The unusual sound of a car horn blaring work him from his sleep. As his eyes opened and settled on his surroundings he had an immediate sense of panic because the room looked foreign to him. He tried to bolt up but couldn't due to a weight leaning against his body. Turning his face, his eyes rested on the sleeping figure of a woman – it was then that realization dawned on him. He knew where he was. He was home.
Immediately the tension from his shoulder disappeared and his shoulders sagged, relaxed, as he lay back down. For a second his eyes left her and looked out the big open window of the room – the stars were still out. He relax even further and sent up a thank you to the powers that be for letting it still be night.
Looking back down at her, a smile spread across his face. He watched her silently sleep. He watched as her body rose and fell as she breathed. He felt the warmth of her breath tickle his bare chest where her cheek rest – they were skin to skin. Her thick luscious, raven black hair was the only thing that attempted to cover her bare back where a black til was exposed. Desire sparked deep within him as his eyes traveled down the curves of her back and the shallow canal of her spine.
Knowing she needed to rest, he moved to get up before his desire consumed him and there was no turning back. Gently, he tried to move so that he didn't wake her. Somehow he managed to get free from her embrace but she stirred as he did so. He stilled once out of bed to make sure he hadn't woken her. When she pulled the blanked closer to her and seemed to settle, he turned to leave.
"Going somewhere?" her groggy voice called, startling him.
"Just getting some water… he answered as his heart rate returned to normal.
"Hmmm…" she moaned in acknowledgement as she turned in bed so that she was now facing the window, her back to him.
Smiling to himself at her childish ways, he turned to leave.
"Arav…" she called softly.
"Hmmm?" he answered.
"Hurry back."
"Hmm…" he called back as he exited the room.
-------------
As he walked down the dark hall way he relished in the fact that after all this time, he'd finally gotten used to someone calling him by his given name and not is chosen name. If someone had told him five years ago that someone would be calling him by that name, he probably would have shot them point-blank. Of course, five years ago he had no idea that a tornado like Madhubala would come storming into his life turning it upside down.
Arav, the name his parents had given him, died the day that Sultan had been born. One random name held more power and influence than his given name. One random name survived all hardships while the only link to his parents drowned into the abyss. Sultan came to be as Arav came to pass.
No one – who was still alive – knew his name. They only knew him as Sultan. Even Kaka, who'd been a trusted employee and, at times, confidant, had no idea of Sultan's true identity. He never thought he'd live to see the day where his real name resounded in his ears. Hell, he never thought he'd live to see the day where he uttered his name out loud to another human being, that too, at his own will.
But there was something about Madhubala that had made him want to tell her everything about himself. She made him want to share the part of his life that he had ignored for so many years. She made him want to be the person that he'd once been – the person he'd strangled with his own bare hands just to survive in the cruel reality that was life. She made him want to be Arav and not Sultan.
-------------
It was a humid night in the city leaving him to wear nothing but a pair of black track pants that hung low on his waist. Entering the bedroom the saw that she has turned once again in her sleep and was now facing the door, therefore, facing him. He couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she was. Not being able to help himself, he sat in the black leather chair that was adjacent to the bed, his bare back feeling the coolness of the fabric as he did so.
His eyes quickly darted to the table, where he placed a cold bottle of water, noticing it was 3 o'clock in the morning. A quick smile flashed on his face – he still had time. Settling back, he just looked at her, admired her. It had been two years to the date since his little tornado – Madhubala - came and turned his life upside down, in the most amazing way, of course.
When he'd met her for the first time in the jungle he'd been furious with her for ruining his sting operation to confront his enemies. Then, when Aryan had gotten sick he'd had to swallow his pride and get her for the sake of his sick son. With Aryan so attached to her he'd had to deal with her being in his house day in and day out. But then, one night, everything changed, though at the time he didn't know it. It was the night he'd gotten shot.
*~* Flash Back *~*
(5 Months After 1st Meeting)
He felt as though there was fire ripping through his body as he finally gained consciousness. It was a sensation that he had never been familiar with, but he knew that he was weak and tired. The last thing he remembered was being assaulted by Bhujang and being shot.
His eyes bolted open and he sat up in pain as he tried to get a grasp on his surroundings. As his eyes focused and the fog lifted slightly, he realized he was in his own room. He was in his house.
Who brought me here?
"K…Kaka," he called out as loudly as he could.
Just saying that one word left him out of breath. He managed to pull himself into a sitting position and called out once again.
"Kaka."
Suddenly there was a flurry of noise and within seconds barreled in the only reason for living, his 5 year old son – Aryan.
"Baba!" he yelled before launching his small body at him.
As Aryan's body slammed into his own, Sultan felt an odd sensation. Physically, his body ached at the unwelcome burst of pain that radiated throughout it. Emotionally, his heart breathed a sigh of relief as his son clung to him.
"Aryan, careful," he heard her voice call.
She was here – he was hoping she'd be here and she was. A part of him hoped that she'd be there but another part of him hoped she wouldn't be. One part of him was drawn towards her, yet another part of him wanted to run far away from her before it was too late. Looking up, he saw her – just like he remembered seeing her before he passed out at the yard after being shot.
"You might hurt Baba," she finished.
Instantly, Aryan pulled back from the hug.
"Come on sweetie, let's let Baba rest," Madhubala called.
Sultan could see the hesitation in Aryan's eyes. Slowly his small hands rose and touched his cheek gently as if to make sure that Sultan was truly sitting in front of him and it wasn't a dream of his.
"You won't leave me…will you Baba?" Aryan asked softly.
"How many times have I told you…" Sultan began but didn't get a chance to finish his sentence on account of two reasons. One – the look Madhubala was giving him warned that if he did finish she would shower her wrath on him. Two – the helpless and downright scared look Aryan has in his eyes.
Sighing, he ruffled the hair on his sons head before placing a soft kiss on it. He knew he caught both Aryan and Madhubala off guard with his extremely rare display of affection.
"I'll never leave you," he answered.
"Promise?" Aryan asked, as if not entirely trusting Sultan's answer.
"Promise," he reassured.
With that, Aryan left, trailed by Kaka who went to get him some food. Turning to get out of bed, he grimaced as his shoulder moved and pain once again shot through his upper body. He closed his eyes, willing the pain to go away so that he could do what he needed to do. When he opened his eyes, he found Madhubala standing in front of him holding a glass of water and two while pills.
Ignoring her, he tried to get up but failed to move due to the pain.
"Take the medication," she said.
He didn't say anything.
"You refused to go to the hospital, at least take the pain medication," she said, with the slightest hint of anger in her voice. When he didn't do what she wanted, she yelled slightly. "You won't become any less of a man if you take the damned pills!"
His shot up to meet hers immediately. That comment began to erase the pain that he felt throughout his body but replaced it with anger.
Who does she think she is!? How dare she talk to me that way!
"Look…" he began but stopped when he saw her eyes leave his and look behind him towards the door.
"If not for yourself…" she began, in a much softer voice, "…take it for Aryan. You might be able to tolerate the pain you're feeling but he can't see you suffering like this."
He turned around and watched as Aryan headed towards the room with Kaka. Aryan was holding a bottle of water while Kaka had the tray lined with food. As he watched his son walk slowly, he could see the toll that this incident had taken on Aryan. There were hints of dark circles around his eyes telling Sultan that Aryan hadn't slept properly. Though Aryans gait had never been perfect, there was more of a limp to it today. It was taking all his energy to stay still and not grab Aryan into his arms and tell him that everything was going to be ok.
Letting out yet another sigh, Sultan held out his hand where Madhubala placed the two pills and then offered him the glass of water. Putting both pills in his mouth at one time, he took a swig of the cold water and swallowed.
For the next hour or so Sultan quietly observed Aryan while Aryan observed him. Kaka had helped Sultan eat, get cleaned up, changed and then back to bed. The entire time Aryan stood in the corner watching – never taking his eyes off of his father. Sultan knew that Aryan feared Sultan would leave again.
At some point Madhubala had come and taken Aryan to get him bathed, fed and off to bed for the night. Sultan was sitting at the desk in his room when he saw the two of them enter and come to stop beside him.
"Here…," she said, holding out the pills to him.
He didn't react.
"Aryan…" she began as she kneeled down to be at his eye level, "…why don't you go and drink your milk while I give Baba his medicine."
Aryan nodded in agreement. "Good night Baba," he said.
"Aryan…" Sultan admonished.
"Sorry…Sultan. Good night Sultan," Aryan corrected.
"Hmm…" he said.
As soon as his son was out of ear shot, Sultan spoke. "I have no need for you! Why are you here!?" his voice boomed in the small room.
"I'm not here for you," she countered immediately.
"Then…"
He watched again as her eyes darted towards the open door of his bed room that looked out to the main living room.
"I'm only here for Aryan," she said with as smile as they watched him wipe the milk mustache off his lips.
"And why are you doing all of this!? Who are you to him? What relationship do the two of you share?" he asked. "I am his father…you are no one!"
He felt like an absolute jerk for asking such a question of the woman who'd done so much for him and his son. The audible gasp she released didn't help either. He knew what he was doing was wrong but he had to. He had to try and push her way from him while he still had fighting chance.
"Maybe in the eyes of the world we don't have a title…but we do have a relationship," she said coolly. "My heart is connected to Aryan's. Maybe the world doesn't have a name for that relationship…but the relationship is there nonetheless…even you can't deny it."
It was at that moment that Sultan had resigned his negative attitude towards Madhubala. Sure, prior to him getting shot there was something between them that even he couldn't deny – no matter how much he tried. It didn't help matters that she was there every day with Aryan. At first he chalked it up to her having nothing else to do and just passing time Aryan. But here he was, looking into her eyes, no longer able to deny what it was that attracted him to her – her love for Aryan.
*~* Back to Present *~*
The soft ringing of his cell phone brought him back to reality. He saw the phone light up on the bed side table closest to him. He noticed Madhubala began to stir at the sound. He got to his feet and quickly picked up the phone. Hitting the green button he picked up the call.
"Sultan," he answered.
He walked out of the room, closing the door behind him, as he headed back downstairs to take the call. It was a client of his and he knew the call could take a while. One of the many downsides of being in the business he was in, these calls at odd hours of the night. Since most of his business dealings happened at night, problems also arose mostly at night.
About twenty minutes later, as he was wrapping up his call, he heard muffled sounds coming from the second level of the house. Quickly ending his call he focused on the sounds and his blood ran cold as he realized it was coming from Aryan's room. Bolting to his feet and running up the stairs he didn't notice his phone fall to the ground.
Every step he took that brought him closer to his sons room also made him afraid that he might be coming face to face with his worst nightmare. Silently he prayed for God to not let anything happen to his son. He prayed for God to not punish is sweet, innocent boy because of the sins of his father. With his heart ready to burst out of his chest he ran as fast as he could towards Aryan's room.
He came to a dead halt and his heart slammed against his chest as he took in the sight before him. His body nearly collapsed as relief swept over him as he took in the sight before him. He thanked God for having mercy on his son as he took in the sight before him.
What he saw in front of him reminded him of why he had to live his life the way had been living it for the past year. What he saw in front of him reminded him that though his world may not be perfect, it was moments like this that made it worth all its imperfections. In front of him were the two pieces of his heart – Aryan and Madhubala.
It was clear to him now that Aryan had had a bad dream and that is what had lead to his cries. Madhubala was there, now dressed in a navy blue silk robe, comforting Aryan.
"Shh…nothing happened sweetie," she said. "It was just a nightmare."
Aryan clung to Madhubala as she gently patted his back and ran a loving hand over his head. Aryans face was buried in her neck but Sultan could still hear the whimpers that remained from the bad dream.
"Don't cry sweetie. You're my courageous boy aren't you?" she asked.
That seemed to do the work because the whimpers began to subside until they completely disappeared.
"You wont leave me…will you Mamma?" Aryan asked softly as he stared up at her.
"Mamma is not going anywhere," Madhubala replied.
Sultan watched from the door as Madhubala, her back to him, got Aryan settled into bed once again. Once she had him covered up under his blanked, she laid next to him. One arm supported her while with the other hand she gently patted Aryan coaxing him back to sleep. She began to hum the tune that she always hummed for him.
As he watched, Sultan couldn't figure out how he'd gotten so lucky to have this amazing woman in his life. This woman who had accepted his son as her own without any hesitation or reservation. She had showered her love on his son and didn't expect anything in return.
He didn't know how he'd gotten so lucky, but he did know that he'd been very close to losing her all because of his arrogance, his ego, and, in all honesty, his stupidity.
*~* Flash Back *~*
(9 Months After 1st Meeting)
A major storm was coming so Sultan wrapped up his dealing for the night earlier than usual. All of his employees and clients were family men. They were someone's son, brother, husband and/or father. He didn't want to risk anything happening to anyone on account of him and the job they were hired to do. At least, that's what he told himself as he closed the final meeting and headed home himself. As he drove home, he only had one thought on his mind – get Madhubala home before the storm actually hit.
He knew that just like every night, she must be feeding Aryan and getting him ready for bed. He knew that just like every night, she wouldn't leave until he was home and there for Aryan if he needed something. He knew that just like every night, she'd be waiting him to finish his dinner before she allowed him to drop her off at her mother's house.
Sure, he told himself that he was closing shop early for everyone else but himself. try as he might, his mind may accept the false truth it tried to tell itself, but his heart knew the truth. The truth that her safety and wellbeing was becoming a priority – a priority that he didn't welcome.
When he entered the house he saw Madhubala and Aryan sitting on the couch next to each other watching a cartoon. It was the Disney cartoon of Tarzan. The movie had just started because it was the scene where the mother gorilla finds baby Tarzan and takes him home.
"Can't you be my mom just like in the move?" Aryan asked.
Aryan's question caught both him and Madhubala off guard. She was just about to open her mouth to answer but Sultan beat her to it.
"Aryan!" he roared, startling both of them enough to jump in their seats. "Go to your room!"
Knowing his father's anger, Aryan didn't argue and immediately got up to go to his room, while Sultan came to stand next to Madhubala. Once Aryan was in his room and the door was closed he turned to face her, rage running rampant in his veins.
"What do you think of yourself?" he asked.
His question confused her.
"Enough…it's enough," he said as he ran a hand through his hair. "I never wanted Aryan to get close to you and form an attachment. I've been against the two of you meeting since day one. And now…enough…enough is enough…just leave from here…"
"But…" she began but didn't get to finish.
"No…I don't want to hear anything!" he yelled. "You are not a part of our lives and you never will be a part of our lives…its better if you leave now and never come back."
"At least listen…"
"Out!" he growled.
"Aryan needs me," she challenged.
"No…he doesn't need you…and if he ever does…I'll never send him to you. I'll kill him myself before I let him get close to you again," he said.
She gasped.
He saw tears spring into her eyes as she stepped back at his verbal assault. He saw her hands shaking as she reached for her purse. Without another word she left.
Watching her retreating back, he felt guilt swallow him whole. Not knowing what else to do he headed out onto the open road to the one place where he felt peace – a hill side not too far from his house. Parking the car, he put his phone on silent and threw it on the passenger seat before getting out. He started at the city below him trying to fathom how he could have said those horrible things to her. He knew that all she was doing was being there for his son, but he didn't want Aryan to become attached to her.
Aryan's innocent question brought him face to face with a reality that he had hoped to avoid. He knew that she could never be part of Aryan's life because she could never be part of his life. The life he lead was no place for anyone except people like him. When Aryan was left solely in his care, he had no option but to bring his son into this life but he couldn't give the same fate to Madhubala.
Though he refused to give a name or even acknowledge the feelings he had for her, he knew he cared. No way in his right mind could he bring her into his life and expect her to be okay with it. He couldn't sentence her to a fate he hadn't even wanted for himself.
He didn't know how much time had passed but he was brought back to his reality when he felt the cold seep into his body. The sky overhead grew dark and menacing as the clouds rumbled to life indicating they'd let loose their wrath at any second. He knew that Aryan didn't like storms and was scared by the thunder. He had to get home before all the rumbling started because he knew that Aryan would be brave if he was there.
Getting back into his car he picked up his phone and frowned – ten missed calls. Going to his call log he saw that all of them were from his house number. Panic engulfed him as he dialed back.
"Kaka, what happened?" he asked when Kaka answered.
"I can't find Aryan."
It was one line – five words – yet it had to power to bring his reality to a halt and life to a standstill. The next seven minutes were the slowest seven minutes of his life as he raced home as quickly as possible. Once home, he listened in horror as Kaka told him what Aryan had said once Sultan had left. Aryan was beside himself with fear and worry that Sultan was leaving him again. He was afraid that this time, Sultan wouldn't be returning home. It was Kaka's guess, and his, that Aryan slipped out unnoticed in search of Sultan.
Mobilizing his guards, he went in search of his son. It had begun to rain and he was socked to the core but still there was no sign of Aryan. They searched everywhere they could think but still there was no trace of Aryan.
There was a flash of lightning and Sultan knew he had only one option.
Madhubala.
He banged feverishly on her door until it was opened by her. He could tell from the look in her eyes she was surprised to see him at her door step in such a condition.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, her voice ice cold.
"Aryan…is he here?" he asked.
"Aryan? How on earth would he be here?" she asked, confused.
The little glimmer that he'd had disappeared into darkness.
"I…I can't find Aryan," he said.
Without another question she went with him to search for his son. Nearly two hours had passed since he'd heard that Aryan was missing. In those two hours he gone over every possible scenario at every possible location but still came out empty handed. With each passing second the story was getting worse and worse. He feared a flood was imminent and the thought of his five year old son out in such conditions was enough to make him stop functioning.
He'd almost given up hope when Madhubala had made a suggestion. She suggested they look at the abandoned warehouse where Sultan had ended up the time he'd gotten shot. She thought that since that was where they'd found Sultan after he'd been shot and missing in action the last time, maybe – just maybe – Aryan would look for him there.
They raced to the location, both of them jumping out into the rain as they ran to where Aryan could possibly be. The two of them were soaked to the bone and it was difficult to see anything in the blinding rain accompanied by the wind. At first, there was no sign of him – but then she saw Aryan. His tiny body was wet and lay motionless inside a barrel that lay on its side.
Sultan ran to his son and lifted his nearly lifeless body. The only thing that he could hold on to was the fact that he could see Aryan's chest rise and fall – albeit slowly – as he breathed. Rushing to the hospital, the doctors took Aryan inside the trauma room forcing Sultan and Madhubala to wait outside.
It was nearly an hour later when the doctor returned for a report. Aryan was suffering from hypothermia among other things. He would have to be kept under observation over night, only then would they be able to make any kind of prognosis. Hypothermia was difficult enough to treat in adults, let alone children.
As they waited in the lobby for Aryan to be shifted to a Pediatric ICU, a movement caught Sultan's eyes.
"Where are you going?" he asked as he saw her move towards the door.
"Home," she answered.
He knew why she was leaving. He had said it himself, she had no place in Aryan's life and he didn't want Aryan getting attached to her. She knew as well as he did that if Aryan woke to find Madhubala at his side, there was no turning back from that point.
"Aryan needs you right now," he said.
"You're his father…you can handle him," she answered without missing a beat.
"You won't stay…not even for him?" he asked, surprised that she still intended to leave.
"I want to stay, but I can't stay behind knowing that because of me you'll be suffering," she said. "If you don't want me to meet with him anymore…then fine…I won't…"
He stood shocked, never expecting such an answer from her. His opinion of her mattered to her. What he had said had mattered to her. He could see the love and concern and worry she had in her eyes for his son, yet she was willing to walk away so that he didn't suffer.
Does she know how I truly feel?
She took a step away but he knew he couldn't let her walk out that door. Without thinking or hesitating, he grabbed her wrist.
"If you won't stay for him…then at least…" he stuttered, "…at least stay for me."
She couldn't hide her surprise because, like always, her eyes gave it all away. She staggered into a seat beside him while he still held her hand.
"He's my life…he's all that I have…if anything happens to him…," he chocked out.
And then, for the first time in five years he let his emotions completely take over. His eyes filled with tears and they fell unashamedly. With his tears fell his anger, fear and dread that he could be losing his baby boy. His voice came out in sobs, a sound he didn't recognize to be his own.
Letting go of her wrist his balled his own hands into fists, rested then against his forehead and wept. He was shaking with fear at the possibility that come morning, his may not be with him. Since Aryan was born, Sultan had raised him to face life on and with the possibility that Sultan wouldn't be there all the time. He raised his son to be able to handle loss and not let it faze him. However, Sultan had never, ever, thought of the possibility that he'd be the one left behind. He had never, ever, given a passing though to the fact that a day might come where Aryan wasn't with him.
As his body wracked with sobs he felt warmth across his shoulder. Looking up through his tears he saw her looking down at him, her arm draped across his shoulder. He stared at her for a few seconds before allowing himself to lean in, place his head on her shoulder, and cry. There was a kind of strength and certainty in her eyes that made it okay for him to fall apart in her arms.
"Shh…nothing will happen…Aryan will be just fine…you wait and see," she reassured.
As she held him, he heard her soft voice chant prayers all for his son.
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