FF~Fettered Affection.chp20.p144 23.8.13 - Page 103

hi hammie thank you so much for the annotations 😊 and Eid mubarak

Mishal Raheja as Dutta Patil

Fettered Affection ~ Chapter 19

"Trippingly on the tongue"..Shakespeare

The shock of her words, prompted a swift release of his grip over her arm. It was a brief meeting of their flesh and he was embarrassed more at that, than his coarse handling of her person. He gulped and gazed at her,"ummh , yes, you'd best go to your room", and he turned and walked towards his wooden step. Naku watched his stiffened broad back, and felt swept by a wave of culpability. This was his benefactor, requiring food and she more or less, rebuffed him sharply.

She had to clarify her conscience so peace could be granted to her,"Saab, khana? she called and without looking back at her he gruffed,"bhook urh gaye he ab", and walked tall and proud across his outdoor study into his room.. it was clear enough he was bruised and without further much ado she attended to what she needed to do, ignoring completely her previous mind set of adhering to her mother's behest...ye rishta nehi ho sakta!

Bored he pondered about her behaviour. Waking up for him in the middle of the night recently she did. His off late conversations with her somehow led him to believe that she had feelings towards him. But today her shortness shook him a bit.He was one who was spurned, rejected for an extended period of his life. Then only just, lately when he was beginning to develop an awareness of this kali gorri woman. The first woman in his life for whom he shared sentiments that were not, what he felt for the other women in his life, his mother and sisters. Yet today, she had the nerve to rebuke his request of being served food.He clenched his jaw, what manner of woman was she? who denied her... he paused, what was he too her? her beau, her husband? what?, he palmed his stubble face grieved,"kuch bhi nehi hai tu uska tu kyun de ge khana thujhe Dutta tu hai kiya re? he chided himself as his eyes flashed on the floor of his room. He rubbed his long slender fingers together and convinced himself, "is ghar ka maalek hoon main that's who I am"!he grinded haughtily as he squared his shoulders and stiffened his neck..

But the feeling was short lived. He took a deep breath and his lips fell apart as he helplessly looked around and pressed his fingers against his forehead .."ye kaise khayal ah rehe hain mujhe? they smell of pure social arrogance.." he self-corrected his attitude , as he leaned over his turquoise arm chair and poked his pink finger tips into one of it's hard wooden arm rests. He scoffed at himself, surely amassing assets have not changed him from a simple man , a man who saw the rough and tumble of life, even emotional scarring... into a broody cold man who considered himself higher then any one else around him. Surely this was a discomforting thought , as he would much rather be seen by himself and others as a considerate human being who despite being influential in the area is also endowed with performing beneficial acts for others.. hummh, magaar ye kalli gori na mujhe attitude tu dekhia? he continued to be troubled.. and he sat on the arm rest of his chair..

"Saab?".. hummmh" he said as his thinking aloud eyes moved towards her petite figure , of holding a tray of hot palatable smelling food..

"ye lo apna ne khana manga tha tu.."she said softly as she placed the tray before him on the edge of the centre table. He folded his left arm and rested the side of his head in his palm. With hooded eyes he gazed at the tray, and barely opened his twisted mouth in guttural voice,"I know where the kitchen is, why did you bother? I never asked you to bring it up to my room did I?". She stood and looked across at him lounged in the arm chair, his body loose, one of his knees shaking.. heaven's she mused, he is in a huff, still ,best to ignore his his tone and words, and adopt a more congenial approach,"dekho Saab, aap ko bhook lege hoge , isi liya ap ne kuch khana ko managa , otherwise why else would you speak to me?" she teased. Dutta bowed his head once and blinked his eyes once, "yes that's true, only to subside my hunger, beside what else would I have to do with a, by the book self righteous girl like you".. he moved his arm from under half his stubble face and leaned forward , looked up at her directly and spewed,"pata hai Naku you and I are poles apart, from each other, you are a law abiding citizen, I have been in trouble with the law, you have learnt the rules of life from text books.. where as my knowledge of life is based on life as spent by me thus far..not a happy picture.."he muttered , she looked at the large settee , hoping he would suggest that she sat down, but it appeared that he was not going to to do. She thus had no option but to reply to him still standing before him..She was bitter though. She felt like a prisoner defending herself against his person.Matter of factl she disagreed, with a touch of humour to combat his terseness, "poles apart ,you say, is that why we as opposites attract,! "she giggled , and he stared across to her with narrowed eyes," is this a joke Naku, if so than a completely poor joke".. he said curtly with a twist of mouth.

Naku, was not one to give up so easily. With a sweet smile, she looked into his narrow lion like eyes with her green eyes,"woh,it's true, I have not broken the law, and you have, but why do you overlook the fact ,that there was a history behind that action of yours, besides, you have served your sentence.. haan aagar ap abhi apne ko yaad delien ga of what happened, then you would be breaking the law of positive thinking which instructs you to pick up the pieces of the present and stride forth into the future.."she guided. He listened intently, but then responded, "ye sab kuch I have heard before, tu neyi baat kaya hoi Naku?". She nodded sincerly,"koi neye baat nehi hai Saab, sirf us dafa ye main aap se khe rehe hoon..."she said and her voice suddenly faltered , and she became very near to tears and he could see that.."eyee Naku is mein itna upset hone ke kiya zarorrat hai? you ok? .hummh? unless something else is bothering you?", he asked slightly anxious, and she firmed her mouth and shook her head.

She wanted to avoid more pressure from him on her regarding something that bothered her.. and referred to what he had mentioned earlier, "Saab you pointed out that you alone have seen the challenges of life, and that I haven't, oh yes I have, sooche tu I lived in the basti, under the filthy scanner of that police officer.. your mother pours her sweat and blood to give you an education, and all that is side lined when it cannot save you from the target of people's unworthy eyes..being victims of fraud, even after having given rent.. Saab the state of helplessness at the inability to take the police officer to task.. losing all our money!she argued vehmently.He stood up and raised his palm,"bas! no more looking at the rear mirror, don't tell me about that incident, I dealt with it did'nt I, as best as I could.. ?. She nodded ,"haan Saab you did, aur uske liye me and my whole family is very grateful to you?". Dutta looked at her intensely, "look I don't want you to be grateful Naku.. you can say that there has been a befitting exchange of shall we say good will between us.. hummh?

She gave him a small smile,"woh kaise Saab?", he slanted his lips shyly and blinked, with a reply,"woh, if my home gave you refuge, then you too gave an ear to my past and present.. and kya tu future mein bhi mera saath de ge hummh? he asked in anticipation. She avoided replying the last bit, and focussed on the food,"chalo Saab ab khana khalo, nehi tu bilkul thanda ho jaye ga..", Dutta went hummh, and sat down again, his knees apart , and lifted the metal plate covers over his serving plate..

One look at it, made him confess,"itna sara kahana Naku?" and he looked up at her disappointed face.. and spooned some rice which he dipped in the soupy yellow lentils and carefully spooned it into his mouth.. he looked at her and noted her smile.. as he laid his spoon down.The glass bowl of rasgulla tempted him, and without wasting time he scooped one up and dropped the syrup ball into his gaping mouth.. Naku giggled, and he looked up munching the sweet,"Naku main koi joker hai ke thujhe meri har baat be hassi ah jate hai?, waise tell me something why do girls giggle at every little thing hummh? tell me as a man I am fascinated by what prompts it? or what is it a reaction to?..Naku gulped and bit her lip, with a feeling of absurdity.."woh main..Saab, I don't know.. I guess it's a feeling that's a mix of embarrassment and nerves.. something that is unexpected and takes one by surprise, and makes one speechless , so one just reacts by giving a giggle. Dutta looked at her intently, and his contracted eyes posed her another question,"tu apne baat kar Naku? why you giggle..? She blushed profusely and replied, bashfully, "muhjhe nehi pata.." she almost surrendered. Dutta slanted his head on one side and replied,"pun mujhe pata hai Naku, it's your personality, whereas in some places you give such highfulting answers and reasons, but in talking to me you get all nervous , because main cheez he aise hoon , jab kuch bhi karoon ya bolon tu logon giggle he kerta hain" he said trying hard, and failing miserably to impress her with his sense of logic..

Naku did wonder, had he had a bit to drink as he was talking in an odd sense of depth which only he understood.. But on second thought she recalled the gist of what he said about her.. that his presence provoked nervous giggles in her..She took a deep breath and recalled she cannot further this liaison..

"Saab if you have finished, tu main tray le jaye? she asked. He looked at her with a small smile,"aagar main bolon ke nehin , tu will you stay and talk to me.. hummh?", he challenged lightly. She firmed her face and replied,"nehin Saab, I really should have been in bed by now ages ago".Dutta nodded once,"ummh ok take the tray, kahana I am finished with now, ja.. pun yaad rehe ke I didn't call you tum khud aye.. and before you leave , ummh just wanted to say, that I usually don't manhandle women.. they are not challenging enough for me, I enjoy a good punch up which only males can give, females tu fight ke bajie.." before he finished Naku added "smite kar dete hain!". Dutta smiled and reminded her, "go, now..", she bowed her head, giggled and bent to lift the tray and left the room.

Dutta watched her leave, and thought, strange but here she was, sweet as pie before she was like burnt toast. Women are unpredictable, a riddle, an enigma, that many have tried to solve but few have been successful, why can't they be as simple as a, b, c,d..?

Naku deposited the tray in the kitchen and thought, he has to be the most liked yet a bit of a rigmarole of a man she had ever met in her life.. in everything he says or does a fuss or hassle emerges, but to her he seems predictable, she is getting the hang of dealing with him, yet.. there is some thought she needs to cast on how far she can go with him. She was a worldly wise girl, who regarded very high, both her cultural requirements and parental aspirations.."areee Naku tu phir se kitchen mein adehi raat ko? chal ab kamra mein.."said Babi.

Kya re Naku , thujhe maine kaha , tha.. pun lagta hai mujhe tu phir se Bhao ke kam mein lage hoi the.." chastised Babi

Naku was fed up of being treated like a chit of a girl and repelled her mother with a straight answer, "aye woh malek hai is ghar ke, khana managa tha, tu bhooke ko khana khelna se tu Bappa bhi kush hoga..bas isliye.." Babi, slapped both her hands loudly before Naku,"shukar hai Deva is lardki ko ekal tu aye ke woh malek aur hum.. naukar.."she said with some satisfaction and left the room. But Naku ,smiled , Saab she was sure never thought in that manner, she knew that for sure in her heart...as she closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep..

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Night revolved on the wheel of time and day break prevailed as is the way of Nature. Dutta, stretched his muscular legs under the bed cover and rolled over clutched a few head cushions against his bare hairy abdomen.. with a folded arm on half his head he decided to have a lie in.. he was too tired. But the thought entered his brain that it would mean missing his breakfast meet up with her, so battling his want for more sleep he struggled out of bed, showered and brought himself down.

It seemed quiet at the breakfast table, although the whole family, bar himself were assembled, and partaking the first meal of the day. He greeted his mother and then made his way rigidly towards his usual seat at the head of the table adjacently facing his mother across the table. With his bottom lip tucked into his mouth and eyebrows slightly furrowed.. his head spun a little as he discreetly looked around, trying to locate her. Baji looked at him enquiringly, he knew Bhao was looking for Naku, for that matter so was Baji. Dutta glared at him, with a look that commanded him to do the needful , and himself he laid parellel his arms, across the table in his space as he waited for his usual breakfast..

The arrival of his usual was delayed, and so was her arrival. His narrowed eyes scoured the kitchen area.. kahan hai ye Kali gori? maybe meri batien sun ke she stayed up all night and is late in getting up.. he mused with a pull of his lips to one side , he stared at the table napkin,"ye lo Bhao ap ka nasta garam garm poha.." Babi placed the bowl before him...Dutta's eyes expanded and his jaw dropped as all watched him in this situation waiting for him to speak.

He slowly pulled back his long pathiani clad arms from the table and clutched the edge of the table under his broad chest...very slowly, and clearly he asked,"Naku kahan hai? and then immediately added his compliant "use pata hai mein nashta par sandwiches khata hoon poha nehi mausi!"... Babi looked down at him and rapidly covered her mouth with her sari pallu,"Naku, Bhao aaj se subah kam pe jaldi nikal jaye ge,". Dutta pressed his palms on the table and hauled himself up gripped the back of his chair and stalked off from the dining table and, AS called out after him,"Dutta , kuch aur kha le, juice he pe le.."but to her dismay he had already begun to climb his wooden stairs towards his study.

Once he got to his balcony he gripped the railing and looked down at the dining table and the hall below. So she will not be present at breakfast from now on, nor serve him with her hand made sandwiches. His jaw twitched angrily, his face scowled at the thought, why and whatis she doing? but worst still she never breathed a word about her new working hours.. why?. He had concluded that they had an amenable interaction last night. Obviously he had misjudged her.. he needs to get his act together sar pe char ke beith gaye hai ye kali gori!.. he fumed, as in angst he kicked the leg of his wooden table, opened his lap top and started looking at his pending jobs.

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Roops barged into Baji's room. Baji who was midst of pulling his kurta over his head, stopped midway and protested loudly,"areee Roops ke baachi, knock before you enter! etiquette !remember ya you have forgotten? bol what brought you here?.Baji was not in the mood for her silly pranks or games so she just yelled,"Baji, Kala Tai wanted us in her room now .

Baji looked astounded,"kyun? tune kuch blunder mara hai kiya Roops? ", Roops elbowed him in his belly," oyee shuddup Baji rao! jab bole ga you talk rubbish, actually its you! you are the culprit tera class le ge Tai meri nehi!" Roops gave him back as good as she got. Leela arrived and stood in the driveway, as she looked at this forever squabbling pair, "tum dono ke ghit pit khatam hoi, tu shall we go to Tai's room..?

Kala stood ready and waiting dressed in an bold net sari with a halter neck blouse, she smiled as she saw, Baji and Roops enter her room. Kishore, joined his hands and apologized,"ap logon batein karien main mandir ja reh ",Kala turned to him, "Kishore I feel ke ap rok jate tu aacha hoga.."she said ominously. By now every body had sat down while Kala still stood and paced. Roops who sat next to Baji requested impatiently, "Tai ab bata bhi do ? and how come AS, isn't here and Bhao too?.

Kala rubbed her palms, and responded, "well to begin with , AS, wants me to deal with this issue so that's why shes' absent.Now with regards to Bhao, tu , this has to do with him, and what we discuss here is to remain in this room.. so can I have your word that it will not be relayed to him in particular?.. all nodded. Kala continued to explain, "well a few days ago AS, and me approached Bhao, about considering marriage and starting a family..he consented as he found out that AS, was suggesting Naku , for whom you may have noticed he has developed a soft spot.." Roops cut short her Tia," so cute na!? I always suspected that here was something brewing there from day one when he met her..". Kala nodded , and carried on,"I am afraid it's not so simple, AS, spoke to Babi but to her great disbelief ,Babi has turned down the ristha! on social status and cast basis. Now, Bhao does not know, but AS, and me both feel that you should know as some changes may take place between Bhao and Naku's outlook towards each other". Roops interrupted again,"yes like this morning, no Naku! no sandwiches for Bhao for breakfast..

A worried, Leela asked," pun humien kya kerna hai, shall we talk to them? convince Babi?

Baji , intercepted, "no that would be disastrous if Bhao comes to know , he might have a regrettable knee jerk reaction , and hate Naku and her family. As such, personally I would just wait and watch, who knows Bhao and Naku can sort this between themselves".. he suggested.

Kala too agreed, with Baji's opinion, but gave a for warning, "just look out in particular for Bhao, he shouldn't make out that Babi has declined this ristha, for given Bhao's state previous state of mind and his past , he may see it as a rejection of his personal being and I hate to think what might happen, so give him all the support he needs..

Kishore , added, "waise humien umeed nehi chorne chaheiya, shayed ab waqat ah gaye hai ke hum dekh sakien ke Naku mein kitne shakti hai , Dutta jaise insaan ki patni bun ke liye.." All thought upon Kishore's words.. and the short family meeting terminated.

Baji was very anxious about the whole situation. Adverse sentiments for Babi were rife in his heart.. he was greatly disappointed , more so as he failed to see it coming , so he was more speechless and numb.

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Dutta meanwhile sat at his lap top and felt the urge to eat. He had skipped breakfast, and henceforth his need of an empty stomach had to be met.. the thought of food prevalent in his mind took his feet towards his mother's room.. he stopped for a moment. What was he doing? that Kali gori pointed out to him rather rudely where the kitchen was so perhaps he should head that way and prepare something..

But what? he looked around, that fool Baji was not around either, he could have ordered him to make the sandwiches... ummh after Naku woh he tu hai uske dil ke sab se karib.

As luck would have it the nautanki turned up as Dutta walked down the main first floor corridor that opened into the family bed rooms.."ekale he ekle jala hai kahan? humien saath le le! humsafar bhi koi saath le le!".. he sang as he came from behind and looped one of his arms around his mate's wide shoulder. Dutta stopped and shrugged off Baji's arm and turned his neck and gave him a dirty look.., "aree Bhao, thande rehk yaar, just asking where you heading towards?. Dutta softened a bit and defended himself,"Baji yaar bhook lege hai ,woh yehri kali gori jaise Naku! didn't make my sandwiches, soo." and he stopped, and Baji finished off, "so you decide to fast till she comes back from work?, look Bhao this is what one call's to cut your nose to spite your face!"he sniggered. An irritated Dutta growled,"oyee chup kar! itne mera khayal hai tu ja kitchen mein aur mera liya sandwiches buna ke le ah.."he demanded. Baji's big eyes popped out,"hainn? kya baat kerte ho Bhao? main aur tumhare liye sandwiches bunaon, nehinnn!he shouted with his hand folded against his forehead, this cannot happen in a million years I can't replace Naku's soft touch!". he protested. Dutta pouted his lip and nodded his head once, and replied sarcastically, "that's true, besides you are chicken! ye kyun nehi bolta ke you can't cook!. Baji folded his hands "haan think what you want, but hey chal AS ke pas chalte hain."

By now they had arrived before their mother's door. Baji had actually made it easier for him to take this decision.

AS, raised her eyes and before her stood her sons.. Baji in his batik print kurta and jeans, and her sulky unsmiling Dutta in his grey elegant pathiani.. she was overcome with emotion and opened her arms and Baji leapt into them to return her hug...but Dutta stood glued to his spot. Disappointed, she gazed at him tenderly, almost beseechingly. Dutta sunk his neck slowly, and eventually walked towards her, but ignored her raised arms , and instead bent slightly and touched his mother's feet with his straightened finger tips. But even so AS, was delighted that he came to her room out of his own free will, at least she hoped it was not Baji who had persuaded Dutta.

Baji, got to the point,"AS, Dutta, ko bhook lege hai.." before he finished AS , got up on her feet and walked towards the door, "chal Dutta hum apne beta ko abhi kuch buna ke dete hain",goaded by her maternal instincts .. The three headed towards the kitchen, Dutta behind his mother, almost like a little boy waiting to be fed. Babi too appeared rather alarmed, "AS mujhe batien, kya buna hai? main bunte hai , ap kyun taklief kerti hain" AS, tapped her on the shoulder ,"nehin Babi aaj humare beta ne humien bola hai use bhook lage hai tu uske liye khana tu hum he buniye ge.." she said firmly.Dutta looked blankly at Babi. But Baji who had it in for her, with full of sarcasm, gibed,"areee mausi abhi tumhare chooti hai! mane ke day off! jao tum , Ganapat ke sawa karo!.."and before he went any further, Dutta gave him a daggered look with a brief nod to stop. Babi still felt guilty, as due to her bending her daughters ear, Naku from now on would be going early and he would miss breakfast.."woh Bhao, ap bolein tu main ap ke liya sandwich buna deti hai , woh kiya haina , maine he Naku ko woh sakien hai..."she said mopping her forehead.

Bas! dobara sandwiches ka nam koi nehi le ga suna tum ne!! mujhe nehi khane! AS, cake rusk or chai he mere aur Baji ke liye! uppar mere kamre mein bhejwa dena!.. and then looked at Baji and ordered "chal Baji kamre mein! he roared and before a helpless AS, could say anything he turned and stormed off taking long strides. A tearful AS, looked at Babi and complained,"tu kyun beech mein pare Babi, hum buna rahe tha ne kuch Dutta ke liye tu..". Babi , smiled nervously and clasped her hands,"woh mafi de do AS, mujhe khayal nehi aya," and AS, turned to her still annoyed at her for rejecting her son."yehe tu baat hai Babi tu bagher sooche samjhe he bol deti hai! age kya hoga is par nehi dahyaan deti..thujhse ye bhi hum ne khena tha, ke humare beta ko kuch nehi pata ke hum ne tera sa baat ke, aur tune Dutta aur Naku ke lagaan ke liye na kar de... use pata chala tu ghar sar pe uthe laga woh" warned AS.

Babi looked very intimidated and she replied,"dekho AS, abhi main humre basti mein humare babba hain unse pata karege main ,is lagaan ke bare mein tu phir ap ko jawab de ge main..main bhi majboor hai, zaat paat ka chakkar hai , hum ne bhi apne logon mein mau dekhna hai.."she explained.. and AS just raised her palm, sorely and cut short the conversation and made way towards the kitchen to set up the tray for her son.

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Still aggravated Dutta entered his room, with Baji by his side. Dutta sat on his arm chair and leaned forward as he peered at his bosom pal who had made himself comfortable on the lime-green settee with turquoise cushions.."Baji tell me why were you were giving lip to mausi, koi khas reason? he asked abruptly. Baji was taken unguarded,"nehi tu Bhao! main tu waise he.. bas,"Dutta nodded, "haan that's what I mean , tu bekar mein he bolta hai, you should know that besides being a woman, woh Naku ke maa bhi hai.."he chastised Baji who suddenly looked uncomfortable, as he dreaded, the moment when Bhao finds out that Babi is up to no good.."ho Bhao! he complied..

In barged Roops with a tray of food for Dutta and Baji.."here I am with your order! compliments of the chef.. AS! she chirped. Dutta smiled affectionately at his baby sister and Baji rubbed his eyes in disbelief,"haila! this is next to impossible! the lazy lump Roops doing work!. Roops glared at him and sneered back at him,"shut up Baji rao, not like you! any spare moment and you guzzling down beers, na din dekhta hai na raat! she yelled. Dutta stood up and took the tray from Roops and raised his voice, "stop it you two before I sent you out of my room", and Roops came to her brother and gave him a sided hug side, sticking out her tongue at Baji,"mujhe tu Bhao nehi nikale ga ,but you for sure he'll kick you out of the room!!.."she provoked Baji..

Baji , looked at Dutta who had placed the tray on the edge of his table and had already began dunking his cake rusks in his tea.. Baji pulled up his jeans from his knees, parted his legs a bit and helped himself to the treats..Roops who sat on the wooden arm of Dutta's chair, her arm lightly looped off her brother's broad back..pointed at Baji, "gawwd itna greedy glut hai tu Bajirao! neeche nashta pe you had two helpings of poha and here too you eating again.. I think you have worms in your tum tum.. so not so so cute na !!she laughed hysterically and Baji looked sideways at Bhao.."ise samjha le Bhao bahut rude girl bunte ja rahe hai ye".. he said distastefully as he waited for Bhao to chide his ladli sister.Instead, Dutta dunked his half eaten cake rusk and turned his neck and curved his hand to offer his sister a niwala..and she leaned her neck forward, opened her mouth and took the offering from her brothers hand, and smilingly wiped the sides of her mouth with her little finger..

She giggled again ready to tease Baji again but Dutta intervened, "no Roops leave him alone".. Roops tapped the side of her head against her big bro's and asked,"sab thek haina Bhao?".Dutta stopped midway and swivelled his neck back and forth between his sister and Baji suspiciously, and asked point blank,"mujhe samhje nehi ah raha ke sab ko meri itni chinta kyun ho rehe..".Baji glared at Roops with big bold pleading eyes, who came out with a warm sided hug for her elder brother and," woh bhao just wanted to tell you how special you are for all of us, in all the day to day monotony of life, I never get the chance to tell you ,so thought why not say it today!", she said with a smile, and he wiped his mouth and turned his head and curved his right arm and tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.."bahut sensible ho gaye hai tu Roops , good to see that"..he said complacently. Roops and Baji exchanged clearly much relived glances...

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Peeved he was with her for jetting off to work.. but since then, his initial fury had abated a bit, now, he waited her return, he expected her to return home at a decent hour, so there was the warm feeling of hope that she would be part of his home again.. He paced deep in thought back and forth, his palm tenderly holding one side of his stubble face.. his eyes narrowed, and shifted helplessly as he continued to check the entrance for her arrival. He realized, rapidly, this was ridiculous his lying in wait for her.. what was the matter with him?,people waited on him and here he lingered on for this kali gori ..he stopped and went back to his room in a bit of a tizzy.. and decided he wanted to lounge in a kurta pyjama.. his kurtas hung before him and he pulled out the light lemon coloured one with white bottoms..

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She entered the house and briskly went into the annexe section of the house. Her mother greeted her with a kiss on her forehead, it was clear to Naku, her mother was pleased that she was home early.. Babi , after some thinking suggested,"chal tu ah gaye hai tu Sab ke liye chai le ja un ke kamre tak", a baffled Naku, didn't stop to ask her mother, why the change of heart? and speedily went to the kitchen and prepared a fresh pot of tea and headed towards his room..

She had not forgotten what her mother had said initially, so she contained her emotions. She knocked and the guttural voice from inside beckoned her to enter,"ah ja Baji!..".He was in the middle of checking,that there was a button missing from his kurta.. with a twisted mouth he looked up and his eyes were surprised to see her with tea, he moved his eyes coldly and doubled his chin to see his kurta neck opening again.. Naku too saw and ignored him as she set down the tray and began to pour his tea for him," mera kurta ka button toota hai, spare button laga.." he growled. She straightened up and held her hands behind her back and defiantly looked his way straight into his narrow eyes.. no she would not be giving into this liaison her Aye said so.. he grinded his jaws and slowly asked in a husky voice, "button lagana tu ata haina thujhe,?"and rudely she replied , "nehin ata, ye ap ke chai rekhe hai pe lena Saab.. "and with that she turned to leave and something in him snapped!

He took giant steps towards her grabbed her just above her wrist and pulled her along onto the terrace, with such force that she spun around and faced him , her big bold green eyes defiantly clashing against his flashing narrow eyes," kiya bole tu! ? how dare you bahut badtameez ho gaye hai tu!? samjhte kiya hai tu apna ap ko ke tu bahut bare haste hai!? he yelled in her face. Irate, he arched over her from a distance and pointed his finger in her face, "bolna kya hai tu Nakusha? main bhi tu sune aaj ke thujhe mein kis baat ke akhar hai! tere ye majal aur himmat ke tu mujhe Dutta patil ka diya hoya koi kam refuse kera? bata na? he shook his head angrily, ke tu kya haiii! he yelled.. Naku calmly replied, "main ap ke ghulam nehi hoon, ek izzatdar lardki hoon, I can stand up for myself and no you don't frighten me! suna ap ne! and if you have finished your tantrum main jaon? she asked as her voice began to crack ,and he shrugged his arm at her ,"chup reh!,"meri baat abhi khatam nehi hoi hai Naku! he bellowed...she was challenging him and that gave him an averse pleasure.. "how dare you leave the house for work? before serving me my sandwiches for breakfast, if you must know I starved all bloody day!.. he pacified down a bit, there! he told her the truth.. he mused and then carried on,"look Naku, my life was a chaotic mess, true I went for therapies , but it's you I opened my past to ,let you into all the sordid bits, it was you who taught me how to enjoy the art of simple conversation.. it was you Naku who ... showed me how to see the sunny side of life by your friendship, it's you who showed me the meaning of looking forward to meeting a companion,you... a friend, and this morning when I found out that you changed your starting times , I felt cheated.. you were with me last night Naku , how come you never mentioned? dekh Naku I am like an open book, I don't like to skirt around or beat around the bush.. I come clean about.. ummmh, as much as I can about my life.. so I expect the same treatment from you.. so I ask you again is there something bothering you? hummh? bata mujhe, since a day your manner seems distant and I cannot help but wonder ke kuch tu hai..? he summed up..

She smiled feebly, "nehi tu Saab, nothing is bothering me.."Dutta left it at that and returned to his room. Guiltily she followed him and said softly,"lao, main ap ka button laga doon.", silently he pointed to his cupboard, and she got the needle box and attempted to sew his button. He warmed to her nearness.. as he doubled his chin and checked her movements. But Naku, constantly pricked her finger, with her frayed nerves, caused by the discomfort of lying to him.. In the end he told her to leave it and asked her to leave.. she left, he watched her go and sipped lukewarm tea.. he still felt something was awry with her... to be continued Hamlet53~ 9.8.13

Precap ~ why is it that I am always the last to know AS?

Eid message... Happy Eid to all my readers, be blessed abundantly. much love. Hammie.

Hi Hammie🤗
Wow...EID special zabardast update dear....Thank you so much for your awesome update on this special day...🤗🤗...It's the best sweetest treat for all of us ...🤗🤗..Thanks a ton Hammie dear.🤗...So sweet of you...🤗..Happy EID MUBARAK to all the friends on the forum...🤗...Let's celebrate this special day with our Hammie dear's best treat.🤗.

.You did a great job even with your busy schedule...So sweet of you dear...I'm on over the moon now.Loved each & every word of your update dear...




awe...Kya start hai Hammie...Loved Naku's care & concern towards Dutta...She totally ignored her previous mind set...Loved Dutta's inner struggle...You wrote it very well..Awe Naku served food for Dutta...I totally loved their sweet convo dear...You penned it very well..you gave a reason for girl's giggle too😉😉..Enjoyed reading dear...Yeah!!.Our Dutta is a sweet tooth guy..Loved Dutta's teasing...Yeah Dutta!!!...Girls are unpredictable...You can't easily understand them...Hammie You are such a sweetie pie dear...Enjoyed each & every word dear...


Loved the way Dutta searching for Naku @ Dining table...Who wants this Babi Now???...Love this Dutta& his angry so much...He wants Naku to serve food for him.no naku then no sandwiches for Dutta..Weldone Dutta!!!...Awe so sweet...



Loved Baaji,Kala,roops,leela & Kishore ki discussion...Baji was right...If Dutta know about Babi's refusal then He he might have a knee jerk reaction..


.Awe Poor Dutta...He got hungry now...Loved Dutta-Baaji ka awesome convo dear...You penned it very well...Dutta still didn't forget his past...But Dutta is looking like a small hungry bacha...Hammie loved the whole part dear...

Awsem update dutta asking nakku to leave nakku realising what she did and decided to leave her mother thaughts for sometime and leaving to get food for dutta . dutta angry on nakku behaviour and trying to find reasons for his restlessness and why nakku thaughs invading his mind nakku coming with food talking going on dutta understanding that something bothering nakku and trying to cheer her finallynakku giggling babi irritating nakku again nakku leaving for work early dutta waiting for her on breakfast babi serving poha dutta angry leaving family discussing about babi response and decided to leave matter on nakku dutta working on lappy but hunger stopping him baaji irritating dutta dutta baaji coming to aai for food aai sahib dutta scaring babi itroops coming with their food roops irritating baaji dutta hoping that nakku will come on time nakku coming early babi asking her to serve tea to everyone dutta scaring her and stiching button

@Tamanna

Originally posted by: -bharti-

@Tamanna

Brilliant work tamanna, painstaking work too as in finding n matching the right images .. Well done 👍🏼

Hammie hi, 😛