FF : Tere Mere Darmiyaan LAST PART pg-87 dt.10.10.14 - Page 27

Chapter 7

Nakusha opened her small trunk , took out her clothes and other belongings then neatly arranged them in the new cupboard that he'd ordered for her. She kept the empty trunk in the lower shelf and closed the wooden cupboard. It didn't take her more than ten minutes to finish this task. Now what? She had loads of spare time in hand. She glanced around the room with her hands resting on her waist. His washed and ironed out clothes were kept on the couch. She thought of keeping them in his cupboard but was stunned to see the state in which his clothes lay. Total mess! She wondered how he managed to retrieve his proper set of pathani suits and coats from this bundled up mountain of clothes? Until now he came across as a person who exercised full control over things around him, someone who was extremely organized however his cupboard was telling a completely different story. She lifted the heap of clothes, decided to iron and arrange them back neatly. There was still time for dinner and she'd be done with this before he returned.

Nakusha went down to the hall, dropped the clothes on a chair and opened the ironing board. Behind her back Annay was having his classes. It was strange that instead of going to a school, the teacher came home to teach him. She shrugged her shoulders and spread his blue kurta on the board to iron. Perhaps annay felt more comfortable studying from home. But usually children of his age look forward to going to school. It is always more fun to learn and play with other children. Whatever might be the reason she brushed the thought aside and focused on task at hand. However she couldn't stop herself from over hearing what his teacher was teaching. The difference between living and non living things. Nakusha smiled to herself and remembered her own childhood. She'd never been to a school. Her father thought it wasn't necessary for her to get any kind of education. Instead he preferred to make her slog in the fields. Toiling was more important than learning. There were times when she wanted to protest, to voice her desire to study like other kids in the village but sadly she could never gather the courage to speak before him. But nevertheless her fear didn't dampen her urge to learn. Apparently the piece of land on which she cultivated was close to a school. So she'd sometimes climb a tree or scale the walls of the school building to learn whatever was taught to the students whenever their classes weren't confined to the classrooms. That way she got to learn a lot. Mud and a twig became her slate and chalk. Where there was a will there was definitely a way. However that didn't mean that she got away with what she wanted. More than often she would get verbally abused and physically beaten up for returning late from the fields. Tears shimmered in her green emeralds on recalling those dreadful days. But then when did life offer her anything on a platter? She sniffled and pushed back her tears. Then diverted her mind from her past to the present.

While ironing his suits she noticed that almost all of them were in dark colors. Blue, black, brown, grey, his choice of colors reflected his personality. Dark and mysterious. A desire to remain alone. A desire to hide something from the world. She wondered what was it that he guarded so closely? Even in the morning his behavior was odd, he didn't wish to heal his bruises instead enjoyed the pain and during the meeting, in a fit of rage he threw hot tea on that Morey. Pain and anger ruled him instead of being the other way round. The more she thought about him, the more she got puzzled. Letting out a defeated sigh she picked the last kurta, to her absolute surprise it was sparkling white in color. The color soothed her eyes and a soft smile adored her lips. How would he look in this white kurta pyjama? Calm and peaceful...completely the opposite! She hoped to see him in it one day.

Annay batted his innocent eye lids and looked at his teacher, trying hard to show that he was constantly focusing on every word that she spoke, however deep down he was waiting impatiently for these two hours to get over. He flickered his gaze for a second to look at wall clock. Phew, just one more minute to go.

" annay, kal mere aane se pehle tum in sawalon ke jawab likh kar rakhna..theekh hai?"

Annay nodded his head enthusiastically, surely he would complete his assignment. Taking this as a clue he began closing his books.

" accha suno, teen din baad saare bache picnic par jaa rahe hain..tum chaloge?" the idea of going for a picnic with other kids sparkled his eyes, he wanted to jump and say yes but... nodded his head in negation. He wasn't permitted to go to a school, going for a picnic was out of question. Dutta would never allow.

" nahin, main yahin theekh hoon."

Madhu, his teacher looked at him lovingly, she could see the poor child really wanted to go but was suppressing his wish. After all which kid wouldn't want to play and have a nice time. She knew his uncle was strict, in fact he was too possessive of him. Perhaps she needed to speak to someone else for annay's sake. She looked around and found nakusha ironing the clothes.

" who kaun hai?" she pointed toward nakusha and softly asked annay, who smiled, pushed his specs back with his finger and answered proudly," yeh meri maami hai." For a moment madhu was surprised but then remembered hearing that dutta had hurriedly married some girl. Maybe she should approach his aunt, if she got convinced then probably annay might be allowed to go for the picnic.

Madhu cleared her throat. Nakusha turned around and looked at annay's teacher expectantly. She was tall slim, had long brown hair and was slightly dark skinned. However her big eyes were warm and pleasing.

" main madhu, annay ki teacher." She greeted with joined hands. Nakusha greeted her back but at the same time furrowed her brows in confusion. What did she want from her? madhu, smiled and told her that on Saturday the school children were going to a nearby park for picnic. Even though annay was not a student of the school still he could come along with them. After all the school was built and funded by the Patils so who would question or stop him. She wished to seek nakusha's permission. She assured that picnic spot wasn't far away and the children would return early in the evening.

Nakusha shot her a helpless look. Who was she in this house? Nobody. How could she take decisions for annay?

" main..kaise?" nakusha stammered with her words.

" aap soch kar toh dekhiye..annay ko bahut accha lagega." Madhu tried to convince, she hoped at least his aunt would think about him. Nakusha glanced at annay, he was a wonderful boy and she wished all the happiness for him. But that didn't alter her position and the situation. She had no say in this house and she couldn't go against her husband's decisions. The maximum she could do was approach him and try to change his mind. Maybe for just one day he might let annay's happiness overrule his over protectiveness.

" main..koshish karegi." That was all nakusha had to say.

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Sitting on the steps nakusha had leaned her head against the wall and drifted off to sleep when noisy footsteps disturbed her slumber. She jerked her head straight and snapped open her eyes. He was climbing up the stairs.

" sahab." She instantly stood up and called him. He stopped and turned around. Those eyes of his were black, clear and very deep. Like always she dropped her gaze and asked softly," khaana lagaa doon?"

" haan..lagaa de ..main abhi aaya."

She nodded her head and stepped down when she heard his husky voice again," sunn." She froze on the step for a moment then slowly turned and lifted her face.

" tune khaaya?"

She coiled the end of her sari around her finger and shook her head.

" kyun?" his black eyes darken and irritation found it's way in his tone. He clearly seemed unhappy. She tilted her head slightly and gave him a surprised look, as though he'd asked her a silly question.

" aapse pehle..main kaise khayegi?"

He wrinkled his nose in annoyance, when did he tell her to stay awake late and wait for him for meals? She could have eaten with annay there was no reason for her to stay up like this.

" aaghe se mere liye intezaar karne ki zaroorat nahin..samjhi?" his sharp voice startled her but couldn't bring her to agree. Therefore without arguing she silently headed toward the kitchen.

Turning on the gas she placed some curry in a pan to heat. On another stove she fried cumin seeds in ghee as tempering and added it to the curry. She sprinkled lots of freshly chopped coriander on the cauliflower and potato dish. After making hot chapattis she arranged the tray and headed out to the dining table. She glanced at the wall clock. It struck one. Her sleepy eyes searched for him. Had he still not come down? She decided to go and look for him. The hall was empty, she crossed annay's room then stopped in her tracks. Maybe she had spotted him in annay's room. She returned and stood at the door. Dutta wore the same spotless white kurta pyjama that she'd ironed out in the evening. Her jaw dropped slightly in awe as her eyes unabashedly admired him. As thought he looked quite different and pleasing. Unknowingly a sudden blush crept her cheeks and she lowered her gaze.

Dutta glanced down at sleeping annay. He was hugging a football close to his chest. He and his love for balls. Be it cricket ball, tennis ball or football, Annay loved one and all. Dutta carefully pulled out the football from his arms without awaking him. He placed the ball on the floor then slowly pulled up the blanket and covered annay securely. He gently ran his fingers through annay's hair. Every night checking out on his nephew was a practice that he religiously followed. Staring at him for a few more seconds dutta switched off the bed side lamp where a picture of Annay's parents sat. Hiding at the entrance nakusha watched him silently. Her lips stretched in a warm smile while witnessing this soft and loving side of him. Although he kept his emotions under control but with annay they always succeeded in slipping out.

She hurriedly left from there before he turned and caught her watching over him. He wouldn't appreciate she was sure of that. She started laying out his plate, placing the chapatti along with some rice and serving the curry in the bowl she glanced over her shoulder. Where was he? Why was it taking him so long to come to the table? The food was getting cold.

Chewing on her lower lip she recalled what she had just seen. Maybe this was the right time to ask him regarding sending annay for the picnic. If he agreed then perhaps she could also convince him to let annay attend school. No nakku, you're expecting too much from him in a very short span of time. She shook her head, if she could just make him agree for the picnic that itself would be a huge feat for her. Perhaps some time later she could pursue schooling for annay. For the time being she prayed she could utter more than just sahab' before him.

The creaking sound of chair as dutta pulled it broke her train of thoughts. He sat down and placed the glass of whiskey next to him. The hand that was serving him, shivered slightly. He lifted his lashes and looked at her. Nakusha gulped the lump formed inside her throat. Was she nervous? If he was reading her body language correctly then she clearly seemed rattled but why? He took a sip from his glass and saw her retreating.

" kahan jaa rahi hai?" his sound echoed in the dining hall and she halted at once.

" tujhe khaana khaane ke liye kitni baar kehna padega?"

She was annoying him she knew that but right now she couldn't help it. Suddenly she had lost all her appetite. She only wanted to flee from there. He glared strong and hard at her back that was facing him. Finally she gathered some strength, turned slightly and parted her lips," nakku ko bhookh nahin." Her words were nothing more than a whisper.

" chup chap baith kar khaa yahan." his raised voice shook her and he found her approaching the dining chair. He didn't have the time or patience to put up with her drama. It was way past one, if not now then when was this nakku' planning to have dinner?

Not daring to look in his direction, nakusha served herself two servings of rice and spread some curry over the rice, her hand was trembling so badly that she feared she might spill some curry however that didn't happen instead she knocked down her glass close to the plate. Thankfully it was empty and didn't fell on the floor and shatter. Taking a deep breath she quickly positioned the glass correctly and sat down. She stared down at her plate. She wasn't hungry anymore and simply wished to run from there. She heard him clattering his plate with a spoon in the otherwise silent dining area. She shifted her gaze to his plate and found him making a mess of the cauliflower dish. The coriander was on one side and the dish was on the other. She slowly raised her lashes to look at him.

" main ghaans phoos nahin khaata." He replied to her questioning look while taking a morsel in his mouth. She swallowed hard and made a mental note of not adding coriander or any other herb to his dish. She was about to avert her gaze when he gulped another swig from his glass. Her eyes froze on his right hand when she noticed that it was burnt slightly. What happened to him? How did he burn his hand? Was he alright? Several questions popped up in her mind within a fraction of a second. She wished to voice all of them but couldn't. As if she'd lost her speech. Licking her dry lips she moved to her plate. Taking a spoonful of rice and curry she chewed. And chewed. And chewed. The normal eating process is to chew and then swallow, she knew that but was unable to follow it. With too much effort she pushed the food down her throat. She took another spoon and the same thing happened again. She couldn't gulp and thought she might choke or throw up. Either case she would end up embarrassing herself and him.

Dutta drained the whole whiskey and kept the empty glass with a thud. Nakusha jumped out of her skin and stood up. He shot her a now what?' look and noticed fear in her eyes. Why was she nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs?

" mera ho gaya."

Before he could ask further she was gone. He saw her running up to the room.

Ridiculous! She had barely eaten anything and announced that she was full? If she didn't wish to eat then her choice he wasn't going to persuade her. Now this was her home as well and even she should make an effort to get comfortable around. Pursing his lips he decided to make himself another drink. This one she didn't let him enjoy.

Sometime later when he returned to his room he found her huddled up in a corner on the floor. His foot steps were loud and clear on the wooden flooring. He sprawled on the bed with his head facing the ceiling. He was tired, very tired. Turning his neck he saw her shivering in a piece of shawl. He let out an audible sigh and got out off the bed. Picking up his blanket he chucked it on the couch.

She heard his distinct footsteps once again. They were approaching her slowly and steadily. She squeezed her eyes shut and firmly clutched the shawl to herself. The footsteps halted as he stood behind her. She could imagine him towering over her. Beads of sweat broke on her forehead.

" nakusha." He called her out.

She didn't respond.

" nakusha." This time he was louder.

She still didn't move. Was she such a sound sleeper? He crouched and tapped on her shoulder.

" HAAN." She shrieked and bolted upright. She was huffing and puffing. What the hell was this? Unless he misread her, she was terrified of him. But why? What had he done? He narrowed his eyes and glared at her.

Pointing toward the couch he said," wahan jaa kar so."

She held the shawl close to her chest and hurriedly went to the couch. She curled up like a ball on the couch. She hugged her waist and shut her eyes. She was so shaken up that she almost wished she had not waited for him. He flared his nostrils in frustration. Now did she need a special invitation to take that blo*dy blanket on herself?

Dutta went back to his bed, his eyes not leaving her as her sudden change in behavior baffled him. At first he thought it might be nervousness but then in the morning she seemed quite at ease around him. He remembered her bringing that sticky paste for his wounds, she was fine then. Even while having breakfast she was alright. If she was that intimidated by him then why did she stay awake? He didn't expect her to wait for him for dinner. She did it on her own, and when he went to fresh n up she still appeared okay then in the middle what went wrong? Moreover he couldn't recall doing or saying something that could have frightened her.

Rolling on his side he too turned his back to her. Was she thinking about what happened last night and fearing that it might happen again? As much difficult it was for him to keep his past under wraps it was equally tough for her to remain unaffected by it. He cursed under his breath and curled the bedsheet in his fist.

Keeping his drowsy eyes open he pondered more. Somehow he didn't feel convinced that his nightmare was the reason behind her sudden change because throughout the morning she hardly seemed scared of him. Agreed she wasn't relaxed but wasn't troubled either.

Like him did she too have secrets buried deep inside her that were now threatening to resurface?

Like him did she also have skeletons in her closest?

Thanks for reading

Rose