RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 78

Chapter 67

"Come little one, we have to go and introduce you to your father, and then see your Uncle Vihaan off," Naomi murmured while she lightly rubbed her abdomen. "But you must be good and not have mummy feeling too out of sorts today. I have a lot to accomplish this morning with Aunty Rachna plus finalizing mommy and daddy's wedding. I promise you though we will have a good nap later in the day, alright?" She smoothed her dress, and took one last look in the mirror and then turned to leave her bedroom. If not here yet, then Rajeev should be arriving very soon.

Pari, who are you talking to?"

Naomi smiled brightly at the young boy who was somewhat dressed for the school day. "I'm just having a chat with someone very special, Sanjay," she answered while motioning him to come to her, where she re-buttoned his shirt and then tucked it into the waistband of his shorts.

"There isn't anybody else here," he remarked.

Naomi smiled secretively, rather than answering her little friend. "There you are, now you look all put together. Oh," she exclaimed when he suddenly hugged her around her waist, whispered something to and then rested his ear against her tummy.

"Sanjay what are..."

"Naomi, have you seen...Sanjay, beta you mustn't dart away when my back is turned." Although she fought to hide it, the exasperation could be clearly heard in Rachna's voice.

Releasing Naomi, the youngster looked sheepishly at the new arrival. "Sorry, Rachna Aunty, I just wanted to see Pari this morning."

Rachna smiled, seeing that the little boy's clothes had been neatened, thanks to her friend. "Thik hai, but beta you must..."

"Sanjay buddy, why don't you head downstairs for breakfast, while I speak to Aunt Rachna."

The little boy readily agreed, and headed out of the room. He stopped in the doorway and turned back. "Don't forget to have your medicine, Pari."

Astonished, Naomi agreed. She was about to question what seemed to be Sanjay's developing preoccupation with her , before recalling her wish to speak to her friend.

"Rachna, you do understand that KT put Sanjay next door to me, so that I could help you. You have your hands full, both literally and figuratively," Naomi declared, while chucking the underside of her god-daughter's chin as she lay contently in her mother's arms. She smiled at the toddler's answering grin. "It makes no sense getting so agitated when you have the help available."

"But, not for much longer, though," Rachna countered. "You do recall that you will be leaving here in less than three weeks, right? And I doubt that once you are wed, that your husband will want you too far away from him." She transferred Aryia to her other side. "Actually after this morning, I would be surprised if Rajeev doesn't have all of your activities monitored, so I figured that I might as well take over from today. Since, at least for the foreseeable future, Sanjay will be with us then it's for the best that I oversee his care."

Naomi couldn't fault her friend's logic, and her respect for the amazing woman she was privileged to share a sisterhood with, swelled. "Okay Superwoman, I'll defer to your reasoning, but I think we should still aim for a resolution to all of this sooner than later. So..." she continued gathering her hand-bag, "Let's get this day started, why don't we?"

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"At last,"Sonal sighed as she stretched her leg, finally unencumbered of the restrictive leg cast. She allowed the physician to examine it, vaguely listening as he spoke of the residual weakness that she may experience as a result of the extended confinement of the limb. The possibility of this was of minor consequence, what she had better concentrate on was the process now underway in which she would finally, through her son, get what should have rightfully been hers in the first place. As expected, she had received an urgent telephone call from her attorney, insisting her attendance at his office. Hopefully she had affected the right amount of dismay at the news that Kabir was seeking primary custody of their child. She had to ensure that she put up just enough of a fight to be seen as a mother determined to hold on to custody of her son, but not enough that her lawyer pulled out all of the stops in her defense. She would manage him; she would have to, as she couldn't let anything stand in the way of her goal.

"Thank you so much Dr."

"Anytime, Sonal dear." He came closer to her. "I hope this doesn't end our association. After our short time in London, you cannot comprehend how wonderful it was to meet you again."

Sonal smiled hearing the tell-tale huskiness in the physician's voice. "I definitely plan on keeping in touch; once can never have enough friends so far away from home can they? You have my number right?"

"Memorized..."

"As is yours," she purred seductively smiling at the weakness of the opposite gender in the presence of a seemingly willing woman. "I'm afraid I have to leave now, though," she added regretfully. She stood and leaned on the cane he had insisted that she use for a few days in case she experienced any weakness, and departed on to her next appointment.

Men, she thought distastefully after she had closed the door behind her.

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Kabir stood up from the dining table, and waited as Rachna tidied Sanjay again and handed the youngster his backpack.

"Have a wonderful day in school, beta," Rachna wished him with a kiss to his forehead

"Thank you Aunty."

The couple watched as Sanjay rushed over to his sister in her high-chair to tell her good-bye. Kabir took the opportunity to approach his wife. "I have one meeting and then I will be back for the day. Perhaps you will feel happy enough with your presentation to give me a preview of how you plan on wowing everyone in a few days."

"I think I have a winner on my hands, Kabir; I cannot wait to share it with you." She reached up, and met his waiting lips for a sweet farewell kiss; and then another.

"Go, "Rachna teased as he looked in no hurry to leave. "Sanjay will be late for school."

Kabir sighed, and looked at his watch, knowing that if allowed Sanjay would remain playing with Aryia until the very last second; just as he would choose to stay in his wife's company.

"Thik hai, Beta; it's time to leave now." He called to his child.

Hand in hand with his son, Kabir walked to the entrance and opened the door. He was surprised to discover the man standing there, about to ring the doorbell.

"Namaste Vihaan; I must say you are not the Agarwal that I expected to see so early this morning." He let go of his son's and shook their visitor's hand.

"Good Morning Kabir. Actually I had promised Daadi that I would stop by to say goodbye before I headed for the airport. As it turns out it was a good thing I did, since bhai has asked me to take Bhabhi along with me when I left."

"He was supposed to meet her for breakfast; she skipped eating with us for that very reason, and now he is not able to..."

"Nay Kabir, " Vihan moved to interrupt the other man, who seemed irritated by his brother's absence. "Nothing would keep bhai from their date, but he had car trouble this morning, so he asked me to drive my car to the airport and he would bring Bhabhi back in it. He told me he had called her, so I'm sure everything is cool."

Kabir nodded, satisfied with the excuse. "Thik hai. Well I do have to get going. Have a safe flight; and I guess we will see you in a couple of weeks then."

"For certain," Vihaan responded. He leaned down to Sanjay's level. "The London Eye will be waiting for you, buddy. We will definitely have to visit it, thik hai?" He ruffled Sanjay hair, and then smoothed it back in place.

"Bye Vihaan Uncle, see you in London."

Rachna looked up from her notes at the corresponding PowerPoint slides. The final slide, a creative collage of the final photoshoot, was exactly what she was looking for. It had the potential to make quite the impression on the right person, if they chose to study the image with a discerning eye.

"Rachna, I'm just going to replace this one with something a bit more generic for now since you are going to share it KT, but when I get back we will set in this one."

"Hmm, "Rachna agreed, as she flipped back and forth through the presentation.

"I hope it does the trick, "Naomi continued. "I was wondering though..."

Her hesitation made Rachna turn her attention away from the computer screen. "What?"

"I think we should question Sanjay...not outright though, just in the course of conversation."

"Nay, I think that is too risky. Suppose it gets back to Sonal. Despite what KT may think, we haven't got rid of her for good. I'm sure she will get access to Sanjay soon, and if it was to slip out then she will know that we are looking into her past."

Rachna stopped talking when the knock on the door came. Both women turned in that direction.

"You're not the Agarwal I expected to see this morning, Vihaan," Rachna called out when the door opened.

He laughed..."Did you and your husband rehearse that line, Rachna?"

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She couldn't believe that she had fainted dead away at her future mother-in-law's feet.

She had just turned from taking her father-in-law's blessing and had stood up to repeat the action of giving her respect to Rajeev's mother. One second she had been there bending to touch her feet and then, on rising, spots had appeared before her eyes and then she had dropped in a heap on the floor.

Roused by the droplets of water sprinkled on her face, Naomi blinked. Holding her head, still spinning a bit, she attempted to rise from the bench that she had been placed on, and was assisted by Rajeev's father.

"Are you okay, beta?'

Her eyes cast down, Naomi nodded; she had no clue what explanation she could offer for this. Furtively she looked around; Vihaan was missing and it didn't seem that Rajeev had arrived yet. She felt the hand on her forehead, testing her temperature.

"You're not on some foolish pre-shaadi fad diet are you dear?"

"Nay Uncle."

A jumbo Styrofoam cup suddenly appeared in front of her. "Bhabhi have this; you will feel better."

"Vihaan what is that? She needs juice not a soft drink..."

"It's juice cocktail, Ma; just like you told me to get."

"Thik hai. Here beta," the older woman offered "It's mixed fruit juices."

"Ha Bhabhi; it's orange, pineapple and papaya, freshly squeezed."

Naomi's stopped just as she was about to suck the drink through the straw ; her action immediately catching the eye of Rajeev's mother.

The woman gasped, and stared fixedly Naomi; the two bright patches of red warming her son's fiance's cheeks, adding to her suspicions.

She took the cup away from the young woman. "This won't do, Vihaan. We have no idea of the quality of the fruits used to extract this juice. Go and see if you can find some bottled orange juice; pure orange juice, no other fruits, thik hai?"

"Maa..."

"Now Vihaan." She turned to her husband. "Go and make sure he brings back the right one, please." She smiled her plea and watched her spouse leave before facing her soon to be bahu. "Have you eaten this morning, Naomi?"

"Just something light; Rajeev and I were supposed to have breakfast before we came to the airport."

"Aacha. Do you have any snacks on you?" She looked relieved when the young woman nodded. "Thik hai, eat them and then have the juice. We will have a proper meal when we go home."

"Are you okay today, Sweetheart?"

Rajeev took the opportunity to speak to Naomi privately while his parents were bidding farewell to Vihaan. Something was awry, but he couldn't quite put a finger on it. She wasn't in a talkative mood, something he could put to being overwhelmed by his family's presence, but it was more than that. "We will talk when we go for breakfast, thik hai?"

"Nay, Rajeev," his mother interrupted. "Naomi and I have some more wedding particulars to go over. You will have to meet later."

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In a leap of faith, Rachna allowed her husband to place the call to their lawyer's office and prepare her for the future he saw for her and her business. If she was truly honest with herself, for KT to show such confidence in her abilities was totally overwhelming ; overwhelming as much as it was truly humbling.

On his return from his morning business, Kabie had immediately come to her studio and sat through her presentation. The beneficiary of her husband's design and business acumen, Rachna had fielded the questions he had for her and then awaited, anxiously his final assessment.

"Rachna, do you trust me?"

"Always; KT."

That was it; one single question, the only indication of his intent, not that it had actually hinted to his next course of action at all.

"So we are in agreement, you will have your peer on stand-by beginning next week. Excellent. We will expect the retainer billing before the end of the day, and will immediately remit the funds...Yes these are very exciting times for Mrs. Tripathi." In the midst of the one-sided conversation Kabir laughed. "Yes, well I'm hoping that my actions are perceived for exactly that, and that she will remember this act of kindness on her way to the top. Thank you again."

Kabir wound up the conversation and disconnected the call.

"You will be assigned their most astute fellow in commercial law. She will be available to receive and review any contracts you will receive as of next week. I expect them to numerous and lucrative, so I want you to be fully prepared."

He waited for his wife's reaction.

"Thank you, Kabir."

It wasn't her usual demonstrative way of thanking him, but he valued the love behind Rachna's simple, yet heartfelt words of gratitude.

"You are amazing, my love," Kabir whispered and he closed the gap between them and softly brushed his lips against hers. They stood there momentarily, satisfied just being in each other's company; a peaceful interlude to the bustle that usually defined their work days.

"Do you have much on this afternoon's agenda, KT?"

"A fair bit, but nothing that can't wait if my wife wishes for me to hold her a little longer," he replied hopefully. He smiled into her hair at her replying laughter.

"Silly man," Rachna answered, but made no attempt to leave his embrace.

Kabir sighed and closed his eyes.

"Rachna?"

"Hmm"

"It's awfully quiet; where is everyone?"

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The fact that Naomi hadn't been able to meet Rajeev was of some consolation this morning, but Abhi still couldn't fathom what was happening inside the Argarwal residence. His efforts of disabling the coach's car the previous night had proved successful in preventing the pair from meeting, and somewhere in the time that Naomi had arrived at the airport with Rajeev's brother, the decision had been made for her to return home with her in-laws. Curiously, Rajeev had not returned with them. Something was definitely up, a point reinforced by the arrival of Kabir's grandmother to the Argawal residence not long after their arrival. He sat there, parked across from the property wondering how long he would have to stay. Not long it seemed, when his mobile vibrated and he took the call.

"Are you out of you mind?" he asked of the speaker. "Thik hai, I will be there in ten minutes."

Sonal wasn't out of her mind, but she also knew it would be a hard sell. It would be a complete departure from their plans, but it was the only way. Any adverse publicity would sink Kabir's chances of adopting Sanjay and the eventuality that her son would inherit the Tripathi estate would be lost. Her lawyer had said just as much. She dabbed some perfume on her pulse points, and then adjusted the opening of her silk robe. The doorbell rang and she went to it expectantly, knowing she had to do everything in her power in order to stop the plan in motion.

"Abhi," she welcomed him, her voice as sweet as warm honey.

The foolish woman; why would she ever think he would want such an immoral woman like her, Abhi thought as he entered her home.

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Daadi slipped into the backseat of the auto beside the overwrought young woman.

"It's for the best, beta."

"It's wrong to leave without telling him. At the very least Rajeev should know..."

"Nay beta, Rajeev's mother is right; for whatever reason, there is an unreasonable amount of attention on Rajeev right now. And you have been drawn into the fray as a result. It will not look well at all if this news is put into the public domain before you marry. Even an innocent discovery could be presented so scandalously. Never mind your families' reputations, will you risk even the remote possibility that your husband- to- be, be thought ill of?"

Naomi shook her head. "But our child isn't something to be ashamed of Daadi; everyone is acting as if it is..." Naomi sobbed.

"Arrey, did you see shame in the faces of your in-laws, beta? I certainly did not. Nor did I see any trace of it on your parents' face. Shock: yes, but there was also concern and underlying excitement, beta . Everyone is very happy for the baby." She reached out and hugged Naomi. "Beta, the time will go by quickly, you will be so busy with the final touches for the wedding that you won't even realize. Before you know it we will all be there in the UK to join you and your family. Plus I know looking back you will not regret spending this time before your wedding with your family; especially now. We will start packing your things as soon as we get back, thik hai?"

Chapter 68

*Author's note / Warning

The below chapter comes with a warning of some mature content alluding to drug usage and violence against women; it was a very difficult to write such a segment, but I felt it integral to the plot. I extend my sincere apologies in advance to those who find the passages distasteful and offensive in nature. Readers under 18 do so at their own risk.

Naomi watched as Kabir zipped up the garment bag, and then handed it over to her.

"Thank you KT, it's absolutely lovely. I can't wait to wear it."

"No doubt it will be all the lovelier because of its wearer," the designer replied.

She stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "You can be quite the charmer when you want to be Mr. Tripathi. I can almost see what caught Rachna's eye when she first met you," she teased, before planting her feet solidly back on the floor. "Right, Rachna," she called over her shoulder to her friend who had come out of the dressing area behind her.

"Indeed; totally irresistible, that absolutely summed up my Khadoos Kabir when we first came face to face,"Rachna responded sarcastically as she approached the pair.

"Okay, I need to get this packed away before Rajeev arrives. I'll see you guys in a bit."

"Naomi," Rachna called out, "It isn't necessary to do everything in one day you know; don't overexert yourself."

She nodded, and sent a small smile in the direction of her friends. "I'll just get this stowed and then take a break." She said before leaving the room and its two occupants.

Kabir sighed. "She's putting on a good face, but I can tell she isn't happy about leaving; is it totally necessary?"

"Apparantly so," his wife answered cagily as she approached.

Finally within reach, Rachna reached inside her husband's jacket, extracting his handkerchief. She held his chin and turned his face, smiling as she began removing the lipstick left on his cheek by their friend. She held it up to him and grinned.

He frowned back at her. "That's not the reaction a wife should have to discovering lipstick stains on her beloved husband, Rachna."

"Aacha?"

"Ha," he replied, nodding.

"It's the reaction that a wife who completely trusts her husband has," she insisted. She took the last step that pressed her against him. "It is also the reaction of a wife whose husband has shown her, her worth over and over again." Her arms encircled his neck and she raised her chin.

"What a brilliant wife I have," Kabir answered before lowering his face to hers.

"As charming as her husband is, I would say," Rachna teased just before his lips met hers.

"Hmm, perhaps I'll have to get Naomi to kiss both cheeks next time, if I reap such rewards."

"Don't press your luck Kabir Tripathi. There is a limit to my understanding, even as charming as you are."

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Despite the earliness of the evening; the couple had retired for the night. Not that they had sought to rest.

"Try it," Sonal had insisted earlier in that afternoon, coming behind him and kissing his naked back. "It's clear that you don't need it," she had purred in his ear, "It will simply provide a little boost you may enjoy. But I guarantee that it will work on any woman; even the most traditional and conservative will lose her inhibitions. Give it a go tonight, and then contact me. By then I'm sure you will know exactly how you should use it." She took two of the tiny tablets and slipped them into his mouth, and then slipped the packet containing a third one into his hand before she pushed him out of her bed, dismissing him. "Go: take a shower and then go home to your wife. Trust me, you will have a good night Abhi, darling."

He blinked back to the present, when his normally timid wife suddenly rose to her knees beside him, and ran one fingernail down his bare arm.

"Abhi," she pleaded...again.

Her touch felt like fire on his sensitized skin and he closed his eyes and imagined another voice calling out to him so earnestly. The thought alone excited him and when he turned to face her, his spouse's dark eyes, so full of need, had been transformed sparkling green in his mind. He had no clue if the narcotic he had ingested had hallucinogenic effects but none of that mattered right now. Neither would the consequences of this night count; although it would be interesting to note his wife's condition when dawn came. It had been so easy slipping the pill into her beverage, she hadn't even noticed, but the results had seemed instantaneous. He suspected her pious nature would probably leave her in the throes of regret in the morning when the drug's effects wore off, but not now. He pulled her closer thinking that if she insisted on feeling shame in their joining tomorrow, as she usually did ,then he definitely give her something to justify the emotion.

Instead of shying away from his rough handling the daft woman actually shivered in pleasure instead.

For his part, his last coherent thought was of the fire that would ignite when he and his true life partner were joined. He couldn't wait to relive this experience with his true love; one little pill given to her at the right time and she would finally face the reality that she had always been meant for him. Her name became a mantra in his head set to the rhythm he kept as he coupled with the woman he should have never married. He had no idea when he began calling her name out loud...Naomi...Naomi...Naomi...

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Her bedroom was an absolute mess, and somehow she had still managed to soundly sleep in the least peaceful atmosphere he had ever seen. Reaching out to her, he gently shook her shoulder. Although exhausted, it wouldn't do for her to miss dinner; especially since it was the only chance they had to properly meet today.

Rajeev watched his fianec stretch in a decidedly kitten like fashion and then finally open her eyes.

"Hello sleepyhead."

She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms, and yawned. "What time is it?"

"It's dinner time actually, sweetheart," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead. "Didn't you think it would dangerous to take a nap so late? You do realize that you will probably be up all night now."

Naomi looked around at the chaos of her bedroom.

"I think that I have enough to occupy me if I am up late, but something tells me that going back to asleep won't be an issue," she said with another yawn. "I feel positively worn out."

Rajeev gave her a concerned look and then reached for the notebook that rested on the night table. "This is quite the list here," he said looking at the two full columns.

"Um, yes well I thought if I had to go through this exercise, that it would only make sense to pack the stuff that needs to go home as well." She sat up and scrunched up her face. "That is allowed right; I mean there's no bad karma attached to me sending my stuff home early is there?"

He caressed her face, and a smile came over his handsome face. "All I can say for certain is that the prospect definitely makes me happy. If I know that I'm in possession of some of your prized valuables, I will be assured that you have to come home." He looked down at the list. "That being said, I need at least one computer; and your very favorite digital camera to say the least."

She giggled. "And you think that it will be stuff that will ensure my return; you don't seem to hold me in high regard, Rajeev Agarwal. All of that either is easily replaced; have you never heard of upgrades?" She shook her head. "No there are definitely other things that I hold in higher esteem; a couple things far more precious to me."

"Aacha?"

"Hmm," she nodded. "You for instance Rajeev; I love you so much," she whispered. "You are my number one reason to return."

"And reason, number two; you did say you had a couple of things?"

Her mouth fell ajar and she hesitated.

"Well?"

"Leave me some secrets Rajeev Agarwal. You will have to wait to find out." She reached out and took the notebook from him. "Go downstairs, while I freshen up; I'll join everyone in a minute for dinner."

He nodded and stood.

"Don't take too long, Naomi; since I am on borrowed time before you leave, I don't want to miss out on anytime we have together. You have five minutes," he said with a wink. "After that I won't be responsible for the consequences."

She watched him as he walked out, and her smile became a little sadder. She turned the page of the notebook, and removed the ultrasound scan that had laid one leaf away, between the pages of the book. She slipped it into the outside sleeve of the closest suitcase. Despite thinking it so wrong not to inform Rajeev of his pending fatherhood, she would keep the promise she had made to her elders.

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Somewhere during the course of dinner, Aryia had charmed her way out of her highchair, and now happily played with her Papa's face. Amazed that just by touching his cheeks that they would deflate in an instant, she squealed happily. Her chocolate colored eyes widened when she removed her hands and her Papa's cheeks puffed up once more...until she pressed them again. It was a fun game for the pair, and sweet entertainment for everyone else, until the little one's hand contact became successively harder in her excitement. The last instance resounded sharply in the room. Kabir flinched and grabbed his daughter hands.

"Thik hai Princess Aryia, enough" he said, softening his words with kisses to the tiny offending hands, which distracted her from being upset at having her fun ended. He kissed her cheek and passed Aryia to her mother, so that he could finish his meal.

"So Naomi, what's up with the wedding planning; I thought you had everything in hand, and if not you; then the wedding planner should have. That's what you are paying her for isn't it? It's crazy that you have to fly to the UK so soon..."

He stopped when he felt the sharp pain in his shin. He turned abruptly in Rachna's direction, disbelieving that his wife had kicked him under the table.

"I have to agree with Kabir, Sweetheart. Everything seemed in order when we last spoke..."

"Arrey Betas, you men know nothing about what goes into the planning of a shaadi. You just show up to a celebration, without realizing all of the work behind it. And why...because we women handle the arrangements...Of course Naomi would have to attend things in person at some point, especially with the pre-shaadi rituals and two wedding ceremonies. Besides, this will also be the last chance for a while for her to spend time with her parents before leaving them for her married life; that alone should be reason enough for her leaving. Surely this is something you will at least appreciate, Nanhe?"

Kabir looked to his daughter dreading that the time would eventually come when she would leave to go to her own in-laws. He cleared his throat against its sudden closing, at the thought, irrespective how far away it was from today.

"Ji, I can certainly understand that," he said emotionally while patting Aryia's hair adoringly. He met Rajeev's glance, as the coach watched his interaction with his child. "One day the two of you will totally relate," he added.

"I'm certain we will, and at the great risk of embarrassing my beautiful wife- to- be; I must confess to looking forward to the prospect of children...sometime soon," Rajeev said. He turned to the blushing woman beside him and grabbed her hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently.

"Didn't you say I would be so ready for fatherhood by the time I left? I say we lay all the blame on Aryia for being such a bad influence on me."

Silence descended in the dining room, the thoughts of the group aligned more than they could ever imagine with thoughts of a new generation running through their minds.

"It is a shame though that you have to leave the so early; you will miss the celebration we will have after Rachna's successful presentation."

Naomi tore her eyes from her fiance to answer.

"Skype celebrations will work just as well, Kabir. I'll be more than anxious to hear about the sensation Rachna's presentation produces," Naomi answered coyly nodding to her friend across the table.

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Rachna left the nursery and stopped in the nearby bedroom to bid Rajeev and Naomi good night. They were still sorting out her belongings, a task which allowed them to maximize their time together which she understood to be at a premium now. She sighed understanding her friend's turmoil in withholding the most important news of her life, but on entering her own bedroom she realized that she had her own dilemma to contend with.

Kabir sat on the bed checking his leg. He was making quite the show of it and winced and groaned as he gingerly touched the area. It was obvious that he had been waiting especially for her return. She rolled her eyes.

"Can you check my leg, I think it may be bruised, Rachna. I hope I will be able to walk without too much trouble in the morning," he lamented. He looked up at her and actually pouted.

"My poor Kabir, will a kiss help?"

"Kisses have been known to heal injuries," he agreed pitifully.

She walked over to the bed and bent toward him. He raised his face in anticipation and watched as she lowered her face. Just before they connected, she pulled back.

"Silly me, it was your shin, not your lips, right?"

She kissed her fingers and then brushed the digits over his injury' before darting away from him across their bedroom. He jumped up and followed.

"It's a miracle," she exclaimed when he chased after her before scooping her up into his arms; she then laughed hysterically when with extreme overkill he limped back to their bed.

"You are a total Drama King, Kabir Tripathi."

"Aachai, if that's what you want to believe, let me show how truly dramatic I can be, Mrs. Tripathi."

"Oo, I can't wait," she replied eagerly.

Daadi stopped outside the open bedroom door, on realization of the time. It was important that Naomi took her rest so she would have to bring the couple's visit to an end. She smiled as it seemed that the pair had reached the same conclusion.

"It's late and we both need to get some rest. Are you sure nothing's ready to go yet, Sweetheart?"

"No Rajeev; I will have it sorted tomorrow for sure."

"Thik hai." There was stillness before the coach spoke again.

"You're still not feeling embarrassed about what I said earlier about having children are you; you have no reason to..."

"Did you really mean it," she interrupted

He smiled at her. "Every single word."

Outside the room Daadi heard Naomi's breath hitch, and knew that she had begun crying.

"I promise Rajeev, that when the time comes, I will be the very best mother to our child; I won't make any mistakes...at least not too many...I hope."

"We will probably both make mistakes, but it will okay Naomi." He held her close. "Come on stop crying now, sweetheart. It's not like it's something we have to worry about today."

"Rajeev, I..."

She gave no warning and entered the room. "Betas it's too late for you to be still at it. I'm certain both of you must be tired by now. Rajeev let me see you out, thik hai."

When she returned, Naomi had dried her tears.

"I'm sorry Daadi, I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay beta; we are asking a lot of you. I know it is not an easy task, but be strong. It's for the best. Enjoy your last days with him before your travel, and then let your parents pamper you and your little one until we all arrive. In the end it will be worth it, I promise."

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It seemed there were some limitations after all; as fast as the drug's high hit, so did the inevitable low, at least it had for his wife. Hours had passed and yet Abhi had never felt better, but she, on the other hand, had hit rock bottom rapidly and was now railing against his actions. His roughness she could say nothing about, but willing or not at the time, his spouse had not appreciated his calling out another woman's name in their bedroom. Her heated desire had given way to an unheard of surliness, as she dared to question him.

"Who is she Abhi...who is this Naomi? Tell me...I deserve to know!"

Abhi pushed her away as he adjusted the earpiece to hear what he had missed earlier.

She came back at him and reached for the infernal device he always had in his ear to rip it off once and for all and suffered his heavy backhanded slap as a result.

"Don't you ever try that again," he warned. "I will not spare you if you touch my property without my permission."

His mind addled by the drug still in his system, Abhi listened to the recorded conversations, irate that Naomi still would dare to meet Rajeev and continuously deny the pure love he held in his heart for . No punishment will be good enough for her for her continued deceit. And now she thought to leave in a few days? Well he would have to allay her of that notion. He called Sonal and left her a voice message before turning to his wife who remained huddled where she had fallen. He needed a release for his sudden tension, and it was her duty to see to his demands.

"Get in the bed, now..." he ordered his wife.

He narrowed his eyes when she denied him.

"Do not make me come to you; you won't like it," he warned even as he stalked her retreating figure.

"Leave me be," she cried as she feebly tried to defend herself from his blows that began when he reached her.

"No...stop...please stop..."

His blood coursed like lava through his veins; her pleas for mercy excited him like nothing else...and when he finally pinned her under him, he felt like a god.

"Beg for forgiveness, Naomi," he snarled, in his still drug altered state.

"I'm not her...I'm not..."she gasped when his hands reached for her throat.

"Beg ,"he repeated as he began the vilest of assaults against the woman he had made a lifelong commitment to.

"Beg..."

-----------

The next morning, in a repeat of the previous one, Sanjay made an appearance in Naomi's bedroom. He looked at all of her packing scattered around room and then frowned.

"Do you really have to leave Pari?"

She nodded. "Yes I do. I still have stuff to do for the wedding and my parents want to spend some time with them too." She looked over his shoulder before continuing. "I do miss them a lot. Being away from your family is really hard sometimes. You understand though, I'm sure you miss your grandparents in New York don't you?"

She was puzzled by his nonchalant shrug.

"Or if not them, there must be someone else you miss. Like me, I miss my brother so much sometimes. We did so many fun things together when we were little."

"Me and Aunty Reena, we always had fun... I miss her a lot."

"What sort of fun, buddy?"

"Well...we always went on the Eye cause it was close. Are you going to go on it, Pari?"

"I think I will, but maybe I'll wait until you come so we can go on it together. I've only been once, but it was really cool."

"Not me; we went all the time. Sometimes for fun, but sometimes we went cause Mama was shouting again."

Naomi swallowed. At the doorway Rachna's eyes widened. "No," she mouthed to her friend. "Stop."

Finally Naomi smiled. "I'm really hungry this morning, let's go and get something to eat, Sanjay." She grabbed the little boy's hand and headed out. "Oh wait; my medicine."

Sanjay sighed. "You need your medicine Pari, don't forget again, thik hai?"