitchen again to prepare elaborate tea and breakfast for his bahu.  Dhatri smiled and followed him into the kitchen. 

“Scrambled egg or omelette?” he asked and Dhatri’s eyes flashed.  “Omelette..” she gave her choice and said...

“I will help..” Sayajirao grinned happily.  

“Yeah... Ok! I will show you and then you cut the onions...” she nodded.  The knife was sharper than expected but he was cutting the onions expertly.

“Careful ... The knives are sharper..” he cautioned.  She resumed cutting carefully and he smiled satisfyingly.  Mrs. Russel entered with the milk Jerry can and stopped at the door looking at duo. 

 

“My my! Already at work?” she said grinning and Dhatri turned back.

“Good morning..!” she greeted and asked.. “Tea?” Mrs. Russel gaped.  

“Oh no! She doesn’t take anything in the morning..” Sayajirao said and Dhatri turned to the kitchen counter again.  Saya made the omelette and they both sat at the table.  He observed her carefully.  She was clutching her mug.  

“Ravi had to go to the office... Some urgent work..!” Sayajirao informed and she gave a nod without a word. 

 “Why didn’t he wake me up?” she was angry. 

“He will be back soon...!” Sayajirao informed further and she again looked into her empty tea cup.  He sighed getting up.  Dhatri looked into his eyes for a fleeting second and turned her gaze to the cup again. 

“Don’t worry, beti...! Everything will be alright!” he said calmly and she nodded again not speaking a word. 

“O...Omlette is b..b..best...!:” she stuttered and he grinned at her.  “Indian style... with a good lot of green chilli...” he said and she grinned back taking a big bite of it.  He came back from the door.

“There is a surprise party in the evening... Don’t tell anyone that I told you...!” he said in a hushed voice and she smiled, thrilled.  

“Ok” she raised her thumb.  He turned a froze.  Sanyogita was glaring at them.  

“Hello...” she said piercingly and he merely nodded.  He must protect his bahu... instinctively, he turned back to see Dhatri’s reaction.  She looked at Sanyogta with a blank expression and said...

“Good morning..” Sanyogita ignored completely ordering Mrs. Russel a strong coffee.  Dhatri dumped her plate in the dishwasher and glancing at Mrs. Russel, moved out of the kitchen.

“Come, Beti... I will show you around...” Sayajirao offered and Dhatri went with him.  Sanyogita fumed.  She couldn’t be ignored like this, like she was a non entity...

***********  *********

“Ray...You don’t have to...” The chairman said solemnly but Ray was firm.

“Ray...” Bill held his hand and glanced at the Chairman.  He gestured to go ahead.

“Come with me...!” Bill took Ray out of the cabin.  

“Ray... Don’t do this... Don’t put down your papers...That will not change anything... !” Bill urged but Ray looked beyond.  

“I can’t take this anymore...” he blurted and Bill shook his head.

“Quitting won't solve the problems, Ray.. You will not be acquitted by quitting...” Bill said reasonably.  Ravi gaped.  

“I know...” he said in a small voice. 

“Please Don’t quit, Ray.  These things happen in business...” Bill tried to convince.

“Mr. Ray..” The chairman called out from behind and Ravi turned.  Going into his chamber again he waited for Ravi to enter.  

“Look Mr. Ray, I respect your decision... but not at this point of time.. Let us together pull the company out of this and then we will discuss about you quitting.  Will you be ready, Mr. Ray? To wait for the Court Verdict?” Chairman asked and Ravi hesitated.

“Prove yourself worthy of quitting...” he remembered his father’s words and said in  a grave tone..

“Yes.   Ok!”

“Good...!” The chairman had a broad smile and shaking hands with Ray he said brightly.

“So.. we are together into this, Mr. Ray...! Forget about this, now!” he took the paper of Ravi’s resignation and tearing it, threw it into the waste paper basket.  Ravi smiled faintly and Bill came forward...

“Ravi... Thank you for not quitting...” he pulled him out of chairman’s cabin.

“Calls for celebrations...!” he thumped on Ravi’s back and Ravi smiled...!