Note for my readers, sorry for all the delays!!! rrs1391 and norey thank you ever so much for your lovely comments glad you both like the updates. Thank you all of you for your lovely comments here goes the next chapter. Hope its not too much of a bore.
Chapter 1011 AM in Patil Niwas.
As members of the Patil family part for there day after having breakfast together. Madhu heading for the kitchen dressed in her type of western outfit. Fitted jeans, yellow t-shirt topped with a black cardigan walking the corridors towards the lounge.
From the opposite direction Baaji looking rather busy on one of Duttas errands, cursing someone or the other over the phone. Baaji as ever is rather colourful with his choice of Kurtas. An electric blue shade, white mango print patterns, folded up to his elbows and denim jeans. A little preoccupied by the phone call at hand baaji fails to concentrate on the walk ahead of him and in no time he runs into Madhu. Colliding quite significantly madhu hits her expression on baajis chest both clashing with each other for a second stop with the sudden interaction. Baaji pulls away the phone from his ear and looks down at madhu is looking up at him without a blink. As an awkward moment comes to an end stepping back baajis eyes trying not to gaze over madhu too much scatter around for a second. Bringing his forearm up to the back of his neck baaji rustles his hair a little unsure of what had just happened.
"Sorry re madhu…meine tere ko dekha hein nahin..saala yey sab kaam ke chakar mein dimaag ki wat lagrehli hai."Madhu amused by Baaji use of words madhu smiles in reply "
Its okay."As madhu watches baaji nod with a smile and turn away something within her wants him to turn back and for that very feeling growing inside her unknownly she calls him back.."
Baaji..! "Baaji hearing madhu turns back lifting his expression with a nodd asking her what she wanted but madhu with really nothing to say shakes her head in refusal.
Watching him walk off a with certain smile on her expression and glow in her eyes she feels a warm touch at her right shoulder. Turning around to see Aaayi sahib Madhu tries to hide that unexplainable smile on her lips yet fails. Dressed in an off white saari of a Maharashtran yet very royal style per her character,
Aayi sahib as ever with a softness to her words and warmth in her ways looks happy to see madhu smiling. Rasising her right palm…the relevant fingers intwinted in her prayer beads aayi sahib cups madhus right cheek as she goes on.
"Kya ham is muskaan ki vaajyey jaan sakte hai?"madhu a little lost for words and hesitant trys to avoid the subject. "
Aise hein mama..no reason.." but aayi sahib could see through that explanation of madhus..
"Ham sab samaj te hai madhu……Baaji..
Baaji hein simidar hai naa teri is kushi kaa..?"Madhu begging to blush a little the feeling of an awkward moment eases as she sees aayi sahib smile back at her..
Nodding a silent yes and then looking up from her downcast eyes madhu..watches aayi sahib eyes film in tears,,her expression overwhelmed with joy she takes madhu…in an embrace. A feeling of relief fills madhu as she realises that she had gained one approval.
As madhu enters the kitchen a little later that smile on her face now more expressive she sees nakusha standing over the stove stearing some that smelt like a sweet dish. Dressed in an orange saari with pink and green accompiment, nakusha hair tied back in a plate she looks busy in preparation of whatever it was she was making.
Madhu walking towards nakusha and stopping by her side..looks into the large saurcepan and sees..something farmilar..
"Gajar ka halwa??? !..aap gajar ka halwa bana rahin hai bhabhi.." a certain exitment takes to madhus expression and nakusha gathers that both brother and sister seem to have the same love for food. Naku.. looks to her right at madhu and smiles…nodding the once. "
Aayi sahab boli thi..ke saab ko gajar ka halwa pasand hai."
At some distance within the lounge Dutta dressed his black pathani attire with his accompanying overcoat. The sleeves to his attire folded neatly his look as ever influential. Sitting amongst the lounge area his back arched over the wooden coffee table he looks over a black leather briefcase that sits open before him.
Beside the briefcase, two bundle of notes, a blue business file and his mobile phone. Dutta places the blue flip file into the case and throws In the bundles of money casually on top. Just as Dutta clicks the outer lock of the case and is about to close the briefcase shut he begins to feel the formation of pain within his throat.
Back in the kitchen Nakusha watches with a smile as madhu helps stirring the halwa while she adds the additional ingredients. Madhu looks over to nakusha who adds sugar to the stewing mixture and a thought crosses her mind.
"Kya mein aapse kuch phuch sakti hoon babhi?"Nakusha smiles and nods a yes..
"Aap bhayiay se bhot pyaar karti hai naa?"Freezing for a second at that question nakus eyes undoubtedly lighting up at the mention of dutta the love in her eyes as ever visible. She nods lightly without putting her feelings into words yet her mere reaction at the mention of his name was enough to see how much she loved him.
Madhu smiling at Nakusha's reply adds further to the conversation.
"Aur bhaiya..kya unhone kabhi aapko baatayay hai ke woh kitna pyaar karte hai aapse.?"Nakusha a little surprised by that question almost unsure how to answer Madhu for the reality was something not what one would expect of husband and wife. But as ever nakusha was sincere she would not lie and as ever her words describe the situation in real yet optimistic manner. Madhu watches as that look in nakushas eyes changes. The same smile on her face and optimism in her words yet there was sadness in those eyes of hers as she spoke.
"saab pyaar mein vishwas nahin rakhte na madhu.. syaad nahin karte who pyaar"Before Nakusha could finish talking and madhu could understand..a little stunned and saddened by the reply the conversation falls into silence. just as the silence falls both madhu and nakushas attention Is drawn an increasingly Painful sound of someone coughing.
Both looking out towards the lounge see dutta struggling with a growing cough , nakusha with instance grabs a glass filling it with water she heads out towards the lounge in a hurry.
As Nakusha rushes towards dutta a little flustered, worried for him her eyes restless as she stops before him and holds out the glass of water before him. she sees a rather silent poised expression turns to look at her. As ever unable to make direct eye contact easily nakushas eyes drop and she happens to notice that dutta already has a glass of water to hand. Sat on the coffee table alongside his briefcase was a clear jug of water.
As dutta looks up at nakusha, that worry on her expression that sense of fluster still on her face Dutta angels his face on his left..to view nakusha almost as if to study her expression. Putting his glass of water down on the table silently he takes the glass of water from nakusha's hand.
Feeling his touch brush against her hand..and that glass lifted away from her grip..nakushas eyes lock on Dutta as she watches him silently drink from the glass she had brought for him.
Interrupting what had become a dreamy moment for nakusha baaji standing just behind nakusha notices the way he was potentially being a spanner in the works yet before it got too awkward it was important to make his presence known.
"Uhhmum!! Baaji clearing his thoat pretentiously. "
Bhau woh..meeting ke leigyey der ho rahin hai chale kya..?"Dutta shifting his focus rather seriously..nods in confirmation, rising from his seat he takes a glance towards nakusha again that silence leaves a special before walking around her to leave. Baaji follows on behind picking up the briefcase he bids naku a goodbye before following dutta who is already at some distance. Just as they both leave Nakushas eyes fall on the coffee table where dutta's mobile phone lies.
As dutta and baaji walk further into the lounge to leave the house hearing the word "
Saab" from a distance dutta pauses. Slowly turning around to look over nakusha who seemed to have again rushed..her face again a little flustered, red cheeks. Those vibrant eyes looking up at him Dutta a little curious as to what the matter was the curiosity in his mind forms on his expression until sees nakusha extended her her right arm up towards him. In the palm of her petite hand his mobile phone.
As Dutta takes the phone from Nakusha and puts it within the chest pocket of his overcoat the silence of the moment makes the conversation of two housemaids who are cleaning at close distance audible. Dressed in printed Maharashtran style saaris cleaning cloths to hand the two women go about their conversation not realising that the likes of dutta, baaji and even Nakusha were listening.
"Aatcha tere ko kya lagta hai..bhau sahib ne kya soch ke shaadi ki hogi. Mera matlab kal tak woh ladki hamre saath jhadu pocha kar rahin thi..aur aaj ghar ki malkin ban behti."Dutta hearing the conversation silently his eyes very much on nakusha, bearing the irritation and anger within him in a controlled manner he endures the conversation silently. Baaji a little unsure as to why dutta hadn't yet reacted looks Impatient yet dutta was simply watching nakusha. The way her expression saddened, Baaji who could no longer stand the goings on is just about to turn to interrupt yet duttas disapproval is more prompt. Baaji standing a few paces behind stops as dutta raises his palm as a gesture to stop baaji was is becoming more and more irritated failing to understand why dutta was still quite. Rubbing the back of his head irritably anger drawn on his face baaji per instruction steps back.
The conversation still going on duttas eyes watching nakusha intently..
Mere ko toe lagta hai bhau ne zarur majboori mein shaadki ki hogi..suna ke vahini ka koi bura atit hai jise chupa ne ke leighyey bhau ne une aapna leighyey. Phucho toe bhoj hai woh bhau ke khandho par aur kuch nahin.As dutta watches tears form in nakushas eyes..closing his eyes with strain he sighs deeply before letting out a huge uproar of anger.
"BAS!!!!!!!" EK AUR SHAB NAHIN..!!!! Nakusha baaji and the two women at a distance shaken by the sudden outburst from dutta look wary of what is to come. Madhu hearing the shouting steps out of the kitchen.
Duttas expression fuming..still looking nakusha whos eyes were cupped in tears his tone aggressive yet controlled. Turing to face the wemon who stand at a distance frightened dutta clenches his jaw tightly before sighing audiably
"jis ladki ki tum log baat kar rahe ho woh…dutta shri ram patil ki patni hai!" as dutta looks down on the two women anger in his eyes but more disappointment than anything angering his head, intensity looking at the women dutta dispoinment is drawn in his words which are stressed out in a sigh ..
Afsos ….ke aurat ho kar tume ke aurat ke jasbaaton ki koi kadar ..nahin!!!!Baaji seeing dutta getting worked up about it ..steps in.. cauiosuly placing the palm of his hand on dutta shoulder from behind him.
"Tu rehne de na bhau..in logo ke saath mein niptega ho..turning his attention back to the two wemon baajis tone shifts back to a more forceful one as he orders the gaurds to take care of the situation.
Aye! Aaaj se aap log ki naukari bhand yaha samje!!...The wemon pleading somewhat are forced out of the house..nakusha watching the happenings silenltly in overwhelm is unsure what to think. She looks towards the back of duttas profile as she instructs baaji firmly.
"Ek ek ko samja baaji!!..is ghar mein hein nahin…puri patil wadi mein agar kisi ne nakusha ke khilaf kuch bhi kaha toe…anjaam bura hoga."Agreeing to dutta with a convicted nod..baaji watches dutta storm out of the house..taking a glance behind towards nakusha who seemed upset standing behind her madhu with a reassuring look on her face baaji passes on one of his comforting looks of care before leaving.
Nakusha watching baaji walk away wipes away that tear droplet that had made way past the cup of her right eyes..just as she brushes it away with her finger tips she feels a warm touch at her shoulder an and turns to see madhu who smiles ..
"Dekha bhabhi…yey bhaiya ka pyaar nahin toe kya hai?" ...
6PM in the evening having returned from a day of various dealings Baaji walks the corridors of the house upstairs and stops as he gets to Aayi sahibs room. Knocking on the surface of the dark wooden surface of the door which was partially open..baaji turns the door handle of the room and slowly pushes the door open.
Peaking into the room he sees aayi sahib sitting in one corner of her room. On the floor.. Infront of her the small bapa shrine, her eyes closed comfortably she churns softly on those prayer beads that are to hand.
Hearing an additional presence aayi sahib opens her eyes and turns her expression to the entrance of the room to see baaji.
"Aap ne bulayay kya aayi sahib??"aayi sahibs expression as ever warm she smiles warmly upon seeing baaji..and invites him into the room
"ho..andar aa.." as baaji walks further into the room..aayi sahib gets up from her seated position on her floor and walking towards her bedside she takes a seat on the end of her bed..listing to baaji do his fare share of talking as ever. "
Koi kaam hai kya aayi sahib..bolo mere ko mein aabhi karta hai..!!" tone of enthusiasm, as ever ready baaji assumes that aayi sahib probably has a job for him and is on his toes to complete what ever it was..
"koi kaam nahin hai.. tu bas mere paas ake behth.." a mothery smile on her face..she watches as baaji doesn't quite understand.
"Kya aayi sahib..koi pareshani hai kya..bhau..ko bula ke laaon kya.!!!"
Nahin..is vakt muje dutta ki nahin tumari sarurat hai baaji.. tapping the space beside her on the bed aayi asks baaji to come and sit next to her.
A little confused as to what was going on baaji pulls a curious face..russeling the back of his hair in thought he gives up thinking and strolls closer towards the bed yet decides to sit..on the floor instead of next to her. aayi sahib thinks of dutta for a second as she sees one of duttas traits baaji here.
Looking down to her side aayi sahib watches ..baaji place the palms of his hand over her right knee..as he looks up at her too ask.
Bolo naa aayi sahib..mein sun raha hai.Aayi sahib smiling at the way baaji was always so happy despite all odds she looks into his eyes and as ever sees him pushing back his worries , his own concern, his own feelings for the sake of the family.
"Apni pareshani apni aayi ke saath nahin baatenga baaji?" baaji looking up at aayi sahib..almost trying to mask whatever worries that were going through his mind. "
Mere ko kya pareshani hogi aayi sahib.. koi pareshnani nahin. Kuch nahin." Well aware of what baaji was like aayi sahib reminds baaji that she was one of those view that understand him well enough to know when he was hiding something.
"Tu laakh chupa le baaji..lekin batchan mein jab dutta aur tere bheech anban hoti thi toe tu asi hein muskurat ke peeche apna gham chupatha tha ..aur aaj bhi yehi kar raha hai." aayi sahib places the palm of her hand over baajis head stoking it like mothers do..
Madhu…madhu…koi lekar pareshnan hai naa.
Kyun ke Tu pyaar karta hai naa use..Soon as baaji hears the mention of madhu his expression filled with arkwardness he is lost for words never having expected that this type of conversation would ever come up. Almost trying to avoid the moment but aayi sahib asks yet again.
"Karta hai ke nahin…?"And baaji unable to lie nods a silent yes ..
"Toe phir batayay kyun nahin hame..?" baaji begins to feel concerned he tries to put his feelings appropriately almost struggerling with his words
"Aayi sahib mein kaise..? mere matlab….mein kaha..aur madhu kaha…"aayi sahib displeased with the way baaji seemed to think of himself as unequal uses a rather scolding tone.
"Chup..bilkul chup..tu hamara beta hai..ham jaante hai thuje aur yeh bhi jaante hai ke madu ke leighyey tumse behtar aur koi nahin ho sakta.."baaji left overwhelmed with aayi sahibs words..her care affection for him..his eyes begin to moisten as he hears aayi sahib instruct like a mother would to her child.
"Jaa ke apni dil ki baat bata de use beta.."baaji takes aayi sahibs palm that was stroking his hair into his hands..pausing for a second before he speaks..his words heartfelt.
"Yey sab teekh hai aayi sahib..lekin..bhau..bhau ko kya mhun dekhayeyga mein?. Use toe aisa hein lage ga naa ke mein dhokebaas hai..
Bhau nahin samjega aayi sahib..pyaar par aaj abhi vishwas nahin hai bhau ko…agar mein hein aisa karega toe….. Nahin aayi sahib.."Once again aayi sahib listened as baaji yet again thought of others before himself, knowing how close baaji was to dutta aayi sahib knew that things weren't going to be easy but nor did she want baaji to scarifie his love..his happiness like he had done to this very day. Stopping this cynical talk aayi sahib interrupts firmly
"
Bas..- aayi sahibs eyes filled with a certain determination her tone of voice sharpens.."
Tu muje aayi manta hai naa??"baajis expression drained with emotion he nods a silent yes as he swallows a lump in his throat and looks up at aayi sahib.
Toe tu jaake apni dil ki baat kar madhu se.. Dutta ko ham vakt ane par samjayeyge..?Baaji smiling through his watery eyes ..nods a yes as aayi sahib smiles…emotionally back at him before..he drops his head softly into her lap
…..Some time later at the dinner table, the likes of aayi sahib, Madhu, Leela, Baaji, Kishore, Sudharshan take there respective seats at the table whilst roops and nakusha finish laying out the table.
All awaiting dutta who is still freshening up having just returned from his business trip of the day aayi sahib sitting on one end of the table notices the way nakusha seems a little upset..her face a little drained with upset she carries on with her task silently putting out a plate for each family member..without no involvement in what was going on around her at all. Aayi sahib notes how lost naku seems to be but before aayi sahib is able to question her dutta walks into the dinning area. Dressed in his white kurta his hands clasped behind his back in a very upright posture he looks around casually at what was a very talkative atmosphere of the table and then walks around the table..to take his place at the empty seat on the front end of the table.
Just as dutta approaches his seat..he glances over to nakusha who places his plate on the table. there eyes lock for that one moment dutta notices the way In which nakushas eyes carry an upset. It looked as if she had been crying, as nakusha feels dutta watching her and afraid that he may notice her upset..she quickly goes back to her task. Dutta very much aware that she had been crying, watches her silently. Parting his hands from his back dutta pulls out the chair and takes a seat at the table. Watching the way nakusha very silently goes about her task despite all the conversation at the table. She begins to serve food into his plate..whilst he watches her intently think about the incident this morning he realises that she was still upset.
As this passive interaction between dutta and nakusha continues aayi sahib directs her words to dutta getting his attention.
"Dutta ham chahte hai ke tu naku ko kal...ratnagiri ke purane mandir le chal. Jab se tum dono ki shaadhi hue hai..tum dono ne ek saath vakt nahin bitayay..is bhane nakusha ko tera saath bhi mil jayeyga aur darshan bhi hojayeyge..Aur saath mein baaji aur madhu ko bhi le chal naa."Hearing the mention of his own name and madhu..baaji instantly look towards aayi sahib whos eyes glow in a very cunning manner. It was her way of pushing baaji to confess his feelings for sure. Dutta agreeying to the trip..watches nakusha step back..behind his chair after severing all members of the family with the help of room. Roops walks back to her seat…at the table..aayi sahib noticing the way in which nakusha is still stood..promps her.
"Tu hamare saath nahin khayeygi naku?" dutta listens to the conversation closely.. as nakusha hesitates a little before replying..
" aayi sahib...mein andar aayi ke saath khalegi.."Dutta turning towards nakusha..firmly questions her.
"Kyun..? hamare saath kyun nahin khana chahti.? mausi aur sethij ko bhi bolo ke woah..hamare saath yaha bethte." Dutta watches nakusha as she is unable to quite answer him but aayi sahib understanding the sensitivity of the matter steps in "
Rehne de dutta.. naku ko apne aayi ke saath vakt bitane de..
looking back at nakusha with that familiar warmth in her eyes aayi sahib..smiles .
Tu Jaa.. naku..lekin..kal se sab sath mein khayeyge."Nakusha acknowledging aayi sahibs words glances over to Dutta for a second who catches her eyes asking him for permission and he subtly nods towards the kitchen in reply.
…Patil niwas kitchen: baabi and sethji sit at one corner of the kitchen on the floor, eating in a very tradional manner.. sethjis plate..balanced on a wooden platform…baabi feeds him..with some casual conversation going on As nakusha enters the kitchen stopping at the doorway..she softly…uses the term
"aayi.."baabi and sethi both turn to the entrance of the kitchen..baaji notices the way..nakushas eyes are cupped in tears.
…..
A little later as Dutta walks past the kitchen..he pauses seeing nakusha in a very upset posture. Her head..pressed against baabis shoulder her eyes moist..dutta pauses at the entrance of the kitchen. Placing his arms behind his back he listens silently..
An untouched plate of food sitting before her nakusha rested on baabis shoulder shares her upset..with her mother.
"Shaayad woah..aurate satch boli thi aayi..mein saab ke legihyey bas ek boj hai aur kuch nahin." Baabi trying her best to comfort nakusha finds it difficult to console naku. Baabis eyes happen to catch sight of dutta who stands watching them at a distance and she knew dutta was the only one who would be able to console naku.
"Bhau.. aap….aap hein ab samjaaon ise..Subha se khana bhi nahin khayay hai isne..bas pareshan bethi hai."Nakusha hearing the mention of dutta at once..lifts her expression from babis solouder and tries to cover up those tears of hers straightening that posture of hers.
Nakusha watches baabi leave her side..within wishing that she wouldn't yet she had very little control over the moment. baabi leaving the kitchen..pauses at the entrance as she crosses dutta and smiles in response to duttas calm and understanding atteritude.
Nakusha watching baabi leaves..glaces up towards dutta who is stood at the entrance of the kitchen…watching him walk in. his postiure as ever very proper..his hand clasped firmly behind his back dutta looks over nakusha..as approaches. Watching the way she straightens her posture..ringing her arms around her legs that sit arched..infront of her.
Dutta stopping at a proxitimity..looks over nakushas upset..eyes..weak persona and then eyes that plate of food in front of her.
Slipping off his champals in one corner dutta breaks the clasp of his hands. Stepping closer arches a little..to pull a wooden stool. To place. the on sethiji had used earlier. Taking at seat opposite nakusha.. in between them that plate of food. Nakusha watches as she sees something she had never expected from dutta. Watches him break a morsel of roti..dip it some daal..and bring it up towards her nakusha eyes begin to moisten yet again.
"Mein khud..kha legi saab…"
"Kudh khana tha toe abhi tak..chua kyun nahin ise..?"Nakusha has no answer.. she silently opens her mouth as dutta extends his hand..towards her mouth.
Just as nakusha takes in the mouthful..duttas phone rings..reaching for his kurta pocket with his clean hand..dutta is just about to answer the phone..yet pauses.. looking over nakusha his words a little firm yet full of care.
"Kha le.. aur tu ab royigee nahin naku… teri jo bhi pareshani hai mein sunuga..khane ke baad". Dutta rather determined to make sure nakusha understand watches her nodd a yes before..getting up from his seat. Nakusha watches dutta..walk out answering the call a faint smile on her face.
……..
Edited by jagrutid - 13 years ago
Cricket
