Chapter 38

Chapter 37

A pretty busy chapter here, lots of POV and someone from the past makes a comeback in my FF. Hope it's not too convoluted and you enjoy reading.

 

Naomi entered KT and Rachna's bedroom with the tray of crackers and sliced fruits. The doctor nodded approvingly as she left the room with her patient's husband.  Rachna scooted over so that her friend could sit on the bed beside her. Slowly she began eating the contents, feeling increasingly better with each bite.

"Are you feeling okay now, Ra?"

"Much better, thank you; I expect that I will be able to get up in half hour or so just like the doctor said." She looked at her watch. "I don't think we will have lost that much time, so.."

"Rachna, you are staying in bed, and that's final."

"Nay, KT, and you know you are wrong to suggest so.  We have a busy schedule today with the photo shoot, and then our luncheon and visit with Sanjay."

"None of that matters right now, Rachna; besides the shoot is now definitely off-limits to you." He held the bridge of his nose, the nightmare of his wife possibly fainting on the staircase flashing in his mind.

"So now you know more than my doctor KT?  Admittedly, I shouldn't have jumped out of bed so quickly, especially with an empty stomach, but KT you really mustn't panic so."

Her words had no effect; he was now pacing the room. Rachna looked to her friend, her eyebrows raised in disbelief, and her husband's frantic actions.

"KT, should we just cancel the shoot?"

He shook his head, "Nay Naomi, you can go back to the studio and finish getting ready. We will just start a little later."

Naomi nodded, and looked to her friend.  "Finish everything on your plate, and then get out of bed, but slowly this time though Rachna."

 

Much improved, now that she had eaten, Rachna put the tray aside. Immediately Kabir came to her side, and after a moment's hesitation pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly and safely in his embrace. "God Rachna, I've never been more frightened. One minute we were talking, and the next... this never happened with Aryia, I didn't know what to think."

"Evidently our son is quite the attention seeker."

 He felt her rubbing his back and smiled at her attempts to sooth him. "So we're having a son?"

"Like you said, this never happened with Aryia, so working on that theory, how could  I not think that I am? I promise that I will be extremely cautious from now on , tik hai? Like the doctor said, I just need to keep my blood sugar steady throughout the day. I'm sorry for worrying you, KT."

 

Sequestered to the bottom of the steps, Rachna watched as Naomi created magic on the staircase itself. Being in love was certainly agreeing with her friend, or maybe it was the location and her memories that were lending to such a scintillating shoot.  Surreptitiously, she pulled out her mobile phone thinking that perhaps she needed a second opinion. If she was lucky she would catch Rajeev on his lunch break.

 

The dress was everything he remembered and more, but it was the woman wearing it that was the true beauty. Somehow Rachna had managed the perfect shot, displaying all of the detailing of the evening dress. The slinky gown hugged Naomi's figure, just as he remembered, before flaring at the hem to an enticing fishtail train.  At the fitting Rajeev had been pleased, when for once he hadn't had to suffer the lure of Naomi's midriff in this design. However that was short-lived on discovery that the dress was essentially backless barring the intricate looped chain-work that ran the length of the almost obscene opening. Her makeup and the traditional jewelry accessories definitely completed the overall look, but to him, it was Naomi's expression that was the biggest draw. He smiled reading the caption Rachna had included:

Half way through this photo shoot and this smile hasn't left her face yet...whomever could she be thinking of <3

He forwarded the photo and his own message, knowing that Naomi wouldn't be able to access it until after the shoot, but he hoped it would keep the smile on her face.  He couldn't wait to continue their conversation tomorrow. He was about to put his mobile away  when it pinged , startling him with the notification of an incoming message.

 

This is exactly why you never send images and PMs that you don't want to be seen by others via your smartphone. Miss Sexy's so hot she's melting my screen! Bhaiyaa I'm in love!

As bad luck would have it, Vihaan's had been the last number he had dialed so, of course, Rajeev lamented, he would mess up like this. It certainly wasn't the way he intended to let his brother know about Naomi. Quickly he responded.

Vihaan, delete it, obviously not for you.

The reply was immediate.

 Bhaiyaa, if she's smiling like this for you, why didn't you mention her when we talked last night? I would be screaming from the rooftops. Can't wait to show the lads at work my new GF LOL. Sexy...sexy...sexy.

 

You do that Vihaan - will make for fun times when we come to London and visit you at work. Your explanation for your perverted fixation on your Bhabhi will be worth your jokes today.

 

 BHABHI...MY BHABHI?? Keep your phone on tonight bhaiyaa, calling you right after work.

Paying a lot more attention, Rajeev re-sent his message, this time to the correct recipient. Glancing once more at the image before setting his phone on vibrate in preparation  for the last workshop;  the Sport Psychology she had known he would attend, his mind drifted to the fact that in twenty four hours,  he would finally be returning home to her.

 

 

Daadi passed Rachna the plate of light snacks to hold the mother to be over until lunch was served. She shared some of the tidbits with Aryia, who much to her frustration, was confined to her portable playpen. She patted her daughter's head, reassuring her that soon she would be released from her confinement. "It will get better when Papa  calms down a bit and realizes that Mama is okay." She stood up on hearing the doorbell moments before feeling a hand on her shoulder.

Gently settling his wife back into her chair, Kabir shook his head, indicating that she remain where she was. As he walked away to answer the door he saw, and ignored, her exasperated expression. She would just have to get over her pique, he thought.

 

"Papa, I'm here!"

Kabir smiled down at the little boy. "So you are Sanjay. I know that Aryia will be so happy to see you. We have her downstairs today, since it's busy on the steps and we can't go upstairs right now."

"Are the stairs broken, Papa?"

"Nay beta, come I will show you what is happening." Kabir nodded, acknowledging his son's mother.

"Goodbye, beta, Mama will see you later today."

Her son barely acknowledging her departure, Sonal waited, holding the door slightly ajar, until she was fairly certain that Kabir would have left the room, and stealthily re-entered the home.  Intrigued, by the conversation at the door, Sonal entered the lounge just enough to take it all in.  Her eyes widened. She was certain that Sanjay would have offered a wealth of knowledge this evening, but the child would not have known the relevance of what she was seeing with her own eyes. Kabir's attention to his wife had made the risk of getting caught back in the home worth it. Sonal had thought the addition of future offspring in the visitation order to be the workings of a thorough lawyer, but now seeing  Kabir's hand on her belly, and the concern in his eyes;  well it had just made the game a lot more interesting.

 

"Are we having a party, Papa?"

Looking at the buffet set up, Kabir could see why Sanjay would think so. " Ji Beta, in a matter of speaking we are. Since Pari is finished taking all her pictures for Papa we are having a bit of a celebration."

"And I'm especially happy that you are here today to celebrate with me, buddy. Maybe after we are done and you've had your visit with Aryia, we can play some computer games."

Sanjay smiled at hearing Pari's voice and dashed over to her, now that the steps were clear.

"Pari, you looked so pretty on the stairs!"

"Thank you Jayjay. So what say you: lunch, Aryia and then computer games?" She ruffled the little boy's hair when he agreed with a toothy grin.

 

They would sit for lunch in their usual places, KT at the head of the table, Rachna to one side, and Aryia's highchair between the two of them. Strategically as they looked to smoothly integrate Sanjay properly into their family, they had left a couple of empty seats, allowing the little boy the choice that made him most comfortable. On one side of the table an empty chair lay between Rachna and Naomi, the other between his Papa and Daadi. Carrying his plate, Naomi waited for his decision.

"Can I sit by you, Pari?"

Sparing a glance for Rachna, Naomi smiled, "Of course JayJay."

Placing both of their dishes down, Naomi got the little boy settled in his chair. Around the table, everyone waited his next move, surprised that this had been his chosen seat. After a minute he shyly looked to his left. "Hi Aryia's mommy."

"Hello beta, I'm so happy to see you today."

 

When Naomi looked up as her bedroom door opened to reveal KT and Sanjay waiting to enter, she realized how much time had passed. "Is it finally our turn to play Jayjay?"

The little boy looked up at his papa. "Uh huh, cause Aryia's mommy, I mean Rachna Aunty and Aryia were ready for a nap, right Papa?"

Rachna Aunty, was it?' Amazed at the progress after one afternoon's visit; Naomi's gaze shot up to KT's. She looked at her watch and then back to the little boy. "So we have about forty-five minutes of game time; come on then."

Sanjay looked at the floor plan on the monitor. "Is that Rajeev Uncle's place, Pari?"

"Yes Sanjay, most of the furniture is arriving tomorrow, so I was just reviewing it."

"And he comes home tomorrow right?"

"That's right, but not until the afternoon, so I'm going to wait for the furniture for him until he comes."

"Can I come and see his place one day, Pari?"

"I'm sure you can, I will ask him tomorrow."

Suddenly realizing that her mobile hadn't been charged, Naomi plugged it in. As soon as she did, it flashed indicating a message. She opened it, saw the image and the message. She would deal with her sneaky  photo taking friend when she woke up from her nap for sure.

"Pari, you missed it again!"

"What Sanjay?

"The one I've been to." He said pointing to her screensaver collection.

"Let's play the game and then you show me alright?"
"Okay."

 

It was almost bedtime for Sanjay, but because momma was busy she was letting him play a little longer, as long as he was quiet.  Momma was talking a lot on her phone and her computer, and now someone was knocking on the door. He looked up at the man, who handed momma something and watched mama walk out of the room. He went back to playing with his car, looking up again when the stranger knelt beside him.

"Hi Sanjay, how are you tonight?"

"Who are you?"
"I'm your mama's friend, but I understand that we have another friend in common." He pulled out his phone showing a picture to the little boy. He smiled when after glancing at it the child took the phone for a closer look.

"That's you and Pari."

"It sure is. I really like Pari."

"Me too. She's fun. She looked real pretty today. And we played computer games together too."

"On her silver computer?"

"Yes on that one." Sanjay looked up from the photo when the man sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"I haven't seen my friend Pari in a long time and I miss her. Do you think she will be home tomorrow?"

"No, not tomorrow, the furniture is coming so she will be at Rajeev Uncle's place."

Abhi's jaw tightened, as it seemed his one chance to converse with the child hadn't provided any information he could use to his benefit.

"She has to go there early since he's not home. Pari is going to wait for the furniture for him, 'cause Rajeev uncle is not coming back until the afternoon. Do you know where Rajeev Uncle's place is? Maybe you could wait with her."

"That sounds like a great idea Sanjay, maybe I will do just that."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-25 01:30:12