The Accidental Wife (29 page)

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…

N
aina 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

S
imi 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,
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on twitter @
simikrao
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