Mishal Raheja
As Dutta
Follow the Heart
Part 6
Naku was flabbergasted by his words, and before she knew it her arm stretched forward and her tiny hand grabbed his knee. Dutta leisurely looked across at her astounded expression, then rigidly moved his eyes on her hand that literally clutched his knee. She pulled it back right away and folded it back on her lap. Dutta rolled his eyes and with a slighted turn of his head, mumbled..
"kya hoya current laga thujhe?..kuch ajeeb baat tu nehin bole maine? you want to meet my babaa ,don't you? baron ka aishirwaad nehin lena thujhe? he asked with faint cynicism. Naku gave him a wide eyed, totally enamoured by his complete person look, as she sat before him, her legs folded daintily to one side, under the gathered pleats of her ghagra. She shook her head, bit her lower lip and then directed a gaze of helpless naivety his way,
"erhh, of course want to get baron ka aishiwaad, it's just that you just dropped it on me, tu zarra ajeeb laga" she confessed shyly. Dutta reclined his back against the tree trunk and grumbled
"mujhe ye samjhe nehin ati, first you scream "Saab mujhe bacha lo!..and I am sure you meant.. whisk you out of the mess around you and then.. ummh lagan bunye main tere saath! now that I get the ball rolling, you act as if I am going too fast! you baffle me Naku" he gave up with an obvious loss of words. Naku pulled a face and defended herself,as her fingers twisted the corners of her chunni.
"nehin Saab.. mera woh matalab nehin tha.. bas lagan ke baat aap ne ki to lajah ah gaye.." Dutta bowed his head once, and gazed intensely into her green eyes
"aacha.. tell me Naku how does it feel to be such a sought after ladki, that itne thure saman mein ,dau dau lagan ke proposals aah gaye tere liye? Naku brushed her hand to one side and replied meaningfully.
" phele rishta tu maut ke hawale kerna tha mujhe.. pun dossera.. jaisa zindagi dobaara milgaye ho.."she expressed sincerely.. Dutta's rigid deep set eyes softened and he too replied candidly
" aur tu mere jeena ki wajah bun gaye hai Naku.. duniya ke har cheez ab khubsorrat nazar ati hai, it's like being born anew.. long enough I have staggered in the dark shadows of losing a parent.. meri Aye.. although the fear of losing my babaa which still grips me.. long enough I have suffered without purpose and direction.. with you it seems I have found the road on which I wish to travel.. with you by my side.."Dutta shared with her.. completely at ease with her in bearing his soul with her
Kajri watched them from far, and seeing Dutta reclined against the tree she came closer and jumped up, dug her tiny black hooves on the side of his belly and found her way right up to his chest.. Dutta smiled down at her as she rubbed her head under his broad indented stubble chin..Dutta raised his left hand and rested it on the back of her neck.. and with the fingers of his right hand he tickled the top of her fleecy head.. the lamb dug deeper under his chin and gave his neck a warm lick!
Dutta chuckled in glee, whilst Naku giggled at the affection between Dutta and his pet. Dutta shifted his eyes to Naku and added as he patted Kajri's big soft pink belly
"muhje lagata hai , tera se jalti hai ye shararti Kajri! Naku pulled her folded legs and leaned and shuffled her upper half towards Dutta's side and the little lamb. Once beside Dutta , Naku too inclined her back against the trunk of the banyan tree. Dutta was taken aback by their shoulder to shoulder pressed close proximity! Naku slowly sided her head and only just caught his strong defined profile, whilst Dutta rested the back of his head against the trunk and looked straight ahead. However he soon felt the passion of her piercing stare, and found it arduous to resist.. so he too lazily rotated his head and tarried at a sober distance between their profiles. It was enough that their eyes met, that sufficed. Yet Dutta was unable to withstand the prim yet primed gentle pressure of her green orbs and he blinked once quite innocently and looked down at the love of his life Kajri , nestled possessively against the mat of his curly chest hairs. Then he turned to Naku, pensively..
" want to cuddle her Naku? utha isi! dekhon to tera pas ati hai ya nehin.."he challenged with a twinkle in his eye. Naku nodded and sided her arm gently, felt the little lamb's tiny head. Kajri , moved robustly on Dutta's belly , spun and crossed over into Naku's cosy lap! and before Dutta and Naku could stop her she rammed her head on Naku's bosom .. Naku blushed and then giggled loudly protesting. Dutta sided and looped his arms and pulled Kajri away from Naku rather brashly and thumped her back on his belly.. but allowed her to face Naku.. seated close by his side.. he growled at Kajri,
"oyee tu to free ho gaye.. badmaash! and Kajri bleated and fought with his looped right arm to get back to Naku.. Dutta looked down at Kajri .. and then raised his sided eyes to Naku, and murmured
" Kajri hum dono ko pas, pas , mahoos kerna chahti hai.. "and gradually he curved his left arm, lifted it and sank it around Naku's shoulders.The nearness between them was utter bliss , both sat still and chose to look down at the view of Dutta's cattle that grazed.. instead of each other.. Kajri struggled to go to Naku's lap and Dutta kept tugging her back, constantly..
Baji clapped as he popped up stealthily, out of nowhere!
"areee! edhur tu dekho puree ki puree family photo bun ke baithe hain! hum dau humara ek!" He blew a wolf whistle! and Naku , literally pulled herself to the side and hastened to her previous position where she sat facing Dutta.. Baji's loud wolf whistle brought Daksha and Roops too from the side of the hill. They were both with Baji where the three enjoyed the hill side panoramic view! Baji turned to Daksha,
" Daksha vahini, main bol doon ap ko,! ye Bhau aur Naku ke gaare bahut fast track pe ja rehe! ye na ho accident ho jai dono ka, you know takrao! He doubled up and cackled loudly.. without further wastage of time Daksha took charge and asked Naku..
" Nakusha , Dutta na batya tumko? ka wo tumhe apna babba se milwana chata hai? Dutta gave a feeble nod and then Roops barged in..
" ye tu bahut aachi khaber hai, pun ye kaise hoga? kya babba ko bhi edhur meeting point pe le ker ana hoga..? Naku felt stupid.. when she was alone with him, why hadn't she queried Dutta as to how it would be possible? She blushed at the not so long ago sweet moments of affection she shared with him. So immersed was she in their intimate moments, that the thought never truly crossed her mind! she silently admonished herself. Daksha, on the other hand was the one who held a prestigious position in Dutta's household. She maintained the sobriety of mind set amongst the young carefree group present on this hilltop..Dutta she had briefed beforehand and thus he had nothing more to add except his sceptic cynicism.. so Daksha explained to the group who sat around Dutta.. who continued to rest against the tree trunk, reserved, silent and contained
"tu, mera plan ye hai.. aagar Naku ne babaa se milna hai tu , use humare ghar ana hoga! babaa bemaar hai, chal phir nehin sakte .." before she continued, Naku turned crimson and Dutta saw clearly the idea made her uncomfortable.Dutta, moved his eyes towards Baji and shook his head. Baji, sensed Dutta's infuriation and just blinked his eyes with a dependable nod. Daksha meanwhile, was secretively pleased she held all's attention here, as they waited for her to continue. At home, she never held any significance before the two astringent bahus Abha and Bela.. but here .. Dutta ka dost Baji rao.. aur Naku ke dost Roops.. dono hi bindas hain! as for Naku .. she had virtuous feelings, was stunning beyond words.. and in behavior showed consideration, veneration to elders, and was certainly not one who could be in Daksha's face.. yes she well may be the right one for her Dutta Bhau, reflected Daksha. Baji glanced at a pensive Daksha and chivvied her on,
"chalo Daksha vahini tum tu suspense mein he mar do gi ! batao pe apna pura mansooba hum sab ko ! Daksha continued
" jaise maine bola, Naku ko ghar ana pare ga..churri wali bun ke.. ghar main Bela, Abha aur mein kudh bhi churriyan lien ge us sai.." she explained. Naku panicked with expanded eyes, shook her head at Dutta, shook her tiny palms. Dutta , just doubled his chin and once more glared at Baji to come out with a possible solution.. Baji turned to Roops.. and then announced before all..
"areee Naku kis liye? jab hamra pas Roop ke rani hai ! acting mein tu iska jawab nehin! isliye churri wali Roops hi bane ge ! kya bolte tu Roops..? Naku beseeched Roops with her desperate expression. Roops too was fully aware about Naku's shy timidity...acting was far from her forte. But for herself Roops, loved situations that were extraordinary...and this was certainly a chance to prove her mettle , especially as her dimpled boy man too reckoned she would be able to tackle the task!
"aree! fikar ke koi baat nehin! main buno ge churri wali.. aur ye Naku bune ge meri saheli! kyun Naku thujhe tu kio problem nehin ? meri saathi bune mein? Naku smiled, with an eased expression. Her fears seemed to have alleviated, as she gave her consent. Dutta finally hauled himself and stood close to Naku. Then he leaned over to Naku whose head reached below his broad shoulder..
" sooch le Naku.. kar paye dost ka role? now if you chicken out at the last minute ,just remember whose loss will it be , humm.. I hope you get the picture.. waise I realize that for you it's going to the enemies house.. but I assure you if you make it, there will be gains on both sides.. and maybe there is a new positive initiation in the making too.. kya samjhe..? Naku gave him a sided green eyed look accompanied by a small smile. Once the plan was narrated, and roles allocated, Dutta firmly took charge of the situation and ordered, the immediate requirements
" aisa karo Naku aur Roops tum dono ghar wapis jao...aur main Daksha vahini ko ghar le kar jata hai.. Baji tu Roops ko props phooncha dena." Daksha interceded and answered
"uske koi zarrorat nehin, maine Baji ko sab churriyan de dien, hain. jab ye mujhe jeep mein le kar aaya" Baji nearly yelped in repulsion!
" areee Daksha vahini! kya bol rehe ho.. muhje churriyan nehin phaneni ! maila! main us type ka banda nehin! koi lotecha nehin! ekdum asli maal hai! he protested. Dutta glared at him and snapped at Baji's crude sense of jesting remark
"oyeee yehre nautanki! don't talk rubbish in front of the women of the house! jab dekho bak bak! ja ab tu bhi ghar! and with that Dutta gathered Kajri on his shoulders and his vahini Daksha who walked beside him down the hill side. Naku watched as he descended and couldn't refrain herself from calling out behind him
" mera intazzar kerna Saab! main aaye gi".. Dutta paused and slowly turned his head, looked behind at Naku and replied
"mujhe pata hai tu aaye gi Naku.." and then he turned his face and carried on with his descent.
Daksha waited for Dutt , to say some such words that would give her emotional satisfaction. To reduce her belief in the much ignored occurrence ,that do goodness never gets it's due. Whereas evil seems to thrive and prosper all around. Dutta cleared his throat and admitted
"just wanted to thank you Daksha vahini, firstly for honouring and caring for babba.. you put Shinde Bhau to shame, who disregards babba's presence..bhau is blessed to have a girl like you as his life partner. Secondly, I value your keen interest in supporting and promoting mine and Naku's liaison.. now let's see if we can get babaa's approved blessings too.. also Daksha vahini, now it seems to me , that apart from babba, I have someone else in my home who looks out for me.."Daksha eyes welled up and she silently thanked her dieties.. that at last Dutta was the Bhau she always wanted him to be for her..
"dekh Dutta.. everything will be fine.. babaa will be delighted. Naku hai hi itni pyari ke use koi na pasand nehin kar sakta.. haan main hoon us ghar mein tere vahini , bilke teri bahan jaise. Tera bhula chate hoon.. hamesha, and because you have a kind and gentle heart inherently .. your ways will be rewarded by the deities .. Naku ah jaye gi tu your life will gain more stability.. I find joy in the fact of seeing you nowadays embracing life with a new visible surge of affirmation.. this to me are the side effects of love.. I can see where there was disinterest and malaise.. there is now curiosity and sanguinity"... Daksha praised and empowered her vulnerable devar. She suddenly felt queasy and very nearly tottered. Dutta jerked and grabbed her arm protectively..
"tum thek tu ho vahini? he asked concerned. Daksha mopped her brow and smiled feebly, and brushed it aside by blaming the hot weather. Finally home, Dutta off loaded Kajri from his shoulders and she scampered off to the water trough for a drink. Daksha dashed off to the wash room area; and Dutta as per usual headed towards his father's room. He halted midway and veered off too the pump, drew some fresh water in a lotah.. a small metal pot and resumed his stroll to his father's room. Shri Ram Patil , beamed as he spotted Dutta.. and beckoned him to come closer. Dutta propped his babba up and levelled his eyes with his fathers and said..
"ab tumhe bhi zarra saf kerna hai , woh lardki shayeed aye tum se milne.."he explained, as an adult to a child.. Dutta wiped his babaa's face carefully with a wet wash cloth. Ensured that he cleansed his father's wrinkled neck back to front as well. Shri Ram Patil, felt Dutta's strong arm and looked up to him..
"kitna khayal rekhta hai tu mera Dutta.. jaisa ek beti ho." he said in a cracked voice. Dutta ran the teeth of the comb through his father's sparse hair and finally gently groomed his grey stubble, and sat down before his father's bed to inspect him. With a small smile, he reassured his father,
"mujhe ek manchala beegra beta he rehene do babaa! haan ek beti tu hai tumhara pas, Daksha.. aur doosri tum dekh lene aaj.."he replied, then got up and scooped his father in his strong arms and mumbled.." baher sahein mein khulli faza hai, aap baher charpoy per thodi dear beitho "
Daksha emerged out of the toilet.. her face looked pale and feebly she headed to her room for a breather. Of course the two other sister in laws swiftly noted that Daksha appeared poorly for some reason.. Bela being the oldest brother Davde's wife ventured into Daksha 's room, pottered about and asked.. if she was ok.?
"haan theek hoon kuch khas nehin, shayeed garmi lag gaye hai.."Daksha replied reluctantly. It was obvious to Bela that all was fine.. so she retreated from Daksha's room, but went straight to Abha for some tittle tattle..
"kuch tu hai humari sati savatri Daksha ke saath? ju humien nehin bata rehe..bantu mausi he bata sakti hai" Abha shrugged her shoulders and replied curtly
"hamien kya Bela Tai, ju marzi ho is sati savitri ke saath, kudh mein hai rehte hai.. but both knew that they were quite keen to know about this sudden onset of some odd illness with Daksha.. they decided they would contact the old Bantu mausi famed for female aliments in the village..
~~~~~~~
It was a typical late afternoon scene in the Patil household. Dutta groomed Kajri with his longer slender fingers and she warmed to his touch, all sprawled docile on the mud court yard. Bela and Abha, groomed their long hair.. Bela sat on the top veranda step ,with knees propped up, between which sat Abha having her hair oiled, combed and plaited by Bela. Dutta's babba looked up from the charpoy where he sat and smiled at Daksha who brought over a plate of chopped up apple pieces which the old man could easily chew. But then, again she felt light headed and literally made a beeline for her room again.. Dutta stopped grooming Kajri and looked across to Daksha's fast exit from the the courtyard. The other two vahnis too noticed, and whispered amongst each other, there was something definitely fishy..with this Daksha.
~~~~~~~
Two women with their heads covered with heavily mirrored and thread embroidered ghunghats, progressed slowly through the narrow, tight path ways of Patil Vadi gaon. Behind them at a safe distance.. walked Baji, his eyes shifted and sensed all, in case danger lurked. One woman carried a sack of boxed bangles while the other had a basket of assorted bangles hitched between her waist and hip. Churri le lo! screamed Roops.. A few young lads, heard the shrilly voice plus noticed the two young belles , with ghunghats pulled low over their faces. With dropped jaws, the maanchale males leered at how these females gambolled purposefully, their ghaghras bounced and swished about their bodies, selling their wares, looking for female customers.. one young man's resistance snapped! and he tried to approach Roops ,the churri wali.. but before he could.. Baji walked over and held up his arm and twisted his wrist!
"kyun be? lallu! churriyan phenan ka shaq tera mein pura karoon? aur wo bhi free mein! threatened Baji! and the poor man dodged and whisked off! Baji turned to Roops and ordered..
" eyeee Roops! over acting kam kar! aur fatafat mera peeche chalo , main batye ga Dutta ke ghar ka raaste".. the two churriwalis picked up speed ,although Roops carried on with her call..
"churri le lo! Naku as they neared the street.. grabbed her hung ghunghat and peeped at the wide outer wall of Saab's house.. complete with the red door and sided red window.Simple, but imposing boundary just like her Dutta Saab. Inside the house Dutta heard the loud bangles seller's voice, he nearly jumped up to his feet ,but Daksha looked at him across the courtyard.. with a look which meant stay calm! and curb the overreaction.. Dutta folded his legs and sank back on the charpoy next to his father.. Daksha, called out to the busily grooming Bela and Abha,if they wished to buy bangles? The two winded up their beautification session and Bela trudged to the door and yelled..
"eyeee churriwali! edhur undar ah ja! dekhien tu sahi kya beech rehe hai tu.." As the two belles stepped in Patil Nivas , Daksha offered the two churriwali's low flat stools to sit upon in the courtyard. Bela and Abha too pulled up muradhs and sat on them. Curiously excited, they commanded the main churriwali to show the sets of bangles in her shallow wicker woven basket. Roops, chattered away.. like a good business woman, she enticed the vahinis with an assortment of colours ,designs. Roops also added in the main ploy needed for a hard sell.. play on the vanity of women, and harp on what's the latest trend in bangles! Baji pressed his ear to the outer wall and much amused listened to Roops verbal sales sense! Bela and Abha were totally immersed in the process of selecting, trying on and then changing their minds and repeating the process all over again. Roops too kept them occupied till the goal Naku came here for wasn't achieved.. Naku, meanwhile sat mute on the low stool beside Roops. Naku's eyes peered around the house, it was spacious, but not grand like her own house. She noticed the old man seated on a charpoy nibbling on some fruit... he had to be Dutta's father.. She wondered how on earth would she establish contact with Dutta's babaa? with all his vanhini's around.Then her eye feel upon Dutta, seated next to his babaa on the charpoy. She tried to catch his gaze.. eventually she did, and an innocent smile crept on her face for him. But Dutta glared at her instead.. she wondered why ever?
Dutta's whose heart had pounded against his rib cage, as soon as she set foot in his courtyard, knew which one out of the two was Naku. She was the one in the red and blue bandhni print ghagra choli.. he bit his lower lip ,as he glared at her pulled down heavily embroidered chunni that concealed her complete face from him. With clenched fists and beads of sweat that gathered upon his pronounced nose.. upset he looked the other way and a sigh escaped from his lips. His father felt Dutta's arm and looked at him quizzically, as to why he seemed irked? Dutta shook his head and mumbled,
"kuch nehin babba.. pyas lagi hai.." and stormed over to the hand pump and grabbed the handle. As if that was a sign from her sulky swollen faced Saab.. Naku, too echoed his thoughts.
"pani mile ga?.. she requested shyly.. and Dutta's father obliged, instead..
" chali ja udher beti.. Dutta! pani de baachi ko! ordered the old man. Dutta at the pump turned his head slightly as he heard her payal's jingle that narrated her arrival.. Dutta looked at the head fully covered Naku.. and guided her with his palm to stand beside the tap. Naku cupped her hands, bopped her head and raised up her green eyes romantically at Dutta who pressed the hand pump.. once she drank from the tap that gushed out cool water.. Dutta grumbled under his breath as he heaved at the hand pump..
"ghunghat tu uttar de ab..dulhan nehin bune tu abhi! ..what's with the secrecy? like I've never seen your face before.? he rattled under his breath and pumped hard to drown his mutterings.. Naku just giggled and straightened up.. and then after she delivered him a cheeky smile.. with both wet finger tips, she folded back the thick wide border of her ghunghat around her face! and obliged him with a glimpse of what he wished to see her face! It's radiance bounced off, and prompted an arduous smile on her Saab's face too.. Daksha held her breath as she watched from far, the two love birds and she speedily, veered them towards the original plan, as she included babaa in it as well
"babaa aap ne pani peena hai..? Dutta realized the cue! and causally suggested.. to the churriwali's friend,
"pani le kar jao gi mera babaa ke liye..? and thus, he handed her a glass of cool fresh water in a metal glass to take to her father. Gingerly, Naku held the glass and slowly walked over to Dutta's babaa, knelt and touched his feet with her free hand. Dutta too strode over and stood over a reclined Naku.. Dutta's father took the glass from this girl's hand and then placed both his hands on her head.. then he turned his neck up to Dutta and said in a voice that broke and tremored, due to both age and illness..
"yehe haina..woh ? Dutta?.. Dutta leaned over and placed his finger against his top lip and shook his head once.. as he looked intensely at his father. Shri Ram Patil, grasped why his son discouraged more verbal input upon this girl's matter. Dutta had very little trust left in his immediate family.. his father sniffed and dabbed a tear from the corner of his eye with his finger tip and then looked at this sweet girl, still crouched by his legs. Overcome with love he looked tenderly at his beloved Dutta's pasand.. shri Ram Patil smiled.. kahan se mil gaye mera Dutta ko ye nayab chorri? he has to ask her name, surely this was allowed thought Dutta's father ,as he stared long at Naku..
"naam kya hai tera beti..? Naku blushed and partly pulled her pallu against her flushed cheek.. and replied in a tiny voice,
"Nakusha...and Dutta 's father echoed ," Nakusha!.. nehin beti.. tera naam "Nayab" hona chaiye.. Dutta pulled his mouth to one side and hooded his eyes shyly. Shri Ram Patil of course wanted to know more about her, her family, whereabouts? Naku blinked her eyes and gazed helplessly at Dutta. Dutta nodded and encouraged her to speak out the truth. Naku was inclined to say it as it was , but having been granted her Saab's eye of approval, certainly made this task easier for her
"babaa, main ap se kuch nehin chupaon ge.. main saath wale Nana sahib gaon ke beti hai.. Nana Sahib mere babaa ke bare Bhau hain..jab se hosh sambahla hai Nana Sahib ko he apne samna paya hai.." Dutta's father choked with the information that he was imparted by his son's choice.. he turned and tugged at Dutta's arm and forced him to crouch beside Naku before him. With panic stricken eyes he grabbed Dutta's shoulder and expressed his fear,
" Dutta ye kya kiya tune? tu janta hai Nana ke saath humari dushmani hai.. thujhe kuch ho gaye tu zindagi ke ju kuch din baki hain.. main woh bhi nehin jee paon ga Dutta.. phele hi maar jaon ga! thujhe Nakusha ko choorna hoga! he pleaded. Both Dutta and Naku turned their sided heads and looked each other crestfallen. Dutta doubled his chin and went ahead and related the remaining truth about Naku..
"babaa, Naku ne puri baat nehin batye tumhe.. woh Nana aadmi kum aur jalad zayeeda hai! zabardasti apne bhai ke beti ka lagan kisi bhudde Kaido se kar reha hai! babaa kya tum ye anarth hone do ge? bolo? pleaded Dutta as he grabbed his father's hand.." Naku ne mujh pe bharoosa kiya hai ke main use azzadi dilwai ga.. use lagan kar ke.. ab tum bolo tum chate ho ke Naku ko choor doon? uske zindagi ko bardad hone doon..?? bolo babaa? persisted Dutta with urgent tears in his eyes. Shri Ram Patil moved his old tired eyes toward's Naku, who wept silently, stayed on her knees beside Dutta. The old man felt the top of Naku's head and said slowly..
"mera Dutta bahut ziddi hai.. isliye Nakusha, na main, na mera beta tera saath choorien ga, aaj se main tera babaa! aur tu meri beti.." and he placed his other hand on Dutta's head too, and gave his blessings,
"kush raho tum dono mere baachoon.." and with that he attempted to lye back on the charpoy and both Dutta and Naku.. helped him to relax. Shri Ram Patil closed his eyes for a short nap. Somewhat his mind and soul both seemed unperturbed for his Dutta, furthermore. Dutta gave Naku a sided gaze and both faced each other. A sense of attainment was written on their faces. Dutta revolved his head towards Roops and his vahinis. They seemed to have purchased what they desired and he bopped his head at Roops and indicated that their job was completed too. Naku, had she been given the opportunity , would have preferred to continue her tender instances with her Saab, but there was slim chance of that. So reluctantly she made her way towards Roops. Dutta looked around for Daksha, so he could impart to her too, that thanks to her efforts, Naku finally meet up with his babaa. But Daksha was not to be seen. Suddenly all present heard a thud! and ,heads turned and saw Daksha in a heap on the floor in the door way of her room. Naku and Dutta both ran towards. Naku propped her up on her lap.
Dutta reeled his head towards Bela and Abha, livid at their insensitivity shown for Daksha and yelled..
"aap dono ko nazar nehin aya Daksha gher pare hai? dekho kya hoya hai ise? Dutta looked down upon Daksha and found she had turned pallid. Shri Ram Patil , stirred and ordered , koi baith ko bulwai ga?.Bela and Abha moved eventually, and left the house to get bantu mausi.. Naku, sprinkled water on Daksha's face to revive her, but to no avail. Dutta stood over both women.. the caring Naku and a floored.. fainted Daksha.. what a difference there was between Naku and his other two vahinis! he mused with one arm folded across his chest and the other curved behind his back. He looked concerned and Naku suggested..
"Saab give me a hand perhaps we can carry her to her room" Dutta looked down at her and replied.
"step aside I'll carry her ,tu bhi ah ja.."he ordered, as he felt more comfortable with Naku beside him.. he reckoned she would perhaps be more sensitive to Daksha's needs. Naku nodded , hauled herself on her feet and regardless of Dutta's command, still offered a hand to him ,as he lifted Daksha in his arms. He doubled his chin and looked down at a limp Daksha.. he became dewy eyed as he recalled how he despised her too.. and she thought of him not as his devar but as her Bhau.. well he mused, this Bhau of yours says a quiet prayer to Bappa ,that all is fine with you Daksha..
Naku filled another small pot of water to administer cold compress to Daksha's soles. She also turned to Roops who was in the process of packing away her props. While Naku and tended to Daksha.. the women's aliment baith, the aged woman, bantu mausi turned up with Abha and Bela . She was a large woman and seemed in a hurry. On arrival, she demanded to see the patient rightway ! and when directed to Daksha 's room she ordered with a sweep of her hand..
" bhar jao tum sab ke sab! koi mela nehin laga hai! Dutta looked at Naku ,raised his eyebrows ,and jerked his head to her, telling her to leave the room as well. Abha and Bela wished to stay, and thus skirted about the room, but the big buxom woman ,shunted them out too! Shri Ram Patil grew restless and beckoned Naku to him with his wrinkled bony palm.
"kuch pata chala Naku, kya hoya hai Daksha ko? Naku shook her head, but soon after bantu mausi came out in the courtyard and yelled.. " shri Ram mukhya jee! kush kabri hai! ap dadda bune wale hai! Abha and Bela's face just fell.. they never conceived that Daksha would be the first to carry on the vansh! Naku smiled at Dutta who beamed cheek to cheek with delight. Shri Ram Patil.. turned to Naku and held her hand and said spontaneously..
" Naku tera kadam is ghar mein pare tu kushkhbari bhi saath hi mil gaye! Naku blushed and looked across to Dutta and then proposed..
"Saab.. meethia..? Dutta nodded his head and then strode to the door and left, with a spring in his gait. Naku.. touched babba's feet and expressed the desire to leave too.. Dutta's father agreed , blessed her yet again and both Roops and Naku disguised as churri walis left together.. Roops looked at Naku and moaned at still having to carry the basket hitched against her waist. But as luck had it Baji stood outside with his black jeep and yelled at Roops
" ah ja Roops! teri qamar khisaq gaye hogi basket ka weight uthe ke ! jeep mein beith jao dono.. pun boundary fence tak parda mein he rehiyo! He called out.. Roops alighted the jeep much relieved, but Naku veered off to Dutta, who held his arms behind his back , held his stiffened head and carried on walking towards the local sweet mart. Baji seated behind his wheel literally sniggered as he remarked to Roops seated next to him in the passenger seat..
" dekh Roops! Naku kaise Bhau ke peeche ja rehe hai, aur Bhau.. apne dhun mein seedha chala ja raha hai! bagher edhur udher dekhe! I better make their milan possible! and he sounded his horn ! Dutta.. halted. Slowly, turned his head around.. he recognized that horn, it was Baji's jeep ! he saw Naku too hot on his heels.. Dutta swivelled his body and strode leisurely towards Naku and stood before her and questioned her.. with contracted eyes..
" kyun roka hai mujhe? humm? mau tera dekh nehin sakta main! teri chunni se baat kerne ka mujhe shaaq hai nehin.. jane de muhje! Naku closed in and came to his side, grabbed his arm and looked up at him with a terribly softened and innocent expression and pleaded in a semi wilful tone..
"haww hai..Saab, mujhe bhi tu meethi kahni hai.. that's why I am accompanying you to the sweet shop! and she literally spun him around, held on to his arm and walked beside him. Passer-by's who recognized Dutta , noticed a woman in a ghunghat walked with Dutta. Embarrassed he tried to set his arm free from her grip.. sided his head ,and under his breath, mumbled..
" Naku, choor mera bazu , log dekh rehe hain... honestly .. and he rolled his eyes.. but Naku jerked his arm! and held on to it even more tightly, raised her face up to his side and argued..
"Saab ye maat bhulu aap ke mera kadam ap ke ghar mein kushi laye.. so mera bhi haq bunta hai meethai par! Dutta sided his head and looked down into her raised up green eyes.. and overtly flirted.
" mera bas chaale tu sare umar thujhse meethi! meethi , ladoo, burfi ,jalebi wali batien kerta rahoon.. but tu abhi apne ghar ke boundary ke tareef ja ! Dutta ordered gravely .. and released his arm, and called out loudly to his best friend
"Baji drop the pair of them near their boundary and return, fast.." then he turned to a disenchanted Naku and admonished her..
"thujhe tu ghar lautne ke koi fikar nehin! maagar mujhe hai.. that you don't get yourself in trouble..ja ab..ummm..waise aacha laga tera mere ghar pe anna.. kushi aur bhi hoti.. aagar tu rok sakte.." he whispered and then tore himself from Naku's company and stopped at the sweet shop.. Naku pulled up her ghaghra slightly and clambered into the rear section of the jeep.
As Baji drove past the sweet mart.. Naku pulled her ghunghat to one side and turned half of her face ..towards Dutta ,who too sided his face and his eyes bade a sullen farewell to his beloved Naku and he wished within the inner recesses of his heart.. till we meet again Naku...to be continued ~ Hamlet53, 20.3.15
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have super week end people.. and thanks for continuing on this thread.. waise balli where are you? hope all is good with you..
Edited by Hamlet53 - 10 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
