“Asha, put the book away,” Sarah said one evening. “Let’s have a chat.”
Asha closed the novel. “I have to say some things to you too, Sister. Are you sure you’re well enough?”
Sarah chuckled, which turned into a serious cough. Asha held the plastic bucket for her and rubbed her back. “I’m not well enough, but I don’t think waiting is wise.”
Asha set the bucket down. “All right, as you wish.”
“Charles tells me you received an excellent score on the standardized test.”
“Yes, it’s good enough for New York University. Charles says it’s a top school.”
“It is. I’m incredibly proud of you.”
Asha tried to smile, but her heart wouldn’t let her. Instead, she placed her head in her hands to hide her weeping from Sarah.
“Now now, none of that. I’ve had a good life.”
“It’s not just that, Sarah.”
“Then why, dear?”
“I am so ashamed. I don’t deserve all of the things you’ve done for me. I’ve never appreciated them.”
Sarah shifted to a seated position. Asha tried to help her, but she waved the girl away. “Don’t ever say that…don’t think it.” Sarah’s green eyes grew wistful as she took Asha’s hand. “They say love at first sight is a ridiculous notion, but I know it to be a true phenomenon.”
“Because of Charles?” Asha asked.
“No, child, because of you. The moment I saw you, I knew my purpose and so did Nalini.”
Asha swallowed back the lump in her throat, willing herself to speak the words she’d been holding since Sarah’s arrival. “I used to think the Gods hated me. The river, the box, the knife were meant to kill me just as my real parents intended. I always felt like an imposter—an unwanted girl. I realize now how blessed I am because I was given not one, but two mothers.”
Sarah’s smile was strong despite her illness. “You’re right my sweet, brave girl. You are my daughter, too. Now it’s your turn to make a choice as a mother. What will you do when you get to New York?”
“Charles has some contacts there—barristers.”
“They call them attorneys in the states, honey. You must learn the terminology.”
“Yes, attorneys.”
“I want you to think about this and pray on it. Your daughter has a life and parents who love her. She’ll be three when you get there. You’ll have to decide if you want to take her from the life she lives now and drag her through a court case that could take years.”
“You think it’s selfish?”
“Only you can answer your question, dear one. I have no doubt you’ll make the right decision on her best interests. That’s what a mother does. That’s what your mother and I tried to do for you, even though we disagreed sometimes.”
“I understand, Sister.”
“Will you do something else for me?”
“Anything.”
“I want you to enjoy yourself. To be carefree for once, but I also want you to get your education and come back here to continue my work.”
Asha’s shoulders stiffened with panic. “You want me to be a nun? I’m Hindu.”
Sarah laughed. “No, dear heart, you don’t have to be a nun to do good work. Many girls here need guidance. Who better to teach them than you?”
“Mother, I will make you proud.”
“Daughter, you do make me proud.”
Chapter 38
The first rays of sun peeked through the clouds. The empty wine bottle sat between them. Nick had listened to her with his full attention. Now, Shyla stood to stretch her legs. Her body confirmed she’d sat there for hours replaying the most intimate details of her life to him, but in her mind the time sped by with no rational measurement. He hadn’t said a single word, his face revealing sorrow and sympathy, but he never interrupted her…not once.
“Sarah died a month after I got here.”
“I’m sorry.”
She clasped her hands together. “That’s the whole story, Nick. How I went from unwanted girl to the luckiest girl on earth, from child bride to college student, from victim to survivor. You know it all.”
“It’s unbelievable, and yet I should have guessed at some point. There were clues something was off, but I didn’t want to acknowledge it.”
“How could you have? I deceived you. I’ll never be able to apologize enough.”
“I didn’t put it together because the girl who could go through such traumatic events didn’t seem like the same girl who asked to share my space that first night.” He sucked in a deep breath. “You were so…brave.”
“I was trying to protect my child. It’s what a mother does.”
“Not all mothers do that.”
She understood he referred to his own. Her heart wrenched for him. “I would have been another statistic if it wasn’t for the people in my life. It’s because of Nalini, Sarah, Mukash, and Charles that I’m here. But it was you, Nick, who taught me how to laugh and what it means to be alive.”
“Why didn’t you file for custody of Maya?”
“I did as Sarah asked. I watched Maya from a careful distance. When I first saw she was being raised by two women, I was shocked…maybe even disturbed. It didn’t take long for me to realize what a happy childhood she had and how much her mothers love her.” Shyla smiled, recalling the memories. “She takes dance classes, American and Indian. She goes to temple and church. Recently, she got this cute dog with floppy ears. She walks him every day with her mothers.”
“I bought her that dog.”
“I should have guessed.” Shyla nodded, a weak smile on her lips. “I couldn’t take her away from everything she knew and all the people who loved her. It was the hardest decision of my life, but at least I had a choice in it, and for that, I am grateful. I realized, just like me, Maya is also blessed to have two mothers.”
“Do you want to see her?”
She bit her lower lip. “At one point I did, but I don’t want to confuse her. Maybe someday…but not now.”
“Why did you ask me to help you?”
“I stayed here because of my promise to Sarah to get a proper education. I threw myself into school. But I still watched Maya whenever I could. I was waiting for any sign of distress in her life, but none ever came. I saw you one day at the park. You were teaching her how to fly a kite.”
“I remember that day.”
“I wondered what your relationship was to my daughter and their mothers, but I put it out of my mind. And then a few years later, you started ordering sandwiches from the deli.”
“I see.”
She wrung her hands together. “I don’t think you do. I believe things happen for a reason. I decided this was some kind of sign. You had a connection to Maya and now to me. It was a stretch, but I grasped onto it. I looked you up that night by your real name. The one on your sandwich order. I swear I didn’t know about the Keegan Moon novels.”
“I believe you. Your reaction was too priceless when I told you.”
“I saw the other book, though. The one about your grandfather, and I purchased it. Although I wasn’t honest about not having heard of it, I did tell you the truth when I said I loved it. I kept thinking about your book and rereading it. I’d accepted that I wouldn’t get involved in Maya’s life. Still, I thought there had to be some way to leave her the legacy of her heritage. My time here was growing short. I didn’t want her to wonder about me. About her origins as I so often do about mine. I wanted her to have the truth…the good, bad, and ugly of it all. But how could I do that? She’s so young. She wouldn’t understand. Naturally, Carrie and Tara would be hesitant to let me into their lives.”
“So you used me for that purpose?”
“No, it wasn’t like that. I got the idea to write a book for my daughter based on yours long before I asked to share your space. I wanted it to be honest and real.”
“It is. You didn’t sugarcoat anything. It’s a gruesome account.”
“
Her birth certificate shows the village name. There are clues she could trace back if she ever wanted to know the truth. I didn’t want her to go in search of it. I never wanted her to meet… her father. Also, I know better than anyone how she might feel when she found out. I wanted to answer all those questions for her, no matter how horrific the answers were. I tried doing it myself, but it came out like rubbish each time. When you asked me what my dreams were, I blurted it out, not even thinking of the consequences.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me the truth? I would have found out once Carrie and Tara read the book.”
“I didn’t think it all through. Showing it to Carrie was your idea, not mine. I just wanted to write my memoirs to my daughter. In the end, I felt if Carrie and Tara read the story, they would be more receptive. I should have told you, Nick, but I wanted to keep the two things separate. You never looked at me with pity, and I never wanted you to. I thought we could be a fling, a sweet memory we could each hold onto. I wanted to know what it meant to be with a kind man. One who made me feel like an equal and treated me compassionately. It was too easy to fall in love with you. I couldn’t stand for you to hate me for my dishonesty. I considered telling you so many times, but the deeper we got, the more difficult it became.”
“You do love me then?”
She held herself back from touching him, but she could not hold back the cracking of her voice. “With everything I am, Nick Dorsey.”
“Will you be in danger when you go back?” he asked, his jaw clenching.
“From Aditi? No, I’ll be teaching far away from my village. Charles is building a school for me to run. It’s a school for mistreated girls.”
“What happened to them?” Nick didn’t say her family, and for that she was grateful. Except for her little brother, they weren’t her family.
“They think I’m dead. Charles pays for village gossip. My mother-in-law is going mad, some form of dementia. Aditi married again. His new wife cannot bear him a son either. I worry for Mukash, but Charles tells me he has taken over more duties at the farm and manages to make a small profit. He’s saved my life more than once. I can never repay the debt I owe him.”
“It’s our debt,” Nick said. He stood and walked around the room. “His bravery is the stuff of legend.”
She dropped her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking. “I love you, Nick. I wish to God I could change what happened between us. Make it right. I wanted to bring you happiness, not misery. You told me I was your muse, but you…you are my joy.”
His shadow fell against her. Nick’s fingers threaded though her hair. She lifted her head to meet his eyes. He took her arms, pulling her out of the chair and against his chest in a tight embrace. “How can I be mad at you, Goddess? The Gods brought us together because we needed each other. Maybe we never planned for the path to lead us to this place, but I’m glad we’re here…together.” He tilted her chin and kissed her forehead. “It’s difficult for me to digest it all. You’ve had so much pain in your life.” He wiped the tear from her cheek. “But please believe me when I say I will never regard you with pity…only awe. When I look at you, I don’t see a broken girl. I see a hero. I see a Goddess. I see a goddamn miracle.” His voice choked on the last sentence, a single tear falling from his eye, which she wiped away. She leaned against him, closing her eyes. The beat of his heart comforted her despite its rapid melody.
She released a deep breath, one so long she may have been holding it since the airport. “Nine hours wasn’t enough time. There will never be enough time for us, will there?”
“I don’t want nine hours anymore, sweetheart. I want the next ninety-nine years…longer if possible.”
She blinked her eyes in confusion and swallowed the large lump in her throat. “I have to go back. It’s the promise I made to Sarah and my personal vow. I love you with all that I am, but I cannot stay here.”
He placed a hand on each side of her face and drew her in for a deep kiss. He was smiling, the first real smile she’d seen since he picked her up. “Anything in this vow about me not being able to come with you?”
Shyla’s mouth gaped as his words sunk in. She didn’t trust the emotions rushing through her. “I can’t ask you to do that. You love living here. This is your home.”
“You’re going to fight a difficult battle. You’ll need help. Didn’t Kali’s husband support her in battle and make her strong?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I will do for you.”
She allowed herself a smile. For the first time, her heart filling with the possibilities that their story didn’t have to end at all. “You don’t even like Indian food.”
He laughed, picking her up and spinning her around. “I’ll learn. I told you I had so much to teach you, but it’s you who has taught me about compassion and hope and what it means to love somebody. I don’t want to stop learning. My home is where you are.” He cleared his throat. “We’re going to try this again.” Nick grasped her by the shoulders and guided her to the middle of the room.
He walked around her in slow circles.
“What are you doing, Nick?” she asked, turning as he rounded her.
He fell in front of her feet after the third rotation. “Shyla, I would go around the universe for you. You are my world, after all. I would climb the highest water tower, cross every ocean and continent, and remove every obstacle in my path—in our path—to be with you. I don’t deserve you, but luckily, I’m selfish enough that I don’t care. I love you. Will you marry me?”
Chapter 39
Nick and Shyla—The real last chapter
Nick never imagined being married, but then he’d never imagined a girl like her would step into his life. Their wedding, like all weddings in India, was a celebrated event. Despite Nick and Shyla’s objections, Charles Breckenridge insisted on paying for the festivities, stating Shyla was the closest thing to a daughter he’d ever have.
The guest list was small since there were only a few special friends they wanted in attendance. Carrie, Tara, and Maya were there. Elaine and her boyfriend had taken the long trip as well. Then there were the people they both loved who were there in spirit—Nalini, Sarah, and his grandpa. His only regret was that his bride wanted her little brother there. But after much debate with Charles, they’d all agreed that, although he knew she was alive, it would be too great a risk to invite Mukash.
The day was a joyous one. The guests commented they had never seen a husband look upon his bride with such reverence. Of course, the bride was stunning in the traditional red marriage sari, every inch of her adorned with jewels and decoration. Her hands were adorned with the traditional henna, but the design was unique. She’d chosen a tree, the lines on her fingers darkened to represent the branches, her new initials hanging from those branches like leaves.
A scarf tied her sari to his suit, symbolizing their eternal bond. They walked the seven steps to signify the beginning of their journey through life together. Each step represented a sacred vow to each other.
First step: To respect and honor the other
Second step: To share in each other’s joy and sorrow
Third step: To trust and be loyal always
Fourth step: To always strive for knowledge
Fifth step: To confirm their vow of family duties and spiritual growth
Sixth step: To follow principles of righteousness
Seventh step: To nurture the unbreakable bonds of friendship and love
When it was over, Nick smiled at his wife. “Will you marry me again, Goddess?”
“I would marry you a thousand times.”
“Once more is enough. We need to get on with it. Our bridal bed awaits.”
Shyla made her way over to Maya and crouched next to the girl. He choked back the wave of emotion at the sight. They had discussed it with Carrie and Tara. Together, they had agreed one day they would tell Maya the truth, but that day was far into the future. For now, Shyla did have a place in Maya’s life as
Aunt Shyla, the woman who married cool Uncle Nick.
“You look like a princess,” Maya said.
“So do you, sweetie,” Shyla said, straightening Maya’s white flower girl dress.
“I’m excited for this part.”
“Me, too.”
The child led them as they walked across the hall of the posh hotel to the second ballroom. Nick took his place at the end of the aisle. Maya threw petals down a white runner, Carrie and Tara following her. When the music changed, he only had eyes for one girl. Charles led his bride to him and placed their hands together. A Catholic priest performed the ceremony.
Those who knew them well understood. If it was one thing they both believed in, it was that all paths led to the same place, and the sun shined on every one of those roads.
Epilogue
Havoc was used to bloodshed. He was in the bloodshed business after all, and business was booming. He lived like a king in a country that knew how to treat royalty. Still, the American aroused his curiosity, a trait Havoc considered a hindrance in his line of work.
Clients used his firm because they didn’t want to get their hands dirty and insisted upon discretion. The American, unlike other customers, wanted dirty hands. In fact, he craved it. In reality, he had reduced the army of highly trained men into nothing more than well-paid translators and gophers. Havoc watched as the tall white man with hair the color of a lion’s mane deliver another round of bone-crushing strikes to the villager. The target’s face had the consistency of fresh pulp.
The American had rejected all of the preferred weapons—the gun, the knife, the poison, opting to use his own body. He wouldn’t even allow Havoc’s men to hold back the target, demanding a fair fight. This wasn’t one man wanting to rid himself of another for money or power or problems. Havoc had seen enough men die to recognize the fists of revenge.
Normally such theatrics would have irked Havoc, but he admired the American. His own fists twitched to deliver a few blows as well. The target in this case was a man rumored to have killed his first wife, although it never had been proven. The man’s second wife had given birth three times, yet they had no children. There was only one explanation for such a discrepancy. People considered Havoc a cold, blood-thirsty man, and the reputation served him well, especially in his line of work, but all personas had threads of falsehood. There were three people Havoc loved—his wife, his mother, and his daughter. He cherished them above all others. If anyone ever hurt them, he’d react the same way as the American, like a skilled but feral animal.
Unwanted Girl Page 31
