*Hello, as promised here is the summary. It took me two hours to write, old school style with a pen and paper, then a further 2 and a half to type up and post here, I'm having some issues could be because I have used hashtags. I have now replaced them with brackets. And this poor laptop is old and knackered, I'm just glad it didn't turn off mid way! But I hope you enjoy.*
One unapologetic runaway bride: check. One enigmatic loved stranger: check. Four spontaneous meetings: check. Will they or won't they? < well now that my dearies is work in progress.
Welcome to The Red String Theory: the story so far:
Chapter one:
We begin our story on a beautiful summer's day, the birds chirp, the air crisp, the sky a clear blue. Some would call it the perfect day to marry, but our protagonist, Dr Nakusha Rosie' Jain, thanking the guests has something else to say.
June 2014: "Thank you, but I am not getting married today," and with that, she turns with so swagger and flees in her red designer lengha (which she never liked anyway because it was far too showy and way too uncomfortable.) But where is she going?
Paris. The city of Love. Of course. But before you jump to any conclusions, she departs as a lone wolf intent on singularly enjoying her honeymoon. Two first class seats all to herself, she is already winning, wouldn't you agree?
That being so, it must be time for a splendid character entry, no? Well that's exactly what happens. As Nakusha sits reminiscing about a certain stranger in her life, musing about the life he must be leading, a fellow passenger is upgraded from economy to the very seat next to her and upon his arrival, Nakusha has one thing to say:
"This makes it, meeting number four."
And this is where my story begins, by of course going backwards.
Chapter two:
2004: Nakusha is a med student who lives, breathes, sleeps and eats all things medical-sciency. Her life is all planned out. Ace finals, complete the summer S.E Asia medical placement, apply for the prestigious Mckenzie neurology programme at Boston, fly back in October, succeed in the interview, and finally become a world class neurologist. Why neurologist? Because brain trumps the heart always. But there is a small snag. She has baggage, quite heavy too, in the form of her alcoholic, addict mother in rehab.
Swim across the Atlantic, skip a few months to November and sitting stiffly, yawning and eye rubbing, in a small Washington DC hotel room, scoffing every so often at the TV reporting about the 2004 presidential voting results is a journalist who has just landed himself one of many future promotions. His name? Dutta Patil. But he has a chip on his shoulder. The chip being his burdening family name: Patil. The very name that he cannot live up to. Dutta craves two things in life: freedom and flight. Like Nakusha he has plans: to travel, to write and to be the lone wolf. And where does this lone wolf travel to?
Chapter three:
Dec 2004: The Tsunami was fear invoking. Nakusha a volunteer doctor finds herself mid the disaster as she tends to victims. Her plans? Sadly washed away too. Que sera sera. But little did she know that such change of plans were actually a blessing in disguise. Remember Dutta? Yes well he too happens to be mid disaster, his job? Reporting on the catastrophe. What he is actually doing? Rescuing someone. Yes what a fool. The result of which is a dislocated shoulder. (Well he isn't referred to a gaddah for nothing!)
But: small paheli time: Agar humara Dutta ek bara gaddah na hota, toh voh humari Dr Sahiba se kaise milta?
Chapter four:
MEETING NUMBERO UNO: Nakusha fixes Dutta's shoulder, for which she receives a bollywood ishtyle gaali from him. The result sparks fly. No sooner are these two accusomted that they rather comically begin divulging their biggest and deepest fears and concerns. Nakusha informs him that her mother died (ergo the change of plans) and on her deathbed told her that she wished she'd never been born. Dutta tries to soothe her pain, only to realise that is just the surface. Yet he correctly sizes up his doc, telling her that everything she claims to mock: the married life, kids and mostly dependency, is exactly the one thing she craves more than anything. While at the same time, where Dutta rather arrogantly explains how he has escaped the burden that his is family legacy in reality, as Nakusha points out, he's running away from one person: and that is himself.
Aside from heartfelt revelations, flirting ensues, sheer embarrassment follows with the end result that henceforth Dutta shall call Nakusha Rosie. (You know because Jaan Jaanu are overrated!)
Chapter five:
BACK TO THE FUTURE; Marty. Dutta sits rather annoyed in the economy class, whent he stars begin to shine and he is upgraded to first class. (*wink-wink-nudge-nudge*)
Dec 2007: Years after his stint in Thailand with that particular rosebud doctor still in mind, Dutta begrudgingly jets off back home to New York. His family home: Patil manor. Incidentally which if you looke dup in the dictionary would be defined as "the place where, life, love, laughter go to die." The reason for his return? A wedding.
Hold up, before your heart palpitates, let me tell you, it's for his is sister's wedding: Roopvati. But in Dutta's eyes this isn't exactly a marriage but more of a lucrative business deal (sadly at this point Dutta himself has no idea, how right he is.) (RichBrownPeopleProblems)
Basically read this chapter, because here Mrs P makes her entriyaan, and while ghantiyaan to bhaj, it's not in the sense you'd think. Honestly she's a delight. The sweetest woman you'll ever meet. Not the kind to terrorise her house staff, to shun her daughter and most definitely not the type to basically blame her son for everything wrong in the world
(DuttaCausedGlobalWarming)
March 08: Time to check in our favourite doctor. She too like Dutta has been climbing up the career ladder. Her change of plans really were a blessing in disguise. Yet her career isn't the only thing looking up (pun intended (ShortPeopleProblems) in fact she just so happens to bump into a lawyer, spill his coffee, make him lose his case and still end up on a date with him. (I mean like, whatever!)
Chapters six and seven
Flashforward again: (Feeling sea sick yet? Doctor Who has nothing on my level of time travel) Dutta now in Paris, has no booking. (Someone royally screwed up at the office) but Nakusha has the honeymoon suite booked...aagey kya khud hi samaj lo.
Oi no, head out of the gutter. Say it with me with feeling "They are just good friends" reminiscing about meeting number deux.
Aug 2008: Nakusha lands herself a spot at the prestigious Monne medical conference, held in Sydney that year, which marks and celebrates the brilliant minds of the medical world. But issue, she's not alone, along with her has come Kebab mein haddi (KMH for short) or you may refer to him as Jerk (courtesy of Leela, Nakusha's BFF)
Two floors up and who is busy conducting a Q&A with some of the doctors? Mr Patil jnr of course. But he for some reason thinks it is wise to wait a very long time, for an ancient lift to arrive, in spite of knowing he is very late for his next interview and could easily run up the stairs.
Paheli time: Lehkin agar akal hoti toh aachanak se Nakusha se kaise doosri mulaqat hoti?
MEETING NUMBER TWO: one stuck life, two very hot people (literally and metaphorically) and the worlds bizzarest game of twenty questions, is what meeting number 2 is made of. A massive bombshell is dropped: Remember Roops? Yeah well she wasn't the only one being sold' by her folks, her bhau was in line too. But Dutta after his lion-like standoff, walks out, freeing himself of the ugliness that orbits the Patil manor and its inhabitants. But of course two people stuck in a life who are sttracted to each other like hydrogen and oxygen, surely something is about to happen?
Yes and No. Read the' chapter. (Dhak Dhak Karne Laga)
Chapter eight:
2014: In the future, but actually he present (confused yet?) Nakusha and Dutta head upstairs to her ensuite, arguing like cats and dogs (so nothing's changed) where two things happen: One: red and pink roses seriously offend Nakusha, two bombshell number is dropped.
At this point I feel obliged to place a disclaimer here and say that I (Goody2shoes-otherwise known as Naila) am not blame for whatever anxiety and/or anger you shall feel from the following revelation.
That being: Dutta got married. Yes the death do us part, in sickness and in health type married. Sorry. (SorryButNotSorry) what can I say, Beyonce style; someone liked it (dutta) so put a ring on it (Dutta.) (YouSnoozeYouLoseNaku)
But before you get ready to kill me,
Paheli time: when probed about his absent wife Dutta remarks "She's not in my life anymore." Hain? Daal mein kuch kaala hain, par kya? (and don't say, Dutta ne shaadi karli toh daal kaali hi nahi par poori gal gayee hain!) (My Urdu Hindi Spelling Is Appalling)
Yet this is not all, aside from the mystery surround Dutta's wife, you're hit with some bitter memories of meeting number three, clearly all is not well in Tasha world, as Nakusha remembers saying to Dutta "I don't ever wish to meet you again."
Ouchie
Nov 2011: We learn that the blossoming love between Dr Jain and KMH is not as it seems. There love is not at all like Rahul & Anjali more like He's a jerk & she's not. Problem: Nakusha cannot see it. (Stupid Girl)
Chapter nine:
2014: So with that comment of "she's not in my life anymore" Nakusha awakes to find Dutta has left. And she begins to recall her last meeting with him. There's a lot of rain, heart ache, fireworks and a setting sun. With Dutta calling out after her "Rosie, stop Rosie..." and Nakusha brutally yelling "You've lost all right to call me that."
Double ouchie.
July 2012: Baji Rao wins at poker and provides us with the 411 on how to be a sore winner...wait back up, maine to Baji ka intro hi karna bhool gaye!!!
Ok so very quickly three things to know about him: 1) he Loves Dutta (IshqWallaLove) Dutta is his Bff, his chaadi buddy, his go to, his one and only. Don't believe me? Let me prove it, Baji once ran into the airport nunga bunga (before Amir made it cool in PK) in just his boxers, just so he could say goodbye to his bestie who was leaving for a vacation. (PyarIshqAurMohabbat). 2) He has a dimple. That means he can do no wrong. None. Never. No. Ok!? 3) It's his wedding, in Scotland, he's marrying a Scottish lass. And what he did on his bachelor's party shall remain a secret, something he, Dutta, and a few others vowed to take to their graves. Ok so now that's that, let's get back.
After everyone clears out of his room, Dutta and Baji are left drinking to his new life, when Baji bluntly asks Dutta why he wasn't invited to his wedding. (Busted yet that's not all Dutta has brought said wife to the wedding, without anyone knowing. (Backstory: Baji's sister who may or may not be certifiably insane, has a rule no singles allowed. Everyone must have a plus one.) Dutta clearly went all MI4 in sneaking his wife into the wedding, but think more Cruise and less sleazy Kapoor (I mean seriously Anil W*F was that?) but things aren't all roses, Dutta is hididng a major thing, a secret related to his wife, but more importantly as to why he married her.
Chapter ten:
2014: Dutta returns to the room, he didn't flee, he had a work meeting. (DramaticNakuMuch. Naku with her jedi mind tricks convinces Dutta to brunch while slyly planning on fidning out what he meant by "she's not in my life anymore" (This No Longer Is A Love Story But Now A Mystery)
2012: Dr Jain arrives at the wedding (remember the plus one rule?) Yeah she arrives as her ex's plus one. Yep joy to the world, she broke up with KMH, but stupidly she agreed to attend a wedding with him, in what is essentially another country. (Riddle Me That) Naku does attend the wedding but regrets every second of it. The Jerk is being far too friendly, clearly he's Ross (We Were On A Break) and she is Emily (K Bye I Don't Want You Anymore)
Chapter eleven:
"Dr Nakusha Jain, would you do me the absolute honour of marrying me?" (WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT)
SO much for just friends ey? Yes KMH proposes to Naku.
Three hours ago: naku hides in the bathroom, clearly Jerk isn't as charming as he thinks he is if Naku prefers hanging out with the loo. (Just Sayin) As Nakusha regrets coming to the wedding, a random in the cubical behind her pukes. They connect and become weird friends, sort of.
Tip: How to make friends; puke. They hold your hair back, and suddenly you now have this magical bond. (Who Writes This Crap)
Just as this random leaves (FYI she is pregnant ergo the sickness) the penny drops, Nakusha realises whose wedding she is at, and who she's been talking to: Roops. Which must mean: Dutta is at the wedding. (This Is Not A Drill Repeat This Is Not A Drill Dutta Is Here)
2014: As Dutta and Nakusha leave for brunch the hotel receptionist mistakes them for a married couple. If you ask me the receptionist is smart. She is now my favourite character in the confusing fic, with all it's time travel, dozen weddings, nameless jerks. (Pfft Karan Johar Kaun)
Over brunch Dutta purposefully avoids calling Nakusha, Rosie. This irritates Nakusha, who ends up double dealing. Turns out all those years ago in Sydney, Dutta had asked her why she was called Rosie, Nakusha didn't answer him then. She said she would at some point. That some point is now. Except, she doesn't, as Dutta correctly points out. In flashback she reveals that she found an old tape of her first birthday where her parents were playing happy families and so she wasn't ready to divulge that information she doesn't however still reveal why she's Rosie. When Dutta points this out, she agrees to tell, but only if he tells her what he meant by "she's not in my life anymore" (Got You Dutta) but wait, yeh bhi iska baap hain. Dutta agrees but only if Nakusha tells him why she walked out on the Jerk now, on her wedding day and why not all those years ago when Dutta had told her to do so.
(Who Is The Bigger Khiladi)
Chapter twelve:
2012: As Dutta rushes to find Nakusha (the penny dropped for him too, via Roops no less) he bumps into a well dressed lady. Except upon his collision, his sisters revelation of a dirty Patil secret rings hollow in his ears: "Trust me bhau, you'll know when you see her. You'll know that she's dad's mistress." (The Patils Are An Absolute Delight)
Three hours ago: after some questionable posing with a kilt ridden Baji, Dutta steps out for some fresh air, only to find a couple having a domestic argument. The couple are his sister and brother in law. What follows is a much needed, long heart to heart between a broken sister and an apologetic brother. No, just read it.
2014: Dutta and Nakusha ka honeymoon. They visit all the precious Parisan landmarks: Eiffel tower which Naku thinks is "meh" to the infamous love lock bridge. Awww cute right? But I dunno I feel like something is missing.
And true to his namesake KMH arrives to be a kebab mein haddi.
Chapter thirteen:
2012: Roops and Dutta's heart to heart leads to Roops mistaking her new bathroom friend for her bhabi. This leads to Dutta becoming Majnu and running to find her (Bhag Dutta Bhag)
2014: Dutta punches KMH (OK Real Talk Who Called This I Know Someone) Did Nakusha intervenes ordering Dutta back to the hotel and telling the jerk to follow her. If he wanted to talk, then talk they shall.
(KMH Ko Tata Bye Bye Kar Do)
Chapter fourteen:
2014: Dutta fuming enters the hotel room and remembers he's late for a skype date with his favourite man (sorry baji you have been demoted) Rumaan. His nephew. During the talk, Roops senses something is off and talks to her bhau, after he tells her that she' is in Paris, Roops encourages her brother to right his wrongs, especially since both still feel the same way and now that he is no longer obligated (Wait, hold on, what does that mean? What about his wife?)
Nakusha comes crashing into the room telling him that it is done, KMH has left. (You Will Not Be Missed) and that "We need to talk."
Sidenote: Well done, about bloody time, now if only you'd done that ten chapters ago, mera kaam ahsaan ho jata.
Chapter fifteen:
MEETING THREE: in 2012.
Just read it.
(I am tired)
Edited by goody2shoes - 10 years ago
