She will pay.Sudarshan will pay.Each one who caused pain to my Aayi, to my brother, to my sisters will pay with their blood.This is the promise of Dutta Shreeram Patil.
Nakusha tries to fortify my belief in her Bappa.She begs for my sight to be restored to stones. Before I could stop myself I tell her her pleas will fall on deaf ears.But she will persist this I know. No one can shake her immense faith in her best friend.Not even me.
They are here.I know someone is here.Nakku? Ok she is right near me praying.They walking towards us now.No.Not walking.Rushing.Rushing towards us.More than one.Have they found us already? My heart sank. I was glad I found a place to keep Nakku safe for the time being.I should have known.Too good to last.As always.The story of my life. I want my gun. No gun here. They are nearly here now.
What should I..... Ah! here's a thick branch.I kick it up & keep it ready."Hey! What are you doing?" It is man's voice.I attack him as he rushes towards me & Nakku.There is a scream.A woman? Who are these....The man is onto me again.I tackle him & hold him immobile against me.The man is powerful & puts up a great struggle so I hold him even more tightly. The woman is pleading to let her husband go.Her husband? Nakku too is pleading for me to let go.Are they some innocent forest dwellers? The man screams that I am assaulting him on his own land.His Land? These are owners of this place? What was I thinking? I attacked the man in whose house I spent the day.I apologise. I feel awful for treating the couple this way.There is something about the man that reminds me of..... Yes.Jagtap. There is something so reassuring about him.I am beginning to trust the man already.The ever trusting Nakku now has misgivings but I have full faith in the couple. They mean well.This forest will allow only the truthful & the honest amidst its rich & warm shade.There is no place for deceit here.
This is the legacy of Jagtap Dada. This he was able to ingrain in me.
Strange are the ways of this world. The ones I loved & spent my whole life caring have driven me into destitution & misery. And strangers have come bearing glad tidings.The couple has brought back essentials.Food & clothes for me & Nakku. This is a strange kurta.But it will have to do.The woman exclaims Nakku is beautiful in her saree. What I would not give to see in all her glory.
I thank them awkwardly.Their attention is embarassing me. But their love for strangers like Nakku & me touches the core of my being.Such simple people.Like my Aayi & Baji.
Time for the medicine.Nakku applies it with her cool fingers.Its a strange sensation. Soothing yet....... I savour her touch as she finishes applying the concoction on my eyes. There is sense of peace & calm permeating the atmosphere here. Sometimes I think it is all I need.A simple roof over my head with Nakusha by my side. I wish our whole life passes by in this tranquility.Wish............
Time to see if Mahadevji was able to pull a miracle,I think wryly. Strange! Dutta is able to find a little humour even in such a situation. I open my eyes. No such luck. I still see a blurry Nakku but yes the pain is so much better. Nakku's hopeful voice moves me to the core.I want to lie that I can see her.I tell her I can see her & can imagine her sweet face beaming at this. Through the eyes of my heart I tell her & again can imagine how her face must have fell. There is no need for eyes to see her. I tell her this too.When did I become so vocal?I tell her every little thought that comes to mind. I want to share so much with her.I will. I will not hold back this time. I am going to drench her with so much love & I will use every word there is to tell her how much I love her. This much I will do for my Nakku.
Is Nakku hurt? She is in pain, I heard her groan.I make her sit on the bed. Her feet are chapped. Deva, how long has she been out looking for me? My poor Nakku.Never uttered a word of complain.I want her to complain, I want her to fight with me. But I know she will gladly walk on thorns again for me.I'm overwhelmed with love yet again.She refuses to let me touch her feet. I am her husband she insists.You are right, Nakku.I am your husband.And you are my wife.You too deserve the care & love you shower on me. You roamed the hot dry streets looking for me.You went hungry & thirsty for days on end for me. You put your life on line for me countless times. Now it is my turn.Don't take it away from Nakku. I want to care for you & protect you every moment of my life.Our life together.
There is something in the food that is fed by the sweet hands of my Nakku. This one moment defines the core of my existence. That morsel from her has had the power to refresh my soul.She wont eat on her own.As always. I feed her some. There is something to be said for this too.
There is so much to be done. And there is so little time.But for now let me savour each moment of my time with my Nakusha as my last.This is the least I can do for the woman I love so much.
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