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“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 ....!