Chapter 100

Chapter #97

Cautiously, Kabir placed the mobile where he could reread the text message, as if glancing at it for a second time would alter the communication that had shaken the very foundations of how he had planned to proceed. How could he have not known: not recognized that it was Rachna who lay on the gurney - not realized that in loading the woman into the back of the ambulance, that he was placing his love directly in harm's way? Once she was discovered, she would most certainly be the target of Abhi's rage. Although far from ideal, at least Naomi would have had a measure of safety in this situation due to the unbalanced man's twisted obsession with her.This fact would have allowed Kabir the opportunity to focus solely on rescuing his son, but not now. Aside from the discovery that he had been cheated of his prize, Abhi would be even more dangerous if egged on by Sonal, who had her own reasons to hate Rachna. Dammit, what the hell had she been thinking, Kabir wondered, as the vehicle moved ever closer to its destination.  He contemplated if the undercover police officer who had assumed the role of ambulance driver, was aware of the fact yet, and if not how he could advise the man without raising suspicions. The situation had become even more risky: exactly what the police had wanted to avoid, and had argued against, when they had attempted to dissuade Kabir from coming along. He would hear none of it: his child was in danger, and nothing and no-one would prevent him from pursuing those who had absconded with him. They either accepted him along for the ride, or he would go it alone. Besides, Kabir had reasoned, his presence would calm Sanjay in the midst of the tumult the little boy's kidnapping would have wrought. Kabir could only imagine the trauma inflicted on his young son when Jack had been attacked so brutally in front of him and his subsequent abduction by the stranger who had ripped him from the security of his family. No, Kabir had clarified: no one would stop him from going to his son - and none had dared, seeing the designer's fierce determination. But now it had all changed. His wife and unborn child were now caught up in this mess and he was torn as how to handle the situation. Kabir looked to his left at the doctor who was sandwiched between him and the driver. He was pale and obviously discomfited over his actions - that the depths of his feelings for Sonal had led him to act so unscrupulously and completely against his oath as a doctor. He had asked for a chance to redeem himself; cautioning that his not seeing things thorough would only forewarn Abhi and Sonal that their planning could be compromised. But in truth, could the physician truly be trusted? Could he so casually dismiss his attraction for Sanjay's mother, and render assistance to the opposition?  As if the mere thought of him, had roused him, the doctor spoke up suddenly and directed the driver to take the next right which would lead them to the quiet side road where they would await Sonal's arrival.

********

The child's shock at the onset of the attack had an immediate effect, so much that the little boy hadn't reacted at all to the bodyguard's command to run and return to his papa. He had just stood there: frozen in fear at the violence that had unfolded in front of him. The Englishman had fought the pair of assailants fiercely, managing to overpower one of his attackers despite being wounded when the man had pulled out his gun and fired: his intent of killing the bodyguard clear.  The attempt failed, and even injured, Jack looked to be turning the encounter to his advantage, first disarming and about to incapacitate his attacker. The remaining thug had had no choice then, but to grab the child and make his escape. Thankfully, the little boy had remained silent as they traversed stealthily through the halls of the hospital. However, after achieving success in leaving the building undetected, the child must have realized the precariousness of his position, and had suddenly come out of this stupor and began screaming for his father. Without his partner to aid him in controlling the vociferous youngster, the kidnapper had had no choice but to throw the frightened lad into the car boot to secure him. It was impossible for his actions to go unnoticed, and so the burly man threw himself into the driver's seat; gunning the engine and peeling out of the parking lot at a dangerous speed. Only when certain that he was not being followed, did he slow to a less conspicuous speed, and made his way to collect the little boy's mother.

 

His first thought on meeting the woman was what a heartless beauty she was. Her reaction, or lack thereof to being told that her son was secured in the trunk of the vehicle had raised no alarm in the woman - no protests over the little boy's treatment. All she cared about was meeting the ambulance on time. And so he drove onwards. Like clockwork, they turned on to the side street and saw the waiting emergency vehicle and only then, when she had no choice, did she reluctantly express any interest in the child.

 

Kabir was livid.

 

Having gotten out of the ambulance, he had followed the doctor, all the while trying not to bring any undue attention to himself. Despite the danger of being discovered, he had no alternative if he wanted to confirm Sanjay's condition. Expecting the little boy to quit the vehicle from the back seat, he was shocked when Sonal nonchalantly exited the car's passenger side and made her way to the rear of the vehicle. Kabir heard the popping of the trunk, and then observed the driver get out. His fists clenched as he realized the depravity of both the kidnapper and Sonal to have left the young boy in the almost air-tight compartment. The doctor reacted when he couldn't and rushed past Kabir to succor the youngster.

"Are you both mad," he yelled he checked the little boy's vitals. He then raced for the rear of the ambulance to retrieve a portable oxygen canister for the child who had passed out. Kabir couldn't help himself, and automatically picked up the child and carried him back to the emergency vehicle; so be it if anyone recognized him. He had to wait at the ambulance door, when Abhi appeared in the entryway and after pausing to stare at the limp child, disinterestedly exited and headed toward Sonal and his hired goon. Behind him he heard voices raised in anger, but Kabir paid no heed to them, as he laid his son down on the empty gurney so that the doctor could attend him.  Thankfully, the supplementary oxygen supply revived the child after some minutes, and although visibly upset, Sanjay seemed in a much better state than he was initially in.

"Will he be okay," Kabir asked in a hushed tone.

As proof of his wellness, Sanjay immediately turned in the direction of the voice that he instantly recognized. "Papa," he cried out through the oxygen mask.

***********

Naomi wasn't sure how much time had passed, or if it was even still the same day: only that this was the second time that she had come to her senses after being rendered unconscious.  The first time, it had been the sting of the disinfectant being applied to the cuts on her arms, which had brought her back with a hiss of breath. She had awoken that first time, to learn that her chura had been removed in such a careless fashion, as to leave her with multiple lacerations which were now being tended to. However harsh the antiseptic's bite was,  it was the least of her worries when confronted with the horror of learning what had happened to her and Rajeev. She had been informed of the danger to her husband was still in, that would only be averted by her making the basest of choices: Rajeev's life in exchange for her fidelity to the man insistent on claiming her for his own; hers and Rajeev's children to be furthermore considered his as well. In speaking so boldly in front of the medical staff attending her, Naomi realized the truth behind his words; that Abhi had the means to carry out what had he had threatened, and she was left with no choice. And while she told herself that she did it solely to buy time, Naomi died inside, as she willfully betrayed the vows she had made to the man who was her world in willingly removing her ring and her wedding chain, so that both could be replaced by ones of Abhi's choosing. She closed her eyes when he leaned over and gently kissed her forehead, after informing her that Rajeev would understand as he had already witnessed Abhi filling her hairline, because deep down, Abhi had known that she would make the right choice. It only got worse when he imposed his newly gained rights over her and had insisted on a gamut of tests so that he could ascertain the health of "their" children.

 

And now she was revived once more: this time finding herself lying on the cold tiles of the private bathroom of the hospital room she had been in. At least that's where she thought she was. Her head felt heavier this time around, as if she had been administered a higher dosage, but she could still recall that he was coming for her. They would be leaving soon, Abhi had said before he held up the handkerchief to her face. Someone would get her ready, but she needed to go back to sleep. Had she somehow escaped to the washroom, she didn't know, but for now is seemed that she was safe.

Then the doorknob rattled.  

Her whimper must have alerted whoever was on the other side of the door, as then came the incessant knocking and voices calling for her to back away seconds before the door was kicked in. A group entered the small space, and hands grabbed at her. She struggled not knowing if they were here to take her to Abhi. But then she heard the familiar voices of her in-laws who had been held back initially. Her doctor's too, as it seemed, Dr. Visra had also come, and immediately established her authority by ordering the hospital staff to move away from her distressed patient.  Only then was she taken from the room to one where she would be under guard and safe from Abhi.

********   

 

"I've prepared your wife the best I can."

Kabir had no clue what the doctor had meant by that, but his words let him know, that the man had discerned the identity of the patient from the get-go, and he hadn't betrayed the fact. Perhaps their doubts in him were unjustified, but now, as they raced closer to the airport, Kabir couldn't help but wonder what type of assistance he had provided.

 

It had been a close call, when after comforting Sanjay and assuring the child that his Papa was actually there to take him back home that Kabir had turned to the woman lying motionless across from him. Knowing that this would be his only opportunity to make contact with her, he had leaned over to get a closer look; to see if he could see beyond the veil and at least see her eyes. He would know for sure then if it was Rachna, but unfortunately, from what he was able to see, her eyes were closed. With no other choice, he reached to lift the veil, only to have the heavy hand clamp down on his wrist, and then worse.

"Do you wish to die," Kabir was asked feeling something sharp at his throat

The doctor looked up from where he still attended Sanjay.

"For God's sake, Abhi Sir, the man is a trained medic; I've asked him to check her vitals that is all!"

The deranged man squinted, looking from the man aiding the child and then back to woman he believed to be Naomi. He couldn't bear the thought of any man touching Naomi, even if it was his job, but it was his responsibility as her husband to ensure that she was well. He swallowed and removed the blade from the orderly's neck. "Do it quickly and then get back in front seat," Abhi ordered, going back out to give his goon his next instructions.

 

Kabir watched the crazed man's departure and then faced his wife. She was breathing erratically now. Silently he took her hand, in hopes of making it appear that he was checking her pulse, and moved as to block her action, when Rachna gripped his hand tightly in return.  Still at this point, unaware of the doctor's knowledge, Kabir communicated with his Love in the only way he could safely: by touch, caressing her hand in comfort. With his other hand he loosened the straps, but left them in place so that it appeared that they were still affixed.

"Be ready, Love..." Kabir whispered before he moved to leave.

The doctor followed, catching Kabir up and then spoke the words that Kabir still pondered as the approached the airport gates that would take them onto the private concourse.

*************

"I'm sorry, but due to liability issues, we cannot allow non-sanctioned medical personnel to be the primary care providers on this flight, surely that was explained when you arranged the medivac. Our team is here at your disposal, a fully qualified Doctor and nurse, but I'm afraid you will have to dismiss those you have arranged."

"Thik Hai, but at least they can come along as passengers," Abhi countered for appearances sake. Frankly he didn't care a whit one way or another, but he had to maintain the cover they had created for themselves.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible", the captain explained, going into details about weight load of the jet.

Abhi's glance strayed to the co-pilot who was busy with his pre-takeoff check of the airplane. He turned back when the captain asked him if he understood, and nodded before returning door of the jet where Naomi and Sanjay had already been taken to be settled in. He had to stop the contracted medical team from examining her lest they realize that her malady was entirely subterfuge.

"We will have to arrange alternative arrangements for the two of you," Abhi whispered to Sonal and her doctor friend as he neared them. "Due to his mistake," he hissed, "Neither of you will be allowed to fly."

"What," Sonal screeched.

"Lower your voice, do you wish to bring additional attention to yourself," Abhi complained.

"Well what do you expect for us to do, go to the main terminal and purchase tickets and go on a commercial flight? Don't you think that a search hasn't been initiated already; that the police haven't been made aware... your man shot someone...do you really believe that this will go un-noticed..."

Abhi looked up sharply to see the co-pilot circling the jet. He eyed the man, whose own eyes were hidden behind his aviator sunglasses. It was the man's tight-lipped expression that had Abhi wondering if Sonal was possibly right...

 

 Inside the air-ambulance, the "medical personnel" stood at the ready to lead the woman and child to the safety of the ambulance that remained parked nearby. The undercover police officers awaited the signal that would let them know that this was their best opportunity to escape. Knowing for certain that the ringleader of the group was armed at a minimum with a knife, they would have to rely on the bodyguard to disarm him, at the very least so that they could make their escape.  The lethargic child was problematic, but they would have to make do. They heard the sounds of a physical encounter and bolted down the steps.

 

"Run straight for the ambulance... do not let anything going on around you distract you...just run."

 

The advice was easier said than done, Rachna thought. From the corner of her eyes, she could just make out the scuffle between Jack, instantly recognizable when the airline captain hat flew off his head, and Abhi who, in his mania, was putting up a hell of a fight. She heard Sonal raise the alarm, and felt when the woman constable, clad as a nurse, turned to fend off the irate mother. They were almost there; almost home free when the officer carrying Sanjay stumbled, felled by a shot taken from just outside the chain-link fence on the perimeter of this section of the airport. Abhi had left nothing to chance, and had stationed his man there until the plane left. The officer lay grimacing in pain from his leg wound. "Go...take the child and go," he ordered. Rachna obeyed without hesitation.

"Come beta, we're going to Papa," Rachna said in encouragement. She was certain that no more gunshots would be taken solely because Abhi believed her to be Naomi, so she hastened in the direction of their safe haven.  "We're almost there, she cried, smiling in relief beneath the veil that still obscured her face. The open door provided the needed cover and Kabir waited: arms stretched out to aid them. He grabbed Sanjay and ordered him to get behind him, and then immediately turned back for Rachna...stopping cold at the sight before him.

 ***********

"Take the child and leave. This has nothing to do with you, Kabir. She's made the choice to be with me, haven't you Naomi?"

Rachna dare not answer, as she stumbled backwards supported by the hand around her waist.  Catching sight of the wicked looking knife that Abhi was flailing around in his other hand, all she could do was to shake her head at her husband who looked as if he meant to exit the ambulance. The distance between her and Kabir grew.

 

"I've done everything for you Naomi; you cannot leave me. You told me you wanted this...us ... me and you..."

Kabir looked at the disturbed man steadily pulling his wife away, back towards the plane. All would be lost if Abhi was allowed to return to the jet and subsequently identified his captive. Kabir couldn't let that happen, and he jumped down from the vehicle. He closed the door securing Sanjay out of harm's way and stepped towards the retreating couple.

"Stay back, I mean it, Kabir! I won't let anyone take her from me! Shoot him," he hollered with immediate results. Kabir had no choice but to back off, when a burst of shrapnel exploded at his feet.

 

crtkelly2016-04-17 18:09:42