OS~A string of pearls. Wedded Bliss p. 146 ~ 16.3.14 - Page 100

Wedded Bliss

Part ~20

Even during the night he tucked closely to her warm body within the cocoon like enclosure of the sleeping bag, but ensured that he was not all over her. Still as he lay on one side, against her curved back, he felt the urge to stretch one of his sided leg against hers.. his toes brushed down the slippery smoothness of her shapely leg. Soon enough she stirred and gently pushed her bottom into his curved abdomen and he whispered, sorry... and fell on his back his arm folded across his forehead. Naku gulped and mumbled, why have you moved away?come back.. He sighed and returned to his previous posture, nosed her tresses from the back of her neck and asked the inevitable question, "you feeling better now humm sickly lardki"? she in turn wiggled back into him and mumbled facing away from him,"haan Saab I am well enough to pack.."Dutta pressed her belly backwards into his torso and grunted,"zayeeda hero bune ke koshish maat kar! you stay lying down, I'll see what I can do, and if needs be, I'll get that gopher Baji Rao to muck in !Naku moaned, "ohh Saab! leave Baji alone! can't you do anything by yourself?..he turned and poked his fore finger in her back and griped,"chup kar!Baji bune he Dutta ke liye hai! he's my side line, mera support! Naku giggled, ooh Saab! can't you let go of that support once a while? Nehin! he growled! and with that he unzipped the sleeping bag, folded his knees and hauled himself up.. Naku closed her eyes, and giggled,"chai mile ge?. With a sneer he sided his face and glared down at her, "kya? you should be asking me that question". She rolled on her back and barely stuck her face from under the sleeping bag,"haan I would Saab, pun aap ne he bola mujhe keep lying down.. me sick in case you've forgotten". He raised his palm and nodded, "yes got it! kuch kerta hai main.." he sulked, reached for his shawl and shuffled out of the tent. He screwed up his nose as the fresh air and sun light hit his face. Automatically, his feet carried him toward Baji's tent.. he entered and was surprised to see Baji up, dressed in his maroon and white batik printed kurta and jeans. Busily, he laid his folded clothes etc back in the holdall.. Dutta folded his arm, and smiled," kafi aache packing kerta hai tu Baji , might just take up on this one, aisa kar, Naku not well so you might as well do me the honours and pack my stuff!. Baji nearly dropped one of his folded jeans and protested,"kya Bhau tum bhi na.. pulling my leg ! really? what a pity me a bachelor boy packing for a married man. Dutta pulled his face to one side and narrowed his eyes and, challenged Baji curtly, "why? which part didn't you understand? the one that Naku doesn't feel too good, or that I have just ordered you! and haan as you know mujhe na sune ke aadat nehin!. Baji's opened his mouth in embarrassment and asked, "and Naku? whose going to do her packing? woh bhi?, before he finished, Dutta retorted, "that , umm main kare ga", he said with an unpleasant expression.. Baji went , "oooh haan bahi! lagan kiya hai tu nebhana parega haina Bhau? Dutta pointed his finger at him and reminded, "hurry up and sort yourself out! he growled. Anay ,rubbed his eyes as he sat up in his sleeping back,"mamoo, you woke me up! Dutta looked down at him and instructed, "Anay you are meant to get up too , remember we have to set back to your Aye, she must be waiting" Anay pulled a face,"awww, can't we stay longer, I don't want to go back yet!.. Dutta bowed his head once andexplained, "no Anay this was just a short break, we took it, now we need to return back to our normal daily life.." Anay argued, "you mean go back to boring school" Dutta glared across to the little boy, and raised his voice,"haan! and me and Baji too have to go back to work! besides Aye Sahib and every one at home our waiting for us too return , so hurry up, wash and get dressed! Anay caught Baji packing and told Dutta,"mamoo! tell Baji to do my packing too! Baji guffawed ,"kya ?dekha Bhau isko! kudh ko Dutta Bhau samjhte hai ye half pant! Anay, as usual, cried out,"mamoo thump him! and make him pack my stuff! Dutta raised his palm in Anay's face,"hey! Anay ghup! awaz neeche! behave! and no Baji will not do your packing, he'sdoing mine! it slipped out of Dutta's mouth.. and sheepishly he continued, "besides you're a big boy now, sort your stuff , have a go at folding it and then putting it in the ruck sack there.. see nothing to it! afterwards you can boast to everyone,you packed your own stuff humm? levelled Dutta..Anay's eyes lit up with taking up a challenge and he jumped out of bed and Dutta, told him ,"don't worry about your sleeping bag Baji will roll it up or you.. "and Anay clenched his fists and raised both his arms, "yippee Baji! will pack for me! and Baji turned his head and yelled, eyyye! Bhau ! mera se kuch ghalat ho jaye ga".Dutta laughed raised his fist facing upwards and left the tent and called from outside, "Baji! mera kam bhi" and Baji yelled from inside the tent ho! Bhau!

~~~~~~~~~~~

"haan rekh de yahan par," Aye Sahib instructed one of her maids to set out the tea and nashta for her court with a few ladies from the neighbourhood.. she earmarked a day in the week where should would share and hear the comings and goings in her precinct.This was one way she felt occupied enough in the humdrum of her easy living life style. Her age too was a prompt in her children realizing that Aye Sahib needed to be involved in such affairs that stimulate her mind and heart.. after all this was her life, relaxed, retired , well deserved.

The ladies of the neighbourhood were a band of middle aged women with married children.. which meant those with sons might just have daughter in laws minding their stores at home.. thus allotting them time to make social calls. Aye Sahib's maid passed them tea and fritters and savouries. It didn't take them long to commence their prying into Aye Sahib's immediate family, "Aye Saab, aap ke bhau dekhai nehin de rehe..? Aye Sahib, smiled, and nodded, "humien laga Naku kuch udhas lag rehe thi tu, apne beta ko bola holiday pe le ke ja use". The women raised their eyebrows at each, "kitni fikar hai aap ko apne bahu ke Aye Saab, main tu boloon ,nasseb wali hai Naku.. pati aur saas dono he pyar kerne wale mile use". Finally as women do, make specific enquiries about newly married couples, out popped up the inevitable question,"tu phir Aye Sahib , kab ah raha hai is ghar mein nanna mehman? yah abhi Bhau aur Naku ka koi plan nehin? aaj kal log baacha nehi jaldi paida kerte.. woh meri bahu bhi phela aise he bolte thi.. pun maine tu saaf he bol diya , mujhe ghar mein baby chaiya",said one of the neighbours,forcefully .But Aye Sahib , forever weary of her family image ,especially before the surrounding simple folks of Patil Vadi , swiftly put forth her supportive stance for her daughter in law,"nahin, hum ne tu ye baat apne beta aur uske patni pe he chor de hai , jab unke marzi hogi tab kar lein ge". The group of ladies praised Aye Sahib, but with a word of advice," haan woh tu theek hai Aye Sahib,pun ye bhi na hoi ke baache paida karne ka time guzar jaye", Aye had to disagree," nehin tu, aise tu koi baat nehin,Naku tu abhi chooti hai ,uske ke kaunse umar guzarte ja rehe hai.." she retorted as she firmly put them back in their place. Leela overheard their views and turned to Roops,"just imagine Roops if they find out that there may be women who prefer to establish their careers first and start a family in late or mid thirties?.. Roops laughed,"sure Tai,they will be mighty surprised".Leela, nods and admits,but whatever the case, requirement or restriction maybe, having a child will be considered a much waited outcome between a man and woman..

The neighbourhood housewives, however got the message, and besides it was time for them to ask for leave from this big house.. on their way out one of them remarked,"waise ye tu saach hai Aye Sahib, pura Patil wadi mein aap se sundar ghar nehi.. ap tu itna bare ghar mein ghum hojate tu hoon ge? Aye Sahib pulled her pallu close to her mouth shyly," nehin to ,hum tu sirf apne kamre mein ya, dining table aur lounge mein rehetien hain pura ghar para hai , bas yehe chate hain Dutta ke baache khalte rehein", she admitted covetously. The ladies folded their hands and left.. Aye Sahib meanwhile thought about their words, she should may be yet again, broach the subject of Dutta and Naku having a baby.. it would surely hush many neighbourhood tongues, heaven alone knows what they might be concluding about my son and Naku.. she mused yet again.. Leela couldn't help ignore her mother's last words so she remarked,"Aye Sahib, Dutta ke baacha se phele humra Anay or pari hain, tu phir ap Bhau ke baache ju abhi paida bhi nehi hoya.. itne attention dete hain? isliye ke Bhau beta hai? humm/ Aye had no reply nor she wanted to comment more on the subject. She felt a bit wozzy and her palm went lightly up to her brow..

Kishore cames in and finds, Aye Sahib preoccupied. Like a committed and worthy son in law, he enquired, "Saab thek haina Aye Sahib? ap kuch pareshan dekhti hain", Aye Sahib , bit her lip, how could she discuss her son's private life with her daughter's husband? so she moved her eyes the other way and replied, with a degree on emphasis, "hum ye sooch rehe thein hum ke Dutta kab wapis Aye ga.. kuch zayeeda he lambhi lag rehe hai uske holiday.."Sudarshan joined in , "mujhe se phoochien Aye Sahib, tu kya zaroorat thi is vacation?". Kishore smiled at Sudarshan and replied, "zarorrat ,thi Sudarshan, they needed the time out with each other, since they got married, when were they ever on their own? and besides, Bhau needed some space ,twenty four seven he works.. firmed Kishore and Sudarshan rolled his light eyes and with a toothy smile, and rebuffed Kishore, wahan Kishore Bhau , aap tu bhaut advanced nikle "time out", "space", Kala Tai jante hai ap ke batien? aur haan they are not on their own that drama queen Baji and Anay tu hai unke saath, so kya time out hoya unka?He chuckled with his face pulled to one side. Aye Sahib saw and played a swooning act, "Dutta! hamra beta tu kab ghar laut ke Aye ga? Kishore, rushed to her side with a glass of water..

~~~~~~~~~~

Bajiii! bellowed Dutta. Baji in the midst of rolling his sleeping bag.. pushed it down it's sheath, and raised the curtain of his tent,"ho bhau ? kya hoya,? Dutta held the kettle of cold water in his hand, "come out of your bloody bill! and make the tea! jaldi! Naku wants a cuppa and I had to make one". Baji was most put off as he folded his arm and felt the back of his head, "pun Bhau you are.. Dutta yelled, " Baji can you turn this burner on! and make the damn tea! and helplessly pointed to the metal kettle in his hand. Baji smiled and came forward and rubbed his hands, "areee Bhau , there's nothing to making tea, leave it to me! or shall I instruct you and you have a go? saach mein koi lothcha nehi! come light the Bunsen burner, first , next, put the pot on it next.."Dutta says, "shut your face and get on with it! kitna time laga ? he asked irritated. Baji, turned to him looked half worried,"Bhau, when I offered to teach you rejected my teaching" Dutta glared at him, hey! tere se phoocha kitna time lage ga? give me a time limit! haven't got all day you know Baji!" Baji waited for the pot to boil and went up closer to his mate, rested his hand on his shoulder,"take it easy Bhau, bas once the water boils add the tea leaves, milk add sugar to taste bring it to boil, let it simmer for a few minutes and it's ready!Dutta turned his neck to his friend all wideyed like a novice in the art of tea making ,and muttered, "didn't ask you for the whole recipe! Baji turned his face towards Dutta, "Bhau tera saath pata hai kya problem hai? Dutta jerked his chin upwards, kya?Baji replied," problem is you don't know how to unwind, you think time is on skates for you, tum itne hurry mein ho to finish off as much as you can.. Bhau thura slow pace .. otherwise you'll use up all of yourself, and thujhe pata hai we need you".Dutta blinked his eyes gently and said, "go check if the water has boiled I can hear it bubbling.." he tipped as he glanced at his watch, "poor Naku must be waiting, apne chai ke liye".

Dutta went into his tent a tin mug held cautiously in his left hand, and balanced by a section of his shawl at the hot base of the mug. Naku saw, she smiled and then sat up as best as she could do so in her sleeping bag. Dutta folded his legs and sat down beside her as he set the mug on the ground beside her. She saw the steam rising up and went,"hawww? itne garam chai! my lips will scald".He turned his eyes on her face and replied,"I assumed you wanted morning tea, that is not usually iced tea.. he shook his head slightly.. she too with a twinkle in her eye replied cheekily,"haan morning tea he sahe, hot but not piping hot , now I have to wait for it to cool down" she moaned. He reached out for the mug, and held it before her face," ab aur kya karoon? phook maroon us pe, ye le", and he pressed his lips together and blew, and she giggled,"Saab you look so sweet! he shyly turned his face to the side and shook his big head, "pati buna ke, saath mein tune pura joker bhi buna diya hai mujhe Naku", and she pressed her warm palm against his cheek,"awww.. joker nehi Saab abhi sher ka baacha lagta ho, lion cub.." he put down the mug and slowly posted his hands on either side of her and arched forward his head and shoulders to brush her lips with his.. muttering, "wish this cub could turn into a young lion and devour you".. he moved back and covered her hand with his wide palm, "but you were such a put off Naku" he mumbled and turned away from her and reached for the mug , raised it, and offered it to her. She held it and sipped and raised her eyebrows, with nothing short of a compliment,"niceee.. aap ne bunie hai?,Dutta went, "thujhe lagata hai ke main bunie ga? nehin! Baji made it, told you Baji was made for me, indispensable hai salla nautanki" he said in all honesty", Naku smiled, "thought so,my Saab wouldn't know where to begin!, here have some yourself, she held the mug near his full lips, and he pulled a sip noisily and she tapped his shoulder,"aaram se peian, kya awazinen nikal rehe ho Saab!.. he cranked his neck and glared at her,"Ayeee Naku! stop being bossy boots with me, pata haina we are heading back for home, so limits mein please.."she looked at him a tad snubbed, her eyes lost and forlorn,"ab kya hoya hai thujhe?he asked as he noted her felled expression. She smiled and shook her head, "kuch nehi Saab.. and she felt ill again.. she gave him the mug ,"here take a few more sips , and he did , not forgetting to brush her lips around the rim of the mug.. "areee kya romantic scene chal raha hai! yelled Baji as he barged in and announced,"Bajirao reporting for packing.. Bhau!"and clicked his heels. Naku fixed her chunni and began to get out of bed.. Baji ! exclaimed Naku, "what are you saying? tum Saab ke packing karo ge?Baji explained Bhau had suggested it due to her illness.Naku laughed,"nehin Baji I am much better now, me and Saab can both manage, why don't you load the car.. with the kitchen stuff and whatever else is in your tent."she suggested with a sided gaze at her Saab. Dutta, too added, " humm, Baji, edhur ka kam choor, you start on what Naku has said, and I'll join you as soon I am packed in here..."but he heard Dutta say one thing but wanted to confirm if Bhau's eyes meant he same.. Dutta bowed his head , and pointed to fingers at the exit and flicked them, with a confirmation, "get lost Baji!

Dutta looked at the mayhem of his socks, hankies, waist coats, shirts and trousers.His hand scratched his forehead as if faced with an enormous problem, with a trousers hung on his palm. Naku snatched it from his palm, doubled it neatly and laid it in their holdall, oyeee! he went and pointed to the jumble of his clothes, "ab ye saaf hain ye dirty? check kar! and I'll go and give Baji a hand." Naku shook her head relieved, best he left! more hurdle than help she smiled and got on with the job. She zipped up the holdall, and suddenly felt a fresh wave of giddiness.. and burped.. she could still taste the acidic chaat in her mouth, best not say anything , as Saab would blow his top surely.

Anay barged in,"mammi look me ready! I washed and dressed up on my own, good boy aren't I ? she smiled as he dashed straight into her, pressed his sided face on her belly and closed his arms around her with immense affection.Naku spontaneously rewarded his touch with a frump to his silky black hair by her fingers .Dutta entered the tent, one look at the bonding scene , prompted him, "ok that's enough of the hugs and kisses! come out of the tent the pair of you , have to put it down and both of you carry what you can comfortably and take it to the boot of the car. Naku looked at him ready to carry her holdall but he hastily grabbed her stuff and took bold steps towards the boot and arranged the luggage neatly..

Finally all packed and ready to leave with the hired bikes on top of the roof rack, Dutta drove out of the campsite grounds and narrow lanes that cut across the various sections of the clearings , springs and hordes of grazing ponies and cows.. Naku looked out of the window with a degree of sadness at leaving this so to speak homey moon period haven.. she brushed her wild hair back from her face and mused.. mazza aya! She giggled shyly.Her movement immediately behind him, teased his fancy into checking her out of the rear mirror.. she caught his narrowed eyes staring at her and she leaned toward's Anay pulled his head and pressed her lips on the side of his head ,and he shifted his eyes up to her and smiled with the words love you too.. Dutta smiled shyly and looked intensely into her green eyes through the rear mirror.

Once the bikes were returned it was concluded, the trip had ended as Dutta drove out of the gates. Very soon he judged, by the sudden silence that ensued, that this place, the joy it offered would be missed by Naku and Anay in particular , so he addressed then both as he drove on the highway.. "don't look so grumpy, we'll came again to this place for a longer period... may be bring Aye Sahib and the rest of our families, like a family retreat humm? he suggested, and pleasantly noted soon after, that his thoughts brought some respite on the withered faces of Naku and Anay.

Baji folded his arms and propped his head up against his hands..Dutta drove, his eyes fixed on the graphite road and muttered, "don't you dare doze off , you want me to have an accident? go sit at the back if you want to catch a few winks nautanki baaz!.Naku I'll stop! and you come and sit by me in front! ordered Dutta. Naku, pressed her hand against her brow and tried to shut her mouth. She turned pallid like last night and Dutta checked the rear mirror and asked if she was alright. Her in ability to speak , but a vigorous shake of the head told him all was not well with her. He indicated left and stopped on the hard shoulder with his hazard lights on. Naku pointed to the backdoor and Dutta opened it as she stepped out, ran to the edge of the hard shoulder doubled up and retched violently yet again.. she pointed her arm backwards as he inclined forward and Dutta held it and put his arm around her shoulder and helped her to the back seat of the car.Anay was sensible enough and moved to the far end. Dutta was unwilling to allow the lad to sit beside Baji in front despite the existence of seat belts. Dutta ensured Naku sat in the middle between two men close to her heart, Saab and Anay!. Lovingly Dutta gave his petite slightly pale wife a comforting smile as Naku laid her head on his shoulder .. one of his muscular arms rested on the top edge of the back seat, felt her soft warm upper arm.

Baji being Baji, obviously took to the wheel.. he looked out for signs, one in particular.. then eventually exclaimed, hospital! and he turned in and looked out for emergencies and finally parked at an authorised space. "Right that's it, this is what you wanted isn't it Bhau? Dutta nodded, and doubled his chin as he told Naku ,"chaal let's get you seen to, frequent vomiting ..they need to find out tell us why?..said Dutta as he helped her out of the car.

It was like a cattle market, vast number of emergency patients, sat and waited to be seen. Dutta sat her down as he spoke to the nurse on duty at the reception counter and helpe Naku's details filled in. The buzz of his mobile vibrated and Kala's name came up as Dutta finished off with the reception lady. Phone pressed against his ear, he walked out of the building to take the call. After exchange of pleasantries, she got to the point," how come you have not reached the dak bungalow yet.. I thought better ring and check with you if you lot have set out? queried Kala. Dutta replied quite simply," Naku's a bit poorly , since yesterday, throwing up, may be something she ate but thought get her seen to , koi bug na hoi, yep! Anay is fine.. ok speak to you later going back inside to see the doctor.. "

Kala dialled her mother's number,"Aye Sahib, Dutta se abhi pata chala hai. Naku emergencies mein hai, she been vomiting.. Aye Sahib echoed "vomiting? kuch ulta seedha kha liye hoga ab holiday se beemari le kar ghar ah rehe hai.."

To be continued... Hamlet53~ 1.3.14

~~~~~~~~~~~

This one for me and daya.. oyeee roarrr.. me going back into my den now it's nearly 3am.. talking about my dedication..haaa.

here's to us daya your superb creation.. 👏⭐️ enjoy every one.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1e1p6h_duji-vm-yeh-kali-kali-ankhein_shortfilms

Hi hamlet

Wonderful ud

Naku isn't well

She is in hospital

Speedy recovery for her

Pls ud soon