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“Bahoo...” Mrs. Russel had returned and was in search of Bahoo...! Sanyogita was on the sofa watching the drama.  Mrs. Russel walked through all the rooms....And then finally asked quivering...

“Did you see her?” Sanyogita glared at her and said...”She went out for shopping...”  she added ...

“What? Where..? Alone? ” Mrs. Russel squeaked in panic. “How do I know?” Shrugged Sanyogita and Mrs. Russel sat on the sofa all lost.  She had left Bahoo alone, only for an hour, and that too only to buy some ingredients from the Indian Store, for the special dinner... and now Dhatri was nowhere to be seen.  Hurriedly she picked up the car keys...

“She said she will be back in couple of hours...!” Sanyogita added to Mrs. Russel’s relief.  But...Somewhere the warning bell ringing in her head, she tried calling her cell phone... No one picked up.

“How did she go alone?” She thought gravely and then remembering, Disha had taken her out a couple of times for shopping, breathed relief.  Mrs. Russel decided to wait for couple of hours....!

.................. 

Dhatri, panting, thirsty, tired ... was walking aimlessly ... her counting habit at its peak.... saw a children play park and entered with a sigh.  That was a nice place to hide herself.  She sat on the bench clutching a stitch in her side....! The cool breeze of winter shivered her and she wrapped her thin jacket around her chest.  Someone passed by looking at her suspiciously... She looked away frightened.  
............. 

“God... Its almost three hours...” Mrs. Russel dialed Saya’s number...

“Yeah... I am on my way...” he said brightly and she sighed...!

“What should I do? Should I call Ray?” she didn’t know.  Sanyogita seemed to be enjoying the plight... She ordered a strong coffee for herself.  Mrs. Russel threw a disgust and went inside.  She was a housekeeper after all, couldn’t disobey...!

Dhatri sat on the bench in a secluded place bidding her time...! She jumped to her feet seeing the park deserted and the lights on.  

“God... What do we do now?” Sayajirao lost his strength when he heard about it.  Sanyogita was all worried about Dhatri.

“Saya... I think we should inform cops..” she said gravely.  It was almost four hours since Dhatri left and there was no chance of her returning unscathed....! Her eyes brightening, she clutched Saya’s shoulder.

“I should call Ravi...” he blurted and Mrs. Russel nodded...

“Oh! Saya... he must be busy in his work... Let us call the cops first...” She showed urgency and Mrs. Russel nodded to that also. 

“Do anything... but bring Bahoo back...” she only prayed.

“Why didn’t I go in search for her?” she cursed herself.  

“God...! Bahoo...” she dashed to the pooja Ghar remembering Saya lighting the lamp in despair. 

“Please ... bring her back...” She prayed...locking her fingers...!

The nightfall brought more panicky...! Saya decided to call Ravi first and then the cops...!

“She should have done that before...” Sanyogita accused Mrs. Russel.  Sayajirao looked at Mrs. Russel questioningly.  She couldn’t answer...! She wanted to yell... “Why did you tell me she went for shopping...?.” Mrs. Russel felt like slapping Sanyogita...! Then the ghostly thought crossed her mind...

“Did this lady do something to Bahoo?” she saw Sanyogita staring at her.  “I shouldn’t have believed her...” Mrs. Russel again went to self blame episode.  Collapsing on the sofa she hid her face in her hands...! 

“I... I just left her alone for a while.... “ she started meekly. 

“Oh .. shut up..!... When you knew... she is subhuman...Autistic...” Sanyogita went on whipping incessantly... No one stopped her....! 

“Saya... We made a big mistake...” Sanyogita tried to put the blame on everyone including herself... Mrs. Russel looked up. 

“She is not autistic...” she said getting up at once.  She couldn’t take anyone calling names to her Bhaoo.

Sayajirao dialed Ravi’s number with shaky hands....

*****  ****

L-23-4-7-L-R-R-L-R-L-L-Up+L.... she remembered.... and turning in 180 degrees headed back crossing the path backwards...in reverse order..! Took right... uphill...took again Right... Right turns searching for the known landmarks....! Her animal instinct knew exactly how to find the way back.... She only waited for the nightfall to save herself from the eyes of strangers, chilling her spine in the night winter...freezing her nerves... numbing her joints....!  She walked uphill... halted to catch her breath and moved faster downhill....!

..............

“God...! What am I going to do?” Sayajirao prayed.

“Ravi....” he started off when his son picked up the phone...!

“Call the cops Dad.... I am coming...! God...!” said Ravi collecting his things.

:But Ravi.. Your work...” Sayajirao was cut off ...

“To hell with the work Dad... Nothing is more important in my life..than....” His voice faltered. 

“I will be there in couple of hours...” he said switching off the lights of his room and gliding the stairs of the motel...! 

They all waited for the cops to arrive....

******  *****

“Cops...!” they both said jumping to their feet and Mrs. Russel quickly moved to the door to open...!

“Bahoo....!” she squeaked in excitement and hugged Dhatri tightly.  Saya dashed to the door and Sanyogita shifted nervously....!

“Come...Get in...” He held her hand and she glanced nervously at Sanyogita...!

“Where had you been, beta? We were so worried...” Sayajiral said making her sit on the sofa.  Mrs. Russel dashed inside to get the warm cloths looking worriedly at Dhatri’s shivering figure.  Dhastri sat there wordlessly. 

“Its, ok.  Beti... Ravi is on his way...” Sayajirao said and Dhatri jumped to her feet.

“Ravi?” she asked shocked.

“Yes, Beti... We were so worried... I called up Ravi...and...” He swallowed hard sheepishly.  Dahtri gaped apprehensively...

“And the cops...! You silly girl... where were you?”  Sanyogita was suddenly on offensive...! Dhatri recoiled in fright again...!

“Do you even know the implications of calling the cops? You will be turned in... You get that?” she pulled Dhatri by arm and Dhatri repented to have returned....!

“Thats ok.  I will handle it... Don’t worry... Beti... Go change into warm clothes...” Sayajirao said softly stroking Dhatri’s head.  She looked up for a fleeting second and Mrs. Russel held her other hand.

“Bahoo... Chaalaa...” she said grinning and Dhatri went away with her. 

Call Ray... that his moro...n... I mean his wife is back and he need not come...” Sanyogita had gauged Dhatri by now and was sure Dhatri fell pray for her tactics...!

“Ravi... “ But Saya was cut off...

“I am on my way, Dad.. I am checking in..” Ravi was at the airport.

“Ravi... Dhatri is home... safe...” Sayajirao said and Ravi breathed relief.

“I am coming, Dad...” he said determined.  He couldn’t wait to see his JL. 

“Ok..!” Sayajirao grinned happily.  Sanyogita stared at his happy face. 

“Yeah... told him, she is back...” he said looking at her for the first time since his return and they all heard the siren...!

Dhatri’s knees gave way.  Are they going to put me in jail?” she flinched in horror...! She sat on the bed with bated breath waiting to be called out anytime.

Sayajirao opened the door to apologize and complete the formalities...! Nothing much happened.  Mrs. Russel came into her room and took her out.  She said sorry... stuttering... the cop gave her a broad smile and left. 
Hushh....Haa,,,” she sighed keeping her hand on her chest. 

“Come.... “ Sayajirao guided her to the pantry and made her sit at the table...!  Mrs. Russel brought a mug of hot coffee... She inhaled the aroma and kept the mug without sipping... craving for a good cup of tea.....!

“Aray... Beta... Yes... I will make a tea for you in no time...” Sayajirao had understood her taste and she smiled shyly setting aside the coffee mug.  The three of them had virtually forgotten Sanyogita....! A hot tea with lemon grass drove away her cold.... She opened up a bit.

“Tell me Dhaa... What do you want for dinner...” Sayajirao was all set with a ladle and apron wrapped around his front.  She gave a shy smile shaking her head... actually wanting to give him a big list of her favorites....! Sayajirao got to work with Mrs. Russel assisting him.  Dhatri sat there wondering.. gaping at them... the finesse with which he was cooking....!

“Ravi...” Sayajirao hurriedly removed the apron to answer the bell.  Dhatri fidgeted nervously.

“What will he do? He sure is going to...”  her feet made some involuntary actions to run away.. She jumped to her feet to hide herself.

“Dhaa...” Ravi had dropped his bag at the kitchen door and dashed in.  Dhatri gaped in utter fright and Ravi hugged her tightly....!

“God! Dhaa.... you are safe...” he cuddled her wrapping her in his arms.  A happy smile spread over Dhaa’s face.  He was not upset with her.... He had hugged her....her arms circled his neck!  He  lifted her off the ground whispering..her name...!

“This is good! I should run away, if he gets upset ever again.... and then come back of course... to him... of course...” she thought closing her eyes, with a mischievous smile flashing her dimples.  Her gudda was back....in form...in his own self... loving his JL beyond anything limiting in this world...!