Anna looked at the photographs, smiled and tapped on them then raised his face to look at his assistant…photo laya isiliye bach gaya, nehi toh aaj tereko mai gar deta seedha ei samundar pe…tu log itna baikauf kyu hai re…what was the need of chasing Dutta….theek hai he was without his usual security but that bugger drives a bullet proof vehicle. Ek baath janle Dutta had employed an ex army trainer to train him and his men…he and Bajirao each are equal to 10 of you..so dimag se kam le…jaida harbari nehi karke ka…waisa ich kuch jaida hi sukh raha hai Bagira….
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Dutta walked up and down his room, he was feeling a bit restless, it was Anna no doubt but then he did have few other enemies…with them it was a status quo situation as they were avoiding encroachment onto each other's territory, they were now clearly marked with invisible lines and rules…but was it Anna? Why did he attack me seeing me driving away…he should know he cannot catch me…what was he upto….he look out his kurta and wiped the sweat of his body with it before dropping it in the basket….with a drink of water he took out his shirt then he realized it has been quite sometime that he paid visit to some women…his latest one was quiet fond of him, she doubled up as his informer too …kya nam tha…cannot recollect…he bent to pickup his mobile, Bajirao must be watching his favourite horror movies, chal nikalte hai, nam se kya hoga jab pata pata hai…when his eyes fell on the photograph kept on his bedside table ….Nakusha…he dropped the phone on the bed and picked up the photograph, it seems she was unaware she was being clicked as it was a carefree pose, must be smiling to something her brother had said…….Dutta put up the photograph on the table but face down…switching off the light he lay down….kisne rakha yeh photo….Ayi Sahib ? Why is Ayi Sahib getting so desperate that she is going against her character…
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Ayi Sahib was cleaning Ganeshji's mandap in front of the lobby when Dutta came and showed her the photograph, you kept this photo next to my bedside table….
Ayi Sahib took a look and nodded her head in negation, nehi beta I don't go upto your room nowadays, Nakusha hai na I have told her to take care of your things….
Kyu Ayi Sahib ? Why do I feel you are pushing things a bit too much, you have asked for three months time and I have agreed to it didn't I….
Ayi Sahib looked up at the Ganesh idol briefly…beta what extra am I doing? As your wife she is expected to take care of your things, like your grandmother taught me when I came as a bride to this house…aur mera farz hai ki mai Nakusha ko bhi woh sikhayu….
You are forcing her to sleep in a room alone, Kala Tai was upset and that girl too….
Toh mai kya karu…tu apna kamra me rakhegi nehi usko and now that she is married it is 'apshagun' that she shares the room with her parents…so I deemed it fit to give her, her own room…
Maine aisi baath kabhi nehi suna….
Beta I cannot recollect you arguing with me like this before…there is a first to everything, pehle nehi suna, abh sun liya abh mujhe thora kaam karne de….
Dutta strode away and Leelavati moved behind the pillar….strange it is something she also never heard before…she has been married to one of Dutta's aides and like her elder sister she also stays in this house and till her son was born, she often slept with Ayi for she also did not like to sleep alone whenever Sudarshan happened to be on tour, which he mostly is taking care of Dutta's outstation work….Ayi never told her it was 'apshagun' then….
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Nakusha was changing water of the urns and putting fresh flower in vases when a pair of feet came and stood next to her, she turned her head a wee bit to let him know she is aware of his presence…he held the photograph in front of her and asked…Yeh photo tu ne mere bistar ke pass rakha?
Mera kya mati mari gayi thi…Nakusha promptly answered startling Dutta with her bold reply…..then she pulled the photo from his hand to look at it…waise yeh khicha kisne, I do not remember posing for one….
He pulled back the photo….tujhe mere se dar nehi lagta…he asked ….
She looked into his eyes and replied…pehle lagta tha abhi nehi….
Why so…he narrowed his eyes, he never knew he was losing some of his aura….
You are not interested in me so why should I be scared of you….she asked….
Mai tera…..
Nakusha…Nakusha ..Ayi Sahib was calling out for her….
Ji Ayi Sahib she jumped up to go upto the door leading to the hall…..
Go and call Dutta, tell him Sarpanchji alongwith some Panchayat Members have come to meet him….
Nakusha turned and looked at him…..He had heard his mother alright, putting the photo in his pocket he walked past her inside the hall…
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Baaji Rao watched Nakusha sitting on the steps with her hands on her knees, looking into the horizon…Bajirao liked the girl, looks to be honest inspite of having a joker like father, who is often found stealing bottles from the house bar…., her mother is ever grieving trying to control her husband, the sister ran away with the tutor and then sold to the flesh traders by the same tutor….not that Dutta Bhau does not know all these things but then when it comes to women except for his immediate family Dutta avoids getting attached emotionally….Bajirao could not blame Dutta…
Kyu re Vehini, kya baath, udas kyu baithi hai, Bajirao asked her….
Nakusha smiled at Bajirao…bus yuhi, nothing new …..
Bajirao felt a bit uneasy then gave her a return smile….dekh dil ka bura nehi hai, it is only he is a bit tough guy…
Nakusha nodded her head…..
He will come around don't worry….Baji added…Nakusha put fresh water in the urns…..I hope so Baji Bhau…see I am not worried for me, mera kya I never wanted to get married but think about my parents, Ayi's dreams will be shattered once again…
Oh lets not think too much…as Ayi Sahib says have trust in Bappa…Baji Rao turned to leave….
Baji Bhau, can I make you a request, Nakusha called out…
Bol Vehini…..
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Dutta looked at his mother….
Sarpanchji, please don't mind, Pandit said the date was auspicious and Dutta's stars were at the right position for marriage, I did not delay…sorry we could not invite you over….
Ayi Sahib we understand but then we want to celebrate as Bhau at last has got married so please allow us to organize what we have planned….
Abh…Ayi Sahib looked at Dutta….
Well Sarpanchji I do have some work here…let me get a few things organized….then me and…Na…I mean me and my wife will come and visit the village…
No no Bhau we have already organized certain things at the village, you are our pride, our protector, your ancestors belonged to our village, very few people remember their village when they grow big in the city, you have done so much for us, we understand Ayi Sahib's logic, shubh kam me deri nehi hona chahiye so we are sure you can spend a couple of days with us….
Ha Dutta I think they are being reasonable, idhar ka keya hai, chaltei hi rahega, it is not everyday you get married and the people of the village have the right to celebrate your marriage….
Dutta narrowed his eyes, he thought his mother spoke those words too hurriedly….
Sarpanchji we will go, I will take Dutta and Bahu, you arrange whatever you want to arrange…
Dutta opened his mouth and then closed it, Ayi did not wait for his decision…
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