FF~Fettered Affection.chp20.p144 23.8.13 - Page 85

Originally posted by: twinkle-star

Hi Warda🤗🤗
Nope😲...I didn't go anywhere dear🤗...I have my Semester exams on July last week...Sooo can't come here regularly.😭...I'm going to miss you all dear🤗..Take care ...Sooo sweet of you🤗

Originally posted by: twinkle-star

Hi Warda🤗🤗
Nope😲...I didn't go anywhere dear🤗...I have my Semester exams on July last week...Sooo can't come here regularly.😭...I'm going to miss you all dear🤗..Take care ...Sooo sweet of you🤗

Originally posted by: san121

Wish u all the very best for ur semester exam...hope u will doing well...😃

Originally posted by: Warda.

ohh dont worry you can be more active after your exams 😊

will pray for your success im sure you are going to do well👍🏼

All the best and keep visiting forum whenever time allows you 😊

will miss you too 🤗

Mishal Raheja as Dutta Patil

Fettered Affection ~Chapter16

"All that glitters is not gold"..Shakespeare

"hello what have you here..?"a bemused but not entirely surprised Baji, crept in the shadows and parked himself concealed behind the kitchen screen, very cosy, the way they sat opposite each other, talking about heaven know's what? it was a sight to be recorded for posterity, how when the cat's away the mice play!.With held breath he stifled his guffaw.. as he witnessed the almost intimate moment where he hoped his sher jaisa Bhao would court the lioness, maagar ye hona na saka.. and Baji very nearly was instigated to thump his head.. for..Bhao was in the process of giving proof that he was yehra zayeeda aur hero kam!

At the touch of her finger tips, Dutta realized he needed to gather his act together and slowly.. detached himself from her touch and stood straight while she tottered to her feet. He stared at the kitchen floor semi immersed in light and shade.. just because she was a resident in his house, far from justified him to take advantage of her.. it was quite an unacceptable notion for him. Naku was aware that, an aftermath regret about their tete a tete in the kitchen lingered within him, and she furtively brushed past him, only to be stopped by the jack in the box figure of Bajirao! Naku startled and backed into Dutta .. who unitentionally was right behind her and he raised his palms above her shoulders to maintain decorum. But his balance she had displaced with the thud of her buttocks into him.. and he curved back his body away from her, far enough, and then looked up, unamused at the impish face of the sole nautanki of PN..,"tu kiya kar raha hai yahan is waqat? growled Dutta.. Baji looked at Naku with all purity.."woh Naku pyas lag rehe the, pani mila ga?"he requested as he crept into the kitchen with a cheeky dimpled smile, which Naku shyly, nodded and fulfilled right away. But Dutta gave Baji a barge of daggered looks,"haan pata hain ju thujhe pyas lage hai.. meri life mein jhankne ke , where ever I go you follow my scent like a hound dog ! he roared, paused and carried on, "can't even go to the toilet in peace , without you watching over me!! Dutta rattled. Baji downed a bottle of cold water with an audible haaa! and then added with a dimpled smile,"dheko Bhao apun tumhara Body guard hai ke nehin? phir ye kuch tu sab protocol mein banata he hai!he doubled up and Dutta red in the face, walked past Naku with a sided word,"ye pagal Baji suffers from insomina.. kab kahan pe tapak pare one has to be vigilant.." and he left the kitchen and gradually climbed up the stairs to his room, only to be stopped by her low call from behind,"yelo Saab , jug aur pani, in case you need to quench your thirst again.."he "hummmed",and took the jug and glass from her, accompanied with a soft look.. and ascended his wooden steps.. as Naku's eyes followed his tall figure,till he walked past the balcony area straight into his room, then she quietly headed for her room.. Baji witnessed this last bit of romance as well , and caressed his chin, with a resolution in mind, he perhaps needs to have a little chat with AS regarding these two..

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Both sat in Dutta's den somewhat with an incompleteness to the day. Resolute Dutta made his way towards the decanter and Baji's eyes lit up,"ye hoi na baat! pyas tu ab bujhe ge, haina Bhao?"he cheered. Dutta spread his legs and palmed the back of his kurta with his fingers and settled down in his lime green settee arm chair..his fingers around the whiskey glass. With a sip and an entertained look at his mate,Dutta replied,"haan mujhe pata tha, peena tha thujhe, isliye you were looking for me..waise apas ke baat, I too was hoping that you would materialize from somewhere, so actually main kush tha thujhe dekh ke kitchen mein" nodded Dutta. Baji sipped his drink and with widened eyes he expressed his, disbelief,"kya pun neeche kitchen mein to tu chekh raha tha mera pe,"Dutta slowly raised his palm and with a slanted head, replied,"woh kerna zarorri tha, tough image dena ke liya.." Baji scratched his head, "tough image Bhao?kise ke samna?.. umm woh Naku ke aage?"Dutta bowed his head and narrowed his eyes, with a simple, yet reinforced,"haan! .. humm Naku ko jan lena chahiye ka main asia waise aadmi nehin hoon .."he confessed. Baji sniggered, "tum ye kya Naku ke peeche par gaye ho Bhao? since when does it matter what she thinks about you, softie or toughie!? Bappa shapat kehien tum ko pyar tu nehi ho gaya hai is kali gori se"?. Dutta nodded at Baji with flared nostrils," haina payar, paisa se , saata se, ummh apane khandan se, apna dost Baji se.."he retorted back with gravity. Baji heard his Bhao's answer and found it difficult to conceal his disappointment, "aur Naku?" he asked gently. Dutta looked at his friend with contracted looks, "dekh Baji, ummh kali gorri ka matter thura complicated hai, you see we just live together under the same roof, but as two different people, you see woh educated hai , smart at her work, decent.. ummh and me , jailbird, not exactly at par with her intellectually, job wise, let's not even go there, so Baji, whatever you are cooking.. I'd say, stop it.. Dutta ke dal nehin galni.." he said with a touch of despondency.."Baji tenderly studied his Bhao's face, and smarted inside, why won't Dutta forget everything else and simply admit that he likes her.. Bravely he tackled his Bhao..." areee Bhao ,tum chorru bekar ke batien, tum ye batao, tumhe Naku kaise lageti hai?"Dutta's firmed up lips parted and with some fortitude he replied,"aachi lardki hai , na pasand kerne wali kuch khass baat tu nehi hai us mein, sawaye iske , ke lecture marte hai",he said sulkily.. it was clear to Baji that the lion felt trapped.. and he startled a bit as Dutta suddenly stood up..Dutta raised his palm, accompanied by an arched eyebrows grizzly gaze at Baji. He warned ,"look don't repeat this nonsense about linking me with Naku, it dosen't look good Baji , kisi ke bete hai woh.. besides humra ghar mein bhi rehte hai ,Baji ye na ho ke log ye kehne shorru kar dein ka , lardki ko isliye main ghar liye,ke uske saath ummmh..."Baji's eyes nearly welled up and he walked to his friend and rested his hand on his shoulder,"Bhao since when have you started worrying about what people might say?.."and Baji decided to say nothing more..for he knew there came a point when Dutta tended to clamp up and that was now. But inside he was assured that Dutta had sentiments for Naku.. and his heart missed a beat, but was stopped for the minute by the ring tone of his phone... before could he perhaps start afresh.. second innings regarding the subject.

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"areee Baji ustad, tum kadher hai beeru?aur woh tumhara hero Dutta, woh kaisa hai?"Dutta could hear Jeera's, boorish yell tone from a distance and flicked his fingers at Baji to pass the phone over to him,"Jeera! main Dutta! is time phone keya! kya kam hai bol!? demanded Dutta as he rolled his eyes and shook his head. Jeera, smiled at the other end of the phone,"Dutta mere babbar sher!tera se baat ka time! ya kam ka time.. any time hai mera dost! kisi bhi waqat!, chal get dressed my good man you're on tonight! docks pe meri gold ke consignment ah rehe hai, I want you Baji and Digu to collect It, the journey door to door tere ghar se to the docks is roughly an hour, any questions?"he queried, short and sweet. Dutta slanted his head as he spoke through the hands free , "no questions Jeera pun problem hai zaroor , Digu! to put it in a nut shell, nehi la ke jana hai usko apne saath , he is more then I can chew, so if that guy goes Jeera count me and Baji out,"Jeera sensed displeasure in Dutta's tone, plus he also believed that a stubborn nose up in the air young blade of a Don like Dutta does what he says, so he cajoled,"aree mera dil ke chaien!.. tum tu leader ho is expedition ka.. woh kiya haina ,tum chorra ganga ganare wala.. so maa could do with a visit from her favourite son Dutta Patil!.. dekh tum garme maat khao..ice cream khao tutti frutti flavour wali! abhi dekho tum mera pas hota tu main make kerta tumhare waaste in a tall glass! just for you! and tum bole tu will stick a chocolate flake in it too! "Dutta , yelled "bahut faltu bolta hai tu Jeera blade! paka! paka ke! you have fried my brains.. and as for ice cream, tu Digu ko khela, as Dutta thandi malai nehi khata!". Baji, snorted, "you tell them Dutta what there place is"!.Dutta screwed up his mouth, got up and went in to change into his black pathiani. While he shoved his arms through the sleeves , he said to Baji in a baritone voice, "raat ke kam ke liye black colour is just right, blends into the night, disparities become invisible"..he rolled his sleeves till his elbows and turned his head towards Baji,"address pata hai? "ho Bhao samander ka kinara hai! ab ye tu sab to pata hai.." .. "chaal let's go then.. but remember we leave without a sound and take Kaley with us.. Dutta commanded and noiselessly they he descended his wooden steps , walked decisively through the hall in long bold steps creating shadows, one way and tearing through long shadows, another way... out of the long off white glistening tiled corridor of PN towards the black immaculate ready and waiting shiny jeep.. Dutta took control of the driving and Baji positioned himself beside him, while Kaley armed sat at the rear of the jeep.The jeep was started very quietly , it was well noted that this was the first night venture the two men embarked upon , and least attention sparked was crucial. In silence Dutta headed towards their destination, and Baji received Jeera's phone, yet again"haan Baji, tell Dutta to drop by for a few minutes, en route to the docks, you might well be in my home territory by now.. are you Baji ,tell me?, badgered Jeera, and Dutta, grinded the jeep to a halt and pulled the hand break up with a crank, as yes lucky for that idiot they had reached his red fort. He sided a brief look at Baji,"chaal let's go check out is salle Jeera ko kya takleef hoi hai? ju dhundhe pa jata hoi bhi he bloody stops us to have a chin wag with him"..

In some what detached haste Dutta ahead, and Baji behind tapped their shoes on the red tiled bricks, offered their bodies to be frisked by Jeera's guards and then walked through the red bricked tiled corridor, Dutta walked ahead and moaned,"ek tu I hate coming to his lal qila feels like you have entered some house of cards in Alex in wonderland!, dense aadmi!, he twisted his mouth. Jeera on the hand, with his legs crossed above his red desk chuckled as he caught out Dutta's displeasure on the cctv cameras, propped up on the wall of his room.. "woh kiya haina sher jitna ghuraiye, utna aacha pharrta hai! he preached to Shabbir.. and the rest of his hench men.. the door to his office burst opened and Dutta surged in, his chin to one side, he came heavy footed, thumped his palms on Jeera's desk,"bol itna kiya urgent kam yaad ah gaye thujhe ? ju raaste mein se bul liya tune?.."he growled as he arched his head forward his upper body held up by his two muscular arms.Jeera flicked his fingers towards all present to leave and his eyes followed as they left one by one.Then he put his hand in one of the drawers under his desk and held a revolver which he gently laid on the desk and slowly looked up into Dutta's narrowed eyes.."ise nehi saath le kar jaya ga apne mehbooba ko? taras rehe hai tera haatoon ka jaado dekhna ke liya" he said in a evil slimy tone.. Dutta looked down at the piece of weapon on the table and removed the weight off one of his arms and tenderly brought his fingers to it, caressing its cold body with his slender fingers..then gently spread his wide palm and lifted it tenderly,to bring it closer to him. He stood erect and both his palms silently became active one cradled it and the other traced its gunmetal shape with his fingers.."hummmh, tu you want me to take this baby as well? thek hai, but who told you I am going to use it?he questioned Jeera with a stiff expressionless face. While Dutta queried, Baji chipped in disapprovingly,"haan Jeera, dehk humien koi lothcha nehi karna.. churi chaakari ,smuggling kare ga , kisi ke peetie ho chale ga , but tapkana nehi!.." Dutta turned his head towards Baji and held the gun in his hand loosely.. urging him to stop as he waited for Jeera to reply to his question, "look if you two think that you will take a lazy stroll in the dangerous streets of the underworld tu bhool jao tum dono.."he reasoned and Dutta moved the revolver and pointed it to Jeera,"nehin! tu sun goli nehi chale ge mere se!there is no reason for me to do so.." he argued, but Jeera persisted, "but I want my men to carry guns, chaal yun samjhe le Dutta self defence ke liya you carry it.. phir tu koi lotcha nehi.. apne hafazzat ke liye.."Dutta's eyes gleamed a little, yes that seemed plausible ..he certainly won't go down in his own eyes as a cold blooded murder, with that excuse.. as once that tag was enough. Baji from Dutta's eyes fathomed, that Bhao was going to accept the use of guns.. so he went along and asked, "well aagar tu men ke baat kar raha hai Jeera? tu even , I will need one too"Baji requested. Jeera laughed heartily,"kyon nehi Baji , thujhe bhi mile ge tera pyari!.. ye le! and he pulled another gun and spun it around on his red table.. Dutta held up the revolver to the side of his face, his expression grim and fierce, "ayee Jeera, Baji ko pistol ke zarrorat nehi.. uske haat ke maar he kafi hai dushman ke liye, is liye jokes maat mar, samjha!..ab kam khatam hai tu humien jana de.."Dutta commanded. Jeera yelled for Digu, and ordered "ye golian unke jeep mein rakh ke ah"!.A crest fallen, Digu followed Dutta and Baji as he carried the box of bullets..and extra ammo, to the black Jeep. Dutta looked at him pathetic sight! ,as he carried the heavy box on his hands.."haan tu nehin jayea ga. tu woh kam kar ju thujhe karna chaiye looking after your family!" Dutta decreed in a zero tolerance tone, and then turned to Baji let's go!..

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Both were quiet, there seemed no need for further discussion, they reckoned. Dutta felt his indented chin with his palm as he drove on in the night towards his destination. Besides in this business one has to be big, bold and specifically without a brewing conscience.. so that's the way ummh ,the money goes, he mused. He gave Baji a sided glance,"thek hai?",Baji nodded,"ho Bhao! tu thek tu main bhi thek.."he said not entirely convincing, but Dutta , just decided to leave it at that! no point in thrashing things out.. in their trade, it's the act upon it while the going is on , that matters and he drove on.. tillhe got to the end of the land as it were and the sound of the surging and crashing waves, could be heard...

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Gradually as the jeep moved on the air turned saline and damp. Silently the two mates gazed at the moody ebb and flow of the watery mass, mighty ,vast ,spacious and so, free..No one dared to build upon it, it was a power statement in itself.. Dutta was fascinated by its magnificence.. na kisi se kuch lena.. bas sirf dena", he said pensively, "you know Baji, the livelihood of the people in fishing villages largely depends on fishing.. but there are others who's pockets get filled up at their expense till they bust!", he commented with somewhat a tad of bitterness within him.. Baji nodded, not surprised at the pathos detected in his Bhao's words.

As if in time, the land's end began to display the cut of point of high rise buildings and a dip in the surface appeared, where the white sand of the seashore, speckled by a few rough wet, dark, rocky boulders became evident.Tucked away on this floor of sand , rocks, and playful lazy waves stood a horizontal row of fishing canoes.. empty for the moment, but as he raised the eye , Dutta could see activity even in the pitch darkness. Five men one behind the other, carried on their shoulders an enormous net towards a parked trawler ..it was obvious they were out to fish, to earn money for their families. Dutta , amidst the noise and lull of the sea, just gazed silently. His eyes caught a few canoes in the shimmering light of the moon against the silver sea , there against the horizon stood a fisherman, at the frontal peak of the boat his strong brown dhoti clad body fearlessly taut as he swirled the net into the sea.."dekh Baji, sab paet ke liya ho raha hai.."Dutta ,gripped the steering as the wheels began to slow down against the coarse contact of the sand, he continued driving and, pulled his hand brake to a halt eventually, as his body and mind preferred to lose contact with the task at hand, as he found himself overwhelmed by the present surroundings..

Thus while both still sat in the jeep, they were greeted with the architectural sight of a fishing village. Standing, securely on a floor bed of sand were rows of dried palm leaves thatched roofed huts, hoisted up on sharp edged sturdy wonky branches of trees. Captivatingly enough, every sharp bit of the branches were utilized as pegs for drying clothes and storing rounded cooking pots and bowls!. Furthermore, impressed by utility of space, Dutta noted that each hut had two entrance points for the family to take shelter, and each shack also had an two extended thatched mounds near the entrances. One where occupants laid clothes to be dried, and the other situated on the side had an opening, clearly the kitchen area removed from the live in sections.. He sighed, and readily noted,"dekh Baji, aise bhi log rehte hai, this is their home.."he reflected, "apna ghar kitna important hota hai insaan ke liye..", "ho ,Bhao,"Baji replied.. and mused quietly with a suppressed smile, "ya aaj hum assignment pe nikle hain aur Bhao, senti ho raha, hai.. nervously he turned his face the other way and scratched his head, ye Bhao bhi na, kabhi sakthe tu kabhi naram .. Dutta, due to lack of understanding on Baji's part irritatingly, turned his head and commented,"kuch sekh Baji, check out people's lifestyle, look how these fishing people dry their sails and masts.. look," he pointed to once again strong branched structures erected up on which were strewn damp masts left to dry by the warm, damp ocean wind.."haan Bhao, main observe kar raha hoon sab kuch, take a look at that frame , which has a net laid with fish scattered on it.. I guess, it's to dry the fish ..haina, Bhao?,see I am not that daft ,as you think!",he winked at Dutta.. and Dutta, growled, "dundhe ka waqat bekar ke bikwas maat kar! tension maat de",Baji taken aback, open mouthed felt snubbed, and whispered,"woh Bhao, you started this topic main tu bas..."Dutta, suddenly yanked sideways his long pathiani clad leg out of the driver's seat as he saw the trawler approached..

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Dutta stood on the sand, a tall dark daunting frame, his hands tucked in his trouser pocket. With the eyes of a big cat, he watched the trawler, one man at the helm the other what seemed from a distance the loader..but Dutta's eyes against the soft chugging of the machine only sought the bales of contraband. He smiled, slyly, of course they laid covered under the dark tarpaulin.. Baji walked up to him and stood beside him, "how do you know it's the right one Bhao?",Dutta sided his face and replied, "take a look, how he's waving the lantern Baji, and besides is waqat sirf yehe trawler hai, they know, this time no patrol officers are about", Baji, looked surprised , and had to ask,"but how do you know Bhao", "dekh Baji jail ke hawa kha ke ayea hoon, I trust no one, except you, so I checked up in fact double checked up! patrol duty.. found out shift changes.. and worked out where there would be a gap.. humra maal phoonchane wale would turn up, woh kiya haina Baji, paisa kisi ka bhi mau khalwa ye bund karwa sakta hai.. chal ab, let's receive the goods," commanded Dutta.

The loader, faced Dutta,"utharoo mera maal.. main Dutta Patil hoon, Jeera ka aadmi."he spoke in a guttural voice.. Without further questioning the timid loader, went,"ho Bhao!"folded his hands ,nodded his head and turned to lift the tarpaulin.. three large boxed items, and one small.. Dutta watched from a distance folded his arms and Baji yelled, "ab yehre! inhe tera baap uthia ga kya ?. Dutta turned his body, walked a few paces away from the seashore, looked at the curved array of palm trees and yelled.."bhar ah jao! kam hai tumhare liye..! he boomed in a strong voice.. slowly about six or seven men, dressed in fish net vests and hiked up lungis, came out running from behind the trees and raced down bare footed towards the trawler..

They waved at this man in black, as they made a beeline towards the chore of lifting and carrying.. Dutta watched, silently, his eyes on the band of poor fisher men as they lugged the heavy boxes.. each at one end, their thin, legs propelled them to Dutta's jeep where Kaley and Baji, supervised the placement of the maal in the rear of the jeep..

When the last box emerged carried by two men, Dutta slowly progressed towards the group.. but his eyes focussed mainly on the two carrying the final small box, light by the looks of it. His eyes shifted to the others who had finished their haulage, and now dusted their hands on the seashore making their way back from the trawler.. that by now had reversed back into the wild vast wilderness of the dark sea..Dutta with his body arched ran and collided forcefully against the two men who carried the box.. and fell with the bang on the box.. which was made of soft plywood tacked together..Atop the box discreetly he crept his hand underneath his black shirt and pulled out a sharp pointed dagger with which in a spilt second he yanked into the corner of the box and with great might, spilt the tack .. he lowered his eyes furtively, as he noted the small gaping hole... in the box.. he smiled, hummh it was big enough. Baji came running to see what had happened all he saw was the dark figure of Dutta with the last small box underneath him, and the other fisherman, stupefied around Dutta's crouched frame.."areee hato hatoo!,Bhao tu thek hai,?" he asked in a panicked voice. Dutta twisted his head and smiled at Baji with contracted eyes "haan!", he said as he sided his arm at Baji, who hauled him up...Once on his feet, Baji caringly checked out his Bhao and then gave a shrilly yell "chalo reee! uthao ye dabba bhi.. aur rekho jeep mein"! .Dutta brushed the sand off his knees, and watched.. as the men noted while the box was carried , a trail of small yellow gold coins on the sand!. Dutta smiled. One of the men was about to yell and Dutta raised his palm.. slowly in consternation, as he kicked the sand, with a devil may care attitude and walked towards his jeep, whilst he patted the dagger under his shirt.. he raised his eye brow as he silently watched a constant trail of tiny gold coins freed from the box on the sand right up to the jeep..

Once the maal was placed, Dutta got into the jeep and smiled at the.. happy, hysterical scramble of the fishermen as they pounced on the sand , how they looked at their findings in disbelief, and raised their hands to the heavens.. as his jeep slowly rolled off the sand , the men ran alongside his jeep.. with tearful eyes filled with gratitude, their hands clasped , they felt the body of his moving jeep.."Dutta Bhao, tumhare liye jaan bhi hazar hai!" he heard their shouts.. and he lowered his eyes shyly as his right palm felt his heart.. Kaley, whose business it was not to question, sat seemingly unaware of the occurrence at the docks, but this he agreed with, that there was something extraordinary about Dutta Bhao..

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Once on the road, Baji ,shook his head and looked out of the window, and muttered, "tum ne kya kiya Bhao?, woh Jeera ko pata chala,tu?", Dutta revved the gas and banged his fist on the steering wheel as he drove,"tu kya, Baji!? what's he going to do fire me!, kar de! but he'll have to wash his hands off my expertise too!, dekh Baji usko saata chaiya, for that I have told him, he needs to win the hearts of the people!I did no harm.. "he maintained his face free from all frowns and furrows,"haan Baji, this was my plan, to involve the fishermen in the unloading process.. see , aagar un ko fraction of an inch mila jayea tu kya bora hai!?, haan! I did my ground work, found out about some poor fishermen with large joint families..and picked them..it was planned, mera dost, after all mujhe har cheez ke khabir hoti hai, main faltu ka Dutta Bhao nehi hoon Baji.."he said with moist eyes. Baji, felt his Bhao's shoulder,"tu Bhao hai jis ka dil sona ka hai.. the don with a golden heart.."said Baji his voice cracking up..

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Day break was fast approaching.. Naku rolled in bed as she heard Babi, chant prayers and clink the bell..she also heard the loud yell of her father, sone bhi nehi deti!. Ah well ,she sat up in bed rubbed her eyes smoothed her hair and stepped out of bed and went for ablution, it was just past six in the morning.. but it was best to get dressed, then she could perhaps take his morning tea to his room.That was motivation enough, and soon enough she found herself dressed in her work clothes, a soft fuchsia pink paisley flora printed shalwar kameez and chunni. With speed she made the tea, arranged it on a tray and walked apprehensively towards his room. Silently, she tip toed outside his room, lest she disturb his slumber. With a soft palm she pushed opened the opaque glass doors.. only she found him not to be in his room. With an investigative eagerness she entered his room ,first set his tea tray on the centre table and then it was not rocket science to note that his bed was not slept in.Panic gripped her as her hand reached her mouth and her bottom lip quivered and she ran out of his room and raced to the first landing step of his wooden stairs.. she stopped with a start her green doe eyes popped.. there he was at the bottom of the stairs in his black clothes his head raised up along with his eyes in a frigid stare directed at her.. slowly his legs climbed up , and Naku, embrassed came down the stairs , till they nearly stood beside each other. She sided her face and couldn't help but ask.."Saab ap khader se ah rahe ho?...Dutta glared at her and climbed up the stairs...and then stopped, turned, and called down at her,"phele tu ye bata, mera kamre mein kya kar rehe the tu Naku? bahut shaquk hai thujhe mera kamra mein jana ka, woh kiya haina once a rehab officer always a rehab officer, sleuthing, nosing around.. hummm?. Naku, flared her nostrils and turned to face him parked at the landing outside his room, and gradually came up the stairs and stood before him on the landing, "actually I brought you morning chai, thought you would appreciate it, and you did a sawal pe sawal.. now tell me where have you been? you stayed out all night, I have seen, your bed is tidy.."Dutta, pulled his lips to one side and looked directly into her green doe eyes,"haan I was out all night, jawan hoon main aur Baji dono boss ke ghar party pe invited the, you could se night duty the.. and haan Naku if I was out then how could I have slept in my bed, hummh? he said flippantly then added," I'd love a chai ke peali.. kaise jaan jati hai tu what I want and when?he said slyly, as she stole a glance at him.. ohhh such a silly man he is trying to throw me of the scent.. kuch tu kiya hai Saab ne.. she feared as they both entered his room and he groaned and sank onto his turquoise sette..and spread his arms on the settee back. Slowly his head turned towards her as she stood on the side and he wiggled his eyebrows at her,"chaal ab khare kiya hai, buniye hai chai tu peela bhi ab.."he said with a strange expression of familiarity in his narrowed eyes.. Naku blushed and crouched to pour his tea, and he nodded , sipped his tea ,while his eyes lingered over her,"nice to see tu ready hai kam pe jane ke liye.. it's hard to find committed workers like yourself.." he drawled, "mujhe chorru Saab, I can see your commitment, night duty karte ho ap"..she said quietly as she bit her lip. He placed his cup of tea on the saucer, and then gradually looked across at her, with a firm face,"hummh, night duty lots of people do it.. woh doctors, lorry drivers.. transporters, train driver, nurses, ummh woh kya haina Naku, raat ko kam kerna waloon ko paisa bhi zayeeda milta hai".. he said with a degree of discomfort. He sat on the settee one arm folded, with creased fingers held up against his stubble cheek briefly.For a moment he seemed far away, as he rubbed his thumb against the tip end of his index finger.. Naku observed him and listened to him intently, then responded gently,"woh doctor aur nurse log aur police... emergency services hain Saab, aur haan desh ke soldiers bhi", she said with firm gentleness.. he heard and studied the nails of his bent fingers, with a brief gruff,"hummh tu thek bolte hai Naku", which with subtleness he indicated, that he wished not to continue the conversation, but Naku continued," must be a tiring night shift Saab? as you seem tired and lethargic? kya bahut physical labour tha?"she queried innocently. Dutta moved his head slowly towards her, as she sat on his single seat settee, his chair.."nehin! he barked,"but haan, you may say mental stress.."he confided. She widened her green doe eyes,"really? were you worried that you would not make enough sales Saab? nehin honge buyers ke pas itna maal, ju I presume ap ka maal buy ker sakien", she consoled him. He twisted his neck to one side and his lips fell apart,"Nehin, thura emotional stress tha, ke kaisa aise deal karoon, ju mujhe thek lage"..he said lazily, as he bowed his head a bit and narrowed his eyes. Naku much relieved, laughed and teased him, "dekho Saab phele tu ap ye decide karlo ke were you mentally or emotionally disturbed? then I can help you"she said coquettishly with a giggle.Dutta glared at her and growled,"ayee lardki haad mein reh! zayyeda frank maat ho mera saath, besides tere ye emotional , mental ke chakkar mein, tu mujhe zaroor pagal kar de ge"! and abruptly he suppressed a yawn, and stood up," ja ab mera kamre se kisi ne dekh liya tu kiya soochien ga.. ummh go have some breakfast, and then go to work, ummm thanks for the tea"..he said dismissively, and his big frame tottered towards his bed as he sat on the mid edge and dragged his long legs upon the bed.With some effort, he pulled his head cushions under his head and closed his eyes.As she reached the door, he said half asleep but clear enough to be heard , "neeche meri aur Baji ke night duty ke bare mein kuch maat bolnaaa"... Naku turned to look at him, he had already dozed off his right arm folded across his chest.. his shoes still on.. she moved back towards his bed ,placed the tray on the empty side of his bed and pulled off his boots.. the soles were.. caked with wet and nearly dry grains of sand... where had he been? she wondered.. he groaned and rolled over on his side and Naku, in haste picked up the tray that nearly missed his long slender black sock covered foot..

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Naku sat before her computer at work, she was meant to be taking in latest updated guidelines on the areas of rehabilitation.. but words seemed like rows of little ants that stared her in the face she could have sworn he went out in the middle of the night well after their need a drink of water in the kitchen episode , but where? she thought baffled.. saved by the phone on her desk. She picked up the phone, "hi Nakusha, Supriya here, how are things with you?.. especially him.. Duttaa.. she said emphatically. Naku smarted at his name, but gathered herself,"ohh helloo, Supriya main thek hoon , now as for him, he too is fine, behaviour wise , seems laid back, not so uptight, and very few tirades, but have to say Supriya, I feel awkward many times as if I am keeping an eye on him, waise I console my self that's its better if I say that I lookout for him, you see Supriya I have tremendous respect for him", admitted Naku. Supriya laughed at the other end, "what?! respect him? ek excon ke liye..what's up madam? you sound like a hindi film heroine, hope you haven't fallen for him? waise have to admit aura tha us mein.. kind of negative sa!"she laughed, and Naku flared her nostrils and moved her head haughtily a bit, "now look here Supriya , you disappoint me as a professional, how do you mean? that ex-cons don't command respect as a person, I can vouch that, ummh your patient certainly has my respect, gathered from my dealings with him.."argued Naku. Supriya laughed, "ok now tell me about his movements, how's his job going?.. for a second, Naku paused, a sudden surge of confidentiality set within her or was it a definite loyalty towards Saab that she would only say minimum.."ummh haan woh, his job is going well, he works nights as well, gets tired.. but nothing untoward", she disclosed briefly and the two professionals ended the call mutually.. but Naku thought, something was not quite right but what?...

Dutta meanwhile had got up showered and dressed, Baji popped by to his den, "so Bhao fit?. Dutta looked up at him from his chair, "hummmh, waise tu thek hoon, pun Baji is kali gori ka kiya karoon? yaar she has eyes at the back of that bloody head of hers! and a nose keener than a police sniffer dog! .. pata hai, she confronted me last night, all this kab? kahan? kyon? kaise ? rubbish! ummh yaar humari night duties ke liye ye aurat ek threat hai, kuch kerna pare ga uska.." Baji sniggered and replied.."tu bole tu sapari nikal doon Naku ke abhi ke abhi"!! he guffawed.Dutta gave him daggered looks.."salle nautanki kabhi tu serious ho ja!" snorted Dutta. Baji lowered his eyes and scratched his head as he mused..tu fikar maat kar Bhao supari tu ye Bajirao tum dono ke nikle ga...to be continued.. Hamlet53~ 5.7.13.

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Precap:"Aye Saab, kuch baat kerne the ap se".. said Baji

N.B~every body, thanks for your patience. love you all

~Rosie thanks for your ummhh hawwt, hatke ke OS..loved the spice.

~Bart.. kya?.. your Friday Affection needs a strict dose of Antibiotics.. aaj jamaraat hai! ye le..UD..

~ twinkie.. becoming a goldie does not mean that you take your nose out of your books and have fun on the forum...get back to your work now! aaand your performance in the semester better be above average! got that!

~warrie, mau maat buna.. velly nice creation you made of tasha and mishal in creations corner.. good girl.. slow learner haaa hooo!

~ suhana, I'll pm you about another song.. I want a tasha vm for.. buniye ge na? you know my mood... otherwise..

~ tha' miss you love you... very much..

have a good weekend..