Chapter 67

Chapter 66

 Readers, I'm posting in a disclaimer as I am in no way a medical expert; so any glaring mistakes regarding DNA testing I will claim as artistic license. Anyway I hope you enjoy the update.

Kelly

"Take care going up the stairs, beta," Kabir called out to Sanjay and he dashed upstairs with his school bag. "And remember to knock on Pari's door before you go barging into her bedroom."

"Okay Papa!"

Quietly laughing at his son's exuberance, Kabir backtracked and headed for Rachna's workshop. He entered, and immediately his attention was drawn to the mannequin spotlighted in the center of the room.

"My God, Rachna, it's magnificent. Does she know that you have completed it?"

His wife turned. As always, her husband's praise meant everything to her. Beaming, she walked over to him and reached for his hand, before rising onto her toes to place a soft kiss on his cheek. She leaned on his arm.

"Thank you KT. I think it came out splendidly, if I do say so myself; but to answer your question, no she doesn't know yet. We got a little sidetracked earlier with something else."

 Kabir could very well guess what that something else was. He understood that despite her assurances, that his wife wasn't totally supportive of his decision, and that such drastic changes were proving difficult for her. It would be natural for Rachna to want to confide in Naomi the morning's events. He watched her as she painstakingly studied her design, as if trying to come to some decision.

"Tell me, Rachna; perhaps I can help?"

"Actually I am wondering if it would show as well on the mannequin; or if I should insist on Naomi wearing it for the photoshoot."

"Has she become superstitious of wearing it before her shaadi now?"

"Nay KT, it's just..." she paused unsure how to proceed.

"Well speaking from experience, there is a vast difference between a mannequin shoot and a live bridal shoot. I can recall the transformation of one of my early bridal designs when the right model donned it. It is a memory I can never forget, actually," he stated emotionally.

Their eyes met. "I was so nervous that day," Rachna said.

Kabir separated from his wife and walked to get a closer look at her design. "Were you? All I remember how so very beautiful you were. It was like I was seeing you for the first time.  I was a fool not to have had Daadi arrange our alliance that very day," he whispered in her ear when he circled back to her side.

She shook her head. "I probably would have said no and run away; you were far too frightening to me back then. I hadn't yet realized the prize you actually are."

"Yet even after you did come to know, you still ran away from me, my love."

"Nay, Kabir Tripathi, I ran away for you; there's a vast difference between the two."

"You're absolutely right, Love," he said reminiscing the measures she had gone to in the past just for him. And now, despite all of her unspoken reservations, he knew that she was prepared to move heaven and earth for him again.

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Slowly Naomi roused from her sleep.  She breathed deeply as she became alert and immediately placed her hand on her abdomen. Her thoughts instantly went to Rajeev and what his reaction to this news would be. "Please be happy... please," she thought before taking another cleansing breath. Still drowsy in spite of her nap, she would have drifted back asleep had it not been for the tinkling sound of dishes being placed on her night-table. Her eyes opened and she began to get up, pausing only when  the hand on her shoulder  prevented her from rising too quickly.

"Take care, beta. Sit up slowly."

Naomi covered her mouth and yawned before smiling ruefully at the older woman. "You would think I would know better after helping Rachna these past few weeks."

Daadi nodded, as she placed a pillow behind Naomi's back.

"How are you feeling now that you have rested, beta?"

The younger woman rubbed her eyes and yawned again. "Actually I feel as if another hour or two of sleep wouldn't be a bad thing, but then I expect that I would be up all night if I did." She looked at the tray. "Are you joining me, Daadi, or is my appetite expected to increase so much in one sitting," she joked, before realizing her attempt at humor was not reciprocated.  Instead, the older woman's concentration had turned to the scan she had picked up from where it lay on the bed.

Naomi ducked her head down, "I'm sorry, Daadi. I know you must be so disappointed ..."

"This is definitely not an ideal situation, beti," Daadi agreed. She turned the scan to the side and studied it for another minute before setting it down and looking at Naomi . "But, I'm a great believer in things happening when they should, so it makes no sense railing against what destiny has handed you. Besides, I believe that your feelings are more important than mine right now. How do you feel, beta; tell me."

 

"Physically, I'm fine, but I'm so scared, Daadi...this isn't something I would have ever wished for right now, but at the same time I couldn't bear it if anything was to happen to the baby now." She took up the scan and rotated it. "I can't even make out what I am looking at here," she lamented. "Not like Rachna's, where you can actually see a child. All I know is that this is proof positive that everything is okay and I'm so glad it is. Even if I haven't a clue about being a mother, I so want to be one ...I'm nervous , but at the same time, I can't wait to tell Rajeev that we're having a baby...he wants daughters Daadi, did I ever tell you that?" She finally looked up at Daadi, who was indulging her ramblings. "I suppose I'm not even making sense am I?"

"I would say you are reacting just the way one would expect given the shock you've had." She patted her young friend's head. "Have you tried to reach Rajeev yet?"

"No, not yet; he has an away match today and then is going back to SVC for a faculty meeting, so I probably won't be able to speak to him until this evening at the earliest. I'm hoping he can stop by later, but am not sure exactly when he will be finished."

"Thik hai, until then we will just make sure to take good care of you for him, beti. And we will start with a healthy snack and your medicines. No more overindulging in sweets like you did earlier, beta."

"That was Rachna's doing, Daadi, I..."

 

The knock on the door, followed up by the young voice calling for his friend, preempted Naomi's defense.

"Come in Sanjay," she answered as the little boy's cherubic face peeped around the doorframe.

"You're just in time to have a share this snack with me, buddy."

It was all of the encouragement he needed, and he bounded into the room and dashed to Pari,  glad she  was finally awake.

Daadi stopped him as he was about to pounce on the bed. "Arrey beta, be careful you cannot jump on Pari."

"Do you have a tummy-ache, Pari," Sanjay asked noticing that she was covering her stomach with both of her hands.

She shook her head and smiled at him.

"You were asleep when I came to your room earlier," he said accusingly.

"I'm sorry; I guess I just needed a nap."

"Naps are for babies."

The two women's eyes met over the little boy's head.

"Ha beta, you are absolutely right,"Daadi responded. "Can I leave you to take care of Pari while I check on your sister?"

Sanjay nodded.

"Very good beta, will you make sure she drinks all of her juice and takes her medicines, thik hai?"

-------

 

Rajeev was still damp and wrapped only in a towel when he opened the door to his flat, in response to the incessant knocking on his door.

"You know I could have been a female neighbor asking to borrow a cup of something bhaiyaa,"Vihaan mockingly greeted his brother. "She may have thought you were offering something else given your state of undress."

Rajeev grinned and walked back inside leaving his brother to follow him. "My neighbors are not as obnoxious as you to be banging all night on my door. And since Aasha is happily married and expecting her first child, I doubt she would have such low thoughts as that either. "

"Aacha, so there will be children in the building; that's good."

"What, Vihaan?" Rajeev called over his shoulder.

"Nothing bro, just ignore me; focus on this instead," he said holding out the tiffin, he had held behind his back. "I come as messenger of a sweet Angel of Mercy who was concerned that you may not have had time to sort out your supper after such a long day."

"Ma has sent me dinner?"

"Try again, bhaiyaa."

Rajeev smiled. "She didn't even give me a hint of her plans when we spoke earlier." He motioned his brother to follow him to the kitchen.

"So you did get the chance to talk to Bhabhi then bhaiyaa? Anything interesting come up?"

Rajeev turned from grabbing two dishes out the cupboard and gave his brother a strange look. "You are really not trying to get into my personal conversations with my fiance, now are you Vihaan?"

Vihaan laughed to cover his mistake. "Of course bro, how else am I to know all your business." He grinned at his older brother. "I'm just so happy for you; for the both of you.  Naomi is a very special girl; I'm glad she's joining the family. You just make sure you take good care of her bhai."

"If just the afternoon with her has you so enamored, then I guess I should be grateful that I met her before you did Vihaan."

"You never know bhai, she may have been the one to put me on the straight and narrow," Vihaan teased. "Now you are going to share that right? One thing I'm going to miss back in the UK is some good home cooking. In addition to my gorgeous Bhabhi, that is."

--------

 

Rachna was back in Naomi's room when she returned from the bathroom after dinner.

"I have to admit," Rachna began, "that Vihaan has really changed over the last couple of years. Somehow he has realized that the world doesn't revolve around him. It was very nice of him to come and collect Rajeev's dinner this evening."

"I guess I will have to take your word that he was as bad as you say, Ra. From my perspective he's been nothing short of wonderful."

"Are things better this evening?"

Naomi nodded. "The bleeding is tapering off just like the doctor said it would, which is such a relief. Unless it increases or I develop any discomfort, the doctor said that I can resume my usual schedule right away. It will be just the usual precautions thereafter."

Rachna nodded in understanding. "So do you think you can manage a trip downstairs to the workshop now, or are you ready for bed now?"

Naomi's eyes sparkled, there would only be one reason that Rachna would want her to come to the workshop now.

"If you're asking me for the reason I think you are; I'm certain I can manage."

 

She did more than manage, and now standing in front of the floor length mirror, Naomi held her breath as Rachna placed the veil on her head to complete the outfit.

 

"Don't move a muscle. Stay right where you are, thik hai?" She smiled when her friend nodded. "But breathe; I don't need you fainting right now."

 

"A camera; I need a decent camera right now, KT," Rachna demanded when she rushed into the studio, "Please tell you have one ready to go.  Oh where is Mohit when you really need him?"

She sighed in gratitude when her husband pulled out the digital camera he sometimes used to capture his designs. "Will we need the tripod, Rachna?"

"That is entirely up to you KT. I just need to capture this moment right now, be ready to start shooting as soon as you enter."

 

The impromptu fashion shoot became a total family affair, when Daadi and the children somehow made their way downstairs and entered the workroom to discover Naomi in her wedding lehenga. Completely  bare of any makeup, Naomi's face glowed with happiness. Her artlessness juxtaposed beautifully against the exquisitely detailed wedding dress and embodied everything that Rachna had ever wanted for her brand. The candid photography was an achievement of the first order.  Kabir managed to capture every moment: Naomi's expressiveness as she stared at her reflection, Daadi's tears, and the gifting to her young friend one of the gold bangles she wore. The image of Sanjay's openmouthed awe at seeing her so beautiful ;and his happiness when Naomi insisted that he and his sister join her for photos were delightful. And finally, there was the skype call reveal between the bride and her parents. For a completely spontaneous session, it could not have worked out more perfectly.

 

Even after they finished taking pictures, the bride-to-be remained in front of the mirror.

"I don't want to take it off, Rachna. You should have never let me try it on."

"Well it's yours now, so that's entirely up to you, but I won't be held responsible for any wear and tear damages if you keep it on," she responded sternly.

Naomi pouted. "Aren't you supposed to give into my every whim because of my condition, Ra?"

"I don't think it works that way. I think with both of us pregnant means that we effectively cancel each other out."

"That makes sense," Naomi surmised. "It was worth a try, but you're right." She turned her back so that Rachna could assist her in changing out of her outfit.

 

As soon as she had removed it, Naomi sat at her computer to load the photos onto her computer, in anticipation of adding them to Rachna's PowerPoint presentation for the upcoming symposium in the morning.

"Rachna," she called out, "Did you take any photos of the outfit on the mannequin?"

"Nay; why?"

"I've just had an idea. Can you please dress the mannequin again?"

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"It's going to be a night to remember, bhai; I promise you that. I am going to start planning as soon as I get back to London."

"Don't go overboard Vihaan."

The younger man ignored his brother. "Trust me you will be in the mood to celebrate, and I will provide the means to do so, in a huge way. It's guaranteed to be one for the book; it will go down in Agarwal family history as the best bachelor party ever; you just need to confirm your travel date..."

Interrupted by the ringing of his mobile, Vihaan suddenly stood up and collected his jacket.  "It's Maa. I promised her that I wouldn't stay out too late."

For once grateful for their mother's mollycoddling nature of her youngest child, Rajeev walked his brother to the door, waving him off, until  tomorrow when he saw him at the airport.

"Ha Ma, I'm on my way... give me fifteen minutes."

 With a final wave, Rajeev closed the door behind him and then went to clear the table.  When everything was back in order, he headed off to  call the very thoughtful woman he was so lucky to have in his life, before he turned in for the evening.

 

Unfortunately, she evidently had no time for him...

"Rajeev, I'm sorry I can't talk right now. I'll see you in the morning okay?"

"Is something wrong, Sweetheart?"

"Um...not quite, I just can't...we're still on for breakfast tomorrow before we see Vihaan off right?'

"Yes, but...Naomi wait.."

"Okay I'll see you then, I love you..."

 

The line went dead in his ear.

 

"You shouldn't have done that Naomi, he is going to worry."

"No this is far more important, Rachna," Naomi said dismissing her friend's concern. "Rachna, we will only know the truth if you open the envelope."

"I don't know if I want to..."

"I know that it's unnerving, but we have to know if our suspicions are correct; you can't chicken out now, Rachna."

She was paralyzed with fear; that was the only way Naomi could describe her friend's hesitancy. She reached out her hand to take the envelope from Rachna's unsteady grasp.

"Do you want me to do it?"

Even then, she couldn't respond; only nodded.

 

Naomi took a deep breath, and unsealed the envelope. Her eyes scanned the first sheet of the two page document and then her eyes shot up in shocked surprise.

"Rachna; the results are conclusive; with a 99.98 % certainty..." Naomi swallowed as tears gathered in her eyes, and then she blinked. She turned and scanned the second page and then back to the first. "Rachna..."

 Rachna covered her ears. "No...no, I don't want to hear anymore."

"You have to Rachna, you need to..."

"No! Would you want to know that your husband had done this...that you've been consigned to raise a child..."

"Who is your own?  Rachna, what would possess you to test Aryia as well?"

"Naomi what are you talking about? I didn't send..." She grabbed for the report back and read first the reason  the test results had taken so long to be sent ; that two sets of  swabs had been sent in one test packet. Given this scenario it had been a wonder that any results had been achieved at all.

"Was Aryia present when you took Sanjay's cheek swab?" Naomi asked. "Could she have managed to put one in her mouth?"

"No...certainly not."

"Then how?"

"Sanjay, he had to have done it, I mean not swabbing her cheek, but..." Vaguely Rachna recalled turning away briefly to pick up the packet containing KT's hair samples that had slipped out of her hand. She had just swabbed the inside of Sanjay's cheek, but she wasn't certain if she had sealed that packet.

 

"He must have done it then. He had been a little nervous, but I showed him that it wouldn't hurt by swabbing Aryia's cheek first. He had to have placed her swab in the packet as well. But how did you know, it's completely anonymous, there's nothing that should identify the child and which one is positive..."

"Look again Rachna...personally I couldn't wait to drop my science classes, but a few things stuck with me... the XX and XY chromosomes in particular."

 

Rachna stared down at the results. Naomi was right, and it was there plain as day: two sets of paternity results, one absolute positive for the female child with the XX chromosome; the male XY chromosome test showing a 0% probability of paternity result.

 

Rachna wiped her eyes resolved, that she had to get to the bottom of this one way of another. She would no longer allow Sonal to toy with her family and her husband in particular.

"Naomi, you will be working on the presentation tomorrow right?"

"Yes Ra,that was the plan."

"Aacha, I've an idea that I think will help us get the answers we need."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-26 20:41:53