Baiji sat looking aimlessly from the lack of sleep, he was as though waiting for someone to dismiss him so that he could nod off.
Dutta came and placed his hand upon his arm, motioning Baiji to go to sleep. It was 4am and the sun was coming out, yawning and ensuring that Dutta would be okay alone Baiji headed to his room.
A few minutes later, Dutta heard a little noise coming from his room, he was sure that Naku had awoke and went into his room and walked over to his bed where Naku lay asleep and her simplicity made her look beautiful. Dutta being careful not to awake Naku knelt down and sat next to the drawer by the bed.. He looked at Naku's dreamy face, she stirred, a strand of hair was agitating her gentle face,
Slowly Dutta blew on her face to remove the annoyance,
a small smile appeared on her face, whilst she was still sleeping.
Dutta wanted to touch her face but held his hand back and just then Naku stirred again and Dutta moved away, he stood up and slowly Naku came round.
Naku: Saab? Aap?
Dutta walked across the room and poured a glass of water and sat on the bed to give it to Naku, she held back as she didn't want to take it, Dutta brought the glass to her mouth and made her take a sip.
Naku went to speak again, but Dutta shook his head.
Dutta: Why Naku?
Naku looked away and didn't have anything to say, her eyes filled up with tears.
Just as Naku was about to say something, Babi and Sethji walked in..
Dutta got up and walked away letting Babi through, Babi looked at him but Dutta was avoiding eye contact, his own guilt was eating away at him.
Leaving the family, he went out of his room.
Babi: You took the life out of me, do you know if anything happens to you I would never be able to live.
Naku hugged Babi tightly…
Naku: Forgive me Aai, I promise after today I will do as you say, I will never go against your wishes..
Sobbing still, Naku again embraced her mother.
Hours later, Baiji and Sethji took soup for Naku but she wasn't eating it, Dutta came by to see her and noticed Naku not eating.
Dutta walked over and told both Baiji and Sethji to go. Taking the bowl in his hand he sat down, lifting a spoonful to Naku's mouth but she wouldn't eat.
Dutta: Are you still angry at me?
Naku: I was never angry at you Saab..
Dutta: Then why did you do this? Why did you give yourself such a punishment? I was stupid does that -
Naku shook her head and closed her eyes, tears began to fall again.
Dutta: Enough crying, come on eat up. If you don't eat then I won't eat also.
Naku opened her mouth and Dutta sat feeding her like a child, he saw the tears in her eyes and wiping them away.
Naku looked into Dutta's eyes. Both lost each others eyes. Dutta noticed how beautiful Naku's eye's were. He noticed how beautiful she was.
Placing the spoon in the bowl, instructing Naku to rest he got up.
Something tugged on his kurta and he thought Naku wanted him to stay, he turned around to see his kurta was stuck. He smiled to himself and walked off leaving Naku alone.
***************
Months later….
It had been some months since Naku had been fallen ill and now she was back to normal, running around as usual, working hard with her mother Babi.
Babi: That's enough now Naku, you go to sleep I will finish this and come. Its almost 10pm.
Naku: No Aai, you go and I will do this.
Babi looked at her daughter and placed her hand upon Naku's.
Babi: Naku.. Me and Aai sahib have decided that now is the time for you to get married?
Naku: But Aai-
Babi: Let me finish.. I know you loved Bhao, but I don't want my daughters' heart broken again. He isn't the ideal partner for you.
Naku: So…
Babi: Aai Sahib wants your rishta for Baiji.. You will say yes won't you?
Naku shocked at her mothers' words had nothing to say. She didn't know how to respond.
Babi: Think over it my dear child.. Please.. I know he will keep you happy and this rishta came from them.
Babi left Naku in the kitchen alone, Naku sat on the floor in shock..
Naku: Baiji? But if that's what you want Aai.. Then I will say yes..!!
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