Mishal Raheja
as Dutta
Out of my hands
Part 9
Door clicks open and Dutta's heart jumps against his rib cage.. she's here! he reels around and before him with a huge rouged smile stands Seema! She glides to his side and feels his bare moist tough arm and exclaims, "Dutta you finished the project? I am speechless.. she contradicts much overcome..
Dutta pulls his mouth to one side and wipes his semi moist brow with a face towel,
"you sound surprised Seema ma'am, you should know Dutta doesn't waste time.. I had the inspiration , the rest just followed, spontaneously and effortlessly"
Seema asks, laced with dread, "you mean all on account of that junior Nakusha?
"She has been a key to these creations of my whole being.. though they are only a distant birds eye view of her beauty. You see Seema ma'am, Naku is uncontrived, guileless and as real and uniform as day and light! natural one to the day she was born ! childlike ! pure", he rather vociferously, throws in Naku's praises before Seema.
Seema not the least bit surprised says, "well it's quite common for artists to be predisposed by their subjects.. kher! I have to say these three sculptures of Naku in domestic activities do epitomize the character of the average Indian woman in her daily cooking chores.. may I congratulate you Dutta , and by looking at them, I have a feel good sensation! towards it. My next step of course will be to organise their despatch as an entrant in the international project, but before I make such arrangements ,I would suggest that this centre too, arranges a viewing of your work.. what would you want? seeing that last time you were not too keen ". broaches Seema rather carefully.
While she spoke.. Dutta only thought of Naku.. agitation bubbles within in him. He feels the disquiet of rejection. Yes his work involving her, has finished. However, today she hasn't turned up. This is in bad taste. Surely she should have be keen to know how he must have fared further. Check out the finished products.. but Naku, hasn't bothered.. so what if his work is great? as far as his soul is concerned, it can only savour a sense of appreciation.. if and when Naku in person, sets her eyes on his work... but so far as there is no sign of her and thus anxiety overpowers him. He decides , he will wait for her arrival. Thus his agreeing to a viewing, meant a delay in sending his creations abroad.. hence a big chance of seeing her, in the near future.
"haan thek hai viewing, but not for one day but a three day one. I'll be around for three days to answer questions.. uske baad mein leave pe jana chata hoon", Dutta throws the spanner in the works.
Seema eyes pop open and she sounds off in disbelief.. "what are you saying ? you leaving Dutta? but you can't? your contract doesn't allow you! she almost protests.
Dutta knew full well that Seema ma'am would present some legal binding loop holes.. he was prepared so calmly with his hands held behind his back, he replies,
"dekho Seema ma'am aise react maat karo, you can grant me a sabbatical.. it's extension activities related to art.. I will be carrying out work in my house. meri Aye ki request hai.. besides I want to give something back to the home ,that has given me stability and hope."
Seema nods with a smile and gives in with obvious charm, which always bounds off him.. "well ab tum ne apne Aye ke baat kar de hai, tu I guess I cannot really refuse.. I shall propose to the board of trustees that your sabbatical be sanctioned till your personal work is underway.. waise Dutta , why don't you come into the school part time? Seema pressed..
With a show of politeness, yet fairly bent on his decision , Dutta explains to his flustering boss.
"look I don't wish to make any commitments ,as I myself cannot predict at this point in time ,the amount of time I will take in undertaking what I plan to do next.. but hummm, I will pop by time to time to collect , tools, etc, I might require. "Dutta says in a matter of fact tone.
Seema beams, "oh good! yes sure you take what you want when ever.. but remember to come and see me.. in fact every time you borrow equipment come to me and I'll sign it out... she says with a crafty smile.
Dutta gives her a cold narrowed eye look and, mumbles with a nod ,"hummm, whatever..
Seema feels she has shot herself in the foot and sheepishly, concludes.
"ok then Dutta , I'll arrange for the display of your work in the exhibition area in the main foyer.. and she leaves..
~~~~~~~~~~
Naku leaves her home for art school, with an assurance for Babi that this would be the last time. Babi just wipes her dewy brow before the hissing pressure cooker and raises a warning finger at Naku.. signifying, make this the last time..
"Beti, tu ye har dafa bolte hai , pun roz ke roz tu phir chale jate hai"
"Aye thujhe mere daer se ghar ane ke chinta thi , dekh main kal jaldi Aye ke nehin? ab mujhe tu daer maat kera".. and with that she opened her front door and left..
Babi raises the old faded striped curtain from her window, and watches her daughter as she pushes past and sides her way past moving traffic and people. Babi moves from her position and goes to the wall mounted Bappa's statue.. and puts her maternal pleas forward, "Deva meri baachi ko buri nazar se bacha ke rekhna."
He must be waiting for me, Naku muses as she heads to the local bus stop. Without any reason she supposes without a doubt, that he must be imagining her person, as she is now.. the tall imposing Dutta.. who speaks firmly, only when he wills it.. and listens only when he is in the right ambience. With a shy smile, Naku's heart pumps inside her body.. every beat, pulsates his name..that which she never even utters.. before or behind him...what does it matter? she reasons , his nameless image conjures before her both in her wildest and tamest imagination..She feels her heart softly with the fold of her hand. With a sigh she gulps, and serves herself the pleasant reminder, that soon she'll be besides DP..
A mystified pair of eyes, struggles to confirm, if the distant female figure huddled between a human queue at the bus stop is actually the one he seeks? The one next to him, also studies the figure, is unsure and suggests, the figure be followed for closer validation.The bus arrives the female figure boards the bus and the two decline the notion that both board the bus.. only one of them continues undercover. While the other disperses and awaits further orders..
~~~~~~~~~
There is buzz around the three sculptures , pupils, members of the pupil, some revered others, ordinary all nod with approval at the feminine figure in culinary preparatory postures. Dutta in a black muslin kurta and silken dhoti with mojaris on his wheat complexioned feet, raised his neck and looks keenly till his bosom pal with a purple and white batik kurta and jeans turns up.
With speed Baji comes to Dutta and goes with a twist of his elbow , "kya baat hai Bhau! ek dum, Kalaa kapre mein tum Dutta udhas! dektha hai! he says with a confused look. Dutta gives him a furrowed eye lock and replies,
"main udhas nehin, hoon.. logon ko dekh raha hoon, sab hain bas sawa ek ke.." before he can finish Seema sails over to his side and looks at his open buttoned hairy chest under his black muslin kurta.. she can see beads of sweat.. which curls his hairs further.. perhaps he is nervous she thinks, regarding the patron and viewers acceptance of his handiwork. But she notices how he arches his neck up and moves his eyes across the entrance that he awaits someone. She couldn't resist and feels his arm gently, and gives him a beaming smile. "you waiting for your subject Dutta? he is most put off and growls as he moves to the centre of the room
"if you know Seema , ma'am then why ask? and Baji follows Dutta who within seconds is surrounded by people. Some gentry art connoisseurs shake hands with him and other common folk of the area fold their hands before him and bow their heads, with traditional namastes.
Suddenly he senses her beside him.. it's the waves around him that penetrate through this crowd of people and tells him, she whom he waits for has come!
DP. . he hears her soft voice ,that makes him turn his head and he lowers his head and his semi irate narrowed eyes grabs her wide eyed green eyes.. his eyes ask a million questions in silence.. thought tum nehin aao gi, pun tum ah gaye Naku..
She pulls her gaze from his and whispers only for his ears,"daer tu nehin hoi? main bhag bhag ke aaye hoon DP"..
He mumbles back to her, with a stare fixed on her face,"nehin! tera bagher, I wouldn't have ended today's session.. edhur chal".. and he literally swans her away from all, to the side. Few visitors still follow him but Baji veers them to the statues,
"areee !! ap log sculptor ,mujasma sas ke kara giri dekhien edhur ah ke! Dutta ko refreshments lena do, woh kitne din se uska varaat tha!...ke jab tak ye sculptures khatam na hoon gein woh kahne peena se daur rehe ga.! the viewers follow Baji to the displays.. and Baji turns his head over the small crowd to give a visual check to ensure, Bhau was at a reasonable distance with Naku.
The silent figure dressed in a grey kurta pyjama.. draped in a maroon shawl around his shoulders.. normal looking, but it was his black turban around his face with a red tilak on his forehead.. that may bring him to people's notice.. so he shirts and skirts around the room dividers.. to be least obvious.. from a vantage point his beady eyes looks at the woman portrayed in the statues that hold people's attention. He strains his tired eyes and concentrates on the same shapely nose, the long doe eyes and the delicate curve of the lips.. but he needs more proof to ensure she is the one. Breathing heavily he creeps behind the crowd of guests and hides behind a fabric back drop mural of an Indian village life. Noiselessly, the figure shuffles the back of his body against a dimly lit wall and makes way to the window that opens into a private folly..
He wrinkles his eye brows and glowers at ... a man, impressive, young and strong.. and besides him.. her, small and dainty, fair.. and her green eyes.. yes there is no misgiving, ye Nakusha he hai! concludes the man..it's a good thing he followed her here. Now there she is.. the girl who brought ill luck to his household.. it's time now she needs to pick up the pieces in his life, he decrees, silently ..Nakusha needs to fulfil the duties towards those left behind. If she has forgotten.. then he needs to give her some reminders! so her memory is jogged! muses the figure..
Baji suddenly looks for Bhau, ensuring the two are not disturbed. The intruder startles and spins from the window runs for it! and bumps straight into Baji who yells,"areee rok! and runs behind the unknown figure who vanishes in the crowd.. Baji feels his forehead and muses, who was that man? couldn't see him, his head and part of his face was well covered with a black wound up turban.. koi tu lotecha hai? Baji becomes anxious about the identity of the stranger who was he?. Why did he run off? what exactly was doing in this area? Baji moves closer to the window and notices Dutta and Naku.. was the man going to harm Dutta? salla apne maut ko bula raha hai... Bhau ko pata chala.. tu grill de ga uske jism ka har ung! Baji turns his head to the window, Dutta glares at him from the garden and jerks his head, and twists his palm, a clear signal for Baji to buzz off.. Baji gives his friend a thumbs up! inclines his back theatrically and tips toes from the scene.
~~~~~~~~~
Dutta musters up courage and brings her here in a spot of privacy, but he is unsure of where to go from this point? she stands before him , at a comfortable distance.. he steals a quick glance at her and is at ease to learn ,she too appears relaxed. He turns his face the other way and slowly rolls his eyes. Naku, can sense that although ostensibly, he shows a certain tranquillity.. inside something is cooking up within him. not quite sure, or rather unwillingly to face what it might be, she looks around.. this green patch behind the art school, both of them alone, dusk settling in, doesn't sound right somehow..thus she begins the nervous twirl of her fingers at the end her of chunni.. funnily, her Aye's words come to her mind "Naku yaad kar ke aurat ke izzat , uske apna haat mein hoti hai..zindagi mein khabhi maskal ho, aisa time ho jahan thujhe thek na lage, to tu khud phel kerna, jaise bhi"
Naku sighs and raises her face and he moves his head and looks directly at her.. much to his dismay he can now see ,within a split second she has reservations , at possibly being alone with him he suspects..
"DP, we here in the garden, people must be wondering where you are? thing is I don't mean to fuss ,but seeing you are the person whose imaginary excellence is on display , you will be much sought after?
"yes that may be the case Naku, but Dutta sought you, and now that I have found you, it's only fair that I spend a bit of time with my subject.. haina? he looks into her eyes and nods his head once, meaningfully. She prefers to let it be, seem less forward.. act as if she hasn't taken notice of what he has not said.. silent omission of emotions..
"woh, ap ne kuch khas bolna tha mujhe? ju sab se dor yahan le kar ayen hain? Naku almost bites her lip, how could she be so dense?.. na bhi bolna ho tu , here's me suggesting it ! will probably propel him to say something to that effect..
But Dutta being Dutta, comes up with the dampener.." bolna tha ye, ke you were a perfect model, ummh.. subject. People are raving out their around your statues ..how do you feel like paring up with me to carry on some permanent structured work... Naku? she blinks her eyes and realizes that he is giving her a proposal... heavens what should she do? Bappa.. help!
Dutta folds his arms across his chest and watches and waits with contracted enquiring eyes.. for her jawab.. nearly wonders.. has he put his foot in his mouth?
Woh.. main kya bolon DP?..
Dutta glares at her irritated.. and sounds off in his guttural voice, "haann nehin bol sakte! tu sar he hila de apna.."
In reply he gets a silly giggle from her, that bring her hands on to block her mouth from opening! and a twinkle in her green eyes follows that makes his heart skip a beat.. she can be so annoying he pulls his mouth to one side.. but her eyes currently lined with mischief makes him forgo his bubbling anger. She hadn't really given any clear indication. She is so elusive.. he waits patiently for what he wishes to hear.. but then he lets it be. He cannot be heavy handed.. he prefers it to come from Naku's heart.. he needs to change the subject swiftly.. his turn to give her another jarring jolt!
" Naku, thujhe batana tha , ke kal se main apne ghar pe kam kare ga.."he can see that this news is unexpected for her and she soon shows it
"kyun? ghar pe kam , are you not going to work at the art school?
"why are you so upset? you can't even give a definite answer to a simple question! he checks himself ,no he will not badger her, bas! this is as far as he can go! Beyond this is no go for him and he diverts firmly,
"well my idea for the moment was to deal with the project assigned to me and seeing that it's done.. meri Aye Sahib wants that I put my skills and imagination to work at home" Naku becomes silent and morose now and Dutta twitches his jaw and continues," pata nehin kyun Naku.. but I feel that our ways are parting, it was good when we worked briefly together on the project.. but now that it's all done and delivered, ready to be dispatched, I'll have to call it a day.. haan! as your senior, and in a tutorial position, tere liya ye advise hai that you continue your studies at the art school.. you have the flair for creativity .. you can see the simple truth , the unnoticed details that we normally fail to recognise.. so carry on, that is if your family allows you to.." he says gently, but distantly..
"Aur ap? when will I see you, DP? what you are saying is making me feel low".. she asks
"dekh Naku I'll pop into the school when I can spare the time.. baki if we are meant to be together , then what will be.. will be! he ends on a cheerful note.
He looks at her in regretful manner as if their conversation.. in the seclusion of the garden has ceased. A small sigh escapes his lips and she shudders to. She can see although she had mentioned earlier they go in.. the silence between them says something else.. like delay this moment of togetherness! Naku bows her head down to check the fidget of her fingers. She needs to be strong, deter from transmitting any such messages that are misleading. Dutta too silently waits for her to speak, but realizes no such thing will happen.. so he pulls in air and holds his long arms behind his back and nearly commands,
"chal undar and look at the statues.. I want to know your opinion.. ummh ya ye bhi nehin bole ge?
Naku nods shyly and asks him tenderly,"ap mujhse naraz ho kya? why so..?
"So what? kya? Dutta growled, tera pata nehin kya masala hai Naku? kuch bhi main bolon.. your reaction is so delayed, it's like something is holding you back! he faces her and looks down into her green opposing eyes.. and asks her," Naku do you want to talk to me about something, humm?
She shakes her head vigourusly, "nehin tu DP.. when you took me on as your subject, I told you everything you needed to know about me and my family.."
Dutta accepts her word and then moves her shoulders and reminds her , that they need to go back to the exhibition hall! They walk together on a slighted weeded garden path.. side by side but apart by a respectable distance. Dutta holds his hands loosely behind his back, but sides his left palm for her to go before him.
A crescendo of loud claps sound as the two walk in.. Baji comes swiftly to Dutta's side and says,
"haila Bhau! tum dono ka tu aisa welcome ho raha hai jaise lagan ke baad ek Jodi ka hota hai reception par! mera tu dil kare ke main item number paish kar doon!
Dutta twitches his jaw dangerously.."mera mukka! tera mau ka item buniye Baji, serious mauka hai.. drama baazi maat kar!
"haila! Bhau tumhara bas chala tu tum joke pe hasine ki bajie, mau phoola lo! Baji teases.. and Naku too joins Baji and gives Dutta a sided look..to check his temper..
"Haan DP, it's a happy occasion celebrating your work, so thuri se smile will not harm you in any way.. smile pleasssee" Naku urges.
Dutta gives a forced smile.. ye lo!
Baji ,yells," bas! bas! Bhau! that's enough don't smile too much.. window panes might crack! He doubles up with a cackling laugh...and Naku too titters..
"bare hasi ah rehe hai thujhe bhi Naku? pata bhi hai , Baji kya bola ? tera mera lagan ke baat! and you are giggling? moans Dutta
Naku blushes and then replies nervously, "pun DP, Baji is clearly joking..
Dutta looks her in the eye and says it, as it in his heart..
"aur agar ye joke nah ho, saach ho jaye tu phir..? humm?
Naku's face falls like a thud ! she turns pale, and looks ahead at the statues and curses herself for again landing herself into .Dutta folds his arms across his chest and peers into her nervous eyes and then throws his head back slightly and chuckles..
"tu daer maat Naku!! maine bhi joke mara hai , so now I know how to put an end to your giggles talk about our lagan!
Baji claps his hands and nudges Dutta, in return to which he gets a dirty frigid look from his Bhau..
"Bhau go for it! didn't know you had it in you! areee mere lectures rang laye! he guffaws..
Dutta just shakes his head and begins to walk up to the statues.. on display. Naku just follows him like a little lamb and he turns to her, looks her in the eyes and points his finger to his left
"side mein chal mera..ab is pe bhi thujhe aitrazz hai? he utters sorely.
"Ufff! Such a mean machine.. how can such an angry oaf produce such good stuff?
"tune kuch bola .. mute mousie? Dutta turns to her suddenly,
"nehin main kya bole gi ?...Dutta replies and she echoes with a giggle..
Both of them eventually stand before the statues. People surround them both. Dutta narrows his eyes and from a height with hooded eyes ensures no males are pressing into her. However a small group of local women show immense affection towards Naku after admiring the three pieces of art,"dekho tu chorri saach mein kitne sundar hai.. ek dum apsara dekthe hai.. Dutta leans a little to her side and whispers,
"told you it's your beauty ,the first asset that people notice ,tera rang aur roop.. even I tend to agree with them.. I have imprisoned a bit of it in my works Naku.. ab, I wait for your verdict.. and please defer from saying your usual tagline.. "woh main kya bolon? protests Dutta .
She moves her direction from the statues and faces him, and looks up into his tender anticipating eyes..
"waise tu I live with my face, DP.. see it twenty four seven, but to gaze at theses statues and look at myself through your eyes.. fills me up with a certain humbled vanity..."
Dutta looks down into her green eyes and reads, a certain ,homage and respect of a junior.. but Dutta only desires to see love, true love.. only, she will not surface that sentiment , why?.
With a yank to his neck he, bids her to leave, before it gets too late. He looks for Baji to drop her, as he felt he needs to stay back to mil in with the patrons and general viewers. Naku, gets the message that DP himself has probably got the message to back off and hence she slips away as unobtrusively as she came..
Dutta after a while turns from a small group of people and notes.. not without surprise Naku had gone!
~~~~~~~~~
By the time she got out and makes way to the bus stop. Grey rain clouds, show up angrily on the sky line. In the distance she can see a grey sheet on the horizon. It's clear it is raining heavily ahead. Soon the raindrops tumble from sky, and few catch her forehead and slide down on her peachy complexioned cheek. She has to turn a corner to get access to the bus stop that will take her home. She walks speedily to miss the approaching downpour. As her footsteps move, she hears footsteps behind her. Naku thinks nothing of them, might be pedestrians like her making a bee line to avoid the rain.
Suddenly the footsteps seem closer and before she can turn, a blanket is thrown over her head and she is gagged! .. to be continued Hamlet53~ 11.10.14
Aww Hammiee lion.š¤.sweet ss home has reached 50 pages..Twinky baby's hearties Congratulations to sweet hammie lion & all the friends.š„³š¤.yipee party time..š¤.aww sweet hammie lionš¤..thanks soo much for this sweetest ss home dearš¤š¤...sweetest lionš¤...Take a bow sweet Hammie lionš¤.Big teddy hugs from Twinky baby..š¤thanks twinky.. and dilse for 50 pgs wishes.. we all did it.. now share chocs with others.. give you a reward... next ud..
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