Mishal Raheja
As
Dutta
Blue Blood
Part 19
As Naku slid into the passenger seat of Dutta's spanking new four by four land cruiser. The rest of the two Roops and Krishna too huddled unto the back seat,but under the traumatic circumstances that all three underwent ,perhaps it was best they stayed together mused Dutta as he lurched into the drivers's seat, however he would have ideally preferred Roops and Krishna went with Baji..and he with Naku on his own. But that's life he mused and started the engine and went into drive. It was a sad day , to see one's shared work one go up in smoke! Bad joke he thought, as his brow furrowed. Handling trauma was never really his strong point . Itjust depended on how he felt at that point in time. Krishna he thought was a bright spark , bless him for catching hold of the number plate.. Now will look into this mysterious person who would gain from sabotaging Naku's endeavours. He wiped his sweat from under his pronounced nose. And reckoned , this was by no means a happy task ,only can find out more from Naku herself. He turned his head towards her and stole a look at her. She looked sullen , very bleak . He had never seen her in such a state. But enough was enough! he wanted her to step out of this mourning and pick up arms again! reflected dutta , it was like her being just there beside me..
Every now and then his semi bare arms under his black uniform's rolled up sleeves stiffened and his veins bulged out like snakes under his skin. Dutta gave her a sided look , her head bent down, with nonstop sniffles. He let go of the steering for a split of a minute and pulled out a tissue rudely from a tissue box near his hand brake
" can you stop it now Naku !one would think , it's a hellhole you are heading for rather than my house! he grumbled in a guttural tone. She just took the tissue from his sided palm and dabbed her green eyes silently. Dutta twitched his jaw and peered at the road and went silent too. Fine if she doesn't want to speak he won't say much either. But Roops did and so did Krishna.
"Bhau it's not like that ,we are delighted to be heading for Patil Nivas ,but given the fact,under the circumstances ,its rather traumatic you have to agree.. added Roops
" Dutta Bhau, who would be more happier to stay at Patil Nivas forever and again than me?.. but Gul Bahar I will miss as well" added Krishna gloomily as he too snivelled .Dutta rolled his eyes and sighed. Dear god not another one! this is getting out of hand! he mused and his curbed rage loosened up, and not entirely out of place, he reacted
"look weepy joes! would you prefer if I dropped you back at Sita Ram hiwali instead? humm ? and he did an emergency brake, pulled his hand brake up with a loud crank. They all jolted ahead! and Naku nearly lurched forward into the dashboard. Dutta rushed and gripped the hard dash board with his hand and prevented a minor accident. Still with the impact, her hand jerked towards his hand on the dash board as she pressed his hand and stopped herself!
"ummmh, you ok? he asked rather stupidly to cover his rashness. Naku just silently straightened up, rested her back against the passenger seat and firmed up her mouth..
"see Bhau you have upset all of us now.. seems to us, you are not happy to have us with you.. may be we should have gone with Baji Bhau instead moaned Krishna.. Dutta fixed his mirror and glared at Krishna
"oyee peep squeak! be quiet , moving to Patil Nivas doesn't mean that you start becoming my dad! Baji pulled up beside Dutta , jumped out of his jeep, walked over to Dutta's window where his mate sat grim faced, with a fixed profile. Baji felt his arm and asked gently
"any problem Bhau? why aren't you moving on? saw from behind you stopped suddenly? Dutta jerked his head towards Naku, but looked straight ahead and muttered
"there's no problem this side ,but looks like there might be one on the other side" Baji rolled his eyes and walked around the front of Dutta's car and spoke to Naku
" Naku what is Bhau talking about? anything the matter? and Naku shook her head and pressed her hands stubbornly in her lap.
"see I told you Baji rao there's something wrong with her? she's just gone all quiet.. I asked her shall I drop the three of them at Ram Sita hiwali? and no reply from her.. looks like all night we'll be sitting under the sky counting stars " grumbled Dutta as he stuck his head out of the opened driver's window.
" Saab , lets go!Aye Sahib may be wondering where we are? consented Naku . Dutta gave her a sided look, nodded once and started his car again. Maybe he was just being hard on her, he mused, as he twitched his jaw . Well she has to toughen herself , be ready to accept everything pleasant or unpleasant life dishes out.. beggars can't be choosers ,he thought as he slammed his foot on the accelerator. Baji followed Dutta's tail lights and mused. Bhau is being too rough with her ,she's had a major upheaval in her life. Surely he cannot expect that she will emerge out of it just like that! and so soon too..
~~~~~~~~~
At least arrival at Patil Nivas was warm and welcoming. Both Aye Sahib and Kanta mai were wide awake and fussed around the three refugees from Gul Bahar. It was evident that Naku was the needy one. Mai held her hand and reminded her that now they were all together. But that too touched Naku's raw nerve and she cried her eyes out. Dutta watched from far and ran his finger across his forehead briefly in consternation, all this morbidity had gone on long enough! and it's best the three rescued needed to be fed! and then put to bed soon after. Dutta looked at her helplessly from a distance , she looked terrible , her face tear stained, marked with grey charred lines of presumably falling debris . Dutta sighed , thank god they were well ,all three of them . Kala suggested something sane. That all three needed to be shown to their rooms , washed and given a clean set of fresh clothes. Bless him Krishna was the most positive one out of all three of them and he jumped at the idea of his own room!
"Aye Sahib, it now feels like I am on holiday .One that is unending and exciting, it's true! isn't it Tai ? he went to Naku and wiped Naku's eyes with his filthy blackened hands. Naku looked at Dutta , who slowly swerved his face from her direction. Naku could see he was het up about her gloom, she'd better snap out of it! before he loses his rag
" yes Krishna it is fortunate that we have this warm loving house to seek respite in..come on then let's get you sorted and cleaned up, you must be hungry too , isn't it Krishna? asked Naku gently as she gently moved his hair back from his sweaty brow. Dutta felt his stubble chin with his folded arm and very nearly smiled. It's was good to see that at least she cheered up with Krishna's interjection. Dutta too felt inclined towards a bit more warmth towards Naku and he called out to Krishna
"come on then smiler! let's get you up to your rooms" and he looked at Naku too " as he held out his palm to Krishna, for Dutta knew the lad was smart enough and he predicted his subsequent action , which was for Krishna to come towards him, would make him bring along with him, the attachment of Naku! Baji looked to the three.. Dutta at one end connected to Krishna by his hand , who was joined to Naku by the hand at the other end!
"good! now that this triple burger is on the move! Roops let me show you to your room too so you can freshen up" suggested Baji as he ushered Roops towards the winding staircase that led to the retiring rooms of the first floor.
Dutta accompanied by an excited Krishna and a still subdued Naku , stopped by a door in the long winding corridor. Gently he palmed open the door and allowed them into a small room with a single bed and interesting bits and bobs like a tv , a desk and a book rack..
"here you are Krishna! this then is your room.. you have the choice to stay here? or the whole house is yours to wander around". but Krishna's eyes widened and he turned and hugged Naku by her side and looked up to Naku who he thought had a smile on her face
"look Bhau! let me tell you , Krishna will be staying in Naku Tai's room, I feel scared without her! he fussed as he clutched on tighter around the waist. With flared nostrils , Dutta pulled Krishna's arms around Naku's waist and explained roughly
"hey Krishna! a lad who faced the harsh realities of this world years ago ,surely cannot be a sissy .. be a man ,beside you're not a toddler , but an adolescent.. your Tai needs her privacy too, isn't that true Naku? Dutta turned to Naku as he expected her support.. Naku gave him a sided wee smile and caressed Krishna's head and replied
"yes Krishna,Saab is right.. you need your own room, it's just right! with a smart little desk for you to complete your homework when you join school.. as for me I, will never be far from you" said Naku gently as she led him into the room , showed him the bathroom and pointed to the laid out set of clothes on the foot of his bed.
"see Aye Sahib and mai got everything sorted for you now , quick get changed and come down for a bite to eat ,after that get to bed, you need rest after the sort of day we have had , remarked Naku and as she turned , she stood facing Dutta right behind her! he stared down at her with doubled chin and contracted hooded eyes. Slowly his hand moved to her elbow and he told her hoarsely
"let me show you your room too Naku, follow me.. gingerly she followed him as his palm dropped from her shoulder . He stopped by a door and pushed it open and they both stood and faced each other before the opened door.. Dutta reached out for the fingertips of one of her hands and saw, the skin was dirty from what she had been through
" look this is it your room Naku , temporarily.. till.. he stopped , cleared his throat and then sided his neck towards the interior of the room..
"now let's hope you won't fuss about the room ,like Krishna did..? humm? ,he tired to humour her but then realized by the bland expression on her face that it was perhaps not an appropriate moment to venture forward
" look go in, get changed ,and I'll change too.. and think positive Naku? for Bappa's sake! , he mumbled, let go of her finger tips ,turned and walked off.. Naku stepped inside and closed the door , ran to her bed and flopped on it and cried her eyes out.. Gul Bahar... she snivelled
~~~~~~~~~~~
The police didn't waste much time and got the said car DEVIL123, under their possession. Ravi's tack was, he had to maintain normalcy . To burn down Gul bahar was a slight detour from his original task.. .i.e to kidnap Seema. Now that he had given Dutta a blow, he needed to jump into his jeep and return home. He had expected to find a much distressed Seema ,as it was Naku's shop. So he first showed surprise ,then regret, and finally consoled Seema to blend into the routine of things as if nothing went wrong.. after having done all, he quietly retired to his room , drank and celebrated his victory! He spoke to Jhingar who though, originally not pleased by his vendetta act against Dutta was nevertheless , delighted that it was done and dusted. However the news about the vehicle being now in police custody distressed him a bit and he alerted Ravi to act normal. Ravi assured him , he was safe as he spent most of the time at the garage.
Dutta meanwhile freshened up and sat in his white kurta pyjama with Baji in his room ,when he received the phone call from the police station regarding the car. Deep in thought Dutta shared with Baji
"beats me Baji ,who would in their right mind be so malicious with Naku , by reducing her business to ashes? Baji turned to Dutta and calmly pointed out to a muddled up Bhau
" have you shifted the focus from Naku to yourself? that you might have an unseen enemy?
" hummm? that's true Baji ,in my job ,have nabbed and dealt with many a dark characters, might be some one popping out of the wood works." reflected aloud Dutta
"you have to narrow the search Dutta Bhau..how? I don't know? may be look around .. check the people ,to give you some clue? suggested Baji. Dutta sighed , he was clearly tired tonight much had happened . Naku was his priority ..
" first things first Baji , I am concerned about Naku Baji ,she looks devastated ,not in looks but spiritually" muttered Dutta regretfully
" yes I know Bhau it's not just her who is devastated. It's you as well.. tell you what Bhau , be yourself..if you try to be what you're not, Naku would know and that's not fair to her.. she knows you to well" shared Baji and then both turned to Kala who came to Dutta's den to call them for dinner.. Dutta thought maybe he should make an effort and display some calming behaviour towards Naku..
He stood outside her door and knocked once. There was no answer then he knocked again, and soon enough decided , getting short of patience , he'd go in any way.. There she sat in a white fitted cotton shalwar kameez night time wear, by the foot of the bed . One of her arms, rested folded on the bed, while with the other she just felt the pile rug with her palm.Abruptly she looked up at his imposing frame inside the door. His eyes peered across to her green puffed up eyes. Dutta moved closer and asked her gravely
" Naku you still haven't stopped crying have you?why are you doing this to me Naku? he heaved as he folded his long legs and sank on the rug, facing her directly at the foot of her bed. He folded his arm too and groped for the fingertips of her folded arm adjacent to his.. she sniffed and just shook her head as a she moved her washed and dry opened tresses back from the side of her face. Dutta just stared across her beautiful face with his narrowed contracted eyes ..
" Naku what ever you do to yourself , you do realize that you do to me as well.. it hurts me here Naku "he said with cloudy eyes as he dug his fingers into the left side of his chest. Naku nodded and looked across into his eyes,
" pardon me Sahib, just feminine soft spot, tears.. once mine start they don't stop" he just sat and listened to her unwarranted answer, and with slightly flared nostrils replied.
"it's not just a woman thing Naku..but yes, only real men cry.. I have lost count of the innumerable times I cried myself, but wiped the tears and just got on with life and it continued to give me second chances. I took those chances and hobbled along the cobbled road of life .. till I found you at the cross roads Naku. This Dutta came over to the other side .On a new road with a smooth surface. Yes Naku , road humps ,and pits will come.. we will just have to either step into them or go around them and continue on the long smooth surface .. he leaned forward and felt her hand that played with the looped pile of the rug.. stroked it and continued..
"both you and I Naku ,haven't reached the dead end of our road ,yet ,so we must carry on this journey hand in hand ..Naku how can you forget that it was you who got me out of my doldrums of doom ,with your intrepid spirit.. now if you don't want me to fall back in the throes of depression ,then you have to over come this tragic glitch that we both face! yes not just you alone ,but me along with you.." Dutta carried on and then moved his palm onwards and covered her soft skinned palm that rested on the bed.
Naku stared into his eyes with her green doe eyes , arched her fingers slightly , pushed them forward a little bit and entwined her tiny fingers into his long slender fingers.. woven fingers reposed on the foot of her bed ,and their souls too connected once again as they shared their grief together. Dutta's eyes suddenly turned sullen as he studied her innocent face.
" Naku , I am wondering who would hate you so much as to gut the shop which is your means to living?
" I don't have many enemies Sahib , but fret that it could be someone , who knows that I am emotionally connected to you , think about such a person.." Naku hinted
" no I can't think of such a person Naku on the out right , no one knows about my personal affairs at work, besides no one knows, let alone dare to move against me, so like me you stop worrying your pretty little head.." he said firmly ,and Naku had no choice but to accept what he said. But deep inside she couldn't help thinking that Sahib had a run in with Ravi over Seema.. She wished she could rule Ravi out.. she had to for Sahib's sake . Naku knew full well what he felt for Seema. Naku looked vacantly into space past his head and Dutta clicked his fingers before her face
"a penny for your thoughts, heyyee Naku! what are you thinking about? tell me.. he demanded gently. Naku blushed profusely as she wasn't going to share what she thought about, so she pressed her hand on the rug and hauled herself up and smoothed her white shirt as she stood before him at the foot of the bed. Dutta cranked his head , narrowed his eyes and offered her his long arm, and she grabbed his palm and he hauled himself up and lost his balance and nearly fell upon her..
Naku pushed him but he grabbed on to her shoulders and his stubble chin grazed against her the side of her neck! she held him back , her palms pressed against his chest. With a doubled chin and hooded eyes he muttered into her upturned eyes
" just happened Naku ,didn't mean to...such is your aura I get imbalanced ! and then she giggled at last! and nose- dived into his hairy chest. Dutta sighed and mumbled
"come here you... and closed his arms around her tiny body. Naku snuggled into the security .. away from the stench of smouldering timber ,and the suffocating smoke of fire..
" Naku .. I can feel what you're mind is churning up.. Naku if possible ,let it go, humm, see how much I let go off! still alive today to hold you.. Naku , he whispered as he kissed the top of her head , "don't you feel we are destined to be together..now that I have you , never want to let you go" said Dutta as he moved back his head , looked down at her , perked up her chin with his folded finger and gazed into the windows of her soul. Naku moved back slightly and looked into his quizzical eyes for breaking the spell
"let's go down Sahib we don't want to keep the family waiting downstairs..." Naku suggested and Dutta moved back with a ...humm ..
~~~~~~~~~
Naku sat beside mai and Dutta watched her from the head of the table. Her face now glowed as compared to what she looked like before.He ran his long forefinger around the rim of his glass and wondered was it? that warm shower of water ?or the soothing shower of love that he just sprinkled over Naku in her room a while ago. Aye Sahib turned to the kitchen and looked to Kala who just popped out it with container of rotis in it.
As a sure sign to spring up and help , both Naku and Roops got up and announced , that Kala Tai should be seated ,as from now on Roops and Naku would do the cooking and serving. Dutta stared at Naku as she disappeared into the kitchen and pondered rather distastefully .. somehow it didn't seem fair that after setting up their business and running it as lucrative concern , both have now ended up behind the cooking hob! Surely more has to be on the cards for them... his spirit wrestled,
"Sahib.. shall I ,asked Naku as she stood by his side ready to ladle dal onto his plate. Dutta raised his palm and declined politely
"no Naku I'll just have a few spoonful's of yogurt with rice." Naku obliged him ,and all began to eat silently after Aye Sahib put the first morsel of food in her mouth. She dabbed her mouth at the sides and smiled benignly at her new founded family .Yes she was extremely blessed and so was her house to have a god sent family. She looked at the new children of her fold..
" Naku and Roops, Kanta and myself ,we feel for the trauma you have suffered today .It was destiny and thus could not be avoided ..she commented in a resigned tone. Dutta downed a glass of water and added
" but picking up the pieces , and trudging on is what life is all about, to rise up again like the new morn after the dark night is to celebrate life.. firmed Dutta in a guttural tone.. Aye Sahib smiled at him and turned to Kanta..
"that's Dutta for you , robust and hardwearing".. to be continued Hamlet53 8.1. 16
Edited by Hamlet53 - 9 years ago
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