Chapter Six: Me, Myself and I
Date: 8th of June 2014
Time: 1.45a.m
Place: Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & conference centre, Paris
Mood: Childish
"Sorry Monsieur," the receptionist yet again informed him.
"Are you sure?" Dutta asked, yet again.
She merely nodded apologetically. Of course she was certain she had been scanning the bookings for the past half an hour or so, both online and in the official handbook, yet there was no booking for a Mr Dutta Patil. Clearly someone had messed up, first the flight now the hotel. Someone had royally screwed up and would face the consequences soon.
"Agar tere hogaya hain toh, chale?" Nakusha whined, as she lazily straightened up from leaning against the reception counter. Dutta merely responded in agitation as he fished out his Iphone:
"Who's stopping you? You have your keys, jaa." He ushered, as he began tapping in some numbers.
"You are." Nakusha responded, coming closer to his face, childlike and mocking him
"How?" Dutta asked as he put his phone to his ear, Nakusha grabbed it off him, while he tried to get it back:
"Hey..." he began but Nakusha cut across him:
"Uff chalo," She argued, as she pulled him by his arm.
"What are you doing?" He began as he put his bag over his shoulder and was led by Nakusha towards the lifts. Nakusha pressed the lift button, still tightly clutching his phone.
"Taking you up to our room." She replied back, Dutta raised an eyebrow to which she added sternly;
"Head out of the gutter mister." Dutta rolled his eyes as he retrieved his phone from Nakusha, as she continued;
"I have the honeymoon suite booked here,"
"Here?" Dutta questioned, pulling a face.
The Marriott though beautiful was still mostly used for business, not exactly the most romantic of places.
But Nakusha cut across Dutta;
"It's a double bed en-suite AND a separate single bedded room." she looked at him.
Dutta remained silent.
"Come on dude, I just got you a free room. A thank you would not go amiss you know."
"Thank you, but no thanks." Dutta responded.
"Why?"
"You've already done enough with the flight, I don't need another ehsaan."
Nakusha scoffed loudly;
"Oh get over yourself will you." Dutta was taken aback.
"It's not an ehsaan, it's merely an opportunity for a catch up."
Dutta still looked apprehensive to which Nakusha added, stepping into the lift;
"The offers there, carpe diem, it's up to you."
She had used his line, he couldn't help but smirk at that and stepped in after her, as the door closed behind him. Nakusha pushed the number on the lift for the top floor, and then began to laugh.
"Are you laughing?" Dutta asked looking confused.
"Seriously how much wine did you drink on the flight?"
"None. I'm still teetotal, smarty-pants."
"Then what's so funny? Have you smoked something?"
"Always the drugs, sex and rock n roll with you isn't it?" Nakusha said as she continued to laugh;
Indeed Nakusha was laughing, she had just had a flashback of the last time the two of them were in a lift together, or rather how they had been trapped together.
"What is it then? You didn't go all Ross & Rachel on me and draw on my face?" As soon as he said it, Dutta turned to look at his reflection in the mirror behind them.
"Do you remember the last time we were in a lift together?" Nakusha asked.
She saw his eyes flicker, before he too cracked into a wide grin, recalling their second meeting together.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 21st August 2008
Time: 10.20 a.m
Place: InterContinental Sydney Hotel, The Monne Medical conference
Mood: Anxious
"And Dr Jain, there you are,"
Nakusha, took the nametag from the lady and pinned it to her shirt, just as Leela had done hers, and they both finally stepped into the foyer.
"They've really gone all out this year haven't they?" Leela asked, as she marvelled at interior.
"Just a little," Nakusha replied back taking in the whole atmosphere.
Indeed the place looked a treat, it was bluntly put any doctors heaven. Every year, the largest and biggest Trusts across the world got together to showcase some of their greatest talent. It was a way for such hospitals and their trustees to brag about the research that they had conducted. A soiree for the intelligent, with the hopes of attracting the rich, who'd dig deep in their pockets and finance the next biggest thing: be it cancer research, brain wave mapping or even a complete facial transplant. This was the one and only event that every doctor who knew his/her stuff wanted to be a part of.
Every year Nakusha attended, but this year she was invited. She along with some of her esteemed colleagues (Drs Waters, Cameron, Hamid and Rai) would be presenting their latest findings on Alzhiemer's. A finding that had bought in millions of pounds of investment already, but now would attract global recognition.
The Monne conference established way back in the 19th century always attracted the who's who of the medical world, but over the years that had expanded to anyone with deep pockets. There was no shortage of media, business tycoons and even other professionals who knew a thing or two about medicine. That is probably why, when he had found out that Nakusha was invited, he had taken it upon himself to tag along. They had been going steady for three months now. Nothing was official, it first started off with the casual coffee (if you can call it that), to the frequent dates, till he finally asked her out and they became a couple. Leela never warmed to him.
--------------------------------------------
One week ago
"He's so pretentious Naku,"
Leela declared that Sunday afternoon, as he had dropped Nakusha off at home, while he remained inside the car tending to a phonecall. Leela who had been snooping through the window watching them, now pretended she was tiding as Nakusha crossed the living room and collapsed onto the sofa, switching the TV on, she responded;
"He is not."
"He is, so obnoxious and so far up his own Arse..."
"L, give it a rest."
It didn't matter how many double dates Nakusha would plan between them to help break the ice, nor quiet dinners that she would cook herself to bring about some familiarity, Leela like some stubborn mule just wouldn't warm up to him, if anything, the more Nakusha tried to bring them closer the further she found herself from Leela.
Although Leela and Nakusha didn't live together anymore (Leela was now married,) they were always extremely close, to the point in which Leela's husband would often jokingly insist he got Nakusha in the dowry. Yet since Nakusha had begun dating Mr Obnoxious (as Leela referred to him-one of the more polite terms used by her, even Nakusha had to admit to that) it felt as though Leela and Nakusha had drifted apart.
Nay, as though they were being torn apart. Being a doctor who was climbing the career ladder really fast, Nakusha did not have much free time anymore, whereas once upon a time she would spend it with Leela, it now felt like ever since he'd come into the picture, Leela had been pushed out.
Yet things had gotten worse when Leela found out he'd be coming with them to the Monne convention;
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"Why? What is so wrong, he's a medical lawyer, why can't he be there?" Nakusha had asked.
"And that's half the problem Naku," Leela had whined
"What is?"
"That he's a lawyer."
"What, are you anti-lawyers now?"
"Not in principle. But yes I'm anti-him."
Nakusha exhaled sharply while Leela continued:
"Seriously Naku, the guy sues the likes of us for a living, how can that not irk you?"
Nakusha had rolled her eyes;
"It's just a job."
"What just like you being a doctor is just a job?" Leela had challenged.
"That's different." Nakusha had began, but internally she was relieved that Leela had only meant the question rhetorically, because in all honesty Nakusha did not know how it was any different at all.
Yes he was a lawyer, a medical lawyer-one who worked in negligence and more than that in favour of the claimant. Brutally put yes, his sole aim in life was to sue doctors, to put people like Leela and Nakusha out of business. Of course, Leela's reservations could be understood.
"Why does he have to be the third wheel? He's always just there intervening in our lives." Leela instantly replied.
"SO what would you call Raman then?" Nakusha challenged, albeit she had not meant a word of it. She loved Raman, to her he was the brother she never had. But Nakusha felt she had to fight her corner, even if she was using Raman as a weapon.
"Raman is a doctor, he is going as part of his team. He isn't tagging along."
"But he'll still be with us." Nakusha responded.
"Yes and he's my husband, I thought you liked Raman?" Leela asked,
"I do,"
"SO what is the problem?" Leela asked,
"I'm not the one with the problem, you are."
"What?"
"Yes L, you are." Nakusha paused, her tone somewhat softer, an almost plea now rising through as she spoke again:
"I like him ok, I really do and he likes me. Can you please just as my friend, support me on this."
Leela was silent for a long time.
"I don't like him." She began, her arms crossed.
"Ok,"
"I don't think I'll ever like him," she continued,
"Ok,"
"I still think he's a grade A arse wipe..."
"Leela,.." Nakusha began angrily,
"BUT." Leela interrupted louder, to silence Nakusha,
"As your friend, your best friend, who loves you more than you deserve, I suppose I can tolerate him."
Nakusha, ran up to Leela and hugged her, while Leela stood still begrudgingly, adding;
"Naku, you can do so much better. SO much more better."
"Better," Nakusha replied still hugging her.
"Yes" Leela said happily feeling as though she had finally gotten to her best friend.
"No, better." Nakusha responded back
"Huh?" Leela asked confused.
"You said it wrong. It's not more' better. It's just better."
Leela sighed annoyed;
"Sorry, you grammar Nazi," she uttered, before she heard him walk in and say:
"Who's a grammar Nazi?"
Leela just gave him a disgusted look before muttering to herself;
"Aaja, teri hi kami thi," as she walked out of the room, pecking Nakusha on the cheek she hurriedly said something about a lunch date with Raman and left.
"Was it something I said?" He asked Nakusha as he made his way over to her.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ok, so your presentation is at six right?" Leela asked, as she and Nakusha waded through the crowds,
"Yeah, don't be late. Make sure Raman is there."
"We'll be there with bells on," Leela responded back supportively,
"What time is Raman's?" Nakusha asked,
"Tomorrow, they got pushed back. He's with his team now, preparing for the open Q&A." Leela replied back proudly,
"Crap, I forgot about the Q&A, I'm just glad, mine is closed." Nakusha responded, recalling how they had been warned that this year aside from the usual conferences and talks, there would be an additional Q&A with journalists.
"That and that I'm not nearly as beautiful as Raman, plus the camera add ten pounds." Nakusha amused, pinching the side of her stomach.
"Chal chal." Leela laughed,
"Seriously L, between the two of us, I never thought you would be the one to end up with a pretty boy." Nakusha smiled.
It was no joke, Raman was indeed a very beautiful man, with a defined jaw line, thick luscious hair, hazel eyes and a body that would put most bollywood actors to shame, he was-no is- a thing of beauty.
"Yeah, I didn't think you'd end up with a jerk either." Leela added;
"Not this again L," Nakusha huffed.
"And look what the cat dragged in," Leela had seen the jerk coming towards them, so she hugged Nakusha and bid her adieu;
"I'll see you later." She said
-------------------------------------------
Date: 21st August 2008
Time: 12 p.m
Place: The Monne Medical conference, Q&A with media
Mood: Vini Vidi Vichi
"And that is the cue for a break" Daniel called out,
Dutta's stomach had just grumbled loudly, as they finished up with the Q&A session with the oncologists from Marsden.
"Back at 2p.m, guys." Daniel announced, as Dutta packed his stuff and headed out.
The Monne conference coverage had been one of his side projects, he wanted to be a part of it since news flew through the channel that they had acquired the television rights this year to air it, well that was until he realised how much of an influence his family had over the whole ordeal. Although no one in the Patil family was a doctor, they did all have deep pockets.
Events such as these always attracted their attention; not because they felt particularly charitable, but because such investment was always profitable. Unquestionably profitable. As it so happened, the Agnihotri's were one of the biggest players in pharmaceuticals- as Dutta saw it they could be blamed, well partially at least, for the increasing cost of medicine in the third world. They were clearly going to be a part of this conference, and ergo ever since the Patil-Agnihotri alliance, or rather Roops' wedding, without a doubt, Dutta knew his father would be here too.
So far he'd managed to steer clear; their last meeting hadn't gone down too well. After his much awkward interaction with his mother, he got another bitter welcome from his father. It may have been Roops' wedding, but Dutta could not feel like more of an outsider if he tried. His only solace was the fact that he got to hang out with Baji.
Yet it was the night before he was to fly out that the ultimate blow had come. Although years before, Dutta and his father had already had a showdown over Dutta taking up his new job in London post returning from Thailand, but it was January 2008 after Roops' wedding that resulted in the biggest divide in the Patil men, that would never heal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
7 months earlier
Dutta had been drinking, heavily: well it's not every day your sibling get's hitched. Or at least that was the excuse Dutta used as he downed another bottle. Truthfully he wasn't quite sure why he was drinking. He didn't know whether he was masking pain or if he'd drunk merely to stay out of sight of his darling parents. Either way, by the time he had stumbled towards the back patio, suffice to say Dutta was drunk, heavily drunk.
"Are you sure Patil Saab?" the first voice queried;
great so now they're sitting out here.'
Dutta thought to himself, as he turned to leave, but was stopped in his tracks when he heard his name, but this time being uttered by his own father;
"Yes I am certain. Dutta will marry Priya."
"Maybe you should ask hi.." Whatever the man was about to say got cut off, as Damodar Patil raised his hand to silence the man before him.
Someone else now spoke it was Mrs Patil;
"Mr Sharma, aap fikar maat kare, voh manay ga."
"Par Shireen..."
This was a new voice, Dutta didn't recognise who, but from her tone it was clear she was Mr Sharma's wife and possibly Dutta's mother's friend. No-one called Mrs Patil anything other than Mrs Patil-there were no ifs and buts that's just how it was. In fact Dutta must have been about seven before he came to learn of his mother's forename. For as long as he could remember-and even after that revelation-she was and would always be Mrs Patil. But if this woman called her Shireen, then she must have known her.
"Lekin vehkin kuch nahin, Annie, Dutta will marry Priya." Mr Patil spoke;
"I trust Priya is happy with this rishta?" Mrs Patil asked, looking more at Mr Sharma;
"Yes, that isn't our concern, Shireen." Annie Sharma spoke, her worries clearly shining through;
"Then you have nothing to worry about," Mrs Patil responded, while her husband added;
"We'll handle Dutta, you just prepare for the engagement, he is our son, he will do as we tell him."
"Oh I am, am I?" Dutta had stumbled over to them, his eyes very red, partly because he was drunk but mostly because he was angry;
"Dutta, what is the meaning of this? Go inside you are clearly in no fit state." Mrs Patil began
"Max, help Master Patil,"
Poor Max came running over, but was pushed aside by Dutta who growled
"Gerroff me."
Mr Patil did not speak to Dutta, instead he looked at the Sharma's;
"Dutta, is in no fit state right now, I apologise on his behalf, we'll talk tomorrow, Max show our guests to their room. Mr and Mrs Sharma, if you will please." Mr Patil motioned for them to follow Max inside, but Dutta stepped forward, joining his hands together he plastered the fakest smile he could he looked at the Sharma's and said;
"Oh no, please, don't let my father apologise on my behalf. Where are my manners? I am sorry, Mr and Mrs Sharma." He now bowed his head before laughing a little; Mrs Sharma stepped away from him, clearly his alcohol stench was offending her.
"Oops, sorry Aunty...I mean Sasu ma,"
"MAX!" Yelled Mrs patil, the Sharma's were escorted quickly from the patio inside, while outside all hell broke loose.
"Where are they going, surely they want to meet their son in law, come back..." Dutta headed after them, only to find his father had stepped before him, looking directly at him with utter disgust;
"Oh and look there it is the look I've grown up with. The look that tells me I'm no son of yours."
"Well what do you expect, after that appalling display?" Mrs Patil spoke, only this time Mr Patil showed his wife his hand.
"Shireen, go inside, I have a few words to say to my son."
"Son? Kidar hain? Kaun? It's clearly not me." Dutta asked as he looked around frantically to find Mr Patil's son.
"Shireen."
Mrs Patil didn't need to be told again as she gracefully walked away leaving the Patil men.
"Sit."
"No I'd much rather stand," Dutta replied as he lost balance, grabbing the nearest chair he held onto it for support and added laughing through tears;
"Ok, so not stand, I'll lean awkwardly; go ahead Daddy dearest, let's have our father son moment. So tell me, how much did you sell me for? Surely I must have fetched more than Roops?"
"I will not repeat myself: sit."
Dutta sat, not because he obeyed his father but because he really was drunk:
"As you've clearly heard, we've fixed your rishta with Priya Sharma."
Dutta nodded, and clapped for himself.
"The Sharma's are our longest and closest business associates, they are happy with this alliance."
"Acha? Because from the looks of it, they didn't look that impressed with me."
Mr Patil ignored Dutta and continued;
"We're hosting a small engagement the day after tomorrow, and the wedding will be this summer in our London house. Families across the globe have already been invited."
"Figures, I'd be the last to know." Dutta responded.
Mr Patil narrowed his eyes at Dutta;
"Priya is a nice enough girl, well bred and well educated; she isn't tough on the eyes too."
"Vah, she sounds like my dream girl," Dutta interrupted.
Maybe that had done it, or it could have been Dutta's continued insolence, or may be just Mr Patil was not used to talking to his son for so long but whatever it was, what he said next is what tore Dutta apart. Well if there was anything left to tear;
"I could not care less if you like this girl or not. I am only concerned with showcasing a fairytale wedding. Whether that resonates into a marriage or not is your problem not mine. Make no mistake; your happiness isn't my priority. You are my son. I have a business. The Sharma's will bolster it. I just need the link in between; which happens to be you. You will marry this girl. No questions about it."
Mr Patil had raised his finger, as though Dutta was a three year old rolling on the floor throwing a strop. Dutta couldn't help but think, if some weird magic suddenly happened now and Dutta indeed shrunk into a three year old and threw a tantrum that would still go unnoticed by Mr Patil, who only cared about numero uno: himself.
Mr Patil was not finished;
"I have no idea what you are punishing us for. Perhaps it was all the money, the lavish lifestyle, the holidays the aesh our araam that we gave you. I don't know and don't care. You died to me the day you walked out of here. Do you have any idea, how much you have embarrassed me? Your mother? Your sister? You shamed us all with your shenanigans, yet we let you. May be we were under some misguided belief that you'll come round, but the years went by and you worsened. Fool me once Dutta, shame on you, but fool me twice, shame on me."
There was a pause, a pause within which Dutta could swear he saw years of hatred in his father's eyes, before he added with finality:
"You will marry Priya. End of."
Dutta just sat there in silence, a minute passed, before he got up, if he was drunk, the intoxication had now clearly worn off as he no longer struggled. Dutta didn't say much, in fact he said only one word. His father had done all the talking and cleared any misunderstandings:
"No,"
Mr Patil got up,
"I beg your pardon?"
Dutta merely repeated his word straightening his shirt, wiping his mouth;
"No,"
Mr Patil glared at Dutta, his eyes piercing, the vein on his forehead throbbing:
"I will not marry Priya. End of."
And with that Dutta walked out, not just the patio, not just the house, but from the Patil family. Dutta walked out of their lives for the very last time, until the last time.
---------------------------------------------------------
* Ok, ok, please don't throw your chappals, I know I said that up next was the Tasha meeting number two, but once I checked the word count I realised how long it got, so instead I decided to leave it out, until the next update!*
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
CID
