Part 7
It had been about two weeks since the Sundar "Bhootni" incident had taken place. But even then, whenever Dutta had thought about it, he would end up laughing. Ever since that night, Dutta had been in a surprisingly good mood. When Dutta had told Baji about Sundar, Baji hadn't believed him. Even when Naku had corroborated Dutta's story about shopping and food in his water glass, Baji still hadn't believed them. On this particular night, Dutta and Baji were in the study talking about business when Babi called them down for dinner. Dutta went while Baji finished up a phone call. As Dutta walked down the stairs, he could see some family members gathered around the dining table, however some of his view was obscured by the back wall of the dining room. As he approached, he saw Naku bringing out a dish and placing it on the table. She looked up and their eyes met. Then, instantly, she her eyes darted to the table and then back at him. Dutta stopped as he noticed the look of worry and panic in her eyes. Dutta had just taken another step down the stair – on more and he'd be in full view of everyone at the table.
"Bhoot!" Naku suddenly shouted.
Dutta stopped in his tracks while all other eyes went right to her. Dutta stood confused not knowing what was going on. As he watched, Naku mouthed the word 'bhoot' one more time, and then darted her eyes towards the table. Dutta finally got what she meant – Sundar was there, bhootni ke! Without making a sound Dutta took a few steps back up the stairs so that when people turned, they wouldn't be able to see him. As Dutta thanked Naku silently in his head, he heard Babi ream her out.
"Naku, tu bhoot bhoot kyun chilla rahi hai?" Babi asked.
"Memsab woh…main…woh…," Naku didn't know what to say.
"Tune bhoot dekha kya?" Leela asked.
"Nahin Taayi, kuch nahin…woh…" without elaborating, Naku fled to the kitchen.
Dutta quietly made it back to the study, only then did he breathe again.
"Jaan chuti," he said as he sat in one of the chairs. The last thing he needed was another encounter with his 'buddy', Mr. Sundar.
"Kya hua Bhao? Khaana nahin khana?" Baji asked.
"Hmm…?" Dutta said, not really paying attention.
"Khaana nahin khana?" he repeated. "Bhuk nahin hai kya?"
"Bhuk toh hai magar…" Dutta began to say but was cut off.
"Toh phir chal na. Mere pet mein toh chuhe dord rahe hai," Baji said as he headed towards the door.
"Nahin, main neeche nahin jaunga. Dinner uss Sundar ke saath, no way!" Dutta said.
"Kaun?" Baji asked "Chachundar?"
Dutta laughed, "Sundar…not Chachundar."
"Oh, woh yeda jiske bare mein tu baath kaar raha tha."
"Haan."
"Aare Bhao, tu bhi naa…chal neeche…" Baji tried his best to coax Dutta to go down but Dutta was adamant. "Kya Bhao, tujhe bhuka marne ka shok hai kya?" Baji asked.
"Main bhuka nahin marunga," Dutta said confidently.
"Iss study mein rahega toh khaana kaise milega?" Baji asked.
Then, as if on cue, Naku walked in balancing a tray with her hands. She smiled at Baji as she entered, "Aare, Baji aap yahaan kaab aaye?" Before he could answer Naku's attention was focused on Dutta. "Saab, khaana," she said as she laid out the plate and other food for Dutta. She poured him a glass of water before she turned to Baji again. "Aapko bhuk lagi hogi. Main abhi aapke liyeh khaana lekar aati hoon."
"Naku ruk," Baji called stopping Naku in her tracks. "Main neeche jaa kar khalunga."
"Neeche?" Naku repeated in complete shock.
"Haan kyun?"
"Neeche toh Sundar-ji hai," she said. "Aapne inhe nahin bataya Sundar-ji ke bare mein?" she asked looking at Dutta.
"Bataya naa…baar baar bataya lekin yeh hai ke manta hi nahin," Dutta said.
"Main kissi Chachundar se nahin daarta," Baji said.
"Sundar," Dutta and Naku said at the same time.
"Joh bhi sundar vundar ho, main jaa raha hoon," with that he walked out.
Naku looked on in horror. "Saab, unhe rokiyeh," she pleaded.
"Main kyun rokoon?" Dutta asked as he began to eat. "Jaab maine bola toh mujh par vishvas nahin kiya. Aab usse pata chalega ke Sundar kya cheez hai."
"Magar Saab…" Naku began to say.
At that moment they heard Sundar loudly say, "Baji my Buddy!"
Dutta and Naku looked at each other and a second later fell into a fit of laughter. After the laughter subsided Naku asked Dutta to go and save Baji.
"Main nahin bachaunga," Dutta said.
"Saab…" Naku said.
"Aare kamal hai! Tu mere taraf se hai ya uske taraf se?" he asked.
"Main insaniyat ki taraf se hoon," Naku said. "Saab, Baji neeche Sundar-ji aur Priya Taayi ki beech mein phasa hua hai. Yeh zulm woh bardasht nahin karpayega."
"Toh, mujh par vishvash nahin karne ka yehi saaza hai."
"Yeh saaza nahin, atyachar hai," Naku corrected.
After a moments pause Dutta said, "Tu tik keh rahi hai. Aaisi saaza main toh aapni dushman ko bhi naa doon. Magar main neeche nahin jaunga…varna lene ke dene padjayenge."
"Main jake keh deti hoon ke aap unhe bularahe hai," Naku said.
"Nahin!" Dutta said as he jumped up. "Aagar usse pata chal gaya ke main yahaan hoon, toh woh Bhootni uppar ajayega. Main ek kaam karta hoon, Baji ko phone kar leta hoon."
With that, Dutta pulled out his phone and began dialing while Naku left. Less then a minute later, Baji ran into the room and closed the door behind him, locking it.
"Toh, aab yakeen aaya mere batoon paar?" Dutta asked.
Baji looked at Dutta. "Bhao, woh admi hai ke kya hai? Itna fatichar admi maine aapni zindagi mein khabi nahin dekha. Tauba! Kya namuna hai! Chi!"
"Bola tha naa maine," Dutta said as he returned to eating.
Baji sat next to Dutta and was about to grab some food when Dutta stopped him. "Kya kaar raha hai?" he asked.
"Bhuk lagi hai, khaa raha hoon," Baji said.
"Kyun, tujhe toh bohot shok tha neeche saab ke saath khaane ka," Dutta mocked. "Main tujhe khaana nahin dunga."
"Bhao, mere paar aur zulm maat kar," Baji pleaded.
Just then, a knock came from the door. Dutta and Baji looked at each other – both fearing it was Sundar. Baji finally asked, "Kaun?"
"Main, Naku," she said.
The men both breathed a sigh of relief. Baji opened the door and as soon as he saw Naku carrying a tray of food, he took it from her hands and immediately dug in. "Naku, my hero!" Baji said with his mouth full of food. "Aaj se tu mera bhi body guard hai. Usse Chachundar se mujhe bachana."
Naku let out a small giggle as she turned away to leave.
"Naku," Dutta called. "Aayi Sahib ne khaya?"
"Nahin, unhone kaha ke khaane ka maan nahin hai. Woh aapne kamre mein aaram kaar rahe hai, main thodi dehr mein unke liyeh badam ka dood leke jaungi."
"Tik hai," Dutta said.
With that Naku left, Dutta and Baji returned to eating.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Naku kept looking at the clock and cursing herself for not working fast enough. She was supposed to have taken the milk for AS almost an hour and a half ago, but she was given chores left, right and center. She worked as fast as she could but still it seemed like nothing was getting done. In all honesty, Naku was seriously worried about AS. For the past two weeks or so she hadn't been herself. AS had been unusually fatigued, not sleeping well, indigestion and even some anxiety. Naku was afraid of what it could be, but she kept telling herself that it wasn't what she was thinking. Finally, at around 11pm, Naku finished all her work and made her way towards AS's room. If AS was up, she'd give her the milk, if not she'd at least check on her. Naku knocked once but didn't hear anything so she knocked again, this time she heard a very faint sound from the other side. She gently pushed the door open and entered the dimly light room. As soon and Naku's eyes fell on AS, she knew – she knew – her worst fears were true.
Putting the glass down, she rushed to AS who was trying to stand up but was very weak. As she touched AS's arm, she felt her cold clammy skin under her hands. Naku could see AS struggling for breath.
"Aayi Sahib," Naku said as a whisper. "Aayi Sahib, kya aapke seene mein kissi bhi tarha ka daard hai?"
"Naku tum chinta maat karo," AS said as she placed a hand on Naku's shoulder to balance herself.
"Sawal ka jawab dijiyeh Aayi Sahib," Naku persisted. "Please."
After a short pause, she answerd, "Haan hai, magar thoda sa. Kuch nahin hai."
"Hey Bagwan," Naku said under her breath as she helped AS lay down.
Once that was done, Naku raced down the hall towards Dutta's room. The door was closed so she began pounding on the door. "Saab! Saab darvaza kholiyeh! Saab!" she yelled.
A short while later Dutta opened the door with an angry look on his face as he closed his phone. "Kya hai Naku?! Koi patience nahin hai kya?!"
"Saab, woh…Aayi Sahib," she said out of breath.
Now, Dutta was on full alert, "Kya hua? Kya hua Aayi Sahib ko?"
"Woh…"
"Naku bol na!" Dutta yelled as he grabbed Naku by the shoulders.
"Aayi Sahib ko hospital lekar jaana hoga?"
"Hospital?" he repeated shocked. "Hospital kyun?"
How as Naku going to explain that she was fairly certain that AS was having a heart attack? She KNEW it was a heart attack. Women displayed different signs than men when suffering from a heart attack. Unfortunately, AS displayed almost all the symptoms. But how as she going to tell Dutta that? Would he believe her? What if he didn't? Worse yet, what if he questioned her? It didn't matter, Naku had to do what was necessary to save AS.
"Woh…mujhe lagta hai ke unhe dil ka dohra pada hai," Naku said.
"Kya?" Dutta's mind wasn't processing what was being said.
"Heart attack!" Naku yelled. There was no time to lose so she couldn't worry about anything else.
"Oh my God," Dutta said as he broke into a full run towards AS's room.
By this time the family was awakened by all the noise and rushed to AS's room with Dutta and Nakusha. Within two minutes, AS was in a car and they were speeding down the streets headed toward the hospital. As they entered the hospital, a rush of memories hit Naku like a wave but she pushed it all back. Her first priority was making sure AS got the best treatment. While Dutta and Baji both yelled for a doctor to care for AS, Naku looked for the one face that she knew could help her. She was almost about to ask a nurse to page him when, like an angel, she saw him walking down the hall towards Dutta – Dr. Kishore Mehra, head of Cardiothorasic's.
Dutta got to the doctor before Naku could. The doctor told Dutta to go to the emergency department just down the hall and check AS in there – there was a team of doctors and nurses that could help as he was off to consult on a case, where the family had already been waiting for two hours. Naku couldn't let this happen.
"Doctor Saab, please humari madat kijiyeh," Naku pleaded with her hands folded in front of her.
"Dekhiyeh main…" the doctor began to say but stopped as he watched Naku in disbelief.
Naku slowly and coyly, took her right hand and gripped onto her right ear, as if to say sorry for something. Then she whispered, "Doctor Uncle, please," her hands once again folded in front of her.
"Nakus…" he began but immediately shut up when he saw Naku shake her head, 'no'. Gaining his composure, he quickly whisked the stretcher to the first available trauma room, where he disappeared, leaving Dutta, Baji and Naku to wait.
"Naku, woh doctor tujhe jaanta hai?" Dutta asked.
"Nahin woh…umm…" What was she going to say? "Woh, doctor Bade saab ke dost the issi liyeh kahin baar ghaar pe maine dekha tha unhe."
She looked to see if Dutta bought it, since he didn't ask any more questions, she assumed he did. While Dutta and Baji paced the hall, Naku slipped away. She walked through the halls of the hospital, headed toward the mandir they had, as old memories finally broke through and flooded her mind. This hospital had been like her playground. She'd come here countless times with her father during his rounds. This is where she fell in love with medicine.
Dr. Kishore Mehra had been her dads colleague and her dads best friend. He had always treated Naku like his own daughter. Every time Naku came to the hospital and her father had to consult on a case, Dr. Mehra – or Dr. Uncle as she lovingly called him – would take her to his cabin and spoil her with chocolates. Later, when her father asked where she got the chocolate from, since she was forbidden from eating them because of her cavities, she'd break and say that Dr. Uncle gave them to her. Then when her father accused Dr. Uncle of spoiling Naku, he'd promise never to give Naku candy again. However, Naku would always go to see him before she left. She would walk into his cabin, dressed in something pink or purple usually, her hair tied in pig-tails on the side of her head. She would put both hands on her ears and say, "Sorry Dr. Uncle." That was it, he melted like butter on the hot stove. That is why, even today, he was able to recognize her from that one gesture.
Naku found her way to the mandir. Sitting in front of it, she joined her hands together and began to silently pray for the well being of AS.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The wait was killing him – KILLING him. Dutta was could be a patient man but when the life of his mother was at stake, he was anything but. He was just about to go in and see what was going on when the doctor came out, followed by a stretcher carrying AS.
"Doctor kya hua?" he asked. "Woh tik toh hai naa? Meri Maa ko kuch nahin hona chahiyeh!" Immediately he caught what he said.
"Chinta maat kijiyeh Mr. Patil, aaki Maa tik hai. Main unhe ICU mein settle karke aata hoon, aap mere cabin mein intezaar kijiyeh," the doctor said.
As he walked away, Dutta asked Baji to go with him but he didn't want to leave AS alone. He looked around for Naku but couldn't find her. He told Baji to go to the doctors cabin, while he hunted down Naku and asked her to sit with AS. Dutta had an idea of where she could be but he wasn't sure. He asked a nurse for directions and then was on his way. Dutta took the elevator to the third floor lobby.
When the doors opened and he looked ahead, he saw her small figure on the floor, hands clasped in front of her, eyes closed in prayer. It struck him how devoted a maid was to his mother, when her so-called best friend couldn't be bothered to even come to the hospital. Dutta made his way to Naku. He put one hand on her shoulder and called to her, "Naku."
"Saab? Kya hua?" Naku asked as she looked up. "Aayi Sahib?"
"Tu chal mere saath, Aayi Sahib ke saath bait, mujhe doctor ke saath baath karna hai aur main Aayi Sahib ko akela nahin chodna chata," Dutta said.
"Ji…chaliyeh," was all she said as she rose to her feet.
The two of them silently walked down the halls with Naku just a few steps behind him. From the corner of his eyes, he saw her linger at various windows and signs – as if she was reliving something. Little did he know that she was thinking about the life and career she could have had at this hospital, had her father not died.
As they approached AS's room Dutta said, "Tu Aayi Sahib ke saath bait, main abhi aata hoon."
With that, Dutta began walking towards Dr. Mehra's office when he ran into him at the nurses station just down the hall.
"Aapki Maa ko ek mild heart attack hua hai," the doctor explained as Dutta listened intently.
While they talked, suddenly they heard the sound of something clattering against the floor. Dutta and Dr. Mehra both looked towards the hall when another sound came, this time of something shattering. Dutta didn't like the sound of that so he took a few steps towards AS's room. Just then, the door to AS's room swung open and a man dressed head to toe in black, his face covered with a scarf, came running out of the room. He made eye contact with Dutta and then raced down the hall in the opposite direction.
"Page security!" Dr. Mehra yelled at the nurse behind the desk.
Dutta immediately took off after the stranger, but stopped when he saw Naku staggering as she came out of AS's room. In her haste, she nearly ran into Dutta.
"Saab woh…Aayi Sahib…yeh…" Naku said as she took her left hand and raised it to her right shoulder.
It was then that Dutta saw a hypodermic needle sticking out from Naku's arm. She flinched when she pulled it out.
"Naku, tu tik toh hai naa?" Dutta asked.
Naku looked from him, to the needle in her hand, and then back at him. Then, Dutta watched in horror was her eyes rolled into her head and she began to fall. Dutta moved quickly, managing to lift her into his arms before she hit the ground.
The next few minutes passed in a blur as he placed Naku on a stretcher and she wheeled away by Dr. Mehra who was yelling orders at the nurses as they raced towards an empty room, while nurses and another doctor checked on AS. Dutta was brought back from his revere when Baji approached him.
"Kya Bhao," Baji began. "Main vahaan cabin mein tera aur doctor ka interzaar kar raha tha aur tu yahaan khada hai." When Dutta gave no response, Baji put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Bhao…"
"Hmm…" Dutta sounded as he looked a Baji.
Insantly Baji knew something was wrong. "Kya hua Bhao? Aayi Sahib tik hai naa?"
"Haan…woh…Naku…yeh…" Dutta mumbled.
"Naku? Naku ko kya hua? Kahaan hai woh?" Baji asked as he looked around for her.
Dutta had finished explaining to Baji what happened - how Naku came running out of AS's room with a needle embedded in her arm. Dutta shared his fear that this had been an attack from one of his enemies
"Doctor kya hua? Naku kaisi hai?" Dutta asked.
"Ghabraiyeh maat, woh stable hai. Kya hua, yeh hum nahin jaante magar tests kaar rahe hai," Dr. Mehra said.
"Kaise doctor hai aap!?" Dutta roared. "Kaise nahin jaante ke kya hua usse!?"
Baji stood silently was he watched Dutta react to his own reaction to the doctors news.
"I'm sorry doctor," Dutta said to the doctor who simply smiled. "Kya hum usse mil sakte hai?"
"Nahin," the doctor said. "Sirf family members milsakte hai. I'm sorry."
"Magar uske parivaar hai ya nahin…mujhe nahin paata," Dutta said.
"I'm sorry, hospital policy," the doctor said before leaving.
Baji watched Dutta take it all in, not saying one word. Baji knew from the first night in this town that his best friend was on the verge of changing. The Dutta Bhao who didn't succumb to anyone, was folding at rules implemented by the maid of the household. The serious, arrogant and poker-faced Dutta Bhao, was now a more pleasant, often smiling and joking Dutta Patil. Of course Baji had noticed this change in Dutta's personality only took place when Naku was around, but he didn't think too much of it. The girl had saved Dutta from Supriya and Sundar – anyone would be happy around her. But now – now it was something different. There was and anger in Dutta's tone a glint of possessiveness in his eyes, and a hunger for revenge that hadn't been there before.
On the other hand, only one thought ran in Dutta's mind – No attacks the people he cares for and gets away with it…no one.
"Baji…" he called.
"Haan Bhao…"
"Paata laga…jald se jald paata laga ke yeh kissne kiya hai," Dutta ordered. "Mere aapno ko chot pouchane ka haq kissi ko bhi nahin hai…kissi ko bhi nahin! Joh bhi hai, usse tu mere paas lekar aa. Main usse chodunga nahin!"
"Kaun aapna?" Baji asked.
"Kya?" Dutta asked, not sure what Baji was asking.
"Tune kahaa ke kissi ko haq nahin hai ke woh tere kissi aapne ko chot pouchaye," Baji said.
"Haan toh…"
"Tu kiski baath kaar raha hai?" Baji asked.
He looked at Baji for a second before the severity of the questions finally hit Dutta, but he tried to play it off. "Obviously, Aayi Sahib ki baath kaar raha hoon."
Baji gave Dutta knowing smile before he said, "Magar, chot toh Naku ko lagi hai." With that, he walked away.
Dutta stood dumbfounded. What had he just said? Baji was right, it was Naku that had been harmed, not AS. Then why was he getting so riled up? Of course he cared about Naku as a person, just like he cared for anyone else – then why the sudden out burst? Did he care that much?
No – he pushed all illogical thoughts out of his mind. He didn't care that much, he cared enough. Naku was a nice person that didn't deserve bad things, especially when she was not at fault for anything.
Dutta walked into AS's room with one question on his mind no matter how hard he tried to push it away – Why? Why did he care so much?
JAZ
ps: cant wait for comments 😃
Kumkum Bhagya
Anupamaa
