note for my readers: hey guys thank you very much for all your lovely comments on my last chapter. Really amazed by the response. You all seemed to like it! Here is the next one, hopefully it will live up to your expectations. Aw yep..please do tell me what you think and feel free to say as much as you want..feel a little lonely today..could do with a chat!!🤔😆 okay..here we go..
Chapter 24
On his way home driving in the darkness of the night Dutta is just a short distance away from Patil Niwas when he stops his car seeing a vehicle broken down. As white ambassador car stopped in the middle of the road almost blocking the way. The driver of the car seemed to have the bonnet open and was trying to fix the problem.
Dutta takes a look at the situation before him recognising the lady stood outside the car as Aayi shahabs doctor. Dutta steps out of his jeep and approaches her..
"Doctor aap yaha?" Seeing Dutta the doctor is unaware that he knows nothing of nakushas accident and happens to unknowingly tell him.
"
Bhau.. aap fikar mat kijyey vahini ab theekh hai..mein abhi aapke ghar se hein aarahein hoon woh toe meri gadi raaste mein gharab ho gayi."Duttas expression creases in a mix of confusion and worry, If something had happened to Nakusha why wasn't he aware of it?
….
Darkness of a rather dreary night and as Dutta parks his car rashly in front of Patil Niwas, his presence is defined by a storming anger. Visible his eyes for his black attire blended in with the misty surroundings. Getting out of his jeep Dutta storming into Patil Niwas walking from his parked jeep to the doors of the house his expression creased in concern and eyes bore a visible anger. Why was he not told of nakusha's accident? was what made his blood boil more so the worry of that pain she had gone through wounded dutta within at the thought. The way his walk was swift yet powerful even the guard who saluted with promptness on seeing dutta had worked out that he was in no pleasant mood.
…Within Patil Niwas as the rest of the family sleep in there respective rooms baaji had insisted that he would wait for dutta and then go on to explain about nakushas accident but Aayi sahab was adamant to stay for she knew Dutta wouldn't be easy to handle. As baaji walked the floor of the lounge up and down in worry left hand In his royal blue kurta pocket with the right hand which rustled his hair worriedly. On the other hand Aayi sahab watching baaji trail up and down nervously counts on her prayer beads silently until heavy footsteps are sounded there attention is drawn towards Dutta who walks into the entrance.
Baaji is quick to react walking towards Dutta who's approach seems ruthless and eyes dark in fury baaji walks in front of dutta stopping him in his steps. Unaware that dutta was already aware baaji thinks about how to initially begin the conversation and tell Dutta of Nakushas injury but he isn't given a chance.
Dutta bellows with an intensity..
"BATAYA KYUN NAHIN MUJE!!!" grabbing hold of baaji's collar his eyes are unforgiving. Fuming anger there is a certain concern to his expression that is hidden amongst that anger of his, amongst those eyes of his. As duttas voice rises in anger the surroundings are shuddered. "
Aise kya dekh raha hai baaji, jaise muje kuch pata nahin chalta..aur chalta bhi kaise woah toe us doctor ne baataya tab pata chala ke meri patni .." dutta pauses a second and the look in his eyes is intolerant something that even shakes baaji who is lost for words. "BATA muje aisa kya hua ke tu muje ek baar bol nahin saka!!" Baaji duttas voice loudly overpowering in such a way that his voice is heard upstairs..
Madu walking the corridors of the upper floor of Patil Niwas is just about to approach dutta and nakushas room carrying a white medicene tray. Within It nakushas medication just as madu gets to the door of the bedroom hearing duttas loud bellowing she overlooks from the balcony of the stairs and her face changes into worry. Watching the way dutta was ruthlessly sounding his words madhu had gathered that dutta had hurd of Nakushas injuries from the doctor and turns into the room to alearnt Nakusha.
As madhu walks into the bedroom..she finds naksuha..sitting silently in on the right corner of her bed dressed in a blue dark blue churidar ..nakushas expression drained..it was as if she was listening to dutta's voice whilst overlooking the framed photo of him by her bedside Strangely enough there was no worry or concern on her face contrary there as a light ease to that expression of hers. Madhu walking into the room puts down the tray by nakusha on the bed and Is quick to inform..
bhabhi bhaiya aagayey hai..aur shayad une aapke haadse ke bare mein doctor se pata chala hai. aap unka ghuza jaante ho naa. Nakusha takes the matter with ease which confuses her but listening to naku's words madhu realised that she understood dutta better than anyone.
"jaanti hai mein une madhu..chot muje laagi hai par..dard mujse syada une ho raha hai."Meanwhile downstairs unable to explain with dutta's intimidation and anger baaji stumbles on his words which irritates dutta further "
Bhau woah..woh toe naku.." impatient dutta raises his voice further.
"BOL!!!" When aayi sahab who is watching mortified from a distance intervenes. Walking closer to dutta..putting her hand to duttas right shoulder aayi sahab sounds her words strongly yet with as much calmness as ever.
"Dutta chor isee…mere kehne par usne tuje kuch nahin baatayay..naku ke kehne par woh chup raha." The mention of nakusha in aayi sahabs words and dutta let go off baaji. Turning to aayi sahab his eyes along with his expression carried a certain distress as Aayi sahab attempted to explain. "
Nakusha nahin chahti thi ke tu kaam ke vakt aur parishan ho Dutta, woah bohot dard seh rahin hai dutta." Aayi sahab looking into Dutta's eyes could see those eyes that were filled with nothing but concern for Nakusha. Silently turning to look up towards his room from this distance…seeing the light shining behind the fallen white curtains of his bedroom all that mattered to him now was Nakusha.
… Within Dutta and Nakusha's bedroom nakusha sits on the edge of the bed. Dressed in a deep blue churi daar dress with a red dupatta that hung over her shoulders this was deemed a more comfortable attire for her burns. Her back angled towards madhu who stood behind her, Next to madhu on the bed sat the tray of medicine. It carried cotton wool, an container of liquid ointment which was of a very medicated off green colour and came from it a strong scent, various sachets of tablets and dressings which were are necessary for nakushas wounds. Madu picking up some cotton wool dipped it into the ointment looking over the back of nakushas dress which was unhooked and open Madhu carefully pulled away the existing dressing. A rectangular shaped white padded bandage she unpeeled with care and her face creased horrified by what she had seen in terms of injury she looked away for a moment and reopened them overlooking that scared skin on nakushas back. As she felt nakusha shudder Madu paused for a second… "aap theekh hai naa bhabi?" Madu simply saw the way in which Nakusha nodded a yes from the back.but little did she know that Nakusha's expression was filled with pain. Her eyes closed and her hands wrapped tightly around her mangalsutra she didn't expect this to be anything other than painful but this was unbearable even for her. Seeing the extent of Nakushas burns from the midd half of her right shoulder down to her lower back there was a strand of skin that had been injured, Madhu didn't think about it any further. Instead she was determined to be strong for Nakusha and that's just what she was. Dipping that cotton wool into the medicated liquid Madhu was just to about to touch upon Nakushas back when certain footsteps are audible and she pauses. Nakushas eyes open as those footsteps are sounded those footsteps familiar, sharp, authoritative and defined. Many a times had those footsteps played on her heart, when he was to be feared or when she awaited him to return home from a long day apart or simply the sound of him passing which was enough to make her heart skip a beat. She knew who it was with instance. Her eyes although full with pain grew a certain comfort as looked towards the entrance. Her eyes took her from the floor up, his dark shoes that sleek parting through his black trousers, that black suited attire which was particular to only him and finally up to his expression which only she could read. Stern, concerned, serious and still with traits of anger his eyes dutta was emotionally compromised as he stood before Nakusha his eyes upon Nakusha and then Madhu. Seeing Dutta at the entrance of the room Madu quickly pulls nakusha's duppata over her back to cover her open wounds where as Nakusha's eyes continually watch Dutta. Her glow with emotion, she had awaited for what seemed like so long and he was finally before her. all she wanted was for him to be close for with him by her side she could endure any pain.
As Dutta overlooks them both Nakusha's eyes would not leave his presence she looked at him in a certain relief, a certain hope that now he was here everything would be better grew on hr expression. The longing to see him was over yet she knew what was going through his mind. The fact that she had hidden the incident from him was something that he had took to heart and that was visible in those eyes of his. A tense silence falls in the room as Dutta's eyes on look Nakusha silently. They carry a mixture of distress, sorrow, anger, hurt and even relief on finally seeing Nakusha. Madu feeling as if she was intruding on the moment feels a little awkward with the situation and excuses herself cautious of brother's reaction. Her eyes scatter from Dutta to Nakusha as she sounds her words.
"
Bhabhi mein baad mein aati hoon", Nakusha does not react to Madhu's words she simply goes on looking towards dutta for that comfort she needed. Dutta's eyes trail from Nakusha to Madhu but he is silent. Watching Madhu silently walk past, her footsteps leaving the room again a profound silence falls and Dutta's eyes trail to Nakusha noticing the way in which Nakusha eyes awaited for him duttas eyes stare with a mix of emotion. "Aise kya dekh rahin hai muje?" Nakusha knew this her husband trying to stick to his anger for in his eyes there was nothing but affection.
Turning to his side Dutta stood side on from Nakusha not looking at her for he new that looking at her would only soften him.
Duttas words carried a hint of irritation and anger amongst all his concern for nakusha was apparent.
"Aise kya dekh rahin hai!,Jab tere saath itna sab kuch hogayay tab batana saruri nahin samja toe aab kya sarurat hai meri. Apna khayal nahin rakh sakti tu!.." - Nakusha feeling the need for comfort, maybe for the first time ever she interrupts him but in a very subtle manner -
"Sahab.."Her tone of voice soft, there was a sentiment of emotion in the way she called for him. The term "sahab"from Nakusha was always something that melted Dutta. Nothing could convince Dutta Shri Ram Patil put when his wife addressed him as sahab something gave away within him. Each and every time this hit a soft spot. Turning his expression to her and seeing those eyes of hers, filmed in tears, longing for him to acknowledge her just once Duttas expression softened with instance.
Walking towards, her duttas footsteps against the wooden floor are sounded as he approaches stops close and looks over her. Looking up at from an angle that she sits at Nakusha's eyes carry the traits of pain that she was enduring physically . Duttas expression eases yet seeing that pain in Nakushas eyes a sorrow fills him within yet yet for her his eyes glow in reassurance. Nakusha sees Dutta step back, she feels him walk around the side of the bed looking over hear back, Nakusha closes her eyes as she feels Dutta lift away her duppta and reveal her burns.
Looking at those wounds of hers, pain and injury was nothing new for Dutta Shri Ram Patil. Many a time had he seen much more horrific instances yet he looks over nakushas wounds and the strength within him gives a way for a moment. Closing his eyes for a second after seeing the extent to which nakusha was hurt. Dutta reopens his them and as strong as ever his expression turns back to the norm yet his eyes are moist. Pulling Nakushas red dupatta back over her open shoulder dutta steps around the bed closer to nakusha. Stroking his right hand over her head in a gesture of affection. Nakusha feeling duttas touch feels a relief she had much awaited. Ringing her arms around duttas waist tightly hugging him dutta supports Nakusha in an embrace silently and as she rests upon him feels her tears droplets against his attire.
...
Early next morning and as Madhu approaches Dutta and Nakushas bedroom again a tray of medication in her hands, dressed in her usual western attire. A black cardigan over a hot pink t-shirt, denim jeans and as always a soft content on her expression she stops at the door of the bedroom which is partially open. Knocking on the wooden surface and then pausing for a second or two, Madhu opens the door further and the sight before her she find adorable. Nakusha sleeps on Dutta's shoulder comfortably her back rested against pillows that sad between her and the headboard and Dutta too fast asleep with his head rested against the back of the headboard and his arm around Nakusha. Madhu doesn't want to disturb them but as she walks in trying to be silent her presence awakens both of them. Nakusha and Dutta's eyes begin to strain as they awake. Dutta looks around the room seeing madhu he rubs his eyes slightly and looks down on nakusha who slowly parts from him. not wanting to have awoken them in this way Madhu apologies.
'Sorry meine aapko disturb kiya bhaiya, woah mein bhabhi ko taayar hone mein madat karne aayi thi." Dutta nods in tiredness while Madhu puts the tray down on the side table, Dutta makes acknowledgement of the moment and moving off the bed agrees to freshen up downstairs. Opening his wardrobe looking upon its content a little tired Dutta pulls over his head the black kurta he had been wareing from the night before and puts it to a side, takes out his red towel he swings it around his neck and then selects his white kurta pulling it out Dutta rests it on his left arm and then closes the wardrobe.
Turning to Nakusha in the process of heading out of the room Duttas' eyes glow in affection for her. Seeing Nakusha much more relaxed than in the night Dutta knew Nakusha would get through this. Dutta walks a few steps past the bed to leave the room when Nakusha stops him. "
Sahab.." Dutta turns his expression to Nakusha with an ease seeing those eyes asking for him not to leave her dutta reassures her that he wouldn't be long.
As Dutta walks the corridors carrying that tiredness on his expression, a look that was rare for Dutta for he was always perfected in terms of attire but this morning things differed a little that white vest topped with the red towel round his neck and his hair a little out of place Dutta heads towards the guest room carrying his Kurta when he sees Baaji approaching.
Dressed in a dark green kurta Baaji seems to in a world of his own as he sings to himself some filmy track a skip to his step as usual he fails to notice Dutta but as he does all that joy of goes out of the window. Thinking over the way Dutta had erupted at him last night baaji didn't want to face that for a second time and turns around quickly in the hope to walk in the opposite direction but he wasn't so lucky as dutta had seen the way baaji had turned away and stopped him. " BAAJI!"
Hearing Duttas voice from a distance Baaji with his back to Dutta rustles his hair annoyed at himself.
"Ab pure Patil Niwas mein tere ko yehi raasta mila tha baaji..ab phir se class lene wala hai bhau." Baaji turning around anticipating Dutta to be angry at him again his posture a little unsure Baaji rustles his hair with his left hand nervously while Dutta approaches and stops before him. Contradictory to what Baaji had expected Dutta put his hand over Baajis right shoulder and his expression was composed and words even more so.
Kal agar tu nahin hota toe naku, dutta pauses there and the silence is enough to potrat what dutta was trying to say.
"kal meine tere par kusha kiya woah bina soche samje tha baaji." Baaji seeing a regret in duttas eyes baaji touches upon Duttas hand that is over his shoulder.
"Kya reh bhau naku meri vaihni hai..jaise tere leighyey meri jaan hazir hai uske leighyey bhi jaan de sakta hai yeh baaji." Baaji smiles at Dutta and whatever last night had been was forgotten. Dutta pats Baaji on the shoulder and for baaji that gesture showed that Dutta was proud of him. Changing the subject a little to something more norm Dutta speaks with his usual tone, "Attcha ..muje thujse kuch baat karni hai." Baaji acknowledges Duttas words and nods a yes. "Ho bhau tu tayar hojaaon phir aata hai mein."
……….
A refreshed Dutta in his white kurta, his hair wet yet neatly brushed back he walks into room sometime after having got ready, consumed his breakfast and given Nakushsa the time she required to get ready. Dutta walks into his room and at a distance sees Nakusha on her own, looking into the mirror with her back towards him. Nakusha Dressed in a bright yellow and white churidar dress even though she seemed weak she carried the same radiance as ever. Dutta could see the way Nakushas wounds were freshly dressed, her hair plated neatly dropped over hear back yet dutta noticed how the back of nakushas dress was still unhooked. Madhu had missed this detail so the hook loose left Nakushas dressing and back visible.
Unaware of Duttas presence Nakushas expression tired, drained as she looks in the mirror. The existence of discomfort visible on her expression she looks over the dressing table at her mangalsutra and that container of sindhoor that sat on the wooden surface. Trying to reach that sindoor container with her injured side, Nakusha struggles. Just about being able to knock the lid of the container she puts her fingers into the red powder but straining her back in the process Nakushas expression creases in pain and she stops. Closing her eyes for a second to endure the pain Nakusha feels a certain touch to her back. Opening her eyes looking into the mirror she sees dutta behind her. Dutta without a glance into the mirror carefully moves Nakushas plated hair away over her left shoulder. Putting his fingers to the open fastening of her dress he hooks her dress fastening the loose ends. Stepping around Nakusha on the left dutta picks up her mangalsutra from the dressing table stepping back behind naku dutta rings the mangalustra around her neck and fastens it at the back. Nakusha watching the way in which Dutta had done these minor things for her feeling of overwhelm took shape within. She had never hoped for Dutta to carry out these rituals, for he was never one to be interested in small details for him his relationship wasn't made up of these details but more the inner of feelings he had for on the other hand for Nakusha these were moments she had dreamed of.
Dutta placing his hands over Nakusha shoulders looks into the mirror and notices the way Nakusha looks at him. Het eyes full of grace and affection, Dutta turns Nakusha softly so she faced him but as Dutta looked over nakusha he noticed the way nakushas eyes searched the floor in front of her. Dutta silent his eyes glowed with a certain ease for Naku, stepping around her Nakusha watches the way in which dutta reaches over the dressing table. Taking a little sindhoor with his thumb and index finger he steps back to nakusha overlooking her intimately reaching over nakushas forhead he fills her parting. Nakusha who had momentarily closed her eyes, opens them, her eyes filled with a certain pleasure of the moment Naku speechless watches over duttas expression for a second as duttas hand run past nakushas head and then down to her right cheek. Dropping her eyes to the floor she tires lower herself, reaching for dutta's feet in blessing but dutta Is quick to stop her for her pain in doing so was visible.
"Bas.."dutta having hold of Nakushas shoulders gently helps her posture up putting his hand within hers he leads her to the bed sitting her down. Dutta Pulling those lime green pillows behind her back he insists that from now on she was only to rest till.
Ab se tu baas aaram karegi nakusha, nakusha silently listens to duttas wishes and isn't given a chance to speak.
Just as dutta helps nakusha sit back on the bed comfortably, Baaji at the entrance of the room knocks on the surface of the open door to get Duttas attention. Naku and dutta both looking towards the entrance, dutta invites Baaji into the room while he walks further into the room leaving nakusha and Baaji alone for a second to socialize.
"Kya reh..naku..ab kaisa lag raha hai tere ko? Aaram karne ka..poua kha ne ka aaram karne ka.."Nakusha as ever amused by the type of lightness in Baajis character tells him that she is feeling a little better now whilst Dutta walks back with a certain black file in his hands and hands it over to baaji. Putting his hands behind his back in his usual posture duttas words are very serious
"Baaji aajse tuje dhanda sambhal naa hai, jab taak naku theekh nahin hotaaji mein yaha ghar par rahoonga." listening to dutta nakusha didn't want to come in the way of duttas work and was about to tell him there was no need for this but she wasn't given a chance as dutta went on to speak. "mein ghar pein reh kar kaam karunga, tuje bahar ka kaam sambhal naa hai." baaji understanding his role in all his confirms that he is aware of what is required. "Ho bhau..aap fikar mat karo..mein hai naa."
Dutta as sharp as usual warns baaji,
"Koi galti nahin honi chahiyey baaji" to which Baaji reassures Dutta and is just about to leave the room when Nakusha stops him.
"Baaji ek minuit rukh!" Baaji turning around looks Dutta who stands with his hands folded across his chest takes a glance as nakusha listening as she asks baaji to approach.
"Idhar aa..".Baaji curious of what Nakusha wanted looks at Dutta for a second whose eyes signal towards nakusha in a very permissible manner. Baaji approches nakusha bed..taking a seat at the side.kya hai naku..? Baaji watches nakusha untie the red dhaga from her right wrist..and tie it around his hand. Baaji traitens his arm a little to make it eaiser for naku. Are naku..iski kya saarurat hai..?
Tying the strands together in a knot nakusha explains..
"yeh teri rakhsha karega baaji." Baaji smiles at Nakusha for a second and then as usual passes one of his comments. Agar yeh dhaga tu mere pein bhandegi toe teri raksha kaun karega..
Nakusha amused at baajis comment her eyes trail to dutta who overlooks them both. As her eyes lock with duttas for a second she answers baajis question in a way that puts a smile on duttas face. "Sahab heh naa.." As Baaji gets up to leave the room walking past dutta he stops before him pulling one of his sarcastic conversations for fun.
"Bhau..tu mere ko kuch nahin dega kya..?" Knowing full well that baaji ki nautangi had begun, dutta looks rather serious as he replies
"Ek ghuma ke du kya.. ?" expecting nothing less from dutta, Baaji tries to explain in his own humorous way but duta just goes on to listen silently.
"
Nahin reh bhau hameza maarne ki kyun baat karta hai.
Are bhau..ashirwaad dene ka naa, vijay bhava! aisa kuch dialogue maarne ka ke nahin." Although Nakusha found baajis words amusing for dutta it was the norm.. answering back very seriously duttas words are more like a warning.
"Baaji tu jaata hai yay.." Stopping Dutta from going down that root Baaji is quick to interrupt.
"jaata hai jaata hai .."and leaves the room.
Baaji leaving a rather light and airy atmosphere watching him leave Dutta turns back to Nakusha for a second and seeing laughter on her face his lips crease in the form of a smile too.
Edited by jagrutid - 14 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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