SS~Dutta~a trilogy~ thread 1. Follow the Heart. continued on thread 2 - Page 61

Originally posted by: jedy25

hi hamlet helloo jedy ,good to see you
superb ud...naku accept duttas proposal..the fly too...too good chapter😳ud soon
pleased that you enjoyed the chapter.. read the next one tomm.. much love hammie

Originally posted by: afi7861

thank you so much hammie dear
helloo kaka balli.. so pleased to see your comment.. love the flowers.. but dil udhas hai afzal.. Peshawar ke incident se.. in prayer for the whole grieving nation..
on a happy note.. its great to see yours and bart's shyari happening on the thread.. aaj kal tu ek hi nazeem yaad hai "lab pe aati dau bun ke".. much love to you Ali, and bhabi, much love hammie.

Originally posted by: dilse14

hi hamlet hi dilse, always good to see you
wonderful uddutta spoke about marriage good turndilwar better count his days haaa ha.. love your verdict
ud soon

thanks for reading and giving a great comment.. I love the pretty tulips.. much love hammie.. aiming to UD tomm ..catch it whenever you can.. much love hammie

Originally posted by: Nakusha

hi hammiee hi naku good to see you've arrived..

mein aa gai...haa ab phone ka rona kab tak roa😭...u will hit me gal say something new😆

i cant believe it.. honestly.. why is this nonsense sorted abhi tak.. fight for your right naku!

loved the ud...it was straight from heart ...dutta didn't hide he felt confused abt naku...he revealed his inner most dilemma...he was sure he loved her...now more than ever he feel to protect her

oh yes bahut pyar karta hai .. kuch zayeeda he..

yeh babi khadi apna pullu muh mein thuse😲

haaa haa.. i know how you feel about babi..

...dilwar kya sooche ga...

dutta & damodar...AS all are for it...hum bhi wait kar rahe hai barrat ka invitation😃

hain? and bart is eagerly waiting too.. thanks for reading and commenting every week naku

much love and thanks, yours hammie.. love the colorful image.. will try to UD tomm..

as always u r amazinggg hammiee😊

Originally posted by: FASSBEN

HI Hamlet hi fassben good to see you

👍🏼 Great ud Dutta ask Nakku to marry him he does love her now he wants to protect her. Dutta told AS and Damodar they were with him. Dutta needs to find dilwar soon

Thanks as always take care now
so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the ud.. thanks so much for reading ,commenting and putting up a fantastic image.. will ud tomm.. much love,as ever yours hammie

Originally posted by: sona89

Hi Hamlet hi sonaa ,good to seeyou

Awesome ud...mein kya bolege Naku patent dialogue😃...Dutta did all the talking to Damodar & AS...honest convo with Dutta & Naku...you did complete justice...ud soon😊

thanks so much for your positive comment , urges me to carry on.. Iam aiming to ud tomm.. sunday... with much love,yours hammie

Originally posted by: mirage123

Hi hamlet hi mirage ,good to see you

fab ud..convo btwn tasha..he made himself clear.she loves him but family..dutta did the needful..some official recognization for naku suffered a lot...ud fast😊

glad you enjoyed the ud.. thanks for commenting and i love the sweet image.. with much love as ever yours hammie.

Originally posted by: uwith

hi hamlet hi uvi good to see you...
awesome ud...heartfelt talk naku doesn't have fear .soulmate dutta found in her muse..proper proposal remind me of ff PR..😊this time though fear of dilawar.dutta will deal with it..he is an artist ..waiting how tackles it..continue soon
loved your comment uwith.. yes he is an artist.. not a don.. but nevertheless a man...
thanks very much for reading and giving a comment.. will try to ud on sunday.. you catch it when you can.. much love hammie

Mishal Raheja

as Dutta

Out of my hands

part 17

Naku half expects her wrist to be grabbed by him. but no such thing happens and his tall imposing frame passes by her and the flutter of her heart gives way and words flow from her lips,

"aap kam shuru karien ge na?.. he stops in his tracks and only turns his neck, while his eyes contract as he replies

"I thought I told you clearly.. no more winged fanciful flights for me. The mind's eye poses other preoccupations that kerb's it's flow... incidentally, what makes you think, I warm to you stopping me when I am going about my business Naku? he asks with a relaxed hint of a smile. Naku shakes her head apologetically and mumbles

"erhh, no reason.. main tu waise aap ko remind kara rehe thi, in case you need my assistance, you know I would love to.. help in your creative activities..

" sure you would love to Naku" he nods.. pata hai mujhe.. phele dard deti hai.. aur dau bhi jaldi se lagati hai.. thura healing time tu de Naku.. humm? , he replies as he looks intimately into her green eyes. Naku bites her lower lip that quivers and her neck flushes and creeps slowly up to her cheeks and ears. She can sense a clothed flirtation in his expression, which Dutta catches on to..simply by the warm glow on her face, her submissive green doe eyes. He studies the beauty of her face. It grips no doubt..

But his expression changes as does the contraction of his eyes.. did her husband too delight in this face when he looked upon it ? he flinches at the revolting notion.. pulls his mouth to one side and mutely turns and strolls on. The shadow of her dead spouse looms between them.. and renders him restless.. move away he must! for he shouldn't transmit his insecurity on to her.. she'll get anxious too..

As he passes by the bar area .. heading for his room, he turns his neck towards the spot that is put into place to calm the storms within. Sheepishly he looks around if anyone is about.. as he is far from a drinker.. only can be one, once a blue moon, and that to, only to bond with his drinking partner Baji rao. Pensively he proceeds to the bar.. with a degree of reluctance, as the last thing he desires is for Aye Sahib to spot him boozing! as poor Aye Sahib will blame herself for perhaps falling short in her love as his foster mother, thus driving her adopted son to wallow his sorrow in drink..

Engrossed by his thoughts he reaches the bar stool.. as if by magic Baji turns up ,shuffles and perches up on the bar stool opposite his friend. Dutta sits with one arm folded up. His stubble cheek creases and rests on his fist..

Baji can see that his Bhau is physically present in the bar but mentally absent. Do things bode well? Dutta's presence in the bar area without persuasion is sign enough. An irritated Dutta looks up at Baji and commands, with an expectation of being provided with a fast track solution. Dutta studies Baji's face.. here sits his close confidante from whom nothing that troubles Dutta is cloaked. Today for example that which he masks from Naku.. Dutta decides to share with his mate.

"come on get off your back side and make us a shot".. Baji does and mutters against the glug of the brandy he pours out in the crystal cut tumbler and offers it to Bhau.. but one look at the scowl on his face deters him from saying "cheers".. Dutta waits as he looks across to Baji.. realizes Baji's silence.. and thus himself livens the air between the two friends

"ab thujhe kya ghum satta raha hai Baji ? that you won't say cheers! chaal, raise your glass cheers!

Both take a sip, roll it in their mouths and then let the spirit burn their gullets as it passes down. They put down their glasses on the bar service. Dutta pouts his moist lips and mumbles with a tilt to his head

" kuch baat nehin kerti Naku apne pati ke bare mein.. and I resent it.. feel a certain suspicion towards what went between Naku and her dead husband. am I being paranoid Baji? tu bata? Baji's face softens as he realizes and respects his friends transparency.. goes without saying for Baji he always shares his anxieties with him.. Baji can see that Naku's entry into Bhau's life didn't create a gap between their friendship.. and with a dimpled smile Baji replies,

"Bhau.. maybe you are paranoid.. but I don't think it's unusual.. or unexpected jidhar pyar ho tu udhar obsessive behaviour is allowed ,I guess.. especially from people who are first attempters! Baji sniggers, but then with a sip , sobers down and presses on," dekh Bhau , you are fearful ,because she has a past, but take it from me.. you are her present and future! Bas.. you keep this in mind .. waise why don't you ask her yourself? or tell her how you feel? suggests Baji. Helplessly Dutt sighs and replies.

"nehin! not going to tell her or ask her! she'll get to learn about my weakness.. i.e her!! ye lardki meri kamzoori hai! mind you may be I should tell her about my possessiveness? But I think twice as it'll give a carnal flavour to what I feel about her Baji.. it's divine, and in divinity there is tranquillity sans fear.." Dutta says philosophically... and adds, "besides, if I speak about my insecurities, it will give her a big head.. that she is infallible.. and that she is not Baji. she fibbed before me, blatantly!.. Baji gives Dutta a fixed look and muses.. bas ek lotcha hai tere saath Bhau.. kuch bora ho jai tera saath to you find it difficult to let go..both of the incident and the person who done it... but much to his surprise , Dutta's facial expression turns from angst to detached business- like manner. Baji too gives his full attention to his Bhau..

Dutta takes a deep breath and collects his wits and then gets to the main issue.. that remains pending..

"ok Baji with regards to Dilawar, have you had any thoughts about locating him?"Baji pulls a face and cups his chin which tells Dutta that not much has been done and hence he initiates the discussion.

"Baji, we have to lure him out of hiding.. tu aisa kar, I want you to spread news that Dutta lagan kerne wala hai.. I suspect where ever he is he'll make himself known.. " Dutta predicts with a certain gleam in his lion like eyes.. but Baji poses a question..

" pun Bhau why should this bother him? he doesn't know it's Naku you are marrying? Dutta folds his neck and peers at Baji..

" I know that Baji , but I am also sure that given the criminality of his back ground, he knows Naku lives in this house..Dilawar is big time dacoit. Given the fact that for robberies he and his son definitely have prior knowledge about all the affluent families of our area and adjoining districts.. drawback of small settlements Baji.. phir, on the other hand Dilawar is shrewd badmash that he keeps his organ business running too. But the latter Baji depends on chance.. when security is relaxed based on kidnapping kids.. all this specifies that he is a clued on busy body.. who keeps his eyes wide open.. humien bhi apne ankhien khole rekhne hoon gi Baji.. bas! we need to get him out of his bill!.. I don't know yet Baji main kya karoon ga.. Dilawar ke saath?

"you know Baji.. ye mere haat aagar uthe hain tu sirf, kushi dene ke liya.. out of my hands stem the colours that celebrate life.. never have I taken life.. so what I intend to do I am still unsure? knee jerk reaction that I can easily justify and thus carry out the deed of smiting the man who intends to harm my love! but Baji my inherent nature tends to set aside the barbaric thought.. Baji I need to mull things over, seek guidance.. from.. Bappa ? my work ? which I have shelved for the moment..to give Naku grief", Dutta says firmly and drinks up and gently slams the base of his glass on the bar service and stands up stiffly as he looks down at Baji, turns and gradually walks off towards his wooden stairs..

Baji watches his friend go up the stairs and he sits at the bar with one arm resting on its surface. He knows that Dutta came to the bar consumed by Naku and he leaves fixated by measures to take to keep Naku by him forever.. Bhau is one lucky man to be graced by love. Predominately, Dutta is correct that there is no drive in him to annihilate.. ever since he's known him , Baji has known Dutta inherently to be fairly orderly.. yes he blows his top if he encounters guile or reckons he's been lied too.. however his Bhau is largely tranquil.. and why wouldn't he be, as he has his work to fall back upon. But now in this instance Baji shows concern as Dutta continues to latch on to the idea that his refusal to work is a form of punishing Naku.. yehra hai bilkul Bhau! ab is ke saath main kya karoon? muses Baji as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye with a bent thumb.

~~~~~~~~

The following day Dutta dressed in a white muslin dhoti and black muslin kurta stands on his balcony before going down to the main hall. With a slight frown, his eyes shift on the ground floor and he wonders where his lady in white is? he does consider heading to the kitchen as that is where she usually spends most of her time. He even allows himself the pleasure of contemplating, that had she spend more time with him..he would be able to see more of her true colours. Irritated he drums his fingers on the balcony railing.. till he sees Aye Sahib in the lower hall. She stares up him and beckons him down to join her.

" Dutta subah se hi humien logon ke phone ah rahe hain. Tera lagan ke bare mein pooche rehe hain" she tells him slightly perplexed. Dutta of course delights internally as it becomes evident to him that Baji has being carrying out his orders.. with a straight face he replies to his mother as he descends the wooden stairs ,down to his mother in the lounge.

"haan thek tu Aye Sahib ab bol dein logon se ke lagan hoga Dutta ka jald..us mein soochne ke baat kya hai"

"maaf kerna Sahib.. beti ke shaadi hai kuch tayeeri tu kerne pare ge!.. protests Babi, without wishing to be impertinent, as she begins to lay the table.. Dutta hears her usual banter and goes ahead and says what he thinks fit..

" mujhe kushi hoi sun ke mausi ke aap ne Naku ko ek widwa dekne ke bajai ek beti ke theran dekha hai" Naku glides into the room. She carries a poha dish and Dutta shifts his eyes and bequeaths her face with a tender look.Try as she may she fails to bar her reciprocation of a bashful smile back at him. Aye Sahib is swift to note the invisible wave of fondness that ebbs and flows between her son and this sweet girl.. However first things first, her son's extension of his creativity. She broaches the subject yet again, as she considers the first meal sharing is an opportune moment to clarify matters that pertain to her children...first thing in the morning..like plan for the day!

"Dutta ab tu tere haat theek hain , kam shru kab kare ga tu? hum chate hain ke tu lagan se phele hi kam complete kar le.. tera kya khena hai? she asks Dutta who feebly struggles with his spoon as he attempts to literally taste the poha..tersely he looks across at Naku, pinches, the side of his mouth and replies

"lagan ka mamla aap aur mausi sambhale Aye Sahib.. reeti riwaj aap jante hain. Rehe baat mere kam start kerne ka, tu mera haat brush ya plaster of paris istamaal ke layak nehin abhi.. Aye sahib! dard hoti hai! he holds them up for all to witness, draw attention and glean some sympathy from all. Dutta passes on yet another look at Naku ,who gives a slight shake to her head and lowers her eyes. Aye Sahib sympathises with a nod as she gazes at Dutta's hands across the table. She feels the onus now lies upon her to use her authority..

"dekh Dutta, hum jante hai abhi bhi dard hoga thujhe.. hum soochte hein ka oil massage hona chaiya tere haaton ka.. humara tu bhaut manana hai aisa elaj par. massage se khoon ke rawange bhi hoti hai.. to hum samhajte hain ke ke daily massage ho tere.. waise bhi doctor ne bola tha ke massage jare rekhne ko .. to hum soochte hai ke Babi ye kam aache se kare ge!

Dutta recalls the need suggested by the medics concerning some form of physiotherapy at home, which would alleviate stiffness of his wrists.. but the thought of Babi administering it prompts a distasteful look on his face right away! as he darts his mother with a look of protest, with eyes that pierce and a mouth that stiffens at the unwelcoming notion.. of Babi nursing him. But good sense reigns over him as silently he awaits Aye Sahib to intervene which she does..

" Babi humara khayal ye hai ke Naku ye kam kare, tera pas rasoi ke kam hain.."Dutta slowly raises his hooded eyes and stares at Naku with a raised eye brow.. clearly indicates you daren't oppose the solution! Naku is silent but her mothers muffled laugh sounds from under her pallu. Dutta secretly enjoys Aye sahibs outright snub of Babi. More so, he now lauds what his brash but meaning well future MIL comes out with next!

"haan Aye Sahib, Naku hi ye kam kare ge.. hone wale pati ke sawa kerna tu patni ka farz bunta hai.. chal Naku main khud thujhe oil deti hoon! reiterates Babi.. Dutta very nearly rolls his eyes.. but refrains as he catches the gleam in Naku's green doe eyes..

~~~~~~~

Dutta sits on his settee in his studio, sher ki gharr. His body appears limp but far from being a sign of some set back. He allows his head to tilt back in utter tranquillity.. yes so far, matters that pertain to the further promotion of his bond are concerned.. remain on the move.. Dutta leans forward and then extends both his arms across the back edge of the sofa, on either side of his head. His eyes shift slowly to his sketches and drafts Naku had mounted to remind him of impending work that best allows his existence to flow. He studies drafts of Naku in her white sari.. and cannot but help to be moved. Yet soon enough, he tears his gaze from Naku's sketches and lets his head sag to one side as it rests on the settee back. Despite his quiet content, he like wise endures within a lasting dissatisfaction too.. which makes him sigh.. as he looks at his hands at the end of his extended arms. Slowly he stretches his fingers, looks upon them and then allows them to fall back on the settee edge. His eyelids weigh down and slowly relax.

Distantly he hears a click and then senses her arrival in his studio, petite in appearance yet enormous in sentimental validity for Dutta. With his eyes still hooded he narrowly peeps at her person, through tiny fissures.. there she stands, sandwiched between him and her sketches.. serene , sure and sincere. He winces at the word sincere , but grants her that quality as far as her commitment to nursing him is concerned. He is aware that she will continue to prevail where she is and stare! until he himself stirs and initiates interaction.. he raises his head up , shifts himself up and sits upright.

Naku clutches a small tray upon which a small metal pot rests . She looks across at him as he sits, knees apart, his palms parked on his knees and his enquiring gaze meets hers.. he knows she waits upon his word. But he wishes.. that it would be desirable if once a while she can perhaps break the tradition of seen but not heard.. Dutta points to the tray she holds in her hands.. she gathers at last that he needs her to speak, but of course she doesn't. Dutta grumbles

"eshara bhi diya hai rekh de tray edhur table pe.. Naku why do you act like I am some stranger you set eyes upon, you seem scatty to me! aacha chaal bata , thujhe pata tu haina why you are here,humm? he jests.. trouble is now that a certain familiarity exists between them, he never wants icy walls to erect that spell separation, especially emotional. He awaits a giggle and gets one plus a verbal response too

"pata hai DP.. have to ensure that your hands can do what they can do best! and Naku sincerely hopes that you will oblige her by surrendering your hands to me.."she finishes her sentence shyly.

Dutta throws his head back a little and gives a guttural chuckle with a little errant flirtation

" I have gifted you my heart ,soul and mind already and here you ask for my hands, here you go! and he lifts and offers his hands to her with a plea.."and whatever you plan to deliver better be worth my while, want to see the magic of your hands now , Naku..

Naku kneels beside him and dips her finger tips in the oil and grabs his broad wrist and gently smooth's the oil onto his skin. He lowers his head and watches her press , and move her fingers on and around his wrist. She feels the network bulge of veins on his wrist that move when she massages the oil by rubbing and pressing on his wrists with a gentle dig of her thumbs..

"my hands may deliver healing DP, but your hands animate all inert static medium, they come in contact with.. so no comparison with all you can do and I can't" she answers to his earlier comment. While she twists her oily hands on his broad wrists, he nearly brings his stubble chin on the top of her head .. but he refrains and stiffens his neck and after having listened to the comparison she draws between them he adds his thoughts

"who told you Naku that offering healing is not bequeathing life to people.. it is and not everyone can comfort and console others.. it's a fast track world we live in..time is a rare commodity.. but you are the type of person who will make time for the wounded if you become aware of their need. I see it in you a quality of moving towards the greater good of others.. see Naku, even the hard times you came across failed in making you lose this feature.. yes in that way we are similar I too held on to the gaps in my life and used them ... positively.. waise in one way I have an advantage over you and that is.. whatever I undergo ,joy, sorrow, hate, love.. chaos, peace! I tend to transfer it in whatever art form I deem fit.. it's a natural expelling process I have.. now Naku tell me, the time you spent with your pati how did you express what you felt.. surely you haven't got it all bottled up in you.. tere feelings uske bare mein? Dutta asks her rather shrewdly..

Naku irate at his incessant questioning about her past life! visibly makes her dig her thumbs roughly into his wrists.. and she replies in vexation..

" no I have nothing bottled up within me, and yes I did express my frustration ,my sorrow , pain and my shock all in one! by informing the law and getting him arrested ..and killed! she sobs..

Dutta lowers his palm on the top of her head and strokes her silky black hair.. she feels the gentle consoling touch of his slender fingers on her head and her heart very nearly sinks. at his caring affection for her tears.. she was merely expressing her aggravation at his constant raking up her past. she hates her self for disintegrating into tears! He probably believes she angles for his attention.

But Dutta quite spontaneously, seizes the instance where he can demonstrates his warmth and affection for her. Such is his adoration for her that it turns him quite easily also into green eyed jealous monster! And the butt of his anger is all that he still knows not about her.. this ignorance churns and churns his heart and mind and makes his soul grow weary.. till he protests wilfully

" why are you crying.? see you have bottled this utter rubbish within you..can't you get it in this stupid pretty little head of yours that you are not responsible for his death! he was shot dead during a police encounter!..waise I don't know why you cry for such a coward! he committed an abominable sin, with barbaric movites..on top of it he tried to run! if you ask me I think good! he got the bullet! pun mujhe ye samjhe nehin ata that why do you still cry for him.. god! don't tell me you still love him? yells Dutta and jerks up on his legs and knocks the pot of oil on the wooden floor!

"bas ! ho gai surface level healing but not skin deep and entirely Naku! you know why? it's because you still hang on to some fragments of your past! that's why your weeping and my anger continues!

"It's not just me looking in the rear mirror of life ..it's you too DP ! you won't let go of my past too! can't you see it creeps into every verbal interchange we have.. bhula do DP.. sab kuch! mera mazi, meri ghulti and just latch on to one thing.. we both have to move on! after all life goes on.. main tu rhahoon ge ap ke saath, but you need to ensure that you don't abandon yourself..apna kam shurro karo DP.. she pleads. with tears in her eyes. As much as he hates her water works ,he hates to confess they invariably makes him feel like the big bad wolf in her life.. and that certainly is unacceptable! he has to be different from that waste of space ineffective pati of Nakusha..

He desires to offer her some joy , like one who consoles a child with some piece of confectionary.. her punishment can be set aside for the moment. Surely he can share with her a fraction of his thinking.. and if it's said in all honesty, she is likely to feel valued herself.. and attach some value to him also for his confession.. so basically give value and receive it back in return, muses dutta .. such simplicity! why can't this simplicity prevail between them all the time?

He clears his throat and bends to give a Naku on her knees a hand, as she attempts to clumsily clear up the hurled oil pot and the slimy greasy trail on the wooden floor.. she stops him immediately

"DP aap leave it ,you'll strain your arms and then your wrists along with your hands.. I can't risk it! main karegi! and she mops it off with a rag.. Dutta stands over her and once she finishes, offers her his palm.. she takes it and he yanks her up straight to the wall of his chest and she looks up into his amused face as he doubles his neck and captures her gaze.. slowly he unlocks the grip over her hand and places his palm on her shoulder and says,

" massage aacha deti hai tu Naku.. I can feel it working already" ..he leads her on and excited she looks up into his hooded eyes glued on her face.

"iska matlab hai ke aap kam start karo ga DP? he gives one nod, parts from her, walks away and with his back to her he says,

" humm.. want to Naku.. have to say you were correct when you said it's part of me, my work ...and it'll hound me if I go against my inherent drive.. but the only issue is I am at a loss of a stimulus. Before you think it's because of your deed.. I say ,it's not.. I can't really put my finger at the moment, on what it is that clouds my vision? Naku feel lost about what the subject should be? what do you suggest? he asks for her assistance. Naku too is blank! like caught off guard. But over the moon she is to learn that he is willing to resume his creativeness! However since he seeks her help she says to him straight from her heart..

" DP .. you know me.. when I feel surrounded by things beyond my control I seek for divine intervention.. and Bappa never fails to point me in the right direction.. works for me.. aur mujhe yakeen hai ke aap ke tu Bappa zaroor sunien ge.. aap uske bunaya hoi logon ko itni kush deta hain aapne kam se.." he stares at her , one arm folded across his chest..and with a quiet smile he says

"massage ke saath ,tu bhashan bhi aache deti hai Naku.. will try for sure.. mere Aye bhi bhashan deti thi mujhe.. jab bhi I think of maa .. I think of all the stories she used narrate to me to illustrate the upright way of life" he says pensively and then as if in a trance without saying more to her, Dutta exits his studio..

~~~~~~~~

Dutta knows that in order to get to his den he will have to pass by the pearly white statue of Bappa the major deity of this household. Still bearing Naku's advise in his mind, he takes long strides and then pauses beside the wood panelled wall that provides a partition between the puja area and the lounge. He plans to speak to Bappa , and thus he leans his right shoulder against the walk and looks straight ahead into Bappa's benign eyes.. and from the inner recesses of his heart he calls to his deity..

"meri Aye ne batya tha muhje.. jab koi mushkal ho tu main tera pas aaon.. dekh Bappa.. meri maa ke kami mujhe tera pas le aai.. surely you must be pleased to see that despite hardships I encountered in my tender age.. I set myself on the path you marked for me..under your invisible hand I learnt restraint and discipline and steadfastness. Yes I too am happy Bappa and wish to offer you thanks for ever flowing grace on me.. you brought Nakusha into my life.. all for my betterment.. to gently veer me from existing follies.. Bappa, there still lodges an uneasy distrust in me toward's Naku.. give me your calm to dismiss such lowly thoughts.. make me only see the goodness in her.. and blind me to her short comings if any of her past marital life..for when I get ignoble thoughts about her dead spouse, I become diffident about her love for me.. and Bappa such thoughts prevent me from delving into artistic work.. my imagination seems inactive, parched like a piece of land that yearns for a drink of water.. Bappa grant me the fertility of imagination ..convey to me this time in particular, what you wish me to paint.. to learn from.. as my spirit is greatly bogged down with Dilawar.. who has blood on his mind! I shudder Bappa as I too have bloodshed on my mind...Bappa I have hidden this from Nakusha but nothing is concealed from you..so here I come before you tonight for your divine intercession.. you made Dutta to create not to annihilate ! so tell me what to do with regards my work? and Dilawar?

Once his supplications end.. Dutta senses a certain peace within himself and he joins hands before the deity and then turns, goes silently up the wooden stairs and retires to his room.. Aye Sahib watches Dutta from the wings and has mixed feelings. One she is pleased to see her son in the puja area offering obeisance.. but in the same instance she is anxious too.. what trouble has brought Dutta out here before bappa on his own.. seeking a meeting with Bappa in privacy?

Dutta seemingly fine goes to bed but in his dream he finds himself against a brick wall, high and tough with huge mortal bricks. His fingers scour the coarse wall.. as in panic he seeks tiny cracks and crevices in which he can hinge his fingers and haul himself up.. and climb the wall and drop on to the other side where Naku was ..he hears her cries of help, DP! bacha lo mujhe! Dilawar jane do mujhe! Dutta fingers deep into the set mortar that binds the block bricks.. but all to no avail! Dutta had failed to protect Naku! he taps his forehead against the wall as he stands against it his palms flattened .. har gaya main.. Naku dor ho gaya mujhse.. and beaten he turns to leave when a voice behind him calls..

"ruku Dutta! itni jaldi har maan li.. tum ne! Dutta turns and he finds lord Krishna sitting on the top edge of the wall.. offering his hand to Dutta ! Dutta runs and takes the divine hand and within a wink he finds himself on the other side of the wall! confronting Dilawar. Dutta turns his neck to trace his benefactor ..but there was no one there.. Dutta joins his hands in his sleep and mumbles , jai shri Krishna! Jai shri Krishna!

~~~~~~~~

Next morning Dutta is rearing to go! he knows what to paint! The crux is a conflict and how to take up arms against it.. if the battle has to be won! Aye Sahib suggests that instead of painting on the ceiling perhaps his next piece should be done in the lounge.. Dutta objects as he knows that the lounge is a central point in the house off which run other sub areas like the stairs, the diner, the puja house and the annexe.. but he accepts his mother's request as she wants this piece of within the viewer's eye shot.. rather then a worm's eye view from below like his massive artistic creations spanned across the wide curved dip of the dome shaped ceiling. But before he gets down to the nitty gritty he knows he will have to work out some form of charcoal draft of what he plans to do.

With easel set up before him,Dutta sits on a high stool and feels the blank draft paper pinned in front of him. No sooner he picks up his etch tool, Naku by her presence drifts into his studio, and tempts him with the addictive fumes of a hot cup of chai.. Dutta puts his charcoal pen down in the easel trough ,swivels his neck ,and his bottom on the stool and faces her with his arms in a fold across his chest.. his eyes gaze upon her and he questions,

" kya dekhne aye hai tu Naku? whether your constant on my back strategy has forced me into action? She gives him a victorious smile but he soon puts her back in her place

"well don't you get any fancy ideas that your rulings influence my returning to work.. actually I will give credit to Bappa wholly , for like you said.."showing me the way.." mujhe raasta milgaya hai! before he finishes Naku leaps toward's him as if to hug him, but stops in her tracks by his stern eyes..

"kis baat ke intni excitement hai thujhe? humm.. you are as bad as that Baji rao.. hyper active!

Naku swiftly presents him his cup of tea which he accepts on one of his palms to show he is a picture of wellbeing. Naku smiles and tells him..

"haan DP excitement tu hogi . I get to assist you like I used to in the art school! you will let me won't you? she pleads.. he looks across at her from where he sits on the high stool..

" humm..will let you Naku ,why do you doubt me? do I sound like a bloke ju bolta kuch hai, aur kerta kuch aur? answer me" Naku knows he is going to bring up her prior transgression.. and she turns to leave and he calls out to her..

"why are you so touchy? you were not like so before! dekh ,agar aise hi nakhre dekhane hain... tu I can tell you larki.. your assisting me might not be happening".. to be continued Hamlet53 ~21.12.14

~~~~~~~~