Chapter 13

Chapter #12

One week; she could be gone in one week's time. After her complaint about him playing games with her; she casually drops that bombshell as if it meant nothing. Rajeev guessed in her mind that it was far too soon for him to mean anything to her, but from his point of view everything had happened incredibly fast. He had been instantly attracted to Naomi, yet even on that first day he couldn't discount her as just another pretty face. Beneath her beauty he had glimpsed a resolve that was just as appealing to him. She may have been wounded by that heartless bas***d she had been a relationship with, but he could see that it hadn't totally defeated her. It seemed day by day a bit more of her personality was being revealed, and it only made her more intriguing to him. Now it seemed he was up against a time clock to make at least some measure of an impression that would have her at least considering extending her visit. And damn if she wasn't right after all, he now saw nothing the least bit humorous about this upcoming conversation he would have with her brother.

He peered at his watch, knowing that if he waited much longer, he would throw his afternoon schedule off, but he needed to speak to Naomi before he left. She hadn't returned from the kitchen, where she and Rachna had disappeared to after lunch, and while he was hesitant to interrupt the friends, he realized he wouldn't be able to avoid this if they took much longer. Looking across the table to where Kabir had remained , lost in his own thoughts, Rajeev spoke in hopes that maybe he could provide the insight that he needed.

"Kabir, how firm are Naomi's travel plans, once made?"

The man across from him smiled, "Pretty much like her; they can change on a whim. I mean she's dropped everything to come whenever Rachna needed her, but just as quickly she can disappear if necessary."

"So you're saying that not necessarily will she be leaving in a week."

"Or she may be gone in less time, one never knows with her. I only hope this doesn't hold true this time; I really think I'm going to need her to stay for a while."

Said more to himself than in response to the question that had been asked, Rajeev looked to KT in confusion, not sure he had heard what he thought he had, "Why Kabir, why will you need her here?"

The question brought Kabir to attention, and he looked across the table to Rajeev. "Ah, for Rachna's sake , I meant. I expect her schedule will just be increasing, and I know that she will need the help with Aryia. Now if you can excuse me, I have a few calls to make."

Rajeev nodded, and watched Kabir leave the room. It had been an odd exchange, but before he could dwell more on it, he noticed Naomi and Rachna entering the room.

They seemed deep in conversation, and turned to ascend the staircase, unaware of his approach, yet surprisingly, Naomi didn't startle when he held her hand to stop her. She turned, with a smile.

"Ra, I'll be up in a minute."

"You're not surprised, why not?"

"That it's you; no, who else would be grabbing my hand? However I'm not sure why you stopped me, so you still have a chance of shocking me if that was your intention."

" Okay. If a week is all you are giving me, then I demand a commitment from you in return."

"Meaning?"

"That every day for the next week, we spend time together, getting to know each other properly."

Naomi stared at him, pondering his request. "I probably won't be leaving in a week, so why force things?"

"Fine, we can leave things as they are. But tell me if for whatever reason, you do leave in seven days; will you regret no doing so? Tell me you would be okay with this, and I won't insist."

"I can't...I mean I wouldn't be okay with it." She nodded, "I would regret it."

"As would I, so we are in agreement?" He smiled at her nod, and then looked at his watch, sighing, "And now for the worst timing ever, I have to leave. Unfortunately, I have to get to hockey practice. I am free after though," he added hastily.

"Well that's one way of making sure I don't get too high of an opinion of myself," Naomi said laughing. "It's okay, I get it; Hockey first and then Naomi. I'm not offended, but how about I tag along? College team or little ones today?"

"SVC . Are you sure you want to hang around all that time?"

"I'm sure that I can entertain myself. More importantly I'll already be with you when you have your free time; isn't that the point of this exercise; that we're together?" Her eyes widened when she felt his fingers softly caress the hand he held and unconsciously she bit her lower lip. In response, he climbed one stair, bring them that much closer. "Yes, we should definitely be together."

Unable to tear her eyes from his, she stood unsure which of them was actually moving closer to the other, only that they were. Vaguely she thought that if he didn't have a problem with it, then she definitely wouldn't either.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought them back to reality.

"Rajeev Beta, didn't you say you were getting late?"

Rajeev reluctantly released Naomi's hand and stepped away and looked above where Kabir's grandmother stood. "Ji Daadi, I am." He lowered his gaze to see Rachna come behind her friend and placed the strap of her hand bag on her shoulder.

"Goodbye Naomi," she said, further startling her friend.

Rachna laughed when Naomi started to leave, only to realize that she still had a hold on her purse. "Enjoy your time together," she whispered before releasing her hold.

"Oh, shut up, Ra."

Kabir hung up the telephone call. None of the information that had been shared with him was at all surprising, but still the effect was still traumatic. His head felt as if it was captured in a vice-like grip, yet he knew that no medicinal remedy would alleviate this suffering. This pain was the physical manifestation of his fear that his world was about to collapse before his very eyes. And there was no way to stop it from occurring. His only thought was that he had to disclose the truth on his own terms.

He walked in the nursery to find Rachna on the floor with their daughter, engaged in playful activity that had their little girl pealing with laughter. Mid squeal, Aryia realized the arrival of her papa, and ambled over to him her arms outstretched. Smiling he scooped her up and spun her around. Her delight was music to his ears, a momentary respite to his suffering. He went to sit on the sofa in the room, and was soon joined by Rachna.

"KT, we're so glad you came. Aryia and I were just having a little fun before she went down for her nap. Do you have time to stay?"

His smile was strained, but he nodded.

More of an observer than a participant, he watched with an air of sadness as Rachna amused Aryia, noticing as little by little their baby's play became more and more subdued as exhaustion overcame her. Finally they found themselves back on the sofa, Aryia in Rachna's arms, and his wife encompassed in his. He felt the tears prick his eyes and he sent a prayer that there would be more days such as this in their future.

Finally with Aryia succumbing to sleep, Kabir got up and relieved Rachna of her precious bundle, and laid their child in her crib. He leaned over and kissed her downy cheek and then stayed there just looking at her. He went unwillingly away from the crib, when Rachna pulled him back, guiding him to the sofa, where she took a seat next to him.

"KT, what's wrong; talk to me, please."

He embraced and held her tightly, "Please, please just remember that I love you. I need to you to remember this. My love for you is unwavering, and never; never did I ever mean to hurt you."

"Kabir , what is it?"

"It was never supposed to affect us, as far as I was concerned it was purely a financial arrangement; there was never to be any contact at all."

"I don't understand, what are you talking about; no contact with whom, KT?"

"My son, Rachna"

"Excuse me?"

"I've been on the telephone with our lawyer all this time, and he's confirmed that a suit has been initiated demanding physical access to his father and any paternal siblings."

"On behalf of this son of yours?"

"Yes, but Rachna it's a purely frivolous suit; more for the shock factor, that it would be newsworthy, than for it chances of success. I've never been a custodial parent. She just wants to force my hand to get what she wants. She knows that I would do whatever to protect our family from the scandal. "

She couldn't catch her breath. She looked over to her daughter and then to her husband. And finally it all made sense. "Tell me everything, everything you have held back from me; every lie you've told me."

His name was Sanjay, and he was almost five years old. He had been born in December, which meant he most likely had been conceived around Holi. It shouldn't have mattered to Rachna, they hadn't even been together then, but it felt just like another act against her to destroy her, only a more lasting one.

Kabir had claimed that she had never told him, had never made any demands not until after they had been married and she herself was pregnant. He claimed fearing for her health and that of their unborn child, and had chosen to not to tell her; had quietly gone about getting a DNA test, and arranging for an out of court settlement of child support. He had never made any attempt to contact the child and had just met his financial obligation to him. But now Sonal was demanding more.

Rachna splashed water on her face, and finally left the bedroom. She walked downstairs where she found her husband sitting with Daadi. His face bore the strain he was under, as he looked at Rachna for any sign that she could even tolerate his presence. He stood and approached her, halting when she held her hand up.

"I want you to contact the lawyer and arrange a meeting so I know what my options are for my daughter. Frankly I don't care what your intentions are for your bas***d son, but you can rest assured that neither he nor his bitch of a mother will be coming anywhere near my child. Even if it means us leaving, neither of them will get access to Aryia."

They both moved to protest, but she shut them down, "No, I have nothing else to say concerning this. Daadi, when Naomi gets back can you ask her to come to the nursery, please."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-03 07:11:01