Hamlet's Revised Fanfic Collection Index - Page 17

Originally posted by: tamanna1391

awsemm update milan abhi adha adhura hai

Mishal Raheja

as Dutta

Follow the Heart

Part 17

Dutta waited as his eyes swept across the many faces standing before. Hardworking, farmers that looked upon him as someone extraordinaire. He shrugged his palm at them as a signal to relax, and then allayed their queries as how to they might refer to him?

"main jano, aap sab sooch rehe hain, muhje ab kya bolna hai? seedhe se baat hai aap jaisa dektha hoon mujhe .. ek muzdoor..", there was general disagreement amongst them as not so long ago he was a hermit and now as common as them. What he proposed was hard for them to reckon with, at such short notice. One of them spoke for all

"pun ye kaise ho sakta hai? humien tu pata hai ke aap ne apna Jogi maharaj ka roop hamare liya badla hai, tu hum kya bolien? Dutta was getting impatient at this delay over a title. For time fleeted by, and in the created lull, things which may be disadvantageous for both these villagers and for Naku too would shape up. Eventually he took it upon himself to tease a name for himself from them. He had decided that his own name Dutta bequeathed by his family was a side lined option, as Nana knew him by that. So he posed a question before them

"dekho gaon waloon jitna bhi jane ho ap muhje .. main kaisa laga hoon aap ko?. By this question he meant how did his personality come across to them? and he said this with slightly flared nostrils that reflected his annoyance.But this time a few elders spoke out

"dekho maharaj! hamre liye tu ape Shiva ka vardhan ho! hamri zindagi mein aya.. humien apne ghalti ka ehsas dilya.. nek aur devi devta ki tapasya kerne wale ho aap "and a young man joined in with the opinion of the elderly man

"main tu ye khaoon, kyun na hum sab aap ko Rishi Bhau. bolien..? is pe tu aap ko aitraz nehin hona chahiye? Dutta was much relived by his newly acquired name. He nodded with a slanted smile as he bopped his head, just the once ,and indicated his whole hearted approval.Then added lightly

"chalo, nam tu tum logon ne mujhe de diya..ab Nana ke farm house ka raasta bhi bata du".. The sooner they verbally told him the way. Even though he was in a tremendous hurry to be on his way, he checked his over exuberance. So before he distanced himself from them.. he instructed clearly.

" tum mein ju janwar mandi ka rashta jante ho , muhje bata do.. "and a few men explained to him the way to the cattle market.. and Dutta or rather their Rishi Bhau, left them with an assurance ,that as soon as he settled in Nana's farmhouse he would surely signal for them to come in small batches and retrieve their sacks of grain.

They watched him as he walked away. A tall man in a black kurta, white pyjamas and a piece of cloth tied around his head. Much amused, they also acknowledged, how he retained his shoddy bulky bag over his shoulder,that contained Kajri his prized possession!

~~~~~~

The long grey quiet road soon swarmed with rolling trucks congested with cattle being carted off to the cattle market. Dutta sided his long legs and decided to walk on the edge of the road due to the crammed road. Complacently, he smiled as he realized he was on the right path. As a lover, he was all ready to accept any further drop in his status. He raised up his eyes to the skies and reflected, Bappa ..life is truly worthwhile when one knows the route one takes... like myself, I once was one without aim and purpose. But you made things happen in my life.. reformed the way I perceived issues. I followed your calling and underwent those moulding discomforts in the forest that gave me knowledge regarding the issue of life. That life can also be, a life lived beyond one's self as well. Now Bappa, as my feet travel towards the market place, let not my spirit be faltered by any such thoughts ,sentiments and actions, that might veer me off my goal of standing up for what is right not just for myself.. but for the larger good of others.

~~~~~~

Dutta's brothers argued as they drove the truck load off oxen to be sold off at the market. Kadam, the eldest was troubled. He regretted the complete exercise which he deemed as worthless. More so ,he felt his own sense of usefulness in being the eldest and also the village head man, yet having no say!

" I cannot understand why we have become so callous? that we are disposing off the prized oxen that babba actually nurtured from their birth.. and they ploughed the land for us and helped deliver many bumper crops for us! Shinde who always had a soft corner for his baby brother, rattled off the answer for both his older brothers.

"why don't you just admit, that after kicking Dutta out! we have all been losers! janwar bhi aap ki nehin sunte! jaise ke Dutta ke bagher murjha se gaien hai! but let me tell you! by selling the oxen ,we are signing our life of comfort away.. we are farmers, by lineage. Babba left his agricultural estate to us ,so that we maintain it, and pass it down to our children.. but you only think of making easy money and then about squandering it in booze and brothels.. I suppose you have forgotten what that the Jogi said? continued Shinde, only to be shouted down by Davde.

"hey! tu maat bashan de humien! hum bare hain, sab sooj booj mein kar rahe hain, aur le ayan ge aur bel aagar zaroorat pare.. ge.. aur us nigatho Dutta! ko maat yaad kar.. use ne tu mur kar bhi nehin , phoocha ,ke hum mar gaye ye zinda hain? Kamde was sick of their usual squabble. But the truth was he missed Dutta.. and often when he sat in the courtyard alone at night, he would imagine a knock on the door.. and imagined upon opening it, he would behold his baby brother before him.. Kamde nearly crunched the gear and wiped a tear from the inner corner of his eye as they neared the cattle market.

~~~~~

As it so happened in a small village, acquaintances do come across each other. So it came to pass ,that Roops came across a heavily pregnant Daksha in the vegetable market. It was the obvious thing to do, so Roops tapped Daksha on the shoulder and offered to carry her shopping for her. Baji, too happened to be passing by and he pulled his jeep to a halt! and courteously jumped out of his jeep and accommodated the two women in his jeep. Roops , winked at him and he glared at her ,as he indicated with his arched eyebrows that Dutta's vahini was present. Daksha noted the little subtle exchange of looks between the two and couldn't help but ask

"so, Baji? ghar kab basiye tu ? don't let Aye Sahib wait too long? Baji smiled shyly and replied

"kare ga lagan Daksha vahini, pun tab ,jab mera Bhau laut ke aye ga..",on hearing about her Dutta Bhau too, Daksha became morose and sniffed sadly and said

"wo tu pata nehin kahan hai? aur kab laut ke aye ga ? pun ye batana tha tum dono ko , ke aaj Dutta ke Bhau, Heera aur Sona , babaa ke do bael baichne janwar mande mein gayien hain! pata nehin kis ghar jayen ge beechare? they were nurtured by babaa, looked after by Dutta Bhau.. now don't know what fate they will suffer! she wept ,clearly upset.. that Baji turned his neck around and looked at her meaningfully

"dekho Daksha vahini! aap chinta maat karien, main aur Roops ap ko ghar drop kar ke.. seedhe mandi jata hein! main bhi tu dekhoon! who'll actually buy the pair of oxen! they will not just go to any body! main hoon na!.. and he rammed the accelerator and headed towards Patil Nivas. Roops tapped him on the shoulder

"ayeee Baji rao! zara dheere se, vahini ka khayal kar! tu ambulance nehin chala raha! jeep , people carrier drive kar raha hai! hawa se ne baatien kar!, Roops warned him and he had to go down a few gears. The truth was that Baji too felt love and loyalty toward's his Bhau's family as Dutta himself would do .. especially so in his absence! So after he dropped Daksha and her shopping he told Roops to join him in the passenger seat and away he raced towards the cattle market. No sooner had he got there to the parking lot, he recognized the animal carrier that belonged to the sons of shri Ram Patil! he turned to Roops as he switched off his jeep, and said with an angered twisted face

" well this confirms what Daksha vahini reported.. he paused as he arched his neck from behind his steering wheel and then declared,

"ye lo lotecha party bhi edhur poonche hoi hai! dekh udhar Roops us salle mucheer ko! Kulte! Nana ka paltu kutta! mazza aye ga Roops! if they mess around with Dutta's brother, tu main haat ke dulahi dekhaye phir! he warned. Roops threw her head back and laughed at his bravado!

"phele jeep se uthar ke undar chaal Baji ! you never know sab peaceful ho? Roops said with a coquettish smile.. with a snigger and a giggle Roops put her foot in the foot rest and climbed out of the jeep .Before she walked she fixed her chunni on the side of her head and then both walked together into the market. Roops screwed her nose and walked gingerly as she missed dung cakes splattered on the ground. She literally lurched on to Baji's side and he held her up, from falling! amidst the crowd. Baji's head lurched to the side and then he just froze!.. by what he saw.. two hundred yards from where he stood with Roops beside him.. Dutta!?? Baji shook his head and looked again.. Dutta!!?? Bhau! he gasped ,and still in a state of disbelief ,he nudged Roops and pointed in Dutta's direction and uttered,

"Roops dekh Dutta Bhau!, Roops saw, received a jolt ,but still commented on the figure's credibility.

" nooo Baji.. it's not Dutta Bhau.. look at his clothes. The last time you met him, yaad kar he was dressed as a Jogi..this man however has a piece of cloth tied around his head ,and kapre dekh uske kurta, pyjama.. he looks like a labourer, how can he be Dutta ? Baji sapne dekhna chor de" she chastised Baji..

~~~~~~~

Dutta came about the cattle market. One look at it and he summed up, man and beast it was! The out in the open site, buzzed with animal noises, human noises of hud! hud!. Although,there was a sea of both sellers and buyers, walking, bumping past each other. Dutta was impressed by cordons of rows that contained various categories of farm animals. There were rows of parked oxen with sharp horns above their crowns. Another open space held heaps, clumps of dry fodder, flocked by sheep, loosely roped upon pitched heavy wrought pegs nailed into the ground. Sellers, stood, striking, caressing their for sale animals. Potential buyers, felt the body of the animals, and scrutinised the animal they planned to buy. Other buyers or just on lookers, crouched on their folded legs and discussed a sale; haggled about the price with the sellers. Despite the activity and buzz of traders and animals, all seemed relaxed. Haste was not the order of the day! take your time was the tone of this place. Being cool with hazy sunshine contributed to the congenial mood of both man and beast. Many people, just sat and waited, as sales took place. Dutta felt, that more emphasis was paid to checking out the range of cattle from oxen to cows ,goats ,sheep and horses.. but he came looking for a job.. as a farm hand!

Dutta weaved his way through sectioned off animals. While he brushed past the sheep, as if she picked up the scent of her kind! Kajri grew restless as she heard the bleating of lambs. But Dutta stroked down her curved body,that poked out of the bag and settled her down once again with a twinkle in his eye. Dutta walked past the row of pegged oxen.Suddenly he felt being thumped behind his back! before he reeled around he deemed, it must be some bad tempered ox! He was confronted by a white ox, crowned with two shiny pointed horns that curved inwards. Dutta peered into its almond shaped black eyes.. they seemed familiar. On impulse he rubbed his folded finger against it's wet black nostrils through which passed the rope that led to it's harness. The more he looked at the ox, the more he felt a degree of closeness. As Dutta turned his neck, he noticed the bull beside it. It was a black and white speckled ox with a huge black clump on it's back and it dawned on him! how could he Dutta! not recognize Heera and Sona his father's prized bullocks! He held each one by their jaws and nuzzled his chin on their fuzzy foreheads.. and cried

"tum dono yahan? Bappa! he realized, they were put on sale! His blood curdled and his eyes burned with tears .. as he ran his fingers under the soft loose pleated skin of Heera ,Sona's necks! So carried away by his affection for the oxen was Dutta, that he was startled by a hand on his shoulder!

"Bhau! I knew it was you! tu jitney bhi roop badal le.. Baji ke ankhien nehin, uska dil thujhe pechan le ga! yelled a hysterical Baji as he flung himself against Dutta's chest and draped his arm around Dutta's stiff neck. Dutta doubled his chin, looked down at Baji's head against his chest. Then gently, pulled back Baji from him and held his shoulders

"hummh, Baji main hi hoon, there's no getting away from you is there?? but yaad rehe that I am not here as your Bhau, but as an ordinary man looking for a job.. " Baji expanded his eyes and gave Dutta a head to toe look and yelled to Roops beside him

" wrong this time Roops ke baachi! ye tum mera Bhau he nikala!, see here Roops.. I can sense Bhau around me even if he is dressed as a chamiya!.. he doubled up cackling. Dutta sided his eyes and rendered Baji a frigid stare

" Baji, haad mein reh nehin tu doon ga thujhe ulte haat ka! and he yanked his elbow ready to play fight Baji! Roops laughed at this light spectacle. Yes she truly could note the twinkle in Baji's eyes as his mouth stretched in glee. But Baji was perplexed by Dutta's new get up, and seeking employment

" Bhau itni jaldi tune jog choor diya ? aur ab ek aam insan bun gaya? and what's with this you looking for a job! what kind of a job? and what's the hurry? Bhau! choor ye lotcha and let's head home, tu apne zameen ko dekh! set your own home in order!.. urged Baji as he grabbed Dutta's arm. But Dutta shrugged it away and moved away a little from the oxen. and replied firmly

"Baji , I have a task to do.. apne liye nehin dosere logon ke liye.. people who have been robbed of the rewards of their labour by that evil badman Nana! ,hence tere se I expect support.. in the form that you do not reveal my identity.. leave me be! as I seem.. a young man in search of employment." But Baji was more concerned about Naku

"wo tu theek hai Bhau.. tell me your plan in detail, and count me in! pun Naku? what about her emancipation from Nana's clutches.. she waits for her sapno ka devta! wo ayee ge ghore bhi beith ker! He reminded.

"Naku ke liye mujhe maat bata tu! uske liya he, tu khera bun raha hoon! baat kerta hai! moaned Dutta

"hain?? Bhau this is all very confusing.. saf saf kyun nehin batata!.. Baji complained and Dutta growled

"apna mau bund karega! tu.. to main kuch bolon! Dutta snapped. Baji slammed his palms before his mouth and nodded.. Dutta explained the plan, to help the poor farmers of Ramnagar, he would have to get a job as a farm hand in Nana's farm house.. where his granaries existed. Along with Naku.. Dutta explained to Baji that farmers of Ramnagar will need signals about when to come and raid the granaries.. and for that Baji 's assistance would be needed.. Baji of course was all clear about the plan

"fine Bhau! main ackshun ke liye tayaar hoon! pun tu ye bata.. do you know where the farm house is? waise just letting you know that muhje pata hai! Baji reminded Dutta, Dutta replied

"gaon walon ne batya hai rasta.. aur mein padal he dhoonde le ga, part of the quest to achieve my current tasks", Dutta told Baji resolutely and then went back to Heera and Sona to interact with them..

"Dutta! tu! yahan? aur ye kiya huliya buna le hai tune? yelled Kamde at Dutta's back. Dutta turned around and all three of his brothers stood before him. Baji and Roops, stepped aside as Shinde leapt forward and hugged his baby brother! Dutta's eyes welled up and spontaneously his wide arms closed around his brother Shinde's back and he looked down at his face and asked..

"Daksha vahini kaise hai..? main chaacha bun gaya kya? Shinde parted and replied,

"nehin abhi nehin.. shayeed tere wapisi ka intazaar hai.. tere vahini bahut yaad kerte hai thujhe Dutta.. tune tu humien bhola diya hai.." said Shinde emotionally. But Kamde intervened and said

"aagar tum dono ka milap khatam ho gaya ho.. tu main phoochoon Dutta se, is roop ka kya matalab hai? don't you know main mukhiya hoon ,mere bhi koi izzat hai" Dutta narrowed his eyes at his eldest brother and retorted defiantly

" izzat hai? tabhi aap babaa ke izzat.. Heera aur Sona ko nilam kerne aaye hain.. main phoochta hoon aise kya zaroorat aan pare? ju un masoom bezabaan janwar ko mandi main le ayah ain aap log.. soocha hai ,ye kahan jaye ge? Davde as expected, aggravated issues..

"we don't need to give you any answers! bare hain hum tere se abhi bhi.. Dutta rolled his eyes and looked the other way but replied tersely

"tu phir mujhe bhi koi jawab dene ke zaroorat nehin tum logon ko!! bare wo hotien hain ,ju baron jaise batien karien ! his brothers could see that he was outspoken and self-willed as ever. Dutta sighed and thought, I knew what you are thinking , but the truth is mere Bhau ..abhi bhi mere kami nehin mahsoos kerte.. ghar jane ka tu sawal hi nehin paida hota!, Dutta smarted inside.Baji sensed tension over the sale of the oxen and made an offer

"aap log aisa karo, Kamde Bhau.. Heera aur Sona ko main khareed leta hai, aachi kemat de ga.." before he finished. Kulte and his men elbowed in, and Dutta backed off a bit not wanting to be recognized.. he pulled his entwined stripy cloth lower down his forehead, so that his brow formed deeper furrows. Kulte challenged

"jitne kameet tu lagie ga Baji rao.. us se tein guna main de ga! challenged Kulte and Baji sided his eyes towards Dutta who firmed his mouth and bowed his head gently in affirmation. Baji pointed his palms upwards and surrendered, as he looked to Kamde ..

"ab sauda tu aap ne kerna hai Kamde Bhau, aap batao ,kis ka sauda manzoor hai? as if he didn't know already ,Kamde accepted Kulte's price.. and both Baji ,Dutta exchanged silent looks. Dutta looked nervous.. so far things went his way.. but the crucial bit was to get hired by Nana's men too.. so he said a little prayer.. Bhole Nath .. sambahl lo..and then devoutly he waited upon the works of om namash Shiva!

Kulte went over to Heera and tried to stroke it's head , but the ox jerked his head and very nearly lowered his head and violently bolted!.. tried to pierce Kulte's arm with it's head! Kulte jumped back! to avoid being jabbed with a pair of sharp pointed horns. Kulte's men tried but got the same treatment from Sona as well! The on lookers including Dutta's brothers and Baji were speechless to see that both oxen struggled to set themselves free by stamping on their hooves.. the ground shook as both oxen kicked up clouds of soil with their hind legs.. Dutta's eyes sparkled with devotion as his heart cried out om namash Shiva! at the oxen's uncontrollable behaviour! While all stood back, in fear of being attacked by these demonic bullocks! Dutta slowly, moved forward and firmly grabbed the harness that yoked both the oxen and calmed them down.. hud! hud!! shant.. shant.. and the oxen bowed their heads and rubbed the side of their faces against Dutta as he stood authoritatively between the two.. once they were calm he faced Kulte and he slowly extended both his arms one by one around the necks of Heera and Sona! a crowd of children who watched the mad oxen clapped at the tall young man who tamed the bulls..

Kulte walked up to Dutta and said.

"kamal hai, tere saath tu aise shant ho gaya , jaise tu inka baap ho!.. Baji nearly doubled up laughing! But Dutta glared at him not to overdo things yet.. and looked ahead at Kulte and replied in his guttural voice

" wo kya hai , seth! do batien.. pheli, janwaar samjhe jata hai, ju us se dil se pyar kerta ho! dosere baat. wo, ju us pe hawe ho jaye zaroorat parne pe! ..and he turned sideways and backed his body between Heera and Sona's swollen bellies and shifted his arms and hands over the spines of the oxen.. he gently stroked their backs and looked a picture of complete domination over the two submissive oxen.. Kulte was mighty impressed.. by the bold ,sturdy oxen ,and by this young man who won pre- eminence over these wild bullocks in the wink of an eye! Kulte called out to this man, from where he stood

" kam hai tere pas? aagar nehin? tu aaj se hi.. tera kam hoga in dono ka khayal rekhna!,, pun thujhe apna ghar choor na pare ga , Nana Tavde ke farm house pe rehena hoga ,manzoor hai?" Dutta found it increasingly difficult to contain his everlasting joy at being offered the job in Nana's household.. and he accepted in haste

"mera koi ghar nehin! isliye jaisa aap bole ge main kare ga! announced Dutta.. and his brothers looked aghast, at being denounced by their baby brother.

Dutta was in no mood to either listen to or to engage himself further in any discussions with his brothers, he turned to Kulte..

"bolo abhi kidher le ke jana hai in dono ko? Kulte ordered his men to show Dutta the huge animal carrier. Dutta gave his brothers a hurt look as he went past them.. holding the harness of the two oxen, who majestically followed Dutta in complete elegant subservience. Kamde was overcome with sentiments, he so very much wanted to say something to Dutta.. but Dutta seemed totally distant and detached as stiff necked he led the oxen to the vehicle. Baji sensed, that Kamde wanted to say something which perhaps Baji too was desperate to hear

"Baji.. main kush hoon, ke Dutta Heera aur Sona ke rekhwali kare ge.. naraz tha ke hum unhe kyon bech rehe the.. chaal jis ke the ,use ke pas wapis chala gaye hain dono bael" Kamde admitted somewhat relieved. But then added in the same breath.. "pun yeh dukh hoya.. ke ek mukhya ka beta ho kar ek aam kehra! bungaya,Dutta!, Kamde continued bitterly. Baji twitched his jaw and clenched his fists, but with self - imposed discipline he retorted.

"dekho Kamde Bhau, aap paisa sambhalo aur ghar jao! rehe Bhau ke baat , tu wo kya cheez hai ?aap log jan hi na sake.. ju dekhta hai , waise hai nehin wo.. bas yaad rehe , ke Dutta mukhiya shri Ram Patil ka beta hai.. koi aisa kam nehin kare, ju pariwar ka nam mitte me milye! waise bhi devi devta ka, aashirwaad hai us ke saath.. ap chor do Dutta ko uske hal par! , Baji said tritely and stalked off accompanied by Roops, back to his jeep

"waise Roops mera bheja satak jata hai ! Dutta ke Bhau ko dekh kar, talk about making a fast buck! family loyalties, links can go to blazes as far as they are concerned!, complained Baji as he drove off. Roops heard and replied

"waise Baji.. Dutta Bhau bhi kuch kam nehin! he too jab maan mein aaye puts family ties on the back boiler, dekhna nehin how icily he turned his back to his brothers and walked off! Baji screwed his brow and replied

"haan Roops ,but Dutta ka apne pariwar se mau murna, like his brothers paise apne aish ke karan nehin! but for the greater good of others.. now that is definitely making his family name proud! still I am pleased Roops, that Bhau has also realized his responsibilities towards his love as well.. mind you great idea! to plant himself right into, dushman ke ghar! that's my Bhau! ek dum exclusive! " Roops smiled and replied

"I wonder kya hoga jab Naku finds out her Saab roams about in her domain? Baji too looks ahead on the road dreamy eyed.. and he experienced a heartfelt joy.. if ever there was a deserving pair it had to be Bhau and Naku!

~~~~~

Once piled into the truck with Heera and Sona.. Dutta, sat with his back rested against the sided metal wall of the rickety truck. Lazily ,he stroked the loosely hung flesh under their necks, with his slender fingers. In silent obeisance he felt the Bappa relic in his neck, given to him by his babba.. and chanted. Jai ho bhole Nath! sab kam asan kar diya.. I trusted you and you gradually showed me direction, he reflected, with eyes tearful, and indebted with immense gratitude to his deities. Dutta sat with his knees folded, and often he sided his neck and looked over the back flap of the truck. He tried to focus on landmarks that led to Nana's farm house. a dual carriage way, a bridge beneath which a river flowed. Loads of billboards, and graffiti smeared walls .A nomadic, settlement with torn, muddy torn tents, till suddenly the road became bordered on both sides by lush greenery, which was soon interrupted by images of large farm houses situated in the centre of acres of private property.

The drivers shutter slid to the side from the front seat and Kulte called out to Dutta huddled in the back of the truck..

"naam kya hai tera?.. he demanded. Dutta brushed his hand against his trimmed contoured beard..

"naam.. hai.. Rishi .. ek shabd! na kuch aage , na ko peeche! sirf Rishi.. Dutta spoke firmly. Kulte carried on, aur ye do janwaar.. inka bhi kuch naam soocho la.. waise lagete tu dono toofan or andehi hain! Dutta lowered his head and smiled as he patted the two oxen, and then replied calmly.

"janwaar hain zaroor, pun dono bahut keemti hain.. jaisa ke, Heera aur Sona! Kulte , nodded and accepted this Rishi man's suggestion.

~~~~~~

At last Dutta arrived at the destination Mandwa Nivas, Nana's farmhouse. Dutta's heart boomed against his rib cage. It was pure elation, when he realized that he now stood on the piece of land which contained his beloved. He pacified his sentiments and focussed on the job at hand.. unloaded the oxen from the truck. Barely had he looked around the front of the farm house, when he was led by Kulte to the back yard where the farm animals were housed. Kulte instructed Dutta to settle Heera and Sona and then wander about the farm to check on what was where.

"ab ye farm ka sara kam tera hawala... wo peeche khet main ,tu janwaar charne ko leja sakta hai.. aur ye darwaza.. ghar mein jana ka rasta hai, aur wo quarter tera karma.. tere roti ghar se bhejwa de jai ge.." Kulte explained.

After he left, Dutta smiled with a twinkle in his eye, as he felt his bansuri in the inner sewn in pocket of his black kurta.. once Dutta settled the oxen and checked out the farm animals in his charge, he went into his quarter, a room in the barrack in the back yard. It had a charpoy, with a worn out bedding. He leaned over and smiled as he felt it with his fingertips. In the corner hung a sooty lantern. Funnily enough he felt at home straight away. These were minute diversions, he tried to occupy himself with. His real interest was how and when to see Naku?. Was she even aware he was about?

~~~~~~~

Kulte, hardly ever approached the women of the household, and when he did it was to impart some information, related to domestic management. He approached Babi and told her, as from today, a new hired farmhand had to be given food and water in the farmyard behind the house. Naku's ears and her spirits both perked up, strangely enough, and she, commented to Babi, that she always thought that the poor animals needed looking after, to her they seemed neglected. So good they hired someone.

Naku being herself, curious and nosey, tried to peep out of the kitchen window that opened into the back yard. She saw the wide back of the farm hand! as he knelt over the sheep pen feeding them greens. She looked down at the metal spoon she was washing under the running tap, and as she stretched her arm to put the washed spoon in the cutlery drainer...then once more she looked out of the window, but the farm hand was not there. Naku pushed her bottom lip out and then stretched her torso over the sink and rolled her eyes to catch sight of the man again. But he seemed to have moved off. Naku moved from the window and stirred the vegetable curry she cooked.. this much she gathered that he wore a black kurta and white pyjama.. and a patka around his head...aur ye ka lambu tha.. kash... she thought.. Babi turned up and rested her hand on Naku's shoulder..

"jaldi kar larki..roti bhi bunane hai.. aur yaad rehe us kehre ke liye bhi .."she scolded Naku. Outside, the aroma of fresh roti mixed with dal tarka wafted out into the yard, and Dutta suddenly felt his stomach contracted and whined for food. That was wishful thinking, this was not his house. He was at the mercy of Nana's house to be fed. Famished, he strolled over to the huge tree in the middle of the courtyard, and sat on the cemented seat that went all the way around the wide robust tree trunk. Exhausted, he kicked his slippers off and unwound the striped piece of cloth around his head, threw it over his shoulder. He spotted the tap in the courtyard , and tip toed towards it , bent his back and splashed his face with water. ahhh.. he went, all refreshed, and ran his wet fingers backwards through the thick mop of hair above his forehead. His fingers pulled off the cloth over his shoulder and he buried his face in it as he mopped his face and beard..

Gingerly Naku, stepped out into the dark farm yard from the kitchen. One hand carried a lit lantern, the other balanced a platter of food. She could see the farmhand near the tap , his face buried in the piece of cloth.. in a sweet gentle voice she said,

" khana liye hoon.." Dutta slowly pulled up his face from the cloth and mumbled..

" bhook ke marre jan nikal gaye hai! , Naku's hand that balanced the platter clattered and Dutta turned around slowly ,faced her and his palm held the platter before it crashed with his pincer grip.

Naku lost her voice as she confronted the tall figure before her.. she brought the lantern closer to his face and her arm shook. Her lips curved downwards and her eyes sparkled.. and her mouth cried out what her heart and soul prompted. Saaab! aap? Dutta snatched the lantern from her and put it on the seat under the tree.. gripped her shoulders and pulled her to his chest and looped his strong arms around the small of her back...and buried his semi wet cold face and beard just above her shoulder.

Naku sang Saab! Saab.. against Dutta's hairy chest, her palms could feel his well- defined chest muscles and the mechanical knock of his heart. Dutta, silently just held her close in the protective twist of his strong arms. Overcome Naku sniffled and Dutta's palms caressed her upper back comfortingly..

"bola thana maine, Naku.. tu ja , main wapis aaye ga, dekh main ah gaya hoon.. told you to trust me.," he rubbed his bearded chin on her head and teased,

"chup chup kyun hai? tu kush nehin kya?, Naku moved her head and raised it up to see his face.. then slowly she pressed her trembling hands around his trimmed bearded face and stared into his deep set eyes with her green doe eyes .. and whispered

"chup nehin hoon Saab.. just a little taken aback by your new image.. she giggled. Dutta tightened his grip around her back and looked down into her face with a frowned brow

"so what are you saying, you prefer the saffron look to this commoner look humm? ,growled Dutta.. Naku let go off his face and curled her arms around his neck.. and with the fingers of one of her small palms, she combed Dutta's shoulder length wavy curls and mumbled..

" I prefer my Saab in his real look, chotte baal, stubble beard.. thuri pokey and spikey.. Dutta squeezed her back again and grumbled down into her face

" bewakoof larki! mera real roop , ju tere dhamak mein ghussa hai.. will surely land me in trouble! Kulte ne dekha hoya hai mujhe.. yaad nehin thujhe when he came with Nana uska fattu bun ke, to collect you after your saagai.. isliye had to change my appearance again, waise bhi I had to look the part ,if I was to come looking for a job at this farmhouse.. you see Naku.. whatever I do , it revolves around you.. but things have to occur gradually.. although I knew from the start , that mere zindagi mein tu ,phele aur akhri larki hogi.. " Naku loosened himself from him and pulled him by the arm and sat him down under the tree in the courtyard. Uncovered the platter and looked up at him..

"Saab aap ko bhook legi hoi thi, kha lo", Dutta bowed his head, broke a morsel dipped it the tadka dal , and held it before her mouth and waited for her to part her rose bud lips,

"humm ,bhook tu lage thi Naku, pun thujhe dekh kar , bhook khatam ho gaye hai. he murmured. Naku accepted his morsel of love and ate it, and then decided she would feed him by her fair hands

"maine kha liye hai Saab! aap khao.. ye mere haat ka buna hoya khana hai" and she held the morsel before his mouth. Sulkily, he ate what she offered and while he chewed he teased,

"tune mere se phele he kha liya Naku? ye kis type ka pyar hai tera Naku? Naku shoved another morsel in his mouth and retorted

" yes I ate before you Saab, how was I supposed to know that you were in my back yard waiting to be fed? Dutta , leaned forward and gripped her wrist gently that was in his face and growled..

" eyeee lardki , qainche ke theran tere zabaan jalti hai! lagata hai tere Nana tau ka assar ho gaya hai tere pe..zayeeda bole tu Naku.. to main chala jaon ga! , he threatened and stood up as if leaving.. Naku.. grabbed his arm and blocked him . Her eyes welled up as they flashed at his deep set narrowed eyes.. and she cried in anger

"as if to say, ke main jane de aap ko Saab! haan aagar ap jao ge , tu ye Naku bhi aap ke saath he jaye ge! and clung to him! and he chuckled and rested his palms on her shoulders and pressed his lips on her head..

"oyee yehri! nehin ja raha hoon main.. I have a job to do here.. plus have to be near you.. and ab tu aisa ker roti tu maine kha le hai.. tu bhi undar ja, before Nana ke BG spot us .. meeting. humm? Naku looked up into his eyes and smiled impishly..

" haan Saab ,maine jati he, aur aap aram se sau jao.. pata nehin if your bedding is comfortable? have you got pillows? Dutta raised his palm up and protested , as he gently cupped one side of her face in his right palm.. looked down into her eyes lovingly and assured her

"dekh Naku, I'll be fine..you forget I lived it rough in the jungle for months.. it was primitive there, this here is a bed of roses.. and he lowered his arm and watched her take the platter and disappear behind the kitchen door back into the house..

Dutta wore a smile on his face that night as he straightened his body on the charpoy.. he was content, tonight.. and as soon as his head hit the crushed old pillow he dozed off smiling..

Naku spun the end of her bordered chunni and flopped on her bed, felt her spare pillow, enveloped it tightly in her arms.. Saab.. she whispered, happy days are here..

~~~~~~~

Next morning, Naku preened herself from head to toe, tika, jhumkis, payal the lot! she twirled herlime and orange ghaghra ,choli and traipsed into the kitchen; spun Babi around..and shared the big news with her. Babi's eyes expanded in disbelief. When she recovered from the shock, she only had one thing to say,

"ye saach hai Naku.. Dutta Sahib, ek... aacha aadmi hai.. aur thujhe saach mein pyar kerta hai ,meri baachi.. bhagwan ne tere tapasye sun le hai!.. pun yaad rekhna Naku, is ghar main bhaut khatra hai.. tu zayeeda kehre ke saath maat nazar ana, tu samhaj rehe hai na meri baachi..? Naku nodded, but clearly it was in one ear out the other! as she busily checked what food had been cooked. She ran to the kitchen window and found, the sheep missing, and the larger animal shelters empty. Within a shot she was out in the back yard! panic stricken! Her heart sank as she thought the worst!

Saab! khanien chale tu nehin gaye?? Bappa ! surely my happiness cannot be so short lived she cried with her dainty little hand against her heart!

Then the notes of the bansuri..riding on the wings of the midmorning breeze floated into her ears.. and she ran to the rear fence of the farm house and her green eyes wept with joy as she saw her Saab sitting under the shade of a tree, playing the flute.. the notes urged his beloved to come to him.. and strike the harmonious melody of her love into his life! Naku ran to the kitchen, filled in the stack metal tiffin; ran to the back yard; opened the door; shut it behind her, and then ran and skipped with the swinging tiffin in one hand!.. Dutta saw her from the corner of his eyes.. and casually ceased playing the flute ,it had served it's purpose of sending her a message he was here in the fields carrying out his daily chores.

Lazily he stood up, steered the grazing sheep and the oxen and cows.. in the meadow, that overlooked the yellow mustard field.. He controlled the cattle again with his wooden staff, then folded his knees and flopped backwards on his back and twisted his arm underneath his head on the bed of the yellow mustard field...just staring at the azure sky. He could hear the tinkle of her anklets and then suddenly she braked by his side, and flopped on the ground beside him ! She panted, as her folded arm reposed on his open kurta hairy chest.. he looked up dreamily with half closed eyes into her lowered green eyes and twisted his free arm and rubbed her soft peaches and cream complexioned cheek with the top side of his palm..

"bahut inteezar kerati hai tu Naku.. I got up crack of dawn.. tera koi aata paata nehin tha!" he whinged as he twisted her loose tendril that fell on his face, around his fore finger lazily.. Naku blushed ,but still complained

" aur jo aap Naku ko itna inteezar kerate ho... main tu mar he jate hoon. Saab.." Dutta opened his eyes just a little bit as he felt her back that leant upon his chest..

" if this is what you call mari hoi? I don't know what you are like when you are alive? humm.. Naku.. sample de muhje apne zinda hona ka, he said with a flirty squeeze to his eyes.. Naku giggled and tapped her fists on his chest and exclaimed ..

" wo, main kya bole gi Saab.. wo", Dutta pulled her back lower on to his belly and murmured near her warm soft ear

" bolne ko nehin kha maine Naku.. kerne ko khaha hai.." Naku went all bashful and pressed her palms on his hairy chest and pushed her self backwards with..

"jane do Saab.. bas.." Dutta.. pulled her back down and growled..

"jane doon..? Naku tu mera pe ah ke geri thi... aur Dutta mard hai .. koi ummmh.. chaal uthh mera uppar se and roti de subah, se nashta bhi nehin kiya.! Naku pulled herself up again.. and he pressed his arm against her back again.. and doubled his belly and sat up .. looked directly into her eyes.. and said..

"itni jaldi hatyar dal diye tune Naku? he teased as he tapped her forehead with his. Naku, sided her face as his lips brushed past the tip of her nose. Naku swallowed and then pressed her hands on the soil and hauled herself up from sitting before him, and set out the tiffin before him, in middle of field. Dutta, folded his legs, raised his head up and opened his mouth. Naku, fed him. He ate, and stared at her. Naku curled up her mouth and said, pensively

"Saab, kitna aacha ho ,aagar main roz khet mein aap ke liye khana le kar ati rahoon.." Dutta chomped his morsel and replied, as he cleared a crumb off the side of his mouth, with a folded finger

"haan..aagar mera kam janwar charana hai. tu tera kam ,farmhand ke liya kahna lana hai.. it's incredible though Naku.. how easily things have fallen into place..life was full of trails, for both of us..but I somehow held some distant belief that ..bad times will pass. My stay in the forest, taught me the meaning of my own life ,in the greater part of the cosmic circle..pun jana wahan bhi, ke sab se bara gun, pyar hai.. apne se zayeeda dosroon se bhi.." and his eyes welled up a little and his face fell.. Naku hurriedly asked

"kya hoya Saab? pareshan ho..batao? Dutta looked into her eyes and replied simply

" Naku aaj janwar mandi mein, I met my brothers.. same old thoughts, same old negative vibes toward's me.. pata hai.. they came to sell off babaa ke bael.."and he pointed to them as they grazed,"wo hain dono.. Mahadev ne, kuch aisa karishma dekhia.. ke ,they bolted ! I controlled them ! and got hired by Kulte! as a farm hand! he reached out for her hand and cupped it in his palms and said.. tenderly..

"on the one hand I praise the gods for their grace on rearranging my life.. using me for the benefit of others. But, Naku.. on the other hand I too hold grudges against those brothers that I loved.. ab pata nehin, Naku.. if I love them or not?it is not a good feeling.. being unable to forgive loved ones.."he confessed. Naku placed her free hand on his palms.. and gently caressed them

"Saab.. yaad hai aap bolte ho.. wait! ..all in good time.. to be continued, Hamlet53~ 5.6.15

~~~~~~

N.B.. kaka balli.. this one is for you..and Rosie.. hope my effort at romance ka injection,is up to your mark.. what have I written?the things you all make me do.. chalo over to your attention..😛.. one more song with Prague ke yaadien..and Delhi? my friend bart ka ghar!

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lgn93vGJog[/YOUTUBE]

hi hammiee

loved the ud ...buhat garmi hai yahan har baar ke tarha bechara dutta bhi garmi mein maara maara phir raha hai

dutta had a namkaran ceremony the poll among his follower rishi ...mujhe rishi bhau kehte hai kya ...samzla

baji & roops are keeping good track of dutta's household ...heera aur sona ko bech diya ..the money from nana wasn't enough 😡

dutta on time rescued them & found a job for himself

the best part he met naku & brought colour back in her life ..thats what laagi dil se lagan 😳

aage dekho hota hai kya ...chup chupkar milne ka maaza kuch aur he hai

as always u r amazinggg hammiee ..by the way r u allowed to reveal bharti's vacation location ..kahin hume bena batai shaadi toh nahin karle 😲

wht dutta has hammiee gets the same serving roti & dal ...murga musalman has to wait ..ud soon😉

hi hamlet

awesome ud ..dutta & naku's meeting too good ..as rishi bahu what is dutta's next course of action waiting to read ..regards uvi😊

Hi Hamlet

Thanxs for good wishes for me & GANG😊..aWESOME ud DUTTA & naku getting chance to share light moments ..UD soon