Chapter 4

Chapter#3

Vihaan had driven for a good twenty minutes with no clear destination, or care for that matter, as to where he would eventually end up; just blindly maneuvering through the streets on Banaras. That is, until the blaring horn of the heavy delivery truck he had inadvertently cutoff brought him back to awareness. He had pulled over to the side of the road then to gather himself before he ended up doing something even more dangerously foolish. He had to get a grip he thought as he closed his eyes and began breathing deeply in an effort to calm his racing thoughts. If not for himself, at the very least he needed to  think of his family; they had gone through hell already today, without  him adding to it through his recklessness. Chill Vihaan, he thought to himself, forcing a few more deep breaths through his lungs. Minutes passed, but  the only result was that his hold on the steering-wheel had increased to the point that his hands ached , and now his jaw pained, feeling tighter than ever before from continuously clenching it.

He could only suppose that learning he had completely lost any chance of Sareena ever being a part of his life was manifesting into the physical pain now that his aching heart could no longer contain it. His anguish overflowed and finally he exploded.

"Dammit...Dammit...Dammit!" he screamed, pounding his fist repeatedly on the steering wheel.  Despondent, he rest his head against the tiller for a moment cursing that fate would taunt him so badly.  It seemed  the ultimate payback, and if he ever needed proof that the callousness of his youth would come back to visit him in the worst form of karma, this was surely it.

Beside him his phone rang, and because he had no inclination to speak with anyone right now, he let it go unanswered. It stopped for a second, and then began again. This time though, sanity prevailed when he realized that under the present circumstances he had no choice but to answer the call. It could be important.

"Vihaan speaking," he answered gruffly.

"Hello Vihaan, it's Aasha. I'm just calling to check... Vihaan is everything okay," she queried worried by the tone of the man's greeting.

Closing his eyes, Vihaan raised one hand to his forehead, and then sighed. "I'm sorry Aasha ji; forgive me if I alarmed you. I'm actually dealing with something else right now; something ... unrelated to everything else going on," he improvised. He forced himself to sound more upbeat " I've actually just had to leave the hospital, but we did receive good news on both fronts before I did. Naomi has pulled through, and she and bhai are now the proud parents of a baby boy. Both of them have a way to go, but with God's grace, they will both be okay. The girls will have their own Kanan after all," he finished, even managing a small smile.

"Oh Vihaan... I am so glad, so very glad. I will let Haarash know as soon as I get off."

"And the girls..." Vihaan brought up. "Again, thank you so much Aasha, I know what a handful they can be.  I can come now to collect them if you need me to."

"Nahi Vihaan, it hasn't been a problem truly. As a matter of fact, they are napping at the moment, and even if they weren't, keeping them longer won't be an issue. They will most likely be awake by the time you arrive, but still, there's no need to rush. If you want to come after you take care of whatever it is you have to, then that's fine" She heard him about to speak, and hurried on. "And please, no more thank-yous. Rajeev and Naomi have been the very best of neighbors and friends.  It's the very least we can do for them. We will miss having them just next door, but with the situation as it is, it will be good for them to have family support in the immediate future," Aasha added  as an afterthought.

Vihaan swallowed at the mention of his family's move back home, because all it brought to mind was who would now be occupying the space that had already proven the perfect love-nest for a newlywed couple. He felt his chest tighten again and he closed his eyes and swallowed against what he saw as his self-inflicted misery.  He should have never walked away, he thought as the tightness travelled up to his throat "I will come soon, Aasha," he said, his voice thick with emotion, hoping to conclude the telephone call, before he completely fell apart.

********

Back in her civilian clothing, Sareena would be Naomi's final visitor before everyone departed to give the still compromised young woman the opportunity to rest. She nodded to Kabir and Rachna as they exited the room ahead of Daadi who had taken the opportunity to check one last time on the young mother, who she considered her adopted daughter, before she left the hospital. Crossing paths just outside the hospital room, Sareena stopped when Daadi addressed her. "You will come home soon beti?"

"Ji Daadi; Jack will bring me."

The pair hugged each other in farewell, and finally Sareena was left to visit with the new parents.

 Rajeev looked up from where he sat beside his wife who was decidedly more comfortable now that the pain meds she had been administered appeared had taken hold.

"I'm about to leave now; I just wanted to ensure that you were settled."

In an action so unlike the stoic man before her, Rajeev stood and hugged the woman who as far as he was concerned was an angel sent from heaven.  "I will forever be in your debt, Sareena...you have saved more than my wife and son's life today...If there is anything that you need, you need only say. Anytime...anyplace..."

Her voice although weak, still carried a hint of humor the effervescent woman was known for. "Rajeev, I think she understands. Now quit it: you're embarrassing her, not to mention not letting her breathe. "

Only his wife's words could have stopped him, and when the hockey coach released the doctor, he noted the truth of Naomi's words. Sareena's color was high for sure, and she appeared lost for words. Seeing that Naomi was now reaching out for the doctor, Rajeev stood back and offered Sareena the seat he had just vacated. As she sat, Sareena took Naomi's hand and smiled.

"I find it amazing that such gentle hands can pack such a wallop," Naomi teased. "I expect my abdomen is bruised beyond recovery after your manipulations Sareena. Aacha, so much for my bikini days," she falsely complained. She then squeezed Sareena's hand a little tighter. "A million thank yous will never be enough, Sareena."

Sareena nodded and quickly moved to change the topic. "Never discount the work you have done yourself, Naomi. Bringing a new life into the world is challenging enough under normal circumstances. Are you feeling more comfortable now?"

Recognizing her desire for a cessation of the accolades she was receiving, Naomi answered Sareena succinctly. Yes I am. I'm a little worried over how the schedule..."

Sareena interrupted Naomi for her own good. She could tell how overtaxed she was becoming just by the sound of her breathing...she would need to take rest and soon at that. "As long as it is at least an hour or two after your pain medications, there will be hardly a trace of the drugs in your breast milk. And trust me, despite your early delivery, your body will be more than ready to provide the nourishment the baby will need. Even the tiny amount today, was pure gold to him."

Naomi smiled grateful that Sareena had understood and addressed what she was most worried about.

"But, in order for you to provide for him, your wellbeing must be at the least on par, as the concern for your child, Naomi." Sareena turned to encompass Rajeev in the conversation. "She cannot overextend herself unnecessarily, even for the benefit of the baby. This has been a very close call, and you must take care Naomi. Any setback won't be good, thik hai?"

Seeing that the parents had taken her words to heart, Sareena finally switched hats and looked at the pair with affection. "Rajeev, there is just one thing..."

"Bolo Reena."

"Can you please let your wife know that she is not allowed to give us such a fright as she did today...ever again.  She has taken years off of all us here in one fell swoop; not to mention her parents who I'm sure are worried out of their minds. I won't stand for such a performance from her and neither should you. You need to be firm with her on this, Rajeev."

"Consider it done," Rajeev replied and then turned to his wife. "Doctor's orders," he explained to her firmly, but with a wealth of affection behind his words.

Sareena moved closer and leaned over to give Naomi a light squeeze. "Take care, I will see you in a day or so okay?"

Naomi teared up as she nodded. "Thank you so much Sareena." She watched the doctor depart only to stop at the door in order to bid the couple goodbye and to insist again that Naomi take rest. The couple smiled and waved to the doctor, before turning back to each other, Naomi whispering to her husband as soon as his attention was on her.

**********

"She should have been my sister. Vihaan is a fool."

Sareena  couldn't help but react to that. Thankfully she managed to get out of the room before she did.

Jack came to attention when he watched Sareena come out of the hospital room and collapse back on the door. He rushed to her.

"Hey, what is it, is it Pretty Eyes, the baby...what?"

Sareena closed her eyes, and shook her head. She definitely shouldn't have heard that, and she was sure that Naomi hadn't meant to be overheard either when she muttered those words to her husband as Sareena had left, but in hearing them the damage had been done. Sareena felt the wound that had barely held fast today render completely in two. And when it did, came all her questions; all her doubts of what she could have done so wrong that he...

"Sareena."

"Nahi, everything is okay." She forced her thoughts aside and grinned. "Your Pretty  Eyes is as well as she can be all things considering" she told Jack, repeating the pet name he had given Naomi when the two had first met. "I'm confident that both she and the baby will be okay in a matter of time."

"I'm glad...really glad. I just never want to see her in this condition ever again. Although I may have almost convinced her how great a middle name Jack is, debating with her just wasn't the same with her not in top form," Jack admitted jokingly as a cover for his real worry.

"Give her some time, you two will be back at it before long, I'm sure," Sareena responded. She fell into silence for a minute, knowing that her companion would soon be seeking an answer for her  actions. "I'm worn out," she admitted truthfully, hoping that it would suffice as an excuse. She was fortunate, as the bodyguard just nodded and offered her his arm, so they could finally leave, and put the stress of the past hours behind them.

If only the words Naomi had spoken as she had left were so easily dismissed, Sareena thought as she walked through the halls with Jack beside her.

**********

Aasha had answered the knock, surprised that Vihaan had reached there so soon. She studied the man at her door. Whatever was on his mind was a complete distraction, and the poor soul looked in desperate need of the nap that his nieces were still taking. He would be no match for the twin whirlwinds in his condition, she surmised. "Vihaan, it won't be any trouble for us to keep the girls overnight."

"Nahi, Aasha. Ma and Papa are expecting them, so..."

"They are still resting; did you want me to wake them?

"Nahi," Vihaan answered, holding the shopping bag he carried aloft. "I thought I would just take the opportunity to straighten up a bit over at bhai and bhabhi's place. Hopefully by the time I finish, the girls will be up and ready to head home."

"Thik hai Vihaan, but hold on a second." She disappeared leaving him holding the door. Returning minutes later, she handed him  a container of detergent accelerator. "This should help with the worst of things," she offered to the thoughtful man who was assuming a task that no family member should  ever have to undertake. "Call me if you need any help, okay?"

He steeled himself to enter the bedroom. It was just as he remembered, and once more he gave thanks that the story foretold by the stained linens hadn't been inexorable. It would have been just as easy to call some of his family's house-staff to take care of this, but for some inexplicable reason, Vihaan felt it his duty to do at this least: if not for bhai and Bhabhi, but for her - for Sareena. It seemed unfair that after everything she had done, that she be confronted with this task once she got home. In some strange way it would also be his goodbye to the place where he had shared such good times with his  brother and his family whenever he returned to Banaras, escaping his hectic life in London. For sure, now that he knew that this would be her home, shared with her husband; the flat would never hold the same lure for him. On the contrary, now knowing what he did, it pained him even to be here now, but if it helped Sareena in some small measure, he was willing to put up with it.

**********

"I thought you had decided to return to Kabir's and Rachna's," Jack asked as he made the turn that would take them back in the direction of the housing development.

"I will Jack, right after I launder the linens that I had to use. Their family has gone through enough today; they hardly need any reminders of this ordeal. Besides I have my own clothing to take care of as well, so I may as well do it all at the same time."

"Fair enough," Jack answered. "You're probably right, but what about stopping to the jeweler like we planned?" He took his eyes off the road for a second to look at her. He sighed. "Never mind, I will take care of it."

Sareena smiled and held his hand that rest on the gear stick between them. "Aacha Jack, and that's why you are going to make the very best of husbands."

***********

Right then and there, as soon as Sareena hesitated after unlocking the door to the flat, Jack comprehended that something was wrong. Instinctively he shoved her behind him, and took the lead to enter the apartment, signaling her to remain outside.  He immediately judged what had alarmed Sareena when he heard the humming from an appliance coming from inside what should have been the empty residence: overloud for this very reason. His eyes narrowed, and at the ready, Jack entered the home his senses peaked. And then he too stopped. He wasn't armed, like he would have been had been if he had been on the job, but the sight of the man fast asleep in the lounge, had him honestly wishing he was - not that a weapon would be necessary, nor would the lack of one save this unwanted intruder.

"You've got to be effing..."

"Jack what is..."

He shouldn't have expected that she would have remained where he had told her to; she was just that obstinate, and Sareena was grateful she had come when she laid eyes on who had the  normally cool-headed man up in arms. Reading his intent, she grabbed his arm, causing him to look away from Vihaan reposing haphazardly on the sectional sofa. She shook her head.

"Am I supposed to allow this Reena? He is completely out of order and you know it. What the hell...do you really think that he had good intentions coming here? He had one reason and that was to meet you, and then what..."

"Or, Jack, he may have decided to take on a task he realized needed doing since he needed to come back anyway,"  Sareena said, realizing that it was the washer that she had heard."The girls, Jack: they are over at Aasha's." She then brought Jack's attention to the gift bags beside the man: one for each of the little girls he obviously had come to meet, and take home to their grandparents.

"Just leave well enough alone, Jack. He's been through enough today as it is."

Jack wasn't convinced, but for the moment deferred to his companion only because she, most likely unwisely, had decided to show Vihaan compassion, that in no way the man deserved.

"Well that settles it then. I'm staying now: until either you or he are ready to leave, I'm here too," Jack uttered already feeling his irritation rise, when Sareena began shaking her head to deny him.

"The jeweler, Jack. You have an appointment."

"Nahi Reena, we have an appointment. I can't make the choice without you. You have to come."

"Bollocks Jack Thompson, I trust you completely, I know you will make the right choice. It can just be a surprise." She shook her head. "Look I will just do what I intended to, and by then you should be ready to return. He's practically comatose Jack, and if he has done a good enough job of cleaning up, I will be gone before he even realizes I was even here. I promise I will be okay...just go, okay?"

**********

 It ended up just as she had portrayed to Jack. Vihaan had done a thorough job in cleaning up, leaving her with little to do after she had pre-soaked her outfit.  It hadn't stopped her from giving the bedroom tiles a quick mopping just in case, but in truth there was very little that Sareena had to take care of. It had been an incredibly thoughtful thing for him to do, and even though she expected it was done more for his Bhai than anyone else, Sareena still felt touched by his efforts. With nothing left to do but wait for Jack to return, she moved to the lounge closer to the man, who hadn't stirred at all, while she moved around the apartment.

It was inevitable that one day they would meet again, despite the efforts he had taken to deliberately distance himself from her. Perhaps if she was braver than she let on, she would just wake him and demand an answer to the only question she had left - What had she done wrong? But considering where she was in life, she shouldn't even want an answer. Their time, if ever there had been  one, was over and done with. An explanation wouldn't change a thing - and frankly no explanation would ever be good enough, she reminded herself.

***********

He had to be dreaming, that was it.  That could the only reason why he heard Sareena in a happy conversation with Tanvi and Lalita: his little angels. As usual they were being their precocious best, trying to get their own way. Stretching a little as he lay there, Vihaan smiled as he rubbed his eyes, as he listened to their childish banter. If he wasn't mistaken, Lalita had taken the lead with Tanvi not far behind in her rationalizations.

"But Reena Aunty, Chacha will be happy if we take our presents now."

"Cause we were good girls for Aunty," her sister added.

"Aacha betas, Aasha Aunty said you were very good,"

"So we can have presents?"

"When  your Chacha wakes up betas and not until then. I expect he would like to give them to you and see how happy you are when you open them, don't you think," Sareena countered. She smiled to herself, thinking that she had finally got the upper hand when the toddlers fell silent.

"Okay Aunty Reena," Lalita suddenly answered before darting past Sareena, with Tanvi close on her heels as they headed for the living room. Somehow without words, they had both understood what needed to be done. They reached their sleeping uncle, and then they jumped: one on either side of the drowsy man lying down in their Papa's spot on their couch.

"Girls no, please don't," Sareena pleaded.

It was too late, they were already in position and determined as only a pair of almost three year olds could be.

"Wake up Chacha ji, it's present time!"

 [NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-10-27 01:36:58