Sorry for keeping you waiting chapter 18: 5TH MARCH COMING SOON!
Chapter 18Late afternoon as nakusha approaches the bedroom with duttas afternoon tea a little hesitant to face him, she hadn't really interacted with him after returning from the basti and this is what made it so difficult. She wasn't quite sure how he would react to her, still feeling a sense of guilt for her behavior a day or so ago nakusha found it difficult to let go of the burden and wouldn't not until she heard him say he had forgiven her. As Nakusha walks through the bedroom she gets to the porch where duttas had been talking to baaji for some time now.
Dressed in his white attire dutta stood behind the desk, approaching nakusha is just about to put the cup down onto the desk when dutta looses his temper abruptly raising his voice "HAR BAAR GALTI KARNE KI AADAT KAB JAYEYGI TERI BAJI!"
Nakusha finding herself terrified at the tone of his looses grip over the cup to her hand and drops it.. crashing against the table the content of the glass spills as well as the cup smashing. dutta and baaji both look towards the direction in which the sound had come from. Dutta sees nakusha at once tries to rectify her mistake by trying to clean up the mess. Dutta excuses baaji..and then looks over nakusha who tries to clear the broken glass and spillage on the desk.
"Rehne de ise" Even though dutta has already told her not to bother nakusha continued to try and clear up.
Dutta taking hold of nakushas wrist feels her shiver at his touch, as nakusha looks up at him for a moment dutta sees the existence of fear in her face. Her eyes unsure uneasy, her hand continues to tremble in his grip. Duttas tone rather heavy the apprehension on his face visible.
"Kya hua? kyun dar rahin hai?"Getting no response from her he watches her simply divert her gaze. In the process he notices the way in which nakushas wrist is plastered. With a sense of concern in those eyes of his dutta looks over nakushas wrist and then back at nakusha who avoids looking at him. "
Yey kya hua tuje!???" there was a threat in his eyes that was almost imapitent to know if she was hurt.
Watching her hesitate further under his watch, her eyes scatter nervously as she replies. Her words almost silent and disinterested in the matter.
"Kuch nahin, woh kal raat kangan nikaal te vakt.." not letting her finish her words dutta is quick to intervine his eyes still carrying a very concened glow.
Agar takleef ho rahin thi toe mujhe bataana chaahi.… dutta stops part way when he realizes he couldn't have done anything. Looking over nakusha who still avoids him in every way . Why did she feel she couldn't talk to him? there was a strange fear in that expression of hers that dutta could make out clearly. Nakushas instantly takes her hand away from dutta's and leaves the room silently. Leaving dutta to dwell over her behavior.
Dutta tries to break the silence between them yet just as he attempts to a maid enters. Dutta seeing the presence of a third person in the room lets go of nakushas wrist gently and places his arms behind his back. His eyes on the lady that was stood at the entrance.
The maid tells dutta that aayi sahib was asking for nakusha. Dutta passing a slight nod of approval moves his eyes back to nakusha. Knowing very well that he was not going to get a deeper response especially now that there was a third person in the room both of them could hear the maid approaching the desk and clearing up the tea spillage at the corner of the surface.
….
8.30pm in evening the night sky dawned to darkness. Dutta standing at the porch of his room, forearms stretched and palms pressed to the wooden ledge of the porch, his posture curved over the ledge slightly dressed In his white attire seems to be lost looking into space.
That image of nakusha in his mind, the hesitance and fear he couldn't get to grips with. As baaji strolls into the porch area, whistling in a very upbeat manner carry a certain files in his hand he swings it across in a throw onto the table instead of making the effort to approach the table. Surprised to see dutta still around.. baaji throws a casual prompt at dutta who has his back to him.
"Arey bhau…tu ab tak nahin gayay kya??.. Woh meeting hai naa shinde ke saath..mein jaaon kya. ???""baaji tune use kaise bataya tha ke pyar karta hai use?""Kya bhau!? Yey pyaar ki baat tere muhn se kab nikalne lagi reh!!?
Aur mein kya.. use khud bolna pada ho!! Mein toe is baat mein bikul fail raha bhau."Dutta turns to baaji who animatedly thinks about his love, there was a certain look on baajis face of confusion, reminiscence and humour. Dutta expression rather soft, his eyes carry a vivid glow he parts his lips in a smile as she walks towards baaji just as dutta is about to walk past him into the room he pauses for a second. looks over baaji with that certain content on his expression and pats baajis left shoulder before walking into the room. Baaji that little confused, scratches his head as his eyes follow dutta who had turned into the room.
….
As nakusha walks to approach the staircase, dutta's evening meal carried in a white tray, she pauses seeing the likes of baaji and dutta coming down the staircase. Dutta dressed in his black outfit turns to baaji on his right whilst adjusting his wristwatch.
"Ghar ki security ka dhyan rahe,baaji koi garbar nahin." As ever baaji reassuring dutta the business conversation continues.
As dutta and baaji reach the end of the staircase, dutta eyes happens to fall on nakusha who is stood before him. Her eyes lowered, that tray carried in her hands. Dutta looks over nakusha for a second similar to earlier she didn't really make any eye contact. Looking at that tray she is carrying , dutta realises that she had prepared his evening meal.
"Kuch kaam hai, mere lotne par saath beth kar khayeyge. Hah Agar tuje bhook lage toe kha lena." Nakusha is a little taken to surprise when she feels the palm of duttas hand cupping her right cheek as she looks up momentary she sees a very warm glow in his eyes. Dropping her eyes instantly a little confused by what had just occurred she happens to dwell over the moments hearing duttas footsteps walking around her and out of the house causing her to turn, watching him walk out of the house.
An hour or so later and dutta retuning home sees the kids occupying the sofa at one end of the lounge. Baaji, madhu, roops, leela all sat around the tea table area making a considerable amount of noise. Duttas eyes searching the house for nakusha, his eyes attain there desired view as he sees nakusha laying the table. Stood at duttas place at the head of the table nakusha having not noticed his presence arranges his plate.
As dutta walks closer, he breaks the silence getting nakusha attention.
"Tune khayay..?"Nakusha looks up instantly..her eyes in a little struggle she nods a no.
"mera vraat hai. " dutta playing with the wedding ring on his right hand his eyes try to make out what the case really was and as ever he was well aware that it wasn't the vraat that was stopping her from eating. There was a sense of discomfort awkwardness she was carrying against him ever since she had returned.
Just as dutta is about to take a seat at the table Roops tugs at his forearm and stops him from sitting down."
Bhau khana vana baad mein pehle aap na baaji ka kuch kijyey!!" dutta confused puts up with his little sister for awhile and then his tone becomes a little firm.
"Kya hua roops yey kya kar rahin hai!??" Not really listening to Dutta roops tugs at duttas arms and pulls nakusha along with her towards the lounge.
"Chalo naa bhau batati hoon, aur aap bhi chaliyey vahini!"Being pulled a short distance into the lounge Roops stops them infront of the seating area. "
Yey dekhyey bhau..yey baaji kitne der se madhu ke saath ankhon mein ankhen daal kar beta hai, is tara toe ham haar jayeyge bhau!"Dutta placing his hands behind his back in a very comfortable way watches the game going on. The one two people look into each other's eyes and the person who blinks first looses. By the looks of it baaji was wining, madhus eyes filling up with tears for having stared for so long, It seemed to be a girls against boys battle and the only boy Baaji was wining. Roops nudging dutta at the arm asks for some help.
"Kuch kijyey na bhau varana madhu haar jayeygi.."Dutta found this type of thing very childish however for likes of his sisters he would always ease his conduct and it was true to say that there was a very easy going persona within Dutta Shri Ram patil that liked to be seen now and again.
Using his very deep and profound sense of voice dutta addresses baaji in a loud manner which causes baaji to flinch and loose eye contact.
Almost jumping on the spot baaji panics looking around frantically
.. "HO bhau!" It takes him a few minutes to take note of roops and madhu who laugh at him for having fallen for the trick. A soft smile forms on duttas face as he watches the humour between the girls and baaji, even nakusha forgets her gloom for a few minutes. Just as dutta tries to slip away this time around madhu catches him. pulling him onto the sofa "
ek baar aap bhi khelyey naa bhaiya..please mere leighyey!" dutta is just about to reject madhus proposal however gives it a second thought when Nakusha is mentioned.
"Haamari saath nahin toe kamse kam bhabhi ke saath?" dutta looks towards nakusha for a moment, seeing her refrain from the subject feeling uncomfortable, without a reply she walks towards the kitchen. Dutta watching away takes a moment to think. Nakusha had gone out her way to avoid him, she wouldn't make eye contact, and the most disturbing was that she seemed to fear him.
As the kids continue to play there game dutta still thinking over nakusha recalls his own words that sound in his mind.
"Ab tamees bhi muje hein shikani padegi ??! AKHENE NEECHE NAKUSHA! YEY MAT BHOOL KE TU APNE PATI KE SAAMNE KHADI HAI!". The way he had lashed out at her, nakusha seemed to have taken his words to heart.
At the dinning table dutta having nearly finished his meal silently. Nakusha having served him throughout the meal goes about clearing the table alongside Madhu. There was a strange silence throughout the interaction, the words passed between madhu and dutta were of the norm yet madhu noticed the way her brother seemed to watch nakusha. Dutta not having eaten much yet more for the sake of nakusha who he knew wouldn't eat until he had rinses his hands within his plate and and rises from his seat to head for the table. Amidst this action of his as he turns towards the opposing direction with his hands held in a certain fashion he comes face with nakusha who yet again stands behind his chair with a downcast expression. Dutta watches her for a moment as if to wait for her to look at him walks into the kitchen after a small pause.
As dutta walks away to the kitchen nakusha moves closer towards the dining table helping madhu pick up the remaining bits on the dining table. A minute or so into the task and madhu notices something outside in the garden that gets her attention.
Meanwhile dutta having washed his hands walks out of the kitchen whist drying his damp palms on his handkerchief he pauses at a distance when overhearing nakushas conversation with madhu.
Madhu noticing the build up of rain outdoors, looks upon the garden area, an childlike smile takes the her lips.
"Bhabhi…barish ho rahin hai..chalo naa bahar chalte hai!!" Just as nakusha is about to reply to madhu she happens to catch sight of dutta from the corner of her eyes. Dutta overhearing the conversation notices the way nakusha reacts to his presence. A more reserved and nervous expression building on her face as she acknowledges him watching. Trying to pretend as if she hadn't seen dutta stood at a distance . The reason behind nakushas refusal and that hidden fear of displeasing him don't go unnoticed by dutta.
"Nahin..madhu..tu jaa, vaise bhi muje kaam hai." madhu walking away from the dinning area to head out to the garden leaving dutta and nakusha stood within the same space yet at some distance. Dutta watches nakusha who silently carries that plate to hand towards the kitchen walking past him in the process, the moment between the two of them very distant.
….
As dutta walks into the bedroom quietly his eyes searching for nakusha not seeing her. Dutta turns around to the maid who had followed him into the room carrying nakushas meal in a tray. His eyes pointing towards the tea table in a nod, the maid does as is asked of her. Putting down the tray on the table she leaves the room.
Dutta taking another glance around the room still on his feet raises his forearms a little in an arch to take off his overcoat when he feels a warm touch on his lower right shoulder. Feeling nakusha hands helping him out of his jacket dutta turns to nakusha who wraps the black waist coast in her hands. Dutta notices the way she yet again defers from looking at him, his eyes go on following her as she walks across the room to his waldrobe. Hangs his overcoat in place and brings out his white attire.
Walking towards him stopping before him she hands him the neatly folded attire but dutta is more taken back by noticing what looked like tears cupped in those eyes of hers. Dutta taking the outfit from her pauses for a second before throwing it lightly onto the bed. Grabing her wrist before she can walk away dutta takes an extra step to face her. Watching her expression that seemed to be looking at the floor. his expression and eyes growing in concern as he sees an tear droplet falling from the corner of her right eye duttas face being to creases in an expressive manner.
"Mujhe dekh… " his tone of voice stubble yet deep there was a sense of softness about the way he had spoken.
Watching nakusha nod a "no"...with her eyes still to the floor dutta takes a deep breath as he feels nakushas upset. Swallowing a lump in his throat dutta scatters his eyes around the room for a second in thought before he looks back at her.
"Mere ghuze mein kahin baat ka itna bura maan leigyey, ek baar dekhegi. bhi nahin.?" Nakusha stills searching the floor with her eyes refrains from looking up at him. Searching for the right words duttas eyes are filled with a certain anticipation to clear the misunderstanding.
"Maana ke ghuze mein bohot kuch keh gayay tha lekin woh…."Dutta almost loosing his words after seeing nakusha in such a state..brings his hands to nakushas face. Cups her cheeks gently and raises her face to his. Still resisting to look into in to his eyes dutta tries to his level best to break this barrier between them.
"Aye naku..Jab daat raha tha tab dar nahin laga aur ab jab pyaar jaata raha hoon toe daar rahin hai!?"Taken by surprise at his words nakusha looks up into duttas eyes as she realises what he was saying. Her eyes cupped In tears a stream of tears that had made there way down her face.
"Pyaar karta hoon mein tuje naku, samaj ne mein der laagi muje nakusha lekin akhir mein apni jasbton ko jaan payay hoon. Ab agar tu saath nahin degi toe mein apna pyaar kaise zahir karpanunga naku."Nakusha's heart beating fast, goose bumps running through her skin. She gently closes her eyes to let the tears flow nodding a yes as he questions her. "
Saath degi naa mera?" Dutta wiping away those tears of hers with his thumbs watches as nakusha opens up her eyes, looking up at him her silence speaks volumes.
Feeling nakusha drop her face onto his chest, dutta takes a slight sigh and wraps his arm around her back slowly. Listing to her muffled voice in his chest. "
Maaf kardo saab.."Having stood like this for some time, dutta allows nakusha to rest In his arms for the peacefulness and ease he sensed in her now had been missing all this time. There was no fear, no hesitation. Pindrop silence in the room is disturbed by the sound of gradual rainfall outdoors. Dutta still holding nakusha in his arms looks down at her for a moment..
"Naku.. woh awaaz sun rahin hai.?"Nakusha taking her expression away from his chest looks up at dutta for a second..not really understanding what he was referring to nakushas expression shows confusion. Dutta taking hold of her arm a certain glow in those eyes of his as he speaks.. "
chal mere saath.."…
Dutta walks nakusha down the staircase and to the garden patio where the rain is clearly visible. Still a little confused nakusha looks towards dutta . As dutta turns to nakusha by his side, seeing her still hesitant, confused, he takes her by the hand and walks out into the rain. Leaving her stunted simply addressing him in surprise "
saab???"Dutta silently walking nakusha into the rain..his black outfit and her orange saari getting slowly drenched. Nakusha a little surprised it takes her a second or two to get into her element, tooking towards dutta who looks into the sky embracing the rain he puts his hands threw his hair. Turning towards nakusha who is still very self conscious of the moment duttas eyes carrying a certain glow watch nakusha..as she struggle for words for a moment and then ends up smiling.
…As nakusha walks out of the restroom dressed In a blue saari her hair loose she finishes tying it into a plate as she closes the door to the rest room and turns into the room. Dutta closing the door to his wardrobe dressed in his white kurta suit. His hair brushed back wet her takes a soft glance towards nakusha.
Turing towards the tea table dutta eyes nakushas evening meal that he had brought up for her. "
Kha le" Nakusha nodding a yes..walks towards the sofa takes a seat and begins to eat..glancing towards dutta now and again.
Dutta hears nakusha sneeze once or twice, turning to her both times and feeling the cold sensation himself after having soaked in rain water as nakusha goes into the restroom to wash her hand dutta heads towards the bedside table. Taking out the remote for the heating system dutta points it in the direction of the wall and then remembers that baaji never got around to fixing it. It was the second time this problem had occurred a little irritation on his face dutta throws the remote back onto the bedside table. Just as he does so he hears a faint cry of pain from behind him..Turning around he sees nakusha trying to remove her kangans.
Instantly reacting Naku!! Dutta steps closer to her..taking her hand in his he puts his lips the part nakusha hand that had gone red.
Nakusha feeling a certain rush of nerves begins to go a shade of red.
Looking up to her that little frantic dutta overlooks nakusha embarrassment
"Dard ho raha hai??" Nakusha nods a no and watches him slowly help her out of the bangles.
Sometime into the night Nakusha and dutta in there respective sides of the bed..dutta lying comfortably on his side hears nakusha toss and turn, sneezing now and again dutta turning on his side to look upon nakusha huddled up figure pulls her towards him. nakusha resting on his chest..dutta wraps his arm around her
…. "Soh jaa.."...
The next morning as nakusha walks towards the dressing table, dressed in a yellow and blue combination of saari looking for her kangans she had forgotten to put on ealier on in the morning she opens the top most drawer of the table and finds the red velvet box missing.Overhearing dutta in the corridor, who sounds like he is talking to baaji, nakusha attention is drawn towards the door which is partly open.
Behind the door nakusha watches dutta…dressed in his brown outfit handing that red velvet box to baaji who as ever is as virbrant as ever in his pink kurta.
"Yey nakusha ke kangan hai baaji, jaa ke jaweri se uska maap theekh karva."Baaji nods with a Ho bhau ..and watches dutta walk away towards his office. Just as baaji is about to walk away into the corridor.
Nakusha is quick to leave the room and stop him.
"BAAJI! RUKH!"Turning in his steps baaji watches nakusha who fast paces herself towards him.
"Kya reh naku?? Kya baat hai??"Nakusha looking over the box in his hands with urgency looks back up at baaji.
"Baaji ine rehne de yey theekh hai.." baaji not convinced thinks twice.
"Kya? lekin abhi abhi bhau ne muje ko bola ke maap badalvane ka hai .."Nakusha reassuring baaji finds it pretty hard to convince him.
"Koi sururat nahin hai baaji saab toe bas aise hein…tu mujhe de."Baaji looking at her a little wary, scratches his head for a second or two and then hands the box over to nakusha. Still not too sure.
" Tu keh rahin hai toe theekh hai.." Nakusha having the box to hand passes a content smile to baaji who still looks at her a little confused.
…..
Next chapter: Dutta rooting through the drawer for misplaced file comes across a red velvet box jewellery box.
Edited by jagrutid - 13 years ago
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
Anupamaa
