Chapter 3

Chapter #2

"You don't have to say a word; I know I'm an absolute coward."

She had said it so low, that had his experience not have him continuously in tune with his surroundings then her words would have gone unheard. Instead, Jack veered his eyes from the man further down the hall, and turned his attention to Sareena who quite understandably had sought solace in his arms. He stepped back from her and lifted her downturned head so that she had no choice but focus on him.

"Bollocks, I've never known anyone less of a coward than you Sareena Arora. You are the most courageous, heroic woman I've had the pleasure of knowing and having in my life. And having reached here via the ICU, I can state most assuredly that there is a man: a husband and a father who shares my sentiments ten-fold. They are all waiting for Naomi to regain consciousness, but almost as anxious as this, are they hoping to meet the phenomenal woman who has saved both a mother and child, neither of whom would have had any chance of surviving had you not been there."

 A sheen of moisture filled her eyes on receiving this wonderful news , but right away Sareena deflected her actions being anything out of the ordinary "Nahi, I did only what I've been trained to..."

Jack nodded. "A natural assumption, but not what has been relayed to the family. And frankly I'm more inclined to believe the truth as they know it.  I don't believe for a minute that you didn't fight just a little harder because of who your patient was; you'll never convince me otherwise Reena." He took her silence to be her concurrence, and then continued. "You fought to save a friend today and that alone had to take its toll on you physically and emotionally, which is the only reason: the single reason that his appearance is affecting you so. You are better than this, and Vihaan Agarwal is nothing - lower than low- and not worth your bother. But Sareena Arora a coward: never! If it was anyone but you uttering those words, I swear I would have mete out some serious retaliation."

A small smile came to the attractive woman's face. "More like you are still too scared to take me on you mean." She reached around his neck and pulled him closer for another tight hug. "Thank you Jack; I always know that everything will be okay, when I have you with me." She took a deep breath. "I guess that's why he, Vihaan has come then: to get his mother and Daadi?"

"I would imagine so," Jack replied noncommittedly. "He left immediately after the surgeon gave them the news regarding Naomi," Jack continued. However, after succinctly reading the other man's reaction to him, the bodyguard would be thick not to comprehend that the opportunity to meet her had been on Vihaan Agarwal's agenda as well. Yet understanding Reena's tenuous hold on her emotions right now, this fact wasn't something the bodyguard was prepared to disclose to her either. "Chalo meri jaan, let's get this meet over with, and then get you changed up so you can meet everyone else that matters."

Sareena really smiled this time; she loved Jack's ability to make everything better for her; something he had begun doing almost the moment they had met as teenagers in their UK boarding school. She looked up at him. "I love you, Jack Thompson," she stated and waited.  Automatically he winked in return, and hugged her one last time.

By the time the pair had returned to the group, the two older women were more than ready to enfold the young physician into their grateful embraces after Vihaan had updated them on Naomi's condition.  Taking the lead, Savitra Agarwal, met them mid-way and tearfully blessed Sareena, who as far as she was concerned, had saved the heartbeat of their family: the daughter who had essentially been the catalyst to end their estrangement from their eldest son. From the get-go and since, the young woman that Rajeev had chosen as a life-partner had done wondrous things for their family, the very least adding to the family line with the twin daughters she had already borne. Her loss would have been an unfathomable tragedy for all of them. And now knowing that the youngest Agarwal; perhaps the heir they prayed for, had also been saved today Savitra was completely overwhelmed with gratitude towards to the modest woman before her, who denied that she had done anything more than she should have as a doctor.

"Bless you beti, our family will forever be indebted to you."

"Thank you Aunty, but truly you mustn't discount the work that the team here have done."

It was as if she was talking to herself, as the woman refused to acknowledge anything but the role she had played in this situation. The lesson learned, Sareena stopped protesting and just agreed with the thankful mother. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Daadi who nodded her approval. Later would be sufficient to make the Agarwal family understand where recognition was due. Finally Rajeev and Vihaan's mother released her so that she could greet Daadi. Immediately she went into the waiting arms of the woman had come to play such an important role in her life in the past four years. The warm feeling her hug evoked was indescribable, and very much needed right now. Sareena nodded to the whispered inquiry of her wellbeing, and too accepted her blessings. The entire time Jack had stayed at her side, as close as he possibly could without interfering in Sareena's interactions, but near enough to provide a buffer between her and the man she was in turmoil over. However, now with her exchange with Kabir's grandmother at end, she realized that she had no choice now but to get this over with. Inwardly steeling herself she turned to where the man stood.

*********

The first thing Vihaan noticed was that Sareena had left Jack's hand only as long as it took to fold them respectfully to his mother and Daadi, but immediately after had sought the comfort his grasp held for her. The man's possessiveness was clear as day: his body language sending overt warnings to Vihaan. However, call it kismet or sheer happenstance, the fact that he found himself in the proximity of the doctor after so long, for damn sure Vihaan was going to make the most of the situation. His patience as she greeted the others was rewarded, when just as the young woman turned in his direction, Daadi found an excuse to hold Jack back from his hovering position. At last he was there face to face with her, and for a minute he actually felt a bit tongue-tied.

"Namaste Sareena, how are you?"

It was an inane question to ask, and Vihaan felt the fool for the only words he could manage to get out. But then she sent a small smile in his direction.

"Very much relieved, now that I've been informed that Naomi has pulled through."

"Bhaiyaa told us how hairy it became on the way here. I just can't thank you enough for everything you did. We would all be lost without her," Vihaan stated honestly not caring that he was wearing his heart on his sleeve at the moment.

Just like that, the quality that she had most admired in Vihaan: his compassion for his loved ones revealed itself, and Sareena could not help but to respond positively in return. Unwittingly she closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his. "Believe me, it's not only you who would have felt the loss, Vihaan." She kept the contact with him for a minute, until unbeknownst to the both of them Jack sidled up and once more took possession of Sareena's hand in his own. Watching the young doctor turn a fiery hue, as she looked almost guiltily at the unasked for intruder, Vihaan moved to confront the man for his high-handed manner.

"Reena the nurse had returned," Jack stated succinctly, and hint of warning in his voice.

Only his words stopped Vihaan from following through with his intention of questioning this over-possessive behavior; the opportunity to finally learn the newborn's fate, was, after all, the utmost reason for all of them being there. It didn't matter then, when Jack escorted Sareena directly to the medical worker who began speaking to her in hushed tones, before being joined by another hospitalist: this one carrying a chart in his hands. Vihaan followed Jack's movements as he distanced himself from them.  Peering then, over at his mother and at Daadi who too respected that the physicians' initial consultation should be amongst themselves, but couldn't hide their worry either, Vihaan turned and went to meet the two older women. "Bhai was certain that the baby was fine; he clearly indicated that before I left, Maa," Vihaan offered as consolation when he reached them. His mother shook her head to acknowledge him, but as expected, only corroboration from the child's doctor would assuage her worry for her youngest grandchild. Minutes passed, and still they conversed; none of the group betraying any hint of what news they would offer. Beside him the two women grew more restless, and even across the room Vihaan saw what looked to be concern displace Jack's usual poker-faced veneer. And that worried him most of all - despite the enmity between the two of them, the security professional shared a healthy respect with bhai, and his relationship with Bhabhi was one of mutual adoration. It took a lot to unsettle the man, and it was evident that he was worried now as well. Perhaps he had been able to read something in the practitioners' body-language that they could not, but before Vihaan could give into the urge to go and question him, his mobile vibrated at his waist. Almost simultaneously, the ward clerk approached the gathered group.

"Mrs. Agarwal has regained consciousness," she announced. " She has become quite anxious."

***********

She had come through a haze of crippling pain; coaxed back to consciousness by the voice she adored above all others. He murmured his encouragement and automatically she tried to turn her head in the direction where it had originated. It hurt even to do this, and on her first attempt all she had done was to somehow exasperate the pain deriving from her abdominal region. Her heartrate increased, and with it so did the beeping of the monitors she somehow knew were connected to her. His voice reached her again, assuring her that he was there and wouldn't leave her side ever; and most of all how much he loved her and needed her. It gave her the strength to try again and this time she met success in responding to his reassurances by forcing her eyes open to view the man she loved.

"Hey Sweetheart," Rajeev whispered softly when her beautiful green eyes at last found him.

"It hurts...I hurt," Naomi gasped.

Rajeev squeezed the hand he held while caressing her face gently with the other; sweeping away the tears that began rolling down his wife's cheeks. "The doctor will give you something for the pain I promise, just hold my hand and I will try to help you get through it, thik hai?"

She nodded, but at the same time the stream of tears down her face increased. Unwilling to leave her side for a second, Rajeev reached over and pushed the button to summon a nurse.  The response was immediate when one of the sisters entered the room, and observing her patient now awake left to summon the attending physician.

"Just a little while longer, Sweetheart," Rajeev said thinking her pain increasing. However his comfort was to no avail, as her silent tears were soon accompanied by soft weeping.

"I'm so sorry," Naomi uttered weakly. "Our baby...it's all my fault. Forgive me Rajeev."

"Hush Sweetheart, there's nothing to forgive. The baby..." he tapered off unable to continue, which only served to increase Naomi's distress. With no information on his newborn child, Rajeev felt powerless, as he didn't know how to truthfully answer his wife in a way that would comfort her in any fashion.  His only hope was that some information on his child be forthcoming.

*********

Imagining the levels of anguish that the couple would have reached in the time it had taken for them to return to the ICU, Sareena blocked out the others around her after explaining that it was only right that the new parents be the first to receive details on their child's condition. With the assurances that the attending neonatologist would attend them as soon as his rotation allowed, Sareena prepared herself to impart the minimum information that the anxious couple needed. Leaving the others behind she rapped on the door to the room Naomi was recovering in before entering. She noticed the physician about to add what she imagined to a painkiller of some sort to her IV, and realized that she had come just in time. "Doctor, can you please hold on a second?"

Rajeev turned and stood at first not recognizing her in the scrubs she wore, believing her to be another one of the hospital staff. "Sareena?"

Correctly reading Rajeev's helpless expression over his wife's weeping, Sareena quickly determined the way she would approach the conversation with her friends. Approaching the opposite side of the bed, Sareena focused on the distraught woman lying there. "I'm so happy to see you recovered. I know that you have had a rough time and I know you have to be in tremendous pain right now Naomi, but there is a little boy who would benefit so much if his first feeding consisted of  what only his mother can provide him. You will have to hold off on the pain medicines until you are done pumping, but anything you can provide; even a few drops would do him the world of good, I promise you."

"H-him," Naomi whimpered guardedly

Sareena nodded, smiled gently as looked from the new mother up to her husband.

"Someone from the NICU will be by soon to give you all the information you need, but I have been given leave to let you know that Baby Boy Agarwal is quite the fighter already, which I'm not surprised at all by with a mother like you. So can we send word that back that..."

"Haan."

Naomi didn't even let her finish her sentence, as Sareena expected. The doctor who waited them out nodded, and prepared to depart. "We will hold off the medicines until you are done," he stated, understanding the new mother's position. "In the meantime, try not to move too much, and utilize deep breathing to get you through the worst of the pain. Think of all the good you are providing your son, Mrs. Agarwal. And congratulations to you both." The physician looked admiringly in the English doctor's direction and nodded to her, before exiting.

"I'll make sure that they send the necessary equipment as soon as possible, thik hai," Sareena stated to the couple who now looked full of hope. She was about to leave when she stopped suddenly.  "Everyone is quite anxiously waiting for news, how do you want to handle..."

"I'd rather not leave," Rajeev responded, "And right now I think ensuring the baby's feeding schedule should take precedence..." He turned to Naomi, "Sweetheart?"

Exhaling deeply against her pain, Naomi could only nod her agreement. Her tears, now dried; she was full of purpose, which was the welfare of her son. Frankly nothing else mattered.

"If you don't mind, Sareena," Rajeev requested.

**********

Certain that the couple heard the sounds of celebration from the nearby waiting room, Sareena grinned as she escaped to find the nearest lavatory in which to change into the clothes Jack had brought for her.  She wouldn't be surprised if on her return, to learn that the boisterous group had been evicted, as noisy as they celebrated the two miracles that they had been provided today. These were definitely the moments those in her profession thrived on: the times when they are really able to make a difference. However, interloper that she was it was high time that she stepped away from the role lest the faculty believe she was trying to take over the facility. She laughed at her own silliness, buoyed by how the dire circumstances had resolved for the best under the circumstances.

"One would think that after today's happenings, an interview has been rendered unnecessary, don't you think Kabir? They would be foolish not to want to her on staff,"Daadi continued to her grandson.

Vihaan, who had decided to wait a little longer, for the opportunity to meet his Bhabhi before he left to collect his nieces, raised his head in reaction to this piece of news he couldn't help but overhear. He stood and approached Daadi.

"Sareena is relocating to Banaras," he questioned the older woman.

"Quite possibly, beta. With Sanjay just a few years away from going off to boarding school, she felt it important to spend as much time as possible with him before then; and now that she is approaching the end of the contract with her hospital, she's exploring all options right now." The older woman studied the younger man subtly. It was clear that Vihaan was affected by this news, and she for one was glad.

It made complete sense Vihaan thought. Sareena's nephew Sanjay who had to be at least nine now had been residing with Kabir and Rachna for just over four years. The child who the Tripathis loved and was raising as their own had brought Sareena into their circle, when the youngster: the victim of a parental abduction had been passed off as Kabir's son by his deceitful mother. It had been an incredible tale which had ended happily with the young boy being reared by the man he believed his father, who for all intents and purposes was, while Sareena, his only surviving biological relative completed her residency at the London hospital she worked at. Her move to spend time with the youngster was logical. The only thing Vihaan couldn't fathom was Jack agreeing to this, or why she would be renting Bhai's and Bhabhi's flat instead of staying with Kabir and Rachna.

"Of course nothing is set in stone," Daadi continued to the handsome young man. "First we will get the wedding out of the way, and then, I'm sure Sareena will make a final decision."

"Wedding!"

"Haan Beta; were you not aware," Daadi queried. The older woman looked around to where Jack was conversing with Vihaan's father. She got his attention and waited for him to attend her. "Jack, beta how have you not shared the good news; you know we consider the Agarwals family: you naughty boy."

"I highly doubt that today was the best time, Daadi."

"Perhaps not earlier today, but now is entirely different. I insist beta."  

She turned from her conversation with the bodyguard, back to where Vihaan had been standing.

The man was gone.

"I take it he wasn't in the mood to offer his congratulations, Daadi," Jack commented.

"Evidently not, beta," the older woman answered, "Evidently not."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-10-16 20:36:52