Mishal Raheja as Dutta Patil
Fettered Affection ~Chapter 23
"uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"..Shakespeare
As he disappeared, to his room, her eyes were glued to the residue drops of his blood, he left behind on the floor. She ran towards the kitchen, got a sanitized wet cloth and sped towards the hall. She looked around briefly and then onto her knees she went. With a brisk sweep of her hands, she wiped clean the evidence from the floor. She stood upright. Her quick thinking saved Saab from possible further questioning from his family, yes that is what she wished, so what, if he knew not her concern for him.
Baji entered the room, supporting his mate. At every wince that Dutta took, Baji readily blamed himself for not being vigilant and swift enough!. Dutta shrugged his arm of his friends shoulders, with a stiff,"ja ab main khud kare ga ! don't need your help".. but he smarted in pain. Baji protested, "kya hai, just let me sit you down and make you comfortable and get you the first aid kit , and at least dekne tu de!". But Dutta was uncompromising and bellowed a big"nehin!.. what do you want to confirm ?we both knew what lies in the...Baji stepped back raised his hands up and reversed back out of the room.
Naku, geared up courage, there was reason enough for her to show concern for him , tend to him. It so happened he was under her care as it were, thereby it would be all the more official to simply make way to his room. Although the justifications surrounded her, still a certain dread of him slowed her action of speeding to his room.
As she reached the top corridor which lead to his room, she stopped and clutched her heart, as his painful arghhh! took her ears by some surprise.
She bit her lip, as her heart only wished to leap towards him and make less or even deal with his injury.. but the sudden silence from within his room, held her back , and instead she pasted her back against the wall that held one part of his opaque door. With courage she strained her neck to one side of the door in the hope of catching a glimpse of him in his particular condition.Dutta regretted, he shunned his friend's care, but he was irate with himself, how could he lower the rampart of his perception, the consequences of which he suffered now.. he looked for someone to blame as one does in trauma situations.
With a heave up, he painstakingly hauled himself to his feet..arghhh!! he went, as he painfully cast his weight on his injured leg. As needed, he held his injured leg up a bit off the floor and hobbled and shuffled towards the wardrobe, pushed forward, inclined his body, and rested his shoulder against the wardrobe.
Briefly he closed his eyes as he clenched his jaw, and a sibilant.. uff.. escaped his lips. With a deep sigh he opened the wardrobe and his wide palm closed over a clear container with a green cross on it.
He would check his leg, it burnt and it stung, which meant the worst, he attempted to limp back and a loud arghhh!! escaped from his gaping mouth , as he stumbled and then finally tumbled on to his turquoise settee. His head against the settee.. this will not do! he thought and folded himself forward as he bent and looked at his bleeding calf.The blood made the black trouser stick to his leg, especially below knee cap area. He could see sense it would double his pain if he endeavoured to pull his trouser up, what the hell! he called and Naku sure heard that bellowed indignation. His long slender fingers tips, went down to the edge of his right trouser leg , gripped it, and with a hard clenching of his teeth he tore the cloth in two! right up to his meaty sinewy lion.. he kissed his teeth, as he looked at the lacerated vertical almost maroon deposits of coagulated blood.. arghhh!! he went as he inclined to one side and with both palms elevated his wounded leg and placed it vertically across the wooden center table in his room.The excruciating throbbing pain, forced him to wince yet again.. arghhh!!
Naku would stand outside no more.She gathered her courage and barged into his room.
Baji too kept an eye on her whereabouts. He noticed her figure pressed against Bhao's door, but pointedly preferred to stay out.Since things were slightly sour between them, he wanted Naku to decide for herself how she would approach the task of appeasing Dutta.. so he observed in silence, but a smile played on his lips and his complete face lit up in the low lights of the corridor.
Both looked surprised at the sight of each other.. yes she was aware that he had a questionable injury.. but her eyes popped out at the sight of his bare brawny leg yanked up on the table. He was stunned at her plucked up grit!
With a cold stare, his firm mouth pulled to one side as he stopped her advance.. delayed at bit and then challenged,"kyun aye hai mera kamre mein? why have you come to my room? can't you see the I am half dressed !he yelled. Naku pressed her mouth to one side and moved forward towards his leg and crouched on her knees to examine.. as she tried to feel his ankle with her delicate finger tips he roughly shifted his leg sideways, "leave off! haat maat laga mujhe! mar nehi jaye ga main! he bellowed half propped up against his settee .She ignored his childish manner and held his knobbly knee firmly and pulled his leg back where it was! she peered on it and asked much horrified,"what have we here? some ugly gash! I think I am going to retch..and she went towards his loo.. but turned to ask may I ?cuttingly he called after her in discomfort, "you come to my room brazenly! now using my loo should not be such an issue"..he moaned crossly.. ye kali gori needs to be taught a lesson! he gulped in pain..Naku returned from the bathroom and got hold of the first aid box ,and started to wipe clean his blood, and disposed off swabs in a nearby bin. He looked at her with half closed eyes and his lips feel apart.. "goli lage hai".. her hand jerked back and her eyes widened suspiciously.. but no she thought, first task first!
He pointed to his wardrobe, "go get some alcohol! and bring it to me! he ordered feebly as he winced. Within a flash she got up, riding on the wing of being spoken to nicely by this wilfull, bolshie man!
He spread his wide palm and held the bottle by its neck, brought its cap to his mouth and with the grip of his teeth, twisted off its cap. Argghhh!!! he growled in pain , and before Naku could take his bottle, he drank a burning gulp full.. and soon after, his face twisted with the fiery liquid. Naku, firmly took the bottle off him, and he slanted his cold eyes towards her as he snatched the bottle back from here "wapis de botal! he roared, and with a clenched jaw he poured some alcohol on the gash and rasped and howled arghhh! as he dug his fingers into the settee seat!..
Naku tried to feel his shoulder to support him, but he raised his finger and sternly warned her, don't. Snubbed Naku lowered her eyes and he looked at her with hooded eyes.. his head pressed against the settee back. mujhe refuse kiya is ne! he burned inside ,and orders her.."jaa ,open my wardrobe, there should be a knife in a leather sheath, bring it here to me"
She does and she holds it in her palm and offers it to him. but he peers at her," keep it Nakusha, whet the tip with alcohol and then... tera test hai? tera guts ka? teri himmat ka? tu Saab bolte hai mujhe?.. well then Naku, saab ke calf mein se goli nikal.." he said slowly as he dared her..
Naku's palm trembled as the knife slipped off her palm... and he tested her,"kyun daar gaye tu?"..meaning your own fear is greater then my life?..every second the bullet stays lodged in my body ,Naku,the poison spreads in my leg.. kya hai tera fasala? Hummh.? He waits as he not her begins to sweat on the brow. Without a second thought Naku poked the knife in the gash.. and he roared.. "press the point in deeper feel the bullet feel it! you stupid girl.. Naku cried as her hand shook and she bit her lower lip! Saab your pain? she screams as she presses into the wound to feel the metal.. and he bellowed the roof down. Iam ardghhh fineee., deeper! twist the knife in one quick action Naku do ittt! He ordered loudly and she screamed ..haaan! and with a yank of her hand the bullet shot out and fells far across the wooden floor with a clatter! ,rolled across the floor with the impact... with speckles of his blood... and he doubled his chin as he watched her. Her face in her palms sobbing! ..sobbing! endlessly.. and he reached across and lightly placed his hand on her shoulder, "its over now..well done, not so weak you are Naku,... and she got up and ran to the door, out down the corridor, her body convulsing.. and Dutta poured alcohol on the cavity of flesh and screamed ,arghhh... she stopped.. returned, and briskly padded his wound with cotton wool and bound his lower leg up with a gauze bandage.. he closed his eyes as his head fell back on the settee back. His heart pounded more than necessary, and alongside, his nostrils flared a bit. Yes irate he was, one that he let off his guard , but most of all it was her intervention in tending to his wound that carped him more. Still he soothed himself a bit as he narrowed his eyes and blinked once.. he did give her a lesson in gory details not, ummh, that she reckoned for it..irritated he leaned forward but whimpered as his leg tortured him arghhh!!
Yes..he did have a hunch that she would turn up and lo and behold she did. With a stretch of her arm which held the glass of something she offered firmly,"Saab here it is, a glass of haldi/ turmeric milk.. it's an excellent healing agent. He took it nimbly, and then rested it on the side table, heaved himself and went arghhh.. his mouth pulled down completely. In immense pain he pressed his palm on the settee and tried to haul himself but the pain froze him. Naku, without wasting a single second grabbed his bulky arm, ducked low and threw his arm around her delicate shoulders.. he turned his face and with sided eyes he didn't say much ,except that he painstakingly propped himself up slowly. Gradually, with a limp he stood on his legs.. without realizing that she was weighed down with his sided body mass. He looked at her briefly blinked his eyes once and sighed as she entwined her arm around his back supportively and he almost dragged himself to the edge of the bed and with a painful agrhhh he fell side ways on his bed as he clenched his teeth in pain. Naku's eyes immediately brimmed with tears, but she bit her lip and with ever such gentleness she slowly straightened his wounded leg first and was quick to cover its bareness with a sheet. Slowly she moved her head to look at his face.. but his stubble face pressed sided on one side of his pillow, his eyes relaxed and hooded..
Naku was assured, he was comfortable.. she dimmed his beside lamp, and wiped a tear off her cheek, as of she walked out of his room.. she wished she could stay by him, but she knew he would never have it if he had his way..
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This was one night when sleep seemed quite a far removed blessing from her as a living being.. her body seemed spent, but her mind churned and contained , many questions, but mostly FB's of his entry, his wound, the bullet, and restlessly she tossed her head on the pillow.. his cries of pain.. she clutched her heart, Saab apne dard de dein mujhe, if only I could seize your pain and heal you.. when tears rolled down from the outer corner of her eye, she never even knew? except that sleep did creep into her eyes, from under her moist bed of eyelashes..
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The thought did cross her mind that she could take a day off, for him. But she also knew that it would not go down well with him. In a mood she got ready. Sethji, poked his head through the door and caught her attention, tai why are taking so long to get ready ? Naku gave him a freezing look, you! dont be cheeky. Sethji came in his lower lip pushed out and his big eyes going sullen. Naku tapped her forehead, "tui bhi na Sethji! can be very annoying at times, now why the washed expression, what do you want? he smiled and rubbed his thumb against his finger, monneee! he went. Naku nodded and nosed through her bag and fished out a crispy note and passed it to her brother. He pulled a face and moaned, "is that all tai? is mein se tu a big crisps ka bhi nehi aye ga", Naku put her hands on her hips, "shall I take it back then? waise bhi you are beginning to put on too much , so eat less". Sethji ran towards her and give her a hug, looked up to her ,"tai tu ju bhi de chale ga!", Naku pecked the top of his head and said yeah I am sure chale ga it's take it or leave it!. Babi called from the door," ay! if your early morning hugging session is over then Naku! come to the kitchen, and finish off the work, I have to do my puja".Sethji, on his way out winked at his mother, "aye! give Bappa a rest too! all the time you give him your long wish list of this that and the other! and he ducked and ran off as Babi shouted after him,"deva re deva! Bapaa ke saath bhi ye lardka masti karta hai! haat! " she shrilled.Then with a smile she went back to her room and joined her hands and addressed her diety,"bas Bappa! ,mere baachon ka kahyal rekhna, may they be a blessing for all they come across". She turned her head and saw her husband watching her, "Babi.. kabhi is Ganpat ke liye bhi kuch mang liya kar Bapaa se" Babi turned and confronted him , "tera liya main ek cheez mange ge , baghwan kere, tere sharab ke laat khatam ho jaye!. Ganpat gave her a dirty look, "jab bole ge ulta he bole ga!, Babi flashed her eyes at him, "that's because you are crooked to the core!", he yelled back, "me crooked? Naku ke life mein you go and meddle! baat karte hai!" and he flopped on their bed and dozed off.. Babi looked at this sponge of a man!, her eyes filled up with tears.. was there any point in praying now he had ruined her frame of devotional time.
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Baji , forced himself out of bed, and pulled on some clothes , shoved his feet in his shoes and shuffled down the corridor.He had to speed up, make it to the kitchen, before the sher wakes up. As he passed by Dutta's room , he heard the thunderous roar.Baji! get inside!.Baji folded his right arm and felt the top and back of his head, with a thought of the day in his head, how does this obstinate mule, know that I am in his territory let alone know I'm about to pass his room,"ah jaaa!".Now that was an order. Baji opened his bhao's door and popped his head. Dutta groaned, "come here Baji, I don't feel to good..woh.. Jeera.. and his pupils began to dilate and finally with his head to the side ,he closed his eyes. Baji folded his palm and in gentle silence leaned over and felt his bhau's brow with the tip of his palm. He did look clammy. Baji mumbled ,"tu fikar maat kar bhau, main baat kare ga Jeera se"
Baji, with a look of concern left Dutta's room and spotted the person he sought. Speedily he glided down the stairs and pulled Naku to the side," good I found you here, woh , you know that you mustn't mention about his condition to any one, take a light breakfast to his room, I suspect he must be hungry". Naku bowed her head and added,"haan main kuch nehi bole ge, mind you he might need painkillers, I didn't see any in his first aid box.. will you get me some?.. and some gauze bandage as well", Naku demanded. Baji nodded and went off to get some from the chemist. Naku watched him leave, she could have quizzed Baji about how her saab got shot but no she concluded,that it should be saab who should be asked that question directly. She took a deep breath and went to prepare his breakfast tray in her much liked territory, the kitchen.
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Baji collected the bag from the chemist and made way to his jeep. He dialled a number,"ay! Jeera zayeeda hoshyari nehi mera saath! tell me straight? who were the bloody cowards that were target practising on bhao last night! Deva shapat main unka mince meat buniye ga! they are dead meat!for sure, tu batie ga ya main aye udher ko? to create some chaos! .Jeera said, "look I'm terribly sorry ,pata chale muhje!", Baji snapped , "dont be sorry for Dutta , he alone is enough to play a few symphonies on the likes of you! Jeera ! you'll regret that day when you were born! and start counting backwards from a hundred! come clean with me! and tell me who is it? kaun hai? have you got a hunch who it may be? fumed Baji, "now you call me a buffoon but I have sent my hounds to go sniffing, dekho whose scent they pick out.. but I can tell you Baji ,they will not see the light of day", replied Jeera. Baji, snorted, eh! Jeera, don't take me for a fool! tu bhej apne dogs ko and I'll do my ground work,let's see which one of us is successful.. ju saacha woh jeeta! ju jhoota uska mau kala!, yelled Baji. Jeera, asked, now what does that mean?, Baji replied, tell me Jeera tu koi angraz ke aulad hai ke thujhe har baat translate kerne parte hai or are you just plain daft?.Jeera, affronted says, "you talk in idioms that's why beyond my understanding", Baji suggested,"eat almonds they are known to sharpen the brain".Jeera was fighting a losing battle against motor mouth Baji, so he changed the subject,"woh Baji do you think I should ring bhau to ask him how he is feeling?" Baji, discouraged him, ay! damak thek hai tera? I can tell you he is convalescing at the moment, doesn't want to receive any phone calls.. bas you remember this we want some names of those who shot bhau last night! and Baji ended the call.
As he drove back to PN, Baji mused, it's a good thing Naku sent him out on an errand, he did want to speak to Jeera.. salla nautanki sab ke sab screw dehle hain uske..bhau thinks I am the nutter! but this Jeera takes the cake!
But all jokes apart Baji, was plagued by the fact that someone took a shot at his bhau .To make matters worse for him, he has to give some kind of explanation to bhau, which he most definitely did not look forward to.. he just hoped bhao would not lose it.. ummhh his marbles.. he pressed the gas and sniggered a bit and spoke out ..."ab bhao yahan hota gare mein tu, main yahan na hota, urdah deta gole se"
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Naku, waited for Baji, heavens! she thought as she looked at the clock, it was nearly 8.00 she needed to phone her boss.. between putting the the kettle on and making his poha .. she had the phone lodged between her shoulder and her ear,"hi Bob its Nakusha, yeah listen ,I'll be a bit late in coming in today, not feeling too cold, sore throat and shivers.. Bob , accepts, hey! what's happened to my 100% attendance staff employee..? that bad eh?. Naku,"giggled oh don't remind me Bob I hate taking a day off". Bob consoled her, "it's ok Nakusha, even the best employee is entitled to take one off sickie! just so long as you don't make it a habit!" he warned. Naku smiled and then finally turned to set the tray to take to his room.
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Baji saw Naku with a tray.. just about to enter bhau's room. But, on second thought he it as best he refrained going into see him yet, he didn't want Naku barging in to their conversation. Naku looked at him with a smile, "coming in Baji? I'll go get another bowl of poha for you, shall I?, asked Naku. Baji nodded his head ,"no Naku, I'll eat with everyone else later, bhao ka gap I'll have to fix. Naku, looked at him with some doubt, would have been useful to have them both in the room when she quizzed them about the serious incident that left a rather lethal effect on saab.."tu chaal Naku, go check upon him, I'll meet you downstairs".
Naku entered his room..his usual glowing complexion looked more towards the pallid side today ,not surprising with what happened to him..arghhh.. he gave a feeble groan , sounded more so for effect then body pain.She set the tray down and the clatter of cutlery woke him and with half open eyes he could make out it was her.. ah gaya thujhe mera khayal? he muttered, cha de.., humm, she went with a smile , pleased he was forthcoming and pleasant..but first things first. So she delayed. He, tried to raise his head and growled,"kis cheez ka wait kar rehe hai tu, gimme my tea". She ignored him and went to get his first aid box from the cupboard. It was quite obvious to him what she planned to do, so he said forcefully,"you can check my limb later, tea please, at least let me wake up ! I'm dying in pain". Naku, thought , no she'd better to give him a pain killer with water ,then his tea, otherwise she might come across stiff opposition. She, moved towards him, stood over him, and popped the foil blister and held the tablet in her palm ,with a glass of water. He raised an eyebrow , and moved his narrowed eyes on her face, "what are you giving me poison"? he said bitterly. She looked at his face, the colour in his cheeks always built whenever he was hetup.. she propped him up and he whinged, Aghhh!!, as she helped his well leg to fold.He saw her arm being curved across his upper back, and felt her small fingers on his shouder. He took a deep breath and concentrated on her palm that she held before his face. Feebly he picked up the tablet popped it in his mouth, and with some willingness gulped from the glass she lightly pressed against his bottom lip.
Once done, he swiped his bottom lip with his forefinger and slowly turned his head and sided his eyes towards her , and only just demanded, "now gimme my tea!. Naku turned from him in a bit of a huff and stalked off to the centre table to fetch his cup of tea. He knew she was giving him attitude. His nostrils flared up as she neared, ready to offer him tea in a mug!. He lowered his eyes disdainfully at what he was being offered," mug mein chai? why? I drink from a cup always!, he moaned. She looked at him patiently, trying hard not to show her irritation, saab , I chose a mug, it'll be easy for you to manage, you won't have to deal with a cup plus a saucer.". He stared at her for a moment and bowed his head and accepted the mug and brought it close to his bottom lip and sipped.. in silence. Naku sat at the foot of the bed. Quietly she watched him. He pulled his lips to one side of his chin and looked the other way,"saab, how do you feel? pain kuch kam hoi?".He gulped and replied, "main super man nehi hoon , ke kuch khantoon mein my wounds heal, yes I do hurt, but ju tune painkiller de hai, will keep the pain at bay for sometime". Naku stood up and neared him , leaned and gently felt his dank brow, he pulled his head back, "eh! kya kar rehe hai? zayeeda chummy maat ho!, he growled. She straightened up,"was feeling your forehead to gauge ke temperature tu nehi? aur kuch nehi". He flashed his eyes at her, aur kuch ho bhi nehi sakta! so don't get fresh with me suna tune!,he roared, then after a second, added , "kuch khana ko bhi liye hai? bhook lege hai!. Naku looked at his face.. what a man,Bapaa! She looked to the heaven's and he caught on and thundered, "yes thank your lucky stars that you didn't end up with a man like me! hell buna deta teri life! he bellowed, ooohh!!, she cried and almost ran to the door..Naku rok! He called and she wept and turned back as he sat with his head bowed looking very upset. She ran back to his bed and sat on the floor with one arm fold on the edge of his bed. He looked down at her tear stained face,"ummh, look I am in pain so didn't mean to shout at you.. bas just feeling over all cranky, don't mind me. She smiled at him and mumbled , "koi baat nehi saab I understand, woh saab ek baat pochoon?. He thought the least he can do is to be civil, hummm, ask.. he went. She pressed against the edge of his bed,"saab, there is no doubt you got shot, I should know, I was made to deal with it"she said slowly as she waited for her reaction... hummm, he replied. She piped up courage so tell me who shot you? and why? ..
He gave her a distant look, blinked once and raised his eyes to an empty space. "Well, down at the show room, we had an armed robbery, ab main aur Baji couldn't just stand at the scene wearing bangles! we had to intercept the situation! defend our goods!, after all automobiles are expensive objectives, and besides letting them get away would mean risking our jobs as well!. Naku, looked up at him from from she sat," so you decided to jump in front of these robbers?..". Dutta continued to stare in space and replied,"hmmm, paused briefly then carried on,"thujhe kaise pata that's just what did happen? haan aisa he kiya maine.. ".Naku, bowed her head and looked at her palms,"did you not inform the police?, "we did but thier arrival would happen later, me and Baji were surrounded with armed men ,we had to defend ourselves immediately! it was the need of the hour!. Naku looked up at him, "don't mind me saying , you have a dangerous job ,surely you can't have your life on the line!, think about your family, it's not fair on them, dealing with you getting shot..".He thought it best to play it sweet and civil with her,"woh, look, hope tune kisi say kuch mention nehi kiya?, "haan, me to don't want to alarm the family , especially AS, she will force me to leave my job, and really, I don't wish to do that at the moment, good money coming in, besides, personally, playing with, shall we say challenges and perils! is after me own heart", he confessed finally. Naku, decided to refrain from carrying out further interrogation. Best she did, before he loses his mind. She hauled herself and came around to the other side of the bed, to attend to his wound.
He threw his sheet off and revealed his part bare brawny injured leg. She looked at the secured bandage, blotted with some blood.He watched her with narrowed eyes, his face firm and stern. She did what was required, and he to kept his cries of pain subdued.. but the lowering, raising, meeting of eyes transpired between them frequently. Laid back he rested his head against the bed's head board.When she swab cleaned the wound, he winced ahhharh! and squeezed the bed sheet, and she looked up , bas saab, nearly done, you are doing well,", he clenched his jaw , drew his breath and muttered, don't patronise me!, I can bloody well see what you are up to! fatafat! kam khatam kar aur ja!", he rasped as she secured his bandage, and got up. Without bothering to engage him further, she went to his cupboard and set out his brown pathiani on the foot of his bed. As she reached the door he called out, "tell Baji I want to see him..". Naku left, not a sign of gratitude from him, she shook her head, but his passivity she welcomed, with a shy smile.
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Dutta glared at him, "where the hell have you been? been waiting for you since ages! it's like waiting to be seen in casualty!. Baji felt the back of his head with a folded arm, "woh bhau, tera meds lena gaya tha.."he, explained. Exasperated ,Dutta yelled,"mujhe kuch nehi suna bus ye sooch somebody out there doesn't like me.. Baji spread his hands, "look bhau! dont strain yourself, yes I spoke to Jeera, but he's as much in the dark about who shot you as we are?. Dutta slanted his head, sarcastically, "now why am I not surprised Baji, Jeera, is not smart enough to realize who it may be, such a nincompoop he is! Dutta said dryly. Baji assured his mate, "pun tu fikar maat kar Bhao, you rest and I'll find out.., but asked,"tune Naku, ko kya batie bhau?.Dutta told him so with out any signs of remorse. Baji was worried, that his beloved bhau was beginning to regress. Baji now began to question Naku and Dutta's bond. But the time was not ripe to go into details yet, let his mate recover first, and he was quick to leave as Kala and AS, entered the room.. they were surprised to see Baji leave speedily..
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Dutta was obviously quizzed about why he didn't show up for breakfast?. Unflinchingly he gave them the same tall tale he narrated to Naku. One thing he had learned in life was to be consistent when disseminating information.There are less chances of being doubted.
His mother and sister were of course, very understanding and supportive to his condition.They didn't have much choice but to accept his story, such was the persona he led people around him to believe... Hamlet53~ 30.9.13
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Precap: ey! Digu milta hai re! ek peg lagana ke liye?.. how about a drink?
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
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