Part 26

They were eight days into their expedition and pretty well settled into their routine.  They were to break their trail for consolidation.  They had combed the Hoshangabad Forests and were to move down south east at Balaghat which would lead them to Chhattisghar the moist deciduous forests way Down Dantewada and then upwards towards Indrawati National park, after visiting Bastar.  Chinu was to leave them at Hoshangabad.  Another person from Chhattisghar Forest Department would join them at Dantewada. 

They travelled in a private vehicle upto Dantewada.  Two armed Rangers joined them.  Dhatri shrunk again.  Her responses became dull and withdrawn.  Maria failed to understand her.  Indroneel was more protective towards Dhatri now.  He never left her alone.  The gap between the boys and Dhatri increased filling up hatred towards each other.  Jim tried his best to make amends but Dhatri withdrew.  Ravi too looked more upset.  Jim and Soumya glued together to the annoyance of Ravi.  Dr. Koite was little friendlier towards Dhatri calling her by her name and smiling at her.  She latched on to her Sir when Maria tried to ask her about herself more and Soumya laughed disdainfully.  Dhatri refuse to let out anything.  Maria was puzzled at Dhatri's sudden withdrawal. 

They were shocked by the fierceness of the armed men accompanying them. “We will be moving through Red Corridors...” One of them explained and everyone fell silent.  The maoist terrorism had broken out. 

“You want to go back?” Indroneel asked Dhatri putting his hand on her shoulder.  She shook her head.  “No..” she said in a small voice.

“Dhatri... I talked to Salil.. he too feels that you should go back” Indroneel tried to convince her. When they were brought to a resort in Dantewada.

“No..” she shook her head again determined to continue.  Indroneel was worried. 

****   **********

“Papa?” Dhatri hugged her papa tightly and was shocked to see her Rini Didi emerging from behind her Papa.

“Rini Didi…!” She screamed running into her arms.  Salil looked at her youngest daughter.  Indroneel came forward.  As soon as Salid heard that they had reached Dantewada.. he dashed to meet her.  Rini accompanied.  Rini was holding Dhaa at arms length and was gazing at her tanned, bright face.  Dhaa was smiling broadly.

“Dhaa… come with us..!” Rini said and Dhaa took a step back.  She dragged her didi aside and said

“But Rini Didi, I want to continue…! Please, Didi… Please…” she pleaded earnestly holding her didi’s hand.

“But Dhaa… you know the….” Dharini was cut…

“No Didi… nothing will happen… I will stay away… stay hidden…” Dhaa pleaded.  Rini looked lost in thoughts.  Salil was all set to take her back home. 

“But Dhaa… “ Rini couldn’t complete as she saw the others approaching.  Maria was talking to Dr. Salil who was carrying Dhaa’s luggage.

“Papa…” Dhaa protested.  “I can’t leave the expedition in the middle..” Dhaa looked at Indroneel for support.  He shook his head.  “You go Dhatri.  For you the expedition is over..!” he said forcing a smile on his face. 

“No…Rini Didi…!” Dhaa turned to her Didi crying for support.  Rini melted.

“Papa…” She took him aside.  They had a long talk.  Dr. Maria and Koite looked on.  Dr. Salil shook his head hopelessly.  Indroneel intervened.

“Go Beti…” he said gravely.  “No Sir, I want to continue….” She sobbed sniffing in her kerchief. 

“Go.. cry baby…Your father has come..” Soumya Soorie whispered in her ears disdainfully.  Ravi, close behind looked up startled. 

“No!” Dhaa was determined.  Team from Stanford understood nothing.  Ravi went back to his room shrugging, disinterested in the drama.  Jim looked on at Rini curiously.  Rini ignored him completely.  Soumya burned within.  Dhaa didn’t stop crying.  Salil was not ready to listen to anyone this time.

“Ma’m..” Dhatri pulled Dr. Maria’s hand.

“Please… tell him that I have some responsibility..!” Dhatri tried her last resort.  Maria looked at her surprised.  She turned to Dr. Salil.

“Please…” Dhaa pleaded in a bare whisper.  Dr. Maria couldn’t decide.

“Yeah… Dhatri, you can go!” Soumya was in a hurry to get rid of her.  Everyone looked at her.

“Anyway, she didn’t have any responsibility…” Soumya continued loudly.  Salil looked relieved.  Dharini bit her lip in rage and took a step forward, Dhatri clenched her fists.   

“Yeah, that’s right! She doesn’t have assigned responsibility, but she is a great help…!” Dr. Maria intervened and Salil looked up at her surprised. 

“She is my assistant and I would like to have her in my expedition….!” Maria said looking at Dr. Koite.  He nodded understandingly.  Dhatri grinned victoriously.

“Dr. Salil, if you permit, I would like her to continue with the expedition…!” Finally Maria uttered.  Dr. Salil forgot to react.  He looked at Indroneel helplessly.  He didn’t want to tell anyone, why he was so desperate to take her back when he heard that they were to enter Chhattisghar… the Red Corridor…! He dreaded to even utter that word.  Dhatri’s condition a decade back floated before his eyes and he sat on the chair with a thud. 

“She will be alright Papa~” Rini came and sat beside.  He looked at her hopelessly.  “Its ok Papa…. She ..” Rini too chocked recollecting the same incidence. 

“Papa.. Please?” Dhaa pleaded planting a kiss on his cheek….

“Dhaa… try to understand!” he pleaded helplessly. 

“Salil… let it be… forget the past now! Nothing has happened in these years….” Indroneel couldn’t bear Dhatri’s crying.  Salil looked miserable. 

“Why did I allow her to join this, in the first place?” he repented. 

“Papa.. Its ok… She will be alright!” Dharini assured him.  He got up with a heavy heart.  Dhaa hugged her father.  He patted on her head. 

*********   ***********   ********

“Why was he so worried?” asked Maria when they were alone in the room and Soumya had again disappeared in boy’s room.  Dhatri didn’t look up.  Maria waited patiently.  Dhatri had not said anything about herself in these days.  She spoke very little.  Maria took it as her communication problem.  But she couldn’t stop herself this time.  She was waiting for Dhatri to speak.  Dhatri looked up at her uncertainly, swallowed heard, made up her mind and said…

“I was kidnapped by Naxals when I was five!” Maria gaped with pale face.  Dhatri dashed out of the room to breathe. 

Part 25

Part 25

The walk in the morning was pleasant though very tiring through the slopes, curves, bends! Descending into the valley was taxing on knees for Maria.  Dhatri was ahead of everyone in sliding into the deep slopes.  She used to slide down, survey find out some plain clearing, come back running and Climb up the slope in one go! Chinu helped Dr. Koite and Maria in the descend and brought them to the clearing.  Indroneel Ghosh was independent enough being a trekker himself.  Soumya had latched on to the boys giggling and talking animatedly.  Every Plant, shoot, Tree, creeper, shrub, bush was examined and coded.  After of about four hours walk and descend they finally rested for a quick lunch.  Maria was exhausted and tired, but surprisingly Dr. Koite, despite his size was still energetic. 

They hardly had covered around five miles, a long way to go.  “Look!” Dhatri pulled Maria's hand.  Maria couldn't see anything again.  Dhatri pointed at her binoculars and Maria smiled sheepishly taking out hers.  “Settlement...!” Dhatri said and everyone turned in her direction. 

“Yes, we will be spending the night there.” Said Chinu and started collecting the spread out things and the leftovers of the food, ready to move on. 

“Why do you want to study this?” Chinu asked and Soumya giggled at his stupidity.  “We want to study plant evolution ...” Dr. Koite said clearly and slowly trying to suppress his heavy accent.  Chinu gaped.  “I mean you can have to documents.  We have documented almost everything in this area.  All big trees are numbered and named, we have the forest composition, we have the records... you could have asked for them...” Chinu still was puzzled.  Dr. Koite shook his head.  “Are you sure, you have everything?” he again asked stressing on every word.  Chinu fell silent.

“Well...” Dr. Maria took over.  

“It is like this.  We are studying the cluster of plants that grow in vicinity of each other supporting each others growth...” She was clear enough.  Chinu nodded still looking confused. 

“See .. you have Teak trees... Look at the canopy… around 30 meters? with big leaves but have you recorded what grows around it?” she asked.  Chinu shook his head looking enlightened.  “Look around!” Maria told him. 

“Yeah... we find water tube creepers, ferns, grass....”

“Yeah.. grass... why?” Dr. Maria asked.  Chinu's face brightened up.  “Humm … because of the moist accumulated by the big leaves....” Chinu understood.  He had a new look at the surrounding now. 

“Trees and creepers... they grow on each other...” Dr. Maria said looking at Dhatri.  She was looking around with new enlightenment. 

Ravi and Jim had a massive task of Photography.  Both  busy with the work and Ravi was carrying his portable tripod on his shoulder along with his heavy camera.  Every plant was to be examined.  Jim was serious when it came to work.

“What about fern?” Soumya asked. 

“Right! Ferns is not originally from this part.  But it has found its new home here!” Koite said.  “Its evolved and adapted to this environmenet...” he came to the point.

“Look at this...Blue fern...” he said sitting down to examine.  “Chappa...!” Dhatri exclaimed...

“What?” Everyone asked.  “Dhut Teri...” Ravi muttered under his breath, ignoring her completely. 

“Yeah... Chappa...” Chinu grinned.  “What is chapa?” asked Jim and Dhatri plucked a leaf of blue fern. 

“Tattoo  ..  White tattoo...” she said looking up.  Chinu held out his hand.  She pressed the leaf on the back of his palm and peeled it out.  The white leaf design glowed on his black skin...

“See?” Dhatri grinned.  The fern leaf glowed so did Dhatri.  Ravi's camera never stopped clicking.  Dr. Maria had a broad smile.  She turned the leaf and showed the white fungus gathered at the back of the leaf.  “Dhut Teri...” Ravi exclaimed being fooled.  Dhatri tossed her head back and giggled, closing her eyes... “Man....” Jim blurted with gaping mouth looking lost in her dimples.  Ravi looked on. 

“Let me have one…!” Jim held out his hand.  Dhatri grinned.  She plucked another leaf…

“No wait… here!” Jim pulled out his T shirt and turned.  “Here on my back…” he stood with his back on them.  Ravi looked away hopelessly.  Dhatri came closer… “Chappa… she said thumping the leaf on his back.  Jim winked at Ravi.  Dhatri took out the leaf and still the white tattoo glowed on jim’s white back…!

“It will fade away..!” Dhatri added moving away.  Ravi controlled his urge to get the tattoo on his biseps. 

“Let me do it on your back..!” Jim said plucking the leaf.  “I have it on my hand… See!” Dhatri showed the back on her palm.  “You can have one on me..!” Soumya was all ready to have chappa on her lower back.  Jim obliged winking at Ravi.

“Time to go...” Dr. Koite got up and the group moved.  “Jay Bolo Mahadev Ji ki..!” Chinu and Dhatri raised their hands joined by Ravi, this time!

By evening they were at the Tribal settlement.  “Dolu..” Chinu informed.  “There are around hundred huts here and some still below.  They had not reached the bottom of the valley.  “We will stay here for the night..” he said and all agreed.  “They are halbas… cultivators…! The clearance and terrace farming in fragmented lands…” Chinu gave a formal information as they approached the settlement. 

“The descend is alright but it will be difficult once we start moving upwards…” Chinu warned. 

The settlers were already informed.  Chinu went ahead and talked to the head.  They were given a warm welcome.  The sun had already set in the valley and the nightfall was engulfing the surrounding.  The chirping had died out.  The whine and gripe could be heard from the crikets and cicadas.. The surrounding suddenly became spooky. 

“See?” Dhatri showed her glowing white Tattoo in that darkness, so did Chinu.  Jim tried to take out his T Shirt again.

“No..Don’t! Insects..!” Chinu warned in his limited English.  Dhatri again giggled and Jim again was lost with gaping mouth.  Ravi took out his night vision camera.  Chinu held out his tattooed back of the palm.  Ravi looked at Dhatri.  She moved away ignoring him.  He flared up in rage.  “Dhut Teri..!” he mutterred and Dhatri turned to face him thrusting her hands on her hips.  He challenged her and she turned her back on him.  Then they heard the chirping in the night startling them all.  Everyone looked around to see the singing bird, straining their eyes, Ravi ready with his night vision camera.  The chirping didn’t stop and soon they heard the crow.  “What?” Indroneel looked at Chinu.  The crickets were louder and creepy.  “Chik…chik… cheeck…cheeck…” they heard from somewhere unable to guage the direction.  “Monkeys…!” Chinu blurted with horror…descending faster signaling them to follow him.   They all turned hurriedly.  “Dhatri….!” Indroneel called out loudly in anger and she turned with innocent face. The chirping and the cheecks stopped abruptly.

“Stop it!” he warned her loudly.  “What sir?” she looked at him confused.

“Stop it, I say!” he came nearer and Dhatri ran to catch up with Chinu.  “Phew..” Indroneel wiped his sweat between the shrills of cicads …!

“What was that?” whispered Dr. Koite.

“Her ventriloquesm…!” Indroneel sighed. 

“What?” Dr. asked and Indroneel nodded moving ahead.  They had reached the middle of the settlement.  Ravi close behind Dhatri looking at her suspiciously; Chinu walking briskly as if to save himself from monkeys and Jim and Soumya hand in hand enjoying the hospitality of the dewllers…! 

******   *********   *********

There was no electricity.  They were given a hut to stay.  Both Ravi and Dr. Maria had their Laptops charged with additional batteries.  The settlers offerred rice and curry.  Soon they got engrossed with the documentation deep into the night.  Dhatri kept peeping in sitting behind Dr. Maria with sleepy eyes.  Dr. Maria raised her tired hands and stretched herself. 

“Can I type?” Dhatri asked.  “What?” Maria looked back.  Dhatri pointed at the keyboard.  “Hey stupid…!” Soumya hit her lightly.  Maria looked at Dhatri intently.  “You want to type?” she asked and Dhatri nodded.

“Ok! Try! I will dictate…!” Maria gave her the laptop and soon was awed by Dhatri’s speed.  Her fingers danced on the keyboard in lightening speed.  Maria smiled broadly placing her hand on Dhatri’s shoulder fondly.  Dhatri looked back.  “You are my assistant…!” Maria declared and Dhatri glanced at Ravi who was busy downloading the photos and clips on his laptop.  Soumya moved away to help Jim.  Dhatri and Maria raced to finish their work.  They had collected around 165 samples to be documented, filling up the forms full of plant ontology and botanical names, that Dhatri had heard for the first time.  Maria helped her with the information and soon they were in tune with each other. 

Ravi had finished downloading and was ready to merge the documents created by Jim, Maria and Dr. Koite.  Jim had finished the documentation of the physiographic information looking into the official documents provided by the Forest Department and Dr. Koite and Dr. Indroneel were busy keying in the conposition of the forest and clusters of Vegitation.  Maria and Dhatri had finished on the Plant descriptions and documentation.  Ravi was waiting for the three groups to merge the documents with photographs and numbering.  Soumya had started labeling the smaples packing them neatly into the sampling pouches and boxes.  The real research work had started and Dhatri was looking at the enormous work with beady brown bright eyes. 

It took them past over midnight to finish and hit their bed.  Dhatri had disappeared again in her Sleeping bag setting her alarm.  They all were in one room which looked like acdormitory.

Every passing day, Dhatri was experiencing and learning something new and was exhibiting something extraordinary. 

Part 24

The rooms were smaller in size with a single bed, a table two folding chairs, a night lamp and small cupboard.

Everyone had settled.  “We have to get up early in the morning...” Maria said. 

“Haan?” Dhatri wore a question mark on her face.  Maria repeated slowly and clearly.

 “What time?” Dhatri asked taking out her wrist watch.  She set the alarm and took out her sleeping bag.  “You can sleep here!” Maria pointed at the tiny cot.

“No! I have my bed!” Dhatri said and changed into her night dress.  Dinner time was short and simple.  Maria and Dhatri preferred to remain in the room.   The plates with rice, curd and dal arrived and Dhatri devoured it in record time.  She took out her water bottle. 

“Dhatri? Do you know the meaning of Dhatri?” Maria asked fondly and Dhatri nodded.  Humm... I have a Sanskrit – English dictionary.” Dr. Maria scrolled her Laptop screen.  Dhatri peeped in.  Maria busied herself in the work and Dhatri sat behind yawning  and playing with the chousinga Horn, her first find.  

“Feeling sleepy?” Maria asked looking back at Dhatri from her chair and Dhatri nodded.  “Go to sleep...” Maria permitted and Dhatri disappeared in her sleeping bag on the floor.  Dr. Maria smiled inwardly.  “Dhatri.... Sweet name and a sweet girl...” she too closed her laptop and applied insect repellent cream.  She looked around for the other girl.  Soumya was nowhere to be seen.  

“Where is Ms Soorie?” Maria asked puzzled.  “Dinner with others outside...!” came a muffled voice from sleeping bag and Maria sighed.  Soumya came late in the night and slept on the cot beside Maria.  

It was still dark outside and Maria got up with noise in the bathroom.  She sat up and saw the time.  “Time to get up!” she said coming out of her bed and looked at the flattened sleeping bag.  Dhatri was already up and was in the bathroom.  Maria had a faint smile.  “Good!” she blurted.  

Dhatri came out ready! “Good morning..!” Maria greeted pleasantly.

“Goo...Good Morning..!” Dhatri reciprocated shyly.  “Ready?” Maria asked and she nodded, hanging her binoculars around her neck.  

“Where?” Maria asked.  “Outside..!” she answered moving out of the room.  “Wait!” Maria dashed to the bathroom to get ready.  Dhatri had taken a cold water bath.  Maria got ready and came out to find Dhatri sitting on the stairs looking up at a Bamboo island.  Dr. Maria sat beside her.  

“Look!” Dhatri pointed out in the darkness.  Maria couldn’t see anything.  “Where?” she asked straining her eyes.  Dhatri looked at her and holding her hand tiptoed nearer.  A flock of birds flew up in the air fluttering loudly.  Maria gaped.

“Storks..!” Dhatri smiled at her.  “There must be water nearby...!” she pulled Maria’s hand and dragged her.  Maria ensued.  Dhatri had taken out her small torch to see the path below.  They walked down the slope and stopped turning into a statue.  Maria was stunned at the beauty.  A stream gurguling down the stony slops was draining into a small pond and the ducks were swimming peacefully.  

“Shuu....!” Dhatri hushed before Maria could utter a word.  “Nesting season...!” Dhatri whispered.  They both made their way up the pond and the birds again flew in panic.  “Huf huh hu.. !” Dhatri giggled jerking her head and closing her eyes.  Maria gaped her and the flying birds.  

“You see all sorts of animals and birds at dawn..!” Dhatri informed and Maria nodded knowingly.  “Universaly..!” she said looking through her binoculars. 

“We can see peacocks also...!” Dhatri said.  “You mean Peafowl...” Maria corrected.  Dhatri ignored.  They had already slid the slope and had reached the now empty pond.  All the birds were flown away.  Dhatri ran forward to see if she could lay her hands on some lagging bird.  Maria stood behind and watched.  

“Tiii.. tii..twitt..twittt...” She heard a frantic screech and a bird with bright yellow eyes flew over Dhatri’s head.  Dhatri looked down searching for something.

“M’am... “ she called out in a hushed voice.  “Come here...!” she waved at Maria.  Maria reached.  “Look ... eggs... Lapwing...!” Dhatri was excited with the perfectly camouflaged eggs on the ground with pebbles.  Dr. Maria sat down to examine under the frantic and angry calls “tii..twitt..twittt.. tii..twitt..twittt..”  

“Come on...Lets go!” They turned to go back.  The chirping of the birds had become louder and louder and Dhatri was running ahead of Maria like one of them giggling and jumping forgetting all her inhibitions.  She stopped abruptly and came back to Maria.  Maria looked in the direction to find Jim and Ravi descending the slopes.

“You are late... the birds are vanished...!” Maria greeted teasingly. 

“Shit...!” Jim couldn’t stop himself.  Ravi looked at Dhatri as if it was her fault.  She didn’t bothered and continued her walk.  Dr. Marai had stopped by to talk to the boys and Dhatri made her way back alone.  

*****   ******

“Tea?” Chinu the ranger offered.  Dhatri took the cup and sat on the stairs gazing into the trees.  She saw the boys and M’am approaching.  Soumya had come out wearing a bright florescent yellow Top and black jeans.

“Umm... Ms.. wearing bright colours on a trek is not advisable..” DFO suggested.

“But I will wear jacket over it..!” Soumya retorted arrogantly.  Dhatri looked back at the argument clutching the tea cup.  Maria and the boys had reached.  Soumya went inside.  Maria sat beside Dhatri.  She too was given a cup of tea.  

“We will have breakfast.  We may have to the cross the valley, through cattle route...” said DFO and Dhatri stood up at once.  The real expedition would start now. 

“Chinu wil accompany you and I will meet you after a couple of days.  There are a few tribal settlements.  Chinu knows the area...” He added and Chinu nodded.  Dhatri looked excited.  

Dr. Koite spread the contour map and marked the two points.  “We have to cover around 11 miles..!” he said.  Everyone nodded ready with their equipments. 

“Here... the treatise on the composition of the forest and the flora...!” DFO handed over a folder to Dr. Koite.  He scanned the pages taking out the map of the region and handing it over to Chinu.  He took it, folded it and pocketed it.  He knew the region very well.  Dhatri stood by his side to lead the way.  DFO took their leave and they all devoured slices of bread with another cup of tea.  

“Chalo Dhatri....!” he said and Dhatri giggled excitedly adjusting her back pack and hanging her binoculars.  Jim again lost himself in her dimples... “Man...!” he sighed and found Soumya beside. Ravi Frowned. Descending the stairs  “Jay bolo Mahadev ji ki...!” Chinu and Dhatri roared and the walk through the dense forest through the valley started.