Note for my readers: just wanted to say thank you for your feedback i've added two chapters this time round..hope you like them both. i don't know but it feels like a long time since ive updated and so if uve forgotten what happened last..(i did 😆) then my last chapter is one page 9. basically it was closed on the hospital scene where dutta told the doctor he could see.
Chapter 5
Friendship was a funny thing especially when It came to baji and dutta. Dutta was never sure why but baji always seemed fall into a wifely character when it came to certain matters and yet again..here was another example. Journey back from the hospital and there was utter silence on bajis behalf. The only sound was the car engine..and road rubble topped with a scorching heat. Dutta takes numerous glances towards baji who had framed his face with an childlike sulking. Dutta knew baji far too well..the silence annoyed dutta yet he knew just what was wrong with baji. As for baji in order to eliminate that horrible silence he flicks the radio button in the car and a tune plays yet not for long..dutta switches it off straight away and gets to the point. As sharp and meaningful as ever yet his words were filled with some sarcastic lightness.
Dutta: "Phirse biwi wala naatak kar raha hai," duttas comment got him an irritated look from baji…yet he said nothing only carried on listening to what dutta had to say – " Agar mein tere ko baata ta naa toe tu puri patil wadi mein dhindora peet deta." That was duttas justification yet baji wasn't convinced..although when he thought upon it duttas words he knew it was true..thats just what he would have done.
Baji: "Aur nahin toe kya, dutta bhao ki ankhe theekh huyee dindhora kya mein toe bhagra karta!!!!"
Bajis comment put a smile to duttas face..the type of smile that was just about noticeable for those who really knew him well. But all in all baji was still sulking.
Dutta: "Phele toe muje apne parivar ka khyal aayay baji… sabko jaa ke kehde ta ke meri ankhe theekh ho gayi hai ..aur yey koi dhora hota...toe. une aur bhi dhuk hota baji."
Listening to what dutta had to say baji realized that his words his reasoning was heartfelt and he let it be. Baji was always very lighthearted the smallest of comments could win him over..yet his reply was something that made dutta think for a second.
"Mere ko toe pataliyay…bhao lekin vahini ka kya karoge?..uska biwi wala natak toe tujhe jelna padega.!"
Dutta gives baji one irritated stare, "Chup kar..tume iski fikar karne ki koi sarurat nahin hai." whilst dutta actually thought about it baji went on to talk.
"Bhao ek baat bolu kya?" Duttas answers with a "bol" this time bajis words were more genuine "Naku ne bohat dukh dekhe hai bhao, jabse usne aapko pyaar kiya hai tabse aaj tak. Woah sirf yehi chahti hai ke aap use apne asli chehre ke saath aapna lo. "
The moment falls with a tense silence as dutta thinks about what baji had said. Dutta was aware that baji knew of nakus past yet this was something he wanted to hear from her. In respect to that dutta gave an apt reply.. – "Tu fikar mat kar baji…mein teri vahini ka khyal rakhunga." Duttas comment came with the intention to end the conversation.
………………… Sometime later when dutta and baji reach patil niwas the one person sitting in the lounge happens to be ayi sahab. All In all there was a positive vibe, dutta was as ever keen to see naku and baji he was on cloud nine after knowing that duttas eye sight had returned. There was an evergreen smile on bajis face which just wouldn't ease. Walking alongside a very calm and collective bhao baji was almost skipping into patil niwas…
dutta noticed the way aayi sahab seemed to be in a rather meditating frame of mind. Sitting in silence she was counting upon her worship beads yet when seeing both of them enter she stops. Giving an pleasing soft smile she comments "aygay aap duno!...atcha..dutta mein there leighyey yey banaya hai. " the fact was that in all the time she spoke…and acted she didn't take a glance up from what she was doing.
Picking up some red material dutta realized that aayi sahab had knitted him a scalf…something she never really did..only when he was very young. What ever it was it made him smile.
Just as aayi sahab picks up the scalf and is about to tell dutta of it…aayi sahabs eyes meet duttas expression and she realizes that dutta was no longer wearing his glasses ayi sahab is stunned. Her eyes fill with a surprise…and her expression gleams with joy.. whilst dutta just adds a line which confirms ….
Dutta : "Laal rang atcha hai aayi sahab, taking a few steps closer to aayi sahab, dutta takes the scalf and gives a thankful smile and puts it around his neck whilst aayi sahab s eyes begin to film with tears..
Baji watched a warm motherly reaction and even he couldn't deny that his eyes were beginning to fill…. it wasn't long before aayi shahab told the rest of patil niwas yet there was one person dutta wanted to speak to personally. Looking around the house scattering his eyes he asks "Aayi sahab…naku kaha hai.."?
Overjoyed with duttas eyes aayi sahab answers…"upar kamre mein hai…" dutta looks up towards his room and remembers his words to naku.
"Mein tume vaise dekhna chahta hoon..jaise tu muje pehli baar mili thi"
………….
As dutta makes his way up the staircase to his room..noticing his reflection he pauses and takes a look at his own reflection… "kaisa dikhta hai tu dutta" were the words that came to his lips. Dutta gives an unbelievable nod at what naku had turned him into.
In simple word dutta shri ram patil looked like the only noticeable man on the planet. It was true that nakus clothing appeal was very different to what he preferred yet even dutta couldn't deny that this looked better on him. The dutta trademark was on a new level with this appearance. placing his hands behind his back in a very dutta manner…he looked down on his refection slowly…. on the whole dutta looked like a true gentlemen with only that edgy look of dutta bhao yet that only made him more appealing.
The same dutta figure…tan skinned of a mellow shade….that certain dark hair that sat in perfect place…a neat yet needed stubble ….and now came the change.
A white shirt that gave a very complementary touch to his skin color… not to mention the caliber of the shirt..finished off with silver cuff links..a collar that sat in the rounds of his waistcoat…and topped off with aayi sahabs red addition wrapped around his neck. Kind of reminded dutta of a one of those filmy heros form the 80's. Smiling at the thought there was something about this look that he was warming too. Breaking away from that thought duttas attention seeks naku and as he walks into the room…soft footsteps that sound his arrival dutta stops at a distance in the room and watches naku..getting ready. She had changed into that pink salvar kameez of hers….tied her hair in a traditional plat. Standing in front of the dressing table she fails to see duttas reflection.
Reminding herself of duttas words naku opens a certain drawer of the dressing table and reaches for a small container…opening up the wooden furnishing within was a small decorative container embossed with flowers as naku removed the lid within was that dark koyal color that she had used over the past. Naku rubs her fingers into the color and just as she is about to apply it to her face dutta stops her.
Dutta: "Rukh jaa naku!" hearing duttas tone naku turns around at once. By habit naku drops her eyes to the floor. It was a mixture of nerves and a combination of respect for dutta but dutta loved this reaction of hers. She was submissive and there was something very innocent about it. Taking very defined steps closer to naku…naku can feel dutta getting closer and his footsteps are heard. her sight on the floor watches duttas feet get closer and her heartbeat fluctuates. Dutta is aware that naku has not yet laid eyes on him and he takes advantage of the moment. Stopping at a close distance he looks over naku and questions.
"Yey kya kar rahin hai naku?" without raising her expression from the floor naku speaks, "Sahab aapne hein kaha tha… "- dutta stops naku there. "Nahin naku …tune muje samaj ne mein galti kardi." Dutta shakes his head realizing that naku had misunderstood. stepping even closer dutta speaks with a sense of intensity.
"Mein… toe woh naku ki baat kar raha tha jo muje baar baar bhashan de ti thi..woh naku jo muje peene se rokh ti thi…woah naku jise mere guse se daar nahin lagta tha.
kahin na kahin muje aisa laga ke meine us naku ko kahin kho diya hai.Is patvrata naku ke chakar mein meine ek dost khoya hai. "
As naku realizes she feels a sense of relief as well as comfort, somewhere deep down naku feared of duttas love for her dark tone. It upset her till this point so much so that it lifted a weight off her shoulders hearing this from dutta. naku closed her eyes in a soft relief at what she had just experienced. How she had thanked bappa for this was a long awaited moment for her. fiddling with her pink duppata naku still keeps her sight lowered and apologizes. – "maafi sahab..meine aapko samaj ne mein galti kar di."
Dutta smiles at that innocence of naku and his eyes sparkle with the thought that she does not yet know about his eyesight.
As naku finally clicks and thinks about how dutta had known of what she was doing she happens to takes glance up and realizes..
"Magar aapko kaise pata chala ke mein rang…." Looking up by chance naku catches glimpse of her husband and her face lights up. Her eyes give a spark of surprise and she is speechless yet she still manages to talk. As dutta stands before naku..he crosses his arms infront of his chest and watches nakus joy grow into tears and broken words.
"Sahab…aapki ankhe…aap dekh sakte ho...?"
Dutta smiles at naku…his eyes admire nakus beauty as he speaks.
Tu aise bohot khubsurat dikhti hai naku. Naku coulnt belive her own eyes..a mixture of shock, happiness…and embaressment naku starts to go a shade of crimson at duttas comment. Unable to look at him nor think of anything appropriate to say naku..steps closer and rests her head on duttas shoulder. In response dutta..accepts her blushing and puts his free hand over nakus head..
As naku rests on dutta, dutta feels the dampness of her tears on his shirt. Knowing that they were tears of joy dutta dismisses them yet touches on something more..
"Ek baat samajle naku..ab se is kala rang ko tu kabhi haath nahin lagayey gi" those words were more of a commandment from dutta then an request and naku accepted. Still resting on duttas shoulders naku..wispers words…
"Mein vada karti hai sahab…aaj se ek berang zindagi jeeyeyge rang hoga toe woah sirf aapke naam ka hoga." Dutta comforts naku .. who behind her words is content in his presence.
………. With each and everyone's celebration at seeing dutta with his eyesight back, dutta and naku got no time together what so ever. In someway naku preferred that it was that way just because she was out of words for dutta. Her love was bound in a nervous sort of fear..a little bit like that of a newly wed bride. Naku didn't really know how to behave or was just scared of those moments that were to develop between herself and dutta.
naku was busy in house chores or at least occupied herself… changing herself back into a pale yellow shade of saari naku looked glowed with radience more so with the joy of dutta having returned. in every task she took up ..all she did was think about dutta. The first word constantly on her lips was "sahab" and sub consciously all she thought of was dutta. As the time runs through to later on mid evening ..its dinner time at Patil Niwas, a generally upbeat family atmoshphere with smiles across the dinning table as..baji…aayi sahab, kishore and the rest of the sisters take a seat at the dining table. The dominating chair at the top of the table is vacant while the family wait for dutta aayi sahab encourages naku who is standing at a little distance behind duttas chair to take a seat.
Aayi sahab: "Naku ..tu bhi aake beht jaa.."
Naku smiling with an deep intention not to give in naku refuses. "Nahin aayi sahab aap sab khalo…mein baad mein khalengi." Just as naku finishes talking dutta walks into the dining area. Something about his presence made naku flinch..and gaze in his direction. Dutta simply walked in and took a seat at the table…not as much as a look towards naku yet she still managed to feel butterflies within just at his mere presence. Dutta looked across the table and was pleased to see content happy faces. From the corner of his eyes dutta could see naku standing to the side of his chair. Placing his elbows on the dining table dutta entwines his hands in front the lower part of his face and takes a glace at naku… "tu nahin khayeygi?" his tone of voice was as ever very substantial in making naku skip a beat yet for a moment duttas eyes locked with nakus and she dropped her gaze immediately. "Nahin sahab mein…baad mein khalegi." Dutta answers nakus comment by moving his hands away from the empty plate in front of him. It was a silent request for naku to serve food and that's just what she did. Naku was put on the spot a little as she was unsure as to serve aayi sahab first..as in oldest first or dutta whom was naturally considered the head of the household as well as her sahab. There was a little pause on nakus behalf yet aayi sahab solved her dilemma with her smile. "Dekh kya rahi hai naku…dutta ko khaana de."
All eyes are on nakusha and dutta as naki silently serves duttas food..the fact was that the..way in which both of them interacted put a smile on each and every face at the table. Dutta couldn't take his eyes off naku..and naku…under duttas watch she began to feel wary. Dutta along with the rest of the family noticed how whilst putting food in duttas place nakus hands shivered ever so slietly. Dutta watched over…naku…putting rice into his plate adding dal there was a sense of uneasiness…her hand was unsteady. Dutta watched over it yet said nothing.
Nakusha attended to the family as they ate…slowly one after the other individual members finished eating and took there leave from the table. First aayi sahab..folding her hands in front of the plate thanks god as per her routine and leaves the table. Later on kishore ..leaves. leela and roops leave sometime after and left at the table is dutta who is still eating and baji and madhu who sit side by side. Baji still very much swallowing food like he had never seen it before carries on whilst madhu notices a moment between naku and dutta.
Dutta eats, naku watches him silently from the corner. A romantic moment comes to light for madu and she gives baji a nudge with her elbow "atcha bhaiya.. hamne toe bhot khaliya ham chalet hai." baji is surprised to hear madu making an excuse for him as well yet a little later on he clicks and they both leave the table. Leaving dutta and naku on there own. Dutta continues to eat silently whilst naku stands in the corner…the sound of cutlery hitting the place is the only thing heard. Dutta finishes his last intake of food and puts down his spoon. Washing his hands within his plate..dutta reaches into his trouser pocket and pulls out a handkerchief. Wiping his hands clean. Naku watches all this silently glancing up now and again at him.
Finishing off in a neat and tidy manner dutta looks to his side at naku. "aaja" naku looks up confused..seeing those eyes demanding a move from her naku innocently walks closer to the table..
"Yaha beht.." duttas eyes direct naku towards the chair in front of him but she refuses.
"Nahin sahab mein teekh hai.."
Dutta doesn't take any excuses and reaches out to move the chair out for naku.
Naku takes a soft look up to duttas expression and does as he say. Sitting before him naku defers from looking at dutta yet she watches the movement he creates on the table.
Placing a clean plate in front of naku… dutta reaches over to a food container…naku tries to stop him yep one of his deep stares and naku Is defeated. Dutta slowly adds food to nakus plate. Pours water into a glass and then he pauses. Waits for her to start eating.
"Kha le naku…" the way in which dutta watched over her made naku conscious of her every move. There was something about him that made her nervous and even now..whilst eating naku was hesitant and shakey.. yet after a few minutes she relaxed. She ate without a glance towards dutta just because she knew a glance towards him and she would loose herself.
Naku ate silently…and dutta watched her…admired her yet he couldn't help thinking about how hesitant she had become after the marriage. She was much more timid cautious and nervous around him and maybe that was the thought that made him ask.
Dutta: "Tu khush toe hai naa naku?"
naku looks up from her food and her eyes are filled with confusion to why he was asking.. Silently she adds "sahab mein bohot kush hai..," speaking with all the love in her heart..nakus eyes sparkled as she confirmed her happiness. Her comment eased dutta somewhat yet as she went back to eating dutta added.
"Mere ko aisa lagta hai ke tu kisi baat se paarishan hai…kuch kehna chahti hai,"
And it was true there was something naku wanted to share with him yet it looked like dutta had forgotten his own words. naku is unsure weather to speak or not but with the soft silence and the way dutta had been mellow throughout the day she knew he would understand. "Sahab mein…aapko apne aatit ke bare mein baatana chahti thi lekin aap ne hein kaha tha ke jaab sahi samyey aayeyga toe aap muj se phuch loge."
Dutta recalls his own words and remembers how he had stopped naku not only that but it would be his permission that she would speak on with. That was then and this is now. Dutta carried certain reassurance in his eyes as he spoke..looking over naku who had lowered her expression.
Dutta: "Tere dil kya kehta hai naku…kya tu mere ko baatana chahti hai?" listening to what dutta has to say nakus expression rises with a worry…yet as always she has the courage to face the dreaded.
naku nodds a hesitant yes.. without look at dutta. dutta new that it was going to be one of those arkward conversations yet nothing really shook dutta bhoa but he could already see the traces of fear in nakus expression.
"Toe baata..mein sun raha hai.." naku finds it hard..her eyes scatter around..she finds it hard to even look at dutta never mind put her words together yet when she does take a glance up she sees…a deep concern…in duttas eyes..a warmth for her which helps.
Dar lag ta hai sahab… dutta makes out nakus distress and rises from his seat… looking up at dutta naku feels a little worried at the sudden action yet his eyes only read..concern for her. Watching over her for a second…dutta looks away.. naku was unsure if it was disappointment on duttas behalf but she dared not question. Before she could think further dutta had spoke. Asking rather demanding that naku to accompany him. "Mere saath chal.."
……………….. Dutta drives naku to certain destination.. the journey goes in total silence..naku takes glances at dutta now and again..wondering where he was taking her. a farmiliar and short journey ends in dutta driving the car to the mandir naku regularly visits. Surprised by this reaction of duttas naku watches him get out of the car and open the door for her to do the same. As naku is about to question him dutta takes the first word.
"Jaa naku…apnne bapa ke darshan kar ke aa….agar tere bappa kahe ke yey vakt sahi hai toe joe bhi ho muje bataata de naa aur mein sungu ga." Naku was touched my the real warmth in duttas gesture. His words gave her conficence and a way to in which to hold together. From this moment she knew that dutta was as she predicted soft centered beneath that hard front he put up.
…Nakusha completes her darshan in the mandir whilst dutta takes a seat In front of the water edge that sat below the mandir staircase. Feeling peaceful, calm and in tact with the goodness of the recent happenings in his life..dutta catches his refection in the water that smiles back at him.
Naku walks down the staircase..with what looks to be a puja thal..seeing dutta sitting at a distance she walks down the array of stairs and takes a seat next to him. Putting the puja plate to her side she silently admires the view for a second.
Without looking at naku Duttas words break the silence: "tere bappa ne kya kaha naku"
Naku answers softely…her attention is swept by deep thought but every word is ment for dutta, "bappa ne yey ishaara kiya ke mein aapko sabkuch batadoon." Hearing those words from naku…dutta takes look to his side at naku…his eyes almost try to ditermine if this was something that naku was doing by obligation or something she wanted to do. Not taking his eyes off her dutta wants to comfirm. "aur tu..tu kya chahti hai naku…?" naku lifts her expression and her eyes meet duttas. - "Muje bhi…apni baat kehni hai sahab.."
The look in nakus eyes was of pure ditermination…dutta knew that to talk of old wounds would be painful and he could see that pain already stirring in nakus eyes.
But naku spoke…she talked about her..past…the exisitance of her sister..her aayi's way of protecting her and her longing to have always shared the truth with him.
Nakus sorrow began to melt and with it..dutta realized the truma she had been through. The way in which dutta provided a warm silence…a shoulder to cry on and the look of concern in his eyes consoled naku. To know he was there by her side was enough.
………………
Dutta and nakusha walk into Patil Niwas. An heartfelt revelation had been made my naku ..and a certain softness in her eyes..and a drained look..if you looked closely enough you would be able to see the significance of what were tears. Wiping her eyes and adjusting her look so know one would notice naku composes herself. Where as duttas is as ever collective..his manner carries the same tradmark as ever. From the exterior dutta remained unchanged yet his mind was constantly thinking about naku. Nakus past…all she had been through..but all those thoughts sparked something for dutta.
Naku and dutta walked into the presence of the family sitting round the lounge. It looked like family socializing time as everyone expect aayi sahab seemed to be sitting around a game of cards. All with there individual sets of cards sit around the table in an competitive sporting mood. Even though this seemed to be going on baji never failed to pass a comment and he was very quick here too.
baji: "Kya bhao vaini ko night drive pein legayey the kya…??" bajis comment buts a smile on all faces except duttas who didn't like the teasing at all. Dutta passes a glare at baji which amuses baji even more where as naku has nothing to do with the moment and stands silently behind dutta. In her mind the thought of baji passing these comments makes her feel on edge
However totally avoiding the subject dutta has something of his own to mention. Putting his hands behind his back in a very superior manner..it was a sign that dutta was letting them know of one of his decisions.
Dutta: "Aayi sahab meine faisla leya hai ke… mein aur naku bahar jaayeyge kuch dino ke leighey."
Not only does that surprise aayi sahab and the rest of the family but naku too. The whole of the family seem to light up in joy Because what dutta really meant was honeymoon. As for Naku she was confused dutta had not mentioned it yet she didn't have time to think over it as aayi sahab approved. Her approval could not have been stronger and by the time naku had thought twice dutta had walked away to his room…she watched him walk away yet for naku she was pulled into spending time with the rest of the family. Naku took a seat next to madhu who was very much engrossed in her game of cards yet she still found time to tease naku. Nudging her silently with her elbow Madhu cannot help but mention it… "kya bhabhi..honeymoon.." as nakus innocence finally clocks on she realizes and begins to feel her embarrassment give way.
