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- Chapter Eight
Roopa Tai
Naku was lost in her past, once she was so deep in her memories it would often become difficult to come back from them. When suddenly, Roop entered Naku's room uninvitedly, and came in huffing and puffing of how overprotective he's already become, she complained, expecting Naku to understand what she was talking about, although Naku did, but Roop had never confided in her that she was in love with Baji. Naku just smiled on and was reading between the lines, and with Roop's most recent comment she knew that Naku had caught up with the fact she was crazy about Baji, and replied usse abhi tak pata nahin hain na..isiliye...woh aisa bartaav kar raha hai..., she comforted Roop as she placed her hand on her right shoulder as she walked up to her, and Roop just answered with a slightly shattered smile, getting abit worried at the same time if what she thought was jealously in Baji or just anger for his best friend's kid sister.
And to change the subject, she quickly diverted the topic to Naku's recently discovered piano skills, which Roop was eager to see in action, as she'd always liked watching people play, but never held the passion to play herself, while dragging a reluctant Naku out of her room, and down the corridors' to her own room, forcing her on the stool before her electronic keyboard, which Naku just stared down at blankly.
Arre sharam karo Kalvathi, sharam karo....ek bache ki maa ho tum kam se kam itni to koshish karo ke log tume itni pehachan aur izzat to de sake, ke tumare gande karnaamo se Anay ka bavishiya to barbaad nahin hoga, aur uski nazrien sharam se naa jukni pare jab logo ko pata chale ke woh Kalavathi ka beta hai.
..................mmmmmmpppppphhhhhhhh, sniffed Kalavathi deeply as though she were inhaling her breathing as per a yoga instructor's teachings, with one finger of her right nostril blocking any air in that direction, and only letting it in through her left nostril, as she pulled her head back up in a deliberately rushed motion from the glass table with her eyes rolling slightly above her eyelids, not being able to take the force of the white powder entering her body, and than once she'd recovered herself, she repeated the gesture a second time but this time through her right nostril and making a gesture with her hands feeling her nose, as if to see if it were still intact or something, she finally stood up and faced Kishore who was looking at her in disgust. Kyun Kishore, mujhe to koi pharak nahin parta ke log kya soche mere bare mein, jab main tumare saath chalti hu...to main to yeh nahin kehti.....ke log mujhe ek bache ki Maa samjhe...ya phir...she continued sarcastically with her arms crossed and threw a glance at him....tumhe mera baap, and than she saw Kishore leave without replying to her baseless babbling, as she threw a smile at the one side of her higher raised lips, and waited for the adrenaline of the drugs to hit her.
Why did they have to come back today, thought Kishore to himself as he made his way down to the celebration.
Arre ghoto, jaldi se, lo Bhau tum bhi piyo, Baji said as he distributed a green liquid form of a Cannabis based drink, which consisted of Cardomom seeds, black pepper, white poppy seeds, hara pista, almonds, and of course milk and bhaang the essential ingredients, which were grinded into an almost liquid type paste, and than inserted into the milk which now everybody, including the bodyguards were attacking from Baji's bara wala matka. Eventually everyone became stoned by the drugged liquid, and were dancing to all types of Shivaratri songs playing on the radio, which were setup to big speakers, also due to Baji, and everyone was just enjoying the atmosphere, when suddenly everyone who'd consumed the Bhaang, grew a big apetite, and had finished all the food Naku had prepared since morning and left, knowing that Bhaang was being served in the house a day before thanks to Baji's big trap, she'd made loads of dishes pre-prepared from the previous night, and cooked a few extra things in the morning before leaving for the Mandir, which of course Baji was most grateful to when he discovered the appetizers lying in the Kitchen as he was the first one to get hungry, clever Naku he thought, she was becoming his favourite day by day.
Naku knew that everytime Shivaratri came she had to prepare many dishes, as she was used to it by now, 'cause of Gaurav who always drank sooo much Bhaang he wouldn't wake up for two days, and Shastri ji assured Naku he was safe, as drugs had different effects on different people, it used to speed up the heart rate, giving high outbursts of sudden energy, causing the body to get more tired later when its effects wore off, he told her.....he's probably had bhaang today too, thought Naku as she stared down at the keyboard.
Naku tried to explain to Roop that she couldn't accept her kalaa, as she'd promised her Tai that she wouldn't use her talents until Naku had paid her debt off, and she couldn't break her promise....Naku made up a lame excuse, quickly in order to protect the promise she'd made her Ayi, some time back.
But Roop wasn't buying it she told her that she watched Naku's face when she was reciting her story to her, and how much satisfaction she had on her face just remembering that she played the piano, since than Roop had wanted to see her passion come to life, but than why was she refusing, thought Roop to herself.
Tumhari Tai ka naam Roopa hai na....she started as she saw Naku nod her head up and down in agreement and continued, to mera naam bhi Roop hai, to hui na mein tumhari behen, jisse tumne waada kiya ta samjho wohi tumhe aaj keh rahi hai ke Naku aaj tu jee bhar ke apni Tai ke keliye khel...kho jaa apne suro ki mehfil mein, she encouraged Naku, who looked at Roop in awe thinking she is the same age as me but yet her words felt so right, she felt like huggin Roop wanting to feel the comfort from her words in her embrace. How could she refuse her Naku thought to herself.....when she didn't say anything but just nodded her head in a yes and put her hand on Roop's left cheek, who was kneeling by the stool with her elbows on Naku's knees still giving her that encouraging look. But Naku had told Roop that no matter what happens she must never tell anyone of her past that she disclosed to her today, and Roop just closed her eyes in reassurance and also nodded her head, moving away from Naku at the same time giving her space to play the keyboard..........
As Naku positioned herself correctly in front of the keyboard, she admired it with her fingers by lightly brushing them over the keys.....and than suddenly realising what she was doing turned back to Roop nodding to her saying I can't do it, she told her she didn't have it anymore she didn't have the confidence or passion, and she just couldn't.....
When Roop simply told her, yes you do, you have everything, you just need to believe in yourself, when you let your fingers play remember all the good times you had with Gaurav, remember how you felt when Gauri taught you how to play, remember how you felt you when your fingers first touched the keys on the piano, make all your memories come back to life Naku, she told her with the music you can relive all memories and keep them alive........
When Naku's fingers started to place themselves on the right chords automatically, as if she knew exactly where they were like a second language, and than she struck the first few chords together and began to play............
(Please play this to get the full efect of evrything I'm trying to create, please)
Can't post a link yet again, but if you'll be kind enough to go to utube again, and type in Mar Jawan Piano Cover, by Aakash Gandhi, or now you can click on the link below in AzMishy' or Sophia's post, thanks girl's, I will really appreciate it, please !
As she played effortlessly, all her memories had flashed before her closed eyes.......
......Jaldi chalo Naku, kitna waqt lagega tayaar hone mein, dher hojagyi....said Roopa Tai, aur waha jaa kar gaana aur naach bhi to tumhi ko karna parega she reminded Naku, who was now out of her room and looking gorgeous.
As they went accross the gali to a friend's house to attend a wedding function, it was Naku who was chosen to sing and dance as she always was good at it and enjoyed it thoroughly, so whenever any functions took place it was always Naku who the first on the list, but her friend told her that she wanted her to perform with her brother, who Naku didn't know, but accepted nonetheless.
Everyone was so impressed with the newly coupled duo, and cheered them on to perform further until the night grew tired and everyone retired to their homes after the doli had left. It was at this wedding Naku had first come accross Gaurav who was her friend's brother, which she never knew of........
Dekhiye Babi Ji, aapki beti mein gun hai, aur iski jaga yahan nahin Banaras mein hai, jahan yeh apni kalaa ko ek naya rukh de sake aur apni awaaz ka rehaaz kar sake, aur dekhna aapki beti zaroor uche staano par pohanch paye gi, convinced Shastri Narayan Ji, to a flattered yet confused Babi, she wanted the best for both her daughter's future but she couldn't just up and leave everything behind, she had a job to tend to, a drunken husband to take care of, and her youngest child Sethji who could barely put sentences together.
.........Mera muh bola bhai hai.....jaada same nahin rukhega...bhej de apni beti ko...khil jayega uska bavishya, explained the newly wedded bride's mother, and than gave her the idea to send both daughters to learn that way Babi wouldn't have to leave everything behind and Roopa could take care of Nakusha, while in Banaras, as the first day of the holidays had kicked in, everybody was quick to come the decision of both girls learning singing and dancing at Shastri Narayan Ji's ashram, and always travelled to Banaras and spent their holdiays there.
Roopa Tai had quickly learnt her routines and lessons and became quickly familiar with Banaras, leaving Naku under the guidance of her Guru ji, Roopa became more independant, and started travelling to and from home herself, she would often leave the ashram and told Naku she was returning home to check on Babi, and will return shortly, this carried on for a while, but nobody ever suspected anything, not even Guru ji.
But whenever Naku spoke of her Roopa Tai to Gaurav he never seemed to want to discuss anything, he was never fond of her, and always protected Naku from anything bad and tried to keep the bad ways of the world unexposed to Naku, always telling her the positive side of all aspects. But Naku now knew that Gaurav was aware of Raju, who would often cast his evil eye on Naku too, and for that he always stuck to Naku like glue, never letting her know of the dangers lurking above her head.
When one day Gaurav had dropped Naku back home to her basti as her Guru ji and Gaurav had to leave for a procession elsewhere two days early, they found out that Roopa Tai hadn't came home six days ago like she'd said. Gaurav had left immediately not wanting to intrude, as he had a fair idea of what was going to take place next, and told Naku he would call at the local shop when he returned home.
As Naku recalled the hurtful memories her fingers had come to a stop, but her memories could not..........
Eventually Roopa Tai had come home knowing what had happened as she'd found out about the early departure of Naku, hence Babi finding out about her missing spree's 'cause Naku was sure to tell Babi all the details. She knew that she would have to reveal the truth no knowing how to, but than Raju had caught up with her on the way home, which is where everybody had found out what Roopa Tai was up to.
....Roopa had met Raju in Banaras, who was there for personal business which was based in Dal Mandi, but after his relationship with Roopa he would always pop up when Naku and Roopa were there, Naku never paid much attention, for when he was there, Gaurav would always take Naku away under some pretense or the other, as if he knew something Naku didn't. One day when Roopa had found out that Naku had such passions and hobbies she felt she could ask to borrow money from Raju, who was never short of cash, although he were a small time business man.
Overtime, Raju had asked of the money back, which shocked Roopa Tai, and told Raju she couldn't as she didn't have it, when he explained to her she can and more so, that they could both become rich together if she'd trusted him, which unfortunately she did. That's when the so-called journey's to home began from Banaras, as Raju would escort her to Mumbai for short periods of time, made money on her and brought her back to cover Naku's expensive hobbies, costumes, props, keyboards and so on.
Raju had told Roopa that all she would have to do is use her talent she'd learnt from Banaras and lure rich men to shower their money on her beauty and flaunt her dancing skills and singing as a bonus to make more money, an innocent Roopa falling in Raju's trap thought things were that simple, and trusted him blindly as she thought they were both madly in love, but than much to her dissappointment, she'd found out the worst way, when the rich drunk man had showered his money as promised but when he'd forced physical love on her, stealing her virtue, and turning her into lifeless being overnight, all the while Raju stood outside and heard her screams, and did nothing, but instead came in the next day and counted the money selfishly, the drunkard had lavished on Roopa.
When Roopa had tried to escape her fate many times, Raju blackmailed her into sticking with the trafficking in Mumbai, or else he will have her sister Nakusha picked up instead, for she was far more beautiful than her, and more talented, and her blue eyed and fair complexion would bring a ransom lump sum in his pocket and that he didn't even need to waste time with her, for Nakusha was the real lottery ticket, and when she'd blossomed, she would be next, threatened Raju.
And to protect her sister, Roopa had complied with all of Raju's terms and left with him for Mumbai, Ayi didn't want anything to do with her, and refused to touch her money Roopa sent soon after settling there but Babi had it sent back, as people in their basti looked down on their family, and even started spreading rumours that Nakusha was also a prostitute too. This is when Babi couldn't take it as they could not live a respected life amongst society and neither could she get Naku married off, and told the family they must flee from there, as they knew Raju would come back one day when Nakusha will bloom.
When Nakusha had found out they were to flee, she'd pleaded with her Mother to move to Mumbai so they could find her Tai, as she was facing these problems, which was an understated word to use, all because of Naku, who could never forgive herself for wanting to have such desires that her Tai always fulfilled, without ever showing what she'd sacrificed, just to keep her kid sister safe.
Babi had hit the rooftop when she heard Naku's words, she became furious, that how could she want to go the same place where such things were happening, they'll turn you into a prostitute she screamed at the tops of her lungs to Naku, growing more in rage....when Naku replied well all because of me my Tai has turned into a prostitute, she couldn't take the burden and broke down, .....and than determined she told her Ayi, that if she wasn't prepared to go, than she'll go alone.......
..........That did it for Babi, she in rage had smothered black kajol lying beside her on the broken dressing cupboard beside her all over Naku's face, and dragged her towards the cupboard and showed her, her reflection in the mirror, and said this is what you'll become muh kaala karva ke beth jayegi tu bi.....she cried breaking down on the floor next to her, and than she put a deal in front of Naku without thinking saying that if you are prepared to spend the rest of your life like this and you promise me that you'll disown your shiksha, than you can get your way and we can go to Mumbai, to look for Roopa....... she finished staring at her through red and dertermined eyes with flared nostrils knowing Naku would immediately reject the idea....
But than to her surprise Naku answered main karegi Ayi, apni Roopa Tai keliye main aaj se apna roop aur rang chipaakar rakhegi aur apni poori shiksha ka tyag karegi....she promised her Ayi without any emotions reflecting on her face, and leaving a shocked Babi stuffing her pallu to her lips, and nodding her head in rejection, like somebody had just announced a death sentence......
Babi's family never knew the real reason why Roopa had done what she did, but than when Gaurav's phonecall came at the STD the next morning, she'd explained how her Tai had left, and Babi disowned her in front of the entire basti, who were witness to Raju and Roopa's conversation, all the while Nakusha sobbed down the phone, when Gaurav had admitted that he knew what the affair was.....leaving Naku absolutely shocked.
He'd sent Naku a letter that following week explaining how he came to know, which is why Naku knew what she knew of her Roopa Tai today.........
Baji, itni bhaang matt pi ke kal ko boxing match keliye tum jaa na poa, kal woh naya fighter....kya naam tha.....said Dutta trying to jog his memory...haan, Ravi, kal se Ravi ki paheli fight hai na....questioned Dutta to a buzzing Baji, arre haan Bhau he replied...saala aaya tha mere paas filam actor bankeliye aur apni body dikharaha tha muhje ke main roz gym karta hain vagera vagera....aur maine usse bola ke saale to body banata hai to actor kahe ko bana chahata hai tu, to maine kya kiya Bhau, usko bola ke pahele tu hamara fighter ban ja, taake tu kuch paisa kamah sake, aur phir tujhe woh Priyanka Chopra wali filam mein uske saat pation mein se ek pati tujhe bana denge suli par charane keliye....hain na Bhau ekdum rapchik idea.......as he picked up his hand to meet with Dutta's in the air while they joked about this 'wanna be actor' come 'fighter', Ravi.
Another long update, but you've got almost all of Naku's past now, and the characters are starting to settle in slowly.
And Shilpita I hope my pic explains that I'm not a guy lol, and thank you Shilpa for posting the link for the song in the previous update, really appreciate it babe.
Guys please always play the songs when it says, as that is where my inspiration of the story comes from...music.
Hope you guys are not getting bored..??
Tink😉
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