Chapter 18

Chapter #17

"Papa up...up Papa!"

Kabir had removed his jacket and was rolling up his shirtsleeves when their demanding toddler determined that she had had enough of her car-seat. On the other side of the car retrieving their necessities, Rachna smiled and shook her head at the bossy piece of baggage their daughter was becoming.

"I am so blaming you for this diva behavior, she obviously believes that she is the princess you treat her like, KT."

Releasing the safety straps, Kabir reached for Aryia as she tried to scoot out of the seat. "She is my princess, I can't deny that fact."

"So how do you think she will react to your young prince?"

Rachna watched as her husband's face lost all expression and hastened to continue, in hopes that he wouldn't misunderstand her. "KT I'm not trying to lay blame or to be vindictive, but we can't avoid the topic. This situation is just a part of our life now and naturally my concern is for my daughter." She came to stand in front of him, entreating him to look at her. When he finally looked down at her, she smiled her support. "And my concern extends to my husband as well. I know that I'm wallowing in my own misery over all of this, but I have had some moments of clarity where I realize that this is affecting you just as much, KT. Us not talking about it isn't going to make it go away."

"Do you have everything, Rachna?"

She nodded, accepting that this was something he wasn't ready to speak on . Instead she clasped his hand as they began to walk. "So do we appease Her Highness first with the playground equipment, or a spot of relaxing for all of us first?"

Kabir laughed, as Aryia began bouncing in his arms at sight of the toddler swings not far from them. "I think the decision has already been made; maybe if we are lucky it will wear her out and she won't be so demanding."

"Hmm...just remember Miss Bossy is all your doing."

Rachna looked down at her husband as he lay on her lap. She lightly traced the contours of his handsome face smiling when he sighed with contentment. Her glance lowered to Aryia who lay on her papa's chest, tuckered out from her play. How she adored them both, and in this acknowledgement knew that this was the true reason that her moods were swinging like a pendulum. Yes, the betrayal of his lies stung, but she had to consider what he had gone through. What would have happened if he had disclosed everything as it had happened? Would the shock have been bearable? Would this news have affected her pregnancy, and risked their precious daughter? Even to contemplate that possibility tore her apart and she wasn't quick enough to stop the stream of tears from running down her face. She wiped her face, but still couldn't prevent the evidence of her emotions from splashing on his face. He opened his eyes, the temporary peace he had achieved disturbed by the liquid reminder that he was the root cause of his wife's desperate unhappiness. He rose to get off her lap when she shook her head, smiling, and gently pushed him back down. "Don't you dare move, I like you right where you are."

Kabir closed his eyes and ran one hand through his hair. "Rachna, I'll never be able to express how sorry I am; no words will ever be enough, but please..."

"Kabir Tripathi, I love you with my entire being, nothing will ever change that."

She had stunned him into complete silence.

"I'm angry and I'm hurt and I'm so scared, but my love for you and for our child is everything to me. I am truly trying to come to grips with this and I know I am going to have good and bad days, but at the core of everything going on will always be that I love you and the family we have created. " She smiled sadly. "I'll probably need reminding of this, so I hope you are listening."

"Rachna, I truly don't deserve you, but I know I couldn't live without you."

Continuing her ministration of stroking his face, Rachna watched in silence when Aryia stretched in her sleep before settling back down in comfort. "She is growing so fast isn't she?"

"Too fast if you ask me, Rachna. It seems like everything that every day there's something new: a new word, a new action. Naomi was absolutely correct in saying that every day is a joy experiencing life through her eyes."

"Yes, she's right."

"I've only seen one picture of my son, of Sanjay... and I feel absolutely no connection to him Rachna. I truly do not know how I ever will."

She thought about it for a while before speaking. "Perhaps the key will be the children's interaction with each other. Assuming that Sanjay is aware of his baby sister and is keen to meet her, perhaps Aryia can be the catalyst that will bring the two of you together. I know that you will be most natural around our daughter. She brings out the best in you, and your son will deserve this from you as well."

Kabir sat up then, recognizing the huge concession Rachna was making from her stance not so long ago.

"He's just a child, with no fault other than being born in less than ideal circumstances. I was wrong to think, and to speak badly of him because of this."

"Rachna..."

"But don't misunderstand me KT, my goodwill does not extend to his mother. I do not trust her. I'm convinced there is more to all of this, and no one will ever convince me otherwise. Please don't let her near my baby, KT."

"Never, Rachna."

"I can't decide if I'm glad that I won't be here next week or not, but my head tells me that it's probably all for the best."

"Banaras Beauty's first client and so soon. Despite the fact that your client is taking my wife away from me for the first time, I have to tell you how very proud I am of you Rachna. Can you tell me about i?"

She smiled at him, and launched into her plans, and he was never happier."

"So, I've allotted five days for the consultation, but that would be the maximum amount of time, so if I do finish up earlier you can rest assured I will be changing my flight to come home to you two."

"But for now it's Sunday through to Saturday? What about your accommodations have they been confirmed yet?"

"Um, actually I'm just waiting on email confirmation of that, but I'm sure it will be settled soon."

"Will you allow me take care of it? I would rest better knowing that you are somewhere I'm familiar with."

"Thik hai, but don't go overboard, I don't need anything elaborate."

They fell into a comfortable silence, content just to be with each other after their days of dissent.

"Oh, the website is done, when we get home you have to take a look at. Naomi did an excellent job! She went on and on about how what she did wasn't anything special, but it really is well done. "

Kabir and smiled at the thought of their multi-talented friend. "Our Naomi is certainly living up to her fairy status of late hasn't she?"

"Yes, and that's why I insisted she run away this afternoon as well. She has been working overtime dealing with the two us, in addition to Aryia. I hope she is having a good time today whatever she decided to do."

"Well let's hope she's not outdoors, as that looks to be a pretty heavy raincloud overhead. I think we need to get going Mrs. Tripathi."

"My confession did not constitute an invitation Rajeev Agarwal, so back away from me and take me home." The pain in her eyes was real as she continued. "What sort of girl do you really think I am? I won't lie, yes I have kissed and been kissed, but I know my limits, and I thought that you would be the sort of guy that would respect that."

Rajeev was a total loss as to how the situation had descended to its present state. It had been a heady feeling to realize the woman he desired reciprocated his longing, and his move to embrace her seemed a natural progression, but somehow Naomi totally misconstrued his intentions.

"Sweetheart, I don't even understand, why you would even think that?"

"Because our situation is impossible, you will be leaving and moving here and I will eventually have to leave Banaras, so it not right that you place me in a position that will compromise my beliefs ."

"Dammit Naomi, I hugged you, I didn't ask you for sex!"

"Well, I guess I should thank you then. At least I know what it would have meant to you!" She reached for her cap and walked out of the room, and then from the sound of it out of the flat all together.

Rajeev ran both hands through his hair, and blew out a frustrated breath over the farcical conversation he had just had to endure. He backtracked to the bedroom to make sure the door to the balcony was closed and noticed that it had started to rain. Hopefully the little fool had sense enough to wait in the downstairs foyer and not go outside.

"What's this fabric swatch here, Rachna?"

"Oh goodness you would think I would be more careful with this fabric after this morning, but I've still left it out! What do you think of it KT?"

"It's beautiful, but I think it would be a bit too modern for most Indian brides; I mean if that was the intent."

"I totally agree, but I thought it perfect for a non-traditional bride. I saw it and it just called to me. I don't know when I will get to make it, but I purchased enough of it to cover any eventuality."

"Rachna, you can't be serious."

"She thinks it's for my client in Mumbai, but she is so in love with it."

The couple walked out of the office, stopping in the lounge before they would go their separate ways; Kabir back to his studio and Rachna to start dinner.

"KT, thank you for making the time for us today."

"We both needed it, love."

The heard their friends before they entered the house proper; neither were happy.

"You are being totally unreasonable!"

"And I told you to go away and leave me alone, Rajeev!"

Resembling a drowned puppy, Naomi stormed through the house and headed directly upstairs. Realizing his need for assistance , a just as drenched Rajeev, stopped to KT and Rachna. "Your friend has serious issues, you do realize that don't you?"

"Excuse me?"

About to say more, KT held his wife's hand to bring pause to her response for the moment.

"There's no other way, I just can't see any other alternative to the situation. Will there be a problem with me staying here a while longer?"

Kabir studied the other man. "Is there a delay with your completion date?"

"There will be in about ten minutes or so." Mentally calculating how much time he could buy, Rajeev figured what he was doing would have to suffice. He looked at the pair watching him expectantly, trying to make sense of what he was asking of them. "Naomi has decided that she won't have any more to do with me once I move into my own place. One kiss and she loses her mind."

"Umm who did the kissing, Sir?"

"Dammit, don't tell her I told you, she'll probably hold that against me too."

"I think I will go and check on her okay?"

"Rachna, I also need to get hold of her brother, is that something you can help me with? I'm certain I'm not allowed anywhere near any of her computers right now."

"If all else fails, we can reach him via skype on my computer."

Left alone with Rajeev, Kabir studied the restless man beside him. "How long of a delay do you expect you will need Rajeev?"

"I guess that depends on how stubborn she proves to be."

"I pity you then my friend, she can be pretty headstrong. Did anything go your way today?"

"Well I'm pretty sure that my entire boys hockey team are in love with her and she does like my building."

Kabir smiled. "Sometimes it's the small things that get us through the rough times. Stay as long as you need to."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-24 07:22:42