52

Sayajirao and Ray had reached Detroit, at Bhanu's apartment. Disha was to join them soon from Huntsville..! She called up in the evening to tell them that she was not coming as she had a weekend meeting with her guide. Ray looked at his dad. "There may be some real urgent issue...!" he defended Disha. "Huff..! Couldn't she plan properly? Ladies....!" he blurted disdainfully and Bhanu and Sayajirao exchanged looks. By now they both knew his remarks about girls.

The poolside barbeque was a delight. Ray had devoured the food like a starved person. Here too the chef was his father, grabbing the opportunity to show of his cooking skills. Bhanu had helped. Ray relaxing on the chair enjoying the food. "How is it...?" his Dad asked with expectation. Ray smacked his lips...

"Umm... ok. Dad...Nowhere nearer to what Nanu prepared...!" Sayajirao threw his hands in the air disappointed. "Nanu?" Bhanu asked puzzled.

"Nanu... his yardstick in cooking...!" Sayajirao said grinning. "Yes.. she is! She is the best...!" reinforced Ray. "Who is Nanu?" Bhanu asked.

"His tribal friend....!" Clarified Sayajirao. "Friend..?" Exclaimed Bhanu. "Yeah.. My Friend Nanu... age around seventy five years... five years back...!" said Ray proudly stuffing the chicken piece in his mouth.

"Oh... you mean, your expedition in India...!" Everything was clear to Bhanu. He grinned winking at Ray. Ray looked away ignoring him.

"Rice and mutton curry...!" muttered Sayajirao. "And a piece of gud....!" Ray added. "And Buttermilk...!" he added further raising his hand. 

 "I have yogurt.. if you insist..!" Bhanu said moving towards the refrigerator. "No need...!" Ray dismissed. The taste of Nanu's rice and curry still lingering in his mind, he picked up another piece of barbequed chicken.

"And he had a fight with others over the food and Nanu gave him special chops... and a place in the kitchen and extra rice and extra gravy..." Sayajirao mouthed Ray's words he had heard them umpteen number of times...

"Dhutt Teri was furious, when Nanu gave me those extra spicy chops...!" he smiled.

"Yeah...!" said Ray longing for that rice and curry again. "She has got a hearing aid now... She will hear me...!" he thought closing his eyes. Nanu had a special prominent place in his heart, though she too was a woman. He detested women, hating them to the core. But Nanu... he never considered her in women category... she was a class by herself... for him, she was Nanu!! Above everything...!Everything was best about her... her food... her grin... her slap on his shoulder... her slimy sweet chikki.... and her laps... where he slept peacefully....!!

He had arranged to send her a hearing aid through teacher...! Teacher was in touch with him and he kept sending money for the betterment of the people of the settlement. Teacher kept updating him about the progress. "Pappa and Putta both had married .. and Pappa had a child. Baby boy...!

"Nanu must be busy with the infant... she must have forgotten me..!" his heart filled with sadness. "Hope I meet her again...!" he longed.  Sayajirao was watching the changing expressions on Ray's face.

"Sonny... come back from Nanu's house..!" that brought him back on earth. "Ha... so shall we start? I am hungry..!" Ray got up to grab a plate.

"What were you doing till now?" Bhanu Exclaimed... "Only starters... where is the main course?" Ray asked opening the lids of the containers and inhaling the aroma....!

The door bell rang. "I will open...!" Bhanu went to open the door. Ray was busy ladling himself the delicious food and devouring it down his throat. Bhanu didn't return for a long time and Sayajirao grew restless.

"I will check..!" he too went inside. Ray filled himself to the brim and relaxed on the easy chair. He heard nothing from inside. He walked in casually and stopped looking at a lady sitting, fidgeting nervously. He looked around. Bhanu looked nervous too. Sayajirao was sitting across hanging his head.

"Dad?" he called and the lady looked up. "Saya?" she looked at Sayajiroa and got up slowly. Ravi looked at her blankly and then his gaze travelled to his father's ghostly face.

"Ummm... he is Ray Dav...e...!" Introduced Bhanu nervously. "Ray?" Ray was surprised. Bhanu had insisted on calling him Ravi... to hear 'Ray' from him sounded weird. "Bhai..?" Ravi blurted. The lady had come forward. He looked at her measuring her up. She must have been in the forties... with dyed short hair in streaks, shorter skirt, gray top and a clutched purse. She looked paler with her fair complexion and dark circles under her eyes. She looked up at him and he froze. She had gray eyes with the same blue tinge, as he had. He looked at his dad and the realization dawned. He clenched his fists with his muscles flexing.

“Saya....! Is he...?” she asked Sayajirao and Bhanu intervened.

“Maasi... please... I think you should leave now...!” he inadvertently stood between Ray and her. She came around and stood before Ray. “He is grown up...!” she said with wide eyes.

“Maasi... please...!” Bhanu held her hand. He saw Ravi's expressions changing and pulled her away losing his strength.

“What do you do, son?” she asked sweetly. “Business...!” Ray blurted .. “Studying..!” Bhanu and Sayajiroa found their voices. Ray looked at his father.

“Maasi... he is studying …!” Bhanu tried his level best. But she had heard what she wanted to hear.

“You must be doing well, Son! After all you are...!” her eyes traveled to Sayajirao and he fidgeted. She came closer and Ray contorted his face with the strong odor.... he glanced at the empty glasses on the table and looked away. She was drunk.

“Maasi...please come...!” Bhanu pulled her away. “No! Wait..!” Ray stopped him. “Dad?” he questioned and his Dad nodded hanging his head. Ray looked at the lady, his eyes spitting fire...

“Son...!” she was all set to embrace him. “No!” he paced backwards and she stopped.

“Maasi... Chalo... I will help you...!” Bhanu said again holding her hand.

“No wait... Bhanu!” Sayajirao intervened gravely and turning to her asked... “How much?” her eyes flashed with greed.

“A grand?” she asked turning to him. He took out money and she suddenly looked sober. Ray glared at his father who looked dejected.

“Umm... I mean.... its so embarrassing to take help.... “ she turned to Ray and continued... “From your father.... son...!” No one reacted. “I didn't know you are grown up and …. earning....!” her voice trailed looking at Ray's stone face....!

“Maasi... please leave...!” Bhanu said sternly and she understood that there is no point lingering for a longer time. She got up. “You are grown into a handsome guy!” she complemented.

“I am leaving, Dad!” he gave an ultimatum clenching his fists and she understood. Ray barged out of the house like a storm and Sayajirao picked up his bag.

“I think we should leave now. Bhanu didn't stop him. “Disha will drive back the car...!” he blurted the earlier decided plan. “I am sorry, Uncle...!” he apologized...!

***********

Sayajirao gazed at his now sleeping son, with a photo of a girl, laughing, tossing her head back, flashing deep dimples on her cheek,... on the screen...! He picked up the remote to switch off the screen but decided otherwise gazing at the pleasant appearance of the girl.

“Dhutt Teri...!” he too blurted pulling the duvet over sleeping Ravi. “I can't help, Sonny! You are the most valuable thing she has given me... !” he blurted gravely and walked out of his son's room... Dhatri's picture still flashing on the screen....!