FF: Raj Naina - Knight in Shining Armor Pg 18 - Page 4

Naina: Raj, what are you saying? I realize you don't like what people are saying about us but getting married isn't the solution.

Raj: that's not the point Naina. Why can't we get married? We know more about each other than most people discover in a lifetime. We respect each other. We...

Naina: Raj you are a professionally accomplished, good looking man with a heart of gold. That makes you a very eligible bachelor. And I am a divorced woman.

Can you truly accept a woman whose body has been used like a commodity? What did they say? I am a s**t and a wh**e.

Raj gripped her shoulders tighter and looked at her angrily

Raj: not even you have the right to call yourself such words. I would accept you whole heartedly, you know that don't you?

Naina: and this baby? Can you really accept another mans child? Raghav sachar's child?

Raj: No! This isn't his child. It's yours. And I care for it with all my heart and soul.

Naina stared into Raj's deep and sensitive eyes. She was beginning to think irrationally. Beginning to imagine a life with this beautiful man.

She blinked and looked away.

Naina: I married Raghav thinking it was a practical decision. That we could make it work. And I don't want to...

Raj(hurt): you really think I am anything like Raghav?

Naina: of course not. But there is one major problem. We don't love each other, do we?

There was a long pause. Finally Raj spoke struggling to conceal the disappointment in his voice.

Raj: no we don't. BUT...

Naina: no Raj. A marriage without love isn't a marriage. I really appreciate everything you have done including offering to marry me. But a marriage isn't a compromise.

Raj: Naina but you won't let the gossip bother you?

Naina: of course not! We don't need to explain our beautiful relation to anyone.

Raj's bedroom

Raj was staring at sky full of stars

Raj: I know that was a rhetorical question. But I was so tempted to tell you that I love you. Even if you don't love me.

That I want to heal the mind, body and soul that was ravaged by the monster.

That love your child as much as you do it if not more.

But I couldn't. Because I know you don't love me.

Naina bedroom

Naina was staring at the sky full of stars

Naina: Why was I waiting for you to answer the question when I had asked it rhetorically? Especially when I can't love anyone. Not after what Raghav did to me

Definitely not you. You deserve the best. Not someone broken like me.

Naina was now seven months pregnant. She was busy preparing for her bar exam which was in one week. Raj was busy taking care of Naina. He loved pampering her and would often stay awake when Naina was studying till late.

Finally the day of the exam came. At the end of the three hour period Naina felt physically and mentally exhausted. But she also felt extremely satisfied and happy. She was quite confident that she'd clear the bar. She got home and was resting with her feet on the table. Her eyes were closed when she felt a pair of gentle hands massage her feet look. She opened her eyes to see Raj.

Naina: Raj what are you doing? Leave my feet!

Raj: don't be a spoilsport. I need to fall on the feet of Advocate Naina to make sure she fights cases for me in the future. Naina today was such a big day for you. I can't tell you how proud I am!

Naina: I have only given the exam. Not gotten my results.

Raj: we both know your result. Naina now enough of studies; now I want you to focus on yourself and the baby. Shalini told me that you haven't been attending your breathing classes because of how busy you were!

Naina (hesitating): I'll attend now.

Raj: something tells me you won't. What's wrong with Naina?

Naina: Raj the birthing classes are really useful for women who have husbands. It's the husbands who play a major role in helping the woman manage her breathing and pain.It makes no sense for me

Raj: What if I come with you? Who says we have to be married for me to help you with your labor?

Naina: Would you?

Raj; Of course? When's your next class? Tomorrow? I'll be there.

Naina had to sit while leaning against Raj. Raj was supposed to lace his hands around Naina and on her belly. While they feel awkward initially soon they became comfortable and looked like an extremely loving couple.

Suddenly Raj felt a movement.

Raj: Was that a kick?

Naina: Yes. Baby likes kicking a lot especially when you are around. I always feel it kick when you enter the room or are sitting near me.

Raj: Why didn't you tell me earlier? Oh here's another one.

As they were leaving a woman stopped them.

Woman: You are so lucky. It was so clear from this class that your husband dotes on you and your baby. Before Naina or Raj could clarify the couple left.

Saturday morning

Knock on the door

Raj: suriji? You?

Suriji: Captain Sir I am here to see Naina.

Raj: she's sleeping right now. Anything urgent?

Suriji: Beta I came across some photos from the night when Naven was arrested, it was the night of the Alumni Reunion. I noticed that there is a woman with a mask with Naveen in many photos. I couldn't identify the women in these photos but this pen drive contains many more photos and videos from the night.

Raj: Thank you Suriji. I'll give these to Naina.

Raj decided to look through the photos himself. After going over thousands of photos Raj finally came across one where the woman didn't have a mask. Raj was shocked to see the person's face.

It was Ritu Mishra