SS~Dutta~a trilogy~ thread 1. Follow the Heart. continued on thread 2 - Page 50

Originally posted by: twinkle-star

twinky baby reserved for her first homework..😳😳.totally 3 sweet ss homeworks❤️❤️❤️..thanks soo much for the lovely ss upate hammieee lion.❤️🤗.big teddy hugs from lazy baby twinky🤗..
hi twinks 😃
no problem.. you read it and enjoyed.. hammie well pleased😃..

Originally posted by: FASSBEN

HI Hamlet hi fassben. good to see you mate😊

Great ud Dutta was In such a shock that he took a fall but he Is fine. He Is not upset that she Is a widow but she lied that hurt him the most. Now her punishment she has to face but he should hear her out first. well lets see if he does.. hope so
Pls UD really soon
will UD tommorrow if all goes well..
Thanks as always have a lovely weekend Take care now
thank you fassben , for reading and always commenting... love the snoopy image roasting chestnuts.. much love hammie

Originally posted by: uwith

hi hamlet hi uvi ..😊 tell me exams over yet?
awesome ud... dutta couldn't bare the shock ..women in white is naku...fall but he is fine..blessing for naku to help him & win his trust...project work is on ...thanxs for ur support ,,,ud in consideration with our test ...regards uvi..ud soon😊
so pleased that you enjoyed the main bits of the story so far.. i do aim to UD tommorrow.. much love hammie..

Originally posted by: stranger2rose

rosie i read your comment and i was guffawing... chaal kuch tu thrill hoi tu..
Hey hammie I know it's a serious update but sorry I can't stop myself from giggling. Imaging dutta falling down on seeing nakku is hilarious. You see generally it's the girl who loses her balance and the boy catches her but our hammie is different. Here dutta falls off and nakku doesn't even attempt to catch him. Lol where is baaji? Useless friend at least he should have saved dutta from falling.
baji probably wants the two stars studded lovers collision.. tu ho gaye..! ta da!
Nevermind it's still a blessing in disguise. Now nakku gets to treat dutta. But one question when did she lie to him? She hid facts but didn't lie. So technically she doesn't deserve to be punished.
hain you naku ka vikal?.. look dutta asked her tell me about you family.. she showed she's single, ready to mingle.. i suppose dutta thinks they can tingle..😆 so bas meter ghuma hoya hai us ka
Waiting for her to tell the complete story and please dutta don't let me down. For once react sensibly.
dont let you down.. kya kare dutta.. i love you bol de dutta humm.. phir story to end ho jaye ge..
but still i'll keep in mind a sweeto dutta not a meanu dutta!
much love thanks for reading and giving an ace comment.. much love hammie
hey you fawad fan... ummh aacha hai loved in him Humsafar.. Pak. drama

Originally posted by: jedy25

hi hamlet hi jedy tell me madam.. exams over yet..
superb ud...fall wasn't fatal physically harmed dutta emotionally ..naku his muse is widow is it the problem or she hid the fact..dutta reaction has to wait for next ud..ud soon😊
hey glad to see you loved the UD.. well hero cannot be fatally injured .. heroine saves him..😆 problem is she didn't tell him that she was married and now a widow... haan will UD tomm.. thanks for a lovely comment. much love hammie..

Originally posted by: eternity_of_luv

hi ranju ..good to see you😃
I am so glad you enjoyed the ud... catch the next one tommorrow.. thanks for the comment much love hammie

awesome...

Originally posted by: mirage123

hi hamlet hi mirage, good to see you..😊 exams over yet?
fab ud...dutta felt cheated but there was no relationship between them..naku never gave him hint of her liking..his assistance is naku..near & closer...waitingfor ud😊
that's true naku didn't she tried to deter herself too.. but kuch tu tha between them.. thanks for enjoying and commenting.. i love the calming butterfly image.. no butterflies here at the moment.. cold here.. but I can see robin red breasts visting my garden..
haan, will UD tommorrow.. much love hammie

Originally posted by: -bharti-

res 🥳

hammie 👍🏼 heloo.. wo pm me kis liye mood? humm.. tera annotation kiye bagher .. hammie not going to post ud.. now smile.. plz..

I shouldnt be surprised you annotated,.. its your dedication n passion which reflects, too bad if i cannot keep up the pace... actually im shocked more at my inability to break the jinx, consistently turning up late to the show. i know you'd better before i lose it

Unexpected turn of events at PN, It was shock n awe, dutta,s fall 😲 goes to show how badly shaken he was to see naku in this avatar. Naku rattled yet surprisingly coherent when assuaging AS,s fears. She had the sense to check on his breath n place his head on her lap.

I just like baji was worried kahi usko koi permanent damage na karde with regards to his artistic capabilities n so on. Actually a man with such looks doesnt deserve to be remotely damaged, too precious 😆 but uska dhamak.. fall or no fall damaged he hai

Naku has to bear the brunt of double guilt, lies plus her being the reason for his fall in a way. Even in his semi conscious state he doesnt let her go scot free, accusing her of dhoka before slipping into unconsciousnes. upholding the feel of LTL1.. although rose and a few others want a cuto dutta!

Another person suffering was baji seeing his friend suffer the consequences of his inability to reveal naku,s secret in time, could have avoided this fall.. both ways. Reap what you sow baji

Thankfully baji makes doubly sure his friend gets the quick medical attention. hands on baji is.. methinks he has more grey cells than his mate.

And Fortunately for dutta he escapes grave injury albeit temporary immobile., but what an opportunity for all the guilt ridden souls to redeem themselves. Amidst the horror it was a sight to imagine the two soaked, his paint on her n her tears on him, gives so many feels. the two are so so connected. Only babi can connect the symbolic importance 😆 loved the remark in red👏

AS is one dutta naku shipper 😉 she has no qualms assigning naku a young (good looking) widow with nursing duties.. hmm does naku appear more like a nurse in her all white attire to AS im wondering, forgive me hammie for connecting the two but it did cross my mind. Howcome babi didnt put spanner ? how true! ididnt think that way... great point👏

Why do i feel Baji is suffering from momentary amnesia, common human fallacies, pehle khud naku ko rokhta hai, phir naku se gussa, phir dutta se sach bolta hai.. He,s changing his statements way too often, has he taken up ltl AS,s turncoat role ?? But he shares such a beautiful rapport with his bhau, sau khoon maaf. haaa amnesia.😆.. hopefully .. he'll redeem this wishy washy image he's giving..

So the den has come to good use pretty soon, a place to reconnect n heal wounds, pun intended. 👏

Naku finds herself on a sticky wicket, would be interesting to see how she emerges from the mess., With the sher not revealing much its hard to predict what his feelings are right now.
sherni too is chup chup... read the next UD
Atleast he didnt approve baji,s shifting the blame on her entirely. But naku has an added burden of deciding on her redemption. If she is smart she should apply for a license for Permanent Bondage 😃 ANOTHER wise crack...😆

Thanx hammie, hopefully u read 🤔, but waiting for the next, naku,s redemption begins, should be more feels or more angst😉
look i double check , who comments.. tera miss kar doon.. sawal abhi paida nehin hoya.. your annotation will head the UD... bart.. thanks for making me laugh.. much love ,and many thanks.. hammie... 😛

Mishal Raheja

as Dutta

Out of my hands

part 14

Without any reservation, Dutta realizes she is clearly at a loss for words. With a sigh he shifts his face slightly and bites the corner of his lip. Stupid girl does she not grasp that my intention is not to bully her into a verbal stillness.. but for her to perceive the gravity of her act.. living in falsehood right under his nose! she washed away the colours of some unspoken bond between us.. Dutta twitches his jaw to nervously harden himself. What exactly does he feel for her? he continues to be unsure ,but there is no two ways about it that he is prone towards her more than one ways...

He peers at her from far from the recline of his bed side, then eventually he veers her back to the subject

"tune batiya nehin ,kya saaza suggest kare gi tu apne liya?

"wo maine kya bolon? aap he batien DP..."

"nehin Nakusha! I will not suggest anything.. and I'll tell you why? it's because you are currently living under my roof and as such I don't want to take advantage of my position and your vulnerability ..lest I sound on a higher footing than you.. he stops abruptly ,then continues "Nakusha.. in this respect I am no different from you , if you recall I told you my babaa left me here and I was partly brought up here too.. I made it my home.. tere bhi ye ghar bun sakta hai.. but loyalty, trust, and respect is expected from you.. I told you about my past. I asked you about yours but you didn't .."

"haan! haan! maine nehin batia aap ko ke mera lagan ho chukka tha! she defends herself with sniffles.

"sirf lagan hi nehin Nakusha! you are now a widow too! ab ye kaisa ? kyun? hoya ye tu tum hi jano! he yells .. with a degree of hurt and rejection.. more like being sore with her for not sharing her past with him..

But then he fails to tell her how he deems this part revelation regarding her. Now more frustration follows as he knows, he'll have to heel himself and wait for her to let out the rest of the facts about her. It is bad enough that he is seen to be heavy handed with her, but then he takes unkindly to any waiting upon! Perhaps patience is a virtue he needs to consolidate upon if he desires more knowledge about her. His eyes scrutinise Naku's display of discomfiture.. her nervous play of the shapely fingers..her wide eyed blank stares at him. Dutta meets her looks and tries to wear a stern expression, that which continues to relay to her.. that things fester within him.. and all is far from forgiven. However his gaze though upon Naku clad in the white sari, goes through a steady reformation from the indifferent stare to moderate geniality.. His tender looks are the evidence to this, and with a twist to his neck he stares in space and growls..

" Go get me some tea, aur Baji nazar aye to bhej use mare pas! he orders

" aap ne pain killer liya? she asks as she with ease discovers her voice..

"humm will do, jab tu chai laye gi.. " he reminds her of the task, only to console himself that she will return. In fact Dutta is gratified that part of her truth now lays bare.. it certainly cracks down the wall of separation that had loomed up when they had parted as he decided on his sabbatical.. he folds his arm gently across his chest ,who would have imagined that Naku would be with Dutta at such close proximity. He smiles a wee bit.. as he concludes.. now there are no niggling thoughts that she'll go home ..for this is her home presently.. refuge or haven? whichever..

~~~~~~~~

Baji enters Dutta's den. Ensures effort to uphold the peace and calm of the room. Warily approaches and sits himself down at the foot of Dutta's bed. Dutta looks at him with affection. Here goes or rather comes, one person who unfailingly triggers Dutta to share the commotion of both his heart and mind, quite effortlessly.

"Bhau, Naku told me you called me.. is everything ok with you? kuch chaiya thujhe?

Dutta raises his palm," nehin, don't need anything material as such, but I do need to pass by certain issues regarding Nakusha to you...umm jaise second opinion.."

Baji gives his head a swift sided compliant shake,

"ho Bhau! kuch complication hoi? given the fact tumne khud mujhe bola you wish to speak to her.. reminds him Baji.

" humm, not an outright break down Baji but no break through either.. I was civil to her which made her admit that she did lie to me.. "

Baji has to intervene at this point with a quizzical face,

"Bhau mujhe ye samhje nehin ah reha ke, Naku ki kis baat ko tumne jhoot kha?

Dutta shakes his head part angrily, part powerlessly.." Baji! after all this time you still can't get the picture! phela jhoot us larki ka.. that she was married! and dosera jhoot! that she is now a widow! I bloody asked her questions about her family before I took her on as a subject.. she never disclosed any of the above details... what the hell does she think I am , a gadha with a finer disposition!! well I told her oh no I am not! jab aye mera pas abhi.. tu I challenged her to suggest her punishment... and before you say more, let me tell you Baji she herself admitted ke us ne jhoot bola.. and she'll take any due that I dish out!! tu sooch mera samna full on drama kar rehe thi.. baiwa hoone ka.. jaise she doesn't know me from adam! what nonsense!!" growls Dutta

Baji, concludes, it's best to accept his rant.. as his getting himself into an emotional quandary is well.. justified.. information has been withheld from Dutta. But what he says to his friend has to soothe him towards reason not provoke him into further frenzy..

There is no way Baji wants to see Dutta in this state of affairs. His concern is this presently reigning temperament of Dutta may have adverse effect on his artistic sensitivities. Naku's entry into Bhau's life has given a distinct impetus to his aesthetic sense.

"dekh Bhau ,if you ask me you have two options either to hate her or to love her.. I know it's impertinent , crude of me to put this before you.. pun thujhe pata hai main gol gol chakkar nehin lagata hoon! short cut mein baat kerta hoon.. and mostly I speak what resides in you..! Baji says it as he feels.

"I hate what she did Baji .. it seemed to me she could have told me, took her home.. tab bata deti.. mera lagan hogaya hai, pun mein baiwa hoon.. but now it's off putting.. that she didn't trust me, enough.. ummh love... I am not sure Baji , but this I don't deny that I liked her a lot, now.. I feel disenchanted.. confused.. what to do? whether to dispel her out of my heart and mind.. or to set hate aside and leave it to fate. confesses Dutta.

Baji is much relived to gather Dutta shows signs of reason and maturity .. so he goes ahead and suggests,

" confused Bhau ? then ask your heart.. what does it guide you to do? hate her due to this what you call a couple of lies.. or love her.. simply because of one important constraint.. time! Bhau..think time fleets away as an invisible bird.. but fly it does. Ye tera decision hai, if you'd rather spend time hating her of loving her? proposes Baji..

Dutta studies Baji's face carefully , but he also mulls over his friends words.. and then rubs the stubble on his indented chin..

"hummm, pity you have just outlined two choice of emotions, hate or love.. thujhe pata hai , it's not cut and dry.. both emotions are powerful, have the potential to make or break a person.. and yes they are two conflicting emotions as well.. either one or the other.. Baji I am a bit of both.. gussa bhi aur pyar bhi.. or I also see love prompted by anger.. that's what throws me!

Baji rolls his wide eyes.. his artist friend always had a soft, gentle side to him, which resides side by his sense of injustice ..

"huh? Bhau ab tum kya bol rehe ho? meri samhje mein tu nehin ah raha .. but Bhau this I know that true love conquers all .. even what seems as hate to you momentarily.. can be painted with the colours of love.. yes, provided you allow the reformation to take place.. Bhau.. tera haat main hain.. you settle with the stronger sentiment out of the two.. love or hate? aur Bhau, Baji will always be beside you har us cheez mein, jis mein you are happy.. Bhau you deserve true love in your life.."

Dutta attempts to cross his bandaged wrists across his chest..and with a mock enquiring and mischievous smile says to Baji.

"Baji rao bare ghare ghare profound batien kar raha hai tu.. tu ye bhi bata de ke gussa ko pyar mein kaise transform karoon.. hummm, love guru?

"no seriously Bhau ,jokes apart Bhau forget ye punish wala tack.. tu us sa kudh pooch why she hid things from you.. humm? try the soft approach" suggests Baji as he hugs Dutta's legs affectionately..

"DP... chai.. Naku calls, as she stands drawn close to the door. Baji turns his neck to look at her ,then rotates his head back to Dutta and quips under his breath

"Maqua haat se maat jane dena Bhau.." and he sniggers and slips away..

~~~~~~~~

Dutta props his back up against the head rest of the bed. He decides he will speak niceties which encourage her to speak.. he wants to hear the same voice that dribbled sweet notes in his ears at the art school.Naku waits with the tea tray held by both her fair hands. His nostrils flare up slightly as he recalls he noticed them a couple of times yet he couldn't recognise that they were the same hands, that often prepared the art moulding material for him.. Dutta gulps, as he senses a feeling of being made of a fool by her and in time he checks himself, and turns his face to aside away from her.

He feels a light lurch at the foot of his bed. Upon the turn of his face, he sees her sat on his bed, head down ,eyes hooded, hands slowly stirring his tea. Next she holds the cup before him. with a twist to his mouth, an eye brow raised he asks her , without moving his arms..

"tell me please how am I supposed to hold this cup of tea you offer so very kindly..?

Giggles escapes from her, there after her voice weaves words that make way straight to his heart via his ears. But he prefers to keep up the stern faade, as he is aware it usually manages to make her articulate like now.. "Haan , main wo.. khayal nehin aya ,that you can't use your hands..theek hai ,mera kam hai ap ko chai peelana and it will be done.."she offers herself bravely. Before his narrowed eyes she pours the tea in a saucer ,blows on it and gently brings it closer to his lower lip.. with a loud slurp Dutta pulls in the relaxing beverage and in three pours Dutta slurps the whole cup down.. and tries not to sound ahhh... Naku gives a small smile as she notes a few wet stubble pokes at the ends of his mouth.. she can sense his discomfort and she twists and reaches out for a serviette on the tray.. Dutta watches her turn and her pallu slides off her head and she turns to face him and dabs the corners of his mouth.. Dutta moves his head back.. only so he can gape at her green doe eyes.. their eyes meet.. Naku suddenly realizes her pallu slips away, but she briskly reaches out for it to cover her head.. Dutta watches this needless undertaking and .. speaks,

"rehene de.. ab kya chupana.. I know the truth.. besides here you are among family members, there is no need for formality.. pallu nehin bhi le ge tu , even then you will be seen and treated with respect.."

Her eyes well up and she sits before him. Dutta's eyes gaze into her moist green orbs.. and with a small crease to his brows he tells her,

"I didn't mean to make you morose Naku.. ummh tell me Naku, being in this white sari , does it not make you sad.. for want of a better word" asks Dutta and waits upon her answer

"I will not lie to you DP.. it does make me gloomy, but it is now my identity.. and dressing in white asserts the way my life is supposed to be lived, sans colours of happiness.. it's what traditions, my family ,the social strata I breath in expects from me"

Dutta raises his finger, and challenges, "so you are saying that on the basis of the norms put in place by society, you deny yourself the purpose of living.. to live because you have to and not because you want to? Naku.. life is the greatest gift endowed to a human being.. once taken away ..one is nothing! life has to be cherished and used to the fullest to bring joy to yourself and in turn to spread the joyful reason to live to others as well.. tell me Naku, what bliss do you give yourself and to others around you.. those who might be living a life of woe and desolation? ummmh forgive me I'eve gone on a tangent.. but coming back to you and to your colourless life.. I know how the hues around you inherently delight you.. you have a creative spirit within you.. that which discerns and perceives gods beauty in nature, in the whole universe! but you have clothed yourself in white and wear your whole life as a shroud!.. Naku Aye Sahib bhi , baiwa hai.. but she uses her power and position for the betterment of the less fortunate .. jaise main, Baji, aur ab tu.. Baji and me picked up our wretched lives and now use it to diffuse positivity in society.. as your ex art tutor.. I ask you to fight off the grim side of life and let in a bit of happiness.. waise tune dekha.. tere safaad rang ko lal rang lag gaya.. and I daresay.. it'll take some magic to get it back to brilliant white too.." he says with a sided shy smile..

Naku, knows not what has hit her.. but this much she admits secretly that he merely voices what's in her heart..yes she aches to live again.. to be loved , that which she never was before. she prefers to remain silent lest this conversation between them ends and she has to leave his side..

After his extended verbal spiel to her he expects some response from her, but distastefully he notes her tiny small fingers trace patterns upon his bed cover.. and he too moves his fingers on his chest with a small wince..

"chaal pass me a couple of painkillers with a glass of water! he rattles. Naku nods her head and nervously pushes the foil blisters and holds the tablets in her pink palm. Dutta lowers his eye lids and with pointer and middle slender fingers in one pinch he takes the tablets, from her palm that now begins to tremble. She brings the glass of water near his mouth and he curves his arm in pain and literally drops the tablets in his mouth that gapes.. presses his lips against the rim of the glass and takes a large gulp as he unconsciously pushes her hand with the glass upwards. She nearly jumps out of her skin at the light touch of his finger tips on her hand! and moves back .. gets up and puts the glass aside. Dutta decides to refresh her memory..

"waise Naku.. you knew that day it was me you bumped into.. didn't you once feel , that you should reveal that under the white sari it was you.. what was the purpose of carrying on the charade..? I could have ordered you to reveal yourself but I didn't .. do you know why?

Naku nods her head in vigour, expands her green doe eyes and replies with a slight quiver of her bottom lip

" I know why? it's because you are a man who respects a woman.. not defiles her..

" aur tune mujhe he gadha buna diya? hummm.. protests Dutta..

"kitni dafa bola hai , punish me.. it'll set me free.." Dutta hears her and muses.. no don't intend to set you free Naku.. you'll see eventually.. But for the moment he facilitates her with an apt reply..

" main kaun hota hoon thujhe gunegar kehne wala.. tune khud he mana hai.. aur isliye sazza bhi dena wali.. Bappa hain ne tera mera hasseb chukta kerne ke liye.."

Naku wants to rush out of the room, but figures out that her penance is to serve him, nurse him back to being well.. and perhaps if Bappa wills it, invoke and bring to surface those feelings in him.. that she reckons he always had for her the day he set eyes on her beauty.. for now she needs to do the nursing bit..

"DP you've had your tea..tell me what should I make for your lunch?.. he gazes at her with semi closed eyes.. head rests back against the head board..

" vegetable soup with no lumpy bits! dil tu hain roti but my hands cannot manage.. and before you suggest ke that you will feed me.. how do you think I'll feel ? asks Dutta.

"You'll feed like a chotta se larka ! ju tu hai Bhau! guffaws Baji as he comes in with wide comical strides.

Baji gives Naku a churlish dimpled smile as she goes past him. Baji then turns to Dutta with ruffle to the back of his head

" looks like koi tu settlement ho gaye hai tum dono ke darmiyaan? he asks keenly.

Dutta looks at his nails and utters nonchalantly.

" haan..sab tameez ke darmiyaan mein rehe ke.. baki I am as inquisitive as a child to know more about her past.. and she is as intriguing as a mysterious maze.."

"look Bhau, your job is to create a congenial atmosphere, where she trusts you and confides in you.. tu dosti buna uske saath.. suggests Baji

Hain? dosti? have you forgotten that she was my inspiration for the face of an Indian woman.. i.e my subject.. we got to know each other as her sculptures through my hands progressed .. I thought I had captured the truthful essence of her beauty, clear transparent and accurate.." Dutta reminds Baji.. and in turn Baji too takes Dutta back

"and I told you then too that Bhau don't idolize her visual beauty.. and form an opinion that Naku is complete and absolute perfect person with a flawless life.. everyone has shortfalls one cannot just go by someone's looks alone! you have to measure a person in totality"

" hummm, like how much they stand by you in all times.. jaise tu Baji.. you know I am still wary about her keeping things from me.. those things that matter to me.. you know I liked her a lot. now I have doubts in my mind about what else does she shield from me that will probably disengage myself from her! discloses Dutta frankly.

"look Bhau.. tu mujhe chor follow your artistic instinct.. when she opens the rest of her life to you.. hear her out and then arrive at a conclusion about her. Meanwhile Bhau, continue to have acquiescent exchanges with her.. you have the way laid out for you already.. in as much that Naku is nursing you back.." Baji soothes him.

Dutta gives a small yawn and nods his head once and mutters in a drowsy voice..

"humm will give it a thought Baji.. abhi tu ja! neend ye hai.." and his eyes droop and before he knows it the fall's impact renders him weak bodily, but not in spirit.

~~~~~~~~~

With a light in her step and pallu off her head, Naku enters the kitchen and finds her mother surrounded with dry food articles that she unpacks and stores in the pantry section of the kitchen. Her mother always senses her arrival, muses Naku as she can almost recognize her footsteps. With some relevance to her life , Naku wishes her mother's attention falls upon her now. But Babi is far to too busy, pouring lentils, and screwing bottle tops to see Naku, till Naku takes her self boldly and stands before her mother. One look at her daughter without the white sari pallu on her head, she yells..

" Naku meri baachi , ye kya ?pallu ke bagher tu ghum rehe hai. yehri hog aye hai tu! chal wapis sar pe dal apna pallu! orders her mother and reaches out for daughter's pallu .. but Naku resists gently..

"Aye! ab iske koi zarrorat nehin.. sab jante hain mera saach , ke main ek widwa hoon .. DP bhi. unka hi thujhe dar tha, ke saach jante hi wo mujhe jhoota mane ge aur humien ghar se nikale dein ge..tu Aye DP hi ne bola muhje pallu leye bagher bhi is ghar mein izzat milage mujhe".. explains Naku

But Babi shrieks, "maagar log baher kya bolien ge?. Naku asks ,"baher? tu bole main baher nehin jai ge.. Dilawer ke wajah se? Aye Sahib ,enters and interrupts.

Babi ,Naku ko kyun dhant rehe hain..? then with a smile she notes Naku without her usual pallu

"sundar.. aache dekhte hai tu pallu ke bagher! bahut aacha kiya Babi, ise pallu utarna ke ijazzat de de.. baiwa ho gaye Naku , tu us ka ye matlab ke wo jena hi chor de? ab mujhe dekh main bhi tu hoon.. je rehe hoon. samaj sawa ker rehe hoon.. Naku.. beti tune apne college jana hai tu humien koi aitrazz nehin.. she gives her consent. But Babi panics, "pun aye Sahib, wo Dilawar se kathra!

"tum log uske chinta maat karo, ye jeep pe jaye ge guards hoon ge us ke saath.. "assures Aye Sahib then turns to Naku ,who seems in a hurry to do something. Aye Sahib turns to her with a smile, without meaning to check on her..

"Dutta kaisa hai? kuch khaya ,peeya us ne? Naku nods and reports he had tea and now she is about to prepare vegetable soup for his lunch..

Aye Sahib smiles at Babi and says in a hushed voice.."lagata hai Dutta Naku ke baat manta hai.. aacha hai.. aise lagta hai Naku ko phele se he janta hai" Babi is surprised that Saab's mother is unaware that he was one of Naku's bada ustad at the art son school. She clarifies the facts to Aye Sahib and is pleased to learn that Saab's mother although disappointed that her son did not take her into confidence still likes Naku. But Naku,still defends DP..

"Aye Sahib, Saab ko khud nehin pata tha ke main kaun hoon ,jab main is ghar mein Aye thi..saach tu yeh hai ke maine unse bola nehin ke mera lagan ho choka hai.. aur ke main ab widwa hoon..aagar wo naraz hoon ,tu wo sehe hain.. is ke elwa main aur kya boloon.." says Naku softly as she shaves off carrots, potatoes and chops them for his vegetable soup..

Aye Sahib exchanges a smile with Babi and leaves the room with a degree of happiness... as she walks back to her room.. perhaps she should approach Babi.. about the future plans for her daughter. But Aye Sahib should consult Dutta first and then involve Damoder with regards what she is speculates...

~~~~~~~~~~

Naku enters Dutta's room silently. She finds him asleep with both his palms resting on his chest. Without creating the tiniest clatter she sets the tray down on his centre table. One look at the steamy soup it speaks volumes, it's fresh hot of the stove. It's delicious aroma of fresh chopped coriander, onions, carrots and potatoes fills the room.She had checked there were no lumpy bits as he clearly ordered. Naku decides to let him sleep ..as it grants her the rare moment of scrutinizing his room. She is taken aback, as works out of his hands are not visible.. but after further examination.. she sees on his bedside table a wooden framed picture carrying a sepia print of both his babaa, with a woman young, simple , innocent who can be his mother.. she tip toes over to his beside and leans to get a closer look.. but as she turns to leave.. his bandaged wrist grabs her just above her tiny narrow wrist.. she turns to look back at him and leans over him to fix his head cushions to prop him to sit up.. with a groan and a lurch forward she grabs his the bicep area of his arm to helps him sit up..

Naku ends up near him.. and she looks up into his dropped eyes that quiz her about the reduction of distance between them, their eyes gel and he notes her comfort level. Dutta slowly sinks his head back on the head cushion closes his eyes and lets his head drop to the side .. tells her as she straightens her back and waits for him to turn to her.. he speaks gently.

" that is my mother Nakusha an old picture , I had to fight babba to bring it here.. he wasn't willing to part from it.. he kept it on the window sill overlooking his charpoy.. I said I wouldn't stay at Aye sahibs mansion if he refused to let me bring their photo withhim..babaa understood and ultimately gave in.." shares Dutta ,and then the aroma of the soup wafts up his nostrils and looks at her directly..

"humm.., khusboo tu aacha hai, chaal ab de bhi de, bhook lege hai.."

Naku giggles and precariously sets the tray just above his knees.. then hesitates .. silently he looks down at the soup bowl and the soup spoon then says dryly..

"Chaal kahla na ab.. or do you expect me to have it myself? why do I have to spell everything out for you...nazar nehi ate thujhe mera haat...damaged..he moans..

Naku with a naughty smile puts a napkin around his neck and with her finger tips much to his annoyance pokes the edges of the napkin to secure it.. then she dips the spoon in the bowl and carries it carefully to his mouth.. Dutta looks into her green eyes , loosens his bottom lip and rather rudely slurps the first spoonful. As she returns the spoon to refill it , he comments approvingly

"soup tune bhaut he smooth and creamy buniya hai Naku.. no lumpy bits" She nods and then brings the spoonful near his mouth, only this time he juts his neck forward and like a hungry child who waits to be fed more slurps yet again. Naku sees the soupy moist corners of his mouth and folds up his serviette and dabs the corners of his mouth.. Dutta stares at her face, at her raven hair black middle parting. It still flaunts a stubborn stain of red paint and he relaxes back and raises his palm..

"bas , that's enough pait bhar gaye hai mera" and she picks the tray and walks back to set it on the centre table.. Dutta watches her back and comments from behind her..

" tune dekha , ke tere maang mein red paint abhi nehin utra.. any comments? He provokes her ..

Naku turns around and walks to the foot of his bed and stands. This time , informally he commands with an arch of both of his eye brows the end of his bed..

"beith ja Naku! she does and Dutta asks her point blank

"bata muhje Naku .. tune apna lagan aur baiwa hona muhje se kyun chupiya?.. humm

" DP I was scared that you would reject me.. so I kept quiet..

" hain?.. Naku what makes you think that I accepted you? he retorts.

" muhje tu sab theek hi laga tha humare darimiyaan.. then she stops and continues , pun ab DP kya hoga muhje nehin pata?

" theek hoga Naku.. let Bappa decide .. tu bhi yehe soochte haina? .. my mother to taught me to ask Bappa for wisdom when decisions seem complicated.. so I would say you be at peace.."

"So this means you will not punish me from keeping things from you..? living a lie in your house that you didn't know me? she asks keenly her eyes shining..

Dutta smiles as he stares into her green eyes.. and nods once slowly..

Naku asks excited.. "now that all is like before between us, tu ye batao DP when are you going to start your next wonder in this house.. I am so looking forward to it ,now I can help you openly like I used too..

Dutta looks at her.. his mind elsewhere and he yawns.. with a request..

"soup ka shukariye .. ab tu ja Naku .. I want to rest..

When she leaves ,Dutta's eyes turn cold and distant and he muses .. dil tu tora hai tune Naku.. tu sab janti thi that I liked you a lot.. you lead me to believe you that you had no other attachments.. had you told me I would have backed off.. so carried away I was then by your outward beauty that I failed to see the ugly truths you have concealed and still continue to do so in the inner recesses of your heart.. sazza tu mile ge thujhe .. aur wo bhi aise that will make you smart Nakusha... to be continued Hamlet53 28.11. 14.

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