OS~A string of pearls. Wedded Bliss p. 146 ~ 16.3.14 - Page 59

Wedded Bliss

Part ~10

Dutta lolled on his back, his arms folded on his forehead gazing across at her while she give her long tresses the nightly brush.. with his legs crossed and toes twiddling he called out.."chaal ab ah bhi ja come to bed..who the hell are you trying to impress anyway..? me smitten already.." he groaned.. in long drawn guttural tones.. She giggled and he sniffed and his fixed lips fell apart loosely... relaxed. Gradually she stood up and walked towards him...demurely with a naughty smile playing faintly on her thin petal like lips... he moved his arm over his eyes pretending to be asleep.

He felt the bed lurch as he realized she sat cross legged on the bed at a distance by his long legs .. she felt his knee, "Saab ap sau rehe ho?"she asked, and he replied slyly watching her from a gap between his bare arm and corner of his eye ..hummmh.. irritated she pushed his muscular loin,"kuch baat karo na Saab,?"he pushed his arm backwards from his forehead and his smooth forehead shone in the dim low lights of the twin bedside table lamps,"baat ye hai Naku ke, let this shopping expedition be the last one between you and me, main nehi jaya ga tera saath phir..the atrocities and humiliations I was subjected to was like going to hell and back!" he protested and she leaned forward and presented her ringed finger under his nose.."in case you have forgotten Saab there was a purpose to the shopping, ummh woh ap ka purpose tha .."she said sorely and he shifted his body and propped himself on his elbow as he eyed her hand ..slowly his palm moved towards it and he covered it gently with his, as he tugged her towards his chest..her arms folded against his thorax, she looked up close into his narrow eyes as he brushed the outside of her soft hand against his lips.. and muttered on her hand against his mouth.."hummm aachi lageti hai this ring on your hand.. you have beautiful hands Naku.. tiny, soft .., he mumbled. With a nervous smile, she to felt his wide hand and turned it over, and gazed tenderly at his pink palm.."haan Saab, it's tiny compared to your hand.."Dutta , spread his palm before her face, "ye haat dekh rehe hai tu Naku?.. bahut kam ke cheez hai, turns into a weapon and strikes, but other times can be the emissary of love..hummmhh bataon?"he said romantically and folded his arms around her back..Naku giggled in full knowledge of his admission..

Her cheek rested on his black curly hairy chest and she asked,"aap le kar jao ge na AS ko jewellers ke pas?... irritated he dug the bony hard end of his palm on her back..."ayee Naku.. why do you have to repeat things so many times??.. pata hai you worry me! all the time, you are obsessed with my mother, or my sister's happiness"... he patted her back, folded his chin, kissed the top of her head affectionately and carried on,"it's like you feel uneasy around them, look relax , you are a great wife and a great daughter in law.. so focus on us instead "he consoled her.

But Naku preferred, not to be sound, although she lay securely in his protective arms," Saab promise me, if you notice anything odd about my behaviour you will alert me.."she requested, he tightened his grip around her and pledged,"haan Naku, but I always tell you, like now I just told you that you are doing fine.. be your normal self.. you don't have to put effort in being someone you are not.. for me I accept you as you are"..he paused and propped her chin up and looked down into her green eyes,"waise for me you are nothing short of an ideal wife.."she brought her lips closer to his stubble cheek and give him a peck .."aur aap ideal pati ho..",he chuckled.. as he moved a lock of hair from cheek, bringing his face closer to hers,"ayee Naku, bahut maska laga rehe hai tu? chaal bol kiya chahiye? ummh bas! shopping jane ko maat bolna!" he warned with his index finger up in the air!...

Naku, recalled the aspirations of the household and raised her head from his warm chest and focussed on the side of their bed, "Saab, woh hum baache ke cot kahan rekhien ga? woh mujhge tu ye jaga pasand hai".. she pointed to a space beside her bed.. he moved her hair from her face and pressed the tip of his nose on temple.. with a mumble.."baache ke elva kuch aur bhi baat kar sakte hai tu Naku, sounds like your rewind button is jammed!"he moaned, as he pressed his full lips against her temple.She sat up and held his stubble face in her warm soft hands,"kya Saab, abhi tu aap ne bola you like kids and wanted to know if I did? ab jab maine interest dekhia tu aap?..she replied puzzled at his attitude.

He pushed himself slightly to be at par with her at a comfortable sitting posture,"pata hai Naku ,makes me think that had you been a working woman, would you still be preoccupied with the idea of having babies straight after marriage! tell me would you?"he asked.. even though he knew the answer, she disclosed it any way, "no Saab, had I be working, I certainly would plan and not rush into it".Dutta nodded and added, "see I knew it you are being pressurized into it by the family.. now this is not to my liking.. tu apna mind kyun nehi use kerti hai?"he yelled.. Naku 's face became red hot, he had craftily wrangled the truth out of it, and fed up she retorted, "oohhoo! Saab ap kyon chooti chotti batoon ko masla bun deta hain.."annoyed he held her shoulders and fervently looked into her green eyes, "starting a family is not a small matter, tu baat kar seedhi seedhi, baacha chahiye ya nehi?he said wound up..

She had to diffuse her Saab and she leaned forward and put her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead against his ,"haan! haan!.. kitne dafa boloon.. haan.."she said put off.. and by her touch he took up the challenge.. and laid her flat on her back and leaned over her tenderly."then best not waste time hummh?.."

Dutta , lay sided on the right side of the bed his left hand tucked under his head..It's a good thing Naku is not a working wife.. ummh haan she works, but within the house, which most wives do, and it's just taken for granted.. however he thought, whenever he can he will ensure that her work, so to speak within the domestic situation, is acknowledged by him.. he took a deep breath as he mused, it would be interesting to see how she copes with the two fold role of a wife plus a mother, when it happens.. and something within him assured him that, a sensitive, reasonably wise,filled with a calm disposition, wife like Naku is meant to cope well.. and with that tranquil thought he closed his eyes...

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With legs lowered on the edge of the bedside.. Naku stretched her arms above her head and tottered up on her feet, her white kurta all crinkled hugged her shapely bottom.. and he groaned.. kadher?.She bit her lip ,and headed towards the bathroom, and he sniffed his pillow and closed his eyes again.. itne jaldi uthna hai us aurat ko.. then how can I be creative? he chuckled as he pulled his brawny lions up towards his belly..

With Naku in the bathroom, a knock on the door forced Dutta to open his sleep riddled eyes.."ahhh ja you bloody pest! tere sawa aur ho bhi kaun sakta hai", Baji slipped in and pouted his lips as he tiptoed to check if his Bhao was awake..

Dutta, stiffened his leg and hurled the clutched pillow under his head, at Baji who ducked his head and caught the cushion...he sniggered loudly,"tu kuch be phenka aur main jane de! not done Bhao!".. he felt the head cushion, and added, "haila! its still warm! did I disturb you Bhao?. Dutta rolled on his back and scratched his chest hair, and with a yawn said sleepily ,"oyee nautanki I worry about you, especially when you can't see clearly.. tell me tuna kiya dekha jab tu kamre mein aya.. what exactly did you see?? bol Baji what was I doing ?.."Baji with a straight face said.."woh I saw that you were doing a rude boy photo shoot.."and Dutta threw his sheet, jumped out of bed in his black boxers and came flying at Baji, grabbed him by the back of his neck ready to land a shiner under his chin !

Baji screamed, "Naku baacha the bull has gone mad!" Naku heard the commotion and stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in her bathrobe ,her hair bunched up in Dutta's red towel,"Saab chorru use.. and she lowered her eyes as she saw Dutta's muscular legs and rigidly sturdy back , he looked so funny like a boxer in a ring and a giggle escaped her mouth.. on hearing that Baji too clapped and called out to her" areee Naku !kitna hawwt and happening lag raha hai tera Saab!..

Dutta let go off Baji's neck and tip toed nimbly straight to the bathroom...

Baji moved closer to Naku and with a grave expression and said to her,"haila Naku, kitna besharram hai tera pati.. kal ko baachoon ke samne bhi boxers pehen ke he'll jump around! and he doubled up cackling.But Naku, stared at him with vacant green doe eyes.."Baji tu bhi, baacha ka references de raha hai..?", she asked rather helplessly. Baji, nodded forcefully "haan Naku, mein koi dossere log se different hoon kya?.. no..main bhi ready hoon! baby sitting karne ke liye". Dutta on hearing that, popped his head from behind the bathroom door and growled, "haan ker tu babby sitting ,woh baby teri sitting kera de ga.. you watch!" he warned and slammed the door..

Baji smacked his mouth shut and then later added,"bolta tu thek hai Bhau iske aulad isi ke theran yehri ho ge!" and Naku blushed as Baji left his Bhao's room..

It went without saying that tea would be prepared for both Dutta and Baji..

On her return she expected them to be discussing plans for the day, but instead, she found them excited with their palm electronic games, ooohhh! and ahhing! yessshin! and noooing!.. loudly.. when she entered...they froze and embarrassed placed their games on the cente table, and stopped play.

Naku.. just bit her lip and shook her head. Dutta leaned forward and looked up across at her narrowly,"kuch bole ge nehi Naku?", she curved her neck a bit and shyly said,"main kya bole ge Saab..bas ye ke shopping ka kuch to fayeda hoya .. earlier you were complaining.." Baji turned his head towards Dutta, and commented,"kyun Bhao ,as par usual you giving her agro?" Dutta ignored him and jerked his head towards the tea and said dryly.."Baji ke vahini ji, zarra chai pour kar ke dein ke ap ji!.. ya we sit here staring at empty tea cups..". Naku smiled apologetically and got down to pouring their tea.. once done she looked at Dutta with slightly fiery eyes and announced,"main jaye ge ab Saab neeche bhi kam hai kitchen mein..",Dutta nodded as he watched her leave and Baji called out "thanks Naku.. super chai ke liye.."

The moment she arrived at the main area of the house, once morning greetings had been over and done with, Naku' role as the Bahu began. Firstly as normal her attire was noticed by the key women of the household.."ghar mein ab thujhe sari phene chaiye Naku.. ye punjabi kaproon mein tu, shadi shuda nehi dekhti"suggested AS rather firmly.. "maine bola hai use ye phenane ko, tabhi ye kapre"!,Dutta called out loudly as he walked slowly towards the dining table...and of course he took note of his wife's face that withered at the sound of his mother's acid remark. He looked at Naku, making it openly evident that he had spoken in her defense, and along side another though expression that the floor was not up for discussion..

Kala watched them critically and waited for something to pick on.. Dutta, turned to his wife,"Naku, mera juice le ana..me ready for breakfast and he sat at his usual place..Kala interuppted,"Naku , phele mujhe mera coffee buna de I am sure Bhao can wait..."

Naku who had already happily turned towards the kitchen, to get her Saab, his juice, turned back to look at Dutta who bowed his head once. Naku, picked up pace again when AS, called out "rok Naku!, phele humien ye phoa dal de , phir Anay ko ,beechara kab se intezaar kar reha hai.."Naku turned from the kitchen and headed back to the dining table, with an apology,"woh mafa kerna AS, main dete hai ap ko poha.. and she also turned to pat Anay on the head,"sorry tumhe wait kerna para.."and Kishore ,distastefully added,"Kala tum uske pas beithe ho , dal ke nehi de sakte the tum..? Naku kiya kya kam kare..?". Naku smiled at Kishore,"koi nehi Kishore jeju, main haina.. "

Dutta watched her and twitched his jaw, with a loud comment, "Naku , you spoil us, kuch kam humien bhi kerne diya kar! and he looked at Kala ,"chalo Tai to the kitchen we go! and lets get your coffee sorted and he held Kala's hand and walked her towards the kitchen..with Naku behind them. Once in there, both Kala and Dutta looked like a pair of misfits..their bodies shifting looking for the ingredients..Naku poured him his orange juice and passed it to him while she turned, and suggested, "Tai ap dono chalein dining table par.."...

With a sulk and a bitter expression he returned to the table, and his eyes glared and shifted , taking in with continued displeasure, the work his wife has to do. He looked at Baji, and Baji tried to decipher what his Bhao was actually trying to relay.. he followed his friends eyes they flitted from Naku to other family members. Baji reckoned that it had to do with Naku being too involved perhaps with his family..zayeeda time Bhao ke family pe.. bole tu kam time Bhao ke saath.. areee Bajirao.. ye to ekdum lothcha hai! he refelected as he looked with infused eyes at Dutta...

Dutta furrowed his brows a bit , and jerked his head up questioningly at Baji... and straightaway he heard the workings of Baji's brain ...

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"woh kiya haina AS, mujhe jungle lodge house ke caretaker ka phone aya, bola mausam bahut aacha hai wahan, chate hai ke hum ja ke check kerian wahan ke dekh bhal, tu maine soocha hai ke Bhau aur main wahan ka chakar lag ayian", he turned to stare at his Bhao, who pulled his lips to one side and raised an impressed eyebrow at Baji with a confirmation.With a nod he announced,"haan Baji, you come with me, we will go and check up the maintenance and up keep of that place.. should be a pleasant change and since Naku has not seen it ,it'll be a nice change for her as well", he said firmly. Naku who was eating stopped midway and pointed both her hands at herself mouthing a "main?, Dutta nodded once.. and then raised his eyes for any dissensions..

AS, appeared diffused,"maagar Dutta wahan, koi conforts nehi hoon ge Naku ke liya jaise ke yahan hain, tu mera khayal se Naku ko nehi jana chaheya, tum dona aadmi log ho ab sambhal loge..".

Dutta, stiffened his neck, stubbornly and differed with his mother openly,"nehin AS, Naku tu jaye ge humara saath, mujhe is ke haat ke khana ke aadat hai, waise bhi, Naku ko har mahol mein rehe ke aadat hai ,koi takleef nehi hoge ise, haina Naku? he asked. Naku was startled out of her trance and she giggled nervously,"ji Saab main reh le ge, aur kahna pakana ka saman bhi sab saath le jaye ge main", she said soberly, calm and very contained.

This was yet another quality of her's that Dutta linked, underplaying her emotions in the best or worst of situations.

So all was done and dusted .Dutta hated squandering time,"bole de Baji caretaker ko ke tommorrow we'll reach there.." and he turned to AS, "woh Aye zarrot ka saman, bhi pack kerwa dena .. ap dekh lein ge", AS, had no choice but to consent to his requests..

Kala, whose mind played havoc with her finally declared,"Bhao personally I think it's a great notion, which has forced you to consider taking a short break ,even if it means a few days.. it should refresh you .. but tell you what !, a thought just entered my mind, why don't me and Anay too accompany you all! woh kiya haina isne tu lodge dekha he nehi kabhi, kya kahyal hai ap sab ka?"she challenged with a wide beaming smile.

Dutta was taken aback, his jaw dropped and his lips fell apart.. whereas, with a shot of excitement young Anay, Kala's son ran towards Dutta and flung his arms around Dutta's shoulders,"mamaa Dutta, please! maine bhi jana hai ap ke saath pleaseee! Dutta affectionately, looped his arm around his nephew's neck and his face warmed as he kissed the side of Anay's head,"haan chal tu bhi kya yaad kare ga, of course you can come" he nodded and Anay raced to his dad and invited his father Kishore, "aap bhi chalo babba,"and Kishore glared at Kala and explained to his son,"nehin Anay tumhare saath your Aye is going, babaa has work to do" .. and then he turned to a beaming ,smug Kala, "jab breakfast khatam ho jaye tu zarra , room mein aao ge Kala kuch baat kerna hai tum se..

Kala nodded and passed a meaningful sly smile towards AS, which Baji noted and firmed his mouth.. ah jao Kala Tia ap ko main dekh le ga.."

Kala , excused herself and reported to her husband in the privacy of their room..he pushed back his spectacles on his nose,"waise have to say Kala you never cease to amaze me, trust you to tag on with Bhao and Naku.."he pointed out fairly annoyed. She of course fixed the pallu of her sari on her bare shoulder,"tumhe ye nazar nehi ata that Baji is going as well," she retorted, Kishore nodded ,"haan Baji is going because Bhao has invited him , besides for security purposes Baji has to go everywhere with Bhao, but tum, you invited yourself. Kala turned upon him defensively," main tu sirf suggestion de the and that to for Anay's sake, he hasn't been there , besides, Bhao seemed cordial about it, so why you are making a mountain out of a mole hill!? she replied offended. Kishore, still maintained, "dekho Kala akalmand ko ishara he kafi hota hai, woh young couple hai, honey moon pe bhi nehi gaye, if they have the opportunity to spend a little time on their own ,then that's no bad thing , the rest is up to you, you never pay heed to whatever I say any way," he said giving up and began to leave the room as he noticed his wife had already started packing their son's clothes...

Dutta, cocked his head at Naku and spoke for all to hear,"zarra kamre mein ah 'Ill help you pack..". Naku looked at him with her big bold green doe eyes ,"Saab woh main kar le ge,aap jao apna baher ka kam ker lo meetings ka".. and she turned to leave but he called after her and followed her,"oyee rok! jab main bola ke I'll help you tu I will!, he growled ,and Baji turned his neck, expanded his eyes and nodded his head once.. yes you tell them Bhao tum Naku ka little lion lamb hai... he thought with a suppressed snigger.

Dutta with folded arms treated his eyes on his delicate petite wife as she leaned over the suitcase packing his and her stuff.. he walked towards her and closed his arms around her from behind muttering warmly on her equally warm neck.."thujhe bura tu nehi laga ke ab Tia aur Anay bhi ja rahe hain humare saath.. hummhh?".She pulled apart the gentle grip of his palms against her soft belly, and demurely moved away to reach out for her palm size Bappa's murti and answered,"nehin tu Saab , main tu kush hoon, ke Anay bhi saath chale ga, I would love to see his excitement.." and he walked towards her and made her face him , as he conveyed her a tender loving look,"aur Tia? uske ana se bhi tu kush hai, Naku?he asked. Naku, pouted her lower lip,"why? should I not be happy?it'll be a good change for her too, she's always within the four walls of PN..caring for AS.."Dutta fondled his lovely wife's shoulders, and asked totally besotted,"tu kis meeti ke bune hai Naku?.She giggled and replied,"main? main ap ke pyar ke meeti se bune ho Saab... she paused and then after a small thought, suggested, "main tu bolon Saab AS ko bhi saath le chalte hain unke health ke liye beneficial ho ga..".

He grabbed her shoulders and shook them gently..."ji nehin! tu rehne da Naku!", and he let go off his shoulders ,shook his head and walked slowly and steadily out of the room, musing.."salle yehri hai ekdum!"...

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The four by four black people carrier, stood loaded and ready to be boarded.. but not before the laborious warm send off with its usual must do's for the passengers..

AS, looked at Naku, "mera beta ka khyal rekhna Naku, thek se kahana waqat par kahie aur proper rest kere.."Dutta who stood holding the drivers door looked above the roof of the vehicle towards Baji with a shake of his head.. AS, then warned Baji, aur Baji Dutta pe her second nazar rekhna.. smujha tu Baji.."Baji nodded briskly, with a firm face,"ap chinta maat lo AS, mere nazar se Bhao bachich nehi sakta .."and he turned his head towards Dutta and nodded firmly and Dutta slowly raised his clenched fist above the roof of the car,and Baji rubbed his chin,slowly feeling the impact...[writer chuckling ,thinking of someone...]

Kishore felt he had to say his bit, as he turned to his son,"Anay you behave, and be a good boy, make babaa proud ok?, and he gave his son a hug, and turned towards his wife.."Kala , Anay ka dahiaan rekha, ye na ho, ke tumse koi laparwai ho jaye", he advised, and Kala, most displeased, grated,"dekho Kishore jate saame mera mood maat aap kharab karo, main Anay ke maa hoon, koi governess nehi!"she hissed and flicked her hair back from her shoulders..

Dutta, who was fast getting fed up of this extended good bye.. growled,"chalo bhi ab , get in the car, we need to make a move now!.. but his mother interrupted, her pallu dabbing her eyes.."phoonchte he khabir dena apne khariet ke suna tu na Dutta..!she called out and Baji , put his arm around her, "haan AS, phone hain hum sab ke pas koi bhi phone kar ke bata de ga..", but AS, insisted, "koi bhi nehi , Dutta kare ga! and Baji nodded.. and began to open the car doors for the passengers..

Before he turned , he noticed, Kala, instead of sitting in the back, with her son and Baji, decided to comfortably sit next to Bhao... Dutta turned his head and conveyed a dry not amused look towards Baji who stood by Kala's front passenger window..

Baji acted,"woh Tai, I think it's best if you sit beside me and Anay on the back seat.."Kala turned her neck and faced Baji ouside her window, "nope Baji, Iam sitting in front with Bhao, the thing is I need leg room, and more importantly , I suffer from car sickness, so it tends to get worse if I am sitting in the middle of the car",she said firmly.. and pulled her seat belt and clicked it in place.. and then turned to her brother, "you don't mind me sitting beside you, instead of Naku, do you? besides sare time bhi tu she'll be by you she said with a little laugh". Dutta thought it best not to reply, and he adjusted his rear mirror and caught on to Naku's big green soulful eyes..dil karta hai doob maroon in mein he thought and started the car and safely pulled out of his house..AS, had a smug look on her face while Kishore shook his head and turned to go back into the house.

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Dutta drove at a decent, speed within the required limit and his eye feel on the dash board and as a precautionary measure , indicated left and veered off into the nearest petrol station.. He gave Baji a meaningful look and safely parked the car for filling up at a suitable point... It was clear, Baji would disembark.. but before he did , he asked if anybody needed, anything from the filling station shop.. Anay requested for pop, sweets and crisps.. and Dutta stretched his left arm on Kala's head rest and looked at Baji, who gave him a dimpled smile and headed into the shop. Baji returned with a carrier bag of goods.. He fished around in the bag, and pulled out a small packet which he handed over to Kala, "ye lo Tai, sickness tablets, and hang on a second , a small bottle of mineral water... take a tablet now works wonders, is mein drowsy agent bhi hai , so you can have a nice snooze in the back seat.. as sitting next to the driver and nodding off is dangerous..."he warned, and soon after opened the passenger seat door and literally forced Kala out from the front.. into the back seat! Next he held the door open for Naku to get out of the back seat.Finally he shut the passenger seat door, bowed his head and arched his head above Naku's head and winked at his Bhao, in the drivers seat!

Dutta, palmed his face, smiled and looked outside his window..."salla nautanki baaz , ghare ghare drama kerta hai...and turned on the ignition key and set off towards the highway...

Dutta checked the rear mirror, and saw, Anay, his head propped up against his mother's arm.. Kala Tai, eyes closed head backed against the head rest... and Baji with an eye mask, and ear phones listening to god know's what. Dutta turned his head towards Naku and their eyes met, "mujhe distract maat kar ghare chalene de" he muttered.. to be continued.. Hamlet53 ~ 18.8.13

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Happy Birthday Mishal

Credit Indu