Hamlet's Revised Fanfic Collection Index - Page 4

Originally posted by: dilse14

hi hamletwonderful udcongratzs for wonderful new threaddutta has evil family bro's r no lessgood he has naku by his side

ud fast

Originally posted by: mirage123

hi hamlet

heartiest congrats for a spectular new thread😊

fab ud..dutta family is selfishness personified 😡,naku & he need to be careful .how he encounter nana waiting to read

Originally posted by: emilymine32

Hi hammie
congrats for new thread
poor dutta has evil family
waiting for tasha meeting
thanks for update

Mishal Raheja

as Dutta

Follow the Heart

Part 12

Dutta's body and soul yearned to meet her at close quarters. She came to honour his behest and he became greatly moved. So much so, that his imposed hardness to fuel his plan, softened.. and his whole face relaxed as his firmed lips parted. Open mouthed he settled his deep set eyes on her. With a shy smile ,he noted the black ghagra, that sparkled subtly each time her body moved. His eyes blinked, and he gulped, as he jerked his head to the side. This besotted reaction wouldn't do! his reason took hold of him and he cried out in his thoughts. Dutta! Dutta.. looks like you are losing the plot! you will have to conceal your unhelpful amorous behaviour and leave... no! he couldn't not see her ,he had to!! as in few moments she would rush into his arms. Dutta jerked his head and chastened himself, for in this very moment, an act of weakness! his plans to rescue her could be somewhat thwarted. So he hid behind the trunk of the banyan tree.. Naku will just have to trust him! use muhje pe bharoosa rekhna hoga, ke main wapis aaye ga us ke zindagi mein! he vowed as he peeped down the bottom of the tilla.. yes, she was about to commence her up hill journey .He needed to set upon what he was going to miss. .and what he had to return for! his precious, priceless ,pristine Nakusha! But her vision from head to toe that his eyes beheld! wrestled with his stubborn purpose. Guilt bogged him down, he was the one who called for her and now he was about to leave her , with a question that she would have to find answer for .. till we meet again Nakusha.. He spoke out , his stubble pressed against the side of the tree trunk. Keenly he watched her from behind the tree.. Kajri clutched under his armpit.. squirmed and bleated.. as she too sensed Naku's arrival. Dutta scolded her and grabbed her jaw in his palm gently..

"Kajri tu chup rehe ge! apne Saab ka saath dena hoga! use Naku ka nehin! nehin tu thujhe mere bagher edhur he rehena hoga".. Kajri understood him loud and clearly and snuggled into the side of his chest..

He sensed from where he stood, that each step Naku took , must quicken her heart beat. His heart swelled with more tenderness at his intrepid Naku as carried on her sprint! who he was assured like him, knew one thing, that love conquers every insecurity and hesitation. That is why she was here, a few strides away from him ! Yet Dutta noticed from a distance her green eyes roved across at the tilla to distinguish his figure... he observed, Naku, suddenly hung her head low .It was after, she had failed to catch sight of him! he hoped fear hadn't surrounded her, not even slightly.But she had stopped suddenly in her tracks.. why? what was she going to do? Dutta frowned, but approved her vigilant manner..

Naku meanwhile, paused perplexed .. Saab is not at the till!, why is he not present? hope he is fine? she raised her eyes up to the tilla again from where she stood. Her feet shifted back a bit, she suspected it could be a trap by Nana's men. Or who knows may be Kaido's men? .. but brushed the dread aside and with checked speed she walked once again.. but vulnerably interrupted her walk again. This time she desired to invoke her deity, as she longed for a good omen. Dutta bopped his head more from behind the tree and watched her as she folded her legs and raised her arms up to the dark firmament.. Dutta speculated her prayer to Bappa , probably was about him... he was correct, as Naku worshipped..

"Bappa grant me protection, let it be that, Saab and I meet.. after all he was the one who called for me. Bappa ! there must be some reason for him to act so.. make our meeting happen! "she pleaded. Dutta watched and was again influenced by her devotion for Bappa and for him too. He gulped, and in turn his heart too blessed her from far. She caught her strength , her spirit rejuvenated! for under his silent distant gaze, he saw she once again began her journey upwards the tilla. His heart pounded against his ribcage, frustrated he pressed his clammy palm on the hard surface, as under duress he scratched the tough tree trunk. The distance between them rapidly lessened. Dutta had to act before it was too late. Naku heaved, gathered her black ghagra and eventually reached the summit of the tilla. Her keen eyes looked for him..

"Saab! she called boldly.

Dutta saw her for the last time; pivoted from behind the tree.. darted frantically on the downside of the tilla ; Kajri tucked under his arm; clenched his jaw and carried on his speedy descent! His hefty body jogged at the impact of the speed down the gradient! till his foot banged against a sharp rock that he failed to notice in the downward motion! His body lurched forwards by the lethal trip! and forcefully he was further hurled ahead! With presence of mind he balanced his tall frame, crunched his back and somersaulted! that eventually went wrong! His reflexes came into action as he stretched his arms and grabbed on to worn out chipped, snapped branches of wild vegetation on the end of the his favorite hillside! But his back thumped on the descending hillside! and he rolled down speedily right down to the edge of the thick row of the forest that lay attached to the bottom of the tilla.. well! he was still alive!.. but Kajri he hadn't noticed flew out of his grasp! Somewhere.? he had to run! run!

Once on level ground, like lightening! he scampered into the edge of woods. He stopped to catch his breath looked around. It was uninhabited.. by the looks of it, but may be it was too early to say! he looked up at the canopy of tall trees that blocked the sky.. but let through some light of day. Suddenly he felt a shooting pain behind his head. He curved his arm , and felt the spot of pain. His fingertips sensed warm liquid... stars popped before his vision. His mouth twisted in pain to one side and enlarged his eyes that impaired his focus...soon his legs gave way and Dutta crumbled down to the bark chipped, floral forest floor!

~~~~~~

Naku heaved a sigh of relief as she bashfully looked around? so typical of him to break away from the expected. She moved closer towards his bunyan tree and giggled.. as she called out quizzically

"Saab?.. took a step further to the tree.. Saab?.. then nervously she continued

"dekho Saab... bahur ah jao. ye kya game khel rehe ho aap? mujhe dar lag raha hai.. please show your self"she begged him . She arched her neck and skirted around the tree.. deliberately skipped the rear of the tree trunk.. as he might shout out a boo! and frighten the day lights out of her! she giggled.

"Saab! ah bhi jao! nehin tu main ro doon ge" she threatened but still he didn't show himself! panic stricken she ran closer to the tree trunk and gingerly stuck her neck behind the tree trunk.. Saab wahan bhi nehin thein! crushed emotionally, she clutched the side of her bosom and wailed out loud

" Bappa!! Saab kadher hain? why is he not here? mera dil phele hi bolta tha , ke kuch thek nehin , Bappa! pun phir bhi Naku aaye! apne Saab se milne! Bappa ye kaisa mazzak kiya hai mere saath?, she sank down to her knees and repeatedly called, screamed the name Saab!! which was synonymous to breathing for her.. Hysterically she ran and screamed his name Saab! Saab! in all directions of the flat summit of his hilly haunt! Her cries simply bounced off the hollow heights of both villages.. she wept uncontrollably as not his! but her own echo got back to her ears. Desolate and alone Naku spun around.. she had too! suddenly she felt lifeless.. numb.. but she struggled towards the base of tree, where he usually sat.. now she sat..

Exhausted she gathered her arms around her knees and reclined against the hard trunk. Suddenly , tears just streamed down her cheeks. She had begun to realize what had occurred? what she .. and her mouth spoke out what she feared but knew as it appeared

" jab nehin milna tha muhjse.. tu kyun bulwaya tha Naku ko..? nehin milna tha, tu kyon Saab? ye taufa diya hai Naku ko uske pyar ka?.. but nothing sounded ,except the howl of the wind. Naku shuddered and hugged her shoulders, doubled her neck and hid her face. She was cold, and she laughed with bitter sarcasm..

"Naku.. chaal apne ghar chal wapis!. woh ja chuka hai jis ke liye tu yahan aye thi!.. and she wept bitterly and gathered her chunni around her petite frame, looked around and then turned accusingly to the tree trunk where her Saab loved to sit.. and protested

"Saab! kya mila aap ko mera dil tor ke? pyar kiya tha Naku ne aap se.. saacha pyar.. pun aap ne baata diya ke mein aap ke kabool nehin!.. aap mukiya ke bete,aur ye Naku.. bechari yateem! dosre ke takroon pe palne wali! khush raho Saab.. Naku aap ko pyar kare ge hamesha.. uske zindagi mein aap kushi la ker aaye .. chahe ke thure waqat ke liye..."she cried emotionally injured, and then turned her back to the tree and inertly started her descent from the tilla.. She smarted, but her legs carried her to level ground. Once there she turned and lifted her eyes up again to the apex of the tilla. Sadly.. this seemed the last time she would ever come here. what was the purpose? there was none.. his absence today ,after having summoned her! conveyed his message loud and clear.. he has gone his way without explanations.. and he wants her to get on with her life..

Her head hung low, she walked towards the gate in the border fence. and crossed the threshold over to the house hold to which Naku belonged too..

~~~~~

Dutta's spirit bolted out of his unconscious frame and dashed through the row of tall trees, branches and foliage. Somewhere behind him he heard Naku's soulful cry..

Saaabbb! ruku! Saab! Naku maar jaye ge aap ke bagher! but ran and blocked his ears to her calling...

Naku thuje khud pehchana hoga.. meri dorri ka saabab! He sped through the forest, dived past the narrow tree trunks of the forest trees..

Dutta!! Bhau! errryee .. ruk tu Dutta! main.. Baji! mujhe bhi nehin batae ga? Bhau.. don't cut me out of your life ! tell me where you are? Baji's cries followed him as they through the strange winds of the forest!

nehin! Baji main nehin ruke ga! tu ja! wapis ja! look after my family and Aye Sahib!" Dutta roared as he reared forward deeper and deeper into the forest! his legs folded and lifted! landed and repeated the motion that propelled him forward!

nehin! not listening! not turning back! all who love me will have to trust me! I will return! my heart will I follow! but till then all will have to wait!.. and Dutta ducked as he bumped his forehead against the huge wide tree trunk that he failed to see ahead of him! the wind howled and whistled through the trees and the leaves rustled like a crowd that clapped and applauded Dutta's mad sprint through the forest.. he heard the witchy cackle of Abha and Bela!

Bhag gaya Dutta! ja saach samne ah gaya! pariwar ka dushman! He stopped and cranked his neck and yelled

kaun saacha hai! kaun jhoota! Bappa sab jane! .. then the shrieking of the two died down to a gentle breeze amidst which he heard the sweet voice of Daksha ..

Dutta Bhau! tumhare bahien ke parthana tumhare saath jaye ge tum khahien bhi raho! Dutta sighed and moved on the rigid forest floor.. he groaned in pain as he moved his head side to side.. slowly he fluttered his eyes and then opened them...

Two strange men with long dreadlock tresses and curly long beards in saffron robes peered down at him! With a start Dutta attempted to jerk up but suffered excruciating pain behind his neck! and he nearly dropped back but his head was caught in time on the lap of one of the strange men!

~~~~~~~

Babi and Roops were present in Naku's room. Fervently they waited to learn more about Naku's happy experience. But one look at Naku 's tear stained face! clouded their faces too. Naku ran to her dai maa and wept in her arms.. Babi held at arm's length and wished to know more as soon as possible. Naku snivelled and explained in simple tears..

"sab khatam ho chukka hai.. pun ju abhi abhi shrru hoya ho.. who pura bhi ho to kaise? She mumbled as if in a trance. Roops grabbed her friend by the shoulders and shook her

"tell me Naku! what happened? you make no sense to me? here sit down and aram se bata! she consoled Naku..

"kuch nehin hai batane ko, Roops.. na Saab kuch bole.. aur bas sirf khamoshi thi..pun nehin.. mere aahoon aur siskiyoon ke awazien thein.. pun Saab??? I couldn't hear him", Roops held Naku's hands and goaded her on.. steered her on to be more lucid

" Naku.. tu Dutta Bhau se mile nehin? say yes or no.. Naku stared at her friend with glazed eyes

"I missed him so much.. do you think he even cares about me? mujhe tu shaq hone laga hai.. apne pyar par" she protested. Roops turned her head towards Babi who just raised her hand and signalled to her for patience. Roops ceased her questioning and got up to leave. But Naku grabbed her hand,and cried out

"Roops, Babi maa! Saab tille pe nehin the!.. main sirf tota hoya dil, aur bahut se sawal le ghar wapis laut ayei.. ab doobra main kabhi wahan nehin jaye gi! meri zindagi ka mazzak buniya Saab ne!, Babi neared her and sat beside Naku on the edge of the bed and put her arm around Naku's shoulders in a caring motherly mode

" Naku ,mere baachi ,koi kam ah gaya hoga.. Dutta Bhau ko.." and Roops too agreed

"yes Naku.. it must be as Babi mausi says, Dutta Bhau is not, unreliable a man.. koi emergency hog aye hogi.. don't forget his babba died recently something must have cropped up suddenly..Naku don't speculate the worst possible scenario! what you are saying is not like you Naku!, argued Roops. Naku dug her heels in and replied in a beaten tone

"what I am saying is what I feel Roops ! very rejected and belittled by the man I love..you should know how ecstatic ,I was at the thought of meeting him! and all the more so, because it was his idea that we should meet in the first place.. but his absence on the tilla made me realize how little he cared for me.. putting my life at risk! jab Saab ko ana he nehin tha! tu kyun meri zindagi kathre mein dali ? Roops! Babi maa koi jawab hai aap ke pas? Naku smiled.. strangely

"nehin haina? tu phir soocho mere baton par, aur jawab ka talassh karo!, and she cried bitterly ,her face contorted in the palm of her hands that quivered in grief.. that was all she wished to say.. it's like nothing more was left for Naku to say to these loved ones..

Babi realized that her darling child was exhausted both physically and emotionally and suggested to Roops that it was best Naku rested.. Babi prayed to Bappa.. that after a good night's sleep may Naku wake up with positivity rather than this negativity that bogged down Naku and made her into some strange person..

~~~~~~

The other hermit who stood and peered over Dutta, gingerly crouched beside Dutta and frisked the sides of this passed out stranger

" kuch asla na ho iske pas.. just checking.. you never know.. he mumbled pensively.. but relieved, the one who held the strangers head on his lap.. replied to his fellow sage..

"shakal se baacha lagata hai.. goonda ,daku nehin.." Dutta groaned and rolled his eyes and feebly tried to say

"main... ddadaatt.." the strange men consoled him..

"don't you worry ,who you are.. seems like the gods themselves have sent you this way.. otherwise hardly any soul drops by.. you are safe with us..."and both men struggled but eventually got Dutta up on his feet..His arms around their saffron robed shoulders, as they carried him to a small thatched hut tucked away deep in the woods.. bordered by a small ruddy criss cross caned veranda .Painstakingly, he was led to a bed of dried palm leaves and laid to rest.. he groaned.. but not for long as the dizzy spell struck him and weighed down his eyes..

The two hermits sat before their make shift hearth, upon which bubbled a green liquid.. with a herbal smell. One of them busily ground some herbs upon a mortar and pestle .. his dreadlocks bounced back and forth as he exerted pressure over the paste..

"sar pe zakhm hai.. khoon rokna hoga" one of them prescribed the mode of treatment

"yes doesn't look like he's been shot.. that's why I think he's some ordinary bloke, not some bandit.. yes our herbal medicines should have him up and about soon.. but till then ,as to who he is? needs to be on hold" one of them suggested to the other..

"haan, that goes without saying.. but his treatment needs to start soon.. by examining his wound and application of medication.. as the last thing we want is to let him slip him into coma.."feared the other!

" jai bhole Nath ! Jai Shiv Shankar!.. kuch nehin hoga is larke ko! dekha nehin tum ne gale mein Ganpati ka locket hai ! Shiv Shankar .. Bappa ke hafazat tu kare ge..aur uska bhi ju usko maine wale hoon"! replied the other with great devotional gusto!

The next time Dutta opened his eyes.. he found the strange men seated by his sides. One held a bowl of dark green soupy broth , ready to feed him. The other sat him up gently.. Dutta felt his head gripped and feebly, he raised his fingers and felt some form of bandage around his forehead, all the way around the circumference of his head.. before he asked questions.. the one with the bowl.. brought the wooden bowl and spoon near Dutta's mouth and ordered..

"sun larke! phele ye dava pee le.. phir phoochna .. ju tum chaho.." Dutta blinked as he looked into the caring but firm eyes of this.. jogi?? lagete tu jogi jaise he hai.. he mused, as obediently he slurped the bitter distasteful soup.. but he couldn't help pull a face.. and the other jogi.. who sat on his other side said with an amused look..

"pata hai.. halwa nehin hai ye.. pun theek hone ke laye .. karwa ghoont tu peena hoge thujhe.. ju bhi hai tu! Dutta burped rudely and the two mystics, smiled and signalled to each other, it's best that they let this stranger sleep it.. to them there was no doubt he will live!

Dutta rolled over to the right side on his bed of dried palm leaves; he groaned in pain; as he folded his right arm under the well side of his head. Spontaneously the words escaped from his mouth..

"Naku... maaf kar de apne Saab ko.. bas itna dor se hi mahsoos ker le.. tera Saab dokhebaaz nehin... Naku! mar gaye hoon.. bahud dard hai.."

~~~~~~

Roops was full of angst! and she looked for the person on whom she would let off her steam upon. Luckily she knew when dimple boy did his daily rounds on the pukka road that led to the fields granary.. and lo and behold there he approached. Roops walked calmly into the middle of the road, folded one arm on her hip and stared at Baji militantly .. Baji rolled his eyes and twisted his arm and felt the back of his head, then pressed the dashboard of his jeep and jumped out. Casually he walked to the bonnet of his jeep and inclined his back against it. Both levelled each other with their eyes. Roops took the few steps forward and then stood ,before Baji aggressively.. this time ,with both hands on her waist. Baji supressed his laughter and pulled a face seriously and commented..

"larne ke mood mein hain..? heard the saying make love not war!" Baji sniggered and Roops yelled

"eyeee! Baji rao! It's not funny ! can't you see I am not laughing! In fact I am sooo so mad! that I could smack you! Baji took a step forward and confronted her

"go ahead! khare kyun hai.. do it then! but before that, tell me Roops ke baachi! maine kiya kya hai tu itne garam hai!

"ohh I will! but not in the middle of the road.. edhur log jamah hog aye hain" she looked around embarrassed and Baji shrugged his shoulders..

"haan dekh rehe hain ke ek betameez lardki ,mera jaise sharif lardke pe kaise charhai kare rehe hai" he retorted. Roops took his arm and walked to his black jeep and suggested they go someplace quiet.. Baji jested..

"somewhere quiet? erada kya hai Roops..? waise I am game! he obliged as he started his jeep and drove away towards the granary on the middle of the beaten tracks. They found a secluded green patch of grass that overlooked the tube well which gurgled water used to irrigate vast stretches of fields. Baji could see as he sat opposite her that Roops was devoid of her usual fizz.. Roops looked at him grimly and began

" Baji ,aacha nehin kiya tera dost Dutta Bhau na meri saheli Naku ke saath! you know she went to meet him up the tilla , but he never showed up! pata hai Baji ..it was not easy for Naku to sneak out of the house to meet him! but the strange man never came! what kind of a pathetic game is he playing with Naku? woh aise lardki nehin ju time pass kare.. however if you ask me looks like your friend is looking for fun and games! she said all het up. But Baji was not going to stand for it and he retaliated

"eyeee Roops! you better watch your mouth! Bhau ke kilhaf ek word nehin sune ga main! he is not a time pass guy. He loves Naku sincerely.. I've known him for years, he's never looked at any girl in that way.. like he did at Naku..jab kuch pata na ho tu age se zabaan nehin chalne chahiye! , Baji warned. but Roops was not to be deterred

"eyeee Baji rao! main bhi ye dekh ke aye hoon! ke Naku ka kya haal hai! after your Bhau stood her up! for you it might be a little thing , pun it's a big thing for a girl at least in our parts of the world, that a girl puts her life at risk! chup ke milne aye use.. why? because a girl ,she still had faith in her man ,that if anything goes wrong he would be there to protect her! but here .. your beloved good man Dutta Bhau! cheats my innocent, simple friend! Baji! she has lost it completely! Naku feels rejected! cheated! by that dhoke baaz Dutta Bhau! I tell you Baji, Naku nearly hates him now!, screamed Roops and Baji nearly rose up on his knees to strike her but receded back crimson faced with a dropped jaw. He was agonized by her scathing comments about his friend, but then Dutta himself had told Baji not to talk about him in his absence. But the greater tragedy was that Baji too knew not where Dutta was?

" Roops I have taken on board, what you have said.. I understand your sentiments. The truth is that both of us greatly love and hold immense loyalty for our friends.. Dutta and Nakusha .. these are testing times not just them but for us too. All I can say is that we meet each other regularly to exchange information about them.." Roops queried immediately

"what do you mean Baji?

"I mean Roops, Dutta has vanished! disappeared! even I don't know where he is.. infact woh lapata hai! ,exposed Baji and then stopped.. Roops was stunned into silence..then calm descended on her.. and then panic set on her face

"Baji...so that's why he failed to show up before Naku.. it makes sense now. but Baji ab kya hoga? this seems like a hopeless situation. I will have to let Naku know, so she can stop feeling unloved by him. mind you , telling her will make her more anxious.." reasoned Roops , but Baji chipped in

"tell her Roops, edhur sab ko pata hai, Bhau khaien chala gaya hai.. so Naku has the right to know. Besides now instead of hating him, she will pray fervently for his return..." Baji advised

Back in the jeep, Baji turned to Roops and said..

"tell Naku.. ke chinta maat kare, Bhau ghayab ho gaya hai ..pun uske bhai Baji rao is still around to look out for her"..

~~~~~~~

Roops of course visited Naku and reported her meeting with Baji. She was overjoyed to see Naku smiled as she heard about how Baji and Roops squabbled in defence of their personal friend. But how she wept when she learnt that Dutta had just vanished! he was untraceable.. not even Baji knew about his whereabouts. Naku snivelled silently and amid tears she confessed anxiously

"Roops, somewhere, my heart knew that it's next to impossible, that Saab didn't love me. Now I hate myself for letting doubt creep into my heart and mind about his sentiments. I just jumped to conclusions and out rightly condemned him before Babi maa and you Roops! oh why does love pose situations where people who love, get highly strung and then draw conclusions.. which they later on regret about.."

"waise Roops how could I distrust him? such weakness in my love.. how could I even for a moment doubt his word.. but what could be the reason for his disappearance? aisa kya hoya hoga Roops? that he didn't think it important to share with me? bas is baat ka bhi dukh hai mujhe.. but then again, I will not think negatively Roops ,but instead will request Bappa to look after Saab.. till we meet again", Naku assured Roops who left , feeling victorious .. at least her friend's hopelessness in love is now rightly replaced by praying for her Saab's safety.. true love can be so testing..

~~~~~~

That night when Naku went to bed she was preoccupied with her Saab.Tossed and turned she did, till she sat up on her bed pulled up her legs and cuddled her knees.. with her chin parked on her knees tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered..

"Saab maf kar do mujhe.. daer gaye thi Naku.. ke aap se dor na ho jaon gi, isliye I became insecure.. and in my insecurity I doubted and questioned if ever you loved me.. and loved me enough.. Saab.. my whole being is restless for your safety.. Saab why couldn't you see me? before you left for where ever? did you think I would stop you? beg you to take me with you...she cried out then extremely upset she feel backwards on her pillows and rolled over to her right side.. a pillow clutched tightly into her and.. she sobbed into it

" haan Saab ! I would have begged you to take me with you to the ends of the world... haan main aap ko jane nehin deti.. Saab... saaab.. she wept till her pillow became drenched with tears..

~~~~~~

With a start he stirred and silently his lips puckered up as he formed her name Naku...one of the jogis dressed in a saffron robe walked in, gathered his robe and sat crossed legged at the side of Dutta's humbling bedding.. with slightly regained strength. Dutta pushed himself up and sat.

"main kahan hoon? aur kaun ho aaap?main kaise aya yahan? he fired question upon question.. the present jogi nodded his dread locks head and pointed his palm upwards

" ek he sans mein itne sare sawal?jawab hai.. you are safe; Bhole Nath sent you here and we are his followers! aur tum mujhe jogi Nath pukar sakte ho.. aur apna bhi tu batao? kaun ho? dhung se tu aache ghar ke lagete ho? Dutta expressed the desire to stand on his feet and to be taken out in the fresh air outside. Jogi Nath smiled and clearly stood impressed by this wounded strangers resilience ..as he aided him out to the primitive veranda.. Dutta sat on the top step and looked up at the canopy of tall trees, that stubbornly pierced through the early humid mist that rose up slowly to the heights of the tall trees. With renewed curiosity that was hard to resist, he watched outside in the open to the side of the humble dwelling..The other jogi who sat cross legged in a lotus position his feet placed on his opposing thighs. Dutta studied the jogi's deep concentration. Even though he looked still.. but the holy man breathed within his meditative practice... soon after he finished, the second jogi looked across at Dutta who sat on the step that led to the veranda.. and said lightly as he stood up from his meditative position..

"you must try yoga.. man ke shanti ke liye aachi hai.. aur jism bhi chust rehta hai" ,he tipped as he walked to the hearth and poured another wooden bowlful of the green herbal soup and offered it to Dutta..

"woh abhi main theek ho gaya hoon.. ise peena zaroori hai kya? he protested. Jogi Nath called out firmly

" zakhm tazza hai abhi.. care has to been taken so that infection doesn't set it! but also reprimanded

" do you have problems in complying ordinarily? can I remind you though.. here you need to take medication to do yourself a favour.. or do you not grant yourself favours?,jogi Nath said somewhat prophetically.. Dutta felt he had to respond..

" I grant favours to both myself and others.. only misfortune is that others are unable to see my good sense in the favours I grant them..thing is? their gratification to my favours can be a long time coming and I hate waiting! waise despite this .. I have one to many vices, lazy, waste of space.. stubborn..hoon main" the two hermits exchanged looks and one of them commented..

"have to say stranger, if we put aside the common follies you have confessed about yourself.. one thing is quite evident that you appear sincere.. and your confession shows.. you evaluate your actions and we hope you welcome change too.. now! how about telling us your name?, Dutta felt at ease and told them exactly who he was.. what he did just before he stumbled into their world.. then suddenly he got up abruptly and pleaded..

"I have lost someone very dear to me.. I have to retrace my steps and retrieve her! she is the love of my life! meri madaat karo! use dhoondne hoga mujhe! uske bagher Dutta udhurah hai! mujhe usko baachna hai!! he called out in panic and tottered to his feet about to pass out! The jogis looked at each other in uncertainty.. as they lurched ahead ,held him down and laid him down once again on the forest floor..

"Dutta kiske baat ker raha hai tu? kise baachna hai??.. asked jogi Nath.. the other jogi sprinkled drops of water on Dutta's face.. to revive him..

The quiet of the otherwise forest where only parrots squawked and frolicked about in the branches.. was suddenly disturbed by the crunch of leaves and the rustle of ground leaves and foliage! Jogi Nath rushed indoors and came out with a pole with bells tied on one end to frighten off stray animals... A bleat sounded! and Dutta stirred as he doubled himself on his folded elbows. Before his very eyes his brave Kajri! came out of the thick bushes, a few nettles caught on her snow white fleece.. From her kajrari eyes she saw and sensed her beloved Dutta Saab! and she scampered over and licked his bare feet straight away!

Dutta twisted his quivering mouth and tears of joy came to his eyes and he sat up and stretched his arms forward! and she jumped onto his torso and dug her hooves up on his belly till she collapsed sideways on his chest right under his stubble chin.. he doubled his neck and pressed his mouth on her soft warm fleecy head.. then his hands embraced her only to pull out the brambles and nettles caught on to her back and flanks! Kajri! Kajri! Dutta whispered on her soft head..

The jogis smiled at each other and jogi Nath exclaimed much relieved that Dutta was reunited with a loved one.. and that love finds a way..

"dekha Dutta pyar kerti hai tere se.. tune kya ise dhoondna? iska pyar kudh hi ise tere pas kheench liya hai.. chaal abh if you can stand up you might as well feed her some fresh leaves and find her a place to sleep" Dutta nodded ,and suddenly he felt alive and well and went about and gathered leaves for Kajri.. he explained to the jogis that Kajri would sleep with him.. he couldn't bear to be away from her..

The two wise men came to check if Dutta was asleep at nightfall.. and yes Kajri 's snowy body lay curved against his slender feet ..on the straw and palm leaves bed.. Dutta lay in bed.. his arm folded over his forehead.. "humm Kajri ka pyar mere liya use le aya mere pas.. tu Naku ka pyar bhi use mere pas kheench liye ga?.. to be continued...Hamlet53~ 1.5.15

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N.B~ Afzal.. where are you? touch base.. love from me and all!

Happy all workers day!