Part-9
Dev got alert. He looked deep into that place.. and then slowly took steps towards that place. He clearly saw the figure in that lightly shaded area. He easily realized the color of dress because he seen that in the morning too... Radhika was walking quietly holding onto her scooty , looking around to make sure nobody is seeing her. She parked the scooty in one corner and took few steps towards the backyard, she stood in shock as she felt somebody's tight hands on wrist',.... her eyes gone wild and then comprehending herself quickly tried to bring a kiddish smiley face and then started blabbering..
"vo kya heina babuji.. vo'.. Kailash heina.. vo'." She was struggling to find words, suddenly Dev's face came in front of her.. She paused and looked at her wrist and then did a quick search of the surrounding..'
"tho thum kya keh rehe thi?".. asked Dev with winning smile..
"So, it is you? I thought".. Radhika replied after a deep sigh
"yes, it is me, what you thought.. Oh, ya, your babuji'... so sorry.. I can do one thing.. do you want me to call him.. Ok ok'" saying that he tried to release her hand, but then..'no no.. I don't trust you, will do one thing..come , let us both go in together.. how is that?'
"hath chodona".. Radhika in a normal tone..
"wow, so you can talk in normal tone too.. Nice to know that.. are you going to come with me, or do you want me to call everyone out? You can decide".. Dev stood patiently to get an answer..
Radhika was struggling to get her hand out'
"by the way, I think your daadima went in to call you from inside because your babuji asked for you two three times'... so does she know that you are still out or just your dad?" he looked at her suspiciously..
Radhika didn't say anything'... He saw her forehead tightening'...
"What happened? Why you are so silent?'.. dev asked
He saw her eyes getting bigger and a tinge of fear started showing up,her eyes were fixed on to the ground'... he also felt some fear inside' ... finally he asked softly " kya huva? Why you are starring at the ground like that?'
"snake' snake'' ... soft clear, fear voice of Radhika said twice only.. she saw his hand releasing hers .. he jumped from the ground and then looked at the ground where she was staring.. his heart was pacing faster' "WHERE?'.. his voice came out again..
He didn't get any answer.. he turned to look at Radhika, the space was empty.. he looked around.. the brain flashed quickly the plan.. he stood with holding onto his flanks for few secnds.. he took steps to backyard, but found all that space empty.. he checked on the back door, which was locked'...."hum, so quickly went in and locked the door too'.. he thought.. He was walking back slow.. but then when he came back to the same place where he left her hand, he felt some unknown fear.. unknowingly his eyes scanned over the ground again..
"shh shhh"..
"neeche nahi, upar...s hhh' a soft voice instructed him
He turned around and looked up and found Radhika standing near the balcony.. he looked at her angrily.
"do one thing, move this ladder from here to that corner, please'..ok.., see you down..".. she disappeared..
He went back to the porch.. Within seconds Radhika washed her face and tried to peek out at the inside atmosphere..
'.
Daadi saw her as she was coming out thinking what to tell to her son..
Daadi went behind with her soft feet and in a whispering tone.: you are back.. thank God".
"why you are scaring me?'.. daadi asked holding onto her chest..
"no, you scared me.. ".. Radhika replied and then gave a kiss on her cheek and said: Daadi, thank you so much,today that ladder only helped me.. otherwise that Mr.Dilli'..
Daadi out of curiousity : Thank your Birju bhayya... But what happened? Did he saw you coming..
daadi : "why?'
"kyumki meine usse daraya..darpok hei vo".. Radhika with a teasing tone....
Daadi: that's all fine, but now what explanation will we give to your dad.. he asked about you couple of times..'
"Don't worry Daadi, That I will manage. Come with me to kitchen".. she grabbed Daadi's hand and dragged her to kitchen..
Meantime Radhika was scanning the kitchen area for dishes.. she found pakkodas and chutney, and the hot tea ready to go..
'Daadi, ye pakkode meine benaya hei, heina..'' she said with the wildest smile possible..
"ha beta, kaun kaha thu bena nahi saktha".. "chalo then'.. she grabbed the chutney bowl while Radhika grabbed the hot pakkora plate'. And they both walked swinging their shoulder on one side'
Rohini felt a big relief....
Mohan smiled : so that is why you are late'... ok ok' ...let's sit on the table'
Radhika " no babuji.. let's have the snack here.. you all talk, I can serve ..
"kyum, dar gaye'..samp ko dekhkar..".. Radhika softly with teasing tone'. he looked at her face.. "sabko bethadum saamp ke bare mei., sorry sorry , mere late anne ke bare mei., the courageous prince ke bare mei..'..'
Suchi: " Radhika, very nice pakkoda'... how did you made this?"
Radhika was pouring tea in one cup.. she chuckled once and then looked at Daadi, raising her eyebrows..
''vo meine.. sab mix liya na.. all the veggies'.. and' ...and .. oh, let me serve this tea. It is getting cold..'.. Radhika tried to excuse herself..
Rohini put the hand over her forehead'
"but this is onion pakkoras.. right?".. suchi asked in doubt..
"Oh ya, Onion .. onion is a veggie you know..' daadi, actaully we changed tha plan right... ' her voice was trailing off'... she looked at her mom with corner eyes..
"actually she didn't cook it, I only did.. ' rohini tried to sooth the confusion..
"Babuji''.. Radhika looked at him with a childish face..
'my deedi, makes good dishes, I like it..' Rahul tried to side his sis.
"see that's my brother.. my little Kannha.. My Raja".. Radhika tried to pamper him..
Rohini; enough enough'... then looking at everyone.. "Radhika cooks, but not the main course and all, just for fun, whenever she feels like.. she search for recpies and make herself and they both enjoy tasting it.. I only cook traditional foods and she is the one who brings the flavor of change.. Maaji and Rahul is her assistants that time..
"I like to cook too, right mom..' Lechu's voice came out..
" ha, with big mess".. suchi sighed..
"Lechu, come with me, I will show you something.." she signaled Lechu and Lechu looked at her mom and then went along with her to upstairs..
Dev just looked up as they were climbing stairs..
"Dev bhayya, you come with me, I will show you my room'.. Rahul came out with extending his arms..
Dev looked at him with a smile.."hum, so what is there in your oom?"..
"My room, everything, come with me.. I will show you.."' Dev went along with him as everyone smiled ....'
Dev entered Rahul's room.
"Wow! It is really beautiful Rahul'.. Dev exclaimed.
Rahul: Radhika deedi only help me to keep it like this.. I will show you somehitng, he went to check on his table'..... Dev was looking around'. And he paused as he saw one beautiful painting of a warrior'.
"beautiful, isn't it?".. Rahul's voice brought him back to senses..
"Hum, where did you get this"'.... Dev asked as he was still looking at the fine clarity in that picture' ..amazingly
"hum.." Dev in trance..'it is the picture of a warrior, wearing all his gears, including the mask'... only his eyes are shown..'.. Dev in trance..
"yes, and those eyes are sparkling.." added Rahul..
"hum..".. dev
"Deedi has so many posteres like this.. she drawn from her imagination listening to the words of Granny.." but then tightening his forhead Rahul asked Dev with confusion tone.."everybody says you are the Prince.. so is that you in that picture..?"
Dev smiled and kneeled down in front of him.." no Rahul, I am Dev.. Only Dev, and I am not a warrior..".. he said that with a smile on his lips..
But Rahul was trying to see the sparkling in those hidden smile....'
Sushma aunty came in.."dinner ready hei.. chalo..'..
'ha aunty.. coming.." Dev replied and followed her to downstairs'... He heard Radhika's loud voice as he stepped down..
They went down, Radhika was flying aorund serving .. talking loud.. elderes were laughing... but Dev was eating seriously.. his mind was still looking at those posture...
comment:
p_commentcount