RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 94

Chapter #95

With everything on a much more even keel; Sareena availed herself of Jack's company solely as a friend today, when she appeared for the final time before the adjudicator who had, just last night, righted the wrong that had taken place two years prior. Mindful, not to overly-express her happiness in face of the gravity of the situation, Sareena held the coveted passport that had just been handed over to her. Having it in her possession removed the final obstruction to her leaving the country with Sanjay - to fulfill her brother's final wish and make her family whole once more. After detailing their travel arrangements for the court records, Sareena thanked the judge once again, before the senior official brought the brief hearing to a close. She glanced over at Sonal, who was in a quiet discussion with her own attorney, and then turned back to her own legal counsel with the intention of thanking him for his able representation. The older man beat her to the punch when he spoke up first.

"Dr. Arora - Sareena, before you speak, if I may have a few words before we conclude our business..."

Because he was just unable to turn off his instincts, Jack left the courtroom ahead of everyone and went outside to survey the area. He couldn't exactly pinpoint what he should be looking for, but felt it necessary to do so. Removing his mobile from his inside suit pocket, he brought up an application and ran it, while at the same time he performed, what would look to the common man, like a cursory look around. His eyes were drawn to the app - the signal was lower than he would have expected. Just to be on the safe side, he would have to make a point of ensuring that the GPS device was removed and placed in its charging station before they went on their trip to the seashore. However, as he knew that the safety of the wearer was of no real worry right now, the bodyguard went back to his original intent.

There was nothing that at first glance seemed untoward. Theirs had been the first session, a quick fill in before the normally scheduled cases were to begin, so in fact the exterior was probably less populated than it would have been had it been in the middle of the day. The faces in the crowd displayed what was to be expected of those who would be attending to have their plights heard and decided by the Family Court Judges. And then there was the gentleman who waited just outside his car; the vehicle that Jack had noticed arrived just as they were entering the building this morning. He stood there waiting; mobile in hand, just staring anxiously at the court building. Either he was exceptionally early for his appointment, or as Jack suspected, he was there for another matter: one closer to their situation. He wasn't anyone that was known to him, and he wondered what role, if any he had in the situation.

"Sareena!"

Jack turned at the shrill voice calling out, to view his friend heading in his direction, with Sonal fast on her heels. Sanjay's mother had been subdued to the point of making him suspect of her passive demeanor while in chambers, but outside of the building the underlying demand was clearly heard in her cry. He observed his friend fold her arms, before she turned to acknowledge the request for her attention. There was a steely determination behind Sareena's natural compassion and kindness, and if Sanjay's mother thought to browbeat the young doctor now, then she was sorely mistaken.

"Ji Bhabhi?"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come at you like that...I just wanted to make sure not to miss you. Um, I was wondering if I should bring any of Sanjay's belongings..."

"That won't be necessary, he has sufficient at home, and obviously I shall be outfitting him once we get back to the UK. The climate differences make it necessary."

"Yes that makes sense," the child's mother answered. She raised her hand when her ex-sister-in-law would leave. "Sareena, you will let me see Sanjay before you leave the country won't you? I would appreciate the opportunity..."

Sareena studied the other woman, hoping to gauge her sincerity. "If you stopped to think about it, Sonal ji, you would realize that keeping you away from him was never Bhaiyaa's intention. Nor was it mine. In an ideal world, we would have worked together to ensure that Sanjay grew up as happy as possible, unaware of the fact that his family had been torn apart. If you choose to do the right thing, we may still one day reach that point." She paused and studied the woman next to her. "I will call you with our travel arrangements both to and from Goa, and back to the UK."

"Thank you," Sonal replied to the woman who had already turned her back to her. In turn, she rotated and headed for her waiting ride, lamenting that the overly-attentive physician was already en-route to intercept her. Exactly what was so hard about being discreet did the man not understand, Sonal thought. Abhi was right to complain that the doctor: now the most vital one in their plan was also their weakest link. She would need to handle him, and assure him that the two of them being together had to override his qualms in what they needed him to do.

**********

Somehow, in a miracle of logistics, the majority of her family and friends were leaving today: if not the country, then Banaras itself. Smitten by the hospitality they had received in this part of India, quite a few of those who could, were actually venturing out to see other parts of the country before returning home. Naomi couldn't help but feel pleased that hers and Rajeev's nuptials had been the catalyst for this, and after evoking promises of full details of their adventures, she had waved the last of them off, before turning to her immediate family; who naturally would be the last to go through the security checkpoint. As soon as she walked to where her parents stood with her in-laws, she was at once caught up in her mother's embrace.

"Oh my darling, I will miss you so much," the older woman tearfully began. She released her daughter, and right away wiped her eyes. "I promised myself that I wouldn't make a spectacle, especially since I know you we are leaving you in the most capable of hands." She reached and grasped Rajeev's hand. "Don't give into any of her whims if they are not in her best interests, Rajeev. She's very easy to spoil."

"Mommy: really?"

"Hush darling, it's absolutely my prerogative to say such. In a matter of months you will surely understand. Speaking of which," she said as she raised Naomi's hand, "Savitra di, tells me that technically you should be removing your bridal chura, given your condition."

Naomi, smiled, and nodded. "Before we return from Goa, Rajeev will have removed them. I will send you a picture," Naomi added, "And then you can announce to the entire world, that you and Daddy will be becoming grandparents, okay?"

Her mother covered her trembling lips with one hand and nodded.

"And I promise I will let you know about every appointment, every test, and every scan. You will probably get tired of hearing from me Mommy."

"That's highly unlikely, Princess," Naomi's father interjected, joining his wife. He hugged his son-in-law and then turned to Naomi. The pair shared a smile, one that showed their complete understanding of each other. "Take care of each other first," he instructed his daughter and new son. "Before anyone, your responsibility to each other should come first. It goes without saying that this will include the two little cricketers that my princess is carrying, but everything will be fine if you two just do that, I promise you."

Naomi laughed, "Yes Daddy."

"Cricketers, Uncle Ji," Rajeev asked smiling.

"Just wishful thinking on my end," the older man replied with a laugh. "But, it will be good to have some new blood in a few years' time when we play some beach cricket at the family picnic," he mused. "A little of their father's dexterity will probably come in handy."

Naomi stood with her mouth ajar for a second, but then closed it and smiled. If there was any doubt that her father had any lingering qualms about their relationship, his casual inclusion of Rajeev in their silly family banter allayed that thought.

"Maybe we should re-think the game, Daddy since we already have the in-roads on a Championship winning hockey coach. We will be unstoppable," she said as she reached up to kiss her father's cheek, aware that time was quickly getting away from them, and that her parents would soon be gone.

"Hockey," he said unconvinced. "I'm not so sure about that, but we will sort it out before the two of you come home for a visit with our grand-babies okay?"

With promises to definitely visit them before they left for Goa, Rajeev closed the door to his parents' car and then he and Naomi walked hand-in-hand towards the long-term parking area where their vehicle was located. She acknowledged the tightened grip on her hand and tilted her head up to him. Inwardly he was relieved to see her clear eyes, devoid of any tears, so in lieu of the comfort he had envisioned would be next on his agenda, he smiled back at his wife.

"That was a wealth of advice," he suggested.

"Yes," Naomi agreed, "But I doubt they will hold you to any of it, if it helps."

"Aacha, is this your way of circumventing the rules and getting your own way Mrs. Agarwal? We will see, but I have to confess to being partial to the fact that we should put each other first, before all others, and their problems."

Naomi's smile faltered and then she looked away momentarily, before facing her husband. She stopped suddenly, and when Rajeev did as well, she took a deep breath. "I'm so worried about all of them, and especially how this will affect Sanjay. I want to be able to help, but Daddy is absolutely right. My first priority is to us, and because of this I won't make a decision that you aren't happy with or won't agree to."

********

Kabir looked at his watch and then made his way to Rachna's work place. She was busy finalizing things that needed to be taken care of in advance of their week-long trip, and probably hadn't the time for his interruption, but unapologetically he did just that when entered the room calling out for her.

"Arpita can you please excuse us?"

Rachna smiled when her assistant nodded her understanding, and left the room. As soon as the door clicked close, she approached her suffering husband; offering him the solace he needed, by enfolding his larger frame in her arms.

"We've done the right thing, and this won't mean the end of things. Our family will just be a little displaced, but never out of reach."

It had been the mantra that she had come up with and was using to get herself through this trying period. To a degree it was working, but unlike her husband, she also had the ability to see the larger picture right now: that the child whom they loved so much had been removed permanently from the destabilizing influences of his mother and was now with one who would always put his best interests first.

"I'm being selfish, aren't I?"

"You're being a father, Kabir: nothing more, nothing less. And letting go is not an easy thing for any parent to do." She smiled up at him "If nothing else, the wedding should have shown that to you. I don't imagine that what you are feeling is anything different than what Naomi's parents have had to contend with, but they are leaving knowing that their child is fine, and if anything their family has just grown a little larger. It will be the same for us, I promise."

Kabir held his wife in silence, pondering her words.

"Do you think Sareena will agree to it then? If so I can call the lawyer today and start."

Rachna was confused. "Agree to what..."

"Her adoption of course; I'd rather make it official," her husband countered with a wry smile.

Rachna giggled and went up on her toes. "You are an idiot Papa Kabir, but Sareena would be a fool to say no" she whispered to his lips before closing her eyes and kissing the foolish man she was so lucky have married.

A few hours later, Kabir passed Arpita as she exited the workroom, after the shortened work day and bade his wife's trustworthy associate goodbye.

"Have a good vacation, Kabir. I will see you when you get back."

"Thank you Arpita; hopefully my wife hasn't left you inundated with tasks."

The young woman stopped completely. "No actually I have just enough to get me through the next few days at home, and then I will basically have the week off as well."

"Aacha, are you sure you wouldn't care to join us then?"

The young woman, facing the entrance, blushed, and stammered. "Nay...nay, that is thank you for the offer, but it isn't something my parents would approve of."

She shuffled her bags to her other shoulder and then muttered some excuse before hurrying away. Behind him, Kabir heard Arpita mumble a greeting and saw that Sareena and Jack had returned. Immediately he noticed that the smile the bodyguard wore did not reach his eyes, and as quickly realized that Arpita's answer had contained a wealth of information that was of note to the man. When Sareena discreetly rubbed her friends shoulder in commiseration, Kabir was even more sure that somehow during the busyness of their lives, and completely unbeknownst to him, at least, a connection had been made between the bodyguard and the young design assistant. And that it had unmistakably hit the worst of roadblocks: parental influence. About to speak, Kabir was interrupted by the door opening and Rajeev and Naomi coming home. She must have been watching out for them as Daadi came rushing to meet the couple. She ushered the group in and to the dining room, where the children waited already and instructed Kabir to call Rachna from her work for lunch. Only when the group had settled at the table did they realize that one of them was missing.

"Arrey, where is my Vihaan," Daadi exclaimed indicating the empty seat between herself and Sareena.

The man in question hurried into the house, exclaiming his apologies. "But when you all see what I have lined up for us to do in Goa, I know you will forgive me," he announced confidently.

*********

Mentally, Naomi went over their luggage, and then thinking better of it, pulled out the list she had made. Across the room Rajeev was talking to Vihaan in hushed tones; helping her Devar with some last minute problem. She answered her own phone, smiling when she saw it was Rachna.

"Are you all done now; everything packed and ready to go?"

"Ji, including ourselves. I was just calling to let you know that we were going to head off early since we there are so many of us, and we aren't exactly travelling light. We will just go and check in and rid ourselves of all of this baggage and then meet you guys outside of the security check point, thik hai? Will Vihaan be coming with you or making his way to the airport on his own?"

"I'm not sure actually, Rajeev is talking to him now. At any rate, I don't think we will be leaving for at least another half hour or so, so you should be all settled by the time we reach there, Ra."

"Okay then," Rachna said before pausing for a second. "It seems everything is loaded in the car now, we will see you in about an hour at the latest."

Stuck in the heavier than anticipated traffic, Rajeev blew out a sigh of frustration; Kabir had been sensible to have made an early start of it. While they were not in any danger of missing their flight, it would be slow going getting to their destination. He reached one hand over to his smiling wife who was beyond excited for their unplanned honeymoon. It would be the best of both worlds, the time alone in the exotic location, but with the option of company should they wish. He recalled the sexy swimsuit, she had shown him when the rush online-order had shown up, and raised Naomi's hand and kissed it. He winked at her when he saw that he had her full attention.

"Don't worry Rajeev, I've packed a more conservative suit for the beach," she said, reading his mind. "The other one is exclusively for the private pool that comes with our suite," she said of the strappy bikini. She smiled to herself as she thought about what else she had packed, after finally building up the nerve to investigate the array of lingerie boxes Rachna had "gifted" her. A couple of the least offending outfits had made it into her case, and she prayed that the tropical paradise would lend her the courage to actually wear them for her husband.

"Something about your expression has me nervous, Sweetheart. Tell me what's going through that pretty mind of yours."

Naomi opened her mouth to answer when he mobile rang. "Saved by the bell," she teased. "It's probably Ra letting me know that they have arrived," Naomi said as she answered the call.

********

The couple rushed through the hospital corridor, racing to the hospital room they had been directed to. A physician exited the room in question as they approached.

"Doctor, is he okay; is Kabir okay... And Rachna and the children were they injured?"

"Rajeev and Naomi," the physician asked.

"Ji"

"Kabir has suffered the greatest extent of injuries, which are serious, but thankfully not life threatening. His wife was a little bumped up but, again thankfully she and her child are fine. The family is in the room now. Please come in; I know they have been waiting. They were fortunate to be travelling with a physician themselves," the hospitalist continued as he led them into the room.

The attack was swift and unexpected, as both husband and wife were focused on the man laid up in the hospital bed and the woman, her head down, weeping beside him. Walking ahead of Naomi, Rajeev reached Rachna first and called her name. And then he heard it - the whimper behind him and turned to see Naomi succumbing to the chemically soaked cloth covering her nose and mouth, seconds before he felt the pricking sensation in his neck that caused his world to blur almost immediately. Rajeev fought them - the doctor and the make-believe patient who had posed in the bed, his wavering concentration on his wife whose supine figure was now being placed on a gurney that had been hidden in the room.

"Are you certain that the drug won't harm her or the babies; you realize that your life won't be worth shit if it does?"

The voice was enough to set his adrenaline pumping, and with a bellow Rajeev launched at the bas***d who would dare make another attempt against his wife.

"Help us," the doctor called out as he and his companion tried to control the enraged coach.

Abhi's response was to land a flurry of punches on the restrained man, which did little to subdue Rajeev, but had provided him some measure of satisfaction. He stepped back defensively when the coach would have responded, and grunted gleefully when, the victim of another injection, the man finally slumped to the floor. He watched as they placed the man into the hospital bed, and set up the IV which would finally sedate him, so that they could carry out the remainder of their plan. Abhi noticed that Rajeev was still semi- conscious and following his every move. He would make his watching worth it he thought as he approached Naomi, and first violently shattered the chura she wore, and then wiped her forehead of the sindoor her husband had applied that morning. Grinning malevolently at the coach, Abhi looked for and found a sharp edge of one of the broken bangles, on which he nicked his thumb and then in a morbid validation of their union, applied his own blood to Naomi's maang.

"Mine," he mouthed evilly to the incapacitated man, before he nodded for his beloved to be secured until he could spirit her away, right from under everyone's noses.

"What you did was totally unnecessary," the doctor started in on him.

"An accident will be reported, so what harm is there in making it appear legitimate," Abhi answered noting that the unconscious patient looked slightly worse for wear. The doctor shook his head, unsure of the need of what had been, and what had yet to be done.

Abhi gripped the physician to remind him, that he shouldn't think to back out from their plan.

"Aacha: remember the end goal, now is the time we help your love get what she wants, and then, we will all disappear, right?." He looked at the man noting that the mention of Sonal had appeared to steel the physician's resolve. The hapless fool, Abhi thought, but whatever got him to do what was needed, so be it "It's time to activate part two of the plan, Doctor."

Chapter #96

"I'm not getting any answer, Kabir: from either of them. I hope nothing is wrong."

Rachna turned and reasoned that so intent was he on watching Sonal, that her husband probably hadn't even heard her. He wasn't the only one, as both Sareena and Jack kept a close eye on the mother who had come to the airport to see her child off for his beach vacation. For his part, Rachna noticed that Sanjay was far more receptive towards his estranged parent than he had been in weeks; most likely due to his child-like belief that now all was well between his mother and his adored Aunty Reena. She listened, as did the others in their group, as the little boy animatedly discussed what he knew of his destination.

"We are going to stay in a room that has a pool and a beach, Mama. It's going to be so much fun for me and my sister and my whole family, Mama."

"That sounds lovely, beta. You must get Aunty Reena to take lots of pictures of you and Aryia having fun, so that I can see them when you return, thik hai - a lot of pictures."

Sanjay nodded enthusiastically and then turned to get validation from his Aunty that this would be possible. When Sareena nodded, Kabir finally turned his attention to his wife, who he thought had spoken some time ago.

"I'm sorry, Rachna, what..."

"I cannot reach Naomi or Rajeev, Kabir," Rachna whispered to him urgently. "They will miss the final check in if they..."

Kabir placed on hand on Rachna's arm and smiled at his wife indulgently, "I'm certain they are on their way." He looked at his watch. "If not coming through the doors in the next seconds, they will have surely reached the parking..."

Suddenly their attention turned in Jack's direction; specifically to the distinct alarm that came from his immediate area. He smiled sheepishly and reached into his coat pocket.

"Exactly one hour fifteen minutes until our flight," he announced. "Sorry I'm just a little anal retentive when it comes to my travel arrangements."

But again, as he had seen and recognized in recent days, Kabir noted that the bodyguard's eyes did not mirror the disarmingly sheepish smile he wore. He deactivated the alarm and went back to the magazine he had been reading, as if everything was okay, which Kabir felt sure was an act.

"I think something's wrong," Kabir uttered under his breath. "Follow his lead Rachna, until we get rid of Sonal, act as Jack does."

Rachna hummed her understanding, and went over to where Daadi played with a giggling Aryia who sat in her travel seat on the bank of chairs beside her grandmother.

"Look Mama, I have a watch too..." Rachna heard Sanjay exclaim as she tried to act as normal as possible while she attempted to make sense of what could be the issue.

A few minutes later, Sonal, having exhausted her lunch hour, excused herself to make her way back to her office. She thanked Sareena, and then bid the rest of the group a good trip. As soon as she had left their sight, Kabir walked over to Jack, who was fishing his mobile out of his coat pocket again.

"Jack, that wasn't just a timer, was it?"

The bodyguard shook his head while also holding up one finger for a moment's peace, so that he could complete what he was doing. He confirmed with whatever it was he had to verify, and with a frown immediately dialed a number; cursing under his breath after a period of time, when obviously there was no answer to his call.

"Jack," Kabir said more forcefully.

The bodyguard looked up and made sure that Rachna had not come any closer.

"Naomi is wearing a personal alarm..."

Kabir's eyes widened. "And she has activated it?"

The bodyguard interjected, "I'm pretty sure she isn't even aware of it, but at any rate, this particular device doesn't work that way. It's triggered by blunt force, and then only after it recognizes the wearer as incapacitated for a period of time afterwards. So if she smacked into a wall by mistake it wouldn't activate, but..."

"If she struck something and was knocked unconscious then..."

"Exactly," Jack stated confirming Kabir's supposition.

"So what could have...?"

Kabir was prevented from completing his sentence, when Rachna suddenly screamed. He turned in time see his wife collapse on the floor in uncontrolled tears, her mobile still registering an open call.

Sonal's eyes widened in delight and she paused in her retreat, when she heard the cries of distress coming from the direction she had just left. It was just the signal she had been waiting for. She would now prepare to go to her next destination, but not before she made sure to note if all of the travelling party responded to the emergency. She stepped into one of the small kiosks inside the arrival terminal and waited. Sure enough, the group hurried past her, and only after ensuring she had provided accurate details did she leave and make her way to the decided on meeting spot.

*********

They checked in with the admitting desk and separated on realization that Rajeev and Naomi were on two separate wards; he on a general ward, and the expectant mother who for obvious reasons was considered the more critical of the two accident victims, having been admitted directly to the maternity ward. Kabir and Rachna would head for the maternity ward to find their sister, while the rest of them would check on Rajeev.

Her assigned room was empty, but the kind ward nurse assured them that she would soon return; that the expectant mother had just gone for a precautionary scan to confirm that all was well with the twins she carried. They were told that they could wait in the room and sure enough, not five minutes had passed when an orderly wheeled the bed holding their friend through doors.

Rachna stood immediately. "Naomi..."

She looked absolutely shaken as the man came near and elevated the head of the bed at so that she could meet her friends. The disorientated expression and her two bandaged arms looked to be the only indications of the mishap she had suffered.

"The babies," Kabir asked worriedly.

"The babies," she answered in a thin strained voice. "The babies are okay. They have their father's strength..." she added almost defiantly, and then fell strangely silent.

"Are you comfortable Madam Ji," the bespectacled aid asked leaning towards her.

"Yes...thank you."

The man placed a call button in her hand. "Press this should you need assistance, we are never far away..." he added before he nodded briefly and left the room."

The nurse, who had also returned with Naomi, hung the IV bag and then looked to the patient's visitors. "Please try not to overly excite the patient. We would like to keep her vitals as stable as possible for the babies' sake. She has been administered a mild sedative so may be a little disoriented right now."

Naomi brusquely began fiddling with her mangasultra almost as soon as the medical staff turned away, and she began breathing rapidly. "Rajeev?" She whispered, looking from Rachna to Kabir. "You have to..." She paused when the nurse turned back and made to adjust the flow of the IV. She pulled her hand away from her wedding chain, and held it fast.

"I think it's best that you leave, just until she gets a bit more settled- for the babies' sakes," the nurse insisted with a brittle smile.

Rachna approached her friend. "We will go and check on Rajeev and come right back, okay?"

**********

He had obviously been very near when he called to see where exactly in the hospital she was, as he reached there not long after they had hung up. At top speed, Vihaan had run into the hospital and on locating her, tugged Sareena into a fast embrace, shocking her to the core. "Thank God you're alright," he muttered over and over in complete gratitude. He set her away from him and began running his hands over her. "Are you sure...wait, where is Sanjay...did he get hurt?"

"Vihaan, what are you ..."

"Were you travelling separately?" he stopped and closed his eyes. "Shit, I'm sorry...Kabir, Rachna... the children, are they okay?"

He couldn't understand why she first looked at him as if he was crazy before her expression turned sorrowful.

"Vihaan," she began gently. "You've got it all wrong; we weren't the ones in the accident. Naomi and Rajeev have been admitted..."

"No, that's not possible," he said shaking his head in denial.

"Yes. Yes, Vihaan, "she answered "I don't know the extent of their injuries, but."

"No!" He protested violently and then began pulling her to the entrance and out of the building.

She pleaded for him to stop: to realize that there had been a mistake of epic proportions, and that he needed to contact his parents right away. He dragged her along with him into the parking lot, passing rows of vehicles until he stopped and pulled out the key and electronically unlocked the car in front of them.

"Vihaan, are you crazy...we can't leave!"

He shook his head, needing her to understand. "This isn't my car: it's bhaiyaa's; I have his spare key. Now tell how if they were in such an accident that both of them had to be admitted, that their car is here undamaged?" He then showed her his mobile. "And why would Bhabhi have text me the message that they were turning back because..." Vihaan paused and then began pacing frantically, contemplating the news that had delayed his departure to the airport and now this... It's a trap, he thought...it had to be a damn trap...but against which family?

********

Rachna grew uneasy as soon as she recognized the physician who was heading in the direction of maternity ward. It couldn't be just a coincidence that the doctor who treated Sonal after her accident, would also specialize in obstetrics.

"Kabir, we have to go back."

The designer stopped in the middle of the florescent lit corridor, and looked back at his wife. "Rachna, what is it?"

"I don't want her to be alone; I can't shake the feeling that she shouldn't left alone right now. Go and check on Rajeev, and come back, but..."

Kabir took his wife by the shoulder and shook his head. "Thik hai, I will check on Rajeev and then bring Daadi and Aryia back with me."

They separated and Rachna quickened her steps so that she can verify her suspicions. She had to stop short when near the ward clerk's desk, the doctor was approached by a technician who handed him a necklace of some sort. Straining to hear, Rachna was shocked when the woman indicated that it must have come undone and slipped off Mrs. Agarwal's neck during the recent scan. It made no sense as the only necklace Naomi had been wearing was her mangalsutra; which she definitely still had on. Rachna blinked recalling how her friend was fidgeting with it so much. Something was definitely awry, and she had to get back to her right away, and for some reason she needed to keep this doctor away from her friend. Making a quick decision, Rachna rushed past the physician and approached the Head Nurse.

"Excuse me Sister, can you tell me if Doctor Visra has been contacted for Mrs. Agarwal yet? She said that she hasn't seen her and wanted to make sure that her own obstetrician has been informed of her accident." From the corner of her eye Rachna saw the doctor react to her overly loud question, cutting his conversation with the technician short, before leaving the way he had come. Satisfied that she had kept the man away for now, Rachna then headed back towards her friend's room.

**********

There was some mild facial swelling, but nothing that Jack could immediately pinpoint would be the reason for Rajeev's lack of consciousness, but then again neither were Daddi nor he physicians, and the only one who had the expertise to shed any light hadn't made it to the room yet, having been waylaid by an incoming telephone call. All he knew was that something felt off about the situation. He walked around the room, attempting to figure what could be the reason for this unease he couldn't shake off. He heard the crunch of something beneath his shoe as he passed the foot of the hospital bed, and bent down to see what it was. Almost at the same time he heard the door open and Daadi greet the new arrival.

"Doctor, thank God ..."

Jack pocketed the broken bangle pieces he had found and then stood up to meet the physician who stood in his white lab coat, holding what Jack assumed was Rajeev's medical chart.

The doctor took note of them, offering a special greeting to the two children before turning his attention to Daadi as the eldest of the group. He began detailing the circumstances of the accident and the injuries that Rajeev had suffered.

"But Doctor, he looks to have suffered no external injuries; why does he remain unconscious?"

The physician moved to placate the elderly woman. "These things can be complicated to understand, Aunty..."

"Perhaps then you can explain to me and I will be able break it down to everyone," Sareena interjected as she charged into the room. She smiled and held out her hand to the tall man. "Dr. Sareena Arora," she said compellingly. "I'm a friend of the family." She stepped forward to let Vihaan and Kabir into the room. She watched the doctor; clearly he hadn't expected to be besieged by the two additional men, who rather than appearing worried for the incapacitated man lying in the hospital bed, were each considering him suspiciously. Jack's nod told her that he was of the same vein, and definitely lent credence to some deception in the works. When the physician remained silent, Sareena walked over and began examining Rajeev herself. Feeling that the slight contusions were insufficient to have disabled the fit coach, she commenced a head to toe examination, which didn't last long when she located two tiny red areas on Rajeev's neck.

"I still have some to learn, but would I be correct in assuming that these are two injection sites, Doctor?"

When the doctor remained obstinately silent, Sareena sighed ruefully. "Jack, do you mind," she asked.

********

They were almost home free, Abhi thought as the ambulance raced to towards the airport where the Lear-jet was confirmed to have landed. In the back of the fast moving vehicle, Abhi smiled gently at the burkha clad woman who lay quietly in the gurney. She was strapped in securely for the safety of their children; the two daughters that the two of them would raise together. He was going to be the father of two beautiful girls who he and Naomi would raise together as a family. She had accepted that this is the way it was meant to be quickly and without much complaint, and for that he was so very proud of her. Once he explained to her that he was only reclaiming what should have been his right from the beginning, she had come to the same conclusion. He regretted having to trick her one last time and administering one final dosage of the mild sedative, but he had to be guaranteed that there were no encumbrances to their escape brought on by a sudden change of heart. Thankfully the effects would not last long, no longer than it would take them to reach cruising altitude since he would not stand for any undue harm to come to their children by the tranquilizer. She would come to and he would beg her forgiveness, which he knew Naomi would grant - now that she had seen the light.

He looked over at the second gurney which lay empty due to the last minute change that had come about in procuring the boy. In the end the doctor hadn't been able to do this alone, but Abhi had taken the skittish man's inabilities into consideration and had arranged for his own men to be at the hospital: ones who could deal with the bodyguard. They were about fifteen minutes behind them, but were now making their way to the airport, where Sonal and the child would liaise with the ambulance before they entered the private concourse. Afterwards, the husband and child of the imperiled pregnant patient would be medivaced with their private medical staff to a more high tech facility in Dubai. Abhi looked forward where the physician sat with the driver and orderly. Both had been paid handsomely to keep quiet, and had not questioned the doctor's decision to ride up front with them, nor the deviation of their straightforward route to the airport. Abhi smiled; for his part, the physician had done a good job in arranging this aspect of the plan, but once they were onboard the private plane, his use would be over in Abhi's eyes. He had no idea what Sonal's intentions were for the man, but had he the option, then he would sooner get rid of the man: the doctor's sense of honor would eventually betray Sonal, and lead to her downfall.

But that was entirely her problem.

**********

Only through his quick reflexes had Jack been able to deflect what had been a certain kill shot into one that merely wounded, when he had been set on by the two goons in the public toilets. Bleeding copiously from his left shoulder, he had still managed to incapacitate the attacker who had been armed with a small caliber firearm, but had been unable to prevent the other, more wily villain, who had grabbed Sanjay and run for it. That the police were already on their way to the medical facility had been an advantage, as they were able to validate the information that they had got both from the remorseful physician, who when confronted with his wrongdoings had cracked under pressure, as well as the apprehended criminal who would have resorted to murder to kidnap the little boy.

"Jack, you need stitches at the very least, "

"Bind it dammit; I will worry about it after..."

Vihaan interjected, pointing to the bodyguard's injury. "Sareena's right, it's bleeding like hell, you won't be able..."

"I will tend to it after I've done my job," the bodyguard responded through gritted teeth. "I have never failed in protecting a client, and like hell will I start now..." He looked to his friend who was barely holding it together. "...Especially not when it matters so much." He reached out and stroked Sareena's ashen face.

"I promise on my life, that I will get him back, Reena."

Whatever she saw in his eyes had her believing him. She nodded and stepped away from him, and began rifling through the emergency supplies in the examination room they had been left in. She secured the wound in minutes, and then looked up at her schoolmate as he immediately put his jacket on covering the injury. "I'm coming Jack, and don't even think about trying to stop me."

"It never entered my mind Reena. And you Vihaan?"

"Bhai will go insane if Bhabhi isn't at his side when he regains consciousness - let's do this."

Vihaan did the driving, while Jack coordinated over his mobile with the Police Inspector who had informed him that they had managed to have the airport operations issue a departure delay on the air ambulance that had been ordered. This would give them sufficient time to reach there in time to rescue both Naomi and Sanjay. As he hung up the phone, Jack turned to Sareena, who was monitoring the movement of the vehicle that carried Sanjay via the GPS in the little boy's wristwatch. It appeared to have deviated from the course that would take it to the airport, most likely to intersect with the ambulance. Jack then turned to his own mobile to check his own data. What he hadn't had the opportunity to relay to Kabir earlier was that Naomi's device was not only a personal alarm; the modified piece of fine jewelry was also fitted with GPS. Actually he was shocked that the savvy young woman hadn't figured it out yet: Rajeev had slipped up a couple of time already in using the device - the first time being when he showed up unexpectedly at the doctor's office in search of his then fiance. It had been proof positive of the value of the bracelet, but now when it was most needed, there seemed to be an issue. Jack frowned for a second and then realized that it wasn't a failure that was the reason for the seemingly erroneous information.

"Did either of you see Rachna before we left the hospital?"

In all that had occurred, it dawned on both Jack and Sareena that neither had seen her all. She, Kabir had told them, when they had met with him in the hall, had returned back to the maternity ward to sit with Naomi.

Jack incredulous laughter surprised them in response to their negative answers. The bodyguard put his hand up to his eyes and shook his head in complete disbelief.

"Vihaan: you father's mobile number," he demanded, dialing even as the man beside him recited it.

"Uncle Ji, it's Jack...I have news...Is there is an available police officer, if so get him to accompany you to the maternity ward...Naomi's GPS is indicating that she is still there... Yes sir, I am more than certain...Please do call us back right away."

Sareena spoke first. "Jack you don't really think..."

The bodyguard ignored her; he was too busy messaging Kabir that the woman in the back of the ambulance that the designer was riding in, under the guise of an hospital orderly, was most likely not Naomi at all, but in all probability, his own wife. Rachna, who had somehow managed to exchange places with Naomi, if not only to save her best friend, was like her husband: on a mission to resuce the little boy, that the married couple considered their son.