Wedded Bliss
Part~17
With his arm concealed under a shawl, Dutta moved the entrance flap of his tent and stepped out into the cold with a scowl plastered across his face. It was a cold crisp foggy scene, riddled with rows of tree tops barely visible under the blanket of smog. Baji sat before the fire, his face shone over the freshly poked and renewed embers of the dying fires.. "ah ja Bhau, here" he said as he passed Dutta a glass of brandy.. Dutta sank down on one of the sponge cushions which Baji by sheer good sense had managed to pull out of the Naku's supplies.
Dutta sipped and with narrowed eyes peered at his tent.."humm, yaar kids are full time high maintenance ..they are so bloody needy.."Baji sniggered as he swallowed his brandy, "aur woh kya haina Bhau! here it's somebody else's kid! then too handle with care! "Dutta nodded sadly, "hummh , but what difference does it mean in this case be it yours or another's .. thujhe nehi lagta Baji, like the whole universe conspires against me and Naku hitting it off?. Baji turned and looked at him and sniggered,"Bhau you make it sound like some kind of a tragic tale, hota hai.. don't worry, all will be well he consoled. Dutta glared at him, "stop giving me a sweet talk wala lollipop! like I am some kid ! the truth is I am cold, tired ,deprived annnd hard done! I want my bed! and I want it now! he growled. Baji felt his mate's arm with a twinkle in his eye says, "look stop being such a sour puss, tu aisa kyun nehi kerta go sleep in my sleeping bag.. Dutta turned his neck and roared, nehin! Baji spread his palms "I'll stay here keep vigil against unwelcome visitors, horses, donkeys.. Dutta shook his head and says, nehin! it's fine , we drink on a bit and hopefully when Anay dozes off I'll see what I can do.. contemplated Dutta.Baji looked on across the wild heath and hugged himself in the cold. Dutta suggested, "why don't you grab a shawl or jacket for yourself, thujhe pata hai weather is fairly temperamental here, but it's no surprise it's winter here, jaa.."Dutta nodded, Baji went and returned shortly, sat back down on his cushion, "Bhau , what are we planning to do kal ? Dutta mumbled, sailing how does that sound to you? provided it doesn't rain it's funny har baat mein mausam ka mood dekhna parta hai" Dutta reflected, "humm, I guess that is the big thing left, it'll be a shame to come so close to a water body and not enjoy it's presence , but don't know? haven't got floaters for safety , Anay needs to have a pair on",cautioned Dutta. Baji smiled "it's ok Bhau the river boat ticket area provides floats to hire, maine check kiya tha on the internet". Dutta, nodded .But Baji could see Dutta's thoughts were elsewhere, "Bhau tu aise kyun nehi karta take Anay back to his tent, I too want to turn in.. so I'll be around.." Dutta who sat with his arm folded on his knees turned his eyes to Baji and muttered ,"humm, but what if he wakes up again? Baji nods his head, and replied, "Bhau don't be so pessimistic , he might sleep through the night... Dutta pushed his lips forward and with a back ward bend of his neck, gulped the last remnants of his drink, and ranted angrily, "amazing, ek baache na sab ko aage laya hoya ha!!
Despite the sticky situation, he savoured the taste of the bitter spirit in his mouth and was about to put his glass on the ground when his phone rang. He raised an eyebrow and muttered, "ye kaun salla hai? ju edhur bhi mera peecha nehi chor raha hai? Baji glanced and picked up Dutta's phone from the ground and passed it to him," guru! Aye Sahib hain..Dutta went, hummm, and coughed due to the cold and answered, irritated by a tickly cough, "Aye Sahib, Saab thek hai phone kya aap ne? and he cleared his throat and Aye went, "tu khanss kyun raha hai Dutta? tu thek nehi lag raha.. humm hum baher aag sakh rehe hain main aur Baji! he explained, which was his folly as his mother reacted straightaway, Naku kahan hai? Dutta lowered his eyes and looked at Baji. Baji took the phone from Dutta and reported,"woh Aye Sahib , Anay thek nehi tu Naku us ke pas hai Aye Sahib, griped," aree Baji tu kya Dutta ka vakeel bun ke bol raha hai! zarra Dutta ko phone de!. Baji threw it across to Dutta who caught it and went, "ji Aye sahib kuch bolna hai ap ko ?Aye responed annoyed, "ye Naku khud tu sowie hoi hai! aur thujhe baher bhej diya hai! sarde hai isliye tu khnass raha hai! dekha na , Aye pasna ho tu baache ka kya hal hota hai! she grumbled. Dutta palmed his forehead and rolled his eyes.. and replied, "kya Aye ap ko Baji na batiya bhi hai Anay thek nehi hai phir bhi ap, Naku ko dosh de rehe hain! he rattled and said clearly, "aur meri chinta maat karien, Naku hai us kam ke liye!. He heard his mother's snivels, shook his head and looked at Baji who twisted his hand and asked what? then took the phone from his Bhau and spoke, "dekho Aye Saab Bhau bilkul thek hai, koi cough coldnehi hai use, woh tu he just choked on his tea! that Naku made for us abhi.. tu ap ko laga , Bhau shayed thek nehi.. calmed Baji and Dutta smiled at him, stretched his arm and grabbed his phone off him, and spoke a word of assurance too, "Aye Sahib ap chinta maat karien , hum sab thek hain yahan.. aram karien, waise bhi humien bhi suna hai" and then curtly bade goodbye and disconnected the phone. Baji looked at Dutta and wanted to know, "are we going to sit here all night, or are you going to take a decision? Dutta pressed his palms on the soil and pushed himself up on his feet.. he supressed a yawn and headed towards the tent..
Baji watched his Bhau's shawl covered broad back back and thought, hope this yehra manages to achieve his goal ..
Dutta paused briefly and turned to look at Baji,"are you going to sit there by the fire watching out for meri life ka cinemascope humm? move that butt of yourselves and put out the fire !he growled and then turned to face the tent, "ho Bhau will do rightaway! and added aise Bhau teri picture abhi tak tu flop chaal rehe hai! he cackled. But Baji knew that his Bhau was already showing signs of cracking up , kya yaar.. shaddi ka ladoo.. uppar se baache that to kisi aur ka! what a way to go berru!
~~~~~~~~~~~
This time Dutta's palm faltered as he moved the tent flap rather apprehensively .. he bit his lower lip lightly as his eyes narrowed and focussed when they slowly descended on the pair.
Naku's arm rested over Anay's head who in turn snored away thumb in mouth, and gave Dutta the message that his plan could be executed.
Light footed Dutta stood above them, inclined and gently poked his fingers on Naku's cold arm. With a squint she opened her eyes and he pressed his finger on his lips.. she whispered, "kya kar rahe ho? and she pointed to the sleeping Anay, Dutta pierced her with his looks and mumbled hoarsely "woh nehin ju tu sooch rehe hai.. and before she blinked he unzipped the sleeping; bent and his two muscular arms semi hidden under the shawl reached out for his sleeping nephew. With utmost care he lifted and cradled the lad in his arms, turned slowly, and Naku jumped up , ensured Anay was covered under Dutta's shawl, and raised the flap of the tent. She tenderly watched Dutta as he transported his bundle of love to Baji's tent..
Shortly he returned his shawl clutched around his wide shoulders.Steam escaped from his loosely parted lips. His narrowed eyes found her waiting for him near the entrance of the tent, her arms folded up to block the cold off her belly and upper body .. her body shivered and he paused as passed by her, if it's so cold then why the hell are you standing here? chaal sleeping bag mein get in ! he rumbled , and glared at her,"you were supposed to keep the bed warm for me get in now! yerhi!
She tip toed and giggled as she got in , raised the flap of the bag and he threw the shawl away and flopped on her.. as her arms closed around his back and he trembled on her slightly, "even my bones are frozen Naku warm me up.. he murmured on her neck which she turned aside with a compliant, "Saab your whole body feels cold" he mumbled as he nibbled her neck, "like a block of ice ,hummh?.. well depends how fast you can thaw the ice Naku it's all up to you" she giggled under his weight,"at the running temperature your body Saab, it feels like you'll freeze me up to.. he moved his head and held it above her face, really, you challenging me Naku ?she moved her hands from his back and held his coarse stubble face, and her soft pink palms rubbed his face,"no Saab,Naku never challenges you.. I know all your dares are meant to make you a winner always," she flirted. He flicked her sharp shapely nose with his, and replied hoarsely, "and in my winning you end up getting a portion of the reward as well ,don't you my gorgeous wife? she blinked a rather dreaded message with her big green doe eyes.. and he pushed his strong arms under her shoulders and flattened her hard against his chest.. her heart pounded like crazy as his body shifted..he took a deep breath and moaned, "kya hai Naku! this spiteful Anay screwed up my love life! khurghosh[rabbit] ne sher ko lalkara hai! arggh he went and pulled at her neck with his teeth. Naku, brushed her thin rose bud lips on his stubble cheek and her palms clammed, "Saab he didn't bring on the illness upon himself, it happens with children, they can catch a chill .. Dutta bit her ear lobe, "mujhe tu ye dar hai ke phir se na ah jaye that rascal!. Naku, assured him , "no Saab he won't come now, he was in deep slumber when you carried him to his tent"..and she began to ward off his approaches , but he ignored her typical fending him off in the initial stages as tease to ignite him further! So he heaved, grabbed her wrists, stretched her arms and flattened his bulky arms over them and pressed his mouth upon hers.. she shook her head and escaped his kiss.. with a dreaded.. Saab not tonite... he braced himself ,held himself over her propped on his palms and looked deeep into her eyes.. he read the plead and she shook her head and mouthed a sorry..
What the #### ! this was the final straw there was no doubt that somebody up there was dead against him he folded his knees and hauled himself on his feet in rage. She sat up and reached out for his palm ,"Saab ab us mein mera kya kassor? He pierced her with his eyes and retorted , then is it my bloody fault? you're the one with the state not me! he turned his face and slowly pulled his fingertips put of her palm , grabbed his shawl , swirled it around his shoulders and reached the exit of the tent.. she called out "rok tu Saab! where are you going? it's cold out there.. but he had already stepped out of the tent..
Hell! he thought.. and looked around and his eyes for obvious reasons rested on Baji's tent.. he folded his arm and felt his indented broad stubble chin..no chance of him going in there.. too embarrassing. Baji's brain would draw conclusions.. he smiled,that nautanki Baji, beechara kya jane ladeez log ke complications, humm he mused.. and started to walk towards his four by four , fished out the key fob, opened the back door and climbed in, and quietly shut the door..
He crouched his body in a foetal position and covered himself with his shawl, creased his left arm and closed his eyes.. pulled his lips to one side and thought.. making the best of a very sorry situation.. looks like ab Naku se milan Patil Nivas mein he hoga... in the wee hours of the morning Dutta dozed off in his car.. alone like the day he was born.. singular..
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Naku stirred in their sleeping bag, alone. It was needless to say that she didn't get any sleep all night. How could she with the overgrown baby throwing a hissy fit.. honestly she mused, it's not that he had never experienced the situation before.. but Bappa! he reacts in the same manner every time, like it was all a deliberate sabotage of hers to thwart his love plans.. heaven's pata nehi where he spent the night?
She freshened up and then raised the flap and looked out the sun was shining but it was cold.. bless him! Baji had already put on the kettle on the fire. He smiled and beckoned Naku , "come Naku !just in time for garam garam chai! He gave her a dimpled smile, now you can't say, Baji doesn't help you, here take the cup.. Naku took the mug but appeared worried. Baji quizzed , what's the matter Naku ?Naku posed him a question instead, Baji did Saab sleep with Anay last night? Baji shook his head, nehin tu? he wasn't in our tent? umm I take it then, he didn't sleep in his own tent ? she shook her head, "woh unke sar mein dard tha, he said he felt suffocated in the tent , so said he was going for a walk.."..
Baji put his mug down, agitated, Naku he went on his own ? tune jane kyun diya use on his own ! if something happens to him ,Aye Sahib will surely be very angry , chaal I'll go into the woods and look for him kisu tree ke neeche tu fasr asleep ne hai, you watch out for Anay! and he wandered off into the woods..
Dutta felt the dazzle of sunlight on his eye lids. He whined onnnhh and gradually pushed his cooped up legs.. hayeee! he groaned.. and with screwed up lips and nose he sat up and looked out of the window.. there she was the kill joy woman.. looking around like a moody cow!.. I bet soochte hoga mera Saab kahan hai?. he shuffled forward on his bottom to the window and pressed his nose against the clouded window.. than with a sweep of his palm he cleared the condensation and she saw his face.. eyes all lit up and he watched her as she ran towards the window and stopped before it pouting her lips.. he looked at her face and opened his jaws wide! all his teeth especially his molars and canines on display! and roared at her so loudly she could hear his roarrr outside the car.. khola darwaaza! she boxed lightly at he car door. He opened the door and she came in and hugged him till he felt backwards with her body on top of him.. she held his face in her hands.. "oooh"she went..my sore lion. He resisted her advances but gave in as she kept giving him the what's the matter? looks.. his arms closed around her back and he protested in the warm curve of her neck. "ab kya lena aye hai? raat gaye baat gaye.."she giggled on his belly and kissed his forehead as her hands smoothed all his hair backwards from his broad smooth forehead, "main ye phoochne aai hoon Saab chai laon.. ? he caressed the dip of her back with his palms..while his lips pressed on her cold cheeks, he mumbled haan le ah Naku.. woh Baji kahan hai? is the bloody fool still asleep?
Baji knocked at the back window , waved , covered his eyes and ran off cackling.. Dutta looked into Naku's face and muttered, "ab ye salla pata nehin kya story script kar ke sab ko suniya ga.. chal get off me now! no need to get so chummy.. annoys me.. he rumbled as she got off him and he lowered his legs to get out of the car too..
Naku went into Baji's tent to stir the little angel.. and Dutta to followed her .. Anay jumped out of his sleeping bag and ran and hugged Dutta's torso mamaa! where are we going today? he chirped, Dutta looked down at his upturned face,
looked at Naku and then blinked and smiled back in Anay's impish face.. "aaj we haven't decided yet, but you tell me how is your cold..? asked Dutta as he ruffled the boys hair. Anay turned and pointed at Naku , mammi kissed it better now Anay bilkul fit!
Suddenly Dutta's phone rang, and he said to Anay "it's you mummy, ye le talk to her" and Dutta gave him the phone. Anay started to show off, haan! main thek hoon, mamma I just didn't feel to good last night , pata hai mamma! I slept with Naku mammi! phir now I am better! Kala asked him to give the phone to Naku , "haan vahini , sorry Anay was a pain last night hope he didn't keep you away from Bhau?.. for if that was the case then Bhau too must be livid with my son, she said cuttingly. Naku smiled and looked at Dutta who had gone out of the tent, and amicably replied, "no Tai, Anay is such a sweetheart, not a problem at all, he had the snuffles..came to our tent, bas tu ap ka Bhau suggested that mera pas, he should sleep, but abhi he's fine Tai, chinta ke koi baat nehi",Naku assured her sister in law. Afterwards she felt pleased with herself that she coped well in this situation as well.
Dutta looked across and saw Baji coming out of the woods. The moment he saw Bhau he shouted areee! Bhau tu edhur? main tu thujhe woods mein dhoond raha tha! Dutta too walked up to him, and said, "oyeee why would I be in the woods? looking for berries? do I look like a squirrel or a rabbit to you? Anay stuffed his fingers in his mouth and giggled, haaa haaa.. mamooo a rabbit hop! hop! hop! Baji looked at him and went! areee ye bum ka gola phir se chalo ho gaya? Naku called out Anay! come eat your breakfast! and Anay replied,no! mammi! phele Anay get ready then brekkie! and he ran into his tent with Naku right behind him like mother hen. Dutta shook his head and scratched his chin,"ye lardka Naku ko full blown yehri buna de ga, age hi she's crazy enough! now my sanity is under serious threat, feel like an endangered species! he rattled and Baji cupped his mouth and reeled his body around and teased , "Bhau tum tu khud sab ke life endanger kerte ho! and guffawed.Dutta sneered with his lips and said in quiet composure, not funny zarra bhi nehi..mujhe hassi nehin ah rehe".
Baji came beside Dutta and felt his folded arm ,"waise Bhau tuna batia nehi raat aachi neend aie thujhe? Dutta flickered his eye and turned his face as his palm touched his stubble cheek, and then with sided narrow eyes he replied to Baji, "haan, bhaut meethi neend aye, but why are you suddenly interested in my sleeping pattern? Baji blinked his eyes and replied, "areee nothing much! was just wondering because when we sat drinking you were tired and couldn't wait to hit the sack.. you did hit the sack Bhau didn't you? Dutta bit his lower lip and lowered his eyes briefly, "humm Baji I did dozed off immediately as soon as my head hit my folded arm.." he paused and then suggested "chaal let's grab something to eat and discuss aaj kya kerna hai..
Baji could see his Bhau had a subtle sulk on his face which came and went whenever he needed to interact with Naku.. Anay and Baji chattered merrily as they had their first meal of the day, paratha's which Naku made busily.
An overexcited Anay as he reached out for a glass of milk clumsily , toppled the tin of butter ghee all over Naku's sari! ohhh! meri sari! Dutta sprang to his feet and yelled down at Anay, "tera mein spring lage hoi hain kya? now look what you have done! the child cowered and moved closely to a crouched Naku.. Dutta glared at her too and ordered, "bund kar apne cooking jahan dekho apna kitchen khol ke beith jate hai! and go change into another sari before the ghee soaks in and reaches your body! Naku nodded, stunned by his mood change, "haan Saab haan wooh main..Dutta looked at her and said, "edhur kya who! main! kar rehe hai ja change kar! but she didn't move.Then finally she blurted, "aur sari nehin hain.. Dutta yelled, kya? kya matlaab? don't you have any more?Naku gave him an innocent wide eyed look , and stuttered, Saab .. hai another one ,but it's soaking wet I washed it, it's not dry".Dutta pressed the ends of his palms on his forehead, and snarled slowly, "told you Baji! her and Anay will make me virtually insane.. he shook his head and then gazed at Naku helplessly, "any suggestions ab tu kya phene ge.. mera kapre? Baji ke? ya Anay ke?. Naku put both her palms on her mouth, her doe eyes nearly popped out and with arched eyebrows she shook her head firmly. Dutta raised an eyebrow and nearly bit her head off, then what are we supposed to do Naku ?, he paused, and then concluded, "right! he poked his finger towards her, "the only option we have is to go to the local store and get you some garments".Naku removed her hands from her mouth and breathed a sigh of relief.. and Anay yelled let's dress mammi in jeans and tee shirt!!! Baji clapped and sniggered. Dutta supressed a smile while Naku raised her palms, shook them and blushed profusely.. Dutta narrowed his eyes at her, "bahut natak kerte hai tu Naku.. ab thora aur drama kar in blue jeans.
Naku came toward Dutta grabbed his solid arm and almost dragged him to their tent. Within minutes, Naku picked out his neatly folded mahogany brown pathiani, and went into the bathroom. Dutta folded his arms across his chest as he heard the door shut in his face.. hain isi kya ho gaya hai bhaut garme main hai, he mused. Once inside, she first peeled of her oil ridden sari.Next unfurled his brown pathiani shirt and pulled it over her head.. it came down to her ankles, loose fitting she giggled.She then pulled on his trousers that slouched down dangerously at the ends of both her legs and slowly she came looking like an unfurled tent! Dutta just stood and looked at her with folded arms, and shook his head. Awkwardly, she tried to pull up his trousers up on her tiny legs.. he couldn't believe her action. But with a tongue in cheek expression he took well, pity on her struggle with his long trousers at the waist. He walked towards her and lifted up his shirt on her and caught hold of his trouser waist and pulled it high up on her! so high that he lifted her off the ground! She screamed Saab put me down!. He did rudely, and arched over her face and growled.."Dutta ke kapre pehan se tu Dutta nehi bun sakte.. haan, cartoon definitely bun sakte hai..she pouted up her mouth at him but he looked at it acidly... to be continued Hamlet53 ~30.12.13
~~~~~~~~~~ Dedicated to Warda.. Waarie happy birthday~ the Chapter is from me and the siggy from our dearest Baji~ Daya ..
Happy new year everybody..
Shiv Shakti
