SS~Dutta~a trilogy~ thread 1. Follow the Heart. continued on thread 2 - Page 89

Originally posted by: mirage123

hi hamlet helloo mirage😊
fab ud .nana has old grumpy suitor for naku 😡devil .dutta & baji met their pair😳beautiful romantic story continue fast
hammie pleased you enjoying the story so far.. thank you for the lovely pink rose.. most impressed..😊 much love hammie

Originally posted by: stranger2rose

interesting update hammie. the highlight has to be tasha meeting . the way dutta growled at nakku for daring to take away kajri, reminded me of the scene where he stops morey from taking his boxes in the show . what a way to compliment her beauty , calling her apsara😉

also liked baaji n roops cute fight.

here tasha are deprived of true family love , feel sad for them. poor nakku has a horrible uncle , planning to get her married to an old man.

waiting for next tasha encounter and have to mention dutta playing the flute is lovely .

hi rosie... 😃 super to see you here and else where on the forum.. its looks very encouraging for laagi members who are still her.. thanks rose for being around.. loved your take on the ud.. glad you warm to the idea of dutta playing the flute.. me working of part 3.. aim to post it tomm.. catch it when you can.. and once again.. rosie.. cheers for being on laagi..👏 much love hammie

Originally posted by: emilymine32

Hi hammie hi imli good to see you.. oye what happened to your shayri?
superb update
nana treating naku as commodity woh khud kyun nahi karleta us buddhe we shaddi
🤣 haaa hooo at last out come your funny turns! was waiting for them.

love tashas meeting
I thought only baji has to compete with kajri par ab lagta hai naku bhi is race mein ane bali hai
Poor dutta kaha aise Bhai aur bhabhiyo ke beech fhas gaya haaa hooo humm...😆
Waiting for tashas second meeting
thanks for update
thanks for a funfilled comment.. yes aiming to up date tomm.. at some point.. much love hammie

Originally posted by: CUTE_SAPNA

it's really very surprising to see that dsp is nothing i mean doing nothing in terms of job or business but still dsp is a cutepie. luv u dsp. and this happened because of u hammie. superb story.👏
cute its quite an interesting comment you have raised.. humm a dsp.. who is a bit of a lay about... yes please do continue to catch the story.. am interested to read your views.. will ud tomm..

@twinkie baby: u r ace in creating a village environment. pls continue to do that. i remember u did it on rose's ff tmd.⭐️
i too endorse your comment.. twinks is innovative like your self .. and afzal.. with his shyari.. keep the forum going jolly well done.
thanks for commenting,much love hammie

Originally posted by: dilse14

hi hamlet hi dilse.. good to see you😊
wonderful udnana is very bad uncleroops is bashful & baji is fit for hersparks flew between dutta & nakucross the bridge i 'mean fence soon😆ud soon ..😊
bare hassi ah rahe hai thujhe.. ek giant size panda dena pare ga thujhe.. that says i love you..😆 kuch yaad ayea?? humm.. so pleased you are enjoying the story so far..carry on reading will update part 3 tomm.. thanks for your comment .. love hammie

Originally posted by: afi7861

hellloo kaka balli😃.. baat sun watching cricket.. humm.. iam.. sunday ka intezzar hai.. dau karna.. we win!
hi hammie Awesome update.. nana naku ka rishta nahi soda kar raha hai😡 pehli nazar mein aisa jadu kar diya . first meeting dutta naku ki loved it😛 haan nana saudgar hai.. business man.. ooh iam glad you liked dutta/naku ke meeting..

dutta ready to meet naku again.. hummm.. goan ke gurri.. lazy lardke ko impress kar gaye hai..

waiting for they next meeting balli , me still working on it ,but hoping to post tomm.. shyad late ho.. hope tu thek hai.. thanks so much balli, for reading and commenting.. yaad haine thujhe.. it was your idea this story.. much love ,as always yours hammie.

awesome UD waiting for next part
thanks for the lovely glitzy image.. 😃 and my pleasure to write for you...

Originally posted by: sona89

Hi Hamlet helooo sonaaa and gang of girlies..
Awesome UD...Nana is getting Naku married to corrupt old man , Dutta is surrounded by family who hate him , Dutta meeting naku was superb 😳jump the fence & find her
hain?? marwana hai use.. and what is he going to say to her??? humm? bolo..?😆

Any one have idea about MV,she is missing from scene ,
no i dont know where she is? however in LTL REPEAT on ristey.. i watch her now and again.. she loooks sooo pretty .. i wonder why not so with MR? THEN i still my self and say shhhsh hammie wo track aisa tha where she was meant to look the dusky naku.. but with DIGU.. proper love angle hai .. from his side.. but MV looks stunning..

AAshka is visible .. yes i found out cute enlightened us on the forum..

Next meeting soon plllsss 😊 oyeee sabar.. will ud tomm.. phele khatam tu kar loon.. yaar me watching ICC 2015.. junooni hoon cricket ke mamla mein..
ullu are waiting for ud😆 " ullu? you mean the gang of wise owls surely.. ? love the wise owl image.. waiting for the gadha lion.. who will come strolling through the jungle tomm.. roarrr...
hammie.

Mishal Raheja

As Dutta

Follow the Heart

Part 3

Dutta was still at the fence ready to swing his long leg over. Baji gripped it in mid-air . Dutta swivelled and furiously glared downwards at Baji's pleading expression and then rendered a mighty backward kick at his friend, which hurled Baji aside on the ground,

"eyeee bajirao !haat peeche! choor mujhe! main koi bacha nehin! Baji literally prepared to get up again so he could prevent Dutta ,and he lurched up again and wrapped his arms and belly around Dutta's leg.. Dutta roared in frenzy as he raised his arms up! but the impact instead tossed Kajri off his shoulders and the little lamb, his life landed with a thud on the ground! Dutta flipped as he spun his head and saw Kajri's legs up in the air and the lamb practically rocked on it's back. In horror Dutta in a shot jumped off the fence and ran towards her, fell down on his knees and scooped her in the cradle of his arms. Her body trembled and he closed her against his palpitating heart.. he pressed his lips on her restless fleecy head and closed his eyes tightly. He mumbled hoarsely as his hands felt the movement of four limbs. Baji too squatted on his posterior and watched Dutta's frantic show of affection and care for Kajri..

" theek hai Kajri , tere Saab ne meri baat tu nehin mane , pun tere to har baat suntana hai".. Baji moaned at the lamb clasped at his Bhau's chest and then turned to Dutta,"have to say Bhau is bulbul mein tere jaan basti hai". Dutta held her tighter into him as he sat on folded knees.. and Baji mused further , but what was going on ? how come Dutta was out of his home at this hour?

" waise Bhau tell me one thing how did you end up here? have you lost it ? ke tum edhur wo bhi adhe raat ko jab tumhe apni ghar hoona chaiya? Dutta glared at Baji and raised his palm in his face and slowly nodded his head and replied briefly

" I've been kicked out! apne ghar se nikal diya gaya hoon main.. how's that for an answer Baji? funny but have been made homeless.. and what's more I don't seem to mind.. so cut the poor Dutta look in those button eyes of yours.. if it's one thing I loathe most is pity! most pitiful! He growled , as he compressed his jaw slowly. Baji whose mouth had popped opened at Dutta's revelation, closed hastily as he gulped silently. Dutta yanked his neck and with narrowed semi amused eyes invited Baji's reaction

"ab kuch bak bhi de.. pata hai mujhe chup rehena ,is doing your head in.. so might as well say what you have to say.. Bajirao .. this happy go lucky, devil may care Dutta knows you inside out.. Baji clearly upset, looked down and traced a circle with his finger on the ground beneath him

"dekh Bhau I can't say that I am entirely surprised.. but have to say that my aversion towards your family apart from babaa is hard to contain.. dil tu karta hai ke abhi ja ke tera Bhau ka band baja doon.. pun tera aur babba ka khayal ah jate hai, isliye have to back off.. Bhau I also don't want to wind you up against your folks, but you have to do something? this is ridiculous ,surely it cannot carry on? Dutta smiled at his friends loyalty, but half ignored what Baji suggested, and instead asked plainly and simply..

"apna ghar ane ko nehin bola ga Baji? humm? Floods of tears rushed to Baji's eyes and he leaned forward and stood up and placed his hand on Dutta's shoulder and helped him get up on his feet too..

"apne hi ghar jana ke liya ,you don't need an invite ,it goes without saying," replied Baji as he threw his arm around Dutta's shoulder who carried Kajri who winced in his arms..

On their route to Baji's hivali, it may be night time. The two villages slumbered on either sides of the fence, yet crickets chirped and the frogs too croaked in competition with each other. However the sounds of the night creatures were drowned soon by the muffled drones of heavy vehicles that progressed in a single file, dappled in the darkness by the slivery moon light. Both friends noticed truckloads of equipment that belonged to some kind of travelling mela funfair. It was the bright colours of the convoy that sparked the interest of the two friends, who very nearly stopped in their tracks. Shortly the singular line grinded to a halt at the periphery of a large uncultivated piece of land that was vividly not in the precincts of their village, but instead in their neighbouring foe NanaTavde Baji scratched the back of his head and gave Dutta a sided look. He knew, Dutta was sure to have an opinion on the choice of the site ,but since home had arrived , Baji deferred the matter to later.

Silently they entered Baji's hivali. Relieved Dutta set down Kajri and watched her cautiously to note any inappropriateness in her gait, due to her accidental fall. But she happily trotted off to the the shrubberies planted in some sections of the out skirts of the open plan mud courtyard. Dutta sighed in relief and headed towards the the hand pump and rinsed his dust ridden long slender feet and arms with cupsful of water from a metal pail. Baji repeated the procedure and both men were careful not to wake up their mother from her slumber in one of the rooms. Baji offered Dutta some food which both friends were meant to share but Dutta was restless. He desired to see Aye Sahib first, so he walked decisively towards her room and found her asleep. Just a much yearned for, touch to her feet would free him from some anxiety that he carried about. Gently he felt her feet with his finger tips and then felt his forehead and brushed back his hands over his head. Aye Sahib, stirred and slowly sat up propped against her double pillows. She smiled at Dutta who wore an apologetic look all over her face...probably for waking her up.. but she shook her hand and ordered him to sit at the foot of her bed. Dutta sat down obediently and followed his impulse of pressing the old ladies legs covered by her sari. Aye Sahib.. leaned forward and covered one of his hands with her palm and asked benignly..

" Dutta tu.. is waqat? sab thek tu haina mere baache? Baji entered from the shadows and briefed his mother.. about Dutta's outcome.. Aye Sahib leaned forward and felt his stubble cheek and approved

"aacha kiya tune Dutta ke tu yahan chala aya. hum kush hoi hain". but Baji clarified

" ye tu kahan aur chala tha Aye.. wo tu main waqat pe main phoonch gaye nehin tu ye dushman Nanasahib ke elaqa chal tha ,apne hadian thorwani! khench ke liya main isko" Baji revealed ,but Aye Sahib snubbed her son and with her hand she firmly stated to him

" Baji tu ja , mujhe Dutta se ekale mein baat kerne hai.."Baji slipped away with the thought that Dutta bonding with his mother was sure to have an uplifting effect on his emotionally bruised friend. Aye Sahib reached for Dutta's hand and held it between her warm palms and stroked it..

dekh Dutta, ghar se thujhe nikal diya, zayeeda dil par maat le, pariwar mein unch neech jalti hai.. aaj jagra , kal sulah.. woh isliye ke khoon ke rishta itne jaldi nehin toote.. pun muhje chinta hai is baat ke hai ,ke tu apne jaan jokho mein dalta hai.. Nana Tavde ke gaon jane ka matalab hai apne jaan se haat dho baitna.. aisa kyun kerta hai Dutta? apne jaan se dushmani? asked Aye Sahib, greatly upset ,Dutta too became dew eyed after he took on board Aye Sahib's words...but he verbalized his unadorned sentiments without affectation..

" kya main itna bura hoon Aye Sahib? haar us cheez se jise mujhe pyar hai muhje se dor ho jate hai? maa chal gaya.. babba ke sahet, din badan ghar ke halat ke wajah se neeche ja rahe hai.. saach phoocho tu Aye Sahib, mujhe jeene ke khawish nehin hai.. kis ke liye jeene? He swallowed a lump in his throat and Aye Sahib wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with the pallu end of her sari and consoled him

" na Dutta aisa khahe ko sooche re tu ? Dutta tu to apna babba ka aacha beta hai. jo apne baap ke bemaari ka soochta hai, bardaasht kerta hai apne ghar waloon ke batien, isliye ke babaa ko takleef ne ho.. tere jaisa beta naseeb se milta hai ek baap ko ju sahara bun sake uska burhapaa mein.." but Dutta was far from what this kind mother figure painted. He was more of a burden then one who provides respite.. he mused dejected.

"nehin Aye Sahib.. main apne baap ka sahara nehin hoon, mere Bhau aur unke baiko baabaa ko asra de rehein hai! and with those words he jerked up to his feet in rage and said vehemently.

"pun saach tu ye hai ke bhooka ,pyasa mar rehein hai sab ke sab us ghar mein babaa ko! kya karoon ?koi aur jaga bhi tu nehin ,jahan babaa ko le kar chala jaon jahan khud un ke dekh bahal karoon! he confessed, highly disturbed. Aye Sahib valued his sentiments.. questioned him only to a certain degree ,as she feared he would clamp up.. however there was no harm in making a suggestion.. as she always like her son Baji aimed to see Dutta happy

" kyun nehin Dutta tera haq bunta hai tu apne pita ke sawa kere.. haan rehe baat jagaa ke.. tu mera ghar khola hai.. tu shok se babaa ko yahan le ah humien koi aaitraz nehi hoga.. tu bhi hamre aur Baji ke pas rehe ga.." suggested Aye Sahib.. but Dutta could see the complication this would idea would conjure up.. so he politely declined

" wo tu thek hai Aye Sahib, aisa hota tu bahut he aacha hota .. maagar mujhe ye bhi pata hai aisa kerne main ,mere pariwar mein aur jhagra hoga.. isliye bethar ye hoga Aye Sahib.. ke babaa aur main dono us ghar mein rehein.. " decided Dutta and Aye Sahib smiled and brushed her hand upon his head..

"dekha Dutta .. jan le apne ko Dutta.. tu kaisa beta hai.. pariwar ke kushi ka hi soochta hai.. bas ghar jaldi bassa le apna.. ek aise lardki se, ju tera pariwar mein kushiyaan hi kushiyaan bekhar de.." Aye Sahib blessed Dutta, then called out to Baji to feed Dutta.. and arrange for his bedding for the night..

It was not unknown that two close comrades supped from the single thalli.. Baji greedily scoffed off most of the tasty fare.. Dutta, well he was never a huge eater.. often made people wonder how did he function his lofty frame ,he was no "weedipede".. but a tall broad young stud.. well, a village carefree simpleton.. after Baji had belched ,he got up and with a churlish grin soon returned with some cheap tharra.. with two small earthenware cups! Dutta took one look at them and put up no resistant, however he chuckled..

"ye kya hai kava? khana hasam kerne ke liye Baji? Baji much eased up to notice that his Bhau seemed lighter after his therapeutic session with his mother.. he wished from the bottom of his heart Dutta would stay at his house forever.. but knew that it was wishful thinking . Dutta was immersed in self- respect, and Baji could not possibly take that away from him.. he sniggered as he poured some tharra in both cups. And offered Dutta 's to his and teased..

"ho Bhau! ye kava peeya ga tu bagher kuch kiya fence ke dossere tarif phoonch jaya ga! he winked at Dutta .who closed his long fingers around the cup and sipped the bitter dark desi spirit. He pressed his pink lips together and then slowly passed the bitterly fiery liquid down his throat.. both men sat on low flat stools in the large mud courtyard, under the blueish dark star studded. They drank slowly, till they felt their bodies relaxed.. the mind in particular with every drop of the spirit, lapsed them into a sense of well-being, till they warmed up enough to talk.. Baji had this oddly glazed look in his eyes supported by a silly grin plastered across his cheeks. Dutta sipped , gulped and then gazed upon his friends face

" aisa peeiya hoi gadha jaisa mau bana ke beitha hai mera samana.. kuch bole ga bhi ab? rattled Dutta impatiently. Baji swerved his head, blinked his eyes and turned bashful... then sighed and revealed

"pyar ho gaya hai Bhau.. Dutta went, humm.. "dekthe he pyar hogaye... Dutta mumbled , hummm.. kudh ko rok na saka, lardki ek dum item number the.. Dutta went, hummm.. lagata hai Nana salla ke gaon ke hai.. Dutta went .. hummm... mare ga tu gadha! raged Dutta and pulled off his sandal and hurled it across at Baji! who ducked, missed! but tilted and split his drink as he protested

"kya hai Bhau ek tu dil ke baat ,I tell you and you hurl your sandal at me.. I thought you would be thrilled ,that I found someone! Baji straightened up on his low flat stool.. Dutta growled ..

"jab I was trying to get my bloody leg over the fence you stopped me! gadha! and then Dutta stopped ,but Baji was smart enough and thus latched on to Dutta's subtle withdrawal

"eyeee Bhau! don't tell me thuhje bhi pyar ho gaya hai? may be she's my one's saheli! sakhi? very cosy and nifty... kya bolta hai Bhau maine theek bola na? Dutta moved his head to one side and peered into Baji's eyes.. sipped his drink and replied curtly

"hummm.. mujhe pyar hai.. Kajri se.. babaa se, thujhse , Aye Sahib se.. baki mujhe nehin pata? fumbled Dutta and went silent. Baji put his drink down and hugged his knees .. he knew he had to kick start his Bhau into exploring the avenues of falling in love with the fairer sex.. so he brought up the earlier deferred subject..

"Bhau woh ju mela lagne wala hai.. what are your thoughts on it? Dutta already when he watched where the convoy had stopped.. had an opinion.. which he expressed now

"mera khayal hai ke woh mela wala awal darge ka gadha hai! he should have used a neutral ground in the area.. where people from both villages could have attended it.. now Nana Tavde ke log tu jayen ga unke elake mein hai.. pun hum log sirf dor se sune ge, aur dekhien ge.. mind you the idiot has lost money too.. think Baji, how much more he would have made if both villages crammed the mela? sab is Nana ke chal hai to keep the two villagers divided !" roared Dutta. but Baji had other innovative thoughts that brewed up in his mind

"Bhau bhess badal ke chalien? chal Bhau lets have an adventure? kisi ko kuch pata nehi chale ga! yelled Baji and to his amazement Dutta too threw back his head ,chuckled with a big cheek to cheek smile and raised his palm which smashed on Baji's palm and both friends clasped the other's palm and Baji brimmed with over exuberance

" ho Bhau! lets show the world what we've got, guts, grit and dil , jigar! bas tu disguise mera pe chor dena.. fortune tellers .. chala ga? he sniggered.. tu jotsi aur mein tera chela! Dutta smiled awkwardly and bowed his head once as he took a last mouthful of his tharra and both men .. looked at each other with slightly shaky heads, pulled each other and staggered towards their rooms to crash on their respective charpoys..

Dutta's body lay limp on his back on his bed. His eyes swam, as the cheap drink had gone to his head.. he pulled up one on his legs and felt his hairy chest with his fingers..and then groaned as he moved his head from side to side.. restlessly.. "pata tu kerna pare ga ke tu kaun hai..?mera mela mangal hoga jab tu mile gi.." he mumbled then slowly his eyes were weighed down by booze and he slept.. Aye Sahib crept into his room silently and saw he was uncovered and gently spread a muslin covering on his frame.. Dutta slept like a babe...

~~~~~~~

The very next day .. the birds chirped outside on a tree.. where Dutta slept. Gradually he opened his eyes and was pleased when he gathered he was not at home but at Bajirao's havili.. it was a joyous sentiment indeed ,that suddenly even the aroma of fried roti's actually seemed palatable to him. His tummy too rumbled as awareness descended upon him he screwed up nose his nose, pouted lips as he attempted to sit up, but felt the presence of an unbearable head ache. He sided his legs, lowered them together off the bed , stood up, yawned and stretched his arms with his back arched.. soon after he gathered his tall taut frame and dragged his toes in beige sandals to the court yard to have a wash. Aye Sahib sat on a divan bed and beckoned Dutta to herself, concerned whether he had slept well?. He smiled and touched her feet and received blessings from her. A helping hand served them hot parathas with curd and a glass of lassi.. Dutta ate well, and downed the glass of lassi which gave him a snowy moustache! once breakfast was done.. a visitor barged in and pushed past the maid..

Dutta! she called out Dutta stood up from Aye sahibs divan bed and confronted the visitor with his arms stretched sideways a clear indication of barring entry to this visitor..

"Daksha vahini ap yahan kyun aye ho? Dutta demanded. Daksha stood before him and replied..

" tere talaash mein eye hoon.. pata tha tu aagar baher na mila, tu yahan par hoga she yelled as she looked past Dutta at Aye Sahib. Dutta was not tolerating this rudeness from her towards his mau bole maa..

"ghup! he commanded his palm in Daksha's face," mujhe se jaise marzi baat karo, pun Aye Sahib se onnche awaz mein bolne ke jurrat maat kerna, aacha nehin hoga! he threated. Daksha cried out to Aye Sahib

"aap he batien ise ke ghar mein babaa rooh rooh ke behaal hain, teri fikar mein.. maine din charete hai thujhe dhoonde nikale pare.. Aye Sahib.. samjhein ise main ghar lena ayien hoon ise! Dutta was about to roar again but Aye Sahib intervened..

"Dutta vahni hai teri .. maan le uske baat! Dutta kept his arms outstretched, and looked down sarcastically at his youngest vahini and asked her mockingly

" itne meherbani kyun Daksha..? phir koi naye chal hai Dutta ko neeche dekhna ki.. bolo?? Daksha looked up into his moistened eyes and replied..

" thujhe aapna Bhau mana hai Dutta maine! is liye.. and she grabbed one of his arms and attempted to lead him out of the door.. Dutta stopped and turned back with tears in his eyes and looked at Aye Sahib.. She nodded and wiped a tear too, and then waved good bye to him.. and watched him walk away led by his youngest vahini..it was best for all that he complied.. and returned to his household .. till the next time he returns to stay yet again. Baji grabbed Kajri, ran after them and yelled..

"aree oohh Dutta! apne jaan ko edhur he bhool ke ja raha hai! .. Dutta turned and took Kajri and plonked her high above his shoulders and walked besides his vahini.. homeward bound. He mused, one night away from home.. did it mean that he would now be seen in a new light?

~~~~~~

Dutta and Daksha both shifted their eyes around. Curious villagers from both villages focussed their attention upon an array of colourful yellow and red tent top marquees, topped with orange flags that fluttered on the apex of each tent. All across where the eye reached ,more scalloped edged tents were pitched everywhere over the ground between the two villages. Boldly face painted clowns blared Mela! ! melaaa! with mega portable speakers to publicize the event. Bollywood raunchy numbers too blasted the area around. People in Dutta's village as they went about their business, danced about festively.. Dutta felt his eye brow slightly bashfuly.. Kajri startled against the warm back of Dutta's neck.. not used to so much deafening noise. Both Daksha and Dutta paused for a bit and looked across at the enormous pinwheel with swinging brightly painted boxes that would seat the riders and transport them in the thrilling world of spinning, rising and sinking!.. alongside on the ground stood the horse riders carousel, merry go rounds ,with red, blue, green ,purple , wooden horses , attached to a pole joined to the circumference of the colourful , red and green tent marquee.. The stroll about area of the fair had a fair selection of small stalls of savoury food, soft drinks, candy floss and ice cream for hungry mouths. Some craft vendors hung sequined and embroidered tote bags right under the buyers eye view , while inside they displayed small painted earthen ware ornamental, pitchers, vases as they hoped for making sales.. and then of course there were stalls pitched at women .. jewellery ,trinket and accessories stalls.. loaded with bangles ,kadas ,on wooden holders, mobile, parandas.. every village belles dreams.. jhumkis.. embroidered mojris.. Dutta from a distant imagined a certain green eyed stranger moving through the tightly packed range of shopping kiosks.. Daksha tapped Dutta 's shoulder..

"haan , bahut aacha laga raha hai ye mela.. mere saath koi jana wala ho tu main zaroor jaon.. pun kya karoon.. tumhare Bhau tu kabhi us gaon mein jane ke ijazat nehin dein gein.." then she suddenly grabbed his arm and asked him

" tu le ke jaye ga mujhe Dutta?.. Dutta couldn't believe what she had said.. this was a miracle, he was stumped .. still he needed to play it safe.. and with a firm face he turned to her

"main?? tum hosh mein tu ho Daksha vahini..? aage ghar wale meri jaan ke dushman hain aur tum tu seedhe he phansi dilwane ke programme buna rehe ho.. kya hoga jab pata chale ga? argued Dutta.. Daksha smiled at him secretly.. and pensively whispered

"pata tab chala ga ghar waloon ko Dutta .. jab tu ya main batien ge.. main kuch nehin khoon ge"..she vowed with a certain degree of sincerity that seemed good enough for Dutta. Still he had to incorporate his buddy too with whom the idea of infiltrating the mela hatched originally.

"bather hoga ke Baji bhi saath chale.. waise humien ho sakta hai log jante ho ..tu kuch aur ban ke jana hai". Daksha nodded and smiled silently as they finally a reached home, plus agreed upon the discreet entertainment package. Dutta's father was overjoyed to see him, which yet again resulted in the frail headman weeping one more time. Dutta embraced his father and assured him that he would work at not allowing a repeat of such an incident. He told his father he spent the night at Baji's house.. which consoled his father to a degree. His father informed Dutta that he had chastised his brothers for their folly, and that they had guaranteed they would in future refrain from playing the father's role in the household and take decisions, that posed a threat to the familial unity.

~~~~~~

The noisy and vibrant presence of the travelling mela also reached Naku's ears , as she pranced around all excited, eager to participate in the fun filled gala event. She planned to live it up with her friends.. she giggled ,but for now , she had to dress to make an impression.. who knows ,woh ajnabee bhi nazar ah jaye.. she bit her bottom lip and smiled bashfully.. slim chance of that, she mused.. the fair was in a territory out of bounds for him.. still she would dress herself for the brooding stranger. Naku had already bathed and had chosen a pink and violet ghagra choli. She lowered her shapely fair legs one at a time into the rose pink lined georgette ghagra.. embellished with subtle slivery appliques and decorative patterns, adorned with silver embroidered tiny petals and branches.The pink skirt was studded with tiny pearl beads that gave it an embossed look.The ghagra was weighed down with a wide violet and silver border, which Naku kicked from underneath to get the desired drapes.. she hooked the ghagra on the side of her peachy complexioned curved waist. The choli was violet and embellished with pink and sliver thread work and studded like the skirt, with tiny white pearls.. she groomed her hair in two plaits, but this time used a pink and violet parandas. She complimented and lined her green eyes with khol..added silver jumkis to her ears, studded with pink and violet stones.. a delicate silver maang tikka with a tiny cluster of a pink stone surrounded by tiny violet stones. Her shapely fair arms she adorned with a mix and matched collection of violet and pink bangles interspaced with pink stone studded kadas! Finally she added silver anklets with tiny ghungroos at the end to her tiny feet. Babi maa entered Naku's room. She herself was dressed in a silk yellow and green ten yard maharashtrain sari , complete with a pearl nath and gajra tied around the twisted bun of hair pinned at the back of her head. She beamed in delight as soon she set eyes on Naku.. she reacted immediately, felt the kajal in her eye and applied it fondly behind Naku's ear

"nazar na lag jaye meri pari ko.. ekdum sundar" she said proudly, then swirled Naku's sheer pink net chunni edged with a narrow purple border.. on her head.. and gripped it firmly on the back of Naku's head.. for the final touch she spread it neatly over Naku's shoulder .. Naku smiled at herself in the mirror as Babi maa, brought the soft leather pink, purple and silver embroidered mojiri's for her tiny feet. Naku turned to leave ,but her Babi maa stopped her.. and gave her a dainty silver brocade draw string hand bag..

" ye paker Naku, tera batwa.. thure paise hain is mein.. baki paise main apne pas rekhe gi . jeb katre ghumte hain aise jaga par" Naku turned and giggled as she saw her Babi maa stuffed her folded hankie that contained the money with her thumb under the sides of her sari tied on her belly. Then Babi caught up with Naku and both women proceeded to the door of their hivali.. Nana Tavde stood on the roof and he yelled

"Babi .. dahyan rekhna Nakusha ka! koi masala ho tu BG ko aga ker dene!

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Dutta ended up yet again at Baji's house to dress up for the act, as it were. Before he left, he cautioned Daksha in no uncertain words, that she had to be covered adequately by some form of drape or shawl, to avoid being conspicuous at the mela. But Daksha was excited beyond words at the prospective of being part of the mela.. of course accompanied by her lazy yet lovable devar Dutta and his chum Baji rao.. it felt like she was transported back to her father's house where she and her younger brother.. dhawan got up to childish pranks.. she sighed at those days and began to dress in the manner Dutta had suggested.

Dutta meanwhile in Baji's room looked down dubiously at his jotsi semblance that Baji had put together for him. ..a saffron silk kurta , black waist coat, white dhoti, saffron and black silken turban.. and black sandals. He scratched his indented chin with his forefinger. Baji who hovered about suddenly stopped short and asked..

"koi masala hai Bhau? phen le phir kapre" Dutta looked down at a bunch of black beads and pulled a face.

" kapre tu thek hai.. tu baher jaya ga tu main change karoon ga! but what's with these damned necklaces? Me not wearing them main jotsi hoon koi chokri nehin! he rattled. Baji smiled nervously and spreading his arms he expalned.

" Bhau tu bhi samhejta nehin! ke, ye necklaces nehin, pun jotsi babaa ke mala hai.. try to understand you have to look the part Bhau! aur haan, thujhe ankoon mein kajal bhi lagana pare ga.. you know forbidding, dark, mysterious eyes! Dutta curved his arm and tightened his fist and aimed it at Baji's chin from far! Baji jerked back and rubbed his chin as if struck! and then ran out.. left Dutta to it.. but returned and hurled a silver kajal pot on the bed where Dutta's clothes were kept! .. Dutta pulled off his black pathini and with a semi enraged face, pulled on the saffron kerta over his head, and shoved his arms into the sleeves; then raised it up and tied the white cotton dhoti around his waist; lowered his kurta.. pushed his arms through the black waist coat; then leaned and slipped his slender feet into the black slippers. Finally he went to the mirror and fitted the orange and white combination turban around the circumference of his head. The saffron colour, added glowing hue to his face with a contoured stubble.. he pulled his firmed mouth to one side and turned his head and saw the kajal pot.. he growled .. this is madness! us pagal chorni ladki ko dekne ke liye main apna kya haal ker rahoon hoon! and almost abandoned the idea till Baji barged in dressed in a long shift , with a peculiar black skull hat and tiny hoops in his ears!

" kya baat hai Bhau you nearly look the part! tu jotsi ji, ap batien ge mera lagan kab hoi ga..? Dutta shook his head and turned to go and thought.. phele mera tu ho jana de main tere se bara hoon! but Baji turned Dutta around and pointed to Dutta's eyes..

"Bhau! kajal lagana hai .. ye sher wale ankien will need the hungry mysterious impression and Dutta yelled..

"oyeee I don't know how to put this nonsense in my eyes Baji! and Baji leapt forward and suggested..

" dekh Bhau tu beith edhur charpoy par, and open your eyes! just glare at me! and I'll have a go.. with my finger tip! A helpless Dutta, did as he was told and Baji ran his kajal covered fingertip on the insides of Dutta's lower eye lid.. Dutta 's eyes watered and he pushed Baji away ..

"bas! band ker ab ye drama! and Baji moved, wiped his finger and sniggered ..

"all done.. Deva shapat! Bhau tu jotsi kum or daku zayeeda dekta hai! Dutta pushed him and walked up to the mirror , stared at his killer eyes and screwed them.. to hide a smile.. impressive! he judged. Then turned away from the mirror only to face Baji who held the heavy chunky beaded malas! Dutta moaned as he took them from Baji .. lowered his turbaned head carefully and passed the mala over his head and hung it around this strong stiff neck.. and then both friends faced each other smiled and Dutta slammed his palm on to Baji's! Then both went on their way to Dutta's house where they collected Daksha who had the good sense and thus waited outside Patil Nivas.. she laughed when she saw the two psychic ! Ustad aur chaila. And walk towards the mela. Baji briefed Dutta he had booked witha large sum, a small kiosk from the travelling mela organizers designed for palmistry, clairvoyant and psychic activities.

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Dutta with his two followers, crossed over the partition fence..this time through a door.. NanaTavde's henchmen held bamboo sticks in fact , they lowered their poles and performed namastas to the travelling seemingly holy man and his two devotes.. Dutta glared at the men with kajal lined deep set lion like narrowed eyes. Once in the crowd ,they came across motley clowns on stilts and others on stilts riding a bike and being applauded by children.. Dutta thought it best to roam around, while his eyes slowly scanned the noisy crowds , he arched his neck and looked over people's heads to catch sight of the girl! Naku travelled with her bands of friends and Babi maa. Doubly excited the group dispersed, and went to check the humdrum around the plate spinners, jugglers, much fascinated by their expertise of hand and eye coordination. They passed by a group of squatted spectators who watched the marionettes, of kitchen politics where the saas beats up a bahu! and the jolly natter of a raving wife carrying a rolling pin! having a fight with her hen pecked husband!.. Naku and her friends clapped and Babi maa pulled them towards the ladies accessories stall..

Dutta 's brown furrowed as he searched for the lardki impatiently.. when suddenly Baji spotted the group of girls near the bangles stall. Baji 's face beamed and he announced to Dutta..

"le Bhau udhar dekh! churrian wale stall par.. meri wali tu mil gaye hai! main chala! Dutta looked and his heart sank.. he saw the green doe eyed larki in that group of girls.. Baji was right when he had said facetiously that who knows the one his Bhau sought, would be chums with the one Baji felt. However Dutta nudged him,distastefully.

"pagal maat bun.. don't make any passes.. haan you can promote .. what we came here for..fore telling a person's fate.. jaa ab koi gahak le kar ah! ordered Dutta! and Baji followed his friends eyes.. then turned and looked at the girls.. Dutta's eyes were fixed on the green eyed beauty.. and Baji trotted off and began to sell his trade to the girls with clasped hands..

" Namaste! deviuon! churriyan tu aap khareed rehe ho.. ye nehin jana chaho gi ke churri pehena wala kaisa hoga?... the girls get enthusiastic.. and nodded, when Roops stared at him.. and Baji turned, retreated speedily .. but moved his palm backwards and ushered the girls to follow. What luck! all stayed back bar one .. Naku followed Baji , but so did Babi maa. Once at the spot. Baji asked Babi to stay outside,the kiosk, but sent Naku into the room.. painted dark blue with crescents and stars all over, with the face of a sun that smiled; the silver orb of the the earth.The room was sectioned off by a sheer curtain behind which Naku saw.. a man sat with broad shoulders dressed in a saffron kurta opened at the neck line.. that faintly revealed his hairy chest.. the man raised his palm and silently curved his fingers and beckoned her in.. Babi maa huddled in too! and the jotsi.. stared with narrowed kajal lined eyes and turned his palm and pointed his finger towards the door..babi maa .. shrunk back and stepped out of the door in fear of being cursed by a holy man.. Nakusha was left alone with the jotsi..

Dutta ,dressed as the jotsi beckoned one more time and Naku.. somehow gathered her courage and moved the sheer curtain aside and stood before this odd man , with a turban on his head. Dutta relished in her beauty, the rose pink outfit lifted her beauty thousand times more ..he held his breath as his dark deep set eyes peered into her green doe eyed orbs.. A small table stood between them and instead of chairs there were velvet and brocade cushions, and smell of burning incense sticks. He raised his finger and slowly trailed it down as he ordered her to sit down.. carefully and daintily she folded her legs and sat before him.. time went into oblivion as their eyes communicated in silence. Naku, mused she had seen those eyes before.. the fire , the quiet rage.. but where? she blinked mystified.. Dutta extended his wide pink palm across the table and Naku as if in a trance placed her palm over his.. he brought his other hand over and turned her tiny smooth palm over and pretended to study the lines of destiny furrowed in her palm. he cleared his throat and spoke..

" larki tum ne haal he mein chorri ke hai.. tum janti hona chorri kerna paap hai? Naku recognised that slow authoritative guttural voice. but she desired for this moment to be prolonged forever and so she nodded..

" main jante hoon, pun yeh tu batien maine kis cheez ke chorri ke hai? Dutta looked at her palm and then put her into her place, curtly

"tumhara kam sirf mera kha suna hai.. mujhse sawal kerna nehin.. samjhe! he said in a tamed roar.. then he looked at her pink palm and looked up to meet her green eyes and continued in his guttural voice..

"tum se ju pyar kerta hai, woh dost nehin.. dushman hoga.. uski bansuri ke awaz tum se tumhare dil ke baat khahe ge.. apne pyar ko tum asaane se nehin pao ge.. himmat ka haat thamna hoga, aagar apne pyar karne wale ko pana hai tumhe.. Dutta, communicated to her in riddles. Naku in her simplicity declared, unabashed..

" apne pyar ko pane ke liye main kuch bhi kare ge.. pun kaun hai wo? kahan hai? Dutta raised his palm and warned her again..

" look larki I told you I speak and you listen.. you don't ask questions! Naku felt snubbed and blurted out.

" aur jotsi ji mera name larki nehin! mera name hai Nakusha!.. Dutta smiled mischievously, tilted his head to one side.. the move, which Naku stared at.. that man with the lamb? Dutta goes slowly.. as he stares at her with his dangerously dark kajal lined eyes..

" Nakushaaa.. humm tu ye hai tera name larki .. sundar hai.. pun fit nehin beitha tere chera ke saath.. who would consider you as an undesirable.. an unwanted... lardki..." Naku stretched herself across the table and knocked off his turban with her hand, and then she exclaimed.. when she saw his thick mop of black hair!

" mujhe pata tha it's you ajnabee! from the neighbouring gaon.." Dutta swerved his neck and raised his finger..

" mera name ajnabee nehin.. Dutta shriram Patel hai and also I am not from your neighbouring village ,but more so from your enemy village.." Naku once she heard it all from the horse's mouth..is panic struck! and she hyperventilated..

" aagar kisi ko pata chal gaya tu you are a dead man!" Dutta doubled his chin and then gazed into her eyes and replied, amorously

"aisa nehin hoga Nakusha.. tu baachai ge na mujhe? bol?. Naku's hand trembled as it lay on his palm and she pulled her hand back from above his strong wide palm.. but replied coyly

" humm, main baachai gi.. jotsi ko.. pun yeh tu kehna pare ga aap himmatwale ho.."... to be continued. Hamlet53. 27.2.12

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twinks missed your comment.. cute, twinks you both doing a great job on the forum.. kaka balli.. ye kehani.. hum dono ka brain child hai.. gaon ki gorri.. jhella munda.. gaon ke setting... look guys have a great weekend.. bart,fassben.. tum gadher ho??