*********Yun Hota To Kaisa Hota *********
Yeh Nokh Jokh, Shararetein
One fine morning at Patil Niwas, after Raja, Rani returned to rule Patilwadi.
Nakku was in the kitchen getting breakfast ready, making sure there was something special for everyone. Her hurried steps to and fro the kitchen to the dining table went unnoticed.
Aayi Saab was at the mandir, lighting lamp, busy with her usual morning puja.
Baji, in the living room, was on the phone talking to some business associates on the recent deal that was getting finalized.
Dutta walked out of the shower, up to the closet, a red towel across his shoulders and realized his clothes would be on the bed. He turned around to see the turquoise blue kurta on the bed, picked it up and smiled. 'Ab to tere bina jeena hi bhul gaya hoon', the grin widened on his face. Fastening his watch he walked out into the foyer of his room to see Nakku at the dining table setting up breakfast. Hands on the railing he leaned over, watching her. Nakku breezed in and out of the kitchen and finally emerged with a large jug of fruit juice that she poured into one of the smaller jugs on the table.
As she filled the second jug at the other end of the table, instinct made her look up to find Dutta on the verandah looking down at her. He straightened as their eyes met and continued to look at her. Mesmerized she returned the gaze back not realizing the jug overflow, spilling the contents over to the table. She jerked her head back, too late.
Getting a napkin from the kitchen she dabbed the spilt liquid, looking back at him, a deep crease drawn across her brows.
'Sab aapki galti hai, Saab' her look clearly conveyed the message.
'Mein ne kya kiya', He smiled, 'Aur phir itne door khada hoon ' he shrugged his shoulders in reply.
'Sab aapki galti hai, bas' she nodded her head affirming her statement.
He laughed out loud irritating her further. She continued wiping the table refusing to look up. After a few more rounds up and down the kitchen she stole a glance up to the balcony. Hands folded on his chest he continued to watch her with a grin still pasted across his lips.
The next time she looked, he touched his ears as if in apology and motioned her to come up and she nodded her head in a big NO.
Aayi Saab, done with puja walked into the dining, to see Nakku at the table looking up and nodding her head. She stepped closer to the table and saw Dutta on the balcony. She looked at the two of them talking to each other in their own world, hid her smile in her pallu and looked on.
He turned his lips down at the corners and put out his most appealing face, pleading a couple of times with his eyes, gestures, as she continued to say no. Upset he finally signaled he was coming down. He turned and walked down the stairs adjusting the sleeves of his kurta, not leaving her gaze as she continued to say no. Just as he landed the bottom of the stairs she turned around for an escape and found Aayi Saab looking at her.
'Aayi Saab, aap kab ayi ? Naashta taiyar hai aaiye na' she took Aayi Saab her by the arm and led her to the table. As they moved towards the table Nakku looked at Dutta giving him a broad smile.
Dutta who had already taken a few steps to the table, did a U turn to walk back as soon as he saw Aayi Saab.
'Dutta, kahan jaa raha hai, nashta taiyar hai aa jaa' Aayi Saab stopped him.
He nodded at Aayi Saab, and turned to glare at Nakku as if to say 'Dekh loonga tujhe'.
Aayi Saab controlled her smile pretending not to have seen any of this.
Nakku put a straight face, trying to suppress her smile.
Soon the others were around and all seated on the dining table, the usual hustle bustle.
Nakku came and sat beside Dutta who continued to sulk at his setback. She served him food and poured out a glass of juice. He laughed gently at Roops and Baji's argument but refused to touch the food, the pout still evident on his face. She stared up into his face, suddenly aware that he was waiting for her.
Nakku drew a deep breath, broke a piece of chapatti from her plate and with a little of the sabji, placed the piece on his plate and looked at him again..
Frowning a little he looked back at her still refusing to eat. There was a hint of arrogance to his strong jaw and a proud tilt to his head. The face of a King she thought.
'Dutta, Nakku ne jo karna tha usne kar diya, ab to kha le.' Aayi Saab's voice brought him back from the daze.
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Missing Mishal Raheja...our Dutta Shriram Patil
Edited by Lekz - 14 years ago
CID
