SS~Dutta~a trilogy~ thread 1. Follow the Heart. continued on thread 2 - Page 40

Mishal Raheja

as Dutta

Out of my hands

Part 10

Naku spins and squirms around like quick-silver from under the smothering blanket and screams for help. Luckily her shrieks are loud enough to draw neigh some passer by's who descend with united force on the old man and restrain him on the wet squelching road.Traffic comes to a temporary standstill and those in a hurry horn! and weave around the small crowd hurling cusses. Naku looks behind and then runs as fast as she could to the art school but as soon as she approaches the gates.

She checks herself..it would mean she would have to answer questions. Gathering herself in the pouring rain , she raises her hand to the approaching mini bus and alights it in a hurry to reach her home. Panic does shake her and within the safety of the passengers she feels enclosed and less exposed. Wiping her face with her chunni she breathes a sigh of relief, this time she got away, but for how long?

Panic still chivvies her on and running across the slums she finally reaches her home and bangs at the door.She clings to her mother's neck as floods of tears irrepressibly pour from her eyes. Babi calms her daughter's near hysterics, as she caringly sits her down on the bed. Naku still hyperventilates as she blows her nose. Babi offers her a glass of water and demands

"ab bata bhi de Naku kis baat se tu daar gaye hai? Babi wipes Naku's raven black hair with a dry towel and Naku sobs, as in intervals she catches her breath and recounts.

"Aye mujhe raaste mein he usne pakar liye! wo tu kuch bhele logon ne use paker liye aur main wahan se bhag gaye! Aye ab kya hoga? asks Naku as a helpless daughter. Babi looks at her and ensures her with a maternal hug that she is strong enough to support her daughter. After all she is the one to influence Naku into this mess.

"Tu fikar maat Naku, teri Aye haina tera saath, aur mera elawa, Bappa hai tera saath, mujhe maaf kar de meri baachi.. sab meri wajah se ho raha hai ,kash mujhse ye ghalti na hoti, tera saath zabardasti ke.. maine. Babi confesses as she dabs her eyes with her pallu edge..

Naku amasses her emotionally scattered self and puts her arms around her mother this time, and rests the side of her head against her mother and consoles her mother,

"aisa tu hona tha Aye , maina bhi tu kuch nehin bola thujhe us waqat, ab roona bund kar aur jaldi se sooch kya kerna hai? mujhe yakeen hai wo yahan Aye ga.. ghar nehin tu elaqa mein pooch ghuch zaroor kare ga! Naku predicts.

The words of her mouth almost come true as Sethji barges in and informs that, Naku's father in law and brother in law are in the area coming this way! before Naku's only brother could finish there is a bang on the door. Babi grabs Naku's hand, who in turn seizes her brothers hand and they all use the back window ,to stage a fast escape! one single jump onto the grassy , rubbish littered area and out of the adjoining precinct of their house.

Babi says hurriedly, her breath rasps, "jaldi chalo mandir ke tarif! and she sprints her children in tow! till they reach the house of god!one foot on the temple step.. makes the mother and her two children secure finally. However they slip their shoes off, and still.. hide behind the portly pillars of the sanctuary. Naku does turn back to look at the back of her house in the near distance and wonders what has become of their unwanted visitors?

Their constant bangs on the Babi's door gathers the neighbourhood. They recognize the two men and know full well what they did to Naku in the past? and possibly their motives for being here presently. Hence father and son are both badmouthed and rudely averted away by threats from militant neighbours,

"Saab jane hai Dilawar tumhari harketien! chalte buno yahan se! warna polis ko bola ke undar karwa dein ge!" they yelled.. and Dilawar and his younger son have to leave empty handed..

As, being part of a bandit gang even though.. currently dormant, is their biggest disadvantage.. one meeting with the authorities will land them back into the game of interrogation, regarding recent robberies in and around Patil Vadi and Ratnagiri.

Babi and her children are spotted by the pandit je.. he can see they are shaken. Being a man in charge of upholding and inspiring people's faith in his community.. he knows Naku's back ground and empathises with her. Babi tells him Naku's life is in danger again, and it seems once again they will have to flee and leave the area. Pandit ji recalls what his associate pandit based in Patil Wadi, had mentioned regarding a certain generous god fearing widow who is known for her charitable deeds.. he gives a suggestion.. which may have positive results.

"suna hai Shakuntala Shriram Patil samhaj sawa kerti hain , koi bhi uske ghar jaye na umeed nehi hota.."

Naku startles, the name sounds familiar.. but at the moment beggars cannot be choosers, they have to follow the suggestion that pandit ji has put forward..what's in the name? she muses..

"Aye , ye soochna ka waqat nehin, humien foran jana chaiye.. pandit ji, jaga bata dein hum dhoond lein ge"

But Babi is more astute and is wary of going on their own, lest they are accosted by Dilwar again.

"pandit ji aagar, ap hi humien le kar jayien tu hum mahfoos rehe gein.." the pandit agrees.. and thus begin Naku's journey in another direction... Babi raises up her devotional hands to Bappa in the temple and invokes his grace upon this step..

"deva.. ab humari zindagi ka fasala tu kar..naku ko ashirwaad de ju bhi ab uske saath ho aacha ho ,meri baachi na bhaut dukh dekha hai abhi tak.."

~~~~~~~~

Aye Sahib beams as she hears the sounds of scaffolding being brought into the house. Dutta stands with his legs slightly apart pointing to ceiling of the lounge where he wants the wooden frame work erected. Baji too over sees labourers dragging and hoisting the framework that will be a work station for Dutta as he paints a mural of Krishna in the meadows with gopis! across the lounge ceiling of this room.. it seems Baji is more nervous than Dutta..

"areee! dhaniyaan se secure karna sare frame ko kisi jaga se bhi hila tu main tum sab ke hadian hal ke rakh de ge! dhoonte phiro ge apne nuts aur bolts! Salla kam choor!

Dutta gives him an amused look and quips," uppar chale gam mera saath Baji?haar kam mein hum saath saath hote hain.. haina?

"na Bhau! abhi meri umar hi kya hai uppar jane ki? tum artist log hai.. apna haat ke karishma tum dehao! mein zamein pe rehe ke dekha ga! Baji retorts with a vigorous shake of his palms.

" yakeen nehin ata ke itna chalta purza scaffold pe jana se darta hai? tera saath kya karoon ab main Baji? wonders Dutta with an eyebrow raised

"dekho Bhau ! Aye Sahib ka ek beta uppar .. tu dosera zameen pe unke pas bhi tu hona mangta na? kya bolte ho tum? teases Baji.

Dutta throws back his head and instructs the men at the top of the scaffold to lay down the platforms alongside the elevation .. for his sitting postures; for resting his paints, and paint holders and mixers. Both Baji and Dutta finally see the wide , sturdy ladder being erected to the side of the scaffolding ..with secured rungs.. that will give him easy access to the top of the scaffold and then back down..all doneand dusted, Dutta turns to Baji

"ab ye bara kam to ho gaya hai.. baki personal studio bhi set kerna hai.. baji

Yes that too is the pre-requisite of the hour Dutta needs an earmarked room to base his materials , display his drafts, and a earthly base to gather his thoughts. Dutta had left all this in Baji's capable hands. After all , who else would know him better than his mate Baji?.. waise bhi when it comes to hands on work Dutta usually throws it in Baji's direction, with the gibe, "tera pas hoti nehi kuch kerna ko , sawai is ke , Aye Sahib, ye behinoon se ghup marne ko.." to which Baji would add ,"haila Bhau ye teri aur Aye Sahib ke body guards ke fhooj bhi tu main command kerta hai!

Baji clicks his heels together and leads Dutta to a room newly constructed in the basement.. slightly far removed from the rest of the house, yet adjoins the likewise newly built annex of the extended house. Baji opens the door.. which display the letter's "sher ki ghaar", lion's den" Dutta is amused..

"Ye kya name hai ? seedhe seedhe "studio" nehi lekh sakta that tu Baji?nautanki zaroori hai?

"Wo kya hai Bhau studio kaise? ye koi film ka studio tu nehin? na ye singer ka studio.. tu " sher ki ghaar" ekdum fit beitha hai!! sniggers Baji and Dutta nods as Baji opens the door..

Leading down into the studio are a small descent of half a dozen steps lit by dimmed built in ceiling lights. Dutta literally sails down ,with Baji beside him who arches his neck to check Dutta's reaction.. Dutta is flabbergasted with how Baji has laid it out.. easels, paint pots , rolls of canvas on neat metal shelves.. and to his surprise a small settee plus a fold away camp bed! a two door metal wardrobe and four pedestal lamps in all four corners of the room! and last of all against a mirrored back ground, a mini bar lined with a single shelf row of matured wine, and finest and rarest of spirits... complete with two wooden bar stools! Dutta chuckles quietly as he strolls in and looks at the makeshift single bed!

What's the bed for Baji ? have my giant sized bed in my room,? aur ye wardrobe? Aur bar? tera dhamak lagta hai ghum gaya hai peeya bagher hi ?

Baji puts his arm around Dutta's shoulders and backs him to sit him on the leather settee.. and begins to provide Dutta with a verbal report regarding the whys of certain inclusions of furniture and furnishings of the room..

"now Bhau bed tere waiste isliye ke jab tu thak jaye tu you can rest and unwind.. Baji points ,aur humari bar, no harm in chilling is there? aur ye wardrobe.. Baji opens it, din tah! Dhinchak tere liya overalls and painting aprons.. plastic gloves! and he holds a pair that hang loosely.. Dutta pulls his lips to one side and asks.

"Ye glove kis liye Baji? tere dhamak ka operation kerna hoga mujhe.. humm?

Baji doubles up and claps, haila! tere hatoon se maut.. meri dosti tu amar ho jaye gi!

"Bikwas maat kar, if you think I'll use gloves to mould clay, or plaster of paris ? you can forget it! my hands have to feel the sensation of clay on my skin to excite my hands to create! rekh de wapis cupboard mein gloves! wasise Baji tuna aacha kam kiya hai! mera dil ke baat tu sab janta hai Baji".. admits Dutta as he strolls over to the window.. there are no drapes in this room.. but shuttered blinds..

He twists the plastic rod on the side of the slim line shutters and peeps out and beholds the closed window of the annexe..hummm it's good he's at the dead end side of the house, it can be useful in terms of working peacefully in the studio, he muses with a content sigh..

~~~~~~~~

Kale informs Aye Sahib a pandit accompanied by some people ,two women and a boy wait to be seen by her. Aye asked for them to be shown in.. Sethji looks at the magnificent house and pulls Naku to the side, his round eyes beam with mischief.

"Tai chal edhur ah! kitna bare bagh hai! wo dekh Tai mor bhi hain chal let's take a closer look..

"choor Sethji , kisi ke ghar mein aise nehin ghoomna chaiya.!and she tugs her hand away from his but he pulls her anyway.. Naku gathers up the pleats of her sari.. and ventures forth to stand beside the round fountain, gushing right up, shoots of water and then stopping suddenly by some mechanism and curving down and spilling back in the reservoir of water spraying her and Sethji in the process. As is expected he waves his hand about back and forth in the cool waters. While he runs after the peacock who clucks away too.. displaying an amazing array of bold colourful eyes.. Naku stands under a tree and muses with some panic..as her memory serves her right.. DP had mentioned some charitable lady whom he considers his mother.. and did he say he lived in another house quite different from his baaba's house too??.. she looks at the side of the house.. khanien ye ghar wo tu nehin? mera saach.. unke samna ah jaye ga! Bappa kash aisa na ho.. she prefers to believe..

Pandit and Babi enter the cordoned off lounge.. and after offering her visitors a seat Aye Sahib apologises..

"wo ghar pe kuch painting ka kam ho raha hai.. hamara beta kar reha ye kam"

With benign expressions Aye Sahib turns to pandit ji, who introduces himself as an associate of purhoitji. Draws her attention to this woman called Babi, a person in need of immediate shelter. He very nearly fumbles a few words of gratitude.. to which Aye Sahib raises her palm graciously

"dekhien pandit ji, humara tu kam hai samaj sawa kerna, itna bara ghar le kar hum kya karien? ,hamra liye tu thuri se jagga bhi kafi hai.. ap batien kya majra hai? she asks Babi. Babi is taken aback by being approached by Aye Sahib straightaway. She mops her brow with her sari pallu and partly speaks with her mouth still under her bunched up pallu..

"Aye Sahib, saach bolon tu, phele baat ye hai ,ke maine , apni beti Naku ka lagan zabar dasti kar diya,.. nazar mein ah gaye thi kuch daku logon ke.. phir unhone na kuch dekha, na socha! bas mujhe aur mere pati ko mar dena ke dhamke de! tu maine Naku ko zoor diya ke mera pati apne babaa ko baacha le! tu lagan ho gaya aur.. wo Naku mere baachi ko le gaye.." Babi wipes a tear and twists her mouth in pain," baache ka dard,nehin saha jata Aye Sahib! aur wo bhi jawan baachi ka.."she sniffs.. Babi looks around for both her children , but cannot locate them..

~~~~~~~~

While her brother potters about in the well- tended garden, Naku, strolls up a narrow winding crazy pavement path that leads up to a small niche where Bappa smiles at her with a raised palm.. she crouches before him and tears glaze her eyes as her heart cries out ,her woes to him.. for he has been a friend in need for her.. always..

Bappa, you saw the storm that brewed up in my life unannounced.. we were happy in our lives till the ill instance when his eye fell upon me.. you could have averted the moment Bappa? moved me from the area.. but you didn't? she wipes a single tear from her cheek, and continues to stare into Bappa's sad eyes.. kyun diya ye khubssorat chera mujhe? then why did you grace me with this face? na ye hota na uske nazar mujhe parte.. she shudders and hugs herself and whispers, Bappa, you put me in a situation , where a daughter had to choose either herself or her parents.. Naku lowers her face in her palms and sobs as silently as she can..and prays, Bappa I chose to be the dutiful daughter.. but you Bappa! still hurled me into a steaming furnace! She gathers her shoulder and yelps in pain.. bappa I had to end the pain.. forgive me but I can't stand it any more.. don't test me further Bappa! that instead of refining I break completely into a million pieces..yes.. I thank you for saving me by your timely intervention.. my faith is upheld Bappa! when you showed me that crime is punished!

Tai! tu yahan? I should have known that you wouldn't be far from Bappa! you find him anywhere? Sethji jokes..with a big smile and display of his fully set of top teeth!

Naku wipes her tears from her cheek, and replies," I don't find him Sethji, Bappa is the one who finds me.. he tells me, never fear, I am nigh".

"areee tum ! khadher ghum rehe ho tum dono? yells kale..Naku turns to check out the black clothes big bulgy man! and concludes it best not to argue with the man.. and best get to the entrance of the house.. Kale looks at Naku and lowers his eyes.. the guards are briefed not to gape at women in particular.. Baji Bhau's orders.. uske chalti hai bhaut...

~~~~~~~~

Aye Sahib, appears moved by Babi's tale of family woe. She asks keenly as she too like Babi turns her head to gather where her referred daughter is?

"Beti ko saath nehin liye tum? Babi nods vigorously and turns to walk towards the door of Patil Nivas..

Aye Sahib waits patiently and then is hit by a painful surprise to witness a slow paced Babi , with a withdrawn face. This is an emotionally beaten mother who brings into the long sparkling tiled corridor of the lounge.. her daughter draped in a white sari.. petite and delicate girl.. slowly the young girl, takes small steps and the pleats of her sari swish forward as she moves on guided by her mother towards the lady of the manor.. Naku stands at a distance and her mother, gets hold of her white georgette sari pallu and rigidly arranges it on her head,firmly.

Aye Sahib from under the white pallu can see that the girl is exceptionally beautiful. it is not just the hue and texture of her skin, it's her chiselled fine features; the raven black shade of her hair.. braided, falling from the side of her shapely neck on to her promptly draped bosom.. Aye Sahib.. tries not to look upon her with pity but she is profoundly ill at ease on seeing this pretty little soul.. subjected to so many trails.. but this last one of being widowed at such a tender age makes her chest heave.. and she rests her manicured hand against her maternal bosom.. hai ram!.. she regrets..

Naku slowly joins her fair hands and utters a namaste with respect in her eyes. Aye Sahib raises her eyes and notices Naku's green eyes.. "kitna pyar se bhagwan ne use banya hai Babi.. saach mein bahut sundar hai teri beti" praises Aye Sahib meaningfully and affectionately. Babi bursts out in tears and cries in a broken voice,"pun kismet nehin sundar iske Aye Sahib! dekho bhari jawani mein meri baache widwa hog aye!"

Aye Sahib, smiles at Naku and asks her,"kya nam hai tumhara beti?

Naku pulls her slightly slipping pallu on her head and replies.. Nakusha... Aye Sahib accepts her straightaway and calls out,"ah ja Nakusha.. thujhe pata hai, teri Aye na aur pandit ji ne sab kuch batya hai.. aaj se is ghar ko apna he samhejna..tu sab kahtroon se yahan mahfoos hai.. is ghar mein, main aur mere baache rehete hain.. "and she turns to Babi, "jagaa hai tumhara rehne ke."..and she asks Kala to settle the new family in the annexe.. pandit ji shows his gratitude to Aye Sahib and on his way out he reminds Babi,"kaha than na maine.. na umeed nehin hoga tum log..

Before Naku leaves, the lounge with her mother, she looks at a small worship area and bids her mother and brother.."Aye.. chalien..? and they move towards the statue of goddess Ammba maa, one of the domestic deities of the household.. Naku bends and lights the divas of a candle stands on the side of the goddess and the family pray full of gratitude for the goddesses kindness. Aye Sahib turns her head to gaze at Naku's angelic profile , head covered with a white sari.. impulsively she rests her head palm on Naku's head and says, "tu mera ghar ke liya aacha shagun liye hai Nakusha.. ab shagun nehin! and Naku strangely feels empowered by this grand old lady whom she has never met in her life before..

~~~~~~~~

They are led through a corridor by a the BG whom Naku and her brother had met earlier. Since this is all new it's obvious these visitors will gaze with a degree of interest. She walks by a closed door with a label.. sher ki gharr.. Naku pauses a bit only to be pulled by ,"jaldi chal beti". Naku reckons all the recent events have left her mother traumatized... she needs to relax. The door to the annexe door is opened. Kale nods to them and leaves. Babi and her children stand open mouthed at the place. it had the basic required sleeping, lounging, dining and storage furniture facilities. Sethji exclaims,"Aye.. ye sab kuch naya lagata hai! dewarien pe naya paint.. Naku casts her eye around and feels the mattress of the bed,..spanking new. Seems this whole section is a freshly extended area.. what good fortune. Babi turns to the wall and spots the red wall mounted Bappa plaque and she offers a prayer, " sab teri kerpa hai deva! Naku comes and stands by her mother and comments,

"Aye , kuch batie tune main kaise widwa hoi.? asks Naku and Babi replies,"unhoon ne phoocha nehin aur main bhi bhool gaye.. phir bata doon ge"..

Naku sits before the dressing table and slowly feels her cheek with her finger tips..from the other side the white sari pallu slides off the side of her head and slips off her right shoulder on to the floor. Babi busy at checking empty drawers, stops , abruptly to watch Naku from far,and seeks to chide her pretty daughters' pride in her self- glorification before the mirror!

"eyeee choori! choor de apna chera dekhna! Ab tera pe nehin sajta ye sab.. ju hai wohi bun ke rahe..! nehin tu wo phir ah jaye ga thujhe apna ghar ko le jane" warns Babi..

Naku feels she is suffocating.. and can see a flight of few steps leading to she suspects a terrace area. she is right.. there is space indeed offering respite ...if one desires it, on a rectangular piece of shining marble chipped floor. All around the terrace, runs a soundly secured wrought iron railing. She shudders as she walks across cool smooth terrace floor.. her soles feel soothed. Her sari blows in the light breeze..and she gathers her pallu around her shoulders.. she gazes up, the starlit night with the milky lunar orb against the black firmament, calms the woes of today's dark incident.. The bluish moonlight bathes her and she suddenly pulls the sari pallu on her head and keeps it secure with her thumbs pressed into its ends.. she walks closer to the railing and all around there, across, and to her side dark areas lie dotted by golden sequins... she ponders, pun kya hai mere zindagi? a flickering light in the dark, ready to be snuffed out..any moment..?

~~~~~~~

He needs some fresh air! Dutta puts his charcoal pencil down and moves away from the sketching easel.. wipes his finger tips and goes to his window and twirls the shuttered blinds.. the blue light of the moon spills into his studio.. but firstly kisses his face.. as the breezes ruffles his mop of hair.. he closes his eyes briefly and raises his face upward.. lovely sensation..then slowly open his lion like eyes .. they fix.. a figure in white on the annexe terrace? he opens his eyes slightly.. it moves along the terrace railing and then turns! ye kya hai?

Baji creeps in and puts his hand on Dutta's shoulder from behind and Dutta spins around..

"Baji udher terrace pe koi thi.. safeed sari mein.."

Baji moves to the blinds and looks there is no one there and he turns to face Dutta and puts his hands on his friends shoulders..

"Bhau.. you are seeing things ,there's nothing there! Bhau look you need a drink! ho jayi ek.. ek! ghunt? He says with a broad dimpled smile and a jerk of his head..

Dutta sips his drink ,but he is sure there was something there..or someone?...

to be continued... Hamlet53 18.10.14

Hi hammieee

Mein aa gai...buhat intezar karate hai hamare forum ke sher

Loved the ud...dutta is back home & working ...studio...nahin right baji...sher he theek hai...dutta aur uske bottle ka khayal

The element of suspense around naku you have woven...i was reading ...with anxiety raaz kya hai...father-in law...brother-in -law

Purohitji hai na AS unke kaise nahin sunenge😆

Frankly naku had a sad past married by force on gunpoint to safe her parents...

As did gave them shelter...it reminded of LTL entry naku & sethji looking in astonishment...

Naku is a widow...thats not a issue...but beast who married her ...his end definitely is

Dutta saw a shadow...naku is here...the real naku...let see what effect it has on him...plz ud soon

As always u r amazinggg hammiee😊

Hi hamlet

Awesome ud...this ud did answered many ques...naku is a widow...devil family is still behind her...dutta home truf...her widow status ...how is he going to react to it...waiting to know😊