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“Drink?” Dhatri turned around to find Sanyogita with two glasses.  She hesitated.  Sanyogita’s eyes boring into hers, she felt the shiver…! 

“N..No!” she stuttered.  Sanyogita came into the room.  Dhatri turned her back and pressed her elbows on the window sil..! 

“Fruit punch…!” Sanyogita kept the glass on the sill.

It had started drizzling again lightly.  The pleasant November winter, playing magic brought in romantic mood…! The couples dancing on the music, Ravi searched for his wife.  Maria and Dr. Koite were lost in each others arms cuddling each other on the music.  Jim sat with a glass gazing curiously at Samantha who had pulled Ravi for a dance.  Dhatri’s eyes fixed on the couple, she felt Sanyogita standing by her side.  

“They look beautiful together….!” The web had started with a thin strong string started spinning the web.   web master had full control...  Dhatri looked at the couple dancing at the poolside.  

“They were in serious relationship….!” Another noose to tighten the grip reinforcing the web..! Dhatri looked intently.  Indeed, Ravi and Samantha were dancing beautifully, comfortably.  They looked like a couple deep in love with each other.

“They broke their relationship, when you came in his life….!” An accusing tone shuddered Dhatri.  She looked blankly as Sanyogita.  She didn’t know Ravi and Samantha were in relationship before.  She had not asked anything about Ravi’s past life.  “No past discussed…!” was their pact.  

“Why is she telling me this?” Dhatri was suspicious…! Sanyogita had kept the glass on the sill and Dhatri picked it up, gulping it at once.  Wicked smile appeared at the corner of Sanyogita’s lips.  

“You know? They work together… in the same office…” Another devastating piece of information was hurled at her.  Dhatri swallowed her nervousness.  

“I know…!” she said turning towards Sanyogita shattering the web in one stroke.  Sanyogita tried to search some traces of jeolacy in Dhatri’s eyes.  

“Look at them… they look like a perfect couple…!” Another bitter remark fell on Dhatri’s deaf ears.  There was no point staying in this room with this… predator…! Dhatri’s animal instinct warned her.  She moved away from this blood hound predator…!

“I must go…!” she mumbled and before she could free herself from Sanyogita’s iron grip on her shoulder, the door flung open….!

“Eii… Baahoo… what are you doing here?” Mrs. Russel asked loudly glaring at Sanyogita’s hand gripping Dhatri’s shoulder.  Dhatri dashed out leaving Sanyogita frowning in frustration.  Mrs. Russel bustled in, picked up the coat from the back of the chair and went out without a word.  Sanyogita looked through the window.  

“Poor girl…! She doesn’t know, her drink is spiked…! Fruit punch! My foot!” Sanyogita mumbled hatefully.  

Ravi and Samantha had broken apart and Ravi was approaching Dhatri.  Dhatri sat on the bench beside Jim, her head spinning a bit and dizziness creaping in.  A murderous, wicked smile spread over Sanyogita’s face.  

She waited folding her arms, staring at the scene below for the intoxication to set in. 

“Soon, she would be out of control…! She didn’t know what it is…!” Sanyogita stared down at Dhatri and Jim.  Her eyes flashed malice.  

“Ravi? Where is he?” She must talk to Ravi.  .The poison ivy would reach sky high..! She turned to move out of the room.  She must be there to enjoy the drama…with Dhatri and Samantha pitched against each other…! 

“Dhaa… Where were you?” Ravi asked.  Dhatri turned her remembering the emberrasment he had brought her. 

“Disha Didi…!” she got up to talk to Bhanu and Disha.  Ravi gaped at his furious wife.  Sanyogita wore a sweet smile approaching Ravi.  

“Didi…!” Dhatri was standing behind and Disha turned.

“Dhaa…!” Disha looked at her questioningly.  Dhatri pointed at the food counter…!

“Ok. Chalo…!” Disha and Dhatri moved away and Bhanu saw Ravi sitting with Jim.  Dhatri picked up lemon juice and gulped it down her throat in no time.  She knew.. this would reduce the effect of Mahu… No.. that… that mild, diluted drink..! For her Jin, rum and wine were only mild diluted drinks… fruit punch..! Dhatri grinned to herself with no sign of any intoxication.  

“These people should taste Mahua…!” Her mouth watering she looked around thirstily. 

“Dhaa… Chal..!” Disha nudged her to bring her back from the marimai dance…!

Dhatri was interested only in chicken curry and pitta bread and the deserts and the apple pie and the spaghetti, and…..

“Slow down…Dhaa…” Disha’s sophistication didn’t allow her sister to devour the food hurriedly.  Dhatri looked around sheepishly.  

“This goes well with this…” Disha kept pointing at the various dishes giving Dhaa the required Gyan of food combination.  Spaghetti and pie don’t go well with each other…! She uttered her choice.

“Who says so?” Dhaa was defiant.  She loved both…! 

“Behave like an American, Dhaa..” Disha felt embarrassed. 

“But I am not an American…Didi!” Dhaa emphasised equally arrogantly. “And that pagal is also not an American… ABCD ka bacchhaa!” Dhatri jerked her head in Ravi’s direction…

Disha shook her head in frustration.  Dhatri turned on her heels to vanish into the corner to devour the food like a HOG…! 

“Dhaa… how many you had?” Ravi was behind her, asking her warningly.  She blew her head off. 

“Only three… of that… that… chilled, diluted… drink…!” she said disdainfully.

“THREE? You had three, Dhaa?” Ravi was aghast.  Alcohol was a big No No for him.  

“Yeah… but its not even parrot…! Its only some kind of that chirping swallow…” she described the effect of the intoxicating drink on her..!

“For Godsake.. stop now!” Ravi urged and Dhatri showed him her plate.  No drinks after food… She told him the basic rule of Nanu….! Ravi turned to see Sanyogita talking to Samantha.  

“That Girl…” Dhatri opened her mouth to talk to no one, as Ravi had already vanished. 

“Who cares…!” She shrugged carelessly and went to keep the plate in the bin…! For her, the party was over with the food.  “Time to say goodnight and SLEEP” A broad smile appeared on her face.  Finally, time to hit the bed.  She saw the sleepy kids tugging on to their parents and the guests gathering near the food court …!