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Sayajirao glanced at her and a pain surged in his chest.  “What is she trying to prove?” he turned his face away and picked up a wine glass.  The family dinner had turned into a family and friends and their families and friends event, with people all around, chatting and greeting…!

“Saya…” she locked her arm into his.  He glanced at her smiling awkwardly. 

“He..Hello…” He greeted her embarrassed.  She turned and putting her arms around his neck kissed him on cheek.  He took a step back holding her shoulder to keep the distance.  She didn’t bother.

“Dance?” she asked and he couldn’t say no.  Couples were dancing.  He placed his hand on her shoulder and looking around asked…

“Ravi? Where is Ravi and Dhatri?” he backed a few steps away from her.  She frowned flashing malice. 

“You want to dance witih the bride?” she asked viciously and he turned his back…!

“Hey Mr. Deo… “ His friend greeted him eyeing on Sanyogita.  She came forward  levelling with Sayajiroa and holding his arm smiled at the guest. 

“Hey…” she greeted pleasantly giving her hand in his and Sayajirao turned disgusted.  “Same old tricks…” he thought bitterly.  But this time, after these many years he was wiser not to fall for her tricks.  Keeping away from her was the best solution. 

“Dhatri…come on..People are waiting for us…” he tried pulling her from a secluded corner.  She grew panic looking at the strange crowd.  Her Disha didi was nowhere to be seen.  She had only Ravi.  She clutched his hand tightly. 

“Ravi…” she blurted with dry throat.  He looked at her. 

“D.. Do…Don’t leave me alone in the crowd…” She finally spoke about her fears.  He gazed at her intently and then patting on her hand gently said..

“No, Dhaa… I won’t leave you …” but before she could sigh a relief said smiling sweetly…

“But what if ….” She clutched his hand again warningly. 

“I swear, I will run away from this place…” she glared and he pulled her closer…!

“Dhatri… come on lets go..” he pulled her in the crowd and everyone gathered around cheering giving Dhatri bouts of fright and anxiety.  Tears brimming her eyes, she gazed down at the grass trying to steady her breath and part her lips to smile.  Nothing came out, neither her breath nor her smile. 

Sanyogita glared at the crowd.  Suddenly everyone seemed to be interested in that… that… stupid dumb girl….She wouldn’t let that happen.  She dashed forward into the crowd and holding Dhatri’s hand with one and raising her glass with other raised a toast for her.  Everyone ensued clapping and jeering…! Someone thrust a glass in Dhatri’s and Ravi’s hands.  She quenched her dried throad with a swig and then saw Ravi keeping aside his glass.

Sanyogita had again successfully turned the crowd to her side.  Dhatri blew relief and looked at Ravi.  He was busy talking to someone tall, slender and with rimmed glasses.  She tried to recollect and then remembered he was her external examiner for her project.... Bill of something...Some name...! Humm ... she sighed again feeling relaxed.  She had passed that exam afterall though not with great grades...! She clutched her glass. Someone had topped it up again.  She looked at Ravi sheepishly and sent that bitter liquid down her throat.  She saw her Disha Didi and Bhanu bhayya cuddled in each other’s arms revolving to the tune...! Her shimerring evening gown and his black suit...! Dhatri saw, the Indian crowd wore Indian traditional flounting their taste with an exception of disha.  But then when was Disha an Indian? She was always American....!

“Humm...No point in disturbing them...” she thought backing away slowly in a corner.  “What if i clutch a plate and pretend to be eating....?” she smiled with her brilliance but then no one seemed to be interested in the food so she had to drop the idea.  She stared enviously at the kids playing Pinata.  She inched closer to the kids and a strong hand stopped her gripping her shoulder.

“Hey..” Jim had intercepted her.  She turned and took a breath.

“You...!” she said sitting on the nearby chair, relaxed.  “Eii.. Baahoo... where is Ray?” Mrs. Russel bustled and she shrugged pouting her lower lip. 

“Oh! He is over there...” Jim showed and Mrs. Russel walked briskly towards Ravi.  He was with a tall, blonde girl in a fitting skirt and short white shirt.  Dhatri looked on.  She was holding Ravi’s arm talking to him and he was laughing, tossing his head back. Dhatri gaped at his charm and the comfort the girl and Ravi shared... He was too good and handsome to be true.  She again looked at herself... trying to find out something good in her.  Somewhere, a faint surge of pain rose in her heart.  Her husband, at ease with everyone, chatting... and she? She was trying to hide herself from everyone...! A total mismatch...! She swallowed the lump formed in her throad with the drink and looked sheepishly at Jim.  He still was sitting beside her gazing at her expressions curiously. 

“Dhaa...” Ravi pulled her hand.  She got up reluctantly. 

“Samantha...She is Dhatri..My Wife.” he pulled Dhatri closer and Dhatri smiled awkwardly.  Samantha gave her a light hug rubbing her cheek on hers.  And then the rounds of introductions began.  Dhatri hardly remembered anyone but religiously shook hands with the gentlemen and gave herself to be hugged by the ladies.  Her Disha Didi had warned her to be a good girl, teaching her the ways of greeting in this US of A...!

“Hi..!” Said  Samantha pleasantly.  Dhatri felt better.  The music had changed and everyone paired up for the dance.  Dhatri stole a glance at Ravi and Samantha... He had made it a point to introduce her to this blonde sexy girl.  Samantha had maneuvered Ravi along and had locked her hands around his neck, pressing herself against him.  He was holding her and was whispering something in her ear. 

“Dhatri! May I?” Jim asked her holding out his hand and she shook her head staring down...

“No!” she spoke wordlessly.  Ravi had broken his promise and left her alone.  But had he really?

“Dhatri...!” before the feeling of loneliness could set in, Ravi had held her from behind. 

“People are asking for you...!” he said pointing at the crowd.  She winced.

“No! Ravi...!” she tried to move away.

“Dhatri... just be with me .. ok?” she looked up scared.  He pressed her shoulder a bit.

“If you don’t dance with me... others will ask you and its bad manners to say no...” he said with a smile and nodded pathetically.  He took her hand and said...”Follow me...!”

She felt comfortable with him.  “Ok. Not bad!” she was ok with the experience.  The music changed its rhythm and he twriled her.  She felt dizzy.

“No.  Stop.. Please..!” she said panting with her head spinning knocking her off balance. 

“You ok?” he asked concerned and she merely nodded breaking away from him.  Guests clapped and whistled...! Ravi took her to a bench along poolside and she sat with a thud. 

“You go! I will sit here...!” she permitted looking up at him, forcing a smile on her face.

“Ray...!” now every girl wanted him for the next round.  Dhatri clutched her head for a moment and looked up feeling thirsty.  The dance wasn’t all that bad, she felt!  But the SUWA or the KARAM dances were much better when she was with her good boy...! Atleast she had the priviledge to tie feathers to her head and anklets...! and tie peacock feathers to her waist.  She smiled with the memory and looked up to see Samantha talking to Sanyogita.  They both seemed to have engrossed in the discussion.  Her eyes searched for Ravi ...

“I am here, Dhaa...!” he whispered in her ear and she turned to him.  He was sitting next to her looking at her intently.  She blushed slightly as his lips touched her ear.  Half an hour into the party and she was already feeling the pressure... Not at all enjoying....! Ravi sensed his discomfort.

“You ok?” he asked and she nodded. 

“You go!” she said smiling and sliding his hand around her waist, he pulled her.  “We are supposed to be together...” Pulling her up he walked into the crowd.  “Mari mai.. mari mai...”

“May I?” a tall boy stood holding out his hand and she shook her head...

“Bad Manners...” Ravi’s words rang in her head. 

“Umm...?” she said tentatively.  He held her hand. 

“Dhatri...!” Jim had intercepted them.  Dhatri felt relieved.  Looking at the unknown boy, apologetically, she moved away with Jim.

“Thank God!” she smiled broadly at Jim.  “Now dance with me..!” he gripped her arm.

“No!” she pushed him away.

“Come... I want you to meet someone...!” he said.

“Who? Your girlfriend?” she asked raising her eyebrows and he threatened her.

“You flaunt those enticing dimples again and I am going to kiss you..!” she ducked and giggling, ran forward.

“Awaa...!” Sanyogita gripped her shoulder...

“Running away?” she asked piercingly.  Dhatri gaped dumbly.  Jim stopped but Sanyogita had dragged Dhatri aside. 

“With that boy?” she spat venom waving at Jim.  Dhatri looked in the direction confused.  Sanyogita had held her in an iron grip.  Dhatri’s pulse throbbed, her blood boiled  ... gripping her wrist, she turned to Sanyogita.... “You need help...!” she blurted holding the lady by arm now pulling her aside.  Sanyogita whimpered in pain....!

“I will kill you...!” Sanyogita’s rage went overboard....! The girl was outright evil... She must be killed...! Sanyogita tried to strangulate Dhatri.  Dhatri caught her hand in mid air and gripping both her wrists... blurted... “You are not well....!” Sanyogita tried to put up fight... Dhatri did nothing ...! Sanyogita freed herself from the grip and turning on her heels merged herself in the crowd.

“Dhaa...!” Ravi’s voice faltered as he got surrounded by the guests.  He had seen her talking to Sanyogita.  He must save her.  He must save his wife...! He had lost his grip....!

“Where did she go?” Ravi’s eyes searched her frantically.  He saw Sanyogita clutching a glass with her back on him.  Dhatri was nowhere to be seen.  He had left her alone... he had broken his promise.  He excused himself and brought himself away from the crowd.

“Dhaa... Dhatri...” he called and someone clutched his hand.

“Dhaa...!” he hugged her in panic.  “

“Mari mai...! You are ok!” he pulled her closer. 

“Dhaa... Stay away from her...!” He warned glancing at Sanyogita, recollecting Dhatri’s near dead condition at Kalindi’s house during Disha’s marriage...!

“From now on... she will stay away from me..!” Dhatri said smugly and turned her gaze to Sanyogita....!

“Hey...!” Jim came up with someone...!

“Sir...!” she squeaked seeing Dr. Koite and Maria appeared from behind.

“Haww....!” Maria pulled her in a tight embrace.  “You look beautiful...!” Maria patted on her back.  Dhatri was happy to find her own gang.  No one would disturbe her now....Not even Ravi!

“Welcome....!” she held Maria’s hand and smiled at Dr. Koite, playing a perfect hostess....!