The Accidental Wife
Page 26
Maria embraced her and held her tight. “Yes, you’re right. Zeenat. You saved her from the blast.”
***
Later that afternoon Naina sat amidst her spoils, with the pictures of Kabul she’d taken spread around her. They told the story of her fateful journey very well, yet strangely she felt no regrets.
“Thank god you’re okay,” she said, picking up one of Zeenat’s pictures. “I’ll talk to you soon. I promise.” She caressed the image before setting it aside, then turned to inspect the remaining contents of the envelope. There was a journal with some random notes; a rough draft of the article she had begun to write; a few trinkets, and an unopened letter addressed to her from Rihaan.
Her hands were now shaking uncontrollably. The past had started to unravel in her brain; the images flickering rapidly like a stop motion movie with several of them featuring Rihaan, a very different Rihaan. She was hesitant to press the pause button and examine the scenes fearing what she might see.
After considerable hesitation, she removed the single sheet from the envelope. The words were printed in bold as if to convey he meant every word he’d written—
NAINA,
I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU LEFT, BUT I CAN MAKE A GUESS.
YOU AREN’T SURE ABOUT WHERE I’M COMING FROM
SO LET ME GET THIS OFF MY CHEST: IT’S NOT BIOLOGY.
IT NEVER WAS!
She closed her eyes. ‘Biology’—the word evoked a memory. Of a certain place with large glass windows and an OPEN sign…also of an intimately entwined couple, the smell of food and Rihaan’s unmistakable droll voice making a statement.
She continued reading…
IT’S A LOT MORE THAN THAT.
IT’S TWO SOULS MAKING ETERNAL LOVE
THAT EXTENDS THROUGH LIFETIMES.
THAT’S HOW WE BOTH ARE—YOU AND I.
AND I CONFESS I CANNOT GO ON WITHOUT YOU.
I NEED TO SEE YOU SOON.
I’M GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN SOMEHOW.
WAIT FOR ME.
TILL THEN,
LOVE,
R.
She set the letter down on the table and the tears just flowed… Life had come full circle. She now knew all that she needed to know.
Epilogue
A few months later…
Naina heard the door of the room down the hall close softly. Then waited patiently as the light measured footsteps covered the distance to the master bedroom (she and Rihaan had a much bigger place now) and the mattress gave as he quietly slipped in beside her. She sighed and snuggled into his nourishing warmth.
“Is Zeenat asleep?” she asked.
“Yes, but only after I’d read Goodnight Moon close to a hundred times! What’s it with kids and bunnies?” he muttered.
“You were no different according to your mother,” she retorted with a teasing gleam in her eyes. “The only distinction was that you were hooked on Peter Rabbit instead.”
He laughed. “Seems like the skeletons are gradually trickling out of the closet. Mom was never one to keep her mouth shut.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” she said, nuzzling into his neck. “Thank you for being so patient with Zeenat and getting specialized therapists to work with her.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Naina. I’m her dad, just like you’re her mom. We are both in this together, remember?”
“Do you think she’ll be all right? Be a normal child ever again?”
“Of course. She’s going to be fine. You and I are going to make sure she is. So stop worrying!” he chided, tapping her lightly on the jaw.
She smiled and the worry creases vanished from her brow. Everything would be okay as long as she had Rihaan.
***
He perused her in the semi darkness. Her hair had grown. She wore it shoulder length now, in soft waves that bounced about her delicately boned face as she walked, giving her a smart chic look. Her eyes—startlingly brilliant, sparkled with humor, candor and an incredible amount of love. In them, he could see his future and it looked fantastic. They had become his inspiration, a sight he had to see every day. And to know that he’d almost come close to losing her… He tried to shake the thought from his head.
“So how was your first day at school? Were the students able to concentrate on their work or did they find the teacher too hot and distracting?”
“Jealous?” she asked.
“A little,” he admitted.
She shook her head. “They are all innocent eight and ten year olds, Rihaan.”
“I can never trust a Y chromosome around you. None besides mine! Understood?”
“Understood,” she replied demurely.
He grinned. “Good. I’m glad we’re both on the same page. Now let’s talk about our other little one,” he said slipping his hand under her Betty Boop night shirt. “I wonder how she managed to sneak in despite all the precautions we took.”
“Precautions?” She laughed. “Are you sure?”
“Well, most times.” He smiled, not in the least contrite.
He lovingly caressed the barely discernable bump of her womb and saw her eyes glaze over with pleasure.
“This baby has inherited her rash and impulsive genes from her dad,” Naina whispered. “You should know by now accidents do happen.”
“Agreed, they do,” he murmured, smooching her firmly on the lips. “But none more wonderful than that which happened to me…my accidental wife.”
Glossary
Terms are in Hindi or Urdu unless otherwise specified.
Aap: You
Aap yahaan: You here
Aashiqs: Admirers
Amanat: Property
Arati thali: A special tray used for offering prayers during religious ceremonies and for welcoming guests.
Bachu: Kiddo
Bahu: Daughter-in-law
Bakbak: Chitchat
Bechara: Poor thing
Beedis: A thin Indian cigarette, with tobacco wrapped in a special kind of leaf.
Beta: Child, son
Bhai: Brother
Bharta: Dish of mashed vegetables
Bhoj: Feast
Bhoots and daayans: Ghosts and witches
Bhabhi: Sister-in-law
Chaat: Savory Indian snack
Chachi: Aunt
Chal phatt: Get lost
Chalo: All right; let’s go
Chaloo: Sly
Charpai: A traditional light woven bedstead
Crorepati: Millionaire
Dal: Dried pulse (lentil, pea or various types of bean) that has been split
Damaad/Dammadji: Son-in-law (formal)
Desi: Indian
Devdas: In popular Indian culture, the name of a fictional character who squander’s his life away pining for the love of a woman he can’t have.
Devi Ma: Goddess mother or Durga
Dhurrie: Thick woven rug
Didi/Di: Elder sister
Dimaag ka doctor: Head doctor
Dost: Pal
Dupatta: Shawl
Durban: Doorman
Ek aur: Another
Filmi: Related to movies, movie like
Ghoonghat: Veil
Gyan: Knowledge
Haan: Yes
Haazir jawab: Witty and always ready with an answer
Haveli: Mansion
Hogi meri jooti: My foot
Honhaar: Smart, Astute
Jaldi: Quick
Jharokhas: Windows
Joru ke Ghulam: Wife’s slave
Kadak chai: Strong chai tea
Khattara: Ramshackle
Kheer: Indian style rice pudding
Kumkum: A red powder used ceremonially and cosmetically, especially by Hindu women to make a distinctive
mark on the forehead.
Kurta: Long loose collarless shirt
Lattu: Nuts, crazy
Lehenga: Long skirt, embroidered and pleated
Mami: Aunt (maternal uncle’s wife)
Mandap: Sacred tent used in Hindu wedding ceremonies
Mangalsutra: Auspicious thread knotted around the bride’s neck
Manmaani: Wish
Mannat: Wish, prayer
Marad: Husband
Masala: Spice
Mein ek imaandaar aadmi hoon: I am an honest man.
Miya biwi: Husband wife
Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth
Muh-phat: Outspoken
Munimji: Accountant
Naamkaran: Naming ceremony
Ojha: Exorcist
Pagris: Turbans
Pakoras: A deep fried Indian snack
Paneer: Fresh Indian cheese
Papaji: Papa or father, ji is added at the end of a word as a form of respect.
Parda: The tradition of wearing the veil by married women.
Pet pooja: Feeding the stomach
Phataphat: Quick, instant
Poojas: Prayer Ceremonies
Prasad: A religious offering in the form of food in Hinduism, consumed by the worshippers.
Rotis: A type of Indian flatbread
Ruko: Halt, stop
Saas/Saases: Mother-in-law/mother-in-laws
Saat pheras: Seven sacred vows taken by the bride and groom during the Hindu wedding ceremony.
Salwar kameez: A dress consisting of a pair of loose, pleated trousers tapered to a tight fit around the ankle and a long loose shirt worn by women from South Asia.
Sasuma: Mother-in-law
Shagun: Auspicious gift
Shandaar: Awesome
Sherwani: Knee length coat buttoned to the neck worn by men during weddings and other formal occasions.
Sindoor: Red vermillion powder worn by married women along the parting of their hair.
Tandav: A divine dance performed by the Hindu God Shiva. It is considered as the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction.
Tanga: A light horse-drawn carriage
Tangawallah: Driver of the Tanga
Tez: Fast
Uncleji: Uncle, ji is added at the end of a word as a form of respect.
Upma: Traditional South Indian breakfast dish made from semolina.
Vadi: Nuggets made from lentils
Waah: Great, superb
Yeh lo: Look here
Zamindars: Aristocrats in the Indian subcontinent who held large tracts of land.
Zanana: Pertaining to women
Zaroor: Definitely, absolutely
About the Author
Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several years. The Accidental Wife is her second novel. The inspiration for her stories come from what she has seen transpire among and within the immigrant community. Some of the experiences included are her own; some have been garnered from friends and casual conversations with acquaintances. She also writes poetry, is an avid photographer, loves to travel, and is a practicing physician. She currently lives in Denver with her family. You can connect with the author and read more of her work on her website at www.simikrao.com, follow on twitter @ simikrao and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simikrao