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Hello!! beautiful people😉, thank you very much for waiting and putting up with my slow pace hope you have had an amazing week or so off and happy new year! first update of 2012 hope you enjoy it. Do let me know what you make of it.
love you all!!
Chapter 13
As Nakusha quietly approaches and takes a seat next to dutta on the bed she notices how lost he seemed. Almost out of the dutta shri ram patil shell. Without looking up..his words strained by uncertainly even guilt..
"Tune muje roka kyun nahin nakusha?" not quite understanding what he meant by that nakusha looks towards her side at him as he speaks looking into oblivion as he sounds his words. "Hamari shaadhi ki raat nakusha… jo nasdikiya badayi thi meine.." nakusha not expecting dutta to bring up this looks towards him instantly, her eyes anxious as he speaks "galat tha mein us vakt." "Phir bhi tu ne seh..liya?"
Nakusha denying his words with a silent nod trying get across that she had never felt this way about their relationship. As dutta turns towards nakusha his gaze full of sadness nakusha feels her emotions build within. Pausing for a second, very calm and rational per nature nakusha sounds her words with the upmost respect. "Aap bura na mano toe mein kuch bolu…?" Dutta shakes his head to approve. Watching nakusha think cautiously before she speaks dutta lets her gone on.. angling his head slightly his eyes moist he watches nakusha with an evident glow in those eye of his.
"Ek laadki jab shaadhi kar ke aati hai naa saab, toe use kayee sapne hote hai Mein jaanti hai aap mere se pyaar nahin karte, lekin aapne kabhi mere un sapno ko tutne bhi nahin diya. Ehsaas dilayay aapne muje ke mein aapki patni hai…aur yey galat kaise ho sakta hai . … bas.. uske baad..
Dutta continues to watch nakusha as she seems hesitant to go on. There was something she was about to say but was unsure. Dropping her eyes nervously dutta prompts her "Bol .." after a slight pause she lifts her eyes…dutta sees those eyes of hers filled with affection her voice a little unbalanced as she speaks..
"Us raat ke baad aapne duriya baraadi saab.."Dutta pauses for a second…watching her expression, those eyes of hers that were filled with virtue but before dutta could respond. A knock at the door…kaka's voice from behind the door is heard. He provides news of baaji and madhu having come home.
Nakusha reacting to the interruption gets instantly tries to shake off the intensity of that conversation …"..mein dekhke ati hai.." Just as nakusha is about to step away she feels a warm grasp at her wrist. Turning around she looks up to duttas tall posture that towers over her at a comfortable yet close distance. his eyes warm..yet glowing with a certain emotional sentiment dutta keeps hold of nakushas wrist as he sounds his words.
"Tuje meri duri ka ehsaas hua, takleef hue…mere bartav se.." his words prolonged and, heavily spoken nakusha could see a certain softness in his eyes that was so rare. "Phir bhi tu ne kuch nahin kaha……? Nakusha overwhelmed by the interaction her eyes filling up slowly as he speaks. Nodding his head..softly as his heart takes over from the mind his gestures symbolising a form of regret. "Iska matlab mein aatcha pati nahin.."
Hearing those words from him Nakusha looks towards Dutta with instance her eyes holding in those tears with a very calm characteristic manner she nods in refusal, she didn't think that of him. "aisa mat bolo saab" dutta looks into nakushas eyes as she speaks..scattering her eyes under his watch, her words tailored with affection.
"Aap bas mere ko ek moka doe saab." A little surprised to here something of the sort from nakusha dutta continues to watch her silently. Noticing the way her eyes deferred from looking at him, there was so much respect in that tone of voice..that mannerism of hers.
"Mein jaanti hai aap pyaar mein vishwas nahin rakhte aur mein aapko pyaar karne ko nahin bol rahin… the mention of pyaar and nakusha listens to a soft sigh from dutta..lifting her eyes up slowly she sees dutta look into oblivion past her..a little unsure to how he was going to react she finish of her words… bas ek moka doe.. saab" har ek insaan ke andar ek pyaar karne wali shakshiat hoti hai saab..bas use jaaga na saaruri
"mere andar koi…. pyaar ka ehsaas nahin hai…. Nakusha.."
"hai saab.". nakusha happens to lift her eyes to his expression and sees a very stern look of disapproval in his face but she overlooks it, cautious with her words as she goes on
"ek moka do mere ko saab .. aap bhi pyaar par barosa karne lago ge.."
After a long silence duttas eyes watching every detail on her expression and thinking of her every word duttas silence is broken by a questioning phrase.
"Shart laga rahin hai?" the way duttas words seem to tough his expression very serious nakusha feels her heart skip a beat.. "Shart nahin saab… gusarish,,"
Dutta looks back at nakusha and into those eyes of hers that convey seamless innocence he watches her eyes flutter a little as he makes eye contact..
This is what he admired about her, her belief in herself ..her belief in the strength of love, maybe because he no longer able to believe in things so easily..his harsh encounters in life had left him lacking of believe Nakusha seemed to carry so naturally. Thinking over nakushas words duttas expression easing that little nakusha could knew her words were being contemplated in his mind. Those eyes of his gave off an unreadable glow.
As a silence falls between them nakusha unaware of how he had taken her words waits for a reaction ..dutta simply goes on…looking over nakusha when madhus tone of voice is sounded from downstairs. Dutta still looking into nakushas eyes as if to make out her intentions..closes his eyes softly..he yet again hears madu calling out for nakusha. Reopening his eyes shaking his head towards the door subtly.. "Jaa.."
As nakusha pauses for a second to look over dutta who now looks into oblivoion, not wanting to leave him this way nakusha looks a little unsure yet slowly walks out of the room as she hears madhu out in the corridor once again.
Dutta hearing nakusha leave the room..throws his expression into the air with a sigh…
Outside in the corridor ..nakusha closes the door to the room behind her, having hidden that upset from him nakusha finds herself.. in an moment where she can let go of her tears however just as she leaves the room and has a movement to herself madhu happens to be before her. As ever lively per mood, she approaches nakusha with a smile but notices how nakusha instantly adds a smile to her lips as she approaches.
"Bhabhi! Mein kaha kaha dhund rahin thi aapko..actually woh..kahna ready hai toe mein aapko aur bhaiya ko bulane aayi thi.." madhu notices the way nakusha seems to be lost in though.. Kya baat hai bhabhi..aap kuch pareshan lag rahin hai? but denying it all nakusha..convinces madhu..with a faint smile..
"Nahin..aisa kuch nahin hai madu…tu jaa mein aabhi aati hai.."
Madhu accepts and leaves ..nakusha watching her away to head for the staircase..closes her eyes…stepping back against the wall.. beside the door of the room..nakusha pauses for a second..her eyes firmly shut gradual tears descend from her eyes.
Opening her eyes, a minute or so later.. to dutta who stands before her, his posture very apt per his person. Hands clasped behind his back, that very characteristic mannerism of authority yet as nakushas eyes clear from the blurred vision of those tears and her eyes lock with his..she sees a certain warm glow in those eyes of his..
She didn't know how long he had been watching her for or what he was feeling but those eyes of his gave of an affectionate reassurance.
The silence between them spoke volumes….
Duttas posture as collective and calm as ever ..his eyes baring a softness for her sadness before dutta could say anything..baaji who approaches in his usual upbeat manner strolling towards them..not paying much attention baaji concentrates more on his phone call. As nakusha sees..baaji approach she quickly wipes her tears away and dawns a more calm expression. Dutta not moving watches the way nakusha flinches..he too could hear baaji yet that was not effecting him in anyway.
Baaji taking the phone away from his ear and pressesing the required button to hang up..fails to notice that there is something wrong. Looking over duttas shoulder baaji seems to say his bit whilst playing around with his phone.
"Are bhau..tu chal naa woh neeche madhu kab ka intsaar kar rahin hai..tum dono abhi nahin aayey naa toe woh mere ko kha jayeygi bhau!"
Dutta goes on looking at nakusha with the same intensity..breaking the eye lock for a second he responds to baaji..and walks away.
..A little later at the dinner table, a fairly silent affair..madhu and baaji talk amongst themselves, nakusha eats silently..dutta sat at the head of the table consumes his food in peace, thinking of the earlier conversation the way he had witness nakusha cry on her own out of sight, the incident at the time of there wedding flashes by duttas eyes. The way nakusha was distort after receiving a threatening package..even then he was unable to console her and even today it was the same or maybe even worse. At least then she had expressed her upset in his presence..but today..she felt the need to hide that from him?. As dutta noticed a whole hearted smile on nakusha's face whilst in conversation with baaji and madhu.. pausing for a minute to watch her.. seeing her smile that way makes him realise that there was an element of nakusha that was lost after marriage.
…..
Next morning, not much talk between the two of them post last nights conversation nakusha walks into the bedroom with Duttas morning tea. His back to her dutta rings his kurta around his head buttoning it he turns around swiftly to see nakusha standing before him with the cup of tea. Her eyes lowered she senses the way dutta concentrates on adjusting his attire folding each sleeve of his black kurta carefully..nakusha glances up for a second as to check if this was a really good time to ask her question.
"saab…mein kuch poohch sakti hai..? dutta continues to adjust his sleeves without making any eye contact he sounds an approval. "bol.." As ever nakusha soflty sounds her words. "Ham yaha kitne der rukhenge?" dutta instantly looks towards nakusha as she finishes..his eyes intdearingly asking her as ever his eyes trace through what nakusha tries to hide. " tu..ghar jaana chahti hai?" nodding that once in reply..the fact that she hesitates to answer the question, dutta makes out her feelings through her silence.
As Nakusha eyes him softly after a pause she notices one of his buttons on his attire hooked amongst the wrong button whole . Dutta unware takes the cup of tea from nakusha and brings it to his mouth..taking a measured sip his eyes float towards nakusha to notice the way she seemed to be looking at towards him but at something in particular. As dutta trails his own eyes down at his kurta he sees the abrupt way in which he had buttoned his attire.
Balancing the cup of tea in his right hand dutta looks down at his attire is about to adjust his buttons when nakusha notes his struggle.."Mein karti hai saab.". dutta nods lightly and moves his arms out of the way to make way in an open fashion to make for nakusha who steps closer. The proximity between both of them infinite nakusha feels a little uneasy with the closeness yet concentrates on adjusting the buttons of his kurta whilst dutta finds himself helplessly watching her.. he wasn't even sure why but he was finding it difficult to take his eyes of her.
Trying to get some insight into what she was thinking after last nights conversation dutta is unable to read her. just as nakusha steps away dutta feels a tug at his kurta and lowers his eyes to see nakushas mangalsutra caught on his kurta. As nakusha feels the same tug stopping her from moving away she looks upon her mangulstra which strays between them. A little lost for words dutta notices how nakushas face seems to show a little apprehension. Stepping back under his watch, she tries to untangle the strands from his button. Dutta feeling nakushas fingers tugging at his kurta..a sense of nervousness growing in her..she looks up at him innocently her eyes both apologetic and nervous as to his reaction. Dutta watching over her in a composed fashion reaches over to the dressing table to put down the cup in his hands. Turning back to nakusha..looking down at the strands of the mangulstra that she was unable to untangle dutta closes the pace between them by stepping even closer. Close enough to feel her increased heartbeat dutta makes note of the effect his closness has on her. nakusha self-conscious, her heart beating that little faster and cheeks going a shade of crimson..finds herself searching the floor with her eyes as the side of duttas cheek..his stubble brushes against her face..as he moves to look over her shoulder nakusha closes her eyes reacting to that warm yet slightly uncomfortable feeling of his stubble against her cheek.
As duttas closeness pesists..his face lingering close to the crux of her neck as he looks over her shoulder, carefully unhooking her mangalsutra nakusha can feel his breath upon her skin which sends a wave of nerves through her body. Carefully removing it ..dutta steps away..as her mangalsutra sits in his hands..now just attached to his kurta. nakusha lost for words, embarrassed her eyes lowered she glances up the once to see him carefully unhooking her mangalustra from his kurta. just as dutta manages to free It from his attire..there is a double knock at the door of the room. Dutta and nakusha both look towards the entrance to see baaji hovering at the door.
Dutta puts down nakushas mangalsutra down on the dressing table by his right, placing his hands behind his back per natural charictrastic dutta shakes his head very stubtly as to invite baaji into the room. As ever baaji quite loud per nature, and appreance he strolls in dressed in his orange kurta…a little quieter than norm.
"Bhau woh bas mein bolne aaya tha ke..mein aur madu nikalrahe hai.."
baaji expecting more of an worldless acknowledgement is surprised when dutta asks him to make use of both cars.. "ek nahin doe gadi tayar rakh baaji.."
A little confused baaji questions duttas words just to make sure. "Kya bhau..tu toe bola ke tu yaha vahini ke saath kuch din rukhega?" dutta passes a stern glare baajis way and baaji knew what that ment. Dutta shri ram patil isn't doesn't feel the need explain himself to anyone and this way something baaji was well aware off. Not lingering on that subject for too long baaji simply does as is expected of him."Theek hai bhau Mein gaadi tayaar rakhta hai."
On the other hand Nakusha hearing this for the first time her eyes react with instance, she looks towards him momentarily but as ever his expression gives away nothing but her mind explores the possibilities. He had considered sparing some time for her yet..changed his mind after her question to him about returning home a few minutes ago.?
As baaji leaves the room to go about his job, there isn't much chance for her speak to him..as soon as baaji leaves duttas mobile phone buzzes and he walks a short distance towards the bedside, looking over the wooden surface of the drawer by the bed..dutta watches his phone buzz..deeming it to be something important he picks up the call..
Nakusha seeing him busy in conversation turns to walk some distance towards the door to leave. Just as she takes a few measured steps..she hears his voice..
"Tu kuch bhool nahin rahin hai?"As nakusha turns around she sees dutta still busy with his phone call has paused the conversation. Holding the phone to his ear yet not making conversation with the person on the end..duttas words and attention is primarily for her. As nakusha looks at dutta with a rather blank expression dutta eyes her with a firmness. Seeing that blankness on her expression dutta a little impatient by the way she doesn't seem to understand silently nods towards the dressing table his eyes pointing at the surface of the dressing table where he had placed her mangalsutra.
Nakusha walking towards the dressing table sees the mangalustra on the wooden surface below the mirror..and realises that she had truly forgotten about it. her thoughts occupied by what she had heard from baaji. what he indented and how she may have been the reason he had changed his plans nakusha had forgotten all about inident a few minutes ago.
Taking a look In the mirror as she circles the mangalsurtra around her neck...nakusha takes a glance at duttas reflection..for a second. Engrossed in his conversation over the phone nakusha watches him pace up and down the floor very seriously..but there was something special about even the smallest of his traits..as nakusha watches him..with a sense of affection in those eyes of hers the fact that he gave her relevance and cared for in such a way meant the world for her.
As dutta continues his conversation walking up and down.. he catches nakusha watching him through the mirror. As both share an eye lock, nakusha is quick in dropping her eyes making out as it was nothing more than coincidence.
…..
On the way home they finally manage to visit the mandir which was the purpose of there visit. Nakusha seems a little happier having forgotten her worries with the visit to the temple the rest of the journey passes peacefully with the odd humorous input from baaji.
Late afternoon. As they arrive home and walk into the house baaji and madhu go about greeting various family members but dutta notices the way in which nakushas eyes search the house. As aayi sahib aaproches nakusha with her usual motherly warmth..patting her on the cheek aayi sahib..greets nakusha with a smile. Equaly as pleased to see her nakusha passes a smile yet her eyes still search the sorrounding. Dutta watching silently from a distance hears her ask of baabi. "Aayi sahib..woh sethji aur aayi nahin dikh rahe???"
aayi sahib explains that they had left for the basti a day or so ago, dutta notices the way nakushas smile fades a little.
…….
Later on in the evening, under the night sky baaji sits on the edge of the stone plateform on the rooftop. Sitting in silence thinking over the circumstances he now faced. On one end was his love for madu and other the other end his friendship and loyalty to Dutta. Baaji goes on thinking, he jumps from the silence when hearing duttas tone of voice.
"Kya soch raha hai baaji?" turning his expression baaji sees dutta standing behind him. that familiar posture, hands clasped behind his back dressed in his white attire. seeing dutta baaji gets up from his seated position and stands beside dutta who looks out to the sky. Both looking upon the night sky..dutta breaks the silence.
"Laadki ka naam kya hai?" baaji hearing the comment from dutta instantly looks duttas way a little anxious. Trying to stray away from the conversation baaji stumbles on his words which gives away more. "nahin bhau..aise kuch nahin reh.." dutta turning his expression to the side..passes a firm glare. "baat mat ghuma !.." turning back dutta speaks with a sense of disappointment to his words which baaji senses.
"Kaha tha meine baaji..pyaar ke chakar mein takleef ke alava kuch nahin milta..
Nahin suna tune…" baaji feeling a little guilty..as a child being told off for doing something wrong listens in silence with a lowered expression. But as ever dutta was a balance of two very different personas, a more stern exterior but there was a softer side that was apparent even now. Looking back to baaji..that same seriousness on his expression "Pyaar karta hai use?"
Baaji surprised to here this from dutta nods a yes without making any real eye contact. Dutta watches his reply and turns back to look into oblivion.
Toe kis baat ka intaasar kar raha hai.. ? baaji almost stunned by the way dutta had taken this matter with ease looks towards dutta who still looks out into the night sky..he didn't know quite how to put this into words. swallowing the lump in this throat he begins to explain Bhau uska parivar.." hearing baaji hesitate dutta interrupts making a presumption of the problem.
"Uske aayi baba ko bol ke woh dutta shri ram patil ke ghar ki sadasya ban ne jaa rahin hai aur dutta use bahu nahin beti ki taara rakhenga. Agar nahin maane toe mein kudh baat karunga unse."
Madhu having just walked onto the roof behind them happens have listened into duttas words. Touched by his affection and care in her brothers tone she relates him to her farther and feels her eyes soften.
--"Bhaiya.." madhu didn't know weather this call out to her brother was due to an emotion building in her after hearing his words or just because it was what she had intended.
Dutta and baaji turning to madu ..
"Woah..bhabhi aarti ke leigyey bula rahin hai." Dutta nods in acknowledgement patting baaji on the back as he seems again lost in thought. By the time they get to the hall of Patil Niwas nakusha had completed the evening aarti.
Her eyes closed and hands folded in front of bapas idol, madu baaji and dutta stop at a short distance behind her and pay respects in there individual ways. Dutta puts his hands together and closes his eyes in silence for a moment and madhu and baaji follow a similar gesture. As nakusha opens her eyes taking the aarti thali in her hands she turns around and smiles as she sees them walking the short distance ..she stops before dutta first. Putting the aarti plate in front of him watches him circle his palms over the flames and brush them over his eyes and head. Extending his palm for the prashad nakusha offers dutta consumes it. As nakusha goes on to passing the aarti to madhu.. she makes some conversation whilst performing the ritual.
"bhabhi aap ne abhi bappa se kya maanga..?"
nakusha passes a smile, but is a little conscious of weather to tell madhu what she had really asked for.
Glancing duttas way who simpliy listens without any reaction, nakusha thinks for a moment yet to lie was not in her nature. "Bas itna ke woh saab ki har itcha puri kare"
Dutta passes a glance nakushas way as he hears her reply but is subjected to the same question by madhu. Bhahiya aap bataayey aapne kya maanga.?".
"Joe shart tumari vahini ne rakhi hai mujse se usme bappa uska saath de.."
Duttas words didn't really make sense to Madhu or Baaji yet nakusha was aware of what he was referring to. Something about what he had just said touched her..
As dutta walks away and baaji and madu retire to there own tasks..nakushas stops dutta as she watches him walk away. "Saab..!"
Dutta stops as he hears her call out..turning around with a poise. He places his hands behind his back..and watches her approach that aarti thali still to hand. A little conscious as she speaks her eyes tilted.
"Saab woah..shart wali baat.." dutta notices the way nakusha is lost for words part way. Looking down at her he angles his expression slightly..a slight sigh to his words.
"Jaanta hoon..shart nahin gusarish hai teri" nakusha looks up at dutta as he recalls her exact words. Lekin muje shart syada pasand hai.. nakusha.." As ever she finds his words his ways unpredictable. Listening to him in a silence she notices a certain warmth in those eyes of his. Even though there was a sense of pride and demand to his words there was something about him that told her he wanted her to triumph.
"Agar tu ne dutta shri ram patil mein pyaar ka ehsaas jaagayay toe teri joe maang hai woh puri karunga.. lekin agar haar gayi .."
dutta pauses there..watching nakusha lift her eyes, filled with devotion and respect for him she completes his sentence. "Har saza mansoor hai saab.."
Dutta watches Nakusha with a certain glow in his eyes, he liked a challenge and more important was the relevance this matter had to him as someone who believed he could not fall in love again.
...
Late into the night, dutta walks the floors of the house per routine before retiring to his room for the night. Walking the top floor of Patil Niwas he overlooks the lounge and sees nakusha on the phone. She would often speak to her mother in the evenings and noticing that she was missing her mother more so today dutta predicts it to baabi on the phone.
Just as dutta walks the corridors towards the bedroom he notices the house phone at a distance off its stand. Picking It up dutta is just about to put it back in place when he hears baabis voice mention his name.
Dutta thinks for a second thinking about how he had seen a sense of urgency in nakusha to meet her mother this morning he contemplates weather there was something that was bothering her that she was not telling him about. Dutta puts the phone to his ear.
Naku: " aaj muje teri bohot yaaad rahin hai aayi.." a genuine sadness in nakushas voice baabi seems equally as upset as she replies.
Baabi: "Mein jaanti hai naku..har saaal ham jaanam din saath mein maana te hai naa. Is saal mein akeli hein maanayegi, lekin tere saath toe pura parviar hai naa naku.. tu ne bhau ko bola hai naa ke kal tera bhi janam din hai?"
love you all!!
Chapter 13
As Nakusha quietly approaches and takes a seat next to dutta on the bed she notices how lost he seemed. Almost out of the dutta shri ram patil shell. Without looking up..his words strained by uncertainly even guilt..
"Tune muje roka kyun nahin nakusha?" not quite understanding what he meant by that nakusha looks towards her side at him as he speaks looking into oblivion as he sounds his words. "Hamari shaadhi ki raat nakusha… jo nasdikiya badayi thi meine.." nakusha not expecting dutta to bring up this looks towards him instantly, her eyes anxious as he speaks "galat tha mein us vakt." "Phir bhi tu ne seh..liya?"
Nakusha denying his words with a silent nod trying get across that she had never felt this way about their relationship. As dutta turns towards nakusha his gaze full of sadness nakusha feels her emotions build within. Pausing for a second, very calm and rational per nature nakusha sounds her words with the upmost respect. "Aap bura na mano toe mein kuch bolu…?" Dutta shakes his head to approve. Watching nakusha think cautiously before she speaks dutta lets her gone on.. angling his head slightly his eyes moist he watches nakusha with an evident glow in those eye of his.
"Ek laadki jab shaadhi kar ke aati hai naa saab, toe use kayee sapne hote hai Mein jaanti hai aap mere se pyaar nahin karte, lekin aapne kabhi mere un sapno ko tutne bhi nahin diya. Ehsaas dilayay aapne muje ke mein aapki patni hai…aur yey galat kaise ho sakta hai . … bas.. uske baad..
Dutta continues to watch nakusha as she seems hesitant to go on. There was something she was about to say but was unsure. Dropping her eyes nervously dutta prompts her "Bol .." after a slight pause she lifts her eyes…dutta sees those eyes of hers filled with affection her voice a little unbalanced as she speaks..
"Us raat ke baad aapne duriya baraadi saab.."Dutta pauses for a second…watching her expression, those eyes of hers that were filled with virtue but before dutta could respond. A knock at the door…kaka's voice from behind the door is heard. He provides news of baaji and madhu having come home.
Nakusha reacting to the interruption gets instantly tries to shake off the intensity of that conversation …"..mein dekhke ati hai.." Just as nakusha is about to step away she feels a warm grasp at her wrist. Turning around she looks up to duttas tall posture that towers over her at a comfortable yet close distance. his eyes warm..yet glowing with a certain emotional sentiment dutta keeps hold of nakushas wrist as he sounds his words.
"Tuje meri duri ka ehsaas hua, takleef hue…mere bartav se.." his words prolonged and, heavily spoken nakusha could see a certain softness in his eyes that was so rare. "Phir bhi tu ne kuch nahin kaha……? Nakusha overwhelmed by the interaction her eyes filling up slowly as he speaks. Nodding his head..softly as his heart takes over from the mind his gestures symbolising a form of regret. "Iska matlab mein aatcha pati nahin.."
Hearing those words from him Nakusha looks towards Dutta with instance her eyes holding in those tears with a very calm characteristic manner she nods in refusal, she didn't think that of him. "aisa mat bolo saab" dutta looks into nakushas eyes as she speaks..scattering her eyes under his watch, her words tailored with affection.
"Aap bas mere ko ek moka doe saab." A little surprised to here something of the sort from nakusha dutta continues to watch her silently. Noticing the way her eyes deferred from looking at him, there was so much respect in that tone of voice..that mannerism of hers.
"Mein jaanti hai aap pyaar mein vishwas nahin rakhte aur mein aapko pyaar karne ko nahin bol rahin… the mention of pyaar and nakusha listens to a soft sigh from dutta..lifting her eyes up slowly she sees dutta look into oblivion past her..a little unsure to how he was going to react she finish of her words… bas ek moka doe.. saab" har ek insaan ke andar ek pyaar karne wali shakshiat hoti hai saab..bas use jaaga na saaruri
"mere andar koi…. pyaar ka ehsaas nahin hai…. Nakusha.."
"hai saab.". nakusha happens to lift her eyes to his expression and sees a very stern look of disapproval in his face but she overlooks it, cautious with her words as she goes on
"ek moka do mere ko saab .. aap bhi pyaar par barosa karne lago ge.."
After a long silence duttas eyes watching every detail on her expression and thinking of her every word duttas silence is broken by a questioning phrase.
"Shart laga rahin hai?" the way duttas words seem to tough his expression very serious nakusha feels her heart skip a beat.. "Shart nahin saab… gusarish,,"
Dutta looks back at nakusha and into those eyes of hers that convey seamless innocence he watches her eyes flutter a little as he makes eye contact..
This is what he admired about her, her belief in herself ..her belief in the strength of love, maybe because he no longer able to believe in things so easily..his harsh encounters in life had left him lacking of believe Nakusha seemed to carry so naturally. Thinking over nakushas words duttas expression easing that little nakusha could knew her words were being contemplated in his mind. Those eyes of his gave off an unreadable glow.
As a silence falls between them nakusha unaware of how he had taken her words waits for a reaction ..dutta simply goes on…looking over nakusha when madhus tone of voice is sounded from downstairs. Dutta still looking into nakushas eyes as if to make out her intentions..closes his eyes softly..he yet again hears madu calling out for nakusha. Reopening his eyes shaking his head towards the door subtly.. "Jaa.."
As nakusha pauses for a second to look over dutta who now looks into oblivoion, not wanting to leave him this way nakusha looks a little unsure yet slowly walks out of the room as she hears madhu out in the corridor once again.
Dutta hearing nakusha leave the room..throws his expression into the air with a sigh…
Outside in the corridor ..nakusha closes the door to the room behind her, having hidden that upset from him nakusha finds herself.. in an moment where she can let go of her tears however just as she leaves the room and has a movement to herself madhu happens to be before her. As ever lively per mood, she approaches nakusha with a smile but notices how nakusha instantly adds a smile to her lips as she approaches.
"Bhabhi! Mein kaha kaha dhund rahin thi aapko..actually woh..kahna ready hai toe mein aapko aur bhaiya ko bulane aayi thi.." madhu notices the way nakusha seems to be lost in though.. Kya baat hai bhabhi..aap kuch pareshan lag rahin hai? but denying it all nakusha..convinces madhu..with a faint smile..
"Nahin..aisa kuch nahin hai madu…tu jaa mein aabhi aati hai.."
Madhu accepts and leaves ..nakusha watching her away to head for the staircase..closes her eyes…stepping back against the wall.. beside the door of the room..nakusha pauses for a second..her eyes firmly shut gradual tears descend from her eyes.
Opening her eyes, a minute or so later.. to dutta who stands before her, his posture very apt per his person. Hands clasped behind his back, that very characteristic mannerism of authority yet as nakushas eyes clear from the blurred vision of those tears and her eyes lock with his..she sees a certain warm glow in those eyes of his..
She didn't know how long he had been watching her for or what he was feeling but those eyes of his gave of an affectionate reassurance.
The silence between them spoke volumes….
Duttas posture as collective and calm as ever ..his eyes baring a softness for her sadness before dutta could say anything..baaji who approaches in his usual upbeat manner strolling towards them..not paying much attention baaji concentrates more on his phone call. As nakusha sees..baaji approach she quickly wipes her tears away and dawns a more calm expression. Dutta not moving watches the way nakusha flinches..he too could hear baaji yet that was not effecting him in anyway.
Baaji taking the phone away from his ear and pressesing the required button to hang up..fails to notice that there is something wrong. Looking over duttas shoulder baaji seems to say his bit whilst playing around with his phone.
"Are bhau..tu chal naa woh neeche madhu kab ka intsaar kar rahin hai..tum dono abhi nahin aayey naa toe woh mere ko kha jayeygi bhau!"
Dutta goes on looking at nakusha with the same intensity..breaking the eye lock for a second he responds to baaji..and walks away.
..A little later at the dinner table, a fairly silent affair..madhu and baaji talk amongst themselves, nakusha eats silently..dutta sat at the head of the table consumes his food in peace, thinking of the earlier conversation the way he had witness nakusha cry on her own out of sight, the incident at the time of there wedding flashes by duttas eyes. The way nakusha was distort after receiving a threatening package..even then he was unable to console her and even today it was the same or maybe even worse. At least then she had expressed her upset in his presence..but today..she felt the need to hide that from him?. As dutta noticed a whole hearted smile on nakusha's face whilst in conversation with baaji and madhu.. pausing for a minute to watch her.. seeing her smile that way makes him realise that there was an element of nakusha that was lost after marriage.
…..
Next morning, not much talk between the two of them post last nights conversation nakusha walks into the bedroom with Duttas morning tea. His back to her dutta rings his kurta around his head buttoning it he turns around swiftly to see nakusha standing before him with the cup of tea. Her eyes lowered she senses the way dutta concentrates on adjusting his attire folding each sleeve of his black kurta carefully..nakusha glances up for a second as to check if this was a really good time to ask her question.
"saab…mein kuch poohch sakti hai..? dutta continues to adjust his sleeves without making any eye contact he sounds an approval. "bol.." As ever nakusha soflty sounds her words. "Ham yaha kitne der rukhenge?" dutta instantly looks towards nakusha as she finishes..his eyes intdearingly asking her as ever his eyes trace through what nakusha tries to hide. " tu..ghar jaana chahti hai?" nodding that once in reply..the fact that she hesitates to answer the question, dutta makes out her feelings through her silence.
As Nakusha eyes him softly after a pause she notices one of his buttons on his attire hooked amongst the wrong button whole . Dutta unware takes the cup of tea from nakusha and brings it to his mouth..taking a measured sip his eyes float towards nakusha to notice the way she seemed to be looking at towards him but at something in particular. As dutta trails his own eyes down at his kurta he sees the abrupt way in which he had buttoned his attire.
Balancing the cup of tea in his right hand dutta looks down at his attire is about to adjust his buttons when nakusha notes his struggle.."Mein karti hai saab.". dutta nods lightly and moves his arms out of the way to make way in an open fashion to make for nakusha who steps closer. The proximity between both of them infinite nakusha feels a little uneasy with the closeness yet concentrates on adjusting the buttons of his kurta whilst dutta finds himself helplessly watching her.. he wasn't even sure why but he was finding it difficult to take his eyes of her.
Trying to get some insight into what she was thinking after last nights conversation dutta is unable to read her. just as nakusha steps away dutta feels a tug at his kurta and lowers his eyes to see nakushas mangalsutra caught on his kurta. As nakusha feels the same tug stopping her from moving away she looks upon her mangulstra which strays between them. A little lost for words dutta notices how nakushas face seems to show a little apprehension. Stepping back under his watch, she tries to untangle the strands from his button. Dutta feeling nakushas fingers tugging at his kurta..a sense of nervousness growing in her..she looks up at him innocently her eyes both apologetic and nervous as to his reaction. Dutta watching over her in a composed fashion reaches over to the dressing table to put down the cup in his hands. Turning back to nakusha..looking down at the strands of the mangulstra that she was unable to untangle dutta closes the pace between them by stepping even closer. Close enough to feel her increased heartbeat dutta makes note of the effect his closness has on her. nakusha self-conscious, her heart beating that little faster and cheeks going a shade of crimson..finds herself searching the floor with her eyes as the side of duttas cheek..his stubble brushes against her face..as he moves to look over her shoulder nakusha closes her eyes reacting to that warm yet slightly uncomfortable feeling of his stubble against her cheek.
As duttas closeness pesists..his face lingering close to the crux of her neck as he looks over her shoulder, carefully unhooking her mangalsutra nakusha can feel his breath upon her skin which sends a wave of nerves through her body. Carefully removing it ..dutta steps away..as her mangalsutra sits in his hands..now just attached to his kurta. nakusha lost for words, embarrassed her eyes lowered she glances up the once to see him carefully unhooking her mangalustra from his kurta. just as dutta manages to free It from his attire..there is a double knock at the door of the room. Dutta and nakusha both look towards the entrance to see baaji hovering at the door.
Dutta puts down nakushas mangalsutra down on the dressing table by his right, placing his hands behind his back per natural charictrastic dutta shakes his head very stubtly as to invite baaji into the room. As ever baaji quite loud per nature, and appreance he strolls in dressed in his orange kurta…a little quieter than norm.
"Bhau woh bas mein bolne aaya tha ke..mein aur madu nikalrahe hai.."
baaji expecting more of an worldless acknowledgement is surprised when dutta asks him to make use of both cars.. "ek nahin doe gadi tayar rakh baaji.."
A little confused baaji questions duttas words just to make sure. "Kya bhau..tu toe bola ke tu yaha vahini ke saath kuch din rukhega?" dutta passes a stern glare baajis way and baaji knew what that ment. Dutta shri ram patil isn't doesn't feel the need explain himself to anyone and this way something baaji was well aware off. Not lingering on that subject for too long baaji simply does as is expected of him."Theek hai bhau Mein gaadi tayaar rakhta hai."
On the other hand Nakusha hearing this for the first time her eyes react with instance, she looks towards him momentarily but as ever his expression gives away nothing but her mind explores the possibilities. He had considered sparing some time for her yet..changed his mind after her question to him about returning home a few minutes ago.?
As baaji leaves the room to go about his job, there isn't much chance for her speak to him..as soon as baaji leaves duttas mobile phone buzzes and he walks a short distance towards the bedside, looking over the wooden surface of the drawer by the bed..dutta watches his phone buzz..deeming it to be something important he picks up the call..
Nakusha seeing him busy in conversation turns to walk some distance towards the door to leave. Just as she takes a few measured steps..she hears his voice..
"Tu kuch bhool nahin rahin hai?"As nakusha turns around she sees dutta still busy with his phone call has paused the conversation. Holding the phone to his ear yet not making conversation with the person on the end..duttas words and attention is primarily for her. As nakusha looks at dutta with a rather blank expression dutta eyes her with a firmness. Seeing that blankness on her expression dutta a little impatient by the way she doesn't seem to understand silently nods towards the dressing table his eyes pointing at the surface of the dressing table where he had placed her mangalsutra.
Nakusha walking towards the dressing table sees the mangalustra on the wooden surface below the mirror..and realises that she had truly forgotten about it. her thoughts occupied by what she had heard from baaji. what he indented and how she may have been the reason he had changed his plans nakusha had forgotten all about inident a few minutes ago.
Taking a look In the mirror as she circles the mangalsurtra around her neck...nakusha takes a glance at duttas reflection..for a second. Engrossed in his conversation over the phone nakusha watches him pace up and down the floor very seriously..but there was something special about even the smallest of his traits..as nakusha watches him..with a sense of affection in those eyes of hers the fact that he gave her relevance and cared for in such a way meant the world for her.
As dutta continues his conversation walking up and down.. he catches nakusha watching him through the mirror. As both share an eye lock, nakusha is quick in dropping her eyes making out as it was nothing more than coincidence.
…..
On the way home they finally manage to visit the mandir which was the purpose of there visit. Nakusha seems a little happier having forgotten her worries with the visit to the temple the rest of the journey passes peacefully with the odd humorous input from baaji.
Late afternoon. As they arrive home and walk into the house baaji and madhu go about greeting various family members but dutta notices the way in which nakushas eyes search the house. As aayi sahib aaproches nakusha with her usual motherly warmth..patting her on the cheek aayi sahib..greets nakusha with a smile. Equaly as pleased to see her nakusha passes a smile yet her eyes still search the sorrounding. Dutta watching silently from a distance hears her ask of baabi. "Aayi sahib..woh sethji aur aayi nahin dikh rahe???"
aayi sahib explains that they had left for the basti a day or so ago, dutta notices the way nakushas smile fades a little.
…….
Later on in the evening, under the night sky baaji sits on the edge of the stone plateform on the rooftop. Sitting in silence thinking over the circumstances he now faced. On one end was his love for madu and other the other end his friendship and loyalty to Dutta. Baaji goes on thinking, he jumps from the silence when hearing duttas tone of voice.
"Kya soch raha hai baaji?" turning his expression baaji sees dutta standing behind him. that familiar posture, hands clasped behind his back dressed in his white attire. seeing dutta baaji gets up from his seated position and stands beside dutta who looks out to the sky. Both looking upon the night sky..dutta breaks the silence.
"Laadki ka naam kya hai?" baaji hearing the comment from dutta instantly looks duttas way a little anxious. Trying to stray away from the conversation baaji stumbles on his words which gives away more. "nahin bhau..aise kuch nahin reh.." dutta turning his expression to the side..passes a firm glare. "baat mat ghuma !.." turning back dutta speaks with a sense of disappointment to his words which baaji senses.
"Kaha tha meine baaji..pyaar ke chakar mein takleef ke alava kuch nahin milta..
Nahin suna tune…" baaji feeling a little guilty..as a child being told off for doing something wrong listens in silence with a lowered expression. But as ever dutta was a balance of two very different personas, a more stern exterior but there was a softer side that was apparent even now. Looking back to baaji..that same seriousness on his expression "Pyaar karta hai use?"
Baaji surprised to here this from dutta nods a yes without making any real eye contact. Dutta watches his reply and turns back to look into oblivion.
Toe kis baat ka intaasar kar raha hai.. ? baaji almost stunned by the way dutta had taken this matter with ease looks towards dutta who still looks out into the night sky..he didn't know quite how to put this into words. swallowing the lump in this throat he begins to explain Bhau uska parivar.." hearing baaji hesitate dutta interrupts making a presumption of the problem.
"Uske aayi baba ko bol ke woh dutta shri ram patil ke ghar ki sadasya ban ne jaa rahin hai aur dutta use bahu nahin beti ki taara rakhenga. Agar nahin maane toe mein kudh baat karunga unse."
Madhu having just walked onto the roof behind them happens have listened into duttas words. Touched by his affection and care in her brothers tone she relates him to her farther and feels her eyes soften.
--"Bhaiya.." madhu didn't know weather this call out to her brother was due to an emotion building in her after hearing his words or just because it was what she had intended.
Dutta and baaji turning to madu ..
"Woah..bhabhi aarti ke leigyey bula rahin hai." Dutta nods in acknowledgement patting baaji on the back as he seems again lost in thought. By the time they get to the hall of Patil Niwas nakusha had completed the evening aarti.
Her eyes closed and hands folded in front of bapas idol, madu baaji and dutta stop at a short distance behind her and pay respects in there individual ways. Dutta puts his hands together and closes his eyes in silence for a moment and madhu and baaji follow a similar gesture. As nakusha opens her eyes taking the aarti thali in her hands she turns around and smiles as she sees them walking the short distance ..she stops before dutta first. Putting the aarti plate in front of him watches him circle his palms over the flames and brush them over his eyes and head. Extending his palm for the prashad nakusha offers dutta consumes it. As nakusha goes on to passing the aarti to madhu.. she makes some conversation whilst performing the ritual.
"bhabhi aap ne abhi bappa se kya maanga..?"
nakusha passes a smile, but is a little conscious of weather to tell madhu what she had really asked for.
Glancing duttas way who simpliy listens without any reaction, nakusha thinks for a moment yet to lie was not in her nature. "Bas itna ke woh saab ki har itcha puri kare"
Dutta passes a glance nakushas way as he hears her reply but is subjected to the same question by madhu. Bhahiya aap bataayey aapne kya maanga.?".
"Joe shart tumari vahini ne rakhi hai mujse se usme bappa uska saath de.."
Duttas words didn't really make sense to Madhu or Baaji yet nakusha was aware of what he was referring to. Something about what he had just said touched her..
As dutta walks away and baaji and madu retire to there own tasks..nakushas stops dutta as she watches him walk away. "Saab..!"
Dutta stops as he hears her call out..turning around with a poise. He places his hands behind his back..and watches her approach that aarti thali still to hand. A little conscious as she speaks her eyes tilted.
"Saab woah..shart wali baat.." dutta notices the way nakusha is lost for words part way. Looking down at her he angles his expression slightly..a slight sigh to his words.
"Jaanta hoon..shart nahin gusarish hai teri" nakusha looks up at dutta as he recalls her exact words. Lekin muje shart syada pasand hai.. nakusha.." As ever she finds his words his ways unpredictable. Listening to him in a silence she notices a certain warmth in those eyes of his. Even though there was a sense of pride and demand to his words there was something about him that told her he wanted her to triumph.
"Agar tu ne dutta shri ram patil mein pyaar ka ehsaas jaagayay toe teri joe maang hai woh puri karunga.. lekin agar haar gayi .."
dutta pauses there..watching nakusha lift her eyes, filled with devotion and respect for him she completes his sentence. "Har saza mansoor hai saab.."
Dutta watches Nakusha with a certain glow in his eyes, he liked a challenge and more important was the relevance this matter had to him as someone who believed he could not fall in love again.
...
Late into the night, dutta walks the floors of the house per routine before retiring to his room for the night. Walking the top floor of Patil Niwas he overlooks the lounge and sees nakusha on the phone. She would often speak to her mother in the evenings and noticing that she was missing her mother more so today dutta predicts it to baabi on the phone.
Just as dutta walks the corridors towards the bedroom he notices the house phone at a distance off its stand. Picking It up dutta is just about to put it back in place when he hears baabis voice mention his name.
Dutta thinks for a second thinking about how he had seen a sense of urgency in nakusha to meet her mother this morning he contemplates weather there was something that was bothering her that she was not telling him about. Dutta puts the phone to his ear.
Naku: " aaj muje teri bohot yaaad rahin hai aayi.." a genuine sadness in nakushas voice baabi seems equally as upset as she replies.
Baabi: "Mein jaanti hai naku..har saaal ham jaanam din saath mein maana te hai naa. Is saal mein akeli hein maanayegi, lekin tere saath toe pura parviar hai naa naku.. tu ne bhau ko bola hai naa ke kal tera bhi janam din hai?"
….
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