Chapter 80

Chapter 78

 

Naomi hadn't even the opportunity to see how Sareena was progressing with her Skype conversation with Rachna, when at first Daadi called out to her, and then Dr. Khan herself had tracked her down in the hospital library - one of the few public spaces in the hospital that served as a WiFi hotspot.

 

Daadi at once noticed the absence of the IV. "Aacha, beti you have had some good news today," the older woman had exclaimed, lifting her young friend's hand.

Naomi had smiled. "Yes finally, Daadi. Things have normalized in that area they say, so no more needles. Now hopefully Dr. Khan will let me know how much longer I need remain here, and guide me to the next phase."

"Well with that, it seems I've arrived right on cue," came the response from behind her.

Naomi turned to see the physician in question, chart in hand. "Dr. Khan: hello. I'm sorry; when I left the ward I didn't realize that you would be coming to see me. Umm should I get back to my room now?"

The doctor shook her head, and smiled kindly, "No, that won't be necessary." She motioned the pair to a grouping of chairs in the corner. "I have no objection speaking to you here, unless you would like the privacy of your room."

Naomi shook her head only because of Dr. Khan's smile; surely it wouldn't be bad news that she would receive. At least she hoped not. She followed Daadi and sat nonetheless anxious for what she would hear.

"We've finally had a proper analysis of the drug, a recreational one, which with long term usage would certainly have an effect on a developing fetus. But," she rushed on to assure the mother to be, "A single dosage usually will not, so although not 100% I can say with a high degree of confidence, that chances are entirely in our favor that no harm has been done to your babies.. Naturally it will be best that you be closely monitored throughout your pregnancy, and I would personally recommend additional testing to be done just to err on the side of caution."

Naomi lowered her head and heaved in relief. Daadi reached out to hold her hand, and smiled at her when she raised her head, before reaching out to wipe away the single tear that ran down the young woman's face.

"How soon can I go home," Naomi asked.

"In terms of leaving the hospital, I have no issue with discharging you later this afternoon, however..."

"Doctor, is there a problem with Naomi flying home," Daadi asked.

"That won't be a hindrance, Dr. Khan since Naomi will be staying with me until she decides her next step."

The senior physician turned to face the newcomer to their conversation. "Dr. Arora, Sereena, how are you today?" Then rotating back to her patient, she nodded. "Well that settles that; I will go and arrange for your discharge then Naomi, knowing that you will be in more than capable hands. You will need some additional medications, and I will schedule a follow up appointment for next week, okay?"

Naomi nodded, still somewhat taken aback by the unexpected offer. Vaguely she noticed Daadi stand and follow Dr. Khan.

"I'm coming to stay with you?"

"Yes," Sareena answered bluntly.

"And your call: you've finished it already," Naomi questioned.

The other woman nodded and then looked away. "Daadi...I mean Aunty..."

"Daadi is fine dear."

"Thank you...um I understand that you were just coming to meet Naomi, so I don't know how long you were staying here in London, and if you had your accommodations firmed up. I just wanted to say, that you are more than welcome to come and stay as well... that is, I have plenty of room."

Naomi's eyes widened, something Daadi  didn't miss. The older woman smiled. "That is a lovely gesture, beta, but surely you will have to clear this with your family."

"No Daadi, it's just me so that's not an issue."

"Thik hai, and thank you beta, that is a very sweet offer." She then studied the two young women with her. "So Beta, how exactly do you know our Naomi again, if you don't mind me asking?"

...

 

Rachna had been in the guest bedroom for a while yet, seeking an answer in the space. Staring around, she contemplated: who was this unknown person, and why was he so fixated on her friend? Where had Sonal found him? She looked around the room, which had been tidied since that night and the subsequent forensic examination conducted by the police officers. It was unlikely that they would have overlooked anything, but she couldn't help but want to conduct her own search of the space for something that would lead her to some discovery of something; anything that could help. The fear-provoking letter that Rajeev had received spoke to a totally obsessed person, who would not stop in his quest to make Naomi his. The oblique threat that he would harm Naomi's and Rajeev's unborn children alarmed her unlike anything ever had. And so she searched.

 

It was there, that Kabir found her, in what had been Naomi's bedroom, sitting on the bed: dejected and lost, with her lack of success.

"Rachna?"

She looked up. "Kabir how did Sanjay do...was he able to pinpoint anyone from the photographs?"

Kabir shook his head, "No, not definitively. At first we thought he had, but the person was too out of focus in the photo for any proper identification."

"But that in itself is a clue isn't it? I mean perhaps the person was aware of the photography and knew to stay just out of range. If, as you suspect the person has a connection to the articles in the newspaper, then surely he would know that Karan would be taking the photos, wouldn't he?"

She was right, Kabir thought, absolutely correct. And if this was true, then they were back to square one.

Suddenly Kabir's mobile rang. He grimaced on seeing the number, knowing that he had to relay the same bad news to Rajeev who was now calling in from his hospital bed. He put the phone on speaker so that the conversation could be shared.

...

"Think contrition, Abhi: complete shame and regret for your actions."

Talking to himself while pulling his car into the parking spot near his inlaws' modest home, Abhi verified that the phone was set to record the unexpected conversation that had begun en route to his destination, and then stowed the mobile and earpiece accessory into the glove compartment. He gathered the gifts: the flowers, the gift bag from the prestigious jeweler, along with the envelope, and headed to meet his in-laws, to make amends, and retrieve his wayward wife who had absconded from her marital home.  For his family honor, he would obey his father's directive to ensure her return, but as he carefully secured the two airline tickets in his inner jacket pocket, he expected that this reconciliation would benefit him more than anyone else involved in this situation.  His arrival anticipated, he had barely pressed the doorbell before the door swung open wide and his father-in-law met him.

"Namaste Papaji," he began his voice as full of as much remorse as he could project.

...

 

"She should be getting discharged soon and I've asked Vihaan to make arrangements for her to stay..."

Rachna interjected Rajeev's dialogue, "Nay Rajeev, that won't be necessary. And frankly that is probably the worst thing she could to do. Surely if this...person is familiar enough with you and Naomi, don't you think he would also know about your brother? Vihaan could very well lead him directly to her." She looked at her husband, choosing her words carefully. "Naomi called me by Skype and she's actually going to be staying with a friend instead."

 There was a brief silence on the line. "She called, Rachna?"

"Ha Rajeev, she did...it, it was important."

"What did she say...Has she recalled anything?"

"I'm sorry, Rajeev she hasn't."

The coach's sigh expressed everything they all felt, plus so much more. Rachna could only envisage how tortured he must be.

"I'm so very sorry Rajeev, "Rachna repeated tearfully. Beside her Kabir put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. Rachna turned her head into her husband and began weeping.

Kabir kissed his wife's hair and then cleared his throat, before whispering her to go and take rest. After she left the room, he turned back to the phone call.

"We will just have to keep working it from this end, Rajeev; we have to," Kabir declared. "There's too much at stake," he continued thinking of the adverse effect these troubles were having on far too many."

 "At this rate, nowhere will be safe for her," Rajeev muttered disdainfully.

"If that's the case, she may as well come home, don't you think," Kabir replied.

"I'm beginning to think you are right, Kabir; just tell how, short of abducting her, do we get her to agree to it?" He sighed once more. "Do you at least know what friend she will be staying with," Rajeev asked completely exasperated.

Kabir knew better than to take offence; the situation would drive anyone mad.

"Nay, but I will ask Rachna and get back to you as soon as I can, alright?"

...

 

The sight that met him when he entered their bedroom came close to breaking his heart. He bent down to collect the shoes his wife must have kicked off so carelessly, at the same time picked up the casually discarded dupatta near the bed.  Carefully Kabir replaced the coverlet that Rachna's restless slumber had disturbed. He took the opportunity to smooth her hair, frowning at her troubled sleep. He sighed heavily, recognizing that this constant flux of emotions could not be good for her nor her pregnancy.  Determined to alleviate some of his wife's stress he had taken over then: instructing the staff what to prepare for dinner, and then attending to the children so that Rachna's rest could remain undisturbed. When everything was settled he too headed back to his bedroom, thinking that a respite from the day's challenges would help him as well.  But this was to no avail, as he took in his wife's paleness, brought on by her worry. He hated the impotency of the situation, and the toll it was taking on his loved ones. They were getting nowhere fast in trying to discover who was behind all of this and more importantly why. Perhaps it was to look elsewhere for answers and to actually seriously consider Rachna's opinion that Sonal was behind this.

 

Her husband was on the telephone with the family doctor when Rachna stirred. Crinkling her face as listened , she tried to make sense of the one-sided conversation.  She watched as he made a notation on the pad he held, before bidding Dr. Verma goodbye and hanging up the call. He tapped the pen against the pad, before pivoting to face the bed.

"You're up, Rachna: good."

She looked at her watch. "And non-too soon , Kabir." She began to get out of the bed. "You shouldn't have let me sleep so late: the children; dinner..."

"All taken care of, love, I promise you."

"What?"

"They will be fine for a few minutes more, thik hai. But this..." he continued indicating the note book he held, "this I need your attention on..."

He sat beside her, and showed her what he had recorded.

"I've tried to piece your theory together, and I concede that there are circumstances that are very suspicious, but for the life of me I cannot see the big picture; surely she has to realize that she can never separate us...that she could never supplant you in my life.

Rachna took the pad and studied what he had written: a list of instances that could point to Sonal's involvement in the plan. Despite of the seriousness of the subject, she couldn't help but smile at the heading:

 

Goal: Break up Marriage  Impossible!

 

Naomi vs Sonal...why not Rachna/ vs Sonal? Mystery Friend - Sanjay - Where/ How did they meet? = Sonal? Drug - fast acting 30-45 minutes - Sonal came home same day could she had administered it/ WHY?
• New York Surveillance? Why other to break up marriage - why not publicize this?

 

"But tell me, Rachna, explain how what should have been a plot against us ends up with our friend being assaulted? I cannot deny these individual coincidences fit into the larger scheme of things; but why is the question I need answering. You need to give me something that would have you believing that Sonal...

 

Rachna closed her eyes, knowing that she could no longer withhold the information she had. Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears when she opened them again.

 

"Sonal's intention in coming back to Banaras with Sanjay was solely to destroy our marriage, Kabir. You do realize this don't you?"

"Ji Rachna: that I can understand, but again how do her actions turn from this to targeting Naomi?"

"Because we put her in the position to be the target of all Sonal's hate; and she willingly stayed there and took the brunt of the fury that would have been directed at me if she wasn't here. And Sonal obviously saw her as a threat or perhaps a means to achieving her goal."

Kabir thought about what his wife was saying. She was right in one regard; they had relied on Naomi more than they probably should have, and if there was any truth to Rachna's theory than they definitely had some culpability for what had happened. There was no doubt that Naomi and Sonal's interactions had degenerated from the day they had met to the point that it was more than clear that neither woman could tolerate the other.

"Things have never been what they have seemed Kabir; more and more things weren't adding up with Sonal's story, so much that we had no choice but to look further into it, and when I finally told her she had to stop probing, it obviously was too late..."  She stopped to take a deep breath and stared at her husband, who clearly in the dark would not comprehend anything without a full explanation. So she started from the as she saw it.

 

"Do you recall that I mentioned that Sonal had recommended three of the companies to her boss to participate in the symposium?"

Kabir nodded.

"And you dismissed it as unimportant...well it turns out that you were wrong. It came to my attention that there was quite the ruckus at Patel Industries due to Sonal purposively failing to send out Banaras Beauty's invitation. I discussed this with Naomi, and we came to the same conclusion; that she had a reason for doing so above our mutual dislike of each other. And even though Naomi couldn't find a definitive connection between Sonal and any of these London-based companies, we were still convinced that she would never have made the connections with these companies based in the US. So I asked Sanjay."

"Asked Sanjay what exactly, Rachna, " Kabir asked neutrally..

"Naomi  had recalled how Sanjay had tried to show her multiple times, somewhere he had visited  that was on her screensaver  collection, and  we took a chance that it may be connected. You see at the time, Naomi didn't have anything from New York in her screensaver rotation. So I did...and it turned out to be the London Eye, Kabir."

Kabir recollected his son's oft repeated mentioning of the iconic landmark. It was in fact the thing he had most been looking forward to visiting when they travelled for the wedding.  Still he shook his head,

"Nay Rachna, that doesn't necessary mean anything; he may just have it visited once on vacation and it made an impression; that's it."

"He actually visited many times, Kabir... and it was his Aunty Reena who took him; every time it seems."

"Aunty Reena: who is that," Kabir asked perplexed.

"That was exactly our question, Kabir. So Naomi did her best to find out indirectly through her interactions with Sonal, which must have put her in Sonal's crosshairs. I suspect that this is when she recruited Naomi's attacker. "

He couldn't believe incredible tale that his wife was telling him, not to mention the activities she and Naomi had conducted under their noses.  He lowered his head and held the bridge of his nose.

 

 "Kabir, you have to understand, I will never not believe that you weren't her ultimate goal : never. And she had arrived with an incredible weapon to use against us in Sanjay. But perhaps the strength of our bond surprised even her and in lieu of this, she devised the plan of making it appear that you and Naomi were involved. But it seems that she even changed her mind about that, and I think I know... "

Kabir lost patience and harshly interrupted his wife. "You're not making sense, Rachna; all of this is speculation, and far grasping at that. How would she expect to accomplish..."

Rachna remained calm, even in the face of her husband's frustration. "Through a carefully laid plan, Kabir, beginning with getting you to believe that her child is yours...If not for Sanjay, there would be no connection between the two of you; he is her only foothold in our lives."

Kabir looked at his wife completely flummoxed. He shook his head, firm in his denial, "You are talking nonsense, Rachna; I have test results showing that Sanjay is my son."

Rachna stood up and went to her wardrobe where she extracted an envelope hidden the folds of her clothing. She walked back to her husband "And I have results that differ from that Kabir. Sanjay is not your son... and against all odds we've located his true family, KT.  The reason Sonal did not want me anywhere near the symposium is so her secrets wouldn't be revealed. But it didn't matter, KT...one of the designers from the symposium reached out to me after when they recognized Sanjay and Sonal in my presentation, but more importantly she reached out to Aunty Reena. And then there's Naomi. Somehow she ended up in the very same hospital that Reena works at...that was the real reason Naomi called today. Kabir, Sareena Arora has been searching for her nephew for almost two years after her ex-sister in law absconded with him, from the UK during an unsupervised parental visitation shortly before the death of Sareena's brother, Dr. Udhay Arora... Sonal's ex-husband.

 

Confronted by this amount of information, Kabir had no choice but to at least consider the possibility that he had been duped again by Sonal, in the cruelest way he could imagine.  And that in fact the woman could have indeed orchestrated the act of violence perpetrated on Naomi. With a sinking feeling, he reached up for envelope Rachna held.

 Tearfully, Rachna watched as her husband read the complete report, and stilled. He closed his eyes for a minute before forcing them back open. Complete shock was written across his face. She was sure he wasn't even aware of the tears brimming in his eyes.

 

"Papa, what's the matter?"

The couple looked up, incredulous that Sanjay, awake from his nap, had materialized in the room out of nowhere. The small boy rushed to his father and reached up to wipe his wet face with his sturdy little hands.

"Don't be sad Papa," Sanjay encouraged softly.

crtkelly2016-05-28 00:30:07