RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 95

Chapter #97

Cautiously, Kabir placed the mobile where he could reread the text message, as if glancing at it for a second time would alter the communication that had shaken the very foundations of how he had planned to proceed. How could he have not known: not recognized that it was Rachna who lay on the gurney - not realized that in loading the woman into the back of the ambulance, that he was placing his love directly in harm's way? Once she was discovered, she would most certainly be the target of Abhi's rage. Although far from ideal, at least Naomi would have had a measure of safety in this situation due to the unbalanced man's twisted obsession with her.This fact would have allowed Kabir the opportunity to focus solely on rescuing his son, but not now. Aside from the discovery that he had been cheated of his prize, Abhi would be even more dangerous if egged on by Sonal, who had her own reasons to hate Rachna. Dammit, what the hell had she been thinking, Kabir wondered, as the vehicle moved ever closer to its destination. He contemplated if the undercover police officer who had assumed the role of ambulance driver, was aware of the fact yet, and if not how he could advise the man without raising suspicions. The situation had become even more risky: exactly what the police had wanted to avoid, and had argued against, when they had attempted to dissuade Kabir from coming along. He would hear none of it: his child was in danger, and nothing and no-one would prevent him from pursuing those who had absconded with him. They either accepted him along for the ride, or he would go it alone. Besides, Kabir had reasoned, his presence would calm Sanjay in the midst of the tumult the little boy's kidnapping would have wrought. Kabir could only imagine the trauma inflicted on his young son when Jack had been attacked so brutally in front of him and his subsequent abduction by the stranger who had ripped him from the security of his family. No, Kabir had clarified: no one would stop him from going to his son - and none had dared, seeing the designer's fierce determination. But now it had all changed. His wife and unborn child were now caught up in this mess and he was torn as how to handle the situation. Kabir looked to his left at the doctor who was sandwiched between him and the driver. He was pale and obviously discomfited over his actions - that the depths of his feelings for Sonal had led him to act so unscrupulously and completely against his oath as a doctor. He had asked for a chance to redeem himself; cautioning that his not seeing things thorough would only forewarn Abhi and Sonal that their planning could be compromised. But in truth, could the physician truly be trusted? Could he so casually dismiss his attraction for Sanjay's mother, and render assistance to the opposition? As if the mere thought of him, had roused him, the doctor spoke up suddenly and directed the driver to take the next right which would lead them to the quiet side road where they would await Sonal's arrival.

********

The child's shock at the onset of the attack had an immediate effect, so much that the little boy hadn't reacted at all to the bodyguard's command to run and return to his papa. He had just stood there: frozen in fear at the violence that had unfolded in front of him. The Englishman had fought the pair of assailants fiercely, managing to overpower one of his attackers despite being wounded when the man had pulled out his gun and fired: his intent of killing the bodyguard clear. The attempt failed, and even injured, Jack looked to be turning the encounter to his advantage, first disarming and about to incapacitate his attacker. The remaining thug had had no choice then, but to grab the child and make his escape. Thankfully, the little boy had remained silent as they traversed stealthily through the halls of the hospital. However, after achieving success in leaving the building undetected, the child must have realized the precariousness of his position, and had suddenly come out of this stupor and began screaming for his father. Without his partner to aid him in controlling the vociferous youngster, the kidnapper had had no choice but to throw the frightened lad into the car boot to secure him. It was impossible for his actions to go unnoticed, and so the burly man threw himself into the driver's seat; gunning the engine and peeling out of the parking lot at a dangerous speed. Only when certain that he was not being followed, did he slow to a less conspicuous speed, and made his way to collect the little boy's mother.

His first thought on meeting the woman was what a heartless beauty she was. Her reaction, or lack thereof to being told that her son was secured in the trunk of the vehicle had raised no alarm in the woman - no protests over the little boy's treatment. All she cared about was meeting the ambulance on time. And so he drove onwards. Like clockwork, they turned on to the side street and saw the waiting emergency vehicle and only then, when she had no choice, did she reluctantly express any interest in the child.

Kabir was livid.

Having gotten out of the ambulance, he had followed the doctor, all the while trying not to bring any undue attention to himself. Despite the danger of being discovered, he had no alternative if he wanted to confirm Sanjay's condition. Expecting the little boy to quit the vehicle from the back seat, he was shocked when Sonal nonchalantly exited the car's passenger side and made her way to the rear of the vehicle. Kabir heard the popping of the trunk, and then observed the driver get out. His fists clenched as he realized the depravity of both the kidnapper and Sonal to have left the young boy in the almost air-tight compartment. The doctor reacted when he couldn't and rushed past Kabir to succor the youngster.

"Are you both mad," he yelled he checked the little boy's vitals. He then raced for the rear of the ambulance to retrieve a portable oxygen canister for the child who had passed out. Kabir couldn't help himself, and automatically picked up the child and carried him back to the emergency vehicle; so be it if anyone recognized him. He had to wait at the ambulance door, when Abhi appeared in the entryway and after pausing to stare at the limp child, disinterestedly exited and headed toward Sonal and his hired goon. Behind him he heard voices raised in anger, but Kabir paid no heed to them, as he laid his son down on the empty gurney so that the doctor could attend him. Thankfully, the supplementary oxygen supply revived the child after some minutes, and although visibly upset, Sanjay seemed in a much better state than he was initially in.

"Will he be okay," Kabir asked in a hushed tone.

As proof of his wellness, Sanjay immediately turned in the direction of the voice that he instantly recognized. "Papa," he cried out through the oxygen mask.

***********

Naomi wasn't sure how much time had passed, or if it was even still the same day: only that this was the second time that she had come to her senses after being rendered unconscious. The first time, it had been the sting of the disinfectant being applied to the cuts on her arms, which had brought her back with a hiss of breath. She had awoken that first time, to learn that her chura had been removed in such a careless fashion, as to leave her with multiple lacerations which were now being tended to. However harsh the antiseptic's bite was, it was the least of her worries when confronted with the horror of learning what had happened to her and Rajeev. She had been informed of the danger to her husband was still in, that would only be averted by her making the basest of choices: Rajeev's life in exchange for her fidelity to the man insistent on claiming her for his own; hers and Rajeev's children to be furthermore considered his as well. In speaking so boldly in front of the medical staff attending her, Naomi realized the truth behind his words; that Abhi had the means to carry out what had he had threatened, and she was left with no choice. And while she told herself that she did it solely to buy time, Naomi died inside, as she willfully betrayed the vows she had made to the man who was her world in willingly removing her ring and her wedding chain, so that both could be replaced by ones of Abhi's choosing. She closed her eyes when he leaned over and gently kissed her forehead, after informing her that Rajeev would understand as he had already witnessed Abhi filling her hairline, because deep down, Abhi had known that she would make the right choice. It only got worse when he imposed his newly gained rights over her and had insisted on a gamut of tests so that he could ascertain the health of "their" children.

And now she was revived once more: this time finding herself lying on the cold tiles of the private bathroom of the hospital room she had been in. At least that's where she thought she was. Her head felt heavier this time around, as if she had been administered a higher dosage, but she could still recall that he was coming for her. They would be leaving soon, Abhi had said before he held up the handkerchief to her face. Someone would get her ready, but she needed to go back to sleep. Had she somehow escaped to the washroom, she didn't know, but for now is seemed that she was safe.

Then the doorknob rattled.

Her whimper must have alerted whoever was on the other side of the door, as then came the incessant knocking and voices calling for her to back away seconds before the door was kicked in. A group entered the small space, and hands grabbed at her. She struggled not knowing if they were here to take her to Abhi. But then she heard the familiar voices of her in-laws who had been held back initially. Her doctor's too, as it seemed, Dr. Visra had also come, and immediately established her authority by ordering the hospital staff to move away from her distressed patient. Only then was she taken from the room to one where she would be under guard and safe from Abhi.

********

"I've prepared your wife the best I can."

Kabir had no clue what the doctor had meant by that, but his words let him know, that the man had discerned the identity of the patient from the get-go, and he hadn't betrayed the fact. Perhaps their doubts in him were unjustified, but now, as they raced closer to the airport, Kabir couldn't help but wonder what type of assistance he had provided.

It had been a close call, when after comforting Sanjay and assuring the child that his Papa was actually there to take him back home that Kabir had turned to the woman lying motionless across from him. Knowing that this would be his only opportunity to make contact with her, he had leaned over to get a closer look; to see if he could see beyond the veil and at least see her eyes. He would know for sure then if it was Rachna, but unfortunately, from what he was able to see, her eyes were closed. With no other choice, he reached to lift the veil, only to have the heavy hand clamp down on his wrist, and then worse.

"Do you wish to die," Kabir was asked feeling something sharp at his throat

The doctor looked up from where he still attended Sanjay.

"For God's sake, Abhi Sir, the man is a trained medic; I've asked him to check her vitals that is all!"

The deranged man squinted, looking from the man aiding the child and then back to woman he believed to be Naomi. He couldn't bear the thought of any man touching Naomi, even if it was his job, but it was his responsibility as her husband to ensure that she was well. He swallowed and removed the blade from the orderly's neck. "Do it quickly and then get back in front seat," Abhi ordered, going back out to give his goon his next instructions.

Kabir watched the crazed man's departure and then faced his wife. She was breathing erratically now. Silently he took her hand, in hopes of making it appear that he was checking her pulse, and moved as to block her action, when Rachna gripped his hand tightly in return. Still at this point, unaware of the doctor's knowledge, Kabir communicated with his Love in the only way he could safely: by touch, caressing her hand in comfort. With his other hand he loosened the straps, but left them in place so that it appeared that they were still affixed.

"Be ready, Love..." Kabir whispered before he moved to leave.

The doctor followed, catching Kabir up and then spoke the words that Kabir still pondered as the approached the airport gates that would take them onto the private concourse.

*************

"I'm sorry, but due to liability issues, we cannot allow non-sanctioned medical personnel to be the primary care providers on this flight, surely that was explained when you arranged the medivac. Our team is here at your disposal, a fully qualified Doctor and nurse, but I'm afraid you will have to dismiss those you have arranged."

"Thik Hai, but at least they can come along as passengers," Abhi countered for appearances sake. Frankly he didn't care a whit one way or another, but he had to maintain the cover they had created for themselves.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible", the captain explained, going into details about weight load of the jet.

Abhi's glance strayed to the co-pilot who was busy with his pre-takeoff check of the airplane. He turned back when the captain asked him if he understood, and nodded before returning door of the jet where Naomi and Sanjay had already been taken to be settled in. He had to stop the contracted medical team from examining her lest they realize that her malady was entirely subterfuge.

"We will have to arrange alternative arrangements for the two of you," Abhi whispered to Sonal and her doctor friend as he neared them. "Due to his mistake," he hissed, "Neither of you will be allowed to fly."

"What," Sonal screeched.

"Lower your voice, do you wish to bring additional attention to yourself," Abhi complained.

"Well what do you expect for us to do, go to the main terminal and purchase tickets and go on a commercial flight? Don't you think that a search hasn't been initiated already; that the police haven't been made aware... your man shot someone...do you really believe that this will go un-noticed..."

Abhi looked up sharply to see the co-pilot circling the jet. He eyed the man, whose own eyes were hidden behind his aviator sunglasses. It was the man's tight-lipped expression that had Abhi wondering if Sonal was possibly right...

Inside the air-ambulance, the "medical personnel" stood at the ready to lead the woman and child to the safety of the ambulance that remained parked nearby. The undercover police officers awaited the signal that would let them know that this was their best opportunity to escape. Knowing for certain that the ringleader of the group was armed at a minimum with a knife, they would have to rely on the bodyguard to disarm him, at the very least so that they could make their escape. The lethargic child was problematic, but they would have to make do. They heard the sounds of a physical encounter and bolted down the steps.

"Run straight for the ambulance... do not let anything going on around you distract you...just run."

The advice was easier said than done, Rachna thought. From the corner of her eyes, she could just make out the scuffle between Jack, instantly recognizable when the airline captain hat flew off his head, and Abhi who, in his mania, was putting up a hell of a fight. She heard Sonal raise the alarm, and felt when the woman constable, clad as a nurse, turned to fend off the irate mother. They were almost there; almost home free when the officer carrying Sanjay stumbled, felled by a shot taken from just outside the chain-link fence on the perimeter of this section of the airport. Abhi had left nothing to chance, and had stationed his man there until the plane left. The officer lay grimacing in pain from his leg wound. "Go...take the child and go," he ordered. Rachna obeyed without hesitation.

"Come beta, we're going to Papa," Rachna said in encouragement. She was certain that no more gunshots would be taken solely because Abhi believed her to be Naomi, so she hastened in the direction of their safe haven. "We're almost there, she cried, smiling in relief beneath the veil that still obscured her face. The open door provided the needed cover and Kabir waited: arms stretched out to aid them. He grabbed Sanjay and ordered him to get behind him, and then immediately turned back for Rachna...stopping cold at the sight before him.

***********

"Take the child and leave. This has nothing to do with you, Kabir. She's made the choice to be with me, haven't you Naomi?"

Rachna dare not answer, as she stumbled backwards supported by the hand around her waist. Catching sight of the wicked looking knife that Abhi was flailing around in his other hand, all she could do was to shake her head at her husband who looked as if he meant to exit the ambulance. The distance between her and Kabir grew.

"I've done everything for you Naomi; you cannot leave me. You told me you wanted this...us ... me and you..."

Kabir looked at the disturbed man steadily pulling his wife away, back towards the plane. All would be lost if Abhi was allowed to return to the jet and subsequently identified his captive. Kabir couldn't let that happen, and he jumped down from the vehicle. He closed the door securing Sanjay out of harm's way and stepped towards the retreating couple.

"Stay back, I mean it, Kabir! I won't let anyone take her from me! Shoot him," he hollered with immediate results. Kabir had no choice but to back off, when a burst of shrapnel exploded at his feet.

Chapter 98

If this was a dream, Rajeev prayed that he would just stay there. Here at least, he hadn't lost her; hadn't watched his wife being torn away from him. Even hearing the anguish in her whispers was better than the alternate emptiness his existence would become if he chose to face reality. He recognized that hers wasn't the only voice reaching his ears, but it was definitely the only one that he wanted to hear right now. Automatically he turned his head in that direction; grateful that the other voices had subsided when he had done so.

"I don't deserve to be here, not when I've wronged him. He's in the condition he is because of me, because I've betrayed him..."

Although Naomi spoke in hushed tones she was no calmer. Despite the amount of time that had passed, there was still no pacifying her patient, and Dr. Visra absolutely refused for Naomi to be sedated once again after the ordeal she had been put through today. Convinced that only her husband's recovery would settle the anxious mother-to-be, the best they could to was to distract her until such time that the patient on the other side of the curtain came out from under the effects of the anesthetic that had been forced on him. It was taking longer than it normally would have, but this was understandable considering the high dosage he had had been subjected to. In fact they were very, very lucky that he was; many would not have. Only an incredible will had maintained the man.

"Naomi I'd like to discuss the scan that was done."

The young woman teared up and shook her head. "No, he made them do them, I don't want ..."

"Naomi this has nothing to do with that villain, and everything to do with you and Rajeev's daughters," the obstetrician interjected.

That got her attention.

"Daughters," she whispered. "Both of them...I'm really having two little girls?" She latched on to the idea, that perhaps Rajeev would accept the children, if not her, just because they were the daughters he had wished for.

Dr. Visra nodded. It wasn't common practice to reveal the sex to the parents, but having been made aware that this information had already been disclosed at the insistence of the man who had tried to abscond with her patient; the physician thought no harm would come in confirming the information.

"Yes, two girls. They are developing nicely and will continue to do so, as long as you take care of yourself. And that means maintaining your composure." The doctor turned around when the Doppler she had requested from the maternity award arrived. "Let's just take a listen to their heartbeats, thik hai?"

The entire room had gone quiet, and soon a strong steady beat echoed in the silence. As expected, Naomi was lulled into a state of calm by the constant galloping sound. Dr. Visra smiled. "Baby Girl #1 whose heart is beating at very healthy rate of 152," she indicated as she held device there a little longer. She moved it over slightly in accordance with the scan she had recently studied. The Doppler picked up the second beat almost immediately "And here we have Baby Girl #2, who is already trying to one-up her sibling with a heartbeat of 154. You have two very strong little ones right here Mrs. Agarwal."

Naomi bit her lower lip and nodded tears streaming down her face, unaware that on the other side of the drape that Rajeev had finally opened his eyes.

**********

Despite Sareena's assurances that everything would be okay, Kabir watched as his wife shed tears for her rescuer as they prepared to wheel him into surgery. Everything had happened so fast and if Jack had not intervened when he had...God he didn't even want to contemplate the likely outcome. Abhi had not gone down quick enough when Rachna had injected him with the sedative, and instead had ripped off her veil, disbelieving that the woman who had pledged herself to him would betray him so. Kabir would forever remember the sound of rage that emanated from the crazed man when he discovered that it wasn't Naomi: had never been Naomi, and had raised the knife. All Kabir knew that he was too far away to save Rachna from attack, and he fully expected to watch his wife die in front of his eyes.

But then miraculously Jack, who they had both thought had been incapacitated, had come in between the descending arm holding the deadly weapon and Rachna, who valiantly struggled to pull away from Abhi, taking the slashing blow in her stead and then somehow through sheer will inflicted sufficient damage to Rachna's attacker, long enough for Kabir to pull his wife out of harm's way and for the police reinforcements to arrive on the scene.

Sareena had emerged from the safety of the terminal and immediately began providing medical attention to her friend, assisted by Vihaan.

"It may take a while just do to the number of stiches he needs, but trust me, Rachna, he will be okay," Sareena promised. "Perhaps we should check on Rajeev and Naomi?"

"Nay," Kabir answered, "Not before Rachna and Sanjay have been assessed," his tone brooking no further dissent now that Jack had been seen to.

***********

In the end half of the battle-weary group was kept at least overnight for observation. With the overwhelming presence of the police there safeguarding the bunch, there was no way of avoiding the fallout. By the nightfall snippets of what had happened had made it out into the public domain. The next day, it quickly became apparent the necessity of the group to be snuck out of the medical facility when en-masse the press descended on the building to cover the scandal. Everything had been made worse when the full disclosure of Abhi's crimes had come to light: that in addition to the assault and kidnapping, that he had also been found to have embezzled a significant amount from his father's corporation: money he had stolen in order to fund his new life with Naomi and their children. He had seen it as the ultimate revenge against both his father for never approving of him. But mostly his schemes were against Rajeev who would suffer knowing that his wife had accepted him as her husband, and that he and Naomi would raise his children in parts unknown. Behind bars, the mad man was making no secret of it and was spewing his hateful lies to any and all who would listen. By association, Sonal's story was soon ferreted out, which just added more and more drama to and already over-blown spectacle. In the days to come, they were all affected in one way or another with the story being rehashed over and over on the television and in print on a daily basis, so much so that neither family could find solace in their respective homes.

After three days the bull was finally taken by the horn, when Rajeev's parents arranged for the group to follow through on their planned vacation. Although their primary reasoning was to succor their bahu, who was deteriorating before their very eyes, they saw this as the perfect opportunity for both families to find some peace away from the pandemonium their lives had become, while they took control of the situation at home. It took some convincing, but at last they were able to escort the group back to the concourse to board the private jet they had arranged to carry them to Goa.

"The quiet will be good for you beta; for both of you," Rajeev's father said to his son as he bid him farewell.

"Ha Papa." He then turned to his mother who stood watching her bahu who sat with the Tripathi family. Distress was written over her face, although Savitra found some relief that today Naomi wore the wedding chain and sindoor that she had initially refused, owing to the blame she had placed on herself, and the perceived shame she had brought to their family.

"I will convince her that she hasn't done anything wrong, Maa."

Savitra nodded.

Rajeev then turned to Vihaan. "There's plenty of room; are you sure you won't join us?"

The younger Agarwal shook his head. "Nay, I'm going to stay to help Papa put out the fires," he said.
Besides I would just be in the way I think," he continued. "Just have a good trip and bring Bhabhi back happy, thik hai." He looked over to where Sareena tended to a wounded Jack, who would also make the trip and recuperate in the tropical paradise. "I'll see you when you get back, so I can say a proper goodbye to Bhabhi," Vihaan continued with a forced smile before embracing his brother.

It was a smooth flight, and at 35,000 feet the travelling party felt their tension slip away as they put distance between them and the chaotic atmosphere that had become their lives. The respite was just what they need. Not unexpectedly, Naomi, along with the children soon fell asleep. While the children had been lulled into slumber by the droning of the jet's engines, most of them recognized that it was Naomi's still troubled state that led her to drift off. Sure of her sleep, Rajeev turned to his travelling party with a request.

He had asked for the night; that he and Naomi be allowed complete privacy for the evening. The others had agreed, all of them worried for their friend who appeared to be backsliding into a melancholy state.

"You have made plans," Kabir stated unquestioningly, knowing that the man he spoke to would move heaven and earth for the woman he loved.

"Ji, but we will definitely see you tomorrow."

Now hours later, Rajeev knocked on the bathroom door where Naomi was freshening up. He stuck his head into the steamy room "Our dinner has arrived, so I am going to have it set up beside the pool, Sweetheart. I've left something out for you to wear, thik hai?"

Naomi nodded and smiled wanly back.

He left unsure how she would react, but he had to do something to make his wife come to her senses.

Fifteen minutes later, Naomi stepped through the sliding door, and the first thing Rajeev noticed was that she was barefoot, and that her face was blotchy from crying. Yet she looked as beautiful as she had on their wedding day. It was fitting he thought. He stood there waiting for her to come to him, and watched as she raised the hem of the white wedding gown that KT had designed for her, and hastened to her husband, who stood looking so handsome in his black tuxedo. She threw herself into his arms and began sobbing out loud.

"You didn't have to do this," she cried.

"Ji Sweetheart I did. Consider it positive reinforcement. I'm guessing that something must have got lost in translation last time, which I am blaming your confusion on, so I'm making sure you get the message this time around by doing in a way more familiar to you." He leaned down and kissed her forehead and then clasped both of her hands and nodded at her, before they both turned their attention to the minister who stood waiting with a smile.

The clergyman had obviously been filled in on their troubles as he spoke of marriage being the connection of two souls, something more important than the tangible symbols of their union: be it wedding rings or chains or even sindoor. Yes he said, all three have their place in marriage, but of more importance are the vows that a husband and wife make to each other... he spoke of Faith and Trust and Love: of Commitment. And somewhere between her tears during the highly specific blessing of their union, Naomi began to find the peace that had eluded her.

**********

Basking in the sunshine as they relaxed in the reclining beach chairs, Rachna raised her head in the direction of Jack who was engrossed in his mobile. Smiling absently, the bodyguard's fingers flew over the touch screen, and then after a few minutes, he chuckled. Sareena raised her eyebrows at Rachna in return and had covered her mouth to prevent her laughter from spilling out. Finally she cleared her throat and stood up. Her shadow covered her former schoolmate "Jack it would probably be a good idea for you to get out of the sun now. Plus we don't want to risk you getting sand near your sutures."

Considering that he was sufficiently covered and protected from both, Jack recognized Sareena's words as just the excuse he could use to return back to the villa, and make the phone call he wished to. He took advantage of her being there to help him to stand. Although up and about he was definitely not one hundred percent. When she had him up on his feet, Sareena sent him on his way teasing him about not running up the hotel phone bill. Behind her, the Tripathis laughed at his expense.

"The two of you have such an amazing friendship," Rachna commented, when Sareena returned to her lounge chair.

"Actually I consider it one of the many benefits of our boarding school experience. Besides the educational foundation, it served as the community that was absent from my life, and opened up my eyes to all sorts of people and cultures I never would have experienced." She paused for a second, looking at a distance to where Rajeev and Naomi frolicked on the shore line with Sanjay and Aryia. "I'm sure that not everyone's experience is the same, but when the time is right, it is my hope that Sanjay finds it a fulfilling experience as well."

Although both Rachna and Kabir hadn't spoken, Sareena knew that she had their rapt attention. "Bhai registered him with the school as soon as he was named," she remembered with a smile. "I know at the time he was thinking mostly of educational value, but I was excited for other reasons, myself."

Kabir could hold back no longer. After Jack had given him the name of the institution, as expected, Kabir had done some research on it. Sareena was right, on both the academic as pastoral front: the historically established public school excelled. His only grievance was the age that they accepted their students. They were practically babies. "I would rather..." he began, and then remembered his position. "That is, have you considered at what age you will be sending him...?"

Sareena smiled. "That's the good thing about the school, a set transfer age is not mandatory; there are a couple of stages in which a student can begin. Not that there should be an issue with Sanjay considered a legacy applicant, but I think that it works well for the individual child. Some are ready from the onset, and others," Sareena continued wistfully, "require more nurturing before they should go. I think Sanjay falls in the latter category myself. I would rather keep him within the family fold than traumatizing him with good intentions."

Kabir sighed deeply, and with a small smile, Rachna reached over and grabbed he husband's hand. She knew that this information relieved him.

"I can't do this by myself," Sareena said suddenly, causing the married couple to look over to her in shock. The self-assured young doctor sat there with tears streaming down her face. "That's not say, that I am incapable, I just wonder at the fairness of it to him. On one hand it feels like total selfishness on my part, but in my more rational moments I comprehend that Sanjay needs more than I can provide right now, and he deserves more than being raised by the hired help. Perhaps if Naomi had been the one, I could see it through, but that seems impossibility now, not that I would want to put her in that position right now... after everything. She took a deep breath steeling herself for what she had to say.

"Sanjay needs his family: his Daadi, his sister and especially his Rachna Aunty and his Papa." She wiped at her tears in anger. "So this should be more fodder for the public don't you think...the aunt who fights for custody of her nephew, only to realize that she has no..."

"Don't you dare you think to complete that sentence," Kabir ordered sternly, refusing for the young woman to denigrate herself in any fashion. "Have you not considered that if Sanjay is family to us, then just by default you are too? Family is here to support each other, so whatever it is that you need from us will be given if it's in our power to give..."

Sarrena spoke again, "I can arrange a stipend for his care if you need...it won't be"

"Rachna," Kabir growled in warning, fearing that he would explode at his son's aunt...

Rachna shook her head, desperately needing Sareena to grasp the insult she had about to levy and stop.

"Family Sareena," Rachna reiterated sternly before smiling at the young doctor, "Which means that Kabir will feel he has all the rights to chastise you whenever necessary...and perhaps even when you don't deserve it."

Sareena stopped talking and then chuckled tearfully. "It must be a bhai thing," she said. She wiped her face clear, and then nodded. "At the very least we need to draw up guardianship papers so that you can act in my stead in case of any emergency."

Epilogue:

Five months later

"Don't make any sudden movements, Naomi," Rajeev is looking over this way."

Naomi giggled from the confines of the fold up chair she sat in. "As if I could, Ra... I feel practically wedged in this seat." She looked over at her friend who looked equally ungainly in her chair. "I think the fact that we aren't on the blanket is the only thing that is saving us from being described as beached whales."

Rachna held her stomach and laughed. "Stop it; if I go into early labor I'm going to tell Kabir that it's entirely your fault."

"Great, so not only will I be in trouble with my own husband, but with yours too...that's nice." She glanced at her watch. "Shouldn't he be here now anyway?"

Rachna turned and smiled. "Speak of the devil," she said waving at her husband and their daughter at a distance. With him were their houseguests who he had just collected from the airport. Beside her, Naomi sighed in disgust.

"Well I guess I know what caused that."

"And you would be right; I have the most idiotic Devar ever born. He had the perfect woman in his sights and then he changes his mind...an absolute idiot."

Daadi who sat near Rachna smiled at her two Betis, "I have every faith that my Vihaan will come to his senses. He is not a stupid man."

Rachna nodded, and hoped that Daadi was right. She suspected that Sareena was pretty hurt when inexplicably Vihaan had backed off from their budding friendship, but Rachna was hesitant to share this with her best friend. Naomi had already vocalized to Rajeev's brother what an absolute fool he was, and this news would surely send her hormonally charged friend off the rails.

"Well if someone else comes along, it will be his loss," Naomi said. "But at least things are looking up for Jack."

Rachna nodded, recalling how the bodyguard getting injured had cleared up Arpita's confusion over how she felt about the man, and whether she wanted to chance a relationship with him. Long-distance for now, this would be their first meeting after he and Sareena had left Banaras in the days after they had returned from Goa. Arpita had braved her parents' ire and let them know of her feelings and her intentions, and for now they had no objections. In all probability it was because nothing had progressed from their skype calls and messages, but still Arpita was a brave girl. And if it was meant to be it would.

"Did I tell you that Arpita's parents wanted her to leave her position due to the scandal?"

Naomi shook her head, Rachna hadn't, but she wasn't surprised at their stance - it was a hairy period for all of them, but thankfully one that they all were moving on from. That Rachna's assistant was still with Banaras Beauty meant that Arpita had never been swayed to her parents' way of thinking. Neither did most public opinion go against any of them, well not too much of it anyway. To some Naomi would still be seen as the foreign femme fatale who started all of this despite all evidences of Abhi's immoral character and wrong doings coming out, but she knew she had the support of everyone that mattered and that was enough for her... Well that and the fact the Abhi had been sentenced to a long stretch of prison time. Turning against her partner had offered Sonal a much lighter sentence, and they expected that the woman would be deported back to the US on her release in a few months.

It had brought the necessary closure for all of them

For her part, Naomi had even managed to turn everything that had been published in their favor. In a cathartic moment she had amassed all of the published reports, both factual and embellished, and produced an expose of such note that she had submitted anonymously to her father-in-law's publication. Not only had it touched on the crimes, but also the reasons for such, in a completely unbiased fashion offered a commentary on society as a whole. Naturally due to the subject matter as well as the nature of the topic, the presentation was first shown to Shaliesh Agarwal before they accepted the mysterious freelancer's work. Until that point the newspaper had shied away from everything but most succinct reports of the crime and subsequent proceedings. The other directors had thought it a masterful piece and were ready to run with it, and in fact we ready to offer the creator more work based on it alone. Shailish Agarwal had asked for twenty four hours to make his decision, and then immediately went to visit his son and daughter-in-law. He had been aware of his bahu's talents, but had never expected anything like this.

Naomi smiled to herself; it had been wonderful having the best of both worlds with the opportunity to work at a scheduled agreeable to her family life, from home no less. She blinked realizing that the group had almost reached them.

"Wait, does Arpita know that he has come?"

"Nay, but I've called her to let her know that I absolutely need a particular fabric sample now."

Naomi laughed. "Now: in the park, Rachna?"

"Hey I'm game for whatever works, Pretty Eyes," Jack stated, obviously hearing the women's conversation. He leaned down and smacked a kiss on Naomi's cheek. "Good Lord Pretty Eyes, you've doubled in size...and don't you still have a couple of months yet?"

Naomi's welcoming smile fell. "Need I remind you I have a whole bunch of friends armed with hockey sticks not far away, Jack?"

"And you look absolutely beautiful," Jack added to save himself. He turned to Rachna. "As do you, Rachna," he said, greeting her in the same fashion as he had Naomi. "Namaste Daadi; so has the game started," he asked plopping down on the blanket.

"It is just about to, you haven't missed anything," The older woman said placing her hand on his head. She them beamed at the young woman who had kept pace with her grandson.

"Sareena, beti, welcome home."

Rachna followed Daadi in greeting the young doctor. "Welcome home, Sareena; you arrived just in time," Rachna said. "Come, look how handsome Sanjay looks in his team uniform."

"And that is going to aid him how exactly, Rachna," Kabir asked his wife.

"I'm just stating facts, watch when he starts playing; it will be clear which parent he gets his skills from..."

Sareena laughed at the pair, more assured that the best decision had been made for Sanjay.

"He grown so much," The young doctor said stifling a yawn. It felt that she had worked a hundred double shifts to amass sufficient time off to come and visit, but since she had already missed her nephew's birthday, there was no way she would miss Sanjay's first hockey game. She would sleep later.

She looked over and at the couple who were attentively playing with their daughter in the last minutes before their son would take the field. She smiled as Kabir leaned over and kissed Rachna on the forehead, marveling at the couple's acceptance of first Sanjay and now her. Bhai would be thrilled with the outcome.

In the end, Sanjay made it through the match, after an imperfectly perfect performance, but thankfully unscathed as he had played with boys older than him. Suffice to say he was slightly overwhelmed by his vociferous cheering section, but thankfully they waited until only he and Rajeev Uncle were left before they began acting really silly, as if he had won the match for his team. They needed pictures lots of them they said, and he and Rajeev Uncle were made to join them while Uncle Jack and Arpita Aunty took turns taking pictures of him and Papa and Aryia and Daadi of course of Aunty Reena.

Sanjay didn't know how they were going manage for one big picture and get both his Mama's and Pari's tummies in the picture, and he thought he was it lots of trouble when he asked this out loud. But soon everyone was laughing aloud because like Papa says that how family was. No matter what nobody would stay mad at their family forever.

*********

Kabir came from the nursery to find Rachna reviewing the photos taken earlier. She turned the tablet around so he could view one in particular. "Sanjay was right to ask," Rachna said, as hers and Naomi's girth seemed to overwhelm the image. She looked at her husband in concern when he frowned. "Sareena looks thinner."

Rachna agreed; she had noticed it immediately. "Well she has been working some long hours of late, but we have five days to fatten her up, so consider that before you go into full overbearing bhaiyaa mode ok Kabir?" Her husband nodded, but Rachna suspected that poor Sareena was in for a time of it.

Rachna then laughed to herself at one particularly goofy photo. "What a motley crew we are," she scoffed. Kabir came beside her and viewed the image, concurring, but frowning at his wife. "What an absolutely indelicate way to describe all of us..."

"Well, Mr. Tripathi, how would..." she paused when Kabir leaned and kissed her.

"An ensemble...a cast...a family"

Rachna was flushed from the kisses her husband had punctuated each word with. "You are going to get yourself in trouble Kabir Tripathi if you don't stop...it's far too late for such attentions, and I still have a couple of weeks yet, " she said rubbing her swollen abdomen. Thankfully he listened and came up to where they view they could view the remaining photos together. "Mind you, I do like your words better"

"Don't scare me Rachna by admitting you are wrong, I'm already worried about you."

"Thik hai, I guess I will have to do you one better...I look at us and I see love. How is that Kabir?"

He smushed his face, "Nay, I like my own, actually..."

Rachna looked at him as he took his phone and sent off a message. She raised one brow.

"I've just sent Naomi what should be the topic of her next special report." He turned his mobile over to his wife so she could see the potential title - Family: A Cast of Characters, and giggled when the message pinged.

God concept, but stick to your day job KT, not feeling the title: something like When Love Creates a Family is not so chintzy if you get my meaning, but thanks anyway. Love you Bhai 😊

"And this round has gone to girls," Rachna taunted before her husband threatened her with another kiss. When would the silly man remember that he should be careful what he asks for, she thought happily as she met him half-way.

End.

And thus ends A Cast of Characters

Thanks for Reading

Kelly