184

“Breakfast?” she asked looking up at him. He just nodded and waved at Mrs. Russel.

“Yeah... right here..!” she put a bowl of cereals and coffee on the table.  She looked on.  He ate silently scanning the papers in his hand, ignoring her completely.  She felt restless.

“I got to go..!” he declared putting down the coffee mug.  A knot in her stomach caught her breath. 

“There is a pending deployment work.  I will be back in four days...” he said and got to his feet.  She too got up... He turned and his expressions changed.  Sanyogita was standing, folding her arms on her chest looking at the couple curiously.  He again turned his head and looked at Mrs. Russel questioningly....!

“Good morning my boy...!” Sanyogita came and gave him a light hug.  His muscles flexed and he took a step back.  Glancing at Dhatri he said...”Bye...” and moved out.

“Did I hear, a Goodbye?” Sanyogita glared at Dhatri maliciously.  Dhatri looked away and went out of the kitchen without a word. 

He packed his bags neatly and turned to find Dhatri at the door.  “Bye..” he said smiling faintly.  She came in nodding.  “B...Bye..!” she stammering showed her nervousness.  He hesitated a bit.

“Be careful...” he blurted not knowing how to warn her and tell her to stay away from Sanyogita.

“Dad will be back by evening...” she again nodded looking down staring at her toes.  He shouldered his bag and left the room.  Dhatri followed.  All the romantic scenes from the movies flashed... she felt a stab... Her gudda had moved out without even looking at her.  She felt lonely.

“aain.. Baahoo... “ Mrs. Russel came out with her bag and car keys.  Dhatri understood.  She looked at her expectantly.  Mrs. Russel opened the door and Sanyogita called her from behind...!

“I need the keys...!” she demanded and Mrs. Russel shrugged helplessly.

“I don’t have the keys...” she said and moved out.  Dhatri was all alone with that so called mother...of her gudda.  The big question was.... “what she would do the whole day?”

Dhatri looked around...! Sanyogita watched her movements carefully.  Time to play the next move.

*********   *********   ********

“What happened?” Afroz asked concerned looking at the grave faces of Nilima and Salil.  Their pillar of support, Rini was gone on another rescue operation.  Nilima hesitated a bit and looked at Salil.  He gave a nod.  Afroz was what they had now...!

“Humm...” Afroz sighed after listening to Nilima for a while.

“This happens...” she said gravely looking at Nilima longingly. 

“When my mother died...” she clutched Nilima’s hand for support. 

“I was very young, only six years old... I don’t remember much... but Fredie says... I was mute for several days ... I didn’t speak to anyone... didn’t cry at all... No emotions... no expression... no grief... no sorrow....” Nilima pulled Afroz closer feeling her anguish.  Afroz was still gazing unfocused...

“But Maki..  my grandma. brought me here .... and GP gave a gun in my hands....! I don’t know why... but that brought me back.... It became my passion.... shooting..!” she said looking lost.

“Bloody hell....!” she jumped to her feet yelling and Nilima startled...

“I want to join Army...Now..!!” Afroz declared raising her hand which almost touched the ceiling... Nilima gaped in disbelief at her tall heafty figure.  Salil came in....

“Whats going on? Why is she standing like a statue of liberty?” he asked grinning.  Afroz turned triggered...

“US of A... Big sister....” she turned excitedly.

“Wait ... we will call her...” she said pulling out her tablet pc.

“No.. “ Salil stopped her.

“Not now...she doesn’t know anything... we will call her later... Let her settle down first...” Afroz gaped and then sighing... said

“Yeah... may be you are right...But... but..” suddenly her face shadowed with emotions..

“I miss her... my big sister..!” she was on the verge of crying.

“No... Afroz...” Nilima held her hand to stop her emotional outburst.

“Come on... let us have some tea... !” Salil said brightly squinting at Nilima.  She smiled... like Dhaa, distraction was the best method to bring Afroz back.

“Yeah... ok.  I go get some snacks...” she said picking up her Enfield keys.  Nilima nodded smiling and sat back on sofa relaxed.  Afroz was equivalent to all her three daughters...!

*****  *****  *****  *****

“Drink?” Dhatri cringed looking up.  Sanyogita was holding two glasses.  The striking resemblance in Ravi’s eyes had only one difference.  Sanyogita’s blue eyes flashed malice.  Dhatri’s animal instinct made her recoil in fear.  She must run away from this predator...!

“N...No...!” Dhatri stammered in fear.  Sanyogita shrugged and sat beside her sipping her drink.  Nervousness crept in.  Dhatri crouched down in fear.  The predator could strike anytime.  Dhatri must be ready with her defenses.  It was like a kitten in front of a lion....trying to defend itself....! Sanyogita was watching her from the corner of her eye calculating, weighing her options.  This was the right time she could strike, and eliminate this filth... It could easily be looked like a freak accident.. Her hands twitched to strangulate Dhatri, gripping the glass tightly.  But she needed an alibi... she couldn’t strike when the two of them were alone... She needed someone else to vouch, it was an accident.

The other option was... fill her mind with prejudice and malice.  Was that an option? Sanyogita gazed loathing this moron, dumb, autistic looking girl...! What mind games she would understand? Sanyogita clenched her fist controlling her urge to hit Dhatri. 

“Hello ...” she said brightly when the phone was picked up from the other side.  Dhatri grabbed this opportunity and jumped to her feet to run away ...!

Her wrist was clamped and she had to stop.  “Stay here..” Sanyogita commanded through her eyes.  Dhatri recoiled....! Sanyogita disconnected and turned to Dhatri furiously.

“What did you do to my son...?” she asked ferociously.  Droplets of sweat sprang on Dhatri’s forehead.  She lost her speech.

“Run... run... run away from this place...!” her inner self pushed her forward... involuntarily she pushed Sanyogita away and dashed to open the main door.... Triumphant smirk made Sanyogita’s drink stronger....!! Dhatri was out on the deserted afternoon roads crossing the blocks, counting them, running uphill...!! Rubbing her palms gleefully, Sanyogita closed the door.  She had seen Dhatri’s vanishing figure on the horizon... far away...!

Dhatri, running relentlessly, knew nothing where she was heading...!