LTL Written Update
Episode ~29
4th February 2010
Kala's room
The episode starts with Kishore, deducing that Kala would probably reject his offer of Ganga jal as she was busy consuming champagne all night.. with her two sisters. So really, Kishore probably is the only one who knows the real nature of what the sisters get up to.The knock on the does not seem a surprise to him, speak of the devils and here they come!, he goes to get the door and in walk his two SILs , Leela holding a tray of morning tea. Roops full of beans, bids good morning to Kishore and he greets her back and invites them to enter the room which they do in any case. Roops stirs her sister with a cheerful greeting, Tai we've brought a fresh pot of tea for you. Kishore is delighted, great your early morning tea is here! along with your two commanders, commander Leelavti and commander Roopvati!. Painstakingly Kala raises herself up from her pillow, gives her husband a cutting look, this must be the first husband in the world who taunts like a wife! she says bitterly. He accepts her remark amicably although Kala continues, get lost man , don't spoil my morn. The sisters smile at this interaction between their Tai and her compliant husband. Kishore too teases Kala as he hums and holds up the empty bottle, aren't you scared when you do all this? what if you get caught?, he asks his wife. Kala gives him a cold defiant stare, which makes him put down the bottle immediately. Kala replies , who'll catch us , Aye Sahib? one who's always occupied in prayers ?or my innocent Bhau? we three sisters are his eyes! Bhau only sees what we show him. Our relationship is very strong and deep, got it?, for Bhau anything I deem good is good and whatever I say bad is bad, she says challengingly. Kishore rolls ... his eyes, at his wife's words and Kala's sisters look at each other with the expression of no one can beat our Tai's her logic.
A perplexed Kishore wonders and speaks aloud, I don't get it, he is a man who can hear his enemy's thoughts, he is a man who can fight with ten armed opponents alone! he is man who is so clever that no one can come near him , he hasn't caught you a single time?.Kala much amused at her husband's character analysis of her Bhau, sums it all in her inimitable phrase, one who can't differentiate between good and evil .. can't understand Kalavati. Bhau is a lion outside this house, but he is a softy in here, here he won't think twice before slitting someone's throat, but if his sister's get hurt, he'll weep like a little boy.. this is bond between brother and sisters, you won't fathom it.
Leela, teases Kishore, BIL, you just concentrate on prayers, who cares if the neighbourhood burns ?enjoy yourself. Kishore takes it all in a stride and responds, my focus is always on prayers.. god bless you all. Roops suggests, BIL, if you have to pray, why don't you go to the temple?.Kishore, tries to laugh off the suggestion and gives Roops a sarcastic remark, Aye Sahib's home is no less than a mandir! where there are three devout nuns ,whose devotion is far more superior to mine...everyone got to see your devotion yesterday! people at the temple are talking about your devotion, Roops here dehydrated herself standing in that difficult posture! you Leela! your hand bled like crazy after you continuously rang the bell, and you Kala you burned your palms with fire! really ,I haven't seen such a bond ..between brothers and sisters.. Roops smiles and says her usual line after hearing the summary of their deeds by Kishore, BIL, so cute ! Kishore storms to a nearby table where he picks up the wax scabs and accuses Kala , you used this to protect your hands from burning! but if you all get caught in the fire that you are playing with..then neither this , nor god himself will be able to save you!..actually, Kishore is trying to stir their conscience and he does show that he takes his wife to task, but to no avail. As Leela brushes his efforts off, come on BIL! you start this every morning. Leela then changes the subject, Tai do you know what's going on downstairs?. Kala wants to know , and Roops says, Tai that witch! that one who saved Bhau's life , her family has created some mess, Bajirao told me it's a troublesome family you know! Aye Sahib has called everyone to the hall.
For a moment they ponder on Roops words , and then Leela comments, it will be better, if the person who saved Bhau's life..goes away, Tai... Bhau shouldn't start protecting her more..Kala muses at the thought, as Roops adds, Tai ,Baji also said so that he girl's father is an alcoholic! he was brewing booze right here inside the house!.. Kala much amused at this news, says, really? we could use his talents before he goes away! and they all laugh approvingly.. and then adds sarcastically, booze in Bhau's house is like a dream. To which Kishore retorts, how can a drunkard stay where three pious nuns live, you three don't even sniff at booze bottles isn't it?.Kala fed up of his trite remarks, says please don't bore me in the morning, be quiet now..so what is the difference between this married couple and Naku's parents?.. Kala then turns to her sisters come on, you two go down stairs , and I'll see you there .. The two sisters leave , but Kishore starts to fix the bedcovers, Kala rather rudely, asks Kishore, and what are you doing here? come downstairs with us! she orders, and like a hen pecked husband he succumbs to her command.. nearly but not without resistance, what'll I do there? I'm not needed there, Kala hisses, what'll you do up here? of course , if you want to cry before these walls ,then be my guest!, but till I'm here , these walls can't hear..and there's no one else here to listen to your taunts.. sometimes I feel you were man enough like Baji at least, if not like Bhau! instead of ringing temple bells , you'd have a gun in your hands! now go downstairs ! I need to get ready! kishore does try to resist, but she says, I'm not in the habit of accepting a no! till I'm good! I'm good! get it?.Kishore surrenders meekly, ok .. and goes downstairs...Kala's preoccupation with gun , shows her lacking milk of human kindness.. she sure wants her Bhau's power.. not so much the money.. but the might!
So really, Kishore knowing but ineffective, all leads towards the plot of the story. He is a good man of sound character, but lacks the strength of standing up for the right thing at the best of times. His role as an advisor to Dutta would have meddled with the original plan of the story. Yet where there is evil , there has to be some goodness to both balance plus to create tension in the plot.
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Out house
Ganpat paces up and down much worried about the consequences of his action. Baji arrives and knocks at the door and sees an anxious Ganpat and a preoccupied Naku standing by the window. He looks at all of them , come on then, you've been called, and adds to their misery he rubs in, Bhau has called you! today your fate will be decided in Aye Sahib's court...they squirm and Baji says come on then it'll be fun .
Babi says a quick prayer before Bappa and then pulls up her courage and leads on her family to the summons..
Baji like a commandant incharge! leads the family into the main hall.. but they stop half way near the entrance and he turns to them, ey! you are not the government , that stops more and runs less! or the municipality taps that run intermittently! come on now..
Dutta waits on the red recliner, with a half slanted smile, his leg crossed over.. his eyes hooded.
The room has an air of caucus about it. There is quiet activity in the room.. Dutta seated, alone, adjacent to him on his right sit his BIL ,and his sisters, the servants too stand nearby for the meeting. Baji enters and the family follows him quietly.
Finally, Aye Sahib comes down the stairs , like the judge about to preside over this hearing.. all rise as she comes and she settles down on a similar red recliner opposite Dutta. She offers her greeting with folded arms and bids all to be seated.
Naku's family too sits on the floor ,but Aye Sahib protests whoa! whoa! not on the floor ,please sit comfortably on the couch. Baji and all else, especially the sisters are shocked.Naku's family, little taken aback ,without fussing too much sit on chairs. Aye Sahib lifts her eyes to the heavens, oh goddess bless us always ..she begins the assembling with a prayer.. to which all respond in quiet prayer within their individual hearts. .. Aye Sahib carries on for three days god tested us, three days! My son Dutta , has so many deadly enemies, since the time he's been fired at, no one in the family has slept.Naku steals a glance at Dutta's profile..Aye Sahib continues ,family does not mean just you and me..Dutta's family is huge..and Naku steals another glance at Dutta , as Aye Sahib continues, this entire locality is Dutta's family. ,it was not just one mother's blessings but hundreds of mother's blessings, that protected Bhau!..one who is protected by god cannot be harmed! .this family, was on their way to Shirdi, do you know why the lord sent them to the sea shore? To save my son Dutta ..all smile and accept god's plan and a mother's belief. While members of Naku's family including Naku herself thinks, only we know how much truth Aye Sahib's proclamation holds.
Kala and sisters glare at Naku's family as Aye Sahib once again joins her hand before Babi to offer her thanks. .. I can never repay you for saving my son's life! But still I would like you help you in some way...all wait to hear what she means , and Aye Sahib continues, I wish that you all stay with us. Ganpat beams, Babi is amazed and Naku's eyes well up with tears of gratitude.. happiness. Kishore looks towards his wife who is flabbergasted...since there is no response from Naku's family , Aye Sahib continues, but if you don't wish to stay here, then I'll respect your choice.. Babi turns to look at Naku ... and Dutta turns to look at Naku too , with narrowed eyes.. the silence persists and Aye Sahib asks, what's happened?..may be you didn't like my proposal? Finally Babi speaks up, no Bai Sahib, it's not that.. Aye corrects her, not bai sahib, call me Aye Sahib!..call me mother.. I'm not just Dutta's mother , but the entire village's mother as well!. Babi, with joined hands says, Aye Sahib we can't refuse your blessings..that you have offered in your proposal?..
Naku's family is well pleased with Babi's acceptance. Dutta 's sister are clearly not. Dutta and Baji too approve of the manner in which this assembly is being handled. Aye Sahib further suggests to Babi , if you wish , you and your daughter can take care of our kitchen.. will you do it?.. Babi and Naku both appear delighted and Babi confirms it , yes will do that!yes yes!
Dutta turns his head and steals a glance at Naku's reaction... Naku smiles, as Aye Sahib suddenly asks, what is your name daughter?.They all wait to hear her name..
Naku steals a glance at him[ twinky! eye lock!.. me chuckling] and he looks at her with sided looks. All wait for her to speak her name.. but she is still hesitant.. Baji sounds off irriated, speak up now!.
Shyly.. she says.. n..Nakusha.[ the unwanted].aye Sahib smiles, and Dutta hears and has a quizzical expression on his face[..me chuckling, does he mean, ookkayy that figures.. or he mean's what's in a name...?]
Babi lowers her eyes, as she dreads the reaction.. also, everybody! don't be deceived by her looks , I know what you all don't know!
Of course as expected, on hearing her name the sisters snigger. Dutta's face stays stern and gives nothing away.Aye Sahib then continues her brief, so Nakuska and her mother, will take care of our kitchen from now on, Kala and Leela , will explain everything to you, it's very easy, you'll have to take extra care for my Dutta's food habits! ..Ganpat puts in a good word for his wife, she'll take care of everything!
Naku and Babi are filled with joy. Dutta now speaks, Baji will explain to Ganpat about his job.. and Ganpat too looks satisfied. Aye Sahib, says , now you all can leave...
Sethji suddenly calls out..and me? what'll happen about me? what will I do?. Dutta turns his eyes to Sethji and Baji to makes note as he looks at the lad, oh yes! what about this half ticket? he'll bore me to death! Aye Sahib smiles and explains , you'll go to school with other kids. Babi and Ganpat love the idea , but Sethji with a screwed up face says, school?. Aye Sahib , calls him with a smile , come to me child, and then she takes out a uniform from a shopping bag ,and gives it to him, here take this, this is your school uniform...Naku sheds tears of joy as she looks on... Aye Sahib says , now you will go to school won't you?. Baji yells from behind with his arm pulled back in a fist, hey punter! study in school don't bully others! get it!.
Sethji not to happy still, questions, Aye Sahib, but what'll do in the school? I need to work like babaa!. I need to take up responsibility!.. Aye Sahib laughs at Sethji's big talk .. and then Dutta speaks, your father's workplace is not suitable for you, kids go to school , so you'll go to school. But Sethji argues with Dutta!, but I haven't been to school since three years, I can't read! .Dutta replies, do you fear hard work?.. Sethji goes, nope! Never!.. and Dutta smiles. Aye Sahib well pleased too says , fine, so you'll go to school and study.
Aye Sahib finally dismisses them.Babi with much gratitude touches Aye's feet.Naku is happy but can sense reaction from the sisters.
Dutta with sided eyes watches the family leave.. it's obvious he has a soft corner for them.. the episode ends on his face.Hamlet53 ~ 4 10.13
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Nothing much has changed in terms of profession for Babi and Naku.The only thing that has changed is greater job security and the perk of living within the family they serve.Since both mother and daughter have worked in a variety of households, I suspect their ability to deal with awkward householders will be sharp. For the two males in their family some good news too, Sethji gets an education, and Ganpat gets a job!
Many thanks ivy, alex, bart, uwith, twinky ,warda, tammy for reading the previous WU..
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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