Chapter 94

Chapter #91 Part B

 

Naomi leaned into the crook of Rajeev's shoulder, not daring to turn again to look out the car window. She shuddered once more into the hanky, and tried to gain some semblance of control.  Clearly she was suffering the effects of heightened hormone levels; because her bawling had been excessive to say the least - and absolutely unnecessary, after all she would see them all again four days from now at the gala reception that her in-laws were throwing in their honor. But when it came time to leave; her determination to bid her family farewell with dignity failed her. Oh she was fine for the most part as she went through the steps of the vidai ceremony. Yes, there had been a few tears when she embraced  so many of her kin who had travelled so far to share her special day, and yes, even more came when they had come face to face with her brother.  Stefan had pulled her into a firm embrace.

"You have a good guy here, Kid - remember that, okay," he whispered in her ear before squeezing her tighter. "I love you, sis."  He then raised his head and released her gently sending her in the direction of her husband, before holding his hand out to his brother-in-law.

"I promise, I will take care of her," Rajeev stated preemptively as he took Stefan's hand in his.

"Oh I know you will; you have no choice," Stefan replied before, pulling the man his sister had chosen closer to slap him on the back. "Welcome to the family Rajeev. It will be hard sometimes, but if you can, be patient with her."

"Hey, I am right here you know" Naomi interrupted, before  her brother chucked her under the chin.

"I'm just one skype call away, okay?"

Naomi nodded and then smacked her brother on the arm when her sibling interrupted her.

"I was talking to Rajeev, Kid," he teased, causing her brother and husband to laugh at her expense.

She had turned away and came face to face with her parents along and the Tripathi family.

"Are you ready, beti," Daadi asked gently. "I think Rajeev has been more than accommodating."

Naomi knew that he had, but it truly felt as if she was leaving home for the last time. She noticed then how teary-eyed Rachna appeared as she leaned on KT.

"I will talk to you later, Ra?"

Rachna laughed between her tears when Kabir interjected, "At the reception; not before, and I'm referring to both of you. The two of you can do without each other for at least that length of time."

"You can't boss me around anymore, KT. I am officially off your hands now."

"Aacha, but it doesn't look as if you wish to leave home Naomi, so..."

Naomi approached them and hugged the couple, squishing Aryia in the process. "I love you guys so much," she said. She gave Aryia a kiss and then turned to Sanjay. "Goodbye Buddy, I will see you at the party in a few days okay?" She turned around and noticed that Rajeev was now having a word with Jack, who winked at her from afar, before ushering the groom to his bride.

 Walking with her mother for the last time, Naomi giggled when her parent advised her to maintain a happy married life, that it isn't necessary to be right all the time - 95% is good enough. She had then kissed her daughter before turning teary-eyed to her new son-in-law and doing the same to the tall handsome man.  "Take care of my babies Rajeev," she whispered "All 3 of them, okay?"

However it wasn't until her father embraced her before she left to start her married life that Naomi began to cry in earnest. It didn't help that Daddy had seemed hesitant to let her go, and when he finally placed her hand in Rajeev's, his words told her more than ever how much she was loved.

"It seems my job is done now; I protected her, provided for her and most importantly loved her until she could make her way to the one meant for her. I just didn't expect  the perfect one  for her to be so damn far away. Promise me son, that you will pick up where I've left off and cherish my Princess.  That's the only thing I ask."

 

***********

He had instructed the driver to take the scenic route to allow his wife the time to compose herself.  Eventually, her trembling subsided and she relaxed against his solid frame; she may have even napped  a little as quiet as she had become. Smiling in the dark, Rajeev leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you Rajeev," she whispered surprising him.

"I love you too Sweetheart. Are you ready to go home now?"

"Yes, please."

 

Naomi giggled when she needed his help getting out of the car after her failed first attempt. After so many hours, all of her finery felt incredibly cumbersome and heavy. They held hands as they entered the building and then took the lift up to their flat. He reached into his pocket for his key when she remembered that she had never got her own key back from Daadi.

"Actually Sweetheart, this is your key."

"Are you saying you forgot your key at home, Rajeev? Really how irresponsible," she teased. 

"Would you like to do the honors, wife, being that it's your key," he asked holding the key out . She nodded and reached for it and had almost inserted it into the lock, when she suddenly found herself lifted into Rajeev's arms. She squeaked in shock.

"What are you doing, how am I supposed to..." She smiled when he crouched down enough for her to complete the task of unlocking the door, and turned the knob.

"Had we stuck to our original plans, I had all intentions of carrying my new bride over the threshold of our hotel suite. Will you not allow me this tonight?" She responded by wrapping both arms around his neck, and waited as he nudged the door open.

 

"Arrey, Rajeev, beti...what is wrong?"

The couple stopped in shock, when Rajeev almost knocked his mother over when he kicked the door open. 

"Maa...," Rajeev began, and then seeing the prayer plate realized what was going on.

"Do you need the doctor, Beti?"

Naomi tapped Rajeev on his shoulder to signal him to let her down. He complied and Naomi rushed to assure her mother-in-law that she was fine. At the same time Rajeev took her hand to prevent her from entering the flat. Savitra  sent her son a slightly exasperated look. " Just because she did not come home; did you expect that we would not have a proper welcome planned for our bahu, Rajeev?"

 "You are absolutely right, Mother. Thank you..."he squeezed Naomi's hand to stop her from coming to his defense, and then waited for his mother to complete his bride's Griha Pravesh.

***********

"Mummyji"

Savitra paused at the bedroom door and looked back at her bahu who sat on the decorated bed in anticipation of her husband's eventual arrival.

"Ha Beti?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for everything; I know you made some concessions and allowed me to deviate from tradition a bit."

"I've come to learn that compromise is important, beti. And change is not necessarily a bad thing."

"I'm glad that you think that way, because I have something really important I would like to ask before you go. You see, Daadi mentioned this evening that it is customary for an expectant mother to return to her mother in the latter part of her pregnancy, and..."

Savitra Agarwal smiled. "I am sure that Daadi will take very good care of you, beti."

Naomi nodded. "I'm sure she would, but actually I was wondering if I could come home to you instead? Aside from the fact that Daadi will have her hands full with Rachna, I think it only right that the Agawal grandchildren first moments are with..."

Her mother-in-law burst into tears and returned to the unconventional yet very special young woman fate had brought into their lives. Naomi had got off the bed by the time the older woman had reached her and returned the unexpected hug she received.

 

Finally after an absolute eternity, Rajeev closed the door behind his parents. He activated the newly installed alarm, thinking that he should show it to Naomi, but not tonight. He then went about turning off the lights before making his way back to their bedroom. There she awaited him looking as beautiful as when he first laid eyes on her earlier today.  His eyes were immediately drawn to the sindoor and he found himself in a quandary of fighting the desire that had gripped him hours ago, and taking his mother's  unsolicited advice pertaining the care he should take due to her pregnancy. Something in Naomi's expression led him to believe that she had been subjected to the same topic. There was a definite timidity about her. It probably would be for the best to heed his mother's words. Before he went to her, Rajeev went to the water pitcher and poured himself a glass to wet his dry throat.  If only the cool water could temper the heat coursing through his veins. Determinately, he went to the bed and held out his hand.

"Come, I'd like to show you something."

***********

He took her to kitchen to show her the well- stocked refrigerator that would render them self-sufficient for the next few days, so that they needn't venture out at all. She denied being hungry, and then allowed him to lead her again. Of all things Rajeev decided then would be a good time to give her an in depth lesson in their new security system.  Barefoot and still in her wedding lehenga , learning the intricacies of the alarm, which she was, in fact, most appreciative of, was not at all how she expected to commence their first night as husband and wife.

"Rajeev, it has been a really long day, shouldn't we head to bed?"

"Well there is one more thing I would like to show you."

Naomi's lips tightened, but she nodded. She didn't want to turn into a shrew on her first hours of married life, but she didn't understand what was wrong with him; his mood had completely changed. She followed Rajeev as he entered the closest guestroom to the master suite. It was dark, but rather than turning on the overhead fixture, he reached for a lamp near the door.

The room had been emptied and carried the scent of fresh paint, but it wasn't overpowering. The wall mural was the first thing she saw: a whimsical rendering of the Tripathi staircase, with each of stair of their love-story shimmering due to some special paint technique. To the side a large design board stood laden with photos and fabric swatches. Naomi went closer to the mural , lovingly running her hand over the stairs that meant so much to them.

"I was thinking that perhaps we could add a few toy decals on the stairs or getting the artist back here to paint them on a little later."

"Maybe a rose or two," Naomi said haltingly. She turned to face Rajeev. "You've designed the nursery already..."

"Not entirely; just this, and collected a few ideas. I figured you would want to have a say."

Naomi gave him a look that made Rajeev want to whisk her into his arms and coax every ounce of passion from her, precautions be damned. He actually took a few steps towards her before stopping suddenly. She didn't understand what was wrong with him and started to come to him. He could only brace himself when she pressed herself against him.

"What's wrong Rajeev?"

"Nothing Sweetheart," he whispered into her hair.

She lifted her face; daring him to turn away from her. He met her stare and then could resist her no longer. He kissed her softly at first, and then with a fervor that would not be denied. She equaled him in eagerness which made it even more frustrating when he pulled away.

"Rajeev..."

"You probably should get some rest, Sweetheart."

"I'm not afraid you know. I mean this is entirely new, more deliberate, but I am not frightened of us becoming intimate tonight."

That she was blushing while telling him this let him see the air of innocence that she still maintained, but she wasn't backing down from the topic no matter how embarrassing she was finding it. "I just wanted to let you know in case you thought I may have some hang ups because of what happened."

"Sweetheart that isn't it..."

"But if not that, then what is..." she gasped suddenly and drew away from him. If the problem wasn't her then it had to be his.  She began crying silent tears. "You liar, you said it wouldn't make a difference, but it really does; doesn't it? You can't bear the thought ... Oh God why did you even bother marrying me Rajeev? I would have understood you know you needn't have subjected either of us to this."

 

Rajeev would have found his wife's irrational assumption laughable had he not been so tied in knots from want of her. The irony of it all was incredible "Sweetheart it's nothing of the sort; you have it all wrong."

Naomi wouldn't be denied her say. "You don't have to pretend Rajeev; it clearer than ever now that you don't want me because of what..." She faltered at the steely look her husband gave her, and took an involuntary step back - and then another until she was hard up against the wall mural. He literally stalked her, molded his body firmly against hers; and this time holding nothing back captured her lips. Pressed hard up against her she was left no doubt as to the ferocity of his desire for her. He lifted his head and she took a quick breath before it felt as if all the air escaped her when he trailed kisses down her throat before making his way up to her ear and nipping her lobe in a way that had her arching her back to get even closer. "Don't you dare to presume to tell me that I do not desire you. You have no idea how much and for how long I have wanted you."

"But..."

 For his own sanity he backed away and  gave her some space. "The babies Naomi: we have to consider their safety. You have already experienced some complications and I will not risk either your or our children's health. But how can you ever think that I don't desire ...I am tortured for want of you, Sweetheart," he said hoarsely. And finally she believed him.

 

"The human body is quite miraculous, Rajeev, you do understand that don't you?"

He broke out in a small smile. "Now you sound like Dr. Misra, Sweetheart."

Naomi smiled back at him, so happy that she finally understood his concerns.  "Well of course I do; who else would I have to discuss this very topic with?"

Rajeev recalled her recent, unscheduled visit to the obstetrician. " Are you saying that you went to the doctor to discuss..."

"The consummation of our marriage... yes Rajeev I did. It was the sensible thing to do. And come to think of it I should have realized that you may have concerns; many husbands do apparently. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. At any rate both I and the babies are fine and it would be very unlikely that the same issue arise. As well- meaning as Mummyji's intentions were tonight, I think I would prefer  to follow my doctor's advice."

"So Maa did speak to..." he paused and shook his head at how close he had come to ruining their first night together. "So what did Dr. Misra advise."

Naomi's cheeks flushed. "Well  she did discuss other um... options we could consider if you have real concerns."

"Options," he questioned her watching as her cheeks got progressively redder.

"Positions, different positions in which the mother has more control..."

He put his hand to his mouth to hide his smile. "You visited the doctor to discuss alternative sex positions?"

"I went to discuss my pregnancy concerns, but yes," she answered  stoically, "That topic did come up. That and the overinflated egos of husbands who think they are greater forces than nature, and think they can actually harm their children with their...prowess." She suspected that he was laughing at her and folded her arms "So is there anything else you wish to show me in the flat tonight, Rajeev? I find I have the sudden urge to go to bed." She walked past him out of the would-be nursery.

Rajeev followed her feeling like a first class fool for upsetting her and spoiling her mood on their first night as husband and wife. "Shall I make up the guest bed then? Our bed is not exactly conducive for sleeping tonight."

She looked back over her shoulder at him, looking more of a temptress than a new bride. "I never said I was ready to sleep Rajeev. Isn't this about the time you should be looking for your name in my mehndi pattern anyway? Isn't it tradition," she said.

He hurried to her and stopped her outside their bedroom. "So what does tradition say about thresholds, Sweetheart; will any do, or does it have to be from outside only?"

"I'm not sure, but since the purpose is to ward off evil, I figure it may be better to be safe than sorry don't you think?"

"Definitely," he agreed lifting his bride into arms, and finally joining her in their bedroom for their nuptial night.

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-22 21:01:22