RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 25

Chapter #23

Naomi paced the nursery at her wits end. She was absolutely exhausted and would soon be joining Aryia in sobbing her eyes out if she didn't manage to get the toddler settled, so that both of them could get some rest. She just didn't understand what was wrong; they had had a great day. Aryia had been happy all day: she had eaten well, enjoyed her bath that evening and had gone to bed on time with no problem. And then just after one in the morning her cries had started. At the time, she had thought nothing of it; these things just happen with little ones, but even after changing her nappy and checking her for any other immediate complaint, her tears just wouldn't stop. The only thing Naomi could say with any degree of certainty was that the toddler probably wasn't ill. Mentally, Naomi had run down a list and had checked her god-daughter thoroughly for anything she could think of. There was definitely no fever, no apparent tummy issues, she wasn't tugging on either ear, and even her gums didn't seem inflamed, where a new tooth erupting may be causing her discomfort. Perhaps she was just overtired, but most of all she just wanted to be held. Any attempt to put her down was met the worst of her ear-piercing wails. Nor would sitting do, the toddler wanted to be held and walked, and even then she hadn't been satisfied enough to fall asleep. It had been a least an hour with no end in sight. Naomi was convinced it was karma for sending that message to Rachna earlier; she obviously didn't have a clue. "Even if I could find someone who wanted to marry me and have kids, I would have to tell them no; I am so not cut out to be a mother."

"I'm sure every mother has a bad day; the key will be to make sure you chose the partner who won't leave you abandoned when you feel you can't cope."

Naomi turned towards the speaker at the doorway and smiled wanly, so exhausted by her efforts. "That's easier said than done."

He shook his head as he entered the nursery. "I think it's just a matter of keeping your eyes open for the right one." Reaching her, he took the baby from her arms, and motioned her towards the spare bed in the room. "Now what is going on here little one? Why are you giving my Pari a hard time tonight?"

The second floor was unnaturally quiet this morning. Even though it was still early for everyone to be up and about, Daadi was at least used to some activity coming from upstairs. She had heard Aryia fussing in the night, so she wasn't expecting for her granddaughter, or Naomi for that matter, to be awake, but it was strange that Rajeev had yet to make an appearance. Rajeev beta would definitely have been up at this time; in fact it had become routine for the two of them to pass a word or two, over a cup of tea before their houseguest prepared for his day. Only after she had finished reading the newspaper did she realize that the young man had still not materialized. Thinking that he had overslept, she decided to check on him. First though, she thought, she would peek on her grandchild to ensure that she was still resting.

Their only saving grace was that the arm that wasn't embracing Naomi was holding her granddaughter, who lay sound asleep. That Rajeev, propped up on the headboard, was securely supporting the little girl on his other shoulder declared the innocence of the scene Daadi had walked in on. Studying the couple, Daadi realized that the manner in which Naomi had intimately entwined herself around the man she lay with, clearly signaled something else entirely; something, Daadi was sure, that had yet to be verbalized by the young woman. She couldn't chance that the young woman, so dear to them all, acted on her feelings without knowing if they were truly reciprocated. In her heart, Daadi believed that Rajeev was a good man, but she knew that she could not avoid addressing this situation; she could not allow for the young woman, she considered under her protection to be hurt. If, by the end of their discussion, she had the slightest indication from their houseguest that this was just a mere dalliance to the young man, he would have to leave, it was just that simple. With her young friend so far away from her family, she felt it her duty to protect her even if it meant from herself.

Settling Aryia just hours before had been worth the lack of sleep he had suffered if for nothing else than after the short rest he had managed, he had woken with Naomi in his arms. During the early morning, she had reached for him, and he had happily obliged her need to come closer. The sleeping child he held prevented him from fully embracing Naomi and that had seemed both a blessing and curse at the time. He had slept lightly, branded by their contact and he truly couldn't say if would have found the strength to resist her if not for Aryia's presence. As it was he had had risen well before Daadi had entered the room. He had lain there in silence, listening to her steady breaths, relishing the feel of having her there with him. Then there had been the slightest hitch of her breath, the slight tensing of her body and then after a minute, her complete relaxation as she had accepted where she was and with whom; confirming that it was her choice to remain in his embrace.

And now Daadi had left having relieved him of the toddler who now slept peacefully in her crib. Her terse request that they have a talk downstairs echoed in his mind. He presumed that he could get away with no more than ten minutes before pressing his luck with the older woman, so Rajeev did what made the most sense to him, and wrapped his now free arm around the woman who lay with him capturing her fully in his arms.

Her first inkling that she was in real trouble was when he had come to the nursery and said what he had. And then there had been his actions. He didn't have to, but he had stayed and comforted Aryia for her sake. Either he knew exactly what to say and do to stir up these feelings in her, or he was the real deal. Now that he was holding her completely against him and all she wanted to do was to melt into him, she sincerely hoped it was the latter. This was so not good.' She thought; she was sure that she was falling for him and it was scaring her to death that it was happening so fast.

"I've never woken up in a man's arms."

He smiled at her confession. "That's reassuring."

"I should have got up right away, but I didn't want to then and I don't want to now and this fact scares me so much." She waited for him to comment, but he didn't. " But Daadi shouldn't be looking for an explanation from you, when I was here by choice. I'll come down with you and explain to her that.."

"You will do no such thing, Naomi."

"But why should you have to answer for this, it's not fair.

Rajeeve smiled. She was such a contradiction, on one hand she had confessed that she was frightened of her feelings for him, but she still was affronted by Daadi's request. She just didn't get that her indignation on his behalf was so misplaced. What she was seeing as an attack on him was simply a case of someone who cared for her needing reassurance. As with her brother, who had not objected to him from entering into a relationship with his sister, only asking him to take it slowly, neither did he believe that Daadi sought to warn him away from her or to blame him for them being together now. Still, he had to admit that her illogical pique was extremely endearing.

"Did it ever occur to you that I might think that you are worth any explanation?"

She froze in his arms. "You can't mean that."

" Are you dictating to me how I should be feeling now?"

"But it doesn't make sense. You will be leaving m...I mean you will be leaving here soon anyway."

"If that's the case, then tell my why you didn't get up when you realized where you were?"

She didn't want to answer; if she delved on it she may come to the realization that she was setting herself up to the possibility of being hurt.

"Answer me, Naomi."

Her answer came in a whisper, "Because it felt right to be here."

"And are you the only one allowed to be sure about how they feel? Besides, who says I'm leaving?"

"What do you mean?"

His caress ended her words. "Naomi, I figure that have maybe five minutes tops before I really upset Daadi. Do you really want to spend it talking?"

She didn't bother answering, not with words, at least. She just shifted enough to reach his lips, taking pleasure in his response and of their connection to each other for the time they had.

I'm not having any children anytime soon! I love her but she is a menace; have a safe flight!

The message came through just as they were buckling their seatbelts in advance of their departure.

Rachna laughed and quickly showed it to Kabir before turning off her mobile. "It sounds as she will be throwing Aryia at me as soon as I walk in the house and running far away."

"Ji, she will be running away for sure, in some shape or form if Rajeev has any say in the matter."

"Oh has he been plotting as well? I'm certain it could never compare to your elaborate scheme, but what does he have in store for my friend?"

Kabir told her what had been planned, watching his wife's reaction. "Oh that's positively romantic, well done of him!"

"Honestly it probably will work out for the best, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up decorating the place for the two of them."

Rachna smiled in response. "I can't tell you how much I would love that; I think they are perfect for each other; perhaps not as perfect as the two of us, but a close second." Suddenly she reached over to kiss him on his cheek before sighing. "I can't tell you how much you coming to meet me meant to me. It was wonderful having you there with me. And it couldn't have come at a better time for us."

Kabir placed his arm around Rachna to give her access to lean on his shoulder. "I'll never forget the time we've spent together either; I love you Mrs. Tripathi."

She yawned delicately "I love you more, KT."

He kissed her forehead smiling at her exhaustion. Their last night had been just as eventful as their previous ones. As it turned out the contents of the "Nice" package had its own nuances which had made for another late night for the two of them. "I think that once we get home you should probably rest after you spend time with Aryia."

"Hmm , that sounds like a good idea. At least I won't have to worry to anymore trays of truffles appearing," she replied giggling.

Hesitating before he answered, Rachna heard the laughter in his voice. "Funny thing that, love, it seems that our love for them was noted, and uh, the concierge gifted us with some at check out."

Rachna raised her head. "You've got to be joking."

"Maybe I will just gift them to Naomi." He said mischievously.

"Don't you dare, those things should come with a warning label, definitely none for her!"