Mishal Raheja
As
Dutta
In
Blue Blood
Part 5
With a grey, grim, painfully twisted expression! Dutta's spirit groaned and rumbled thunderously as it created countless explosions in his soul. Tai whom he loved to know end mattered naught now, as he had seen her true colours.. and also his own too! Emotionally tarnished, he gathered his shameful existence and frantically swaggered out of the house towards his parked jeep. He heaved and hyperventilated till he found respite within the tinned enclosure of his black jeep! At last he sucked in air for his dear life, turned the key ,and slammed his foot on the accelerator till he drove out of Patil Nivas. Savagely he changed gears, as he gave vent to his fury! how unpredictable was life, he winced as he drove ahead again, on to the highway. For only some time ago he was homeward bound ,but now he was rendered homeless again ! after all those years. His jaw twitched as he faced the truth that Krishna was better off than him, at least the fortunate lad was in the security of a loving home.The thought comforted him for Krishna's sake, on the other hand it left him embittered for himself. Saline stung tears screwed his eyes as within his mind he wrestled to work out exactly where he drove to? Presently as he pressed on, it was confirmed within his mind he wouldn't be turning back to his so called home. With palms gripped hard on the steering till his knuckles turned pale he sniffed aggressively as he wiped his moist stubble. Where was he heading for? With a furrowed brow he recalled in fury that Baji too had so to speak, walked out after the will was read. Furiously he swerved and the wheels of his jeep skid and collided forcibly against the trunk of a nearby tree in the green areas on either side of the road..
Shaken he switched off the engine of his jeep, as his chest slammed against the steering! With a contorted face he looked up and around. What idiocy! on his part! posing threats to others as well! he fumed. By standers gathered to give a hand as they recognized him as the uniformed security man! who worked for general public protection to and not just private big shots! Embarrassed, Dutta straightened up and mumbled as he straightened his company's shoulder tags.. expectedly the small group of passer-by's appeared anxious
"I am fine, alive.. not dead .. yet "he said tersely to a slightly beleaguered swelling crowd . One kind soul offered him a chilled bottle of water , which he accepted with gratitude and guzzled down. Then switched on the engine, reversed, out of the green areas that flanked both sides of the road .Once back on the road, Baji's walk out came back to him and he smarted. His brow creased as he weighed certain possibilities of Baji's act. Dutta consoled himself as he concluded, that Baji left as may be he too found the contents of the will hard to swallow? but.. Dutta ran his fingers backwards through his hair line. where did Baji's sympathy belong? with his Bhau? his sister Kala Tai? or for himself for being side lined ? Frustrated and dissatisfied, he realized that only Baji was in the position to supply the replies to the questions that unhinged his Bhau . Dispirited, Dutta bit his bottom lip as he drove aimlessly , and funnily enough his eyes sought his baby brother Baji..
Pensively he drove past a cheap drinking joint. With a sane mind he braked before it and slid out of jeep, progressed up the steps and pushed open the swing doors and stood dangerously inside the place. Men sipped away their sorrows and nibbled at savouries. They looked up as the door swung open and flapped.. the owner exclaimed,
" Dutta Bhau! you, at this time? Dutta walked in and asked angrily
"only Dutta! that's the name! and what are you looking at? aren't you doing the same thing I 'eve come here for? ..and he walked towards the bench and the table the owner dusted clean for him to sit at. He looked up at the poor young owner with a piece of all purpose cloth hung on his shoulder, and ordered,
"bottle of cheap spirit! The one that gets you forget!.. the man nodded, as he knew not to argue ,and as he turned , Dutta grabbed his arm and pointed his finger in his face threateningly
"no ice or water.. want it neat!
He could feel that he was being eyed by the few miserable faced men sitting in the shadows of the moth swarmed hanging milky halogen bulb. Now he'll be damned if he gave a toss about what they thought of him! he looked down into his cheap glass, and mused ,what did it matter if it's cheap glass and not crystal cut one? serves the purpose doesn't it? contains a drink? and he gulped the pungent spirit in one shot! ; gripped the neck of the bottle and refilled his glass right up to the top! he peered down into the top of his glass and saw his reflection clearly in the yellow liquid of it's circumference..
"so brace yourself now Dutta! you are a product of some low life existence.. a .. his eyes brimmed with tears and his shoulders quivered slightly to denote his muffled weeping which couldn't be curtailed by him, even though he tried
"such a filthy name! my mouth will become foul! If I utter it! what an existence? one whose father could be umpteenth men! and I would be wondering whose spawn am I ?? he cried in broken words his lips moist and shone with the lethal liquid
"oh if it was not bad enough of being an orphan! I desired for my parents! but look here! what I found out! he gripped the glass and drank the whole lot again in one go! his insides scorched as he twisted his head, and with his elbow resting on the table he beckoned the owner
" eye! get a fresh bottle! the man looked confused and thought, don't want a police case if this man gets inebriated and drops dead in my shop...he looked pretty stoned..
~~~~~~~~
Back at Patil Nivas , Kala after a while calmly informed her mother that Dutta had stormed out of the house. Aye was devastated and sat up in bed highly distraught. Anxiously she asked her eldest daughter
"Kala my heart is sinking at the very thought that Dutta might have caught on to our hot exchange of words! tell me that he didn't leave due to tha? Kala without thinking replied spontaneously
"he heard me Aye Sahib! what I called his mother I found him pasted against the wall as I left your room in a huff!. Aye Sahib , wailed out extremely terrified
"Jagdammba! heaven protect him! he will do something to himself, can't you recall Kala, as a child he would go quiet at first when he was stressed and then begin to self- harm himself by poking his arm with the nib of his pencil! and you would alert me Kala ! how could you not care for his welfare now? tell me how could you hurt him so?
"well it's true Aye Sahib! it's your fault you should have told him the truth about his back ground ,don't blame me for your follies!
"Kala ,Kala I was going to.. the reason never arose, we are one happy family
"Aye Sahib! we were .. till your mistake" Kala reminded her and Aye Sahib felt very ill.. she pressed her pallu feebly against her brow and slowly sank back on her pillow. In panic Kala made a beeline towards Baji's room, but found him instead ascending the stairs of the main winding stairway of the house... he had obviously left the house too
" Baji call for the doctor quick! Aye Sahib has passed out ! she cried and added,
It was my fault Baji .. mine ! Baji didn't waste time, called for help and then lput his arm caringly around his sisters shoulder
" hush.. Tai I know what must have happened? bad reactions bring bad consequences, let's just hope it's nothing serious for Aye Sahib! and I can tell you what her medicine will be too.." speculated Baji sadly..
The doctor examined their mother and shook his head. Reminded them their mother was a hypertension patient and stress triggered it and can take a turn for the worst if more anxiety was heaped on Aye Sahib. Kala and Baji both looked at each other sheepishly which made the doctor comment
"look I have given her medication.. for the minute, her reading seems to have scaled down. however I cannot reiterate enough that she is to be kept stress free ,if you want her to function normally. At her age , she has to be monitored , not just by me but by you her family as well.As soon the doctor left Kala clung to her brother and cried. Aye Sahib, feebly raised her hand and called out weakly
"Dutta.. Dutta.. call my son Dutta.. can he not hear his mother calls for him.. Baji.. call Dutta .. Kala .. bring me Dutta.. she repeated as tears escaped from the corner of her outer eyes
Kala pulled Baji to one side,
"'Baji he left the house in a scowl! you'll have to find him now! bring him back as a matter of urgency! In fact I'll come to with you to look for him! Kala tugged at his arm in panic
" no Tai you stay here with Aye , I'll go look for him!
"Where Baji?
I don't know Tai! but don't stop me and let's not waste time!
~~~~~~~~
"eyeee, didn't you hear me another bottle! growled Dutta! the cowered man gingerly, bottle in hand made his way towards an already drunk Dutta and as he very nearly placed the bottle into Dutta's waiting palm..
"'ll take that! yelled Baji as he snatched the bottle slammed it down in the middle of the table and sat down facing his Bhau. Dutta peered across at him with glazed blood shot eyes , pouted his lips and drawled
"parteee pooper.. get lost! leave me alone! Dutta . no good!
"Bhau.. you have had enough to drink! now my turn to drink! you watch Bhau!this brother of your will out do you! and he put the opened bottle of spirit to his mouth and tipped it up, gulped and choked! Dutta laughed and pulled the bottle away from Baji's handed and burred
"you can never out do me little bro' you are the rightful son! and me, Baji! I am Aye Sahib's wronged son! Do you know Baji, you are not to follow Dutta's example.. he is not worth following! you got that my very simple, stupid , sweet Baji?, instructed Dutta , as he reached out and rested his palm , affectionately on his brothers face. Baji pressed his hand over Dutta's and replied
"yes true Bhau ,Baji can never be like you even if I tried, you are loyal, sincere , giving and compassionate.. one who relates to the common people
"that may be the case Baji.. in your eyes! but the truth is I am a man born of a woman.. BUT ..from a father unknown..." slurred Dutta and slowly fell flat on his face..
Baji stood up, came around. With the bar owners help dragged his brother into Dutta's jeep, laid him flat on the back seat and then sat behind the wheel. The sky rumbled, Baji rolled his eyes upwards and it looked like a sudden down pour was in the making. Baji faced the decision of where to take Dutta.. home was a complete no no! as much as Aye wanted to see Bhau, seeing him phased out would be a cause of further anxiety for her. Dutta stirred and whinged and moaned in the rear seat
" where am I ? Baji? Baji!
"ho! Bhau it's ok , you're in your jeep, left mine at the beer joint.. problem is where to take you looking like this? Dutta sat up and still slightly tipsy, replied
"why? what's wrong with me? didn't commit a grave sin? only drank a bit ,so I could leave my troubles on earth and fly in the skies.. but what is this it's raining it's pouring! The old man is snoring! Rain rain! Go away come back another dayeee! sang Dutta slightly drunk.. Baji suggested
"shall I take you to babba Tavde's house? what do you say? that Seema will get you ship shape and sober in no time!
"no! idiot! always talk rubbish you do Baji! don't mess with me ,I can see double and ooohhh my head is going to split!
"that's fine then Bhau! only leaves us two options,the local police thana or the Gul Bahar??smiled Baji
" you know well ,where Baji..just move it!! my head spins! groaned Dutta
~~~~~~~
Sure enough the skies opened up well and proper as Baji braked before Naku's flower shop. Dutta sided his face, looked through the jeep amid rivers of rain sliding down the window glass. His heart leapt! As he pressed the handle of the jeep door, came out of the jeep! and he staggered ahead to the flower shop. The rain drenched his whole black uniformed frame within seconds. But he plodded through the puddles and myriad ofraindrops that bounced upwards from the ground.
Once he got to the dimly lit security lit shop front he pressed on the bell. No answer. With palms curved like a pair binoculars he peered in through the glass.. come on Naku.. I am bloody getting wet here, he groaned. Baji watched his brother from the jeep.. and smiled as he mused, you'll be safe here Bhau.. sober up first! and I'll come back for you again.. but Baji waited for the door to be opened for Bhau , before he eventually drove off..it was a bit of a wait..
~~~~~~~~
Yes there was no doubt, that was clearly the sound of the front door bell. Then followed the banging. Naku jumped out of bed, in her white kurta and shalwar. With , her hair loosely tied and tousled, she pushed her dainty toes into her slippers and bravely ran through to the shop floor. The wind shrieked like a banshee and the impact rattled the glass faade of the shop. Sheets of rain beat against the glass and virtually made it impossible to figure out what caused the banging on the door. Then the roar and more bangs followed
"open up Naku! .. did she hallucinate? Only one way to find out, she mused courageously as slowly she moved forward to confirm her hunch. It was a tall figure dressed in black... looked like a bogey man.. she moved ahead and then saw his angry face pressed against the outer glass door. open up! his pink lips pouted and yelled ,that she heard. Wide eyed she leapt forward, unlocked the door. Furiously the wind lurched opened the front door demonically ! and confirmed his drenched ,dark figure! with his hair flattened and soaked! He parted his lips and arched his neck forward into her shocked face
"it's me Naku.. your Sahib.. now will you let me in! before my whole being gets dissolved by this blasted rain " Naku , her hair wind swept and sprayed with rain, nodded and moved aside and allowed him in. Dutta dripped of rain but turned around in time to shut the door and expelled the windy rain outside.Then his imposing figure turned to face the sleepy ,bedraggled girl that stood before him
"Sahib you? here? at this hour?.. she asked, which he ignored at first and gazed helplessly and lost into her green eyes
"what took you so long Naku ? I thought you'd never come.. ummh sorry.. if I frightened you.. Naku I had nowhere else to go.. except your flower shop.." panicked she wanted to know more
"what have you done Sahib..?
"nothing much, just drank too much. Was in no state to return home... will you give me refuge Naku ? If not then I'll go back out to the elements .. and he slowly turned around and reached out for the handle of her front door. Naku acted swiftly and tenderly placed her hand on the back of his wet shoulder
"stop Sahib! stay.. it's stormy outside! now you'll catch your death! Dutta turned around, faced her, and saw how she covered her nose.. he probably smelt foul.. well that's how he is .. take it or leave.. he clenched his square jaw. She recovered from her initial shock and reached out for his drenched arm
" come Sahib! let's get you out of these soaked clothes.." she ordered and he wondered with some fuzzy amusement.. what change of clothes would this woman offer him?
She led him gently through the shop floor into the back. held the door open to a small stock room, and then pulled an old wooden stool that stood in the corner of the room. Gently she made him sit down on it ,and looked to check if he sat comfortably. Basically he lurched and rocked slowly due to drunk state and so she rushed forward and said
"get up Sahib! you look dangerously uncomfortable". Dutta raised his palm and complained
"I am fine as I am ! and what dangerous deed am I capable of? dammit I am drunk! can't you see girl or you got blinkers on? Naku shook her head and grabbed his arm, yanked him up.He swaggered and was about to lose his balance when he threw his heavily drenched arm around her shoulders for support! Naku too tottered under his weight, but she persisted and held him.. with one of her arms around his waist. She had to move the stool against the wall.. so she stretched her leg and pushed the long legs of the circular stool. Luckily it slid noisily across the wall right against the wall! Dutta twisted his neck and gazed down at her profile ,close to his stubble face.. with a drunken grin he drawled
"along with being smart, you take a good shot too , Naku ! and with some effort from both of them , Dutta swaggered to the stool secured against the wall. Naku gently removed his heavy arm around her shoulder and sat him down securely. Dutta pushed the back of his head against the wall and with drowsy deep set eyes watcher as she moved away from him with the words
" you wait here Sahib and I'll sort some clothes for you..
Much troubled Naku returned to her room .True say he needed a change of clothes, worse still she had told him not to worry, she would supply him with fresh clean dry clothes.. but how could she? she looked around and caught sight of her wardrobe. Pointless, she couldn't give him her clothes! Roops was a girl too and Krishna , yes! he was a lad! but then she realized, even Sahib's arm or leg wouldn't go through any of Krishna's trousers and teeshirts! Such a problem! she panicked .It was not a question of fitting and fashion, but more so about preventing him from catching a chill.. it was bad enough ,the awkward man was drunk as a fish! Naku paced up and down in her room and then paused before Bappa's idol and shared
"Bappa! you know I didn't wish for this to happen. Maybe you sent him here Bappa.? that's fine for you I 'll do anything! as Naku knows you'll never direct her towards anything that isn't pleasing in your eyes! she prayed and soon enough pleaded for help
" Bappa now you know in this shop of mine there are no clothes for him.. what shall I give him to wear then? will you not give me an inkling??
She moved from her deity and as she did she accidently tripped on her bed sheet! Her face lit up ! as she rushed to her wardrobe, crouched down and carefully pulled out a folded white sheet of bed linen! With a smile she turned her head towards Bappa and bowed her head as she held the folded sheet on the palms of her tiny hands!
~~~~~~~~~
" what! you expect me to wear this bed sheet Naku? are you serious?
" I am Sahib.. either you get ill, strip or this! she ordered as she pushed the sheet toward's him and then corrected him
" you don't wear this Sahib, you wrap it around you! here all yours now! leaving you to decide..
He took it off her hands with a clear sulk and as he watched her leave called after her unceremoniously..
" you might as well stay.. and help.. and ensure I carry out your command! Naku turned back and replied , with a small giggle
"I trust you Sahib! you are no child.. besides I have to prepare something for you.. and she left the small store room
~~~~~~~
She returned with a thin bedding quilt rolled under one of her arms.. and looked up at the Dutta's white sheet, shrouded figure still perched up on the stool. He pressed his back and the rear of his head with semi dried hair against the wall, and peered across at her. She walked across to another clear corner of the room and unrolled the quilt ,and smoothed out the creases gently with her palms.Still crouched she turned her head to him and suppressed her giggle. He looked muscular, and semi bare! she tried not to look at his smooth shiny brawny curve of his bare shoulder. Yes he had draped the sheet very decently around and across his body. The edge of the bed sheet ran diagonally across his hairy chest which showed signs of his chest muscles! As an exhibition piece he sat with folded bare arms that knotted his pumped up biceps! But calmly he looked at her bemused green eyes ,that suddenly lowered. After which he drawled
" had your eye candy ?now will you help me move off from this blasted stool! my back is sore!
Naku moved forward and stood before him. Pensively he studied her face, her green eyes , her chiselled nose, and fine lips. Then blinked once and raised up his bare muscular arm and entwined it around her shoulders.. heaved and gingerly stepped off the high stool. Clumsily he clutched on to the creased and twist of the white sheet around the circumference of his waist. Once he was slightly steady on his feet, she turned her neck towards his limp face as it hung forward
"Sahib! shall I secure the sheet firmly around your waist? Most put off he replied
"no! not having you do that.. have you no shame woman? he roared and Naku retorted
" Sahib! you'll face shame if the sheet drops! Dutta nodded and then let his arm fall off her shoulders
" sort it out then.. and Naku moved slightly before him and neatly pushed in the sheet with her finger tips all the way around from his hairy belly to the curve of his back. Dutta looked down at her tiny fingers that tucked the bed sheet with her fingertips. When she finished she said
"there! all done nice and decent.. you forget Sahib.. I wear saris too, so hence the practice!
Dutta raised his naked left arm and she ducked and took it upon her shoulders.. Dutta walked slowly towards the make shift bed on the floor and bent his knees and with her help , he sank his bottom on the quilt and crossed his legs ,as he smoothed the sheet on his knees and legs ,to maintain decency. Although he held himself up by the posts of both his palms and. He seemed uncomfortable and drowsy. Naku got up suddenly from the ground and pushed him back against the wall
"Sahib, will be back ,something else I need to bring to you! and she left the room as Dutta distorted his face and stretched his eyes wide to correct his vision, His head thumped badly. To heal it, with a twist of his arm, he pressed down his palm over on the top of his head..
Naku returned and help a cup of some steamy drink.. she set it on the floor to cool down
" what is it Naku? I feel sick.. don't want to eat or drink any thing
" it's kawa Sahib.. drink it , might clear your head " she coaxed gently
"I don't want my head cleared Naku! want to stay like this.. go now!
and he began to slide to the side and Naku stretched her arms and eased him into a sided lying down position.. She watched him and within seconds his eyes closed and he went to sleep. Naku picked up the cup of black tea and stood up. His figure wrapped in a white sheet made her shudder.. hope he will be fine. She stared down at his face and decided.. it would be unwise to leave him unattended, in case he choked on his vomit. So she chose a wall to sit against and sank down to her bottom. With knees propped up , Naku perched her arms on them dropped her head on the cradle of her folded arms. But before she dozed off, painfully she pushed back sleep as she spotted the pile of his black uniform in a soaked heap on the floor by the stool. She got up collected them, and put them in nearby metal pail. tomorrow! as soon as the launderers open opposite her shop ,she would get them washed, dried and ironed.Then she returned to her former place to catch a few winks. So exhausted she once..
It was crack of dawn, Dutta stirred and cast his eye around.. he couldn't believe his eyes that she probably sat their all night. He called her .. the drink seemed to have dispersed in his blood stream.. as his head still split when he raised it up slightly
" Naku you didn't get any sleep? she lifted her head from her arms propped up on her knees and her green eyes clearly showed signs of lack of sleep. He hated himself for encroaching on her privacy, and being the cause of her discomfort. He rolled over on his side to face her ,from his make shift bedding. Naku raised her palms before her and said a prayer and then brushed the sides of her face and the top of her head with her palms.. bemused he asked
" what did you just do Naku.. tell me?
"Sahib I look at my hands first thing in the morning and ask for Bappa's blessings upon them.. and all the work I do with them" Dutta with considerable effort tried to smile ..
"presently the job for your hands is to help me sit up" then he noticed his clothes went missing
" my clothes ,what's happened to them Naku?
" they are being dried outside on the line in the sun" she knew he would rumble if she told him the truth.. and then said
" I will get you some black tea.. and this time I hope you will drink it" Dutta groaned as he held the top of his head
"yes I will ,my head is splitting! hurry up and get it! he ordered..
Naku returned soon enough, but also in the meanwhile. She asked an over exuberant Krishna that he had to run and do an errand.. on seeing the clothes in the bucket, both him and Roops demanded an explanation. She told them the truth.. except that he was dead drunk.. Krishna would be devastated. but Roops she told the complete truth and she teased, that of all the places.. he chose to come to Gul Bahar how very odd!
Dutta looked at her and growled
"what took you so long Naku? where you out picking the leaves? I hate waiting ! Naku offered him the tea and he cupped his palm around the cup and his pouted lips quivered as he took a sip of the steamy tea... she studied his face, his bare shoulder and his creased bare arm as he focussed on the black tea. She could see he stared at the floor , lost in thought.. now was perhaps the moment when she could ask the meaning of his drunken stupor. As if he knew what she considered doing, he himself opened the conversation
" you want an explanation ,I suppose" he said tersely as he swallowed the stimulating beverage
"only if you want to share Sahib.. don't want to pry into your life.. people should be allowed their privacy"
"and if they want to share Naku ,what then? like something deeply personal?
"then Sahib one should share one's sorrow.. erhh, it's usually some pain that makes people do something they wouldn't normally do.. ummh, like you did. get drunk, and end up here..
"you speak rightly so Naku.. I wouldn't react in this manner normally.. tell me Naku what do you know about me? he asked as he looked directly into her eye.. she giggled ,took a deep breath and replied
" well Sahib , you work in security systems, and.." Dutta raised his palm and yelled
"about my family Naku? what do you know ?
"that Baji is your younger brother Sahib... that your family is well known in Patilvadi" he raised his palm in her face again
" yes! and no!.. he stated and rested his empty cup on the floor, and peered at her
"Naku.. Baji is not really my brother.. I mean my real brother.. blood brother
"Sahib, what are you saying, you are still under the influence of alcohol.."
"no Naku this is not the booze speaking... it's Dutta speaking.. Dutta I was from the day I was born and Dutta it is who sits here before you dressed as if a shroud.."
"Sahib, I still don't understand ..
"Naku, either you are plain daft or you fear me , that you refuse to understand me! he growled . Naku moved back a little and he looked down at the floor and struggled to tell her
"you know that Krishna, Naku.. well your Sahib is like him really.. a puny orphan, not some blue blooded man! in fact there is a big question mark about his .. umm the persons responsible for bringing him into the world... said Dutta in a voice that cracked . Naku moved closer to him and rested her hand near his sheet draped knee
"so what Sahib? you are blessed that you were adopted by sincere kind people.. look at me .. I ended up with the wrong people.. had to seek .. help! Dutta sat up, turned sharply ,faced her and demanded
" what are you saying Naku! tell me ! and tell me now! "
Sahib, Naku too is an orphan like yourself".. Dutta's jaw dropped and he looked into her eyes and felt a sudden affinity with this flower girl... to be continued Hamlet53..21.8.15
this ud is dedicated to the memorable story of LTL.. the eternal love story of Dutta and his Naku..
also ,tammy ,missing you best of luck ! come back soon.
Edited by Hamlet53 - 10 years ago
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