FF: Ishq Wala Love(LAST PART) 10.10.13 pg-136 - Page 36

Chapter 13

Clutching the wash basin with both her hands, nakusha lowered her face and vomited for the third time in the day. Though termed morning sickness it was occurring at any time of the day. Supriya patted her back gently as she straightened herself after splashing water on her face. Drying herself with the towel, nakusha looked at her image in the mirror, oh she seemed so worn out. Coming out of the bathroom with the help of supriya she slowly sat on the bed. Supriya arranged the pillow behind her back to give her support. Nakusha still appeared weak and drained out, supriya picked up the glass of lemon juice that she'd made for nakusha and brought it close to her lips. After taking a few sips nakusha began to feel a little better, the tangy taste of lemon made her less nauseated but her stomach was still aching badly. Vomiting so frequently had exerted her abdominal muscles a lot.

" taayi ..peth mein bahut dard ho raha hai." She winced in pain while holding her belly.

" main abhi tere liye garam paani ki bottle laati hoon..us se tujhe araam milega." With eyes still closed nakusha nodded her head slowly. Placing her head on the back rest she silently drank the lemon juice.

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Still contemplating on whether to go ahead with the shopping complex project or build an educational institute instead, dutta went through the project file once again. Things were still at the initial stage hence could be altered however later on it would be difficult to amend the plans. Scratching his temple he buried himself in the papers, his heart wished to go with what nakusha had suggested , it would definitely benefit the youth of patil vadi in the long run but the shopping complex project would employ so many people at the onset and would help to generate income quickly. He saw his cell phone vibrating on the table, nanasaheb's name flashed on it.

" jee kahiye." He said softening his eyes.

" kaise ho dutta?" came nanasaheb's husky voice from the other end.

" bus apka aashirwaad hai." Dutta replied stretching his lips slightly.

" dutta aaj subha mujhe ek investor ka phone aaya tha…toh kabse project shuru karna hai?" some of the investors who were backing nanasaheb's political party were doing so primarily because they were interested in this commercial project thus it was important for nanasaheb also to ensure that the project saw the light of day. Sensing the long pause from dutta's side he thought that supriya was right, dutta was indecisive at this stage.

" kya baat hai dutta? Kis soch mein pade ho?" he prodded. Dutta had tremendous faith in his mentor, above all he was the only one with whom dutta discussed his business matters. Rubbing the back of his neck he thought of sharing this problem with him as well. After listening to dutta for a good twenty minutes nanasaheb came up with a solution. He suggested dutta not to put this shopping complex on hold instead build one more building for higher secondary education next to the primary school building of patil vadi, the children would not jump in one day to seek college level education. It would take them another 3-4 years to reach that stage by then this shopping complex project would be fully functional and profits reaped from this project could be reinvested in making university building. The concept seemed sensible to dutta, in this way both the goals could be achieved. Heaving a sigh of relief he replied," theekh hai ..main abhi shopping complex ke papers sign kar deta hoon."

Disconnecting the call he picked up the pen to sign the papers when he felt some movement around, lifting his head he found supriya standing at the door step of the study. Dropping the gaze once again he began doing the needful. Supriya with a nervous smile on her lips came in and stood right across his table.

" mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai."

Flipping the pages of the file he nodded his head allowing her to continue. She fidgeted with the end of her sari, thinking how to put her thoughts into proper words.

" aaj kal patil vadi mein itni factoriyaan ( factories) khull gayi hain ..jisse kitna pradooshan ( pollution) ho gaya hai."

He drew his brows together in confusion, she wanted to discuss with him the growing level of pollution in PV? Had she really lost it?

Figuring out his confusion she attempted to elaborate by saying ," mera matlab ..yeh sab nakusha ke liye theekh nahin hai?" keeping the file aside he stated instantly," toh woh kaunsa ghar se bahar nikalti hai?" supriya shook her head in agreement, true nakusha hardly stepped out of the house but what she wanted to say was," lekin hum usko aise ghar mein bandh kar toh nahin rakh sakte." Dutta really didn't know where this conversation was heading and on the verge of losing his temper he shot back," tum kehna kya chahti ho? Saaf saaf bolo?" slightly stunned on hearing his high pitch voice she took a deep breath and rattled everything that she wished to say in one go," nakusha ki tabiyet aaj kal theekh nahin rehti..meri doctor se baat hui ..unhone kaha ki nakusha araam ke saath saath khuli hawa mein ghumna chaiye ..uske aas paas ka mauhaal shaant aur accha hona chaiye."

Pulling out his chair he sat and leaned his back against it before saying," toh?"

" aap toh jaante hain jaise jaise din beetenge ..yeh baat ki nakusha maa banne wali hai yahan chupana bahut mushkil ho jayega." Taking the paper weight in his hand he began spinning it, from day one he was aware that such a big thing could never remain hidden from the people of patil vadi, eye brows would definitely raise on seeing her bulging stomach and on top of that they would also wonder why she was staying here for so long but then… this was not his idea. Seeing him least perturbed she added further," aur upar se sab sochte hain ki main maa banne wali hoon." This time he flared his nostrils in disgust, to hide one lie you start telling so many lies, he failed to understand what was the need for her to declare that she was pregnant in front of everyone that day in the temple? She was falling into her own trap and he wasn't feeling sorry for her.

She noticed his expressionless face, there wasn't an iota of concern for her and if he thought that her plan was back firing then he was absolutely wrong, he had no idea what was going on in her mind. Her nervousness was now giving way to her confidence, now she wanted to see if he would still remain unaffected on hearing about her next step.

" isliye maine kuch socha hai."

" kya?" he asked placing his one arm on the arm rest while the other one still spun the paper weight. She took a few seconds to disclose her plan, till then he rested more comfortably in his chair and began twirling it slowly, waiting for her to proceed.

" maine socha hai ki main aur nakusha yahan se kahin aur chale jayein."

His chair came to an abrupt halt and he stopped spinning the paper weight in fact he gripped it even harder in his fist. His ears couldn't believe and his mind failed to comprehend what she'd said.

" ek aisi jagah ..jahan humein koi nahin jaanta ..yahi sahi hoga." She completed herself, this was the only option she had. There was pin drop silence, neither of them spoke a word. Suddenly he felt a vacuum within him as his senses went numb.

" aap kya sochte hain?" she asked breaking the silence.

" main kya sochta hoon ..isse kya koi farak padta hai?" he retorted through greeted teeth, was she really asking for his opinion when she'd already decided everything on her own ?

Leaning back he thought of what should be done next. Pursing his lips he added," thoda waqt do ..main intezaam .." she didn't allow him to finish and intervened, " intezaam ..ho gaya hai." He narrowed his eyes and stared back at her. Nodding her head she informed him about the conversation she had with her father," meri baba se baat hui thi..mahabaleshwar mein unke dost ka ek farm house hai..hum wahan reh sakte hain."

" Mahabaleshwar aur PV zyada door .."

" kab jaana hai?" he snapped back, he knew how far mahabaleshwar was from PV, she didn't need to tell him that.

" kal sham ko." She replied softly, he lifted his gaze and clenched his jaws. It hurt him to know that she could discuss the whole issue and arrange everything with her father but not him. He was here only to be informed.

" aap chalenga nah humein chodne?"

He sprang up on his feet and threw the paper weight which was in his hand in rage. She startled on seeing him furious and took a step back.

" mujhe nahin lagta tumhein meri aur koi zaroorat hai." He barked before storming out of the study. He had given her what she'd wanted, he was supposed to sleep and impregnate a stranger. He had done that, his job was over. Nothing more was expected or required from him.

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The hot water bottle had provided relief to her aching stomach, keeping it aside nakusha pushed back the duvet and sat back leaning her head against the back rest. Yawning openly and loudly she rubbed her sleepy eyes when her empty stomach began growling. She glanced at the door with hopeful eyes, there was no one around, she flopped her lazy legs on the floor and thought of going to the kitchen herself but just then supriya came inside and handed her a bowl of porridge. Weren't three glasses of milk with ladoos enough that now she was supposed to have porridge too? But then she was way too hungry to protest.

" sahi mein taayi ..bahut bhookh lag rahi thi." She said taking the bowl from supriya, after vomiting so many times she was totally dehydrated. Supriya smiled understandingly and proceeded towards nakusha's cupboard preparing herself to drop the same bomb one more time but this time not on her husband instead on the woman who was bearing his child. Pulling out a big suit case, she opened it and began stuffing nakusha's clothes one by one.

Nakusha furrowed her brows in surprise," taayi hum kahin jaa rahe hain?" supriya lifted her lashes and shook her head in agreement.

" chutti ( holiday) ke liye?" she chirped excitedly with a wide grin.

" nahin ..humesha ke liye?" she would stay and deliver the baby there. Now this was bewildering, how could they leave everything and stay somewhere else forever? She thought for a moment before asking," par sahab PV chod kar chale jayenge?" she wasn't sure that he would agree on leaving PV.

" haan ..toh dutta ji yahin rahenge ..sirf hum dono jayenge." Supriya informed her in a casual tone and pulled out the drawer to take out her medicines. Nakusha's lower jaw dropped in surprise, what the hell was happening ? she wondered.

" bus hum dono? Kyun?"

" teri tabiyet theekh nahin rehti nah toh doctor ne kahan hai ki khuli hawa ..hari bhari jagah mein rehna accha hoga." Supriya replied calmly, she knew that nakusha would be shocked but then she couldn't stay in PV for the entire nine months…the delivery had to take place somewhere else and this thing was always on supriya's mind.

" toh main kya ab jungle mein jaa kar rahegi ?" she raised her voice in irritation and kept the bowl on the bedside table with a thud, all of a sudden she had lost her appetite. Folding the saris one by one supriya informed her," mahabaleshwar koi jungle nahin hai ..tujhe accha lagega wahan." Mahabaleshwar a hill station in maharashtra is a very eco friendly region and attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year.

Crossing her arms before her chest nakusha declared clearly," main nahin jaa rahi hai kahin pe." Pouting her lips slightly she thought she was absolutely comfortable here and if required for medical reasons would stay within the four walls of this house but wouldn't leave and go elsewhere. Supriya walked round the bed and stood before her, she took the bowl from the table and handed her once again.

Tucking a loose strand behind nakusha's ear she said" tujhe galti lag rahi hai..main tujhse pooch nahin rahi hoon." Her tone was sweet and intimidating at the same time, if nakusha was thinking that she was here to seek her opinion or permission then she was sadly mistaken. As always everything was and would be decided without taking nakusha's views into consideration…to be honest only supriya's wishes mattered even dutta had very little to say.

In one sentence supriya showed nakusha her actual position, the deal or the purpose for which she was brought in the house, that had kind of slipped out of her mind…it was reminded to her once again. Nakusha's eyes moved from the bowl of porridge to supriya who was stuffing her things in the suit case, holding her gaze for a few seconds she asked," sahab..sahab ne kuch nahin kaha?" supriya smiled viciously and nodded a no. The response pricked something inside her. She was unable to figure out what actually angered her, the fact that she was supposed to move out of this place abruptly without him or the fact that he didn't do or say anything to stop all this from happening?

" taayi meri cheezon ko haath lagaane ki zaroorat nahin hain..main khudh kar legi." Dropping the sari on the bed, supriya wanted to laugh out loud, seriously every single thing starting from her clothes that she was wearing, the food that she was having, the house she was staying in to the child that nakusha was carrying belonged to only and only supriya, still the female sitting in front her had the audacity to think otherwise. If supriya wished she could very well remind her all this as well but then this time she let the opportunity go by, maybe some other time.

" jaise teri marzi." Supriya said before shrugging her shoulders and leaving with a calm and serene expression.

Standing by the window that overlooked the garden, nakusha's eyes scattered the view outside without registering anything in particular. She was aware that she wouldn't stay here forever, one day she had to leave everything and body behind then why was she sad now? She knew that nothing belonged to her then why was there a sense of loss creeping inside her? when there wasn't supposed to be any attachment or bonding then what was holding her back? Sighing deeply her eyes hovered around the garden before halting on the swing where she was sitting some 24 hrs back enjoying the experience of motherhood. Her hand caressed her belly and remembered how he too had joined her on his own, how he'd shared what he felt for the baby. That brief conversation had somewhere brought her close to him and it felt good but now she was again drifting away from him and he didn't utter a word, fine he maybe not bothered about her but then his baby was also moving away from him, didn't that matter to him at all? 24 hrs from now she would be away from his sight for god only know how long, would that also not bother him? Leaning her head against the window she saw the sun descending in the west, the sky was changing colors quite like her life that was also changing, things were slipping from her hands and she remained a mute spectator, she couldn't do anything. She was so helpless and lonely …as always.

thanks for reading

Rose