I know I have been late in updating. So here is the festive bonanza!
Chapter 7
Next morning, Tara wakes up early enough to dress up and sneak out carefully. She wasn't going to let him know where and why she was gone. She had taken pains to get dressed properly...the sindoor and longer mangalsutra chain was worn with some pearl jewellery, yeah! A picture of a perfect bride! She would make sure nothing would make her Maa doubt on things not right in her life.
In a way this trip would provide some respite from this grim atmosphere. It was quite some time that she enjoyed the market place and outdoors. Tara Bacchu samjha karo! Chance mar le... chance! After she was done with the mandir bit, some chai at the tea stall and bhajiyas would be awesome. Vrat mrat maro goli! Smiles to herself and saunters down the stairs happily.
She enters the kitchen only to be informed that they were given instructions about her vrat meals.
She feigns a smile and goes out of there...just then sees Baba returning from his morning walk. "Come Tara Bahu lets go the breakfast table."
He takes her along and she serve him, is about to serve herself when he gently reminds her, "Aaaj aap ka vrat hai naah?"
Oh gosh so now she was being made to starve! Was this a gang working against her?
She frowns, irritated, "yahan mere pet mein chuhe daud rahe hai...aur idhar vrat ka bulawa!...yet fakes a smile for Baba, "Haan...Baba vrat hai!"
Wanting to enjoy the drive to the mandir, Tara pulls down the glass of the window and feeling the breeze in her face. Taking a long deep breath she takes in the smells and sounds of the city, the honking, people calling out to one another, the movie hoardings, smell of food wafts from the food stalls...this was heavenly...the place where she belonged to! Sighs...yeah not so long ago!...she loved her city Bhopal...
With her pooja thaal intact she reaches the foot of the temple to find her Mother waiting patiently for her. Her mother gives a long glance and hugs her tenderly. "Bahut sundar lag rahi ho Tara beta...ek patni ki tarah...aur kaisa hai Damaadji..vrat rakha hai ki nahi?" Mom, "bhukhaar hai abhi bhi." but thinks, mother stop fretting over him, that rogue is sleeping in luxury whilst here I am starving to death for him!
"Pooja kare Maa...hume jaldi ghar jaana hai."
The pandit wishes her well and prays for their union and for the good health of Mrityunjay. Tara shuts her eyes praying that whatever her mother wishes for they may be granted. And that whatever she has set out to do for herself and her family, all her goals be accomplished. She prays for strength and courage to go through this ordeal of a marriage...that was all. Not a word was said in favour of Mrityunjay.
Aradhna prayed for the well-being of her son-in-law and Tara's happiness and that her dreams be fulfilled always.
Whilst leaving her mother warns her not to break her fast before time. It can bring bad luck. You are a married woman now, not a silly girl...so be sensible...
Not wanting another museebat to befall her or anger the Gods and mess up her prayers for her mother, Tara returns back home with all her best laid plans of eating out ruined!
Here whilst Tara was gone, Jayraj visits his son..."how are you feeling today son?"
Where was the Spitfire today? He hadn't seen her since morning. Did she just run off...well good then...he would dare not ask about her to Joseph who was here in the morning to serve him.
"Well the same...it's okay Baba what difference does it make if I recover or not?"
"Mrityunjay enough of that kind of talk with me! And yes...Tara Bahu has gone to the temple for a special pooja with her Mother and she has maintained a fast just for you? They say the prayers of a wife never go unanswered."
"Baba we carve our own destiny it's not merely a fast and pooja that changes things"
"Yes your destiny is in your hands but can never happen without the will of God...some day you will come to understand that son."
Tara enters...to find her favourite person sitting with the one she disliked the most!...He lifts up his eyes and drink in her decked up vision. Flowers in her hair!
"Tara Bahu you returned, where is the prasad for me and Mrityunjay?"
Oh gosh..."haah ek minute Baba" she could not ignore that and so leaves to get it whilst irritated "Baba too had no work...why couldn't he just be quite about it?"
She comes back up and offers it first to Baba. He accepts and then instructs her to offer up to Mrityunjay. She hesitates. But then slowly offers him. He refuses to give his hand. But on Baba's insistence he brings forth his palm. Such a cheeky guy, here her stomach rumbles and he is acting tough. She has her eyes cast down, he sees the sindoor and mangalsutra...her bangles clicking against each other... she gulps sensing his gaze on her...to him she must be looking like a mandir joker...why would he ever admire a female!
Jayraj leaves only to find Joseph come in with his meal. So she had the task of serving him now.
Strangely Joseph places the tray and leaves hurriedly.
Joseph grumbles to himself, "Good Tara Madam coming back...what re this Kunwar Sahab bas only shouting simply. My wife kill me if I shouting like that. I run from here now... Mother Mary saved me," and then does the sign of the cross whilst hurriedly rushing into the kitchen.
Chapter 8
She goes into the bathroom to wash her hands and returns. He watches her movements...finding it hard to ignore her sounds and presence ...he notices her ivory and gold anarkali churidaar ...enhancing her curvaceous figure...the large pearl drop hanging from strands of pearls... that danced every time she moved, her hands adorned with gold kadas, their family heirloom...it made her look... different...so very regal...classic and traditional... her maang filled with red sindoor stood out in stark contrast to her ensemble...why was he even looking...he turned his gaze away...it had been quite without her this morning, now he had to put up with her sharp tongue and presence.
Tara goes about her business of serving him his meal clueless to his thoughts. She was only hoping he would not ask where she had been all morning, considering she wasn't ready to explain anything at all to him.
"You did not have to go this natak for my health! I am sure you don't give a damn in reality!
Placing her hands again on her waist, she rants, "Ok don't even think for a second I went through this for you! The fast, the pooja is all for my mother! Just like you are giving into your Dad, so am I for my Mother's sake...I have no choice."
He flares his nose, but then remembers his Father's words on civility. Putting the spoon down declares, "Enough...please clear this away."
What happened to him? But he had to eat as per Doctor's instructions.
She scolds, "Will you stop being stubborn? If you don't like this will get something else made. But the doctor's clear instructions were you had to eat."
"I am not hungry anymore."
Ok this was the Bhai of Bhopal, she would get him to eat like a rabbit...achhe achho ko theek kiya hai Tara Bachhu ne. "Oh my my my...don't tell me you intend to fast along with me now like a good husband!" and displays him her sweetest smile ever.
Angry pair of molten gold eyes shot up to her...she stood there mocking him with her large-brown ones.
Damn!..where were his brains!...this woman could twist anything to win a battle!
"Utter nonsense...just feeling sick...please clear this up will you?"
She approaches the bed, clears the tray and leaves quietly.
A little bit of hassles for bigger dreams, think Tara.
After a good 45 minutes returns with another tray. "Get up and finish this now. Only then can I administer your medication."
"Now there shouldn't be a lame excuse of feeling sick with the food. Or else I just might believe what I stated earlier."
Gosh this girl was one stubborn female. Why was she so adamant that he eats? Was it concern or maybe something else?
He did not have the strength to argue anymore, still feeling miserable, so quietly finished his meal. It was tastier this time...the lemon did it.
And so this routine continued for almost a week. Tara with her ears plugged in all the time, would simply take care of his meals and medications.
One thing struck her though, it was funny that she never felt threatened in any way sharing the room with him at nights. Why was that so, she just could not understand...
He would merely rise during these times. Somehow they had gotten used to the routine. It made sense to both to remain civil to each other. She had even passed him some books to read as he had instructed. Some days when he felt better he would sit up and read in bed.
She became the perfect nurse. But had yet to mention to him about her dance and singing plans.
Chapter 9
Three days ago she even went along with Faheem Chacha to the outhouse. Being bored she insisted to venture there.
With the Master ill, Faheem had to feed the horse daily. She had seen the stark prison-like house. Her basic instinct found her to be sorting out the place. But then Faheem Chacha told her he would send Madhav to clean it up.
She asked about the mare's name. "Maryal" She stroked the animal and liked the feel of her, very docile and beautiful to look at. So the man rode a horse too. She wished she too could ride a horse one day!
On their way back Faheem Chacha disclosed a few things to her that surprised her.
" I am not sure if I should tell you this. But Mriyunjay is Baba's adopted son, but their love and adoration for each other is more than what Aditya and Thakurji shares. He is a very good human being Tara... Kunwar Sahab...how this happened and what curse has come upon this family...I question Allah every day."
She was taken aback with this new found knowledge, but thought it best to stay away from their family matters. She was an outsider after all...not someone who would be with them always.
She had her own set of problems and issues...but her respect for Baba grew. He was a wonderful person. Treating her as his own, giving her the same love and respect as anybody else in that house.
Several times when she ventured into their room she found him seated at his table, making notes in his diary or reading seated on his recliner long legs stretched out. She would always walk out just as fast as she came in.
It was time for that talk. He was reading a book. He felt her presence. Ignoring her like always he continued to read...the fever had left him during the day. It was only the nights that it would hit him with vengeance, forcing him to stay indoors still.
Barely a whisper, "I need to speak to you about something." He ignores.
Irritated, twirling the ends of her dupatta, she goes on, "Please can you just listen for a minute."
He shuts the book and looks at the Little Cat standing there, fidgeting with the ends of his favourite blue-colored dupatta, "Yes what is it?"
She looked everywhere around the room but at him.
"Do you need more money, have you decided on the amount?"
She wanted to slap him for that remark, but her purpose was different, clearing her throat she spills it out at last, "I need to inform you something...like a...
"For what? And why me?"
"A kind of a permission."
She really seemed nervous."For what? And why mine?" he barks again
"Baba thinks that I need to speak to you first before I go ahead."
"Go ahead with what?...can you be a little clear?...you want to throw some party or some kind of a pooja and call your relatives and mine. Then it's a big NO"
"Kya? Party!"
"No publicity stunt Tara" and goes back to reading.
Finally she blurts it out, "I know you think the worst of me. I want to take up dance and singing lessons."
This took him by sheer surprise. His head shot up, brows raised, he laughed sarcastically..."You mean after this project you want to become an actress ehh. You will surely succeed!"
"Why take my permission for that? I don't care what you do with yourself."
Control Tara control...he was trying to reel her...she would not let him do that...not now..."I am bored of twiddling my fingers around this house. I asked Baba, he agreed, but said the instructors must come home. Though dont know why, but he said I needed to speak to you first about it."
He opens his book, ignores her and says, "Fine...do what you want...just stay clear of me." In a way it was good...she would be occupied...and he would not see much of her around the house.
What a relief. She did not think it would be this easy for a yes. Phew! "Thanks"
He ignores her word of thanks but looks up the moment she walks out of the room. To him every form of art was something to be loved. Being an artist himself, it was a way of life for him, you could not be human if you had no connect with art or creativity. Though who knows what she was up to next!
Tara shuts the door behind her and looks upto heaven...the dream that she had given up years ago with the death of her father...might just come true some day. "Thank you Dear God"...we do write our own destinies...some day...she would make it happen, a dance & music academy. Slowly and steadily she would do it, once this case would end, the divorce she would start from home. It would be in memory of her beloved Father, the man who breathed music.
She hurries down to the study to speak to Baba. He lets her in and sees her beaming, "Baba can you call my Gurus, teachers. I spoke to Mrityunjay. He has no problem with it."
"That is good Tara, I surely will."
A very well-known lady dance instructor would be training her in dance and another renowned classical music teacher for her singing. Baba and she had decided not to let anyone know for the moment. But he had really chosen the best for her and she was grateful. So goes to him shyly and hugs him, thanking him profusely.
He then says something she had no answer to, "Tara I would like to thank you for taking care of Mrityunjay during this illness, but I also ask of you is to try and understand Mrityunjay a bit...I know he is being rude to you and everything. I have no hopes on the both of you of taking this relationship further. Whilst you are here, if not a wife...can you be a friend to him? That is all I ask."
She was lost for words..."...I...I ... you know your son thinks the worst of me."
"That is strange Tara, and I am not saying this because he is my son...Mrityunjay is a thorough gentleman when it comes to women...I have never known him to ever speak rudely to any girl...may it be our house help or otherwise"
Baba continues with his litany of praise, "He means more to me that Adi and Vasu too. And why not he is the ideal son any Father would be proud of. Yes I know this sounds unbelievable but you will find out for yourself as the days go by."
Tara thinks to herself, "Some saint we have here. Such high praise for an adopted son!"
"See Baba I cannot promise about being a friend, it takes two to be friends...but yes I will make sure I am not the cause of further trouble for him."
He let out a sigh,"Theek hai Tara Babu...I cannot expect too much I guess."
He sees her walk away and says to himself, "I will do whatever I can to make you a permanent member of this home Tara Bahu. You are the best thing that could have happened to Mrityunjay."
Continued...
Chapter 10
Happy, she rushes outdoors, it had rained earlier that had left puddles of water around...droplets of rain water still sitting on the lush green leaves...taking a deep breath she smelled the air...took off her chappals...and walked barefooted...
He set his book aside and walked up to the window, opened them to feel the breeze...and saw her down there...wading in rainwater...he was about to move...when his eyes caught her in the act...he folded his arms and stood there...watching her... opening her mouth, she pulled out her tongue to take in the droplets of rain that dripped from the long vine leaves and gulped them down her throat...smiling still...she moves...ties the dupatta around her forehead...folding her pants to expose her payal adorned feet...she splashed and jumped in the puddles of muddy water around...hopping like a little child...taking delight in the rain water...she twirled and danced... whooossshhh...smack!...slips and falls to the ground hitting her butt to the floor...elbows and hands grazed holding onto the floor...she looks around to see if anyone noticed her... and then her searching eyes reached up to see him standing there...My gosh what the hell was he looking at? Playing detective now is he? He did not move...his eyes intent on her messed yet...yet ...adorable...no funny state...she hurriedly got up...and again slyly stole a glance...he was gone...Phew! she better get out of these soiled clothes...before her darling sasuma thought the worst of her!
She goes upto the room, to find him engrossed in reading his book. He did not look up...she simply rushed into the bathroom for a change of clothes. She would go to Meethi for something to apply on her grazed elbows and hands.
She comes out and hears him say, "There is a tube of antiseptic on the table, apply it."
She goes to the table with her back to him, shuts her eyes in embarrassment...so he did see her fall and foolish behaviour...picks up the tube saying, "Thank you." and applies the soothing cream to the grazed areas...one of the elbows was bleeding slightly. She looks for cotton in the bathroom.
"Wait...utter stupidity for a nurse to get injured whilst on duty." Mirtyunjay got up and pulled out his First Aid Kit...came to her. She looked at him...he seemed miffed to her...Opening the box he pulled out some cotton swab and bandage and asked angrily, "Are you going to just stand there like an idiot or must I scream now."
She does not move. He jerks her arm, turns it and cleans the wound with a solution. He towered over her...her eyes levelled his broad hairy-chest...she gulped hard and cast her eyes down to her own arm. He looked at her face...crazy female...her creased forehead, her full lips parted in pain... and again his eyes fell on the mark. Where was his concentration...damn...stop...he shouldn't!
Then gently applies the medication, and bandages it. "I am not doing you a favour...if this gets septic...told you before...no unwanted medical bills." Letting go of her arm, he clears out the first aid box and moves away from her to wash his hands in the bathroom. He leaned his arms on the platform of the wash basin...what came over him to do this? Meethi would have helped her out! this was not a part of civility! he couldn't...he wouldn't...never...why warm up to her? So what if she had been taking care of him all this time...upset with himself...he flung the towel in anger...
She stood there, cheeks flushed... surprised by his actions...Was this the Mrityunjay Baba was talking about? she'd better leave from the room now. It was time for his meal.
When the meal was brought up, he told her he would manage and she did not have to serve him now. "I can help myself, but of course If I need anything, will let you know...and from tomorrow I shall come down for my meals...Need to get out of this room."
Thank goodness no more waiting on him, she nodded and said, "Sure...fine...let me know I shall be downstairs."
"Hmmm." and she was gone...the less he saw of her...the better it was...
Putting a morsel of dal and rice in his mouth, he calls the intercom, "Can you get some Pepper...this food is so bland."
She was standing right beside Joseph when he took the call. "What happened Joseph?"
"Kunwar sahab wants some Pepper, says the food is tasteless." She quickly hands him some lemon pickle and the Pepper and says, "Go and give it to him."
Later that night she entered the room, to notice he was asleep. For the first time she felt conscious of spending the night in the same room. From the day after she would be occupied with her dance and singing training sessions. She would rise early to do some exercise. It was years since she would start her dance routines again. Pulling the blanket closer to her, she fell asleep.
To be Continued...
Avatar and Signatures Shop
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
