Part 24
Naina: Raj, this outfit you bought me looks so nice. Thank you jaan
She noticed that Raj was lost in his own thoughts and wasn't looking at her. Her effortlessly stylish husband who rarely looked at the mirror had already tried three outfits today. It hurt to see that visiting the Shekhawat palace made him feel so conscious and unsure of himself.
Naina tried to lighten the mood
Naina: Is your hidden girlfriend also coming to the dinner? I have never seen you dress up so much!
Raj smiled.
Raj: You are my first and only love. Where will the girlfriend come from?
Naina gave a slight shriek, took Raj's hands and placed it on the bump.
Naina: Just feel her kick. Clearly our daughter did not like you calling me your only love.
Raj bend down and said, "Sorry, my jaan. Of course you are also the love of papa's life"
Raj and Naina reached the Shekhawat Palace, a gracious and beautiful house. They were taken inside and asked to wait in the living room. Raj was drawn to the family portraits and stood gazing at them. His eyes stopped at one portrait. He had never seen a photo of his mother but he instinctively knew that was her.
While one photo was in traditional attire the other one had her wearing the legal robe and surrounded by law books.
"That's out daughter Priya. She insisted on getting both portraits put side by side. Wanted people to know that tradition can go with modernity."
Raj turned and saw a gracious old lady. Gayatri Shekhawat. His grandmother.
Gayatri: Welcome Colonel Shekhawat. It's really nice to have you and your wife.
Naina noticed that Raj was overcome with emotion.
Naina: Thank you Gayatri ji. It's really nice of you to have us.
Gayatri; I was intrigued by the name. Looks like you guys are Shekhawats too. Maybe we have some family connection...
Raj suddenly snapped.
Raj: No. My entire family died when I was young. And we have no relatives.
Gayatri: I am sorry to hear that. Come. Why don't we sit down. Raghu will join us for dinner in some time.
After they sat down, Gayatri offered them snacks.
Gayatri: Naina beta, this is a sweet potato chaat and aam panna especially for you. It's good for you and the baby in the third trimester.
Naina: That's so sweet of you. Gayatriji..
Raj: You shouldn't have made special efforts.
Naina nudged Raj. Gayatri didn't mind the abruptness.
Gayatri: So you are 7.5 months along right? It must not have been easy to move to a new place and adjust, is it?
Naina: Not easy. But definitely not difficult. Raj takes care of us very well. He is the best husband and father anyone can ask for.
Naina squeezed Raj's hands. Raj relaxed and for the first time that evening he smiled. Gayatri looked very pleased seeing the young couple. Raj's smile in particular really appeared familiar.
They started eating and Raj had to keep drinking water as he ate the spicy food.
Gayatri:Colonel Shekhawat I am sorry. Looks like the food is too spicy for you.
Naina: Don't worry. My macho husband loves spicy food even though he can't tolerate it.
Naina laughed and Raj blushed. Gayatri's eyes welled with tears.
Gayatri: Priya my daughter was just like that.
Raj felt choked. Gayatri quickly changed the topic.
Gayatri: So do you have a preference? Son or daughter?
Raj: We just want the baby to be healthy. But we, oh ok I, would really love a daughter.
Gayatri: You'll be lucky either way. But daughters are incredibly special. Ours was.
Dinner was announced and they made their way to the table. Gayatri observed how Raj first attended to Naina, making her comfortable, before sitting down.
Just then Raghuvendra Shekhawat walked in. Naina and Raj both got up to greet him
Raghu (to Naina): Beta please keep sitting.
Raghu (to Raj): Nice to meet you colonel.
The conversation continued with Gayatri telling them about things they should see and do in Jaisalmer, places to shop etc. Raj was mostly quiet to overwhelmed to be so close to family and yet so far. Raghuvendra was also quiet. Something about Raj bothered him.
Raghu: So Naina, you are also in the army right. But I am surprised you chose to move to Jaisalmer on your maternity break. It's a great place. But I would have to expected you to be with either your parents or Colonel's.
Naina: Raghuvendraji Raj's parents are no more and my parents are in the US. And we wanted to be together for our first child.
Raghuvendra (sneered): So typical.
Raj: I beg your pardon sir.
Raghu: So typical of army men. Prioritising their comforts and happiness over their family. I am sure it must have been your idea to be together for the child.
Gayatri: Raghu please.
Raj: No ma'am let him speak.
Raghu: Of course what's best for your wife and child isn't important enough. This child will carry your lineage forward and I am sure you won't even care about his/ her day to day care.
Raj: Oh really, Sir? What you described seems quite appropriate. But not for military men. It seems more common for royals like you. Who care more for their name and lineage than actual people.
Raghu: COLONEL!
Gayatri: Enough you two. Not a word more. Let's move back to the seating area for dessert.
The rest of the evening went on in an uneasy silence.
After they got home.
Naina: What was wrong with you raj? Why were you so sullen the entire evening? And what were you saying to Raghuvendraji?
Raj: ME? HE STARTED IT. INSINUATING THAT I AM A BAD FATHER WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING ME.
Naina: Raj he is an old man. You should have just let it go.
Raj: Wow! One meeting and they have bowled you over? Was it just them or was it the grandeur of their estate? The royalty and all the jazz
Naina: Enough. i have been cutting you enough slack because of how emotionally difficult this is. But you have forgotten how to behave. I don't want to talk to you any more. I am going to the guest room. Hopefully you'll regain your senses in the morning.
Gayatri and Raghuvendra's room
Gayatri: What was that nonsense Raghu? Rajveer appears to be a completely devoted husband and father-to-be. And you were randomly after him!
Raghu: You know what men like him end up doing? What Karan did?
Gayatri: Oh so this is all about Karan and Priya?
Raghu: That Rajveer reminded me so strongly of Karan. The face...
Gayatri: So you thought you could say what you liked to him!
Raghu: My Priya lost her life because of that Karan. But how can I expect you to understand? You don't understand what Priya meant to me?
Gayatri: Of course how can I understand? What have I done for you. Only given up my precious grandson because you couldn't tolerate him in the house. Committed a sin... Abandoned my Priya's baby.
Raghu: Don't call that b**tard child my daugher's son. He was only a mistake. The only mistake my daughter made in her life. My Priya died due to complications that arose from delivering that illegitimate baby. That rascal Karan's child. I wish my Priya had lived and that baby had died instead.
Gayatri: RAGHU!
Edited by paradigm - 8 years ago
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